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purplegrape's reviews
25 reviews
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
English II. I have some memories regarding the novel but not many. Reread?
Dracula by Bram Stoker
4.0
Great as an audiobook. Loved the characters (especially Mina and Lucy). Long scenery descriptions. The beginning is a bit boring, but it picks up. Was put off by the diary/journal/letter entry (epistolary?) format of the novel, but forgot about it. Read for English IV. No regrets.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
I "read" and watched the movie. Again, English IV. The movie was funny. I was absent so much and missed half the book. Men (derogatory), cucumbers sandwiches, and posh love. Reread to do it justice.
The Apothecary Diaries 08 by Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Started and finished: Jul 10, 2024.
Dead Poets Society: A Novel by N.H. Kleinbaum
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
3.0
Started and finished: Jun 13, 2024.
Dead Poets Society follows seven boys as they learn how to think for themselves with the help of their unorthodox English teacher. The story is a cautionary tale of what can happen when you think freely in a world that wants to keep you caged.
Rereading it for the first time, I had a better understanding of the characters and their dynamics. I noticed many points of foreshadowing that I overlooked the first time. Knowing the ending didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Todd has my whole heart. His friendship with Neil is what makes the book, and following his character development is always a joy.
You know it's a good book when it brings you to both laughter and tears. I could've done without Knox's subplot (especially that one scene). Nevertheless a good read with a good message.
Dead Poets Society follows seven boys as they learn how to think for themselves with the help of their unorthodox English teacher. The story is a cautionary tale of what can happen when you think freely in a world that wants to keep you caged.
Rereading it for the first time, I had a better understanding of the characters and their dynamics. I noticed many points of foreshadowing that I overlooked the first time. Knowing the ending didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Todd has my whole heart. His friendship with Neil is what makes the book, and following his character development is always a joy.
You know it's a good book when it brings you to both laughter and tears. I could've done without Knox's subplot (especially that one scene). Nevertheless a good read with a good message.
Night by Elie Wiesel
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Started and finished: Jun 30, 2024.
Night follows a Jewish boy before and after his time at Auschwitz. It is a devastating recount of misplaced hope, the depths of human cruelty, and the consequences of indifference.
The first time I read this book I was in 10th grade (older than Elie was at the beginning, younger than he was by the end). While I forgot most everything, the scene of the father and son losing their lives over bread on the train stuck with me.
Wiesel's writing is poignant in its brevity. Every sentence rings true, and I cried more during these 115 pages than the last 700 I read.
His relationship with his father is truly the heart of the novel. Although he is freed, the ending feels neither happy nor bittersweet. By the time a conclusion was reached I had already felt too much to feel anything at all.
Knowing all of the chances they had to get away (both before and during) made me realize I have never known regret (and likely never will) to such a degree.
This novel is the definition of small but mighty. In it humanity stands before a mirror, and the sight is nothing short of revolting. A must read.
Be still my beating heart.
Night follows a Jewish boy before and after his time at Auschwitz. It is a devastating recount of misplaced hope, the depths of human cruelty, and the consequences of indifference.
The first time I read this book I was in 10th grade (older than Elie was at the beginning, younger than he was by the end). While I forgot most everything, the scene of the father and son losing their lives over bread on the train stuck with me.
Wiesel's writing is poignant in its brevity. Every sentence rings true, and I cried more during these 115 pages than the last 700 I read.
His relationship with his father is truly the heart of the novel. Although he is freed, the ending feels neither happy nor bittersweet. By the time a conclusion was reached I had already felt too much to feel anything at all.
Knowing all of the chances they had to get away (both before and during) made me realize I have never known regret (and likely never will) to such a degree.
This novel is the definition of small but mighty. In it humanity stands before a mirror, and the sight is nothing short of revolting. A must read.
Be still my beating heart.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Started: Aug 03, 2024. Ended: Aug 12, 2024.
Pachinko follows a Korean family across four generations as they struggle to survive hopeless times. Life treats each family member differently, and we come to learn the changing definition of what it means to be Korean in a Japanese world. A heart-warming and heartbreaking portrait of family and faith.
