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gwendle_vs_literature's reviews
121 reviews
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
The story is fairly good, but the writing is mediocre. If the narrator is an editor then I expect the text written in her voice to be grammatically correct and syntactically pleasing. Repetition of the same word (sometimes the wrong word) within a sentence or paragraph when it’s not done for emphasis or effect is just clumsy writing and poor editing — all the while criticizing excerpts from works by other (fictional) writers as poorly written.
I was particularly disappointed because the miniseries produced for Masterpiece (PBS) was adapted by the author and was much better, so I know he’s capable of better writing.
I was particularly disappointed because the miniseries produced for Masterpiece (PBS) was adapted by the author and was much better, so I know he’s capable of better writing.
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
This second instalment in the Flavia de Luce mysteries was, as I expected after reading the first, a fun, mostly lighthearted (for a murder mystery) tale about a precocious (and sometimes obnoxious) girl with a passion for chemistry, especially as it pertains to poison. This series makes nice palate cleansers for me between heavier, denser, or more literary books. I don’t think I’d like them as much if read all back to back (I suspect Flavia might become tiresome in larger doses) but for a quick who-done-it this book was quite enjoyable.
Beowulf: A New Translation by Unknown
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
4.5
I have read several translations of Beowulf (in addition to the original Old English text) and they have translated the opening call for the reader’s attention in various ways: quite literally as “What!”, which was originally an exclamation rather than (or as well as) interrogative, and most commonly as “So!” or “Listen!”! In this amazing translation Maria Dahvana Headley translates it with a contemporary (to us, not to the anonymous scribes recorded the only known manuscript) “Bro!”, and manages to stay true to the spirit of the original while seasoning the text with phrases like “news went global”, “we all know a boy can’t daddy until his daddy’s dead”, and “I don’t meant to say this shit was no thing”.
Reading this was a delight, and the introduction is filled with interesting information about translation choices, such as the fact that previous (mostly male) scholars have translated “aegleca / aeglec-wyf” as “hero” when it’s applied to Beowulf, but was “wretch” “fiend” “demon” or “monster” when it’s used to describe the dragon, Grendel, or Grendel’s mother.
This new translation may have supplanted, or at least tied with Seamus Heaney’s as my favourite.
Reading this was a delight, and the introduction is filled with interesting information about translation choices, such as the fact that previous (mostly male) scholars have translated “aegleca / aeglec-wyf” as “hero” when it’s applied to Beowulf, but was “wretch” “fiend” “demon” or “monster” when it’s used to describe the dragon, Grendel, or Grendel’s mother.
This new translation may have supplanted, or at least tied with Seamus Heaney’s as my favourite.
Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Fifteen Dogs is definitely a a bit is a depressing read, but I thought it was worthwhile. I described it to my father as “a cross between Animal Farm and The Lord of the Flies”. I liked the framing of the bet between the gods, especially given the frivolous nature of the wager — it reminded me of the biblical story of Job, or the movie Trading Places.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I highly recommend this book.
The concept is good, and it’s execution is nearly flawless. The characters, even the ones I disliked, had such believable and human motivations and reactions to the circumstances in which they found themselves. The phrase painted on the lead caravan of The Traveling Symphony (which comes from an episode of Star Trek: Voyager) “Because survival is insufficient” is repeated in the text of the novel often enough that it becomes a kind of mantra which reinforces the notion that in a world stripped of technology, of infrastructure, of approximately 99% of its former human population, art and culture would become more vital than they are in a society where the majority of our basic needs are so easily met — but the text also reinforces that human connection, and our connection, via memory, to the past are also vital. Survival is insufficient.
The symphony travels the way that theatrical troops in the Middle Ages traveled, a few performances in each town and then moving on again, slowly, covering a vast territory. I don’t know whether this connection occurred to the author, or the connection that plagues were common in the Middle Ages — she certainly made the connection to Shakespearean times.
The way that the novel shifts through time and between the intertwined stories of its main characters creates mystery and tension. The thread of the two-volume comic book from which the novel borrows its title provides connection between characters who never met, and for whom it came to mean completely different things.
I will definitely be reading this one again.
The concept is good, and it’s execution is nearly flawless. The characters, even the ones I disliked, had such believable and human motivations and reactions to the circumstances in which they found themselves. The phrase painted on the lead caravan of The Traveling Symphony (which comes from an episode of Star Trek: Voyager) “Because survival is insufficient” is repeated in the text of the novel often enough that it becomes a kind of mantra which reinforces the notion that in a world stripped of technology, of infrastructure, of approximately 99% of its former human population, art and culture would become more vital than they are in a society where the majority of our basic needs are so easily met — but the text also reinforces that human connection, and our connection, via memory, to the past are also vital. Survival is insufficient.
The symphony travels the way that theatrical troops in the Middle Ages traveled, a few performances in each town and then moving on again, slowly, covering a vast territory. I don’t know whether this connection occurred to the author, or the connection that plagues were common in the Middle Ages — she certainly made the connection to Shakespearean times.
The way that the novel shifts through time and between the intertwined stories of its main characters creates mystery and tension. The thread of the two-volume comic book from which the novel borrows its title provides connection between characters who never met, and for whom it came to mean completely different things.
I will definitely be reading this one again.
Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
medium-paced
2.5
This is a very well-written children’s book, and I certainly understand why it was popular in its day. The score that I gave it is as high as it is purely on the quality of the prose, and the fact that the narrator’s voice does such a good job of emulating a child’s way of thinking and of expressing things; but I would never give it to a child to read.
The racism is atrocious — against Italians, against “g***sies” (by which it’s unclear whether Nesbit meant Roma, Irish Travellers, or another group of nomadic people), against First Nations peoples . . . and I’m sure there are others that I’m just not remembering. Furthermore, there is an absolutely stunning example of how drastically language can change in a century:
In the final chapter the maid with whom we are most familiar refers to one of the other maids as a slut! She of course means it in its 1909 sense of “a woman of dirty, slovenly, or untidy habits or appearance” but it was absolutely shocking and hilarious to read that in a children’s book.
I’ve had a copy since I was nine or ten, but I never read it until now, when I’m in the process of getting through all the books that I own and haven’t read. I almost gave up part way through it, but I made it to the end so that I could give a thorough review. I’m glad that I didn’t read it until I was an adult.
The racism is atrocious — against Italians, against “g***sies” (by which it’s unclear whether Nesbit meant Roma, Irish Travellers, or another group of nomadic people), against First Nations peoples . . . and I’m sure there are others that I’m just not remembering. Furthermore, there is an absolutely stunning example of how drastically language can change in a century:
I’ve had a copy since I was nine or ten, but I never read it until now, when I’m in the process of getting through all the books that I own and haven’t read. I almost gave up part way through it, but I made it to the end so that I could give a thorough review. I’m glad that I didn’t read it until I was an adult.
Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen Leacock
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
The humour in Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is subtle and dry. Some of it was lost on me due to my not understanding references that were current in the early 1900s but are now not only historical, but obscure. Nevertheless, there were still parts that had me laugh aloud.
The chapters (with the exception of the arc focusing on Peter Pupkin) are more like individual short stories than a cohesive narrative — but with characters making appearances in each others’ stories. In that way it reminded me of James Joyce’s Dubliners, but whimsical and Canadian.
The chapters (with the exception of the arc focusing on Peter Pupkin) are more like individual short stories than a cohesive narrative — but with characters making appearances in each others’ stories. In that way it reminded me of James Joyce’s Dubliners, but whimsical and Canadian.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
This book was good, but it was repetitive in places, and sometimes went on tangents that lost me (although I’m reading it at a really rough time, so there might not have been anything that could fully hold my attention, and I’m probably more irritable than usual).
There is a lot good information about plants and animals and the workings of the natural world, and I like the compare and contrast approach to discussing First Nations knowledge and Scientific knowledge — booth look for patterns, and then science looks to understand the mechanics of “how” and “why”, while Indigenous knowledge seeks more to find lessons that can be gleaned from the patterns and integrated into the lives of humans.
There were a few spots where it seemed like the editing was lacking (eg a sentence that used the word “mass” twice, where it seems like it had originally been written one way and then when rearranging the sentence the original “mass” was left in (I think it was “mass”, but can’t double check as I had to return the book to the library today).
There is a lot good information about plants and animals and the workings of the natural world, and I like the compare and contrast approach to discussing First Nations knowledge and Scientific knowledge — booth look for patterns, and then science looks to understand the mechanics of “how” and “why”, while Indigenous knowledge seeks more to find lessons that can be gleaned from the patterns and integrated into the lives of humans.
There were a few spots where it seemed like the editing was lacking (eg a sentence that used the word “mass” twice, where it seems like it had originally been written one way and then when rearranging the sentence the original “mass” was left in (I think it was “mass”, but can’t double check as I had to return the book to the library today).
Fifth Business by Robertson Davies
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
Davies’ writing is engaging, and when I actually sat down with the book to read one day I got through about half of it in a few hours. The dialogue feels somewhat unnatural to me, but the story is about the ways people mythologize their lives, magnifying and emphasizing some events, while downplaying or outright forgetting others, so the fact that Dunstan would give speech a literary flavour when conveying his story to the headmaster - in writing - seems appropriate.
This was theoretically my second time reading Fifth Business. Although I read (or was supposed to read?) this book in high school, I didn’t really remember it — but I recognized certain parts as familiar while I was reading them.
I definitely intend to go on to read The Manticore and World of Wonders.
This was theoretically my second time reading Fifth Business. Although I read (or was supposed to read?) this book in high school, I didn’t really remember it — but I recognized certain parts as familiar while I was reading them.
I definitely intend to go on to read The Manticore and World of Wonders.
Sleight of Hand by Peter S. Beagle
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
As a whole, this collection suffers slightly from some lack of cohesion. The three penultimate stories have quite a different vibe from the others in the collection — less magical, more supernatural — which is just not my cup of tea, and made my progress through that part of the book slower; I actually had one day when I didn’t read at all, which is unusual for me. However, the other stories are well worth the read, and besides, maybe you’ll like the ones I wasn’t keen on.
The Rock in the Park ~ 5*
Equal parts autobiography, tall tale, fantasy, and magical realism. I enjoyed this story immensely, and having met Peter at a screening of The Last Unicorn / book signing, I can believe he would have ardently defended the assertion in the introductory note that “it really did happen just like this”.
Sleight of Hand ~ 3.75*
“Bargain with a supernatural being” is not a theme I’m particularly fond of, but this example is well executed.
The Children of the Shark God ~ 3.75*
This was well written, but I’m generally a bit sceptical when people write stories embedded in cultures that they’re not immersed in. The pace for this one felt a bit slower, and it took more focused effort to keep reading it.
The Best Worst Monster ~ 5*
This is a delightfully sweet bedtime story, which I happened to read right before bed. A beautiful parable for children (and adults) about doing what is right even when that doesn’t match up with what you’ve been told to do, and about making reparations when you’ve done wrong.
What Tune the Enchantress Plays ~ 4*
This story had a sense of rhythm to it that made it a pleasure to read. Beagle successfully created a world that felt rich and full in only 29 pages.
La Lune T’Attend ~ 4*
A different take on werewolf lore, exploring family and humanity, and the monsters among us.
Up the Down Beanstalk: a Wife Remembers ~ 4.25*
This is a charming retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, from the perspective of the giant’s wife, and is a quick read.
The Rabbi’s Hobby ~ 5*
“ . . . she looked immensely alone as she watched the party; but she didn’t look lonely at all, or even wistful — just alone.”
This is quite possibly my favourite short story that I’ve ever read. A beautiful, subtly magical tale that hit all the right notes for me, and ended perfectly.
Oakland Dragon Blues ~ 4.25*
This one is a little bit cheesy — but good quality artisanal cheese. The resolution reminded me a bit of the wine that drank itself, which might be fitting, since the dragon began its life in the first draft of The Last Unicorn.
The Bridge Partner ~ 3.5*
More psychological thriller than fantasy, this one is well written in terms of style, but plot-wise I didn’t find myself surprised at any point, or even feeling particularly tense, which is something I tend to expect in a thriller.
Dirae ~ 4.5*
The opening few pages of this story sucked me in — Beagle created a compelling character in this non-person awakening into consciousness and becoming a person. The reveal of her origin and the ending felt slightly awkward to me, but I can’t pinpoint what would have made it better (probably because I’m no good at endings — it’s part of why I don’t write much anymore).
