bleadenreads's reviews
371 reviews
Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Nell Stevens is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I loved her nonfiction Mrs Gaskell and Me so I was very excited to read her novel, and it did not disappoint. This was just utterly beautiful and moving, it's very rare that a book moves me to tears and captures my heart so much!
What can I say about Blanca without giving too much away except that she is full of both vengeance (against predatory men) and love (for women).
She was one of the most original characters I've read in years and I just adored her force and loves (and hates). It was such an interesting narrative style to have the observations, smells and feelings of a ghost structure a novel, it was unexpectedly immersive and tragic.
I know the plot sounds utterly random and I have to admit that if it wasn't for @katiejlumsden review, I would never have picked it up, but I am SO glad I did. It was a beautifully written emotional rollercoaster and also such an accurate depiction of xenophobia/Christian attitudes towards adultery in 19th C Europe, with some beautiful queer love thrown in too
Stevens again showed her flare for depicting creativity (like with Mrs Gaskell) through her portrayals of George Sands and Frédéric Chopin - it was so fascinating to learn more about them.
Just read it - I couldn't put it down
What can I say about Blanca without giving too much away except that she is full of both vengeance (against predatory men) and love (for women).
She was one of the most original characters I've read in years and I just adored her force and loves (and hates). It was such an interesting narrative style to have the observations, smells and feelings of a ghost structure a novel, it was unexpectedly immersive and tragic.
I know the plot sounds utterly random and I have to admit that if it wasn't for @katiejlumsden review, I would never have picked it up, but I am SO glad I did. It was a beautifully written emotional rollercoaster and also such an accurate depiction of xenophobia/Christian attitudes towards adultery in 19th C Europe, with some beautiful queer love thrown in too
Stevens again showed her flare for depicting creativity (like with Mrs Gaskell) through her portrayals of George Sands and Frédéric Chopin - it was so fascinating to learn more about them.
Just read it - I couldn't put it down
Violets by Alex Hyde
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I've been wanting to read this book for so long after @savidgereads praised it so highly last year! It was not what I was expecting but in the best way. It was a moving, lyrical debut of a novel with a really inventive format, with Hyde weaving verse throughout the two perspectives, like a Greek chorus.
This made it quick to read, so quick that I was left in shock at the ending, it was a beautiful whirlwind.
I also didn't realise until the ending that it was a re-imagining/attempt to depict Alex Hyde's own family history and that made the depictions of the two Violets even more powerful. The way Hyde imagined their motivations, emotions and actions of the two Violets was just an incredible attempt to fill in the blanks of family history - so insightful.
I cannot wait to read what Hyde writes next - the way she writes about women's bodies and their battles was so honest, raw and brutally beautiful. It felt like giving women of WW2 a voice and a chance to tell their story in a time before the NHS, the pill and legalised abortions - and the choices they had to make.
Haven't got much more to say except to say - read it
This made it quick to read, so quick that I was left in shock at the ending, it was a beautiful whirlwind.
I also didn't realise until the ending that it was a re-imagining/attempt to depict Alex Hyde's own family history and that made the depictions of the two Violets even more powerful. The way Hyde imagined their motivations, emotions and actions of the two Violets was just an incredible attempt to fill in the blanks of family history - so insightful.
I cannot wait to read what Hyde writes next - the way she writes about women's bodies and their battles was so honest, raw and brutally beautiful. It felt like giving women of WW2 a voice and a chance to tell their story in a time before the NHS, the pill and legalised abortions - and the choices they had to make.
Haven't got much more to say except to say - read it
The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was my first du Maurier that didn't have any sort of love story and I think it perfectly matched the coldness and cruelty of the novel. John inherits a plethora of business troubles, financial woes, affairs, family divisions and legacy of the Resistance from Jean. John makes an earnest attempt to fix everything with some successes and some huge faux pas!
John settles into his new life and starts to make a difference, living the family life he always wanted. Yet, he remains on the periphery, always the Scapegoat, the outsider, unloved and lonely.
