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chiming_bells's reviews
29 reviews
Mr. Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Book club pick:
About two women who wouldn’t normally be friends going on a journey together to find a golden beetle. Questions to the author - Why do you make them so 2 dimensional. One is a big lady who was a home economics teacher and had a mid life crisis, the other likes to sleep around in order to get preggers. Why is that
their sole personality. It’s just boring vs quirky - but she’s not quirky - she’s just boring - It’s not enough
Content wise - You could predict the end without opening the book. I might test this. I might ask my friends what they think happens. it was fine, I shed a tear, and laughed once at the vision of miss benson mounting a mule sideways. That’s it.
Gahhh this has made me angry. Why was there no creativity! It was just a report of someone packing for a holiday, and then unpacking once they got there with a bit of friendship and self discovery thrown in.
The lines that were announced as “philosophy” really were as basic as “live, laugh, love”.
Plus and possibly worst, I didn’t learn a single thing about insects. Beetle is in the title - give me more bug facts! You can chuck in a few more around the drivel about making friends, I promise. Teach me something!
What a wasted opportunity of a published novel.
About two women who wouldn’t normally be friends going on a journey together to find a golden beetle. Questions to the author - Why do you make them so 2 dimensional. One is a big lady who was a home economics teacher and had a mid life crisis, the other likes to sleep around in order to get preggers. Why is that
their sole personality. It’s just boring vs quirky - but she’s not quirky - she’s just boring - It’s not enough
Content wise - You could predict the end without opening the book. I might test this. I might ask my friends what they think happens. it was fine, I shed a tear, and laughed once at the vision of miss benson mounting a mule sideways. That’s it.
Gahhh this has made me angry. Why was there no creativity! It was just a report of someone packing for a holiday, and then unpacking once they got there with a bit of friendship and self discovery thrown in.
The lines that were announced as “philosophy” really were as basic as “live, laugh, love”.
Plus and possibly worst, I didn’t learn a single thing about insects. Beetle is in the title - give me more bug facts! You can chuck in a few more around the drivel about making friends, I promise. Teach me something!
What a wasted opportunity of a published novel.
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
When I finished I wanted to start up all over again. High recommendation for Piranesi.
I felt the dropped clues exciting enough that while you can guess what’s coming - the build up is satisfying, and the conclusion darkly poetic.
I felt the dropped clues exciting enough that while you can guess what’s coming - the build up is satisfying, and the conclusion darkly poetic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Troy by Stephen Fry
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A lengthy rambol through 18th century England, in a parallel world which had magic, and bizarrely lord Byron
I’m not sure why it was so long. And the ending was a bit flat, and didn’t reflect the build up. Perhaps again reflecting old England.
It gave me very creative dreams, and the art it inspired was fun (if not creepy)
It might have been the kind of book I’d imagined I’d write - with magicians, fairies, the countryside and unanswered questions.
And there were flashes of fantastic genius but altogether with 1000 pages, it was quite dull. Got going on page 600 or something.
I kept going because I listened on audio, and needed something.
I’m not sure why it was so long. And the ending was a bit flat, and didn’t reflect the build up. Perhaps again reflecting old England.
It gave me very creative dreams, and the art it inspired was fun (if not creepy)
It might have been the kind of book I’d imagined I’d write - with magicians, fairies, the countryside and unanswered questions.
And there were flashes of fantastic genius but altogether with 1000 pages, it was quite dull. Got going on page 600 or something.
I kept going because I listened on audio, and needed something.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
So much about food! I went to the Korean store to pick up a few things, but I wish there was slightly less on it! Quite repetitive
Equally it’s her memoirs, so do what you like.
Japanese breakfast as a band is a great side dish though, truly. I wish there were more book music combos
Equally it’s her memoirs, so do what you like.
Japanese breakfast as a band is a great side dish though, truly. I wish there were more book music combos
Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures by Stephen Fry
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5