Literary Glutton
About ▾ Ask me anythingGoodreads50 Book ChallengeRecommendations Theme ▾

Posts tagged review

Spoiler-Heavy Book Review Ahead

“The Bridge on the River Kwai” directed by David Lean (1957)

vs 

“The Bridge Over the River Kwai” by Pierre Boulle

I’ve seen this film countless times. It has been a favorite of mine since high school - It’s difficult to spend any amount of time among History majors without fangirling over this story at least once. It’s a wonderful depiction of wartime politics and military culture. From the music to the scenery to the characters, it’s tough to find historical fiction of this high caliber.

And, of course, the final scene is what brings it all together.

#lit #film #reading #books #review

3 weeks ago ・ 0 notes
Read more
“The Bell at Sealey Head” by Patricia McKillip First - If you’ve never spent an hour staring in awe at the book cover artwork on McKillip’s novels, then you’re missing out on life. I pity you! Now: Considering that the majority of this book was build up, the pay off occurred very quickly and with little satisfaction.  McKillip has a wonderful talent for worldbuilding. Her setting and characters kept me intrigued no matter where the chapters’ focus jumped. From Sealey Head to Ysabo’s castle to Gwyneth’s story, I was genuinely interested in finding out how each plotline developed. McKillip’s ability to maintain that balance between all three, not to mention the different points of view within Sealey Head, was masterful.Yet the novel’s ending felt unfulfilling. The bell itself was discovered suddenly and had very little connection with the rest of the story. From there, the bell’s influence (for lack of a better spoiler-free term) felt far too spontaneous and neat. I expected to see a more exciting ending where each of the story’s threads were tied together. Instead, what I got was a quick fix. The last few chapters were dull in comparison to the mystery that surrounded them.Overall, I’ll gladly continue reading McKillip’s work. Her highly detailed version of fantasy is something that I’ve always enjoyed. But I feel that this is one of her weaker works. It’ll likely collect dust on my shelf while I reread “Alphabet of Thorn” over and over again in the coming years. 3/5 stars

“The Bell at Sealey Head” by Patricia McKillip

First - If you’ve never spent an hour staring in awe at the book cover artwork on McKillip’s novels, then you’re missing out on life. I pity you!

Now: Considering that the majority of this book was build up, the pay off occurred very quickly and with little satisfaction. 

McKillip has a wonderful talent for worldbuilding. Her setting and characters kept me intrigued no matter where the chapters’ focus jumped. From Sealey Head to Ysabo’s castle to Gwyneth’s story, I was genuinely interested in finding out how each plotline developed. McKillip’s ability to maintain that balance between all three, not to mention the different points of view within Sealey Head, was masterful.

Yet the novel’s ending felt unfulfilling. The bell itself was discovered suddenly and had very little connection with the rest of the story. From there, the bell’s influence (for lack of a better spoiler-free term) felt far too spontaneous and neat. I expected to see a more exciting ending where each of the story’s threads were tied together. Instead, what I got was a quick fix. The last few chapters were dull in comparison to the mystery that surrounded them.

Overall, I’ll gladly continue reading McKillip’s work. Her highly detailed version of fantasy is something that I’ve always enjoyed. But I feel that this is one of her weaker works. It’ll likely collect dust on my shelf while I reread “Alphabet of Thorn” over and over again in the coming years.

3/5 stars

#lit #reading #book review #books #review

2 months ago ・ 2 notes
First book of 2013: “1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus” by Charles C. Mann Mann presents three main arguments that contradict the textbook version of Pre-Columbian history that many of us are familiar with. First, he states that Indian societies were larger and more populous than previously believed. Second, he states that they were older and more sophisticated. And lastly, he states that they had a greater impact on the environment. These main propositions paint a version of history that is vastly different from the sparse tribes and pristine wilderness that tends to be associated with Natives. Overall, it works in Mann’s favor that he is a journalist instead of a historian or cultural anthropologist. His writing style makes this book an enjoyable and personal read. He manages to include his own anecdotes in a way that both complements and reinforces the factual points he seeks to make. This is something that’s difficult to accomplish for even the most seasoned non-fiction writer. However, his background also means that this work cannot be viewed in a strictly academic sense. This is not a historiographic text, nor should it be used as one. Mann simply glosses over the past histories written about Native civilizations. He provides us with the basic information while assuming that his audience is well-versed in Indian stereotypes. And this works for him. It makes his book accessible to the casual reader and history buff. Yet since his background is that of a non-specialist, this book can’t be used as a serious academic resource. It provides a thorough introduction, a good jumping point and presents a basic structural argument, but it’s still only meant for popular consumption. “1491” cannot replace actual research or academic reading in this field. For those who are interested in starting to learn about indigenous history, or for those who feel that their American history textbooks had some horrible plotholes, then I highly recommend picking this up. It’s well worth your time. Even if you only glance through Mann’s bibliography, this book has the potential to open up a realm of historical studies that 99% of Americans won’t get within a public school. 4/5 stars

First book of 2013: “1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus” by Charles C. Mann

Mann presents three main arguments that contradict the textbook version of Pre-Columbian history that many of us are familiar with. First, he states that Indian societies were larger and more populous than previously believed. Second, he states that they were older and more sophisticated. And lastly, he states that they had a greater impact on the environment. These main propositions paint a version of history that is vastly different from the sparse tribes and pristine wilderness that tends to be associated with Natives.

Overall, it works in Mann’s favor that he is a journalist instead of a historian or cultural anthropologist. His writing style makes this book an enjoyable and personal read. He manages to include his own anecdotes in a way that both complements and reinforces the factual points he seeks to make. This is something that’s difficult to accomplish for even the most seasoned non-fiction writer.

