rubygranger's reviews
303 reviews

The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath by Sylvia Plath

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5.0

This should be at the top of everybody's reading list...
Trump's Christmas Carol by Watt T. Dickens, Lucien Young

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5.0

Absolutely Hilarious.
Taken its recent publication date, I would recommend reading this as soon as possible because the political references remain topical and amusing.
Positive: A Memoir by Paige Rawl, Ali Benjamin

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5.0

I especially liked Rawl's emphasis on the fact that it is not our fault when we are bullied. There is this wonderful passage near the end where she talks about the differences which each of us have and, unfortunately, sometimes hide. As this year's anti-bullying week slogan went: we are all different, all equal.
The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson

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3.0

Whilst notably a bit young for me, I did enjoy this as a quick, relaxing read. Thompson's mystery is intriguing and, well, not something that I can say I've ever come across in this sort of novel (that's not a bad thing!). I especially enjoyed Nate's provincial routine after being left alone in the cottage - there is something quite comforting in reading about this.

Keep in mind that there is some referral to domestic violence but Thompson ensures that it is neither graphic nor inappropriate for younger readers. In fact, it is a great way to help children understand abusive relationships.
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

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3.0

As someone interested in narration, I particularly enjoyed the narrative structure of this novel because Barry flits between Roseanne (a patient at Siglo Asylum) and Dr Grene (her psychiatrist). Comparing notes from the two is a fascinating task and I will not deny that it was an enjoyable read.

The reason that I have given the book just three stars is, at no fault of the novel's own, due to the high expectations which I had. Having been recommended this a few times - each person singing their praises - I thought it would be the best I had ever read and, when it was not (for me at least), I found myself less keen on it than I perhaps might have been.