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eliseraine's reviews
27 reviews
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
This Gothic novel was about how Dorian allowed himself to be poisoned by a French book and Harry's disturbing views. His naiveté and docile nature were his weaknesses. His obsession with eternal youth and beauty without regard to reputation and good morals became his downfall. He gradually became indifferent to others' feelings and sentiments just to satisfy his desire to live an artistic life, but found himself slowly descending into madness and cruelty. His life was a tragedy.
I love how the portrait was the objectification of his very own soul. Its degradation over the years showed not only the decay of his appearance but also of his character. One thing I learned from the book is that looks matter, but only to an extent. It's one's character and beliefs that define him. Not one person is entirely good or evil, but a concoction of both.
As Dorian once said,
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A swift and insightful read. I literally gasped at the ending; this book was very good!
This Gothic novel was about how Dorian allowed himself to be poisoned by a French book and Harry's disturbing views. His naiveté and docile nature were his weaknesses. His obsession with eternal youth and beauty without regard to reputation and good morals became his downfall. He gradually became indifferent to others' feelings and sentiments just to satisfy his desire to live an artistic life, but found himself slowly descending into madness and cruelty. His life was a tragedy.
I love how the portrait was the objectification of his very own soul. Its degradation over the years showed not only the decay of his appearance but also of his character. One thing I learned from the book is that looks matter, but only to an extent. It's one's character and beliefs that define him. Not one person is entirely good or evil, but a concoction of both.
As Dorian once said,
Each of us has heaven and hell in him.
Here are some of my fave quotes:
Art has no influence on action. It annihilates the desire to act. It is superbly sterile. The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.
Ugliness was the one reality. The coarse brawl, the loathsome den, the crude violence of disordered life, the very vileness of thief and outcast, were more vivid, in their intense actuality of impression, than all the gracious shapes of art, the dreamy shadows of song.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Suicide
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
I literally finished 3 other books before deciding to finish what I started (Jane Eyre). The first and last parts were exciting, but I got unmotivated to get through the middle part.
The romance between Jane and Mr. Rochester is subtle but will surely get the butterflies in your stomach flutter. I love how Jane internalized and vocalized her sentiments with such delicacy, uncertainty, angst, and intelligence.
What got me a bit weirded out is the relationship between a teenager and a literal grown man, which back in time, is considered perfectly normal.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Beautiful writing but personally difficult to finish.
I literally finished 3 other books before deciding to finish what I started (Jane Eyre). The first and last parts were exciting, but I got unmotivated to get through the middle part.
The romance between Jane and Mr. Rochester is subtle but will surely get the butterflies in your stomach flutter. I love how Jane internalized and vocalized her sentiments with such delicacy, uncertainty, angst, and intelligence.
What got me a bit weirded out is the relationship between a teenager and a literal grown man, which back in time, is considered perfectly normal.
The Martian by Andy Weir
Maybe I'm reading too many depressing novels, but I've grown to dislike Watney's attitude throughout the book. His logs are too focused on the technicalities of how he's going to survive Mars that he somehow failed to discuss his feelings and elaborate on his emotional state. Don't get me wrong, I love the sci-fi and world-building elements of the book, but it just lacks that emotional impact I was hoping for from someone who's literally in a state of solitude on an entire planet. He conveniently often knows what to do and is way too optimistic for my liking.
However, I still recommend this book (and the fantastic audiobook) if you're someone who's in it just for the sci-fi experience. I also watched the film adaptation, which I highly encourage you to see!
Additionally, I suggest you read or listen to Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, which is better than this in my opinion (5/5).
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Mark Watney's thick plot armor and unwavering optimism are too convenient for the story's progression.
Maybe I'm reading too many depressing novels, but I've grown to dislike Watney's attitude throughout the book. His logs are too focused on the technicalities of how he's going to survive Mars that he somehow failed to discuss his feelings and elaborate on his emotional state. Don't get me wrong, I love the sci-fi and world-building elements of the book, but it just lacks that emotional impact I was hoping for from someone who's literally in a state of solitude on an entire planet. He conveniently often knows what to do and is way too optimistic for my liking.
However, I still recommend this book (and the fantastic audiobook) if you're someone who's in it just for the sci-fi experience. I also watched the film adaptation, which I highly encourage you to see!
Additionally, I suggest you read or listen to Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, which is better than this in my opinion (5/5).
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This has got to be one of my favorite books! I love how the story is told through the eyes of Death himself. It gave the book a sort of supernatural and fantastical feel.
And, believe me, I cried my eyes out while reading the final chapters. I also watched the movie months after reading this, and I immediately shed tears at the beginning of the film because I got flashbacks of devastating moments from the book.
I also got a peek into Germany's cruel history under Adolf Hitler's regime and how its literature, people, and especially children, suffered.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Beautifully written and emotionally powerful!
This has got to be one of my favorite books! I love how the story is told through the eyes of Death himself. It gave the book a sort of supernatural and fantastical feel.
And, believe me, I cried my eyes out while reading the final chapters. I also watched the movie months after reading this, and I immediately shed tears at the beginning of the film because I got flashbacks of devastating moments from the book.
I also got a peek into Germany's cruel history under Adolf Hitler's regime and how its literature, people, and especially children, suffered.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I'm greatly honored to have been a part of the Rêveurs, who have witnessed the magic and intricacies of the circus. I adore how this book lets me and the readers be a part of the journey. I love the chapters that let us imaginatively experience what it is like to enter the circus. I'll forever crave the smell and taste of caramel popcorn and the feeling of the night breeze.
In this time of the pandemic, this reading journey transcended my imagination to a fictional adventure that I can only ever dream of.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Magical.
I'm greatly honored to have been a part of the Rêveurs, who have witnessed the magic and intricacies of the circus. I adore how this book lets me and the readers be a part of the journey. I love the chapters that let us imaginatively experience what it is like to enter the circus. I'll forever crave the smell and taste of caramel popcorn and the feeling of the night breeze.
In this time of the pandemic, this reading journey transcended my imagination to a fictional adventure that I can only ever dream of.
Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Binasa ko ito sa panahon ng pandemya kung saan mas napapansin at nabibigyang liwanag ang mga isyung tinalakay sa nobelang ito.
Bilang isang Pilipino, masasabi kong totoong-totoo ang mga mensaheng gustong iparating ni F.H. Batacan sa kaniyang nobela. Nakakalungkot isipin na lahat ng aking nabasa ay nangyari at nangyayari sa aking bansa.
Hindi ko ito binigyang ng perpek na marka dahil sa tingin ko ay mas mailalahad pa nang mas maayos at nakakaintriga ang mga pangyayari.
Bilang isang Pilipino, masasabi kong totoong-totoo ang mga mensaheng gustong iparating ni F.H. Batacan sa kaniyang nobela. Nakakalungkot isipin na lahat ng aking nabasa ay nangyari at nangyayari sa aking bansa.
Hindi ko ito binigyang ng perpek na marka dahil sa tingin ko ay mas mailalahad pa nang mas maayos at nakakaintriga ang mga pangyayari.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Murder
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
5.0