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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated I am, I am, I am: Seventeen Brushes with Death in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Moving, harrowing, well-written
I Am, I Am, I Am is a memoir by award-winning British author, Maggie O'Farrell. It is subtitled Seventeen Brushes With Death, and in describing these (mostly, but not exclusively, her own) experiences, O'Farrell also, of course, shares many other important moments of her life. As well as describing the situation that led to them, the physical effects they had on her and those close to her, she also notes the change in attitude they caused.
There is a deep sense of violence faced by a woman's body, which is apparent in her experiences. She describes near misses with vehicles, a mugging, juvenile encephalitis, the birth of her first child, near drownings, a knife-throwing act, dysentery-induced dehydration, and an encounter with a murderer.
The section about her miscarriages is deeply moving. She questions why it isn't discussed and why it is given little exposure. She explains how mothers end up feeling isolated because of the little care given to those who have experienced it. Her voice and pain shines through at this particular point.
As with her fiction, O'Farrell’s prose is often exquisite. This is a privileged peek into the life of an amazing author, a moving and fascinating read.
There is a deep sense of violence faced by a woman's body, which is apparent in her experiences. She describes near misses with vehicles, a mugging, juvenile encephalitis, the birth of her first child, near drownings, a knife-throwing act, dysentery-induced dehydration, and an encounter with a murderer.
The section about her miscarriages is deeply moving. She questions why it isn't discussed and why it is given little exposure. She explains how mothers end up feeling isolated because of the little care given to those who have experienced it. Her voice and pain shines through at this particular point.
As with her fiction, O'Farrell’s prose is often exquisite. This is a privileged peek into the life of an amazing author, a moving and fascinating read.
Concept of adults disappearing (3 more)
Well written with a great plot and interesting world building and action packed scenes
Likeable main characters
Secondary characters are realistic and well fleshed out
Highly enjoyable, hooks you at the very start
The storytelling is straightforward and Grant's imagination is so fertile. The writing in the book was good and I liked the fact that there were so many characters to read about. Each one was fully fleshed out. There is a lot of violence in this book, the author does not gloss over any gory details. There are also some downright evil characters with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, the line between good and evil was well defined. The characters were either good or evil. In fact, there were only one or two characters who struggled with their identity, whether or not they identified themselves as good or evil. Those characters really stood out and made for a quite interesting read. There are also many twists and turns in the plot that you won’t be able to put this book down. The characters are well developed, and are relatable. There is action, suspense, romance, and fantasy all rolled into one. Gone is a spectacular beginning to what I can only hope will be a thrilling series.
Gloria (27 KP) rated Desert Blood: The Juarez Murders in Books
Jul 18, 2017
A Mystery Unlike Any Other
Gaspar de Alba brings a fine writer's sensitivity and the open heart of her heritage. The result is a novel that takes your breath away, page after page, and grabs your heart.
Desert Blood is a mystery unlike any other. Gripping, heart-wrenching, set against the tough, lacerating reality of border-town engaging mystery, but it is more than well-written entertainment. It is an important book that sheds light on the Juárez murders--the ongoing slaughter of young Mexican women in the border city of Juárez by persons unknown. Desert Blood weaves together its fictional tale and the known facts of these notorious crimes in a way that reveals the cultural and political attitudes that have allowed these murders to continue with the indifference--if not the outright complicity--of Mexican authorities.
Gaspar de Alba not only crafts a suspenseful plot but tackles prejudice in many of its ugly forms: against gays, against Hispanics, against the poor. It's an in-your-face, no-holds-barred story full of brutality, graphic violence, and ultimately, redemption. Offering a powerful depiction of social injustice and serial murder on the U.S.-Mexican border, this is an essential purchase for both mystery and Hispanic fiction collections.
Desert Blood is a mystery unlike any other. Gripping, heart-wrenching, set against the tough, lacerating reality of border-town engaging mystery, but it is more than well-written entertainment. It is an important book that sheds light on the Juárez murders--the ongoing slaughter of young Mexican women in the border city of Juárez by persons unknown. Desert Blood weaves together its fictional tale and the known facts of these notorious crimes in a way that reveals the cultural and political attitudes that have allowed these murders to continue with the indifference--if not the outright complicity--of Mexican authorities.