Vanishing ~ 3.5*
I’ll start by admitting that I’m not a huge fan of war-based stories, which might mean I’m being hard on this in terms of rating. The concept is definitely an interesting one, but the introduction kind of spoiled some of the tension. The main things that kept me from feeling immersed were the major info-dumps that were necessary to make the story accessible to people like me not already immersed in knowledge of the Berlin Wall, and that I felt like the moral was being spelled out a little too much. It was a bit like reading a history text combined with a morality tale.
The Woman Who Married the Man in the Moon ~4.5*
This story brought the close of the book more in line with how it started vs the previous three tales. Schmendrick’s righteous anger seems a bit over the top — but he had at least one similar outburst in The Last Unicorn, and some people are just like that. The stories within the story were all charming, and I enjoy tales where the main “action” is characters having their views challenged, and starting on a path of questioning and personal growth.
The Rock in the Park ~ 5*
Equal parts autobiography, tall tale, fantasy, and magical realism. I enjoyed this story immensely, and having met Peter at a screening of The Last Unicorn / book signing, I can believe he would have ardently defended the assertion in the introductory note that “it really did happen just like this”.
Sleight of Hand ~ 3.75*
“Bargain with a supernatural being” is not a theme I’m particularly fond of, but this example is well executed.
The Children of the Shark God ~ 3.75*
This was well written, but I’m generally a bit sceptical when people write stories embedded in cultures that they’re not immersed in. The pace for this one felt a bit slower, and it took more focused effort to keep reading it.
The Best Worst Monster ~ 5*
This is a delightfully sweet bedtime story, which I happened to read right before bed. A beautiful parable for children (and adults) about doing what is right even when that doesn’t match up with what you’ve been told to do, and about making reparations when you’ve done wrong.
What Tune the Enchantress Plays ~ 4*
This story had a sense of rhythm to it that made it a pleasure to read. Beagle successfully created a world that felt rich and full in only 29 pages.
La Lune T’Attend ~ 4*
A different take on werewolf lore, exploring family and humanity, and the monsters among us.
Up the Down Beanstalk: a Wife Remembers ~ 4.25*
This is a charming retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, from the perspective of the giant’s wife, and is a quick read.
The Rabbi’s Hobby ~ 5*
“ . . . she looked immensely alone as she watched the party; but she didn’t look lonely at all, or even wistful — just alone.”
This is quite possibly my favourite short story that I’ve ever read. A beautiful, subtly magical tale that hit all the right notes for me, and ended perfectly.
Oakland Dragon Blues ~ 4.25*
This one is a little bit cheesy — but good quality artisanal cheese. The resolution reminded me a bit of the wine that drank itself, which might be fitting, since the dragon began its life in the first draft of The Last Unicorn.
The Bridge Partner ~ 3.5*
More psychological thriller than fantasy, this one is well written in terms of style, but plot-wise I didn’t find myself surprised at any point, or even feeling particularly tense, which is something I tend to expect in a thriller.
Dirae ~ 4.5*
The opening few pages of this story sucked me in — Beagle created a compelling character in this non-person awakening into consciousness and becoming a person. The reveal of her origin and the ending felt slightly awkward to me, but I can’t pinpoint what would have made it better (probably because I’m no good at endings — it’s part of why I don’t write much anymore).
Vanishing ~ 3.5*
I’ll start by admitting that I’m not a huge fan of war-based stories, which might mean I’m being hard on this in terms of rating. The concept is definitely an interesting one, but the introduction kind of spoiled some of the tension. The main things that kept me from feeling immersed were the major info-dumps that were necessary to make the story accessible to people like me not already immersed in knowledge of the Berlin Wall, and that I felt like the moral was being spelled out a little too much. It was a bit like reading a history text combined with a morality tale.
The Woman Who Married the Man in the Moon ~4.5*
This story brought the close of the book more in line with how it started vs the previous three tales. Schmendrick’s righteous anger seems a bit over the top — but he had at least one similar outburst in The Last Unicorn, and some people are just like that. The stories within the story were all charming, and I enjoy tales where the main “action” is characters having their views challenged, and starting on a path of questioning and personal growth.