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gxcons's reviews
256 reviews
Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
"Bone of my bone. Flesh of my flesh. To remember you it's my own body I touch. Thus she was, here and here."
This book and its story isn't what I think of when I think, romance novel. The unnamed protagonist isn't likable, there are very few side characters, we don't really know much about Louise (love interest). Often this seems less a love story and more obsessive musings. And I don't care.
Winterson writes this obsessive love in ways that often had me saying "whoa" out loud in public places. Constant and detailed and imaginative and gross and shameless, even using scientific/biological terms and ideas. Just absolutely beautiful writing about the body of the beloved that will stick with me for a long time.
I have seen some reviews that are irked by the purposeful blurring of gender of the narrator. There are definitely some bits of the story that felt like Winterson deliberately trying to throw you off the scent. I personally thought the narrator was a bisexual woman. But the mystery isn't the point; I think it's to insert yourself a little into the story.
This book and its story isn't what I think of when I think, romance novel. The unnamed protagonist isn't likable, there are very few side characters, we don't really know much about Louise (love interest). Often this seems less a love story and more obsessive musings. And I don't care.
Winterson writes this obsessive love in ways that often had me saying "whoa" out loud in public places. Constant and detailed and imaginative and gross and shameless, even using scientific/biological terms and ideas. Just absolutely beautiful writing about the body of the beloved that will stick with me for a long time.
I have seen some reviews that are irked by the purposeful blurring of gender of the narrator. There are definitely some bits of the story that felt like Winterson deliberately trying to throw you off the scent. I personally thought the narrator was a bisexual woman. But the mystery isn't the point; I think it's to insert yourself a little into the story.
Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Might come back to this later and give a more comprehensive review
Favorite chapters/essays
-Clarity: Give Love Words
-Justice: Childhood Love Lessons
-Honesty: Be True to Love
-Community: Loving Communion
-Loss: Loving into Life and Death
Possible downsides, off-putting things: heavy dose of Christianity in the last chapter, scant mention of certain oppressive systems, heterocentric and heavy on the gender binary (both based on author's lived experiences, latter as socialization not biological determinism), some WILD passages about Bill Clinton
I came into this already agreeing with many of hooks' ideas, but I think anyone can read this and find a thought to really chew on or an idea to apply to their living
Favorite chapters/essays
-Clarity: Give Love Words
-Justice: Childhood Love Lessons
-Honesty: Be True to Love
-Community: Loving Communion
-Loss: Loving into Life and Death
Possible downsides, off-putting things: heavy dose of Christianity in the last chapter, scant mention of certain oppressive systems, heterocentric and heavy on the gender binary (both based on author's lived experiences, latter as socialization not biological determinism), some WILD passages about Bill Clinton
I came into this already agreeing with many of hooks' ideas, but I think anyone can read this and find a thought to really chew on or an idea to apply to their living
Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
2.5
I kept up with this Webtoon sometime in 2019 or 2020 so when I came across a printed version in a bookstore recently I thought, good for the author!
After reading the first volume, I'm trying to figure out if a) my personal taste has matured and changed quite a bit in the past 4/5 years, b) if my standards and what I seek in online content (i.e. online comics, fanfiction) differs greatly from what I want to read in published lit, or even c) my taste in online content has evolved recently.
-The romance between Hades and Persephone is the selling point for everyone here, right? But in this volume at least, there's nothing to really work with. She has a crush on a mysterious older man; he's immediately head over heels for a pretty, young girl. Seeing the friendship blossom between them later will surely help, but so far...
-It's hard to judge the pacing on this since Webtoons are updated on a schedule as opposed to putting together a traditional graphic novel.
-The update on Greek myth and different figures kept my interest.
-On the topic of the sexual assault at the end of this volume, it was handled with care, will continue to be in later volumes, and the original TWs in the original Webtoon were at the beginning of the book. I understand how the topic is relevant to Greek myth and modern experiences, I just don't know what removing that aspect of the myth from the original couple to make it a sanitary romance then using it with a different character accomplishes.
-There aren't any page numbers!
