This book is haunting and poignant. I am absolutely astounded at how de Marcken weaved symbolism throughout the narrative, eloquently meditating on thThis book is haunting and poignant. I am absolutely astounded at how de Marcken weaved symbolism throughout the narrative, eloquently meditating on the afterlife and the meaning we make of our lives.
It is unlikely that I reach for a book centered on a post-apocalyptic ‘society’, especially with mentions of zombies. But this book completely exceeded my expectations. This book is not about zombies, it’s about searching for meaning and finding out what defines us as individuals.
I must say that the only criticism I have about this book is that it felt slightly rushed or faster-paced than I would’ve liked. I really would have enjoyed more details on the backstory, but that was probably de Marcken’s intention to leave that up to interpretation.
This book was just gorgeous, I absolutely adored it. It’s so humane, raw, and relatable. Wow. Definitely deserving of all its praise. ...more
The atmosphere and pacing were what truly made this novel. Sagan is incredibly talented at making an uninteresting subject intriguing to read about foThe atmosphere and pacing were what truly made this novel. Sagan is incredibly talented at making an uninteresting subject intriguing to read about for tens of pages. Thought I don’t know how much of this I should attribute to her prowess or to Lloyd’s translation.
I did find a few plot points to be predictable and some of the underlying messages quite surface level but it was nonetheless a brilliant read. It’s definitely a summer read and the atmosphere Sagan creates makes me want to lay around in the sun and do absolutely nothing other than relax.
I felt the ending to be quite rushed and there were a few aspects to the plot I wish were explored a little further. I also find that some characters like Cyril, Elsa, and Raymond were most profoundly flat and one-dimensional. I wish Raymond’s feelings and rationale were elaborated on further however I understand that Sagan’s main focus was Cecile and Anne.
I loved Cecile and Anne’s respective characters. Cecile I found was relatable in emulating the adolescent mind, consistently stricken with doubt, indecisiveness, and a constant desire to chase the simple pleasures in life. I found it quite relatable.
I also liked how it’s hard to distinguish who the main character of this novel is, as it is told from Cecile’s perspective but almost exclusively talks about Anne.
The more I think about this novel the more I come to enjoy it despite the occasional criticisms I may hold for the plot’s progression. A lot of the meditations on happiness and pleasure I really enjoyed. I definitely would like to read this again in French and I might read some of Sagan’s other works in the original language as well.
Again I have to emphasize how profoundly accurate the description of this novel as ‘thoroughly French’ is and I absolutely adore it. I love the imagery of the French Riviera and of the sunny beaches.
I would like to give this book 3.5 stars but for just the lovely writing and atmosphere I’ll round up to a 4. ...more
Anna Karenina is truly a deceiving title for this monstrous novel. Most of the story is focused on Levin which, as the story progressed, managed to inAnna Karenina is truly a deceiving title for this monstrous novel. Most of the story is focused on Levin which, as the story progressed, managed to intrigue me much more than Anna and Vronsky’s narrative.
One thing that is absolutely definitive when it comes to Tolstoy is that he does his female characters justice. Anna’s character is so complex, raw, and authentic that you can’t help but despise and adore her simultaneously.
I must say however, that Kitty did prove to become my favorite by the end. Tolstoy beautifully conveyed her character development throughout the novel, and her relationship with Levin was truly the moments I looked forward to the most.
The formatting and structure of this novel was impeccable. Not only is the eight parts this novel is divided into very digestible for a novice of Russia lit, but the smaller scenes each part is sectioned into makes reading this novel much more enjoyable and comprehensive.
I must say, though, that a lot of this praise I must attribute to Pevear and Volokhonsky. Their translation was truly brilliant. It’s not overly complicated or verbose, but still finds balance between comprehensibility and conveying the language of 19th century high Russian society.
It would be an injustice to put forward all this praise for this novel without mentioning the absolutely unnecessary inclusion of Levin just farming for 200 pages. I really didn’t make any meaning of that and it made this novel so much harder to get through. The ends did justify the means though, it was worth enduring lol.