Gaspar de Alba not only crafts a suspenseful plot but tackles prejudice in many of its ugly forms: against gays, against Hispanics, against the poor. It's an in-your-face, no-holds-barred story full of brutality, graphic violence, and ultimately, redemption. Offering a powerful depiction of social injustice and serial murder on the U.S.-Mexican border, this is an essential purchase for both mystery and Hispanic fiction collections.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Right Hand in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I started listening to The Right Hand with absolutely no idea what it was about, and within seconds I was entranced. Everything about this book was 5 stars or higher. The writing was right for the genre: descriptive and witty, but more focused on the point of the story than the writing itself. The pacing was perfect, the tone was awesome, and the characters were fabulous. I mean, a CIA spy who is so bad-ass and awesome at what he does that the organization doesn't even want to know how he gets his job done, only that he gets it done? How awesome is that? The plot never stopped moving, changing, turning. (And since I did listen to the audiobook, I will say, the reader did an excellent job!)
Sometimes I have long drawn out reviews and lots to say about books… and don't get me wrong, I have a lot to say about The Right Hand, but it all circles around one thing: If you like spy thrillers and adventure novels and don't mind a good murder or some bloodshed, go read this book now. This book is Exciting, entertaining, funny, emotional, and just downright awesomely cool.
Content/Recommendation: Mind language. Violence (not gruesome, but still bloody). Ages 16+
Sometimes I have long drawn out reviews and lots to say about books… and don't get me wrong, I have a lot to say about The Right Hand, but it all circles around one thing: If you like spy thrillers and adventure novels and don't mind a good murder or some bloodshed, go read this book now. This book is Exciting, entertaining, funny, emotional, and just downright awesomely cool.
Content/Recommendation: Mind language. Violence (not gruesome, but still bloody). Ages 16+
ClareR (6001 KP) rated Gallowstree Lane (Collins and Griffiths #3) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
Fans of The Wire or Broadchurch will love this.
I didn't realise until after I'd finished this, that it was actually the third in the series - not that it made any difference whatsoever to my enjoyment!
It's a really well told, gritty police procedural, heavy on the character building. In fact I became very attached to these characters: the struggling single parent WPC; the teenaged boys who had become involved in drug dealing; the officer involved with a big operation; the DC investigating a murder. I didn't like the big drug dealer though (which I think was the whole point. He was a man devoid of conscience).
The mothers in this really resonated with me: women trying to do their best , one working long hours and sacrificing time with her baby to be able to provide for him in a job she loves; the other, a woman who risks losing her son to drug dealing and violence. Both women backed into impossible-to-get-out-of corners.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and I'll be buying the first two in the series to read and catch up!!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and to the author, Kate London, for reading along with us!
It's a really well told, gritty police procedural, heavy on the character building. In fact I became very attached to these characters: the struggling single parent WPC; the teenaged boys who had become involved in drug dealing; the officer involved with a big operation; the DC investigating a murder. I didn't like the big drug dealer though (which I think was the whole point. He was a man devoid of conscience).
The mothers in this really resonated with me: women trying to do their best , one working long hours and sacrificing time with her baby to be able to provide for him in a job she loves; the other, a woman who risks losing her son to drug dealing and violence. Both women backed into impossible-to-get-out-of corners.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and I'll be buying the first two in the series to read and catch up!!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and to the author, Kate London, for reading along with us!
gayga (2128 KP) rated Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in Movies
May 8, 2019
Zac Efron CAN Really Act
Contains spoilers, click to show
I’d been looking forward to this ever since hearing about it and I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed!
I suppose after watching Zac Efron grow up in High School Musical films and then more grown up (but still musical) in The Greatest Show, I was wondering if he was going to pull it off but he’s certainly shed his teen idol status in this film.
