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mint_renegade's reviews
163 reviews
Lazarillo de Tormes and the Swindler: Two Spanish Picaresque Novels by
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Short story syndrome
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
like a dawning epiphany
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
adventurous
dark
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Realistically a 3.5 but I'm feeling sentimental so 4.
This was too long, a lot of the middle chapters felt sluggish and without purpose. But an excitement to get to know and understand Lestat kept me coming back. Armand and Marius' backgrounds really hooked me. Akasha and enkil chapters I'd like to revisit. The notion of ancient Egyptian vampires thrills me - I could have done with more chapters just on this plane.
There's a different depth to book 2, not the philosophical kind to be found in book 1 (maybe because Louis was ever the philosopher, Lestat the anarchist, the wolfkiller. To louis death was a romantic tragedy, to Lestat it was life's inevitability; and when death's finality was taken away it became something to goad at, to antagonize and toy with)
This was too long, a lot of the middle chapters felt sluggish and without purpose. But an excitement to get to know and understand Lestat kept me coming back. Armand and Marius' backgrounds really hooked me. Akasha and enkil chapters I'd like to revisit. The notion of ancient Egyptian vampires thrills me - I could have done with more chapters just on this plane.
There's a different depth to book 2, not the philosophical kind to be found in book 1 (maybe because Louis was ever the philosopher, Lestat the anarchist, the wolfkiller. To louis death was a romantic tragedy, to Lestat it was life's inevitability; and when death's finality was taken away it became something to goad at, to antagonize and toy with)
Duino Elegies by Rainer Maria Rilke
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Like being buoyed on a float in the middle of the Pacific while a storm rages on.
How to read - an elegy a day; read it in your head; then reread it aloud; then read the commentary; then reread the poem.
How to read - an elegy a day; read it in your head; then reread it aloud; then read the commentary; then reread the poem.
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Did not finish book. Stopped at 70%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 70%.
Pulitzer my ass.
When you don't feel it, you probably aren't going to feel it. If it didn't click at page 200, it wasn't going to at 400.
70% of thr way through and key characters remained indistinguishable
When you don't feel it, you probably aren't going to feel it. If it didn't click at page 200, it wasn't going to at 400.
70% of thr way through and key characters remained indistinguishable
I Have the Right to Destroy Myself by Young-Ha Kim
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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
2.0
I was looking for something in the realm of steppenwolf, this wasn't it.
Winter by Karl Ove Knausgård
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
2.0
missives and ramblings, here and there alluding to winter; window panes that seek to make the outside visible inside, manhole covers that when uncovered lead to more questions than answers - what this has to do with winter, i don't know. i enjoyed it for what it was. a capsule for the season, a compilation of missives to read during the commute. it made for a soothing balm when read in conjunction with austen, byron and ovid.
enjoyed, but not memorable
enjoyed, but not memorable
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
it was fine
language - i think this is a regency era classic. having read it, i am convinced this is a period i will not be readily seeking in any future reading. not a style of writing i enjoyed; it felt excessively indulgent; the language constrained to the period in which it was written. i am glad to be able to say "i read pride and prejudice" but can say that it is a story that will pass very quickly from my remembrance (at least as it was depicted in the source material - luckily i have the 2005 screen adaptation to refer to at any time). i read some 80 pages physically, and the rest in audiobook format, the latter for which i am grateful. i don't think i would have been able to finish it otherwise.
characters - darcy felt stiff almost to the point of being one-dimensional. mrs bennet's ignorance and lack of self-awareness was abhorrent and jane, in her bid for impartiality appeared excessively naïve. the unending politeness of english society, which i so greatly loathe in my own time, was so concentrated in these characters as to make the reading experience annoying.
that being said, darcy's peevishness may have been his way of rebuffing fake bitches; mrs bennet's eagerness is directed towards the security of her children; and jane, being the eldest of five, was forced into a role of temperance to counter a neurotic mother, an inattentive father, a strong willed confidante in eliza, and an excitable brood of younger sisters.
plot - nothing happened, and i liked it. although it was jarring just how quick darcy was to change his manner, but i suppose for true love (or plot advancement) vices are easily shucked.
23.04 - someone on insta said darcy has social anxiety/is autistic. i felt that
language - i think this is a regency era classic. having read it, i am convinced this is a period i will not be readily seeking in any future reading. not a style of writing i enjoyed; it felt excessively indulgent; the language constrained to the period in which it was written. i am glad to be able to say "i read pride and prejudice" but can say that it is a story that will pass very quickly from my remembrance (at least as it was depicted in the source material - luckily i have the 2005 screen adaptation to refer to at any time). i read some 80 pages physically, and the rest in audiobook format, the latter for which i am grateful. i don't think i would have been able to finish it otherwise.
characters - darcy felt stiff almost to the point of being one-dimensional. mrs bennet's ignorance and lack of self-awareness was abhorrent and jane, in her bid for impartiality appeared excessively naïve. the unending politeness of english society, which i so greatly loathe in my own time, was so concentrated in these characters as to make the reading experience annoying.
that being said, darcy's peevishness may have been his way of rebuffing fake bitches; mrs bennet's eagerness is directed towards the security of her children; and jane, being the eldest of five, was forced into a role of temperance to counter a neurotic mother, an inattentive father, a strong willed confidante in eliza, and an excitable brood of younger sisters.
plot - nothing happened, and i liked it. although it was jarring just how quick darcy was to change his manner, but i suppose for true love (or plot advancement) vices are easily shucked.
23.04 - someone on insta said darcy has social anxiety/is autistic. i felt that
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lestat took his mortal life; claudia broke his heart; armand severed the tethers to his soul