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chluless's reviews
623 reviews
Bushido: The Soul of Japan (AmazonClassics Edition) by Inazō Nitobe
An interesting and insightful but - at times - undeniably dry and dated read
A Yorkshire Tragedy by Thomas Middleton
There are some redeeming aspects that carry this play -the interactions between the husband and servant at the climax, its staging of a wife's limited position, and the reflecting of the husband's troubled mind in the lines he speaks.
Ultimately, this is a Jacobean true crime drama that has (for modern readers) a lot to say about contemporary tastes and society.
How anyone could read this and see Shakespeare in its syntax is baffling. The Bard didn't deserve his name stolen as a sales strategy.
O, how damnation can make weak men strong!
There are some redeeming aspects that carry this play -the interactions between the husband and servant at the climax, its staging of a wife's limited position, and the reflecting of the husband's troubled mind in the lines he speaks.
servant [holding him back]: Were you the devil I would hold you, sir.
husband: Hold me? Presumption! I’ll undo thee for’t.
servant: ’Sblood, you have undone us all, sir.
husband: Tug at thy master?
servant: Tug at a monster.
Ultimately, this is a Jacobean true crime drama that has (for modern readers) a lot to say about contemporary tastes and society.
Conversations in Sicily by Elio Vittorini
3.5
3.5 stars
A hypnotic and fanciful (due to evasion of censorship) dive into the fragmented spirit of post-war Italy.
‘Conversations in Sicily’ explores the issues affecting italy under fascism, alongside the acknowledgment of ordinary people just trying to live through undesirable situations.
I particularly enjoyed the latter half of the book, and thought the graveyard scene was phenomenal.
On a more negative note, there are a few…entertaining…descriptions of women. The author (or perhaps the translator?) is very preoccupied with women’s bodies and their chest sizes. Has science found a correlation between cup size and richness of voice? The author certainly seems to think so.
A hypnotic and fanciful (due to evasion of censorship) dive into the fragmented spirit of post-war Italy.
‘Conversations in Sicily’ explores the issues affecting italy under fascism, alongside the acknowledgment of ordinary people just trying to live through undesirable situations.
I particularly enjoyed the latter half of the book, and thought the graveyard scene was phenomenal.
On a more negative note, there are a few…entertaining…descriptions of women. The author (or perhaps the translator?) is very preoccupied with women’s bodies and their chest sizes. Has science found a correlation between cup size and richness of voice? The author certainly seems to think so.
Compulsion by Martina Boone
4.0
I cannot begin to describe how excited I was when I received an ARC for this book!
From the first chapter I was sucked into the story of Barrie and Watson Island. I honestly struggled to put Compulsion down and after receiving it on Thursday evening, I finished it on Friday morning. That should tell you how incredible this book is!
The cover is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely to be displayed at the front of my book shelf.
Set on Watson Island, South Carolina on Barrie's aunts plantation, the story unfolds.
Spanish moss, privateers, family feuds, curses from long ago, sadness,hope and mysteries. Everything I wanted and more than I expected to get.
Barrie Watson was well written, realistic and relatable. She is stubborn, fashionable and always willing to see the best in people and wants to do the right thing.
Eight Beaufort. What can I say about him. If he is the embodiment of boys in the south, when can I get a plane ticket?
Aunt Pru is a sweetheart and I'm so happy Barrie and her have each other.
Lula is the one character I really have mixed views on, I cant help disliking her but at the same time I see where she was coming from and sympathise.
Mark is a character I wish was shown more, where can I get a Godfather like him? He is so supportive and really cares for Barrie and her happiness.
Cassie Colesworth intrigued me and even after what she did at the end, I really want to see where her character is taken next.
The more Gothic, supernatural aspects of the book were fascinating and done well. At first I was doubtful about ghosts in the story as I have read many books were the ghosts were a flop but there was no need to worry. Martina Boone certainly knew what she was doing. The fire carrier, Yunwi ,the family gifts and curses. It really did make the story.
My only criticism would be that I think Barrie should have dwelled on and worried about some of the things that have happened to her, I don't think many people would have been as calm after some of those ordeals but it didn't matter that much, overall she was realistic and did get angry, sad , frustrated and panicked at the right times.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!
Once again, thank you for the signed ARC. I loved this book so much. How am I going to survive a years wait for the next one???
From the first chapter I was sucked into the story of Barrie and Watson Island. I honestly struggled to put Compulsion down and after receiving it on Thursday evening, I finished it on Friday morning. That should tell you how incredible this book is!
The cover is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely to be displayed at the front of my book shelf.
Set on Watson Island, South Carolina on Barrie's aunts plantation, the story unfolds.
Spanish moss, privateers, family feuds, curses from long ago, sadness,hope and mysteries. Everything I wanted and more than I expected to get.
Barrie Watson was well written, realistic and relatable. She is stubborn, fashionable and always willing to see the best in people and wants to do the right thing.
Eight Beaufort. What can I say about him. If he is the embodiment of boys in the south, when can I get a plane ticket?
Aunt Pru is a sweetheart and I'm so happy Barrie and her have each other.
Lula is the one character I really have mixed views on, I cant help disliking her but at the same time I see where she was coming from and sympathise.
Mark is a character I wish was shown more, where can I get a Godfather like him? He is so supportive and really cares for Barrie and her happiness.
Cassie Colesworth intrigued me and even after what she did at the end, I really want to see where her character is taken next.
The more Gothic, supernatural aspects of the book were fascinating and done well. At first I was doubtful about ghosts in the story as I have read many books were the ghosts were a flop but there was no need to worry. Martina Boone certainly knew what she was doing. The fire carrier, Yunwi ,the family gifts and curses. It really did make the story.
My only criticism would be that I think Barrie should have dwelled on and worried about some of the things that have happened to her, I don't think many people would have been as calm after some of those ordeals but it didn't matter that much, overall she was realistic and did get angry, sad , frustrated and panicked at the right times.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!
Once again, thank you for the signed ARC. I loved this book so much. How am I going to survive a years wait for the next one???