Owl Manor - the Final Stroke: Book 3 of the Owl Manor Gothic Suspense Trilogy (Zita Harrison)

 

The good thing about trying to read different genres is that it widens my preference, which means there are more books to like and read.

This book works well as a standalone; it’s a complete story and doesn’t rely on the predecessor. Readers are soon immersed in the settings and backgrounds, where we read the story from three different points of view. It’s a curious mixture between first person and third person, but it works for the content and experience as we follow one main character more than the rest.

From the patient progression of the plot, we see the character interacting and changing. I appreciate the patient story-telling, especially when it is captivating, like this book. However, it is concluded in the ending that I personally feel is too rushed. It’s contradictory that we learn about almost everything in detail at the beginning, middle, and near the end, but there are many things left unanswered at the very end. It tries hard to protect and detour readers from the actual killer, but it ends up unexplained.

Continue to spoiler review

What did Rachel and Cecil do, and why did they follow the last victim?

Why Bradstone affects Rachel that much if she is not his ‘vessel’?

So Cecil’s only motives are money and lust?

If everyone is affected that Bradstone brings up the worst in them, it’s unclear, even though it was discussed briefly. It’s also curious that some seem unaffected, and some are affected very badly. Gabriel remains logical and heroic, while Cecil is the reincarnation of evil. The level differs between the women, servants, and guests too. That could be intentional, but it would be great if the conclusion were more evident.

The book is beautifully written, especially on the art of painting. It brings me back to the rich era, and I secretly wish there were illustrations that accompany the book.

4 out of 5 stars

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KA,AZULA (Black Hole Radio #3) Ann Birdgenaw

Initially, I felt short-changed because I didn't realize this was the third book. It mentioned events that happened previously that I knew very little about, and the relationships between friends are not fleshed out in this book. It makes sense when I found out.

Growing up, I loved to read Enid Blyton's book, which continued until I was an adult. It sent me places and carried me through adventures I didn't get in real life. Personally, I prefer realism, especially in children's story than trying to imagine a group of kids going through life-threatening situations with skills that are quite a stretch for me to believe (not the 'gifted' ability—that works in the story—but things such as driving like Fast and Furious expert and shooting like John Wick). 

The basketball, school, and ordinary life scenes felt detached from the other two-thirds of the book when they visited the other world. It would be great if there were more relationships between these two parts or some continuation when they return for a bit.

For the characters, it's quite hard to get their age and distinction. Sometimes they speak like adults, and sometimes like children. There are also fewer unique personalities to each of them, but I give it the benefit of the doubt that they are reflected in earlier books. There is excessive use of high-fives that they feel forced to remind the readers that they are kids instead of working it into consistent conversation styles or other ways. 

I like the imagination of the world, the bluest blue, and the meaning that anyone can bring home. I can relate to not knowing that we are different if not for others who make a big deal out of it. The author makes it simple; everyone is open-minded. It's on the contrary in real life, but it works for children's books, and hey, actually, it should work in real-life too! I think it's an excellent message; it just feels a bit too preachy at the end. The earlier and subtle indication works much better, imho.

I round this up for the benefit of the doubt that many issues I have are addressed in the earlier book.

3.5 Random Alien Candies out of 5 Azulizard Sausages

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Talking to a Praying Mantis (Francis T Crowley)

 

The book starts right away with an engaging scene. We are introduced to a man's predicament, with him not really remembering how he got into that situation. It then methodically pulls back to his past and gives us some understanding of what he is doing.

It's an easy read and difficult to put down. We get inside this character's head, justifying his actions and reasoning. The character shouldn't be likable; he is selfish, as we are told about how he slowly destroys his life and those around him. But despite all his shortcomings, I want to read on and, at no point, feel that he is irredeemable. It's not easy, but I think the author managed to do it.

The level of knowledge about the processes and experiences convince me that this is a well-research book or told from actual experience. It's scary to see how one could somehow lose that much control of his life, and just like every real-life struggle, the cure should start within that person. If this is non-fiction, I am very happy about the recovery. The character is fortunate; not everyone has that level of support system, especially financially. Many would fall back into the abyss because of desperation and difficulty.

The book opens my eyes to the struggle and difficulty of getting out of addiction. The book's conclusion is long, but in this case, I think it's fitting. It's beautifully told and believable. So to whoever is making an effort, remember your inner praying mantis even if you don't have that level of support system. You are the first one you should count on.

5 Praying Mantises out of 5 Mission Barcelonas

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Below Torrential Hill (Jonathan Koven)

I am not familiar with this coming-of-age genre; this is my first experience with it.

Possible spoiler

Below Torrential Hill is a story about the personal struggles of Tristen. This protagonist tries to make sense of everything as we enter his mind, feeling his despair, confusion, helplessness, sorrow, hope, denial, and alcoholism.

Personally, reading between the lines of rich and imaginative language is not my cup of tea. The flow of the story is very descriptive and imaginative,  but I am often left to ponder, 'what do I get from this scene?' And there are times when I struggle to differentiate whether the character actually experiences what he describes or is it just another metaphor, especially when things start to detour, and the line between imagination is blurred. However, this style is appreciated by many, and it is fitting for this genre, too, especially when the reality blur is intentional. If readers are looking for this, you are in for a treat because the writing style is very creative and expressive.

There are also some not too/way too distinctive subjects/characters that sometimes it isn't easy to figure out who is talking. For example, when there are only two characters, a male and female, or when there is only one character, the name is being used repeatedly instead of referring to them as he and she. However, when there are two male characters, sometimes it needs to be clarified who is talking, especially when the conversations from two speakers are put in the same paragraph.

I wish there were more balance between the struggle and the conclusion. I feel like we are in the mud for 85-90% of the book, and the leftover is insufficient for the optimistic conclusion, mainly because, along the way, we touch a lot of disturbing things that are not adequately explored. Abusive parents, domestic violence, a possible murder (?), and I wish we know more about Lave's character because he plays a significant role in the conclusion.

