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li_reading's reviews
99 reviews
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
5.0
4.5 stars
I know that a rating of 4.5 for a classic, and one written by a man at that, probably comes as a surprise to those who know me. It certainly did to me, but I truly loved this book.
A Single Man put me in mind of A Little Life often while reading, and, perhaps surprisingly, not due to the morose subject matter or gay protagonist. But because both have the uncanny ability to make the mundane profound.
Several times while reading I found myself astounded at how much of myself I saw in George, despite having vastly different beliefs and experiences. There was something remarkably human (rather ironically, I suppose) about it all.
Despite being written in 1964, George’s complaints about the world largely remain true, and, while saddening, Isherwood’s prose makes it a joy to read all the same. I expect to find myself pawing through these pages time and time again, and only wish I had read it sooner.
I know that a rating of 4.5 for a classic, and one written by a man at that, probably comes as a surprise to those who know me. It certainly did to me, but I truly loved this book.
A Single Man put me in mind of A Little Life often while reading, and, perhaps surprisingly, not due to the morose subject matter or gay protagonist. But because both have the uncanny ability to make the mundane profound.
Several times while reading I found myself astounded at how much of myself I saw in George, despite having vastly different beliefs and experiences. There was something remarkably human (rather ironically, I suppose) about it all.
Despite being written in 1964, George’s complaints about the world largely remain true, and, while saddening, Isherwood’s prose makes it a joy to read all the same. I expect to find myself pawing through these pages time and time again, and only wish I had read it sooner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Antisemitism, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel
3.0
(TWs: Racism, Racial slurs, Rape, Suicide mention, Misogyny)
“How long, I begin to wonder, has my habit been to recount horror with a smile”
Misfits by Michaela Coel looks at the feelings of alienation, and determination in tandem, brought about by being a "Misfit". Speaking on the influence of class, race and sexuality, to name a few, Coel recounts her navigation through an industry, and a society, working against her success.
Coel's honest approach to writing leads me to believe that her manifesto is sure to resonate with many, and can easily be digested in an afternoon.
I did however, find myself getting a little lost in the analogies and metaphors at times, and struggled to form a coherent understanding of certain passages.
All in all, Misfits provides a brief, no-nonsense insight into Coel's experiences as a self-identified "Misfit", but it is unlikely that I will reach for it again.
“How long, I begin to wonder, has my habit been to recount horror with a smile”
Misfits by Michaela Coel looks at the feelings of alienation, and determination in tandem, brought about by being a "Misfit". Speaking on the influence of class, race and sexuality, to name a few, Coel recounts her navigation through an industry, and a society, working against her success.
Coel's honest approach to writing leads me to believe that her manifesto is sure to resonate with many, and can easily be digested in an afternoon.
I did however, find myself getting a little lost in the analogies and metaphors at times, and struggled to form a coherent understanding of certain passages.
All in all, Misfits provides a brief, no-nonsense insight into Coel's experiences as a self-identified "Misfit", but it is unlikely that I will reach for it again.
Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
3.0
Quite confused, largely went over my head, but I’m left with an overall positive feeling towards it nonetheless.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
4.0
I think it’s incredibly telling that I find a bug-man to be relatable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, and Bullying
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Incest and Suicide
Minor: Violence
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
4.0
It was very good, and absolutely wretched
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Alcohol, Death, Infidelity, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Alcoholism
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
3.0
“Remember this. The shadows are not real, the dreams can never hurt you, and you will be safe as long as you stay away from Gallant.”
I, like many others, have highly anticipated V E Schwab’s take on Gothic mystery; and I am saddened to say that it fell short of my expectations.
I will begin by saying that Schwab has never failed to set the scene, and Gallant is no exception. I truly felt transported into the marvel that is Gallant along with Olivia and enjoyed every moment of it.
Schwab, more than anyone else, is able to write characters that stick with me, and the side characters of Gallant are sure to do the same; I only wish I could say the same about Olivia. Of all the characters, Olivia felt the least dimensional and I found myself aching for her next interaction with anyone else. I will say however, that Olivia is the first mute character I have encountered and Schwab's ability to make Olivia's feelings and intentions known without sacrificing this is commendable.
By far, my largest qualm with the book is that it does not go anywhere. The events of the book may as well have not happened. No progress is made from the beginning of the book to its end, and the few differences are undesirable. The narrative manages to be entirely circular, massively anticlimactic, and left me with a distinct feeling of disappointment.
The most interesting aspect of the book is the element of mystery, which sadly lacks balance. Just as things begin to piece together, the answers are given outright, robbing the reader of the satisfaction of uncovering the mystery themselves. Furthermore, while many elements of the story are explained explicitly, there are several features of the world and narrative that go entirely unexplained. Rather than feeling like the narrative is open to interpretation, it gives the impression that the book is unfinished.
Overall, I feel overwhelmingly neutral towards Gallant. Readers who seek books that are beautifully descriptive and place little emphasis on plot are likely to enjoy Gallant (e.g fans of The Night Circus). However, I cannot help but feel that anyone picking up Gallant in hopes of tension, mystery, and resolution, will be left unsatisfied.
(TWs: Death, Death of Parent, Violence, Animal Death, Ableism, Child Death, Suicide, Self Harm)
I, like many others, have highly anticipated V E Schwab’s take on Gothic mystery; and I am saddened to say that it fell short of my expectations.
I will begin by saying that Schwab has never failed to set the scene, and Gallant is no exception. I truly felt transported into the marvel that is Gallant along with Olivia and enjoyed every moment of it.
Schwab, more than anyone else, is able to write characters that stick with me, and the side characters of Gallant are sure to do the same; I only wish I could say the same about Olivia. Of all the characters, Olivia felt the least dimensional and I found myself aching for her next interaction with anyone else. I will say however, that Olivia is the first mute character I have encountered and Schwab's ability to make Olivia's feelings and intentions known without sacrificing this is commendable.
By far, my largest qualm with the book is that it does not go anywhere. The events of the book may as well have not happened. No progress is made from the beginning of the book to its end, and the few differences are undesirable. The narrative manages to be entirely circular, massively anticlimactic, and left me with a distinct feeling of disappointment.
The most interesting aspect of the book is the element of mystery, which sadly lacks balance. Just as things begin to piece together, the answers are given outright, robbing the reader of the satisfaction of uncovering the mystery themselves. Furthermore, while many elements of the story are explained explicitly, there are several features of the world and narrative that go entirely unexplained. Rather than feeling like the narrative is open to interpretation, it gives the impression that the book is unfinished.
Overall, I feel overwhelmingly neutral towards Gallant. Readers who seek books that are beautifully descriptive and place little emphasis on plot are likely to enjoy Gallant (e.g fans of The Night Circus). However, I cannot help but feel that anyone picking up Gallant in hopes of tension, mystery, and resolution, will be left unsatisfied.
(TWs: Death, Death of Parent, Violence, Animal Death, Ableism, Child Death, Suicide, Self Harm)
The Comedy of Errors: Third Series by William Shakespeare
4.0
An absolute shitshow, and a hilarious one at that