Very readable and compact sci-fi horror space novella. I can see why people enjoyed this book for the tense atmosphere it creates within a relatively Very readable and compact sci-fi horror space novella. I can see why people enjoyed this book for the tense atmosphere it creates within a relatively short page count. For me, I wanted more character depth – without that it was difficult for me to feel invested in our protagonist and her crew. It was a quick read though and glad I tried it based on my bestie’s favorable review....more
I think this book has some powerful themes related to gendered violence and trauma and how these dark experiences can shape our behaviors, both in relI think this book has some powerful themes related to gendered violence and trauma and how these dark experiences can shape our behaviors, both in relationships with others and toward ourselves. However, I found the execution of Hurricane Girl extremely lacking. The main character has a flat affect that I found grating, not because it made me judge the main character but more because it came across as a gimmick from the author instead of a genuine protagonist’s voice. The plot didn’t really go anywhere either; it just seemed like several events stacked on top of one another. In sum, I wish I had nicer things to say but I found the book boring and confusing and I’m thus hoping for a better read next....more
I liked the message about how women face so much pressure to get married and live a heteronormative, amatonormative life by their late 20’s. Other thaI liked the message about how women face so much pressure to get married and live a heteronormative, amatonormative life by their late 20’s. Other than that, though, this book confused me – I found the pacing off and the fantasy elements difficult to buy into. Appreciate the naming of racism and sexism, though unfortunately this book won’t stick with me much....more
I liked that these stories both felt creepy and conveyed deeper messages about race, grief and loss, and parenting. I think fans of the horror genre aI liked that these stories both felt creepy and conveyed deeper messages about race, grief and loss, and parenting. I think fans of the horror genre and short stories may enjoy this collection. Unfortunately I wanted a bit more depth and emotional resonance from the characters and their characterizations, however I feel that that desire might be at odds with the horror genre. I appreciate that someone recommended this to me though!...more
Another book where I appreciated the themes yet the writing didn’t do it for me. In Chlorine, Jade Song captures the darkness and confusion of coming-Another book where I appreciated the themes yet the writing didn’t do it for me. In Chlorine, Jade Song captures the darkness and confusion of coming-of-age for a Chinese American girl, the ways relationships between coaches and athletes can veer into problematic and harmful territory, and the process of honoring one’s identity in the face of various interpersonal affronts and assaults. Unfortunately I found the prose itself rather clunky and dry, like I could see what the narrative was trying to do instead of feeling immersed in the narrative itself. Still, Chlorine tried to do something different which I respect....more
A set of interconnected short stories about a Native American family living on the Penobscot Indian Nation Reservation in Maine. Powerful themes relatA set of interconnected short stories about a Native American family living on the Penobscot Indian Nation Reservation in Maine. Powerful themes related to poverty, addiction, and intergenerational trauma. Especially in the first few stories, I liked the way we saw events through young David’s perspective, speaking to how youth can color our perception of events that will go on to affect us throughout the rest of our lives. Unfortunately as a whole the writing in this collection didn’t move me and the characters didn’t feel vivid enough to get me invested emotionally, though I appreciate the collection for what it brings to literary fiction today....more
An unusual literary thriller that starts out with a series of grotesque murders in a rural Mississippi town. The murders follow a pattern of white vicAn unusual literary thriller that starts out with a series of grotesque murders in a rural Mississippi town. The murders follow a pattern of white victims, though at each crime scene the townsfolk and detectives also find a dead Black man’s body, who resembles Emmett Till.
I think this novel does an effective job of addressing the racist history of lynching within the United States. I didn’t love it primarily because it felt plot-driven instead of character-driven, so we follow a lot of events as they unfold but don’t get too much interiority from the characters. It was interesting! The book includes relevant and biting satirical elements, and even if I found the writing dry I appreciate and support the overall message of The Trees....more
Huge swing and miss for me. I can see elements of what people would appreciate about this book, the idea of someone leaving and coming back and being Huge swing and miss for me. I can see elements of what people would appreciate about this book, the idea of someone leaving and coming back and being different and how to cope with that within a relationship. The intrigue and the angst of it all. However, I found the quality of writing a huge detriment to enjoying this novel. The two characters’ voices sounded too similar, there was a lot of abstract language that I think tried to make “deep” points though fell flat, and the tone of the prose was cold and distant though not in a way that felt purposeful or executed well. I really agree with luce’s point that Julia Armfield seemed intent on creating a certain atmosphere instead of developing more nuanced and fully dimensional characters.
