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evaeyre's reviews
42 reviews
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
a really well written account of a murder and its killers — including their downfall. I quite enjoyed Capote’s prose, especially when he would describe nature, but my overall view of this book was soured by not only his pardoning of Perry Smith, but also the accounts in real life of his fabrication, lies, and embellishment within this writing — not to mention discrediting Harper Lee, who aided him a lot in the investigation!
The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
a lovely collection of poems from someone i’ve long wanted to read! I really enjoyed her descriptions of nature, and her poems of love and longing that so seem to reflect my own! I only found some of the more religious poems a little difficult to comprehend, as I am ignorant to some of the stories and figures.
The Awakening and Selected Stories by Kate Chopin
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Awakening - an absolutely wonderful work, which dives deep into the concept of a woman's independence, and her ability to do as she wishes, despite society's contrary expectations. I liked Edna Pontellier immensely despite, or perhaps because of her conflicting character, and her ever developing character -- going from a woman meek and shy beneath the spotlight of society to a strong, independent, and decided lady. I highlighted so many different lines and found the writing so lovely, and found it reminiscent of Virginia Woolf's writing, especially To The Lighthouse!
Emancipation - A life Fable - an interesting little story that I quite enjoyed despite its shortness. It makes me think a lot, especially about the idea that one raised in a cage notices nothing wrong, and fears the outside.
The 'Cadian Ball - A story that didn't hold much meaning to me, though it is an interesting view into said time in North America -- likely the Acadian diaspora in Louisiana given The Awakening was in New Orleans -- as well as some insight into the lives and treatment of other races and minorities such as African Americans and Spanish folk, by the white majority.
Desiree's Baby - A conflicting and sad story that really reflects this period's harshness against people who are not white. I feel extremely sad for Desiree especially, for being condemned and revoked of the love of a man who once gave her all the love in the world, for something that should not be criticized, nor can it be controlled -- especially because of the ending's plot twist that it was actually Armand himself who was mixed. It's terrible and lamentful, that something as commonplace and simple as race could cause such an abhorrent reaction back then.
La Belle Zoraide: Another story where we are present witnesses to the villainy of racism -- my heart aches terribly for Zoraide, her baby, and the man she loved. It's so terrible to think people could be so afflicted by someone else's race, as to ruin their whole life in a design to 'fix' them.
At Cheniere Caminada - a small but emotional story about the pangs of love and what they can do to someone who has fallen hopelessly in love with someone they cannot have -- I really liked it, despite its shortness!
The Story of An Hour - another short story, this time a little similar in the prospect of one's freedom from the weight of another's control and expectations -- I found it really interesting despite its length, especially Chopin's choice in having Louise die at the end! Perhaps she acquired her freedom in another sense?
Lilacs — a first heartwarming and then sorrowful story! I will admit i’m not entirely sure of its general meaning, though it seems to have connection to how some religions view the world, but all in all i think it’s very understandable for Adrienne to want to have some reprieve and refreshment away from the bustle of the active, urban world, and to return to the peacefulness and serenity of a childhood safe space -- and to banish her from that for such a frivolous reason as not being the same as the nuns or, i assume, something pious of the sort, due to her liveliness and wild nature, living a more 'worldly' life, is too sad!
Athenaise - a story about another independent young woman that I felt conflicted about, as there are so many ways to interpret it -- on one hand, it is sweet in the sense of Athenaise seeming to learn more about herself and her own soul through her experiences, but also somewhat bittersweet, the strain of her flighty manner and childishness on all of her relationships. She returns to her husband of her own will, it seems, after recognizing the love buried within her bosom, and I do hope that it really is love -- for it would be terrible for the both of them if another rift in their relationship occurred, where they did not rejoin after some reprieve. But really, it is dramatic, and yet all relationships are like this in some extent, with their major highs and lows in the process of loving someone.
A Pair of Silk Stockings - a story really about the sheer difference of even a small sum of money for a person living a much less lavish life than those typical of the period -- and the timeless fact of temptations and enjoyment born anew, that follow in succession. It sort of makes me think of a light in the dark, that will burn for a moment, flicker, and then dim to darkness once again.
Nég Créol — so utterly sad!
Elizabeth Stock's One Story - a brief story where you can't help but feel for the protagonist and her endeavors! so sad!
The Storm - a not so great sequel to The 'Cadian Ball that is simply about cheating on one's lover during a storm...
Emancipation - A life Fable - an interesting little story that I quite enjoyed despite its shortness. It makes me think a lot, especially about the idea that one raised in a cage notices nothing wrong, and fears the outside.
