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vacanthungarian's reviews
40 reviews
A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.5
That.... Was hard to read.
Honestly, for the most part it's a recount of an astonishing lack of empathy and conscience from a woman as seen through the eyes of a child. I found myself being absolutely distraught over the physical pain, abandonment and disbelief that child must have faced on several occasions. It's also incomprehensible that any human being can be so sadistic and take such pleasure in doing these things without ever taking a step back and asking themself why they just did that. Christ it's awful.
I wonder how many people saw this as a symbol of awareness and how many just read it out of morbid fascination.
Honestly, for the most part it's a recount of an astonishing lack of empathy and conscience from a woman as seen through the eyes of a child. I found myself being absolutely distraught over the physical pain, abandonment and disbelief that child must have faced on several occasions. It's also incomprehensible that any human being can be so sadistic and take such pleasure in doing these things without ever taking a step back and asking themself why they just did that. Christ it's awful.
I wonder how many people saw this as a symbol of awareness and how many just read it out of morbid fascination.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, and Excrement
Five on Brexit Island by Bruno Vincent
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
3.5
A cute little parody of that thing that basically became the Only thing the UK was interested in for several years.
I really liked it as a nice little palate cleanser that you can read over a couple of days.
I really liked it as a nice little palate cleanser that you can read over a couple of days.
Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A small group of middle class Russians find it difficult to cope with their individual depressions and/or hypochondria. Turns out they all hate each other. Men take it in turns to speak perfectly out of turn and someone implores them to stop. There's a weird love triangle, all of which is unrequited. Somehow they're all sad when they finally part ways.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
What a book!
It's not often that I throw out five stars, but this one really did touch me. It outright broke my heart.
The story, though fictional is dignified and honest. Here you won't find self pity and sob stories, but a very human account of fear, sadness, hardship, sentimentality and an element of beauty. There are a few parts that were hard to read, similarly to how some words are hard to hear.
I feel this should be read by more. Just because it's beautiful in its own dark way.
It's not often that I throw out five stars, but this one really did touch me. It outright broke my heart.
The story, though fictional is dignified and honest. Here you won't find self pity and sob stories, but a very human account of fear, sadness, hardship, sentimentality and an element of beauty. There are a few parts that were hard to read, similarly to how some words are hard to hear.
I feel this should be read by more. Just because it's beautiful in its own dark way.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A brief story of soviet reality.
Similarly to all the big Russians, the reader gets a big helping of "everything's awful, cold and unfair". But rather differently to all the others I have read, I felt almost positive. There was a sense that maybe it isn't so bad if you just see things from Shukov's perspective and understand what luxury is when there's no luxury to be had. I'll give it that extra star just for giving me the luxury of not feeling completely deflated like all the others had.
Similarly to all the big Russians, the reader gets a big helping of "everything's awful, cold and unfair". But rather differently to all the others I have read, I felt almost positive. There was a sense that maybe it isn't so bad if you just see things from Shukov's perspective and understand what luxury is when there's no luxury to be had. I'll give it that extra star just for giving me the luxury of not feeling completely deflated like all the others had.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a pretty average book for me. I thought the beginning was a little bit juvenile, but then it got good. Quite dark with a peppering of smut. Sadly the end felt a little bit "thrown together".
I'm not exactly regretting the fact that I picked it, but equally I wouldn't bother reading it again.
I'm not exactly regretting the fact that I picked it, but equally I wouldn't bother reading it again.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is not a typical Stephen King book. At least not after "the shed".
But it is still a decent read. I think it works better for those who enjoy fantasy novels, but personally I found it to be a little lacklustre towards the end. Somewhat predictable, but the characters themselves (with a handful of exceptions) were good. The story itself, as King intended, falls inline with a classic fairy tale with a peppering of that dark descriptive way he has always had.
Overall, it's an ok read. Wouldn't read it again though. But then again, I don't like fantasy.
But it is still a decent read. I think it works better for those who enjoy fantasy novels, but personally I found it to be a little lacklustre towards the end. Somewhat predictable, but the characters themselves (with a handful of exceptions) were good. The story itself, as King intended, falls inline with a classic fairy tale with a peppering of that dark descriptive way he has always had.
Overall, it's an ok read. Wouldn't read it again though. But then again, I don't like fantasy.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
There story of Chris McCandless has long been a source of fascination and inspiration to many people who want to escape the mundane existence of modern life. I certainly felt similarly my whole life, but lacked the stones to ever attempt it. And so the story is a joy to read since krakauer meticulous compiled every bit of information that ever existed into a single book. It didn't seem bothersome that occasionally the author would veer off the path to mention similar individuals, circumstances or his own experiences. But the last part of the book was exclusively about krakauer's personal experience and it was a very different feel. It was very different from the mentality McCandless had and a lot more about conquering mountains and being part of a small group who can say they climbed this treacherous peak or that. That really didn't do it for me. I was a lot less interested in mishaps and the pursuit of the white whale in mountain form. The story of McCandless was about freedom, separating from the society that you don't feel part of and finding your own perfect existence, rather than an amazing achievement or display of skill.
Disobedience by Naomi Alderman
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
An interesting and fairly well written story. Certainly a story that would be well understood by those who found themselves unable to stay within the parameters of their upbringing. The author shows a lot of affection for the Jewish faith and I found that comforting. I think the tone she was trying to set is that opposite extremes are not necessarily the only options. It is possible to value a background, but also disagree with it. There is a lot of subtle wisdom in this book, which takes a very stoic approach to sexuality vs. religion.
The Seven Good Years by Etgar Keret
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A sweet little story of Keret's own perspective of parenthood. Much of the story oozes self reflection with nostalgia. Mild dry humour does make it palatable to those of us who don't share the experience of having children. I really did enjoy it.
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