Scan barcode
elderlyemo's reviews
84 reviews
Nothing Important Happened Today by Will Carver
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
I picked this book up from the library because I wanted something quick to read that week. I finished it in two hours and really enjoyed it for the most part.
I loved the way it was written in this kind of abstract ranting stream of consciousness way that felt as though someone were actually saying the things to you sitting across the table from you. It did detract a little from the gravity of the narrative though but I think it's a fair trade.
This book would have easily scored higher if it hadn't have felt so rushed. I think it would have been interesting to have a solid reliable narrator running alongside the more rambling narration of the "cult leader" to give the reader something concrete to lean on. It ended up getting a bit confusing and convoluted towards the end, but I highlighted so much of this book and have recommended it to a lot of people that like this kind of thing since reading it.
Also, props for being set in the UK. We don't get enough cult action.
I loved the way it was written in this kind of abstract ranting stream of consciousness way that felt as though someone were actually saying the things to you sitting across the table from you. It did detract a little from the gravity of the narrative though but I think it's a fair trade.
This book would have easily scored higher if it hadn't have felt so rushed. I think it would have been interesting to have a solid reliable narrator running alongside the more rambling narration of the "cult leader" to give the reader something concrete to lean on. It ended up getting a bit confusing and convoluted towards the end, but I highlighted so much of this book and have recommended it to a lot of people that like this kind of thing since reading it.
Also, props for being set in the UK. We don't get enough cult action.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Brother by Ania Ahlborn
dark
slow-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
2.5
I expected to like this book more, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it at all.
My main issue with this book was that it was boring, which was the last critique I thought I was going to have of it going into it initially. The manic pixie dream girl working at the record store ending up with the sad tormented gorgeous but socially maladjusted weirdo with long hair would have made seventeen year old me swoon but now it's just a bit played out.
The book itself is written well and the twists are there, they are just a bit predictable. I think the "biggest" twist is revealed (potentially, depending on if you notice it or not) way too soon and it gives the reader too much time to put the pieces together for them really to have any massive impact. The ideas are there, and they are twisted in the best possible way, but overall it was just a bit bland for me which is a big statement to make considering the subject matter.
I love AA and just wish she'd gone tooth and nail with this one and really messed us up. Getting blue balled by this book was such a disappointment but it was still a decent read and I'm sure it had the desired effect on many people, unfortunately it needed a bit more for me to remember or recommend it.
My main issue with this book was that it was boring, which was the last critique I thought I was going to have of it going into it initially. The manic pixie dream girl working at the record store ending up with the sad tormented gorgeous but socially maladjusted weirdo with long hair would have made seventeen year old me swoon but now it's just a bit played out.
The book itself is written well and the twists are there, they are just a bit predictable. I think the "biggest" twist is revealed (potentially, depending on if you notice it or not) way too soon and it gives the reader too much time to put the pieces together for them really to have any massive impact. The ideas are there, and they are twisted in the best possible way, but overall it was just a bit bland for me which is a big statement to make considering the subject matter.
I love AA and just wish she'd gone tooth and nail with this one and really messed us up. Getting blue balled by this book was such a disappointment but it was still a decent read and I'm sure it had the desired effect on many people, unfortunately it needed a bit more for me to remember or recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Murder
Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Whoah - this one was a rollercoaster, lads.
I can't remember how this book was recommended to me but when I sat down to read it, I did not anticipate what I was about to consume. It starts of as a mysterious story of a woman liaising with an incarcerated serial killer and ends somewhere in a hell hole of paranormal madness that made feel slightly sick in the best possible way.
I am a massive fan of protagonists that are hard to love, and let me tell you - good luck loving this one. Every time she shows even the smallest hint of humanity, a tiny tether you can identify with, there is a plot development that sends you flying back into the darkness, screaming to get away from her. The addition of the physically and mentally challenged sister was an added accoutrement of bone chilling terror too, especially towards the end of the story when everything starts slotting into place in the worst possible way.
I couldn't tell where the book was going at any given point and that weird kind of vertigo it gave me was really unique and quite memorable. I'm looking forward to reading more from the author this year.
I can't remember how this book was recommended to me but when I sat down to read it, I did not anticipate what I was about to consume. It starts of as a mysterious story of a woman liaising with an incarcerated serial killer and ends somewhere in a hell hole of paranormal madness that made feel slightly sick in the best possible way.
I am a massive fan of protagonists that are hard to love, and let me tell you - good luck loving this one. Every time she shows even the smallest hint of humanity, a tiny tether you can identify with, there is a plot development that sends you flying back into the darkness, screaming to get away from her. The addition of the physically and mentally challenged sister was an added accoutrement of bone chilling terror too, especially towards the end of the story when everything starts slotting into place in the worst possible way.
I couldn't tell where the book was going at any given point and that weird kind of vertigo it gave me was really unique and quite memorable. I'm looking forward to reading more from the author this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
slow-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
3.5
How does one go about critiquing this book, I wonder?
Listen - it's a good book, we know it is. You know what else it is? 800+ pages of dialogue.
I love these characters and I love this story, but the way it is written is such a slog sometimes that I found myself walking away from this book numerous times throughout a period of MONTHS just because I couldn't bring myself to sit down with the characters that weren't my favourite. I am a massive fan of the TV show (aren't we all) and I really enjoyed how similar the first season of the show is to this book, but that's where the problem was.
I didn't like Cat in the series. I didn't like her in the book. I didn't really enjoy Brans story line in the show, so guess what? You got it. I think it's different when you're watching a TV show and you don't have to put in as much time or effort to clear the parts of the plot that don't really interest you, but when you have to read so much dialogue from so many characters you don't care for, it makes for a very unpleasant experience.
I will say, I also didn't like Daenerys in the TV show but I LOVED her chapters in the book. Hopefully with the next book sitting high atop my TBR *gulp* I will continue to be surprised. Fantastic story, incredible characters - just not my favourite writing style.
Listen - it's a good book, we know it is. You know what else it is? 800+ pages of dialogue.
I love these characters and I love this story, but the way it is written is such a slog sometimes that I found myself walking away from this book numerous times throughout a period of MONTHS just because I couldn't bring myself to sit down with the characters that weren't my favourite. I am a massive fan of the TV show (aren't we all) and I really enjoyed how similar the first season of the show is to this book, but that's where the problem was.
I didn't like Cat in the series. I didn't like her in the book. I didn't really enjoy Brans story line in the show, so guess what? You got it. I think it's different when you're watching a TV show and you don't have to put in as much time or effort to clear the parts of the plot that don't really interest you, but when you have to read so much dialogue from so many characters you don't care for, it makes for a very unpleasant experience.
I will say, I also didn't like Daenerys in the TV show but I LOVED her chapters in the book. Hopefully with the next book sitting high atop my TBR *gulp* I will continue to be surprised. Fantastic story, incredible characters - just not my favourite writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Suicide, Murder, and War