I only read this book for a book club so hopefully the discussion is at least somewhat satisfying! I know I’ve been reading a bunch of three-star reads lately so I am trying to find an at least four-star read soon, wish me luck (and so I don’t come across as a book hater on Goodreads (: )...more
Okay so I have no idea what the heck happened in this book. I got the basic premise: we follow Samantha Mackey, an MFA student at Warren University, aOkay so I have no idea what the heck happened in this book. I got the basic premise: we follow Samantha Mackey, an MFA student at Warren University, an elite college school in New England. Samantha hates the Bunnies, a clique of four rich, popular female students who hug each other a lot and say fake nice things about each other’s writing. Samantha’s feelings toward the Bunnies start to shift though when they invite her to their Smut Salon, a night entrenched in mystery and erotica. After Samantha starts to integrate into the Bunnies’ clique, she begins to lose her sense of what is real and what is imagined about herself and others, just as I lost my sense of the plot of this book as it progressed.
I found this book, especially the first half, pretty hilarious. I loved Mona Awad’s satirical writing style and how she pokes fun at the elitist and oftentimes classist culture that exists within MFA programs (which I think also exists at other institutions of higher education.) Certain lines cracked me up, such as when she describes the bunnies’ skins as “glowing with health insurance” and how one of the bunnies describes her “inaccessible and cryptic” writing as “proems.” I appreciated the themes of how individual identity can fold to groupthink, the allure of the unknown and the risky, as well as how the isolation of a writer’s life and of anyone’s life can elicit some pretty hectic and painful emotions and life experiences.
I just have no idea what really happened about halfway in through the book. Perhaps that’s the point as several others also felt lost and still liked the novel – maybe that’s the point, like this book is an acid trip and you don’t really have to know what’s going on to enjoy the ride. I’m not sure whether I wanted a more navigable plot or a more consistent main character, because I found it difficult to care about or empathize with Samantha through the book. I feel that the book perhaps serves its purpose and description well, as a Heathers meets Mean Girls meets horror film meets snobby MFA mashup, though I wanted it to reach my heart more, regardless of whether that was the book’s intent....more
I enjoyed what these short stories had to say about anti-Black racism and consumerism. Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah places us into dystopian worlds and siI enjoyed what these short stories had to say about anti-Black racism and consumerism. Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah places us into dystopian worlds and situations that may seem extreme, though they reflect back the injustices in the United States with chilling accuracy. At the same time, I think these stories prioritized novel concepts over deeper character development and exploring characters’ internal worlds, so they weren’t my favorite even though I see their appeal. I agree with what Jessie said in her review about the stories sometimes being sensationalistic without being sensational. I also found the story “Lark Street” pretty anti-abortion and problematic as a result....more
A scintillating, sexually-charged short story collection that centers the emotions and experiences of queer women. Carmen Maria Machado write3.5 stars
A scintillating, sexually-charged short story collection that centers the emotions and experiences of queer women. Carmen Maria Machado writes about women's most pressing desires and their most difficult challenges. Almost all of the stories contain some element of fantasy or science fiction, such as women whose bodies disappear or a world that comes to an end because of a terrifying disease. Through these unique, uncomfortable narratives, Machado explores the pleasure and pain of women and their bodies, as well as the violence men often enact onto women's bodies. My favorite stories included "Eight Bites," which follows a woman who gets gastric bypass surgery and examines body image and self-esteem and how others influence our relationship with food, "The Husband Stitch," which interrogates male entitlement to women's bodies, and "Real Women Have Bodies," which explores a world in which women's bodies disappear and draws parallels to how society treats women and their bodies now.
