Scan barcode
sendnunes's reviews
9 reviews
Aus Dem Leben Eines Taugenichts: Nouvelle Von Joseph Von Eichendorff by Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Eichendorff is definitely an amazing poet, his epic on the other hand...
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Pedophilia, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
I am flabbergasted. I was not expecting to be such a huge fan of the setting sun. When I started reading I was quite surprised by how well it is written and I must say, I like every character. Of course there are some morally greyer ones but I could see were they were coming from. Even though I usually have a disliking for weak mom's in fiction, I liked the mother in this one quite a lot. The symbolism was also great (the snake one will stick in my head for the next days). All in all, amazing read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Incest
The Italian by Ann Radcliffe
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It's not that I hated the novel. It's just I expected much more. This is my first gothic novel (and the oldest book) I've ever read, so I might judge it too harshly.
Even though the pacing was quite fast (not having to read much dialogue, a lot of events in a short amount of time) it dragged some scenes for too long. However, I think that I feel this way, which comes from the fact that actions have little impact. Sadly, I felt this way until part 3.
It definitely didn't help much that I don't really feel the romantic tension between Ellena and Vivaldi. I'm pretty neutral about love at first sight because it depends a lot on how you progress this type of relationship. In the Italian, I don't see how they are in love. Vivaldi's way of pursuing Ellena at the beginning was quite uncomfortable, and Ellena's constant worry was not believable.
The main character themselves are not that bad in a vacuum. I like how Vivaldi does not blindly trust the being that gives him the information about Schedoni. He that he follows his believes and does not want to harm his enemy in an absolute way (can even sympathise with them).
Paulo's crush on Vivaldi is also a nice change of pace from the gloomy atmosphere.
The villains. They were GREAT. The interactions between Schedoni and the Marechesa were by far my favorite. How both of them did not want to speak out their wish to have Ellena dead was not only funny but also shows that even though they're both evil, they cowards. Because both want to be the moral superior and virtues while yearning the death of Ellena.
I'm aware of how positive this sounds, but it was a genuine chore to finish this novel. I'm absolutely certain that I would have dnfed this book if it wouldn't have been for the audiobook.
Besides the interaction of the Marchesa and Schedoni, I only enjoyed chapters 25 to 31.
To conclude this rambling: I feel like I'm missing something that other critics found. When I read stuff like: "She is the greatest sorceress in the terrific that has ever appeared: the murder scene in Macbeth 'melts into thin air,' when compared to the black and lowering horrors of the attempted assasination in the Italian", I wonder if I read with my eyes closed because I don't feel this way at all. How can this be one of the best gothic novels when it underwhelmed me so much?? Of course, taste differs, but usually, I can appreciate good work even if it isn't my "thing.
Even though the pacing was quite fast (not having to read much dialogue, a lot of events in a short amount of time) it dragged some scenes for too long. However, I think that I feel this way, which comes from the fact that actions have little impact. Sadly, I felt this way until part 3.
The main character themselves are not that bad in a vacuum. I like how Vivaldi does not blindly trust the being that gives him the information about Schedoni. He that he follows his believes and does not want to harm his enemy in an absolute way (can even sympathise with them).
Paulo's crush on Vivaldi is also a nice change of pace from the gloomy atmosphere.
The villains. They were GREAT. The interactions between Schedoni and the Marechesa were by far my favorite. How both of them did not want to speak out their wish to have Ellena dead was not only funny but also shows that even though they're both evil, they cowards. Because both want to be the moral superior and virtues while yearning the death of Ellena.
I'm aware of how positive this sounds, but it was a genuine chore to finish this novel. I'm absolutely certain that I would have dnfed this book if it wouldn't have been for the audiobook.
Besides the interaction of the Marchesa and Schedoni, I only enjoyed chapters 25 to 31.
To conclude this rambling: I feel like I'm missing something that other critics found. When I read stuff like: "She is the greatest sorceress in the terrific that has ever appeared: the murder scene in Macbeth 'melts into thin air,' when compared to the black and lowering horrors of the attempted assasination in the Italian", I wonder if I read with my eyes closed because I don't feel this way at all. How can this be one of the best gothic novels when it underwhelmed me so much?? Of course, taste differs, but usually, I can appreciate good work even if it isn't my "thing.
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
dark
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
mysterious
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
2.75
Wolfgang Borcherts Draußen VOR Der Tür by Alexander Koller
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
The Circle by Dave Eggers
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
In my (maybe too negative) opinion, you can skip nearly all of the first book. If the book bores you but you want to finish it (and need some motivation) waut till you reach the stolen kayak scene around page 175. The pacing will better itself and the plot is more catchy.
More...