Round up the star for the creativity of involving readers in the character's struggle.

3.5 makeshift trees of out 5 Christmases

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Starlie's Legacy from Tragedy to Triumph

I am trying to figure out how to review this book.

Spoiler review

The title of this book is Starlie's Legacy from Tragedy to Triumph.

It starts with a beautiful introduction about Starlie, who she was, and a brief history of her impact on her loved ones' lives. We get a powerful foreword, and I like her instantly, reminding me about many influential people I look up to in my life.

The introduction ends with: Some of the stories in this book may seem unrelated to her, but none of these stories would have been possible if it hadn't been for the most courageous actions taken by Starlie when she was a mere child. 

This is her story and legacy.

The story starts with a very captivating first chapter. None of the characters or event mention Starlie, but when I continued to the powerful second chapter, everything became clearer, and I was mesmerized. It has a solid connection to the first chapter. I like the way it intertwines and introduces the book; it's perfect. Together with the subsequent four chapters, they create a poignant story that connects me to the characters, makes me feel for them, and captivates me to no end.

And then comes chapter 6 and the rest. I read through them with great interest thinking about how and what powerful connections they have to Starlie. I read through stories about new and different characters, learned dozens of new names, and as the chapters came and went, I only found some little mentions about Starlie in a few sentences.

Let me be clear here. In the book titled Starlie's Legacy, there are a total of 5 chapters about Starlie, direct and indirect, but they clearly set a strong story about Starlie.

The stories are about everybody else in the whopping subsequent 13 chapters (there are 18 chapters in the book). As mentioned, besides a few sentences thrown here and there, they are not about Starlie anymore.

- There are five chapters of the new characters' love story and Hurricane Katrina, and until now, I am still determining the connection, if any, except the setting. I wonder why these people are taking up the same number of chapters as the titular character. I learned nothing about any possible influence of wisdom connected to Starlie.

- There is one chapter about another character dealing with war PTSD. The author, the son of Starlie, knows this character personally, but that is all.

- Six chapters about the author's family life and people who are close to them but not Starlie. Although there are glitters of Starlie's wisdom, there is only one chapter that explores it (The Help) in deeper meaning about her impact, while the other five chapters are about the author's life that are weirdly put together: a brief vacation story, a concert story, a cruise story, English teacher story, and one chapter about some ghostly experience that doesn't seem to mean anything.

- The last chapter, one maddening chapter about the Romanian Rebel (?). I was suddenly thrown into a political essay about more things than I remember. East and West, the United States and the Soviet Union, Berlin Wall. There is a plethora of names and societies, people that the author met, and their stories are mixed together in this chapter.

A quote: ...because we are celebrating thirty years since the Romanian Revolution of December 1989 these days, considering the fact that the historical truth must be spread, acknowledged, and above all, respected, I will recount the things I lived, and, particularly, felt those days... and afterward.

But why here, in this book?

This 'I' refers to a character who is not the author, telling pages and pages about this historical truth from the first person point of view and, at many points, mentioning this character's mother.

And... the book ends here!

Entering the second hour I write this review, trying as hard as I can to preserve the wonderful feeling I had at the start of this book. I must be honest that the last chapter is my peak of frustration. I would never ever prepare to read about some political and historical essay from a character that has nothing to do with Starlie, what the book is supposed to be about (I think), in the first point of view, and numerously mention 'my mother' but not Starlie. And all this because the author knows this character. I fail to see the significance of this inclusion to this book. I don't have doubt that this other character and his mother are wonderful people, but what I want to read is the wonderful mother to which the book is dedicated.

IMO, it has nothing to do with the essence of the book, am I the only one who don't look forward to reading something politically heavy when I pick up something that is supposed to be a biography, especially when it has nothing to do with the said person? There is a disclaimer upfront, but I think that there should be at least some stronger correlation to Starlie. Imo, it's even a stretch if this book is written as the author's biography because an enormous chunk of it is about other people. The stories are also disconnected from each other.

- I would rate the first five chapters as 5 stars. It touches me the most. It's hard to read because of its sensitive and traumatizing nature, and I am sure it's even harder to recall and write. It is a very powerful and inspiring story, there are many gems of wisdom, and I think it's impactful.

- Middle chapters about other people. Why are they here? What are their connections? The story won't be possible if not for Starlie being as wide as possible, as anyone's account would not be possible from (insert some major world/local event/ancestor existence). The stories are decent and captivating enough. They could and should be stand-alone. 

- Middle to end chapters about the author. This would work better if this book is about the author although they are jumpy and feel disconnected at times without an apparent red thread connecting the story to make it smoother. The first five chapters would work great, even if this book is about the author.

- Last chapter. It doesn't belong in this book, because of the vastly different kind of content.

It's hard for me to rate this. Dedicating almost three hours to write this review, I want to ensure everyone reading this that I am trying to be as fair as possible, and this review is based only on my own opinion. 

I probably had the wrong expectation, thinking that it's one story (instead of compilation) about the titular character or the family that is closely connected to her.

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DARKWITCH - DRYWOLF #02 (Kat Kinney)

While this second book regales me with the conclusion of the whole story, I don't enjoy it as much as the first one. 

Possibly spoiler

Personally, I think it doesn't hold the same magic and has become quite predictable. The Chosen One trope is too foreseeable, and it has double dose. I have lost count of how many times the main character wanders into the woods or roams around, gets into life-threatening situations, makes it back/recovered/rescued, and repeats as the main plot points for the story to move forward. It's repetitive and becomes apparent when you binge the book. It's also a bit tiresome that the character is thinking and whining about the same thing repeatedly, sometimes being overly dramatic about things that shouldn't have that much foundation to be upset with based on the personality of the character I read from book one.

Unlike the first book, which introduces us more to the world, cultures, and little things that matter, this one relies more on actions that build up the whole book with a reward of a predictable payout while leaving some critical plot points behind. Monkshood is well underplayed and shoved aside after all the importance in the first book. It almost seems like it's too deadly/powerful that the story chooses to ignore it.

