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Dana (24 KP) rated Gilead in Books

Mar 23, 2018  
Gilead
Gilead
Marilynne Robinson | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book had an interesting insight into the mind of a dying old man. It is quite a religious text, the main character being a preacher and all. It is set up by this man writing letters to his seven-year-old son to read after he has died. I thought this was a pretty cool way to set up the novel.

The characters and their experiences were heavily mediated through the main character's mind. His likes and dislikes for certain people were very apparent while reading it. There were a few points that were really cool to read where he finds out that what he thought he knew about people turned out to be very wrong. In that moment, he allowed himself to really ask himself why he felt that certain way and how it changed.

The characters themselves were pretty interesting as well. Even though they were kind of biased against, they all had their mysteries about them. And some were even able to change throughout the course of the book.

Since it was written in the form of letters, it was harder to get the other characters' thoughts about what happened in the plot. It was just all John Ames all the time, but that is how the book is meant to be.

I gave this a three out of five because, even though I did not hate the book, I didn't love it either. Since I had to read this for class, it is not one I would have picked out for myself. Personally, I don't really enjoy reading heavily religious texts, that is why I didn't overly enjoy reading this one. But, the plot moved at a relatively quick pace (even though there were a few moments where the interior reflection did get a little repetitive). I recommend this to anyone who wants to just read something different and out of their normal wheelhouse.
  
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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Subtle Knife in Books

Nov 14, 2017 (Updated Nov 14, 2017)  
The Subtle Knife
The Subtle Knife
Philip Pullman | 2015 | Children
8
7.4 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
An interesting take on religion and theology
In The Subtle Knife, you finally find out what Lord Asriel's plan is that is never explained in the first book, Northern Lights. I won't go into detail for anyone who hasn't read the book, but it's a little bit bonkers. I'd be intrigued to hear a review from someone religious, as this book expands further on the anti-religion, atheistic themes.

I'm an atheist, so for me I found this book really interesting. It's a fantasy take on Paradise Lost, and it's such an intriguing and well written story. I missed a few characters in this, namely Iorek and the Gyptians, but it was good to see Lyra develop and become more mature. I like Will as a new character, he's very much the sensible one to Lyra's rash character.

In all, the story is quite a bit bonkers but still a very satisfying and well written read. Can't wait to read the last one.