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ineffableverse's reviews
167 reviews
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
3.0
The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Legacy by Nora Roberts
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
Baking Spirits Bright by Sarah Fox
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Finding Sophie by Imran Mahmood
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Baumgartner by Paul Auster
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
What a wonderful, bittersweet and introspective novel… It's about love, it's about grief, it's about aging, and for me, every page had a deep emotional resonance, without kitsch or forced sentimentality. In my eyes, «Baumgartner» is a more than worthy finale to Paul Auster's great work.
We follow the thoughts of 71-year-old philosophy professor Seymour 'Sy' Baumgartner, who reflects quietly on the past and present, with a pinch of self-irony and a constant undertone of quiet yearning. His great love Anna drowned a decade ago and he has never recovered from this loss, yet he cautiously feels his way towards a possible late happiness.
The novel employs a non-linear structure, seamlessly shifting between different phases of Sy's life. This feels very 'organic' to me: not contrived, not invented, but born from lived experience. The narrative focuses on internal rather than external conflict, with tension and suspense arising from Sy's emotions and his search for meaning.
Auster's writing style is elegant and poetic; he interweaves the novel's themes in a quiet, introspective tone. He succeeds in conveying a vivid impression of Sy's inner world, a harbor of memories and philosophical musings.
My conclusion:
Readers who appreciate character-driven, introspective novels and are interested in a philosophical exploration of life's complexities will likely enjoy «Baumgartner» as well. I loved the novel and it will no doubt stay with me for a long time. The world has lost a great writer in Paul Auster.
I've read the book and then listened to the unabridged audiobook, narrated by Paul Auster himself. Oh, what a tender, bittersweet experience… I highly recommend it, even if you have already the novel, his voice adds another level of depth to the story.
We follow the thoughts of 71-year-old philosophy professor Seymour 'Sy' Baumgartner, who reflects quietly on the past and present, with a pinch of self-irony and a constant undertone of quiet yearning. His great love Anna drowned a decade ago and he has never recovered from this loss, yet he cautiously feels his way towards a possible late happiness.
The novel employs a non-linear structure, seamlessly shifting between different phases of Sy's life. This feels very 'organic' to me: not contrived, not invented, but born from lived experience. The narrative focuses on internal rather than external conflict, with tension and suspense arising from Sy's emotions and his search for meaning.
Auster's writing style is elegant and poetic; he interweaves the novel's themes in a quiet, introspective tone. He succeeds in conveying a vivid impression of Sy's inner world, a harbor of memories and philosophical musings.
My conclusion:
Readers who appreciate character-driven, introspective novels and are interested in a philosophical exploration of life's complexities will likely enjoy «Baumgartner» as well. I loved the novel and it will no doubt stay with me for a long time. The world has lost a great writer in Paul Auster.
I've read the book and then listened to the unabridged audiobook, narrated by Paul Auster himself. Oh, what a tender, bittersweet experience… I highly recommend it, even if you have already the novel, his voice adds another level of depth to the story.
The Next Girl by Carla Kovach
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
A baby is found abandoned; an anonymous caller urges the police to conduct a DNA test. Soon, Detective Gina Harte finds herself entangled in an old case as Deborah Jenkins, who has been missing for four years,becomes the focus of the investigation again. Because the baby is her daughter.
Unfortunately, there have been several real criminal cases where girls or young women were held captive by their abductors for years and sometimes had to bear their children. Thus, the novel's premise is certainly not unrealistic. Carla Kovach gives the story depth and a unique touch through a multifaceted portrayal from different perspectives.
The suspense remains high throughout, especially due to the unexpected twists, shifts in perspective, and the urgent question of whether Deborah will manage to escape her captor… Yes, the story often delves into the private lives of the investigators, but in my opinion, this only slightly slows down the narrative.
Detective Gina Harte is a well-developed character with a complex past and personal demons. Other characters are also portrayed with depth and authenticity, adding emotional weight to the drama. However, I find the villain to be one-dimensional: He is violent and volatile, he is repulsive, he has lost all touch with reality yet still manages to function in everyday life without drawing attention… But all of this stayed superficial, in my eyes; by the end, I still had no sense of who he really is and what shaped him.
I found the writing style to be clear, vivid, and engaging; it creates a dense atmosphere that draws the reader into the story and underscores the gravity of the theme.
Overall, I quite enjoyed reading the book. The unexpected twists make it an entertaining read, while the issues raised provoke thought with psychological depth. I'm deducting 1.5 stars due to my reservations regarding the portrayal of the perpetrator.
Unfortunately, there have been several real criminal cases where girls or young women were held captive by their abductors for years and sometimes had to bear their children. Thus, the novel's premise is certainly not unrealistic. Carla Kovach gives the story depth and a unique touch through a multifaceted portrayal from different perspectives.
