Scan barcode
monitamohan's reviews
1078 reviews
What She Said: Conversations About Equality by Elizabeth Renzetti
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A really great, if frustrating and depressing to read. The author contextualizes some of the sexism, misogyny and discriminatory practices of North America. There wasn’t anything much in here that was new to me, but how the pieces fit in with one another was helpful. Her conversations with famous Canadian figures who have been wronged by society were also interesting.
I do wish I could easily find books like this written by women of colour in Canada. While Renzetti never forgets to mention the cards are stacked worse against most women of colour, getting their first-hand perspectives of the current landscape and what brought it on would be beneficial for all of us.
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler alert:
Dang this book was bleak. I spent the first 90% of it dying of cringe because, wow, the main character is the kind who lives in her daydreams, builds castles in the air, and does not think about the consequences of her actions. I mean, who lives in another person’s home and drinks all their super expensive wine — which you can’t afford to replace? Just who does that? Acting like the house you’re temporarily staying in, which belongs to someone else, is yours is just foolish. Wishing it was yours, sure, makes sense, but then you come out of that daydream and think of what needs to be done next. What happens when the owner comes back? How am I supposed to understand a character who is so in the now that she doesn’t consider how to plan for the future. Makes for a compelling but embarrassing read.
Dang this book was bleak. I spent the first 90% of it dying of cringe because, wow, the main character is the kind who lives in her daydreams, builds castles in the air, and does not think about the consequences of her actions. I mean, who lives in another person’s home and drinks all their super expensive wine — which you can’t afford to replace? Just who does that? Acting like the house you’re temporarily staying in, which belongs to someone else, is yours is just foolish. Wishing it was yours, sure, makes sense, but then you come out of that daydream and think of what needs to be done next. What happens when the owner comes back? How am I supposed to understand a character who is so in the now that she doesn’t consider how to plan for the future. Makes for a compelling but embarrassing read.
The actual story was super bleak and disheartening. Protagonist Jane just can’t catch a break. We can all feel that. But I hate that she never holds her husband accountable. His art isn’t bringing in money so how come she’s always on the hook for everything she does to make sure they have money. How come she’s a sellout when all she’s trying to do is make them more money? Why doesn’t he work harder? And it’s not like he helps around the house either — feeding the children or caring for them. The book acts like this is normal, and yeah, unfortunately it is. But art doesn’t just present us reality, it comments on it and sends a message. This book doesn’t.
The final part where that Hampton Ford guy basically swindles Jane. It was excruciating to read but really well done. I honestly didn’t see that twist coming. But it sealed the deal on how bleak this book is. I don’t know what our takeaway is supposed to be other than life sucks and people suck more.
This is an engrossing book, but the characters act in such pedantic ways it’s almost unbelievable. People do act like that but to this extent? I’m in two minds about this read, but I would still recommend it.
Greek Lessons by Han Kang
3.5
This book is brilliantly written and translated. The poetic nature of the writing really sings. But this is bleak. That’s not the end goal, but the journey is bleak. The way the writer adds in the grief of losing family, custody, body functions, is gruelling to read. It’s fantastic, but it’s heavy.