So with this, I also must mention how verbose this novel is at times, like to a torturous degree. However, if you manage to learn how to focus on the necessary bits, it’s not too bad.
Overall I really enjoyed Anna Karenina. I adored the journey of reading this and felt so attached to certain characters by the end. Tolstoy’s use and descriptions of each character’s stream of consciousness was really and truly brilliant. ...more
Szabo manages to encapture girlhood in the most beautiful, celebratory, and authentic way; her literary prowess isI am in absolute awe of Magda Szabo.
Szabo manages to encapture girlhood in the most beautiful, celebratory, and authentic way; her literary prowess is most emphatically conveyed through the growth/development journey of Gina.
Each of these characters are so incredibly complex it brings such an authenticity to the story and creates a closeness to the reader which is unparalleled to anything I have read before.
I am not one to usually pick up books of this nature, but Szabo has truly made me change my mind. An interesting and unique element of this book, which I have not seen executed as well as Szabo has before, is that the plot is the characters themselves more so than the actual events taking place.
Obviously the context of this book is significant, set in WW2 Hungary and discusses various intricate and complex subjects such as war, love, friendship. However, these characters, particularly Susanna, Konig, Mitsi, and of course Gina, are created so authentically. Their growth is slow but visible, and the ending where the plot comes to a resolution is the culmination of their growth. You truly see the change that experience brings about on one’s psyche.
Additionally, I found that Szabo beautifully employs symbolism and foreshadowing throughout the story. She manages to weave hints and hidden symbols throughout the story in such a clever way.
Another thing I also found unique about Szabo’s writing is that she brings such a nuance to these topics, where you feel you are experiencing all perspectives in just one piece of writing.
I don’t want to ramble on for too long about this book but it has truly taken a top spot among my favorites of all time. My most favorite thing about this book is the way Szabo conveys Gina’s growth and actualization into maturity in such an extreme way without having her stray from her principles. She is strong and one could almost say stubborn with what she believes in, though that doesn’t stop her from recognizing her faults. It somewhat emulates Jane Eyre in that sense.
The way Szabo manages to change the atmosphere so quickly, from whimsical to grave, or from playful to heartbreaking is genius in and of itself. Additionally her use of pacing was just incredibly, the tension and feeling she manages to evoke with it throughout various parts of the story (with the ending in particular) was truly something that made me certain I want to read the rest of Szabo’s works without question.
Lastly, those who have compared this book to Harry Potter must have genuinely missed the point of the story. Just because it somewhat resembles it since it takes place in a school and centers around students doesn’t mean it resembles Harry Potter. On the contrary, I feel like Abigail shares absolutely nothing with Harry Potter other than its setting.
I have more to say but it is late and I will wrap it up for now. Might add more later because I will definitely be thinking about this book constantly for weeks to come and will definitely be comparing it to other reads subconsciously just because of how much it has made an imprint on me. Just wow. ...more
An absolutely enthralling story. As I’ve said before, Zweig is a master of novellas and this book truly proves that.
Zweig’s characters can be describAn absolutely enthralling story. As I’ve said before, Zweig is a master of novellas and this book truly proves that.
Zweig’s characters can be described as nothing more than beyond realistic. Everything they feel you feel with them in such a profound yet complex way.
Zweig analyzes femininity and class with such a refreshing perspective. A lot of books I read as part of Lit HL in IB always had some theme central to gender dynamics and socioeconomic hierarchies, and I always found those messages quite repetitive. Zweig, however, conveys his ideas in a way you feel are relevant to your own life. His writing creates an intimacy with the reader so much so that what he discusses — no matter your experience with it — you feel as if you’ve experienced it yourself and intrinsically relate to it.
One thing I didn’t expect myself to enjoy as much as I did was the structure of this novella. Zweig intended to have the reader experience a lifetime with his characters, rather than a few important moments or events. It’s resemblant of slice of life almost, where there’s not really a plot other than the characters themselves. Honestly I do find that I’ve started to enjoy reads like these to a degree I never would’ve anticipated.