Having written all that off my chest, there are still some gems. I enjoy the Gunnar character; although he is the only one who shines in this book, compared to many in the previous. I like that, as in real life, there is something after happily ever after in the first ending, that things are far from rosy, although I don't think it's explored to its potential. The final battle feels like it's coming out of nowhere, not built enough, and some questions are not really answered, especially tallying from how it has evolved from the first book's ending and events/skills/strategy/strength of each side throughout the two books.

Although it's not as strong, or perhaps I compare it too much to the previous book, it's still an entertaining read and provides the story's closure so that I will round the stars up.

3.5 cats tangled in 5 strands of arrogant Nils' hair

Another thing that I like is that despite the book being in YA Paranormal Werewolf, it touches and handles mature subjects well, and there is no point where I think this is mushy and I'm too old to read it. The problems told are relatable to the real world, and there are many respectable and rootable characters.

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Lord of the Flies (William Golding)

 

I had wanted to read this book for a long time, and I wanted to like it. But I don't. It was such a task to read; I think I hate it.

Warning: possibly spoiler

Let me sum it up:

- I have the conch

- You are the hunter

- We need the fire 

- The beast

- Two characters fighting over the chief position

Repeat as necessary.

I get what the book is trying to convey, but I find it hard to root for almost all one-dimensional characters. I don't know them except for a tiny glimpse of their backgrounds. Tiny is not an exaggeration but a generous remark based on a couple of sentences.

But that is not the point, the point is survival.

Yeah? Survival from the everlasting fruit trees and easily hunted pigs. Minimal shelters for what I assume is tropical weather with ocean water being warmer than the air (is it near a volcano?). What kind of fruit trees provide that kind of nourishment for that many kids continuously? I could be wrong, but as far as I know, tropical fruit trees like papaya, coconut, or banana need months or more to bear fruit. Some roots and tubers are faster, but they are not trees and still need months. See how they fare from a swarm of hungry kids who don't know how to replant them.

I joined several survival expeditions when I was younger; we had nothing but had to make use of what nature gave us. There was a lake and forest in the area. For a week or more, we had almost nothing to eat despite roaming a great area. The delicious banana we have in the stores are clones, genetically modified bananas. What we found in the wild—after happily imagining roasted or fresh bananas—were full of seeds. There was barely any flesh on them, and they were almost inedible. We could probably munch on ferns or leaves (mentioned in the book but not as food sources), but most of those we tried were bitter. We tried to fish and only yielded a pitiful tiny one. We dug for roots, but most that were sufficient for food sources were planted, not wildly grown, and mostly near human settlements. Snakes and small animals prefer to stay away from us, and medium-sized animals watched from far and decided we were not tasty. Have you tried to corner your dog to get something from it? Imagine trying to corner a wild pig in an open space. Maybe we suck, but we were a small group of young adults with some survival knowledge. Maybe we were at the wrong place, but the point is survival in the wild is damn hard, and the natural elements are no joke. And is there any mention of freshwater sources in the book? That should be the number one thing to worry about.

But the survival detail is not the main point; it is what they become.

Yeah, it's fun when they FINALLY stop bickering and do something (or not, they actually never stop bickering). No, I don't at all condone the animalistic behavior that finally takes place, but at this point, it was almost too late for me. Do something FFS I don't care. Heads should roll for my amusement at this point. I had almost stopped reading and had fallen asleep way too many nights. Yeah, this should show a chilling fact about human nature, and that would be good. But do we see the development of the characters that lead to that? Nope, not internally, besides war paint and bickerings. Cult-like? It was never consistent. On and off, and suddenly, it was a full-blown cult. Is there something supernatural? Hallucination? Probably. But I'm not aware of any hint about it until the titular character shows up in a paragraph, and for the life of me, I'm not even sure what it was. Then it was never mentioned again. GAH. Maybe I'm not sophisticated enough to understand, but I want something more than a pig head with flies that may or may not talk.

And the collective chants and conversations drive me nuts the longer it is in the book. Double name calling, repeat after the others. I get that it's difficult to involve that many characters, but they shouldn't just be a group of talking robots who imitate everything the named characters say.

And the big picture. Nothing? The plane crash is implied, a dead body is finally found, but what?? Why are the boys scattered all over the island without any serious injuries? Where is the wreckage, the adult, whatever hints of memory and recollection? No!

Just repeat after me

- I have the conch

- You are the hunter

- We need the fire 

- The beast

- Two characters fighting over the chief position

I thought of 3 stars, but only because it's a classic.

Then, I wrote this, and I hate it again.

2 talking pig heads out of 5 magical fruit trees.

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DRYWOLF (Kat Kinney)

First of all, I was nervous picking up this book. I knew nothing, literary nothing about werewolves except the eighties TV series, which I only watched for a few minutes. I remember the hideous effect that made it scarier, imprinted in my core memory with running away from a carnival where they pretended to unleash a werewolf. I swear everyone else ran too.

Well, I guess it'd be fair to say that no one actually knows anything about werewolves, but there are at least common ideas about them, right? 

So, it's not my cup of tea in the first place, so are Fantasy/Paranormal/Young Adult/Romance/genres. There are a lot of odds against me liking the book.

When I started, I didn't initially warm up to it and was wary about many torturous nights ahead. It was confusing to me, at first, with many names thrown around with their unfamiliar terms and settings. I didn't know what Proving, Alder, or Dyr are, and a ridiculous image of a wolf carrying a spear in its paw sent a knobby knot on my forehead.

Besides those and the initial alarming sign of what I thought would be a mushy teenager romance-erotica, I persevered through; it was not hard because I found many things that I enjoyed going on reading.

The pace is good. At times it goes very fast, but unless I was dead tired of too many other useless things in my life, I wanted to continue. One of the things that floats my boat is that, even though this is a fantasy, it doesn't use flowery-mundane language or unreasonable names for its genre. I loved the creative descriptions of everything: the scenes, settings, foods, senses, and expressions without overdoing them.