The suspense remains high throughout, especially due to the unexpected twists, shifts in perspective, and the urgent question of whether Deborah will manage to escape her captor… Yes, the story often delves into the private lives of the investigators, but in my opinion, this only slightly slows down the narrative.
Detective Gina Harte is a well-developed character with a complex past and personal demons. Other characters are also portrayed with depth and authenticity, adding emotional weight to the drama. However, I find the villain to be one-dimensional: He is violent and volatile, he is repulsive, he has lost all touch with reality yet still manages to function in everyday life without drawing attention… But all of this stayed superficial, in my eyes; by the end, I still had no sense of who he really is and what shaped him.
I found the writing style to be clear, vivid, and engaging; it creates a dense atmosphere that draws the reader into the story and underscores the gravity of the theme.
Overall, I quite enjoyed reading the book. The unexpected twists make it an entertaining read, while the issues raised provoke thought with psychological depth. I'm deducting 1.5 stars due to my reservations regarding the portrayal of the perpetrator.
The Whispers by Ashley Audrain
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.75
This is the second book I've read by this author, and once again she won me over with her empathetic character portrayal and psychological depth. Her writing style is captivating without sacrificing complexity in favor of suspense: The narrative reverberates for a long time, while the constellation of themes shines in the reader's emotional firmament.
Shhh … What's that whispering about? The rigid expectations of society.
«The Whispers» explores the profound, often unspoken challenges of motherhood and female identity in today's society. It discusses the sacrifices mothers make without anyone thanking them. It addresses the complexities and hardships of marital relationships. And it explores the subtle nuances of female rivalry and friendship.
Shhh … What's that whispering about? The idealized version of motherhood.
Audrain highlights the contradictory demands placed on women: Is a mother staying at home to care for her children? Pfft, she's lazy and a financial burden on her husband. Does she go back to work? Pfft, she's a neglectful mother.
Shhh … What's that whispering about? The internalized misogyny that hinders solidarity.
Internalized societal expectations not only foster insecurity and competition among women but also undermine their self-esteem and identity. The women in «The Whispers» suppress their doubts and worries to maintain the facade of a perfect life. They wilfully ignore the flaws in their relationships, a coping mechanism that gives them a false sense of control.
Shhh … What's that whispering about?
Thriller, drama, social criticism? Yes. While «The Whispers» does not forget about the little boy who fell out of the window, he is ultimately just a symptom of a societal deficiency that mothers usually have to cope with alone.
I recommend this novel to all readers interested in the themes I've mentioned in my review.
Shhh … What's that whispering about? The rigid expectations of society.
«The Whispers» explores the profound, often unspoken challenges of motherhood and female identity in today's society. It discusses the sacrifices mothers make without anyone thanking them. It addresses the complexities and hardships of marital relationships. And it explores the subtle nuances of female rivalry and friendship.
Shhh … What's that whispering about? The idealized version of motherhood.
Audrain highlights the contradictory demands placed on women: Is a mother staying at home to care for her children? Pfft, she's lazy and a financial burden on her husband. Does she go back to work? Pfft, she's a neglectful mother.
Shhh … What's that whispering about? The internalized misogyny that hinders solidarity.
Internalized societal expectations not only foster insecurity and competition among women but also undermine their self-esteem and identity. The women in «The Whispers» suppress their doubts and worries to maintain the facade of a perfect life. They wilfully ignore the flaws in their relationships, a coping mechanism that gives them a false sense of control.
Shhh … What's that whispering about?
Thriller, drama, social criticism? Yes. While «The Whispers» does not forget about the little boy who fell out of the window, he is ultimately just a symptom of a societal deficiency that mothers usually have to cope with alone.
I recommend this novel to all readers interested in the themes I've mentioned in my review.
Maude Horton's Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.25
The story is set in 19th century London, revolving around the mysterious death of Constance Horton. Disguised as cabin boy 'Jack Aldridge', she had boarded the «Makepeace», a ship that set out for a rescue mission in the Arctic, but never returned. Only her travel diary found its way back to her grieving father and her older sister, Maude…
Maude is driven to seek the truth, whatever the cost, taking the reader on a dark journey of suspense, intrigue, and revenge. The narrative takes some unexpected twists and turns: the harsh conditions in the Arctic, the seedy underbelly of Victorian London, the spectacle of public executions… The novel offers a stark portrayal of the grotesque fascination with murder and capital punishment that ran rampant in Victorian society.
Lizzie Pook weaves a strong narrative structure, maintaining suspense by revealing bits and pieces of Constance's journey through her journal entries. The villain, Edison Stowe, is a looming presence who keeps the tension high throughout the story.
