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sullyisreading's reviews
71 reviews
Carrie by Stephen King
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story has been recommended countless times by my partner, so I'm glad I did read it. Went through the whole thing in under 24hours, and it's been a while since I've been left so affected by a book. I can understand how this book came to be and see what it says plainly and it brings a painful sadness to me. It's beautiful and despicably true to life.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This year has been good for me finding books that I've absolutely loved. I wasn't sure what to expect from the book but I ended up loving every moment. The prose was a style of descriptive that I feel isn't quite appreciated anymore. My only wish could be that the ending was drawn out a little more, but I always say it's better to have been left wanting more.
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Hamnet had some good ideas. Ultimately though it couldn't keep me engaged, which is not necessarily its own fault.
Memoirs Found in a Bathtub by Stanisław Lem
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Some of Stanislaw's stories can be long and sometimes hard to read through, owing using to clunky writing - the fault of the translator? Who's to say. This story however does not have that issue, in fact, this may be his best flowing story I've read as of yet (and I've gone through a solid number of his stories by now, check my other reviews for proof).
The story is charming, clever, funny, bizarre, and captures a certain charm that is seen in modern media even today, I believe. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading something very different to what they're used to. My only criticism is held for the beginning's prologue - it is easily the hardest bit of reading done throughout the whole story.
The story is charming, clever, funny, bizarre, and captures a certain charm that is seen in modern media even today, I believe. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading something very different to what they're used to. My only criticism is held for the beginning's prologue - it is easily the hardest bit of reading done throughout the whole story.
The Conquest of Violence: an Essay on War and Revolution (The Libertarian Critique) by Bart De Ligt, Peter van den Dungen
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
An absolute must-read. Even today, almost 100 years later, you see how politics has evolved in the worst ways possible from the point in time which Bart De Ligt wrote.
Japanese Ghost Stories by Lafcadio Hearn
informative
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The book was a fast and enjoyable read. The range of stories was diverse and I feel illuminated many sides of Japanese culture that have developed since the book was first written - in terms of Junji Ito's stories for instance, you can draw parallels from these classic Japanese tales to the modern day. Great stuff.
Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was my second time reading this story, and I still love it to pieces. My only criticism is it's ending, very abrupt and out of nowhere, wrapped up in a way that left me questioning why it was done in such a fashion. Otherwise, the rest of the book is worthy of 5 stars.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Philip K. Dick is an absolutely impressive writer. This is the second book of his I read, and honestly, after loving the movie for so long and reading the book, I'm all the more glad to say I found both versions of the story incredible. The differences are a little startling but at the same time, refreshing on either end.
I liked the focus on Android-life that the story had. In the movie, it felt rather vague, never quite shown off like it was in the book. That makes sense. Loved it.
I liked the focus on Android-life that the story had. In the movie, it felt rather vague, never quite shown off like it was in the book. That makes sense. Loved it.
Tales of Pirx the Pilot by Stanisław Lem
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's not my favourite of Stanislaw Lem's books. That's mainly due to how it's written - whether it's the translator's interpretation or Lem's writing, his prose often turned out too long for my personal liking. That's not to say it's bad, but I felt it dragged in ways that more modern literature avoids nowadays.
The quality of the stories as always are gold. I do like Lem's storytelling, he lays things out very plainly and let's the reader gather the pieces to figure out what's going on. My number one favourite story from the collection was 'Terminus', which from other reviews I've read, seems to be the consensus.
What is it with sad robot stories? As a writer, I think I need to get on that too.
The quality of the stories as always are gold. I do like Lem's storytelling, he lays things out very plainly and let's the reader gather the pieces to figure out what's going on. My number one favourite story from the collection was 'Terminus', which from other reviews I've read, seems to be the consensus.
What is it with sad robot stories? As a writer, I think I need to get on that too.
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The whole novel was deeply fascinating for me. There were a couple of simple errors that must have slipped through the translation and editing phase, but nothing distracting.
At the end of the day, who truly dislikes Butter?
At the end of the day, who truly dislikes Butter?