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feedingbrett's reviews
187 reviews
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
It was curiosity that fuelled my reading engine, attempting to understand Sal and Dean's dynamics, searching for the significance of their experience on the road together, and curious of the consequences of their actions. Jack Kerouac successfully places his readers within this impressionistic bubble of Sal's perspective, with only a rare glimpse of an outside looking in, thus its reliance of his readers' opinion and interest in determining the narrative's value. I, for one by the end, falls in the camp of (almost) indifference, with little of its content and presentation resonating with me during and after the reading. Their desires and pangs reveal themselves as foreign, in contrast to my own, with left only a faint desire only to empathise for their emotional states and wayward desire for excursions, but at best, had only brought me as close as at arm's length.
Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition, Vol. 10 by Rumiko Takahashi
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Everything built upon their first meeting has come to a heartwarming end. Evident that it was the road paved that matters far more than the concluding point, as being able to trace how far they have come intrinsically defines the weight that we feel for these characters. Just because we are served a slice of life, doesn't mean that the emotions that came with it were any less, I escaped, reflected, and empathised with everything that was endured; Maison Ikkoku was a second home for me for almost a year.
Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition, Vol. 5 by Rumiko Takahashi
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
With interesting progress and endearing character arcs, this volume felt like a step forward, albeit a small one. I hope grander developments are in the works, can’t wait to see what comes next.
Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The attraction of swelling complications and its consequential drama can find storytellers sitting on something with a great sense of mass. While when effective, it can sweep its audience off their feet, but, failing to inspire, relate or entertain can initiate a domino effect towards detachment, apathy, or disgust. Rumiko Takahashi’s first volume of Maison Ikkoku is an example of composing drama within humbler means. It aims its sights on a young student’s (Godai) infatuation with his boarding house’s newly appointed manager (Kyoko), a goal-setting plot that defines the story’s macro blueprint. However, it is in the narrative’s observant eye of the protagonist’s intrusive neighbours that raises criticism towards the mainstream domestic culture; a portrait that is as problematic and culturally grotesque as anything that I have recently consumed. I feel, at least currently, I am left with a story that pulls on my sympathies and repulsion through its presentation of its sets of characters. On the one hand, the former response was gushed upon its two romantic leads - knocked on its sparing tendencies towards a sexual male gaze - while the latter was generated from its manipulative and self-centred characters, deliberate in the lack of opportunities for insight or empathy. There is a clear distinction between Kyoko’s ideals and aspirations that is radiated in its storytelling, perhaps also as a means of also highlighting its depiction of society’s moral dichotomy. All packaged within a story that never feels lost in its ambitions, and with that, also came a feeling of being impressed. That being said, my hope is kept towards a story progression that is not reliant or preoccupied with its use of its problematic extended characters and instead sinks its teeth deeper into its two primaries.
Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition, Vol. 9 by Rumiko Takahashi
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ramping up the tension, adrenaline, intensity, and a step towards closure, we find Godai and Kyoko further tested, personally and of each other, demonstrating a much-appreciated development that harvests the fruits of Rumiko Takahashi's labour.
Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition, Vol. 8 by Rumiko Takahashi
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition, Vol. 7 by Rumiko Takahashi
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reaching this edition's final pages, I was delighted by its maturity. Finally, the confrontations faced by our two leads carry an introspective intensity, empathy, and kindness that often mirrors the weight and truths of reality. Balancing personal development and plot progression, this is Rumiko Takashi growing herself. Life is messy, sometimes in retrospect it brings laughs, but going through it, the pitfalls are excruciating and the wins, wonderful.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
While adaptations and interpretations of Bram Stoker's novel are abundant, reading through this still managed to draw me into its struggle between his human characters and its menacing titular character. Impressively pieced together through letters, journal entries, and documents, its retrospective approach still managed to deliver a contemporaneous flow, leaving me consistently engaged. However, it was in the larger scheme of its narrative, the study against opposing forces, humanity and god, mortality and immortality, that marked my everlasting impression of the novel, even more so than its adaptations were able to apply.
Attack on Titan: Colossal Edition 7 by Hajime Isayama
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The final edition, coming in full swing, switches its momentum from an expository mode to a kinetic ride towards catharsis. The exploration of its themes emerges as an emotional crescendo that aims to bring a definite sense of meaning to its entire saga, yet still doing so without abandoning its integrity for convenience. Heartbreaking, thoughtful, and reflective, perhaps more than one anticipated given the rushed nature of its last two editions, but I am glad to see Hajime Isayama paying things off.
Attack on Titan: Colossal Edition 6 by Hajime Isayama
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Perhaps it is the condensed manner of its exposition that lags its momentum and impact. Rather than let emotions sweep its readers, the heavy explanation appears to be desperately needed for Hajime Isayama to get there. Without knowing how this will all fall into place, it is clear that there is a desire to lead towards something colossal, but the journey doesn’t seem to be as interesting as I hoped it would be - despite the gravity of its themes.