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38 reviews
Whale by Cheon Myeong-kwan
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Whale is a multi-generational saga of four women. Geumbok, our protagonist, is an ambitious woman. She flees her small village in search of a new life. She is a beautiful woman whose scent is appealing to men. She takes on partners for survival, to satiate her endless sexual appetite and more importantly to help her achieve her dreams. Geumbok is an ambitious woman full of ideas and rigor to make them happen. Geumbok knows death from early on in her life. Her attempt to escape the dull grey of death leads her to everything that is shiny and big. Her first sighting of whale motivates her for life. In her quest to be the best and forget her past, she ignores her daughter, Chunhui, our second protagonist. Chunhui cannot speak but has an imposing physical strength. Ignored by her mother, Chunhui finds a friend in an elephant. Jumbo, the elephant guides Chunhui with everything around her. The other mom-daughter duo is the old woman and her one-eyed daughter who controls an army of bees. The stories of these four women intertwine by happenstance and end up shaping their futures.
Whale, written as an oral narrative, is storytelling at its best. The story weaves in varied characters, magical realism, political and social changes seamlessly. Some parts have more color and for some parts we never know the truth only hearsay. Drawing from the text, that is the law of folktale. The author frequently uses "That is the law of ..." at the end of an explanatory paragraph. To give a few examples, that is the law of rumors, love, pleasure quarters, stupidity, obesity, fate, ideology, intellectuals etc. I wish I noted down all the laws. I had a hard time connecting with the story at the beginning but couldn’t put the book down. The author captured me with his writing style.
Against a changing political and social backdrop in Korea, Whale tells us about what it is to be woman in these changing times. Our heroines are attacked, insulted, and tortured to the point of death. Whale tells us what it takes to go from being a fearful woman to being a feared woman. It satirizes the myriad laws of life and society. At times, the author interjects himself like an oral storyteller would, giving his perspective. I found myself rooting for the survival and success of these women. I could relate to Geumbok’s ambition although wasn’t a big fan of hers at the end of the story.
It’s a story I’ll remember forever. The violence is too much at times but, past that there are colorful characters whose captivating stories are larger than life.
Thank you Archipelago books for my copy!
Whale, written as an oral narrative, is storytelling at its best. The story weaves in varied characters, magical realism, political and social changes seamlessly. Some parts have more color and for some parts we never know the truth only hearsay. Drawing from the text, that is the law of folktale. The author frequently uses "That is the law of ..." at the end of an explanatory paragraph. To give a few examples, that is the law of rumors, love, pleasure quarters, stupidity, obesity, fate, ideology, intellectuals etc. I wish I noted down all the laws. I had a hard time connecting with the story at the beginning but couldn’t put the book down. The author captured me with his writing style.
Against a changing political and social backdrop in Korea, Whale tells us about what it is to be woman in these changing times. Our heroines are attacked, insulted, and tortured to the point of death. Whale tells us what it takes to go from being a fearful woman to being a feared woman. It satirizes the myriad laws of life and society. At times, the author interjects himself like an oral storyteller would, giving his perspective. I found myself rooting for the survival and success of these women. I could relate to Geumbok’s ambition although wasn’t a big fan of hers at the end of the story.
It’s a story I’ll remember forever. The violence is too much at times but, past that there are colorful characters whose captivating stories are larger than life.
Thank you Archipelago books for my copy!
Pyre by Perumal Murugan, Aniruddhan Vasudevan
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Saroja and Kumaresan are in love. They eloped and got married with the help of some friends. The newly weds head to Kumaresan's village with a dangerous secret - theirs is an inter-caste marriage - a secret powerful enough to destroy their lives. Kumaresan is naively hopeful that after few enquiries, his mom and the village will accept Saroja. As the story progresses we learn about the harsh treatment the newly weds face, intensified by the harsh terrain of the village.