Overall, a genre-bending collection of stories that gives much-needed space to the narratives of queer women. I only detract from my rating because I struggled to connect with the characters in these stories aside from the three I named, as the fabulist or fantastical elements dominated the narrative or the narrative did not go on for long enough for me to feel invested (as often is the case with short stories). Still, I would recommend this collection to those interested in dark, sensual stories about women and their bodies....more
Creepy enough to take my mind off of impending grad school apps, so I give this book an extra half star (I kid, sort of.) In all seriousness,3.5 stars
Creepy enough to take my mind off of impending grad school apps, so I give this book an extra half star (I kid, sort of.) In all seriousness, Annihilation follows four women as they explore the mysterious Area X, a rich, nature-filled landscape that both beckons and terrifies. These four women - a psychologist, a surveyor, an anthropologist, and a biologist, our narrator - comprise the twelfth expedition into Area X. The first expedition reported nothing but good news, the second and third ended in mass suicide and murder, and the members of the eleventh all died of cancer soon upon their return. The twelfth expedition has little to no idea about what they will encounter, both within Area X, and within one another.
Jeff VanderMeer creates such an intense atmosphere of disquiet in Annihilation. Every word felt so precise and showcased his skill in establishing setting and mood. A looming sense of suspense, dread, and terror subsumed me as I read this book, making me thirsty to figure out what would happen next. If you like your science fiction blended with adventure, anticipation, and horror, I would recommend Annihilation to you.
However, Annihilation lost some of its magic halfway through. Our narrator's voice, while consistent and compelling, got boring. The plot disintegrated, not in a controlled way, but it felt like so many holes and questions popped up at once and undermined the tight, suspenseful tone of the book's first half. Perhaps the next book in the series will address these issues, because I still want answers.
A solid science fiction read that may need another book to flesh out. I can understand the comparisons to Gone by Michael Grant, and I still need to read House of Cards, another book people have compared Annihilation to. Curious to read how other people felt about this book and its sequels, as well as if the plot ends up working itself out....more
I liked several aspects of The Vegetarian on an intellectual level. Han Kang does a great job portraying how women suffer from the male gaze, patriarcI liked several aspects of The Vegetarian on an intellectual level. Han Kang does a great job portraying how women suffer from the male gaze, patriarchal standards that make them adhere to men, and abuse brought on by the forced consumption of meat and the men who partake in said consumption. As a future psychologist passionate about eating disorders, though, I abhorred how Kang portrayed Yeong-hye's descent into anorexia. Yes, I get that her refusal to eat meat and then food overall symbolizes her rejection of the normative, sexist values of her surrounding society and family. But Kang glorified this restrictive behavior too much. Others have described this book as "beautiful" and "fresh" and "delicious." This book is literally about a woman who slowly kills herself through self-starvation. There is nothing pretty or romantic or healthy about this novel. I would not want anyone to model their actions after Yeong-hye, and I wish Kang had driven home that point more.
Overall, a good depiction of a woman who suffers because of the violence men inflict upon her. I do not recommend it though, based on wanting to avoid the implication that anorexia is a reasonable way to cope - when I know firsthand and from other experiences that it is not....more
A comedic and dark short story about an unnamed narrator who visits a mental institute and partakes in a lavish dinner before things go awry. The narrA comedic and dark short story about an unnamed narrator who visits a mental institute and partakes in a lavish dinner before things go awry. The narrator realizes alongside the reader that as his time at the hospital elongates, so does the suspicious behavior exhibited by the dinner guests, which leads to trouble. Soon, the soothing system discussed by Monsieur Malliard, the owner of the institute, comes into question.
