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lucysbookshelf's reviews
45 reviews
Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky
4.0
This is Dostoyevsky's first written novel, the one that made him known throughout Russia and consolidated him as an author, bringing his short stories and translations to the attention of many.
As a reader, I always thought there would be a before and after what Dostoyevsky lives in his imprisonment in Siberia in his writing and this novel proved me right. He was a good writer in both times, but his concerns, topics and convictions changed and his novels made that very present.
Here we have a social novel that focuses on poverty and the different problems it might bring like diseases, starvation, isolation, humiliation from fellow men, forced marriages and even death.
If it wasn't because there weren't any comic scenes, I would've thought this was a Dickens novel, something that never happened to me while reading Dostoyevsky before. His later works (after Siberia) focus on darker topics, on a fight of ideals between what's right and what's not, between faith in God and christianity and the eternal doubts a man can have of them while in distress.
This epistolary novel allows his author to show his genius, even in his debut novel, and shows ideals that will accompany him all his life, like having faith in God even when all is lost, the importance of charity and the unavoidable suffering that life brings to every human being.
As a reader, I always thought there would be a before and after what Dostoyevsky lives in his imprisonment in Siberia in his writing and this novel proved me right. He was a good writer in both times, but his concerns, topics and convictions changed and his novels made that very present.
Here we have a social novel that focuses on poverty and the different problems it might bring like diseases, starvation, isolation, humiliation from fellow men, forced marriages and even death.
If it wasn't because there weren't any comic scenes, I would've thought this was a Dickens novel, something that never happened to me while reading Dostoyevsky before. His later works (after Siberia) focus on darker topics, on a fight of ideals between what's right and what's not, between faith in God and christianity and the eternal doubts a man can have of them while in distress.
This epistolary novel allows his author to show his genius, even in his debut novel, and shows ideals that will accompany him all his life, like having faith in God even when all is lost, the importance of charity and the unavoidable suffering that life brings to every human being.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
4.0
This book surprised me in the best way possible. The first one was good but seemed to be the introduction to the story and those can be a bit slow and not have much going on, but this one? The political conflicts with a war being imminent, the character of Jude becoming stronger and more powerful, smart and learning to manage her youthful instincts with the mature side that Elfhame, her family and Cardan need of her? It went better than the expectations I had for it.
In the middle of the book, I was a bit disappointed in Cardan, I was expecting for him to be as strong as Jude, to be witty and to surprise me but it wasn't until the very end that I saw that in him. (This may be an unpopular opinion but I liked the final plot twist).
All in all, this book is now my favorite from this series (it remains to be seen if The Queen of Nothing can win over it).
In the middle of the book, I was a bit disappointed in Cardan, I was expecting for him to be as strong as Jude, to be witty and to surprise me but it wasn't until the very end that I saw that in him. (This may be an unpopular opinion but I liked the final plot twist).
All in all, this book is now my favorite from this series (it remains to be seen if The Queen of Nothing can win over it).
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
4.0
It is with great pain that I get to say that I finished this series.
First of all, I have to acknowledge that the ambience this series has is unmatched. The fantasy world of the Fae, Elfhame, the castles, the different Courts and the aesthetic of it all with their makeup, their accessories and their pretty dresses were so satisfying to picture in my mind. I also need you all to know that Jude carried this whole series on her shoulders. She is such a smart, strong and imperfect FMC that it was enjoyable seeing her make mistakes, learn and grow from them, read about her feelings and her thoughts, even when they weren't the ones that would be fitting for a hero.
Second of all, I couldn't understand all the hype I saw in social media for Cardan. In the first two books, he is cruel with charming moments and the "bad boy" stereotype but we don't get to really see him shine nor in witty nor in strength. I don't agree with how the author seemed to justify his cruel actions as him being a victim of a terrible childhood (this must have been before authors learned how much we love villains and how we don't need them to justify any action at all). Now, in this book, I swore my loyalty to Cardan and became another obsessed fangirl of his. He is so mature, witty and shows a strength different from the one Jude has but one that he needs more, he shows how much he loves Jude and his loyal friends from the Court of Shadows and even almost gives his life to become something different than the awful and wicked king all thought he would become.
Last but not least, this is "the" book of this series, the best one without a doubt and the one that makes me wish Holly Black would consider picking this series up again and maybe give us a glimpse into the future of Elfhame and our beloved characters.
First of all, I have to acknowledge that the ambience this series has is unmatched. The fantasy world of the Fae, Elfhame, the castles, the different Courts and the aesthetic of it all with their makeup, their accessories and their pretty dresses were so satisfying to picture in my mind. I also need you all to know that Jude carried this whole series on her shoulders. She is such a smart, strong and imperfect FMC that it was enjoyable seeing her make mistakes, learn and grow from them, read about her feelings and her thoughts, even when they weren't the ones that would be fitting for a hero.
