The Power

by Naomi Alderman
The Power cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical:
  • ID: 1923
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9780316547659
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2017-10-10
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

The Power by Naomi Alderman is a gripping exploration of a world where teenage girls develop a terrifying new ability, causing a dramatic shift in societal dynamics. The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including a wealthy Nigerian boy, a foster child with hidden secrets, an ambitious American politician, and a tough London girl, as their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. This award-winning novel is praised for its immersive prose and bold commentary on power, gender, and society. /n/n Alderman's speculative fiction challenges readers to question the nature of power and the structures that govern our world. The Power is not just a thrilling journey into an alternate reality but also a mirror held up to our own society, revealing its flaws and complexities in surprising ways. It's a captivating and unsettling read that will leave you questioning the status quo.

Reviews
Julia's Books · 2017-09-16
subversive 4.50

The book is described as clever and fantastically original, with a subversive and mischievous exploration of women dominating men. Alderman's writing is praised for its ability.

The reviewer finds 'The Power' to be a clever and fantastically original book, particularly in its subversive and mischievous exploration of women dominating men. They appreciate Alderman's writing style and her ability to challenge societal norms. The reviewer suggests that the book's originality and Alderman's skill as a writer make it a compelling read. They also note that the book's exploration of power dynamics is both thought-provoking and timely.

Quick quotes

    It's a clever book, the idea is fantastically original, subversive (women dominating men!) and mischievous.

    Alderman is also a very able writer, capable of handling complex themes with ease.

    The Power challenges societal norms and offers a thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics.

CSFF Anglia · Victoria Hoyle · 2017-05-12
bold 4.00

The book is praised for its ingenuity and bold engagement with power and gender dynamics. It is noted for its confidence and thought-provoking exploration of these themes.

Victoria Hoyle highlights the ingenuity and confidence of 'The Power,' particularly in its bold engagement with power and gender dynamics. They appreciate the book's thought-provoking nature and its ability to challenge conventional narratives. Hoyle suggests that the book's exploration of these themes is both original and impactful, making it a standout in contemporary literature.

Quick quotes

    While friends and critics turned out in numbers to praise its ingenuity and confidence, its bold engagement with the dynamics of power and gender.

    The Power is a thought-provoking exploration of gender dynamics and power structures.

    Alderman's novel is a bold and original take on the dynamics of power and gender.

The Guardian · 2016-11-02
insightful 4.50

The book is described as smart, readable, and joyously achieved, despite its bleak themes. It is considered an instant classic of speculative fiction.

The reviewer finds 'The Power' to be a compelling read that doesn't shy away from its bleak themes. They appreciate the book's intelligence and readability, noting that it's far too engaging to be considered bleak. The reviewer also highlights the book's originality and its impact as an instant classic in speculative fiction. They suggest that the book's exploration of power dynamics is both thought-provoking and timely.

Quick quotes

    This is a bleak truth, but not a bleak book – it's far too smart, readable and joyously achieved for that.

    The Power is an instant classic of speculative fiction.

    It's a clever, readable and thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics.

Appears in Lists