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simonator's reviews
159 reviews
Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire
inspiring
fast-paced
Stunning, fiery rhetoric articulating foundational thought.
Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Butcher of Anderson Station by James S.A. Corey
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Can be skipped. Not great writing nor adding huge depth to the characters.
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
dark
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Rich story full of touching emotion and gut wrenching tragedy. Plot at times a little foreseeable and repetitive. Still a gripping tale starring a cast of detailed and eerily real characters, much like the greats of African literature.
Die Hexenkinder Von Seulberg. by Uschi Flacke
dark
sad
medium-paced
2.0
Schön recherchiert und interessant für Leute aus der Gegend. Kaum Plot und man lernt die Charaktere kaum kennen. Trotz einer gewissen Langweiligkeit eine tieftraurige Geschichte.
A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Likeable characters and interesting plot idea. Interesting historical processes are adapted but not adequately transposed to an engaging fantasy setting. Fascinating processes such as workers' revolution, the creation of a middle class are teased at, but not in length explored. Maybe more in the sequels? In a way, the concept was too ambitious for the story.
Only one major event happens in the book's middle and the rest is just ... talking. Also, the regrettable characteristic of fantasy authors to mistake gritty realism with vulgar sexuality is strong here. The humour falls often flat. Some characters remain hard to grasp in this first volume.
Only one major event happens in the book's middle and the rest is just ... talking. Also, the regrettable characteristic of fantasy authors to mistake gritty realism with vulgar sexuality is strong here. The humour falls often flat. Some characters remain hard to grasp in this first volume.
Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Masterful exploration of duty, ethos as well as manhood and desire. The contemporary reader will find the dissection of the latter concepts could have benefited from a non-old-male perspective but it is a product of its time still.
The haunting landscape and eerie world is painted into the reader's brain and poses the central questions of right and wrong, dignity in face of personal failure and shortcoming, and the inescapable humiliation of aging, impotence and the powerlessness of both the wretched and the blessed of the earth.
The haunting landscape and eerie world is painted into the reader's brain and poses the central questions of right and wrong, dignity in face of personal failure and shortcoming, and the inescapable humiliation of aging, impotence and the powerlessness of both the wretched and the blessed of the earth.
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
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? It's complicated
5.0
Unbelievable masterwork that like no other work makes it clear what it means to be truly and utterly impoverished by colonialism; the health detriment, the patriarchal oppression, racist thought colonising the mind, but also the tale of female solidarity in face of it all. Characters are truly believable and illustrations of the intersections of multiple violences. The nightmarish ending remains haunting for days after finishing the novel.