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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated A Christmas Carol in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 10, 2017)
The only Christmas story
There have been hundreds of adaptations of this book, and yet this will be the only classic version. It is the original redemption novella. The treatment of the poor and the ability of a self-interested man absolving himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are the key themes of the story. With A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens captured the essence of the mid-Victorian revival of the Christmas holiday.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Jane Eyre in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 10, 2017)
Struggled with her so-called pioneering female character
I know, it's rather shocking - I am not a big fan of Jane Eyre. Having read it at school and analysed it to death, it made me realise how much I hated her character (apologies to the fans). She is seen to be 'ahead of her time' for leaving and attempting to forge her own life, yet she falls for Rochester's charms, allowing his wife (the mad woman in the attic) to burn to death. To be fair, I struggle with most period books because of its lack of pro-feminist content.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Yellow Wallpaper and Selected Writings in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 10, 2017)
Exploring the impact of trauma
I studied this in school, and it left a profound impact on me. The idea of mental health and the effect of trauma is explored in detail in this book. A woman begins to see a woman trapped in her yellow wallpaper, but is it a ghostly apparition or a manifestation of herself?
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Fishermen in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 10, 2017)
A heartbreaking elegy to Nigeria's lost promise
A beautiful and deeply tragic story exploring a family's secrets based in Nigeria. The novel follows four brothers in a small Nigerian village who are given a violent prophecy which shakes their family to the core.
Like most classic African novels in the Achebe-Ngugi tradition, The Fishermen mixes the traditional English novel form with the oral storytelling tradition, dramatising the conflict between the traditional and the modern. It is rather depressing but poignant.
Like most classic African novels in the Achebe-Ngugi tradition, The Fishermen mixes the traditional English novel form with the oral storytelling tradition, dramatising the conflict between the traditional and the modern. It is rather depressing but poignant.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated We Should All be Feminists in Books
Oct 10, 2017
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie does a great job in explaining the fundamental point of feminism. While it is already known to those versed in such sociological aspects, it is a good start in learning about what it actually is.
I was more interested in her viewpoint of intersectional feminism which brings together the effects of race, class and gender on a person and their position in society. I hope that there will be more literature like this in the future.
I was more interested in her viewpoint of intersectional feminism which brings together the effects of race, class and gender on a person and their position in society. I hope that there will be more literature like this in the future.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Fight Club in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
I am Jack's aching liver
An absolute classic, with the film being completely faithful to the book. Chuck Palahniuk's writing style is uber-cool, and totally macabre, describing disturbing situations in a nonchalant way. Obviously it's not the same if you know the ending already but either read it or watch it.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Lady Chatterley's Lover in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
Rather formulaic period novel
Another period tale of a woman with little power. She seems to run from one man to another in order for survival.
Connie Reid marries Clifford Chatterley, the scion of an aristocratic line. After a month's honeymoon, he is sent to war, and returns paralysed from the waist down, impotent. She becomes increasingly isolated after he husband becomes more and more frustrated with his disability. At which point she becomes acquainted with - wait for it - the groundskeeper/gardener. They have a tumultuous love affair as a result.
I think this was rather generic and typical of novels at the time such as Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary. Expect affairs and dramatic leading ladies.
Connie Reid marries Clifford Chatterley, the scion of an aristocratic line. After a month's honeymoon, he is sent to war, and returns paralysed from the waist down, impotent. She becomes increasingly isolated after he husband becomes more and more frustrated with his disability. At which point she becomes acquainted with - wait for it - the groundskeeper/gardener. They have a tumultuous love affair as a result.
I think this was rather generic and typical of novels at the time such as Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary. Expect affairs and dramatic leading ladies.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Robinson Crusoe in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
Outdated colonial claptrap
I didn't particularly like this book even as a child, especially its overt racist storyline. Robinson Crusoe, an explorer and wanderer, at one point becomes a slave owner, aligning himself with other planters and undertaking a trip to Africa in order to bring back a shipload of slaves. At this point, he survives a storm and a shipwreck and ends up as the sole survivor. Because of the initial plot, I found it difficult to sympathise with his plight. They also speak of cannibalism, addressing others as "savages". It's a colonial tale that has become outdated.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Inferno: The Divine Comedy I in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 10, 2017)
Dante metaphysically takes you through the underworld, utterly incredible
Even after six centuries, Dante's Inferno is one of the most important works that needs to be read. Exploring the nine circles of hell, Dante (using his own name) speaks of being led by Virgil to the different depths of depravity of human nature. From virtuous non-Christians such as Socrates, through to lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery, where he meets Judas. It is epic in every sense, from the content to the language. Mind-blowing.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Charlotte's Web in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 10, 2017)
Classic children's story about friendship and loss
I shed so many tears reading this as a kid. It's a great book for children exploring loss, and unlikely friendship. Even though I hate spiders, Charlotte is wonderful, attempting to aid her friend Wilbur the pig from being slaughtered. A heartwarming, bittersweet tale.