misanthrope's reviews
125 reviews

A Martian Odyssey by Stanley G. Weinbaum

adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

City by Clifford D. Simak

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

3.5

A moving story.  Well written.  The episodic nature of the text was not a weakness to me.  The shifting perspective kept it interesting.  I will read more from this author.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A classic book, worthy of its reputation.  This is a re-read, I will read through Hesse’s catalog.

The Man Who Evolved by Edmond Hamilton

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

Early Science Fiction.  Mini flaws.

Rappaccini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

Small idea over written.

The Star by H.G. Wells

challenging dark fast-paced

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

3.0

I will read more of the author.

Orphans of the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

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

3.0

Classic era story.  Satisfying story.  Acceptable ending.  

The Investigation by Stanisław Lem

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

Great writing.  Unsatisfying ending.  I will read everything from this author.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective fast-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

4.0

Very powerful story, very relatable.  I will try to read all of Hemingway.

A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

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

1.0

Not much story.   Mostly a series of descriptions of a journey.  Probably was meant to be profound, but it fails in that pursuit. Does not feel dated in spite of the time period it was written. I would not read more from this author.