This Atwood novel thoroughly confused me - and after saying I'd never read another Atwood novel, here I am... (Also, next I'm reading The Heart Goes Last)
Characters:
So Ren was the most psychedelic of all the Atwood characters. The idea of Ren being a charming, yet enigmatic and constantly changing character really got me gripped. Also - Toby is always a great character, don't believe me? Read Maddaddam
Themes:
I think Atwood does dystopian and the obscure perfectly. The characters immediately create this post-apocalyptic nightmare, which the reader must also endure. I really did enjoy focussing on the themes (and the god damn pigoons. Yes, there they are again...)
Storyline:
The storyline is a little hard to follow - since the flood (I found out) is waterless! IT'S A WATERLESS FLOOD! It's simply a metaphor for the apocalypse and therefore there's only a set number of people left alive. It's intriguing how you can have a WATERLESS FLOOD though.
Verdict:
I give this book 8/9
100% for characters: After Oryx and Crake and Maddaddam these are characters that I'm quite used to
100% for themes: The pigoons. Pigoons.
2/3 for storyline: Only because it took me to get into my "Atwood reading persona" to be able to understand it.
Okay, so I'm reviewing a book I read when it came out - I was 17/18 years old. After which, I tried to use this book as a supplementary text to my A Level coursework. Let's just say it added more words than were physically necessary. Take that a good way - or a bad way.
But, all in all, I quite enjoyed this book as it was slightly different to other Gregory novels; it was also shorter than what I was used to.
Characters:
My favourite character was the humble narrator - Anne Neville. The wife of King Richard III, she is also the daughter of the man responsible for King Edward IV's kingship. After failing to secure a marriage to the King (as he marries Elizabeth Woodville) - she shockingly liaises with her father in order to secure her part at Queen Consort.
Themes:
My favourite theme was the concept of opposition. In this novel there are two sides that you need to understand. The first side: Edward IV, The Earl (Neville) and Anne Neville (Earl's daughter). The second side: Richard the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Clarence etc. After Edward IV marries Elizabeth Woodville - the sides change and The Earl and his daughter (Anne), move over to Richard the Duke of Gloucester's side. Obviously, he becomes Richard III and Anne becomes Queen Consort. But whether the Earl had anything to do with the death of King Edward IV is a mystery.
Storyline:
I quite enjoyed the power struggle storyline that this gave off. The reason why I said that this was different to most Philippa Gregory novels is because there is a severe lack of loyalty. I'm saying this because in Gregory's novels you can always tell who is loyal to who - and who is not. But, in this novel - the game constantly changes and you have no idea who is going to pull the wool over someone else's eyes, It's strategic almost like a chessboard - and to date, it is one of my favourite novels by Philippa Gregory.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: For the excuse of them being characters that I know of very well from history, I do love the way she brought them to life.
100% for themes: The strategies of opposition, loyalty and betrayal are things that Philippa Gregory proves that she does better than most.
100% for storyline: Even though it is shorter than the Philippa Gregory novels that I'm used to - I did enjoy the constant underlying question of loyalty within the storyline. It was quite gripping.
OH MY GOD!
Let me begin by saying this book created unnecessary amounts of tension and had me sweating and crying at the end. God damn it! I just took a shower! Now, I'm sitting in bed absolutely scared shitless. Movies can't frighten me - but Du Maurier's amounts of tension can stress me the hell out..
Daphne Du Maurier makes another hit. Never failing to scare the absolute shite out of me - this particular novel would be on the list of greatest Du Maurier books I've read, most probably at the top:
1) My Cousin Rachel
2) Jamaica Inn
3) The Birds and other stories
4) Frenchman's Creek
5) Rebecca
Characters:
My favourite character was Phillip. His three-dimensional paranoia and his quick judgements get him only so far - Rachel is a feisty character that juxtaposes Phillip perfectly. I recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read Du Maurier before and would like to - the characters are fantastic!
Themes:
There is one theme that Du Maurier is the queen of... and that's mystery. The amount of suspense and tension created within one novel is absolutely beautiful. I kept reading it and reading it, I only started it last night, but I've been unable to put it down. So much suspense, so many turns. Good lord, it was an amazing journey!
Storyline:
Okay, so Ambrose, a head of a Cornish estate is dead. He has nobody to inherit his property other than his adopted orphan cousin, Phillip. But, Phillip sees Ambrose's death circumstances as mysterious and unsettling - when his estranged widow shows up (Rachel), everything is turned upside down by a woman who is plain in appearance, but headstrong at heart. *shivers*
Verdict:
I give this book 9
100% for characters: Phillip and Rachel have to be my favourite Du Maurier characters ever!
100% for themes: She never fails to amaze me on how so much tension can be created from words. She is a perfect example of a female Stephen King.
100% for storyline: Not gonna lie - this book thoroughly made me shit myself.
I finished this book last night and I really did enjoy it. Again, it was recommended to me by a friend - so I gave it a read. A brilliant work of fiction, this book did not cease to amaze me as the character of Aurora appears as stubborn, yet classy. Something which did make me laugh from time to time, but mainly shocked me with the reaction (or very little) of other people with all this around them.
Characters:
My favourite character was obviously Aurora, I really enjoyed her twist on the Victorian Heroine and her opposition to Lady Audley in Lady Audley's Secret. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her motherless up-bringing and the diversity of her personality. It was very well written and not overtly boring (like some other Victorian Novels).
