drinkthefloor's reviews
199 reviews

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

2.5 stars. i was intrigued by the premise of medusa’s story taking centrefold, but it was not, medusa herself was more of a peripheral supporting character rather than the main protagonist. haynes captured the frustrating and entitled essence typical and inherent of a lot of greek heroes as well as some intriguing dynamics between the gods. parts infuriated me (i guess that was the intention). i really liked the development of medusa’s sisters but i wish they played a more significant role. annoyingly the story of medusa also took her agency away. lol. 

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i know absolutely nothing about chess (still don’t) but this novel was absolutely riveting and such a good listen. i liked how beth was obviously autistic and how much of a 3 dimensional character she was. tevis did such a good job crafting empathy. thoroughly enjoyed will now go watch the tv show.

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura

challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

this book explored different forms of intimacy in an unnamed woman’s life and questioned the dogma of western values in the hague. i found the discussion of interpreters and interpretations so interesting because something will always get a little lost in translation, and the interpretation of language also rests in the character of the interpreters themselves. the role of the interpreter in the outcome of legal proceedings, the implications of changing interpreter. was a really interesting dig into morality and perception. 4.25 stars. 

The Last Nude by Ellis Avery

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

3.25. star taken away for the last section of the book which harboured an abrupt change of narrative which added nothing to the story and made me extremely irritated. 
enjoyed the majority of this - historical fiction rooted in the parisian jazz age and the art deco from the time, plus lesbians, what more could you want? i liked the use of real historical actors as characters - i think literature, especially historical fiction, is so great for building our historical imagination and reminding ourselves that historical actors were not merely characters, but also fully fleshed out human beings too. 
interesting examination of the relationship between the artist, art, and her muse. really made me think. 
read if you like 1920s paris, art deco, and lesbians. 

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

harrowing dystopia about motherhood, felt very much in conversation with the handmaid’s tale. i found myself rooting for the characters and feeling their raw emotions; the last part of the book made me start bawling on the plane. interesting commentary on different notions of motherhood plus american exceptionalism and the chinese-american immigrant child experience. felt very believable which is key for a good dystopia. i felt extremely frustrated and also complicit throughout reading because i found myself beginning to place judgments on the characters. altogether very good would recommend if you like dry ish storytelling (which i adore). 

Penance by Eliza Clark

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

fabulous and genuinely harrowing dissection of toxic internet culture, true crime, girlhood, and unreliable narrators. all with the backdrop of brexit and northern england. 

Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

2.5 stars. gross, but well written exploration of sexuality. not the nicest reading (listening) experience because of how disgusting nathan was. 

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this was so good. now i'm so interested in pachinko parlours and their history. a fabulous work of historical fiction. so harrowing. this will stick in my mind for a long time. also pertains to my interest into the legacy of the colonial history of east asia. a must read, especially good as an audiobook. 

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

reflective slow-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

1.0

boring

Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

reflective slow-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

2.5

2.5 stars. i can’t see myself recommending this but was alright all the same. interesting investigation into the concept of motherhood and illness