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pran's reviews
228 reviews
Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
dark
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
Lilith Iyapo is awoken to find she has been taken from Earth by an alien race who want to form a new race of alien-human hybrids.
This book was excellently written and I really got a sense of the unsettling, weird feeling of contact with an alien race whose intentions we are not fully sure of.
Lilith's character was well thought-out and constructed with flaws that made her compelling and at times unpredictable.
Something I was particularly impressed by was how Butler implicitly spoke about race and colonialism. Especially in the parts where Lilith is placed in a leadership role- how much does her identity as a Black woman impact the others' trust and perceptions of her?
And of course also the main narrative and what it says about colonialism.
Even as a woman of colour, I found myself taken in by what the Oankali were saying, and it was only when we discussed it in my book club that I realised what a coloniser narrative this was and how I'd been bamboozled! I myself thought, well, if the humans have nuked themselves then maybe they do need someone else to take control. But how do we know that this is true? And is that really fair?
I had been reading it through the lens of how humans have treated animals, as the Oankali infantilise Lilith and other humans, see them as pets sometimes, and seem to be trying to basically selectively breed them, but this further demonstrates how toxic and manipulative the Oankali and coloniser rhetoric is.
I would honestly recommend this to anyone, even people who do not like sci-fi, because of how much it says about our world, and human nature.
This book was excellently written and I really got a sense of the unsettling, weird feeling of contact with an alien race whose intentions we are not fully sure of.
Lilith's character was well thought-out and constructed with flaws that made her compelling and at times unpredictable.
Something I was particularly impressed by was how Butler implicitly spoke about race and colonialism. Especially in the parts where Lilith is placed in a leadership role- how much does her identity as a Black woman impact the others' trust and perceptions of her?
And of course also the main narrative and what it says about colonialism.
Even as a woman of colour, I found myself taken in by what the Oankali were saying, and it was only when we discussed it in my book club that I realised what a coloniser narrative this was and how I'd been bamboozled! I myself thought, well, if the humans have nuked themselves then maybe they do need someone else to take control. But how do we know that this is true? And is that really fair?
I had been reading it through the lens of how humans have treated animals, as the Oankali infantilise Lilith and other humans, see them as pets sometimes, and seem to be trying to basically selectively breed them, but this further demonstrates how toxic and manipulative the Oankali and coloniser rhetoric is.
I would honestly recommend this to anyone, even people who do not like sci-fi, because of how much it says about our world, and human nature.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante
dark
reflective
medium-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
4.0
This book was much more political than its predecessors, which I liked because it reflects a change in awareness of the protagonist as she matures. However, I give it 4 stars because I think I enjoyed it less than the previous two books in the series and I think this is because the tone is very similar for the whole book. Also, I felt the situation with Elisa was quite plot-driven and this was very noticeable as it stands out against the character-driven nature of the rest of the book.
Also, I felt I got less of a sense of place in this book, and although it was probably deliberate, as Elena feels less at home in Florence as a city as she does not leave the house as much, it still made me enjoy the book less.
As usual, I like Ferrante's style and tiny bits of humour she uses to lighten the often heavy atmosphere.
Also, I felt I got less of a sense of place in this book, and although it was probably deliberate, as Elena feels less at home in Florence as a city as she does not leave the house as much, it still made me enjoy the book less.
As usual, I like Ferrante's style and tiny bits of humour she uses to lighten the often heavy atmosphere.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
medium-paced
1.0
I do not believe that this book does what it sets out to do at all.
It reads like the book equivalent of a netflix documentary- so basically you don't learn more about cults or 'cultish' language than you would've if you'd read the wiki page on cults. In fact, I probably would've learned more from the wiki page.
The structure is completely all over the place and, apart from thought-terminating clichés, there wasn't really any actual linguistics in the book at all.
The cover design is nice and the audiobook was narrated well.
It reads like the book equivalent of a netflix documentary- so basically you don't learn more about cults or 'cultish' language than you would've if you'd read the wiki page on cults. In fact, I probably would've learned more from the wiki page.