Themes:
Yes, I did see the equestrian themes. But, what I really enjoyed was the theme of gender and class - I think I did end up hating Archibald for his lack of showing emotion - but I did end up liking Lucy. Lucy and Aurora are two very different characters, but are both the same gender - which is not typical of the Victorian Novel (where all the women are pretty much indistinguishable from one another). I really enjoyed this book's take on gender because it presented every single woman as being very different from the last.
Storyline:
On the whole, I did like reading about Aurora's life - and most parts of it are very interesting. You get shocked into it at the end of Chapter 1, and that keeps you reading for the rest of the book. You get regular shocks to keep you reading - and I think Braddon has the perfect mix for when things get too serene.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: Aurora and Lucy are great characters and I really enjoyed how they were written.
100% for themes: The juxtapositions between each woman, but also the oppositions within Archibald and Aurora were distinct and a nice touch to the novel.
100% for storyline: We have to admit, Aurora's probably got one of the most interesting Victorian Women lives in the world!
Well, did I thoroughly enjoy this novel? Yes.
Is it the first time I'd read it? Yes.
Would I read it again? Yes.
Considered as one of the "Great American Novels" - Gravity's Rainbow is full of characters with mad plans and wild spurts of paranoia. Written in the style of Ulysses (or so I think), this novel depicts a surreal world fundamentally controlled by a dystopian government order and strangely enough - it's working... For now.
Characters:
My favourite character was Slothrop and also, Bianca. Both of these characters seemed idealistic and immersed in themselves. They were well crafted and highly relatable - tinged with impending doom, they were also tragic yet warming. I liked the range of emotions, and seriously think that you should give this a read if you want to feel every emotion humanly possible.
Themes:
I loved the theme of paranoia. I think it was portrayed very differently to the way in which we understand paranoia in literature. Normally, we are presented with a "follower" and a "chase", but in this case; it's more of a "surveillance" which gives characters spurts of paranoia as opposed to continuous rages of it. This makes the theme highly effective and sometimes, even quite realistic.
Storyline:
The storyline of this novel is long and exciting, but - mainly it is about the life of Slothrop and his crazy adventure. I don't want to spoil it for you - so I'm going to say very little. But, I would give it a read if you're into wild takes on the English Language. (And I mean wild ).
Verdict:
I give this book 8/9
100% for characters: I really did like Slothrop and Bianca, I also enjoyed the snippets of Leni - which were pretty cool.
100% for themes: Paranoia has never been explored in such ways, (I don't believe. Please inform me if it has).
2/3 for storyline: The only reason it's 2/3 is because sometimes I think the descriptions and some conversations go on forever. It's a little long winded to tackle. My copy is a mere 902 pages and it's quite small print. Otherwise, it's brilliant.
As I've been saying - I love a bit of classic literature. But this, I have to say - went on forever. It seemed like there was a never ending circle of love/hate relations in this novel and I have to be clear about it: if you like Pride and Prejudice, I'm sorry - this is going to be one negative review. I read this book back when I was only 13 and well - I kinda wished I hadn't.
Characters:
Okay, so my favourite character was Elizabeth. But, this doesn't mean she was any good - I simply liked the way she was written. Austen's writing is amazing - but Pride and Prejudice has to be one of her worst novels (Emma is the best, that was awesome). Elizabeth was written as the stereotypical female overcoming the boundaries of her gender. This, now is considered cliche in the form of Bella from "Twilight" and Katniss from "The Hunger Games" - but, for the Victorian Era I imagine this was some form of gender revolution. That's the only reason Elizabeth would be considered a well-written character. Everything else? She was pretty dull and boring, didn't really like her very much - couldn't connect with her aristocratic and pretentious charisma - it was all a little eye-rolling.
Themes:
I think the best written theme in this novel was obviously love and class. Now, that is to say that this novel was purely based on love and class and that Austen is an elitist. It was the most used and best theme of the entire novel, but again, it was dull and pretentious - written for those who like to aesthetically analyse the surface of a concrete floor.
Storyline:
I can simply say that I entirely hated the storyline. This is not a bias away or towards the romantic novel, I actually quite like a light-read romance. This was not a light read. When I was thirteen years old - and I read this, I initially thought - "okay, at least I can say that I read it." But, I felt no connection with the storyline - it was completely and entirely stored in my memory and I knew for a fact that I would probably never use it again.
Verdict:
I give this book 5/9
2/3 for characters: Only because of the context it was written in.
2/3 for themes: Again, this is to do with context - but Emma has similar themes, I think this is Austen's forte
1/3 for storyline: I'm sorry guys, I just couldn't read it again
On the other hand, "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" looks good though...
This book was recommended to me by a friend - I can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed this read as it took me on some great sensational journey through the story of a girl called Violet Tempest. It was a brilliant read with some really moving language techniques - and yes, I saw the equestrian themes...
Characters:
My favourite character was Violet "Vixen" Tempest. She's headstrong and stubborn, she's cold, yet caring - she's happy, yet troubled. So many emotions are encased within one person that M.E Braddon writes brilliantly. I didn't even see how one character could feel so much - but this book pulled it off for me, I really thought her character was very well done. Saying that, it wasn't even over the top - it was always quite balanced and every emotion seemed like a requirement rather than "to add an effect of..."
