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elwirax's reviews
472 reviews
Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
'Vile Bodies' is an interesting wee book with a refreshing, satirical yet foreboding writing style for its time. It reflects the changes in British society during the inter-war period and the erosion of tradition in light of modern attitudes and technologies. While I do not agree with Waugh's nostalgia for the past and rejection of modernity, the book offeres an intriguing insight into the post-war period and its uncertainties.
I particularly enjoyed its cynical portrayal of organised religion and its sharp critique of the hedonism and absurdity of the English upper classes. The role of the media as both criticising and elevating the lives of these people was also very interesting.
Nevertheless, being written in the 1930's it is no surprise that the novel contains attitudes regarding race and colonialism that are outdated and offensive by contemporary standards (CW for explicit use of the 'n' word and the 'y' word for Jewish people). Its portrayal of women is very shallow and while many of them are quite witty, they are often reduced to their romantic interests. The book also dealt with some heavy subjects such as suicide and death rather flippantly and without empathy. This detachment, I suppose may also be a reflection of the post war context.
Overall, an interesting book tonally and stylistically. Plot wise, it was not the most entertaining.
I particularly enjoyed its cynical portrayal of organised religion and its sharp critique of the hedonism and absurdity of the English upper classes. The role of the media as both criticising and elevating the lives of these people was also very interesting.
Nevertheless, being written in the 1930's it is no surprise that the novel contains attitudes regarding race and colonialism that are outdated and offensive by contemporary standards (CW for explicit use of the 'n' word and the 'y' word for Jewish people). Its portrayal of women is very shallow and while many of them are quite witty, they are often reduced to their romantic interests. The book also dealt with some heavy subjects such as suicide and death rather flippantly and without empathy. This detachment, I suppose may also be a reflection of the post war context.
Overall, an interesting book tonally and stylistically. Plot wise, it was not the most entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Car accident
The Pallbearers Club by Paul Tremblay
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The book started off strongly, but as it progressed, the plot fell apart and morphed into something completely different- and arguably less enjoyable. The book had a stream of consciousness style, yet nothing significant seemed to happened. Art, as a character, wasn't interesting enough to follow; he constantly blamed Mercy for his shortcomings. I was more interested in her but her character was barely fleshed out.
The mixed media format was perhaps the most enjoyable part of this book.
The mixed media format was perhaps the most enjoyable part of this book.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I genuinely do not understand why this was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It also took me way too long to read despite being a short story collection.
These short stories highlighted many real life horrors in the world such as pedophilia, child trafficking and rape, suicide and self harm. While I tend to enjoy sociopolitical horror, the way certain themes were explored felt less like thoughtful commentary and more like shock value.
The stories were packed with misogyny and 'kids who come back' used problematic transphobic language. I suppose that this was used as a tool to present bias and prejudice as a horror of the world and highlighted the idea that the narrator's are just as 'monstrous' as the events happening. I am not insinuating that these are the author's beliefs, merely that it can be harmful to readers.
Overall, not a very good literary horror collection, either in terms of plot or writing.
Angelita Unearthed: 2 stars
Our Lady of the Quarry:1 star
The Cart: 1 star
The Well: 2.5 stars
Rambla Triste: 2 stars
The Lookout: 2.5 stars
Where are you , dear heart: 1 star
Meat: 2 stars
No birthdays or baptisms: 1 star
Kids who come back: 0.5 star
The dangers of smoking in bed: 1 star
Back when we talked to the dead: 3 stars
These short stories highlighted many real life horrors in the world such as pedophilia, child trafficking and rape, suicide and self harm. While I tend to enjoy sociopolitical horror, the way certain themes were explored felt less like thoughtful commentary and more like shock value.
The stories were packed with misogyny and 'kids who come back' used problematic transphobic language. I suppose that this was used as a tool to present bias and prejudice as a horror of the world and highlighted the idea that the narrator's are just as 'monstrous' as the events happening. I am not insinuating that these are the author's beliefs, merely that it can be harmful to readers.
Overall, not a very good literary horror collection, either in terms of plot or writing.
Angelita Unearthed: 2 stars
Our Lady of the Quarry:1 star
The Cart: 1 star
The Well: 2.5 stars
Rambla Triste: 2 stars
The Lookout: 2.5 stars
Where are you , dear heart: 1 star
Meat: 2 stars
No birthdays or baptisms: 1 star
Kids who come back: 0.5 star
The dangers of smoking in bed: 1 star
Back when we talked to the dead: 3 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, and Excrement
Minor: Sexual content, Transphobia, and Trafficking
Portrait of an Unknown Lady by María Gainza
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The writing style in this book was my absolute ideal: lyrical yet meditative, emotional yet detached. The tonal changes, depending on whether it was a biography-type section or the narrator's recollection, as well as being grounded in real historical figures and painters really made the book feel alive.
That being said, the plot was not what I expected. It was marketed as a mystery of sorts, and based on the premise, I was expecting something more elaborate than what it was. The plot was very thin, and while it was a ' captivating enquiry into what we mean by 'authenticity', in life as in art', it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, individual elements in this book really appealed to me (art forgery, mixed media, unreliable narrators and academic yet engaging prose). Maybe I went in with unfair expectations, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I would've expected.
That being said, the plot was not what I expected. It was marketed as a mystery of sorts, and based on the premise, I was expecting something more elaborate than what it was. The plot was very thin, and while it was a ' captivating enquiry into what we mean by 'authenticity', in life as in art', it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, individual elements in this book really appealed to me (art forgery, mixed media, unreliable narrators and academic yet engaging prose). Maybe I went in with unfair expectations, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I would've expected.