However, his background also means that this work cannot be viewed in a strictly academic sense. This is not a historiographic text, nor should it be used as one. Mann simply glosses over the past histories written about Native civilizations. He provides us with the basic information while assuming that his audience is well-versed in Indian stereotypes. And this works for him. It makes his book accessible to the casual reader and history buff. Yet since his background is that of a non-specialist, this book can’t be used as a serious academic resource. It provides a thorough introduction, a good jumping point and presents a basic structural argument, but it’s still only meant for popular consumption. “1491” cannot replace actual research or academic reading in this field.

For those who are interested in starting to learn about indigenous history, or for those who feel that their American history textbooks had some horrible plotholes, then I highly recommend picking this up. It’s well worth your time. Even if you only glance through Mann’s bibliography, this book has the potential to open up a realm of historical studies that 99% of Americans won’t get within a public school.

4/5 stars

#lit #reading #books #book review #history #review

3 months ago ・ 2 notes
Touching Spirit Bear is a great book. I first read the book in middle school, and i would recommend teaching it as well. It may seem a little intimidating at first, but there is very good reason behind the book. It essentially gives perspective to the life of a troubled teen who bullies and severely hurts a fellow student. But that's not just it, it also gives perspective to the aftermath and scars bullying can leave on both bully and victim, as well as healing and forgiveness. Its a good lesson

damascus-anomaly

I’ve had roughly a year to mull over this book since I last posted about it. While I don’t entirely disagree with what you’ve said, this novel has way, way too many problems for me to ever feel comfortable teaching it. It’s a nightmare.

The entire novel is based upon a gross set of cultural appropriations. Basically, a young white boy is adopted by Tlingit elders who use the wisdom and spirituality of Native Americans in order to solve his emotional troubles and force those same teachings onto the people that he deems worthy.

99% of the Native American concepts in this novel are made up on the spot. Seriously –Oyate.org recently removed their “Books to Avoid” page, but this topped their list.  From the animal dancing to the totem pole to the ancestor rock, Miklaelsen blatantly made up Native traditions in order to keep his protagonist busy. Even the concept of Circle Justice was exaggerated to the point of lying. All of his decisions to include Native “culture” ignores any actual cultural significance that may be attributed to these items and actions. The result is that this book presents the reader with a fill-in-the-blank fantasy sort of culture that has no basis in reality.

First and foremost, this is a problem because Ben Miklaelsen is not Tlingit. He isn’t Native American at all. The guy is actually of Danish descent and was born in Bolivia. His decision to base a novel on Tlingit culture was due to the fact that he enjoyed travelling and once spotted a white “spirit” bear too. Oh, and he was inspired by the Columbine massacre. Not really a great connection to the culture he insisted on writing about.

When discussing this novel in both guides and interviews, Miklaelsen speaks as though the Tlingit don’t exist anymore. He outright states that they aren’t a modern culture. Every time he discusses the Tlingit, he pits them against “American society” and the American audience, as though they exist at opposite ends of the spectrum. This only reinforces the idea that Native Americans are some magical group that are spiritually and ancestrally linked to nature. It stops us from thinking of them as actual people.

But moving along from the cultural side of it:

I am not a fan of the way that Peter, the boy who was brain damaged from Cole’s attack, was treated within the story. His case is one of “tough love,” where he was forced to spend time with his abuser in an isolated setting because it was supposedly for his own good. His concerns and fears are ignored, his own desires to leave and never see Cole again are brushed off and his violent outbursts are hailed as a wonderful show of recovery. This is a young boy who attempted suicide twice since he was attacked. Somehow, despite the fact that he still suffers from vivid nightmares about being beaten, every adult in this situation agrees that learning how to forgive is what he needs the most. Forget that he needs to feel mentally and physically safe, forget that he currently has no trust of the outside world, forget that he is still coming to terms with the fact that his body will never again be fully functional: Nope, the only thing that will “fix” this teenager is if he forgives the boy who nearly killed him.

This is not safe and it is not healthy. That is not a message that I am comfortable sending, especially since there is a good chance that many students have experienced abuse in their own lives. This book essentially teaches that they must ignore the voice in their head that preserves their personal safety and keeps them out of danger. It’s the comfort and happiness of their abusers that supposedly matters the most.

Just typing that out makes me angry.

So during the past year, my opinion about this book has gotten much more harsh. I’ve talked about it with other professionals, I’ve been a part of the discussions that it provokes in the classroom and I’ve seen the misinformation that it spreads among students. If I can avoid this book for the future, I’ll be much better off. 

#lit #book review #touching spirit bear #review #education

3 months ago ・ 3 notes
It’s been way too long since my last book review. “An Artist of the Floating World” by Kazuo Ishiguro Ishiguro is the master of creating an unreliable narrator. I noticed this in his novel “When We Were Orphans” as well - There are slight discrepancies in what the main character tells us and how he interprets the events surrounding him. Ishiguro has a delicate method of making the reader aware of these small problems and contradictions without constantly beating us over the head. It’s all a matter of nuance, not power. This narrative viewpoint is part of what makes this novel so striking. The story follows the moral hemming and hawing of a middle aged man, Ono, who is forced to deal with the political and ideological actions he took against his peers in World War II Japan. Ono is an artist who lived through the highly jingoistic propaganda movement of the 1940s and into the changing social attitudes of post-American occupation Japan. He often moves back and forth between vigorously supporting his right-wing choices during the war and occasionally questioning whether his past is something he should be hiding. The guilt of being seen as a traitor balances with his own personal moral compass, making Ono both obstinate and suspicious in his old age. Ono’s past and present are melded together in a way that gives the reader enough information to understand his current dilemma. We’re told about his rise into fame as an artist, how he came to become a police informer, and what effect those actions had on his life afterward. All of this is put into the perspective of current events, which primarily revolve around his youngest daughter’s engagement negotiations. Using an engagement to highlight Ono’s history was a wonderful way of setting up this plot - This conflict already allows for the compromise of private vs public lives, as well as the combination of the private lives of two separate families. It’s exactly the sort of personal event that would make a father silently wonder if he had done enough in life to give his daughter everything she needed to succeed. Ono’s mind doesn’t settle on money (like many of us would probably think about), but rather on how his reputation and social status might serve as a black mark against his family.  In all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ono’s journey of self-reflection. The story is not action-filled or particularly exciting, but it promotes a sense of introspection that few novels can accomplish. That, combined with Ishiguro’s ability to capture his main character so fully in the narration, makes this one of the better books that I’ve read this year. 4/5

It’s been way too long since my last book review.

