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wuthrinheights's reviews
202 reviews
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
I found out about this book while going through an old friend's reading update. I was lucky when I stumbled upon a copy at a thrift store. I couldn't wait to read it, even if I wasn't quite sure what it has in store. I'm not usually a fan of reading about brawls and gangs but Ponyboy's quiet and sensitive voice pulled me in, and by the second half of it, I couldn't put it down.
Ponyboy's narration reminded me heavily of Holden Caulfield. Childlike and always wondering. To look at people through sketches in their brains. He was growing and he wanted so desperately to fit in, and to understand how people fit in, even if it made little sense.
Reading this book from his POV made me so sad. He was living in a world of people with spikes and edges, while he was born with clouds for insides. He's a dreamer, a reader, a sunset watcher. He found beauty in the mundane and hated how he has to act all rough when all he wanted was to feel safe.
By the end of it, I was invested. The love they had for each other was so raw, it made me ache. I didn't expect to enjoy it so much but I'm really glad I picked it up. Now maybe I should start reading happier books to get rid of this awful heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I could picture hundreds and hundreds of boys living on the wrong sides of cities, boys with black eyes who jumped at their own shadows. Hundreds of boys who maybe watched sunsets and looked at stars and ached for something better. I could see boys going down under street lights because they were mean and tough and hated the world, and it was too late to tell them that there was still good in it, and they wouldn't believe you if you did. It was too vast a problem to be just a personal thing. There should be some help, someone should tell them before it was too late. Someone should tell their side of the story, and maybe people would understand then and wouldn't be so quick to judge a boy by the amount of hair oil he wore. It was important to me.
I found out about this book while going through an old friend's reading update. I was lucky when I stumbled upon a copy at a thrift store. I couldn't wait to read it, even if I wasn't quite sure what it has in store. I'm not usually a fan of reading about brawls and gangs but Ponyboy's quiet and sensitive voice pulled me in, and by the second half of it, I couldn't put it down.
Ponyboy's narration reminded me heavily of Holden Caulfield. Childlike and always wondering. To look at people through sketches in their brains. He was growing and he wanted so desperately to fit in, and to understand how people fit in, even if it made little sense.
Reading this book from his POV made me so sad. He was living in a world of people with spikes and edges, while he was born with clouds for insides. He's a dreamer, a reader, a sunset watcher. He found beauty in the mundane and hated how he has to act all rough when all he wanted was to feel safe.
By the end of it, I was invested. The love they had for each other was so raw, it made me ache. I didn't expect to enjoy it so much but I'm really glad I picked it up. Now maybe I should start reading happier books to get rid of this awful heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
I've always wanted to read this, despite not knowing what it was about. I had ill luck in trying to get a copy until one day a family friend handed one to me so suddenly and here, tonight, I could finally get to know the little Prince.
It was a strange, bittersweet book of looking at life through a child's lens. It was fascinating to hear a story with such innocence that you can only get when you shed off your adult clothes and sit on the floor like how you used to as a child.
The little Prince with his wheat coloured hair, his peals of laughter, his insistent questions, and recounting all his adventures on different planets, and eventually: teaching you the secrets of life.
I was devastated by the end of it. It's one of those books where you'll need to read and reread, and to remind yourself of the simple pleasures of life.
It was a strange, bittersweet book of looking at life through a child's lens. It was fascinating to hear a story with such innocence that you can only get when you shed off your adult clothes and sit on the floor like how you used to as a child.
The little Prince with his wheat coloured hair, his peals of laughter, his insistent questions, and recounting all his adventures on different planets, and eventually: teaching you the secrets of life.
I was devastated by the end of it. It's one of those books where you'll need to read and reread, and to remind yourself of the simple pleasures of life.
Dark Angel by V.C. Andrews
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.75
Heaven as the first book set my standards up so high, that I couldn't love this sequel as much as I wanted to. It was less dark, but it had the same misery you can find within the pages of a VC Andrews book.
For most of the book, I couldn't really care about the plot. It was too far removed from the Casteel family. Yes, it was needed for her to grow and build herself brick by brick to get on with her journey but I was reading slowly. It only picked up around 65% in, and only then I felt like the book was going back to its original roots.
Heaven's life in this sequel felt like watching an ant trapped within a paper cup. Always bumping into the walls, never escaping. No matter what she tries, she kept facing rejections. It was an ongoing failure after failure.
