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its_naman's reviews
100 reviews
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Beautiful. That's all I can think of to describe this book right now. Charlie is such a pure guy and you can't help but love him and those around him.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wouldn't have read this book now if it weren't for my upcoming exams and keeping up with my reading goal. I wanted a quick read and it was a perfect choice, I guess.
I don't know if it's just me but I found this story to be sooo long and drawn out despite it being like, 40 pages. I almost skimmed the first 25 pages.
The only positive thing that I can find to say about it is that it escalates very quickly at the end. It really grabbed my wandering attention with those few last pages. I think it'd have been a lot better if it leaned more into the horror because Irving definitely is very good at it.
I don't know if it's just me but I found this story to be sooo long and drawn out despite it being like, 40 pages. I almost skimmed the first 25 pages.
The only positive thing that I can find to say about it is that it escalates very quickly at the end. It really grabbed my wandering attention with those few last pages. I think it'd have been a lot better if it leaned more into the horror because Irving definitely is very good at it.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Candide by Voltaire
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
"You will agree that this is the happiest of mortals, for he is above everything he possesses."
"But do you not see," answered Martin, "that he is disgusted with all he possesses? Plato observed a long while ago that those stomachs are not the best that reject all sorts of food."
"But is there not a pleasure," said Candide,"in criticising everything, in pointing out faults where others see nothing but beauties?"
"That is to say," replied Martin, "that there is some pleasure in having no pleasure."
"But do you not see," answered Martin, "that he is disgusted with all he possesses? Plato observed a long while ago that those stomachs are not the best that reject all sorts of food."
"But is there not a pleasure," said Candide,"in criticising everything, in pointing out faults where others see nothing but beauties?"
"That is to say," replied Martin, "that there is some pleasure in having no pleasure."
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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? No
4.0
A strong book, but didn't find it as good as the first one. Maybe it's because of the breaking of the fellowship. I loved these characters together and it would be amazing to see them reconcile in the third book.
I also didn't care very much for the 2nd part of the book which is a pity because doesn't everything depend on the ringbearer?They did Faramir so dirty in the movies, tho. I was so surprised to see how sweetly he treated Frodo and Sam!
Oh, and also how come this book has so many characters and yet the only female I can recall right now is a goddamn spider?! I understand that this is Middle Earth and I should not hold it upto modern standards for representation and diversity. In fact, I'm not disappointed, just making a mere observation.
I also didn't care very much for the 2nd part of the book which is a pity because doesn't everything depend on the ringbearer?
Oh, and also how come this book has so many characters and yet the only female I can recall right now is a goddamn spider?! I understand that this is Middle Earth and I should not hold it upto modern standards for representation and diversity. In fact, I'm not disappointed, just making a mere observation.
I feel like I've only talked shit about the book so far. That's unfair. It's equally as well written as its predecessor, very engaging at some parts and thoroughly enjoyable. I've said it in my previous review and I'll shout it from the rooftops again,
LOtR has the most amazing, sweetest characters ever!!
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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? No
4.5
Finished the movies a few days ago and decided that my life needs more Aragorn (who doesn't?) so here I am.
I've been avoiding reading LoTR for a long time as I was under the impression that you need to possess some Shakespeare level English skills to understand it. But, I found the language to be surprisingly accessible.
I am the kind of person who most often doesn't care much about the world building. I don't want to read three pages about a cool tree, just give me a grounded story that highlights the complexities of humanity and I'd be content. That's another reason I'd been avoiding this book. And I was proven wrong again.
LoTR has the most humane, lovable and loyal characters ever. Not that I don't love morally ambiguous or dark protagonists, but it's just so heartwarming to see all these people helping each other out in tough times not expecting anything in return. (I'd call it an anti-Fight Club experience!)
I've been avoiding reading LoTR for a long time as I was under the impression that you need to possess some Shakespeare level English skills to understand it. But, I found the language to be surprisingly accessible.
I am the kind of person who most often doesn't care much about the world building. I don't want to read three pages about a cool tree, just give me a grounded story that highlights the complexities of humanity and I'd be content. That's another reason I'd been avoiding this book. And I was proven wrong again.
LoTR has the most humane, lovable and loyal characters ever. Not that I don't love morally ambiguous or dark protagonists, but it's just so heartwarming to see all these people helping each other out in tough times not expecting anything in return. (I'd call it an anti-Fight Club experience!)
All in all, this is a near perfect book and I am going to read The Two Towers soon.
The Trial by Franz Kafka
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.0
When I read the premise of this book, I expected a story where the protagonist does not know what he is accused of and tries frantically to do something about his situation. But, I was disappointed and I don't blame the book for it. I was really frustrated by the passive nature with which K. treated his trial. I mean, if the accused doesn't care, why should I?
The story had a lot of scenes which I found to be rather pointless and boring (intentional?). I'm sure a lot of people disagree with me (Hell! Even I want to disagree with myself!) but I don't think there's anything 'genius' in here. The only saving grace is the ending. I had read a lot of reviews raving about it, so that's the only reason I didn't give up reading it further. I'm glad I waited because that's the best (and most impactful) part of the book.
(It took me almost the same time to finish this 200 page book as it did to finish 1000 pages long Anna Karenina.)
The story had a lot of scenes which I found to be rather pointless and boring (intentional?). I'm sure a lot of people disagree with me (Hell! Even I want to disagree with myself!) but I don't think there's anything 'genius' in here. The only saving grace is the ending. I had read a lot of reviews raving about it, so that's the only reason I didn't give up reading it further. I'm glad I waited because that's the best (and most impactful) part of the book.
(It took me almost the same time to finish this 200 page book as it did to finish 1000 pages long Anna Karenina.)