“An Artist of the Floating World” by Kazuo Ishiguro

Ishiguro is the master of creating an unreliable narrator. I noticed this in his novel “When We Were Orphans” as well - There are slight discrepancies in what the main character tells us and how he interprets the events surrounding him. Ishiguro has a delicate method of making the reader aware of these small problems and contradictions without constantly beating us over the head. It’s all a matter of nuance, not power.

This narrative viewpoint is part of what makes this novel so striking. The story follows the moral hemming and hawing of a middle aged man, Ono, who is forced to deal with the political and ideological actions he took against his peers in World War II Japan. Ono is an artist who lived through the highly jingoistic propaganda movement of the 1940s and into the changing social attitudes of post-American occupation Japan. He often moves back and forth between vigorously supporting his right-wing choices during the war and occasionally questioning whether his past is something he should be hiding. The guilt of being seen as a traitor balances with his own personal moral compass, making Ono both obstinate and suspicious in his old age.

Ono’s past and present are melded together in a way that gives the reader enough information to understand his current dilemma. We’re told about his rise into fame as an artist, how he came to become a police informer, and what effect those actions had on his life afterward. All of this is put into the perspective of current events, which primarily revolve around his youngest daughter’s engagement negotiations. Using an engagement to highlight Ono’s history was a wonderful way of setting up this plot - This conflict already allows for the compromise of private vs public lives, as well as the combination of the private lives of two separate families. It’s exactly the sort of personal event that would make a father silently wonder if he had done enough in life to give his daughter everything she needed to succeed. Ono’s mind doesn’t settle on money (like many of us would probably think about), but rather on how his reputation and social status might serve as a black mark against his family. 

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ono’s journey of self-reflection. The story is not action-filled or particularly exciting, but it promotes a sense of introspection that few novels can accomplish. That, combined with Ishiguro’s ability to capture his main character so fully in the narration, makes this one of the better books that I’ve read this year.

4/5

#lit #reading #books #kazuo ishiguro #book review #review

5 months ago ・ 3 notes
The new movie has brought this up in way too many conversations, so I’ll put it out in the open: I absolutely hate The Perks of Being a Wallflower It’s nothing more than a modernized rip-off of Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. If you break apart all of the plot elements, the characters, and the general themes, they are exactly the same. Chbosky simply dumbed it down so that teenagers could understand the deeper aspects of the story. Throw in a couple of contemporary references for kids to identify with and think are cool, and he made himself a best seller. Hell, it was even published by MTV. The novel’s marketing is openly based around selling an idealistic vision of youth to teens. Let’s take one moment to look at the characters we’re dealing with. I’ll leave names out and let you guess who it is: The deceased character who the audience never meets, but who was very emotionally close to the main character. This death has a great impact on our hero mostly during the beginning of the story and serves as a catalyst for the plot.  The sister who our main character tries to protect from the effects of a young, burgeoning sexuality.  The older brother who exhibited great talent at a young age but sold out in search of an easier lifestyle  The teacher who mentors the main character and eventually provides him with a safe home atmosphere. This teacher symbolizes how adults and authority figures have their own lives and problems to work through, despite how much the main character may trust them. The unattainable girl who is held in high respect and acts as a love interest, yet is wholly unreachable The very attainable girl who is slightly too commonplace and brash to really be loved by the main character. She gives him the opportunity and shows desire, yet ultimately gets rejected rather harshly. The schoolmate who is worldly (by comparison) and knowledgeable on topics such as sex and intoxicants, who mainly interacts with the main character at parties The popular and handsome classmate who leads a secret life unknown to most of the school, yet known to the main character If you realized that there is a character of this description in both novels, then you can start to understand my frustration with Perks. I could make a highly detailed list of “similarities” that goes on for miles. Plot points, major thematic elements, literary symbols, use of cultural references - just gag me now. Not to mention that both books are set up so that the main character is writing down an autobiography that ends with him in a mental hospital. The entire method of proving the narrator is unreliable was directly copied, yet Perks treated it as some sort of provoking plot twist instead of a valid aspect of his character. It catered to the audience’s lust for trauma without contributing. Do you know how many teenagers I’ve talked to who have read the book and don’t even realize that Charlie was abused? The situation was handled simply for shock and without resolution. I just can’t stand it. I’ve read through this thing four times, and it just seems to get worse and worse. This novel was popular back when I was in high school, so it makes me want to punch something to see that it’s still being pedaled as a YA inspiration. 

The new movie has brought this up in way too many conversations, so I’ll put it out in the open: I absolutely hate The Perks of Being a Wallflower

It’s nothing more than a modernized rip-off of Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. If you break apart all of the plot elements, the characters, and the general themes, they are exactly the same. Chbosky simply dumbed it down so that teenagers could understand the deeper aspects of the story. Throw in a couple of contemporary references for kids to identify with and think are cool, and he made himself a best seller. Hell, it was even published by MTV. The novel’s marketing is openly based around selling an idealistic vision of youth to teens.

