Scan barcode
art_anthology's reviews
21 reviews
The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While reading I was like yasss this is so fun and engaging.
When i finished i was so confused at what i had read. Means it's a good comic. No sugarcoating, no easing you in and lots if small details and easter eggs to find.
When i finished i was so confused at what i had read. Means it's a good comic. No sugarcoating, no easing you in and lots if small details and easter eggs to find.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, and Death
The Story of Art without Men by Katy Hessel
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I will be picking this book up again.
Its just soo dense you need to spilt it up otherwise it goes in one ear and out the other...
Despite that i will be reviewing onl the first part of five.
Part 1 paving the way c.1500-c.1900
Katy Hessel does a great job of explaining and bringing to life the founding years of art practice, providing insight that i would not have otherwis gained from male centered art history texts.
Painting herself into the cannon
Focusing on the renaissance and what many believe to be the starting point of art practice she focuses on large role that women had and how they overcame their discriminations of not being able to use nude models and often relagation to still life. The distinctive styles of the painters speak to the boldness that the carry.
Its just soo dense you need to spilt it up otherwise it goes in one ear and out the other...
Despite that i will be reviewing onl the first part of five.
Part 1 paving the way c.1500-c.1900
Katy Hessel does a great job of explaining and bringing to life the founding years of art practice, providing insight that i would not have otherwis gained from male centered art history texts.
Painting herself into the cannon
Focusing on the renaissance and what many believe to be the starting point of art practice she focuses on large role that women had and how they overcame their discriminations of not being able to use nude models and often relagation to still life. The distinctive styles of the painters speak to the boldness that the carry.
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A book that will really stick with you.
Its so damn engaging i hate it its like a car crash
Its so damn engaging i hate it its like a car crash
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Blood, Self harm, and War
Moderate: Slavery, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Torture
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
My borrowing time was up :(
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I kind of imagined linus as cam in modern family.
So yea a funny and cute story.
That also hammers into you that every child should be loved no matter who they are.
And thats why i say the flaws are not the main pointbof the book but rather how the characters learn to be better versions of themself. And how a child can be lovingly taught to excell limitations that are imposed on them.
A very relevant and poinent reminder.
So yea a funny and cute story.
That also hammers into you that every child should be loved no matter who they are.
And thats why i say the flaws are not the main pointbof the book but rather how the characters learn to be better versions of themself. And how a child can be lovingly taught to excell limitations that are imposed on them.
A very relevant and poinent reminder.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved this story and in my head i will remembe it as an exploration of Sunja the matriarch.
Through this review you will see my very biased opinion of how the third book was definitely the weakest.... but the first parts make up for it.
Well the middle of the book (book2) was definitely the best in terms of events pacing and intrigue. It habdled topicsvthat were introduced in book1 while also becoming more complex. The introduction was also pretty solid and since a real bond was created between readers and characters. Sadly the 3rd book felt like it was doing a bit to many different things. And so the depth of themes an events that the first part had was lost felt more like seperated vignettes rather than a collated history.
Positive: the characters relationships felt meaningful.
When a new character was introduced to the central family there was an actual and tangible shift in the structure. This meant they all felt important and like they impacted each other.
Exception: why was Yoseb still alive for so long. Like the whole pointvwas that he was on the verge of death... why was he still alive and in bed after like 10 years? I understand that it was to give Kyunghee and Yanjin something to do. Away from Mozasu and his life story but i would have prefered to see the women enjoy their lives and each others company.
Negative: I was not reqlly interested in the later inclusion of other characters such asHarakumi and Ayame's personal relationship. Additionally I felt like the park orgy was shoved in as an afterthought. Would have preferred an exploration into haruki and Mozasu's weekly? Monthly? Meet ups i feel a lot could be discussed further eg gambling compulsion.
Positive: the characters felt real. I loved the beginning within the boardinghouse the fishermens banter actually became quite comfting l could image their background chatter.And OMG the way I hated Noa when he did that to Sunja. Honestly i kind of have had enough of characters like that cough cough Willy Lomam. Im not really interested readin about men who feel that they cant amount to anything because they've internalised other peoples ideals. Or that there is only one possible route to go in life and if 1 thing hoes wrong they can't cope and its all woe is me... yea not intrested.
Overall this is a great book to read like i did as a part of a book club. The character based narrayive allows you to dote on some and critique other characters. Or you could explore the nook through a historical lense
Through this review you will see my very biased opinion of how the third book was definitely the weakest.... but the first parts make up for it.
Well the middle of the book (book2) was definitely the best in terms of events pacing and intrigue. It habdled topicsvthat were introduced in book1 while also becoming more complex. The introduction was also pretty solid and since a real bond was created between readers and characters. Sadly the 3rd book felt like it was doing a bit to many different things. And so the depth of themes an events that the first part had was lost felt more like seperated vignettes rather than a collated history.
Positive: the characters relationships felt meaningful.
When a new character was introduced to the central family there was an actual and tangible shift in the structure. This meant they all felt important and like they impacted each other.
Negative: I was not reqlly interested in the later inclusion of other characters such as
Positive: the characters felt real. I loved the beginning within the boardinghouse the fishermens banter actually became quite comfting l could image their background chatter.
Overall this is a great book to read like i did as a part of a book club. The character based narrayive allows you to dote on some and critique other characters. Or you could explore the nook through a historical lense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pedophilia, War, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy, Trafficking, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I love the inclusion of an older character, Amina is a 40 year old mother. And although it plays an importance in her life it doesnt define it.
Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This novel explores the challenges of living on an unreliable income stream. The beautiful backdrop of sunflower field's and marshes all have a key aspect to the story. They are all motifs nothing is only mentioned once they come back later.
The pull that sunflower has on the entire community forces the audience to also fall in love with her
Family and community ties are shown to be strong and lasting from the experiences they faced together thos motif was used at the end and beginning when the aunties from the cadre village who petitioned for sunflower to be adopted by the community then right at the end to take her back to the city for school
This is a middle grade book so the language is simpler and the sentences are more fractured ie. the topics switch each sentence so it is harder to read quickly and why I took so long to get into it
But if this book is given to lower than middlegrade level reader understand that sunflower is the MCs name snd there are lots of sunflower field's around the community so they may get confused
The pull that sunflower has on the entire community forces the audience to also fall in love with her
Family and community ties are shown to be strong and lasting from the experiences they faced together thos motif was used at the end and beginning
This is a middle grade book so the language is simpler and the sentences are more fractured ie. the topics switch each sentence so it is harder to read quickly and why I took so long to get into it
But if this book is given to lower than middlegrade level reader understand that sunflower is the MCs name snd there are lots of sunflower field's around the community so they may get confused
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Content warnings that aren't in the drop down there is a famine in the book so near the end is description of malnutrition
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Good book to listen to as an audio book as you go about daily life nice and slow pace lots of talking between characters that truly feel real. I could match up all the characters with someone i knew ultimately pretty motivating to get me off my behind and to do something with my life. Honestly I kinda ignored the commentary on life from two of the characters like it didn't make the book worse but it wasn't needed too much for my enjoyment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Alcoholism