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documentno_is's Reviews (1.28k)
I hate the wise sage child explains to parent whats missing in their life trope.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
A comprehensive enjoyable introductory text
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
Stanford Prison Experiment w/ British Schoolboys
idk this novel is kinda ideologically bereft but it’s “entertaining”
idk this novel is kinda ideologically bereft but it’s “entertaining”
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A very pessimistic take of what happens when we cease to become useful to society, family. I liked the humor, it was dark but not abject. The surreality was enjoyable but it was surprisingly straightforward
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, especially for a young adult novel. The concepts were well thought out and the political allegory shone through well. I do wish that the characterizations had been a little more complex and some of the naming, world building was a little underwhelming but otherwise it was good.
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Interesting examination of the trappings of intimacy in traditional marriage and how it relates to American society. Thought it would be more theory and less of a patient by patient play by. A little too heterosexually focused to make such sweeping claims but postured some interesting ideas about fidelity and the separation of sexuality and the soul.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think due to how distant I felt from the main character, in that we are very dissimilar, and this is a close character study it was quite heard for me to become initially invested in this novel. As the story progressed and more of this micro-verse came to fruition I became more sold on their predicament and the intricacies and hardship of privileged suburban life that I settles in to enjoy the story. I liked how the novel exists in a liminal space between comedy and tragedy, and how no character really got their redemption but none was completely damned (except perhaps Charlie, whose tragic fate felt as cruel unfair as life itself.)
The pacing in this novel was so off- we would go chapters with very little action other than some repetitive steamy scenes but then huge plot points would be expressed in under two paragraphs, to the point where I had to double take and verify that was how she chose to represent that.
The dystopian elements seems pretty loosely allegorical, other than some vague themes of empire and discrimination themes I couldn't garner much out of this other than a vaguely liberal anti-totalitarian politic. I could tell it was vaguely aspiring to Suzanne Collins without the thematic chops to back it up. The actual world/ military aspect was pretty enjoyable and I felt the characters had a genuine connection even if it did seem a little to overly appearance-centric. Overall it was an easy read with sustained action, but I wish it had been more polished.
The dystopian elements seems pretty loosely allegorical, other than some vague themes of empire and discrimination themes I couldn't garner much out of this other than a vaguely liberal anti-totalitarian politic. I could tell it was vaguely aspiring to Suzanne Collins without the thematic chops to back it up. The actual world/ military aspect was pretty enjoyable and I felt the characters had a genuine connection even if it did seem a little to overly appearance-centric. Overall it was an easy read with sustained action, but I wish it had been more polished.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The concept was strong enough to carry this through, even if the ending wrapped up simultaneously too neat and not neat enough. Honestly terrifying premise, new nightmare unlocked.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I agree with a lot of the things he said in terms of creative process.
The more ‘woo woo’ elements were a little lost on me, although the gong was kind of funny. The part about not getting a potentially necessary surgery was well… in line with me disagreeing with him in that the artist does have some ideological responsibility for their work, theme is essential although I do agree that trying to force a story to work around a theme that’s not clicking is problematic.
Bringing in some psychology principles like A/B testing was helpful, I also liked what he had to say about work vs. creative life, the artists job is never finished and that you hold responsibility to live creatively for yourself even when it’s inconvenient. I loved what he had to say about sincerity as goal, that’s it’s rarely effective to start super sincere without some sort of filter between yourself and feeling. The idea that the creative process is a thing outside yourself that you can tap into is super effective, I love the idea that art is deeper than your ideas or thoughts. The idea that the artist is simply a conduit. That preemptively critiquing the work can stifle it- but is ultimately necessary to remove what’s unneeded and to demonstrate taste (to be the editor).
I think this book could be very helpful to anybody trying to build a creative process, and learning to tap into creative flow, artistic decision making, ruthless editing, and many other process he goes through in this book- for those who already have a artistic practice in place it can always be helpful to re-examine and take stock of your own approach.