On the art specifically:
-A bright and fun color palette. I agree with another review that mentions Hades could use some brightening up or something to help separate him visually from the dark backgrounds of the Underworld.
-The sexualization of Persephone is *bonkers* and, so far, not on par with Hades.
-The binding and look of the hardcovers is very pretty.
I'll continue to read some more volumes, but I wouldn't recommend this: if you're looking for a thoughtful Hades/Persephone retelling; traditional graphic novel enthusiasts; if you don't like your romance with a high dose of online tropes/language/fanfic vibe.
After reading the first volume, I'm trying to figure out if a) my personal taste has matured and changed quite a bit in the past 4/5 years, b) if my standards and what I seek in online content (i.e. online comics, fanfiction) differs greatly from what I want to read in published lit, or even c) my taste in online content has evolved recently.
-The romance between Hades and Persephone is the selling point for everyone here, right? But in this volume at least, there's nothing to really work with. She has a crush on a mysterious older man; he's immediately head over heels for a pretty, young girl. Seeing the friendship blossom between them later will surely help, but so far...
-It's hard to judge the pacing on this since Webtoons are updated on a schedule as opposed to putting together a traditional graphic novel.
-The update on Greek myth and different figures kept my interest.
-On the topic of the sexual assault at the end of this volume, it was handled with care, will continue to be in later volumes, and the original TWs in the original Webtoon were at the beginning of the book. I understand how the topic is relevant to Greek myth and modern experiences, I just don't know what removing that aspect of the myth from the original couple to make it a sanitary romance then using it with a different character accomplishes.
-There aren't any page numbers!
On the art specifically:
-A bright and fun color palette. I agree with another review that mentions Hades could use some brightening up or something to help separate him visually from the dark backgrounds of the Underworld.
-The sexualization of Persephone is *bonkers* and, so far, not on par with Hades.
-The binding and look of the hardcovers is very pretty.
I'll continue to read some more volumes, but I wouldn't recommend this: if you're looking for a thoughtful Hades/Persephone retelling; traditional graphic novel enthusiasts; if you don't like your romance with a high dose of online tropes/language/fanfic vibe.
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
“When somebody puts what's happening to us now in a book, he said, they'll think it's more chivalric romance bullshit.”
This is a trippy reimagining of the meeting of the Spanish and the "Aztec" empire. There are so many elements to the story- dark humor, lush descriptions of Tenochtitlan, a full cast of both Spanish and native characters, tense politics, modern allusions, meta touches- but it doesn't feel overcrowded. It also doesn't feel like I can give a comprehensive overview of this book, either.
At times, I wondered just how dreamy this must sound in Spanish, but I think the English rendering was well done. The note to English readers at the beginning was helpful re: pronunciation and certain translation (Nahuatl to Spanish to English) choices. This note and the list of characters, both Spanish and Native, makes me raise any eyebrow at some of the criticisms regarding difficult to pronounce names or not being able to keep track of only one side's group of characters.
While we, modern readers, do not know if a meeting between Cortes and Moctezuma occurred, it may not be out of the realm of possibility, and this book brings to the forefront just how many of our ideas of this particular region of the world at this point in history are influenced by the European POV.
4.5 stars, my favorite read of 2024 so far!
This is a trippy reimagining of the meeting of the Spanish and the "Aztec" empire. There are so many elements to the story- dark humor, lush descriptions of Tenochtitlan, a full cast of both Spanish and native characters, tense politics, modern allusions, meta touches- but it doesn't feel overcrowded. It also doesn't feel like I can give a comprehensive overview of this book, either.
At times, I wondered just how dreamy this must sound in Spanish, but I think the English rendering was well done. The note to English readers at the beginning was helpful re: pronunciation and certain translation (Nahuatl to Spanish to English) choices. This note and the list of characters, both Spanish and Native, makes me raise any eyebrow at some of the criticisms regarding difficult to pronounce names or not being able to keep track of only one side's group of characters.
While we, modern readers, do not know if a meeting between Cortes and Moctezuma occurred, it may not be out of the realm of possibility, and this book brings to the forefront just how many of our ideas of this particular region of the world at this point in history are influenced by the European POV.
