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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
'We'd rather be small, and then our petty little sins would be forgivable.'
I personally have never bought into astrology, partially because the scientist within me doesn't hold with such things but also because as a gemini I'm supposed to be personable and like company which is hilarious considering I finished reading this book while hiding in my room to avoid socialising. This book has not convinced me otherwise on that front but it has convinced me that I would probably enjoy Blake's poetry which I feel the need to read and then come back to this book so I can understand it better. I also know very little about the history of Poland so I'm sure I missed out on two levels of understanding. Still I enjoyed this book, the writing was stark and direct in a way that mirrored the setting and the character's disposition. There were some interesting ideas about names, how we relate to other people, the relationship between humans and animals which was a big theme, and the role of institutional power in preserving social norms about violence against animals. The excerpts of Blake's poetry were well chosen and woven into the story pretty effortlessly. On a line level there were some beautifully written sections for example 'We're all travelling in the same direction, from dependence to freedom, from ritual to free choice.' Credit to both the author and the translator. But something stood between this and a five star. Perhaps the fact it wasn't love at first line the way it was with One Hundred Years of Soltude. Also the blurb is wrong in the way it frames this like a Miss Marple set up when it really isn't. The ending wasn't bad but it left me cold because there really wasn't a good way to end this book. At one point I thought I would be annoyed if there was no reveal but now I think it would have been better to have no closure although I understand than would have interfered with the whole 'predeterminism' ideology of the main character. Still all I can think is that if you want predetermination then it would make more sense to have a book where you know how it will end from the beginning and the question is not what will happen but how fo we get to there from where we are now?
I personally have never bought into astrology, partially because the scientist within me doesn't hold with such things but also because as a gemini I'm supposed to be personable and like company which is hilarious considering I finished reading this book while hiding in my room to avoid socialising. This book has not convinced me otherwise on that front but it has convinced me that I would probably enjoy Blake's poetry which I feel the need to read and then come back to this book so I can understand it better. I also know very little about the history of Poland so I'm sure I missed out on two levels of understanding. Still I enjoyed this book, the writing was stark and direct in a way that mirrored the setting and the character's disposition. There were some interesting ideas about names, how we relate to other people, the relationship between humans and animals which was a big theme, and the role of institutional power in preserving social norms about violence against animals. The excerpts of Blake's poetry were well chosen and woven into the story pretty effortlessly. On a line level there were some beautifully written sections for example 'We're all travelling in the same direction, from dependence to freedom, from ritual to free choice.' Credit to both the author and the translator. But something stood between this and a five star. Perhaps the fact it wasn't love at first line the way it was with One Hundred Years of Soltude. Also the blurb is wrong in the way it frames this like a Miss Marple set up when it really isn't. The ending wasn't bad but it left me cold because there really wasn't a good way to end this book. At one point I thought I would be annoyed if there was no reveal but now I think it would have been better to have no closure although I understand than would have interfered with the whole 'predeterminism' ideology of the main character. Still all I can think is that if you want predetermination then it would make more sense to have a book where you know how it will end from the beginning and the question is not what will happen but how fo we get to there from where we are now?
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ooooh. Not sure what to make of this one. Intriguing, dark, vivid, deliciously gothic..... rich with clues and double meanings. The twist was pulled off well. But there was something not quite right to me about it - I think the extent to which the reader is required to do their own thinking is a bit off balance. In some ways it's a complicated and subtle book that requires the reader to put in work, but in others it felt a bit heavy handed - basically i think it would have been better without the long diatribes from the protagonists to anyone that had to listen . Still really enjoyed it.... but preferred Flights!
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated