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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (392)
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had to sleep on this one before writing a review, because my god... It's a very long book, it covers a lot of ground, and it was very stressful, especially by the end.
First thing's first, the writing is excellent.
His character work is incredible. I felt firmly planted in each POV's head, and was definitely biased towards them when it was their turn, as well as completely exasperated with them and begging them to make different choices. But alas, the choices they made were so terribly human.
Also, all of the 4 main characters were very different people, but he wrote them all so well and convincingly. I was especially impressed with his ability to write a teen girl's coming of age. Can't always trust men to do that, but he knocked it out of the park. With her and all of the characters.
Some may complain about the long chapters (I did my fair share of grumbling) or the lack of quotation marks and odd use of grammar and punctuation. But I found, once I sank into the book, I didn't mind any of it at all. His line level writing was both compelling and compulsively readable. His grammar choices were very purposeful, he used humor expertly, and I also found myself highlighting dozens of striking metaphors and similes.
Basically, I feel comfortable saying that Paul Murray is an expert at his craft.
As for the plot, I didn't 100% love it. I don't think the book had to be quite that long. Then at the same time, I wish some things had been explored a bit more.
It definitely unfolded in an interesting way that kept me wanting to find out more. And it all served to build these fascinating characters.
I think that (according to my limited knowledge) it is a very Irish book. It painted a subtle, but somehow also vivid, picture of Irish culture, especially how emotions are expressed/repressed, and attitudes towards things like money, gender, and religion/sin.
Overall... I'm still kind of confused about my feelings regarding this book and how it went. It was just uncomfortable and unresolved, in a way that only Irish literature can be. I love that as much as it frustrates me. But I absolutely enjoyed the experience of reading it and I think that Paul Murray is brilliant. I will definitely be recommending this to lit fic readers and seeking out more of his work myself.
First thing's first, the writing is excellent.
His character work is incredible. I felt firmly planted in each POV's head, and was definitely biased towards them when it was their turn, as well as completely exasperated with them and begging them to make different choices. But alas, the choices they made were so terribly human.
Also, all of the 4 main characters were very different people, but he wrote them all so well and convincingly. I was especially impressed with his ability to write a teen girl's coming of age. Can't always trust men to do that, but he knocked it out of the park. With her and all of the characters.
Some may complain about the long chapters (I did my fair share of grumbling) or the lack of quotation marks and odd use of grammar and punctuation. But I found, once I sank into the book, I didn't mind any of it at all. His line level writing was both compelling and compulsively readable. His grammar choices were very purposeful, he used humor expertly, and I also found myself highlighting dozens of striking metaphors and similes.
Basically, I feel comfortable saying that Paul Murray is an expert at his craft.
As for the plot, I didn't 100% love it. I don't think the book had to be quite that long. Then at the same time, I wish some things had been explored a bit more.
It definitely unfolded in an interesting way that kept me wanting to find out more. And it all served to build these fascinating characters.
I think that (according to my limited knowledge) it is a very Irish book. It painted a subtle, but somehow also vivid, picture of Irish culture, especially how emotions are expressed/repressed, and attitudes towards things like money, gender, and religion/sin.
Overall... I'm still kind of confused about my feelings regarding this book and how it went. It was just uncomfortable and unresolved, in a way that only Irish literature can be. I love that as much as it frustrates me. But I absolutely enjoyed the experience of reading it and I think that Paul Murray is brilliant. I will definitely be recommending this to lit fic readers and seeking out more of his work myself.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked this!! I'm very eager to continue the story!
I could feel that basically this entire book was living in setup territory. It was very captivating - the historical aspect and political intrigue especially kept me turning pages. I definitely learned a lot about Irish history and had fun doing it. The prose was very readaable.
I didn't get a lot out of the characters just yet. I like the two main characters, and I enjoy that they are such good foils for each other. I'm really looking forward to everyone's arcs. But I felt that most of the characters' actions and interactions were quite cliche and predictable. I didn't have any big emotional reactions to anything in this book because nothing particularly surprised me.
Still greatly enjoyed this. This is firmly a setup book, but it did that job perfectly. I am so looking forward to how the plot goes, what arcs are in store for the characters, and how the magic will be woven into it more.
Extremely impressive debut here, and I can't wait to dive in further.
I could feel that basically this entire book was living in setup territory. It was very captivating - the historical aspect and political intrigue especially kept me turning pages. I definitely learned a lot about Irish history and had fun doing it. The prose was very readaable.
I didn't get a lot out of the characters just yet. I like the two main characters, and I enjoy that they are such good foils for each other. I'm really looking forward to everyone's arcs. But I felt that most of the characters' actions and interactions were quite cliche and predictable. I didn't have any big emotional reactions to anything in this book because nothing particularly surprised me.
