madeleinesbookshelf's reviews
36 reviews

Remainders of the Day by Shaun Bythell

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

The Birdcage Library by Freya Berry

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The pacing was slow at the beginning, but once it picked up I found it to be quite gripping in places. The writing is very descriptive, and the characters are fleshed out well. 

In Good Company: 60 Years with The Royal Ballet by Leslie Edwards

informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

An informative autobiography from one of the Royal Ballet’s longest-serving dancers. Edwards details the growth of British ballet in the 1930s and documents how the Royal Ballet company grew in prestige over the decades. The writing is witty and light-hearted, and the little stories Edwards shares are very nice to read about. 

Recovering Christina Rossetti: Female Community and Incarnational Poetics by M. Arseneau

medium-paced

3.5

Jean de Florette by Marcel Pagnol

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The Pre-Romantic Ballet by Marian Hannah Winter

informative medium-paced

4.25

One of the defining studies on the topic of ballet and dance up to the 18/19th century. Winter draws upon study from several European countries and traces dance families through their performances. She details the history of both the choreography and design, and goes into strong detail using a range of sources. A recommended read for anyone interested in the subject. 

Le château de ma mère by Marcel Pagnol

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Found it a bit harder to get into when compared with other Russian novels. 

Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary by Anita Anand

informative inspiring medium-paced

4.25

An interesting and informative biography of a historical figure who is not often spoken of. 

Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A rather challenging read, but a good one nonetheless. The chapters of Morgan and Ford and economics bored me and to me Doctorow’s original characters were more interesting. 

I read this book at the same time as studying American in the 20th century, and found having that historical context made Doctorow’s characters and ideas a bit easier to comprehend.

I recommend it as a look into cultural and social views in America, but know that it is a book that’s not for everyone.