bacchicecstasy's reviews
383 reviews

Emma by Jane Austen

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4.0

Insufferable, spoiled Emma. Funny and charming. Also Mr. Knightley has one of the best proposals imo. "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." Gnawing at the bars of my enclosure.

Current ranking of Austen books I've read so far:
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Persuasion
3. Emma
4. Sense and Sensibility
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

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adventurous challenging dark reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

No doubt an interesting story. It was a slog at points. The whole "I love my slave" subplot is...unique given Dumas' own family history. As is Dante's apparent love for slavery. Also, yeesh the female characters are distractingly bad. Mercedes is just hot (even her son thinks so *yuck*), Haydee is a SLAVE (and also hot), the other women are hot, meek, mild, shrews or victims......boring 
Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius

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  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I loved this. The translation is really good. I never felt like I was missing tone or feeling because I wasn't reading this in the original language. I love how she examined and directed the intricate layers of oppression and discrimination that impact the lives of the sami people. At the same time, it doesn't feel heavy handed or like an after school special. ALSO
FUCK ROBERT THAT WAS THE PERFECT WAY FOR HIM TO DIE LOL
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

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3.0

I love Jane Austen but S&S just does not do it for me...this doesn't feel like romance. It feels like a bunch of people settling. 
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolute gut punch of a novel!! :D

Davidtake accountability for your actions challenge (IMPOSSIBLE!!)
Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer

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2.0

This felt..... disappointing. I think my first mistake was going into this thinking it would be scholarly or at least founded in a researched discussion of the topic. Instead, it's is a memoir with a few pithy sayings about the topic of Bad Men and their art. I also... genuinely hated the conclusion this book draws or at least my interpretation of it. Basically, "actually it doesn't matter because you are small part of a big machine and your actions have little impact on these men. Consume it because it makes you happy/adds som thing to your life:)". It feels nihilist. The same sort of thinking of the people that say, "oh there's no ethical consumption under capitalism" to justify their consumption of fast fashion. True, there is no *perfect* consumption, but there is certainly *better*. Isn't that worth searching for?
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

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challenging dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I *really* liked this. In general I love weird and wacky stories about annoying, dislikeable, or otherwise unhinged women. This novel is a reversal of the popular tripe of a younger, often naive, woman becoming entangled with an older woman. Reading this, I often forgot that Greta was much older than Big Swiss. Her inner dialogue and actions are that of a significantly younger woman. I think it shows that trauma stunts you, especially if you never deal with it. You are forever trapped at the age and mindset in which it occurred, even as you swear you're over it. 
Weyward by Emilia Hart

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dark emotional reflective tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

I enjoyed the writing in this books. It becomes clear pretty quickly that magic is just another word for generational trauma (imo at least) and how it bonds the women throughout a family, particularly in response to male violence. It's dark and heavy but manages to end on a hopeful note. I docked points because I felt it was v predictable and didn't really do anything 'new' 
Carol by Patricia Highsmith

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emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

We love a lesbian story that doesn't end in death, suicide, or getting married to a man. Weirdly, I kept thinking of The Well of Loneliness while reading this, mainly seeing this book as a foil of it. I like how this book also comments on marriage and divorce, specifically custody 
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Unknown, Simon Armitage

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 I imagine parts of this tale would be confusing for people that are not familiar with medieval chivalry. (Hint: very different than what we imagine as chivalrous). Also, also, I just LOVE the bros kissing bros. Added to the list of medieval literature involving two dudes kissing (see also Bisclavret)