Themes:
I quite enjoyed the equestrian themes - but I have to say, my favourite was class. I found the whole thing quite classy and effective. There was always a question of morality in the background, as there always is when the Victorian Era is mixed with Class and Lavishness. The extravagant language is extreme to the point of near self-destruction. An emotion read for anyone into the Victorian Era.
Storyline:
With the life story of Violet Tempest, there's always a linguistic aspect which seems to bump up the interest when the story itself becomes calm. The language and emotional effects that Braddon adds in are harsh and extreme to the point that it seemingly drags out every instinctive humanity in the reader and makes them realise that Violet is more complicated than the average class-bred person.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: I really enjoyed Violet. I think she was a greatly crafted character.
100% for themes: A brilliant blend of images by a brilliant writer. This book was a real pleasure to read.
100% for storyline: Violet's life was more fascinating than I thought it was.
I just finished this book - as in right now. A beautifully crafted novel with a gripping final line "...because races condemned to one hundred years of solitude did not have a second opportunity on earth." is so thought-provoking and open-ended that it sounds almost as if it could be poetry. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and now think myself stupid for putting it off for so long.
Characters:
My favourite character was Ursula. She seemed so loving, caring and yet so very headstrong at times that the reader almost forgets that she is tragic from the very beginning. We feel uncertain about her character - but know that she is every mother, wife and daughter around; like the female embodiment of the 'everyman'. Ursula is a kind-natured woman with a breaking stroke of arrogance when it is needed. But mostly, she's balanced and collected in herself.
Themes:
The theme of suffering was my favourite. Underlying every single motif, theme and symbol within the book, there is a foreboding of suffering and tragedy. The whole hundred years of solitude and sufferance was a brilliantly poetic theme and a symbol repeated for the effect of presenting the reader with emotional torment.
Storyline:
The storyline was so moving and carefully crafted that I can safely say that this has quickly become one of my top 20 go-to books and I will definitely be giving it another read in the future. Purely because of the storyline's movement across people's journeys and how they socialise with each other. The tragedies turn their journeys upside-down and Ursula and Meme are probably the most shaken by these.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: I loved Ursula and Meme - these females are written so tragically, that you almost feel like their death is an act of romance. It's a brilliant piece of characterisation.
100% for themes: Suffering and tragedy were the main themes I stuck to throughout this novel and to say that they were amazing is an understatement. I'm just glad I read this after picking it up - I can't have gone that long without knowing what awaited me in this book.
100% for storyline: A poetically crafted and linguistically beautiful storyline filled with metaphor and psychoanalysis is always an excellent way to make One Hundred Years of Solitude a favourite in anyone's list.
This book concerns itself with the death of Richard III and Henry VII coming to power. Elizabeth of York is the subject and within this awesome novel, Elizabeth must choose between her loyalty to York and her loyalty to Henry VII. Truthfully, this is one of the most gripping of all of the "Cousin's War" series. Alongside, I believe, The Kingmaker's Daughter.
Characters:
Elizabeth of York is such a great character. She truly does have completely different public and private face. She tames herself well and even questions Henry's loyalty to her. She goes through strange private conflicts when she's alone and has premonitions of England's issues to come - but through all of this, she remains with carefully constructed public face that others may be none the wiser about her problems.
Themes:
The theme of secrecy is my favourite in this novel. I love the way Elizabeth keeps herself so calm in these times of absolute agony. She is a character who remains secret throughout the novel and it seems that her secrecy in emotions is the only thing keeping her alive.
Storyline:
As I was saying, it follows the death of Richard III and focusses mainly on the conjoining of York and Lancaster to make Tudor. But, this comes with a downside - Elizabeth of York isn't sure whether she wants to marry a Lancastrian. What follows is even more agonising for her - and it's all written in first person diary entries, which makes it even more painful to read.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: Elizabeth of York is conflicted, and Gregory writes her beautifully
100% for themes: I love the way secrecy in constructed to be something as a matter of life and death
100% for storyline: It's historical fiction and it's Philippa Gregory writing one of the most intriguing women in English History.
This Nobel-Prize winning novel wasn't really all it was cracked up to be. Hey, maybe it just wasn't a book that was for me - it was average. I didn't like it, but I didn't dislike it either. It was recommended to me by a friend - so I gave it a go, saw it through and here we are. I thought this book was average purely because it sounds like a bad case of "writing what was needed for society"; there's nothing special about it - it wasn't intriguing in any way. It was average. That is all. Also, I apologise to anyone who thought this novel was amazing. I won't say you're anyone that I wouldn't get along with - but let's not start on the wrong foot. So, here's why I thought that The Grass Is Singing was a book worthy of an "average" medal.
Characters:
My favourite character was Mary Turner. This had nothing to do with her actual character, but the way her character was written instead. Sometimes, the reader loves Mary and thinks that her demise are a horrible accident. But, sometimes that same reader can detest Mary and actually want to kill her themselves. The conflicting arguments of character was a good idea - I just wish it was utilised more often.
Themes:
Now, the theme of justice was a good idea - and that's why I think this is a novel that "society" needed. It sounds pretty much like everything a hipster would say - only more clammier and with less bravado. The theme of justice was covered well - I just didn't think that it was the best way to do it. It sort of overdid itself and ended up drowning the other - more alarming themes (such as: commitment, betrayal, indecency so on...) out of the picture.
Storyline:
Now, a flashback on a story of a murder. The only thing I can say about this is that after reading a book like In Cold Blood - I can safely say that I am biased. Not only does this novel not come close to Capote - but I refuse anything else to top it. So, I apologise when I say that this storyline could've been for me - it just wasn't up to "In Cold Blood-Standard".
