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kimschouwenaar's reviews
323 reviews
Medusa of the Roses by Navid Sinaki
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start by saying that I really wanted to love this. And I tried. The synopsis intrigued me to no end, and I was so excited to start reading it, but the story fell flat before I was halfway through.
Medusa of the Roses follows Anjir, a gay man living in a very homophobic Iran, where becoming - yes, becoming - transgender and living as a woman is accepted but being gay is not. In fact, the government prefers men surgically transitioning to women over a man being gay. Anjir spends most of the novel looking for his boyfriend, who disappeared right before the beginning and who flickers in and out of Anjir's life throughout. Being gay in a country such as Iran is unimaginably tough, and this review is in no way intended to undermine that experience.
Sinaki's prose is cinematic and poetic, containing lots of allusions to different mythologies and classic literature. And while I enjoyed his style, it also felt as if he was determined to put as many memorable quotes into the novel as he could within 240 pages. The writing style is extremely somber and melancholic, which, after a while, becomes dense and more difficult to read.
The plot itself was heartbreaking, which fit the style of narration perfectly, but even for someone who often reads sorrowful novels with unhappy endings, this was a bit much. There is not a ray of sunshine in Anjir's life, even at the moments he reunites with Zal - his lover. However, the plot itself was not the element I had an issue with. In fact, together with the imagery of Iran and allusions, it saved the novel from a two-star rating. That, and the very unexpected plottwist. The main problem I had with this novel is the over-sexualisation. Anjir found an internal sexual relation to almost every character and object apart from his family and because of this, his character fell a little flat. His only characterisation is that he is a very sexually active gay man, and I wanted more than that.
Perhaps I went in with too many expectations or this novel just wasn't meant for me, but I expected more. I will say, however, that Sinaki is a very talented artist.
Let me start by saying that I really wanted to love this. And I tried. The synopsis intrigued me to no end, and I was so excited to start reading it, but the story fell flat before I was halfway through.
Medusa of the Roses follows Anjir, a gay man living in a very homophobic Iran, where becoming - yes, becoming - transgender and living as a woman is accepted but being gay is not. In fact, the government prefers men surgically transitioning to women over a man being gay. Anjir spends most of the novel looking for his boyfriend, who disappeared right before the beginning and who flickers in and out of Anjir's life throughout. Being gay in a country such as Iran is unimaginably tough, and this review is in no way intended to undermine that experience.
Sinaki's prose is cinematic and poetic, containing lots of allusions to different mythologies and classic literature. And while I enjoyed his style, it also felt as if he was determined to put as many memorable quotes into the novel as he could within 240 pages. The writing style is extremely somber and melancholic, which, after a while, becomes dense and more difficult to read.
The plot itself was heartbreaking, which fit the style of narration perfectly, but even for someone who often reads sorrowful novels with unhappy endings, this was a bit much. There is not a ray of sunshine in Anjir's life, even at the moments he reunites with Zal - his lover. However, the plot itself was not the element I had an issue with. In fact, together with the imagery of Iran and allusions, it saved the novel from a two-star rating. That, and the very unexpected plottwist. The main problem I had with this novel is the over-sexualisation. Anjir found an internal sexual relation to almost every character and object apart from his family and because of this, his character fell a little flat. His only characterisation is that he is a very sexually active gay man, and I wanted more than that.
Perhaps I went in with too many expectations or this novel just wasn't meant for me, but I expected more. I will say, however, that Sinaki is a very talented artist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Murder, Sexual content, and Homophobia
Moderate: Car accident, Suicide, and Violence
Trivia: or, the Art of Walking the Streets of London by John Gay
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I like this a lot more than I though I would. John Gay skilfully interweaves classical references with specific places in London and events that he observes as a pedestrian. Trivia, which comes from the latin triviis (crossroads) and is another name for the goddess Diana (goddess of crossroads), is essentially one of the first travel narratives and guidebooks for walking through London.
Gay really said 'I am going to walk through London and look at what's happening and write a long poem in heroic couplets about it', and I really respect that. The satirical elements made it very fun to read, regardless the many, many, many classical and biblical references that I had to look up.
