Showing posts with label Book Corner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Corner. Show all posts
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Girl At War
Hello!Already onto the third book review! *gasp* Ah how time flies...
Girl At War recommended by my book club, was an interesting read. I can't say that I particularly enjoyed it BUT I can't say that I didn't. Which in itself is weird, I know.
So we start off with 10 year old Ana who introduces us to home life in Croatia, it's endearing and we instantly begin to form some sort of connection with her character. We are then brought into the beginnings of the Croatian war. Her sick younger sister is sent off to America, she watches her parents get killed, it's pretty heart-breaking stuff.
Then she jets off to America herself and suddenly 20 year old Ana takes over the narrative. Which is the part I didn't quite like as the story is just left hanging in the air and you're left trying to adjust to her life in America. For me, the connection to her character is broken.
As much as I appreciate Sara Novic's style of writing, I couldn't help but feel the entire plot of the book was lacking something. The ending was so abrupt I didn't get the closure I would usually get from reading a great book. A lot of the little issues she encounters get left unresolved, are her feelings for Luka beyond that of a really good friendship? What about her boyfriend back in America?
Even her little sister, Rachel/Rahela had become so disconnected from her Croatian past she just morphed into your typical, annoying, American pre-teen.
As far as first novels go, not the best I've read. I wanted to come away from the book thinking 'wow' but instead felt like 'meh'.
However, you've got to appreciate an author who takes the time to do extensive research for their book. The harsh realities of war are definitely not romanticized in this novel!
Monday, May 9, 2016
Gone Girl
Gone Girl...We've all seen the movie (I should hope) so the book can't be that much different, right? So wrong!
Usually movie adaptations of books can either go really well and encourage more people to buy the book or completely flop and the book sales plummet. Usually once the movie rights are signed by the author they don't really have much of an input to what happens in the movie. We are seeing the book through the director's eyes not the author's.
So this is where Gone Girl excelled in the movie adaptation, director David Flincher, managed to maintain the author's vision and intertwine it with his own. As expected, a few bits were missed out but I remember watching it on the plane and thinking "Damn...I need to find that book."
Anyway, we are here for the book! The book was unbelievable! My only regret is that I wish I read the book first before watching the movie. So I do hope you've at least watched the movie because get ready for some spoilers. :D
First of all, the characters. Do you know what I like about Gillian Flynn? She created completely flawed protagonists that you grow to hate then you find yourself trying to understand them, looking for some kind of a likeable quality about them. So the reader is taken through an emotional rollercoaster which leads me to pose the question: who am I supposed to feel sorry for?
From an objective point of view, Amy is the "bad guy" she kills, she manipulates and most importantly, she gets away with everything. However, she provides a useful insight into how society establishes relationships. No, the "cool girl" does not exist. It's impossible for her to co-exist with her fellow man, she's not allowed to feel frustration at her partner, nor is she allowed to have any sort of expectations financially, physically, sexually etc. She just goes with the flow, "Cool girl" just lives in the moment, blah blah, blah...
My point being, she's not real. So in that sense I get Amy, I almost relate with her character, I even want to relate with her, but as Nick so delicately puts it, she is a psycho bitch.
Funny thing is, Nick? Also a "bad guy". He lies, he cheats, and most annoyingly spends 3/4 of the entire novel shifting the blame on to literally anyone else. I just wanted to shake him until he came to his senses and at least accepted some of the responsibility for the failure of his marriage.
What makes a great, crime/psychological thriller novel is one that is very close to reality. We don't get the ending that we desire.
There is nothing wrong in having expectations of your ideal partner but what are YOU bringing to the table to match that, better yet, compliment those qualities you desire?
That being said, I really hope there aren't any Amazing Amys in this world.
*Shivers*
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
The Killing Lessons
What did I read last???
The last book I read was a suggestion from the book club titled 'The Killing Lessons' by Saul Black.
Now, I don't want to give away too much with this book but I will say this. Brace yourselves. I will be the first to admit that I was never really into the crime genre in fiction BUT that's all changed. Saul Black has managed to capture a story worth more than the good guys chasing after the bad guys. The book has so many plot twists I had to stop reading by 9pm to avoid getting nightmares - no exaggeration!
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| 'Do not read this. No reader deserves to be terrified like this.' - Linwood Barclay |
I think the ingenuity behind this piece is that behind all the guts and gore, there is a story worth reading. As the reader, you're not just looking through the eyes of the victim or the "good guy" but also those of the killer. Which in its own special way really highlighted the fear factor part of it.
Of course, those close to me can attest to the fact that I'm a wimp when it comes to these kind of things so those of you that are not as squeamish as I am will find this an easy read.
I tend to read my favourite books more than once, however as much as I love this book, I will not be touching it again!
