The Shadow of the Wind

I understand that, in many ways, women in the time period the novel is set were far more vulnerable than they are now in the 21st century, but surely they are not as completely helpless as they are portrayed to be... Surely even a woman of the mid-20th century would be intelligent enough to, at the bare minimum, avoid a man who so strongly radiates ???cruelty and hate??? ??? especially since she has already survived enough of the world to carve out a life and decent living for herself? While I am certain that, yes, a woman can be that self-destructive, regardless of the time period she lives in, what bothers me is that this whole mess does nothing to develop the character from who she was before. Instead, it destroys her ??? and for no other reason than it provides context (perhaps even excuses?) a male character???s atrocious behaviour, as well as providing some kind of sick illustration of what happens to women who cease to be virtuous.

Full review here: http://wp.me/p21txV-zV