Verdict:
I give this book 3/9
1/3 for character: I did eventually like the way Lessing wrote about Turner. I also liked the ending conflict of interest... a strange one.
2/3 for themes: Justice is always a great theme. Shame, it just wasn't written to my taste.
0/3 for storyline: This book will never be as good as In Cold Blood - Capote is just better at writing strange and dazzling murders.
This book I read a while back - it's by the author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and has so much resonance to when I read The Woman in Black that it is frankly, one of the best horror/thriller novels I've ever read. I really enjoyed this book - so hope for a positive review.
Characters:
My favourite character was Eliza. At the beginning, when she's pushed in front of a moving train - she discovers something strange is going on with Gaudin Hall (the place she's heading). Eliza's character is strategically unaware and yet fully aware at the same time. She's in denial, but then not in denial - she seeks some sort of non-conflicting ground for this sense of the supernatural. Which, I think - embodies the belief in the supernatural in modern societies all over the world. We seek some sort of definition, but cannot strictly put out these conflicts that constantly surround and haze our ability to "see".
Themes:
I loved the theme of belief. How much does Eliza want to believe? We track her and this theme almost simultaneously through the entire novel, trying to make our own minds up to whether we believe this story of haunting. I think, the title helps with this a lot. It offers some sort of declarative - in which we are almost subliminally forced into believing Eliza was pushed by a supernatural entity. It is a beautifully crafted theme by an amazing writer.
Storyline:
I loved the storyline purely for the fact that even the storyline sometimes didn't believe the story it was telling. Don't know what I mean? Sometimes, the language sounds disbelieving and it's quite nice to have inner-conflicting viewpoints. I also love how you feel like you're simply reading the book - when actually, your beliefs in the haunting are being controlled by its language. *laughs moronically*
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: I think Eliza's character was crafted perfectly alongside her ideas on the supernatural and the language use of the entire book.
100% for themes: Probably my favourite part of the novel, I give this an upvote! (Oh no. Not reddit.) 4/3!
I give this book 10/9.
100% for storyline: I loved the sense of constant control. Truly, this book scared me more than the I watched "The Shining" for the first time.
Holding some iconic resonance in title to a Shakespeare play called, The Taming of the Shrew. This book not only insists that the "Queen" in question is thought of as a shrewish woman, but again - holds the powerful public face that is so well connected with the works of Philippa Gregory. This book, I read just before I started my second year of university and I absolutely loved it. I'm sure, that if you like historical fiction - that you too, will enjoy it as much as I did.
Characters:
This novel is telling us the story of Catherine ("Kateryn") Parr, Queen of England and the last wife of King Henry VIII. Catherine is a strong and yet helpless woman in trying to calm Henry's tempers - as she also tries to get him to reinstate Mary and Elizabeth into the line of succession. She is one of those women that you could only associate with being embodied in a Philippa Gregory novel. She is written beautifully as her main conflict is between her love for the King and the good of the country (which at this time in Henry's reign were two completely different things).
Themes:
My favourite theme in this novel is inheritance. I was talking about the line of succession in the English Monarchy - and Catherine is constantly trying to persuade Henry to let Mary and Elizabeth be in that line. I really believe that Catherine was talking about Edward VI's sickliness - as if she knew he wouldn't survive his father long enough to have a lasting effect.
Storyline:
The storyline of this book tells us exactly how Henry VIII and Catherine Parr live together. She tends to have conflicting viewpoints on how Henry behaves. Sometimes, he behaves as a man worthy of the kingship - and sometimes he is extremely temperamental, like a small child not getting what they want. But, whatever it is - there is really a true voice in Catherine Parr's narrative that she only expresses to us - as readers she confides in.
Verdict:
I give this book a 9
100% for characters: I love the characters that Gregory creates in this world of temptation that is slowly tearing itself apart
100% for themes: Inheritance, Power, Betrayal, Savage Lavishness - I loved all of these themes in the novel. They were brilliant.
100% for storyline: The storylines being interlinked, the characters being intertwined - these things are all essential (and much more) to creating a perfect historical fiction novel.
So, I've read all the books in the WMC (Women's Murder Club) - and I can safely say that all of my favourite characters are back - Lindsay, Claire, Cindy and Yuki. The series includes the following books (so far):
1st to Die
2nd Chance
3rd Degree
4th of July
5th Horseman
6th Target
7th Heaven
8th Confession
9th Judgement
10th Anniversary
11th Hour
12th of Never
Unlucky 13
14th Deadly Sin
15th Affair
Characters:
My favourite character in the entire series is Detective Lindsay Boxer. She spends most of the series being a career-led woman with nothing but her work on her mind. Now she has a daughter to care for and her husband doesn't like the fact she's forever working. In San Fransisco, things become even more dodgy when her latest case hits a connection with her. She's so very three dimensional - it's almost as if you could believe that this would be happening right now to a real-life person. Boxer is so intriguing that there's little want to solve the murder case, but to solve the puzzle of Lindsay Boxer instead.
Themes:
James Patterson is the king of mystery. There are many shock twists in this novel - which is a regular for Patterson. But, the way that he introduces new concepts, keeps the reader guessing and jigsaws the whole thing together at the end is just a small section of what the theme of mystery has in store in this novel.