Pyre attempts to tackle the ever prevalent caste issues in India. Unfortunately, even in this day and age, caste discrimination is present in the Indian society, specially in the rural areas. Given the size of the book (200 pages) I was skeptical of how the author tackles the beast. On the surface, Pyre hits all the talking points of rural India and how the poisonous beast slowly divides people. We learn about the culture through conversations and internal monologues. This is where I wish there was more narrative. The conversations are from the character’s perspective and lack the depth a new-to-caste system-reader will be looking for. As someone who grew up in India, I could relate. For a new reader this book will be a great introduction.
Pyre attempts to tackle the ever prevalent caste issues in India. Unfortunately, even in this day and age, caste discrimination is present in the Indian society, specially in the rural areas. Given the size of the book (200 pages) I was skeptical of how the author tackles the beast. On the surface, Pyre hits all the talking points of rural India and how the poisonous beast slowly divides people. We learn about the culture through conversations and internal monologues. This is where I wish there was more narrative. The conversations are from the character’s perspective and lack the depth a new-to-caste system-reader will be looking for. As someone who grew up in India, I could relate. For a new reader this book will be a great introduction.
The characters are well developed. Kumarsen’s and Saroja’s forbidden love story is very Bollywood like - no complaints there. Think falling in love even before hearing each other’s voice, conversing through your eyes - cue in Isharon isharon mein Dil Lene wale song.
All-in-all, a quick engaging read that opens door to a topic that can be explored further. I am looking forward to reading other works by this author.
Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Originally written in Hindi by Geentanjali Shree and translated in English by Daisy Rockwell @shreedaisy , Tomb of Sand explores the traumatic impact of India Pakistan partition. A sad event in the history of the Southeast Asian continent that left many separated from their families, friends, and homes. The story also touches on feminism, climate change, politics, and our modern way of living.
Tomb of Sand is an ‘acquired taste’ sort of book. You might stop reading it after the first 100 pages (like I did when I picked it last year). If you persevere the 700+ pages, the writing will grow on you. You will find that the meandering tale is bordered with unusual side characters described in the most artistic way possible. Don’t let the word border fool you. Border is not supposed to be restrictive but adorning the edge. As Ma says in Tomb of Sand, “A border increases recognition. Where two sides meet and both flourish. A border ornaments their meeting.” This tale is of Ma, an octogenarian who rediscovers youth, and who is determined to return from whence she came. But the tale encompasses within it everything around it – family, home, walls, door, crows, sunshine, rainbow … everything you can think of. It weaves them in Ma’s story and pushes past the border.
Ma insists on retuning to Pakistan so Ma’s daughter, Beti, an independent woman, crosses the partition drawn border with her. What ensues after that is a shocking revelation for Beti. There’s not a lot I can reveal without giving out spoilers.
The plot moves slowly, almost sidelined by the beautiful prose. I loved that for a select few lines in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Sanskrit, the English translation has the original text and its English translation. They add depth to the story and also shows how commendable the work of the translator is. Translation is not easy.
Tomb of Sand requires patience and time. Give it that and it will reward you with a tale and wordplay you will never forget. If you made it this far, thank you!
Tomb of Sand is my pick for a book by BIPOC author for the #bigbookreading2023 challenge by @time4reading. Thank you, Harper Collins Canada, for my e-copy.
Tomb of Sand is an ‘acquired taste’ sort of book. You might stop reading it after the first 100 pages (like I did when I picked it last year). If you persevere the 700+ pages, the writing will grow on you. You will find that the meandering tale is bordered with unusual side characters described in the most artistic way possible. Don’t let the word border fool you. Border is not supposed to be restrictive but adorning the edge. As Ma says in Tomb of Sand, “A border increases recognition. Where two sides meet and both flourish. A border ornaments their meeting.” This tale is of Ma, an octogenarian who rediscovers youth, and who is determined to return from whence she came. But the tale encompasses within it everything around it – family, home, walls, door, crows, sunshine, rainbow … everything you can think of. It weaves them in Ma’s story and pushes past the border.
