Scan barcode
pratyush's reviews
149 reviews
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
medium-paced
3.0
To be honest, nothing much happened here except for a few things. It is similar to The Bear's season 3 where the characters are kind of stuck in between with all the life decisions and figuring out relationships and stuff. Yet I am totally fine with it. But it still felt like something was missing; That ‘Heartstopper’ factor. I felt like other characters were kind of neglected here like the friendship was totally off somehow and was not there other than some glimpses here and there. Charlie and Tori scene was nice and apart from that no other scene felt that touching. Sorry I am ranting!!༎ຶ‿༎ຶ
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
fast-paced
3.0
My professor from uni taught us this book so literally and robotic kind of way that it left no impression on my brain.
Son of the Thundercloud by Easterine Kire
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
***Read for Modern Indian Literature course***
There are so many emotions bombarding in my mind, and I don't think I could be able to comprehend everything to write a review or even collect my thoughts. The sheer tenderness I felt by reading this book is simply indescribable.
From the beginning of a couple of pages I was hooked by the stunning writing and the love it curated through its words. The story is simple, yet it is elegant and powerful. Uff I am just blabbering. Simply one of the best reads from the course.
There are so many emotions bombarding in my mind, and I don't think I could be able to comprehend everything to write a review or even collect my thoughts. The sheer tenderness I felt by reading this book is simply indescribable.
From the beginning of a couple of pages I was hooked by the stunning writing and the love it curated through its words. The story is simple, yet it is elegant and powerful. Uff I am just blabbering. Simply one of the best reads from the course.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Another reminder of not to have children in my adult life.
Second Place by Rachel Cusk
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
4.5 Stars.
Finished this book last night and I want to make a confession that; after reading books for so many years I finally got my favourite author in the form of Rachel Cusk.
Her writing is of the most spiritual; evoking a meditative state to the core. It performs a possibility to find contentment and a religious feeling in minds. It also presents a longing to a distant heaven which is far refreshing and soothing. It makes you crave for more; be it her writing or the subject matter. Themes of loneliness, belonging, aspiration towards change within oneself, and the subsequent acceptance etc are often narrated with a mix of profound meditation. This is something special. Something not just to read, but to experience it over.
Speaking of the book itself then the plot is quite simple. This is the story of a woman who is somewhat living in an isolated marsh from the urban life and the meeting of a well renowned artist, whose art she perceives as her inspiration for life, scrutinizes her life from a whole another angle.
Cusk's Second Place narrator M is a very interesting character study. Of her uncertainty from life, the anxiety of perceived by oneself, the external gaze upon which she's been examined and the dilemma from life itself; all these stances makes her human. Her constant need for the approval by her favourite artist makes her impatient which turns out to be a fatal perception.
The book also deeply puts forward its argument of whether art really shapes our life for the better or is it the other way around. Could art ever present itself true to reality? After all, it is just an imitation of reality itself. It might be far-fetched or ever-achieving, or it might delude us to perceive something outside of our held beliefs to yearn for. Is it a bad thing though that it can enlighten us and at the same time rob us of the belief of what we already have in this life?or Is it a boon having a disguise of a serious curse? And most importantly, if art really serves as a tool which shapes our lives then how come we can entrust upon it. It is, after all, an imitation from life itself. Or am I blabbering? :')
Cusk often includes one of the themes of parenthood and parenting in her works. Her meticulous observation of the relationship of a child with their parents and vice versa, and the various dilemmas in the process is one of significant study. It is the process of the beginning of a child and the middle/ending of a parent, the combination of both the former and the later shapes the existence of a human. Cusk gives importance to this aspect of life; as her writing claims it to be the significant mark of existence.
Lastly, Second Place is a second start, a rebirth, a new beginning. We all have a second place in our life; whether it is a person, a hobby, a scenic landscape or an invaluable personal possession. These second places are what helps us go through in life and pushes us to live for another day with enthusiasm. It is our source of comfort, our aesthetic, our inspiration. And I wonder if one must feel truly hollow and unenthusiastic without one.
4.5 Stars
Finished this book last night and I want to make a confession that; after reading books for so many years I finally got my favourite author in the form of Rachel Cusk.
Her writing is of the most spiritual; evoking a meditative state to the core. It performs a possibility to find contentment and a religious feeling in minds. It also presents a longing to a distant heaven which is far refreshing and soothing. It makes you crave for more; be it her writing or the subject matter. Themes of loneliness, belonging, aspiration towards change within oneself, and the subsequent acceptance etc are often narrated with a mix of profound meditation. This is something special. Something not just to read, but to experience it over.
