morganlehay's reviews
3 reviews

The Old Curiosity Shop: A Tale by Charles Dickens

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adventurous funny inspiring relaxing slow-paced
A slow, wandering tale of various quirky characters, centered around poverty and virtue. The villains are dastardly and the protagonists too good for this world. I was kind of sick of this book by the 2/3 mark, but the more comedic characters are a gift. Dick Swiveler (yes that’s his name) was my favorite. 
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

A philosophical, poetic, and anthropological story of two people gaining a profound bond despite being aliens to one another. The story is most noted for its play with gender, and while I did love how that was showcased in the worldbuilding and interacted with our main narrator's own bias', I honestly think its a shame that is all its known for because to me it was about so much more. There are many ruminations and descriptions in this book that will stick with me, and it was such a treat to be carried along on a journey through this world. However, this is not a lighthearted story. It is as bleak at the planet's weather, but I really resonated with the fact that all of its most terrible truths were tangled up with its beauty. I don't recommend this to someone who has a hard time keeping track of terms, as a lot of alien names and concepts are thrown at you, which I felt was immersing but could also see how it might turn people away.
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Tramping with a Poet in the Rockies by Stephen 1884- Graham, Vachel 1879-1931 Lindsay

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adventurous funny reflective relaxing slow-paced

3.0

An interesting look 20th century travel writing, the interactions and musings between the narrator and his companion was the heart of the story, with lots of pretty nature descriptions as well. The poetry is of its time so not to my taste, but was a novel experience. Each chapter head has an illustration which set the whimsical and spiritual tone of the book. The discussions on race and gender were of course dated, but the perspectives were sympathetic if uninformed. 
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