violetturtledove's reviews
368 reviews

With a Tangled Skein by Piers Anthony

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

I think I had some expectations and apprehensions going into this book. The series so far seems to follow a certain pattern; a mortal taking on the role of an Incarnation, learning the various aspects of the job, and an eventual struggle with Satan. The stories don't occur chronologically (the 'Time' one is actually backwards) so there's not much of a feeling of progression towards the eventual 'show down'. Considering that there are five incarnations, and it was originally planned as a five book series, I can't help but wonder how it was meant to end.

However, in this book we do see a bit more of the overall plan, the backstoried and connections between some previously mentioned characters are explained in more detail so it's starting to feel more intricate. 

As the books are set in a sort of alternate history with science and magic, it's hard to tell when some bits are set.. some elements of the start of this story seem particularly old fashioned, and it's a little confusing when considering the technology used in later parts.

I also feel like this author doesn't write the most nuanced female characters, so I wasn't sure what to expect from a female-led book, and the start did have me groaning a bit, but I realised that really none of the characters are especially complex in their personalities, there are a lot of stereotypes.

What he does do really well are the mechanics of the various fantasy concepts, and some parodying of tropes; these are fun and generally are making the series very readable for me. On the other hand, there's a scene in a dojo which just seemed like an excuse to show off his judo knowledge.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Child death, and Misogyny

Bearing an Hourglass by Piers Anthony

adventurous challenging funny medium-paced

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

3.5

As the second of a series, this follows the same basic plot as the first: someone takes on the office of one of the 'incarnations of immortality' (in this case, Time), we are introduced to the various aspects of the role as he learns the job, and a large plot point hangs on a woman being offered as a prize or incentive.

This one was much more imaginative than the first, I think maybe I've seen other stories of Death personified, so the concepts regarding Time here come across as much more original. The time-magic aspect does get very confusing, and I'm not convinced it all makes sense, but it works well enough to carry the story along.

There are some quite silly 'side quests', which on one hand I do understand are poking fun at more typical fantasy/scifi tropes, but they do drag on a bit. I also noticed a repeated device where the main character will 'feel something not quite right' with an idea or explanation, which is a hint to the reader that there's a twist they may be able to figure out. Some of these are fairly obvious in the situation, some are more obtuse, and one was something I thought the main character had already figured out chapters ago.

On the whole, a fun (if a bit ridiculous) read, and I'm going to carry on with the series.

The Wheel is Spinning but the Hamster is Dead: A Journey Around the World in Idioms, Proverbs and General Nonsense by Adam Sharp

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

4.25

I giggled throughout this book, it was pretty much everything I expected it to be. Perfect if you like languages and silly words, even more so if you like rude words. 

My only slight quibble with it was that once the author put in a joke example, I was then questioning everything. Some of them just seem too funny to be real, and although I could see more that were clearly just jokes, I felt like I couldn't trust the others. 

On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

I feel like I should be a little tentative when judging the first book in a series like this, it's a good opening but it really all depends on how the rest of the series plays out.

The world is a fun mix of fantasy and futuristic technology, it's set in our world but at an unspecified future date. It's lively and easy to get into, the serious subjects are kept light with puns and surreal aspects, and it has a fun bureaucratic take on the afterlife.

On the subject of the incarnations themselves... It's hard not to make comparisons to The Sandman and Discworld; this was earlier than one and the other was just getting started. They deal with some similar themes but I feel the morality is a bit more heavy-handed here.

There's also the fact that this author can be a little crass when dealing with sex and female characters - there's quite a gross plot point involving virginity, but other than that it's not too bad (opinions may vary on this, some of his work I feel has aged quite badly).

On the whole, it may not be mind-blowingly original to a modern reader with a larger range of fantasy to compare it to, but it's certainly engaging enough to make me want to continue with the series.

Life Below Stairs: Domestic Servants in England from Victorian Times by Frank Edward Huggett

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

This is fairly interesting book and a good overview of servant life, with some interesting pictures. 

This book was published in 1977 and there's a certain romanticising of the era that I don't think would be done in the same way today (plus the chapter on 'fallen women' would probably use some slightly different phrasing) but it hasn't really aged badly. In fact it benefits from being a bit closer to the era; the author was able to speak to some people who remembered the end of it.

Herzog by Saul Bellow

emotional reflective slow-paced

3.5

This is such a strange, rambling and neurotic book, it's difficult to know what to say about it. It's much more about thought than action. Some of the thoughts are heavily philosophical and to be honest, more highbrow than I am able to follow. Or maybe they are intentionally muddled, after all Herzog may be losing his mind.

But other parts are very evocative, I able to appreciate the feelings even if I didn't quite understand the theory! It's a slow one to reflect on, and I'm sure if you have the patience for re-reading you would understand it a little more each time.

Ultimately, I'm reluctant to rate this one especially high or low as it didn't fully click with me but I appreciate that it has many layers to it and they just weren't all for me. But sometimes the only way to judge a book is by the feeling you get at the end, and in this case I felt pretty satisfied and content.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse and Pedophilia

Nobody Needs to Know: A Memoir by Pidgeon Pagonis

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Such an eye-opening and important book. Completely engaging, I read about half of this in one day. Pidgeon's positive attitude and determination shines through the often enraging and shocking subject matter of what has been done to them and other intersex people.

While of interest to anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community, I honestly think anyone can find something to relate to in this. Anyone who's had a choice taken from them. Anyone who's felt their body is not their own. Anyone who has worried about fitting in. Anyone who has witnessed injustice and wanted to fix it. 

Bohemians of the Latin Quarter : by Henri Murger by Henri Murger

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

This is really quite a charming book, I didn't go into it with any real idea what it was, and it's not really a novel - it's a series of amusing events concerning the same main group of characters. 

I don't know if it's a feature of the translation, but it feels very fresh and modern (if you ignore one or two outdated stereotypes). It could be that translators tend to refresh the prose a little, or maybe it's just that the habits of artistic types never change! 

It's sweet and light, there's no main plot to speak of but it's a lovely, witty trip to the past that still feels very relevant.

The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi: Laughter, Madness and the Story of Britain's Greatest Comedian by Andrew McConnell Stott

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.25

A really interesting look into the history of regency theatre, clowning and pantomime. I'd never actually heard of Grimaldi until I saw this book in a charity shop, but I do like theatrical histories so I thought it would be worth a read. It seems really well researched, there's lots of fascinating little anecdotes and footnotes included with the main history, and a thoughtful commentary on the nature of celebrity and comedy which in some ways has not changed much at all.

It's interesting to see how sorts of entertainment fall in and out of favour... We may not be entertained by the same sort of 'pantomime' today, but it's easy to spot similar trends for physical comedy, satire etc today. Also, while we may think of past audiences as prudish, or modern ones as 'easily offended', this just shows that such things are always changing.

The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.75