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jess_esa's reviews
512 reviews
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
5.0
Had such a laugh reading this one omg. It’s nice to fully appreciate it this time round
300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World by Seán Hewitt, Luke Edward Hall
3.5
300,000 Kisses is a gorgeous book to have and reference, and the watercolors are just stunning. A lot of love has clearly been put into it. Unfortunately, I think it misrepresents itself a little because it's a collection of excerpts rather than stories, and some of the great loves described have absolutely no impact without the context of the full story. It's at its best when it presents poems or epigrams where you're able to read and appreciate the whole or as a reference book to find the stories you're interested in. I really appreciate what they've tried to do with this, and I found some wonderful new things to go and read from here, but it's not exactly what it's presented as.
Toward Eternity by Anton Hur
4.0
Toward Eternity is a thought-provoking and layered exploration of the far-reaching tendrils of language, art, and destruction that will stay with you long after you finish it. It connects the everyday act of speaking to the profound questions of existence, both human and synthetic, and leaves you pondering the power of words to define and redefine both ourselves and the world around us. It becomes delightfully nerdy with how it achieves that — if you studied Victorian literature (like myself), you're going to be thrilled by the philosophical conversations had in this book. I've always loved Anton Hur as a translator, and it's wonderful to add him as a favourite novelist, too.
We're Falling Through Space: Doctor Who and Celebrating the Mundane by J. David Reed
medium-paced
4.0
This is a beautiful and witty book that examines and celebrates a truly beloved show. It's a very quick read and a must for Doctor Who fans. It will make you want to rewatch the show, and you will see the Doctor and companions in a new light. (less)
The Orange and other poems by Wendy Cope
4.0
This was my first time reading Wendy Cope’s poetry and I was really surprised by how playful it was and how much she has fun with form and verse. The poems are often very tongue in cheek and wryly observant but then there’s the odd line or poem which just punches you in the gut. I get why people love her!
Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus
5.0
"You young gods, new in rule—you think you dwell in towers that never topple. Have I not seen tyrants twice already hurled from them?"
This play is so metal.
The way the Prometheus myth is developed in this is so interesting, as is seeing how this archetype has been played out in contemporary art and literature. There's always something so satisfying about going back to the root and being like, wow, this is where all that came from. You can see why this story has so inspired people.
It's sad that we'll never know the complete version of this trilogy, but I honestly love how powerful the bleak ending of this is.
(this is for the James Romm translation)
This play is so metal.
The way the Prometheus myth is developed in this is so interesting, as is seeing how this archetype has been played out in contemporary art and literature. There's always something so satisfying about going back to the root and being like, wow, this is where all that came from. You can see why this story has so inspired people.
It's sad that we'll never know the complete version of this trilogy, but I honestly love how powerful the bleak ending of this is.
(this is for the James Romm translation)
Clementine, Book One by Tillie Walden
5.0
I loved the Telltale Walking Dead game back in the day and I love Tillie Walden so this was a match made in heaven. This carries on the story of Clementine from the game but you don’t need to have any knowledge of the game or Walking Dead universe to enjoy it.
I loved the gentle queerness in this and how this is much more focused on human relationships than zombies. Gorgeous artwork as always, I’ve already reserved volume two.
I loved the gentle queerness in this and how this is much more focused on human relationships than zombies. Gorgeous artwork as always, I’ve already reserved volume two.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
slow-paced
3.75
Weaving such a tight story with so many rich characters is no easy feat. Chona and Dodo were real stand-outs, and I’m genuinely going to miss them!
This book is about kindness and community, often where you least expect it, and you truly feel the love between these people. I feel like it makes this point incessantly, though, often disrupting the narrative to make it when the author has successfully conveyed that caring for one another is the only way forward right from the start.
I’m very glad I read this, and I learned a lot about early immigrant communities in the US, but the second half didn’t quite match the intrigue of the first half for me, so I was itching to reach the end after a point.
This book is about kindness and community, often where you least expect it, and you truly feel the love between these people. I feel like it makes this point incessantly, though, often disrupting the narrative to make it when the author has successfully conveyed that caring for one another is the only way forward right from the start.
I’m very glad I read this, and I learned a lot about early immigrant communities in the US, but the second half didn’t quite match the intrigue of the first half for me, so I was itching to reach the end after a point.