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rubygranger's reviews
305 reviews
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
4.0
Despite the "typical teenage behaviour" - inclusive of an unpleasant party, swearing and relationships - I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. People who are familiar with my reading habits know that I like anything about bullying and Juliet Sykes is tormented by our protagonist's clique. Sam really is not a very likeable character: she is nasty, rude and immature; however, with each day that passes we see her gradually maturing and softening. This process in itself is lovely to behold. It is a tale of love and life and acceptance, highlighting the things and values that must be considered if we are to live worthwhile lives and ending with the best final three pages that I have read in a long time.
I recommend this to those who enjoyed the Bad Girls Don't Die trilogy (they are stylistically very similar). Also, for all those who love Autumn, there are some beautiful hygge images lacing the novel.
I recommend this to those who enjoyed the Bad Girls Don't Die trilogy (they are stylistically very similar). Also, for all those who love Autumn, there are some beautiful hygge images lacing the novel.
What I Was by Meg Rosoff
5.0
A charming exploration of gender and sexuality which is made particularly striking in the fact that it is set in the 1960s. Additionally, there is an emphasis on 'simple living' and the recognition that material luxuries are not essential for living a happy and fulfilled life.
It is set in a Boy's Boarding School so there are elements of bullying. The protagonist is sixteen but he seems a lot younger when you're reading.
It is definitely a quick read but you will not regret it.
It is set in a Boy's Boarding School so there are elements of bullying. The protagonist is sixteen but he seems a lot younger when you're reading.
It is definitely a quick read but you will not regret it.
Goodbye Malory Towers by Pamela Cox, Enid Blyton
4.0
It's always a pleasure to return to Malory Towers, despite the fact that I am now far too old for the series! Seeing as Felicity and her friends have just a term left at school, there is underlying melancholy in the book but also great excitement. Cox handles this tricky rite of passage well and I really do recommend this to anybody who is going to be leaving school soon.
A new character, Lizzie, additionally reminded rather a lot of myself for she does little more than study! The only problem is that she neglects her school life as a result and does not properly enjoy her time at Malory Towers. Though of course, as always, there is a reason behind this...
A new character, Lizzie, additionally reminded rather a lot of myself for she does little more than study! The only problem is that she neglects her school life as a result and does not properly enjoy her time at Malory Towers. Though of course, as always, there is a reason behind this...
Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
The descriptions are poignantly disturbing and I found myself feeling faint at particular points in the novel. Perhaps this isn't the best book for those who are squeamish with blood!
The narration of the book is very much skewed, switching regularly between characters, and at times which leads to great ambiguity at times. This is not necessarily a bad thing though because Lindqvist is able to use his omniscient presence to create a link between all characters in the novel (living or 'dead').
The novel explores the dangers of stereotyping and there is a minor focus on gender. Additionally, Oskar is terribly bullied (so badly that it makes your heart tear!).
Definitely not suitable for younger readers -- I'd say 15+ with this one!
The narration of the book is very much skewed, switching regularly between characters, and at times which leads to great ambiguity at times. This is not necessarily a bad thing though because Lindqvist is able to use his omniscient presence to create a link between all characters in the novel (living or 'dead').
The novel explores the dangers of stereotyping and there is a minor focus on gender. Additionally, Oskar is terribly bullied (so badly that it makes your heart tear!).
Definitely not suitable for younger readers -- I'd say 15+ with this one!
The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing
5.0
One of the most interesting takes on a protagonist I have seen. You start of loving Mary and wondering why on earth anybody would want to kill her but as the novel progresses you begin to despise her. Mary's racism is truly shocking, especially seeing as Lessing describes it as a separate entity to her individuality (suggesting that it is not an intrinsic part of her but something that has been distilled by her childhood). There is definitely a Freudian approach being explored here and if you're familiar with his work, it is a perfect (fictional) casestudy to apply what you know.
Not only this, but the imagery is beautiful. At first, it is dismal and two dimensional but as Mary looks up, it is rich and full of wonder. There is a particularly enchanting passage which describes the South African night sky.
Not only this, but the imagery is beautiful. At first, it is dismal and two dimensional but as Mary looks up, it is rich and full of wonder. There is a particularly enchanting passage which describes the South African night sky.
The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer Bell
3.0
Rather easy but wonderful. It actually reminded me of Harry Potter in places (in the quaint antiquity of the traders' market) and so I recommend it to the potterheads!
The Chimes by Charles Dickens
3.0
Dickens is a favourite and so I had high hopes when I picked this up. There are many philosophical and even existential questions explored in this texts -- more so than can be seen in 'Great Expectations', 'A Christmas Carol' and 'Oliver Twist' -- and there is a large emphasis on the reader in relation to our protagonist (Toby). I do recommend this!
A Childhood At Green Hedges by Imogen Smallwood
5.0
Simply marvellous. As a fan of Enid Blyton in my youth, this book instantly appealed to me. I watched the film 'Enid' back in 2009, a film which was largely based on Imogen Smallwood's memoirs, and can certainly see similarities between the two (though a lot seems to have been added to the movie for cinematic purposes). The story is, quite frankly, heartbreaking and it is awful to see how detached Smallwood was from her mother, especially considering the apparent closeness between her and Gillian. This level of neglect only led to social isolation and bitterness on her part which only proved to further the distance between the girl and her mother. Indeed, the novel 'Six Bad Boys' does seem to show some sort of recognition of this on Blyton's part because the story recognises that a child is usually bad as a result of abuse -- does this suggest some sort of regret on Blyton's part? Smallwood further critically assesses her mother's children's books and relates them to her own authorial experiences and influences. A good read for anybody who read the Blyton books when they were young.