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bubblegumfactory's reviews
696 reviews
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
4.0
I tip my hat to you, Ms Christie.
My first experience with a Christie novel was ... less than pleasant. It was a summer school assignment. Read "A Mysterious Affair at Styles" and create a book report on it. I distinctly remember reaching out to the teacher to confirm if the book report had to be positive. She said, "Be honest and just write about your experience with the book" and boy was I honest about how much I despised it.
My early teen self was quite critical of her work and her flimsy approach to "murder mystery". I am not sure why but I had a much greater expectation and demand from the book. I recall while researching supplementary material for the report that Styles was her first book, written as a challenge with her sister who thought she can't write a murder mystery. Ms Christie claimed to have won the challenge but I'd have contested that victory. Since that experience, I stayed off the famous murder mysteries of Agatha Christie and the eccentric adventures of Hercule Poirot.
Until last year, when I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook of The ABC Murders. I thought it was the dramatic radio show enactment that made is enjoyable. In the spirit of a new year, I wanted to give Agatha Christie and her work a fresh start. When I picked up "And Then There Were None", mostly because it was heavily discounted at a local bookstore, I was not expecting to enjoy it this much. I read the book in three sitting on a weekday after work. And supplemented that with the BBC mini-series. Both were such fantastically executed. I understand why this was voted as the favourite Agatha Christie Murder Mystery. And you bet I am going to read the other two on that list.
Murder of Roger Ackroyd, here I come!
My first experience with a Christie novel was ... less than pleasant. It was a summer school assignment. Read "A Mysterious Affair at Styles" and create a book report on it. I distinctly remember reaching out to the teacher to confirm if the book report had to be positive. She said, "Be honest and just write about your experience with the book" and boy was I honest about how much I despised it.
My early teen self was quite critical of her work and her flimsy approach to "murder mystery". I am not sure why but I had a much greater expectation and demand from the book. I recall while researching supplementary material for the report that Styles was her first book, written as a challenge with her sister who thought she can't write a murder mystery. Ms Christie claimed to have won the challenge but I'd have contested that victory. Since that experience, I stayed off the famous murder mysteries of Agatha Christie and the eccentric adventures of Hercule Poirot.
Until last year, when I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook of The ABC Murders. I thought it was the dramatic radio show enactment that made is enjoyable. In the spirit of a new year, I wanted to give Agatha Christie and her work a fresh start. When I picked up "And Then There Were None", mostly because it was heavily discounted at a local bookstore, I was not expecting to enjoy it this much. I read the book in three sitting on a weekday after work. And supplemented that with the BBC mini-series. Both were such fantastically executed. I understand why this was voted as the favourite Agatha Christie Murder Mystery. And you bet I am going to read the other two on that list.
Murder of Roger Ackroyd, here I come!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4.0
** the american dream reality **
there are these books that you say you've heard, not because you want to sound snobbish but because you truly wish you would have read them. The Great Gatsby was that book for me. I knew about the premise, its relevance and how it was the "book that your teacher made you read". I knew everyone in the book was a horrible human being - that Daisy Buchanan's character is iconic in all the weird ways. I'll be honest, I attempted reading this book thrice before but the long winding sentences just got me halted. This book didn't offer any solace to get you involved and get you on the ride, the first-person narrative of Nick Carraway felt distancing. But this time, I was sure to not give up! I stuck through it and 50 pages down, I was into it! Not because I wanted to see through "one of the best fictional pieces" but I was truly enjoying it. The story, the style, the symbolism and the building anticipation.
This book is just like America it talks about - young, wild and reckless but at the same time grounded and altering identity. I was repulsed by Tom, confused by Daisy, felt judged by Nick and in awe of Jay. Fitzgerald makes you feel things and by the end, I was truly invested in their universe and hurt and confused and angry. You can find a lot of reviews that provide deep meaningful literary criticism, this isn't that. I am just happy I read it and even happier that I enjoyed it. Fitzgerald, you good boy.
Also, let me take a hot second to talk about Jay Gatsby, that man knew how to dream wild and chase them daring. Dang son, you inspire me. Your reliance on love and validation from a woman who is with someone else and obsession with her is not the healthiest things but respect for the drive and vision. You were ahead of your time. :)
there are these books that you say you've heard, not because you want to sound snobbish but because you truly wish you would have read them. The Great Gatsby was that book for me. I knew about the premise, its relevance and how it was the "book that your teacher made you read". I knew everyone in the book was a horrible human being - that Daisy Buchanan's character is iconic in all the weird ways. I'll be honest, I attempted reading this book thrice before but the long winding sentences just got me halted. This book didn't offer any solace to get you involved and get you on the ride, the first-person narrative of Nick Carraway felt distancing. But this time, I was sure to not give up! I stuck through it and 50 pages down, I was into it! Not because I wanted to see through "one of the best fictional pieces" but I was truly enjoying it. The story, the style, the symbolism and the building anticipation.
This book is just like America it talks about - young, wild and reckless but at the same time grounded and altering identity. I was repulsed by Tom, confused by Daisy, felt judged by Nick and in awe of Jay. Fitzgerald makes you feel things and by the end, I was truly invested in their universe and hurt and confused and angry. You can find a lot of reviews that provide deep meaningful literary criticism, this isn't that. I am just happy I read it and even happier that I enjoyed it. Fitzgerald, you good boy.
Also, let me take a hot second to talk about Jay Gatsby, that man knew how to dream wild and chase them daring. Dang son, you inspire me. Your reliance on love and validation from a woman who is with someone else and obsession with her is not the healthiest things but respect for the drive and vision. You were ahead of your time. :)
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
5.0
this is not a kid's book but a book for the child that grown-ups forgot they once were.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
3.0
HOLYY SH*T THAT WAS SOME TWIST.
but, uhm, that does not cover for the painfully annoying style of prose. also, a mild spoiler but she kept saying she is in love, a love so grand it must endure. but where's the love? make me see it? build it up?
there were a few tells about the final "plot twist psyche" moment but overall this would make for a nice beach read.
but, uhm, that does not cover for the painfully annoying style of prose. also, a mild spoiler but she kept saying she is in love, a love so grand it must endure. but where's the love? make me see it? build it up?
there were a few tells about the final "plot twist psyche" moment but overall this would make for a nice beach read.