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pran's reviews
228 reviews
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Rape
Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Too surreal, episodic and puzzling for me. Though I did get a faint sense of place. I felt like I was missing something the whole time… not really a fan when it feels deliberately difficult.
The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Not as strong as the Neapolitan Quartet. The first half was good, but it tailed off and became plot-driven towards the end.
Caste: The Lies that Divide Us by Isabel Wilkerson
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
It is difficult to rate this book as I do feel like it adds to the discourse and is very important in its own right as it's kind of pioneering. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and the stories of people Wilkerson spoke to was particularly powerful.
However, I think the development of the arguments fell a bit short for me. That being said, I think the book is so important in initiating the contemporary thought process about caste in America. I do not think it went far enough in defining caste in America as for me it felt synonymous with race whereas in reality it is a combination of race, socioeconomic group, gender, sexuality, level of conventional attractiveness, level of education. Therefore, I do not think that this book achieved what it set out to do as it failed to define caste in America as much more than racism, which it is much more than. However, I am rating it well because I very much enjoyed reading (and listening to) it and I learned a lot from the stories Wilkerson shared about the lived experiences of African-Americans.
I also took issue with the more science-y chapter as I felt the science had been misrepresented somewhat.
I also didn't feel like the actual depth of research Wilkerson did and the number of people she spoke to was necessarily reflected in the book as I think I was expecting the concept to develop further than it did.
I read it as I absolutely loved The Warmth of Other Suns and there was no way I was letting this go unread. But ultimately this fell short of my (albeit high) expectations.
For those listening on audio, the narrator is excellent!
However, I think the development of the arguments fell a bit short for me. That being said, I think the book is so important in initiating the contemporary thought process about caste in America. I do not think it went far enough in defining caste in America as for me it felt synonymous with race whereas in reality it is a combination of race, socioeconomic group, gender, sexuality, level of conventional attractiveness, level of education. Therefore, I do not think that this book achieved what it set out to do as it failed to define caste in America as much more than racism, which it is much more than. However, I am rating it well because I very much enjoyed reading (and listening to) it and I learned a lot from the stories Wilkerson shared about the lived experiences of African-Americans.
I also took issue with the more science-y chapter as I felt the science had been misrepresented somewhat.
I also didn't feel like the actual depth of research Wilkerson did and the number of people she spoke to was necessarily reflected in the book as I think I was expecting the concept to develop further than it did.
I read it as I absolutely loved The Warmth of Other Suns and there was no way I was letting this go unread. But ultimately this fell short of my (albeit high) expectations.
For those listening on audio, the narrator is excellent!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
This book is definitely a slow-burn. Especially at the beginning as due to the time-switching, it can take time to join the current of the main story and characters.
However, I found it to be a beautiful book. I love the way Erdrich treats her characters so sensitively and without judgement, and this paired so well with Father Modeste's philosophy of love and refusal to pass judgement on his congregation.
My favourite part of the book wasthe Modeste/Agnes's death. I found it so beautiful that they took ownership of their own death and did it exactly the way they wanted.
Overall it shows the beauty and importance of human connection and the love that can be formed between anyone, when people have an open heart and less judgement.
However, I found it to be a beautiful book. I love the way Erdrich treats her characters so sensitively and without judgement, and this paired so well with Father Modeste's philosophy of love and refusal to pass judgement on his congregation.
My favourite part of the book was
Overall it shows the beauty and importance of human connection and the love that can be formed between anyone, when people have an open heart and less judgement.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
This is a lovely short book about moss.
The audio is read by the author and is VERY relaxing.
Kimmerer's passion for plants and moss is infectious and really transmits to the reader/listener.
The audio is read by the author and is VERY relaxing.
Kimmerer's passion for plants and moss is infectious and really transmits to the reader/listener.
Pet by Catherine Chidgey
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well-written, not cliché, discusses big themes including racism, sexism, body image. It is perhaps a little too ambitious with these but overall was a great novel.
Entertaining and a page-turner, but never felt vapid or empty. It felt quite fleshed-out considering it is a fairly short book. The plot is really propulsive and the characters are colourful. I enjoyed the dialogue as well.
Entertaining and a page-turner, but never felt vapid or empty. It felt quite fleshed-out considering it is a fairly short book. The plot is really propulsive and the characters are colourful. I enjoyed the dialogue as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, and Death of parent
Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.5
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75