thealbapoems's reviews
98 reviews

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I have read some other Russian classics and honestly didn’t love them, but there is something about Dostoyevski’s writing style in this that is very engaging. The female characters in it are quite interesting, and it is surprising how he manages to keep the reader’s attention even when the crime has been comitted. As always the whole complication of the Russian names is annoying, but just something that you have to take as a given. I didn’t love the book, but it’s one of those that you just have to read.

Down the Drain by Julia Fox

dark sad fast-paced

2.0

This is an entertaining but not challenging book. At times it reads like it hasn't been edited, but despite this the voice comes through and the reader is able to enjoy (if that’s the right word) Julia’s story. What I liked the most about this book is the fact that she doesn’t try to make herself look good. She is unlikable and shows the ugly, dark truth, which is what saves the book. I didn’t know much about Julia Fox, but now I want to keep up with whatever she’s up to. 

Trilogy by Jon Fosse

emotional mysterious reflective 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? No

4.5

This is the first book by Jon Fosse I’ve ever read, and I see why he’s a Nobel Prize winner. What a stunning and refreshing writing style, completely in tune with the narrative and characters. It’s a sad but beautiful love story, and I would recommend it to everyone. 

El secreto del Mago by Luis Alberto de Cuenca

fast-paced

1.0

I’m shocked this man has won so many awards. Honestly utterly shocked. Maybe his previous work is better, but this is NOT good poetry. 

Rayuela by Julio Cortázar, Julio Cortázar

dark reflective sad 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? Yes

2.75

Honestly the only reason I read this is because it’s considered a classic, and I was curious about the whole jumping chapters, interactive reading experience, thing, buuut I did not love this book. I think it’s engaging, but the writing style is a bit dense, the main character Horacio is complicated, pedantic, and just in general not a great person, which is fine, totally fine, but it’s ALL about him. In my opinion, the style perfectly accommodates to his personality and shows to the reader what it’s like to be in his head- spoiler, not pleasant- but I don’t know, I think it was just a case of extreme sad boy hours. You might think this is a weird way to refer to the main character of a modern classic, but there is something about nihilistic, philosophical, constant references to literature, music, and name dropping that irks me. We get it, you are too cultured that’s the bane of your existence, but I just can’t empathize. On the other hand, there are some scenes that are so beautifully written, and some specific points where the conversation between characters is poignant, and the play with words and sentence structure effective. The scene that I found the most interesting is when

Talita, Traveler and Oliveira build that makeshift bridge between the windows so that she can give Oliveira his tea leaves (mate in Spanish). Something about the action, the character interactions and the space was deeply moving

. Finally, I will confess that I did not read all of the optional chapters. After chapter 56, I tried a few of the extra chapters, hoping I would get different perspectives, or more encounters between the characters, but guess what I found? More internal monologue. I’m sure that if I studied this book at school I would like it more, but as of now, I’m happy I read it, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. 

The Forward Book of Poetry 2024 by Various Poets

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

I am not usually one for non-fiction, but seeing as I am interested in the environment, and this book got a Pullitzer, I decided to bite. For those who, like me, are in an exclusive relationship with fiction, let me preface by saying this Kolbert’s writing style makes complex, dull historical and scientific explanations easy to understand and even entertaining. As proof, let me say that at some point in the book there is mention of a crow handjob, and no, it is not metaphorical. I enjoyed this book (despite the time it took me to get through it), it’s informative, but it doesn’t lecture. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the environment and how we are changing the world and all the animals living in it. 

The Forward Book of Poetry 2023 by Various Poets

dark reflective relaxing slow-paced

3.0

As always a good map for poetry now

Children of Dune by Frank Herbert

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The last book of the trilogy. I’m happy with the way it ended, but I am a little disappointed. I know there are more books in the Dune collection but I don’t think I’ll read them. It’s frustrating because some characters deserved better, but I guess this frustration is what Herbert wanted. As always the world building is fantastic, but it feels slightly less calculated than in the first two books. Something that bothered me from the first time I watched the movie is the contradiction between the Fremen and their unity with the dessert, the way they flow with its natural rhythm, and their longing for a green paradise.

I’m happy that the last two books talk about the return to the old ways, and I guess that now that I think about it, the Fremen only wanted this in theory, and once they see the sea off-world they realize it’s not their way. What made me very sad is the way that Herbert treats his female characters, Chani, Jessica, Irulan, Ghanima, but most of all poor Alia. I think all of them are presented as being extremely powerful, but only in theory, and once they face their male counterparts they are overshadowed. I think Alia’s character arc was rushed and a little unjustified, and Ghanima’s development once she and Leto II fakes his death is awful. The justification Herbert gives at the end that Leto II was always the strongest one feels a little on the nose. Part of me wants to believe that Leto II is doing what Paul couldn't and protecting Ghani as Paul would have liked to protect Chani, but I’m unsure.

Overall, I am very happy with the trilogy, and recommend it to everyone; just take somethings with a pinch of salt. 

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It is difficult to write a second part for a book like Dune, and this book proves it. Full of vision-passages and the uncertainties of prescience, Dune Messiah is a harder read than Dune. It starts out slowly, but it leaves the reader with a sense of fulfillment. There’s beautiful symbolism, interesting character dynamics, and always the subtext of socio-political developments.

Paul’s love for Channi is depicted in a way that rings true, as does their death and the fall of his moon

Very much worth the read, even if it isn’t as stunning as the first one.