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nathanjhunt's reviews
94 reviews
The Slimy Stuarts by Terry Deary
fast-paced
3.0
This was my 16th book finished in 2024.
It's hard to rate a book that isn't aimed at my age, naturally. I had loads of these books when I was younger, but I'm unsure how many of them I actually read.
All I can say is, the author really hates teachers and fat women. Basically the only thing that was written about Mary II and Anne was how fat they were. Is that really the best the author can do?
Overall, I didn't learn that much, and the chronology of the era is all over the place. It was okay, but I'll stick to my actual restoration era history books.
It's hard to rate a book that isn't aimed at my age, naturally. I had loads of these books when I was younger, but I'm unsure how many of them I actually read.
All I can say is, the author really hates teachers and fat women. Basically the only thing that was written about Mary II and Anne was how fat they were. Is that really the best the author can do?
Overall, I didn't learn that much, and the chronology of the era is all over the place. It was okay, but I'll stick to my actual restoration era history books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
This was my 15th book finished in 2024. I've seen the 2005 film, and most recently the "origin story", but never read the book.
There are such mixed messages in this book... Wow, Roald Dahl sure hates fat people, especially fat children Fat people bad, but as outlined in the beginning of the book, Charlie's selflessness is good. But then Charlie's greed when buying two chocolate bars instead of giving his family the money is what makes him win the ticket. So what's meant to be the message here, Roald? Is greediness good under certain circumstances?
According to Wonka, nothing is better than chocolate! Unless you're fat. "Don't indulge in too much because it will make you fat and then you'll be sucked into a tube and punished. Oh but then I have said I'll give you a lifetime supply of chocolate when you win".
Also for most of the children, their bad behaviour is explained by the way their parents brought them up. But Mr Wonka will punish the children for it.
Some of the play on words in the book were amusing, and Mr Wonka can be funny sometimes, but he just gaslights everyone throughout. I assume you're supposed to like his character, but I didn't. And I don't understand why he liked Charlie so much? That boy has zero personality and basically didn't say a single thing in the factory.
Remember kids, Roald Dahl says you're a bad person if you're fat, if you chew gum, if you're spoiled (fair, but the parents are to blame), and if you watch TV! A very dated message from a middle aged man in the 1960s who didn't want to change with the times. Boomers love defending Dahl, but the book really is getting a bit dated sixty years after publication.
The TV chapter was the most annoying of all... yes yes we get it, TV "rots your brain". We've been hearing that nonsense for three generations now. We'll be fine, get over it Roald.
On a last note (the elephant in the room), the Oompa-Loompa songs got very annoying very quickly. Not to mention the horrid colonial undertones of enslaving African pygmies and making them work in your factory for a pittance of cacao beans. Icky.
I give it a 3.25 because it was clever and amusing in places, but I didn't enjoy the dated undertones and mixed messages.
There are such mixed messages in this book... Wow, Roald Dahl sure hates fat people, especially fat children Fat people bad, but as outlined in the beginning of the book, Charlie's selflessness is good. But then Charlie's greed when buying two chocolate bars instead of giving his family the money is what makes him win the ticket. So what's meant to be the message here, Roald? Is greediness good under certain circumstances?
According to Wonka, nothing is better than chocolate! Unless you're fat. "Don't indulge in too much because it will make you fat and then you'll be sucked into a tube and punished. Oh but then I have said I'll give you a lifetime supply of chocolate when you win".
Also for most of the children, their bad behaviour is explained by the way their parents brought them up. But Mr Wonka will punish the children for it.
Some of the play on words in the book were amusing, and Mr Wonka can be funny sometimes, but he just gaslights everyone throughout. I assume you're supposed to like his character, but I didn't. And I don't understand why he liked Charlie so much? That boy has zero personality and basically didn't say a single thing in the factory.
Remember kids, Roald Dahl says you're a bad person if you're fat, if you chew gum, if you're spoiled (fair, but the parents are to blame), and if you watch TV! A very dated message from a middle aged man in the 1960s who didn't want to change with the times. Boomers love defending Dahl, but the book really is getting a bit dated sixty years after publication.
The TV chapter was the most annoying of all... yes yes we get it, TV "rots your brain". We've been hearing that nonsense for three generations now. We'll be fine, get over it Roald.