Still greatly enjoyed this. This is firmly a setup book, but it did that job perfectly. I am so looking forward to how the plot goes, what arcs are in store for the characters, and how the magic will be woven into it more.
Extremely impressive debut here, and I can't wait to dive in further.
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
This was fun and cute and extremely silly. 😆 A pretty standard contemporary romance, except I'd say the premise/meet-cute is quite unique.
As a Tusconan, I enjoyed reading this book from a local author, taking place in our city. Recognizing some places she mentioned and this hobby/profession that is very prevalent here (even if it's not a hobby of mine). I honestly was expecting more specific Tucson references and love, and felt slightly let down on that front. But it was still fun.
I liked both of our main characters and identified a surprising amount with one of them. Also enjoyed the best friend characters, however tropey. And definitely appreciated the casual diversity throughout(except for the promiscuous bisexual trope, sigh) .
I will say this was QUITE spicy. 💀 At least much more than I expected, and starting much sooner than I expected. And the spice was written well, but I found a lot of it to be pretty goofy. 😅 But hey, whatever gets you going lol.
Overall, a fun and bingeable read.
As a Tusconan, I enjoyed reading this book from a local author, taking place in our city. Recognizing some places she mentioned and this hobby/profession that is very prevalent here (even if it's not a hobby of mine). I honestly was expecting more specific Tucson references and love, and felt slightly let down on that front. But it was still fun.
I liked both of our main characters and identified a surprising amount with one of them. Also enjoyed the best friend characters, however tropey. And definitely appreciated the casual diversity throughout
I will say this was QUITE spicy. 💀 At least much more than I expected, and starting much sooner than I expected. And the spice was written well, but I found a lot of it to be pretty goofy. 😅 But hey, whatever gets you going lol.
Overall, a fun and bingeable read.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This book is so important. This should absolutely be required reading for white Americans (if not all).
It wasn't exactly mindblowing for me, because I had no problem believing before that most everything in the US ties back to racism and slavery. But still, having it all laid out so plainly was extremely eye-opening. I can only imagine how much more eye-opening this could be for someone who has more recently opened their mind to deconstructing their prejudices. (That said, I don't want to paint myself as someone who is beyond doing the work. The work never ends.)
I liked the format of the timeline, with essays to explain how the events and ideas presented tie into current times. Personally, I understand the addition of the short stories and poems, but I could have done without them. At least on audio, they sometimes stopped the momentum. It's also just a personal problem because I strongly dislike listening to poetry read aloud. They did add an emotional element, though, and I appreciate it, even if it made for an imperfect reading experience.
I recommend this to all - though I want to say that it should be treated like a textbook of sorts. If you're one to binge-read history and learn well that way, then go for it. But if, like me, you aren't, please give this book enough time for you to understand and absorb it. Don't read this fast for a reading goal. Read this at the pace it demands for your personal growth and learning.
It wasn't exactly mindblowing for me, because I had no problem believing before that most everything in the US ties back to racism and slavery. But still, having it all laid out so plainly was extremely eye-opening. I can only imagine how much more eye-opening this could be for someone who has more recently opened their mind to deconstructing their prejudices. (That said, I don't want to paint myself as someone who is beyond doing the work. The work never ends.)
I liked the format of the timeline, with essays to explain how the events and ideas presented tie into current times. Personally, I understand the addition of the short stories and poems, but I could have done without them. At least on audio, they sometimes stopped the momentum. It's also just a personal problem because I strongly dislike listening to poetry read aloud. They did add an emotional element, though, and I appreciate it, even if it made for an imperfect reading experience.
I recommend this to all - though I want to say that it should be treated like a textbook of sorts. If you're one to binge-read history and learn well that way, then go for it. But if, like me, you aren't, please give this book enough time for you to understand and absorb it. Don't read this fast for a reading goal. Read this at the pace it demands for your personal growth and learning.
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Overall, I really liked this collection. I love Claire Keegan's writing. I typically don't reach for short fiction, but she is just so good at it. She is an expert at creating an atmosphere, and exploring themes through the settings and characters. And she uses words so economically. Her prose is thought-provoking, but very readable and to-the-point.
This collection was her debut, and it shows. Not all of these stories were standouts. Some were just odd and felt more like experiments that didn't quite work. Several of these stories just didn't hit as much; I didn't find them as thought-provoking and had a harder time finding the point / central theme.
I don't want to pigeonhole her, but I do think that Keegan is at her best when she's writing about Ireland / Irish stories. About half of these were set in the US, and most of those felt kind of off.
But generally, I think she's such a talented writer and I will absolutely keep reading her.
This collection was her debut, and it shows. Not all of these stories were standouts. Some were just odd and felt more like experiments that didn't quite work. Several of these stories just didn't hit as much; I didn't find them as thought-provoking and had a harder time finding the point / central theme.
