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ClareR (6054 KP) rated The Night Ship in Books
Dec 12, 2022
The Night Ship is a wonderful story told from two different perspectives: Mayken is travelling to the Dutch East Indies on board the Batavia in 1629; in 1989, Gil is sent to live with his grandfather after he death of his mother. Gil finds out about the shipwreck of the Batavia when he meets some archaeologists, and becomes really interested in what happened.
The story switches between the two children, and I couldn’t wait to read about each perspective. Mayken is a happy, curious child, who is desperate to explore the world below decks - which due to her status, she isn’t supposed to do. So she enlists the help of a cabin boy and disguises herself. Mayken searches for a monster below decks, the Bullebak, as things start to go wrong on the ship. But it soon becomes apparent that the threat doesn’t come from a monster.
Gil doesn’t want to live with his uncommunicative, distant grandfather. He doesn’t want to fish with him either. And her certainly doesn’t want to talk about what happened with his mother. He finds solace in his friendships with an ancient tortoise called Enkidu, and Silvia Zanetti, the wife and mother of his grandfathers enemies, Frank and Roper (the latter sounds like he should be locked up, to be honest).
I absolutely loved this book. Mayken and Gil are both such tragic characters who only need someone to care for them. It’s a magical story, made more so by the imaginations of the two children. It’s a shame that the real world has to encroach on them.
Highly recommended.
The story switches between the two children, and I couldn’t wait to read about each perspective. Mayken is a happy, curious child, who is desperate to explore the world below decks - which due to her status, she isn’t supposed to do. So she enlists the help of a cabin boy and disguises herself. Mayken searches for a monster below decks, the Bullebak, as things start to go wrong on the ship. But it soon becomes apparent that the threat doesn’t come from a monster.
Gil doesn’t want to live with his uncommunicative, distant grandfather. He doesn’t want to fish with him either. And her certainly doesn’t want to talk about what happened with his mother. He finds solace in his friendships with an ancient tortoise called Enkidu, and Silvia Zanetti, the wife and mother of his grandfathers enemies, Frank and Roper (the latter sounds like he should be locked up, to be honest).
I absolutely loved this book. Mayken and Gil are both such tragic characters who only need someone to care for them. It’s a magical story, made more so by the imaginations of the two children. It’s a shame that the real world has to encroach on them.
Highly recommended.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Bad Moms (2016) in Movies
Sep 12, 2017
Usual chaotic comedy
As with a lot of these American comedies, it's brash, over the top and totally in your face, with a dollop of moral ethics. A mother, stretched to the limits, decides to let go of being perfect and do what she would rather do. She is judged as a result by other mothers, insecure with their own issues of attempting to reach perfection. It's a little silly, and I switched off engaging after a while.
The usual Hollywood C-rate comedy.
The usual Hollywood C-rate comedy.
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife in TV
May 14, 2018
Ali Wong is not for everyone. I admit that not all of her jokes landed for me. A large portion of her jokes involve her first year of being a mother and as I am a man with no children I can't entirely relate. No e the less, there were about 5 times when I laughed hard and quite a few chuckles throughout. I did enjoy it. I just wish I had been able to enjoy all of the material (admittedly more my issue than herself).
I was very impressed with this book when I read it the first time round and again when we did it with the book group. I think it is based on a true story about a boy and his mother being trapped in one room in a bunker with no means of escape or so they think at the time. with a lot of cunning and effort they eventually manage to escape the room and return to a normal lifestyle or as normal as possible.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Snatched (2017) in Movies
Mar 12, 2018
A film like this has to focus on the comedy and let the story unfold naturally. Here there just was not enough comedy to save it, meaning you focus on the story and realise how badly executed the mother/daughter, sister/brother relationships are.
The interaction between Amy Schumer's brother and the State Department agent he keeps phoning was mildly amusing but there was nothing in Amy Schumer's scenes worth a smile and her character was irritating and useless.
The interaction between Amy Schumer's brother and the State Department agent he keeps phoning was mildly amusing but there was nothing in Amy Schumer's scenes worth a smile and her character was irritating and useless.
Melanie Johnson (34 KP) rated Alice in Wonderland (1951) in Movies
Aug 14, 2018
My kids love it (1 more)
I dont mind listening
Climbing out of the rabbit hole
As a mother with two small children, all of the movies we watch are on repeat. This one makes it's way into the rotation and I never mind when it does. It takes me back to my childhood. On the reverse side, there isnt much music to sing to, and there is a smoking Caterpillar to teach my daughter bad habits.
Emma (2 KP) rated Big Little Lies in Books
Oct 5, 2018
Thrilling interesting and twisty
I really loved this series and while I sometimes flinched away at the use of sexual violence it portrayed it did so with a purpose rather then to revel in the responses.
As a single mother I could relate to the struggles of motherhood when even when you try your best you never feel good enough.
As a single mother I could relate to the struggles of motherhood when even when you try your best you never feel good enough.
Melody Womack (32 KP) rated Moana (2016) in Movies
Nov 18, 2018
One of Disney's best!
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is a movie the whole family can enjoy. My 5 year old son loves this movie, I love this movie, my boyfriend and my mother even love it. I love the fact that Moana is such a strong, relatable character, and it's great that Maui is portrayed as having his own self esteem issues and problems. I love the message of importance of treating the Earth well. And, of course, the music is great. I can watch it over and over.
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Dumplin' (2018) in Movies
Nov 20, 2019 (Updated Nov 20, 2019)
A story about loving yourself even when society tells you not to. Willowdean is a plus size girl and the daughter of a pageant queen. She lives in contrast to her mother who lives based on appearances. Will decides to enter a beauty pageant as a form of protest to the perceived perfection they target and learns a lot about herself, friendship, and family. The message of body positivity and loving yourself/embracing yourself for who you are is very heartwarming. One worth rewatching.