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its_naman's reviews
100 reviews
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Beautifully written, this is just not the right time to read it
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
tense
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
4.5
May the odds be in your favour
Having watched the movie before, I've been avoiding to read this book for years. I finally read it when I found it was the only decent book in a university library I was visiting. I should've read it way earlier because I was missing out on such a good story!!
In my opinion, the book does a lot better job to capture the characters' emotions, the violence, the conflict inside Katniss - can she trust 'the boy with the bread' or is he a wolf in sheep's clothing scheming against her while playing innocent?
I sure as hell wasn't ready for the sheer bloodbath and brutality of the games. Nothing could have prepared me forCato's death. It's going to stay with me for a while, unnerving me whenever I think of it.
If, like me previously, you think that the books don't have anything new to offer, trust me you'll be proven wrong. It's a fast paced, bloody story that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. Give it a chance!
In my opinion, the book does a lot better job to capture the characters' emotions, the violence, the conflict inside Katniss - can she trust 'the boy with the bread' or is he a wolf in sheep's clothing scheming against her while playing innocent?
I sure as hell wasn't ready for the sheer bloodbath and brutality of the games. Nothing could have prepared me for
If, like me previously, you think that the books don't have anything new to offer, trust me you'll be proven wrong. It's a fast paced, bloody story that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. Give it a chance!
Endgame by Samuel Beckett
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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? No
2.25
I don't know what I just read
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Edit 6/11/24: Before today, I saw this book as a work of fiction. But today with US election results, I've changed my view and increased my rating. Reading the announcement, this was the first book that came to my mind and I was like, holy shit I can't believe it's happening for real. This is what banning books and lack of education gets you. So called 'superpower' and 'first world nation' did not choose to protect its women and minorities. It's like I'm living in the Middle ages. The world is a depressing place.
...........…..............................................................
The President and the whole Congress is dead. The Army has taken over the country and abolished the constitution. Women are reduced to caretakers and baby making machines. Any violation or criticism against the 'government' leads to disastrous consequences.
The Handmaid's Tale was an uncomfortable read as a lot of it mirrors the condition of women in many countries. I loved the protagonist, Ofwarren. I love her descent from an independent, free woman to someone who gave up her cause for human desires.
However, the plot lacked a sense of urgency and tension which I expected having read dystopias like 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. The message in them got across very effectively because they were really brutal. Everytime our protagonist goes against the rules, your heart drops for a moment . You are scared and can't wait to know what consequences this could have for her. But, to my disappointment, everything seemed a little.. lenient. I know this is a controversial take. A lot of vile things happen throughout the story, just not upto the extent I'm used to. Probably, this is a good thing. It shows that you can't take away from humans what they inherently are..
All the same, what I'm asking for is more suffering. Something that makes my stomach turn, makes me feel sick with disgust. You could see a glimpse of it whenOfglen repeatedly kicks the supposed rapist in the head just so she could put an end to his misery and then kills herself. This was the most chilling excerpt I've encountered in this book. I feel like it could've been a lot better if there were more instances like this.
Overall, I think this is a pretty decent feminist story. I know a lot of people will appreciate it more than I do so you should totally give it a chance.
...........…..............................................................
The President and the whole Congress is dead. The Army has taken over the country and abolished the constitution. Women are reduced to caretakers and baby making machines. Any violation or criticism against the 'government' leads to disastrous consequences.
The Handmaid's Tale was an uncomfortable read as a lot of it mirrors the condition of women in many countries. I loved the protagonist, Ofwarren. I love her descent from an independent, free woman to someone who gave up her cause for human desires.
However, the plot lacked a sense of urgency and tension which I expected having read dystopias like 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. The message in them got across very effectively because they were really brutal. Everytime our protagonist goes against the rules, your heart drops for a moment . You are scared and can't wait to know what consequences this could have for her. But, to my disappointment, everything seemed a little.. lenient. I know this is a controversial take. A lot of vile things happen throughout the story, just not upto the extent I'm used to. Probably, this is a good thing. It shows that you can't take away from humans what they inherently are..
All the same, what I'm asking for is more suffering. Something that makes my stomach turn, makes me feel sick with disgust. You could see a glimpse of it when
Overall, I think this is a pretty decent feminist story. I know a lot of people will appreciate it more than I do so you should totally give it a chance.
The Meek One by Fyodor Dostoevsky
This is a story about a pawnbroker who marries a poor girl just so he could prevent her abusive aunts from getting her married into a bad household. However, our protagonist is less than generous with his love, and slowly their relationship starts to fall apart..
This is definitely the most interesting piece of Russian Literature I've read so far. It is surprising how in so less time, I was able to connect with the characters, root for them, empathize with them.. something The Turn of the Screw, my previous read, failed to do.
The characters were well written, the plot never dragged and the relationship is sophisticated.. This was a worthwhile read
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a story about a pawnbroker who marries a poor girl just so he could prevent her abusive aunts from getting her married into a bad household. However, our protagonist is less than generous with his love, and slowly their relationship starts to fall apart..
