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danielleboldry's reviews
56 reviews
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. beautiful characters and a really interesting perspective for a ww2 story — the only thing i didn’t really enjoy was the narration :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Xenophobia, and War
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I know 30 pages is not really giving the book a chance but i just don’t think I can bring myself to carry on.
I’ve heard so many people say that this book is misunderstood due to the romanticism of HH’s crimes and lolita’s character in adaptations and popular culture, and I want to believe this is true. however I simply cannot read any more of it. I’m all for an unreliable narrator, but being inside of a paedophile‘s head is just too far. even if it isn’t the intention of the book to glorify the narrators thoughts, for me it just doesn’t work as a first person perspective - it is just far too uncomfortable and quite frankly sickening to read.
I’m still struggling to understand why this book is a classic. Yes, the writing style might be brilliantly unique with clever narrative devices but I just can’t wrap my head around why we need this book, or why anyone would enjoy it. You can argue that anyone reading this book should automatically know that HH is a criminal and the villain of the story and it should only be read from this perspective, (which is so true), I just still don’t think this is the right way to tell this story. But then again, I only read 30 pages so I guess my opinions don’t really mean much.
I’ve heard so many people say that this book is misunderstood due to the romanticism of HH’s crimes and lolita’s character in adaptations and popular culture, and I want to believe this is true. however I simply cannot read any more of it. I’m all for an unreliable narrator, but being inside of a paedophile‘s head is just too far. even if it isn’t the intention of the book to glorify the narrators thoughts, for me it just doesn’t work as a first person perspective - it is just far too uncomfortable and quite frankly sickening to read.
I’m still struggling to understand why this book is a classic. Yes, the writing style might be brilliantly unique with clever narrative devices but I just can’t wrap my head around why we need this book, or why anyone would enjoy it. You can argue that anyone reading this book should automatically know that HH is a criminal and the villain of the story and it should only be read from this perspective, (which is so true), I just still don’t think this is the right way to tell this story. But then again, I only read 30 pages so I guess my opinions don’t really mean much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Beloved by Toni Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the final pages of this novel have me speechless. a gorgeous, haunting and heartbreaking tale of American history - such an important read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Murder
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
just so so so wholesome<3 alice oseman is doing god’s work
Foster by Claire Keegan
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
another beautiful novella focusing on found family with such a heartwarming but simultaneously devastating undertone.
(note to self: claire keegan books should be read in a single sitting - the effect is so much more powerful and this probably would be rated even higher if I hadn’t read it between staggered tube journeys)
(note to self: claire keegan books should be read in a single sitting - the effect is so much more powerful and this probably would be rated even higher if I hadn’t read it between staggered tube journeys)
Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
such an fascinating set of essays, the only thing stopping this being a 5 star review is that a couple of the essays fell flat for me, but the following are all irrevocably 5 stars:
i in internet: felt like all my worst fears and deepest grievances with the internet which i’ve never fully understood were just spelt out to me in clear colour. illuminating but terrifying.
always be optimising: exposes the terrifying truths of our reality, living in a capitalist system as a women. this essay dissects the complex fabrications of the ideal woman’s lifestyle which we so readily subscribe to.
(tbc)
i in internet: felt like all my worst fears and deepest grievances with the internet which i’ve never fully understood were just spelt out to me in clear colour. illuminating but terrifying.
always be optimising: exposes the terrifying truths of our reality, living in a capitalist system as a women. this essay dissects the complex fabrications of the ideal woman’s lifestyle which we so readily subscribe to.
(tbc)
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.5
nothing gives you that warm, jolly feeling like a children’s book <3
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
a beautiful depiction of Irish town life alongside a heartbreaking revelation of truth.
the sheer detail and perspective of the protagonist’s ordinary path remind the reader of the horrific occurrences that are happening simultaneously, which are too often and too easily turned a blind eye to.
the sheer detail and perspective of the protagonist’s ordinary path remind the reader of the horrific occurrences that are happening simultaneously, which are too often and too easily turned a blind eye to.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
beautiful story of friendship enthralled with intense drama (but not in a petty way, in an extravagant art student way).
also probably lots of very clever shakespearean references/symbolism that went straight over my head :)
also probably lots of very clever shakespearean references/symbolism that went straight over my head :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
dark
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
4.5
walton should’ve just kept frankenstein’s creation as his own lil’ boat pal :’(
such beautiful prose exploring the complex themes of nature, humanity and morality. incredible read.
such beautiful prose exploring the complex themes of nature, humanity and morality. incredible read.