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kieracaspall's reviews
72 reviews
Family Lexicon by Natalia Ginzburg
2.75
It’s a shame that this was, in essence, just a running commentary of her parents complaining about anything and everything.
A book that is almost entirely devoid of emotion and neglects to divulge any information about the author of whom this supposed autobiography is about. It’s a real shame as with a bit more feeling injected into it, this would have been an incredibly interesting and insightful read.
Furthermore, it doesn’t help that the translation is a bit shabby so the reading experience felt somewhat clunky (not a single chapter either didn’t help). Worth adding that this is probably through no fault of the translator since there is a lot of dialect, much of which I imagine was too complicated to convey concisely.
A book that is almost entirely devoid of emotion and neglects to divulge any information about the author of whom this supposed autobiography is about. It’s a real shame as with a bit more feeling injected into it, this would have been an incredibly interesting and insightful read.
Furthermore, it doesn’t help that the translation is a bit shabby so the reading experience felt somewhat clunky (not a single chapter either didn’t help). Worth adding that this is probably through no fault of the translator since there is a lot of dialect, much of which I imagine was too complicated to convey concisely.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
2.75
I was really captivated in the first couple of chapters but it quickly lost its shine for me. I know it’s already a very short book but I think this would have worked as a mini essay to the same effect.
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
4.0
It’s so easy to forget Joan’s age as you read this, she has such a youthful air to her writing.
Her command of language and ability to poeticise her experiences shows that her mind is much sharper than what her body tries to tell her.
The passages where she describes her declining physical ability and her observation of the simplification and sympathetic communication towards her were tough to read.
Her command of language and ability to poeticise her experiences shows that her mind is much sharper than what her body tries to tell her.
The passages where she describes her declining physical ability and her observation of the simplification and sympathetic communication towards her were tough to read.
The Wastes by Roy Claire Potter
4.0
entry-level experimental fiction which i liked. plot remains mostly linear and easy to follow so you feel submerged in the narrator’s mind rather than shut out.
looking forward to hearing what everyone else makes of this at book club next week!
looking forward to hearing what everyone else makes of this at book club next week!
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
4.0
I did not believe in resurrection of the body but I still believed that given the right circumstances he would come back.
Stoner by John Williams
3.5
really enjoyed this. williams articulates the emotion of the mundane in a way i have never seen before. i was hanging on its every word. i would have loved to have felt slightly more emotionally attached to Stoner, and i don’t doubt that i would have if he hadn’t raped his wife (as is alluded to in some of the earlier chapters) , naturally this protracted from how much i really cared for his character.
john williams is a wonderful writer and i’d definitely like to give some of his other stuff a go
john williams is a wonderful writer and i’d definitely like to give some of his other stuff a go
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
2.0
Hmm, really not the best thing i’ve ever read let’s say that? The author never trusts you to be perceptive so the result is a lot of over explaining.
That being said, i loved being part of the discussion for the Dead Ink Book club for this book! So much fun
That being said, i loved being part of the discussion for the Dead Ink Book club for this book! So much fun