The characters are rootable and believable, I started investing in them around one-third of the book, and besides the initial alarm, the connections of the main protags are earned. There are distinctive enough personalities of important supporting characters, especially the father, which I learned a lot about without having many actual scenes with him in it. I felt Lea's pain, hope, and disappointment. I liked her thinking; it's not always right or good, but it shouldn't have to be.

Several funny moments made me chuckle. I enjoyed how everything unfolds, layer by layer, and thankful that the story and characters are deeper and more realistic. I wish Astrid is revealed more but the little scenes she has are impactful. Too many characters clean under their nails with the point of their knives, but I can't expect them to scratch their backsides while trying to act cool.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's a 4.5 round-up because again, it has the recipe with all ingredients that I don't like but turns me around just for this, for now. This teaches me that there is no reason to shy away from any genre, as again, paranormal young adult fantasy is not something I normally touch with a loooong pole, but I am glad I did. I appreciate the storytelling, the message the story tries to convey using rootable characters. I can almost smell and see the world. I can relate it to problematic human nature through an unusual way to tell it. Maybe not to others, but uncommon for me, a virgin in this genre.

4.5 overgrown dandelion out of 5 furry white rugs

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The Zombie Room (R.D.Ronald)

Three messed-up characters out of five lumps of goo.

Reading this book is like watching Transformer.

Picked based on Goodreads recommendations from my previous reads.

I want to read something different, something more recent, maybe not lighter but less <i>literary</i>. Well, this is not exactly it.

Spoiler review

The book starts off by introducing the four main characters and their backgrounds. I like this part but the changes between characters and scenes feel jumpy because there are barely any transitions (ebook). Each part is brief, maybe to keep readers curious but personally, I prefer it longer, so that I care a bit more for the characters before it switches.

The building of the characters seems promising, with each of them given their own personalities and histories. The book builds them up well enough that I want to know more about them but unfortunately, things go down from there.

When the three characters meet, everything sort of mashed together, especially after they are released from prison and form a ‘working" team. It’s almost like the book forgets each personality’s uniqueness and just lumps them together. 

From there on, one remains quite consistent, quite, but he is obviously nothing more than a plot device. The other two suddenly have the capabilities to do things that are not at all implied previously and make out-of-character decisions. One lousy-low-level con who can’t prevent himself from being locked up because he screws up a simple scam turns into a criminal mastermind with a lot of underground contacts. One sleazy ex-playboy who was locked up because of a rookie mistake turns into a professional persistent hero. 

Their motivations are either weak, no longer there, or questionable, yet they are willing to sacrifice everything. Everything. There are good and great people/characters, but I don’t buy it here.

Hang on. The review is still going down a slippery slope.

From half the book, it turns into Transformer. I use Transformer a lot to explain something that starts off quite intriguing into a mind-numbing attempt of actions with me not caring whatever is going on and whose body is flying now.

When the characters are facing the consequences after going out of prison, there are barely a few paragraphs describing them, and bam. Action. Action. Disbelief? Suspend it!

There is some potential to make a good story by picking one, just one of those sensitive story elements but no, they want it all. However, it feels like being bitten by a mosquito on the sole of my foot. When I scratch it, there is zero satisfaction. It itches more because I am scratching all the surfaces but nothing is getting in.

And don’t get me started with the ending. Sigh. It’s starting. I don’t need a cliche or predictable or complete ending. I am all for ‘we can’t solve everything here.’ But when you do all that character build-ups at the beginning, ignoring and throwing away most of them in the middle to gear up for action, then setting up a conclusive ending through mind-numbing suspension of belief sequence of events, then there should be something. I don’t mind the ending if that is the focus of the story, but it’s not. It’s not!

There are glaring plot holes and mistakes as well. Dummy 101 to magical disguise but addressing a character with his real well-known name, how to impress the final boss in two simple steps, how to make everything seems smart and tricky with confusing sequences and betrayals but it’s a lump of goo, how to put wrong character names and forget unsolved actions because the characters are teleported. In their defense, all of those are not very obvious for those who solely like actions (I am not). And not in their defense: it’s not obvious because the story has turned into a mashed potato that no one notices the inaccurate details.

Okay, one more before I justify my rating. There are at least two notable lengthy explanations between urgent actions. It’s distracting and out of place but I can’t really blame this as writing is very subjective. Some readers prefer that everything is explained, while others prefer to read between the lines.

I lied. One more, the timing is way too linear it misses some opportunities to make the story more interesting. But the main point, IMHO, it botches the characters too much.

I give this a round-up of three stars because while there are many things that tickle me; I appreciate two things.One, there are some rich and imaginative descriptions of settings and actions. Two, although the theme revolves around criminals, sex, and violence, the book stays away from unnecessary scenes and doesn’t let them go further than they should.

It’s not my cup of tea, but some readers might appreciate it.

Three messed-up characters out of five lumps of goo

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REVIEW: Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)

This book is terrifying, because it’s realistic. (more on this on the spoiler)

The author chose unique timeline of telling the story and partial epistolary; we are reading it from two povs, Nick and Amy. Amy’s is a flashback to some time before the current, while Nick’s starts from the current. At one point of the story, the timeline meets and we get to read both povs at the same time.

(There is a good example of concurrent point of view in A Storm of Sword, third book from the series A Song of Ice and Fire, where we read Catelyn and Arya`’s povs back and forth. No spoiler about which event. )

To me, I categorize them into three: Nick, Amy’s Diary, Amy. We are first introduced to Amy through her diary’s entries.

I can’t stand writing a review without spoiling it, because all the good stuff is in there. Personally, I have never read reviews before the book anyway.

Rating: 4 Treasure Hunts out of 5 Anniversaries

So, spoiler ahead.

I live under the rock, but I can't avoid the news sometimes, in fact, I became curious and followed the trial of the century that had just concluded (I hope!) (June 2022). What made me interested is the level of terrifying shenanigans going on and I can't help but comparing it with this book.

