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emilyrowanstudio's reviews
206 reviews
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Around 75% of this book I found wonderful, charming and astute. But there were some characters, and chapters, I really didn't care for. I totally relate to the reviewers who've said they stopped reading because they thought the characters were horrible. I nearly stopped a few chapters in once the supporting characters were introduced. They all seemed so unhappy for Cleo and Frank when they got together, and why still remains a mystery. Some of them are redeemed later on in their individual chapters when you find out why they are the way they are, and some aren't. I can't be sure what their inclusion brought to the book, however I LOVED our main characters Cleo and Frank. A chapter later in the book which is in near entirety an argument between them is *chefs kiss*. Eleanor's chapters, and her characterisation, is *chefs kiss*. I think she was my favourite character.
I can't relate to the reviewers who say this is poorly written. Genuinely, I can't see where they're coming from. There are some metaphors and single lines in this book that i've made a note of because I don't want them to ever leave my brain.
I'm glad I persevered, because the 75% I enjoyed I really loved. I'm looking forward to reading what Coco Mellors writes next.
N.B. A lotta lotta content warnings - particularly all areas of mental illness, addiction, drug use - so probably check those out if you're thinking of picking this up 👍🏻
N.B.B. I did not see the Sally Rooney comparisons AT ALL. Can we please stop doing this, it's so lazy 🙃
I can't relate to the reviewers who say this is poorly written. Genuinely, I can't see where they're coming from. There are some metaphors and single lines in this book that i've made a note of because I don't want them to ever leave my brain.
I'm glad I persevered, because the 75% I enjoyed I really loved. I'm looking forward to reading what Coco Mellors writes next.
N.B. A lotta lotta content warnings - particularly all areas of mental illness, addiction, drug use - so probably check those out if you're thinking of picking this up 👍🏻
N.B.B. I did not see the Sally Rooney comparisons AT ALL. Can we please stop doing this, it's so lazy 🙃
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug use, Eating disorder, and Death of parent
So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
3.5 stars - Started off really well and I was all in but definitely tapered off. Public shaming, like the internet, is a moving beast, and having been published in 2015 this book is largely outdated now.
I also thought the ending was a bit of a let down and didn't reach much of a conclusion.
I have a huge interest in cancel culture, the media and the internet. Though not unjoyable, this book was not as good, as well-written or thought-provoking what I thought it would be.
I also thought the ending was a bit of a let down and didn't reach much of a conclusion.
I have a huge interest in cancel culture, the media and the internet. Though not unjoyable, this book was not as good, as well-written or thought-provoking what I thought it would be.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Like all of Emily Henry's books, this was an enjoyable light-hearted read, but this one lacked the banter that make the others so good! Marked down from 4 stars for that reason. I also didn't fall in love with the two main characters as much in this one, though I can't pinpoint why!
Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If you like dark-humoured tragicomedy, you'll enjoy this
Boulder by Eva Baltasar
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I was so sure I was going to love this but I don't think i've ever been so underwhelmed by a book. I've given it a high rating compared with how much I enjoyed it for the concept and the very unique way Ishiguro tells stories, and I respect what he was trying to do here, but the execution was not for me.
Our protagonist, Kathy, though her and her peers are born (made?) for a singular ethically-questionable purpose, reads as very detached, unemotional, and resigned to her fate. I understand what Ishiguro was trying to do here - that if you were raised knowing your life's purpose then you wouldn't know anything else - and I can see lots of other reviewers saying this is why they love the book so much, but I felt it was an unfortunate and, i'm afraid, dull way to tell what could have been an incredible story. However, other than the final few tear-jerking pages, I found Kathy lacking in emotion throughout. Even the way she describes sex with the man she loves is clinical (I can't find the exact quote, but I definitely remember her referring to his junk as "his stuff" during a sex scene).
Never Let Me Go only got going for me in the final 80 pages. For a book that's 282 pages long, that is too much to trudge through before getting to the good stuff. I would have given up by this point had I not already seen the film and knew the ending was good (I don't think my having seen the film prior impeded my enjoyment in any way, other than expecting the book to be more emotional than it was).
The characters didn't feel at all fleshed out, and Kathy was too much of an analytical and meandering narrator for me to enjoy. The only other Ishiguro i've read is Klara and the Sun. In a sense, these have similar subject matters, as in the main characters are born/created to in service of others. They are written sixteen years apart and although NLMG seems to be regarded unanimously as his best work, K&TS reads as being written by a much more experienced writer. K&TS also had an intentionally clinical main character, but the story certainly did not lack emotion (the characters are far more realised as well).
