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majortomwaits's reviews
267 reviews
Dennis Hopper: The Wild Ride of a Hollywood Rebel by Peter L. Winkler
3.75
While deeply informative and exhaustive, it felt as if I was reading a long wikipedia article rather than a biography. Flow is nowhere to be found and the style is stuff to say the least.
Also no mention of Fishing With John? Shame.
Also no mention of Fishing With John? Shame.
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
5.0
Well, one thing that I gotta say is that it went where I didn't expect it to go. I really can't think of anything else to say that hasn't been said before, it's just exceptional.
The Road to Woodstock by Michael Lang
3.75
Rather tedious to get through, honestly, but it is relatively fast paced, so that made the resding easier. Was truly hoping for some fresh new insight, considering that Lang was one of the organizers, but it turns out that there really is almost nothing new to be learned about the legendary festival. Well, for me, at least. I suppose that this could be rather educational for someone who just watched the footage and didn't read up on the event and the circumstances surrounding it.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
4.0
I last read Wells in high school, so this was a very welcome return to his works. While thrilling, I didn't adore this one as I hoped I would, especially because The Invisible Man captivated me when I read it all those years ago. Despite it, it's still a competent work, very messy and unclear at times, but still wonderful.
Skagboys by Irvine Welsh
4.5
Very slow compared to the other books, however, it is very introspective and very touching at the same time. Reading Renton's diary chapters was especially emotional and I found that formatting to be a wonderful addition (the very same 'skag diaries' were mentioned in Dead Men's Trousers).
All in all, not my favourite in the series, but it remains a fantastic read.
All in all, not my favourite in the series, but it remains a fantastic read.
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
5.0
This one's easy to read and in a way hard to rate. I was aware of thise being a big deal for the feminist literature and I was curious about it for the longest time.
It is wonderful, it starts from the position of absolute terror and takes sucha turn of liberation. The only thing I can compare it to is Ibsen's Doll's House, though the big difference is that this was written by a woman.
It is wonderful, it starts from the position of absolute terror and takes sucha turn of liberation. The only thing I can compare it to is Ibsen's Doll's House, though the big difference is that this was written by a woman.
Dead Men's Trousers by Irvine Welsh
4.5
It is definitely not my favourite book of the 'series', but it is far from a dislike, as well.
Each of these books offers something else. Trainspotting offers the carefree youth and vigor mixed with distrust and drugs. Porno had that 10 years later conflict that was soaked in revenge and hatred that kept the tension up. The Blade Artist was practically a character study on grown Begbie. This one offered something akin to stability, almost, but mostly setting things straight.
It did make me cry, I'll admit to that, on a few occasions and for different reasons.
Each of these books offers something else. Trainspotting offers the carefree youth and vigor mixed with distrust and drugs. Porno had that 10 years later conflict that was soaked in revenge and hatred that kept the tension up. The Blade Artist was practically a character study on grown Begbie. This one offered something akin to stability, almost, but mostly setting things straight.
It did make me cry, I'll admit to that, on a few occasions and for different reasons.
Lionel Asbo: State of England by Martin Amis
3.5
I liked this to an extent. It's alright and funny, but I found myself getting bored withbit about halfway through. It did eventually pick itself back up, but it did break up my general fondness of it.
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. It is such an immersive work and I can't believe that I haven't considered getting into Le Guin's work earlier. Better late than never, I suppose, here's to many more.
Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
4.0
One of the better written works of non-fiction of this kind. While it does fall under the true crime category, I can't help but feel as if it doesn't fit with most of the works that are in that category. Because this is so horrid and so systemic that it feels wrong to place it next to a work of some charlatan who is obsessed with serial killers.
This is a work where victims come first and it is just heartbreaking to read as it unfolds. Even more heartbreaking is when a close comes and you realize that there's still about a hundred pages left. Because it didn't end with just a couple of guys being imprisoned. And that's what got to me the most.
Grann did fantastic work with this one, perhaps it is a tad too focused on the FBI, though I understand, it is partly about the founding of it. Regardless, the new evidence part was really well done and it is praise worthy that Grann went there himself and tried to see what he could find from the descendants and the local library.
This is a work where victims come first and it is just heartbreaking to read as it unfolds. Even more heartbreaking is when a close comes and you realize that there's still about a hundred pages left. Because it didn't end with just a couple of guys being imprisoned. And that's what got to me the most.
Grann did fantastic work with this one, perhaps it is a tad too focused on the FBI, though I understand, it is partly about the founding of it. Regardless, the new evidence part was really well done and it is praise worthy that Grann went there himself and tried to see what he could find from the descendants and the local library.