Fortunately, I guess, there are few similar perpetrators in real life who have the level of cunning and intelligence like Amy, who always thinks her moves a couple of steps ahead and plans everything to terrifying meticulous details. She is despicable, there is no doubt in it, but it is interesting to read a fabricated point of view and see how she twists reality to fit into her story.

Nick himself, the husband, is someone full of flaws, always making questionable and bad decisions. He is no match for Amy, but to put myself into a character, it's normal not to suspect someone you love to be a batshit psycho. He finally does, but at a terrifying cost and again, making another bad decision.

Although I am not a fan of the ending because personally, I don't think there is something I hate more than manipulation and surrender; IT IS a good ending. And actually, I like the prospect of a sequel more, I'm not sure if it is intended by the author, but there are a lot of things that are weird in this book that would make good sense for the sequel.

• Desi's mom. Her description is, well, quite disturbing, weird! The way she smells ‘vaginal’. What?? It is mentioned on more than one occasion too, and from the screen time that she has, it has to be something, right? Because imo, it is too weird to be a throwaway and designed to raise questions. She seems menacing, intimidating, and potentially a good and promising counter character, but then, nothing in this book. She is reduced to an emotionally crazy woman.

• I want to see how Amy ties the loose ends. By the way she holds grudges, I don't think she would forget Greta and Jeff who wronged her.

• Now that Nick knows who she actually is, regardless of both being the fakes of the fakest, I want to see how they play against each other with their own limitations, now that they know the other better.

• More past t0 surface. Do her parents really that clueless, or do they know but pretend that they don't?

  No one can wear mask all the time, and since I don't care or root for any of the characters, I want to see shit hitting the fan in turbo speed.

  
  

Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro)

 

To me, this book is interesting, it is easy to follow as we dive into the head of the main character.

From the start, there is something odd about it. The way everyone has initials as their last names, the terms used, and the flashbacks.

The story is predictable, there are no spectacular revelations or twists. You can follow around the narration, make your guesses, and peel the story like layers of an onion. It explains everything as if the narrator is speaking with you and try to make you understand from her point of view at particular times. I think far before the end, everything is out in the open. It doesn’t go in the direction that most books feel like they need to go; I think there is a unique charm to it.

It’s thought-provoking, with a flow that makes you want to continue reading.

I give this one 4 Babies out of 5 Norfolks.

Now to spoiler territory. (And spoiler for The Island movie too)

There is a 2005 movie that I like, but it is considered a low-rated movie because the director kind of screwing and focusing on different strengths of the story. It is called The Island. Imo, the main idea itself is very strong, and it creates an intriguing world that is probably close to reality in our future. I would like to add another movie here, The Passenger, in which the same thing happens. They both should be great movies, but Hollywood felt the need to make them bombastic, bang bang, and in the end, they couldn’t conclude them properly. Fortunately, some things remain, and they make me think long after I have watched it. A lot. The ideas themselves leave a lot of impressions.

Since very early in the book, it reminds me of The Island; I know almost instantly that it’s about clones (I checked the year and believe in the early 2000s there were a lot of hypes and shows about cloning).

So it tells the story about Hailsham, some type of Academy where children are reared to become donors. That is their destiny, when they are ready, they give donations until they perish.

I like the book gives it a lot of soul, to make us see it subtly but doesn’t try to mislead the readers. If you expect actions, solutions, or reactions, you will be disappointed. I think that is the charm of this book, instead of turning it into predictable actions or forced conclusions. However, there is a tiny dissatisfaction about it as well, but I can live with that.

So the kids in Hailsham are considered the lucky ones, they get to experience childhoods and lives, before finally becoming carers and donors. Donors to everyone in need (who can afford it I suppose), donors to the actual human. It’s terrifying, really. To put it simply, they are harvested until their death. Some survive two donations, some fours, but most of them need to go to the grueling last stage of their life when they are basically harvested like vegetables. These are implied in the book, and not in so many details, but the writing on the wall is clear. I guess the first donation is something ‘light’ like blood, bone marrow or a kidney, or probably half a liver. The second and above should be something critical and fatal. And the last stage is when you are just alive enough to be harvested until they ‘shut you down’.

It explores the same issue with The Island, but this book offers no solution or way out, which is something I find a tiny bit frustrating, and I wish there are some explanations to help me understand that. I have unanswered questions and curiosity, for example, what is the early life like? Where do they start? Why are they so submissive? They have the knowledge, resources, and enough awareness. Where is flight or fight?

Having said that, I am fine that the book ends the way it is. And if I read deeper, the answer could be implied as well, there could be some tinkering to make them that way, physically or emotionally, like the way they are unable to reproduce. Although many of them have a lot of traits and ideologies, it’s questionable why there are zero attempts, even in thoughts.

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REVIEW: The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)

 

I finally got to read this classic and finished it in two hours. What a ride.

It seems like there is not much to the story about an old man who gets and loses a fish, but there is a lot to unpack, and to me, they are sad and depressing but hopeful at the same time.

Reading this, it brings me back to my memory of the sea (Damn you, Covid!). I have spent a fair amount of time, not as a fisherman, thankfully. 

Like the old man, I also love flying fish on the sides of the boats, that would be the highlight, especially when I was on the low boat and could touch the water by just stretching my hand out, sometimes that silvery creatures would fly so near to the sides, and you wonder when they would get the ability to walk and then they would master the three worlds.

I can feel the breeze of wind, the nauseating movement of the boat, the harshness of the sun and the thin line slicing my hands (good heavens, old man! Use something as gloves! Fabric, anything!) Line-cut is one of the worst, and I don't know what that old man says, but from my personal experience, wounds hardly dry when you continue to expose them to the saltwater. I could have the same wound for a week, and every time it looks better on the land, it would be wet and spread and gets ugly again if you are back to the water in a short period of time. 

The old man mentions the silence at sea, and that is very true in many cases, especially when you observe wild lives like a pod of dolphins or when it's downtime between activities, or when you are waiting for the wind to pick up and move you. Those who love the sea for what it truly is would prefer the silence, but indeed after a while, there could be a need for humming, and in the old man's case, he starts to speak to himself.

