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l_nolastname's reviews
131 reviews
Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.4/5 Stars *CW: R••••••• Slur on p.133*
I dislike George Orwell's writing (all one has to do is read my reviews to find out just how much I dislike him lol), but without his dry ass satirical fascist manuals pretending-to-be novels, we wouldn't have the Orwellian trope. Ella Minnow Pea is an epistolic, fast-paced, Orwellian-esque novella. And Mark Dunn is a verbalist master. Once again 1984 is improved upon. I do hope that Dunnism catches on and fanciful-fascism becomes the new norm for the oligarchical dystopian genre.
p.s. If you'd like to read another wholesome 1984-esque story try Felix Salten's Bambi A Life In The Woods
I dislike George Orwell's writing (all one has to do is read my reviews to find out just how much I dislike him lol), but without his dry ass satirical fascist manuals pretending-to-be novels, we wouldn't have the Orwellian trope. Ella Minnow Pea is an epistolic, fast-paced, Orwellian-esque novella. And Mark Dunn is a verbalist master. Once again 1984 is improved upon. I do hope that Dunnism catches on and fanciful-fascism becomes the new norm for the oligarchical dystopian genre.
p.s. If you'd like to read another wholesome 1984-esque story try Felix Salten's Bambi A Life In The Woods
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
*CW: R••••••• Slur on p.133*
It Gets Bitter: Poetry by DarkMatter by Alok Vaid-Menon, Janani Balasubramanian
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.7/5.0 Stars
I saw DarkMatter perform their #ItGetsBitter poetry in 2016. It was clear then that Alok was a gifted performer and talented writer. While Janani was clearly the personality and confidence of the duo. And while I don't personally care for Janani's poetry, it's not to say that it's not good, it's just that the quality of the works are very inconsistent and can't compete with Alok's writing; although 9/11: a love story was inspired. However, Alok's poetry isn't without its own faults. The prose at times are a bit cliched with queer stereotypes, and heavy handed with "woke" buzzwords. And yet, the artistry lies in how well they're used to affect the reader's sensibilities. I feel, for me at least, that if DarkMatter hadn't insist upon becoming the voice of a BIPOC Queer/Trans generation, then they probably would have been.
And one last note, if you're white or identify yourself as white, regardless of where you land on the queer spectrum, don't bother reading this. This isn't for you nor will you be able to comprehend the nuances that this work is steeped in. In fact you'll probably get offended the moment you read, It Gets Bourgie Project (which is so on point that it transcends time and space itself, and is an instant classic of satirical work). Neither will you get any cool woke ally points. Somethings aren't for everyone and that's ok. And acknowledging and respecting that is even better.
I saw DarkMatter perform their #ItGetsBitter poetry in 2016. It was clear then that Alok was a gifted performer and talented writer. While Janani was clearly the personality and confidence of the duo. And while I don't personally care for Janani's poetry, it's not to say that it's not good, it's just that the quality of the works are very inconsistent and can't compete with Alok's writing; although 9/11: a love story was inspired. However, Alok's poetry isn't without its own faults. The prose at times are a bit cliched with queer stereotypes, and heavy handed with "woke" buzzwords. And yet, the artistry lies in how well they're used to affect the reader's sensibilities. I feel, for me at least, that if DarkMatter hadn't insist upon becoming the voice of a BIPOC Queer/Trans generation, then they probably would have been.
And one last note, if you're white or identify yourself as white, regardless of where you land on the queer spectrum, don't bother reading this. This isn't for you nor will you be able to comprehend the nuances that this work is steeped in. In fact you'll probably get offended the moment you read, It Gets Bourgie Project (which is so on point that it transcends time and space itself, and is an instant classic of satirical work). Neither will you get any cool woke ally points. Somethings aren't for everyone and that's ok. And acknowledging and respecting that is even better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman, Chip Kidd
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I am giving this graduation speech, Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman, five stars instead of four due to the second bit of advice he offers the graduates. While I view most of the advice he gave as common sense, especially to those who have grown up/work in the arts, the second bit of advice is brilliant! And regardless if you know exactly the career you'd like to have and how to go about it, I still think it's prudent to at least intern, if not not outright work, in a position that would satisfy said advice. In the arts there really is no such thing as being overly prepared! And this speech, while addressed to artist, is a proactive counsel to those who wish to live liberated from the laborious shackles of modern day capitalism.
_______
1. “The rules on what is possible and impossible in the arts were made by people who have not tested the bounds of the possible by going beyond them. And you can.”
