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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.
  
WO
Who on Earth is Tom Baker?
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WOW... Okay, Tom's life is very... unfortunate. And while I was interested, I realized I wanted more of the stories of his career and less about how he came to be. The first half of the book is his struggles with God in a religious upbringing, the third quarter is his struggles in military service. And while these stories are simultaneously heartbreaking and emotional, they are such a drag to read. It's not that he doesn't tell the story well, he does, injecting his trademark humor onto just about every page. But the tragic nature of the events counters that humor making it more gallows and inappropriate than anything. I SLOGGED through the first half. It does pick up some once he becomes an actor (and like The Doctor, Tom is a bit of a name dropper). Insightful and interesting, but I'm still not sure I have any idea who on Earth is Tom Baker...
  
GO
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is 1 of those times where I wish Goodreads would give the old 1/2 a star option. This book wasn't a 3, but it wasn't a 4 either. I enjoyed it, but I also didn't think it was worth 4 stars. The characters I interesting & the arcs that each progresses through during the course of the book were intriguing. There was a fairly good plot, and the ending found me holding my breath for fear of what might happen to Tiamat.
However, the beginning was where I found myself struggling with the story. It took awhile for the action of the plot to really get going & draw me in. The characters were at first, hard to connect with. I enjoyed the historical part of the story. It wasn't too overbearing or preachy for being rather religious based. It didn't feel forced and worked naturally with the plot. I guess this just isn't the kind of book I'd normally find myself pulling down off a shelf.
  
Priestdaddy
Priestdaddy
Patricia Lockwood | 2017 | Biography, Essays
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The eccentric and quirky life of a Catholic family
This is an intriguing memoir about the author's experiences of living in an unconventional, but highly religious family, with a Catholic gun-toting priest for a father. It is highly sarcastic, and hilarious at times, reading about Patricia Lockwood's family antics. When I first began this autobiography, I honestly believed it was set in the 1960s as her father disallows the sisters to go to college, instead spending money on guitars, and describing the effects of living next to a radioactive plant. But lo and behold, Lockwood is writing about only a decade ago.

She leads an eccentric lifestyle, following in her family's footsteps, writing poetry and travelling across the US after a marrying a man off the internet. But it also reveals her doubts about their customs and practices, and how she questions the function of the church - especially with claims of molestation. An interesting and enjoyable read.
  
Novitiate (2017)
Novitiate (2017)
2017 | Drama
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The acting. (0 more)
Confusing scenes and imagery (4 more)
Maybe you have to be Catholic to understand it.
What the hell is happening?
What did I just watch?
Wait!? What? Did she just...?
This heathen is confused.
I am not a religious person though I find to discover about people's faith and acts of faith. This movie deals with the upheaval of after Vatican II was adopted in Catholicism in a convent where the mother superior refusing to give up the old ways while training prospective nuns under her care. The movie can be jarring at times in its violence and exploration of the novitiates and at other times is quite beautiful in showing pure live and faith, however misguided it seems to me. I'm not entirely sure what was happening in some of the scenes and even the ending was confusing. The movie, however, is well-acted. Maybe it's better understand by those of the same faith or who went to a Catholic school. This heathen was confused.
  
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ClareR (5879 KP) rated Blood on the Stone in Books

Apr 26, 2019 (Updated Apr 26, 2019)  
Blood on the Stone
Blood on the Stone
Jake Lynch | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A well-researched, exciting historical murder-mystery.
This is a very enjoyable murder mystery, set in 17th century Oxford. The English Parliament is being hosted by Oxford, with King Charles II, his wife and mistresses also present (although we don’t really see them)
Luke Sandys, Chief Officer of the Bailiffs, is called on to solve the murder of an MP (Member of Parliament), and also to stop a treasonous plot against the King.
The Bailiffs were an early precursor of the modern police force from what I could make out. There’s some great historical detail about them, about everyday lives at this time, and about religious and political tensions between Protestants and catholics. It’s just a really good story overall!
There is a historical note at the end of the story that was very interesting, and I really appreciated the extra information.
In all, a well researched and exciting story!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author, Jake Lynch, for reading along!