He is a lonely old man, and barely has anything but his perseverance and optimism to keep him going, despite the odds and unfortunate luck in his life. He doesn't have anybody except the caring and kind boy. He is no longer young and goes for a very long period of no-fish time. Some people laugh at him, and some look at him with pity. But I wish I had this old man's attitude when I am down and face all life's difficulties. He never breaks his cool. He goes through everything with his experience, foresees what would happen, prepares for them, and he is almost always right. But he is also overconfident and maybe, too phlegmatic? For a seasoned fisherman, he only brings limited water for his trip (although it's arguable that maybe he can't afford anything), but again, gloves, hand band, anything.

A sailor friend told me a tale about them going fishing and met with a fisherman holding on to the line. My friend was in a bigger motorized 'proper fishing boat (not commercial kind), and they agreed to buy the 'almost catch' from that fisherman, who had been holding on for ten hours. Just like the old man, it is a delicate fight just between that fisherman and the fish, at the end of the line was a 90 kilograms tuna. It's probably not easy to understand why sometimes we risk everything to get the prize that we might or might not be able to secure, but I believe something would kick in when you have worked so hard for it. It's almost there. Never give up. We need that. We have sacrificed so much. It's a good mantra, but sometimes it's risky and borderline dangerous as well.

The one in the story is a much bigger marlin, and even though I love sharks, it pains me to read how it is snatched bit by bit by them. Eventually, after all the fights, nights and days, the old man gives up, but he still manages to bring home the remains of his journey, pay his gratitude and prove that he is still worthy. It is not only the boy who misses him, but a lot of people have searched for him and are curious about his welfare. I don't know what to make about the ending, but I would just conclude that as a happy one, I refuse any other endings. 

Rating: 4 Lions out of 5 Beaches

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REVIEW: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

I really don't know how to rate this book. It is written under very specific circumstances, and the author didn't even know that one day, it would be out there as a witness of such a dark history.

Can you imagine living in Anne Frank's world? Unfortunately, there are people who experience it, even in this modern time. Robbed from your right to exist and constantly living in fear, hiding like hunted preys with the very little thing you have.

When the world went into quarantine in 2020, people were bitching about being in 'jail,' not getting their haircuts and crying about rights. There are real depression and loneliness out there, but for many, it was just a circus to show how privileged and how common sense is actually not that common. 

It was disappointing, and as I read somewhere, we need to apologize to those ridiculous horror movie creators when we berate them for making their characters so dumb in certain situations because apparently, it is realistic.

Back to Anna Frank, I can't imagine her life. I'm an introvert, and I do quarantine and social distancing before it is necessary. I live in my head, and there are a lot of entertainments there, but I can't imagine living in such a confined place and in fear that way without a good justification about why my right to live is not the same as yours and why human beings, who look like me, can be so destructive and cruel. 

Those few pages that we read are probably a couple of pieces of paper that kept her sanity. And the most frustrating situation out there is that even though it exists under different 'brands', genocide still happens, on small or bigger scales. That slogan 'Never Again', not everyone gets the memo as long as it doesn't fit their agenda.

Humans are exhausting.

REVIEW: Animal Farm (George Orwell)

I finally got to read Animal Farm after accidentally reading 1984 a couple of days earlier.

And finally, there are pigs.

In many ways, Animal Farm sends similar messages to 1984, although it is presented differently and emphasized from different angles. They are both depressing. While 1984 is overwhelmingly a world I wouldn't survive for even a day, Animal Farm is sort of limited by the characters, although they are adequate enough to represent many. The slacker and sneaky cats, the loyal dogs, intelligent pigs, hardworking horses, and the sheep! Holy carbonara, the sheep! From now on, if I want to quiet someone annoying who talks too much without a brake, I will bleat for fifteen minutes.

And that is the moral of the story, no? NO!

I am aware it was a controversial book at its time, it was rejected even though there was a book shortage, I quote, "which ensures that anything describable as a book will "sell" (hey, every cloud has a silver lining, sounds like a much better time to be an author!).

The book starts with wisdom, a rebellion idea from a pig named Major, who has made intelligent observations that animals would be better off without humans. The animals rebel and take control of the farm. They manage to come up with seven commandments, and of course, suspension of disbelief is needed: everything is working well.

Until the power struggle.

The story has everything: power struggle, unfairness, cheating, dictatorship, social division, hypocrisy, political bullshit, lies, lies, lies. It is great to send ideas in the form of an entertaining and simple story, yet it packs a lot of meaning into them.

One of the best scenes is the pig parade, I imagine spooky music with a dark background against the moon when the parade of two-legged pigs happens and the bright house casts long shadows as they walk by.

Like 1984, this book reminds me a lot of the current situation in North Korea. No freedom of speech, fact manipulations, dictator figures that you have to worship (or die), dictator figures that invent 'everything', manufactured emotions, fabricated enemies, and rules with fear. The dumber the society, the better it is for them. The poorer the society, the easier they are to control.

Boxer breaks my heart as he not only represents the hardworking class in society but in more specific areas, he also represents corporate cultures.

While it's a great book, it's very predictable. Most can see the ending from miles away, and most character limitations, as I mentioned in the beginning, are very two-dimensional. The main villain is an alcoholic greedy, horny liar. The intellectual would rather shut up. The kind-hearted ones are easily manipulated. The manipulator is without conscience and soul. The sneaky one voted on two sides, and skimping works. The blind followers are easily brainwashed and provoked on demand. And the narcissist is selfish.

In many ways, some things don't change. This book and idea remain timeless, as we also see this a lot in modern society, which is ridden with corruption and hypocrisy. The rise and fall of heroes, causes, and movements in all factors of lives. It happens way too often.

The most accurate terms would be: you have become the very thing you swore to destroy.

