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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Engleby in Books

Aug 20, 2017

Engleby

Sebastian Faulks | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Disappointing new book from Sebastian Faulks

I usually admire author Sebastian Faulks, who is a literary hero, especially for his lyrical and beautiful prose so I was definitely disappointed with the plot of this story. No doubt, it is well written, but the protagonist is so odious that I wanted to stop reading this. He is a pretentious, arrogant snob, and as you'll read, he also has a fair few demons. And I understand why he has been written as such because you'll hate him even more in the end. But it's borderline between having to read to the end and just wanting it to stop. So I'm not completely convinced.

There is an element of exploring mental illness and what makes a psychopath, but it is covered up by the self-serving first person narrative. Very cringe-worthy indeed.

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) in Movies

Feb 8, 2019

Slightly curious true-life tale of literary forger Lee Israel (McCarthy) and her accomplice Jack Hock (Grant). Somewhat unevenly pitched between cheerily amoral caper comedy and downbeat, naturalistic drama exploring big ideas about creativity and authenticity, but the story is well told and fairly involving.

I'm not entirely sure how the two stars have both managed to swing Oscar nominations, for this particular movie at least - it's not as if either of them is actually bad, but they're both essentially delivering variations on their standard performance (McCarthy: abrasive, acid-tongued loudmouth; Grant: pantomime dame). It's hard to shake the impression that McCarthy has managed to get herself Oscar nominated mainly for putting on a wig, but there is a long if somewhat ignoble tradition of the academy rewarding actresses for being brave enough to de-glam themselves on screen. So it goes.

Kudos

Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Station Eleven in Books

Mar 15, 2018

Station Eleven

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

7.9

(29 Ratings)

Book Rating

There's a good reason this book has been appearing on so many of this year's best lists. It tells the tale of our world in the not too distant future, after a major flu outbreak has all but wiped out humanity, something which is all too possible and portrayed here with frightening realism. A few survivors are followed throughout the story, as they struggle to survive, both before and after the catastrophe. The prose is beautiful and the characters wonderful, the plot may seem to meander at times, but it all comes together in the end, to show how the actions of one can have an effect on so many, and even the most seemingly inconsequential events can have such great meaning over the course of time. A literary masterpiece, and easily one of the year's best books.

Kudos

Cori June (3033 KP) rated Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1) in Books

Dec 3, 2018

Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1)

Colleen Houck | 2011 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

8.6

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

3.5 stars. I have read this book multiple times although it has been a while. I still enjoy the characters although the love aspect is a little trite to me. Kelsey is a great character full of emotion if a little naive and stubborn. Yes, there are somethings that happen too easily for her and she is a bit more go with the flow than one would really expect however it doesnt distract from the whole of the story. As a world building book i found it quite enjoyable and a pleasant read. Even if romance isn't your thing (it's not mine) the cross-cultural mythology is fantastic, literary licencing or not. Also some of the side characters are a little more than stereotypes which is a reason for the half star. The imagery is wonderful.