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Puzzle Girl
Puzzle Girl
Rachael Featherstone | 2019 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The protagonist in this book is Cassy, a very successful accounts director in the social media firm. I loved her and I hated her decisions at the same time. I admired her cleverness and organizational skills (She has a list for everything!), she is a strong and independent woman who has an incredibly funny gay best friend Dan. But no, she needs to mope about her trashy ex-boyfriend and get herself into the most bizarre situations ever (which were really funny, to be honest). I am absolutely jealous to Cassy that she has Dan, it is an amazing friendship they got there. 🙂

The narrative was incredibly funny and got me giggling and saying “Oh NO!” out loud many times. It is just unbelievable how unlucky one person can be! So kudos to Cassy for surviving all that mess, which she brought on herself. 😀 This book is full of twists and unexpected turns, but I knew who the puzzle man was way before things started being obvious. Nevertheless, I kept reading to see what another silly situation Cassy is going to get into, also, I wanted to see whether I was right with my guess. (Just to clarify, I am always wrong with my guesses, ALWAYS! Except for this time.) The narrative is told from Cassy’s perspective and it was fully sufficient for me. I really liked the way the protagonist opened up throughout the pages. She had some deep realizations about her life, and the mistakes she made in her relationships.

I really loved the writing style of this book, it is light-hearted and very enjoyable to read. I loved the setting of this novel as well, books set in London feel very relatable and close to my heart. I really liked the structure of the chapters, they are not very long and filled with lists and text messages which made the whole reading experience more playful and entertaining. The ending was very well deserved and rounded the story very nicely.

To conclude, it is a very funny and enjoyable novel, filled with very well developed, diverse characters and great adventures (kind of). I think it would be a great romantic comedy film, and I hope to see it one day. 🙂 I really enjoyed this novel, and if you are looking for something to lighten up your gloomy evenings, this is definitely a book to go for. Do give this book a go and I hope you will enjoy as much as I did.
  
Antebellum (2020)
Antebellum (2020)
2020 | Thriller
Janelle Monáe stars as Eden who at the start of the new film “Antebellum” is brought back to a Southern Plantation against her will by Union Soldiers. The consequences of her escape attempt are brutally taken out against two others as the rest of the plantation looks on in submissive silence.

Weeks later more slaves arrive and are given the rules by the brutal Overseer who demands silence and utter obedience at all times.

The slaves are made to work the fields and serve the plantation including the women being assigned to whichever soldier desires them.

Their plight grabs you from the start in its brutality as they have no rights, live in fear daily, and are subject to whatever whims those in charge desire and they are required to obey and suffer in silence.

One night after the General falls asleep after having his way with her; Eden awakens to a different reality. One set in the modern day where she is a wife, mother, and very successful author and activist. The film follows her life in the modern world before springing the twist which makes doing an in-depth review difficult without spoiling things. While I was able to predict the twist coming; it was still effective and chilling in how it was carried out.

The film does get a bit lax in the final act as it relies on too many Hollywood clichés which while highly entertaining for me undermined the messages of the film and the situation.

Gerard Bush and Christopher Rend both wrote and directed the film and there are some powerful and highly gripping moments to the film but it grabs you from the start and is compelling and deeply disturbing.

The cast is very strong and the film is unforgettable. My biggest issue with the film was the final act as I alluded to prior. The film tries to tie things up a bit too neatly yet fails to adequately explain key aspects of the story. The audience is given some information and forced to fill in the gaps for themselves which in many ways makes the film even more disturbing.

In the time of deep division in our country it is very upsetting to see how little has changed for many who do not see equality and justice applied equally and still live day to day with fear and uncertainty.

“Antebellum” is the rare film that entertains, informs, and makes you think and will remain with you after the movie ends.

4 stars out of 5
  
40x40

Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Cuckoo in Books

Jun 24, 2019  
Cuckoo
Cuckoo
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sorry I haven't been writing any reviews for a while. Life's a little all over the place right now.

This was one of the books I picked up from the library without knowing anything about it, so I was pretty excited to read it. It was definitely different to what I expected; it's written in "episodes" but not quite like a script. It's more detailed and less firmly structured, but is from the point of view of the audience of the episodes (not any of the characters in the actual scene). The episodes are also acted by different people, who aren't necessarily the actual characters. This was really interesting; it made it more like a 'show' that Jake was putting on, but did get a bit confusing.

It was definitely a good book. I enjoyed reading it and was interested to discover what happened next. I quite liked Jake as a character, although he did come across as a little overdramatic. (Maybe I'm being harsh by saying this, but did he really need to run away from home and cause such a fuss?) I understand how the author is perhaps trying to convey the message that even actors and "successful" people have problems, but I just wasn't feeling it. I don't know. Maybe a different issue should have been explored.

The story is basically Jake's web-series after the soap "Market Square" is cancelled. After losing his job and income, his family is forced to move into a small flat. Jake can't cope, especially with his disabled brother and his father who's going through a bit of a mental breakdown, and so hops from one friends' house to another. Somehow this leads to his best friend hating him, and he continues to be bitter through the comments of the web-series.

Quick side note: The comments are a good touch, but felt really fake. I liked having the 'real-time' dialogue, but the messages didn't sound genuine/authentic at all to me.

Anyway, Jake ends up in some old woman's house, who turns out to have been a director. He helps bring her out of her extreme dementia, and in return she allows him to live with her.

It all seemed a bit too much, too extreme, for what it was. Jake ends up homeless at one point, and his friend is still being all grumpy at him and it just seemed a bit off to me. But I don't know, I might just be being way too harsh. Despite that, I did enjoy reading it. 3.5 stars.
  
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