Scan barcode
tyrant_flycatcher's reviews
16 reviews
The Best Short Stories 2021: The O. Henry Prize Winners by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
El origen de la familia, la propiedad privada y el Estado by Friedrich Engels
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
It is very interesting for a reader with limited knowledge in anthropology such as me. Unfortunately, feels dated in its theories and treatment of non Europeans. I worry that this might not be a good introduction into the subject.
I would rather read a modern take that is more holistic and balanced and then come back to this with a stronger foundation.
I would rather read a modern take that is more holistic and balanced and then come back to this with a stronger foundation.
The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The City Watch Discworld books get better and better with each entry. Pratchett's Feet of Clay is more than any previous City Watch novel about how bigotry can come from those in power striking against those without it and also between oppressed groups. It showcases how even generally well-meaning people can turn into oppressors when those within their own community challenge gender norms. This attitude manifests in Carrot's first reaction to Cheri breaking away from gender norms, Angua's outright hatred for automatons and Cheri's absolute fear for lycanthropes. Pratchett is careful here, explaining the origin of these attitudes and showcasing their effects.
However, the story seldom shows a complete reversal of bigoted mindsets. By the end, neither Carrot nor Angua displays outright acceptance, ending merely in tolerance for the first and ambiguously for the latter. This might be on purpose, most people take time to improve their point of view, and the story only spans several days.
Only Cheri and Vimes show a complete reversal. Cheri completely changes her views after inadvertently hurting her only friend in the city with the armour she carried around due to her misconceptions (the visual metaphor here is excellent). Having shared Angua's sentiments towards Golems (although at a much lower intensity), Vimes accepts the first free Golem into the Guard and even willingly reverses his ban on undead members (although selectively and partially out of spite).
Vimes remains a fantastic lead character: flawed in his many prejudices and often an outright asshole, but with a great capacity to put himself in the shoes of others and with a deep understanding of how often the combination of authority and biases is what enables abuse. More than any other character in the book, Vimes shows how "goodness" is a process, not a state of being.
Reading an openly progressive book where cops are a force of good feels strange nowadays, with police officers acting as a force of suppression rather than uplifting in many parts of the world. In many ways, it gives me hope in how diversity and inclusivity can be a force of good once they take effect in institutions. Here is hoping that they do not stay just in fiction.
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Que se mueran los feos by Boris Vian
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Es difícil disfrutar de la sátira cuando se sabe poco del tema en cuestión. En mi caso no he leído muchas novelas policíacas, no viví en los 40s y mucho menos en los EUA. Toda crítica que el libro tenga hacia el género y ambiente que parodia solo puede reflejarse en mi limitada percepción de esos años (informada más que nada por películas de Hollywood).
Si a esto le añadimos que el libro rara vez se detiene a reflexionar sobre sus temas, lo que queda es una parodia en dónde su interpretación depende enteramente del lector. He leído suficiente Vian como para saber que nada aquí va en serio, pero la falta de contexto deja al final completamente soso.
Conforme progresa la historia se vuelve más y más estridente, y el desenlace tiene suficiente irreverencia como para revolver estómagos en ambos lados del espectro político:los protagonistas permiten que un maníaco con aspiraciones de eugenesia quede encaminado a la presidencia, agentes del FBI se avientan una orgía loca en ves de deponer al loco antes mencionado, la marina y los círculos políticos están infestados de homúnculos indoctrinados... Pero la completa falta de interés por parte de los protagonistas ante estos hechos (a excepción de uno preocupado por ceder su estatus como objeto de deseo sexual a los "feos") los deja como una banda de cretinos. Sí bien esto es parte del mensaje, pero no deja de ser decepcionante.
Hay mucho que extraer aquí: lo endebles que son las relaciones nacidas a partir de cosificar al otro, sobre la vanidad de la sociedad Americana de esos años, cómo la eugenesia futilmente ignora que las características que considera "deseables" son en buena parte producto del contexto de la época. Pero todo esto lo saqué de mis conclusiones o de reseñas de otros. El libro, por si solo, es bastante bobo.
