Book Review: The Power by Naomi Alderman

Photography by NOAA on Unsplash

Aimee Dexter examines how a feminist science-fiction novel can shed light on modern-day power relations.

In light of recent events, societies globally are encouraging discussion on the subject of social inclusion. Consequently, I have been looking for ways to develop my understanding of the adversities that are so explicitly ingrained into contemporary societies, as well as considering what steps can be taken in order to promote change. This led me to consider the conspicuous, gender-defined power imbalance that impinges on societies around the world, and in Naomi Alderman’s The Power, I found an unusual, yet cogent example of just that.

Alderman’s 2016 novel offers an insight into the intricacies of a dystopian society dominated by women (yes… women), as she challenges the generic socio-cultural stance that depicts the female gender as inferior to that of its male counterpart. The significance and relevance of Alderman’s work was thoroughly appreciated among the feminist-literary community, and was awarded the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction following the novel’s reflection on the experiences of women globally. In essence, The Power reprimands societies around the world for their contributions to the subjugation and oppression of women, serving as a receptacle for female empowerment.

Indulging in what might be deemed to be an inverse portrayal of sexism, Alderman equips her three female protagonists (as well as the rest of the female population), with a powerful, innate, biological advantage - a physical adaptation known as a ‘skein’. Skeins reside in the collarbone, and their presence enhances the capabilities of the female body, embellishing them with the ability to administer lethal electric shocks. As readers, we explore and experience the extent of this power through the eyes of four main conduits; Roxy, Allie, Margot and Tunde.

We are introduced to Roxy, amidst a scene of turbulence as we enter into her home to find two men physically abusing her mother. It is here that we witness the final display of unjust male dominance before the development of female resistance in the form of electric shocks (how jolting!). Roxy continues to distort the typical values of hierarchy as she begins working at the centre of a criminal organisation, and exuding dominance, she catalyses change and protest, particularly once allied with Mother Eve.

Allie, also referred to as Mother Eve, upholds the position of the religious leader, taking an active lead in the construction of Alderman’s matriarchy. Mother Eve deconstructs the fundamentals of religious practice and manipulates its central tenants to focus on the significance of women, namely Mary. Considering the love Mary bestowed upon Jesus, Mother Eve revels in the belief that without the care and conditioning provided by Mary, Jesus would not have evolved into the Davidic Messiah that he now symbolises. By recognising the female role within religion, Alderman injects new meaning into what it means to serve a God, reserving the more subordinate roles for men, and manipulating the power disparity between men and women.

Our final protagonist is Margot, a politically fuelled mother of two young girls, charged with tackling the issues surrounding the safety of men amidst the uprising of women. As a female politician, Margot transgresses social boundaries, opting to nurture rather than eradicate the new-found power, allowing girls and women to master their electricity to their utmost potential. Using camps designed to aid the taming of this initially unruly power rather than promoting its abolishment, Margot paves the way for women to detach themselves from the restraints inflicted by the previously gender defined power imbalance, instead endorsing a power equilibrium.

However, Alderman’s appraisal of female empowerment does not read as a denigration of men, as she remains mindful of the trials and tribulations of the fourth protagonist, the male, Nigerian journalist Tunde. Tunde’s role within The Power is to document and expose the reality of people around the world after the discovery of the ‘Skein’. Tunde willingly interacts with, supports and rallies alongside the body of protesting women, emulating the much-appreciated support of many men within the feminist movements of contemporary societies.

However, despite masquerading as a socially transformative novel, Alderman’s approach to preaching empowerment has been berated by many for its inconspicuous approval of unjust and violent behaviour directed towards men. It has been stipulated that by fostering scenes of discomfort that picture pain being inflicted upon men, inclusive of mutilation, gang-rape, sex trafficking and slavery, Alderman is implicitly dictating a need for revenge on behalf of women.

This had lead to pockets of outrage among the feminist, reading community. Many readers despair at the villainous depiction of women, particularly when juxtaposed with the vulnerability that has engulfed masculinity within The Power. The novel was labelled by some as ‘violent’, and ‘anti-feminist’, with many accusing Alderman of embracing male chauvinism, thus synonymising feminism with ‘men-hating’, and tarnishing the reputation of the feminist movement. It begs the question: would Alderman not have contributed more effectively to feminist emancipation if she had presented a society that adhered more closely to the demands of equity, rather than merely reversing the power imbalance and highlighting women as miscreants?

My answer to this is no. My personal appreciation of this novel led me to infer that rather than condoning the maltreatment of males, Alderman is striving to unveil the absurdity of the malevolent practices that are so vividly pictured in the novel. She is asking us to acknowledge that such abhorrent behaviour transcends the fictional pages of this novel, and breaches into reality - she is not identifying the problem as male or female, but highlighting the problematic behaviour itself. Therefore, by presenting a perspective so diverse from the reality of most, and laying the foundations for a world in which women have usurped the role typically ascribed to men, Alderman creates a means for empathy, and thus opens space for change.

The sensitivity of the topics discussed within this power imbalance feud is designed to evoke frustration, discomfort and anger. Its primary purpose is to enrage and to urge people to acknowledge the inanity of the reality that many women have faced, and that many women continue to face today. The Power’s reliance on the arousal of disconcertion within its readers is crucial to inciting change within societies globally. It is this emotional drive that will encourage the rectification of gender inequality, the diminishment of oppression, and the relegation of the position of women in societies all over the world.

From the outset of this novel, we, as readers, are reduced to the positions of the numerous female protagonists within The Power. Therefore, we are forced to grapple with various societal issues addressed, as we adopt an array of personas that are all tackling the challenges that accompany their gender. Such immersion creates a substantial platform for empathy and understanding, as men and women alike, experience the heartache, frustration and suffering alongside Alderman’s characters. And so, perhaps The Power is a vessel for the creation of unassailable and necessary change.