mbuanno's reviews
27 reviews

The Stranger by Albert Camus

challenging dark slow-paced

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

4.0

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

adventurous lighthearted 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? It's complicated

2.75

I really wanted to like this book. But the ending felt rushed and nothing was tied up. 

Chouette by Claire Oshetsky

dark funny tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I was pulled in by the Eraserhead quote in the beginning. Despite making it through the book fairly quickly, I’m still not sure how much I liked it. It is an interesting premise but yet lacked a certain complexity in the storyline. The metaphor is there. I get that owl-babies are just non-“normal” children and that the mother is deeply mentally ill and the father is a man-child. However I suppose the disconnect for me was: I just didn’t care. The emotions weren’t there. Tiny didn’t feel real to me, I neither despised her or felt for her struggle. So while the plot was interesting, the characters left me something to desire. 

The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn

reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

Normal People by Sally Rooney
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

There but for the by Ali Smith
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

While it’s a beautifully written, captivating text (per usual of the author), I felt the only element it was missing was a stronger plot. A lot of the scenes were gruesome and disturbing, but almost felt like they were compensating for some of the plot. Still, very good read. I just wish I was left with a stronger feeling after finishing it. 

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

I was a bit biased coming into this book as I’ve already seen the movie. I wasn’t a huge fan of the movie but I loved the concept, and that’s what drove me to read the book. 

The book is definitely much better than the movie. The plot was much easier to follow and the storyline  made more sense in the end. 

This book kept me glued to it, and I finished it over the course of 24 hours. The prose was beautiful in describing complex emotions and thoughts, and I found myself relating to the main character in her view on the world and relationships.  Think we’ve all struggled with ending things. But this book takes poetically dark turns into the unexpected. 

The reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 was I felt the ending was a bit rushed. And yes, I know this book is slow as hell, but I still find the ending reveal to be a bit abrupt. I liked the clues throughout the novel but I would’ve liked to be more unsettled by the transition in the main characters perception. 

Overall, great read that touches on the life cycle of relationships, solitude, existential crisis, and mental illness. 

The Collector by John Fowles

dark inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

I had to force myself to not read this all in one sitting because I loved it so much and didn’t want it to end. This is an instant favorite and I’m already looking forward to re-reading. 

Absolutely beautiful literary writing. My favorite books are the ones that have the same smartness as a painting, and The Collector lives up to that desire completely. I’m left heartbroken and in awe of Miranda. 

Fowles writes the artist’s mind with accuracy and beauty. He writes the psychopath’s terrifyingly. 

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Loved this quick read. To me it reflects the feelings of isolation and loneliness that one feels when suffering a chronic or terminal illness. Pictures came to mind of those in the last stages of cancer, and how their appearance disturbs some to the point of unease. How lonely it must be, to be in a state so far removed from yourself, to be capable of nothing but hiding your frail and aching body under the sheets, and experience those around you shying away from your presence. I’ve seen it happen. And that is what made this story so very sad to me. 

The image of one of Gregor’s final acts, clinging to the framed photo on his wall, is him literally clinging to the last piece of his dignity and humanity. That was the hardest part to read. When Gregor realizes that he has lost his past and humanity, truly speaks to what it is to be human and be alive. 

This is an excellent read.