raphthebard's reviews
30 reviews

The Outsider by Albert Camus

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A short easy read. Sometimes it was hard to get through because it's a bit dry, but that's the point because it mirrors the dryness of Mersault's personality. Once it got going, it was really interesting, especially the last few pages.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Murder

Attempts on Her Life by Martin Crimp

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

A very interesting read, one that gives more questions than answers. 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional sad medium-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

It's about time I reviewed this book. I heard it was good, and it was. I thought the ending would make me more sad than it did, but that's not really important. The characters were developed and I really sympathised with them. Miller's descriptions are vivid and the imagery is beautiful. 

Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry by Maya Angelou

hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.5

Angelou has a way with words that not many people have. Her poetry hits deep, yet is still very enjoyable to read. I have other books of hers on my shelf, I just unfortunately didn't bring them with me to uni.

Family Business by Jonathan Sims

dark emotional mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

Jonathan Sims will never fail to amaze me with his work. After reading Thirteen Storeys, I was so excited to read this, and it didn't disappoint. The horror is subtle yet so effective in the way it's written. I very much suggest this to read. 

RIP my man Frank, you were my face <3

My Dark Romeo by L.J. Shen, Parker S. Huntington

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

This book sucks. I got it from the Works for a varied read. What I did spend 3 quid on is badly written characters and the filthiest smut I've ever had the displeasure of reading (I'm not opposed to smut but it's so bad.) 

The impactful scenes in the book are ruined by the lack of foreshadowing and development. How am I supposed to feel bad for Romeo when he was such an unbearable cunt throughout the entire book? Dallas has one thing going for her, bring a fat fuck with an ungodly metabolism. Ollie is a nonce. Zach is a fucking neek who needs to be euthanized. 

I will never know peace again after this book. I'd rather have set fire to the 3 quid than spent it on this book. 

I'll admit the later chapters are bearable. But it's ruined by the shit sandwich that encompasses the rest of the text. 

If your brain isn't comprised of sewer sludge, or you're not a horny middle aged woman sad about her recent divorce, maybe you should avoid this book. 

Anyway, Hettie and Vernon solo.

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I didn't know what to expect going into this book. It caught my eye in Waterstones, and my friend said that Kawakami's work was really good. When I did read it, I was astonished. It was so bleak, it made me depressed reading it. I suppose that was Kawakami's goal, and it was hit right on the head. If you like bleak literature with heavy topics, I really suggest this one.

Beowulf: A Verse Translation by Unknown

adventurous challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Good story, definitely a classic. But a bit harsh to get through personally. Still, found it cool.

Record of Ragnarok, Vol. 6 by Shinya Umemura, Azychika, Takumi Fukui

adventurous tense 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

4.0

Me and my mate love the anime of this, and I only got this volume because Jack the Ripper (surprisingly) turned out to be my favourite character. 

A Local Book for Local People by Mark Gatiss

funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

Funny book, gives a lot of context to TLOG and fun to have on the shelf. But, I will never forgive the League for the Judee letter bit. That ruined me a little.