Naomi Alderman: The Power

Hi everyone

I just finished The Power by Naomi Alderman; her most popular novel, and after enjoying The Future, I knew I had to read this one too.
I read this on my e-reader.

"In The Power the world is a recognizable place: There's a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool; a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature; an ambitious American politician; and a tough London girl from a tricky family. But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power: They can cause agonizing pain and even death. With this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets."

I thoroughly enjoyed The Power, but it was also a deeply unsettling journey. Alderman flips gender roles and gender dynamics in a way that’s both fascinating and horrifying. The premise is simple but the ripple effects across the whole world are chilling and terrifying. Every act of brutality or dehumanization towards women in the history of humanity is returned and revenged.
The characters are vivid and complex, each offering a unique perspective on how this new power changes society. Alderman doesn’t hold back in showing how power corrupts, not a specific gender, and how quickly the world can change when the balance shifts.

I enjoyed the first half more, where we discover this new power and watch as women begin to stand up. The second half, where society collapses entirely, felt less compelling to me. The misuse of power, mindless violence, and aggression didn’t land as strongly, and some of the character perspectives that were fascinating at first became less engaging as the story progressed. Others, which started less interesting, gained depth later. Many of the characters verged on clichés or stereotypes, and there wasn’t much depth to them beyond their role in advancing the plot. Additionally, the global rebellion felt too fast to be realistic; the world changed too quickly for me to fully buy into it.

Despite its flaws, The Power lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it. I loved how thought-provoking it was, and it deeply unsettled me. It’s the kind of book that makes you see the world differently, and that’s exactly why it’s so good. But it’s also oversimplified, both in story and characters.

Have you read The Power? Did it leave you as unsettled as it did me, or did you see it differently? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena