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flowerbinsh's reviews
199 reviews
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Read for my history class.
what the hell was this,,,,not only is it just a book of racism with absolutely no critique, it's just so boring good lord. i'm so glad to be done with this.
what the hell was this,,,,not only is it just a book of racism with absolutely no critique, it's just so boring good lord. i'm so glad to be done with this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs
Goodbye, Columbus and Five Short Stories by Philip Roth
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Read for Literary tribalism.
I only read "Goodbye, Columbus" from this short story collection, and um....I'm not sure how I feel about it. I don't think I like it???? Idk, the way he writes about women repulses me. The conversation between different Jewish cultures, however, is really interesting. I just cannot get behind toxic relationships being an important reading for a class? It's really not necessary.
I only read "Goodbye, Columbus" from this short story collection, and um....I'm not sure how I feel about it. I don't think I like it???? Idk, the way he writes about women repulses me. The conversation between different Jewish cultures, however, is really interesting. I just cannot get behind toxic relationships being an important reading for a class? It's really not necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Racism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Antisemitism
Richard III by William Shakespeare
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read for my Shakespeare class.
Genuinely, I have no opinion of this play. I wish I could say more, but I just couldn't seem to follow along. All the characters were so confusing, especially since some of the characters were referred to by multiple names.
I do enjoy the ideas of consciousness in here, however, and the ironic lack of empathy all the characters have for each other. There are a lot of parallels between this play and Titus Andronicus.
Genuinely, I have no opinion of this play. I wish I could say more, but I just couldn't seem to follow along. All the characters were so confusing, especially since some of the characters were referred to by multiple names.
I do enjoy the ideas of consciousness in here, however, and the ironic lack of empathy all the characters have for each other. There are a lot of parallels between this play and Titus Andronicus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, and Murder
The Hate U Give by
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Read for my literary tribalism class.
I've read this book once or twice before, but I think I was too young to really understand the importance of this novel. I read it, and then never thought another thing of it. Today, though, this book sits at the back of my mind at all times. The continuous cycles of injustice are incredibly unfair, and this book shows that in ways that leaves no ambiguity. There isn't pretty prose to cover it up.
Starr's experience with trauma is so clear and guttural that it is almost impossible to read at times, but I feel like it should be a requirement for everyone to read, especially for non-Black people. No one understands the oppression of another until they are forced to experience it, even indirectly.
I think this novel is one of the most important novels in history, but, as it is a YA, I still think it has its problemsStarr is incredibly well-spoken in all of her interviews and protests in ways that seem unrealistic. She had no practice for her speech at the protest at the end of the book, nor for her television interview, yet she never stumbled. She said the most provocative things, with no training. Another issue I had is with Hailey, specifically the scene where Starr punches her. It felt too right of timing and too much of a perfect moment of closure for Starr. It all just seemed to perfect. My final problem with this novel is the way it praises Chris for doing the bare minimum as a white man. As him and Hailey are the only two prominent white people in the novel, it is clear Thomas is trying to show that not all white people are like Hailey. There are some like Chris too. It just feels too much like praising men for being people.
I've read this book once or twice before, but I think I was too young to really understand the importance of this novel. I read it, and then never thought another thing of it. Today, though, this book sits at the back of my mind at all times. The continuous cycles of injustice are incredibly unfair, and this book shows that in ways that leaves no ambiguity. There isn't pretty prose to cover it up.
Starr's experience with trauma is so clear and guttural that it is almost impossible to read at times, but I feel like it should be a requirement for everyone to read, especially for non-Black people. No one understands the oppression of another until they are forced to experience it, even indirectly.
I think this novel is one of the most important novels in history, but, as it is a YA, I still think it has its problems
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction
Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare
dark
emotional
fast-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
Read for my Shakespeare class.
W o w. This play was SO gorey and violent, defintely not up my alley these days. I didn't know Shakespeare could GET so violent.
W o w. This play was SO gorey and violent, defintely not up my alley these days. I didn't know Shakespeare could GET so violent.
The Return of Martin Guerre by Natalie Zemon Davis
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Read for my history class.
This was a fun story of imposters and women reclaiming their agency. I wasn't too intrigued by it, though.
This was a fun story of imposters and women reclaiming their agency. I wasn't too intrigued by it, though.
Seneca's Thyestes by Lucius Annaeus Seneca
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Read for my Shakespeare class.
While I enjoyed the themes of vengeance and if punishment is truly effective, I don't think this play will be memorable for me. I will most likely forget everything in a few weeks.
While I enjoyed the themes of vengeance and if punishment is truly effective, I don't think this play will be memorable for me. I will most likely forget everything in a few weeks.
You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
5.0
I don't think I could've read this book at a better time. With the way my mental health has been going these past few months, this book has helped me in so many ways. I've already used some of the techniques and exercises within, and they have calmed me down when I couldn't figure out how before. I've been a fan of Dan (and Phil) since 2014, so this was also a great way of seeing how far Dan has come, as well as myself. I will definitely be trying to get a physical copy, so I can always return to this in times of need.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Read for my Literary Tribalism class.
Wow. It's been quite a few years since I last read this novel, and the ending still makes me want to stare at a wall for awhile. It's such a beautiful and captivating read. As someone who is from Alabama, I always feel at home while reading this book with the way Lee describes the South.
Wow. It's been quite a few years since I last read this novel, and the ending still makes me want to stare at a wall for awhile. It's such a beautiful and captivating read. As someone who is from Alabama, I always feel at home while reading this book with the way Lee describes the South.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Bullying
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Read for my Shakespeare class.
This play was so entertaining and had so much depth. I heard that this was one of his first ever comedies, and the amount of beautiful poetry in this play is so astounding for such an early work. Seeing how Shakespeare took his source play and flipped it on its head was so interesting. I can't wait to discuss this play more!
This play was so entertaining and had so much depth. I heard that this was one of his first ever comedies, and the amount of beautiful poetry in this play is so astounding for such an early work. Seeing how Shakespeare took his source play and flipped it on its head was so interesting. I can't wait to discuss this play more!