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Bysa (2 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale in Books
Sep 19, 2018
I think I would've liked this book more if the format of it would've adhered to a more conventional style of writing. In saying that, I mean quotation marks for dialogue would've been great. In the author's defense, there were some peppered throughout the story -- some.
The story was fine. I have no complaints. The bouts of activism depicted therein were apropos for our time. The book is worth reading in the sense it's a classic and shouldn't be overlooked as it does have imaginative and creative merit.
The story was fine. I have no complaints. The bouts of activism depicted therein were apropos for our time. The book is worth reading in the sense it's a classic and shouldn't be overlooked as it does have imaginative and creative merit.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone in Books
Sep 25, 2017
Hauntingly poignant, such a great exploration into loneliness
Such a fabulously enticing book exploring the 1970's and 1980's New York scene while revealing the writer's own issues of dealing with loneliness. From the introvert but flamboyant Andy Warhol, to the artist David Wojnarowicz's AIDS activism, Olivia Laing brings to light the spaces between people and the things that draw them together.
The chapters on painter Edward Hopper and Henry Darger are particularly poignant, especially as Darger was practically invisible, and only known after his death as his paintings were discovered in his accommodation. The author's own story remains mysterious. The book epitomises loneliness, despite the bright lights of the big city.
The chapters on painter Edward Hopper and Henry Darger are particularly poignant, especially as Darger was practically invisible, and only known after his death as his paintings were discovered in his accommodation. The author's own story remains mysterious. The book epitomises loneliness, despite the bright lights of the big city.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir in Books
Feb 5, 2018
A human experience in the BLM movement
There has recently been an upswing of works relating to racism in the US, so it was only a matter of time that one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement spoke about this issue.
Patrisse Khan-Cullors is eloquent, and her experiences are truly harrowing. From watching her 12 year old brother being assaulted and harrassed by police officers, growing up in poverty, to being an adult and watching another brother being locked up for being mentally disabled. It is really quite horrifying to see the spectrum of violence that black bodies still endure even post-Jim Crow laws. Cullors will argue that this is but an extension of those days.
It is a timely piece, and one of the better writings on the topic, mixing activism and academia with her own memoir.
Patrisse Khan-Cullors is eloquent, and her experiences are truly harrowing. From watching her 12 year old brother being assaulted and harrassed by police officers, growing up in poverty, to being an adult and watching another brother being locked up for being mentally disabled. It is really quite horrifying to see the spectrum of violence that black bodies still endure even post-Jim Crow laws. Cullors will argue that this is but an extension of those days.
It is a timely piece, and one of the better writings on the topic, mixing activism and academia with her own memoir.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated An American Marriage in Books
May 25, 2018
I'm not even sure where to start with this book. The entire time I was reading, I had to keep going back and re-reading sentences because the words were so beautiful. I wanted to savor Tayari Jones' writing and not forget one word. I found myself reading out loud so I could hear her words.
If this book was found in the poetry section of my local bookstore, I would believe it.
“Marriage is like grafting a limb onto a tree trunk,” Celestial reflects. “You have the limb, freshly sliced, dripping sap, and smelling of springtime, and then you have the mother tree stripped of her protective bark, gouged and ready to receive this new addition. ... In my marriage, I never determined which of us was rootstock and which the grafted branch.”
And the story is just the cherry on top of the words. Celestial and Roy, barely out of the newlywed phase when Roy is sent to prison. It's a heartbreaking story, of separation, as well as togetherness, between this married couple, but in a grander scheme a critique on America and unequal treatment of its citizens. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, but I felt for them, probably more than I've ever felt for any character in a novel. I felt for them in my soul.
It's not a activism story. It's a love story. About the American dream and how just like a spouse, your country can fail you - no matter how hard you work for your dreams.
It's poignant, and thoughtful, and written like a painting. I am so glad I read this book. For several different reasons. And I'm excited to read what Tayari Jones paints next.
If this book was found in the poetry section of my local bookstore, I would believe it.
“Marriage is like grafting a limb onto a tree trunk,” Celestial reflects. “You have the limb, freshly sliced, dripping sap, and smelling of springtime, and then you have the mother tree stripped of her protective bark, gouged and ready to receive this new addition. ... In my marriage, I never determined which of us was rootstock and which the grafted branch.”
And the story is just the cherry on top of the words. Celestial and Roy, barely out of the newlywed phase when Roy is sent to prison. It's a heartbreaking story, of separation, as well as togetherness, between this married couple, but in a grander scheme a critique on America and unequal treatment of its citizens. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, but I felt for them, probably more than I've ever felt for any character in a novel. I felt for them in my soul.
It's not a activism story. It's a love story. About the American dream and how just like a spouse, your country can fail you - no matter how hard you work for your dreams.
It's poignant, and thoughtful, and written like a painting. I am so glad I read this book. For several different reasons. And I'm excited to read what Tayari Jones paints next.
