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bodytext's reviews
155 reviews
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Was really hoping for a 5-star rating as the summary was weirdly representative of my life lol.
At the start, seeing the main character blame others because of her own ignorance was a bit perplexing, but I started enjoying my time once Eleanor’s relationship with Raymond had developed a little. The side characters were sweet, and it was nice seeing Eleanor grow and achieve happiness beyond routine and constant control.
My only gripe is with the writing, which is not too bad of a sign for a debut novel. I found it “obvious”, and the characterisation felt constrained and textbook-like. Something that irked me, especially during the Bad Days portion, was the transparency of the author speaking, rather than the character. The deep self-awareness and therapy self-talk were out-of-place. Another odd aspect was the Disney Channel movie-like makeover that transforms Eleanor into trendy and pretty, earning her the respect of her colleagues …questionable message.
Overall, a calm, endearing story with a couple of writing quirks.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
The words just didn't imprint on my brain, I wanted to keep going, but apparently it doesn't get better. As someone put it, albeit a bit reductively, "it's just two old men talking".
Seems like Susanna Clark's works might not be for me as I had tried Piranesi and felt the same lack of interest.
Seems like Susanna Clark's works might not be for me as I had tried Piranesi and felt the same lack of interest.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
3.0
The descriptions of places and food were well done, but this was not enough for me. I did not care about the little of what happened at all. The idea of each characters was intriguing, I wanted to know more, but everything just felt underdeveloped, I felt like I was reading a concept proposal.
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis
3.25
Short and straight to the point; read in one sitting. I enjoyed the writing.
I picked out a few simple systems and mindsets to implement and think about. Overall, I believe it's a genuinely helpful book.
Some parts weren't relevant to me, but nonetheless still interesting to read.
I picked out a few simple systems and mindsets to implement and think about. Overall, I believe it's a genuinely helpful book.
Some parts weren't relevant to me, but nonetheless still interesting to read.
Mister Magic by Kiersten White
3.75
I was gripped from the start, found it a real page-turner: Val, the ranch and then desert setting, an eerie mystery and atmosphere that creeped me out more than once, great writing to support it all.
This would be a solid 4 stars, only I felt a tinge of disappointment towards the end, from the "big reveal explained" on, as the ending could have been more in depth. The side characters also felt a little bit one-dimensional .
The acknowledgments made me quite emotional and I shed a few tears.
Read it as audiobook and it was Amazing, I highly recommend, the narrator is brilliant on every aspect.
This would be a solid 4 stars, only I felt a tinge of disappointment towards the end, from the "big reveal explained" on, as the ending could have been more in depth. The side characters also felt a little bit one-dimensional .
The acknowledgments made me quite emotional and I shed a few tears.
Read it as audiobook and it was Amazing, I highly recommend, the narrator is brilliant on every aspect.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
3.25
A gripping read. At around the 50% mark I wasn't sure if I could handle it, but my curiosity got the better of me.
I loved the afterword and am glad to have come out of this story learning something.
My only critique is that Dee's character and story should have been a bit more developed, and handled better.
I loved the afterword and am glad to have come out of this story learning something.
My only critique is that Dee's character and story should have been a bit more developed, and handled better.
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
2.5
Somewhat a slog to get through, surprised that I still felt compelled to finish it. I listened to it as audiobook, which may have contributed to my experience.
The story is told using (awful) text messages, transcripts, and screenplay, which felt very lazy due to their 'all tell and no show' quality. I did not like the added comments within these transcripts as they were just repetitive and useless.
The story is told using (awful) text messages, transcripts, and screenplay, which felt very lazy due to their 'all tell and no show' quality. I did not like the added comments within these transcripts as they were just repetitive and useless.
The plot itself is decent, I wasn't blown away by the twists but at least they didn't feel unbelievable or out of nowhere. Regarding the ending, I wasn't a fan of one particular element: Oliver. Come on, accidentally brainwashed, really? , but overall is alright, I guess, and we do get all the answers...
Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley
2.0
A purely atmospherical read.
I enjoyed the overall vibes, but found the "mysterious" plot that doesn't go anywhere to be frustrating, and the characters grating.
I enjoyed the overall vibes, but found the "mysterious" plot that doesn't go anywhere to be frustrating, and the characters grating.