Let’s take one moment to look at the characters we’re dealing with. I’ll leave names out and let you guess who it is:

  • The deceased character who the audience never meets, but who was very emotionally close to the main character. This death has a great impact on our hero mostly during the beginning of the story and serves as a catalyst for the plot. 
  • The sister who our main character tries to protect from the effects of a young, burgeoning sexuality. 
  • The older brother who exhibited great talent at a young age but sold out in search of an easier lifestyle 
  • The teacher who mentors the main character and eventually provides him with a safe home atmosphere. This teacher symbolizes how adults and authority figures have their own lives and problems to work through, despite how much the main character may trust them.
  • The unattainable girl who is held in high respect and acts as a love interest, yet is wholly unreachable
  • The very attainable girl who is slightly too commonplace and brash to really be loved by the main character. She gives him the opportunity and shows desire, yet ultimately gets rejected rather harshly.
  • The schoolmate who is worldly (by comparison) and knowledgeable on topics such as sex and intoxicants, who mainly interacts with the main character at parties
  • The popular and handsome classmate who leads a secret life unknown to most of the school, yet known to the main character

If you realized that there is a character of this description in both novels, then you can start to understand my frustration with Perks. I could make a highly detailed list of “similarities” that goes on for miles. Plot points, major thematic elements, literary symbols, use of cultural references - just gag me now.

Not to mention that both books are set up so that the main character is writing down an autobiography that ends with him in a mental hospital. The entire method of proving the narrator is unreliable was directly copied, yet Perks treated it as some sort of provoking plot twist instead of a valid aspect of his character. It catered to the audience’s lust for trauma without contributing. Do you know how many teenagers I’ve talked to who have read the book and don’t even realize that Charlie was abused? The situation was handled simply for shock and without resolution.

I just can’t stand it. I’ve read through this thing four times, and it just seems to get worse and worse. This novel was popular back when I was in high school, so it makes me want to punch something to see that it’s still being pedaled as a YA inspiration. 

#lit #the perks of being a wallflower #book review #reading #education #review #critique #criticism

7 months ago ・ 8 notes

xajek replied to your photoset

How do you feel about this book? I have some opinions but nobody I know has read it :(

I think that any book capable of giving you a strong emotional reaction is well worth reading.

I don’t particularly find Catherine’s and Heathcliffe’s relationship romantic, nor do I really think that it should be interpreted that way. “Love” doesn’t apply to these people in the way that our culture wants it to. So anyone who tried to turn them into a traditional romance is wasting their energy. Trying to fit them into such a mold is going to leave you angry and disappointed. 

Above all else, I think it’s amazing how Bronte used her setting - The moors are so ingrained in the characters and the storyline that it reflects every emotion and relationship. That symbolic conflict between nature/natural instinct and cultural expectations is a great way to keep the reader focused on  the family’s corruption and how they differ from the civilization around them.

I don’t think that anyone can really argue (successfully) that Emily Bronte was a poor writer or was incapable of creating a dynamic plot. This book was very powerful when it was first published and I think that it continues to retain a lot of power due to its cultural significance during that time period. It’s not too difficult to see Bronte’s connections to the development of Marxism, feminism, social frustration and her flirtations with pain. Without getting too anachronistic, I like seeing students study this work in order to understand the 1840-50s better.

#xajek #wuthering heights #question #answer #critique #review

9 months ago ・ 2 notes
“Fingersmith” by Sarah Waters 4/5 stars I picked up this book almost entirely due to the slew of plot twists that Waters’ fans have raved on and on about. I expected to be shocked, taken by surprise, and wholly unable to see where the story would take me.Well, that didn’t happen.The only twist that I did not expect was at the end of Part One. From there on out, I found the plot to be very formulaic and conventional. While I turned each page with the desire to suddenly gasp out loud at the new startling events, I found that all of my expectations and guesses came true. It took much of the thrill out of this book.However, that is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it. Waters is a thoroughly lovely writer who has managed to create a set of captivating and likable characters. Her use of differing perspectives was delicate and very effective: not many authors could have pulled that off without making the story repetitive. She somehow made it feel natural. It organically presented the reader with new information that allowed us to both question and appreciate the authenticity of both Maud and Sue. Without that small question mark, the end would never have been as satisfying.This is a love story that has managed to move so far beyond the realm of romance. I almost wish that I had a dozen copies so that I could lend them out to friends.

“Fingersmith” by Sarah Waters

4/5 stars


I picked up this book almost entirely due to the slew of plot twists that Waters’ fans have raved on and on about. I expected to be shocked, taken by surprise, and wholly unable to see where the story would take me.

Well, that didn’t happen.

The only twist that I did not expect was at the end of Part One. From there on out, I found the plot to be very formulaic and conventional. While I turned each page with the desire to suddenly gasp out loud at the new startling events, I found that all of my expectations and guesses came true. It took much of the thrill out of this book.

However, that is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it. Waters is a thoroughly lovely writer who has managed to create a set of captivating and likable characters. Her use of differing perspectives was delicate and very effective: not many authors could have pulled that off without making the story repetitive. She somehow made it feel natural. It organically presented the reader with new information that allowed us to both question and appreciate the authenticity of both Maud and Sue. Without that small question mark, the end would never have been as satisfying.

This is a love story that has managed to move so far beyond the realm of romance. I almost wish that I had a dozen copies so that I could lend them out to friends.

#reading #lit #literature #book cover #books #sarah waters #fingersmith #book review #review #critique #ya lit #ya fiction

