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I had to read this book for my craft of fiction class. This was my first time reading it, but we were able to look at it as more than just plot, and more about how it was written and why it was written that way.
There are spoilers, so read at your own risk.
I very much enjoyed this book. I loved this view into a post slavery world filled of women who have to deal with the grief that has followed them throughout their lives. Sethe, though she has made her mistakes in her life, is still a sympathetic character who relies on her grief to survive through what she has done. Her daughters are strong women in their own rights. Beloved, being childlike and taking out her rage of her death on her mother and her family through stealing the attention and food for herself. She isolates, makes it so the others feel death hanging over themselves to understand her pain.
The format, being more stream of consciousness and not a cohesive, linear narrative, lends itself well to the magical realism of this book. This is nothing like a Harry Potter type of magical realism though. This is steeped in the tradition of former slaves, magical in their beliefs of the world and the afterlife. Not the people being able to control magic, but allowing it to be a real thing in their lives either way.
I really liked this book. If you want to understand why, check it out for yourself.
There are spoilers, so read at your own risk.
I very much enjoyed this book. I loved this view into a post slavery world filled of women who have to deal with the grief that has followed them throughout their lives. Sethe, though she has made her mistakes in her life, is still a sympathetic character who relies on her grief to survive through what she has done. Her daughters are strong women in their own rights. Beloved, being childlike and taking out her rage of her death on her mother and her family through stealing the attention and food for herself. She isolates, makes it so the others feel death hanging over themselves to understand her pain.
The format, being more stream of consciousness and not a cohesive, linear narrative, lends itself well to the magical realism of this book. This is nothing like a Harry Potter type of magical realism though. This is steeped in the tradition of former slaves, magical in their beliefs of the world and the afterlife. Not the people being able to control magic, but allowing it to be a real thing in their lives either way.
I really liked this book. If you want to understand why, check it out for yourself.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated You Are Mine (Mine, #1) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I decided to read this book because I had just finished reading [b:I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban|17851885|I Am Malala The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban|Malala Yousafzai|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375414895s/17851885.jpg|24987300] and I thought that this would be an interesting book to follow it. This book deals with many of the issues that I Am Malala dealt with (women, freedom etc.) and I liked that it was wrapped in a fantasy world with magic & some romance.
First of all, I liked the idea and the plot line of the book. I thought that the story was very well done and I liked that the character was a strong woman even if she was living in a very oppressive world. I loved that she was curious and spoke her mind even when it meant punishment.
The one thing that I found lacking was the editing. I understand that mistakes happen but I found various mistakes in the book which a better editor would have found.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the book. I would give it 3 1/2 stars. I loved the premise of the book and I loved the world that Janeal Falor created. I will continue on in the series. If you're looking for a quick, easy read that deals with freedom, women, and a splash of romance, I would recommend this book.
I decided to read this book because I had just finished reading [b:I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban|17851885|I Am Malala The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban|Malala Yousafzai|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375414895s/17851885.jpg|24987300] and I thought that this would be an interesting book to follow it. This book deals with many of the issues that I Am Malala dealt with (women, freedom etc.) and I liked that it was wrapped in a fantasy world with magic & some romance.
First of all, I liked the idea and the plot line of the book. I thought that the story was very well done and I liked that the character was a strong woman even if she was living in a very oppressive world. I loved that she was curious and spoke her mind even when it meant punishment.
The one thing that I found lacking was the editing. I understand that mistakes happen but I found various mistakes in the book which a better editor would have found.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the book. I would give it 3 1/2 stars. I loved the premise of the book and I loved the world that Janeal Falor created. I will continue on in the series. If you're looking for a quick, easy read that deals with freedom, women, and a splash of romance, I would recommend this book.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated A Cut for a Cut (Detective Kate Young #2) in Books
Jul 21, 2021
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Detective Kate Young is back in the second installment of Carol Wyer's Detective Kate Young series, A Cut for a Cut. To give a fair review, I read the first book in the series, An Eye for an Eye. Some books in a series can stand alone. With this one, you would benefit from reading the first book.
I am a fan of Wyer's two police procedural series, her DI Robyn Carter series and the Detective Natalie Ward series, and was excited about a new series.
Young is a damaged but determined detective who works with a small team. She is struggling to come to terms with her husband's murder, and her team begins to notice she is not on the top of her game when they are tasked with finding who is sexually assaulting then killing young women. The investigation hits home when one of the victims is a woman the team all know through work. All through this, Kate continues an unsanctioned investigation started in the first book.
Let me just say, if you are a fan of British police procedural and strong women characters, then this or either of Wyer's other two series are ones to read.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.
Detective Kate Young is back in the second installment of Carol Wyer's Detective Kate Young series, A Cut for a Cut. To give a fair review, I read the first book in the series, An Eye for an Eye. Some books in a series can stand alone. With this one, you would benefit from reading the first book.
