jersy's reviews
640 reviews
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Institut für gute Mütter stellt den Albtraum aller Eltern dar. Ein kleiner Fehler gefährdet das Zusammenleben mit dem eigenen Kind für immer. In einer leicht dystopischen, nahen Zukunft gibt die chinesisch-amerikanische Protagonistin Frida ihre Freiheit, Würde und eigenen Bedürfnisse für die Chance auf ein Leben mit ihrer Tochter auf.
Jessamine Chan ist eine Meisterin darin, den Leser mitfühlen zu lassen. Fridas Gedanken- und Gefühlswelt hat sich zu jedem Zeitpunkt unglaublich echt angefühlt. Ich habe regelrecht mit ihr mitgelitten. Man wird hier auch gleich in das Geschehen geworfen, dabei wird aber nicht der Einblick in das normale Leben der Protagonistin geopfert, der sonst ja eher in einem langsamen Start aufgearbeitet wird. Es geht sofort um Fridas Kampf, das Sorgerecht für die wenige Monate alte Harriett behalten zu dürfen, nebenbei erfährt man aber alles über ihre gescheiterte Ehe, ihr eigenes Elternhaus, ihr gesamtes Leben.
Die ersten hundert Seiten sind von unserer eigenen Realität kaum zu unterscheiden, umso krasser wirkt der Kontrast zum Alltag der Frauen im namensgebenen Institut. Für mich kamen da beim Lesen so viele Fragen auf: Was wäre man bereit, aufzugeben und mitzumachen? Was stelle ich mir unter einem guten Elternteil vor? Wie weit darf der Staat gehen, um Kinder zu schützen? Die Solidarität aber auch die Probleme zwischen den Müttern, ihre verschiedenen Lebensrealitäten und Vergehen fand ich unglaublich gut dargestellt, genauso wie Fridas Reaktion auf die Trennung von Harriett und die komplizierten Gefühle gegenüber den KI-Puppen, an denen geübt werden soll, eine bessere Mutter zu sein. Das alles wird mit einer solchen Komplexität und Feinfühligkeit geschildert, dass die Seiten zwar wie im Flug vergingen, aber doch irgendwie auf mir lasteten.
Für mich ist dieses Buch ein richtiges Highlight: tiefgründig und emotional, intelligent und lebensnah. Große Empfehlung.
Jessamine Chan ist eine Meisterin darin, den Leser mitfühlen zu lassen. Fridas Gedanken- und Gefühlswelt hat sich zu jedem Zeitpunkt unglaublich echt angefühlt. Ich habe regelrecht mit ihr mitgelitten. Man wird hier auch gleich in das Geschehen geworfen, dabei wird aber nicht der Einblick in das normale Leben der Protagonistin geopfert, der sonst ja eher in einem langsamen Start aufgearbeitet wird. Es geht sofort um Fridas Kampf, das Sorgerecht für die wenige Monate alte Harriett behalten zu dürfen, nebenbei erfährt man aber alles über ihre gescheiterte Ehe, ihr eigenes Elternhaus, ihr gesamtes Leben.
Die ersten hundert Seiten sind von unserer eigenen Realität kaum zu unterscheiden, umso krasser wirkt der Kontrast zum Alltag der Frauen im namensgebenen Institut. Für mich kamen da beim Lesen so viele Fragen auf: Was wäre man bereit, aufzugeben und mitzumachen? Was stelle ich mir unter einem guten Elternteil vor? Wie weit darf der Staat gehen, um Kinder zu schützen? Die Solidarität aber auch die Probleme zwischen den Müttern, ihre verschiedenen Lebensrealitäten und Vergehen fand ich unglaublich gut dargestellt, genauso wie Fridas Reaktion auf die Trennung von Harriett und die komplizierten Gefühle gegenüber den KI-Puppen, an denen geübt werden soll, eine bessere Mutter zu sein. Das alles wird mit einer solchen Komplexität und Feinfühligkeit geschildert, dass die Seiten zwar wie im Flug vergingen, aber doch irgendwie auf mir lasteten.
Für mich ist dieses Buch ein richtiges Highlight: tiefgründig und emotional, intelligent und lebensnah. Große Empfehlung.
The Wall by Marlen Haushofer
5.0
Ein eindrückliches und kraftvolles aber auch sehr ruhiges Buch. Man muss schon Gefallen an Geschichten finden können, in denen grundlegend nichts passiert, um es zu schätzen zu wissen.
Der Roman besteht aus der Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt der einsamen Protagonistin, aus der Beziehung zu den Tieren und der Natur, aus dem nackten Überleben und Strapazien. Er ist eher nüchtern und abgestumpft erzählt, trotzdem kamen die Emotionen unglaublich gut rüber. Ich fand die Metaphern und die angesprochenen Thematiken sehr stark und auch wenn die Stimmung sehr bedrückend ist, wollte ich immer wieder zu dem Buch greifen. Für mich war es etwas ganz besonderes.
Der Roman besteht aus der Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt der einsamen Protagonistin, aus der Beziehung zu den Tieren und der Natur, aus dem nackten Überleben und Strapazien. Er ist eher nüchtern und abgestumpft erzählt, trotzdem kamen die Emotionen unglaublich gut rüber. Ich fand die Metaphern und die angesprochenen Thematiken sehr stark und auch wenn die Stimmung sehr bedrückend ist, wollte ich immer wieder zu dem Buch greifen. Für mich war es etwas ganz besonderes.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This is tragic without beeing overly dramatic and hopeful without beeing unrealisticly optimistic. I was surprised how fast I read it and how much the slang of the characters grew on me.