9 months ago ・ 2 notes
As a murder mystery, I’m afraid that this novel didn’t terribly impress me. The Grand Reveal did not surprise me and only confirmed my many suspicions all along. The incredibly small cast of characters meant that there really wasn’t much room for big plot twists and turns. Therefore, it wasn’t the anticipation of a pay-off at the end that kept me engaged and reading.Asimov is a master of world-building and, more importantly, the journey. Within just a few pages (even if you have not yet the prior book in this series, like I didn’t), the audience is pulled into Baley’s life. From the love he has for his family to the passion and curiosity he has for his job to the small financial worries and dreams he carries with him, it is easy to become attached to him personally. The relationship that Asimov builds between the Earth and the Outer Worlds is full of detail and nuance, consistently harkening back to the social differences between each culture. His plot displays them gently and naturally, creating opportunities for each character to display or fight their neuroses without coming across as disingenuous. Yet Asimov’s social commentary at the end, particularly in his discussion with his military superior, was hitting the reader over the head a bit too hard. I can understand his desire to surprise his audience with these conclusions, yet he only succeeded in writing a sermon. The ending could have been handled much better if he had continued inserting the social and philosophical implications of robotics into the plot naturally instead of attempting to focus solely on them: Info-dropping is unbecoming no matter how legendary of an author you are.My only other criticism is the role that Daneel Olivaw played in this story. As a robot, he was a character of convenience rather than one of substance. I fully believe that he could have been taken away and the plot would only have to be altered slightly in order to account for his absence. Overall, he was useful only as a foil. He gave Asimov a method of expounding upon Solarian history and culture, explaining these details to Baley and the audience at the same time. The same effect could have been accomplished if Baley had just conducted research of his own or been fully briefed on his mission. (If Daneel’s loyalty to Aurora is an important plot point in the later novel “The Robots of Dawn,” then I will gladly eat these words. But in this stand alone novel, Daneel is only a tool.) 3/5 stars

As a murder mystery, I’m afraid that this novel didn’t terribly impress me. The Grand Reveal did not surprise me and only confirmed my many suspicions all along. The incredibly small cast of characters meant that there really wasn’t much room for big plot twists and turns. Therefore, it wasn’t the anticipation of a pay-off at the end that kept me engaged and reading.

Asimov is a master of world-building and, more importantly, the journey. Within just a few pages (even if you have not yet the prior book in this series, like I didn’t), the audience is pulled into Baley’s life. From the love he has for his family to the passion and curiosity he has for his job to the small financial worries and dreams he carries with him, it is easy to become attached to him personally. 

The relationship that Asimov builds between the Earth and the Outer Worlds is full of detail and nuance, consistently harkening back to the social differences between each culture. His plot displays them gently and naturally, creating opportunities for each character to display or fight their neuroses without coming across as disingenuous. Yet Asimov’s social commentary at the end, particularly in his discussion with his military superior, was hitting the reader over the head a bit too hard. I can understand his desire to surprise his audience with these conclusions, yet he only succeeded in writing a sermon. The ending could have been handled much better if he had continued inserting the social and philosophical implications of robotics into the plot naturally instead of attempting to focus solely on them: Info-dropping is unbecoming no matter how legendary of an author you are.

My only other criticism is the role that Daneel Olivaw played in this story. As a robot, he was a character of convenience rather than one of substance. I fully believe that he could have been taken away and the plot would only have to be altered slightly in order to account for his absence. Overall, he was useful only as a foil. He gave Asimov a method of expounding upon Solarian history and culture, explaining these details to Baley and the audience at the same time. The same effect could have been accomplished if Baley had just conducted research of his own or been fully briefed on his mission. (If Daneel’s loyalty to Aurora is an important plot point in the later novel “The Robots of Dawn,” then I will gladly eat these words. But in this stand alone novel, Daneel is only a tool.)


3/5 stars

#book cover #books #reading #literature #lit #book review #review #critique #Isaac Asimov #Asimov #science fiction #robots

11 months ago ・ 1 notes

aledfuckingphillips:

no matter how many times i watch american psycho, i still don’t quite get the ending. has he gone crazy and imagined all the killings? or was it simply just a case of mistaken identity from his lawyer and he’s got away with it all? help.

I’ve never seen the movie, but I can talk about the book:

Bateman is an unreliable narrator. He is deranged, to a certain extent, but lacks the self-awareness necessary to identify and really verbalize his problems. As the audience, you therefore have to accept that Bateman isn’t always living in reality and that his narration will occasionally twist and exaggerate his experiences.

Ultimately, the ending is meant to be left up to you. It’s intentionally difficult to separate his hallucinations from the real deal. So all we really know is that he left that message confessing, we know that his lawyer dismissed it as a good joke, and we know that Bateman continued on with his life afterward. So there are a lot of people out there who believe that the final violence was simply in his head. But personally, I think that there are enough little clues in the story to show that he really did commit (most of) those acts. It’s possible that the real estate broker cleaned up his mess in a desperate effort to sell the apartment (since murders would drastically bring down the price of the place) and potentially cover their own tracks. 

IMBD actually has a decent explanation of the film if you want a detailed break down.

#American Psycho #Bret Easton Ellis #review #critique #reblog #answer #spoilers

Source ・ 11 months ago ・ 2 notes
It took me a few chapters to truly grow attached to this novel, but I was thoroughly engrossed by the end. It is a perfectly planned and executed tale of romance that ends with a satisfying, yet unexpected, turn of events. Catherine is a character that I feel speaks volumes to Henry James’ ability as an author. She is presented to us as a dull and plain woman with few redeeming characteristics. Often referred to as “poor Catherine,” she’s had few romantic prospects throughout her life and was never expected to amount to very much. Her lack of intellect makes her a constant disappointment in her father’s eyes. Yet as she grows older and experiences the world, it’s easy to see that Catherine is perhaps the most attentive and discerning character shown. She does not shy away from the life that she has been given nor lie to herself in order to be happy. Her relationship with her father, especially how she personally interprets it, is beautiful in its quiet defiance. Lavinia Penniman provides the perfect contrast to Catherine’s strong presence. This is the air-headed cupid who fancies herself to be a great manipulator. Imagining each character’s frustration as they dealt with her insufferable intrusions made the story feel that much more real. Not only do you end up pitying her life by the end, but you understand exactly what desires move her to behave that way. In all, the writing style here may take some time for modern readers to get used to. But once you engage yourself with the text and move farther into the storyline, it’s a wonderful read. 4/5 stars

It took me a few chapters to truly grow attached to this novel, but I was thoroughly engrossed by the end. It is a perfectly planned and executed tale of romance that ends with a satisfying, yet unexpected, turn of events.

