Smashbomb

"This is one of my favorite books of 2016 and I will continue talking it up at all my future events. The majority of thrillers I read are on the adult side, and I'll tell you now that although MY SISTER ROSA is so different content-wise from GONE GIRL/THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, it's equally addicting. When the premise of a book is a 17-year-old is trying to protect from the world from his 10-year-old psychopathic sister, you just know there's no happily ever after to expect. I knew it was going to be dark, but I didn't anticipate how haunting it is. It fits the book 100% and I loved it. And no spoilers, but the twist completely stunned me. I pride myself on figuring out the major twist of GONE GIRL before reading a single chapter, but the twist in MY SISTER ROSA completely GUTTED me. And it's an excellent twist because once all was revealed, EVERYTHING made sense. It didn't come out of left field, it didn't have me feeling cheated to the point where I would've felt obligated to reread it all to appreciate the twist. Everything is there. Maybe you'll figure it out beforehand. Maybe you won't. But the experience of reading about Rosa--the most terrifying 10-year-old in the universe--remains completely absorbing."

Source

Kudos

Guy Pearce recommended The Elephant Man (1980) in Movies (curated)

The Elephant Man (1980)

1980 | Drama, History

8.3

(18 Ratings)

Movie Favorite Watch

"It came out in 1980 and I have a sister with an intellectual disability. I think in 1980 — when I was 12 and I saw The Elephant Man for the first time — the film just struck a chord in me that nothing ever had before, and it does to this day when I watch it. Obviously the performances by Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt and John Gielgud, etc. are just so sensitive and touching that it’s heartbreaking for me. It really touches me in a way that I think has — not to suggest that my sister has the same condition that Joseph Merrick had — but the way in which that character feels ostracized and the way in which people are judgmental of him are all things that really hit home for me as a young boy trying to protect my sister out there in the world. Very much connected to my upbringing, but obviously quite a different story. But I just think Anthony Hopkins in that film, the way that David Lynch captured him, and obviously the way he performed that role of Freddy Treves just… There’s nothing better. Anthony Hopkins is someone who I think does sensitivity on screen better than anybody anyway, so his heartbreak and his compassion for that character was just unforgettable really."

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Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Bone Knife (Dauntless Path, #1.5) in Books

Oct 2, 2020

The Bone Knife by Intisar Khanani is a prequel to a new series, The Theft of Sunlight that is hopefully coming out in 2021. This prequel was included in my copy of Thorn, which I loved, and I thought I would also share what I think of The Bone Knife.

Synopsis
Rae knows how to look out for her family. Born with a deformed foot, she feigns indifference to the pity and insults that come her way. Wary of all things beautiful, Rae instantly distrusts their latest visitor: an appallingly attractive faerie. Further, his presence imperils the secret her sister guards. But when the local townspeople show up demanding his blood, Rae must find a way to protect both her sister’s secret and their guest. Even if that means risking herself.

My Thoughts:
Even though this prequel is only 35 pages long, I felt incredibly invested in this story. Rae is such a sweet soul, and it's no surprise that she attracted the attention of the faerie. I also loved how Rae's relationship with her sister is so strong. She will do anything to prevent people from knowing that her sister possesses magical powers.

Beautifully written with very descriptive characters, this was a lovely nice short read that made me so excited about book one - The Theft of Sunlight.

Kudos

School Lies

Kimberly G. Giarratano

5.5 (2 Ratings) Rate It

Book

After finding his headmaster father slumped over his desk from a gunshot wound, Levi Abrams is ready...

Ross (3284 KP) rated Malevolent (2018) in Movies

Apr 17, 2019

Malevolent (2018)

2018 | Horror

6.3

(8 Ratings)

Movie Rating

A Netflix unoriginal

Horror-by-numbers from Netflix. A young American man looks to make some money by tricking Glaswegians into believing their house is haunted and banishing the spirits. He makes his sister pretend to have the gift of communication with the spirits, and the use of some technology to baffle the mid-80s victims. Just before their last such scam, his sister discovers she may have some real sixth sense after all.
The acting is mediocre (Celia Imrie totally hamming it up from the off), with the rest of the (non-Scottish) cast adequately carrying their roles.
James Cosmo is something of a standout as their grandfather in his one scene, telling of how their mum became more and more odd and reclusive until her death.
The plot is far from original with some half-decent jump scares along the way, though quite spaced apart in the short runtime.

Kudos

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Everything Here Is Beautiful in Books

Mar 2, 2018

Everything Here Is Beautiful

Mira T. Lee | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

A wonderful and tragic exploration of mental health

This is a beautifully written, tragic tale of love, loss and mental health.

Following the story of sisters Miranda and Lucia, born to Chinese parents and living in America, the elder of the two siblings attempts to shelter her sister Lucia as she is seen to suffer from a form of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Miranda is responsible and organised, while her sister is a free spirit, but she seems to have no control over her fate and protecting her from her demons.

It is a wonderful exploration into mental health, and how it affects all communities, and the effect it has on the people around them. It's sometimes heartbreaking knowing what could end up happening to Lucia when there is no safety net or support network to help her through her episodes. An unexpected gem.