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rubygranger's reviews
303 reviews
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.
Obsessive Actions and Religious Practices by Sigmund Freud
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Paradise Lost, Book 4 by John Milton
4.0
As my favourite book in Milton's Epic Poem, I decided to re-read this biased, yet perhaps more accurate, account of Lucifer's entrance into Eden and initial temptation of Eve.