Rating: 4 cock-a-doodle-doos out of 5 Clean Tails Leagues

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REVIEW: 1984 (George Orwell)

P.S. I am embarrassed to admit that I thought I was reading Animal Farm by the same author. I had some Kindle mix-up. 1984 was in my far TBR as I wanted to read something 'lighter' (OH how I was surprised!). I was only aware of this blatant mistake after already posting this review under Animal Farm and moving on to read others' reviews. Pig? What pig??? Wait a minute!

Almost a decade ago, I was in a 'debate' with a Professor in an online forum. A professor, or so she said. It sounds prestigious if our debate was about something intellectual, but not, it was, wait for it, about whether ducks are amphibians.

She believed that they were and insisted on it. You see, I was new at that time, definitely not a professor or whatever close to that, and this particular member chose to pick on me for my many differences. It was not fun, of course, especially because that was my only online social presence, but everyone else was great, so I decided to stay. After the dust was settled and I was well-integrated, we were civil as reasonable adults do. But things didn't always go well, as she also made many bigoted comments (not always aimed at me, fortunately, but it was not something I was happy to let go of as the ignorance level was up the roof), so once in a while, we would be on the opposite sides again. It was painful that someone with that attribute would blindly believe in something based on close-minded 'research'.

I don't have the energy for these craps but couldn't help it when it hit my nerves. Luckily, everyone else was great and as appalled as me, but of course, it didn't get me into her good side, especially when I questioned her credibility and the obvious danger of someone who was in the education system and probably responsible for shaping young minds, could have this kind of blind judgments. It's my pet peeve. Harm yourself, go ahead, but not when you are in the position of educating and influencing others.

Again, clouds settled, and I was sort of ignoring her until the unfortunate duck comment and insistence. When she first mentioned it, no one thought it was serious until she repeated it multiple times and someone decided to ask. She firmly believed what she was saying because she insisted on reading it from a book. At this point, I was happy that she proved her own incredibility, even though most members had already doubted her. Yeah, right, go drown a duck. Wait, no!

What does it have to do with 1984 review? Oh, based on what I have read, I am thinking whether the book that this 'professor' read had been tweaked or rewritten, and maybe she was the right one.

Yeah, no, fat chance.

This book is terrifying, I have been reading terrifying and depressing books in successions that maybe I need to pick up something light after this.

I don't like this book, I am exhausted. This is probably one of the most exhausting books that I have ever read. However, it is brilliant. When I think it goes in a certain direction, it changes its gear and compass. The author takes something, a simple idea, and hammers it down, slices it open, makes it bleed and analyzes every single little thing, every cell and every froth out of it.

I admit that there are parts that make me feel the page count doesn't move at all. However, I can't help but be mesmerized by the complexity and the meticulous details he puts into it. The ideology, philosophy, theory, the level of complex thinking, expressions and the overall ability to weave them all into words that makes sense is extraordinary. The abundance of them exhausts me so much that I keep thinking about whether they are overwhelming, repetitive at times, maybe they can be simplified, but maybe not, everything seems to have its purpose, and the emphasis is needed. It's the art and the absurdness of (view spoiler). It's real.

I will never re-read this book again. But it's brilliant.

Rating: 5 Gorilla-faced guards out of 5 Room 101.

P.S. I won't survive a day in this world, as I was born with facecrime

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REVIEW: Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)

*spoiler review

This book is...

I have mixed feelings about this book. I was borderline annoyed with the first half of it, fascinated with the second half, and found myself stroking my chin and scratching my forehead after reading it. It doesn't help that I took some time off between reading the two halves.
In short, I like the book, but many things are going through my mind, hoping that I understand this book the way it is meant to be understood.

There is a perfect quote that I think is fitting to what this book is about. I have seen this quote more and more often lately, said to be falsely attributed as Fyodor Dostoyevsky's.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles.

Fahrenheit 451 is set in the future where books have been banned, and whoever hoards them will be punished and burnt. This is, of course, a nightmare for authors and readers, and of course, I personally take offense to this regulation. Apparently, it is one of the ways to suppress people's intellectual thinking, to keep the citizen under the rock, brainwashing, and books are deemed to be something stupid, evil, misleading and damaging (they should look into social media for that, shouldn't they?)

The story follows a fireman (now they have a more relevant job with the name and actually burning things instead of saving them) who is being shown as open-minded enough to have an understanding relationship with other like-minded. The revelation that Montag has been hoarding books for some time is a good touch instead of making sharp character turns. Even though he is dull sometimes, there is a constant drive in him that it's believable enough for doing something drastic and on impulse. I like his frustration with Mildred, and if I have to repeat, I hate that character. And that is good (I think) because she is shown as someone I hope I would never be in such a situation. Her reactions, ways of thinking, actions, and everything she says make me want to walk into the wall and keep bumping it with my forehead. Sadly, this is actually a very realistic character, together with her equally annoying friends.

There are things that I think are implied but not confirmed, more on that later. And Mildred is one of them, imho. There is something very suspicious about her and Montag not remembering things and subtle indications that she is not the same. What is the blood washing or blood replacement procedure? Are they slowly drained into becoming a mere shell of their formal self? Montag doesn't seem to love her, but at the same time, he thinks about her almost endearingly sometimes. My theory is, Mildred is not what she used to be, it's either she changes because of the level of brainwashing that she receives, or there is something that alters her in the shape of chemicals? Treatment?

Another thing that is implied is the war. What war is it? From the level of their surveillance, manipulation, and capability to track down Montag, it looks too easy to annihilate them. Could it be rebels? Intellectual uprising? Insider uprising?

The other fiction the book reminds me of: I am a fan of the TV Series Black Mirror, it is a very intriguing series, and if you like speculative fiction, it's worth checking out. What makes it fascinating is that it's very realistic, some have even become realities. This book reminds me of the episode named 'Fifteen Million Merits' and 'Metalhead'. The parlor wall is Fifteen Million Merit. The Hound is Metalhead, and Metalhead already exists in Singapore and China during Covid lockdown.

