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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Essex Serpent in Books
Jul 26, 2017
Period gothic drama on superstition v science
A very good modern period gothic drama about how a town can convince itself about a mythical beast while confronting contemporary science.
In the centre of the entire story is a beautiful but complex relationship between a woman of science and a priest who on most occasions disagree with one another but learn to come to terms with each other's viewpoints. And in between their relationship is a withering wife and her autistic son. A multilayered novel rich with substance.
In the centre of the entire story is a beautiful but complex relationship between a woman of science and a priest who on most occasions disagree with one another but learn to come to terms with each other's viewpoints. And in between their relationship is a withering wife and her autistic son. A multilayered novel rich with substance.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Slaughterhouse 5: The Children's Crusade - A Duty-dance with Death in Books
Jul 27, 2017
Bizarre but brings up important themes
Kurt Vonnegut's renowned novel focuses on the destruction of war, the long term mental health issues at the same time how death is trivialized throughout.
Or so it goes.
It borders on ludicrous at the same time reveals the fragmentation of the mind after such trauma. It is unclear how much of the narrator's account is fact or fantasy.
While I'm usually drawn to these themes, the general oddness may have been a step too far without background explanation.
Or so it goes.
It borders on ludicrous at the same time reveals the fragmentation of the mind after such trauma. It is unclear how much of the narrator's account is fact or fantasy.
While I'm usually drawn to these themes, the general oddness may have been a step too far without background explanation.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Mirror, Shoulder, Signal in Books
Jul 30, 2017
Slightly pointless story
I was intrigued to read this after it was nominated for a Man Booker Prize. The story hinges around a woman attempting to drive in Denmark and Sweden, and the various inadequacies that it conjured up. Being in the same position, I was empathetic with the protagonist but it seemed to lack a real plot and point to the entire novel. It is well written and the multiple sub-stories are intriguing but I failed to grasp what the author was trying to show.
SummerLGrant (185 KP) rated The Night Circus in Books
Aug 10, 2017
Beautiful writing (2 more)
A great story
The circus and the characters are brillliant
Absolutely spectacular
It's been a while since I read this book but I remember being in complete awe of it. Every single word has a purpose, it's as if each one is specially selected to realise the novel's potential and it's quite rare to get that.
It's mesmerising and beautiful and it's nice to see magic used with subtlety yet still being important without overshadowing. It's difficult to believe this was a debut novel!
It's mesmerising and beautiful and it's nice to see magic used with subtlety yet still being important without overshadowing. It's difficult to believe this was a debut novel!
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Human Acts in Books
Sep 13, 2017
A sombre and beautifully written outlook on a South Korean massacre
Once again Han Kang has written a haunting piece of literature very different from her award-winning debut novel The Vegetarian.
The intricate meshing of narratives of several stories across generations explains the disturbing effects of the Gwangju uprising - South Korea's Tiananmen Square massacre. There are elements of spirits attempting to reach friends and family members after being killed by government forces. The language is melancholic and beautiful, and entire story is an absolute tragedy.
The intricate meshing of narratives of several stories across generations explains the disturbing effects of the Gwangju uprising - South Korea's Tiananmen Square massacre. There are elements of spirits attempting to reach friends and family members after being killed by government forces. The language is melancholic and beautiful, and entire story is an absolute tragedy.
AT (1676 KP) rated The Stonekeeper (Amulet, #1) in Books
Feb 3, 2019 (Updated Feb 3, 2019)
I can see why this is such a popular series with kids. The story is pretty imaginative, or, at least, the characters and environments are. The art is also very cute. It's always great when a series is able to pull kids into reading. Hopefully this series will keep the decent quality up. I realize that this book got some low ratings on here, but as it is a graphic novel series meant for junior readers, I think thar it's off to a great beginning.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed (Secret, #3) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
Even though I have not read the first two, the book surprised me with how great it was and how much I enjoyed it. I requested it for the erotica, but it was the story that really caught my attention and kept me reading. I became so invested in this novel and its heroine that I could not put the book down until I knew what happened. A perfect read for someone looking for a new series with a great heroine and even better story.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Illuminae: The Illuminae Files: Book 1 in Books
Feb 1, 2018
The layout of this book was so unique - rather than a straight narrative, you were able to experience the story through short bursts via IM chats, 3rd-party observations while transcribing security video, and AI logs. The characters developed over the course of the novel, but it was surprisingly the artificial intelligence A.I.D.E.N. that stole the show. It was an enjoyable story and the plot wasn't predictable. I highly recommend the book to fans of young adult/teen novels, science fiction and truly well thought out narratives.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Resurrection in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ruby Case touches a young man and brings him back to life. As her little town reacts, she and her pastor uncover a very troubled history for the area. What does it all mean?
While not my normal genre, and I was captivated by this story and the characters. It was a well written debut novel, and I can't wait to see where the author goes next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-resurrection-by-mike-duran.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While not my normal genre, and I was captivated by this story and the characters. It was a well written debut novel, and I can't wait to see where the author goes next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-resurrection-by-mike-duran.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Nightmare (Dangerous Times, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Maia is at the newest amusement park in the country - Ghost Town - when she sees a friend as one of the ghosts. Then she finds out this friend is missing. What is going on? This is a Christian novel with heavy ghost elements. Yet it treats the ghosts are real, or at least potentially real. Very well done with some creepy scenes. Perfect Halloween read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-nightmare-by-robin-parrish.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-nightmare-by-robin-parrish.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.