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penguinna's reviews
319 reviews
The Lost Girls of Rome by Donato Carrisi
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
39,1%
Chapter 7:26
Boring as hell
Chapter 7:26
Boring as hell
Der kleine Prinz by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
5.0
The Viy by Nikolai Gogol
dark
funny
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? N/A
3.0
Three students from a Kyiv monastery stray from the high road at night, fearing they might have to sleep in a wheat field, when they accidentally find the lonely house of an old woman. The Viy is a short horror folk story told by one of the most famous Ukrainian writers, and it is genuinely creepy at times.
When the main character, Khoma Brut, goes to sleep in that house, strange things begin to happen. The flash-eyed old woman leaps onto Khoma Brut’s back and rides him like a horse through the dark night forest. Realizing she is a witch, Khoma beats her with a log, and then... The old woman transforms into a beautiful girl with "long, pointy eyelashes."
The next day, rumors spread that a Cossack chief’s daughter was beaten to death, and her last wish was for Khoma to pray by her body for three nights. Khoma understands everything when he sees the witch in the coffin, but he must obey the order.
Every night in the church is worse than the last. The witch seeks revenge, scaring Khoma so deeply that his hair turns white...
This novella introduces us to evil creatures from Ukrainian, Slavic, and European folklore, and according to Gogol himself, The Viy is a retelling of a scary folk legend.
I enjoyed the lively atmosphere of Ukrainian villages, with their loud folk parties, chaotic street markets, and positive, lighthearted people. I also loved the eerie and terrifying nights in the church, during which I desperately waited for the first rooster's call in the morning. However, I wish this novella were a little longer, with more detailed descriptions of the nights (and a more respectful portrayal of women).
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
When the main character, Khoma Brut, goes to sleep in that house, strange things begin to happen. The flash-eyed old woman leaps onto Khoma Brut’s back and rides him like a horse through the dark night forest. Realizing she is a witch, Khoma beats her with a log, and then... The old woman transforms into a beautiful girl with "long, pointy eyelashes."
The next day, rumors spread that a Cossack chief’s daughter was beaten to death, and her last wish was for Khoma to pray by her body for three nights. Khoma understands everything when he sees the witch in the coffin, but he must obey the order.
Every night in the church is worse than the last. The witch seeks revenge, scaring Khoma so deeply that his hair turns white...
This novella introduces us to evil creatures from Ukrainian, Slavic, and European folklore, and according to Gogol himself, The Viy is a retelling of a scary folk legend.
I enjoyed the lively atmosphere of Ukrainian villages, with their loud folk parties, chaotic street markets, and positive, lighthearted people. I also loved the eerie and terrifying nights in the church, during which I desperately waited for the first rooster's call in the morning. However, I wish this novella were a little longer, with more detailed descriptions of the nights (and a more respectful portrayal of women).
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book seems to be one of the few classic novels where the main characters, who love each other, are separated not by parents, envious rivals, or natural disasters, but by their own flaws.
The narrator, Mr. Lockwood, arrives at Wuthering Heights – a remote, unwelcoming farmhouse on the moorlands of West Yorkshire. There, he encounters Heathcliff, a rude and violent man, along with his unfriendly servants and a mysteriously silent young woman.
While spending a night in this hostile place, Mr. Lockwood finds mysterious notes and sees a crying ghost outside his window. Later, a maid recounts the incredibly dark and sad story of the inhabitants of this eerie home.
Heathcliff and Catherine, his adoptive sister, loved each other passionately since childhood. Their connection went beyond love; it was an obsession, a union of wuthering storms. They were ready to sacrifice everything for their love, believing nothing could separate them.
But everything changed as they grew older. Catherine longed for honor, admiration, and social recognition – and she chose ambition over love, marrying a true gentleman instead of the poor, dark-faced country bumpkin, Heathcliff.
Heathcliff also chose himself – a selfish pursuit of revenge and self-pity. Rather than disappearing from Catherine’s life, he preferred to torment her. In his quest for vengeance, he destroyed the lives of many innocent people.
Yet, “treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends – they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.” Heathcliff suffers the most from his revenge, unable to know the sweetness of forgiveness, repentance, or true love.
Wuthering Heights is a dark, haunting tale about how selfish passions – pride, dominance, revenge – can never bring happiness. Happiness belongs only to those who have managed to overcome egoism and vanity, to see the best in others.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
The narrator, Mr. Lockwood, arrives at Wuthering Heights – a remote, unwelcoming farmhouse on the moorlands of West Yorkshire. There, he encounters Heathcliff, a rude and violent man, along with his unfriendly servants and a mysteriously silent young woman.
