ros_scallydandler's reviews
174 reviews

R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) by Karel Čapek

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Most intriguing for its ideas that remain relevant a century later.

Haruko/Love Poems by June Jordan

reflective slow-paced

4.0

Accomplished and with stunning moments. 

Middlemarch by George Eliot

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

A reread to check if this is still one of my all time favourite novels. No surprise. It was just as engrossing and enchanting as I remembered. 

The Wickedest by Caleb Femi

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Will I read a better new poetry collection this year? Full of joy and an expression of belonging. One night at a South London house party.

Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán

challenging dark sad tense 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

4.5

I was sucked in from the first page. Claustrophobic and disturbing. 

Mother's Boy by Patrick Gale

emotional reflective medium-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

4.0

Gale's warm and thoughtful retelling of a life drew me in.

Picasso, I Want My Face Back by Grace Nichols

funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Some utter gems in this collection. 

The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

challenging informative mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A curious but fascinating reading experience. It took me off on many tangents to better understand Heian Dynasty Japan. 

Poems of Nazim Hikmet by Nazim Hikmet

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

This collection spans a lifetime of poetry. Whilst I did not love every poem, the cumulative impact was stunning. Hikmet is passionate in his politics, his relationships and his attitude to life.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

Getting a time travel book to work is challenging but this one is a winner.