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kai3cll's reviews
182 reviews
The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim
2.0
2.5 with leniency.
"Empty shell of characters going through currents of life to show Wikipedia information"
Things that this historical fiction success to do is to mention historical Political events with its years and Wikipedia information. Shows traditional rituals specific to yangban (higher class) of that time. Describes weather and scenery.
What it fails to provide as historical fiction is a journey through history that is personal to the characters, often it feels like the characters are medium to let the historical facts travel through them rather than people living their life. Many changes occur which often doesn't lead to any character growth. The story feels slow and stretched. Just how yangban was taught to hold their expression, perhaps they held their stories too.
The recurring focus is on Christianity's influence on Korea and its characters. Sadly, these mentions of faith are discussed by only mentioning the contents of the religious texts rather than what religion means for the characters individually.
Another recurring matter is patriarchy and feminism (or lack of it) these themes are mentioned frequently in the starting chapters but nothing worthy to note comes up in the story later, even if there are times when it could have changed something.
The ending is anti-climatic and disappointing.
The only reason to read this book is for Wikipedia information but then again you can get that on Wikipedia without the additional trials of fiction.
"Empty shell of characters going through currents of life to show Wikipedia information"
Things that this historical fiction success to do is to mention historical Political events with its years and Wikipedia information. Shows traditional rituals specific to yangban (higher class) of that time. Describes weather and scenery.
What it fails to provide as historical fiction is a journey through history that is personal to the characters, often it feels like the characters are medium to let the historical facts travel through them rather than people living their life. Many changes occur which often doesn't lead to any character growth. The story feels slow and stretched. Just how yangban was taught to hold their expression, perhaps they held their stories too.
The recurring focus is on Christianity's influence on Korea and its characters. Sadly, these mentions of faith are discussed by only mentioning the contents of the religious texts rather than what religion means for the characters individually.
Another recurring matter is patriarchy and feminism (or lack of it) these themes are mentioned frequently in the starting chapters but nothing worthy to note comes up in the story later, even if there are times when it could have changed something.
The ending is anti-climatic and disappointing.
The only reason to read this book is for Wikipedia information but then again you can get that on Wikipedia without the additional trials of fiction.
Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry
3.0
This book opens up talk about things which aren't discussed usually. Things that are personal and emotional. It makes the topic of beliefs, tolerance, and understanding is easily approachable by diluting them with the young growing characters, which is good because who can talk about growth if not someone who is growing themselves. The romantic, friendship, and high school sides of the story are cute.
Spontaneous by Aaron Starmer
4.0
This book is bad. The reviews with 2 stars are all true, it is bad. And with acknowledging that I would say this book is a good read because it is bad. It defuses the brain creating short-circuits, you don't know why you are reading it but you don't know why you can't put it down and that's good for me. I like it because it is bad.
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill
1.0
I reached the last chapter and read it thrice. Then once more because I wanted to write a review but failed to find anything. If a story can be a bundle of empty pages then this book has 179 of those.
The narration is written in a journal format with random notes of events, skipping into another event in the next sentence and then skipping into some quote or philosophy from some or other famous person. All of these comes together but never creates a story. There is a wife and a husband. There is a sister and some friends. None of them are valued enough to have a name or have a three-dimensional existence. They are fleeting clouds between the sentences.
So, the reason for it being one star is that I own nothing in my hands after putting the book down. I would have rather taken a nap than read this.
The narration is written in a journal format with random notes of events, skipping into another event in the next sentence and then skipping into some quote or philosophy from some or other famous person. All of these comes together but never creates a story. There is a wife and a husband. There is a sister and some friends. None of them are valued enough to have a name or have a three-dimensional existence. They are fleeting clouds between the sentences.
So, the reason for it being one star is that I own nothing in my hands after putting the book down. I would have rather taken a nap than read this.
b, Book, and Me by Kim Sagwa
4.0
Dark, honest, and twisted.
Resentment, Mystical, and Naive.
The angst of world,
The longing for detachment,
And Isolation.
B, Book, and Me is a book about lost kids of this big world. The darker emotions are expressed in their rawness, wherewith each action the stakes get higher until we reach a gripping end. Kim Sagwa's world reminds me of many twisted movies of South Korean Cinema, this too could be turned into one.
Resentment, Mystical, and Naive.
The angst of world,
The longing for detachment,
And Isolation.
B, Book, and Me is a book about lost kids of this big world. The darker emotions are expressed in their rawness, wherewith each action the stakes get higher until we reach a gripping end. Kim Sagwa's world reminds me of many twisted movies of South Korean Cinema, this too could be turned into one.
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
3.0
Sweet bean paste is sweet, slow, and repetitive at times.
In a sustainable story, the thought of the author is much appreciated but the scenes fall short for impact. It's a predictable novel.
The entree of the story fills you up but doesn't leave you craving for more.
In a sustainable story, the thought of the author is much appreciated but the scenes fall short for impact. It's a predictable novel.
The entree of the story fills you up but doesn't leave you craving for more.
Schoolgirl by Osamu Dazai
4.0
The book comprises youth.
Reflective, melodramatic, and swift.
Bitter, sweet, and sour.
It is the sound of a tree on a mountain slope under heavy wind.
