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ioanabogdan's reviews
135 reviews
Making History by Stephen Fry
3.0
There is an old saying "Do not dig a hole for somebody else; you yourself will fall into" Well, this should apply even when the hole is for Hitler. Written with ease and witty humour, this novel will literally have you laughing from the first few pages. (This book is truly a 3.7 but I couldn't have given it a 4)
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
3.0
I couldn't be more happy to finally get to read the novel that was stuck on my book list since grade 6. This is a lovely piece of writing that genuinely makes you smile whilst you read about the roses and the ivy or daffodils that bloomed with life as the children did. Hidden in-between the descriptions of the moor and children a rather philosophical approach weaves its way, reminding us of what our most important goal should be- to live, "for ever and ever and ever."
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
4.0
I couldn't possibly downgrade this to merely 3 stars so 4 stars it is. This novel is simply like a soup of randomness, you get addicted to from the first page. I mean it's so fun. There are some people, like Douglas Adams who deserved an infinite life supply of free cookies for writing this awesome page-turner. I will stop here, but i could go on all day about how adorable Marvin, the depressed robot, or Ford, our witty hitchhiker are. Cheers Adams I truly hope you found the answer to the Ultimate Question, man.
The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham
3.0
THERE'S A TINY SPOILER.
Really captivating book. I have to admit when I found out what it was about, I felt intrigued yet was expecting an abundance of weird alien hypothesis, and everything to have an exaggerated turn. I am glad to say the direction this book went surprised me, and I am genuinely proud. Way to go Wyndham!
Now, during some chapters everything felt like I was dragged through some extra pages that were written just so they can make the novel a tad longer. What upsets me the most, is the fact that since I was (and still am) a heavy Agatha Christie reader I made the ending a little predictable for myself. I knew what the end will be but not how the author will reach that end. Well half way through the last chapter the act of heroism in the name of "mankind" was clear to me, and Mr Zellaby (our lovely protagonist) did not cease to feed my expectations.
Wyndham has a simple yet rich style of writing, and a lovely way of explaining his scientific hypothesis. At some point halfway through the novel some interesting ideas of our humanity are pointed out. The view of the west towards and over the "Iron curtain" of 1960s Cold War truly resonates. The clash of ideology is easily seen. Anyway I found the chapters nicely blending into one another as well. I truly recommend this to any science-fiction reader, but I think anyone should give it a try. It's fun, it's a classic, and it's worth reading. Cheers Wyndham!
Really captivating book. I have to admit when I found out what it was about, I felt intrigued yet was expecting an abundance of weird alien hypothesis, and everything to have an exaggerated turn. I am glad to say the direction this book went surprised me, and I am genuinely proud. Way to go Wyndham!
Now, during some chapters everything felt like I was dragged through some extra pages that were written just so they can make the novel a tad longer. What upsets me the most, is the fact that since I was (and still am) a heavy Agatha Christie reader I made the ending a little predictable for myself. I knew what the end will be but not how the author will reach that end. Well half way through the last chapter the act of heroism in the name of "mankind" was clear to me, and Mr Zellaby (our lovely protagonist) did not cease to feed my expectations.
Wyndham has a simple yet rich style of writing, and a lovely way of explaining his scientific hypothesis. At some point halfway through the novel some interesting ideas of our humanity are pointed out. The view of the west towards and over the "Iron curtain" of 1960s Cold War truly resonates. The clash of ideology is easily seen. Anyway I found the chapters nicely blending into one another as well. I truly recommend this to any science-fiction reader, but I think anyone should give it a try. It's fun, it's a classic, and it's worth reading. Cheers Wyndham!
The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories by Tim Burton
2.0
How can a book be comical and depressingly morbid at the same time? Loved it.
Stories of Ourselves: The University of Cambridge International Examinations Anthology of Stories in English by University of Cambridge
4.0
This book has been required reading for my A level studies in literature. I absolutely loved them. Great selection of very culturally diverse stories with lots to say about them. The stories in these book landed me an A on my AS studies becuase they were so enjoyable. Even if i had only 12 to read for my exams i quickly read more of the ones that interested me. Notable mentions are 'The signalman', 'the yellow wallpaper' 'the lady in the looking glass', 'meteor', 'the lemon orchard' and the two stories named 'Journey'. These highlight topics about feminism, the industrial revolution and the gothic victorian era, reflection of identity, racism and the apartheid in South Africa, and the Maori connection to land. For all the A level students going to start reading this: please read these stories with an open mind, they have so much to say and teach you, they are powerful and they are perfect for an A* analysis. All you have to do is not fall into the 'oh my god this is required reading, i hate required reading', like plenty of other reviewers here. If you truly did not enjoy studying these stories then maybe you shouldn't have taken literature as an A level. Goodluck on your studies!