Scan barcode
troystory's reviews
199 reviews
Circe by Madeline Miller
5.0
I started Circe with high expectations, and it went beyond them. Madeline Miller is by far my favourite fiction author, and this book is just another example of her gorgeous writing. She writes like poetry, prose-like and beautiful and full of vivid description. Everything about this book was absolutely amazing. I can't stress that enough.
I feel honoured that I get to read Circe.
This book obviously changed the way I thought about Circe, but more than that, it introduced me to a whole new side of Greek mythology.
I really recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.
I feel honoured that I get to read Circe.
This book obviously changed the way I thought about Circe, but more than that, it introduced me to a whole new side of Greek mythology.
I really recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.
Working IX to V: Orgy Planners, Funeral Clowns, and Other Prized Professions of the Ancient World by Vicki León
5.0
This was a fantastic book! Vicki Leon does an exceptional job explaining the many jobs in the ancient world, and she's easy to understand. I personally enjoyed the stories about specific people she included - they made the book even more enjoyable. Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in classics!
The Death of Caesar: The Story of History's Most Famous Assassination by Barry S. Strauss
3.0
This book wasn't my favourite, but it still did it's job. It's very straightforward, and sometimes the writing seems more like the transcript of a lecture rather than an engaging book. If you are looking for a book that just hands you the facts, this is it.
Symposium by Plato
5.0
I don't normally read a book's introduction, but the train ride was too short for me to get into the book, and I was curious to see what the translator had to say. This book's introduction was definitely as worth-it as the book itself. I read the entire thing in one sitting, and I think it took me around two or three hours, which is pretty good for myself!
Now, onto the book itself. I first wanted to read Symposium because some classicists on tumblr kept bringing it up as the one book that argued Achilles and Patroclus were lovers, and as a die-hard shipper, I couldn't resist some support for my ship. But when I read the introduction, I found out this was a discussion on love, and not just a Plato's way of saying "They were BOYFRIENDS!". Reading Symposium has opened up a whole new philosophy for me, and that is: what is love? how can we define it, if we can define it at all? what is the difference between romantic and platonic love? It's definitely got me pumped for a (possible) pursuit on the philosophy of love.
Not to mention, the dialogue in this was sometimes hilarious. The great thing about Plato's work is that it manages to imbue each character with a little bit of humanity, whether it be humour or a fondness for drinking, or some other human trait that brings Symposium to life.
What a love I have developed for Symposium!
Now, onto the book itself. I first wanted to read Symposium because some classicists on tumblr kept bringing it up as the one book that argued Achilles and Patroclus were lovers, and as a die-hard shipper, I couldn't resist some support for my ship. But when I read the introduction, I found out this was a discussion on love, and not just a Plato's way of saying "They were BOYFRIENDS!". Reading Symposium has opened up a whole new philosophy for me, and that is: what is love? how can we define it, if we can define it at all? what is the difference between romantic and platonic love? It's definitely got me pumped for a (possible) pursuit on the philosophy of love.
Not to mention, the dialogue in this was sometimes hilarious. The great thing about Plato's work is that it manages to imbue each character with a little bit of humanity, whether it be humour or a fondness for drinking, or some other human trait that brings Symposium to life.
What a love I have developed for Symposium!
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
5.0
I read this book because of my interest in the moon, and I expected way less, honestly. The plot is gripping, and the struggles the characters face are incredibly realistic. And nothing in this book feels forced! Even if the writing's not the best I've seen, the story itself is still compelling enough to keep you interested. I loved this book so much, I immediately read the rest of the trilogy. But this book is, by far, the best out of the three. Definitely worth a read.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
5.0
One of my favourite YA books ever! This book's been given a lot of hype, but it's worth it. Becky Albertalli's writing isn't "beautiful", per se - it's honest and realistic, and that makes the book even better. It reads like it was written by Simon himself, which is something I find lacking in a lot of first-person POV books. The plot is, essentially, Simon's year in high school, but it's still a great book. The characters are amazing, too!
10/10
10/10