thebookishepicure's reviews
352 reviews

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

dark emotional hopeful tense fast-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

4.25

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Goat Days by Benyamin Koyippally

challenging dark hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

funny lighthearted 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? No

3.5

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.

Starts as fiction but at a point gets too preach  and reads like a self help book

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

2.5

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

I have been shying away from Anna Karenina for a few years and not it feels it was all for naught. First of all, let me tell you, this Aylmer and Louise Maude translation is absolutely a breeze to read. I struggled finding the right translation for W&P and it was the Maude translation that worked best for me. 

As the title suggests, the story follows Anna Karenina, a beautiful,  charming, radiant and captivating wife of a dignitary until passion takes over her. Alongside Anna, is a vast array of characters grappling with their own inner conflicts and moral dilemmas and demons that haunt them. From the stoic and honorable Levin to the enigmatic and magnetic Vronsky, sweet and simple Kitty, and philandering Oblonsky; Tolstoy paints a vivid portrait of humanity in all its complexity, flawed yet inherently human.

Through Anna's affair with Vronsky, Tolstoy explores the boundaries of passion and commitment. It is a poignant commentary on the hypocrisy of society's moral codes and the double standards that govern relationships between men and women. 

Tolstoy weaves themes of politics, religion, and philosophy throughout the narrative, showcasing the Russian society during a time of great upheaval and change. From the glittering ballrooms of high society to the humble countryside estates, Anna Karenina is a sweeping portrait of a nation in flux, grappling with identity, tradition, and progress.

At its core, Anna Karenina is a meditation on the search for meaning and fulfillment in a world marked by uncertainty and disillusionment. Through the trials and tribulations of its characters, Tolstoy invites readers to ponder life's most profound questions.

W&P left an indelible mark in my heart and yet Anna Karenina won a greater place. The characters have a way to make into your heart and there they remain. Special shout-out for Levin who had me rooting for him as he let me into his thoughts and world.

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

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

4.25

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

challenging dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

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

4.25