Ma insists on retuning to Pakistan so Ma’s daughter, Beti, an independent woman, crosses the partition drawn border with her. What ensues after that is a shocking revelation for Beti. There’s not a lot I can reveal without giving out spoilers.
The plot moves slowly, almost sidelined by the beautiful prose. I loved that for a select few lines in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Sanskrit, the English translation has the original text and its English translation. They add depth to the story and also shows how commendable the work of the translator is. Translation is not easy.
Tomb of Sand requires patience and time. Give it that and it will reward you with a tale and wordplay you will never forget. If you made it this far, thank you!
Tomb of Sand is my pick for a book by BIPOC author for the #bigbookreading2023 challenge by @time4reading. Thank you, Harper Collins Canada, for my e-copy.
The Lost Sol by Ryan Lailvaux
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The first colony on Mars had a good start - no wars, no poverty, no climate change. Almost an ideal place to live until things start to go bad. Colonists start to disappear and the communication to Earth is lost. Leo and Ariel are Mars's newest colonists who were not in the original flight list. No comms don't help with the situation. Unlike other colonists, Leo is off to a rough start. He is targeted by the law force, is assigned a dull job and to make matters worse, he doesn't remember signing up for this trip. Back on Earth, the lost communication with Mars sends Alex in a panic mode. Alex is a rising star in the space program. He finds himself on the next spaceship out to Mars to fix this problem. Alex and Leo battle against time to uncover the truth.
This was a quick and engaging read. I enjoyed learning about way of life on the Martian colony. For a sci-fi book, the science is not intimidating. Thru Leo and Ariel's stories, the author briefly touches on the topics of loneliness, societal expectations and suicide. I was hoping it was explored further. Alex's trip to Mars was eventful, keeping the reader at the edge of their seat. While the plot moved forward, I found that the writing lacked a smooth flow. But the author more than makes it up with the unpredictable twist. I did not foresee it. It was a good closure to the story and one that leaves you thinking about it for days. I would highly recommend this book to sci-fi fans and also to readers who want to explore this genre further.
Thank you Ryan Lailvaux for my copy.
This was a quick and engaging read. I enjoyed learning about way of life on the Martian colony. For a sci-fi book, the science is not intimidating. Thru Leo and Ariel's stories, the author briefly touches on the topics of loneliness, societal expectations and suicide. I was hoping it was explored further. Alex's trip to Mars was eventful, keeping the reader at the edge of their seat. While the plot moved forward, I found that the writing lacked a smooth flow. But the author more than makes it up with the unpredictable twist. I did not foresee it. It was a good closure to the story and one that leaves you thinking about it for days. I would highly recommend this book to sci-fi fans and also to readers who want to explore this genre further.
Thank you Ryan Lailvaux for my copy.
Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill by Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
First off, thank you Raincoast Books and Flatiron books for my copy!
It’s 1943 and WW2 is raging across Europe. Millions of lives are lost and many more will be lost before the war ends. At this time, the allies are doing all they can to fight on all fronts. A meeting between the Big 3 - President Franklin Roosevelt, Premier Joseph Stalin and Prime Minister Winston Churchill - a united front - will not only be a confidence booster to the Allied forces but will also send a strong message to the Nazis. It is with this goal, that FDR pushes for the in-person meeting of the Big 3. But a meeting like this does not come without its risks. Somehow the Nazis caught a scent of this and an assassination plot brews.
I wasn't aware of this conspiracy until I read the book and the authors explain in the book why it isn't so popular. The Nazi Conspiracy is a well research book. The authors have done a good job at taking this small piece of history and turning it into a narrative that not only focuses on the main event but also weaves in internal working of the Allied powers and the Nazis. As the events leading to the big meeting unfold we get a good understanding of the relationships between the Big 3 and the workings of each government (US, UK, USSR and Germany). I found the correspondence between the 3 heads insightful.
