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ClareR (5874 KP) rated Wandering Souls in Books
Mar 25, 2023
Since reading Wandering Souls on The Pigeonhole, it has made it on to the Women’s Prize long list. And well-deserved it is too.
This is the story of a family who make it by boat to Hong Kong from Vietnam. At least Anh and her two brothers do. Their parents and younger siblings come after them and drown.
This is Anh’s story, and how she copes on their journey from Vietnam to Hong Kong, and then on to London where they settle permanently. It’s a story of loss, life-long trauma and the struggle to find security and happiness. It brought home the continuing issues of refugees - particularly those who take the dangerous route of the sea. It always makes me think of these lines from Warsan Shire’s “Home”:
“You have to understand that no one puts children in a boat
Unless the water is safer than the land”
Anh and her family want a better life than that of poverty, war and political oppression.
This is a dark story and the experiences have such a huge effect on every aspect of Anh and her brothers lives, and you can still see this in the interactions that Anh has with her own children.
It’s a wonderful book, and well worth reading. I’ve learnt so much about the Vietnamese people who resettled in the UK and their journeys here.
I wouldn’t be at all disappointed to see this make the short list.
This is the story of a family who make it by boat to Hong Kong from Vietnam. At least Anh and her two brothers do. Their parents and younger siblings come after them and drown.
This is Anh’s story, and how she copes on their journey from Vietnam to Hong Kong, and then on to London where they settle permanently. It’s a story of loss, life-long trauma and the struggle to find security and happiness. It brought home the continuing issues of refugees - particularly those who take the dangerous route of the sea. It always makes me think of these lines from Warsan Shire’s “Home”:
“You have to understand that no one puts children in a boat
Unless the water is safer than the land”
Anh and her family want a better life than that of poverty, war and political oppression.
This is a dark story and the experiences have such a huge effect on every aspect of Anh and her brothers lives, and you can still see this in the interactions that Anh has with her own children.
It’s a wonderful book, and well worth reading. I’ve learnt so much about the Vietnamese people who resettled in the UK and their journeys here.
I wouldn’t be at all disappointed to see this make the short list.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Steel Victory in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I wasnt sure what I was getting into when I started this novel. I havent been reading vampire novels recently simply because of how overdone and cliché they have become. However, this novel is so much more. Vampires may be listed in the synopsis, but they are only a small part of the story.
Its hard to pinpoint what makes this novel so enjoyable. The only complaint I have is how short it is. If I didnt know this was part of series, I would be heartbroken. Filled with interesting character leads by powerfully inspiring females, Steel Victory has a storyline that is a joy to watch enfold. I am already looking at book #2.
Its hard to pinpoint what makes this novel so enjoyable. The only complaint I have is how short it is. If I didnt know this was part of series, I would be heartbroken. Filled with interesting character leads by powerfully inspiring females, Steel Victory has a storyline that is a joy to watch enfold. I am already looking at book #2.
Trish (4 KP) rated One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I'm not normally a short story reader. I chose this because I thought it would be a funny read that would work well as an audiobook. plus, I was swayed by the "guest" readers on the audiobook.
Not only did it make me laugh but it made me think! Some of the stories were very thought-provoking, which surprised me. I enjoyed it. A few of the stories dragged on and on. My favorites were those that came abruptly to an end. They made me laugh and pause to think, instead of spelling it all out.
I was not. B.J.Novak fan from television really so I wasn't predisposed to like this book. It was just enjoyable.
Not only did it make me laugh but it made me think! Some of the stories were very thought-provoking, which surprised me. I enjoyed it. A few of the stories dragged on and on. My favorites were those that came abruptly to an end. They made me laugh and pause to think, instead of spelling it all out.
I was not. B.J.Novak fan from television really so I wasn't predisposed to like this book. It was just enjoyable.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated If He Had Not Come in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
If He had not come is the really good short story. It has a really meaning for Christmas. What would our world be like “If He Had Not Come”? This show you though a boy named Bobby as he experienced this.
What if Jesus was not born? Would we have the world we have now? We can draw anything from the words “If I hadn't come”. Would we still be celebrating Christmas or the birth of Jesus?
This book is good for children and their parents. It good for bedtime. I would even say it even good for the holiday season and around Jesus birth. If you like a good mean full book this one is good for that.
What if Jesus was not born? Would we have the world we have now? We can draw anything from the words “If I hadn't come”. Would we still be celebrating Christmas or the birth of Jesus?
This book is good for children and their parents. It good for bedtime. I would even say it even good for the holiday season and around Jesus birth. If you like a good mean full book this one is good for that.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Lottery and Other Stories in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Jackson is the queen of turning normal people's lives into a horror show. This short story is dark, disturbing and chilling.