I don't want to pigeonhole her, but I do think that Keegan is at her best when she's writing about Ireland / Irish stories. About half of these were set in the US, and most of those felt kind of off.
But generally, I think she's such a talented writer and I will absolutely keep reading her.
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a lot of fun with this!!
I very much enjoyed Kingfisher's prose - it was often beautifully descriptive without getting flowery. And also had a wonderful thread of humor throughout.
I enjoyed how self-referential this book is. It's a fairytale and it knows that, but also actively interrogated the simplistic storytelling and messaging/morals of classic fairytales. Love that it leaned more Brothers Grimm, too, with spooky curses and faerie stuff. Not everything could be magically fixed, at least not at the drop of a hat, and that was the point.
I liked Marra and her slow, realistic growth throughout the book. But the best part was definitely the full goofy ensemble. This would have been very boring without the sassy dust-wife, gentle giant, silly aunt, and endearing animals.
Overall, quite enjoyed this! It didn't have a ton of oomph to make it a real page-turner or a favorite, but I like it a lot and I'm excited to read more Kingfisher.
I very much enjoyed Kingfisher's prose - it was often beautifully descriptive without getting flowery. And also had a wonderful thread of humor throughout.
I enjoyed how self-referential this book is. It's a fairytale and it knows that, but also actively interrogated the simplistic storytelling and messaging/morals of classic fairytales. Love that it leaned more Brothers Grimm, too, with spooky curses and faerie stuff. Not everything could be magically fixed, at least not at the drop of a hat, and that was the point.
I liked Marra and her slow, realistic growth throughout the book. But the best part was definitely the full goofy ensemble. This would have been very boring without the sassy dust-wife, gentle giant, silly aunt, and endearing animals.
Overall, quite enjoyed this! It didn't have a ton of oomph to make it a real page-turner or a favorite, but I like it a lot and I'm excited to read more Kingfisher.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
You can really tell this man is a poet, based on both the way he writes and the way he narrates.
Beautiful, evocative writing; at once personal and universal. I loved the way he used music as a way to process his own feelings or life events. He is a very talented writer and provides a very wise and interesting lens through which to consider pop culture and recent history. I can't wait to read more from him.
I do feel that there were maybe a few too many essays in this collection. Maybe I was just listening too fast, though. Also, though I appreciate his poetic writing style, I didn't always love having it recited straight into my ears. Some of the run-on sentences made my brain overflow lol. Definitely a me problem, but still affected my experience.
Beautiful, evocative writing; at once personal and universal. I loved the way he used music as a way to process his own feelings or life events. He is a very talented writer and provides a very wise and interesting lens through which to consider pop culture and recent history. I can't wait to read more from him.
I do feel that there were maybe a few too many essays in this collection. Maybe I was just listening too fast, though. Also, though I appreciate his poetic writing style, I didn't always love having it recited straight into my ears. Some of the run-on sentences made my brain overflow lol. Definitely a me problem, but still affected my experience.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not really the conclusion I was expecting? Or hoping for, to be honest.
Still love Binti as a main character, and her weird friends. Her good vibes definitely carry this trilogy.
But this 3rd book especially felt kind of aimless? It was very repetitive, and the plot was pretty anticlimactic. And it got kind of exasperating just how many different things Binti is supposed to be, through no choice of her own. I understand that was kind of the point, and she was exasperated herself. But as a reader, it just became a lot to keep track of, with very little narrative payoff for any of it.
Still, overall, it's a very fun, cozy-feeling series with decent themes. And above all, a lovely main character. I just wanted a little more from this conclusion.
Still love Binti as a main character, and her weird friends. Her good vibes definitely carry this trilogy.
But this 3rd book especially felt kind of aimless? It was very repetitive, and the plot was pretty anticlimactic. And it got kind of exasperating just how many different things Binti is supposed to be, through no choice of her own. I understand that was kind of the point, and she was exasperated herself. But as a reader, it just became a lot to keep track of, with very little narrative payoff for any of it.
Still, overall, it's a very fun, cozy-feeling series with decent themes. And above all, a lovely main character. I just wanted a little more from this conclusion.
"Children's book published after 2020 by an author of color" for the 2025 genre challenge! I just walked into the library and picked a fun looking book that was on display.
Not gonna rate because I feel I have no business rating a children's book. But this was so cool! Love the idea of the Li'l Queens series. I didn't know about Amina and she is awesome, and I love the message of the book that you can be both a queen and a warrior. :)
Not gonna rate because I feel I have no business rating a children's book. But this was so cool! Love the idea of the Li'l Queens series. I didn't know about Amina and she is awesome, and I love the message of the book that you can be both a queen and a warrior. :)