Poe does a wonderful job of interspersing foreshadowing and bits of specific detail throughout "The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether" to build anticipation and create a vivid picture of the hospital. This piece, in a humorous and morbid way, does a great job of showing how far we have come in regard to mental illness, as well as how far we have left to go. The details about the dinner guests and the descriptions of the hospital grounded the story as its more plot-based developments occurred. Overall, an entertaining and thoughtful short story I would recommend to fans of Edgar Allen Poe as well as those intrigued by the history of mental illness....more
Sometimes you take a bite out of literature, and sometimes literature takes a bite out of you. Reading The Jolly Corner exhausted me; Henry James's prSometimes you take a bite out of literature, and sometimes literature takes a bite out of you. Reading The Jolly Corner exhausted me; Henry James's prose, while apt and detailed, felt drawn-out and extended in ways that served only to fulfill the "intellectual for the sake of sounding intellectual" type of writing I come across often while reading classics. I found the story itself intriguing - a man who traveled abroad in Europe comes back to New York after 30 years, and the ghost of his possible self haunts him in his old apartment complex - but the long paragraphs and superfluous language distracted me from the key elements of the story, such as the narrator's complex relationship with himself and his neighbor and how his apartment's physical location alters his self-perception. Recommended for those interested in Henry James, in particular those who would sacrifice some of their precious time to wade through his difficult prose in this piece....more
A good old ghost story centered on a Governess who watches over two kids while their mysterious Uncle disappears. The Uncle tells the Governess not toA good old ghost story centered on a Governess who watches over two kids while their mysterious Uncle disappears. The Uncle tells the Governess not to contact him under any circumstance, a sketchy command that the Governess attempts to abide by.
I have written multiple papers on this book for college, and to spare my sanity during finals, I will just say that Henry James presents intriguing concepts on a psychological front. As the brother of William James, he brings in ideas like transference and Freudian relationships, which supplement some of the other themes within the book that do not receive as much development, such as the Governess's role as a woman within her position. A short and almost Gothic novella that packs a decent amount of suspense in its pages. Would recommend for a Halloween read, or if you want a somewhat spooky classic....more
People often value confidence in potential partners. After reading The Girl with All the Gifts, I think that preference might ring true for b4.5 stars
People often value confidence in potential partners. After reading The Girl with All the Gifts, I think that preference might ring true for books as well. As I read M.R. Carey's novel, I kept admiring the backbone and certainty of his writing: even while crafting a character-driven dystopian/zombie/survivor thriller, his prose maintained an amazing, adrenaline-filled poise.
M.R. Carey's first novel revolves around Melanie, a young girl who goes to class every morning restrained in a wheelchair with a gun pointed to her head. She knows a few things: the room she sleeps in, the classroom, and the hallway that connects them; that the outside world is filled with flesh-eating Hungries; and that her favorite teacher in the whole wide world is Miss Justineau. Certain people aim to keep Melanie in the dark, and Melanie is fine with learning just what her teachers tell her. But when something forces Melanie outside of the world she's always known, she must adapt to an entirely different environment - both outside of herself and within it.
I can't say too much about this book without detracting from its novelty, but I will state that Carey combines several story elements with aplomb. Unlike other authors who use zombies, dystopian settings, or multiple perspectives as "fads," he explores every facet of his fictional world with skill and depth. The smoothness of Carey's writing exists because of all the thought and research put into the back story, and his inventiveness makes itself apparent to any reader after just a few chapters.
The characters in The Girl with All the Gifts shine the most, without a doubt. Melanie, Miss Justineau, Sergeant Parker, Private Gallagher, and Doctor Caldwell all come across as caricatures at first. But Carey gives each of them a unique, developing voice that extends throughout the book. In the hands of another author, having that many perspectives might have over-saturated the story, but Carey makes sure that each point-of-view adds to the plot while fleshing out each individual character. Most importantly, by the end of the book I was rolling around in a puddle of my feelings, which reveals just how much these characters affected me.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone searching for an enthralling, unique work of fiction that spans the dystopia/zombie/thriller/experimental/horror genres. It is a standout novel, in every sense of the word....more
While intellectual and thought-provoking, I thought this book was dull and its characters lacking life. Frankenstein especially exemplified melodrama.While intellectual and thought-provoking, I thought this book was dull and its characters lacking life. Frankenstein especially exemplified melodrama. I can see why it's a classic - some of the themes intrigued me, but overall this was just not my kind of book. Kudos to Mary Shelley for writing a great piece of literature at such a young age....more
Loading...
