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tetrapakk's reviews
74 reviews
Quicksand by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While the English title doesnt transfer the original meaning of the Japanese one, I think it was chosen very well!
The four characters all get caught in the "quicksand" of passion and desire, and the more they try to kick their way out of it by deceiving and manipulating, the deeper they sink.
It was an incredibly captivating read, never knowing who is really pulling the strings right now, whose scheme will strike next. It feels like you're being pulled down with them, experiencing the same infatuation and hopelessness and suspicion.
The depiction of lesbianism in such an "old" book was also really fascinating to read!
If you are looking for a quick read that has ALL the drama: Look no more.
The four characters all get caught in the "quicksand" of passion and desire, and the more they try to kick their way out of it by deceiving and manipulating, the deeper they sink.
It was an incredibly captivating read, never knowing who is really pulling the strings right now, whose scheme will strike next. It feels like you're being pulled down with them, experiencing the same infatuation and hopelessness and suspicion.
The depiction of lesbianism in such an "old" book was also really fascinating to read!
If you are looking for a quick read that has ALL the drama: Look no more.
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
4.75
This was my first dive into the discworld series, and I quite enjoyed it.
The witty humor, wordplays, the subtile and not so subtle analogies to our own world- it was quite a fantastical read.
What I want to note positively is that Pratchett wrote an autistic character that is more than just a "joke" and gets a proper personality/development. He also wrote a funny passage about someone being a dramatic about the percieved gender of someone using a toilet nice.
What I didnt like, though, was him making fun of "politically correct" language by Ms. Dearhart making fun of people saying "people of clay" instead of "clay people" (aka "people of color" instead of "colored people"). This (and their position as work slaves) makes the Golems a kind of metaphor for the African slaves brought to America which is really just off, since Golems dont have free will and dont want anyone to free them.
Also there are barely three speaking female characters, all of them falling into the only three categories male authors seem to have: Love interest (preferably edgy), annoying ugly spinster, child.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the book and will continue to dive into the universe of Discworld ^^
The witty humor, wordplays, the subtile and not so subtle analogies to our own world- it was quite a fantastical read.
What I want to note positively is that Pratchett wrote an autistic character that is more than just a "joke" and gets a proper personality/development. He also wrote a funny passage about someone being a dramatic about the percieved gender of someone using a toilet nice.
What I didnt like, though, was him making fun of "politically correct" language by Ms. Dearhart making fun of people saying "people of clay" instead of "clay people" (aka "people of color" instead of "colored people"). This (and their position as work slaves) makes the Golems a kind of metaphor for the African slaves brought to America which is really just off, since Golems dont have free will and dont want anyone to free them.
Also there are barely three speaking female characters, all of them falling into the only three categories male authors seem to have: Love interest (preferably edgy), annoying ugly spinster, child.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the book and will continue to dive into the universe of Discworld ^^
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematorium by Caitlin Doughty
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I had really high hopes for this book, especially since so many people described it as "eye-opening" and "revolutionary".
Well, it certainly was really interesting. Through this book I have learnt a lot about death and the death Industry and it prompted further research on my side. It is always interesting to hear from experts in their field!
The thing I didnt really like though, was the writing style. It often felt stiff and blocky to me, she sometimes just jumped from one topic to another and back and most of her humor just didnt land with me.
Also I found some passages to be completely unnecessary. Why does the reader need to know about her roomate crying over a man one night, when she is literally never mentioned again? If she isnt relevant for your life, why write her into your memoir? Only for a bad joke about her not being a lesbian anymore?
Some of her takes in this book were also kind of weird.
When an able bodied woman died and left her disabled husband behind, she writes the he should have been the first one to go.
Additionall she often kind of sped through different arguments without much explanation, sometimes just stating her opinion in one sentence and moving on to the next one. I would have liked it more if she choose lesser topics and explained them with more detail. It just felt like a lot of loose ends for me.
What also bothered me was that her opinions were often presented as facts.
This sounds really negative but the book is nice and Id definitely recommend it for diving into the topic of death! Just think critically about what youre reading.
Well, it certainly was really interesting. Through this book I have learnt a lot about death and the death Industry and it prompted further research on my side. It is always interesting to hear from experts in their field!
The thing I didnt really like though, was the writing style. It often felt stiff and blocky to me, she sometimes just jumped from one topic to another and back and most of her humor just didnt land with me.
Also I found some passages to be completely unnecessary. Why does the reader need to know about her roomate crying over a man one night, when she is literally never mentioned again? If she isnt relevant for your life, why write her into your memoir? Only for a bad joke about her not being a lesbian anymore?
Some of her takes in this book were also kind of weird.
When an able bodied woman died and left her disabled husband behind, she writes the he should have been the first one to go.
Additionall she often kind of sped through different arguments without much explanation, sometimes just stating her opinion in one sentence and moving on to the next one. I would have liked it more if she choose lesser topics and explained them with more detail. It just felt like a lot of loose ends for me.
What also bothered me was that her opinions were often presented as facts.
This sounds really negative but the book is nice and Id definitely recommend it for diving into the topic of death! Just think critically about what youre reading.
Die Stadt der Träumenden Bücher by Walter Moers
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Ein wahrer Klassiker der Mythenmetzschen Prosa.
Ensel und Krete - Ein Märchen aus Zamonien by Walter Moers
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Nach seiner 99 Jahre langen Pause versorg uns Hildegunst von Mythenmetz wieder regelmäßig mit höchst qualitativer und innovativer Prosa.
Diese Neuerzählung von dem Zamonischen Märchen "Ensel und Krete" begeistert nicht nur durch sein revolutionäres "Happy End", sondern auch durch das von Mythenmetz neu geschaffene Stilmittel "die Mythenmetz'sche Abschweifung".
