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jeremynelson0899's reviews
48 reviews
slow-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
If I had to describe this book in one word; unimpressive.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It had moments of beautifully written prose and felt well-researched on topics such as language, colonialism, and trade. The premise was interesting, and I was so excited to get into this.
But it felt...somewhat flat in the end.
At various points, I thought 'please, get to it'.
It seemed to repeat the same few scenes;
Someone being horribly discriminating, a language/translation lecture, Griffin called Robin over, then the cohort getting along/not getting along. It was all important, yes, but the repetition felt noticeable and not once did I feel connected to the characters throughout the book.
(SPOILER: something happened to one of the characters, and I felt absolutely nothing because this character was a self-righteous twat to everyone he deigned to speak to.)
Somebody said it better than I could; this book is an essay in novel form, but falls flat at its attempts of being a novel.
But it felt...somewhat flat in the end.
At various points, I thought 'please, get to it'.
It seemed to repeat the same few scenes;
Someone being horribly discriminating, a language/translation lecture, Griffin called Robin over, then the cohort getting along/not getting along. It was all important, yes, but the repetition felt noticeable and not once did I feel connected to the characters throughout the book.
(SPOILER: something happened to one of the characters, and I felt absolutely nothing because this character was a self-righteous twat to everyone he deigned to speak to.)
Somebody said it better than I could; this book is an essay in novel form, but falls flat at its attempts of being a novel.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"Would you have the sea grow still and the tides cease to save one wave, to save yourself? Would you give up the craft of your hands, and the passion of your heart, and the hunger of your mind, to buy safety?"
MY HEART
MY HEART
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I now understand the love Ursula K. Le Guin recieves, and now believe wholly that she deserves it.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After what was a rage-inducing week with books that pushed me nearly to the edge of losing all hope in humanity, I picked up this book. And this book was like finding a rose in the middle of the desert.
This book is a very solid debut. Very precise in its themes, filled with distinctive characters who each felt like an actual person (Paul Lynch, take notes), and the plot is well-crafted while a little slow-moving at times. However, the shorter chapters, the events that occur throughout this book makes up for the pace and ensures it never feels slow for too long.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the author at Derby Book Festival and having a delightful conversation with them about publishing and the writing process of this book - I look forward to seeing any future releases from Elizabeth O'Connor.
This book is a very solid debut. Very precise in its themes, filled with distinctive characters who each felt like an actual person (Paul Lynch, take notes), and the plot is well-crafted while a little slow-moving at times. However, the shorter chapters, the events that occur throughout this book makes up for the pace and ensures it never feels slow for too long.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the author at Derby Book Festival and having a delightful conversation with them about publishing and the writing process of this book - I look forward to seeing any future releases from Elizabeth O'Connor.
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dnf at fifty pages.
This was not my cup of tea. However, I am glad it's bringing people to important subjects within politics. <3
This was not my cup of tea. However, I am glad it's bringing people to important subjects within politics. <3
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my god, what can I say about Margaret Atwood that hasn't already been said? This book is absolutely phenomenal, and arguably better than the first of the Oryx and Crake series. My favourite quote in this was "But just because she's heard no-one doesn't mean no-one's there. That was one of Adam's hypothetical proofs for the existence of God." SCREECHING.
If I could give this book more than just five stars, I would. Gladly.
The characters were interesting, the writing is brilliantly Atwood, and the narrative panache is inventive, energetic, and inspiring.
Perhaps my favourite thing about Atwood's books is how in many parts of her stories, not a lot happens, but enough is said, suggested, going on to keep you engaged until something jaw-dropping does happen.
Oh my god, I could ramble on and on and on about Atwood for hours on end; I think this book might be contender for one of her best, if not one of THE best books I've ever read.
If I could give this book more than just five stars, I would. Gladly.
The characters were interesting, the writing is brilliantly Atwood, and the narrative panache is inventive, energetic, and inspiring.
Perhaps my favourite thing about Atwood's books is how in many parts of her stories, not a lot happens, but enough is said, suggested, going on to keep you engaged until something jaw-dropping does happen.
Oh my god, I could ramble on and on and on about Atwood for hours on end; I think this book might be contender for one of her best, if not one of THE best books I've ever read.
dark
medium-paced
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No