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librainian_44's reviews
395 reviews
New Boy by Tracy Chevalier
4.0
Amazing and powerful and creative retelling of Othello for the Hogarth Shakespeare Series. New Boy sets the story in a 1970s-era elementary school in suburban DC, and the whole story unfolds in a day. Chevalier nails the school subculture, with bullies, good kids, drama queens and outcasts, while staying true to Othello's storyline. Using children as characters in no way diminishes the racism, jealousy and betrayal but distills them to a purer form. I think Shakespeare would be proud.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
4.0
One of most delightful books I've read in years--just pleasure.
Larchfield by Polly Clark
2.0
I am interested in Auden and was really looking forward to this. The fictional part about him was good but I didn't like the modern day character or or sympathize with her situation much. The literary device of having them be friends in some kind of time portal way had potential but in the end just didn't work for me.
In the Shadow of the Magic Mountain: The Erika and Klaus Mann Story by Andrea Weiss
4.0
Discovered this sister and brother by learning more about the poet W H Auden. Fascinating lives and I learned a lot about pre-war Germany and the early rise of Hitler.
Elmet by Fiona Mozley
2.0
Dark, disturbing story set in Yorkshire. It felt like the deep past but was jarringly in the present!
Journal of Madam Knight by Sarah Knight
3.0
Really enjoyed this short historical read. I was not expecting the humor but Sarah Kemble Knight sounds like a fun woman to know. Enjoyed references to places I know in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
How to Be Black by Baratunde R. Thurston
3.0
Ouch, this one stings. Some humor to help the sting, but still ouch.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
4.0
This story reminded me of how Japanese people package small things--neatly, efficiently, cleverly, and with great beauty. That was how this small novel conveyed the story of an odd young woman who does not fit in. I suspect she is what we would call "on the spectrum" but she is not unhappy. Maybe a little lonely, and most of all puzzled by what people want from her. I found it sweet and poignant.
Near to the Wild Heart by Clarice Lispector
3.0
I really liked Lispector's first novel, written when she was 23. I'm sure I only grasped a small part of the literary depth. Main character Joanna is hyper-conscious of her thoughts and impressions, almost to the point of madness. I have never read anything like this before.