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dastardly_red_witch's reviews
48 reviews
The Last Leaf by O. Henry
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicidal thoughts
A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Abandonment
Moderate: Excrement
Rashomon by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In a Grove by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75
The book takes place in a world where magical beings live alongside humans. Although magical beings have the same intellect and emotions as humans, they are segregated from humans. They are tagged and tracked throughout their lives. Our protagonist, Linus Baker, is a caseworker for the Department In Charge of Magical Youth. His job is to visit orphanages for magical children and ensure that they are being treated well. Linus' work is his life. He has never known anything except work and the rules and regulations of the DICOMY. One day, he is sent to a classified level 4 case orphanage for a month. The orphanage houses some of the most problematic children, children who are one of a kind, children who have previously caused trouble elsewhere and also children whose species is unknown. There are 6 of them and they live under the tutelage of their master, Arthur Parnassus. Linus is at first terrified of this case, but being the professional he is, he begins working on it. At first, he maintains his distance, keeping a wall between him and the children but after spending more time with them, his behaviour begins to change. He becomes close to the children and even Arthur and begins to question the practices of the DICOMY.
The writing is so beautiful and lucid. Everything is told from Linus' perspective and it is so vivid. T.J. Klune paints a picture in your head with words. When I finished reading it last night, I was grinning for such a long time. Even while writing this, certain scenes come to my mind and make me want to smile again. Oh and also, I like how Linus is homosexual but it is not a big deal in the book. It is normal, as it should be. :)