Jacqueline Harpman’s "I Who Have Never Known Men"
Book review by Dennis D. McDonald
There’s a category of fiction where the protagonist is placed in a mysterious or solitary situation, with surroundings and backstory hidden or revealed only gradually. What makes such works compelling is not just the slow unveiling of the character’s experiences, but also the imaginative interplay, over time, of the few things the character does know.
Hartman’s novel fits squarely into this category. It is a slow process of revelation and discovery, told from the perspective of a young woman imprisoned with 39 older women in an underground jail overseen by whip-wielding male guards.
The interplay between her fragmented memories, her emerging personality, and the constrained actions of the group is both fascinating and imaginative, and sometimes scary.
Then, one day, all the women are mysteriously freed. Their new existence and their travels turn out to be just as constrained and enigmatic as their captivity.
Some readers will speculate about the symbolism. For me the mystery itself was enough. The author’s gradual addition of personal details and how they interact and evolve is fascinating. Simply following the main character’s experiences and her evolving self-awareness provided more than sufficient depth and satisfaction for this reader. Recommended.
Review copyright 2025 by Dennis D. McDonald
