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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Homage to Catalonia in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Extremely relevant for today
George Orwell is a master of deciphering complicated political structures, as seen through the Spanish Civil War. But what is more extraordinary is his prophetic ability, for only months later Britain was at the mercy of German bombs as he correctly predicted.
His first-hand account of fighting in the war makes him unique in his ability to be able to write about it unlike many of the other biased publications at the time. It is an extremely political book so it may not suit someone who wants to read about the emotional upheaval being on the frontline.
He truly is a genius ahead of his time.
His first-hand account of fighting in the war makes him unique in his ability to be able to write about it unlike many of the other biased publications at the time. It is an extremely political book so it may not suit someone who wants to read about the emotional upheaval being on the frontline.
He truly is a genius ahead of his time.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated This Is England (2007) in Movies
Dec 3, 2019 (Updated Dec 3, 2019)
British classic
Unless it's a comedy, British films often don't get the recognition they deserve. This did. Friends in the State's were messeging me saying they have seen it.
The unscripted acting was warm when it needed to be and tense when it needed to be. It shine a light on Thatcher's Britain, divided and angry, a but like today. It's not always easy to watch but at the same time there is recognition of anyone who lived through this period.
So good it spawned a TV series, This Is England is one of Britain's best.
The unscripted acting was warm when it needed to be and tense when it needed to be. It shine a light on Thatcher's Britain, divided and angry, a but like today. It's not always easy to watch but at the same time there is recognition of anyone who lived through this period.
So good it spawned a TV series, This Is England is one of Britain's best.
BeardyJim (611 KP) rated Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1) in Books
Oct 25, 2021
Excellent narration (on audible) (2 more)
Very funny
Brilliant characters
Steampunk vamp & werewolf fun
Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series is absolutely brilliant, and this is the first in the series, following the soulless protagonist Alexia Tarrabotti on her adventures with vampires and werewolves in Victorian Britain, with twists and turns aplenty.
I listened to this via Audible, and really enjoyed it... So I'd urge anyone to pick up these books (either physical, or audiobook), as it's extremely enjoyable.
The style of writing is excellent, and Carriger has a wicked sense of humour.
I now need to start the Finishing School series!
I listened to this via Audible, and really enjoyed it... So I'd urge anyone to pick up these books (either physical, or audiobook), as it's extremely enjoyable.
The style of writing is excellent, and Carriger has a wicked sense of humour.
I now need to start the Finishing School series!
Key (10 KP) rated The Night Watch in Books
Sep 8, 2017
'Tender and tragic, set against the turbulent backdrop of wartime Britain'
This is my absolute favourite book, so I'm likely to be biased. The characters feel like real people, and their experiences and thoughts feel as palpable as your own. Let this book sweep you through love and heartbreak, enveloped by war-torn 40s London. The unusual plot layout of this book (moving backwards through time, starting at the end and finishing at the start) may be confusing at the first read, but provides dramatic irony which is integral to the book's brilliance.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Across a War-Tossed Sea in Books
Feb 15, 2018
This book talks about thing on the WWII. Though it mostly though the eyes of two children that are British. You hear their account about how WWII started. You getting from two children that were sent to America to escape the war that Germany and Great Britain.
You read about what the Nazi are doing and POW's and war effort and the allies. You also see what it like for British children learning to fit into the American life style and how to learn to make friends. You also learn about American Americans they used the word "Negro". You learn what life is like in 1940's and segregation's and things that were going on back then.
You read about what the Nazi are doing and POW's and war effort and the allies. You also see what it like for British children learning to fit into the American life style and how to learn to make friends. You also learn about American Americans they used the word "Negro". You learn what life is like in 1940's and segregation's and things that were going on back then.
Neil Tennant recommended Cabaret (1972) in Movies (curated)
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry in Books
Oct 5, 2020
Despite the slightly Christian undertones, this is a truly touching story about an ordinary man who compounds his long suffering life by suddenly deciding to walk almost the length of Britain to see an old friend and colleague who is in the final stages of cancer.
Beautifully written and carefully filled with just the right amounts of flashbacks and foreshadowing, we follow Harold Fry and discover him as he discovers his own self. While "coming of age" isn't typically used for a story about a man his age (he's retired), it does seem to fit in this instance.