Like in the other book I've read from Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, something kept me from becoming as invested into characters and events as one would think you would with this kind of plot, however this one was long enough and had so many character moments that I couldnt help but come around eventually. Especially Ma and "Rosasharn" became easy to get attached to for me.
Like in the other book I've read from Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, something kept me from becoming as invested into characters and events as one would think you would with this kind of plot, however this one was long enough and had so many character moments that I couldnt help but come around eventually. Especially Ma and "Rosasharn" became easy to get attached to for me.
I Will Fear No Evil by Robert A. Heinlein
2.0
This is absolutely not were you should start with Heinlein whatsoever.
Usually in his works, he walks a very fine line between beeing a creepy old man and telling a compelling story with interesting ideas. This, however, is pure creepy old man without any ideas worth exploring beyond the basic premise. The whole novel is wish fullfilment: the old protagonist gets a new hot female body and there is little page time that isn't spend on him hitting on everyone and beeing supported to do that by everyone else. It reads like embarrising and cheap porn without any of the explicit scenes.
It is still sometimes entertaining in the same way really bad movies can be entertaining, that's why it still gets 2 stars. Also, I just really like Heinlein's style and how, in a lot of his works I've read, his main cast is just really harmonious.
I'm glad I've read this shit show so now I can relate more to what is basically the criticsm to every later work of his and know how bad it can get.
Usually in his works, he walks a very fine line between beeing a creepy old man and telling a compelling story with interesting ideas. This, however, is pure creepy old man without any ideas worth exploring beyond the basic premise. The whole novel is wish fullfilment: the old protagonist gets a new hot female body and there is little page time that isn't spend on him hitting on everyone and beeing supported to do that by everyone else. It reads like embarrising and cheap porn without any of the explicit scenes.
It is still sometimes entertaining in the same way really bad movies can be entertaining, that's why it still gets 2 stars. Also, I just really like Heinlein's style and how, in a lot of his works I've read, his main cast is just really harmonious.
I'm glad I've read this shit show so now I can relate more to what is basically the criticsm to every later work of his and know how bad it can get.
Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb
5.0
This book was devastating but also wonderful. So many heartbreaking scenes but also so many nice and satisfying ones.
Robin Hobb really understands how to end a series.
Robin Hobb really understands how to end a series.
Escape Pod: The Science Fiction Anthology by S.B. Divya, N.K. Jemisin, Mur Lafferty
3.0
I think this is decent collection to start with SF short stories, since you get a good overview of some big name authors and their styles. I don't think this is their best work, but it's a good representation of modern shorter works in the genre. There is enough of a variety in themes and tone as well.
This collection was good but none of the stories really blew me away, unfortunately. Plus, a lot of them had a more contemporary feel to them, which just isn't my preference.
This collection was good but none of the stories really blew me away, unfortunately. Plus, a lot of them had a more contemporary feel to them, which just isn't my preference.
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers
4.0
Since this is quite different from the books I usually read and enjoy, I find it quite different to rate. I don't gravitate towards fantasy novels set in our own world, but this isn't full of the tropes I expect from urban fantasy, instead all of the different aspects were fascinating and wild. I think I would love an adaptation of this: it's a true spectacle and the tropes I did recognice reminded me of some of the historical and science fiction TV shows, movies and games I like.
The author throws a bunch of things at you and you gotta be along for the ride, not expecting the strongest character developement. They arent entirely shallow, though, and the writing is really engaging. It's a bit too fast paced for me but it was definetly an experience.
The author throws a bunch of things at you and you gotta be along for the ride, not expecting the strongest character developement. They arent entirely shallow, though, and the writing is really engaging. It's a bit too fast paced for me but it was definetly an experience.
Golden Fool by Robin Hobb
5.0
All of the political and personal pieces of the plot are in place and all of the relationship moments just worked.
Longer review coming soon, for now I just need to say that this book is basically about Fitz trying to teach stuff he doesn't understand himself, and it's glorious.
Longer review coming soon, for now I just need to say that this book is basically about Fitz trying to teach stuff he doesn't understand himself, and it's glorious.
Bug-Jargal by Victor Hugo
4.0
This book made me feel a bit uncomfortable and I think in this case it's a good thing. It is written from the POV of someone very much of his time and while he, at his time, might be seen as a good person and doesn't like the cruelty against slaves, he is still very flawed, seeing these people as less than him and only manages to respect one of them after extreme acts of kindness. Whenever the former slaves spoke, I saw how the author portrays their feelings and motives very sympatheticly, however since the narrator others and despises them, the racism shown will be just too much for some readers. The edition I read had been edited by the author later in life but he wrote it at 16, and I think some aspects would have been handled better by an older Victor Hugo, but I could still respect the intention and already very impressive writing of this debut.
With that out of the way, it was a really compelling story and I kind of like narratives told in flashback. It was a window into the past and I just enjoy the author's prose a lot.
With that out of the way, it was a really compelling story and I kind of like narratives told in flashback. It was a window into the past and I just enjoy the author's prose a lot.
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.0
Not quite as powerful as the first book but still very effective. Especially the mother - daughter dichotomy was really fascinating to me as well as the individual characters sense of purpose and priorities. I loved that, in this, it framed our protagonist a bit differently this time. Maybe the hundret pages around the middle wasn't what I wanted to focus on but it was still important, especially for the religious conflict which was also an interesting aspect of the story.
Octavia Butler has managed again to match really thematicly deep content with a compelling SF story.
Octavia Butler has managed again to match really thematicly deep content with a compelling SF story.