Search
Search results
ClareR (5945 KP) rated The Memory of Animals in Books
Jun 8, 2023
I’m completely braised. I love Claire Fullers writing, I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her and The Memory of Animals is no exception. And the fact that this could be described as a dystopian or even an apocalyptic novel made it even more fascinating. I love this genre - even though it usually enters my dreams and makes for an interesting nights sleep!
This is a pandemic novel - but not our pandemic, not Covid. This is a dropsy-type disease, where those infected swell up, their brains swell up too, they forget - and more often than not, they die.
Neffy (Nefeli) and a group of young people volunteer to be vaccinated against, and then infected by, the virus. Something goes wrong, and it looks as though Neffy and four other test volunteers are the only ones who are alive and well. But they can’t leave the building they’re in and the food is running out.
Neffy is a Marine Biologist, an Aquarist, and my favourite parts were her letters to ‘H’ as well as her flashbacks to childhood and pre-pandemic.
This isn’t *just* a speculative, science fiction book, it’s a story about the human condition, about the human drive to survive against the odds, regret, loss, grief, memory, love and above all, hope.
I could go on and on about this. I would never have expected a novel like this from Claire Fuller after reading her previous novels, but that’s what makes it even better. I actually read this twice (unheard of for me, actually). I finished it and immediately started reading again.
So yes, I would most definitely strongly recommend this book!
This is a pandemic novel - but not our pandemic, not Covid. This is a dropsy-type disease, where those infected swell up, their brains swell up too, they forget - and more often than not, they die.
Neffy (Nefeli) and a group of young people volunteer to be vaccinated against, and then infected by, the virus. Something goes wrong, and it looks as though Neffy and four other test volunteers are the only ones who are alive and well. But they can’t leave the building they’re in and the food is running out.
Neffy is a Marine Biologist, an Aquarist, and my favourite parts were her letters to ‘H’ as well as her flashbacks to childhood and pre-pandemic.
This isn’t *just* a speculative, science fiction book, it’s a story about the human condition, about the human drive to survive against the odds, regret, loss, grief, memory, love and above all, hope.
I could go on and on about this. I would never have expected a novel like this from Claire Fuller after reading her previous novels, but that’s what makes it even better. I actually read this twice (unheard of for me, actually). I finished it and immediately started reading again.
So yes, I would most definitely strongly recommend this book!
Karin Furnell (1 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
Jan 7, 2018 (Updated Jan 7, 2018)
The Story is Compelling (2 more)
Well Written Novel
Strong Female Main Character
Start of an amazing series
This book is a little Beauty and the Beast-esque, which makes me love it all the more.
Especially as Belle is my favourite Disney Princess!
The main character is a strong female who overcomes many challenges, she certainly can't be seen as weak or a damsel in distress.
Highly recommend this YA series to anyone that enjoys fantasy, it is possibly a bit graphic for younger readers though.
Especially as Belle is my favourite Disney Princess!
The main character is a strong female who overcomes many challenges, she certainly can't be seen as weak or a damsel in distress.
Highly recommend this YA series to anyone that enjoys fantasy, it is possibly a bit graphic for younger readers though.
Hypeshooter (3 KP) created a post
Jul 12, 2017
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated See What I Have Done in Books
Jul 25, 2017
A story about a spoilt sociopath
Contains spoilers, click to show
I have to say I found Lizzie Borden's character is detestable even though there were instances where her father's harsh behaviour showed. She is manipulative and spoilt, a classic sociopath and while the murderer is never openly stated, it seems very likely she had a hand in it. I felt extremely sorry for her elder sister Emma, who seems to have to put up with her behaviour. Either way, I don't feel this novel added much to this infamous tale.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Escape in Books
Jul 25, 2017
While nothing new, it is well executed
The structure of this jam-packed, fast paced novel is well-laid out, moving from the protagonist's voice to a mysterious person continuously. While the enigmatic chapters were less than mysterious, as I figured out who it was near the beginning, it is clear and not too overdone. It is sad as there are many mothers treated this way especially through the systems, not believed and thought of as unfit. Hence it seems realistic with a sense of tension throughout
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Mothering Sunday in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Fluffy period melodrama, not my cup of tea
Graham Swift is an eloquent writer as his descriptions are vivid however the story itself is rather flaky. It's pretty much about an old woman looking back at her life to a particular point where she had an affair with her master while she was a maid. There are far too many descriptions about bodily fluids which only a man would deem to care about. While the sentiment is there, there wasn't enough substance or point to the novel.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Until We End in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Until We End] is a post-apocalyptic novel that takes a sinister twist. As people all over the world die from a strange disease Cora and Coby hide at home as their dad told them. They believe they may be the only ones left but they were wrong.
[Frankie Brown] adds to the ever popular genre of YA post-apocalyptic fiction. Unlike others I feel you can never have too much of a good thing and this genre has always been a favorite. Keep them coming.
[Frankie Brown] adds to the ever popular genre of YA post-apocalyptic fiction. Unlike others I feel you can never have too much of a good thing and this genre has always been a favorite. Keep them coming.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Into the Hurricane in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This was a very goodcoming of age novel that pitted two teenagers not only againsttheir own anger, guilt and depression but also a hurricane. These two strangers reluctantly at first team up to help each other and in the process find themselves again.
Connelly did a good job of setting the scene and showing us what was inside the characters minds. As a reader you got to see them evolve and grow. It created fairly complex characters. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Connelly did a good job of setting the scene and showing us what was inside the characters minds. As a reader you got to see them evolve and grow. It created fairly complex characters. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Suswatibasu (1703 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 (1703 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.