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Sarah (2 KP) rated Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald in Books

Aug 30, 2018

Contains spoilers, click to show

I just finished "A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald" and found the book to be okay. A friend of mine had read the book first, and then when I found out that there was a Prime television show based off of the novel, I wanted to read it. Even though the book is based off of real people, it is a work of fiction. Since the book is about F. Scott's wife Zelda, this is written from her viewpoint and there are times where you really feel badly for F. Scott's treatment of his wife. They were originally married and had a great life ahead of them, however, due to F. Scott's mismanagement of money, alcohol and Zelda does tear at your heartstrings.

What really got to me was when Zelda was put into various psychiatric hospitals and according to the Afterward was misdiagnosed and given treatments that were not necessary. What also really got to me was that Zelda had dreams and aspirations but was pigeonholed to be a wife and mother (as a result of the time period), but that's actually what made me the most upset. When she actually got to write something, it was published first under F. Scott's name and then had a shared byline. The one time that Zelda's named appeared by itself, the works were not successful.

I am now excited to watch the Prime show to see how this book is translates to television.

Kudos

Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Station Eleven in Books

Oct 15, 2018

Station Eleven

Emily St. John Mandel | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy

7.9

(29 Ratings)

Book Rating

Unique post - apocalyptic story

This book is clever both conceptually but also in how it is written. It's been ages since a book has been so thought provoking and made me reflect. I found it to be deep in terms of those previously mentioned aspects but also in terms of character development.

STATION ELEVEN is set around a pandemic that wipes out 99% of the population a day after getting the virus. The story arcs out from the build up to that day and to 20-30 years post-pandemic. I'm not always a fan of long and shifting timelines but I now realise I can be a fan of that if they're as well written as this one. The story jumps back and forth both past and present without losing any flow in the story.

The are multiple characters and povs that are so cleverly interwoven and when a thread was tied up, I went "ahhhh". Most of the story was unpredictable but I admit to guessing the prophet element.

I found this story of potential apocalypse so very realistic that I often reflected on my own mortality in this scenario (day one - I have asthma). I really enjoyed seeing a deconstructed civilisation and what that might look like. The promise of the future was also interesting.

I think Emily St John Mandel is an incredibly talented writer and I would recommend this book to many.

Kudos

Merissa (13911 KP) rated The End of Hatred (Etherya's Earth #1) in Books

Feb 6, 2020

The End of Hatred is the first book in the Etherya's Earth series and we are introduced to a world that co-exists within our own, that we are (up until now) unaware of. This world is roughly split into three - the Slayeras, the Vampyres, and the Deamons. They have been at war for centuries and Miranda, the Slayera Princess is tired of it. She comes up with a solution to end the war but she needs the help of the Vampyre King to do so, even if she is ostracised by her father.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! From Miranda to Sathan, Lila to Latimus, Darkrip to Arderin, these characters all came to life. They are individual enough to remain in my mind whilst holding true to the characteristics of their races. I found the pacing to be perfect and there was never a dull moment. I also loved the pop references that I found, in particular, those about 'Buffy', for obvious reasons.

This is the start of the series and one I will be continuing with. It was a fantastic story and there are many more couples yet to come that I want stories for. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!