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the_sentimentality_of_books's reviews
83 reviews
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was an interesting read: A bit of immigrant-Australiam history, a mystery, some cute romance along the way.
I was excited to solve the mystery first as I usually have no success in that.
The writing style was an unusual one for me, but I was still keen to finish the book because I was hooked on the characters and their fates.
I was excited to solve the mystery first as I usually have no success in that.
The writing style was an unusual one for me, but I was still keen to finish the book because I was hooked on the characters and their fates.
The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat
3.0
The Children of the New Forest was written by Captain Marryat and published in 1847 - and the book definitely shows it.
The story purportedly follows the childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood of the four Beverley siblings: two brothers and two sisters. While the livelihoods, activities, and interests of the two boys are followed and do make a very interesting historical novel, the two girls are left out.
When Humphrey, the younger brothers, tells his sister Edith that they shall have bacon from their farm, he says that it will be fun for her because she will be able to cook it for him and his brother. Later, Edward, the elder brother, is deciding where his two sisters will live and claims that it is decided without consulting either one of them.
In sum, the girls are in the book to:
1. Give the boys some to protect
2. Provide housekeeping.
Therefore, I can say it is an enjoyable novel for an adult with same rather dramatic points of intrigue, physical danger, and love. In its history-telling, it is quite biased against the Roundheads, and very pro-Cavalier, but the ways of life, farming, and speaking would make an interesting study.
However, as a children's book, I say no. Being unwittingly sexist, racist and biased it can be studied by adults, but should not be read by either young boys or girls without giving them some very old-fashioned impressions.
The story purportedly follows the childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood of the four Beverley siblings: two brothers and two sisters. While the livelihoods, activities, and interests of the two boys are followed and do make a very interesting historical novel, the two girls are left out.
When Humphrey, the younger brothers, tells his sister Edith that they shall have bacon from their farm, he says that it will be fun for her because she will be able to cook it for him and his brother. Later, Edward, the elder brother, is deciding where his two sisters will live and claims that it is decided without consulting either one of them.
In sum, the girls are in the book to:
1. Give the boys some to protect
2. Provide housekeeping.
Therefore, I can say it is an enjoyable novel for an adult with same rather dramatic points of intrigue, physical danger, and love. In its history-telling, it is quite biased against the Roundheads, and very pro-Cavalier, but the ways of life, farming, and speaking would make an interesting study.
However, as a children's book, I say no. Being unwittingly sexist, racist and biased it can be studied by adults, but should not be read by either young boys or girls without giving them some very old-fashioned impressions.
Party Frock by Anna Zinkeisen, Noel Streatfeild
3.0
Party Frock tells the story of the Andrews family in England, 1945 getting up a pageant. The reason for the pageant: their cousin, Selina, who lives woth the family has received a party frock which she has no chance of wearing, thanks to WWII having stopped any and all parties to which such a dress could be worn.
While the book is a delight to read, it can stir up a bit of anxiety, even irritation on behalf of the children, and especially Selina, as the pageant is taken over by a young man with grand ideas.
After a twist at the end, wverything is happily resolved and the strings of everyone's stories are neatly tied up.
While the book is a delight to read, it can stir up a bit of anxiety, even irritation on behalf of the children, and especially Selina, as the pageant is taken over by a young man with grand ideas.
After a twist at the end, wverything is happily resolved and the strings of everyone's stories are neatly tied up.
A Time of Love and Tartan by Alexander McCall Smith
4.0
A Time of Love and Tartan carries on in the tradition of recounting the lives of the residents of 44 Scotland Street.
I listened to this as an audiobook. Listening suited the style of this book - intentionally rambly, and full of little stories that weave in and out of each other. I thoroughly recommend listening as an audiobook, although I have enjoyed reading books by Alexander McCall Smith, as he is one of my favourite authors.
I listened to this as an audiobook. Listening suited the style of this book - intentionally rambly, and full of little stories that weave in and out of each other. I thoroughly recommend listening as an audiobook, although I have enjoyed reading books by Alexander McCall Smith, as he is one of my favourite authors.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Mary Lascelles
5.0
Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books, in that I don't want to put it down. When I'm dragged away, I want to talk about it, or just get back to it.
I somehow forget the intricacies of the plot and the many emotions that are explored throughout - it means that, each time I reread it, I am pleasantly surprised and enthralled all over again.
I somehow forget the intricacies of the plot and the many emotions that are explored throughout - it means that, each time I reread it, I am pleasantly surprised and enthralled all over again.
An Unrestored Woman by Shobha Rao
4.0
I read one of the short stories as part of a class. Then, it was a sad, informative story.
Reading the collection of these paired stories gives my understanding of Indian history more depth. Because the stories were incredibly sad, I did take a while to read this book. I knew it would be worth it to read through it, though- and the importance of the stories remind the reader to respect what people need to share.
Reading the collection of these paired stories gives my understanding of Indian history more depth. Because the stories were incredibly sad, I did take a while to read this book. I knew it would be worth it to read through it, though- and the importance of the stories remind the reader to respect what people need to share.
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
4.0
For a book with such a violent-sounding title, the main character is a refreshing, wonderful surprise.
Tamora Pierce's character development and knowledge of global develooment leads us to understand more of the world outside of Tortall and how it influences people - notably, young Arram Draper, the powerful mage under careful watch of some of the most powerful people of the Carthaki empire.
Tamora Pierce's character development and knowledge of global develooment leads us to understand more of the world outside of Tortall and how it influences people - notably, young Arram Draper, the powerful mage under careful watch of some of the most powerful people of the Carthaki empire.
Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce
4.0
The second Beka Cooper book definitely lived up to my high expectations: Pierce upped the ante, introduced new and interesting characters in a different yet similar setting, and kept me reading with a different adventure.
One drawback (a very slight one at that): Lionel of Trebond is a character whose magic is specifically described as being purple, and whose hair is red. Through these books, I do not recall anyone else's magic-colour being mentioned. It seems like too much reference to the Lioness. I do understand though the importance of making that connection for fans.
Altogether, though, Pierce doesn't spoon-feed her readers - we have to concentrate on the dialogue, and I enjoy that because it makes me really think about what is happening to such determined, clever, and multidimensional characters.
One drawback (a very slight one at that): Lionel of Trebond is a character whose magic is specifically described as being purple, and whose hair is red. Through these books, I do not recall anyone else's magic-colour being mentioned. It seems like too much reference to the Lioness. I do understand though the importance of making that connection for fans.
Altogether, though, Pierce doesn't spoon-feed her readers - we have to concentrate on the dialogue, and I enjoy that because it makes me really think about what is happening to such determined, clever, and multidimensional characters.