The 'Cadian Ball - A story that didn't hold much meaning to me, though it is an interesting view into said time in North America -- likely the Acadian diaspora in Louisiana given The Awakening was in New Orleans -- as well as some insight into the lives and treatment of other races and minorities such as African Americans and Spanish folk, by the white majority.
Desiree's Baby - A conflicting and sad story that really reflects this period's harshness against people who are not white. I feel extremely sad for Desiree especially, for being condemned and revoked of the love of a man who once gave her all the love in the world, for something that should not be criticized, nor can it be controlled -- especially because of the ending's plot twist that it was actually Armand himself who was mixed. It's terrible and lamentful, that something as commonplace and simple as race could cause such an abhorrent reaction back then.
La Belle Zoraide: Another story where we are present witnesses to the villainy of racism -- my heart aches terribly for Zoraide, her baby, and the man she loved. It's so terrible to think people could be so afflicted by someone else's race, as to ruin their whole life in a design to 'fix' them.
At Cheniere Caminada - a small but emotional story about the pangs of love and what they can do to someone who has fallen hopelessly in love with someone they cannot have -- I really liked it, despite its shortness!
The Story of An Hour - another short story, this time a little similar in the prospect of one's freedom from the weight of another's control and expectations -- I found it really interesting despite its length, especially Chopin's choice in having Louise die at the end! Perhaps she acquired her freedom in another sense?
Lilacs — a first heartwarming and then sorrowful story! I will admit i’m not entirely sure of its general meaning, though it seems to have connection to how some religions view the world, but all in all i think it’s very understandable for Adrienne to want to have some reprieve and refreshment away from the bustle of the active, urban world, and to return to the peacefulness and serenity of a childhood safe space -- and to banish her from that for such a frivolous reason as not being the same as the nuns or, i assume, something pious of the sort, due to her liveliness and wild nature, living a more 'worldly' life, is too sad!
Athenaise - a story about another independent young woman that I felt conflicted about, as there are so many ways to interpret it -- on one hand, it is sweet in the sense of Athenaise seeming to learn more about herself and her own soul through her experiences, but also somewhat bittersweet, the strain of her flighty manner and childishness on all of her relationships. She returns to her husband of her own will, it seems, after recognizing the love buried within her bosom, and I do hope that it really is love -- for it would be terrible for the both of them if another rift in their relationship occurred, where they did not rejoin after some reprieve. But really, it is dramatic, and yet all relationships are like this in some extent, with their major highs and lows in the process of loving someone.
A Pair of Silk Stockings - a story really about the sheer difference of even a small sum of money for a person living a much less lavish life than those typical of the period -- and the timeless fact of temptations and enjoyment born anew, that follow in succession. It sort of makes me think of a light in the dark, that will burn for a moment, flicker, and then dim to darkness once again.
Nég Créol — so utterly sad!
Elizabeth Stock's One Story - a brief story where you can't help but feel for the protagonist and her endeavors! so sad!
The Storm - a not so great sequel to The 'Cadian Ball that is simply about cheating on one's lover during a storm...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, and Slavery
Evelina: Or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance Into the World by Frances Burney
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
one of the loveliest novels I've devoted my time to! The story of Evelina's endeavors in a new world full of new people admittedly made me feel sometimes as stressed as the titular protagonist herself, but this read was infinitely worth every second! I only wish we could have been able to see some of Evelina and Lord Orwell's married life!
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.75
a beautiful story that seems to magnify all that is human nature — the good, the bad, the marvelous, and the unremarkable. I absolutely adored this book and found each character so interesting in their own unique style! Virginia Woolf strikes again.
Paradise Lost by John Milton
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.25
A certainly good book, though I found myself to have very mixed feelings over it — especially the fact that so much of this book is bent on women’s inferiority to men, which I undoubtedly dislike. I thought Adam had many good monologues and I wish the same could be said for Eve — on the whole, I wasn’t the biggest enjoyer of how Milton depicted her character, with the sheer lack of equality and such. I also liked the two’s scene at the end of book X, especially the massive contrast of hope and despair, and also the questioning of God. I’m not massively religious so I did find quite a few parts to be boring, but all in all it is a good read — albeit with its flaws. I also liked that the Son seemed to reason with and placate God, whose character was a lot more sharp and without mercy than I had expected…
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
a beautiful, bittersweet, and brutally true story that I read in the span of a few hours!
Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
it was a bit rough in the beginning, but I definitely grew to enjoy it! Anne writes such good descriptions of scenery and feeling, and I found myself unable to put it down!
A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
An absolutely beautiful book that i could not put down! Simply put, Woolf’s writing in this piece in particular makes me proud to be a woman.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
a very good ghost story to be sure, although definitely confusing when you run into the idea of whether these ghosts are real, or if it’s something the matter with the governess herself — but I can never not enjoy James’ writing!