Took me half the film to realise the fat, bearded one was Haley Joel Osment and to think of Jim Parsons as anything other than Sheldon. However he was great and not a bit camp. I really loved Lily Collins performance but I wanted to slap the CarolAnn character cos she was such a drip.
I was amazed that they could make a film of Ted Bundy without violence and gore. Apart from one very tame instance they managed it without it detracting from the film.
It’s a film that I would want to watch again and again, if not for Zac Efrons amazing performance, then to enjoy him getting naked!! As Bridget Jones would say he has a genuinely gorgeous bottom (and all his other parts!!)
I suppose after watching Zac Efron grow up in High School Musical films and then more grown up (but still musical) in The Greatest Show, I was wondering if he was going to pull it off but he’s certainly shed his teen idol status in this film.
Took me half the film to realise the fat, bearded one was Haley Joel Osment and to think of Jim Parsons as anything other than Sheldon. However he was great and not a bit camp. I really loved Lily Collins performance but I wanted to slap the CarolAnn character cos she was such a drip.
I was amazed that they could make a film of Ted Bundy without violence and gore. Apart from one very tame instance they managed it without it detracting from the film.
It’s a film that I would want to watch again and again, if not for Zac Efrons amazing performance, then to enjoy him getting naked!! As Bridget Jones would say he has a genuinely gorgeous bottom (and all his other parts!!)
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated A Bittersweet Life (2006) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Sweet as
Number 2 in my #top10 favourite films of all time is 'A Bittersweet Life'
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Without a doubt the greatest revenge #film ever made #abittersweetlife is a jaw dropping, beautifully shot, meticulously choreographed & accompanied by one of the most alluring soundtracks I've ever heard in a film. To look at this film as simply a #revenge film is missing out on why its so great, its a film about #freedom, innocence, loyalty & power with so much intricacy/depth to each if your willing to open your mind & delve deeper into its characters/themes. There's also so many absolutely stunningly #crafted, memorable, creative & tense set pieces here too that make almost every #action film look sub par in comparison. #Leebyunghun gives the performance of his career here , he's just so #cool, #stylish, dedicated & #charming that theres not one point your not #emotionally attached to him & engaged in the film. If you #love foreign films you can not miss out on this one its utter perfection & for me nothing will ever come close to how flawless it is. Make sure you watch the directors cut as the theatrical misses out a few extreamly important plot points.
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#jeewoonkim #buddist #korea #korean #revenge #blood #violence #thursdaythoughts #martialarts #fighting #gangster #mob #fight #beauty #art #filmbuff #filmcritic #artsy
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Without a doubt the greatest revenge #film ever made #abittersweetlife is a jaw dropping, beautifully shot, meticulously choreographed & accompanied by one of the most alluring soundtracks I've ever heard in a film. To look at this film as simply a #revenge film is missing out on why its so great, its a film about #freedom, innocence, loyalty & power with so much intricacy/depth to each if your willing to open your mind & delve deeper into its characters/themes. There's also so many absolutely stunningly #crafted, memorable, creative & tense set pieces here too that make almost every #action film look sub par in comparison. #Leebyunghun gives the performance of his career here , he's just so #cool, #stylish, dedicated & #charming that theres not one point your not #emotionally attached to him & engaged in the film. If you #love foreign films you can not miss out on this one its utter perfection & for me nothing will ever come close to how flawless it is. Make sure you watch the directors cut as the theatrical misses out a few extreamly important plot points.
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#jeewoonkim #buddist #korea #korean #revenge #blood #violence #thursdaythoughts #martialarts #fighting #gangster #mob #fight #beauty #art #filmbuff #filmcritic #artsy
ClareR (6001 KP) rated The Great Alone in Books
Feb 6, 2018
This was my second Kristin Hannah book, and it is set in very different circumstances to the last one (the last one was The Nightingale, set during World War 2). This is set during the 1970s in Alaska, in the back of beyond.