Storyline:
I always love storylines that are puzzling and when the reader doesn't know exactly what they're supposed to be concentrating on. It seems like you miss something, but give the page a second read and there's something new discovered. This is basically every single one of Patterson's novels. A new discovery of mystery and intrigue. A brilliant read.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: I was so excited to read this! I love Lindsay Boxer
100% for themes: I don't think you could possibly fault James Patterson on this one.
100% for storyline: I love the way that this book connects with the others, but also doesn't meant that you have to read them all to understand what's happening (even though I'd recommend reading them all because they're amazing).
Final word: If you enjoy reading the "Women's Murder Club" - I also suggest that "Toys" also by Patterson, is a good idea.
I read this book in a couple of hours - like all Murakami novels, it's just very easy to get into. I've always loved Murakami's novels and I think they're really quintessentially disturbing - but having some sort of morality message at the bottom makes it seem much less like a chapter of A Clockwork Orange.
Characters:
Well, giving the fact that The Rat was my favourite character, he was also in the book - A Wild Sheep Chase and has the same credentials. He seems skeptical and cynical at first - but then evolves into being more sarcastic and cultured than our narrator. He truly is a character to be admired.
Themes:
The theme of the psyche is one that I adore in all Murakami novels. It doesn't really go by any particular chronology, which means you have to really pay attention section-by-section to understand what the narrator is getting to. But when we think we are going deeper into the narrator's psyche, we're actually following our own.
Storyline:
As for the storyline, the amount of girlfriends this guy has is strange and given the fact that one has committed suicide and hasn't really changed him that much is quite weird too. He talks about these girls as if they were objects in his life that either became tarnished, or he grew a distance too. That makes it quite odd to read - the objectification of people in this sense.
Verdict:
I give this book 8/9
100% for characters: I loved The Rat in The Wild Sheep Chase and still have the same opinion about him now.
100% for themes: I did like the theme of the psyche, and not forgetting the symbol of cats, which is in every single Murakami novel.
2/3 for storyline: The storyline got 2, just because the book was a little short - couldn't get my head around the ending either.
Yes, this book was read a while ago - but here's me saying: why not! I'll give it a go and review a book that made me question the whole aristocratic lifestyle. Who is really the gentleman here? A seemingly biographical tale turns into a psychological analysis... Strange. I really did enjoy this book when I read it last - but excuse me if my memory is shifty. It was almost 5 years ago now.
Characters:
Obviously, your dear narrator is my favourite character. Tristram Shandy - gentleman... He seems not only to tell us his life story, but also tell us strange self-deprecating jokes that sound almost satirical on a part of his psychology. The whole aspect of domestics, which is what this novel is mainly about - is not the actual action. The actual action is the informal satire that the narrator tosses into the story
Themes:
Well, satire is the best theme in this novel. As I've said - this book is filled with self-deprecating humour and satirical commentary on domestic cases. Thematic, it is artistic as it is kind of depressing. It's artistic because we can clearly see that Shandy has something to say about every domestic instinct of misunderstanding in his life - but it is also kind of depressing because most of these satirical comments are self-deprecating. When I said this book is not only a biography, but also a psychological analysis - I meant that with this self-infliction of satire, we can kind of see that Shandy may not think himself much of a gentleman after all. The title is then clearly satirical.
Storyline:
What we think is the story, isn't actually the story. On a first read, you'd believe that the story is all this domestic argument that seemingly happens from time to time. But, the actual story is within the running commentary that Shandy makes about these cases. It's an act of character development. We get to view what Shandy was like back then and then, with the commentary, get to view what he's like now and make a strange comparison in psychology.
Verdict:
I give this book 8/9
100% for characters: I think Shandy is one of the greatest self-deprecating characters ever created.
100% for themes: One of my favourite literature themes is satire. That's kind of the entire reason I decided upon this book in the first place.
2/3 for storyline: Sometimes the domestic arguments can get a little repetitive - but at least the running commentary is there!
Now, I first read this book when I was in Year 8 - at 13 years old, it was one of the first discoveries into the world of Philippa Gregory's Tudor Court I made. It's a gripping novel with a sentimental love at the bottom of it - but mixed with tragedy, Philippa Gregory creates a novel of betrayal and depression in lamenting love and sudden deaths.
Characters:
My favourite character was Katherine of Aragon. Bar the fact that in Three Sisters, Three Queens she is called "Katherine of Arrogant" - she sparks a strange characteristic of sympathy in this novel. She is constantly a changing and morphing character, designed to change with the tragedies that accompany her loves. This is why I love this character - she is just written so beautifully, that when tragedy strikes - even the reader feels tragic.
Themes:
I think it's easy to say that tragedy was my favourite theme in the novel. This book is filled with delicate ideas of tragedy - almost romanticising death and sickness and it concentrates on the everlasting effect that the tragedy has on our protagonist. There are constant flashbacks and remembrances of that particular tragedy whenever the protagonist feels as if history is about to repeat itself.
Storyline:
I loved the storyline. There's always many intricate details that Gregory puts into her novels that can never be picked up on a first read. There is also a certain amount of patience in the protagonist that the reader has to adapt to if they want to understand the character. The headstrong story of a woman in the Tudor Court is juxtaposed by her public face of remaining calm in tragic circumstances.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: I always love how Philippa Gregory writes of Queens of England and Scotland.
100% for themes: I think that a major theme in all of Gregory's novels is tragedy. It is also one of the most important.
