Content warning: allusion to lesbian relationships and pre-marital sex, prostitution Read for my comics class. This graphic novel is a condensed versioContent warning: allusion to lesbian relationships and pre-marital sex, prostitution Read for my comics class. This graphic novel is a condensed version of “Swann’s Way” by Marcel Proust. I’ve heard it’s an intense and thought provoking look at the tricks of memory, which seems very interesting. And I will give it this; the illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful in color, simplicity and detail. I can’t imagine how long this must have taken the artist. However, the story was less captivating. I really enjoyed the first section of this book, written from the perspective from the little boy Marcel, where he speaks about growing up in French Cambray and dreaming of travel and adventure. The last half of this book was also interesting because it described a childhood love and infatuation which is endearing and understandable. I can understand why this book is so beloved in its depiction of memory and how it plays tricks on us, melding truth and fiction in our minds. However… I just don’t like the story! The majority of this book is filled with stories of Mr. Swann and his women, lovelorn escapades, and infatuation with Odette Crecy which eventually messes up his life. It’s a bit confusing even in this “dumbed down” version and all the different characters and names didn’t help my plight. I can understand why this is a classic and the whole series probably is moving, but it’s not for me and I wouldn’t recommend it. ...more
I was vastly disappointed that this audiobook wasn’t narrated by Jonathan Cecil, as if really diminished the experience. However. The stories are stilI was vastly disappointed that this audiobook wasn’t narrated by Jonathan Cecil, as if really diminished the experience. However. The stories are still excellent, and I especially loved the last story told from Jeeves’ point of view, which is a lovely and hilarious twist. And I must say, hearing of Young Bingo’s lovelorn escapades is highly amusing....more
Is there anything like Jeeves and Wooster? Profoundly entertaining and "bally good stuff, I must say"... a side effect of reading these side-ripping tIs there anything like Jeeves and Wooster? Profoundly entertaining and "bally good stuff, I must say"... a side effect of reading these side-ripping tales, or even better, listening to them as I did (JONATHAN CECIL MUST BE NARRATOR) is the purest and most delightful form of entertainment. Wodehouse's hilarious remarks are made even funnier by their sly nature; you aren't completely aware of just how funny he is until the phrase jumps at you, grabs you in the throat, and sends you into hysterical giggles while onlookers look on in concern. 100/10, everyone must read this series....more
Content warning: mention of premarital sex, drugs, several curse words Read for my comics class. While this graphic novel was very helpful in describinContent warning: mention of premarital sex, drugs, several curse words Read for my comics class. While this graphic novel was very helpful in describing the oppressive culture and view of women that Iran has dealt with for years, as well as the war that happened in the 1980's, it felt nihilistic and I could not empathize with the main character at all. Much of her depressive cycles were caused by her own bad choices, to the point she almost seemed bipolar with how much she vacillated from being admirable and fighting for her rights, to being a suicidal, drugged up jerk. The first part of this book, which deals with the war, protests, and her childhood were excellent, bu the last half with her escapades with men and partying were unpleasant to read. Would not recommend....more
Content warning: nudity, some sexual imagery, mild profanity Had to read this for my comics class. This book has so much symbolism and hidden meanings, Content warning: nudity, some sexual imagery, mild profanity Had to read this for my comics class. This book has so much symbolism and hidden meanings, utilizing clever storylines meshing with image and text. However, it is so gory and dismally nihilistic that I could not enjoy most of it. Great illustrations and social commentary, but not something I can recommend, plus unsatisfactory ending in my mind. ...more
Content warning: several vulgar words, non-gratuitous/implied nudity, violence, mention of suicide.
The second installment of Maus, this graphic novel Content warning: several vulgar words, non-gratuitous/implied nudity, violence, mention of suicide.
The second installment of Maus, this graphic novel was even more affecting than the first to me. Powerful, powerful stuff, and heart wrenching. Telling the true story of a man’s survival of the Holocaust through his son’s writing and artwork, I think this is a book everyone needs to read. May we never forget such atrocities occurred and never repeat them. ...more
Content warning: a few curse words such as b*st*rd and b****. scenes of non graphic/vague nudity in concentration camp, mention of suicide, violence. Content warning: a few curse words such as b*st*rd and b****. scenes of non graphic/vague nudity in concentration camp, mention of suicide, violence. This was a harrowing and hard hitting book about the Holocaust, told in a wonderful metaphor of animals. The Holocaust is a frequent subject of books (as it should be) but Maus tackles the subject in a unique way. A graphic novel/comic book about this sober topic seems irreverent almost, although it’s anything but. The topic is handled with delicacy yet with blunt honesty, and the true horrors of the concentration camps come alive on the page. This is probably one of the best books on the Holocaust I’ve ever read, and the fact that some schools are banning it because of a few PG-13 related topics/illustrations (which can be Sharpied out if you really wanted to) is sad. I really think this is a well done and powerful book, and makes the horrors of war come alive in a way no other book had for me. The illustrations are pared down and simple, yet still rich with details and metaphors that you really need to soak in. The story also deals with the present day vs past, the struggles of difficult parent child relationships, how war affects survivors, and guilt that comes from not experiencing suffering when others have. By the way… this is the only comic book to ever win the Pulitzer Prize. Read it. ...more
Listened to the audiobook. I thought this was an excellent step by step look at the 10 commandments, understanding that the law is not a burden, but rListened to the audiobook. I thought this was an excellent step by step look at the 10 commandments, understanding that the law is not a burden, but rather for our good. We should desire to follow the commandments because we love God, and it’s an honor and a blessing to follow the law, not something we have to struggle through and a negative about Christianity. Great short book about the 10 commandments that makes me think in a deeper way while also giving some super interesting historical context to the verses....more
Content warning; significant profanity, some inappropriate/suggestive comments, brief mention of a gay character
This book has issues so I can’t necesContent warning; significant profanity, some inappropriate/suggestive comments, brief mention of a gay character
This book has issues so I can’t necessarily recommend it due to some inappropriate material and quite a bit of swearing. However, the story was captivating and drew me in, and I really enjoyed listening to this. This book is a dystopian about a future society where people live inside the augmented reality, basically the Metaverse as we know it today. It is completely believable that this will indeed be our future in a few decades, which is sobering: people only living for what is fictional while their real life wastes away. This made me think and the story was very entertaining and exciting… a 15 hour audio book went by very quickly. ...more