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A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness
Book
This New York Times bestseller is a myth-shattering exploration of the powerful connections between...
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Vox in Books
Dec 13, 2018
Thought provoking
There are many words that come to mind at the close of this book alongside a host of emotions. For one, I feel both unsettled and angry. This is a profound and scary read with a potential realism that should make any woman or man, for that matter, look over their political shoulder. I am a political animal so this book took my worries about misogyny and ran them to worse-case scenario.
Imagine a world where a misogynistic man is voted into power in the US (hold on, that sounds familiar) and over a relatively short period of time women are silenced. That is all I am going to say to the context of the story because it makes great, chilling reading.
The heroine, Dr Jean McClellan, a neurolinguist finds herself at home, running the house and so damn angry. Angry at her husband, her son and most of all at the powers that be. It is an utterly fascinating tale, somewhat imperfect at wrap-up but nonetheless absorbing. The parallel story of Jean's son, Steven was one of the most powerful elements of this story for me about how impressionable children/young people could potentially be brainwashed. I really liked where this particular element ended up.
There are some strong male characters in the book, some good, some bad and some weak but trying to be better. I appreciated the mixture and it felt real.
So, if you want to be challenged, if you like a story that mirrors contemporary times and moves it on fantastically, then this might be a read for you. In the meantime, I'll be creating a new genre over here called dystopian-realism.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Imagine a world where a misogynistic man is voted into power in the US (hold on, that sounds familiar) and over a relatively short period of time women are silenced. That is all I am going to say to the context of the story because it makes great, chilling reading.
The heroine, Dr Jean McClellan, a neurolinguist finds herself at home, running the house and so damn angry. Angry at her husband, her son and most of all at the powers that be. It is an utterly fascinating tale, somewhat imperfect at wrap-up but nonetheless absorbing. The parallel story of Jean's son, Steven was one of the most powerful elements of this story for me about how impressionable children/young people could potentially be brainwashed. I really liked where this particular element ended up.
There are some strong male characters in the book, some good, some bad and some weak but trying to be better. I appreciated the mixture and it felt real.
So, if you want to be challenged, if you like a story that mirrors contemporary times and moves it on fantastically, then this might be a read for you. In the meantime, I'll be creating a new genre over here called dystopian-realism.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
LT
Let the Right One in
8.0
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Book
Audiences can't get enough of fang fiction. Twilight, True Blood, Being Human, The Vampire Diaries,...
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Station Eleven in Books
Mar 15, 2018
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.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ingrid Goes West (2017) in Movies
Jul 31, 2018
Very disturbing
What worries me the most about this film is how disturbingly accurately it reflects today’s society. There is never a doubt about the realism of how the insta-celeb and the stalker-esque are depicted, and it makes for a very depressing watch. It really puts me off using certain social media.
Aubrey Plaza is a great choice, as she really knows how to do crazy stalker and she makes the film even more disturbing. My problem was the plot was a bit predictable, I didn’t think it was particularly funny and I felt the ending was a bit of a letdown and potentially not the right message to be sending? Its not a terrible film and I appreciate what it’s trying to do, it’s just not a film to watch if you need cheering up!
Aubrey Plaza is a great choice, as she really knows how to do crazy stalker and she makes the film even more disturbing. My problem was the plot was a bit predictable, I didn’t think it was particularly funny and I felt the ending was a bit of a letdown and potentially not the right message to be sending? Its not a terrible film and I appreciate what it’s trying to do, it’s just not a film to watch if you need cheering up!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Black Hawk Down (2001) in Movies
Dec 31, 2018
One of the best war movies I have ever seen!
One of Ridley Scott's great films, Black Hawk Down tells the complicated story of American troops deployed in Somalia to take out a brutal warlord who has been committing genocide on his own people. When events do not go as planned, the troops are left in harm's way a lot longer than expected until reinforcements can be mobilized to assist them.
The intense combat footage, paralleled with the kinship the men gained by helpful one another through an almost no win situation is compelling, tragic and inspiring all at the same time.
The cinematography and realism in which the film was shot adds to the storytelling in a robust way and you really feel for the soldiers and their ordeal.
Fantastic film.
The intense combat footage, paralleled with the kinship the men gained by helpful one another through an almost no win situation is compelling, tragic and inspiring all at the same time.
The cinematography and realism in which the film was shot adds to the storytelling in a robust way and you really feel for the soldiers and their ordeal.
Fantastic film.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Crocodile in Books
Jun 21, 2019
This is a brilliant novel
This is a wonderful novel. The reader is taken on a childhood journey through the eyes of a young girl (or through the lens of the camera she see's herself through). This is a story about a child yearning for her mothers love, about friendship, about innocence and about the burden that abuse - emotional and physical - can have on an individual.
The relationship between the protagonist and the her friends is brilliant. The language, the vernacular, all make this novel as real as if you were right back to your own childhood, with words that I had long forgotten and which came back to me in laughter. I enjoyed the honesty of childhood, the realism of childhood relationships, the subtle way that situations are dealt with. I just loved it.
The relationship between the protagonist and the her friends is brilliant. The language, the vernacular, all make this novel as real as if you were right back to your own childhood, with words that I had long forgotten and which came back to me in laughter. I enjoyed the honesty of childhood, the realism of childhood relationships, the subtle way that situations are dealt with. I just loved it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Tell It to the Bees (2019) in Movies
Jul 24, 2019 (Updated Jul 25, 2019)
Well-staged hats-and-ciggies period drama struggles to find anything new to say, or indeed to surprise or engage in any way. Much-put-upon single mum (Grainger) meets newly-arrived town doctor (Paquin) in a laborious cute-meet; what follows you can probably write for yourself, with the exception of a really weird climax involving bees (the bees are a sort of motif throughout, but it's still weird).
Reasonably good acting, although Paquin's attempt at a Scottish accent is not particularly easy on the ear. The problem is that the film is deeply predictable and not especially subtle (the girl-on-girl stuff is classily handled, though). I found it quite heavy going; the bit with the magic bees is a genuine 'You WHAT?' moment bafflingly at odds with the dour realism of much of the rest of the film.
Reasonably good acting, although Paquin's attempt at a Scottish accent is not particularly easy on the ear. The problem is that the film is deeply predictable and not especially subtle (the girl-on-girl stuff is classily handled, though). I found it quite heavy going; the bit with the magic bees is a genuine 'You WHAT?' moment bafflingly at odds with the dour realism of much of the rest of the film.
The Grand Design
Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow
7.0
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Book
When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? Is the apparent 'grand design' of our universe...
Fastlane HD Lite
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Now with Game Centre support! The fastest racing experience on the iPad is here. Incredible sense...