100% for storyline: The storyline is an amazing continuation of tragedies and betrayals - all happening to Kings and Queens. Something that we don't fully comprehend as they are brought down to common human levels.
This novel by Tasha Alexander is like reading one of those aristocratic murder-mysteries that you've only seen in the soaps of the 1950s. But, one difference is that Alexander's writing style is so poetic - you sometimes forget it's a murder and just get deeper and more enthralled in the words themselves. I also loved Tasha Alexanders "Death in the Floating City" - which is yet, even more intriguing. This book is fully of shocks, turns and twists that will keep a readers attention all night if it has too.
Characters:
My favourite character in this book was Emily. I feel that Emily was probably the character with the most grief seeing as there is a young aristocratic murder in the question. Through Emily, we see the entire plot unfold and twists become apparent - she leads us on a chase of passion and even religion to a point where it is clear that she is the only one with the knowledge to solve the case. I'm trying really hard to give away very little - but Lady Emily is a character that you feel you really want to spend time with.
Themes:
Like always, I love a mystery. Mystery as a theme can be manipulated into the best theme in the entire book. This is definitely the case for Behind the Shattered Glass. I feel that Alexander did not overdo the mystery theme - but did it just enough to keep an open-ended question in the reader's head and leave them unable to close the book until all questions were answered. Alexander, I feel, needs to be recognised more as a fantastic writer of suspense and mystery.
Storyline:
The storyline to this novel revolves around a man who falls down dead through french doors. This seems very stylised - and well, Lady Emily now must solve the murder case. Fingers point to the vicar, to other aristocrats and even to Lady Emily's husband. But, the whole storyline leaves you in the same suspense as reading Sherlock Holmes - a never-ending cycle of twists and turns that can only leave one answer, but the actual getting to that answer proves difficult. This means that you definitely have to stick with Alexander and Lady Emily throughout the whole story. Once you begin, there is no way out until the end.
Verdict:
I give this book 9
100% for characters: I love Lady Emily. I feel that she is a strong female character in the light of a Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew archetype.
100% for themes: Mystery is one of my favourite themes to read about. This book just did it so well.
100% for storyline: I really did enjoy the whole "Cluedo" type story. It was a lot of fun to read.
I first read this book back when I was about 17 years old and then re-read it last year. It was an enthralling read with various plot twists and strange occurrences throughout. I think, if you really want to get into this book - I suggest lots of tea. It can get quite heavy at times - like a Sherlock Holmes thing going on.
Characters:
My favourite character was Daniel Burnham - an architect. He seemed like all fun and games until John Root dies. He designed the Chicago World Fair and now seems strangely interested in John Root's death. He's a very weary character and has some theories that attempt to shake the events that take place in the novel. Intriguing he is, and even afterwards, intriguing he remains.
Themes:
My favourite theme was probably science. The murderer in question in the novel designs a hotel in which he lures and traps his victims - he then removes their bones for scientific analysis after killing them. A very strange and twisted version of an American Jack the Ripper. This theme was the most problematic of them all.
Storyline:
I felt the storyline twist and turn with various plot holes and loops that slowly wound themselves up. I really did enjoy the American-Crime writing style of this book and I thoroughly believe that this book is an American modern classic. I recommend it to anyone who likes Crime and Drama.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: I really did like the vast majority of the characters. Even the murderer was likeable at times - sort of like an In Cold Blood thing going on there.
100% for themes: The scientific theme mixed with the supernatural elements in the novel made this book a really good read for reason vs magic.
100% for storyline: Oh, I have to say that it is one of the most gripping crime novels I have ever read.
I read this book a while back after buying it in a sale as a light-read. It was a beautifully poetic book with some brilliant themes. The fact that it was about a guy that owned a 'literary apothecary' was even better. I want a literary apothecary!
Characters:
My favourite character was Jean because in this literary apothecary - he's the owner and also, you wonder that with all these books, how is he still alone? There's a serious secret within Jean and the book is written so well that it only tells us what we need to know at that particular time. I really did love it.
Themes:
The theme I enjoyed reading on most was love. This wasn't just love as in the romantic kind - but there was also types of friendship, there was lamenting lost love, there was also a type of longing for love. The dimensions that kept being added to this theme over the course of the novel made it even nicer to read as it was constantly being changed and layered. This made the end of the book even more satisfying.
Storyline:
I loved that Jean was head of the literary apothecary - but one thing I enjoyed was the symbol of helpfulness. I know this should be part of "themes", but the storyline had such lovely little anecdotes of helping and putting this next to the theme of love made the book a nice light-read. Exactly what I had hoped for.
Verdict:
I give this book 8/9
100% for characters: Purely because I'm jealous of Jean having a literary apothecary.
100% for themes: Love, friendship and helpfulness were beautiful themes for this poetic book.
2/3 for storyline: Only because it was a little bit short. I hoped it would've been longer :)
This book I read just before I finished my very first semester of university. It was a brilliantly written book with some strong characters and themes. I loved it from start to finish and sometimes give it a re-read on my kindle.
Characters:
My favourite character is Margaret Pole. She is very headstrong in her movements - especially when she is making some tough decisions against her life. It is evident that most of Margaret's language to other members of the court is not her own - but the language of someone else. She very nearly gets herself killed in more than one instance and some of her actions are wild and unruly - especially for a woman of Tudor England.