Never has a book so often had me in tears. Every time I thought I was safe from waterworks I was soon proven wrong. This novel shines so bright from the very first page that I knew I had to rework my entire ranking system because this is truly a five star read among five star reads.
You cannot help but empathize with characters you would hate if written by someone else in another novel. No one is perfect, everyone is human, and sometimes being human means being selfish and cruel. There is no limit to the variety of people and relationships portrayed, and no one is not wholly manifested.
I have read my fair share of WW1 and WW2 novels, but none have told this story. A voice was given to a side of history often drowned out by louder, Western words. I will forever be jealous of the part of me who got to read Pachinko for the first time, she who went in with no expectations and found something too precious to be put into words.
When I read it again (and I will), I would like to track faith, love, and duty.
Pachinko follows a Korean family across four generations as they struggle to survive hopeless times. Life treats each family member differently, and we come to learn the changing definition of what it means to be Korean in a Japanese world. A heart-warming and heartbreaking portrait of family and faith.
Never has a book so often had me in tears. Every time I thought I was safe from waterworks I was soon proven wrong. This novel shines so bright from the very first page that I knew I had to rework my entire ranking system because this is truly a five star read among five star reads.
You cannot help but empathize with characters you would hate if written by someone else in another novel. No one is perfect, everyone is human, and sometimes being human means being selfish and cruel. There is no limit to the variety of people and relationships portrayed, and no one is not wholly manifested.
I have read my fair share of WW1 and WW2 novels, but none have told this story. A voice was given to a side of history often drowned out by louder, Western words. I will forever be jealous of the part of me who got to read Pachinko for the first time, she who went in with no expectations and found something too precious to be put into words.
When I read it again (and I will), I would like to track faith, love, and duty.
The Karamazov Brothers by Fyodor Dostoevsky
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 ⭐ Started: July 1, 2024. Ended: July 23, 2024.
The Brothers Karamazov follows a family partial to debauchery. Terribly human characters grow further apart and closer together in a tale both wholesome and horrific (the dichotomy of a Karamazov). Is he guilty? Is it but one large romance? The verdict is in, but is it just?
This is the longest I have ever spent on one novel. I lived with it for three weeks, and it will continue to live with me. The characters are horribly interesting and interestingly horrible people. Their thoughts and actions never fail to confound me, yet somehow I understand.
The philosophy was fascinating when it wasn't preachy. Dostoevsky is masterful in his portrayal of diverse perspectives and individuals. Everyone is flawed, everyone is beautiful (Alyosha most of all).
Reading this novel (especially part 4) was definitely an experience. I cried. I gasped out loud. Sometimes I could not look away from the page, and others I had to put the book down. Dostoevsky sets up questions that satisfy the soul when answered.
For me, the Wisp of Tow subplot was the highlight of the novel. The children have my whole heart. Alyosha is a better man than I could ever be, and he deserves everything good this world has to offer.
I belatedly realized that I never found out who the narrator was :(
The Brothers Karamazov follows a family partial to debauchery. Terribly human characters grow further apart and closer together in a tale both wholesome and horrific (the dichotomy of a Karamazov). Is he guilty? Is it but one large romance? The verdict is in, but is it just?
This is the longest I have ever spent on one novel. I lived with it for three weeks, and it will continue to live with me. The characters are horribly interesting and interestingly horrible people. Their thoughts and actions never fail to confound me, yet somehow I understand.
The philosophy was fascinating when it wasn't preachy. Dostoevsky is masterful in his portrayal of diverse perspectives and individuals. Everyone is flawed, everyone is beautiful (Alyosha most of all).
Reading this novel (especially part 4) was definitely an experience. I cried. I gasped out loud. Sometimes I could not look away from the page, and others I had to put the book down. Dostoevsky sets up questions that satisfy the soul when answered.
For me, the Wisp of Tow subplot was the highlight of the novel. The children have my whole heart. Alyosha is a better man than I could ever be, and he deserves everything good this world has to offer.
I belatedly realized that I never found out who the narrator was :(