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elwirax's reviews
477 reviews
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was a sweet book. I'd say it's more of a love letter to Vietnam, it's culture and food rather than a fully developed romance but still enjoyable.
I do think that it read a little young (even for a YA book) and tried to tackle too many issues in a short amount of pages which made certain aspects seems slightly shallow. Nevertheless, a quick, sapphic read with some great Vietnamese representation.
I do think that it read a little young (even for a YA book) and tried to tackle too many issues in a short amount of pages which made certain aspects seems slightly shallow. Nevertheless, a quick, sapphic read with some great Vietnamese representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Racism, Blood, and War
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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
3.0
Before the Coffee gets Cold was an interesting blend of magical realism and at some points non-fiction. I really enjoyed the premise of this book and how each short story was connected to the last.
That being said, it's very clear that this was written by a man. Every story centred around smart women giving up their freedom in some regard to cater to mediocre men. Not once did a man choose to time travel, it was always the women going back to fix other people's problems.
The time traveling rules got repetitive and new rules kept being introduced in each story which made no sense. There were many contradictions and lazily presented exposition that didn't really go anywhere. I was left with many unanswered questions which made the book seem very shallow (e.g.what's the point of the ghost's curse if it has no real impact? How exactly does an individual get to a particular time or date? Etc etc)
The writing style also didn't do much for me. It was rather dry and matter of fact which made the characters seem very two-dimensional and rather uninteresting.
Overall, some good aspects and an interesting premise but hindered by its depiction of women and its dull writing.
That being said, it's very clear that this was written by a man. Every story centred around smart women giving up their freedom in some regard to cater to mediocre men. Not once did a man choose to time travel, it was always the women going back to fix other people's problems.
The time traveling rules got repetitive and new rules kept being introduced in each story which made no sense. There were many contradictions and lazily presented exposition that didn't really go anywhere. I was left with many unanswered questions which made the book seem very shallow (e.g.what's the point of the ghost's curse if it has no real impact? How exactly does an individual get to a particular time or date? Etc etc)
The writing style also didn't do much for me. It was rather dry and matter of fact which made the characters seem very two-dimensional and rather uninteresting.
Overall, some good aspects and an interesting premise but hindered by its depiction of women and its dull writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Dementia
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Death of parent
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Honestly, the narrator very much reminds me of the modern archetype for those 20-something year old males who post about how "the good guys always finish last" while ocassionally teetering into incel-adjascent content and thinking they're the next best thing 'cause they read some philosophy books.
I wouldn't really call this a love story, more so a story of a lonely man who gets attached and deluded by an idealised version of someone who has happened to converse with him. The narrator being 26 and Nastenka (his love interest) being 17 coupled with the love bombing and manipulation made for an uncomfortable reading experience.
That's not to say that the narrator was wholly unlikeable, many of his traits could be interpreted as endearing despite his inherent flaws. He wears his heart on his sleeve and this level of vulnerability is refreshing to see expressed so earnestly in a world where men in particular are emotionally guarded. The hopeless romanticism and vivid daydreaming will resonate with those who also long for deep and meaningful connections with others but who are often their own worst obstacles.
The writing in this short story was poetic and beautiful, albeit a bit long winded at some points.
Overall, there was much to like in terms of characterisation and writing. However, plot-wise, it was not the most engaging and sometimes came off a wee bit melodramatic. It required the reader to suspend their disbelief at the pace of this supposed "romance".
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
2.5
'You ask yourself: where are your dreams now? And you shake your head and say how swiftly the years fly by! And you ask yourself again: what have you done with your best years, then? Where have you buried the best days of your life? Have you lived or not?'
Honestly, the narrator very much reminds me of the modern archetype for those 20-something year old males who post about how "the good guys always finish last" while ocassionally teetering into incel-adjascent content and thinking they're the next best thing 'cause they read some philosophy books.
I wouldn't really call this a love story, more so a story of a lonely man who gets attached and deluded by an idealised version of someone who has happened to converse with him. The narrator being 26 and Nastenka (his love interest) being 17 coupled with the love bombing and manipulation made for an uncomfortable reading experience.
That's not to say that the narrator was wholly unlikeable, many of his traits could be interpreted as endearing despite his inherent flaws. He wears his heart on his sleeve and this level of vulnerability is refreshing to see expressed so earnestly in a world where men in particular are emotionally guarded. The hopeless romanticism and vivid daydreaming will resonate with those who also long for deep and meaningful connections with others but who are often their own worst obstacles.
The writing in this short story was poetic and beautiful, albeit a bit long winded at some points.
Overall, there was much to like in terms of characterisation and writing. However, plot-wise, it was not the most engaging and sometimes came off a wee bit melodramatic. It required the reader to suspend their disbelief at the pace of this supposed "romance".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
I adore Audre Lorde's writing, and her immense contribution to Black, lesbian and feminist writing is undeniable.
Sister Outsider is a powerful and forward-thinking collection of essay and speeches discussing intersectionality and oppression. Lorde's exploration of race, feminism, sexuality and gender remain relevant and I would have loved to see how her insights might have evolved in lights of the recognition of diverse identities since her passing. Lorde's work leaves the reader with much to analyse, ponder and debate.
informative
medium-paced
4.0
'What are the tyrannies you swallow day by day and attempt to make your own, until you will sicken and die of them, still in silence?'
'The white fathers told us: I think, therefore I am. The Black mother within each of us – the poet – whispers in our dreams: I feel, therefore I can be free.'
I adore Audre Lorde's writing, and her immense contribution to Black, lesbian and feminist writing is undeniable.
Sister Outsider is a powerful and forward-thinking collection of essay and speeches discussing intersectionality and oppression. Lorde's exploration of race, feminism, sexuality and gender remain relevant and I would have loved to see how her insights might have evolved in lights of the recognition of diverse identities since her passing. Lorde's work leaves the reader with much to analyse, ponder and debate.
Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
'Vile Bodies' is an interesting wee book with a refreshing, satirical yet foreboding writing style for its time. It reflects the changes in British society during the inter-war period and the erosion of tradition in light of modern attitudes and technologies. While I do not agree with Waugh's nostalgia for the past and rejection of modernity, the book offeres an intriguing insight into the post-war period and its uncertainties.
I particularly enjoyed its cynical portrayal of organised religion and its sharp critique of the hedonism and absurdity of the English upper classes. The role of the media as both criticising and elevating the lives of these people was also very interesting.
Nevertheless, being written in the 1930's it is no surprise that the novel contains attitudes regarding race and colonialism that are outdated and offensive by contemporary standards (CW for explicit use of the 'n' word and the 'y' word for Jewish people). Its portrayal of women is very shallow and while many of them are quite witty, they are often reduced to their romantic interests. The book also dealt with some heavy subjects such as suicide and death rather flippantly and without empathy. This detachment, I suppose may also be a reflection of the post war context.
Overall, an interesting book tonally and stylistically. Plot wise, it was not the most entertaining.
I particularly enjoyed its cynical portrayal of organised religion and its sharp critique of the hedonism and absurdity of the English upper classes. The role of the media as both criticising and elevating the lives of these people was also very interesting.
Nevertheless, being written in the 1930's it is no surprise that the novel contains attitudes regarding race and colonialism that are outdated and offensive by contemporary standards (CW for explicit use of the 'n' word and the 'y' word for Jewish people). Its portrayal of women is very shallow and while many of them are quite witty, they are often reduced to their romantic interests. The book also dealt with some heavy subjects such as suicide and death rather flippantly and without empathy. This detachment, I suppose may also be a reflection of the post war context.
Overall, an interesting book tonally and stylistically. Plot wise, it was not the most entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Car accident
The Pallbearers Club by Paul Tremblay
dark
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? Yes
2.5
The book started off strongly, but as it progressed, the plot fell apart and morphed into something completely different- and arguably less enjoyable. The book had a stream of consciousness style, yet nothing significant seemed to happened. Art, as a character, wasn't interesting enough to follow; he constantly blamed Mercy for his shortcomings. I was more interested in her but her character was barely fleshed out.
The mixed media format was perhaps the most enjoyable part of this book.
The mixed media format was perhaps the most enjoyable part of this book.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez
slow-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
1.5
I genuinely do not understand why this was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It also took me way too long to read despite being a short story collection.
These short stories highlighted many real life horrors in the world such as pedophilia, child trafficking and rape, suicide and self harm. While I tend to enjoy sociopolitical horror, the way certain themes were explored felt less like thoughtful commentary and more like shock value.
The stories were packed with misogyny and 'kids who come back' used problematic transphobic language. I suppose that this was used as a tool to present bias and prejudice as a horror of the world and highlighted the idea that the narrator's are just as 'monstrous' as the events happening. I am not insinuating that these are the author's beliefs, merely that it can be harmful to readers.
Overall, not a very good literary horror collection, either in terms of plot or writing.
Angelita Unearthed: 2 stars
Our Lady of the Quarry:1 star
The Cart: 1 star
The Well: 2.5 stars
Rambla Triste: 2 stars
The Lookout: 2.5 stars
Where are you , dear heart: 1 star
Meat: 2 stars
No birthdays or baptisms: 1 star
Kids who come back: 0.5 star
The dangers of smoking in bed: 1 star
Back when we talked to the dead: 3 stars
These short stories highlighted many real life horrors in the world such as pedophilia, child trafficking and rape, suicide and self harm. While I tend to enjoy sociopolitical horror, the way certain themes were explored felt less like thoughtful commentary and more like shock value.
The stories were packed with misogyny and 'kids who come back' used problematic transphobic language. I suppose that this was used as a tool to present bias and prejudice as a horror of the world and highlighted the idea that the narrator's are just as 'monstrous' as the events happening. I am not insinuating that these are the author's beliefs, merely that it can be harmful to readers.
Overall, not a very good literary horror collection, either in terms of plot or writing.
Angelita Unearthed: 2 stars
Our Lady of the Quarry:1 star
The Cart: 1 star
The Well: 2.5 stars
Rambla Triste: 2 stars
The Lookout: 2.5 stars
Where are you , dear heart: 1 star
Meat: 2 stars
No birthdays or baptisms: 1 star
Kids who come back: 0.5 star
The dangers of smoking in bed: 1 star
Back when we talked to the dead: 3 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, and Excrement
Minor: Sexual content, Transphobia, and Trafficking
Portrait of an Unknown Lady by María Gainza
medium-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
3.5
The writing style in this book was my absolute ideal: lyrical yet meditative, emotional yet detached. The tonal changes, depending on whether it was a biography-type section or the narrator's recollection, as well as being grounded in real historical figures and painters really made the book feel alive.
That being said, the plot was not what I expected. It was marketed as a mystery of sorts, and based on the premise, I was expecting something more elaborate than what it was. The plot was very thin, and while it was a ' captivating enquiry into what we mean by 'authenticity', in life as in art', it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, individual elements in this book really appealed to me (art forgery, mixed media, unreliable narrators and academic yet engaging prose). Maybe I went in with unfair expectations, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I would've expected.
That being said, the plot was not what I expected. It was marketed as a mystery of sorts, and based on the premise, I was expecting something more elaborate than what it was. The plot was very thin, and while it was a ' captivating enquiry into what we mean by 'authenticity', in life as in art', it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, individual elements in this book really appealed to me (art forgery, mixed media, unreliable narrators and academic yet engaging prose). Maybe I went in with unfair expectations, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I would've expected.