Themes:
The theme of conflict is best here. I can truly say that the conflict between Henry VIII and Margaret Pole is a very three dimensional one. People of the court are either swapping sides, or trying to be favourites to one. Never is anyone completely faithful - but Margaret proves faith in herself by staying true to her cause.
Storyline:
I loved the conflicting storyline of morality; what is good? what is right? The argument of want and need was amazingly portrayed through language. Also, the ending was at its best. If you've read about the Tudors, you have probably heard the story of Margaret Pole and her conflicts with Henry VIII. The ending of Margaret's diary is a difficult one - only moments before she is sent to her death by beheading. *cries*
Verdict:
I give this book 9
100% for characters: Margaret Pole and Henry VIII were so realistic!
100% for themes: Philippa Gregory is only doing what she does best - betrayal and conflict.
100% for storyline: It was the ending that leaves you in tears every single time.
I'm not going to say very much about this book because the selling-points on the cover were a tad misleading. First of all, it reads "a protagonist in the light of Jay Gatsby" - I would say that Gatsby was much deeper than the main characters of this novel. It had a good run and was, at times, quite interesting; but it lacked in depth and was trying too hard to be a Bret Easton Ellis novel.
Characters:
My favourite character was Beau. He seemed like the only character who remained in states of actual common sense. Whereas the others were very pompous, self-righteous or selfish. Now, I do not endorse the fact that Hollywood isn't like this - but it did seem, sometimes, a little bit overdone. Beau, on the other hand - hand some sort of dimension to his character.
Themes:
My favourite theme was the collapse of the American Dream - not only for the fact that it was the only theme that was done well. But, because I hated the vast majority of the characters - I kind of liked it when all of their plans failed and it made the book have some sort of resolute ending.
Storyline:
I really didn't like this story. Only because it was cut short and there was no real sustenance to it. At least Gatsby had some sort of message and extended metaphor behind it. This book was a basic rip-ff of Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis. Only, that book was better.
Verdict:
I give this book 4/9
2/3 for characters: Only because I liked Beau. He seemed like a well-to-do guy most of the time
2/3 for themes: I love a good happy ending.
0/3 for storyline: Couldn't get into the story very much - only really liked the ending.
The American Dream is never short of a couple of novels to make the top list. But, this book by Hunter S. Thompson took me by surprise when I first read it around 6 years ago. I had no idea what happened in the majority of the book - but after giving it re-read after re-read - only 3 years ago, I thought I'd finally cracked the code. And I did...
Characters:
My favourite character was Dr. Gonzo. I have no idea why he's my favourite character - but the fact that he's taking recreational drugs with what seems like a heart condition just keeps me on edge for his death at all times.
Themes:
The decline of 60s culture was my favourite theme. You can clearly see as these two addicts race to report on the Mint 400 motorcycle race that they clearly represent the beating and bloodied heart of the american dream - throbbing with cultural decadence.
Storyline:
So the storyline was hard to figure out. It was both intriguing and psychedelic. The constant drug use tinged with the counterculture and decline of modernism. Ooh, how questionable! The storyline was circled around a motorcycle race and the journey to and from it - but it created a series of unfortunate qualities about the modern man. This is why I liked it so much.
Verdict:
As this is one of my favourite books - nothing less than a 9 is in order.
100% for characters: I believe that Thompson's semi-autobiographical roman à clef (or story with a key) is centred around the characters who cannot find the 'clef'. It's quite funny actually
100% for themes: The best theme by far was the decline of culture and the foes of tradition. Obviously, I loved the dark witty sensation of the whole thing - Thompson is an excellent writer.
100% for storyline: Again, characters who never find the key to hedonism are the best. This is what separates Hunter S. Thompson from Steinbeck and Fitzgerald.
So I read this book for my A-Level independent coursework. As you probably know, I'm very much into Philippa Gregory and her novels - but this one has to be one of my favourites.
Characters:
My favourite character is Joan of Arc. Even though she isn't in the book itself for that long - she does seem to have an everlasting effect on Jacquetta's decisions and how she lives her life from then on. Jacquetta watches as Joan is burned at the stake and it seems to add some aspect of flashback horror to her life that is always in her memory.
Themes:
My favourite theme in this novel is power. As Jacquetta seeks power - so do the men around her. She is constantly trying to overcome being persecuted or oppressed - but with this, others seek to terminate her own power. This makes power and conflict two of the striving themes in the novel.
Storyline:
As the prequel to The White Queen Gregory offers a base story and does this very well. She is almost unapologetic in describing the lives of tyrants against the Rivers family. I love Gregory's writing style - written as a series of diary entries.
Verdict:
I give this book 9
100% for characters: I love the way in which Gregory designs all of the other characters around the protagonist. It is pretty awesome how we get a constantly changing view about who we thought were faithful to the main character.
100% for themes: Power, conflict, betrayal, gossip, communication, marriage, business and love. These are themes that Gregory is the absolute best at.
100% for storyline: I love how Gregory's storyline's are all connected. She is amazing at keeping you thinking even after you've read the novel.
So, I finished reading the new Philippa Gregory novel and it was awesome!
I loved the nature of Gregory's writing and the subtle hints of worry tinged with sadness. Each piece of dialogue makes the reader cautious about certain characters.
Characters:
My favourite character was probably Katherine of Aragon. This was because Margaret's opinion of her seemed to change so often. One minute, she was "Katherine of Arrogant" the next minute she was "royal princess" or "fit to be the queen". I loved the way Margaret's narration made everyone out to be simply human and nothing more. Including the Queen of England: Katherine of Aragon.
