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ClareR (5874 KP) rated My Name is Monster in Books

Jul 30, 2020 (Updated Jul 30, 2020)  
My Name is Monster
My Name is Monster
Katie Hale | 2019 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
My Name is Monster is a book that really took me by surprise. It’s far more thoughtful and gentle than a lot of other post-apocalyptic books that I’ve read before. I kept expecting something terrible to happen - but it becomes apparent that the terrible thing has already happened.

After a series of wars, both sides have unleashed a sickness that has wiped out the population, and the survivors of that have died of starvation. Monster is a survivor. She had sheltered in the Arctic Seed Vault where she had been working. When she emerges, she is alone. She takes a boat and makes for the Scottish coast. When she washes up on a beach, shipwrecked, she walks towards the only place she really wants to see - home.

She starts to build a solitary life, resigned to living alone. And then one day she finds a child. She names her Monster, and renames herself Mother.

This is a story that made me think about the role of society, and what happens to an individual when there IS no society. It also showed what it means to be a mother: that it isn’t always the ones who give birth who are the mothers. Often it can be the things that a person DOES that makes them a mother. It also shows that one doesn’t have to have lots of possessions to be content. Contentment can be achieved through work or relationships.

There was a point quite early on, where I wondered whether this was the book for me, but I’m glad that I kept on reading. It’s the little things in this book that are actually the big things: the actions of an individual and love.

This was a really enjoyable, satisfying read. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book.
  
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Vegas (725 KP) rated Litte Fires Everywhere in TV

Aug 7, 2020  
Litte Fires Everywhere
Litte Fires Everywhere
2020 | Drama
9
8.2 (5 Ratings)
TV Show Rating Watch
Very strong cast (2 more)
Story progression
The soundtrack
Fantastic, but not an easy watch
Not knowing anything about this show except that it kept pestering me to watch it on Prime, I thought I'd give it a go, for some reason not expecting it to be as heavy as it was.

It started quite slowly, and I almost gave up on it after the first episode, which, as with all of the episodes felt a lot longer than it was.

However, I persevered, and am glad I did.

The story progressed at quite a slow speed but it was a pace that suited it, the ups and downs of all of the characters and the changes to their lives are handled in a way to draw you into their lives without feeling rushed...

The two leading ladies Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon are fantastic, playing the two mothers in such a way that you never know which person is in the right or wrong, and who to side with, both win you over at different points of the story and their backstory flashbacks are equally well handled by the actresses who played their younger versions and give you a real sense of how they became what they are now.

The supporting cast are equally strong from Joshua Jackson as Witherspoon's husband, to the five children of the main characters there isn't a weak performance.

A powerful and moving story examining relationships, lies, sexuality, and loyalties there is a lot to take in, it's not an easy series to binge watch quickly, I had to do it only a couple of episodes at a time, but I highly recommend watching it, just don't expect laughs and an easy time...

It also has a great soundtrack which is also a bonus...