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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated See What I Have Done in Books
Jul 25, 2017
A story about a spoilt sociopath
Contains spoilers, click to show
I have to say I found Lizzie Borden's character is detestable even though there were instances where her father's harsh behaviour showed. She is manipulative and spoilt, a classic sociopath and while the murderer is never openly stated, it seems very likely she had a hand in it. I felt extremely sorry for her elder sister Emma, who seems to have to put up with her behaviour. Either way, I don't feel this novel added much to this infamous tale.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Escape in Books
Jul 25, 2017
While nothing new, it is well executed
The structure of this jam-packed, fast paced novel is well-laid out, moving from the protagonist's voice to a mysterious person continuously. While the enigmatic chapters were less than mysterious, as I figured out who it was near the beginning, it is clear and not too overdone. It is sad as there are many mothers treated this way especially through the systems, not believed and thought of as unfit. Hence it seems realistic with a sense of tension throughout
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Mothering Sunday in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Fluffy period melodrama, not my cup of tea
Graham Swift is an eloquent writer as his descriptions are vivid however the story itself is rather flaky. It's pretty much about an old woman looking back at her life to a particular point where she had an affair with her master while she was a maid. There are far too many descriptions about bodily fluids which only a man would deem to care about. While the sentiment is there, there wasn't enough substance or point to the novel.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Until We End in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Until We End] is a post-apocalyptic novel that takes a sinister twist. As people all over the world die from a strange disease Cora and Coby hide at home as their dad told them. They believe they may be the only ones left but they were wrong.
[Frankie Brown] adds to the ever popular genre of YA post-apocalyptic fiction. Unlike others I feel you can never have too much of a good thing and this genre has always been a favorite. Keep them coming.
[Frankie Brown] adds to the ever popular genre of YA post-apocalyptic fiction. Unlike others I feel you can never have too much of a good thing and this genre has always been a favorite. Keep them coming.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Into the Hurricane in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This was a very goodcoming of age novel that pitted two teenagers not only againsttheir own anger, guilt and depression but also a hurricane. These two strangers reluctantly at first team up to help each other and in the process find themselves again.
Connelly did a good job of setting the scene and showing us what was inside the characters minds. As a reader you got to see them evolve and grow. It created fairly complex characters. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Connelly did a good job of setting the scene and showing us what was inside the characters minds. As a reader you got to see them evolve and grow. It created fairly complex characters. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Essex Serpent in Books
Jul 26, 2017
Period gothic drama on superstition v science
A very good modern period gothic drama about how a town can convince itself about a mythical beast while confronting contemporary science.
In the centre of the entire story is a beautiful but complex relationship between a woman of science and a priest who on most occasions disagree with one another but learn to come to terms with each other's viewpoints. And in between their relationship is a withering wife and her autistic son. A multilayered novel rich with substance.
In the centre of the entire story is a beautiful but complex relationship between a woman of science and a priest who on most occasions disagree with one another but learn to come to terms with each other's viewpoints. And in between their relationship is a withering wife and her autistic son. A multilayered novel rich with substance.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Slaughterhouse 5: The Children's Crusade - A Duty-dance with Death in Books
Jul 27, 2017
Bizarre but brings up important themes
Kurt Vonnegut's renowned novel focuses on the destruction of war, the long term mental health issues at the same time how death is trivialized throughout.
Or so it goes.
It borders on ludicrous at the same time reveals the fragmentation of the mind after such trauma. It is unclear how much of the narrator's account is fact or fantasy.
While I'm usually drawn to these themes, the general oddness may have been a step too far without background explanation.
Or so it goes.
It borders on ludicrous at the same time reveals the fragmentation of the mind after such trauma. It is unclear how much of the narrator's account is fact or fantasy.
While I'm usually drawn to these themes, the general oddness may have been a step too far without background explanation.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Mirror, Shoulder, Signal in Books
Jul 30, 2017
Slightly pointless story
I was intrigued to read this after it was nominated for a Man Booker Prize. The story hinges around a woman attempting to drive in Denmark and Sweden, and the various inadequacies that it conjured up. Being in the same position, I was empathetic with the protagonist but it seemed to lack a real plot and point to the entire novel. It is well written and the multiple sub-stories are intriguing but I failed to grasp what the author was trying to show.
SummerLGrant (185 KP) rated The Night Circus in Books
Aug 10, 2017
Beautiful writing (2 more)
A great story
The circus and the characters are brillliant
Absolutely spectacular
It's been a while since I read this book but I remember being in complete awe of it. Every single word has a purpose, it's as if each one is specially selected to realise the novel's potential and it's quite rare to get that.
It's mesmerising and beautiful and it's nice to see magic used with subtlety yet still being important without overshadowing. It's difficult to believe this was a debut novel!
It's mesmerising and beautiful and it's nice to see magic used with subtlety yet still being important without overshadowing. It's difficult to believe this was a debut novel!
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Human Acts in Books
Sep 13, 2017
A sombre and beautifully written outlook on a South Korean massacre
Once again Han Kang has written a haunting piece of literature very different from her award-winning debut novel The Vegetarian.
The intricate meshing of narratives of several stories across generations explains the disturbing effects of the Gwangju uprising - South Korea's Tiananmen Square massacre. There are elements of spirits attempting to reach friends and family members after being killed by government forces. The language is melancholic and beautiful, and entire story is an absolute tragedy.
The intricate meshing of narratives of several stories across generations explains the disturbing effects of the Gwangju uprising - South Korea's Tiananmen Square massacre. There are elements of spirits attempting to reach friends and family members after being killed by government forces. The language is melancholic and beautiful, and entire story is an absolute tragedy.