Carol: The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Price of Salt is a rare mid-20th-century example of a lesbian relationship not entirely doomed, instead offering a hopeful ending. While somewhat outdated, much of the shame, expectations, and uncertainty experienced by Therese and Carol still resonate with modern readers.
The novel successfully presents the complexities and flaws of its main characters: Carol, a strong and autonomous woman dealing with divorce and maintaining custody of her daughter, and Therese, a young woman trying to find her place in the world.
Nevertheless, none of these characters were particularly likable. Carol's relationship with motherhood was complicated. While her actions can be viewed as an empowering rejection of the notion that women must prioritise motherhood, they can also be seen as neglectful, as she risks losing custody of her daughter over a relationship that lacks true substance. She was cold, and her narrative was often stunted.
Therese, for much of the novel, is very passive and relies on Carol for guidance. This dynamic emphasises the considerable age gap between them, with Therese being 19 and Carol in her early 30s. Though we get to see Therese's independence explored toward the end of the novel, it is brief.
I cannot help but view their relationship as teenage infatuation rather than a true romance. However, much of this lack of genuine connection can be attributed to the time period in which it was written.
I found the middle part of the novel, particularly the road trip, to be meandering but necessary for Therese's character growth. The writing was, at times, very poignant, and I enjoyed Highsmith's descriptions of seemingly unimportant details, which grounded the story.
Overall, the book was enjoyable enough and deserving of merit as an early classic in lesbian literature. Dare I say, though, that the movie was slightly better?
The novel successfully presents the complexities and flaws of its main characters: Carol, a strong and autonomous woman dealing with divorce and maintaining custody of her daughter, and Therese, a young woman trying to find her place in the world.
Nevertheless, none of these characters were particularly likable. Carol's relationship with motherhood was complicated. While her actions can be viewed as an empowering rejection of the notion that women must prioritise motherhood, they can also be seen as neglectful, as she risks losing custody of her daughter over a relationship that lacks true substance. She was cold, and her narrative was often stunted.
Therese, for much of the novel, is very passive and relies on Carol for guidance. This dynamic emphasises the considerable age gap between them, with Therese being 19 and Carol in her early 30s. Though we get to see Therese's independence explored toward the end of the novel, it is brief.
I cannot help but view their relationship as teenage infatuation rather than a true romance. However, much of this lack of genuine connection can be attributed to the time period in which it was written.
I found the middle part of the novel, particularly the road trip, to be meandering but necessary for Therese's character growth. The writing was, at times, very poignant, and I enjoyed Highsmith's descriptions of seemingly unimportant details, which grounded the story.
Overall, the book was enjoyable enough and deserving of merit as an early classic in lesbian literature. Dare I say, though, that the movie was slightly better?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Lesbophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Global Discontents: Conversations on the Rising Threats to Democracy by Noam Chomsky, David Barsamian
informative
fast-paced
3.75
Eyes Guts Throat Bones by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
2.2 stars overall.
I appreciated how each section explored distinct themes: 'eyes' focused on seeing the truth and horrors of the real world, 'guts' dealt with expressing internal struggles through body horror, 'throat' dealt with suppression and the consequences of expression and 'bones' examined survival and transformation.
That being said, I did not really find many of the plots engaging or particularly scary. I enjoyed 'nature morte', 'only corpses stay', 'flowers' and 'big round ball of light and the water' the most from this collection.
EYES
Such a Pretty Face: 2 stars
The Summoning: 1.5 stars
A Different Beat: 1.5 stars
GUTS
what would you give for a treat like me: 2 stars
the carrier: 2 stars
playing house: 3 stars
sad straight sex at the end of the world: 2 stars
THROATS
flowers: 3 stars
big round ball of light and the water: 3 stars
saying its name breaks it: 2.5 stars
two truths and a lie: 1 star
BONES
nature morte: 3.5 stars
only corpses stay: 3.5 stars
rath: 2.5 stars
break-up poem recited knee-deep in bog water: 2.5 stars
I appreciated how each section explored distinct themes: 'eyes' focused on seeing the truth and horrors of the real world, 'guts' dealt with expressing internal struggles through body horror, 'throat' dealt with suppression and the consequences of expression and 'bones' examined survival and transformation.
That being said, I did not really find many of the plots engaging or particularly scary. I enjoyed 'nature morte', 'only corpses stay', 'flowers' and 'big round ball of light and the water' the most from this collection.
EYES
Such a Pretty Face: 2 stars
The Summoning: 1.5 stars
A Different Beat: 1.5 stars
GUTS
what would you give for a treat like me: 2 stars
the carrier: 2 stars
playing house: 3 stars
sad straight sex at the end of the world: 2 stars
THROATS
flowers: 3 stars
big round ball of light and the water: 3 stars
saying its name breaks it: 2.5 stars
two truths and a lie: 1 star
BONES
nature morte: 3.5 stars
only corpses stay: 3.5 stars
rath: 2.5 stars
break-up poem recited knee-deep in bog water: 2.5 stars
The Details by Ia Genberg
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda by Noam Chomsky
informative
fast-paced
3.0
The writing style of the book is much more informal than the scholarly tone I expected. However, this makes the themes, ideas, and terminology more accessible to a wider audience. In some areas, the content is mildly repetitive, and discussions are somewhat surface-level or glossed over, an issue compounded by the citation of only eight sources. Though the book doesn't completely lack empirical evidence, as the author draws on much of his previous and more extensive works. I am intrigued to pick up 'Necessary Illusions', hoping it offers a more in-depth analysis of the subject.
Overall, this is a good introductory text that outlines fundamental ideas about media influence and propaganda.
Overall, this is a good introductory text that outlines fundamental ideas about media influence and propaganda.