I especially liked the killer twist towards the end. I was sitting in my seat, stomach dropping uncomfortably, beads of sweat covering my forehead. Worrying, fearing, how Heaven will receive yet another shocking truth behind her family history. I suspected a little, but I refused to believe it. And it was actually worse than I expected.
Secrets, shame, rejection, filth. Always, always found in a Casteel book. I'm curious to see how the rest of series will pan out.
For most of the book, I couldn't really care about the plot. It was too far removed from the Casteel family. Yes, it was needed for her to grow and build herself brick by brick to get on with her journey but I was reading slowly. It only picked up around 65% in, and only then I felt like the book was going back to its original roots.
Heaven's life in this sequel felt like watching an ant trapped within a paper cup. Always bumping into the walls, never escaping. No matter what she tries, she kept facing rejections. It was an ongoing failure after failure.
I especially liked the killer twist towards the end. I was sitting in my seat, stomach dropping uncomfortably, beads of sweat covering my forehead. Worrying, fearing, how Heaven will receive yet another shocking truth behind her family history. I suspected a little, but I refused to believe it. And it was actually worse than I expected.
Secrets, shame, rejection, filth. Always, always found in a Casteel book. I'm curious to see how the rest of series will pan out.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh, what a change from the first time I've read this play years ago. From my first read, I thought the plot was lacking but I remember I liked a lot of the quotes. But reading it the second time, it is as if my eyes have been opened for the first time. So quickly have I learned to love these star-crossed lovers and their tragic love story.
The pacing was incredibly fast this time around and I couldn't put it down. That when we didn't read, I was itching to read it again, even if it means going back to past scenes just to be with them again.
Romeo, a completely charismatic and charming young man, has made me blush and giggle so often. He felt his emotions so deeply, and was not afraid to weep. He loved Juliet as if she were the Sun, and oh, how he worshipped her. Their love may have bloomed instantly but there was no doubt that they were destined to be together. Their speeches often paralleled one another, it continues to amaze me time and time again.
Juliet, my pure, sweet Juliet. So young, so precious, so in love. I pitied her most of all. She merely wanted to be loved but the hatred between their families pushed her further and further into Death's way. My heart broke for her when her parents treated her so maliciously. Life was too rough on sweet Juliet.
I was completely in awe of William's writing in this play. If I had a highlighter with me, I would've highlighted nearly every scene. The penmanship was incredible and it has bumped up this play to my second favourite one. The quotes, the plot, the pacing, the characters, the feels. I loved every part of it and I am so happy I gave it another chance. I feel like a changed person as of this moment. Rest in peace, sweet Romeo and Juliet. May you find happiness in the afterlife.
The pacing was incredibly fast this time around and I couldn't put it down. That when we didn't read, I was itching to read it again, even if it means going back to past scenes just to be with them again.
Romeo, a completely charismatic and charming young man, has made me blush and giggle so often. He felt his emotions so deeply, and was not afraid to weep. He loved Juliet as if she were the Sun, and oh, how he worshipped her. Their love may have bloomed instantly but there was no doubt that they were destined to be together. Their speeches often paralleled one another, it continues to amaze me time and time again.
Juliet, my pure, sweet Juliet. So young, so precious, so in love. I pitied her most of all. She merely wanted to be loved but the hatred between their families pushed her further and further into Death's way. My heart broke for her when her parents treated her so maliciously. Life was too rough on sweet Juliet.
I was completely in awe of William's writing in this play. If I had a highlighter with me, I would've highlighted nearly every scene. The penmanship was incredible and it has bumped up this play to my second favourite one. The quotes, the plot, the pacing, the characters, the feels. I loved every part of it and I am so happy I gave it another chance. I feel like a changed person as of this moment. Rest in peace, sweet Romeo and Juliet. May you find happiness in the afterlife.
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.75
I've been quite excited to start another Lawrence book, since I loved Women in Love before. His wit, his snappy words, the intriguing, morally grey characters, the back and forth banter... it's such a delight to witness.
For an affair, yes, I don't mind that it happened so quickly but for Connie to already love Mick within the first chapter of meeting? It felt a bit too rushed for me but I decided to go along with it. But then Mellors came and it had a somewhat better build up, I suppose. But the relationship felt so strained and I truly pitied her. She was used by all these men and she had no happiness in it at all, despite being sexually liberated.
But I certainly love his flair for writing. He writes so beautifully, that at times it reminds me of Clarice Lispector. And he could always make his characters so vivid. Biting, vivacious, raw. Of human lust and passion, men and women tango-ing of love and hatred. It's gripping.
