A disturbing and ominous exploration of fear, manipulation, and the dangerous consequences of the brutal side of imagination. Visceral, impulsive, andA disturbing and ominous exploration of fear, manipulation, and the dangerous consequences of the brutal side of imagination. Visceral, impulsive, and wild, Jawbone pushes the boundaries of sexuality and violence, aligning beauty with ugliness, the feral with the feminine. It tests the limits of depravity and existentialism, blurring sanity and reality into a fever dream of unchecked tension and cruelty. Relentlessly unsettling and wholly unflinching, Jawbone is a black hole of mounting dread and discomfort, a siren song of the suppressed and the morbidity of boredom. ...more
A domestic drama that gives the word petty a whole new meaning. Following the lives of three lifelong friends who admit a glamorous newcomer to the grA domestic drama that gives the word petty a whole new meaning. Following the lives of three lifelong friends who admit a glamorous newcomer to the group, Wahala lives up to its namesake; a world of trouble follows suit. I saw the vision, and respect the author’s ambition, but for me it unfortunately did not work in the way I hoped. Regardless, this did have me wondering what would happen next and would translate well to a screen adaptation. ...more
One of the hardest books for me to rate, and one that I would likely never recommend or discuss freely. An utterly devastating saga of the drastic upsOne of the hardest books for me to rate, and one that I would likely never recommend or discuss freely. An utterly devastating saga of the drastic ups and downs of life. One of the toughest aspects of this novel is also one of its realest ones: not every story has a happy ending. Not every person heals perfectly, moved on, not all pasts are erased. Some wounds can never be healed, and some actions are irreversible. The themes of mental health, disability, trauma, and human relationships are explored in graphic, unflinching detail. The result is visceral, deeply unsettling, and compelling. As harsh as this narrative is, it is filled with meaning; because despite all of the crushing aspects of life, love finds a way. Friendships endure, even if they change, falter, evolve. Lives can change for the better, even after the most terrible of blows. This book is undoubtably controversial, for understandable reasons, but regardless, it tells a remarkable story, one that is filled with despair, pain, love, and hope. This book is haunting, but is an echo of so many wounded hearts. ...more
This book was incredibly hard to rate. The goal of this novel was to shock readers, shedding light on the disturbing (and much more common than we likThis book was incredibly hard to rate. The goal of this novel was to shock readers, shedding light on the disturbing (and much more common than we like to admit) truths of drug addiction, neglect, grooming, and cycles of abuse that exist in many small towns in America. This goal was undoubtably achieved, showing the ugly truths that many young children have to live. Where this novel struggles is it’s aspect of “romance” between its protagonists. Does this thing happen actually in real life? Unfortunately I’m sure it does. Should it be glorified and written in such graphic intensity and detail? No, for many reasons. This novel could have benefited much more on focusing on Wavy’s academic and personal achievements, showcasing how so often people bloom and succeed even from the worst of childhoods. I see the authors intentions with the “romance” (even calling it that feels incredibly wrong) storyline, but it teeters a little too close to a fairytale romance as opposed to a distressing and complicated situation of grooming and abuse for my comfort zone. Having said that, I do not believe that the author meant to glorify such problematic content, but rather struggled with fully elaborating how wrong and misguided the characters’ thoughts and actions were given how chaotic and traumatic their lives were. ...more
A sweeping epic of the deeply problematic era of the Southern “good old days,” and the scandalous endeavors of Scarlett O’Hara. Iconic and infamous, GA sweeping epic of the deeply problematic era of the Southern “good old days,” and the scandalous endeavors of Scarlett O’Hara. Iconic and infamous, Gone with the Wind is a character study in naïveté, obsession, and clinging to harmful cycles. It is also a story of truths revealed, of disillusionment, of finding what truly matters in life. It is a story of hardship, injustice, endurance, and love, and despite its startlingly romantic view of an era best left behind, this is a clearly a piece of classic literature that tells a compelling story.
(( this was interesting because as much as I disliked almost every single character, I was still invested, and wanted for them to snap out of it and change for the better. The ending was gratifying, and I hope that Scarlett finally received the hard lesson need to become a compassionate and judicious woman. )) ...more
A complicated account of a doomed affair between two complex and aching souls in contemporary Cairo. Experimental in format and perspective, we delve A complicated account of a doomed affair between two complex and aching souls in contemporary Cairo. Experimental in format and perspective, we delve into the very tumultuous concepts of addition, abusive, obsession, and identity, the many shades of gray that influence culture, normalcy, attraction, and power between two places, two points of view, two desires. This novel is layered and personal, dark and honest in its rambles, it’s questions, it’s secrets. If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English is a powerful example of the power of narratives, of trauma, of transformation. ...more
I struggled with this one. I read it honestly because of all the polarizing reviews I had read about it and it’s highly controversial content. It was I struggled with this one. I read it honestly because of all the polarizing reviews I had read about it and it’s highly controversial content. It was very disturbing. It is a harrowing tale of becoming the positive change in life that you need, and breaking free from the cycle of abuse. I can appreciate and understand what the authors intentions were, but at times the execution felt gratuitous. The dialogue as well had me conflicted. It at times felt like profanity and the overly imaginative conversations of the two male friends were inserted just to keep reminding the readers that they are quirky and edgy. Once again, I can appreciate the intent and vision, but the execution was just a little off at times. Read at your own risk, and make up your own mind. ...more
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