nathiddles_106's reviews
222 reviews

Sagittarius by Natalia Ginzburg

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emotional 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? Yes

4.0

the sobs tore themselves out of her from the depths of her heart bringing with them a surge of self- pity in which there was no sweetness at all, a self-pity that was utterly desolate and as black as night.

- Sagittarius, p. 111

At first this book was a bit slow for me and I didn't find the character, the mother, likeable sort of character and had to pause the book until I pick it up again and read. The story starts to pick up pace when Barbara enters the story and by the end of the novella, you just feels like staring into the wall for a little bit. I feel the despair this poor family experienced especially when
the mother realised that she's been swindled out of her savings by someone she truly consides a friend
. The gradual changed of the mother from being domineering and self assured to a pitiful worn woman is just sad. 

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Bed and Breakfast by A. M. Kherbash

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I read this book through netgalley.
It's about this couple who stays at this B&B for a vacation. However, this bed and breakfast establishment has been taken over by a new management and this new owner has something up her sleeve.
The novella, while short, immediately established the couples backstory and reason why they are having this staycation at the B & B. The author is really good at describing the creepy and unsettling atmosphere of the place and situation, it feels like I can visualize the unfolding storyline on my mind. The pacing is great especially at the second act.
The ending was really satisfying despite the open-endedness. However, the mystery is not resolved. Who is Leah and what actually happened to the previous owner?

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The Story of a Single Woman by Uno Chiyo

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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Strange Pictures by Uketsu

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dark mysterious tense 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


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Girls in the Dark by Rikako Akiyoshi

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25


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Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte

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dark funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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The Beggar Student by Osamu Dazai

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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Hell Screen by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

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dark reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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The Coin by Yasmin Zaher

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dark lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0


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The Prisoner of Ankara: A Novel by Suat Derviş, Maureen Freely

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emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75


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