I really liked the detestable aspect to these characters as well. Christine and Ferdinand are written to be so multifaceted and complex, yet so humane and relatable, i truly find it marvelous how Zweig does this. I loved how Christine would recognize the changes in her comportment and habits around different types of people, and I absolutely adored the descriptions of the struggles she had with it. Ferdinand is also an exceptionally likable character, from his candid disposition in regards to their plan at the end or his (reasonable) outbursts criticizing bureaucracy and conflict. Very kafkaesque I find.
I have nothing to criticize, I really enjoy this novel. I feel as though this is the book that’s brought me out of my slump because I truly find everything Zweig wrote about meaningful and relevant to my own life (though I doubt my life resembles that of a civil servant in 1930s Austria). I just loved it. The simplicity of Zweig’s writing is also what I find so likable about it.
Kinda wanna learn German know just to be able to enjoy his writing in the original language. ...more
“To live is to be slowly born. It would be a bit too easy if we could go about borrowing ready-made souls.”
Saint-Exupery truly has a way with prose. I “To live is to be slowly born. It would be a bit too easy if we could go about borrowing ready-made souls.”
Saint-Exupery truly has a way with prose. It astonishes me at times how he manages to encapsulate the debilitating feeling of the hopelessness of a suicide mission into words–truly genius. I find his prose so enticing, so captivating and entertaining to read my eyes through. He manages to create this world which I feel I am living in with him. His brilliance is most emphatically conveyed through his metaphors; some of my favorites include his description of the German destruction of France as ““the secrete gnawing of bacteria”, how “time has ceased to be a stream that feeds me, nourishes me, adds growth to me as to a tree”, and “thus perhaps shall I see what it is in that dark village that we must die to protect—that which is unseen, yet like an ember beneath the ashes, lives on.”
There’s a certain level of philosophy that Saint-Exupery recounts his experiences with; one with which left a profound and indelible mark on my view on how one goes about his life. Whether it be with a clear and distinct (although not always visible) goal – as Saint-Exupery describes it– or with simple faith in all that is good. Saint-Exupery describes and explores these concepts with such intensity as he contextualizes his experiences to his meditations on death, beauty, childhood, among many other aspects that dictate one’s life.
“We are alive.” “Well, yes. For the time being.” For the time being. There was still Arras.”
While airborne, he will relive his childhood memories, pay homage to the governess who shaped his youth, and engage in contemplation concerning the intricacies of the soul, the essence of France (and patriotism as a concept), and the divine presence of God. Above all, him, Dutertre, and Gunner, among his other companions of Group 2-33 will confront the force of destiny when they reach the flames of Arras.
One thing I will say about this work, however, is that there is an incomprehensive aspect to it if you hold a lack of knowledge in regards to things like WW2 and the impact of German occupation on the French. Additionally, at times his descriptions can be slightly repetitive and make it easy to lose yourself within them. He does, though, cleverly make use of these descriptions to describe the chaos of war and the moments leading up to ones demise.
“Man imagines that it is death he fears; but what he fears is the unforeseen, the explosion. What man fears is himself, not death. There is no death when you meet death. When the body sinks into death, the essence of man is revealed.”
I really enjoyed his meditations on death and what it means to live. His philosophy is like a breath of fresh air in comparison to the other philosophical texts I have read. He describes it in a way that is experienceable. You feel the philosophy he is describing rather than just understanding it at a surface level in the way you would by just reading over the lines of any other philosophical text. Again, his prose and literary mastery are truly unmatched, it's rare that I can read a book about war with this much attentiveness and at this speed with little distraction. I am truly in awe of Saint-Exupery and I can’t wait to explore more of his works. ...more
Tender is the Flesh is truly the zenith of morbid. It is very handmaid’s tale-esque and every page of this book filled with the most macabre imagery aTender is the Flesh is truly the zenith of morbid. It is very handmaid’s tale-esque and every page of this book filled with the most macabre imagery and descriptions, it truly made me pause sometimes to really attempt to comprehend what I had just read.