The structure is completely all over the place and, apart from thought-terminating clichés, there wasn't really any actual linguistics in the book at all.
The cover design is nice and the audiobook was narrated well.
The Giant, O'Brien by Hilary Mantel
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is an absolutely excellent piece of historical fiction writing. It is not particularly historically accurate, more so loosely inspired by the historical events.
Mantel chose to focus on the dark and macabre in this novel and it worked really well.
The characterisation of O'Brien and Hunter was vivid and textured, and I thought their juxtaposition worked really well.
It is a short novel but is densely packed with haunting imagery, evoking the grotesque of 1700s London.
Mantel chose to focus on the dark and macabre in this novel and it worked really well.
The characterisation of O'Brien and Hunter was vivid and textured, and I thought their juxtaposition worked really well.
It is a short novel but is densely packed with haunting imagery, evoking the grotesque of 1700s London.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Blood
In the Belly of the Queen by Karosh Taha
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book experiments with form in a really interesting way. The book consists of two parts/narratives which start at either end of the book and can be read in either direction.
It tells a story of young Kurdish-Germans and their interpersonal dynamics and discusses themes around gender equality, the immigrant experience, and sexuality.
I think it is really well written and would recommend.
It tells a story of young Kurdish-Germans and their interpersonal dynamics and discusses themes around gender equality, the immigrant experience, and sexuality.
I think it is really well written and would recommend.
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A great and unique hard sci-fi read. Also great translation by Ken Liu.
Very mysterious opening and a great plot- will be reading the other two books in the trilogy.
Very mysterious opening and a great plot- will be reading the other two books in the trilogy.
Two Serious Ladies: With an Introduction by Naoise Dolan by Jane Bowles
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Stay with Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Interesting themes, good ending, but difficult to relate to the characters due to detached writing.
I think the author's choice of aspects of the story to focus more on was interesting. Once I finished the book I realised I disagree with Adebayo's decision to focus so much on theinfidelity with Dotun, when she could've focussed more on the family's experience of SCD and Akin's experience with impotence . Also the setting against the coup literally felt like a plot device for when Rotimi has her sickle cell crisis .
I think the author's choice of aspects of the story to focus more on was interesting. Once I finished the book I realised I disagree with Adebayo's decision to focus so much on the
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Infertility
The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
I have been really excited to read this book ever since I finished My Brilliant Friend.
I was not disappointed, and I think I enjoyed this even more than its prequel.
Ferrante's writing is so immersive and detailed, without being boring or pretentious. I liked Lena's reflections on her friendship with Lila as she becomes more mature.
Of course there are many elements of their relationship which are dysfunctional but it is a product of the environment it was formed in, and I do not believe it is our job as readers to judge the actions and decisions of characters. The economic and socio-cultural background of the novel explains, I believe, the tension between jealousy and love in their relationship.
I see Lena and Lila's friendship as more of a sister-like bond, which places the love-hate aspect of it into context.
It may be easy to say "Why are they even friends?", but to say that none of us have asked ourselves these questions of some of our own, most valued relationships would be a lie.
Ferrante's textured and honest portrayal of a lifelong (and imperfect) friendship will certainly stay with me.
I was not disappointed, and I think I enjoyed this even more than its prequel.
Ferrante's writing is so immersive and detailed, without being boring or pretentious. I liked Lena's reflections on her friendship with Lila as she becomes more mature.
Of course there are many elements of their relationship which are dysfunctional but it is a product of the environment it was formed in, and I do not believe it is our job as readers to judge the actions and decisions of characters. The economic and socio-cultural background of the novel explains, I believe, the tension between jealousy and love in their relationship.
I see Lena and Lila's friendship as more of a sister-like bond, which places the love-hate aspect of it into context.
It may be easy to say "Why are they even friends?", but to say that none of us have asked ourselves these questions of some of our own, most valued relationships would be a lie.
Ferrante's textured and honest portrayal of a lifelong (and imperfect) friendship will certainly stay with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse