benedettal's reviews
395 reviews

So disappointing. The story didnt pick up momentum at any point, just a flat narrative with unlikeable characters all over the place. No social commentary either, unlike other novellas by henry james. Wasnt even spooky enough.

This is a cute little poem, in the creepiest possible way. Perfect for Halloween.

I loved reading up on it and finding out about all the different interpretations, which are all wonderful btw. But unfortunately my brain doesnt process poetry very well so I didn’t catch them tbh. Still fun though.

A tale of self fulfilling prophecy, with a twist that hasn’t aged that well in my opinion. Maybe it’s a bit overdone at this point. Maybe it was a bit too obvious, or at least foreseeable after a certain point. The writing was also overly bloated for my taste. Certainly delivers the creepy vibes though. 

Okay but not great. I don’t really have huge issues with it, though I will say the writing wasn’t super engaging. Extra points for being a great halloween read. 

This was such an incredible reading experience. These women!!!! I love them, and this book satisfied all my thirst for knowledge about them in the best way possible.

How do you write a biography of two authors who are known for their autobiographical work? Apparently by finding a gold mine of letters, interviewing all the people who knew them, as well as (one of) them, and drawing parallels between their lives. I mean it sounds simple but it’s obviously not, and the result is just absolutely delightful. 

This book isn’t afraid of highlighting the discrepancies in their narratives, or their hypocrisy, but also doesn’t hide their genius. It probably helps their lives were so extraordinary they could and have filled several books, but still.

Even though the flaws are on full display, I still find these women aspirational. And the fascinating thing is that even though they’re almost polar opposites, I love both of them the same. It’s probably the single best biography I’ve read. I could read it again and again. 

This book was very experimental, with the split between the two parts being so distinct, yet integrated seamlessly.

I have a soft spot for the first story, set in the 1400s. The themes of identity and self-discovery are beautiful, especially accompanied by the gorgeous writing. It’s so poetic. And of course, I’m fascinated by the potential truth behind the fictional story. Were there women painters in disguise? Why wouldn’t there be? I’m so glad this question became the centre of this novel, it’s inspired.

The second part was heartbreaking. I found it deep but not heavy, a perfect balance. Yes, I do believe an entire novel could have been dedicated to the characters in part one. But the tone shift, supported by the tenuous connection between the plot lines, makes for such a different and special reading experience. 

Overall, interesting in its structure and content. Unusual in the best way. 

This was quite extraordinary. Neurotic, rich, decadent, insane. It is literally the journey of a dandy slowly going mad.

The tortoise scene is terrifying, the discussion of the Salome painting had me picturing a very different seen tbh but I loved the enthusiasm. I can see Oscar Wilde really fixating on this to the point of having to write it into Dorian Gray. I can see Dorian Gray going wild by idolising this book. Overall it was a strange incredible read, perfect time capsule of France at the time. Also reminded me vaguely of Perfume. 

Obviously a very important book. Collecting these letters must have not been easy for the receivers, Gramsci’s dear ones. Indeed, it must have been heartbreaking to receive them, especially toward the end.

Most of all this is a testimony of cruelty, resilience, and humanity. Gramsci’s great mind is well known but not really flashed out here, it’s more personal than anything else. You won’t find out much of his philosophy by reading this, but it’s a fascinating insight into fascist opposition repression tactics.

Balzac continues to fall short for me, and honestly, due to no fault of his own. Realism/naturalism never was for me, and the way you can spot the tragedy from a mile away just doesn’t endear me to his work. Granted, it’s no grand tragedy at that, which may be the problem. It’s all about class disparity, victorian family dynamics, all revolving around a dutiful young woman who attracts men not only for her qualities, but especially for the money she stands to inherit. By being guarded closely by an overbearing father who’s more so after protecting his money, her happiness is precluded and her future becomes a strictly economic affair. It’s not what I personally find entertaining, so unfortunately this wasn’t super enjoyable, although not altogether uninteresting. 

Tracing the decadent movement at large and Oscar Wilde’s obsession with Salome is so fun. Possibly the most sinful story from the New Testament, it seems like these men who rejected religion (due to religion rejecting them tbf) were fascinated by the extreme perversity of the scene. It’s cool how Wilde was inspired by Against Nature and its analysis of Moreau’s painting of Salome, which he had Dorian Gray fall in love with, while his own version has become so influential in art and pop culture since (he came up with the dance of the seven veils). It’s an unlikely story of female empowerment, where Salome uses her attraction to defy men, like her step father Herod, and preserve her pureness. It also makes for an interesting exploration of gender and sexual dynamics. Very Wilde in many ways, overall exquisite.