I loved how du Maurier depicts the cruelty and neglect in upper class families, in this case towards Francoise, Jean's wife. When tragedies strike, du Maurier against proves her mastery of thriller writing slowly drip feeding the reader bits of information with the typical du Maurier ambiguity that leaves you to form your own theories along with John.
I stayed up till midnight to finish this book as I could not put it down, it was tense, shocking and ruthless. John was so naive and earnest, but life is cruel...
I've got 5 books on my shelves by du Maurier to read and I cannot wait to read her entire catalogue - I find her writing fascinating, gripping and so unique. One of the greats! A fab start to my 2023 reading
John settles into his new life and starts to make a difference, living the family life he always wanted. Yet, he remains on the periphery, always the Scapegoat, the outsider, unloved and lonely.
I loved how du Maurier depicts the cruelty and neglect in upper class families, in this case towards Francoise, Jean's wife. When tragedies strike, du Maurier against proves her mastery of thriller writing slowly drip feeding the reader bits of information with the typical du Maurier ambiguity that leaves you to form your own theories along with John.
I stayed up till midnight to finish this book as I could not put it down, it was tense, shocking and ruthless. John was so naive and earnest, but life is cruel...
I've got 5 books on my shelves by du Maurier to read and I cannot wait to read her entire catalogue - I find her writing fascinating, gripping and so unique. One of the greats! A fab start to my 2023 reading
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
5.0
WOW
It has been a very long time since I read a thriller and my little naive brain was shocked and completely enthralled!
The sheer desperation of Tom to be included, cultured, liked and rich is very similar toxic vibes to The Secret History and I would argue that this gets even darker... clearly novels about men doing desperate things to fit in is a whole genre (thinking of The Scapegoat too)!
I've never read such a cold blooded and ruthless character - full of hate and disdain for those in the inner circle, with Tom forever on the periphery and willing to do anything to have what is theirs. Tom and Dickie both have insane insecurities about their sexuality leading to internalised homophobia towards each other. At the time of publication, homosexuality was still illegal in the US and so the fear of being found out and attempts to fit in shine through really clearly.
Highsmith builds the tension more and more, leaving the reader in disbelief and wonder with what Tom can get away with and how easily he can manipulate people. I found him a terrifying character, dangerous and very misogynistic. He was so entitled and believed those around him didn't deserve their luxuries - but *he did* - believing he was taking what was rightfully his.
The writing was superb with an Italian summer depicted so well you could almost feel the salt spray and sun tan.
I'll definitely read the sequels - just to see the pure audacity of Ripley unfold further. It was a 5🌟 read but I'll go back to my cosy romances now thanks
It has been a very long time since I read a thriller and my little naive brain was shocked and completely enthralled!
The sheer desperation of Tom to be included, cultured, liked and rich is very similar toxic vibes to The Secret History and I would argue that this gets even darker... clearly novels about men doing desperate things to fit in is a whole genre (thinking of The Scapegoat too)!
I've never read such a cold blooded and ruthless character - full of hate and disdain for those in the inner circle, with Tom forever on the periphery and willing to do anything to have what is theirs. Tom and Dickie both have insane insecurities about their sexuality leading to internalised homophobia towards each other. At the time of publication, homosexuality was still illegal in the US and so the fear of being found out and attempts to fit in shine through really clearly.
Highsmith builds the tension more and more, leaving the reader in disbelief and wonder with what Tom can get away with and how easily he can manipulate people. I found him a terrifying character, dangerous and very misogynistic. He was so entitled and believed those around him didn't deserve their luxuries - but *he did* - believing he was taking what was rightfully his.
The writing was superb with an Italian summer depicted so well you could almost feel the salt spray and sun tan.
I'll definitely read the sequels - just to see the pure audacity of Ripley unfold further. It was a 5🌟 read but I'll go back to my cosy romances now thanks