Gen Z have been captivated by a Belgian 30-year-old book about women who are caged by men - which has sparked comparisons to dystopian thriller, The Handmaid's Tale. Readers on BookTok have been left sobbing and claim the 'bleak' sci-fi novel absolutely 'ruined' them - and the previously little-known work has gone from selling just a few copies annually to thousands per year being snapped up at book shops.

Pop star Dua Lipa even recommended it in her Service95 newsletter, which praised it as 'evocative and thrilling'. The plot of I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman tells the story of 39 women, who are kept in a bunker-type underground burrowing which is heavily guarded. The prisoners are told nothing - and have no memory of how they got there - with only the flickering of a light to tell them anything about time or place.

However, one day an alarm sounds and the captured are free to leave - with the short book exploring what freedom means above ground. The book has clearly had a profound effect on readers, with many taking to social media to express being equal parts impressed and devastated by the book. 'Guys I am not OK,' TikToker @this_bookish_thing said in a video, holding up the cover. 'Finished it, broke my heart into a thousand little pieces.

Gen Z have been captivated by a Belgian 30-year-old book about women who are caged by men - which has sparked comparisons to dystopian thriller, The Handmaid's Tale. 'I had a lump in my throat for most of the book... this ruined me.'. Others remarked that while the novel will leave you frustrated, it impressively handles thought-provoking themes. 'The way passage of time is dealt with heightens this feeling of existential dread,' @alinaslibrary said in her review. 'It also contributes to how bleak this book feels.'.

However, she found it will leave you with more questions than answers - and 'you wont feel satisfied'. 'I personally felt quite empty and overwhelmed at the same time after reading this one,' she continued. 'If that doesn't sell it, I don't know what will!'. Elsewhere, influencer @frostgalaxy called it 'one of the best books she read' in 2024. 'I literally haven't been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it,' she said.

'Guys I am not OK,' TikToker @this_bookish_thing said in a video, holding up the cover. 'Finished it, broke my heart into a thousand little pieces. The book has also been praised for its 'beautiful' but 'accessible' writing and prose, and TikTok commenters have admitted to being unable to stop thinking about it after picking it up. Elsewhere, influencer @frostgalaxy called it 'one of the best books she read' in 2024.

'I literally haven't been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it,' she said. 'Frustratingly, it poses and asks so many questions and yet refuses to answer any of them. 'Bleak and unsettling in the endless pursuit of answers with an emotional edge that definitely leaves an impact. I'd highly recommend.'. And BookToker @nicolereads98 found that 'this book makes you feel so grateful for everything you have in your life'.

'It's a great representation of how strong women can be, how amazing women can be when they come together as a team... how women do not need men to survive,' she said. 'The book is very bleak there were no answers to your questions - and it has some beautiful poetic prose.'. An independent bookshop recommended the read on TikTok, comparing it to another revered classic. BookToker @nicolereads98 found that 'this book makes you feel so grateful for everything you have in your life'.

An independent bookshop recommended the read on TikTok, comparing it to another revered classic. It has sparked comparisons to A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which tells the story of a dystopian future where women are made to procreate. Pictured, a still from the TV adaptation. 'Let me tell you about a hauntingly beautiful book that had me hooked,' @veranda.bookshop in London shared. 'I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman is dystopian fiction but feels like so much more - it’s like stepping into a dream and then realizing it’s a nightmare you can’t wake up from.

'It’s not action-packed, but it makes you think about existence, society, and loneliness in a way few books do. 'This is the kind of book that crawls under your skin. It’s about survival but also so much deeper - a mix of The Handmaid’s Tale vibes with existential philosophy. Perfect if you love something unusual that makes your brain work overtime. 'Recommended for: fans of quiet dystopian novels or anyone who wonders about "what it means to be human." Warning: it will leave you with questions, but that’s half the fun.'.