The female leads, Constance and Maude, are complex and show strong character development. As the story progresses, Maude and Edison Stowe enter the classic constellation of driven protagonist and sinister antagonist, enhancing the story's emotional depth and conflict. Secondary characters are less fleshed out, but still serve their purpose as compelling examples of the challenges of Victorian society.
Pook's writing is vivid and immersive, skillfully setting the scene and evoking a captivating atmosphere that draws the reader in.
I devoured the novel in no time at all, even though historical fiction is a genre I do not read often. I loved the mystery, the drama, the strong female protagonists… But the most striking part, for me, was the critical look at executions as a sick form of entertainment.
Maude is driven to seek the truth, whatever the cost, taking the reader on a dark journey of suspense, intrigue, and revenge. The narrative takes some unexpected twists and turns: the harsh conditions in the Arctic, the seedy underbelly of Victorian London, the spectacle of public executions… The novel offers a stark portrayal of the grotesque fascination with murder and capital punishment that ran rampant in Victorian society.
Lizzie Pook weaves a strong narrative structure, maintaining suspense by revealing bits and pieces of Constance's journey through her journal entries. The villain, Edison Stowe, is a looming presence who keeps the tension high throughout the story.
The female leads, Constance and Maude, are complex and show strong character development. As the story progresses, Maude and Edison Stowe enter the classic constellation of driven protagonist and sinister antagonist, enhancing the story's emotional depth and conflict. Secondary characters are less fleshed out, but still serve their purpose as compelling examples of the challenges of Victorian society.
Pook's writing is vivid and immersive, skillfully setting the scene and evoking a captivating atmosphere that draws the reader in.
I devoured the novel in no time at all, even though historical fiction is a genre I do not read often. I loved the mystery, the drama, the strong female protagonists… But the most striking part, for me, was the critical look at executions as a sick form of entertainment.
Kids Run the Show by Delphine de Vigan
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.25
Reader, this is not a near-future cautionary tale. It's today's reality, snippets of a society where support networks become increasingly intermeshed with social media. Family vloggers, 'kidfluencers', parents who are forever toeing the line between sharing and exploitation? It's real, it's here. And it's becoming hard to differentiate: Is this parent just blinded by clout, oblivious of the harm this might do their children? Or is it deliberate; do they see it as an acceptable payment for fame and monetary gain?
Delphine de Vigan gives us Mélanie, a social media superstar who shares her children's lives online. It's daily, it's always, it's everywhere. There is no privacy for her son and daughter, no free time, no toys that do not come with sponsorships and fake bright smiles for the algorithm. The daughter, Kimmy, shouts into the void: «No, I do not want to film today. No, I do not like this.»
When Kimmy is abducted, is Mélanie at fault? And if so, to what degree? Clara, a young police officer, might as well be from another planet, so alien is this social media world to her. Yet, when the lives of these two woman intertwine, it highlights that they are ultimately driven by the same childhood trauma: Never being enough, never truly belonging – looking for the same fulfillment in different ways.
«Kids Run The Show» is many things: an insightful reflection on the voyeuristic nature of social media, an exploration of its false sense of community, fueled by the immense emotional void of modern society… It's a captivating read – but it's not a thriller, nor a police procedural. Kimmy's disappearence is not the focus of the story, it just highlights her exploitation and her mother's deeply flawed emotional landscape.
And this is exactly where I see the novel's shortcomings: This kind of story needs strong, complex protagonists to make it more than a morality tale. But ultimately, their personal development falls short, reduced to a blueprint of what's wrong with social media; there is little resonance on a more personal level.
In the end, this was an interesting read for me, but one that did not fulfill its potential.
Delphine de Vigan gives us Mélanie, a social media superstar who shares her children's lives online. It's daily, it's always, it's everywhere. There is no privacy for her son and daughter, no free time, no toys that do not come with sponsorships and fake bright smiles for the algorithm. The daughter, Kimmy, shouts into the void: «No, I do not want to film today. No, I do not like this.»
When Kimmy is abducted, is Mélanie at fault? And if so, to what degree? Clara, a young police officer, might as well be from another planet, so alien is this social media world to her. Yet, when the lives of these two woman intertwine, it highlights that they are ultimately driven by the same childhood trauma: Never being enough, never truly belonging – looking for the same fulfillment in different ways.
«Kids Run The Show» is many things: an insightful reflection on the voyeuristic nature of social media, an exploration of its false sense of community, fueled by the immense emotional void of modern society… It's a captivating read – but it's not a thriller, nor a police procedural. Kimmy's disappearence is not the focus of the story, it just highlights her exploitation and her mother's deeply flawed emotional landscape.
And this is exactly where I see the novel's shortcomings: This kind of story needs strong, complex protagonists to make it more than a morality tale. But ultimately, their personal development falls short, reduced to a blueprint of what's wrong with social media; there is little resonance on a more personal level.
In the end, this was an interesting read for me, but one that did not fulfill its potential.