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fernhunter's reviews
42 reviews
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This is my second Steinbeck book and I realized it's not my author at all. It's a pretty simple study of greed and human nature with a very obvious message. The cast of characters is interesting, it was really great to read about not white people and see the world from their unique perspective but I wish the societal conflict and race / colonialism were investigated better. This is a pure black and white story, didn't like the ending much because I don't find it justified. However, I must say, it was so much better than Of mice and men, and I wish this was my first Steinbeck book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Grief, and Colonisation
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was one of the first books in a long time that made me truly uncomfortable and I really disliked all of the characters. The main ideas are so deeply hidden that I had to read analysis to understand what exactly this book was written for. I read it only because my literature professor used it as an example of "mice and men" model of society when we were discussing O. Wilde but her explanation of the book is definitely better than the work itself. It was super weird and shocking, I had to take pauses and read this small story for days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.0
A great small book that makes you think and for the first time I was comfortable reading about religion and god. The language is really warm and some ideas in the book are definitely worth discussing. I read this lovely book in a few hours and feel really peaceful, my previous read was emotional rollercoaster so this one was a true healing session!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
The Gadfly by E.L. Voynich
dark
inspiring
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
This book was bought randomly and became one of the most addictive and interesting reads of this year. I loved the premise from the very beginning but the plot unfolded in absolutely unpredictable and mind-blowing way. I can't express enough how much I loved Arthur and his character arc, it was fascinating to follow his life and uncover one mystery after another. His entire religion and self-discovery journey was captivating yet depressing. I think my favourite story line is Arthur/Montanelli relationship and the spirit and setting of revolution. It was great to learn more about such societies and their mindsets.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Terminal illness, Violence, and Grief
Up at the Villa by W. Somerset Maugham
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this small story mainly due to its absolutely wonderful atmosphere and vibe. The setting and the environment of the story are incredible and the author manages to immerse you fully in the book. I could literally smell the flowers in the garden and feel warm Italian sun on my skin. I also loved the characters, they're very easy to like because they're quite simple and their hearts are on the sleeve. I enjoyed following Mary's thought process, she is a great female character. The main plot is dark and mind-blowing. It's impossible to imagine how some people small and meaningless comparing to others. It was a read that despite being light and simple actually makes you think about your attitude towards other people and how fragile our feelings and mind are.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Car accident
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is THE book of the year, it gave me the entire spectrum of emotions from sadness, hopelessness and despondency to joy, hope and inspiration. I sincerely laughed at some point, sometimes I was on the verge of tears and other times felt like I was given the best advice in my life. It was a wonderful read and I can't recommend it enough. Especially I was touched by the queer storyline and how beautifully and respectfully it was described.
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is the story about the descriptions and the environment, the power of imagination and the sense of life thus there is no plot nor characters. The magical, unique and fantastic cities are the characters and it is hard not to enjoy such a new and unexpected story. I enjoyed my time with this book and gave it 4 stars, another 0.25 for the beauty of the language and the manner of describing the places and thoughts.
Childhood by Tove Ditlevsen
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book is a wonderful example of a well-made investigation of childhood traumas and how they shape us and our perception of the world. I absolutely adore the writing and how it makes you feel like the author's friend. This book surprisingly brings me a lot of comfort and the told story can definitely help many not to feel alone. It's a very honest and sad story yet educational and inspiring, can't wait to read the next books by this beautiful woman.
Hunger: Knut Hamsun by Knut Hamsun
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
3.5
The main character is absolutely the worst, sometimes it's unbearable to follow his story and his thoughts and opinions are very difficult to accept. It's a small book, but I've been reading it for a month because it evoked all possible negative emotions in me. I had high hopes but it wasn't even half as good.
The Wall by Jean-Paul Sartre
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The wall
"Where I was looking for myself, I couldn't find myself"
It's one of these books where you don't highlight anything because every single line is very meaningful.
The wall (1) is a story about life and hopelessness. A story that shows us that everyone is equal before death and death is inevitable. Everything is important only when we are alive and experience the moment, later all moments are just empty memories.
The room (2) is a story of mental health and how hard and terrifying and unpredictable can be a life with mentally unstable people. It's a story about parents who don't know how to help their daughter and about the daughter who doesn't know how to help herself. It's about co-dependence and slow paced losing of mind.
Erostratus (3) is an investigation of the nature of a murder and why an ordinary person can commit it. It's a story about a superiority complex, power and hate towards both oneself and people. Freedom, fame, hate, loneliness, hopelessness and void are contrasted and we read a psychological portrait of solitude and disappointment.
Intimacy (4) the independence of bodies, the investigation of sexuality and female friendship, the question of safety and independence in relationships. The characters try to understand happiness and freedom, how to live after the break up and how life is a wave and never gives us a chance to breathe. A story about loss, duty, love and how they can be confused with one another.
The Childhood of a Leader (5) gender identity, sexuality, internalised homophobia and how society shapes out perception of ourselves, the question of love and whether we should love our parents just because they are out parents. This story in a very interesting way investigates a child's identity crisis and how it can change not only the behaviour but the entire childhood. Growing up and how unnatural and weird the world may be. The investigation of self, psychoanalysis and revelations about your own psyche and self-philosophy.
"Where I was looking for myself, I couldn't find myself"
It's one of these books where you don't highlight anything because every single line is very meaningful.
The wall (1) is a story about life and hopelessness. A story that shows us that everyone is equal before death and death is inevitable. Everything is important only when we are alive and experience the moment, later all moments are just empty memories.
The room (2) is a story of mental health and how hard and terrifying and unpredictable can be a life with mentally unstable people. It's a story about parents who don't know how to help their daughter and about the daughter who doesn't know how to help herself. It's about co-dependence and slow paced losing of mind.
Erostratus (3) is an investigation of the nature of a murder and why an ordinary person can commit it. It's a story about a superiority complex, power and hate towards both oneself and people. Freedom, fame, hate, loneliness, hopelessness and void are contrasted and we read a psychological portrait of solitude and disappointment.
Intimacy (4) the independence of bodies, the investigation of sexuality and female friendship, the question of safety and independence in relationships. The characters try to understand happiness and freedom, how to live after the break up and how life is a wave and never gives us a chance to breathe. A story about loss, duty, love and how they can be confused with one another.
The Childhood of a Leader (5) gender identity, sexuality, internalised homophobia and how society shapes out perception of ourselves, the question of love and whether we should love our parents just because they are out parents. This story in a very interesting way investigates a child's identity crisis and how it can change not only the behaviour but the entire childhood. Growing up and how unnatural and weird the world may be. The investigation of self, psychoanalysis and revelations about your own psyche and self-philosophy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, and Antisemitism