“If you don’t know it’s impossible it’s easier to do. And because nobody’s done it before they haven’t made up rules to stop anyone doing that again, yet.”
_______
2. If you know what you want to be doing, just do that. And if you’re unsure how to do it, then find a job within the field that will allow you to ask questions while improving your technique and honing your craft.
Say yes to that which will bring you a step closer to your ultimate goal. Before accepting a job ask yourself, will this bring me closer or farther away from my ultimate goal. Keep in mind that certain experiences at the beginning of your journey may have brought you closer, however, at this moment they may actually cause you to step back. And remember that this same experience in the future could come full circle and become a step forward.
______
3. Never do work solely for the money; rarely is the work rewarding, and more often than not the money doesn’t pay.
Learn to say no to that which will not repay your time, effort, and energy back in kind.
______
4. Learn to see the purpose a mistake serves. Is this mistake one you should learn from, or is it also one that you can repurpose and use to your advantage?
______
5. Work for you. And in doing so you will find yourself.
______
6. You get hired because: your work is good, you’re easy to work with, you deliver on time. Rarely will it be because of all three. “People will tolerate how unpleasant you are if your work is good and you deliver it on time. They’ll forgive the lateness of the work if it’s good, and if they like you. And you don’t have to be as good as the others if you’re on time and it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.”
______
Other important takeaways:
Do not pretend to do it, that fake it till you make it, instead pretend to be someone who can do it; and then do it!
“We’re in a transitional world right now, […]. The distribution channels that people have built over the last century or so are in flux [...]. The rules, the assumptions […] are breaking down. The gatekeepers are leaving their gates.”
_______
1. “The rules on what is possible and impossible in the arts were made by people who have not tested the bounds of the possible by going beyond them. And you can.”
“If you don’t know it’s impossible it’s easier to do. And because nobody’s done it before they haven’t made up rules to stop anyone doing that again, yet.”
_______
2. If you know what you want to be doing, just do that. And if you’re unsure how to do it, then find a job within the field that will allow you to ask questions while improving your technique and honing your craft.
Say yes to that which will bring you a step closer to your ultimate goal. Before accepting a job ask yourself, will this bring me closer or farther away from my ultimate goal. Keep in mind that certain experiences at the beginning of your journey may have brought you closer, however, at this moment they may actually cause you to step back. And remember that this same experience in the future could come full circle and become a step forward.
______
3. Never do work solely for the money; rarely is the work rewarding, and more often than not the money doesn’t pay.
Learn to say no to that which will not repay your time, effort, and energy back in kind.
______
4. Learn to see the purpose a mistake serves. Is this mistake one you should learn from, or is it also one that you can repurpose and use to your advantage?
______
5. Work for you. And in doing so you will find yourself.
______
6. You get hired because: your work is good, you’re easy to work with, you deliver on time. Rarely will it be because of all three. “People will tolerate how unpleasant you are if your work is good and you deliver it on time. They’ll forgive the lateness of the work if it’s good, and if they like you. And you don’t have to be as good as the others if you’re on time and it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.”
______
Other important takeaways:
Do not pretend to do it, that fake it till you make it, instead pretend to be someone who can do it; and then do it!
“We’re in a transitional world right now, […]. The distribution channels that people have built over the last century or so are in flux [...]. The rules, the assumptions […] are breaking down. The gatekeepers are leaving their gates.”
Content Warnings
NO CONTENT WARNING JUST THE VIDEO OF NEIL GAIMAN GIVING THE ORIGINAL SPEECH
Neil Gaiman Addresses the University of the Arts Class of 2012 from University of the Arts on Vimeo.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While this isn't the type of book I usually read, I was pleasantly entertained by it. The last 50 pages was a roller coaster ride. Wouldn't reread this book, but I would def recommend it. A fast paced thriller by an unreliable narrative that keeps you guessing how it will end up until the very last page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Grief, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Child death, and Infertility
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Body shaming, and Misogyny
Implied dubious consent on page. 274
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
1.5/5 Stars
The story is an easy read, however the character is a flat, one-dimensional, stereotypical, caricature of a boy with autism. The character definitely doesn't have autism so says Haddon, he just based the character on his experience working with children who have autism.
The story is an easy read, however the character is a flat, one-dimensional, stereotypical, caricature of a boy with autism. The character definitely doesn't have autism so says Haddon, he just based the character on his experience working with children who have autism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Animal cruelty