Second of all, I couldn't understand all the hype I saw in social media for Cardan. In the first two books, he is cruel with charming moments and the "bad boy" stereotype but we don't get to really see him shine nor in witty nor in strength. I don't agree with how the author seemed to justify his cruel actions as him being a victim of a terrible childhood (this must have been before authors learned how much we love villains and how we don't need them to justify any action at all). Now, in this book, I swore my loyalty to Cardan and became another obsessed fangirl of his. He is so mature, witty and shows a strength different from the one Jude has but one that he needs more, he shows how much he loves Jude and his loyal friends from the Court of Shadows and even almost gives his life to become something different than the awful and wicked king all thought he would become.
Last but not least, this is "the" book of this series, the best one without a doubt and the one that makes me wish Holly Black would consider picking this series up again and maybe give us a glimpse into the future of Elfhame and our beloved characters.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
5.0
I don't think I'll ever find the right words to describe the experience reading this book is but I'll try.
I want to start by saying that this is a love letter to Syria and to humanity in so many ways that I can't convey it in only phrases. The author describes the brutal reality our characters live in while also showing so much love and respect for their history, their nation and humanity.
The writing was beautiful from the very beginning. This author doesn't get lost in forced dialogue or exaggerated descriptions, she goes to the point and sets a serious tone for everything that happens in the book.
This leads me to talk about the characters and I can't be objective, Salama is someone you feel like a friend and like someone you want to protect from all harm from the very beginning and until the last page of this story. Then appears Kenan and you start feeling the same way Salama does, like there can be some hope and happiness even in the worst realities imaginable, like there is still some hope for humanity as long as we have this heroes that risk their lives for others and dream of a better life for themselves and for all generations to come.
Some scenes in this book are impressionable and I thought I was going to DNF because of them but it had the contrary effect, I wanted to read it all and inform myself better about what Syria lived through in those years that I was so young to even comprehend it (I think I was 10 years old when the Civil War started).
I could talk about how much I loved this book, some scenes, it's characters and quotes for months but I'd rather just say that this book deserves every praise imaginable and that everyone should read it.
I want to start by saying that this is a love letter to Syria and to humanity in so many ways that I can't convey it in only phrases. The author describes the brutal reality our characters live in while also showing so much love and respect for their history, their nation and humanity.
The writing was beautiful from the very beginning. This author doesn't get lost in forced dialogue or exaggerated descriptions, she goes to the point and sets a serious tone for everything that happens in the book.
This leads me to talk about the characters and I can't be objective, Salama is someone you feel like a friend and like someone you want to protect from all harm from the very beginning and until the last page of this story. Then appears Kenan and you start feeling the same way Salama does, like there can be some hope and happiness even in the worst realities imaginable, like there is still some hope for humanity as long as we have this heroes that risk their lives for others and dream of a better life for themselves and for all generations to come.
Some scenes in this book are impressionable and I thought I was going to DNF because of them but it had the contrary effect, I wanted to read it all and inform myself better about what Syria lived through in those years that I was so young to even comprehend it (I think I was 10 years old when the Civil War started).
I could talk about how much I loved this book, some scenes, it's characters and quotes for months but I'd rather just say that this book deserves every praise imaginable and that everyone should read it.
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Machado de Assis
5.0
This was a recommendation from one of my friends who is from Brazil and since he read this book, he wouldn't stop praising Machado de Assis' genius and his witty writing.
Starting this book I had some big expectations about the writing being witty, fun and flowing freely and those were met perfectly.
The idea of a man writing his memoirs being already dead is so original and it's a mix of fun and melancholy. Given that our author is dead, he doesn't shy away from criticizing, showing his love and his resentment, his joys and his regrets (mostly the latter) and of making fun of people he once met.
The funniest thing was the descriptions he made, such as "lame Venus" and "concentrated hospital", both being allusions to characters.
The story had moments where Brás' thoughts intercepted and showed us his philosophy, his shame at something to come or his true feelings about it. It also flowed well with short chapters and the author's unique perception of people, their intentions and their weaknesses. And something that I always enjoy in books is when the author talks to the reader directly to judge or try to influence.
What impacted me the most, was how the character kept regretting not having kids, asking himself who would he leave his legacy of human misery, but the answer is pretty simple and it's that he is leaving that legacy to us, his readers.
I'll say that if you enjoy some dark humor, negativity in characters and are not looking for the perfect hero, then you'll love this book as much as I have.
Starting this book I had some big expectations about the writing being witty, fun and flowing freely and those were met perfectly.
The idea of a man writing his memoirs being already dead is so original and it's a mix of fun and melancholy. Given that our author is dead, he doesn't shy away from criticizing, showing his love and his resentment, his joys and his regrets (mostly the latter) and of making fun of people he once met.
The funniest thing was the descriptions he made, such as "lame Venus" and "concentrated hospital", both being allusions to characters.
The story had moments where Brás' thoughts intercepted and showed us his philosophy, his shame at something to come or his true feelings about it. It also flowed well with short chapters and the author's unique perception of people, their intentions and their weaknesses. And something that I always enjoy in books is when the author talks to the reader directly to judge or try to influence.
What impacted me the most, was how the character kept regretting not having kids, asking himself who would he leave his legacy of human misery, but the answer is pretty simple and it's that he is leaving that legacy to us, his readers.
I'll say that if you enjoy some dark humor, negativity in characters and are not looking for the perfect hero, then you'll love this book as much as I have.