Scan barcode
storiesofmagic's reviews
359 reviews
Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
People in Trouble by Sarah Schulman
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
guy who's only seen one story about aids before voice: wow getting real RENT vibes from this 🤔🤨
But in seriousness: I read this book for research purposes. I don't like stories about annoying, miserable people being annoyingly miserable, so I can't say that I enjoyed it. Additionally, I hated the way bisexuality was framed as an identity at best for those too immature to "pick a side", and at worst a betrayal by those who have insinuated themselves into the gay community, but are unwilling to commit fully.
However, the author does a wonderful job constructing a compassionate, personal account of AIDS and poverty, as well as a biting satire of the sympathetic but ineffectual liberal. This work clearly came from a place of deep love for place and community, as well as grief at seeing that community violently upturned, and that emotion bleeds through the page.
I also appreciated the commentary on the misogyny gay women face, both within the community, and without. From the lesbian section of the porn shop being nothing more than a neglected, outdated corner, to lesbians being relied upon to organize events and direct action while not being the ones to take center stage, to women with AIDS being denied experimental treatment, the injustice was plain to see.
As for claims that the musical RENT plagiarized this work, I can see no evidence of that other than they are both about poverty and AIDS in New York. Thematically, they have several similarities, but one cannot copywrite a theme, and the author's assertion that characters and plot points were lifted wholesale from her work simply does not hold water with any good faith analysis, not to mention a marked difference in tone, and putting that claim in the official summary of the book is downright unprofessional.
Overall, this book accomplishes the goal it was set to fulfil, but was not personally enjoyable to me.
But in seriousness: I read this book for research purposes. I don't like stories about annoying, miserable people being annoyingly miserable, so I can't say that I enjoyed it. Additionally, I hated the way bisexuality was framed as an identity at best for those too immature to "pick a side", and at worst a betrayal by those who have insinuated themselves into the gay community, but are unwilling to commit fully.
However, the author does a wonderful job constructing a compassionate, personal account of AIDS and poverty, as well as a biting satire of the sympathetic but ineffectual liberal. This work clearly came from a place of deep love for place and community, as well as grief at seeing that community violently upturned, and that emotion bleeds through the page.
I also appreciated the commentary on the misogyny gay women face, both within the community, and without. From the lesbian section of the porn shop being nothing more than a neglected, outdated corner, to lesbians being relied upon to organize events and direct action while not being the ones to take center stage, to women with AIDS being denied experimental treatment, the injustice was plain to see.
As for claims that the musical RENT plagiarized this work, I can see no evidence of that other than they are both about poverty and AIDS in New York. Thematically, they have several similarities, but one cannot copywrite a theme, and the author's assertion that characters and plot points were lifted wholesale from her work simply does not hold water with any good faith analysis, not to mention a marked difference in tone, and putting that claim in the official summary of the book is downright unprofessional.
Overall, this book accomplishes the goal it was set to fulfil, but was not personally enjoyable to me.
Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner
adventurous
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5