Take a photo of a barcode or cover
omnomicons's Reviews (139)
Jesus Christ, the narrator of this book might be the most unlikable narrator I’ve ever met. I know that’s the point, but she seems to have not a singular redeeming quality, and I spent most of the book actively praying on her downfall. The rest of the time I felt depressed by association after reading Moshfegh’s description of the narrator’s depression. After the narrator’s best friend is involved in a certain historical event near the end of the novel, I had to close my eyes and take a deep breath because it was such a random, yet predictable detail that this novel could have easily just not included. The narrator’s ending was also super random, but not in a fun way, in more of a “what the fuck” way. I don’t necessarily regret reading this, but it’s definitely overhyped and I don’t hesitate to shit on it.
Honestly can’t even remember what this book is about. I didn’t even read it that long ago.
The Other Black Girl spins together so many different genres, and excels at them all. The thriller aspects keep you on the edge of your seat, but the characterization, prose, and humor aren’t forgotten about for a second. I read this book on a cross-country flight, which was a mistake because as soon as I finished it I wanted to wake up the other people in my row, force them to read it, and then have them discuss it with me. This book needs to be talked about! Several times, I had to close it and just stare into the seat in front of me as I processed the story. I also continued to think about this book for approximately a month after I finished it. Zakiya Dalila Harris demonstrates her genius in this novel; the interactions of the main character and her white colleagues as well as other black women are SO engaging, and the twist is one of the best I’ve read in a long time. Read this! And then please talk to me about it. I really want to talk about it.
The best word to sum up this book is cute. The book was cute! Every character is lovable, and I was able to imagine them in my mind. Backman is a master at writing relationships, and the relationships are what make this book. Yes, there’s a backdrop of action, and Backman’s pacing slows down and speeds up as the story necessitates. Anxious People is a fun, fast read, perfect for a plane or bus ride.
The hype this novel got was insane. It was recommended to me by what felt like everyone who’s ever read a book and talked about it online. What did I think? Well, I gave it three stars because I don’t necessarily regret reading it, but I’m not sure I’d ever recommend it to anyone. Haig’s writing and plot were cliche, and his message was so heavy handed that I felt like I was reading a PSA, not a book. This would make a dope movie though.
If you are one of the 40 total viewers of the 1995 film Kicking and Screaming (fun fact: it was filmed on my college campus), you will understand what this novel and that movie have in common: they’re really about nothing. Though I am generally a huge fan of any movie where absolutely nothing occurs plot-wise, I don’t appreciate the same quality in the books I read. I also can’t say in good faith that I found either the book or movie mentioned in this review particularly enjoyable. I spent most of my time reading Whereabouts wondering whereabouts the relevance of anything Lahiri writes about is. I’m willing to give Lahiri the benefit of the doubt and blame the boringness of the novel on the fact that it’s translated from the original Italian, but it’s a bit of a cop out. With even one genuine plot line, this novel would be transformed.
The name Jhumpa Lahiri on the cover of a book will ALWAYS make me pause, and Unaccustomed Earth was no different. I was actually harassed into reading this novel by my best friend, and as always, she was right. Lahiri is so adept at capturing a very specific immigrant experience and universalizing it so anyone can find parts to relate to. She peppers in aspects of Indian culture, giving the novel the same homey experience as reheated leftovers of your mother’s cooking. I’ve been slightly in love with her since The Namesake and her skill at wielding words and her ability to evoke a wide range of emotions on one page hasn’t changed since then. However, I do feel that her characterization of Indian immigrants can ring a bit stereotypical, but I suppose it might just be her experience. If you pick this up, prepare yourself for the ending.
Who is Sophie Hannah? And isn’t Agatha Christie dead? These are just some of the questions that plague this book (actually, the only questions). The fact that I had no idea that Agatha Christie didn’t write this is a good thing, though I’m still unclear on how much of this is whose writing and how that works. The mystery was solid, as any mystery with Agatha Christie’s name on it is, with nice tied off loose ends and answers to all your questions. Except, of course, the first two questions of this review.
I spent the entirety of this book waiting for the other shoe to drop, which actually never ended up happening. I do think Alam presents a kind of philosophy by not allowing the anticipation to be relieved; it’s interesting that the real commentary is what happens when there’s no big obstacle to overcome, no cartoon villain to hate. In that sense, the book was a honest and interesting dive into human nature. However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t times I wanted to abandon it, and I never thought about it if I wasn’t actively reading it.
If any of these short stories were developed into full novels, I’m sure I would have given up on them. Great choice by Taddeo to limit them to be short and therefore much more interesting. I enjoyed the plot points but felt that the characterization of the characters could use work; I still felt like I was reading, not living in their worlds. If that distance was removed, this would be five stars. Good to pass the time but not something I’d want to sit down and read.