While it was incredibly disturbing, it fulfilled its purpose and to great achievement. Bazterrica is just brilliant; every single detail included in the narrative has a meaningful purpose and it truly shines through and comes together beautifully.
Bazterrica employs diction in a profoundly intricate manner. The story is told using a third person narrative which I found quite interesting. It focuses on Marcos but is distant enough to prevent the reader from sympathizing him more than Bazterrica must have wanted. I find this truly so thought-provoking because it almost foreshadows the shocking ending where Marcos acts completely out of character.
Additionally, I really found myself appreciating how careful Bazterrica was with her use of language; the replacements for meat as ‘special meat’ and the prohibition of ‘cannibalism’. Also the reference of cheap meat being ‘meat with a first and last name’ was truly telling of modern day capitalism.
I also wanted to note the shift in Marcos’s use of language when addressing Jasmine at the very end; once she has served her purpose he retreats to calling her ‘the female’ rather than Jasmine. It truly highlights (not only in this part of the book but just one of the many overarching messages Bazterrica conveys) the way humans take advantage of other humans because they can get away with it. Not only does this apply to all of the characters in this book but most definitely is a commentary on modern society.
The metaphor of cannibalism to represent capitalism was also another brilliant aspect of this incredibly well-crafted story. The socioeconomically disadvantaged are the first to go, and the government’s role – although subtly hinted at – is truly a testament to the politicians of today and a warning for those of tomorrow. I found this particularly impactful through the descriptions of Spanel’s indifference to butchering meat, with her incentive being ‘Today I am the butcher but tomorrow I may be the cattle’.
Also how Bazterrica employs the zoo as the main motif of the story was just ingenuous. The parallel of the humans in the processing factory and the empty cages in the zoos was very well done. It was almost as if the two settings were worlds apart; it really provides the reader with perspective on the story and allows them a glimpse of normality in such a bleak world (which further emphasizes Bazterrica’s message).
One last thing I want to comment on is the absolutely fantastic characterization. I see a lot of people’s reviews highlighting their shock at Marcos’s sudden change in character at the end, but I have to say it was very beautifully foreshadowed. Not only is there a clear power imbalance between him and Jasmine, but he refers to her only in his own benefit. Every mention of the child is ‘his child’ not ‘their child’ and every caring gesture he does for her is in benefit of the child: the replacement for his own.
Also the stark line of contrast between Maru and Marcos becomes very blurred at the end. All throughout the story Marcos emphasizes his disdain for his sister’s succumbing to societal norms and her self-serving character (particularly with the service and inviting him for dinner with her children), but what is truly and most profoundly brilliant is how clearly he becomes what he hated so much at the end of this book: a hypocrite.
The last line is so poignant and haunting: “She had the human look of a domesticated animal”. It’s just brilliant because he comes to despise the very thing he spent so long wanting and teaching her to become.
I have more to say but I will leave it at that for now. I do find myself struggling to give this book the 5 stars it deserves just because of how disturbing it is in nature. It is brilliant in the sense that it fulfills its purpose of commenting on society, feminism, and capitalism but it does feel strange having such admiration for a book of such horror. ...more
In the realm of literary masterpieces, Kai Bird's 'American Prometheus' stands as an unequivocal triumph of bi Simply Brilliant. An incredible journey.
In the realm of literary masterpieces, Kai Bird's 'American Prometheus' stands as an unequivocal triumph of biographical storytelling. From the moment one embarks on this intellectual journey, it becomes evident that the author possesses an unparalleled command of his craft. Bird's adroit handling of multiple perspectives grants the reader an extraordinary opportunity to construct their own intricate understanding of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The book's core brilliance lies in its meticulously researched and remarkably comprehensive approach to Oppenheimer's life. Through a diverse array of accounts from colleagues and friends, we are presented with a kaleidoscope of viewpoints that delve deep into the multifaceted character of this enigmatic figure. Throughout the narrative, Oppenheimer's persona undergoes constant metamorphosis, revealing the true complexity of a man who stood as both a scientific luminary and a controversial historical figure.