Gay really said 'I am going to walk through London and look at what's happening and write a long poem in heroic couplets about it', and I really respect that. The satirical elements made it very fun to read, regardless the many, many, many classical and biblical references that I had to look up.
The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.75
Jean-Yves Moreau deserves the fucking world, I will die on this hill. There is less action than in the original trilogy because The Sunshine Court is all about healing and finding your place again. We finally see the Neil and the Foxes through someone else's eyes, and I adored every tiny reference to them. Something I was not prepared for was Jean being such a comedian. The nicknames he comes up with are peak humour. I've seen a lot of negative reviews saying they wanted more of the Foxes and Neil and Andrew, but Jean's perspective post-TKM is much more significant. The boy who didn't survive every other draft deserves to learn how to live again.
Cannot wait for the sequel later this year <3
Cannot wait for the sequel later this year <3
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe by George Eliot
Before you start reading this, keep in mind that this book is highly moralistic and communicates a religious message. If that's not your thing, do not pick this up. As I wrote, this is a book that published in the mid-Victorian era and thus is what you should expect of Victorian literature <3
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Who would have thought I'd ever become a classics admirer?
I have read so many reviews of people saying they despised reading it. Why? How? Did we actually read the same book?
Is the pacing off? Yes. Does it contain long, convoluted sentences that could have easily been avoided? Absolutely. Should this have been a lot shorter? Most likely. It's a book from the mid-Victorian era.
But it is a heartfelt story about a man losing everything and then losing everything he's ever held dear again. Against all odds, he finds happiness again in the form of a small child who helps him recover his lost belief and sense of self. George Eliot had me grieve a broken pot. And that was 23 pages in.
As I said, the pacing is off. Rather than showing us how Eppie grows up with Silas, Eliot makes a time jump of 16 years. The first part of the book is slow and unnecessarily long; it talks a little about Silas's past and then repetitively approaches the life Silas lives, his role in the town he resides and the perspective of other townspeople. Yet I could still hardly put this book down.
Silas's development from depressed weaver to loving father however: I adored it. I makes you root for him despite some unlovable characteristics.
I have read so many reviews of people saying they despised reading it. Why? How? Did we actually read the same book?
Is the pacing off? Yes. Does it contain long, convoluted sentences that could have easily been avoided? Absolutely. Should this have been a lot shorter? Most likely. It's a book from the mid-Victorian era.
But it is a heartfelt story about a man losing everything and then losing everything he's ever held dear again. Against all odds, he finds happiness again in the form of a small child who helps him recover his lost belief and sense of self. George Eliot had me grieve a broken pot. And that was 23 pages in.
As I said, the pacing is off. Rather than showing us how Eppie grows up with Silas, Eliot makes a time jump of 16 years. The first part of the book is slow and unnecessarily long; it talks a little about Silas's past and then repetitively approaches the life Silas lives, his role in the town he resides and the perspective of other townspeople. Yet I could still hardly put this book down.
Silas's development from depressed weaver to loving father however: I adored it. I makes you root for him despite some unlovable characteristics.
Our consciousness rarely registers the beginning of a growth within us any more than without us: there have been many circulations of the sap before we detect the smallest sign of the bud.
Before you start reading this, keep in mind that this book is highly moralistic and communicates a religious message. If that's not your thing, do not pick this up. As I wrote, this is a book that published in the mid-Victorian era and thus is what you should expect of Victorian literature <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, and Misogyny
Minor: Abandonment, Fatphobia, Racism, and Infidelity
Gezinsverpakking by Sebastiaan Chabot, Splinter Chabot, Yolanda Chabot, Bart Chabot, Maurits Chabot, Storm Chabot
en
Dit geschenk heeft mij in ieder geval enthousiast genoeg gemaakt om me te gaan verdiepen in de andere literatuur van de Chabotten!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Ik lees niet vaak (eigenlijk vrijwel nooit) in mijn moedertaal, maar de Chabotten en Boekenweek 2024 hebben me zo ver gekregen.