This is definitely the most interesting piece of Russian Literature I've read so far. It is surprising how in so less time, I was able to connect with the characters, root for them, empathize with them.. something The Turn of the Screw, my previous read, failed to do.
The characters were well written, the plot never dragged and the relationship is sophisticated.. This was a worthwhile read
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
dark
mysterious
tense
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
2.75
Given how popular its author is, I had a lot of expectations from this book. They weren't met.
Firstly, I think the book dragged a little too much which is surprising taking into consideration its length. Secondly, I felt no attactchment with the characters. Again, this could be due to its length.
But my main problem arises with the supernatural elements.
The ghosts (who may or may not be present) don't actually do anything scary, they just stand there in front of our protagonist and stare and stare and stare.. this was terrifying at first but got old real quick. In fact, I started to find it kinda funny.
Overall, though I found it to be scary at first, I don't think this is something that will make it difficult for you to go out at night to pee.
Firstly, I think the book dragged a little too much which is surprising taking into consideration its length. Secondly, I felt no attactchment with the characters. Again, this could be due to its length.
But my main problem arises with the supernatural elements.
Overall, though I found it to be scary at first, I don't think this is something that will make it difficult for you to go out at night to pee.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Going into this book, I thought it's going to be one of those unconventional-lovers-fight-the-society-for-their-love-and-conquer-all kind of stories. Well, it was like this, but only upto a certain extent.
Anna and Vronsky DID fight for each other, but slowly they grow tired and instead fight with each other. I found relationship's downfall to be the most realistic aspect in the entire story .
And don't let the name of the book befool you. I'm actually surprised that this is called Anna Karenina and not Anna Karenina, Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin and others. This story involves a LOT of people, especially Levin, who doesn't feel like a side character at all.In fact, I believe he's actually there to provide a contrast to Anna's life...? He gives up the hope of marriage, but finally manages to get Kitty, has a conventional marriage which turns out to be a success despite initial struggles, unlike Anna's, whose newfound love didn't seem to last very long. He also has a starkly different ending turning into a faithful, happy Christian in contrast to Anna who dies a ehm.. 'sinner'.
Now, to the most disappointing part - Anna's death. This was such a letdown for me. When you spend so much time reading about the titular character, following their story, empathizing with them despite knowing what they did is, in some way, wrong, you expect their death is going to be heart wrenching. But that was not the case, atleast for me. After her death, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the news to reach Vronsky, waiting for how he'll react, waiting how others will take it. But instead, immediately after, I had to read like 10 pages about Levin's stupid brother's book who I cared nothing about.
The part where Sergey (Levin's brother) meets Vronsky was excellent, though. I wished for more closure, but I'm satisfied with what I got.
And then, we cut to Levin who, for the life of him, can't get himself to believe God. And for the next several chapters we follow him unexpectedly gaining it. Well enough. But I think ending the story on a hopeful note with Levin kinda ruined the impact of Anna's death for me. In fact, it felt like there was no impact whatsoever.
So, was reading this almost 1000 pages long book which took me a month to finish and set me behind my reading goal by almost 3 books worth it? I'll say it was. I may be disappointed in the ending, but I love how Tolstoy handled the characters, how he made me sympathize with an 'immoral woman', how he managed to present the complexities of a relationship so well. Go read it if you're patient enough.
And don't let the name of the book befool you. I'm actually surprised that this is called Anna Karenina and not Anna Karenina, Konstantin Dmitrievitch Levin and others. This story involves a LOT of people, especially Levin, who doesn't feel like a side character at all.
The part where Sergey (Levin's brother) meets Vronsky was excellent, though. I wished for more closure, but I'm satisfied with what I got.
And then, we cut to Levin who, for the life of him, can't get himself to believe God. And for the next several chapters we follow him unexpectedly gaining it. Well enough. But I think ending the story on a hopeful note with Levin kinda ruined the impact of Anna's death for me. In fact, it felt like there was no impact whatsoever.
So, was reading this almost 1000 pages long book which took me a month to finish and set me behind my reading goal by almost 3 books worth it? I'll say it was. I may be disappointed in the ending, but I love how Tolstoy handled the characters, how he made me sympathize with an 'immoral woman', how he managed to present the complexities of a relationship so well. Go read it if you're patient enough.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Dragged in the beginning, hooked me at the end. This book is a lot tense than I imagined. And I think I'm going to need a reread because I haven't really processed it.
Edit: Just read an explanation and OH MY GOD
Edit: Just read an explanation and OH MY GOD
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
At first I was like, how could anyone have not seen this coming but then..
On a side note, while I did find some parts of this book disturbing and hopeless, I didn't feel anything as intense as people on Goodreads. So does that mean I'm a psychopath or are they exaggerating?
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
On a side note, while I did find some parts of this book disturbing and hopeless, I didn't feel anything as intense as people on Goodreads. So does that mean I'm a psychopath or are they exaggerating?
The Long Walk by Stephen King, Richard Bachman
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is one of the most uncomfortable books I've read in a long time