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whatsshwereading's Reviews (740)
Atonement is a love story.
There's star-crossed lovers - Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner and the bad guy - Briony Tallis, Cecilia Tallis' elven year old sister. In McEwan's words, Briony is a "busy, priggish, conceited", melodramatic brat. Exulting in all her pre-adolescent glory, with an immature and hasty declaration, she wrecks the lives of Cecilia and Robbie. And for all the afore mentiones, she is now third (after Umbridge and Amy Dunne) on my list of most hated literary characters.
Atonement is a hauntingly beautiful love story.
My heart hurt for both Cecilia and Robbie and burnt with hatred for Briony (No! She was NOT too young to realise what she had done!) Reading the novel was like watching a boulder fall. Slow at first, then it gains momentum and wham! I loved how McEwan portrayed Cecilia and Robbie's commitment to each all through their miserable lives.
While atonement is an excellent love story, the writing is terrible.
The book was so wonderful and the end made me want to cry like a baby, why three stars? Well, as brilliant as the story was, I didn't care much for the writing. Part 1 was a pain to read. superfluous and tedious. While I love reading lyrical prose, McEwan went over the top. Then there's that bit which says Briony spends the rest of her life trying to atone for her sin. Yeah. That wasn't apparent. So, she gave up a seat at Cambridge to train as a nurse instead. *Gasp* what a sacrifice!
All said and done, its not a bad book to read, but its not that splendid either.
There's star-crossed lovers - Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner and the bad guy - Briony Tallis, Cecilia Tallis' elven year old sister. In McEwan's words, Briony is a "busy, priggish, conceited", melodramatic brat. Exulting in all her pre-adolescent glory, with an immature and hasty declaration, she wrecks the lives of Cecilia and Robbie. And for all the afore mentiones, she is now third (after Umbridge and Amy Dunne) on my list of most hated literary characters.
Atonement is a hauntingly beautiful love story.
My heart hurt for both Cecilia and Robbie and burnt with hatred for Briony (No! She was NOT too young to realise what she had done!) Reading the novel was like watching a boulder fall. Slow at first, then it gains momentum and wham! I loved how McEwan portrayed Cecilia and Robbie's commitment to each all through their miserable lives.
While atonement is an excellent love story, the writing is terrible.
The book was so wonderful and the end made me want to cry like a baby, why three stars? Well, as brilliant as the story was, I didn't care much for the writing. Part 1 was a pain to read. superfluous and tedious. While I love reading lyrical prose, McEwan went over the top. Then there's that bit which says Briony spends the rest of her life trying to atone for her sin. Yeah. That wasn't apparent. So, she gave up a seat at Cambridge to train as a nurse instead. *Gasp* what a sacrifice!
All said and done, its not a bad book to read, but its not that splendid either.
What did I think? I thought it was simply marvelous.
I don't know why I waited so long to read it. But I am glad I did. Had I read it when I was younger, I wouldn't have made head or tail of it. And probably ended up hating both the book and the author! But I loved it. I love it for the plot, the situations and the characters. The heroine made me want to smash chairs, the hero - pull my hair out, the villain - made me snigger. What I loved the most about the book though was Roark - who, in words of one of the characters in books considers architecture to be a "combination of holy sacrament, Indian torture, and sexual ecstasy" His passion for his profession is inspiring. Roark is like caviar. An acquired taste. You will hate him, will not understand why he does what he does, and then you will come to admire him immensely and by the end, you'll be rooting for him!
What I didn't like about the book is Damnique. Really, what is her deal? Why is she so jaded? Why so intent on suffering? She thinks being noble is overrated, so why take the higher road? Why be so cryptic ALL the time? She clearly does not deserve Roark's love.
Then there's Keating, the blonde-haired snake. His downfall was evident yet sad. Toohey, the not-so-formidable bad guy, and Wynand - the honcho with a heart of gold. But none of these guys command your attention the way Roark does.
The Fountainhead is full of philosophies, arguments about the true meaning of freedom, integrity et al. You'd think it'd be a boring read. But, its not. What it is, is unputdownable (if that's a word). Ryand was a skilled writer, no doubts there and in creating a story about one man's passion for his profession, she gives us a very compelling read. You'll either fall in love with this book or hate it and maybe yourself after/for reading it, but once you start, you won't be able to stop reading it.
Give it a shot if you want to read a true literary classic.
I don't know why I waited so long to read it. But I am glad I did. Had I read it when I was younger, I wouldn't have made head or tail of it. And probably ended up hating both the book and the author! But I loved it. I love it for the plot, the situations and the characters. The heroine made me want to smash chairs, the hero - pull my hair out, the villain - made me snigger. What I loved the most about the book though was Roark - who, in words of one of the characters in books considers architecture to be a "combination of holy sacrament, Indian torture, and sexual ecstasy" His passion for his profession is inspiring. Roark is like caviar. An acquired taste. You will hate him, will not understand why he does what he does, and then you will come to admire him immensely and by the end, you'll be rooting for him!
What I didn't like about the book is Damnique. Really, what is her deal? Why is she so jaded? Why so intent on suffering? She thinks being noble is overrated, so why take the higher road? Why be so cryptic ALL the time? She clearly does not deserve Roark's love.
Then there's Keating, the blonde-haired snake. His downfall was evident yet sad. Toohey, the not-so-formidable bad guy, and Wynand - the honcho with a heart of gold. But none of these guys command your attention the way Roark does.
The Fountainhead is full of philosophies, arguments about the true meaning of freedom, integrity et al. You'd think it'd be a boring read. But, its not. What it is, is unputdownable (if that's a word). Ryand was a skilled writer, no doubts there and in creating a story about one man's passion for his profession, she gives us a very compelling read. You'll either fall in love with this book or hate it and maybe yourself after/for reading it, but once you start, you won't be able to stop reading it.
Give it a shot if you want to read a true literary classic.
1. Some surprising deaths
2. One hilarious incident
3. Authority conspiracy & Lyra's temptation - blah
4. Worst. Ending. Ever!
Terribly disappointed with this one.
2. One hilarious incident
3. Authority conspiracy & Lyra's temptation - blah
4. Worst. Ending. Ever!
Terribly disappointed with this one.
It seems that thrillers in literature are enjoying a renaissance of sorts thanks to Gillian Flynn.
The Kind Worth Killing is just the kind of dark, demented thriller I've come to enjoy. I haven't read Strangers on a Train, so was unprepared for the blow(s) this book dealt. Its got all the Flyyn-ic elements alright. Femme fatales who do not as much blink an eyelid when planning/committing grievous crimes, unfaithful men, and an epic climax. Triple whammy!
Despite the fabulous theme, the narration was slightly off and some things were clumsily dealt with. All that notwithstanding, this is one hell of a book.
Read it if you loved Gone Girl!
The Kind Worth Killing is just the kind of dark, demented thriller I've come to enjoy. I haven't read Strangers on a Train, so was unprepared for the blow(s) this book dealt. Its got all the Flyyn-ic elements alright. Femme fatales who do not as much blink an eyelid when planning/committing grievous crimes, unfaithful men, and an epic climax. Triple whammy!
Despite the fabulous theme, the narration was slightly off and some things were clumsily dealt with. All that notwithstanding, this is one hell of a book.
Read it if you loved Gone Girl!
