stories_of_the_soul27's reviews
265 reviews

I am very happy that this genre exists. This genre could have its own literature course very easily. 

Irina is unlikable and unreliable. She is cruel, unhinged and broken (?). She is powerful in the sense that she knows the screws she needs to tweak to get her ways. She picks up this average looking men and makes them feel desirable by clicking racy pictures of them. The whole power dynamics is so hypnotic. She is so controlling and manipulative of her subjects. They bow to her because she plays her part well. She knows how to dress, how to talk and exactly how to reply to keep everyone on the hook. She fishes the insecure ones and completely exploits and uses them. There’s certain kind of cruelness to her. She sneers when she hears her male contemporary getting awards and recognitions by photographing already sexy women models while Irina is building things literally from scratch with average looking men. 

The jump between present and past was so smooth and the timing was rightly done. Her crazy actions completely threw me off sometimes. Irina does a lot of unjustified things. And she will continue to do so unless she has a massive breakdown or she is stopped. She was abused in her teenage years and the way her mother treats her to this day is another reason why Irina cannot be nice to anyone. Irina is mean and vile through to her core. She does not even spare strangers without acting against them even it is in small ways. She is obsessed with being skinny in the most unhealthy ways. She cannot let go of her girl best friend whom she just wrings and uses like a dishcloth. 

Irina’s job is one which has also put her in harm’s way. Calling unknown men to her home to be photographed in a fetishised way her cost her security. Still she plowed on. Stupid or brave? A disparity definitely because if roles were reversed it is again women only who are in danger. Irina is also a regular drunk and addict. This has also lead to her safety issues. She knows this and yet she goes on with this lifestyle. She is self destructive. Either she believes that the worst has already happened to her or she believes that she won’t let the men (or patriarchal society) stop her from living her life the way she wants. 

The books after second half goes on to becoming more dark and visceral. More of Irina’s unhinged actions are thrown a light upon. She asks a question at one point about how far she can take it before someone tells her to fuck off without trying to justify her actions. I think she is frustrated for not being taken seriously because she is a woman from a working class with a middle class upbringing. The world she is trying to venture into and life she wants to build for herself is one full of posh, upper class people. It is very far out of her reach. 

I do believe our surroundings while growing up make us who we are. Part of Irina is because of that. But I also believe that we are our choices. So yes some part of Irina is crazy like a psycho. She simply likes violent shit and is always willing to take it a bit too far. Her choice of movies and what she does to her models is evidence of that. But yes she is a victim too. 

I will reread this book again after a few years later and try to critically judge the themes then after reading a bit more of books in this genre.

It felt great to revisit this book and it’s absolute mad set of characters!

Keigo Higashino just rips apart your heart with his stories! I always love his stories because he puts so much thought into building his characters. Reading his stories are like going through the motions of the life of the characters, the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations of life and so on. And his stories always focus on proper detective work. It’s so fascinating to follow the detectives work meticulously and painstakingly to solve the crime.

I started this book with low expectations because a lot of times the emotions of translated works do not get conveyed properly i.e. It gets lost in translation. But this book exceeded my expectations. 

I always admired people who had the courage to pause their life when they find that something isn’t bringing them happiness or causing them undue stress. It takes so much bravery to take yourself out of that situation and venture into the unknown. Reading a book about characters who do exactly that was therapeutic and so heartwarming. We were introduced to so many characters but all of their journey was different and none of them were neglected. This book makes you realise that there are so many ways to look at life, so many perspectives and somewhat it is always your choice to walk on that path. Another aspect of this book I loved was that this book was about the love of books too. It showed us how books actually have the capacity to show us direction if we are stuck, to give us comfort, to form a bond with and something to cherish. 

It really is amazing, reading and connecting with books and fellow book lovers. 

Also found family is the best thing ever!

It’s very cleverly written and a great take on the whole unreliable narrator thing. 

This is a BRILLIANT piece of literature!!!!! Writing a historical fantasy based on the real life atrocities (war crimes) committed by Japan on China and spreading the history worldwide is a genius move! The writing, unfurling of the plot, introduction of varied characters is so neatly done. Was this her debut novel? Miss Kuang is BRILLIANT!! 

I really really liked this book. I loved Hani & Ishu A LOT. But so much of the cuteness of their friendship was sucked out because of how awful the other characters were. So no it is not a lighthearted book. It was quite heavy with themes that are so important for us to know and I am so glad that Adiba had written this book. This book also shows why YA shouldn’t be discarded as just books for young adults. YA books act as a mirror to the society. 

So read this book to know who Bengalis are and how they are so many variations of them that you just cannot bottle us into one stereotype. Read it to know how you can be empathetic towards your Muslim friends. Read it to know bisexuality is a very real thing. Read it to know the struggle of immigrants in a different (white) country and how much that affects the first generation children in a multitude of ways. Read it to know that friendship doesn’t mean that you would trample over your friends and bend them according to your will. 

Read it also to join in the journey of two adorable girls who are at an important juncture of their life of exploring their likes & dislikes and their relationship with people around them. 

Being an Indian Bengali myself, the talks of biriyani, food, inclusion of bengali dialogues in the story warmed my heart beyond anything. This book was a love letter to Bengali culture. 

Another part I loved most was that Hani is a Muslim girl and while Ishu’s religion was not revealed from her name and surname I am sure she is Hindu. India, Bangladesh and Pakistan’s history is tainted by Hindu vs Muslim animosity in the past and even now (sadly). Most at fault for this are the British Colonisers. So a Hindu-Muslim relationship is a cause of much discomfort and trouble in this society. But watching Hani & Ishu’s love and friendship blossom without that taint was a calming balm to my heart. 

It was a great thrilling read! The atmosphere created by the author was so brilliant. That is why I veer towards Japanese mystery stories. They are the best in Honkaku mystery genre, they leave no qualms in terms of how many numbers of victims (bodies) to keep lying around, conscience will always plague the murderer somehow and the motive is always something gut wrenching.