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shelfkewpie's Reviews (40)
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It reads like someone telling you about their summer from memory, where some moments are dwelled on in great detail, and you don't even know how they ended up to that point in their story? While there's gorgeous writing, the brief uncomfy moments make this not worth recommending. It's not the complete adultification of Theresa, but instead how she doesn't question ANYTHING or even stops to think about something after it happens. I wanted the protagonist to have more depth and emotion besides having striking beauty and a motherly instinct for the children she's babysitting. The writing is wonderful, but the story is lackluster.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the TV series and read this for nostalgia! It was interesting to spot the differences between the book and show. I think it's great for what it is and for the audience that it's for. I'm not going to read any more of the series and just wanted to experience the writing, which is engaging and easy to follow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Alcohol
Minor: Murder
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love that a lot was left to the reader's imagination. The point comes across easier since you're not getting distracted trying to learn the details of this near-future world and how everything works in it. It's just there in everyday life, so you figure out how it works as you read on.
It reminded me so much of Black Mirror in the setting, technology, and the swift shocking moments that pop up quickly and move on just as your eyes had time to widen a bit! The main similarity between the show and UnWorld is that the story is focused on emotional complexities and just uses tech as a lens into human behavior and relationships.
The dialogue is the only thing I found a little predictable, or maybe not convincing enough? The overall writing is so smooth, and I enjoyed reading the character's inner thoughts!
Thank you to Knopf for the Advance Reader's Edition
It reminded me so much of Black Mirror in the setting, technology, and the swift shocking moments that pop up quickly and move on just as your eyes had time to widen a bit! The main similarity between the show and UnWorld is that the story is focused on emotional complexities and just uses tech as a lens into human behavior and relationships.
The dialogue is the only thing I found a little predictable, or maybe not convincing enough? The overall writing is so smooth, and I enjoyed reading the character's inner thoughts!
Thank you to Knopf for the Advance Reader's Edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicide
Minor: Addiction, Cursing
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is like reading someone's journal–thoughts pieced together and raw emotion. It's a quick read that maybe I would have liked more if I was a mother myself? It seems written to be relatable (based on the prose). Whether the protagonist is talking about people in her town or world events, it's all about her place in it.
I enjoyed some of the other characters' stories, and there were parts that almost all women could relate to, but I couldn't understand the reason for some of the repetition and descriptors in place of names. Overall, it's a good book that's very human and easy to read.
I enjoyed some of the other characters' stories, and there were parts that almost all women could relate to, but I couldn't understand the reason for some of the repetition and descriptors in place of names. Overall, it's a good book that's very human and easy to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Classism
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Knowing that this has been called "the most misunderstood novel" by BBC makes me feel like if I say anything negative that I'll just be considered someone who "didn't get it." My issue isn't with the symbolism but rather with the writing itself.
The preface mentioned that Fitzgerald took time away from writing this, revised it after finishing it, and was inspired by real people and his life, and it very much seems that way. There's differences in pace throughout the story, and some characters are vividly described while others are just there. I finished the book in a day and a half and couldn't get emotionally involved at all–how does anyone misinterpret The Great Gatsby as a love story?
I appreciate that this novel inspired some decent movies, and I liked Nick Carraway as a character and the narrator. There's a few memorable sentences, but overall, I don't think there's much to get out of it besides a snippet of the 20s and idea of "The American Dream" being unattainable.
The preface mentioned that Fitzgerald took time away from writing this, revised it after finishing it, and was inspired by real people and his life, and it very much seems that way. There's differences in pace throughout the story, and some characters are vividly described while others are just there. I finished the book in a day and a half and couldn't get emotionally involved at all–how does anyone misinterpret The Great Gatsby as a love story?
I appreciate that this novel inspired some decent movies, and I liked Nick Carraway as a character and the narrator. There's a few memorable sentences, but overall, I don't think there's much to get out of it besides a snippet of the 20s and idea of "The American Dream" being unattainable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Multi-generational, multiple families, complex characters, good and evil—There's so much to dissect and learn from this that I'm sad it's over. I enjoyed reading this with 2 book clubs and being able to have my eyes opened to the connections and parallels that I missed.
I caught myself impressed with the writing style and imagery throughout. Steinbeck had such a talent of being able to put into words his observation of people, their world, and their relationships. This is an unforgettable story!
I caught myself impressed with the writing style and imagery throughout. Steinbeck had such a talent of being able to put into words his observation of people, their world, and their relationships. This is an unforgettable story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Murder
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism
Tried for 9 months to finish this because I really wanted to like it. The story had the potential to become a good book, but the writing is extremely repetitive and bland. The characters have no depth, and the story is told in a very simple, monotone way. 77 pages were left when I finally realized that it was going to be lackluster the whole way through.
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
The amount of information packed in this is so impressive, and the narrative style makes it an entertaining read for a history buff.
Nearly all of its content is news to me, so I was deeply invested in learning about the rise and fall of each gangster, organization, and scheme. Some of the matter-of-fact statements of violence made my jaw drop!
I appreciated the backstories on the criminals and seeing that the author humanized them, showing that the road to brutal gangsterism can be caused by upbringing, environment, and trauma.
Nearly all of its content is news to me, so I was deeply invested in learning about the rise and fall of each gangster, organization, and scheme. Some of the matter-of-fact statements of violence made my jaw drop!
I appreciated the backstories on the criminals and seeing that the author humanized them, showing that the road to brutal gangsterism can be caused by upbringing, environment, and trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Racial slurs, Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Mental illness, Torture, Alcohol, War
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was one that made me stay up past midnight for several nights just to find out what happens next.
I love the dialogue that reminds us of each character's origins and their multi-dimensional personalities. The story progressed well and never had a boring moment.
I feel like if it was just a little longer, I would give it 5 stars. I couldn't forget a few characters that never got a longer story or proper ending (mainly the Clara Bow look-a-like, the way she was introduced made me think we'd see more of her + Gloria), though the epilogue was wonderful and gave answers for Mirielle's future.
The author chose this point in American health history that I believe most people don't know of, making this book especially memorable and worth recommending.
I love the dialogue that reminds us of each character's origins and their multi-dimensional personalities. The story progressed well and never had a boring moment.
I feel like if it was just a little longer, I would give it 5 stars. I couldn't forget a few characters that never got a longer story or proper ending (mainly the Clara Bow look-a-like, the way she was introduced made me think we'd see more of her + Gloria), though the epilogue was wonderful and gave answers for Mirielle's future.
The author chose this point in American health history that I believe most people don't know of, making this book especially memorable and worth recommending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Child death, Racial slurs, Blood, Pregnancy, Abandonment
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This author's writing style is perfection. I loved every description of emotion, physical traits, and setting throughout the novel. The time lapses are great as well. I enjoyed seeing the years go by and getting the satisfaction of knowing what happened next.
I believe there couldn't have been a better writer to tell this story—to fill in what Dickens omitted and to give more.
At first, I was skeptical of an origin story and wasn't sure I'd be convinced of the complexities added to Fagin's personality. It wasn't long before I realized that I was emotional over Jacob's life and the people in it. From beginning to end, this is a wonderful, very human story that I'm so glad I got to read.
Thank you, Doubleday, for my gifted copy
I believe there couldn't have been a better writer to tell this story—to fill in what Dickens omitted and to give more.
At first, I was skeptical of an origin story and wasn't sure I'd be convinced of the complexities added to Fagin's personality. It wasn't long before I realized that I was emotional over Jacob's life and the people in it. From beginning to end, this is a wonderful, very human story that I'm so glad I got to read.
Thank you, Doubleday, for my gifted copy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Racial slurs, Antisemitism
Minor: Death