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Three Sisters
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Three Sisters is a play by the Russian author and playwright Anton Chekhov. It was written in 1900...
The Aleph
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Borges' stories have a deceptively simple, almost laconic style. In maddeningly ingenious stories...
SilkAir Studio
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The SilkAir Studio app allows you to enjoy complimentary wireless inflight entertainment onboard....
DC Showcase - Jonah Hex (2010)
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An animated short focusing on the DC comics character Jonah Hex. It was released alongside Batman:...
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated The Grownup in Books
May 16, 2018
Ambiguity in a story isn't necessarily a bad thing, but there's also a point where it becomes too much. In Gillian Flynn's award winning short story, "The Grownup," the reader is presented with a perfect example of exactly what happens when there is simply too much story left unanswered.
I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't admit that Flynn immediately snared my attention with the opening to her short story: a main character whose job is to... well... to pleasure men, but not by having sex with them (oral or otherwise). Of course, this profession of hers is masqueraded by a front as a psychic. Because of this need to cover up her actual job, the main character meets a troubled woman by the name of Susan Burke and from there, things get a little crazy to say the least.
Plot-wise, Flynn does a great job at sticking to what many horror fans might describe as a classic ghost story, only she doesn't really go too far in depth as to the details of the haunting - or lack thereof. Instead, she introduces several characters, a plausible chain of what might be paranormal events, and then an inconclusive ending where no fault is actually placed.
For a short story, "The Grownup" isn't all that bad, though I must admit that the title doesn't mesh well with its contents. I would much rather have read this as a full length novel, as Flynn undoubtedly has a knack for unexpected twists and turns. Even though I found "The Grownup" to be unsatisfying, Flynn's talent at the element of surprise still shined through brightly in this short work.
I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't admit that Flynn immediately snared my attention with the opening to her short story: a main character whose job is to... well... to pleasure men, but not by having sex with them (oral or otherwise). Of course, this profession of hers is masqueraded by a front as a psychic. Because of this need to cover up her actual job, the main character meets a troubled woman by the name of Susan Burke and from there, things get a little crazy to say the least.
Plot-wise, Flynn does a great job at sticking to what many horror fans might describe as a classic ghost story, only she doesn't really go too far in depth as to the details of the haunting - or lack thereof. Instead, she introduces several characters, a plausible chain of what might be paranormal events, and then an inconclusive ending where no fault is actually placed.
For a short story, "The Grownup" isn't all that bad, though I must admit that the title doesn't mesh well with its contents. I would much rather have read this as a full length novel, as Flynn undoubtedly has a knack for unexpected twists and turns. Even though I found "The Grownup" to be unsatisfying, Flynn's talent at the element of surprise still shined through brightly in this short work.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated God: A Human History in Books
Oct 4, 2017
Historical context is fascinating but explanations fall short
I had a few issues with this book. No doubt the history of the various religions was absolutely fascinating, exploring polytheistic belief systems to its evolution into monotheism. However, the connections suggested between how God is seen to be humanized is not very clear, rather it seems to be a throwaway remark about two psychological concepts that force human beings to look at everything with human eyes. It is also not very clear in terms of its explanation on why God must be one and not many.
As an atheist/ agnostic reading this, the historical elements were more of interest as the philosophical aspect seems to fall short due to the lack of exploration on why God even became a concept.
As an atheist/ agnostic reading this, the historical elements were more of interest as the philosophical aspect seems to fall short due to the lack of exploration on why God even became a concept.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Last Wish in Books
Apr 13, 2018
Well written but didn't exactly hook me
I've read collections of short stories before but never have I cared less about what happened in them than I did here. The stories are loosely collated with an overall additional story over the top of them. The stories have something of a fairytale feel to them (one an alternate telling of Beauty and the Beast, another like Snow White gone bad, yet another has a tough of Rumpelstiltskin to it), but most invariably include some heaving cleavages and women that throw themselves at the hero.
The stories are well enough told but it may be the translation that left me struggling to concentrate on the story and my attention wandered. A very short book, this took me longer to read than it should have.
The stories are well enough told but it may be the translation that left me struggling to concentrate on the story and my attention wandered. A very short book, this took me longer to read than it should have.
OneStarReads (141 KP) rated The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
I created a video explaining my slow decent into hating this series, for your viewing pleasure:
However, my short and sweet review of this book is as such. I thought this book was a good start to a series. Yes, I found Lemony Snicket to be irritating, especially with him jokingly defining words every few paragraphs, but I was able to find this book charming enough to move onto the next one... Because I hadn't gotten annoyed yet. I probably remember this book fondly only because it was the first book, and not the sixth book in a series that was exactly like the first book, or the ninth, or the eleventh. This book was short and pleasant, as this series should have been.
However, my short and sweet review of this book is as such. I thought this book was a good start to a series. Yes, I found Lemony Snicket to be irritating, especially with him jokingly defining words every few paragraphs, but I was able to find this book charming enough to move onto the next one... Because I hadn't gotten annoyed yet. I probably remember this book fondly only because it was the first book, and not the sixth book in a series that was exactly like the first book, or the ninth, or the eleventh. This book was short and pleasant, as this series should have been.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Gentleman of Her Dreams (Ladies of Distinction, #0.5) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Miss Charlotte Wilson believes that God has brought her the perfect man to marry, Mr. Hamilton Beckett. But is he truly the gentleman of her dreams? Charlotte has devised a flawless scheme to snatch up the perfect husband. But does she have her sights set on the wrong man?
My review of this novella is short because I don't want to give away too many spoilers. I enjoyed reading this short prequel to Jen Turano's series Ladies of Distinction. It is light and full of humor! An excellent start to this series and I can not wait to read the first book, A Change of Fortune. Jen Turano has quickly become one of my favorite authors. After a Fashion is by far one of my favorite books that I have read this year.
My review of this novella is short because I don't want to give away too many spoilers. I enjoyed reading this short prequel to Jen Turano's series Ladies of Distinction. It is light and full of humor! An excellent start to this series and I can not wait to read the first book, A Change of Fortune. Jen Turano has quickly become one of my favorite authors. After a Fashion is by far one of my favorite books that I have read this year.