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maia313's reviews
38 reviews
Wind/Pinball by Haruki Murakami
reflective
relaxing
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Interesting to read the first Murakami work as a fan. Read this last in the rat trilogy which kept my interest going- well written and enjoyed it but too much of 'nothing happens' for me personally.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
Watched the film first, but read this having forgotten most of the plot. Engagingly written, really interesting to have it from the perspective of Tom. <Spoiler> The only thing is I would have liked the ending to feel a bit more complete- I felt I was waiting for more of a resolution or for everything to stop being so easy for Tom Ripley! <Spoiler>
Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book. After reading AWSC I thought this lead on perfectly- I wouldn't advise reading this first. I agree that it was perhaps one of the more 'aimless' books, but I felt that the threads of connection held up. It felt like a literary journey through a huge web. Sometimes with Murakami the characters don't feel especially real or distinct, but I found these characters and the protagonist really intriguing. The only thing I will say is that although I enjoyed the different threads connecting as they felt like being lead down a path, I would have perhaps liked a couple of them to be 'tied up' more. Probably one of my favourite Murakami works.
A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
Stuck between ratings. The first half, although I enjoyed it, I felt was too slow, not enough happened. The second half was where I felt the plot began, and then on I finished it decently quickly. The second half was a perfect typical Murakami, I found it really intriguing and beautifully written-some interesting plot twists too. As always with Murakami, I will say that I wish a couple of things were answered in a little more detail. The first half gets 2/5 whilst the second gets 4/5. But after finishing, my enjoyment of the later half overrides the rest, and I'm very much looking forward to starting Dance Dance Dance.
The Laugh of the Medusa by Hélène Cixous
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
"I too, overflow" section of this essay was one of the best, most thought-provoking pieces of writing I've read in a while and certainly the most so out of the writings I've read for uni.
Paradise Lost Books 1 and 2 by John Milton
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Read for university. Work is needed to understand, a really rich text- but is worth it. Really enjoyed studying this, especially the presentation of Satan in this book I found really interesting. Valuable to study!
Roxana by Daniel Defoe
reflective
medium-paced
2.25
Read for university. I found the theory of this book interesting, I enjoyed studying it- more than I did reading! Seems slow at some point. Interesting to look at as one of the first novels, topics including feminism etc, but not a book I would choose to read for pleasure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
First read this for my A-Levels, then again at university. A really interesting text, good to read and study. Can see the influence on Shakespeare, decently easy to understand!!
Normal People by Sally Rooney
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The style this book was written in took me a while to get used to- very fast paced, with a chapter skipping months ahead at a time, with many flashbacks in-between, and no speech marks. However once it grew on me, it really makes the book, making it easy to read quickly and hard to put down- a few days after starting it I finished in a 3hr sitting, which I find hard to do with most books! I liked the characters, the book can almost be read as a long character study, and how it explores class and social standings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide