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dilfpercyshelley's reviews
74 reviews
Sophocles: Ajax by Sophocles
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
i enjoyed this! it’s a perfect introductory text for greek dramas, and full of beautifully written passages on gender, brain vs braun, and familial love in ancient greece. is fast paced and short, so definitely worth an entertaining re-read :)
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.25
yoooo what the fuck was that. i liked it, whatever it was. i do have a soft spot for insane female protagonists, as i have established.
usually, i do quite enjoy ambiguity. however, in this instance, it just frustrated me. what the fuck was going on? a genuine question, not to analyse, but instead one that i am still seeking an answer to. i suppose the psychedelic trip enthused by the long, winding, train of thought sentences were a purposeful move to depict the whole ‘brainwashed by a cult’ thing. but still, i think it was slightly too “seriously what is going on. like actually what the fuck is happening” for my tastes.
don’t get me wrong, i loved the murder and the girly cult and the comparisons of raw animal imagery to the brutality of human society. however, i do believe there is a point where purposeful vagueness becomes indecipherable confusion. this definitely tiptoed the line for me.
usually, i do quite enjoy ambiguity. however, in this instance, it just frustrated me. what the fuck was going on? a genuine question, not to analyse, but instead one that i am still seeking an answer to. i suppose the psychedelic trip enthused by the long, winding, train of thought sentences were a purposeful move to depict the whole ‘brainwashed by a cult’ thing. but still, i think it was slightly too “seriously what is going on. like actually what the fuck is happening” for my tastes.
don’t get me wrong, i loved the murder and the girly cult and the comparisons of raw animal imagery to the brutality of human society. however, i do believe there is a point where purposeful vagueness becomes indecipherable confusion. this definitely tiptoed the line for me.
Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh
mysterious
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
3.75
a slightly underwhelming, but still beautiful, mystery novel. i do always appreciate a novel that leaves me guessing, even after the story finishes. perhaps it was all so very literal? i prefer to believe this is incredibly intricate delusions of a woman driven mad by grief. perhaps not grief of her husband, but grief of a life of freedom lost. the only reason it rate it lower than other moshfegh novels is, as i mentioned, i found it slightly underwhelming.
One by One by Ruth Ware
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
this was the first ruth ware novel i have read and you know what, considering it was a tiktok recommendation and the cover looks like shit, it wasn’t too bad.
i enjoyed it. the plot was captivating enough to keep me reading and the plot twists, whilst guessable, still made me want to keep reading. even if that was just to double check.
unfortunately, there were quite a few aspects that bumped down the rating. as previously stated, the twists were rather predictable and the characters were also very two dimensional. moreover, the writing at times felt rather lacklustre. whether that was down to predictability or just downright cringe, it didn’t do much for me. This was particularly prevalent in the repeated short sentences at the end of chapters, presumably meant to amp up the suspense but just fell short into 14yr old literature class territory.
i felt perhaps i have been a bit too harsh on this book, because it did hold my attention. but i suppose that is the bare minimum requirement for enjoyment.
i enjoyed it. the plot was captivating enough to keep me reading and the plot twists, whilst guessable, still made me want to keep reading. even if that was just to double check.
unfortunately, there were quite a few aspects that bumped down the rating. as previously stated, the twists were rather predictable and the characters were also very two dimensional. moreover, the writing at times felt rather lacklustre. whether that was down to predictability or just downright cringe, it didn’t do much for me. This was particularly prevalent in the repeated short sentences at the end of chapters, presumably meant to amp up the suspense but just fell short into 14yr old literature class territory.
i felt perhaps i have been a bit too harsh on this book, because it did hold my attention. but i suppose that is the bare minimum requirement for enjoyment.
Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
another wonderful read. i enjoyed this book throughly; mostly due to the parallels between modern life and this nondescript period of history. isn’t it wonderful that these people experienced the same things I do today? jealousy, gossip, death, life, religion, love. it made me want to eat a hearty meal that’s full of a god i don’t believe in. thanks ottessa!!!!!
