wextra's reviews
10 reviews

Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre

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challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

While more a defense of existentialism and the existentialist mind than a groundbreaking work of pure theory, Sartre so effectively defines the entire movement against all valid charges laid against it with righteous fury great thought, thoroughly refuting his critics in a deeply entertaining matter. Passion is the word to describe Existentialism is a Humanism and it is that passion for life that drives the movement this work so aggressively defends.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A classic much vaunted for it's twist ending, this tale still holds up even after so many works have pounded its themes into cliché.
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BAKEMONOGATARI: Monster Tale, Part 1 by NISIOISIN

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

The first two stories of NISIOISIN's Bakemonogatari series make up this collection and they're the perfect introduction to the writer and this world. Part comedy, part supernatural mystery and all about the eccentric characters of this world, both "Hitagi Crab" and "Mayoi Snail" are the perfect introduction to the character of Araragi Koyomi and his view of people and the world around him while also foreshadowing the mysteries of Hanekawa Tsubasa, which comes to a head in the third volume. Both Senjogahara Hitagi and Hachikuji Mayoi are very different but fascinating central characters in their respective stories and you'll be hard pressed not to fall in love with them in the end. There's no better place to start with the Monogatari franchise or NISIOISIN.
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Grave of the Fireflies by James R. Abrams, Akiyuki Nosaka

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dark reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolutely mesmerizing tale of survival in the aftermath of World War II, this harrowing tale should bring anyone to pause who has thought ill of survivors and war orphans and their struggles. A really perfect story but definitely not for the faint of heart.
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A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The first real detective novel and a fantastic start to the career of Doyle's beloved Sherlock Holmes, A Study In Scarlet does an extremely good job of investing the reader in Holmes and Watson and their intimate friendship. Essentially split into two parts, the section that details the motive of Holmes' suspect is less well-loved but underrated in my opinion, clashing somewhat with the Victorian English setting of Holmes' investigation (which was contemporary at the time of release) by taking place in a rather gritty Wild West. Fans of Westerns, however, will find a lot to love here and the clash is actually very entertaining if you're the audience for it. All and all a great start to the classic series of novels.
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Hop Frog by Edgar Allan Poe

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

4.5

A classic from Poe for those who love tales of vengeance and elaborate schemes, the protagonist, the titular Hop-Frog, is an extremely relatable and entertaining figure making the ending all the more satisfying when he gets his revenge.
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The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

The first modern detective story is honestly kind of a mess despite Poe's innovation. Auguste Dupin is certainly as intelligent as future detectives and there are some intriguing twists but the story is rough and the ending absurd to the point of undermining the journey. That said, it's historically significant and certainly competent as Poe is still Poe, even if his love for orugantangs is less welcome here than in Hop-Frog.
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The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

One of the most mystical and dreamlike of Poe's works, this story feels like a true ghost story and absolutely one of his more political stories akin to Hop-Frog. While not a man to shy away from moral parable in his writing the sheer force of nature of the Red Death hits a deep nerve when taken against the hedonistic nobles.
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The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A great work by Poe with a very entertaining building of tension using the mystery surrounding the events to further unnerve the reader and the ending leaving them with a sense of dread, this short story subverts the expectation of the modern reader at every step.
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The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe

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dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

One of Poe's best very short stories taking great advantage of his ability to paint a grim scene with words, Poe explores the mind of a man's descent into evil and grimly plays with irony resulting in a darkly entertaining experience. 
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