Scan barcode
beriboo's reviews
367 reviews
The Other Half by Charlotte Vassell
2.0
2⭐️
Well, I did not enjoy this book.
There is a murder at the beginning of the book, absolute waffle for next 80% of it, picks up a bit near the end and then the ending was just terrible, in multiple ways.
The characters are all unlikeable, even the ones we’re supposed to be rooting for. Very one dimensional.
I’m not sure where the comedy was in this, the only remotely funny bit was the police officers reaction to the architects. I’m all for dark comedy and satire, but a lot of the time I felt the author was actually a bit sneering and seemed to be constantly trying to prove how intelligent she is, which makes any attempt at satire come across a bit more like a sense of poking fun or someone you are measuring yourself against.
I think that and the strange obsession with diets were a bit if an accidental projection from the author. I wouldn’t recommend this if you have an ED, although it’s never really mentioned in the book the way food is talked about would be very triggering.
If you are part way through and scrolling through reviews to see if it gets better, like I did, it doesn’t.
Well, I did not enjoy this book.
There is a murder at the beginning of the book, absolute waffle for next 80% of it, picks up a bit near the end and then the ending was just terrible, in multiple ways.
The characters are all unlikeable, even the ones we’re supposed to be rooting for. Very one dimensional.
I’m not sure where the comedy was in this, the only remotely funny bit was the police officers reaction to the architects. I’m all for dark comedy and satire, but a lot of the time I felt the author was actually a bit sneering and seemed to be constantly trying to prove how intelligent she is, which makes any attempt at satire come across a bit more like a sense of poking fun or someone you are measuring yourself against.
I think that and the strange obsession with diets were a bit if an accidental projection from the author. I wouldn’t recommend this if you have an ED, although it’s never really mentioned in the book the way food is talked about would be very triggering.
If you are part way through and scrolling through reviews to see if it gets better, like I did, it doesn’t.
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
3.0
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa is a captivating and eerie exploration of memory and loss in a dystopian society. The premise of the story, where memories are gradually erased and objects disappear from existence, is both chilling and thought-provoking. Ogawa's writing style is lyrical and atmospheric, painting a vivid picture of a world where the past is constantly slipping away.
While I found the concept of the novel to be incredibly intriguing, I did have some issues with the pacing. At times, the story felt slow and meandering, with not enough plot development to keep me fully engaged. Additionally, the characters, while interesting, felt somewhat lacking in depth. I wanted to connect with them on a more emotional level and understand their motivations and struggles more fully.
Despite these shortcomings, The Memory Police is a beautifully written and haunting novel that will stay with me long after reading. Ogawa's exploration of memory, identity, and the power of forgetting is both poignant and timely, making this a worthwhile read for fans of dystopian fiction. While it may not have fully met my expectations in terms of character development and pacing, I still found it to be a compelling and thought-provoking read.
While I found the concept of the novel to be incredibly intriguing, I did have some issues with the pacing. At times, the story felt slow and meandering, with not enough plot development to keep me fully engaged. Additionally, the characters, while interesting, felt somewhat lacking in depth. I wanted to connect with them on a more emotional level and understand their motivations and struggles more fully.
Despite these shortcomings, The Memory Police is a beautifully written and haunting novel that will stay with me long after reading. Ogawa's exploration of memory, identity, and the power of forgetting is both poignant and timely, making this a worthwhile read for fans of dystopian fiction. While it may not have fully met my expectations in terms of character development and pacing, I still found it to be a compelling and thought-provoking read.
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
4.0
Agatha Christie's The Mystery of the Blue Train is a captivating and well-crafted mystery novel that had me hooked from the very first page. The story revolves around a luxurious train journey aboard the Blue Train, where a priceless ruby is stolen and a murder occurs. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I tried to unravel the mystery alongside the characters.
Speaking of characters, Christie's ability to create complex and intriguing personalities is evident in this novel. From the enigmatic and mysterious Ruth Kettering to the charming and clever Hercule Poirot, each character brings something unique to the story. The interactions between the characters are engaging and add depth to the narrative.
What I particularly enjoyed about The Mystery of the Blue Train is Christie's attention to detail in describing the lavish train journey and the glamorous settings. Her vivid descriptions transport the reader to a bygone era of luxury and elegance, adding to the overall allure of the story.
Overall, The Mystery of the Blue Train is a delightful read for fans of classic whodunits and mystery novels. Agatha Christie's masterful storytelling and clever plot twists make this a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating and engaging mystery. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned mystery with a touch of glamour and intrigue.
Speaking of characters, Christie's ability to create complex and intriguing personalities is evident in this novel. From the enigmatic and mysterious Ruth Kettering to the charming and clever Hercule Poirot, each character brings something unique to the story. The interactions between the characters are engaging and add depth to the narrative.
What I particularly enjoyed about The Mystery of the Blue Train is Christie's attention to detail in describing the lavish train journey and the glamorous settings. Her vivid descriptions transport the reader to a bygone era of luxury and elegance, adding to the overall allure of the story.
Overall, The Mystery of the Blue Train is a delightful read for fans of classic whodunits and mystery novels. Agatha Christie's masterful storytelling and clever plot twists make this a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating and engaging mystery. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned mystery with a touch of glamour and intrigue.
Second Place by Rachel Cusk
fast-paced
2.0
In Second Place by Rachel Cusk, the pretentious nature of the book is evident from the beginning. I have not read any of Cusk’s other books, but I very much doubt I will be trying them after struggling through this.
The characters come across as elitist and self-absorbed, making it difficult to feel any empathy or connection with them. Their actions and dialogue often feel contrived, as if they are trying too hard to be profound or intellectual. This sense of pretentiousness permeates the entire novel, creating a barrier between the reader and the story.
Additionally, the lack of likable characters further hampers the reading experience. Without anyone to root for or care about, it becomes challenging to invest in the unfolding narrative. The characters' unrelatable personalities and questionable motives only serve to alienate the reader, making it hard to become emotionally engaged with the story.
It didn’t help that I had the audiobook and it was awful. I was thinking that the accent couldn’t be real, there is a slight Moira Rose tint to it. Then I saw the narrator was English and realised it was just a bad American accent. There was also a change in volume at the start of the sentences compared to the end that was quite jarring.
Overall, Second Place by Rachel Cusk is a book that falls short of expectations. Its pretentious tone, unlikable characters, and meandering plot combine to create a reading experience that is tedious and unsatisfying. I would caution potential readers to approach this book with caution, as it may not live up to their expectations.
The characters come across as elitist and self-absorbed, making it difficult to feel any empathy or connection with them. Their actions and dialogue often feel contrived, as if they are trying too hard to be profound or intellectual. This sense of pretentiousness permeates the entire novel, creating a barrier between the reader and the story.
Additionally, the lack of likable characters further hampers the reading experience. Without anyone to root for or care about, it becomes challenging to invest in the unfolding narrative. The characters' unrelatable personalities and questionable motives only serve to alienate the reader, making it hard to become emotionally engaged with the story.
It didn’t help that I had the audiobook and it was awful. I was thinking that the accent couldn’t be real, there is a slight Moira Rose tint to it. Then I saw the narrator was English and realised it was just a bad American accent. There was also a change in volume at the start of the sentences compared to the end that was quite jarring.
Overall, Second Place by Rachel Cusk is a book that falls short of expectations. Its pretentious tone, unlikable characters, and meandering plot combine to create a reading experience that is tedious and unsatisfying. I would caution potential readers to approach this book with caution, as it may not live up to their expectations.