Anna

Our Review

It has been four or so days since I finished reading Anna by Sammy H.K. Smith and I still can’t get it out of my head. It was compulsive and I read it until 4.30AM.

If I had to describe Anna I would describe it as a cross between The Road and The Handmaid’s Tale but much more bleak.

A quick warning before you decide to read it – Anna has a whole host of trigger warnings not least violent sexual assault and physical abuse to name just two. However, neither of these things felt gratuitous in anyway.

Beaten. Branded. Defiant.

Anna is Will's possession. Will loves her and protects her from the harsh world outside. Anna is branded and broken.

When Anna becomes pregnant, she knows she must run and leave her name behind but when Will finds her, she won't be the only one at risk.

“He called me Anna. I was Anna now. I must remember. They say you can tell someone’s personality from a name. Anna was gracious. Anna was compliant. I had to be Anna.”

Women are like cattle, a commodity. Will chains Anna to him whilst she is a captive and people don’t bat an eyelid.

I liked how the author gave us some glimpses into the past and what lead to society breaking down but without giving all the details. It seems quite a plausible situation.

Anna is superbly written, haunting, and I couldn’t put it down.

Our Final Rating...

Wed, 19th May 2021