melc's reviews
1236 reviews

The Proof of My Innocence by Jonathan Coe

Go to review page

challenging funny informative mysterious reflective medium-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

Jonathan Coe is so clever - he writes thoroughly entertaining books, of seemingly any genre he chooses to turn his hand to, woven with acute political and social insights.

This novel was very meta, with a book within a book structure, riffing with murder mystery, dark academia and autofiction genres.

The commentary on right wing extreme Conservatism and it's relationship with flagship educational institutions was terrifying.

Above all I enjoy Coe's accurate, insightful descriptions of people and society and the backdrop of Liz Truss's brief leadership and the death of Queen Elizabeth were very well drawn.

This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
The Stopping Places: A Journey Through Gypsy Britain by Damian Le Bas

Go to review page

informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Fire by John Boyne

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is by far the most shocking book so far in the Elements quartet. The series explores the impact of sexual abuse from interesting and surprising angles and this novel goes to entirely new dark and twisted places. This is really tough and upsetting to read. But this is not gratuitous, as Boyne explores evil and whether it is born with a person or caused by trauma inflicted on them. I enjoyed the way Boyne plays with who society expects to be good and bad and how these labels are exactly what can help an abuser hide in plain sight. This quartet is intelligent and thought-provoking and I look forward to the final novel, Air.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

The characters in this novel are richly drawn and nuanced. Erdrich reminds me of Elizabeth Strout in the way she can build a small town community with so much warmth, sensitivity and depth.

This book explored themes of overreliance - on the land, on other people and on ideals which are outdated, harmful and irrelevant. There is beauty in Erdrich's non-judgemental writing style and gentle thought-provoking prose. Although she doesn't pull back when it comes to shocking deep emotions either.

I enjoyed this and feel it will stay with me - a sign of a great book.
A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

Go to review page

hopeful 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

There was a lot to like about this novel. The insights into failings within families, the sensitive psychological portrayals of the minds of the characters and the tension of the moments of conflict.

But for me the structure didn't work and the writing style had no propulsion. I was disorientated by the jumping around in time as Mirza didn't provide the reader with enough of a compass. The unraveling of the dysfunctionality of this family was slow and repetitive. For some reason I didn't really connect with the characters and therefore didn't really care enough.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There is no doubt that this book is incredible. A great adventure with a huge amount to say about the human condition. But the melodrama became tiring at times for me and spoilt my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World by Malcolm Gaskill

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Should have been interesting but I found it too dry, dense and dull.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
There were beautiful sentences in this novel. But also groaningly awful, particularly in Flanagan's descriptions of women. Dislikeable protagonist. Found the jumpy prose really hard to wade through. Plus no speech marks. Having read the low star reviews I've decided this book will not improve for me.
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious relaxing 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? No

3.0