I could not help but marvel at the attention to detail that Bird meticulously weaves throughout the narrative. Every facet of Oppenheimer's existence is meticulously dissected, even those that might seem inconsequential to the casual observer. This relentless pursuit of historical accuracy bestows an unparalleled authenticity upon the work, rendering it a magnum opus of biographical literature and one of the many reasons this book won its Pulitzer Prize.
Bird's narrative prowess shines most brilliantly during the points of tension that pepper Oppenheimer's life story. His evocative prose holds the reader captive, fostering a sense of intimacy with the subject, leaving us emotionally invested in the triumphs and tribulations of this complex individual. At such moments, the book transcends the mere recitation of historical facts and elevates itself to a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche, ethics, and the morally ambiguous nature of scientific progress.
This book has made me reflect on myself as well with its explorations of morality, science, religion, ‘the greater good’ etc. I only wish I read this book sooner, it is most certainly my favorite read so far this year. ...more
This novel is a timeless bildungsroman novel that artfully traces the transformative journey of its eponymous protagonist, Jane, within the rich tapesThis novel is a timeless bildungsroman novel that artfully traces the transformative journey of its eponymous protagonist, Jane, within the rich tapestry of Victorian society. Bronte's exploration of themes like education, social class, and romance unfolds through Jane's perspective, as she strives to uncover her true self in a world constrained by rigid conventions. The novel ingeniously blends elements of Gothic romance and fairy tale, breaking away from the prevailing Victorian realism. Symbolically, birds represent freedom and resistance to societal constraints, with Jane fiercely resisting the role of a "wild, frantic bird" and asserting her independence against gender-driven power dynamics. The stark contrast between Jane and the idealized femininity of Miss Ingram challenges societal norms, ultimately advocating for self-liberation and societal progress. The novel's intricate examination of self-liberation and social expectations, intertwined with the ever-present class hierarchy, serves as a thought-provoking critique of Victorian society. Jane's unwavering pursuit of self-actualization, driven by her desire for freedom and moral superiority, resonates as a powerful call to break free from the confines of societal norms, making "Jane Eyre" a compelling and enduring literary masterpiece....more
I absolutely adore Salinger’s humor. It really made this novel.
There is some dryness in the prose that could be a symptom of the witty yet simple styI absolutely adore Salinger’s humor. It really made this novel.
There is some dryness in the prose that could be a symptom of the witty yet simple style Salinger employs.
I heard a lot of people talking about how this novel was the male equivalent of the bell jar, but in the least pick me way I would say I preferred this a lot more. It was much easier to read and much more entertaining. I find that the only common ground they share is being a teenager/ young adult in NYC … but to be fair that’s the setting for half the coming of age novels out there.
There’s a simplicity in the humor and the revelations that Holden has that makes me laugh. It’s very authentic to the young adult experience which I really appreciated, particularly considering the fact that Salinger was far from a teenager at the time he wrote it. I especially enjoyed how multifaceted the resolution was, the more I think about it the more I grow to like it.
I must, however, present a criticism which I found quite annoying at times. Salinger has a tendency to excessively employ anaphora to the point where his prose emulates rambles. It was interesting at first but obviously became quite repetitive and eventually wore out my tolerance for it.
I did quite like Holden’s outburst with Sally. The way he finally spoke to someone the same way he thought, or at least narrated, and her visceral reaction to it was fascinating.
Phoebe’s relationship with Holden was my favorite thing about this novel. The ending brought the whole novel together, Salinger executed that very well.
I really enjoyed it. I feel like I would’ve liked it more had I read it in one shot or less spaced out than I did but then again I guess that means I’ll be due for a reread sometime soon. I really liked this....more