Still, sometimes, I go for dystopian, post-apocalyptic and speculative fiction, and I wonder if maybeReading is usually an escape and a solace for me.
Still, sometimes, I go for dystopian, post-apocalyptic and speculative fiction, and I wonder if maybe I’m a masochist because instead of escaping, I often come out the other end contemplating humanity and slightly to moderately traumatised.
So yeah, safe to say that The Road is not your typical road trip. It is a post-apocalyptic hellscape, treading a thin line between humanity and savagery including the morbid realisation that cannibalism is a valid life choice.
This tale featuring a nameless man and boy is meandering, raw, ashy, grey, gritty, harrowing, disturbing and punctuated with the depraved horror that humanity is capable of. It made me question my existence whilst simultaneously developing an appreciation for Coca-Cola, canned goods and colours.
Cormac’s way with words is minimalist and haunting. While I can appreciate other readers hit a speed bump with the guy’s unadorned writing style, inclusive of a refusal to use apostrophes and quotation marks, it became an acquired taste for me, maybe because I interpreted it as mirroring the no-frills, desolate harsh reality of the setting.
[Edit: It is not all horrifying and bleak. There are moments of beauty and hope, but def don't ask me about the ratio.]
Overall, if you’re looking for an uplifting read, perhaps don’t read this. But if you don’t mind being plunged into a dark post-apocalyptic wasteland with the charred remains of civilisation in a soul-crushing struggle for survival this one’s a winner and a must-read for genre enthusiasts.
And now I'm off to go stare at a field of sunflowers or a blue ocean or hug a puppy or something! _____
Currently staring into space, processing. Review to come....more
Some people enjoy a “slow burn”, but perhaps this type of pacing is just not for me, especially in the realm of sci fi. Plus I didn’t care much abMeh.
Some people enjoy a “slow burn”, but perhaps this type of pacing is just not for me, especially in the realm of sci fi. Plus I didn’t care much about the characters.
Maybe 2.5 stars ish. I am clearly an outlier seeing as this book won the Goodreads Award for best sci-fi, so take this review as a grain of salt and check out other opinions on it....more
This could be my favourite science fiction book ever. I went into this with no expectations and came out completely floored and with a giant book hangThis could be my favourite science fiction book ever. I went into this with no expectations and came out completely floored and with a giant book hangover. Highly recommend, even if you’re not partial to sci-fi. Because it’s way more than a sci-fi book.
Typically, I read for joy and escapism, and actively steer clear of books that might shatter my heart into a trillion tiny pieces. However, my book clTypically, I read for joy and escapism, and actively steer clear of books that might shatter my heart into a trillion tiny pieces. However, my book club chose this one, and I’m glad they did. This book is brilliant and important, but also horrific, shocking, raw, and heartbreaking. It’s based on the real events of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising/Massacre in South Korea and told from the perspective of multiple characters.
The Gwangju Massacre saw citizens rise up against an authoritarian government, demanding democracy. The response was barbaric—hundreds of civilians, many of them students, were killed, and countless others were wounded or imprisoned.
I highly recommend this for its historical significance because it was enlightening for me and I learned a lot. However, make sure you’re in the right headspace and have a much lighter read lined up afterwards, maybe a picture book with puppies.
I read this book a couple of years ago, but it’s one of those unforgettable stories that has haunted me since....more
I'm not the most patient reader, so diving into this one took a bit of perseverance. But once I got lost in its surreal world, it was worth it. RecommI'm not the most patient reader, so diving into this one took a bit of perseverance. But once I got lost in its surreal world, it was worth it. Recommend this for people who don't mind meandering, enigmatic and whimsical, and being okay with not knowing what is going on.
Don't spoil the fun by overloading on reviews beforehand; half the joy is peeling back the layers of this atmospheric tale yourself....more
Chosen for my IRL book club and not my preferred genre, but I'm so glad I read this.