This book had the right balance of plot, pretty writing, and readable characters. The eroticism was written in such a poetic way that you can't help but see the beauty in their relationships. It explored the many types of sexual expressions, gender dynamics, infidelity, and sexuality. Although I loved none of the characters, I didn't hate any of them either. I really enjoyed this and I'm glad I have another Lawrence under my belt.
For an affair, yes, I don't mind that it happened so quickly but for Connie to already love Mick within the first chapter of meeting? It felt a bit too rushed for me but I decided to go along with it. But then Mellors came and it had a somewhat better build up, I suppose. But the relationship felt so strained and I truly pitied her. She was used by all these men and she had no happiness in it at all, despite being sexually liberated.
But I certainly love his flair for writing. He writes so beautifully, that at times it reminds me of Clarice Lispector. And he could always make his characters so vivid. Biting, vivacious, raw. Of human lust and passion, men and women tango-ing of love and hatred. It's gripping.
This book had the right balance of plot, pretty writing, and readable characters. The eroticism was written in such a poetic way that you can't help but see the beauty in their relationships. It explored the many types of sexual expressions, gender dynamics, infidelity, and sexuality. Although I loved none of the characters, I didn't hate any of them either. I really enjoyed this and I'm glad I have another Lawrence under my belt.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh, what joy it is to have a 5 star read after a 1 star read that brought me so much anger. Hamlet (a reread) was an instant love. I cannot deny how much love I have for this play. It remains my favourite work of Shakespeare, it is unbeatable. I certainly do not regret the stack of 10 copies I now have on my bedroom floor.
From the start, I was obsessed with it. The pacing was fast and entertaining, the characters were alive, the humour made me bark with laughter, the villains' deaths were satisfying, and the heartbreaks were felt and shared sincerely.
As a buddy read, we were flying through the scenes. On days that I had to put off reading to attend to my daily work, I was impatient to get back home so I could be reunited with my prince. I loved him that much.
Hamlet. My prince. My emo, sarcastic, witty, dramatic prince. He was a complex character. You'd either want to love and cherish him, or strangle him. There is no in between. And the homoeroticism between him and Horatio was such a refreshing delight to read on. I loved their chemistry and love they had for each other. As for Ophelia, my heart goes out to her. I know what it's like to love someone to the brink of insanity. May her pretty soul rest in peace.
All in all, I am happy I got to reread this. I had so much fun and it's really hard for any other play to seize the crown of Shakespeare's best play. This title solely belongs to the prince of Denmark. I will miss him now that it's over!
From the start, I was obsessed with it. The pacing was fast and entertaining, the characters were alive, the humour made me bark with laughter, the villains' deaths were satisfying, and the heartbreaks were felt and shared sincerely.
As a buddy read, we were flying through the scenes. On days that I had to put off reading to attend to my daily work, I was impatient to get back home so I could be reunited with my prince. I loved him that much.
Hamlet. My prince. My emo, sarcastic, witty, dramatic prince. He was a complex character. You'd either want to love and cherish him, or strangle him. There is no in between. And the homoeroticism between him and Horatio was such a refreshing delight to read on. I loved their chemistry and love they had for each other. As for Ophelia, my heart goes out to her. I know what it's like to love someone to the brink of insanity. May her pretty soul rest in peace.
All in all, I am happy I got to reread this. I had so much fun and it's really hard for any other play to seize the crown of Shakespeare's best play. This title solely belongs to the prince of Denmark. I will miss him now that it's over!
The Taming of the Shrew by Stephen Orgel, William Shakespeare, A.R. Braunmuller
slow-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
1.0
This play was terribly slow in the beginning. First we had the induction, which made very little sense, and then the play started and 1) I was completely confused with all the many and similar names, and 2) none of them were interesting enough to make me remember. It was putting me to sleep.
But then Kate was introduced and suddenly it picked up. She was unrelentlessly blunt and fiery. She was the only character I was rooting for. Her sharp tongue made the dialogues funny and it was only then I started to warm up to the plot.
And yet I still couldn't get into it even when we were halfway through the play. The many (boring and misogynistic) characters with similar names being in disguise that I could not care for... I wanted this play to be over with immediately but I kept falling asleep. I'm just glad I had a buddy to help me pull through it.
Unfortunately it got worse and worse and although I found it funny that Kate was constantly fighting people left and right in the beginning, I wish she'd stay the same to the end. I need her to demolish everyone in the play, with all their disgusting thoughts and behaviours. I was in disbelief at the last few pages and how awful it was to read the ending. I simply do not believe she was in love with him, maybe she got kidnapped or drugged or hypnotised but my Kate would NOT have been whoever that girl was. I am simply too stressed out right now.
