sullyisreading's reviews
59 reviews

The Moorcock Library: Elric Stormbringer by P. Craig Russell

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was incredibly enjoyable and definitely an amazing entrance to the world of Moorcock's fantasy world and Elric as a series (even if this book covers the ending of that series). I loved it, especially for the art, but the story that is told and Elric's struggle throughout. There were definitely some emotional moments that I believe the graphic novel could have focused a little longer on - perhaps they do in the book by Moorcock? - but regardless it was an enjoyable read that expanded my idea of what fantasy can be. 

Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My only regret with this story was beginning it at a time when I was either too stressed or too consumed with other tasks to finish reading it when I began the story, back in 2019 when I acquired the hardback, which comes with a short story which I will be continuing on to read now that I have finished Machines Like Me.

Regardless of my confused thoughts concerning Ian McEwan, it's clear he's a talented writer. This book was a gift to read and gave me so many thoughts to consider, emotions to stew on and process - in fact, I wish he had dwelled on some moments more. But perhaps he didn't have to. Reality allows us to dwell on these moments in our own time. 

I highly recommend the book. Since I got to page 70 before stopping and then returning 5 years later... I suppose my advice is read the first 71 pages and decide from there.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

I had been looking forward to this book for quite a while. Unfortunately, the style of prose didn't gel with me. It was entertaining and interesting initially, but I got quite tired of it. As well, I may have mistakenly read the Introductions first, which ended up giving away the whole story, and essentially made the experience hard to care for. 

I recommend giving the book a try. I'll go on to watch the film version - I think it will be more to my taste.

Anthonology by Piers Anthony

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A strong anthology! My favourite stories from the vook were 'Possible to Rue', 'The Ghost Galaxies', 'On the Uses of Torture', and 'Small Mouth, Bad Taste'.

The range of stories is genuinely impressive. I reckon not many authors have such a diverse range to base their stories in. It turns out that even when a particular story isn't too my liking, and may slog, that I can't resist from skipping because there is always a redemptive quality that makes me glad to have stuck.

I debated picking 'In the Barn' as another of my favourites. One on hand, I may never read anything quite so peculiar as it ever again. On the other hand, I felt its principal ideal while strong in its elements were not woven together perfectly. Nonetheless It's worth a read, providing you can stomach how bizarre and disgusting it was. I will say this: the story reflected reality all too well, but perhaps too on the nose, as well. I did personally like the story, although I spent the better half doubting Anthony's intentions.

Radiant Black, Vol. 1 by David Lafuente, Kyle Higgins, Cherish Chen, Marcelo Costa

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

The art and characters are the main appeal here. I don't know how big a fan I am of the whole Power Rangers shtick that's being set up. But it's very good. Don't know if I would read more, but definitely enjoyed this.

Medea by Rosie Hewlett

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

There is little to nothing I can complain about with this novel. Like the author herself, I have a great fascination and love for Euripides' Medea. Rosie Hewlett's novel perfectly expands and novel-ises the myth into something more human, which is honestly an achievement, as it has always been my opinion of the Greek tragedies I've read that Medea was already the most human of the myths.

Highly recommend.

Dorohedoro, Vol. 1 by Q Hayashida

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Very engaging beginning to a series. It clicked very quickly and I love a lot of what has been established so far. Would like to read more of the series.

Corrigenda for Costafine Town by Jake Morris-Campbell

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

3.75

There is a mix of poetry in this collection to catch your attention. Jake Morris-Campbell had a lot to say and if you listen, there is much to take away from his works.

Selected Short Stories by Guy de Maupassant

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've had this book to read for a while, and I'm so glad to have gone through the stories included. They are brilliant, hardly one can be pointed out as being weak. Maupassant's skill cannot be underplayed. He was a master writer.

The translation I read by Roger Colet was appropriate and strong, providing a great sense of the imagery and speech in each story. 

My favourite stories that spring to mind from the selection are Boule De Suif, The Graveyard Sisterhood, Madame Tellier's Establishment, Two Friends, The Jewels, My Uncle Jules, Mother Savage, The Horla, and Mouche. It would be harder to pick stories that were my least favourite from the collection, frankly.

The Eyes of the Overworld by Jack Vance

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Quite enjoyable book. Had some moments I felt Jack Vance could have capitalised on, which failed to quite meet expectation, but were highly enjoyable all the same. A bizarre, farcical version of the Odyssey, if taken primarily by land instead of sea. Worth a read if old fantasy tales that tell uniquely odd stories are your bag. I don't know if I would read more of the series, but I enjoyed the read primarily for Cugel. Cugel the Clever. Clever indeed...