Min Jin Lee's masterpiece is a journey through generations, cultuChosen for my IRL book club and not my preferred genre, but I'm so glad I read this.
Min Jin Lee's masterpiece is a journey through generations, cultures, and emotions. Be prepared for an eye-opening, heart-wrenching journey deep into the hearts and minds of four generations of a Korean family living in Japan, dealing with discrimination and hardship as well as themes of identity, belonging, and survival....more
Haunting and beautiful prose based on true events that went down in Iceland. If you don’t mind a slow pace, I highly recommend. If you’re looking for Haunting and beautiful prose based on true events that went down in Iceland. If you don’t mind a slow pace, I highly recommend. If you’re looking for a happy read, this ain’t it. ...more
As someone who usually gravitates toward dark dystopian and speculative fiction, I devoured The Grace Year. Described as a mashup of Lord of the FliesAs someone who usually gravitates toward dark dystopian and speculative fiction, I devoured The Grace Year. Described as a mashup of Lord of the Flies, The Hunger Games and The Handmaid's Tale, I'd say that comparison is pretty on point.
This novel takes us on a journey through a world where gender norms, control, and rebellion clash. In The Grace Year, we're introduced to a society where girls are sent away for a year to purge themselves of dangerous magic. During this year, they are banished to the wilderness, where they must survive the dangers of the harsh environment and the brutal dynamics that emerge among the girls themselves.
Tierney is our gritty determined FMC, navigating this world that tries to control and limit her, and I liked her. Through her eyes, weighty themes such as rigid gender roles, the repression of female and LGBTIQA+ sexuality (minor subplot through a side character), and the consequences of expressing desire are explored.
As Tierney faces the challenges of her Grace Year, she discovers the dark truths about the system she lives in, including the manipulation and control wielded by the powerful. It made me extremely uncomfortable at times, especially when the speculative fiction nearly mirrors what's happening in some parts of the world in real life, the US being a prime example.
While there were some plot directions that didn't entirely resonate with me, (view spoiler)[especially the romance (hide spoiler)], they didn't ruin the experience. Nevertheless, the pacing had me flipping through the pages rapidly. If you're a fan of Margaret Atwood's speculative works, chances are you'll find yourself captivated by this one, but my personal advice is to make sure you avoid comparing it to Atwood and treat this as its own entity....more
This isn't my favourite classic dystopian, but Bradbury was onto something with his cautionary tale, despite being published in 1953.
Sure, global liteThis isn't my favourite classic dystopian, but Bradbury was onto something with his cautionary tale, despite being published in 1953.
Sure, global literacy rates are at an all-time high, and we can access information at lightning speed. It's easy to argue that Bradbury's fears of information censorship seem outdated.
Yet, for me, his message transcends literal book burning—it makes me think about what's emphasised or suppressed in our media-saturated world, no matter the medium. We're bombarded with information. So what gets promoted or buried? I guess it’s not so far-fetched to think we live in a world where media manipulation can hide atrocities while everyone’s fixated on who wore the best dress at the Met Gala. (Zendaya, duh.)
Love it or hate it, it's a thought-provoker....more
There's just something about reading a paper book that hits different, and I need to do it more. This was more like a 4.3-star, but Goodreads doesn't There's just something about reading a paper book that hits different, and I need to do it more. This was more like a 4.3-star, but Goodreads doesn't cater to our decimal desires, so let's just round it up to a solid 5, because I’m feeling generous and also, I like going against math and I do what I want.
Welcome to the fan club of nightmares, where Annie Wilkes reigns supreme.
Author, Paul Sheldon’s biggest fan Annie takes her devotion to a whole new lWelcome to the fan club of nightmares, where Annie Wilkes reigns supreme.
Author, Paul Sheldon’s biggest fan Annie takes her devotion to a whole new level in which King digs deep into the darker corners of obsessive fandom and the human psyche.
Possibly my favourite Stephen King book I’ve read (thus far). Movie is also a worthy adaptation....more
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