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bookish_things_london's reviews
152 reviews
The Garden of Lost and Found by Harriet Evans
Did not finish book. Stopped at 84%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 84%.
It started off well, a mystery about an old family heirloom - a famous Victorian painting, and the old family home, but the main character in the modern day chapters is hard to sympathise with and makes really unrealistic and irresponsible decisions that wouldn’t likely be accepted in real life.
The chapters set in the Victorian period, are much better written with far better developed characters, and for a while, that was enough for me to keep reading. However, this is basically a story about family dynamics, including several gay characters randomly shoe-horned in (and fairly stereotypical), and it became clear that there was no real mystery to the story. I started to skim-read chapters, and decided it was pointless continuing.
The chapters set in the Victorian period, are much better written with far better developed characters, and for a while, that was enough for me to keep reading. However, this is basically a story about family dynamics, including several gay characters randomly shoe-horned in (and fairly stereotypical), and it became clear that there was no real mystery to the story. I started to skim-read chapters, and decided it was pointless continuing.
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
3.75
‘Piglet’ was a solid, quick read. I liked the premise of a young woman trying to plan her life out, thinking she can have it all; the man, the career, the house etc, and it’ll be perfect. We watch her slowly unravel as the realisation dawns on her that something has to give. I enjoyed this book enough to be entertained, but it was full of the stereotypical “champagne socialist” middle-upper class family, and the less sophisticated working-middle class family. It felt a bit forced as a result, and I struggled to feel emotionally invested in the characters. The reader is a curious observer at best here, which can sometimes work in novels, but this slice of life story needed a deeper connection.
Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom
5.0
This is the third book I've read by C.J. Sansom, and it didn't disappoint. Set in Tudor London, and featuring Thomas Cromwell, 'Dark Fire', the second in the Shardlake series, combines historical fiction with wonderfully life-like characters with emotional depth. Shardlake is developing nicely from book one, and his relationship with Cromwell, against the backdrop of the political and religious turmoil, was fascinating to follow, and causes Shardlake to question his faith. The investigation that forms the main plot has historical roots, although fictionalised, and his care when including details gives a great sense of place. I highly recommend.
The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas
3.5
I loved this book at the start, but it gradually lost its way, sadly. It's about an unsound woman (promiscuous, swears a lot, lots of bad habits, poor self-esteem etc) who is interested in philosophy, science etc, and writes a column about various topics that she researches each month. She stumbles upon one of very few copies of a novel by an author she likes and becomes fascinated by a description in it of a world that is sort of created by our thoughts. This triggers a sequence of events, and we follow her journey.
The concept is intriguing - exploring the power of our minds, what consciousness really is etc, however it became a poorly/lazily written attack on religion (I'm an atheist, but even I could see the glaring flaws in the views put forward), and the author introduces so many ideas that it overwhelmed the narrative.
It's the kind of writing that on the surface seems sophisticated in its ideas, but is actually somewhat ignorant, and surface-level at best. Being able to describe scientific theory and philosophy doesn't in itself make this a deep book. Really disappointing - it had the makings of a cool Sci-fi novel.
The concept is intriguing - exploring the power of our minds, what consciousness really is etc, however it became a poorly/lazily written attack on religion (I'm an atheist, but even I could see the glaring flaws in the views put forward), and the author introduces so many ideas that it overwhelmed the narrative.
It's the kind of writing that on the surface seems sophisticated in its ideas, but is actually somewhat ignorant, and surface-level at best. Being able to describe scientific theory and philosophy doesn't in itself make this a deep book. Really disappointing - it had the makings of a cool Sci-fi novel.
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
slow-paced
4.5
In 'Butter,' we mostly follow the perspective of a young-ish Japanese woman who is an aspiring journalist. She doesn't have a fulfilling romantic relationship, or many close friends, and although her life isn't bad, it could be better. She manages to land a meeting with a convicted female serial killer, who rejects social norms and has the ability to read and manipulate people very effectively; using their wants, frustrations, and pain against them, and it's never completely obvious that she's actually guilty of the murders. It's very much a character study, though, rather than plot-focused, so don't expect a thriller, or crime novel!
I really enjoyed this book, it surprised me, as I was concerned that it might be too ideological, pushing an overtly anti-men message, but happily, I was wrong. Yes, there's a feminist slant to it as it explores issues regarding Japanese societal views on body image, and expectations on women, the role of men etc, however it also balances that (to an extent, at least) with why those views are prevalent, and whether there's actually a good reason for them, such as remaining a healthy weight for a long healthy life, not always doing something you enjoy just because you can, and that often the more traditional things like wanting marriage and children, might not be such a bad thing, as long as you can find the right person, and it's the right choice for you. My only real critique would be that it feels a little meandering, a little rushed, towards the end, losing some of the momentum and richness of the character exploration and writing that made it so compelling earlier on.
I really enjoyed this book, it surprised me, as I was concerned that it might be too ideological, pushing an overtly anti-men message, but happily, I was wrong. Yes, there's a feminist slant to it as it explores issues regarding Japanese societal views on body image, and expectations on women, the role of men etc, however it also balances that (to an extent, at least) with why those views are prevalent, and whether there's actually a good reason for them, such as remaining a healthy weight for a long healthy life, not always doing something you enjoy just because you can, and that often the more traditional things like wanting marriage and children, might not be such a bad thing, as long as you can find the right person, and it's the right choice for you. My only real critique would be that it feels a little meandering, a little rushed, towards the end, losing some of the momentum and richness of the character exploration and writing that made it so compelling earlier on.
Peter Pan (Illustrated) by J.M. Barrie
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I finally read Peter Pan, and what a joy it was. It’s an exciting adventure for children, and adults alike - no dumbed down language. It’s a tribute to motherhood, stories, imagination, and a bittersweet look at what it means to grow up. Wonderful!
Slaughterhouse Heart by Afsaneh Knight
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is one of, if not the, most beautiful book I’ve read. It’s a literary read - character focused, very little plot, but the writing style is perfection, and the mix of perspectives are unexpected, and wonderfully complex. It’s charming, sometimes humorous, often tragic, but there is a hint of hope. It had me laughing, reflecting, and sobbing (!). I am so grateful to have found it.