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dreynoldsbook's reviews
106 reviews
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This is a very male book. Apparently women don’t exist in the galactic empire except to use atomic knifes in their kitchens!
It has its moments. Some of the politicking is fascinating but just as it’s getting interesting it suddenly jumps a century or so forward never really getting deep enough.
I found the whole premise quite silly too.
Of course you have to see it in context - as a very influential book written around 1950, which is why I give it over 3 stars. But it’s been done better since.
It has its moments. Some of the politicking is fascinating but just as it’s getting interesting it suddenly jumps a century or so forward never really getting deep enough.
I found the whole premise quite silly too.
Of course you have to see it in context - as a very influential book written around 1950, which is why I give it over 3 stars. But it’s been done better since.
Careless in Red by Elizabeth George
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
My first time reading Elizabeth George and I enjoyed it up to a point. It has a good set up and the writing is enjoyable. I feel it was overlong, though, and some of the character traits were dubious. The motivations of the characters often didn’t ring true. Also, the end wasn’t very satisfying - never a good thing at the end of a long read. The culprit was quite easy to guess.
More problematic as regards the whole series, though, is the landed gentry as a copper thing. I didn’t buy it really.
More problematic as regards the whole series, though, is the landed gentry as a copper thing. I didn’t buy it really.
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Library book. Will finish later
Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Trees by Percival Everett
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I like where the author’s coming from with this novel. I can’t help but think he came up with the idea whilst having some sort of reverie. I mean, if only!
However I found it a bit shallow despite the subject matter. The characterisation was very surface and the constant humour became strained, as is often the case when an author tries to keep up the funnies in virtually every sentence. Everyone had the same sardonic humour.
It’s a quite easy read because of the snappy paragraphs. And there are some laugh out loud moments.
The Unauthorised Biography of Ezra Maas by Daniel James
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Umberto Eco lite.
In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes
dark
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This novel is nothing like Chandler and I’m not sure why he should be ashamed of writing The Big Sleep, Farewell My Lovely and the Long Goodbye because Dorothy B Hughes wrote this, as Sara Paretsky seems to think.
Neither is this novel much like Highsmith’s Ripley. Ripley isn’t a psychopath, more of a sociopath who kills for convenience. The thing about Ripley is that Highsmith has you rooting for him. You never root for Dix. He’s a complete psychopath with no redeeming qualities.
This novel is more similar to The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson, although Thompson’s killer is more credible and fully formed I think. This is a great piece of noir fiction though.
Neither is this novel much like Highsmith’s Ripley. Ripley isn’t a psychopath, more of a sociopath who kills for convenience. The thing about Ripley is that Highsmith has you rooting for him. You never root for Dix. He’s a complete psychopath with no redeeming qualities.
This novel is more similar to The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson, although Thompson’s killer is more credible and fully formed I think. This is a great piece of noir fiction though.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s quite satirical and funny and, like her short stories, has a lot to say on societal norms and the consequences of departing from them. It did seem a bit under-developed though.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I much preferred the political intrigue and world building of the first half of the novel to the more adventurous ‘messing about in the snow’ of the second (It was cold a lot). Halfway through I’d have given it over 4 stars. I lost interest towards the end though.