Although I think this book can be downright confusing and frustrating in the first half (%#@%& Denham Dentifrice!) I like the overall content and conclusion. Not everything is explained, but it's implied quite clearly (unlike another book I reviewed earlier - The Giver) and whatever that is known is enough to form a complete story. After all, we are in Montag's shoes, and we are not always privileged to have answers for everything, just like real life.

I am very sure I will like this one much better on the second read sometime in the future, and please, if anybody knows a way to unlock my photographic memory...

4 Dunham Dentrifices out of 5 Burning Libraries

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REVIEW: Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)

 

*spoiler review*

My first John Steinbeck, another selective pick from Goodreads' recommendation.

This book is an easy read, it flows, there are not too many but enough characters. We can imagine the people, the setting, and even the smells emitting from the rundown place and denim, a lot of denim. 

The story is simple enough, in a regular, continuous timeline about George and Lennie. I can't help but get some Rain Man vibe at the beginning of the book. There are some funny moments as well, but overall, there are so many sad issues, and good god, there are so many dog killings! NOO!

Sadly, the life struggles portrayed in this book are not limited to the time of the Great Depression. We are getting better somehow, but not everytime, not everywhere, and most problems still persist in the same or different permutations. 

Lennie is a mentally disabled companion of George, a quick-witted and small-built man, who tries to keep both of them alive after escaping a place where Lennie was accused of doing something indecent. They are holding on to the dream that they will have their own land with pigs, chickens, rabbits and an alfalfa farm. They recall the dream every day, it is Lennie's favorite time to make George tell him again. Unfortunately, despite being harmless, innocent and endearing, Lennie keeps getting into trouble because he has problems processing his interaction with others and controlling his own strength and reaction. 

It is very sad to read about him recoiling, afraid and trying to convince himself and others that he doesn't mean to hurt anyone while clinging to the carcasses of dead mouse, puppy and eventually human, those he wants to love and is curious about, harming them despite never having any intention to do so. It doesn't help that he exists in the world without much understanding about his condition, and he gets all the blame. 

George understands him well and struggles so hard always to be there regardless of how Lennie ruins his own life and enjoyment, he has mistreated Lennie in the past as well before coming to an understanding. There is a sad realization about the need for companionship. Even though George despises Lennie in a way for always getting him in trouble, he is the only reliable companion he has. The book tells us about loneliness and the need to have something or someone to hold on, a place they can call their own where they can safely stay, and the exhaustion of uncertainty. This is also reflected in another character like Crooks, who is treated as nothing by most, not a human being who has needs and wants, just because he is black. 

And Candy, it is rough to read how the old man is trying to be brave when his only companion is taken away from him, relating fully to his own condition. And Candy is every single one of us. How will our families and society view us when we outlive our usefulness? Something stinky and useless like an old dog?

George does what Candy regrets not doing. It is a very heartbreaking and sad ending. 

Rating: 4 healthy sturdy rabbits out of 5 alfalfa farms

I'll be happy to check the author's other works. Hopefully, there will be no more puppies harmed.

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REVIEW: The Reader (Bernhard Schlink)

*spoiler review*

Just before Covid era, I picked up this book from a tiny shelf at the corner of a cottage on a weekend getaway. I have to shamelessly admit that my knowledge about books out there are very limited. Well, this looks familiar, I thought. And that was because I had watched the movie a couple of years ago, not knowing it's also an adaptation.

It helps a lot that I like the movie. In fact, I'm very sure that this review is biased because of the movie. All characters come to life, including the settings and the dialogues. It's even more biased because I like the works of the actors too (Ralph Fiennes is in my radar ever since The Schindler's List, The Constant Gardener and English Patient, Kate Winslet since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Children, Revolutionary Road and The Dressmaker).

The plot itself is a complete journey, and we have a lot to get from there. It is told from Michael's point of view in three main segments. 

The first segment tells us about his early relationship with Hanna, he is left heartbroken after the latter leaves without explanation. 

Second, he witnessed a trial involving Hanna as a concentration camp guard. Michael struggles between feeling hurt, betrayed, and keeping a secret that could free but expose Hanna, which is something that she clearly doesn't want. It threads the thin ice of a delicate subject and, at the same time, gives us food for thought; what would you do?

I often ponder this question myself when I see news about horrible things that happen everywhere. We can judge all we want, but would we be any better if we were in their shoes? We probably could and should, but how if our loved ones are threatened and have to pay as well, could we still be brave and right?

The third segment is the ending, when Michael finally decides to reconnect with his past.

Anyway, there is one thing I can't really agree with. I have known quite a number of successful acquaintances who are illiterate, and I am not ancient. I am not sure how realistic is Hanna's situation in her time and place, but it's not a stretch. It is probably rare because this character chooses to be imprisoned and misunderstood over admitting her illiteracy. I find this very in character, yet very out of character at the same time.

All the impression that I get from Hanna is she is very proud and strong, brave and independent. I can see this character fighting tooth and nail for her beliefs and protecting her pride. However, I can also see this character overcomes all the obstacles, including PICKING UP A VERY SIGNIFICANT SKILL!!! And if reputation is so important to her, what about the reputation of burning innocent people? It contradicts her very independent and honest quality.

But setting that aside, which is quite hard as that is the drive of the overall story, I find a complete reading experience from it, even though the book is much thinner and lighter than I thought it would be if I had to guess from the movie. 

There are many strong elements of the book.

Michael's character, his life struggles after Hanna and when they cross paths again. His effort to maintain his detachment, keeping his distance, guilt and yet, at the same time, give her a very precious and loving understanding and motivation, all those are also reflected in his inability to have proper relationships that are always shadowed by this. 

Hanna's ending with a decision that cosigns her stubbornness and her ultimate happiness and heartbreak upon meeting Michael.

And most of all, the reader as the meta-message, I can't imagine not being able to read and explore the vast world beyond pages. Being read to is so intimate, an effort that takes time, patience and passion. These represent the vulnerability and affectionate intimacy of the characters.

I am flip-flopping between 4 and 5, but the heck with it, I remember loving the movie and the read.

5 bicycle trips out of 5 river dips

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