On a last note (the elephant in the room), the Oompa-Loompa songs got very annoying very quickly. Not to mention the horrid colonial undertones of enslaving African pygmies and making them work in your factory for a pittance of cacao beans. Icky.
I give it a 3.25 because it was clever and amusing in places, but I didn't enjoy the dated undertones and mixed messages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Colonisation, Slavery, Genocide, and Cultural appropriation
Around the World in Eighty Days by Michael Palin
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
This was my 14th book finished in 2024.
I've watched the series before, but it was such a long time ago that I couldn't really remember what happened. I read "Full Circle" last year, but I felt this book engaged me a little more, for a reason I don't know.
This has gone from modern to dated, and now 35 years later, to an interesting snapshot of travel life in the late 80s - a world before my time.
Not an awful lot happens (as such) in the book, but Palin is a very engaging and enjoyable writer. I'll definitely read the others in the set.
I've watched the series before, but it was such a long time ago that I couldn't really remember what happened. I read "Full Circle" last year, but I felt this book engaged me a little more, for a reason I don't know.
This has gone from modern to dated, and now 35 years later, to an interesting snapshot of travel life in the late 80s - a world before my time.
Not an awful lot happens (as such) in the book, but Palin is a very engaging and enjoyable writer. I'll definitely read the others in the set.
James II (Penguin Monarchs): The Last Catholic King by David Womersley
informative
medium-paced
3.25
This was my 13th book finished in 2024.
To start with, I want to say that I did like the contents of the book, but I didn't like the style of it.
I found the author frequently used the longest and most convoluted way of framing a question or a sentence. This was very hard to engage with at times, and caused me to not follow on occasions.
One thing that I found a little off-putting was the way the author uses a lot of lengthy quotes, instead of incorporating them into a paragraph to explain the point he's making.
I do have a fair amount of background knowledge on the restoration era and the monarchs either side of James II, and that helped a lot. I think one would struggle a bit without that knowledge, as the author doesn't do much to explain details of historical events before and after James' reign.
To start with, I want to say that I did like the contents of the book, but I didn't like the style of it.
I found the author frequently used the longest and most convoluted way of framing a question or a sentence. This was very hard to engage with at times, and caused me to not follow on occasions.
One thing that I found a little off-putting was the way the author uses a lot of lengthy quotes, instead of incorporating them into a paragraph to explain the point he's making.
I do have a fair amount of background knowledge on the restoration era and the monarchs either side of James II, and that helped a lot. I think one would struggle a bit without that knowledge, as the author doesn't do much to explain details of historical events before and after James' reign.
Victoria (Penguin Monarchs): Queen, Matriarch, Empress by Jane Ridley
informative
fast-paced
4.25
This was a great book; incredibly engaging and interesting. I'm glad it was written by a woman from a woman's perspective.
So I was quite surprised to read that Victoria was actually pretty bad at what she did. The public view of her has always been wrong! Very interesting to read about her relationship with Albert... It wasn't all roses.
A great, albeit brief look at her long life. How different things were from the start to the end of her reign.
So I was quite surprised to read that Victoria was actually pretty bad at what she did. The public view of her has always been wrong! Very interesting to read about her relationship with Albert... It wasn't all roses.
A great, albeit brief look at her long life. How different things were from the start to the end of her reign.
Class: The Stone House by Patrick Ness, A.K. Benedict
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
This was my 11th book finished in 2024.
I watched the show a few years ago, and wasn't too impressed with it. But by this point, I really can't remember what happened, nor do I remember who everyone is and their specific characterisations. It frustrated me so much that the book does nothing to tell the viewer these things. Do they expect me to rewatch the whole series before reading? I'm not going to do that. Just SOMETHING to remind the reader who they are and what their relationships are, and what they did in the series. I would have followed the story so much more easily.
It took so much strength to keep my nose in the book and read on. It was all just so... Dull! This is my first YA book, and I think I've definitely decided it's not the genre for me.
Four fifths of the book were absolutely full of painful similies. Seriously, every other sentence contains a similie. That, and unconvincing, boring and cringy conversations make up the majority of it.
The last fifth of the book was the best part. Interesting and emotional. I just wish I didn't have to read 200 pages before getting to an exciting part.