4.5 stars, my favorite read of 2024 so far!
I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin
emotional
sad
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
"You use people, Leah. It's something that you do. You're really scared of being used yourself, but you do it to other people."
I'm having a hard time evaluating this one; it sits somewhere between a 2.5 and 3.5 for me. The novel's protag is a MFA writer in Wisconsin who ends up in a codependent relationship with a heroin addict.
What worked for me:
-While not easy topics to deal with, the writing made this an easy read. Finished in two days!
-The protag's relationship with writing was interesting. I would have liked to see more of it.
-I don't have experience with folks who struggle with addiction, but this portrayal felt balanced by providing a clear look at how this can affect a user's loved ones.
What drew me to this book were multiple reviews (TikTok, online reading lists) that hyped up the love story, but I didn't find it compelling... at all. It wasn't clear why either character was so enamored with the other. The protag's loneliness was glaringly obvious from several miles away, and it provided the fuel for her not-so-great choices.
I'm having a hard time evaluating this one; it sits somewhere between a 2.5 and 3.5 for me. The novel's protag is a MFA writer in Wisconsin who ends up in a codependent relationship with a heroin addict.
What worked for me:
-While not easy topics to deal with, the writing made this an easy read. Finished in two days!
-The protag's relationship with writing was interesting. I would have liked to see more of it.
-I don't have experience with folks who struggle with addiction, but this portrayal felt balanced by providing a clear look at how this can affect a user's loved ones.
What drew me to this book were multiple reviews (TikTok, online reading lists) that hyped up the love story, but I didn't find it compelling... at all. It wasn't clear why either character was so enamored with the other. The protag's loneliness was glaringly obvious from several miles away, and it provided the fuel for her not-so-great choices.
Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient Roman World by Mary Beard
informative
medium-paced
3.75
A look at the role of the "emperor" from the rise of Julius Caesar in the time of the Republic to Alexander Severus.
I passed on SPQR because I don't vibe well with Beard's voice, which is still very prominent in this book. The lack of a chronological timeline can be confusing, with all the century-hopping and name-dropping of emperors and side characters. There were also many sections that read like a simple essay: "here is the main argument of this section and here are the reasons that support it." Overall, though, well-researched and a compelling read.
I passed on SPQR because I don't vibe well with Beard's voice, which is still very prominent in this book. The lack of a chronological timeline can be confusing, with all the century-hopping and name-dropping of emperors and side characters. There were also many sections that read like a simple essay: "here is the main argument of this section and here are the reasons that support it." Overall, though, well-researched and a compelling read.
How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This novel is a journal-like view at a year between Mexican-American Daniel and his freshman roommate Sam. Tragedy hits, and Daniel finds healing in his family (including the memory of his namesake, an uncle who died at a young age), time spent in Mexico, and embracing his sexuality. A touching story about grief and healing, as well as friendship.
What worked for me:
-Telling the story mostly in a "you" / 2nd person format is pretty different and might be jarring if you're not used to it, but I think it was effective for the purpose of memorializing and trying to sort out Daniel's thoughts and feelings.
-Tio Daniel's journal entries at the beginning of each chapter were well written and tied in.
-My favorite character: Daniel's abuelo <3
-My favorite chapters were the ones in Mexico.
The only thing that really threw me, and for the entirety of the novel, was how everyone spoke. For Daniel's narration to be a bit formal is one choice, but I often thought to myself, "people don't talk like this," especially with the teenage characters.
What worked for me:
-Telling the story mostly in a "you" / 2nd person format is pretty different and might be jarring if you're not used to it, but I think it was effective for the purpose of memorializing and trying to sort out Daniel's thoughts and feelings.
-Tio Daniel's journal entries at the beginning of each chapter were well written and tied in.
-My favorite character: Daniel's abuelo <3
-My favorite chapters were the ones in Mexico.
The only thing that really threw me, and for the entirety of the novel, was how everyone spoke. For Daniel's narration to be a bit formal is one choice, but I often thought to myself, "people don't talk like this," especially with the teenage characters.
Rouge by Mona Awad
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75