I am a fan of Wyer's two police procedural series, her DI Robyn Carter series and the Detective Natalie Ward series, and was excited about a new series.
Young is a damaged but determined detective who works with a small team. She is struggling to come to terms with her husband's murder, and her team begins to notice she is not on the top of her game when they are tasked with finding who is sexually assaulting then killing young women. The investigation hits home when one of the victims is a woman the team all know through work. All through this, Kate continues an unsanctioned investigation started in the first book.
Let me just say, if you are a fan of British police procedural and strong women characters, then this or either of Wyer's other two series are ones to read.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.
Cunning Women
9.0
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When it is no longer safe to be a witch, they call themselves cunning. 1620s Lancashire. Away...
Historical fiction Witches Witchcraft Gothic 17th century England
The Gender Game (The Gender Game, #1)
10.0
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For fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent comes a story like no other... A toxic river divides...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated The Favourite (2018) in Movies
Jan 24, 2019
Quirky and original with strong performances and direction
Greek Director Yorgos Lanthimos is the director of such quirky, bizarre comedy/dramas as DOGTOOTH, THE LOBSTER and KILLING OF A SACRED DEER and his latest, THE FAVOURITE is no different, so when it was nominated for 10 Oscars, I thought I'd better go see what all the fuss was all about.
And I'm glad I did for THE FAVOURITE is a biting, funny, sarcastic, bizarre, intense and interesting Royal Court drama about the inner workings, back channel dealings and backstabbing social climbing in Queen Anne's court in England in the early 18th Century as seen through Lanthimos' camera lens - a lens that is different indeed.
Starring Oscar winners Rachel Weisz (THE CONSTANT GARDNER) and Emma Stone (LA LA LAND) in their Oscar nominated turns as cousins who vie for the attentions of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman, also Oscar nominated), it is the rare film that features 3 strong women who play off each other well and where each one is a full character in and of themselves - all 3 with strengths and weaknesses that make them real and compelling and performed by 3 strong actresses. Needless to say that each Oscar nod is well deserved.
But the real star of this film is the sensibilities and camera work of Lanthimos. He uses unusual camera angles, unusual angles and bizarre imagery to show the unreality of the court in relation to the real world around them and is a commentary on these people as much as it shows the action on the screen. This film is an artist with a true, unique vision and is one that, while not for everyone, is one that worked for me.
Lanthimos layers on a rich tapestry of story (by Oscar nominated Screenplay writers Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara) locations (by Oscar nominated Production Designers Fijona Crombie and Alice Felton), Costumes (by Oscar nominated costumer Sandy Powell) , editing (by Oscar nominated Yorgos Mavropsaridis), Cinematography (by Oscar nominated Robbie Ryan) and performances, direction and film.
I think you get the point - this film has become (rightfully so) a darling of the Awards season and is well worth checking out - while this film is not entirely successful in what it attempts to do, it is fun to watch the attempt and the strong performances, characters, direction, costumes, cinematography, etc...which more than makes up for any shortcomings in the story (especially the final act of the film).
Letter Grade: B+
7 1/2 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(OfMarquis)
And I'm glad I did for THE FAVOURITE is a biting, funny, sarcastic, bizarre, intense and interesting Royal Court drama about the inner workings, back channel dealings and backstabbing social climbing in Queen Anne's court in England in the early 18th Century as seen through Lanthimos' camera lens - a lens that is different indeed.
Starring Oscar winners Rachel Weisz (THE CONSTANT GARDNER) and Emma Stone (LA LA LAND) in their Oscar nominated turns as cousins who vie for the attentions of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman, also Oscar nominated), it is the rare film that features 3 strong women who play off each other well and where each one is a full character in and of themselves - all 3 with strengths and weaknesses that make them real and compelling and performed by 3 strong actresses. Needless to say that each Oscar nod is well deserved.
But the real star of this film is the sensibilities and camera work of Lanthimos. He uses unusual camera angles, unusual angles and bizarre imagery to show the unreality of the court in relation to the real world around them and is a commentary on these people as much as it shows the action on the screen. This film is an artist with a true, unique vision and is one that, while not for everyone, is one that worked for me.
Lanthimos layers on a rich tapestry of story (by Oscar nominated Screenplay writers Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara) locations (by Oscar nominated Production Designers Fijona Crombie and Alice Felton), Costumes (by Oscar nominated costumer Sandy Powell) , editing (by Oscar nominated Yorgos Mavropsaridis), Cinematography (by Oscar nominated Robbie Ryan) and performances, direction and film.
I think you get the point - this film has become (rightfully so) a darling of the Awards season and is well worth checking out - while this film is not entirely successful in what it attempts to do, it is fun to watch the attempt and the strong performances, characters, direction, costumes, cinematography, etc...which more than makes up for any shortcomings in the story (especially the final act of the film).
