Take a photo of a barcode or cover
rubygranger's reviews
305 reviews
Nothing Tastes as Good by Claire Hennessy
3.0
I've read a fair few books about anorexia and bulimia, but Hennessy's novel has an interesting twist. The novel is narrated by 17 year old Annabelle who has recently died as a result of her eating disorder, and who has now, in afterlife, been assigned to help one of her peers, Julia. Julia has struggled with binging for a year, and Annabelle, still sick, encourages her to lose weight.
The book deals with some really important issues (eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse etc.) and there is often good insight. However, at times, the narration is too focused on Julia's love interest & other typical school drama. I appreciate that this provides contrast to the more serious issues being discussed, but these parts weren't as gripping and I found myself skimming through them.
The book deals with some really important issues (eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse etc.) and there is often good insight. However, at times, the narration is too focused on Julia's love interest & other typical school drama. I appreciate that this provides contrast to the more serious issues being discussed, but these parts weren't as gripping and I found myself skimming through them.
Beowulf by
3.0
I really don’t think I started Beowulf in the right mindset, and for the first 20 pages I actually wasn’t enjoying it very much at all.
I think this was because I started reading with certain expectations — namely in terms of style, for I am familiar with Seamus Heaney’s poetry. I was put off because, I think, it was not what I was anticipating. There were only a few lines whose construction I really stopped to pool over.
But — game changer — then I listened to the piece read in the original old English, and started reading it aloud to myself. And my appreciation of the language was completely reformed.
My favourite line — “the world’s candle warmed them” (line 1966)
I think this was because I started reading with certain expectations — namely in terms of style, for I am familiar with Seamus Heaney’s poetry. I was put off because, I think, it was not what I was anticipating. There were only a few lines whose construction I really stopped to pool over.
But — game changer — then I listened to the piece read in the original old English, and started reading it aloud to myself. And my appreciation of the language was completely reformed.
My favourite line — “the world’s candle warmed them” (line 1966)