While spending a night in this hostile place, Mr. Lockwood finds mysterious notes and sees a crying ghost outside his window. Later, a maid recounts the incredibly dark and sad story of the inhabitants of this eerie home.
Heathcliff and Catherine, his adoptive sister, loved each other passionately since childhood. Their connection went beyond love; it was an obsession, a union of wuthering storms. They were ready to sacrifice everything for their love, believing nothing could separate them.
But everything changed as they grew older. Catherine longed for honor, admiration, and social recognition – and she chose ambition over love, marrying a true gentleman instead of the poor, dark-faced country bumpkin, Heathcliff.
Heathcliff also chose himself – a selfish pursuit of revenge and self-pity. Rather than disappearing from Catherine’s life, he preferred to torment her. In his quest for vengeance, he destroyed the lives of many innocent people.
Yet, “treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends – they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.” Heathcliff suffers the most from his revenge, unable to know the sweetness of forgiveness, repentance, or true love.
Wuthering Heights is a dark, haunting tale about how selfish passions – pride, dominance, revenge – can never bring happiness. Happiness belongs only to those who have managed to overcome egoism and vanity, to see the best in others.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
It by Stephen King
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Note for me: 2/9/6 они сложили все деньги в общий котел. Dnf
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Çalıkuşu by Reşat Nuri Güntekin
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Last week, before my vacation to Turkey, I remembered a 1986 Turkish TV show with a funny name, based on a classic book that every Turkish person seems to know – Çalıkuşu. It felt like the perfect time to dive into this story, and I’m so glad I did!
This book tells the tale of Feride, a young girl from a noble family, nicknamed Çalıkuşu (the Wren) for her rebellious nature. We follow her through childhood and adolescence, shaped by a series of heartbreaking events. After losing her parents, Feride is sent to a French school in Istanbul, but during the holidays, she stays with her aunt’s family.
Her cousin Kamran plays a key role in the story – initially someone she despises, but as often happens, Feride gradually falls in love with him, and Kamran returns her feelings. But the day before their wedding, Feride discovers that Kamran has betrayed her with another woman. Devastated, she flees from home, and this is where her real adventure begins.
In the conservative, patriarchal society of 1920s Turkey, Feride is determined to live on her own terms. She becomes a teacher in a remote village, where she adopts a girl from a troubled family. However, as a young woman on her own, Feride faces societal judgment and personal danger and is forced to move from place to place to survive.
Despite all the challenges, Feride never loses her strength or optimism. Her fierce independence and resilience make her admirable as she defies the norms and expectations of her time. Speaking of which, some customs from that era feel shocking by today’s standards, and one "romantic" moment near the end really bothered me.
Still, the book’s many strengths easily outweigh this. What struck me most about Çalıkuşu were the vivid descriptions – of Turkish culture, stunning landscapes, striking clothing, and the everyday lives of people. These details made me fall in love with Turkey.
I highly recommend Çalıkuşu and wish more people knew about this hidden gem of literature. This book will definitely have a place on the shelf of my all-time favorites.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
This book tells the tale of Feride, a young girl from a noble family, nicknamed Çalıkuşu (the Wren) for her rebellious nature. We follow her through childhood and adolescence, shaped by a series of heartbreaking events. After losing her parents, Feride is sent to a French school in Istanbul, but during the holidays, she stays with her aunt’s family.
Her cousin Kamran plays a key role in the story – initially someone she despises, but as often happens, Feride gradually falls in love with him, and Kamran returns her feelings. But the day before their wedding, Feride discovers that Kamran has betrayed her with another woman. Devastated, she flees from home, and this is where her real adventure begins.
In the conservative, patriarchal society of 1920s Turkey, Feride is determined to live on her own terms. She becomes a teacher in a remote village, where she adopts a girl from a troubled family. However, as a young woman on her own, Feride faces societal judgment and personal danger and is forced to move from place to place to survive.
Despite all the challenges, Feride never loses her strength or optimism. Her fierce independence and resilience make her admirable as she defies the norms and expectations of her time. Speaking of which, some customs from that era feel shocking by today’s standards, and one "romantic" moment near the end really bothered me.
Still, the book’s many strengths easily outweigh this. What struck me most about Çalıkuşu were the vivid descriptions – of Turkish culture, stunning landscapes, striking clothing, and the everyday lives of people. These details made me fall in love with Turkey.
I highly recommend Çalıkuşu and wish more people knew about this hidden gem of literature. This book will definitely have a place on the shelf of my all-time favorites.
More reviews by me on instagram: @penguinna_books
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0