Eso sí: el perrito habla en un párrafo, así, de la nada. Qué chulo, el chucho.
Si a esto le añadimos que el libro rara vez se detiene a reflexionar sobre sus temas, lo que queda es una parodia en dónde su interpretación depende enteramente del lector. He leído suficiente Vian como para saber que nada aquí va en serio, pero la falta de contexto deja al final completamente soso.
Conforme progresa la historia se vuelve más y más estridente, y el desenlace tiene suficiente irreverencia como para revolver estómagos en ambos lados del espectro político:
Hay mucho que extraer aquí: lo endebles que son las relaciones nacidas a partir de cosificar al otro, sobre la vanidad de la sociedad Americana de esos años, cómo la eugenesia futilmente ignora que las características que considera "deseables" son en buena parte producto del contexto de la época. Pero todo esto lo saqué de mis conclusiones o de reseñas de otros. El libro, por si solo, es bastante bobo.
Eso sí: el perrito habla en un párrafo, así, de la nada. Qué chulo, el chucho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlin
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Reading Berlin has been like finding a stranger who used to live near your town while living abroad, and talking about the things you love and hate about that place. Huilotas, the changes to the hotels in Puerto Vallarta, the peaceful feeling of the Pacific coast. Chatty mozos, people from Guadalajara. Walking on a malecón.
But even if you both know those places and flavors, there are differences in how you interpret them. One of you was raised there, the other merely stayed in the place for some years. You frequented different social circles, had different economic means. You hold differing views of why things operate the way they do and whether they are fair. Maybe one of you never took the time to question such things.
While the places visited and the sights seen form a connection between you two, there is also a barrier that is difficult to explain in words. You are grateful for meeting this person, but you do not become close friends.
___
The stories in this book follow the motto of "write what you know" to a T. Even if the names of the characters change across the book, you can tell that she based most of these stories around certain points of her life. There are certain things you cannot fake when referring to places and people's customs. How much is real and how much is fiction is unclear, but she describes these stories with the subtle hints of someone who has experienced their hurt.
Not every story is a winner, but in general they all have something to say. Specially about the lives of women during those times, and the lingering weights that failed relationships leave with them. However, at the middle of the book a pattern in her writing becomes very apparent. A certain way of ending stories usually after an event that leaves the protagonist with a negative future outlook. Losing a house, a relapse, moving out, a possible divorce. This pattern occurred so often that I have to admit I lost a bit of interest during the last third of the book. The quality was still there, but it lost its shine.
I do not regret reading her. Learning how she experienced the same places I did in her own way. Being a witness to her incredibly tough life, and the lessons it can give. But it will take some time before I want to revisit her work. There are limits on how much you can vary the same sad tune, after all.
But even if you both know those places and flavors, there are differences in how you interpret them. One of you was raised there, the other merely stayed in the place for some years. You frequented different social circles, had different economic means. You hold differing views of why things operate the way they do and whether they are fair. Maybe one of you never took the time to question such things.
While the places visited and the sights seen form a connection between you two, there is also a barrier that is difficult to explain in words. You are grateful for meeting this person, but you do not become close friends.
___
The stories in this book follow the motto of "write what you know" to a T. Even if the names of the characters change across the book, you can tell that she based most of these stories around certain points of her life. There are certain things you cannot fake when referring to places and people's customs. How much is real and how much is fiction is unclear, but she describes these stories with the subtle hints of someone who has experienced their hurt.
Not every story is a winner, but in general they all have something to say. Specially about the lives of women during those times, and the lingering weights that failed relationships leave with them. However, at the middle of the book a pattern in her writing becomes very apparent. A certain way of ending stories usually after an event that leaves the protagonist with a negative future outlook. Losing a house, a relapse, moving out, a possible divorce. This pattern occurred so often that I have to admit I lost a bit of interest during the last third of the book. The quality was still there, but it lost its shine.
I do not regret reading her. Learning how she experienced the same places I did in her own way. Being a witness to her incredibly tough life, and the lessons it can give. But it will take some time before I want to revisit her work. There are limits on how much you can vary the same sad tune, after all.