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
god i love insane women in fiction. luckily enough, i also love no plot just character, so this worked wonders for me.
when i read stories, i like to feel them in my gut. and, if i’m honest, i didn’t realise i was feeling this one until the last two chapters. the feeling of bleak depression built up into a bubbling resonation, and revealed itself, juxtaposed, within the penultimate chapter. it was a pleasant surprise. in fact, it made me want to throw my phone in the marianas trench and feed some pigeons.
another thing that came as a surprise was how much i mourned Reva’s death. i didn’t quite realise how much i pitied her until she didn’t have a chance to live.
in summary: wonderful, insane characters and a wonderful, insane look at the terrors of overconsumption and mental illness.
when i read stories, i like to feel them in my gut. and, if i’m honest, i didn’t realise i was feeling this one until the last two chapters. the feeling of bleak depression built up into a bubbling resonation, and revealed itself, juxtaposed, within the penultimate chapter. it was a pleasant surprise. in fact, it made me want to throw my phone in the marianas trench and feed some pigeons.
another thing that came as a surprise was how much i mourned Reva’s death. i didn’t quite realise how much i pitied her until she didn’t have a chance to live.
in summary: wonderful, insane characters and a wonderful, insane look at the terrors of overconsumption and mental illness.
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a way to begin my 2023 reads. I was completely enthralled by this book. It made me angry and uncomfortable and joyous and revolted and i simply couldn’t put it down. The fast pace of Murata’s writing aids this, of course, but primarily her incredibly vivid depictions of such beautiful and gruesome things captivated me like nothing else.
i think, perhaps, the aspect that the negative reviewers are missing from their experience is the whole point of the story. sure, it touches on everything revolting you could conjure and, subsequently, that may make it an uncomfortable read. However, you simply have to read it as if you are also not human. I thoroughly enjoyed detaching myself from society for a few days to relish in the disgust and revolt, and i think that’s why i loved it so much.
i think, perhaps, the aspect that the negative reviewers are missing from their experience is the whole point of the story. sure, it touches on everything revolting you could conjure and, subsequently, that may make it an uncomfortable read. However, you simply have to read it as if you are also not human. I thoroughly enjoyed detaching myself from society for a few days to relish in the disgust and revolt, and i think that’s why i loved it so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Incest, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Vomit and Stalking
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fuck man. i read this book over the course of a few months and, in hindsight, i think the intensity of it all would’ve been better consumed greedily. despite this, i still feel empty upon completion. not a bored emptiness, more a lack of control. perhaps i should feel the opposite: after all, i can control my own life so as not to turn out like gatsby, however it still feels helpless. despite all of his flaws, gatsby was simply in relentless pursuit of both platonic and romantic love. isn’t that what i am doing? am i unable to avoid emotionless consumerism despite my over arching intent? lots to think about. my brain hurts.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i’m not completely sure why it has taken me this long to actually sit down to read this wonderful play, but it did and i am ashamed!!!!!
out of fear of repeating what thousands of people have said already, i will keep this short.
what a truly heart wrenching tale of love and loss and war and all of those themes combined. all of it was painfully good, but i think the final scene of hamlet dying in horatio’s arms is what did it for me. loss and love are so deftly entwined and it fucking hurts goddamnit.
thanks for another banger shakey. i am in pain.
out of fear of repeating what thousands of people have said already, i will keep this short.
what a truly heart wrenching tale of love and loss and war and all of those themes combined. all of it was painfully good, but i think the final scene of hamlet dying in horatio’s arms is what did it for me. loss and love are so deftly entwined and it fucking hurts goddamnit.
thanks for another banger shakey. i am in pain.
Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
short but truly captivating. it encapsulates so much critique on race and womanhood in such a short, fast paced tale. wonderful stuff.