Wicked fast book reviews
Jul. 14th, 2010 12:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jaebilityParable of the Sower by Octavia Butler - Dark and depressing and incredibly awesome. Butler's view of America's future hits hard, and as I walking through the hot, damp, crowded subways yesterday morning, I started worrying the accuracy of her foresight. This book cracks you down before it beings to tentatively build you back up. This is what The Road wishes it could be.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte - It's interesting how many Anne Bronte shares with her sisters, and just as interesting is how much they differ. Helen could get preachy, but her determination and strength made her a fascinating - and feminist - character.
Far From the Maddening Crowd by Thomas Hardy - Another book with an interesting female lead. Aaaand another book from the 1800s. Maybe it was the setting - an idyllic countryside - but this book was almost like reading poetry. Loved it. Also loved the ending. Hardy's treatment of Blackwood was an interesting twist on stereotypically feminine passions.
Behold! A Mystery by Joan Smith - Meh. It had all the makings of a succesful novel. Set in Victorian times? Tradition manor-house murder? Female narrator? All checks. But somehow things fell apart. Jess was smart and brave in the face of the crime, but the novel kept undermining her. Also: Punishing kisses. HATE HATE HATE.
The Duke Returns by Eloisa James - Another meh. James' is a competent writer, but I'm not as into romances about nobility as I was as a teen. In fact, I actively dislike the genre. Wah wah I'm filthy rich and have lots of sex. I'd rather read about the maids or the blacksmith. The most interesting part in this book was when the hero had to deal with the sewer system. If shit's more fun than sex, then you're doing it wrong.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte - It's interesting how many Anne Bronte shares with her sisters, and just as interesting is how much they differ. Helen could get preachy, but her determination and strength made her a fascinating - and feminist - character.
Far From the Maddening Crowd by Thomas Hardy - Another book with an interesting female lead. Aaaand another book from the 1800s. Maybe it was the setting - an idyllic countryside - but this book was almost like reading poetry. Loved it. Also loved the ending. Hardy's treatment of Blackwood was an interesting twist on stereotypically feminine passions.
Behold! A Mystery by Joan Smith - Meh. It had all the makings of a succesful novel. Set in Victorian times? Tradition manor-house murder? Female narrator? All checks. But somehow things fell apart. Jess was smart and brave in the face of the crime, but the novel kept undermining her. Also: Punishing kisses. HATE HATE HATE.
The Duke Returns by Eloisa James - Another meh. James' is a competent writer, but I'm not as into romances about nobility as I was as a teen. In fact, I actively dislike the genre. Wah wah I'm filthy rich and have lots of sex. I'd rather read about the maids or the blacksmith. The most interesting part in this book was when the hero had to deal with the sewer system. If shit's more fun than sex, then you're doing it wrong.