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marrowandmoss's reviews
6 reviews
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book was a seminal influence on me and the awareness of and development of my political ideology.
It's a fun romp. No one will ever accuse Edward Abbey of being the most skilled writer to have ever lived. This novel in particular is raucous, sometimes raunchy, always irreverent.
The characters are a bunch of misfits and outsiders fighting to protect the land they love so much. Protect the wilderness by any means necessary.
You can feel how much Abbey loves the American Soutwest in the way he describes it. Reading his words brings me back to old memories and I can taste the Sonoran dust in my teeth.
It's a fun romp. No one will ever accuse Edward Abbey of being the most skilled writer to have ever lived. This novel in particular is raucous, sometimes raunchy, always irreverent.
The characters are a bunch of misfits and outsiders fighting to protect the land they love so much. Protect the wilderness by any means necessary.
You can feel how much Abbey loves the American Soutwest in the way he describes it. Reading his words brings me back to old memories and I can taste the Sonoran dust in my teeth.
The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidson
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This one is definitely a challenge. If you're a fan of the Southern Gothic style, this is definitely for you.
It can slow down in parts, but to me it felt like a reprieve. This is a story of trauma, family, magic, and the secrets that can hide in the bayou.
The descriptions are vivid, I knew exactly the kinds of places he was talking about.
It can slow down in parts, but to me it felt like a reprieve. This is a story of trauma, family, magic, and the secrets that can hide in the bayou.
The descriptions are vivid, I knew exactly the kinds of places he was talking about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Blood, Car accident, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual violence
The Chaos Protocols: Magical Techniques for Navigating the New Economic Reality by Gordon White
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Everyone always says that Carroll's Liber Null is the only Chaos Magic book you will ever need, but I would challenge them to pick this book up.
I found a copy at Left Bank Books and absolutely devoured it. I've been a fan of Gordon White for some time but I hadn't read any of his work. His podcast is wonderful and informative but I've been so-so on the man himself, usually consuming for his guests. This was an amazing experience to read.
This book is very accessible, which anyone who has read any kind of magical text will tell you is a must. There is a distinct lack of pretension and while some of the text is prescriptive most of the book is giving simply a framework within which to do your work.
This is definitely a book that deserves some extra time given to some of its concepts.
I found a copy at Left Bank Books and absolutely devoured it. I've been a fan of Gordon White for some time but I hadn't read any of his work. His podcast is wonderful and informative but I've been so-so on the man himself, usually consuming for his guests. This was an amazing experience to read.
This book is very accessible, which anyone who has read any kind of magical text will tell you is a must. There is a distinct lack of pretension and while some of the text is prescriptive most of the book is giving simply a framework within which to do your work.
This is definitely a book that deserves some extra time given to some of its concepts.
Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by Ted Orland, David Bayles
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
As an artist that has been trying to find myself again and get back into the swing of things books like this have been helpful
Catholica: The Visual Culture of Catholicism by Suzanna Ivanic
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A wonderful academic examination of the role of art in the history of Catholic practice. Beautiful examples of paintings, architecture, and the theological, social, and historical contexts in which they were made and continue to be relevant.
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
What a joy of a read! This was such a beautiful book, some of the loveliest writing I've come across in a long while. The characters are tragic, their love a queer island amidst two distinct histories wrought with pain, abuse, the torture of birth and death and love; a rose amongst the bramble of the world.
It is extremely gory, but it never inspires revolt. Instead it's a beautiful juxtaposition of the flowery language of the text with the ugliness of what is being described. The violence is ethereal in a way only befitting the fairy tales which birthed this story.
Truly, I cannot recommend it enough. My favorite description in the book:
"I look to the tree line where the pines stand like a tribunal in judgement. Sunlight breaks itself upon their branches, and the world beneath them is stark, no color at all, a chiaroscuro of midnight and salt."
It is extremely gory, but it never inspires revolt. Instead it's a beautiful juxtaposition of the flowery language of the text with the ugliness of what is being described. The violence is ethereal in a way only befitting the fairy tales which birthed this story.
Truly, I cannot recommend it enough. My favorite description in the book:
"I look to the tree line where the pines stand like a tribunal in judgement. Sunlight breaks itself upon their branches, and the world beneath them is stark, no color at all, a chiaroscuro of midnight and salt."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Kidnapping