This is a story of survival: Leni and her mother survive the violence of Leni's Vietnam War vet father (who is suffering from PTSD after being held as a prisoner by the enemy). Cora, Leni's mother, will not leave him, saying that she loves him and needs him, and repeatedly pays the price. Leni loves Alaska and her boyfriend Matthew, but tragic circumstances take her away from both for a number of years. Many years later, under different circumstances, she is able to return.
I think I really like Kristin Hannah books. The way she describes the surroundings in Alaska: the wildness, the beauty, the unpredictability. I've read a couple of books recently set in the cold, snowy arctic circle, and this only made me want to actually see it myself even more!
I know I'm only two books in to my Kristin Hannah experience, but I can't say as there is anything about either of them that I didn't like. I'll be hunting down more!
This is a story of survival: Leni and her mother survive the violence of Leni's Vietnam War vet father (who is suffering from PTSD after being held as a prisoner by the enemy). Cora, Leni's mother, will not leave him, saying that she loves him and needs him, and repeatedly pays the price. Leni loves Alaska and her boyfriend Matthew, but tragic circumstances take her away from both for a number of years. Many years later, under different circumstances, she is able to return.
I think I really like Kristin Hannah books. The way she describes the surroundings in Alaska: the wildness, the beauty, the unpredictability. I've read a couple of books recently set in the cold, snowy arctic circle, and this only made me want to actually see it myself even more!
I know I'm only two books in to my Kristin Hannah experience, but I can't say as there is anything about either of them that I didn't like. I'll be hunting down more!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Red Sparrow (2018) in Movies
Mar 7, 2018 (Updated Mar 7, 2018)
Stodgy and slightly bloated twisty-turny espionage thriller is made distinctive, if that's the right word, by extra added leery prurience. Beautiful Russian ballerina (played by American) is blackmailed by her uncle (Belgian) into going to elite hooker-spy school, run by terrifying matron (English). Soon she is packed off on mission to subvert rugged American CIA agent (Australian).
Now there's a discussion to be had about just how appropriate it is to be making blockbuster entertainment about Russian espionage, infiltration, and assassination these days - some would say that a taste barrier has been well and truly breached, and the depiction of the Russian state is cartoon-horrible. But surely we can agree that, at the moment if at no other time, there is something unconscionable about a movie the sine qua non of which is the depiction of an attractive young actress in various provocative situations and states of nudity. Some nastily graphic violence, too, much of it misogynistic and openly sexual. J-Law's performance is not up to the usual standard and mainly consists of doing a Rooshan oksent from behind an unflattering fringe. Competently made, but too long and too much. The kind of film you emerge from wanting to be hosed down with sheep dip. Yuck.
Now there's a discussion to be had about just how appropriate it is to be making blockbuster entertainment about Russian espionage, infiltration, and assassination these days - some would say that a taste barrier has been well and truly breached, and the depiction of the Russian state is cartoon-horrible. But surely we can agree that, at the moment if at no other time, there is something unconscionable about a movie the sine qua non of which is the depiction of an attractive young actress in various provocative situations and states of nudity. Some nastily graphic violence, too, much of it misogynistic and openly sexual. J-Law's performance is not up to the usual standard and mainly consists of doing a Rooshan oksent from behind an unflattering fringe. Competently made, but too long and too much. The kind of film you emerge from wanting to be hosed down with sheep dip. Yuck.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Unbroken in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Considering that this book has been out for quite a while, and the movie has already hit theaters, I am going to assume that anyone who is interested is already aware of the plot. And I am going to guess there isn't really much left to say about this rather popular book that hasn't already been said, so just let me say that if you haven't read it yet, you really should. While primarily being about Louis Zamperini, it does touch on the lives of other soldiers on both sides of the war to varying levels of detail, which really helps one to understand the mindsets of those involved, a necessary achievement when dealing with some of the atrocities committed in these pages. And those atrocities are quite shocking. A lot of attention has been given to what the Germans did during World War II (and rightly so), but very few of us really know about some of the shocking violence carried out by the Japanese. This is an important chapter of world history that we all should remember, and it is told here in a very compelling style that should make it easy to get into for anyone. One of the best non-fiction stories of recent years.