Written and published just after WWII, this clearly sends out as message to all those involved in the Holocaust. Just because something is being done by the masses, and has become a sort of tradition, doesn't mean its moral and right. This message translates to today's times too. As another reviewer perfectly put it, "there is value in tradition but beware blind faith".
This in no way surprised me, it's not that I've seen spoilers for it, I just happened to get it very early on, but that doesn't take away the effect of the horrific ending.
Written and published just after WWII, this clearly sends out as message to all those involved in the Holocaust. Just because something is being done by the masses, and has become a sort of tradition, doesn't mean its moral and right. This message translates to today's times too. As another reviewer perfectly put it, "there is value in tradition but beware blind faith".
This in no way surprised me, it's not that I've seen spoilers for it, I just happened to get it very early on, but that doesn't take away the effect of the horrific ending.
Irene M (130 KP) rated Game of Scones: All Men Must Dine in Books
Dec 7, 2018
THIS BOOK IS BRILLIANT!!!
All baking recipes are themed on Game of Thrones with an artistic or puntastic edge to them.
From Hot Pie’s Wolfbread (a basic wholemeal bread, shaped into a wolf like he did on the show) and Sansa’s Lemon Cakes to a Red (velvet) Wedding Cake (3 tier cake with ‘blood’ pouring down the side) and the one I really REALLY wanna try myself Oberyn’s Smashing Surprise (long story short a decorated chocolate shell filled with red jelly so you can re-enact the scene and squish it open with your fingers, just like The Mountain did to Oberyn’s skull, mwahahahahaaa).
Oh yes, I shall be making a few of these recipes.
All baking recipes are themed on Game of Thrones with an artistic or puntastic edge to them.
From Hot Pie’s Wolfbread (a basic wholemeal bread, shaped into a wolf like he did on the show) and Sansa’s Lemon Cakes to a Red (velvet) Wedding Cake (3 tier cake with ‘blood’ pouring down the side) and the one I really REALLY wanna try myself Oberyn’s Smashing Surprise (long story short a decorated chocolate shell filled with red jelly so you can re-enact the scene and squish it open with your fingers, just like The Mountain did to Oberyn’s skull, mwahahahahaaa).
Oh yes, I shall be making a few of these recipes.
David McK (3557 KP) rated The Philip K. Dick Megapack (R): 15 Classic Science Fiction Stories in Books
Jan 30, 2019
While the name may not be all that well-known, Philip K Dick was (IMO) actually one of the most influential of 20th century sci-fi authors, responsible for the stories that led to movies the likes of 'Total Recall', 'Blade Runner', 'Minority Report', 'The Adjustment Bureau' and 'Screamers'.
In fact, the idea for that last one ('Screamers') itself is one of the short stories in this anthology in 'Second Variety': I think it's about #6 in the anthology.
If you read that story, and if you've seen the film, you'll definitely make the connection!
Of the rest of the stories, some are better than others, but all are entertaining and even (occasionally) thought provoking.
In fact, the idea for that last one ('Screamers') itself is one of the short stories in this anthology in 'Second Variety': I think it's about #6 in the anthology.
If you read that story, and if you've seen the film, you'll definitely make the connection!
Of the rest of the stories, some are better than others, but all are entertaining and even (occasionally) thought provoking.
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Gemini Man (2019) in Movies
Nov 20, 2019
Smith v Smith
The script for this movie has been languishing in development hell for nearly 20 years I believe and having finally made it to the big screen it's nothing short of a disappointment.
First the de-aging process applied to Will Smith's to create his younger self is poor to say the least,it looks like someone is wearing a cut out plastic mask of smith.The story itself feels rushed and the script is horrible and the flaws are easily noticed.The action scenes are predictable,though the sequence on the motorbikes was fairly good.
Add to that a pretty mediocre and predictable ending and this is a really disappointing film.
First the de-aging process applied to Will Smith's to create his younger self is poor to say the least,it looks like someone is wearing a cut out plastic mask of smith.The story itself feels rushed and the script is horrible and the flaws are easily noticed.The action scenes are predictable,though the sequence on the motorbikes was fairly good.
Add to that a pretty mediocre and predictable ending and this is a really disappointing film.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) in Movies
Apr 18, 2020
Ok scary tales film
I missed this at the cinema and caught on Amazon prime last night. I thought it was going to be an anthology of scary stories. It's more of a few mini tales set within the main plot of the whole film. I enjoyed it and at times it felt a bit like @Creepshow (1982) or @Trick 'r Treat (2007) The overall feel of the film was similar to a Stephen King short story. Only downside it isn't that scary, maybe why it got a PG-13 rating in the US. If you like ghost stories check it out but it won't give you sleepless nights.
William Holden: A Biography
Book
This is the story of William Holden, a true leading man whose career spanned more than 40 years and...