Speaking of the book itself then the plot is quite simple. This is the story of a woman who is somewhat living in an isolated marsh from the urban life and the meeting of a well renowned artist, whose art she perceives as her inspiration for life, scrutinizes her life from a whole another angle.
Cusk's Second Place narrator M is a very interesting character study. Of her uncertainty from life, the anxiety of perceived by oneself, the external gaze upon which she's been examined and the dilemma from life itself; all these stances makes her human. Her constant need for the approval by her favourite artist makes her impatient which turns out to be a fatal perception.
The book also deeply puts forward its argument of whether art really shapes our life for the better or is it the other way around. Could art ever present itself true to reality? After all, it is just an imitation of reality itself. It might be far-fetched or ever-achieving, or it might delude us to perceive something outside of our held beliefs to yearn for. Is it a bad thing though that it can enlighten us and at the same time rob us of the belief of what we already have in this life?or Is it a boon having a disguise of a serious curse? And most importantly, if art really serves as a tool which shapes our lives then how come we can entrust upon it. It is, after all, an imitation from life itself. Or am I blabbering? :')
Cusk often includes one of the themes of parenthood and parenting in her works. Her meticulous observation of the relationship of a child with their parents and vice versa, and the various dilemmas in the process is one of significant study. It is the process of the beginning of a child and the middle/ending of a parent, the combination of both the former and the later shapes the existence of a human. Cusk gives importance to this aspect of life; as her writing claims it to be the significant mark of existence.
Lastly, Second Place is a second start, a rebirth, a new beginning. We all have a second place in our life; whether it is a person, a hobby, a scenic landscape or an invaluable personal possession. These second places are what helps us go through in life and pushes us to live for another day with enthusiasm. It is our source of comfort, our aesthetic, our inspiration. And I wonder if one must feel truly hollow and unenthusiastic without one.
4.5 Stars
Outline by Rachel Cusk
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
Profound. Meditative.
Can't wait to read more of her works.
Can't wait to read more of her works.
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0
The monster is within us. Or it is evoked from within by the external forces. What Ottessa Moshfegh writes is really urgent and profound for this era. Each absurd idea is relevant to the world and personally, I think she is a genius. Reading Eileen was such a delight. A deep, masterful character study where each line stuns you. Loved it.
Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo
Needs a reread. This book demands your whole attention which I didn't fully give. Will be back after a year or so.
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
slow-paced
3.0
Feels more like a literary criticism book rather than a fiction, but that can be excused. The infuriating thing about this book is its Third Part which is too repetitive.
Stoner by John Williams
medium-paced
4.0
I wonder how people waste their whole lives just to sustain and feed to their ego, and keep the burden of carrying their fatally wounded scars. Baffled me to the levels of how this book made me feel existential to an extent of dread.
While I wholly sympathise with Edith for her inner (even invisible to herself) battle and her strict upbringing, and the relationship with her parents; especially to her father, which reminds me of Sylvia Plath's ‘Daddy’. She never comes to terms with it, and I genuinely am very appalled to see her never reaching out for solace. And goes on to affect people around her with it. Or Hollis Lomax who was just a clear-cut example of an egoistic narcissist who force power just to satiate themselves in this world.
Other than that I am unable not to feel deep remorse for Stoner who never stood up for himself or for his daughter per se. He never unfortunately learned how to do so and became a mere shadow of his parents. But in the end he is what he is. He kept on doing what he loved the most; teaching and loving literature.
And the tumor at the end might be symbolising the burdened hardship and guilt he has endured for all his life which in its climax ended him.
While I wholly sympathise with Edith for her inner (even invisible to herself) battle and her strict upbringing, and the relationship with her parents; especially to her father, which reminds me of Sylvia Plath's ‘Daddy’. She never comes to terms with it, and I genuinely am very appalled to see her never reaching out for solace. And goes on to affect people around her with it. Or Hollis Lomax who was just a clear-cut example of an egoistic narcissist who force power just to satiate themselves in this world.
Other than that I am unable not to feel deep remorse for Stoner who never stood up for himself or for his daughter per se. He never unfortunately learned how to do so and became a mere shadow of his parents. But in the end he is what he is. He kept on doing what he loved the most; teaching and loving literature.
And the tumor at the end might be symbolising the burdened hardship and guilt he has endured for all his life which in its climax ended him.