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boxcar's reviews
230 reviews
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The prose is a little boring, sometimes it feels like it drones on in perpetuity about the scientific names of fish and sea creatures. Regardless, a masterpiece. The stuff that he got right in this book is pretty wild, and the imagination it must take to dream up such things in the 1800s is amazing. A fun journey around the world, too, if nothing else!
The Two Deaths of Quincas Wateryell: A Tall Tale by Jorge Amado
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Quick, enjoyable read. What is a death? Does family have any right to constrain someone? Interesting questions, but overall I was most pleased with the humor and characterization. Love a good novella.
All Men Are Mortal by Simone de Beauvoir
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What if one man was involved in every evil thing white men have done? Haunting, masterful--it's always an interesting read when the protagonist is deeply flawed. This one is flawed and immortal, and it's pretty sick. Cool way of writing about European history too.
Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras, Ella Morton
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
4.5
super cool. So many unique and fantastical places, a well of inspiration for settings and characters and general awe of the world and humanity. Sometimes gets boring, a string of places that don’t interest me tends to mess with the excitement, but that’s just my preference. Loads of stuff for everybody, really really fun.
The Cloven Viscount by Italo Calvino
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
the darkest calvino I’ve read. Very good, quick read. I love how he crafts a story with all the energy of an age old folktale, all around a single idea. what if a man was split in half? love it.
The Tale of the Unknown Island by José Saramago
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
fun little story
October Sky (Rocket Boys) by Homer Hickam
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
page turner, fantastic memoir. really a delight to read
The Nonexistent Knight by Italo Calvino
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
My favorite Calvino (so far). Such a quick read, not bloated in the slightest. Fantastical, whimsical, abiding by a dream logic, yet somehow more lucid than most stories. This is a novella I see myself reading many times in the future.
The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0