Ein Meisterwerk der Prosa, die den Geist erquickt.
Diese Neuerzählung von dem Zamonischen Märchen "Ensel und Krete" begeistert nicht nur durch sein revolutionäres "Happy End", sondern auch durch das von Mythenmetz neu geschaffene Stilmittel "die Mythenmetz'sche Abschweifung".
Ein Meisterwerk der Prosa, die den Geist erquickt.
Die 13½ Leben des Käpt'n Blaubär by Walter Moers
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? N/A
5.0
Worte werden diesem Werk nicht gerecht- man muss es einfach erleben.
Die 13 1/2 Leben des Käpt'n Blaubär entführen dich auf eine Odysee in einem Universum, in dem nichts unmöglich ist. Mörs schafft auf 700 Seiten eine unglaublich lebendige, detaillierte, schrullige Welt, die unser Erzähler auf der Suche nach Abenteuer, Zugehörigkeit und natürlich Freude durchquert. Jedes seiner 13 1/2 Leben ist unglaublich originell und unterhaltsam und mit so viel Liebe kreiert, dass man es durch die Seiten spürt. Blaubär ist ein zugänglicher Held, er ist intelligent und hilfsbereit, macht aber auch Fehler, wird mal arrogant oder faul, und wächst daraus wieder. Obwohl es eine Welt voller Fantasie ist, lassen sich doch aus jedem Leben Lehren herausziehen, die wir alle schon in unserem eigenen Heranwachsen macheb mussten oder noch macheb müssten. Überall im Buch befinden sich offensichtliche und versteckte Anspielungen zu "unserer" Welt, zu geschichtlichen Ereignissen und Personen, was natürlich auch nochmal sehe unterhaltend ist. Ich bin wirklich fasziniert, wie es Walter Mörs schafft, so viele verschiedene Kreaturen und Kulturen, so viel Geographie, Geschichte und Phänomene zu erfinden und alles zu verknüpfen. Ein wirkliches Meisterwerk. Ich freue mich darauf, mehr aus Zamonien zu lesen ;)
Die 13 1/2 Leben des Käpt'n Blaubär entführen dich auf eine Odysee in einem Universum, in dem nichts unmöglich ist. Mörs schafft auf 700 Seiten eine unglaublich lebendige, detaillierte, schrullige Welt, die unser Erzähler auf der Suche nach Abenteuer, Zugehörigkeit und natürlich Freude durchquert. Jedes seiner 13 1/2 Leben ist unglaublich originell und unterhaltsam und mit so viel Liebe kreiert, dass man es durch die Seiten spürt. Blaubär ist ein zugänglicher Held, er ist intelligent und hilfsbereit, macht aber auch Fehler, wird mal arrogant oder faul, und wächst daraus wieder. Obwohl es eine Welt voller Fantasie ist, lassen sich doch aus jedem Leben Lehren herausziehen, die wir alle schon in unserem eigenen Heranwachsen macheb mussten oder noch macheb müssten. Überall im Buch befinden sich offensichtliche und versteckte Anspielungen zu "unserer" Welt, zu geschichtlichen Ereignissen und Personen, was natürlich auch nochmal sehe unterhaltend ist. Ich bin wirklich fasziniert, wie es Walter Mörs schafft, so viele verschiedene Kreaturen und Kulturen, so viel Geographie, Geschichte und Phänomene zu erfinden und alles zu verknüpfen. Ein wirkliches Meisterwerk. Ich freue mich darauf, mehr aus Zamonien zu lesen ;)
Borrasca by C.K. Walker
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Infertility, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Don Juan kommt aus dem Krieg by Ödön von Horváth, Traugott Krischke
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
War für mich etwas zäh zu lesen. Glaube, Liebe, Hoffnung fand ich super, fand das Drama aber nicht ansatzweise so bewegend oder komisch.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is genuinly the best depiction of anorexia I have even encountered in media. Melissa Broder manages to portray the reality of the disorder with neither demonizing nor romanticizing it and I am extremely grateful for that. Reading this book made me feel seen, made me reflect on the eating disorder I overcame and come at peace with all these past traumata.
Other than that I also really enjoyed how metaphor-heavy this book is. I love when a book has a second layer underneath that you can unravel. To be honest though, I probably overlooked lots of metaphors and details, simply because I um severely undereducated in Judaism.
Which brings me ro my second point, the heavy Jewish themes were genuinly so interesting to read! Ive learned about so many things about Jewish (ways of) life and definitely want to learn more! On that note, I also greatly appreciate the stance Broder took against Zionism here, especially since now, few years later, the situation has worsened so dramatically.
It was genuinly an amazing read, but it is weird, gross, crazy, and this book is proud to be those things. no human mind is free from dirt and this piece of literature doesnt deny, but celebrate this reality. So it would probably be helpful to read the content warnings before indulging <3
Other than that I also really enjoyed how metaphor-heavy this book is. I love when a book has a second layer underneath that you can unravel. To be honest though, I probably overlooked lots of metaphors and details, simply because I um severely undereducated in Judaism.
Which brings me ro my second point, the heavy Jewish themes were genuinly so interesting to read! Ive learned about so many things about Jewish (ways of) life and definitely want to learn more! On that note, I also greatly appreciate the stance Broder took against Zionism here, especially since now, few years later, the situation has worsened so dramatically.
It was genuinly an amazing read, but it is weird, gross, crazy, and this book is proud to be those things. no human mind is free from dirt and this piece of literature doesnt deny, but celebrate this reality. So it would probably be helpful to read the content warnings before indulging <3
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0