The theme this week is strong, female characters from books or any type of media that we love. Because I adore the book Only Ever Yours, by Louise O’Neill, I thought I’d write about a character from there.

I had problems, though. Freida was out: Freida isn’t STRONG: she proves a point, but you could never call her a role model. I considered Isabel, too, but it just didn’t fit.

Then, I remembered Agyness.

For those who HAVEN’T read the book (you definitely should; it will stay with you forever) it is about a society where women are treated as, basically, inferior beings. Designed, raised in a school, selected as Companions or Comcubines or Chastities – or sent underground.

In this society, the norm for the women is to be vapid: obsessed with appearance, because that’s the only thing they know. Obsessed with making the boys choose them, when the…