All in all, maybe I just didn't "get" this but personally, I don't believe it's worth the hype.
Our protagonist, Kathy, though her and her peers are born (made?) for a singular ethically-questionable purpose, reads as very detached, unemotional, and resigned to her fate. I understand what Ishiguro was trying to do here - that if you were raised knowing your life's purpose then you wouldn't know anything else - and I can see lots of other reviewers saying this is why they love the book so much, but I felt it was an unfortunate and, i'm afraid, dull way to tell what could have been an incredible story. However, other than the final few tear-jerking pages, I found Kathy lacking in emotion throughout. Even the way she describes sex with the man she loves is clinical (I can't find the exact quote, but I definitely remember her referring to his junk as "his stuff" during a sex scene).
Never Let Me Go only got going for me in the final 80 pages. For a book that's 282 pages long, that is too much to trudge through before getting to the good stuff. I would have given up by this point had I not already seen the film and knew the ending was good (I don't think my having seen the film prior impeded my enjoyment in any way, other than expecting the book to be more emotional than it was).
The characters didn't feel at all fleshed out, and Kathy was too much of an analytical and meandering narrator for me to enjoy. The only other Ishiguro i've read is Klara and the Sun. In a sense, these have similar subject matters, as in the main characters are born/created to in service of others. They are written sixteen years apart and although NLMG seems to be regarded unanimously as his best work, K&TS reads as being written by a much more experienced writer. K&TS also had an intentionally clinical main character, but the story certainly did not lack emotion (the characters are far more realised as well).
All in all, maybe I just didn't "get" this but personally, I don't believe it's worth the hype.
Avalon by Nell Zink
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
I... did not get this book?
Other reviewers have said she's satiring intellectualism, but seem equally confused. This, to me, does not read as a satire, but a book that takes itself very seriously. Had to stop reading soon after the love interest, Peter, was introduced cos he seems like such a horrible person. Not a flawed character - just not very nice??
The book before he enters is meandering and not awful but does leave you wondering where this is going.
Other reviewers have said she's satiring intellectualism, but seem equally confused. This, to me, does not read as a satire, but a book that takes itself very seriously. Had to stop reading soon after the love interest, Peter, was introduced cos he seems like such a horrible person. Not a flawed character - just not very nice??
The book before he enters is meandering and not awful but does leave you wondering where this is going.
Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Of what I read, 3.5 stars - At only 41 pages/10%, I wouldn't normally give up on a book so soon, but I know this wouldn't be a page turner for me so I know it would take me ages to get through.
The 41 pages weren't bad or unenjoyable. I respect Glory for what it is and how good it is, while also knowing it's not for me. I'm a big fan of satire, especially political satire, and this was very funny in the short span of pages I read. All the characters are animals, which I loved. The author said she drew inspiration from Animal Farm, which I haven't read, but the absurdity of their use in Glory reminded me of Bojack Horseman. I enjoyed the long sentences and the repetition. It's silly and intentional and aids and abetts the story.
In that respect, it was a big yes from me, but as for the way this was otherwise written, it is looooong. Most of the 41 pages I read described the event of one speech. That is too darn slow for me.
On the back of the synopsis and the length of Glory, I wouldn't have picked it up had it not been nominated for the Women's Prize and the Booker. I'm glad I gave it a go, if only to affirm it's not for me. I've heard very good things about the performance of the audiobook, so maybe I should give that a try instead.
The 41 pages weren't bad or unenjoyable. I respect Glory for what it is and how good it is, while also knowing it's not for me. I'm a big fan of satire, especially political satire, and this was very funny in the short span of pages I read. All the characters are animals, which I loved. The author said she drew inspiration from Animal Farm, which I haven't read, but the absurdity of their use in Glory reminded me of Bojack Horseman. I enjoyed the long sentences and the repetition. It's silly and intentional and aids and abetts the story.
In that respect, it was a big yes from me, but as for the way this was otherwise written, it is looooong. Most of the 41 pages I read described the event of one speech. That is too darn slow for me.
On the back of the synopsis and the length of Glory, I wouldn't have picked it up had it not been nominated for the Women's Prize and the Booker. I'm glad I gave it a go, if only to affirm it's not for me. I've heard very good things about the performance of the audiobook, so maybe I should give that a try instead.