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rubygranger's reviews
305 reviews
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Luciana Pirè
5.0
If you haven't already, you HAVE TO read this! Wilde delves into the cartesian dualist debate, asking us to question where the self truly does reside (and contradicting the popular Victorian idea of physiognomy). In his personal Fall and descent into sinfulness I saw similarities with H.G. Wells's 'The Invisible Man' where sin thrives simply because the individual cannot be held accountable. Similarly, the debate about the value of art is intriguing and, after reading this, I recommend reading Poe's 'The Oval Mirror' because, again, there are definite similarities.
Bullies like Me by Lindy Zart
5.0
I adore books about bullying and have read dozens of them but 'Bullies like Me' is the second best that I have ever had the fortune of reading (after Atwood's [b:Cat's Eye|51019|Cat's Eye|Margaret Atwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385207977s/51019.jpg|1019987]!).
Based on the author's own experiences, 'Bullies Like Me' is about a 16/17 year old girl called Alexis who, after moving to a new school, is relentlessly bullied by her peers to the point that she attempts suicide. The book is set a few months later when Alexis is released from a teenage mental institution. There are three different narrators and the story flits between Alexis, Melanie (her bully) and Nick (her love interest). In doing this, Zart distinguishes her novel from much YA bullying-fiction because, more so than in any other novel I have read, there is a focus on the BULLY and not just the victim. She explores the consequences of bullying for all those who are involved.
Usually I don't like teenage romance novels but her and Nick's relationship, whilst significant to the plot, was not the centripetal force of the novel. Rather than repetitive and cliche, their love enriched the novel and it would not have been so excellent if it had not been for Nick.
There are many plot-twists, each one ensuring continued engagement, and I was unable to put my kindle down all morning - it took me three hours in total so is a fairly quick read and one which I am glad to have read all at once. I don't think it would have been so powerful if I had not been so heavily invested. At moments, I truly did laugh out loud and I will not hide the fact that I cried a little as well. It is a heart-wrenching tale (even more so seeing as it is semi-autobiographical) and I know that I will not forget it lightly.
The novel itself is quite dark in terms of subject matter and so I would only recommend this for those age 13 and up. If you have been bullied, been a bully or watched bullying take place, you have to read this novel!
Based on the author's own experiences, 'Bullies Like Me' is about a 16/17 year old girl called Alexis who, after moving to a new school, is relentlessly bullied by her peers to the point that she attempts suicide. The book is set a few months later when Alexis is released from a teenage mental institution. There are three different narrators and the story flits between Alexis, Melanie (her bully) and Nick (her love interest). In doing this, Zart distinguishes her novel from much YA bullying-fiction because, more so than in any other novel I have read, there is a focus on the BULLY and not just the victim. She explores the consequences of bullying for all those who are involved.
Usually I don't like teenage romance novels but her and Nick's relationship, whilst significant to the plot, was not the centripetal force of the novel. Rather than repetitive and cliche, their love enriched the novel and it would not have been so excellent if it had not been for Nick.
There are many plot-twists, each one ensuring continued engagement, and I was unable to put my kindle down all morning - it took me three hours in total so is a fairly quick read and one which I am glad to have read all at once. I don't think it would have been so powerful if I had not been so heavily invested. At moments, I truly did laugh out loud and I will not hide the fact that I cried a little as well. It is a heart-wrenching tale (even more so seeing as it is semi-autobiographical) and I know that I will not forget it lightly.
The novel itself is quite dark in terms of subject matter and so I would only recommend this for those age 13 and up. If you have been bullied, been a bully or watched bullying take place, you have to read this novel!
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
4.0
Honeyman follows the provincial life of Eleanor Oliphant, a woman in her early thirties whose life has stuck to the same weekly structure for the past nine years. She lives alone, has no friends and, since the age of thirteen, has only attended one party. Nonetheless, she is not lonely. She is simply alone.
This novel was just wonderful. Eleanor is oblivious to much of the social world and whilst deeply amusing at times it was also heartbreaking to read. It was partially comforting (in terms of the regimented routine of Eleanor's life) but her troubled childhood made it a disturbing read and it would perhaps not be suitable for those twelve and under as a result. If you do end up reading this, I just know that you will fall in love with Miss Oliphant!
This novel was just wonderful. Eleanor is oblivious to much of the social world and whilst deeply amusing at times it was also heartbreaking to read. It was partially comforting (in terms of the regimented routine of Eleanor's life) but her troubled childhood made it a disturbing read and it would perhaps not be suitable for those twelve and under as a result. If you do end up reading this, I just know that you will fall in love with Miss Oliphant!
The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley
5.0
"The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there."
Leo's narration, whilst pretentious and naive, is laced with the innocence of our halcyon days of youth. I read this (for the first time) last summer and, truly, those August afternoons make the perfect setting for Leo's supposedly perfect summer and the wishful fulfillment which coats his regularly-checked thermometer.
Hartley explores the restrictions of social class, the role of women in the family and the deception which often impacts adult-child relationships. Ali Smith has said that Leo is "a child so naive that at first it's comical and then it breaks the heart". Indeed, whilst Leo is frustrating in his continuous trust of Marian and his miscomprehension of 'spooning', the reader is more annoyed with the adults in the novel who do not respect our charming and precoscious protagonist.
Leo's narration, whilst pretentious and naive, is laced with the innocence of our halcyon days of youth. I read this (for the first time) last summer and, truly, those August afternoons make the perfect setting for Leo's supposedly perfect summer and the wishful fulfillment which coats his regularly-checked thermometer.
Hartley explores the restrictions of social class, the role of women in the family and the deception which often impacts adult-child relationships. Ali Smith has said that Leo is "a child so naive that at first it's comical and then it breaks the heart". Indeed, whilst Leo is frustrating in his continuous trust of Marian and his miscomprehension of 'spooning', the reader is more annoyed with the adults in the novel who do not respect our charming and precoscious protagonist.
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
4.0
[Full review up shortly]
Filmed Review -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmNA9ud4bsw
Filmed Review -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmNA9ud4bsw
Speechless by Hannah Harrington
3.0
I rather enjoyed this novel although, at first, I thought that I would hate it! You see, there is a bit of swearing (something I am not overly comfortable with) and Chelsea is, to say the least, quite a nasty person. A reader does see an obvious evolution in her character as she matures and becomes aware of the broader realities in the world. She sees that school popularity is not everything.
A wonderful book for girls who perhaps feel constrained by the social strata.
A wonderful book for girls who perhaps feel constrained by the social strata.