Om eerlijk te zijn, verwachtte ik een collectie van vrolijke verhalen. Hoewel het algemene geluk van de familie Chabot zichtbaar is in dit boekenweekgeschenk, domineert de strijd die we als mensen collectief aan het voeren zijn: de strijd met de tijd. Yolanda en Splinter springer er voor mij bovenuit, voornamelijk Splinter als hond Bril. In het eerste hoofdstuk zet hij direct de mood voor de verhalen die volgen:
Om eerlijk te zijn, verwachtte ik een collectie van vrolijke verhalen. Hoewel het algemene geluk van de familie Chabot zichtbaar is in dit boekenweekgeschenk, domineert de strijd die we als mensen collectief aan het voeren zijn: de strijd met de tijd. Yolanda en Splinter springer er voor mij bovenuit, voornamelijk Splinter als hond Bril. In het eerste hoofdstuk zet hij direct de mood voor de verhalen die volgen:
Hoewel ik altijd graag met hen meeloop, vroeger zelfs meerende, weet ik niet of ik het nog lang zal volhouden.
Of eigenlijk weet ik dat wel.
Ik ben al een tijdje afscheid aan het nemen.
en
Want de dood is een estafette.
Dit geschenk heeft mij in ieder geval enthousiast genoeg gemaakt om me te gaan verdiepen in de andere literatuur van de Chabotten!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
finished in a little over 48 hours. nuff said <3
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
THE END OH MY GOD
River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta
And the disappointment in public transport, which I could really relate to as a Dutch person:
I'm cracking up rereading all the quotes I highlighted.
If you are looking for a novel that pays attention to Jamaica's colonial past, has a group of friends that have the expected reaction to a deity forcing a quest upon them, underrated pop-culture references, and a breathtaking portrayal of Jamaican culture and mythology, then read this book. Honestly, even if you're not looking for this, I would still recommend it. I will most definitely be keeping an eye on anything else Reid-Benta published.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Zalika Reid-Benta knew exactly who her target audience was and it shows. River Mumma is a brilliant blend of references to colonialism, Jamaican culture and mythology, and millennial and Gen-Z slang. Alicia lives in modern-day Toronto and is currently going through a bit of a quarter-life crisis; as a 26-year-old, I could immediately relate. While she is walking home from a houseparty she didn't really want to attend, she is lured into the park by Jamaican water deity River Mumma, who tells her to find the comb that was stolen from her by a tourist. Cue a deadly, mythological quest through the city.
I really wasn't prepared for the comicality and wittiness of the narrator and her friends, who kept making me literally laugh out loud. Alicia has such an authentic and relatable reaction to being told she has to go on a hunt for a deity that she may or may not have hallucinated:
Zalika Reid-Benta knew exactly who her target audience was and it shows. River Mumma is a brilliant blend of references to colonialism, Jamaican culture and mythology, and millennial and Gen-Z slang. Alicia lives in modern-day Toronto and is currently going through a bit of a quarter-life crisis; as a 26-year-old, I could immediately relate. While she is walking home from a houseparty she didn't really want to attend, she is lured into the park by Jamaican water deity River Mumma, who tells her to find the comb that was stolen from her by a tourist. Cue a deadly, mythological quest through the city.
I really wasn't prepared for the comicality and wittiness of the narrator and her friends, who kept making me literally laugh out loud. Alicia has such an authentic and relatable reaction to being told she has to go on a hunt for a deity that she may or may not have hallucinated:
I'm really trying my best not to lose my shit, and I'm not doing a good job.
And the disappointment in public transport, which I could really relate to as a Dutch person:
She had often wondered if the universe and the Toronto Transit Commission worked together to conspire against her emotional and psychological well-being, but today she truly worried that something supernatural was at play.
I'm cracking up rereading all the quotes I highlighted.
If you are looking for a novel that pays attention to Jamaica's colonial past, has a group of friends that have the expected reaction to a deity forcing a quest upon them, underrated pop-culture references, and a breathtaking portrayal of Jamaican culture and mythology, then read this book. Honestly, even if you're not looking for this, I would still recommend it. I will most definitely be keeping an eye on anything else Reid-Benta published.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
Honestly, the only reason this doesn’t have a 5-star rating is because I couldn’t get a grip on the timeline and the pacing. Will definitely be reading more of Alice Walker!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Infidelity and Slavery