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The Heatwave
The Heatwave
Katerina Diamond | 2020 | Mystery, Thriller
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The protagonists in this book were Jasmine and Felicity, and the story was told from their perspectives. Felicity is telling the story at the present day, she has to go back to her home-town where she grew up, to find a girl that has been kidnapped. Because “only she knows how to find her”. Felicity is a very troubled character, she has a drinking problem, and suffers from quite a few mental health problems. Jasmine and Felicity were best friends at school, and Jasmine is a person who tells the story from the past. I really liked Jasmine’s story, it is more intriguing and gripping compared to Felicity’s.

The narrative was very well balanced, in my opinion. Felicity keeps kindling the suspense with “her big secret” and “what have I done?” moments, making me restless to find out what this huge secret is. And Jasmine is telling a really absorbing story, leading very cleverly to all these huge discoveries. The topics discussed in this book were alcoholism, teenagers and their behaviour, mental health issues, forbidden romance and many more.

I really enjoyed the author’s clever writing style. The book feels quite calm and smooth, there is no police involved and it is only alone, an ordinary woman trying to uncover what actually happened. But at the same time, this book is carrying a shroud of mystery, that my curious side could not wait to unravel. The chapters felt quite short, and the dual perspective made this book very entertaining. The culmination of this novel did not disappoint me, I was not expecting the “Big Secret” to be this awesome.
  
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Outrun in Books

Sep 23, 2017  
The Outrun
The Outrun
Amy Liptrot | 2016 | Biography
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
An important read, but a little haphazard
Dealing with an addiction is no mean feat, it's an illness as Amy Liptrot explains in this memoir where she battles alcoholism. Some of the incidents are truly horrifying, not because of 'what she does to herself', but more so what the illness does to her and as a result her life spirals downwards. And while that part I can truly engage with, the random long explanations about her newfound passions for astronomy, sea and bird life seems to go off in a tangent.

You can definitely recognise her addictive personality manifesting in new hobbies, and obsessing in the same way. And at least that's healthier, but as a reader, I seemed to lose concentration on her rural lifestyle. Very good insight into mental health and addiction though.
  
Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses (2015)
Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses (2015)
2015 | Crime, Documentary, Drama
How mass hysteria and inverted cultural beliefs become fatal
Once more, Netflix has showcased another harrowing documentary, this time set in New Zealand.

In the heart of Maori culture, lies the belief of Makatu, a curse or demon, that can allegedly be 'exorcised'. A poor young mother, Janet Moses, who either had mental health issues or was seemingly depressed, was confronted by her large family attempting to help her. Unfortunately their misguided deeply held beliefs included holding her down and plying water into her for days on end in a bid to rid her of a demon. And while they believed they they were assisting her, she eventually died after five days.

And of course a court case ensued about culpability. A truly terrible instance of dogmatic beliefs, cabin fever, and hysteria.
  
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
1962 | Classics, Drama
10
8.8 (24 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Incredible depiction of book (1 more)
Gregory Peck at his finest
Incredibly moving, beautiful film
Very rarely does a film do absolute justice to its original book, but To Kill A Mockingbird exceeds expectations. Gregory Peck was so brilliantly casted as Atticus Finch, the moral figure of society, that you can only envision him while reading the book. The film, set after the Great Depression, is shot in black and white and is beautifully crafted.

The characters of Scout, Jem and Dill are fundamental to the storyline, showing how innocence is lost after being exposed to the discrimination of adults - in this case, an innocent black man accused of raping a young white girl, and a man with mental health issues being stigmatised by his community. A true classic in every sense.
  
Joker (2019)
Joker (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama
Forget the hype and controversy, and look at what's on the screen
Alot has been said about the storyline, the meaning, and the depiction of mental health and society, but this really overlooks a truly phenomenal piece of acting from Joaquin Phoenix, who is always value and exciting to watch. It's a seriously impressive turn from an actor already hugely respected, but in this he really does something special. From his contorted physicality, to his powerful striding, his smile behind broken eyes, moments of inspired spontaneity that in other films just wouldn't work, he creates a character that is heartbreaking, terrifying, and utterly human. Throw in some of the best cinematography you'll see in a long time, and a sombre score throughout, and this film becomes an absolutely astonishing piece of work.