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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Beatrice: The Untold Story of a Legendary Woman of Mystery in Books

Feb 15, 2019

Beatrice Turner was an enigma. Brought up in polite society by strict parents, she spent her life painting, writing in her journal, and watching the world change while she still wore Victorian garb. Considered an eccentric by her peers and then again by future generations, not many really knew who she was until after her death. In this slim volume, Beatrice's story is told through her surviving journals, self-portraits, sketches and other paintings. But through it all, there are still unanswered questions, so she remains a mystery to this day.

The book itself is basically good, Beatrice must have been a fascinating woman. She kept to herself but her journal reveals that she was a woman ahead of her time and I wish they hadn't burned her works, even if there were thousands of them. I guess it's a sign of the times, no one appreciated her or considered her a real artist, they just decided that because she was different, she's an outcast. The author writes well, but my biggest complaint was that there were too many unnecessary backgrounds told of people who didn't really matter to the story. Some of them I can see how it was needed but other than those few exceptions, it was just padding. Not that it's completely surprising since little is known about Beatrice, but those parts were pointless to the book as a whole. I'd stil say this is a worthwhile book that is fascinating, quick to read, and features many of Beatrice's paintings.

5 stars for Beatrice herself, 3 stars for the book, so a 4 average.

Kudos

Adam J. Kurtz Then and Now Undated 12-Month Agenda with Stickers

Adam J. Kurtz

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

We have online calendars for appointments and work obligations, but nothing surpasses pen and paper...

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Riot Days in Books

Sep 26, 2017

Riot Days

Maria Alyokhina | 2017 | Gender Studies, History & Politics

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Brave account of fighting injustice from a Russian prison

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This is an intriguing diary of political activist and Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina. It is heartfelt and almost despairing at times when Alyokhina describes the squalid conditions that she has to be imprisoned in after protesting in a church in Russia. However, her heroic efforts in jail even allowed her to gain some small victories, which makes her an activist through and through. From hunger strikes to taking prison guards to court, her determination should be lauded.

The copy that I received was unformatted making it a little difficult to follow new threads, but reading it as a journal definitely makes more sense as there are small blocks of personal day to day meanderings and quotes.

Kudos

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Built on Bones: 15,000 Years of Urban Life and Death in Books

Aug 28, 2017

Incredibly dense, but well written and witty

First of all, hats off to the author Brenna Hassett for creating such an accessible book for such a complex subject. Secondly, I applaud her writing, the tone is sarcastic and witty, unlike a dry scientific journal. It is an absolutely fascinating look into the affects of urbanisation over the past 15,000 years, ingrained into the bones discovered from various archaeological sites.

From the spread of disease and conflict, to social practices and customs, there's more to skeletal remains than meets the eye. She also reveals the depth of inequality, through the health of slaves, women and children, as well as those poverty stricken, who carry ill health for generations. It is detailed and extensive, so you'll need to concentrate. A great read.

Kudos

Liliannar (58 KP) rated Hunger in Books

May 29, 2018

Hunger

Roxane Gay | 2017 | Biography

9.7

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

This book was difficult to read while being an absolutely smooth and easy read. Despite not having the same physical problems as the author, I could understand the things she was saying about building up a fortress around herself. About not feeling secure or safe in her own body and wanting to change that. I feel like this is almost a must read for everyone. Male, female, thin, fat. It really opened my eyes about so many things in the world around me. Definitely worth the time it took to read and one I would enjoy again.

It didn't feel like a book about someone. It felt like sitting with the author while she let you read her journal and see the inner-most part of her mind and soul.