I could not get over how terrible this play was, it had me cussing out the bard at 3am in my room. Goodbye, goodbye, I will never touch this again.
But then Kate was introduced and suddenly it picked up. She was unrelentlessly blunt and fiery. She was the only character I was rooting for. Her sharp tongue made the dialogues funny and it was only then I started to warm up to the plot.
And yet I still couldn't get into it even when we were halfway through the play. The many (boring and misogynistic) characters with similar names being in disguise that I could not care for... I wanted this play to be over with immediately but I kept falling asleep. I'm just glad I had a buddy to help me pull through it.
Unfortunately it got worse and worse and although I found it funny that Kate was constantly fighting people left and right in the beginning, I wish she'd stay the same to the end. I need her to demolish everyone in the play, with all their disgusting thoughts and behaviours. I was in disbelief at the last few pages and how awful it was to read the ending. I simply do not believe she was in love with him, maybe she got kidnapped or drugged or hypnotised but my Kate would NOT have been whoever that girl was. I am simply too stressed out right now.
I could not get over how terrible this play was, it had me cussing out the bard at 3am in my room. Goodbye, goodbye, I will never touch this again.
Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast by Oscar Wilde
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
When you think about it, a compilation of an author's quotes is like reading their tweets in one book.
There were quite a few favourites in here. I laughed with him, I nodded in agreement, I tutted at his silly wit, and I marvelled at his profound words.
It's always a joy to read Wilde, and this one did not disappoint.
There were quite a few favourites in here. I laughed with him, I nodded in agreement, I tutted at his silly wit, and I marvelled at his profound words.
It's always a joy to read Wilde, and this one did not disappoint.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
funny
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
Alright, I had to give this another try. For so long, it was the lowest rated Shakespeare play. I picked it up as a buddy read with a huge fan so this turned out so much better than when I first read it on my own (shoutout to Winter who was incredibly fun and knowledgeable about the play, that I ended up learning so many new things and picking up things I never noticed)!!
I liked how the supernatural elements influenced the play; like Macky (I refuse to say his name) started speaking in rhymes after receiving the curse/prophecy, or his wife sleepwalking, or the ghosts haunting him, driving him mad. It made it so much more interesting.
I don't really have a favourite character, but Macduff's son and young Siward's scenes--although brief--were really funny and I wish they were around more often.
This play also had many, many great lines which increased the rating. But overall I think it was my buddy who made the play a lot more enjoyable. I lost sleep just to stay up to read with her cause she was so excited about it. I'm really glad we did this!! I now have to throw some salt to get rid of any excess bad juju.
I liked how the supernatural elements influenced the play; like Macky (I refuse to say his name) started speaking in rhymes after receiving the curse/prophecy, or his wife sleepwalking, or the ghosts haunting him, driving him mad. It made it so much more interesting.
I don't really have a favourite character, but Macduff's son and young Siward's scenes--although brief--were really funny and I wish they were around more often.
This play also had many, many great lines which increased the rating. But overall I think it was my buddy who made the play a lot more enjoyable. I lost sleep just to stay up to read with her cause she was so excited about it. I'm really glad we did this!! I now have to throw some salt to get rid of any excess bad juju.
Água Viva by Clarice Lispector
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
It's only been a month since I finished this, yes. But I just had this gaping wound inside me that I needed Lispector's balming words to heal me. I picked it up a couple of days ago, freshly wounded, and now I'm done, feeling well rested; rejuvenated.
Someone once said Lispector wrote intuitively. It's true. Her words were intuitive, prophetic, alive and wriggling. Some may get it, some won't. Even those who got it the first time, there's no guarantee that you'll get it the second time.
It felt a little blasphemous to lower my rating this time around compared to my first time reading it but I do think the first one punched me even harder. I just needed to hear her, read her, to remind me of some things. And as always, it was a job well done. I'm afraid I may make this a habit of rereading her works for as long as I need her.
Someone once said Lispector wrote intuitively. It's true. Her words were intuitive, prophetic, alive and wriggling. Some may get it, some won't. Even those who got it the first time, there's no guarantee that you'll get it the second time.
It felt a little blasphemous to lower my rating this time around compared to my first time reading it but I do think the first one punched me even harder. I just needed to hear her, read her, to remind me of some things. And as always, it was a job well done. I'm afraid I may make this a habit of rereading her works for as long as I need her.