simonator's reviews
176 reviews

Considerations on Western Marxism by Perry Anderson

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5.0

The Last Days of New Paris by China Miéville

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adventurous mysterious sad tense medium-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

2.5

The writing somehow very tough to read. Very heady and intellectualised setting, though creative. Couldn't be quite brought to care. 
Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Non-monogamy by Jessica Fern

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informative inspiring reflective

3.75

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell

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challenging hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

The Autobiography of a Sexually Emancipated Communist Woman by Alexandra Kollontai

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informative inspiring fast-paced

2.0

Far too short and superficial to be a truly useful source or provide political insight. An interesting life nonetheless.
The City & The City by China Miéville

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adventurous tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Cool premise, nice world-building, satisfying plot development. 
Somehow, Mieville's writing is a log to follow sometimes... the minutiae of events is tiring. The characters remain fair faceless. 
Samson und Nadjeschda: Roman by Andrey Kurkov

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adventurous funny informative fast-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

1.5

Der lokale Einblick in die Zeit bzw. in die gefärbte Wahrnehmung des Autors in die Zeit, ist grundsätzlich interessant. Aber für so eine politische Zeit voller Klassen- und Kriegskonflikte bleibt die Erzählung irgendwie trotzdem unpolitisch und übernimmt ohne Erweiterung den beschränkten Blick des petit bourgeois Protagonisten Samson. Um Nadjeschda, dem zweiten Namen des Titels, geht es kaum. Der krimihafte Plot bleibt völlig langweilig, die Auflösung unfassbar enttäuschend. 
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

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emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

JaCobin Magazin: Im Kaufhaus der Religionen by

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funny informative inspiring

2.75

Einige gute Essays, andere fühlen sich oberflächlich und als ob in Eile geschrieben an.
Fictions of Financialization: Rethinking Speculation, Exploitation and Twenty-First-Century Capitalism by Nick Bernards

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informative

5.0

Very smart, clear eyed critique of finacialisation. 
In my view, the 'power bloc' of finance still matters importantly but this is a great challenge to both Leninist and more recent Post-Keynesian positions.