Catherine is a character that I feel speaks volumes to Henry James’ ability as an author. She is presented to us as a dull and plain woman with few redeeming characteristics. Often referred to as “poor Catherine,” she’s had few romantic prospects throughout her life and was never expected to amount to very much. Her lack of intellect makes her a constant disappointment in her father’s eyes. Yet as she grows older and experiences the world, it’s easy to see that Catherine is perhaps the most attentive and discerning character shown. She does not shy away from the life that she has been given nor lie to herself in order to be happy. Her relationship with her father, especially how she personally interprets it, is beautiful in its quiet defiance.

Lavinia Penniman provides the perfect contrast to Catherine’s strong presence. This is the air-headed cupid who fancies herself to be a great manipulator. Imagining each character’s frustration as they dealt with her insufferable intrusions made the story feel that much more real. Not only do you end up pitying her life by the end, but you understand exactly what desires move her to behave that way.

In all, the writing style here may take some time for modern readers to get used to. But once you engage yourself with the text and move farther into the storyline, it’s a wonderful read.

4/5 stars

#reading #lit #literature #books #book review #review #critique #book #washington square #henry james

1 year ago ・ 3 notes
My summer job requires me to get a lot better acquainted with children’s literature, so my room currently looks like it’s set up for a storytime circle. This was at least a pleasant way to start off my reading. Although I never read “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden as a child, I enjoyed having the experience of reading it now. The story is a touching, yet still exciting, tale of personal growth that both parents and children would be able to empathize with. New York City takes on a personality of its own in Selden’s writing. I enjoyed his representation of its many different parts and the people that could be found throughout its streets. Chinatown, the subway station and even Central Park all had themes that I believe NYC natives would easily identify with. This setting mimics the sense of both comfort and adjustment that every character seems to face at some point in the story.  I also appreciate the inclusion of music in this story as well. Its role as a universal form of communication and love is still a strong theme for today, despite the fact that this book was first published in 1960. Even if a child does not understand the specific opera pieces that are mentioned, music can be brought into the home or classroom so that they may come to see it as a language all its own.  4/5 stars

My summer job requires me to get a lot better acquainted with children’s literature, so my room currently looks like it’s set up for a storytime circle. This was at least a pleasant way to start off my reading.

Although I never read “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden as a child, I enjoyed having the experience of reading it now. The story is a touching, yet still exciting, tale of personal growth that both parents and children would be able to empathize with.

New York City takes on a personality of its own in Selden’s writing. I enjoyed his representation of its many different parts and the people that could be found throughout its streets. Chinatown, the subway station and even Central Park all had themes that I believe NYC natives would easily identify with. This setting mimics the sense of both comfort and adjustment that every character seems to face at some point in the story. 

I also appreciate the inclusion of music in this story as well. Its role as a universal form of communication and love is still a strong theme for today, despite the fact that this book was first published in 1960. Even if a child does not understand the specific opera pieces that are mentioned, music can be brought into the home or classroom so that they may come to see it as a language all its own. 

4/5 stars

#lit #literature #book cover #reading #books #children's lit #children's books #book #review #book review #critique

1 year ago ・ 3 notes
In 1974, French feminist Francois d’Eaubonne coined the term “ecofeminism” in reference to the growing number of environmental movements that linked cultural and social concerns by comparing the relationship of oppressed women with the degradation of nature. The word was intended to symbolize the “epic violence inflicted on women and nature as a result of male domination.” In this way, it was proposed that the domination of women and the domination of nature were fundamentally connected, making females and the environment natural allies. Today on Earth Day, I think that it’s important to keep in mind the many different forms that environmentalism has taken on. Caring for the natural environment cannot and should not be limited to recycling or carpooling. It’s time for the public to accept the vast consequences that pollution can have: We can’t ignore how it’s common for both women and the environment to be exploited for their resources rather than respected and revered for the innumerable services that they provide to a population, not to mention the extent to which women of color are forced to pay for environmental losses.  If you have the opportunity, the following is a list of books/articles that delve further into ecofeminist movements around the world. I have personally read each of them and recommend them fully. Some may be a little tough to find, but university libraries should help you find access: “Women are the First Environment” by Katsi Cook “Population, Gender, and Climate Changes” by Karen Hardee  “All our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life” by Winona LaDuke “Unbowed” by Wangari Maathai “Hugging the Trees” by Thomas Weber

In 1974, French feminist Francois d’Eaubonne coined the term “ecofeminism” in reference to the growing number of environmental movements that linked cultural and social concerns by comparing the relationship of oppressed women with the degradation of nature. The word was intended to symbolize the “epic violence inflicted on women and nature as a result of male domination.” In this way, it was proposed that the domination of women and the domination of nature were fundamentally connected, making females and the environment natural allies.

Today on Earth Day, I think that it’s important to keep in mind the many different forms that environmentalism has taken on. Caring for the natural environment cannot and should not be limited to recycling or carpooling. It’s time for the public to accept the vast consequences that pollution can have: We can’t ignore how it’s common for both women and the environment to be exploited for their resources rather than respected and revered for the innumerable services that they provide to a population, not to mention the extent to which women of color are forced to pay for environmental losses. 

If you have the opportunity, the following is a list of books/articles that delve further into ecofeminist movements around the world. I have personally read each of them and recommend them fully. Some may be a little tough to find, but university libraries should help you find access:

  • “Women are the First Environment” by Katsi Cook
  • “Population, Gender, and Climate Changes” by Karen Hardee 
  • “All our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life” by Winona LaDuke
  • “Unbowed” by Wangari Maathai
  • “Hugging the Trees” by Thomas Weber

#lit #literature #book cover #reading #books #ecofeminism #feminism #earth day #environmentalism #book list #critique #review #reading list #Wangari Maathai #Vandana Shiva #Katsi Cook #Winona LaDuke

1 year ago ・ 1 notes
Male vs Female Relationships in the “Uglies” Book Series In many ways, Scott Westerfeld’s YA book series “The Uglies” is a step in the right direction. This series holds a very positive view of dating for young women. Westerfeld has his main character, Tally, date and/or pursue multiple men throughout the story line. It would have been very easy to slut shame her for these actions. Yet Tally’s sexuality is rarely called into question or shown to be some sort of mark against her. What is refreshing is that Tally has many different positive relationships with men. Some are romantic, some verge on physical (this is YA, after all, so sexual encounters are a bit glossed over and fuzzy), some are purely platonic, and some are professional. Each of these relationships are varied and unique, showing that Tally is interacting with these men in ways that are often uninfluenced by her sexual orientation. She is not driven by romance and therefore does not limit her social circle to only those who could potentially become her partners. Take a look at the long list of male companions that Tally encounters: Peris - Her original best friend, who is implied to have a strictly platonic love for Tally Sol Youngblood - Tally’s detached and brainwashed father who wants her to obey all of the City’s rules David - The main love interest of Uglies, a Smokey boy who falls in love with her Croy - A Smokey boy who is originally suspicious of Tally’s motives, but comes to trust her completely Az - David’s father, an older doctor who educates her about the Smoke and seeks to help her understand his world philosophy Zane - The main love interest after Tally has become a Pretty, a man who seeks mental clarity and fights to help her escape Andrew - A “savage” outside the city who is eager to learn about Tally’s lifestyle and wishes to explore the world on his own Fausto - A Crim and a Cutter who works alongside Tally for both the group’s benefit and her own good The problem here? The same sense of variety and positive interaction cannot be applied to Tally’s relationships with women. From the very beginning, other women are shown to be either rivals in Tally’s life or outright enemies who work in hand with the City. She is able to form no positive relationships with other women, at least not ones that last for more than a couple chapters. After a while, all the other women in her life either expose that they are working against her or make the decision to turn against Tally in retaliation for something that was outside of her control. Most women are characterized as “catty,” malicious, or downright spiteful. Shay is the primary example of this. She acts as Tally’s best friend for brief periods of action. However, it never takes long for her to settle back into the role of bitch and rival. Shay is shown to be insecure, jealous, and incapable of forming a friendship with Tally that cannot be interrupted by male attention. While Tally is shown to be almost blameless for allowing the friendship to falter, Shay is painted as hateful and all too often violent.  Not to mention the other villains throughout this series: Dr Cable - the original Special who denies Tally the operation and consistently attempts to destroy the Smoke  Ellie Youngblood -  Tally’s detached and brainwashed mother who wants her to obey all of the City’s rules Maddy - David’s mother who blames Tally for her husband’s death and frequently insults her intelligence and loyalty And…that’s it. Those are the named recurrent female characters in the series. It could be argued that Ellie Youngblood does not support the male vs female dynamic that I’ve laid out here, primarily because she holds the same role that Tally’s father Sol does. These two characters are essentially the same person. However, while Sol operates within an incredibly diverse cast of male characters,  Ellie is one of the very few women in the book series. The fact that Ellie is a mirror image of her husband is actually discouraging, as though Westerfeld could not find the energy to create a distinct personality for each of them. It is a missed opportunity, one that contributes to the gaping hole of positive female relationships in Tally’s life. Ultimately, what matters is that Ellie (and Sol) encouraged Tally to cave in to Dr Cable’s demands. What at first glance appears to be an empowering story about a strong-willed female protagonist actually seems to be yet another reinforcement of gender stereotypes. Men? They are as complex and varied as could be, yet always seem to end up working positively towards the good of our heroine. She needs their help and would be lost without them. Women? Their jealous and petty nature cannot be contained for long, often holding grudges instead of being able to see the big picture around them. Our heroine would be better off without them. In all, the relationships in these books can be summed up in the repeatedly occurring sentiments of ~special~ girls everywhere: “I only have guy friends, girls are just too catty.”

Male vs Female Relationships in the “Uglies” Book Series


In many ways, Scott Westerfeld’s YA book series “The Uglies” is a step in the right direction.

This series holds a very positive view of dating for young women. Westerfeld has his main character, Tally, date and/or pursue multiple men throughout the story line. It would have been very easy to slut shame her for these actions. Yet Tally’s sexuality is rarely called into question or shown to be some sort of mark against her.

What is refreshing is that Tally has many different positive relationships with men. Some are romantic, some verge on physical (this is YA, after all, so sexual encounters are a bit glossed over and fuzzy), some are purely platonic, and some are professional. Each of these relationships are varied and unique, showing that Tally is interacting with these men in ways that are often uninfluenced by her sexual orientation. She is not driven by romance and therefore does not limit her social circle to only those who could potentially become her partners.

Take a look at the long list of male companions that Tally encounters:

  • Peris - Her original best friend, who is implied to have a strictly platonic love for Tally
  • Sol Youngblood - Tally’s detached and brainwashed father who wants her to obey all of the City’s rules
  • David - The main love interest of Uglies, a Smokey boy who falls in love with her
  • Croy - A Smokey boy who is originally suspicious of Tally’s motives, but comes to trust her completely
  • Az - David’s father, an older doctor who educates her about the Smoke and seeks to help her understand his world philosophy
  • Zane - The main love interest after Tally has become a Pretty, a man who seeks mental clarity and fights to help her escape
  • Andrew - A “savage” outside the city who is eager to learn about Tally’s lifestyle and wishes to explore the world on his own
  • Fausto - A Crim and a Cutter who works alongside Tally for both the group’s benefit and her own good

The problem here? The same sense of variety and positive interaction cannot be applied to Tally’s relationships with women.

From the very beginning, other women are shown to be either rivals in Tally’s life or outright enemies who work in hand with the City. She is able to form no positive relationships with other women, at least not ones that last for more than a couple chapters. After a while, all the other women in her life either expose that they are working against her or make the decision to turn against Tally in retaliation for something that was outside of her control. Most women are characterized as “catty,” malicious, or downright spiteful.

Shay is the primary example of this. She acts as Tally’s best friend for brief periods of action. However, it never takes long for her to settle back into the role of bitch and rival. Shay is shown to be insecure, jealous, and incapable of forming a friendship with Tally that cannot be interrupted by male attention. While Tally is shown to be almost blameless for allowing the friendship to falter, Shay is painted as hateful and all too often violent. 

Not to mention the other villains throughout this series:

  • Dr Cable - the original Special who denies Tally the operation and consistently attempts to destroy the Smoke 
  • Ellie Youngblood -  Tally’s detached and brainwashed mother who wants her to obey all of the City’s rules
  • Maddy - David’s mother who blames Tally for her husband’s death and frequently insults her intelligence and loyalty

And…that’s it. Those are the named recurrent female characters in the series.

It could be argued that Ellie Youngblood does not support the male vs female dynamic that I’ve laid out here, primarily because she holds the same role that Tally’s father Sol does. These two characters are essentially the same person. However, while Sol operates within an incredibly diverse cast of male characters,  Ellie is one of the very few women in the book series. The fact that Ellie is a mirror image of her husband is actually discouraging, as though Westerfeld could not find the energy to create a distinct personality for each of them. It is a missed opportunity, one that contributes to the gaping hole of positive female relationships in Tally’s life. Ultimately, what matters is that Ellie (and Sol) encouraged Tally to cave in to Dr Cable’s demands.

What at first glance appears to be an empowering story about a strong-willed female protagonist actually seems to be yet another reinforcement of gender stereotypes. Men? They are as complex and varied as could be, yet always seem to end up working positively towards the good of our heroine. She needs their help and would be lost without them. Women? Their jealous and petty nature cannot be contained for long, often holding grudges instead of being able to see the big picture around them. Our heroine would be better off without them.

In all, the relationships in these books can be summed up in the repeatedly occurring sentiments of ~special~ girls everywhere: “I only have guy friends, girls are just too catty.”

#Uglies #book cover #books #lit #literature #reading #critique #review #book review #feminism

1 year ago ・ 7 notes
Lord help me, I read this cover to cover. Anyone familiar with Tyra’s public persona knows what to expect - Over the top vocabulary and teenage drama fill this fashion fantasy. I walked into it understanding that Banks would be going well over the top. What I did not expect was the rampant transphobia and misogyny. This novel could not possibly be more disrespectful towards trans-women, more slut shaming towards women who are comfortable with their sexual sides, or more dismissive of the struggles that women of color experience every day. These problems appear over and over again. Banks:  Defines “women” as people with XX chromosomes (as stated in the Bella’s welcoming song in the superdome)  Uses the word “skank” as a legitimate insult towards a model who isn’t even shown to have any romantic or sexual encounters in the story (calling Ci~L a “skank scalawag”)  Uses violent racially based language in order to describe a dance (talking about how the magic Senturas “kamikaze” through the air)  Justifies men and dating as necessary for a woman’s wellbring and mental health (“Maybe if Ci~L had a famous boyfriend, she wouldn’t be in this mess.”)  Re-enforces gender roles, demonstrating that women are only as valuable as their looks (Repeatedly using make-up as the only way to look beautiful and explaining why “a lady never lets a man see her bare-faced”)  States that there is a time limit on beauty, that older women are inevitably ugly (the existence of ThirtyNever and having girls physically age 50 years if they leave modelland)  Slates the one openly sexual character as a main villain and idiot (Chaste is consistently mentally demeaned and looked down upon by the Unicas because of the way she presents herself, even when she is in no way disrespecting or even interacting with them)  At times, I suspect that Banks included some of these statements as a way of showing a character’s cattiness or faults, but she puts no efforts towards disputing them or arguing against them. These statements just sit there, worming their way into the minds of each reader. And for that I can’t forgive her. This could have been a fun and frivolous guilty pleasure book. Instead, I can’t stop shaking my head. 1/5 stars, if that much.

Lord help me, I read this cover to cover. 

Anyone familiar with Tyra’s public persona knows what to expect - Over the top vocabulary and teenage drama fill this fashion fantasy. I walked into it understanding that Banks would be going well over the top. 

What I did not expect was the rampant transphobia and misogyny. 

This novel could not possibly be more disrespectful towards trans-women, more slut shaming towards women who are comfortable with their sexual sides, or more dismissive of the struggles that women of color experience every day. 

These problems appear over and over again. Banks: 

  • Defines “women” as people with XX chromosomes (as stated in the Bella’s welcoming song in the superdome) 
  • Uses the word “skank” as a legitimate insult towards a model who isn’t even shown to have any romantic or sexual encounters in the story (calling Ci~L a “skank scalawag”) 
  • Uses violent racially based language in order to describe a dance (talking about how the magic Senturas “kamikaze” through the air) 
  • Justifies men and dating as necessary for a woman’s wellbring and mental health (“Maybe if Ci~L had a famous boyfriend, she wouldn’t be in this mess.”) 
  • Re-enforces gender roles, demonstrating that women are only as valuable as their looks (Repeatedly using make-up as the only way to look beautiful and explaining why “a lady never lets a man see her bare-faced”) 
  • States that there is a time limit on beauty, that older women are inevitably ugly (the existence of ThirtyNever and having girls physically age 50 years if they leave modelland) 
  • Slates the one openly sexual character as a main villain and idiot (Chaste is consistently mentally demeaned and looked down upon by the Unicas because of the way she presents herself, even when she is in no way disrespecting or even interacting with them) 


At times, I suspect that Banks included some of these statements as a way of showing a character’s cattiness or faults, but she puts no efforts towards disputing them or arguing against them. These statements just sit there, worming their way into the minds of each reader. And for that I can’t forgive her. 

This could have been a fun and frivolous guilty pleasure book. Instead, I can’t stop shaking my head. 1/5 stars, if that much.

#reading #lit #book cover #literature #books #book review #tyra banks #tyra #modelland #review #critique #transphobia #misogyny

1 year ago ・ 3 notes