I watched the show a few years ago, and wasn't too impressed with it. But by this point, I really can't remember what happened, nor do I remember who everyone is and their specific characterisations. It frustrated me so much that the book does nothing to tell the viewer these things. Do they expect me to rewatch the whole series before reading? I'm not going to do that. Just SOMETHING to remind the reader who they are and what their relationships are, and what they did in the series. I would have followed the story so much more easily.
It took so much strength to keep my nose in the book and read on. It was all just so... Dull! This is my first YA book, and I think I've definitely decided it's not the genre for me.
Four fifths of the book were absolutely full of painful similies. Seriously, every other sentence contains a similie. That, and unconvincing, boring and cringy conversations make up the majority of it.
The last fifth of the book was the best part. Interesting and emotional. I just wish I didn't have to read 200 pages before getting to an exciting part.
Edward IV: The Summer King by A.J. Pollard
challenging
informative
slow-paced
2.5
My 10th book finished in 2024.
I really struggled to stay on this one. I don't know whether that says more about me or the author's writing. I think he did it well, but I just wasn't very engaged.
Well at least I know a thing or two more about a monarch I'd barely even heard of before. Funny how you never hear about Edward IV in passing English history.
I really struggled to stay on this one. I don't know whether that says more about me or the author's writing. I think he did it well, but I just wasn't very engaged.
Well at least I know a thing or two more about a monarch I'd barely even heard of before. Funny how you never hear about Edward IV in passing English history.
Edward II: The Terrors of Kingship by Christopher Given-Wilson
informative
medium-paced
2.5
This was my 9th book finished in 2024.
It started off okay, but my attention started to drop about a quarter of the way in. Maybe the 14th century just isn't my jam...
It started off okay, but my attention started to drop about a quarter of the way in. Maybe the 14th century just isn't my jam...
Henry VIII: The Quest For Fame by John Guy
informative
fast-paced
4.0
This was my 8th book finished in 2024.
This was an enjoyable and well-written read, which was easy to understand without complicated language (as has been the problem with others in the series). I flew through this on a flight from New Zealand to the UK.
It shows Henry in a neutral light, stating unbiased facts. It leads you to form your own conclusion... Successful reformer or tyrannical despot?
I did think it would have more about his marriages, though...
This was an enjoyable and well-written read, which was easy to understand without complicated language (as has been the problem with others in the series). I flew through this on a flight from New Zealand to the UK.
It shows Henry in a neutral light, stating unbiased facts. It leads you to form your own conclusion... Successful reformer or tyrannical despot?
I did think it would have more about his marriages, though...
Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This was my 7th book finished in 2024.
Having read slave narratives from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as diaries from the 17th and 18th centuries, I have to say that Joseph delivers an authentic and important book.
I will admit, I thought a bit more would happen. But I should be relieved and not disappointed that Sancho escaped some of the more brutal treatments black people received at this time.
I'd say this book was, surprisingly, a romance! I didn't think I would enjoy a book like that, but I was proven wrong.
It was so interesting to read about such a white-washed period of Britain. Even when you think a black man is free, he is not truly free. Sancho's referring to himself as a "caged bird" was perfect.
At times, I felt the book was slightly too long and slow-paced, but in retrospect, I think it was fine. I found it very easy to read, and flew through it. I feel my admiration for this book is growing over time.
For a debut novel, it is impressive. And Joseph clearly is very passionate and knowledgeable about Sancho. It was a delight to read.
Having read slave narratives from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as diaries from the 17th and 18th centuries, I have to say that Joseph delivers an authentic and important book.
I will admit, I thought a bit more would happen. But I should be relieved and not disappointed that Sancho escaped some of the more brutal treatments black people received at this time.
I'd say this book was, surprisingly, a romance! I didn't think I would enjoy a book like that, but I was proven wrong.
It was so interesting to read about such a white-washed period of Britain. Even when you think a black man is free, he is not truly free. Sancho's referring to himself as a "caged bird" was perfect.
At times, I felt the book was slightly too long and slow-paced, but in retrospect, I think it was fine. I found it very easy to read, and flew through it. I feel my admiration for this book is growing over time.
For a debut novel, it is impressive. And Joseph clearly is very passionate and knowledgeable about Sancho. It was a delight to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, and Slavery
Moderate: Xenophobia, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, and Racial slurs
Minor: Alcohol, Death, and Fatphobia