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flowerbinsh's reviews
199 reviews
Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu
challenging
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read a few stories for book club!
This short story collection was so beautifully grotesque, I don't think I will ever forget this one. "June Bugs," especially. It wowed me away from the start. Kim Fu writes such gross and devastating topics in a way that makes me never want to put it down. Trying to decipher the "deeper" meaning of each felt incredibly valuable, honestly. This idea of the "lesser known monsters" I think stem from the monsters within us all-socially and individually. We all play a part in the destruction of this world, and Fu speaks on that in such prolific, metaphorical ways. I'm blown away.
This short story collection was so beautifully grotesque, I don't think I will ever forget this one. "June Bugs," especially. It wowed me away from the start. Kim Fu writes such gross and devastating topics in a way that makes me never want to put it down. Trying to decipher the "deeper" meaning of each felt incredibly valuable, honestly. This idea of the "lesser known monsters" I think stem from the monsters within us all-socially and individually. We all play a part in the destruction of this world, and Fu speaks on that in such prolific, metaphorical ways. I'm blown away.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I read this book for book club.
When I first started reading it, I felt extremely frustrated by the characters. It seemed they were all simply plot devices and that their character descriptions didn’t match their actions, especially Fumiko. The writing toward the beginning was also very clunky and unnatural.
The last two sections, however, really changed my opinion. It tugged at my heartstrings, and it made me engage with such thought-provoking questions and ideas. I still think the characters are a little unnatural, and the writing can get repetitive and bog down the reader, but overall I think this is a beautiful narrative about choice through time-travel.
When I first started reading it, I felt extremely frustrated by the characters. It seemed they were all simply plot devices and that their character descriptions didn’t match their actions, especially Fumiko. The writing toward the beginning was also very clunky and unnatural.
The last two sections, however, really changed my opinion. It tugged at my heartstrings, and it made me engage with such thought-provoking questions and ideas. I still think the characters are a little unnatural, and the writing can get repetitive and bog down the reader, but overall I think this is a beautiful narrative about choice through time-travel.
How to Bake Pi: An Edible Exploration of the Mathematics of Mathematics by Eugenia Cheng
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
didn't have to finish for my required math class!
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
i think i was expecting a little too much of a 19th century vampire novel tbh. i applied modern-day horror tropes to the 19th century and got disappointed a little bit. :( this was such a fun vampire novel, but i just have myself false hope with it.
i also wish there was more about dracula himself! he seems to be such a background character to be the titled character.
i also wish there was more about dracula himself! he seems to be such a background character to be the titled character.
The Country Wife by William Wycherley
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read as a requirement for my Masterpieces in drama class.
a funny lil play with so many sex jokes, but not quite as fun as a shakespeare tbh
a funny lil play with so many sex jokes, but not quite as fun as a shakespeare tbh
The Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides by Aeschylus
challenging
reflective
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
4.0
Read as a requirement for my history class.
I've read Agamemnon before for my Ancient Lit class, but reading the trilogy together really provided such a great story. The way the characters are portrayed are so entrancing in my opinion. I couldn't help but feel so drawn to the women and how they are written and portrayed.
Agamemnon is definitely still my favourite out of the three, but I still loved the arguments and themes of Justice and if the mortal are allowed to bestow such judgement onto others in the later two plays.
I think I'd reread all of these, especially Agamemnon.
I've read Agamemnon before for my Ancient Lit class, but reading the trilogy together really provided such a great story. The way the characters are portrayed are so entrancing in my opinion. I couldn't help but feel so drawn to the women and how they are written and portrayed.
Agamemnon is definitely still my favourite out of the three, but I still loved the arguments and themes of Justice and if the mortal are allowed to bestow such judgement onto others in the later two plays.
I think I'd reread all of these, especially Agamemnon.
The Hairy Ape by Eugene O'Neill
challenging
dark
fast-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
1.75
Read for my Masterpieces in Drama class.
This was not my cup of tea, to say the least. I gave it time to let the instructor walk me through the overall concept of the work, but I just can’t get past the casual racism and the extremely dark satire. It was just TOO dark for me and my current mental state. The anti-realism also through me a little off guard. I don’t think this is a read for me, but I see how important the subject matter is.
This was not my cup of tea, to say the least. I gave it time to let the instructor walk me through the overall concept of the work, but I just can’t get past the casual racism and the extremely dark satire. It was just TOO dark for me and my current mental state. The anti-realism also through me a little off guard. I don’t think this is a read for me, but I see how important the subject matter is.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
THE PLOT TWIST??????????? That’s all I have. I am speechless. I think I’m actually gonna read a fantasy sequel, guys, this is a crazy development.
One annoying thing though (as I listened to the audiobook) was the way the plants spoke to Raina. It was so weird??? And the way they called her mother???? I will admit that was a part I could not vibe with, but, overall, this book was so fun, I can’t wait to get around to reading the sequel.
One annoying thing though (as I listened to the audiobook) was the way the plants spoke to Raina. It was so weird??? And the way they called her mother???? I will admit that was a part I could not vibe with, but, overall, this book was so fun, I can’t wait to get around to reading the sequel.
Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read for my Masterpieces in Drama class.
This play is absolutely one of my favourites. I saw it in person about two years ago, but this is my first time actually reading the script. It's such an interesting take on the original play (which I have also read), and it leaves you really reflecting on your life for,,,basically ever. There's so much to unpack here. I think I could find a new subject to talk about for every single time I'll read this.
This play is absolutely one of my favourites. I saw it in person about two years ago, but this is my first time actually reading the script. It's such an interesting take on the original play (which I have also read), and it leaves you really reflecting on your life for,,,basically ever. There's so much to unpack here. I think I could find a new subject to talk about for every single time I'll read this.
Remain In Light by Veeagainst
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
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