ineffectual_intellectual's reviews
9 reviews

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

adventurous emotional slow-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? No

3.25

Although this is my first read of Dickens' work, he is clearly an gifted writer. He sprinkles in wonderfully crafted gut-punching descriptions of characters, scenes, or simply statements about the world that I really appreciate. He also wove a complex and epic tale that required lots of delicacy, and there are quite a few plot twists I did not anticipate. 

My main gripes with the book come from the characters. They are uni-dimensional, and only respond to the events in the story super predictably. With the bold exception of

Mr. Carton

, virtually every character remains unchanged by the end of the book. I will also add the language can be a bit archaic and difficult to interpret, but that is clearly not Dickens' fault. 

The Precipice by Toby Ord, Toby Ord

challenging hopeful informative fast-paced

5.0

Toby has written a remarkably well sourced book that is an excellent introduction into existential risk and rationalism in general. His tone and language is approachable but not condescending, while still remaining faithful to the core arguments he presents. I am exceptionally happy with how, for the most part, he avoided repeating him self ad nauseam. Despite the books heavy theme he ends on an inspiring note. Easy book to recommend for anyone interested in the topic. 

Taras Bulba and Other Tales by Nikolai Gogol

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

Gogol’s writing has aged like a cheese: potentially promising but ultimately stinky and divisive. I found the antiquated language, stereotypes, and tropes undermined my enjoyment of the stories told. Additionally, many of the stories are difficult to relate to in the first place. They do serve as a good window into late imperial Russia, so if you’re looking to understand the ethics and mentality of the time these are the right stories for you.

Uncivil Liberties by Calvin Trillin

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Witty and biting comedy about the absurdity of American politics. Many of the topics have aged out of common memory, making this somewhat unapproachable for many young readers. Overall humorous, and best read in small doses.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

dark hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The bell jar is a fascinating look into mental illness from a nauseatingly close first-person perspective. The main character Esther's delusions are made all the more disturbing because of the author's true story. Sylvia Plath writes with excellent prose, particularly in her vivid descriptions of fleeting emotions. Miraculously, she manages to avoid sounding pretentious. The end comes with a surprising twist that you can relish in. 

Selected Stories of Anton Chekhov by Anton Chekhov

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

4.5

The Count of Monte Cristo rightly deserves its title as a classic in the literary cannon

No Time for Sergeants by Mac Hyman

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Witty and fun novel which tells its story in the dialect of a southern hillbilly. Fast paced and approachable read

Testosterone Dreams: Rejuvenation, Aphrodisia, Doping by John M. Hoberman

informative reflective slow-paced

2.5

This book is a sociological reflection on attitudes towards androgens and hormones rather than a medically sound review of their impact on humans. If that’s what your looking for this book will serve you well.

Personally, I found the pacing and structure of this book substantially detracted from the information being communicated. Pacing was excruciating slow as a result of repetition. Information was not organized into nationalities (East German programs, American drug war, etc.) or chronology, but more abstract associations which ping pointed between conclusions. I would love to see a more rigorous (even if it’s less approachable) structure to the information presented. 

The writer’s voice and diction are great, no marks. I especially appreciated the contextual comparison to other performance enhancers like Vyvanse, Ritalin, and caffeine. I think that section should have dominated the narrative more and been presented earlier.