Letter Grade: B+
7 1/2 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(OfMarquis)
ClareR (5854 KP) rated A Matter of Oaths in Books
Nov 15, 2017
Believable characters (1 more)
Great world building
A worthy Space Opera!
A story that drops you right in to the action. The world building is believable and the characters are diverse. Considering that this was first published in 1988, there are characters of colour. gay and women in positions of unquestioned authority. None of this seems forced, the gay relationship isn't contrived, the leading female character, Rally, isn't over-bearing as so many strong female characters are often written in the past, and she is very competent and highly thought of by other characters in the book.
How this has slipped through the net, I will never understand. This deserves to be more widely known, and it is such a shame that the author didn't publish anything else that I know of or have been able to find. If she did, I would find it, read it and no doubt recommend it!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Bloomsbury Caravel, for my copy of the book and the opportunity to read and review it!
How this has slipped through the net, I will never understand. This deserves to be more widely known, and it is such a shame that the author didn't publish anything else that I know of or have been able to find. If she did, I would find it, read it and no doubt recommend it!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Bloomsbury Caravel, for my copy of the book and the opportunity to read and review it!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated Turning the Tide in Books
Apr 11, 2018
Who Killed the Suffragist?
While the country is gearing up for the Presidential election of 1888, Rose Carroll and others in her town in Massachusetts are gearing up for a peaceful protest in support of women’s suffrage. Days before the election, Rose finds the body of Rowena Felch, the local leader of the movement, dead outside her home. Could it be that someone hates the idea of women voting that much? Or is there another motive?
While women’s suffrage is a strong theme in the book, Rose quickly finds other motives for murder. I did feel the plot slowed down a time or two, but that never lasted for very long. In fact, the author was able to work in development in the mystery in the middle of some of the scenes about the suffrage movement. I especially appreciated the fact that some of the males in this book supported the movement, too. The characters are great as always, and a couple of sub-plots advance series storylines well. All told, this is another great book.
While women’s suffrage is a strong theme in the book, Rose quickly finds other motives for murder. I did feel the plot slowed down a time or two, but that never lasted for very long. In fact, the author was able to work in development in the mystery in the middle of some of the scenes about the suffrage movement. I especially appreciated the fact that some of the males in this book supported the movement, too. The characters are great as always, and a couple of sub-plots advance series storylines well. All told, this is another great book.
Maris (8 KP) rated Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1 in Books
Jun 10, 2019
It took me a moment to get into it, but I promise you after I kept reading it just got better and better. I loved the ending, it was absolutely wonderful and a great read.
This book has a three characters view. Zelie , Amari, and Inan. Each chapter you get to see how these characters grow and become stronger and show who they truly are. I personally love Amari and the strength you get to see from her and how she grows as a character.
Zelie is such a strong, brave, and talented women, absolutely enjoyed how this character grew stronger as I read further on in the book.
Inan, I cant express how much I love this character. I looked forward to reading his view, he such a mystery and it wanted me to read more about how this character was going to plan out in the story. I cant wait for the next book to come out. I look forward to it cause this story had me hooked to the point I was pulling the book out at work!
This book has a three characters view. Zelie , Amari, and Inan. Each chapter you get to see how these characters grow and become stronger and show who they truly are. I personally love Amari and the strength you get to see from her and how she grows as a character.
Zelie is such a strong, brave, and talented women, absolutely enjoyed how this character grew stronger as I read further on in the book.
Inan, I cant express how much I love this character. I looked forward to reading his view, he such a mystery and it wanted me to read more about how this character was going to plan out in the story. I cant wait for the next book to come out. I look forward to it cause this story had me hooked to the point I was pulling the book out at work!
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Jan 31, 2018
I don't get teary-eyed at girl power. I got teary-eyed.
I read somewhere (probably on Twitter) about women getting teary-eyed because of the sense of girl power that Wonder Woman gave them. I kind of scoffed at that, putting it down to 'emotional types'. And then I watched the movie, and at the key charging scene, I teared up! I couldn't believe it! But I'm able to laugh at myself about it, because it just proved how powerful aspects of Wonder Woman really were.
Wonder Woman changed the game for a lot of little girls and boys. It made them see that females can be strong and independent without guys telling them what to do or how to do it. It will always get major points from me for that.
Also, it was well-paced, fantastically acted, and I'm not above admitting that Gal Gadot is an absolute pleasure to watch on screen.
Patty Jenkins did a great job on Wonder Woman, and Gal Gadot made it even better.
Wonder Woman changed the game for a lot of little girls and boys. It made them see that females can be strong and independent without guys telling them what to do or how to do it. It will always get major points from me for that.
Also, it was well-paced, fantastically acted, and I'm not above admitting that Gal Gadot is an absolute pleasure to watch on screen.
Patty Jenkins did a great job on Wonder Woman, and Gal Gadot made it even better.