The book jumps between different timelines, locations and players. While the story does have a good flow, I struggled a bit to keep track of all the parties involved. The placing of each party's POV could have been better. The cliffhangers at the end of each chapter kept me engaged and reading way past my bedtime.
I would highly recommend this page-turning political thriller to anyone who is curious about this conspiracy and the relationship between the Big 3.
It’s 1943 and WW2 is raging across Europe. Millions of lives are lost and many more will be lost before the war ends. At this time, the allies are doing all they can to fight on all fronts. A meeting between the Big 3 - President Franklin Roosevelt, Premier Joseph Stalin and Prime Minister Winston Churchill - a united front - will not only be a confidence booster to the Allied forces but will also send a strong message to the Nazis. It is with this goal, that FDR pushes for the in-person meeting of the Big 3. But a meeting like this does not come without its risks. Somehow the Nazis caught a scent of this and an assassination plot brews.
I wasn't aware of this conspiracy until I read the book and the authors explain in the book why it isn't so popular. The Nazi Conspiracy is a well research book. The authors have done a good job at taking this small piece of history and turning it into a narrative that not only focuses on the main event but also weaves in internal working of the Allied powers and the Nazis. As the events leading to the big meeting unfold we get a good understanding of the relationships between the Big 3 and the workings of each government (US, UK, USSR and Germany). I found the correspondence between the 3 heads insightful.
The book jumps between different timelines, locations and players. While the story does have a good flow, I struggled a bit to keep track of all the parties involved. The placing of each party's POV could have been better. The cliffhangers at the end of each chapter kept me engaged and reading way past my bedtime.
I would highly recommend this page-turning political thriller to anyone who is curious about this conspiracy and the relationship between the Big 3.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A modern take on Dicken's David Copperfield, Demon Copperhead is the story of Damon (nicknamed Demon Copperhead) who is a victim of the dysfunctional foster care system and growing opioid crisis. But there is something more to him than that identity - he is resilient and a survivor.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Damon who was thrown into foster care in early years of his life indeed was raised by the village. Here in the village, not everyone is looking out for you. But you watch your back and stand up for yourself. But at some point it becomes too much and you slip. This is the story of how you get up after that slippage.
Damon's voice is honest. He processes and describes emotions and situations just the way they are. There's no sugar coating; just like in life when truth hits you there's usually no cushioning around it. What I loved the most of Damon is that he is a flawed character which makes him more relatable. His behavior and response to life changing situations was understandable. If I were in his shoes, I would have acted the same. All the other characters are portrayed with the same depth. I found myself rooting for Damon and everyone in his entourage. Their story will stay with me forever.
Kingsolver's writing is beautiful and engaging. Not only did she gave us well rounded characters, her descriptions of the surroundings and nature will have a movie playing in your head. This was my first by Barbara Kingsolver and it was a hit. Can't wait to read rest of her work.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Damon who was thrown into foster care in early years of his life indeed was raised by the village. Here in the village, not everyone is looking out for you. But you watch your back and stand up for yourself. But at some point it becomes too much and you slip. This is the story of how you get up after that slippage.
Damon's voice is honest. He processes and describes emotions and situations just the way they are. There's no sugar coating; just like in life when truth hits you there's usually no cushioning around it. What I loved the most of Damon is that he is a flawed character which makes him more relatable. His behavior and response to life changing situations was understandable. If I were in his shoes, I would have acted the same. All the other characters are portrayed with the same depth. I found myself rooting for Damon and everyone in his entourage. Their story will stay with me forever.
Kingsolver's writing is beautiful and engaging. Not only did she gave us well rounded characters, her descriptions of the surroundings and nature will have a movie playing in your head. This was my first by Barbara Kingsolver and it was a hit. Can't wait to read rest of her work.
Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A Brief History of Thought: A Philosophical Guide to Living by Luc Ferry
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0