You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2013/08/02/a-trek-of-self-discovery/
Beautifully written and carefully filled with just the right amounts of flashbacks and foreshadowing, we follow Harold Fry and discover him as he discovers his own self. While "coming of age" isn't typically used for a story about a man his age (he's retired), it does seem to fit in this instance.
You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2013/08/02/a-trek-of-self-discovery/
David McK (3233 KP) rated V for Vendetta (2005) in Movies
Oct 23, 2022
Remember, remember, the fifth of November ...
2005 adaptation of the 1980's Alan Moore classic, set in a near-future dystopian Britain where the populous is afraid of the (fascist) government, and where a vigilant known only as V uses terrorist tactics to rebel against said government and slowly falls for a young reporter named Evie
The story, then, has more than a hint of The Phantom of the Opera about it - both involve masked figures who live in the shadowy underworld, both involve melodrama and a star-crossed love story - with Hugo Weaving never once showing his face through the entire runtime, but still - impressively - able to convey his emotions through his acting.
The story, then, has more than a hint of The Phantom of the Opera about it - both involve masked figures who live in the shadowy underworld, both involve melodrama and a star-crossed love story - with Hugo Weaving never once showing his face through the entire runtime, but still - impressively - able to convey his emotions through his acting.
ClareR (5589 KP) rated Machines Like Me in Books
May 25, 2019
Androids and an alternate 1980s Britain
I’ve been vacillating between 6 and 7/10 since I’ve finished this. I really liked parts of it - the robot, Adam, learning his way in the world, how he falls in love. Parts of it I found exceptionally frustrating. Why would you spend £84,000 and then ignore the Android for days? Why would you want nothing to do with it once it’s ‘awake’ and learning? Why bother at all!
I thought the alternate 1980s Britain was quite interesting - how we would potentially have reacted to a defeat during the Falklands war and the repercussions. And what would Alan Turing have been like if he hadn’t committed suicide?
The thing is, I didn’t particularly like either Charlie or Miranda (the lead human protagonists). Neither were likeable and treated Adam with contempt and suspicion, which grated on me. I usually like a book where I don’t like the main character, but there was something about Charlie that made me put the book down on several occasions, swearing to myself that I wouldn’t pick it up,again. Bit I did, and I think Adam, and Miranda’s backstory is to blame.
And as for Miranda. Well. I wasn’t convinced about her suddenly needing to foster/ adopt Mark, a small boy who is abandoned on their doorstep. It was just so unlikely.
I don’t know. I’ve read other Ian McEwan books that I’ve loved, but this one really didn’t do it for me on the whole. You can’t love them all, I suppose.
I thought the alternate 1980s Britain was quite interesting - how we would potentially have reacted to a defeat during the Falklands war and the repercussions. And what would Alan Turing have been like if he hadn’t committed suicide?
The thing is, I didn’t particularly like either Charlie or Miranda (the lead human protagonists). Neither were likeable and treated Adam with contempt and suspicion, which grated on me. I usually like a book where I don’t like the main character, but there was something about Charlie that made me put the book down on several occasions, swearing to myself that I wouldn’t pick it up,again. Bit I did, and I think Adam, and Miranda’s backstory is to blame.
And as for Miranda. Well. I wasn’t convinced about her suddenly needing to foster/ adopt Mark, a small boy who is abandoned on their doorstep. It was just so unlikely.
I don’t know. I’ve read other Ian McEwan books that I’ve loved, but this one really didn’t do it for me on the whole. You can’t love them all, I suppose.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Cut: One Woman's Fight Against FGM in Britain Today in Books
Oct 10, 2017
The need for globalwide FGM education
Female Genital Mutilation is an important and sombre topic to explore, so hats off to Hibo Wardere for covering this by speaking about her own experiences. It is harrowing when she explains her situation as a six year old in Somalia, watching bits of her flesh being cut off while almost passing out in between her screams. It is mutilation in every sense of the word.
Hence her story of becoming an anti-FGM activist in Britain years later is incredible, turning a life-changing trauma into an instigator for good for other young girls. I completely agree with her viewpoint, but she may have to revisit her sources given recent news stories. An essential read.
Hence her story of becoming an anti-FGM activist in Britain years later is incredible, turning a life-changing trauma into an instigator for good for other young girls. I completely agree with her viewpoint, but she may have to revisit her sources given recent news stories. An essential read.