Themes:
I loved the theme of betrayal and kinship. There was something very sinister about characters such as Archibald and Mary. Even the character of King Henry VIII was quite shifty at times. Each character keeps their word as long as it is necessary to do so. The moment it is not convenient for them - they don't find the need to keep their word any longer. Uprisings, rebellions and grand escapes are made against and for the life of the Queen of Scotland as she carries and miscarries many children. Some of it makes you feel sorry for her being surrounded by machiavellian characters 24/7 - but you fail to see that she herself, is one.
Storyline:
I think Philippa Gregory got it right with this storyline. It was really interesting how much sisters could betray each other - and their brother acting like he had nothing to do with it. The fact that the brother (who was meant to be king) died seemed to resonate as a haunting that spread over the entire novel - coming back whenever a child died.
Verdict:
I give this book 8/9
100% for characters: Philippa Gregory is naturally the best at creating the most convincing historical figures.
100% for themes: If you read many of her books - you will see that she does this particular theme perfectly.
2/3 for storyline: Only because I thought it ended in an awkward place. Something I didn't really understand.
A strange tale behind this book...
I found this book in a library when I was around 13 or 14 and didn't pick it up - but was intrigued by the sight of it. Something told me I should've read it there and then - but I resisted. Around a year later, I borrowed the book from a different library - and realised that I should have read it the year before. This book taught me not to resist the urge of books. Umberto Eco's Medieval-esque Romance/Adventure takes linguistic ability to the extreme and you walk out of it wondering if any of it was real at all. Sort of like Narnia.
Characters:
My favourite character was Malachi. Malachi was the librarian - and this was presently why I could relate to him so well. He seemed to know a lot about books and facts - but always had something missing about him. This made him slightly ambiguous and I do love a good mystery character.
Themes:
My favourite theme is linguistic ability. Or, should I say, ambiguity. The ambiguous language towards binary traits such as "good and evil" or "pure and tainted" are just what this novel needs to create an unwelcoming religious atmosphere. Are the Catholics right? Are the Catholics wrong? We may never know.
Storyline:
I love books that centre around an olden era. This one flourishes around Medieval Cities and Towns - we witness monasteries and other places of worship in a world where everything and everyone is in double trust (as Shakespeare would say).
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: I really do think it is important to have a mysterious librarian there somewhere.
100% for themes: Umberto Eco takes linguistic ability and turns it into dialogue-based deception. A brilliant twist to what was known to be an archaic theme.
100% for storyline: It was always that Medieval setting and descriptions of the medieval world that got me. I loved the way the land was described - sort of in binaries. It was brilliant and beautiful.
Okay, so at first I was a little confused about the whole plot line - because seriously, I was completely wrong about what the secret was for most part of the book. I thought this book was extremely intriguing and worked like a cross between DH Lawrence and Arthur Conan-Doyle. Shocking yet surprisingly tranquil; this novel is probably one of the best sensationalist books I've ever read.
Fact: This book was recommended to me by one of my closest friends - I just had to give it a read.
Characters:
My favourite character was most probably Robert. He is a bit of an idiot from time to time and he can be horribly sexist - but his care for a character called George is almost as if this man was his brother. Robert seems to go to great lengths to find out where George has gone - and boy, was he in for a surprise. Ouch.
Themes:
(Apart from the "equestrian themes") My favourite theme was probably secrecy and intrigue. This worked almost like a Renaissance court - with people spreading rumours, telling secrets - keeping secrets that could potentially destroy someone else's life. Secrets work in fascinating ways in this novel and lead the reader on puzzling and lengthy journeys through character speculation.
Storyline:
M.E Braddon must have planned this storyline out so intricately that there are no real plot holes anywhere. I still kind of feel sorry for some of the women in this novel - Robert was a sexist imbecile and George deserved what he got.
Verdict:
I give this book 9.
100% for characters: The strength and determination of Robert to find out where George had gone was an example of brilliant character planning.
100% for themes: I've always loved secrets - and I loved this one! It was pretty difficult to guess!
100% for storyline: I did really like the whole "unravelling of truth" about the novel. Very well planned out.
Now, our dear narrator lives in a sanatorium. I have to admit, this volume wasn't as compelling as the others. I did spend an awfully long time reading it - try most of Saturday night. I finally finished it on Sunday Afternoon...Now I have moved on.
Characters:
My favourite character in this volume was Saint-Loup. I know what you're going to say - but it was only because the narrator has the most contact with Saint-Loup in this volume. This proves him to be a very three dimensional character capable of emotions we never thought were possible in the other volumes.
Themes:
The theme of memory was an interesting one here. It seems our narrator enjoys lamenting over Albertine, whilst still trying to move on. We have extremely familiar characters such as Guermantes and Gilberte. They seemingly represent the past - as WW1 represents moving into the future.
Storyline:
The storyline is based around the act of communication. Writing letters is extremely important in this volume and whatever is in those letters comes to shape what we understand about our narrator. It is compelling - I thought it was probably just a little underwhelming.
Verdict:
I give this volume an 8/9
2/3 for characters: Albertine wasn't in it much. Only mentioned really.
100% for themes: I love the theme of memory and nostalgia. It seemed to fit so perfectly with the time scale.
100% for storyline: Past, present and future. This book was pretty amazing in content.
