Plot Summary

When She Woke

Hillary Jordan
Guide cover placeholder

When She Woke

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

Book Brief

Hillary Jordan

When She Woke

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011
Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Future USA

Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, Hannah Payne, a young woman living in a future theocratic Texas, undergoes a procedure called "melachroming" that dyes her skin red after being convicted of murder for having an abortion. Navigating a society where crimes are visibly marked on people, Hannah struggles for survival, grappling with her beliefs, relationships, and identity while fleeing to Canada, where she hopes to reverse the procedure and reclaim her life. The novel addresses themes of reproductive rights, religious control, and societal punishments.

Dark

Suspenseful

Challenging

Mysterious

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.9

31,209 ratings

61%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan blends dystopian and contemporary themes, drawing both praise and critique. Reviewers commend its bold premise and thought-provoking social commentary. However, some find the characters underdeveloped and the plot somewhat predictable. Despite this, it remains a compelling and provocative read within feminist and speculative fiction genres.

Who should read this

Who Should Read When She Woke?

A reader who would enjoy When She Woke by Hillary Jordan typically appreciates dystopian fiction with strong themes of social justice and individual rights. Fans of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 might find this novel compelling for its critical look at future societal control and identity.

3.9

31,209 ratings

61%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Future USA

Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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