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jersy's reviews
643 reviews
The Doctor's Family by Margaret Oliphant
4.0
Very interesting stories pairing some things I expect from Victorian novels with topics that seem more unique. The village of Carlingford already feels alive after these few pages and I liked the perspectives from which the events are portrayed.
The two shorter stories have intruiging concepts but quite dissapointing endings that seem a bit disconnected from the core conflict, however the title novella follows through all the way, maybe getting a bit sentimental near the ending, but beeing very effective anyhow. Having the topic of caring for an addicted relative presented so frankly and as the focus of the story felt fresh for a Victorian novel and while I think Oliphant's writing style might not work for me in a very long book, in this short work it was both charming and evocative.
The two shorter stories have intruiging concepts but quite dissapointing endings that seem a bit disconnected from the core conflict, however the title novella follows through all the way, maybe getting a bit sentimental near the ending, but beeing very effective anyhow. Having the topic of caring for an addicted relative presented so frankly and as the focus of the story felt fresh for a Victorian novel and while I think Oliphant's writing style might not work for me in a very long book, in this short work it was both charming and evocative.
Die Entführung des Serails by Thomas R.P. Mielke
3.0
Das beste an diesem Buch sind die eher abgedrehten Ideen und die Welt, die hier erschaffen wurde. Die Atmosphäre, die hier entsteht, ist genau die richtige und man fühlt sich immer unterhalten und oft überrascht.
Was die Handlung und Charaktere angeht hat der Roman mich nicht ganz überzeugt. Die Figuren und Ereignisse rund um die Oper habe ich richtig gerne gelesen, einige von den Freigängern und anderen Reisenden haben mich doch sehr kalt gelassen. Ich hatte das Gefühl, das mit der Einseitigkeit der Figuren und dem Aufbau und Handlungselementen an eine Oper erinnert wird, was eine wirklich coole Idee ist, aber es nicht zum mitreisendsten Roman macht. Insgesamt lag hier der Fokus mehr auf der Kreativität als auf allem anderen und das kann ich zu schätzen wissen.
Was die Handlung und Charaktere angeht hat der Roman mich nicht ganz überzeugt. Die Figuren und Ereignisse rund um die Oper habe ich richtig gerne gelesen, einige von den Freigängern und anderen Reisenden haben mich doch sehr kalt gelassen. Ich hatte das Gefühl, das mit der Einseitigkeit der Figuren und dem Aufbau und Handlungselementen an eine Oper erinnert wird, was eine wirklich coole Idee ist, aber es nicht zum mitreisendsten Roman macht. Insgesamt lag hier der Fokus mehr auf der Kreativität als auf allem anderen und das kann ich zu schätzen wissen.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
5.0
A novel with an interesting narrative device, something similar to a story within a story, also a loving parody of classic adventure books without ever sacrificing the impact of the actual plot.
I love playful, artistic things like this. It's funny but it's even more exciting and engaging and I will absolutely reread again.
I love playful, artistic things like this. It's funny but it's even more exciting and engaging and I will absolutely reread again.
Der letzte Tag der Schöpfung by Wolfgang Jeschke
3.0
Der Roman ist faszinierend, leider aber lange Zeit nicht mitreißend. Es dauert ewig, bis wir irgendwelche handelnde Figuren haben und noch länger, bis ich mich für sie und ihre Erlebnisse interessiert habe. Danach bin ich ihnen zwar wirklich gerne gefolgt, aber ein Großteil des Buches war mir zu unpersönlich.
Glücklicherweise kann in einem Buch noch etwas anderes spannend sein als die Handlung und Charaktere, denn die Ideen des Autoren reißen das wieder raus. Die ersten Kapitel, die von anachronistischen Artifakten berichten sind interessant und machen neugierig, und sowohl die Version der vormenschlichen Vergangenheit, die Jeschke sich hier ausdenkt, als auch die Art, wie die scheinbar Gestrandeten mit ihrem Schicksal umgehen, hat mich in den Bann gerissen.
Glücklicherweise kann in einem Buch noch etwas anderes spannend sein als die Handlung und Charaktere, denn die Ideen des Autoren reißen das wieder raus. Die ersten Kapitel, die von anachronistischen Artifakten berichten sind interessant und machen neugierig, und sowohl die Version der vormenschlichen Vergangenheit, die Jeschke sich hier ausdenkt, als auch die Art, wie die scheinbar Gestrandeten mit ihrem Schicksal umgehen, hat mich in den Bann gerissen.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
5.0
Wonderful book for children that is still very enjoyable for adults. I loved how it reimagined parts of the Cinderella story in a way that gives more context with the world it is set in and also makes everyones actions more understandable to a modern reader. While doing that, the author is incredible creative and charming and goes beyond what a fairy tale retelling would have needed: inventing languages, including letters etc. There is a good mix of adventure and domestic scenes, too. I had an amazing time with this book.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
While this was interesting enough to push through quite a few pages, it wasn't as intruiging as expected. Some of the characters were quite fascinating and charming while others never felt like they went beyond their purpose in the story. The writing could be nice at times but just wasn't captivating. I can understand, though, that the style is unique enough to make this an award winner.
I enjoyed that this is a quiet, conversation-based story, but sometimes it felt like Cromwell was just observing unrelated bits and pieces which made my interest in the plot fluctuate a lot. My favourite parts were the ones directly including Anne or Cromwell's family and I like that this is a very different telling of the Henry VIII story.
I enjoyed that this is a quiet, conversation-based story, but sometimes it felt like Cromwell was just observing unrelated bits and pieces which made my interest in the plot fluctuate a lot. My favourite parts were the ones directly including Anne or Cromwell's family and I like that this is a very different telling of the Henry VIII story.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin
4.0
Very good fun, a bit lighter and less complex than the main series but still full of interesting worldbuilding and characters. I think this works well both as an extension to the lore as as an indepentend story. The second novella was my highlight, but they're all really interesting.
At the Mouth of the River of Bees by Kij Johnson
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
While there were some outstanding stories, most of the collection blurrs together in my head. They all have the same sad and somber mood which is fine for a few stories. The content is not always explicitly sad and varies a lot from story to story, so it's not like it ever got boring, some stories just resonated less with me.
If gloomy and dreamlike fantasy and magical realism is your thing, this is a good collection. I think Kij Johnson, for me, would be an author where reading one story at a time in an anthology might be really effective but a whole collection is a bit much.
If gloomy and dreamlike fantasy and magical realism is your thing, this is a good collection. I think Kij Johnson, for me, would be an author where reading one story at a time in an anthology might be really effective but a whole collection is a bit much.
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A charming slice-of-life novel full of amusing anecdotes but also sad undertones. There are contunious arcs and the book doesn't feel episodic, but there isn't really a plot either. It's a peak into the life of some spinsters and how their quirks and their dominance of this village shape it. The ladies are both likable and believable and I enjoyed my time with them.