Reflective, melodramatic, and swift.
Bitter, sweet, and sour.
It is the sound of a tree on a mountain slope under heavy wind.
The White Book by Han Kang
5.0
If words could be beautiful then they are in this book. If words could hold sorrow of the deep heart they are shared in here.
Han Kang can share strong emotions from imagery.
I've read human acts, the vegetarian, and finally the white book. All I am left with is a craving to read more of her work.
Han Kang can share strong emotions from imagery.
I've read human acts, the vegetarian, and finally the white book. All I am left with is a craving to read more of her work.
Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of an Actor by Kabir Bedi
3.0
Firstly, let's put the genre of the book aside as it is neither a piece in the progression to be called a biography nor is it guided by strings or memory to be called a memoir. In that sense, it is best to view this book as its title: stories that Mr. Bedi felt necessary to share.
Here, he talks about some of the women (from the plenty) of his life, his parents, one of his major projects, and his son.
• Talking about the commendable parts of this piece: I must say kudos to his honesty. He talks about everything in just as nakedness as he appears to be on the cover. Secondly, he manages to capture the Bohemian lifestyle of the riches of the 60s and 70s, and lastly, his golden era of success which we neither had the medium nor the drive to capture at that time is fascinating to read about.
Now about the hiccups of this book-
• The narrative: The book is majorly driven by the personal viewpoint and feelings of the narrator. Making it a single side of the coin.
It goes from being boasting with major name-dropping at places that didn't need the boasting elements. (Here not referring to his successful time for that deserves some flaunting) which makes you question the authenticity of the events, to narrating how much of an underdog he was just like everyone else before his achievements. The time frame makes you feel the events are contradictory.
Next, we see pages of defense, nonchalance, and abrasiveness about his choices specifically towards his lifestyle. The way he judged his behavior as obvious choices but bashed others for doing the same makes you not want to continue the book.
• The theme: (note: this para of review can be seen with bias)
For The Stories, I Must Tell The Emotional Life Of An Actor: The topics he had decided to touch upon were either turbulent times of life or all the public scandals. Hence, the book doesn't focus on his work as an actor apart from his famous venture Sandokan, every other work is a fleeting part of the story while his scandals take up more spotlight.
At one point the book turns into more of a biography of his parents than himself (which I enjoyed reading regardless of my opinion) so it makes you wonder why was it necessary to share these stories of an actor?
Overall, it's a good honest, and scandalous book that challenges the patience of the reader.
Here, he talks about some of the women (from the plenty) of his life, his parents, one of his major projects, and his son.
• Talking about the commendable parts of this piece: I must say kudos to his honesty. He talks about everything in just as nakedness as he appears to be on the cover. Secondly, he manages to capture the Bohemian lifestyle of the riches of the 60s and 70s, and lastly, his golden era of success which we neither had the medium nor the drive to capture at that time is fascinating to read about.
Now about the hiccups of this book-
• The narrative: The book is majorly driven by the personal viewpoint and feelings of the narrator. Making it a single side of the coin.
It goes from being boasting with major name-dropping at places that didn't need the boasting elements. (Here not referring to his successful time for that deserves some flaunting) which makes you question the authenticity of the events, to narrating how much of an underdog he was just like everyone else before his achievements. The time frame makes you feel the events are contradictory.
Next, we see pages of defense, nonchalance, and abrasiveness about his choices specifically towards his lifestyle. The way he judged his behavior as obvious choices but bashed others for doing the same makes you not want to continue the book.
• The theme: (note: this para of review can be seen with bias)
For The Stories, I Must Tell The Emotional Life Of An Actor: The topics he had decided to touch upon were either turbulent times of life or all the public scandals. Hence, the book doesn't focus on his work as an actor apart from his famous venture Sandokan, every other work is a fleeting part of the story while his scandals take up more spotlight.
At one point the book turns into more of a biography of his parents than himself (which I enjoyed reading regardless of my opinion) so it makes you wonder why was it necessary to share these stories of an actor?
Overall, it's a good honest, and scandalous book that challenges the patience of the reader.
Storyteller: 100 Poem Letters by Morgan Harper Nichols
3.0
The poem in this book is warm. They feel handcrafted with a careful touch to sharing hope. Simplicity wins.
The book is written for everyone. It is for the lonely, for the sad, for the happy and lucky. It is for emotions, pain, agony, hope, and love. It tells you to your strength with mountains and valleys. It shows you how valuable you are with lights and it mostly tells you what probably all of us needs to hear from time to time: that everything will be alright.
My favorite part from the book would be how the poems are dedicated to the people going through the mundane moments of life which are core components of us. The moments and doubts that bind us together. It connects everyone and makes you wonder wouldn't our roots be interconnected if traced back?
The book is written for everyone. It is for the lonely, for the sad, for the happy and lucky. It is for emotions, pain, agony, hope, and love. It tells you to your strength with mountains and valleys. It shows you how valuable you are with lights and it mostly tells you what probably all of us needs to hear from time to time: that everything will be alright.
My favorite part from the book would be how the poems are dedicated to the people going through the mundane moments of life which are core components of us. The moments and doubts that bind us together. It connects everyone and makes you wonder wouldn't our roots be interconnected if traced back?