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_askthebookbug's Reviews (1.34k)
// The Maid by Nita Prose
The Maid is so much more than a normal whodunnit novel. Have you ever imagined a murder mystery to be humorous and heartwarming? Well, The Maid is exactly that. And i honestly don't think I've ever come across a protagonist as likeable as Molly Gray. There were times when I instinctively wanted to reach out to her and squeeze her hand or even give her a warm hug. This story is as much about character development as it is about the murder mystery. If there is one whodunnit you absolutely are planning to read this year, let it be this one.
Molly Gray is a woman of few words. Her entire life crashes when her grandmother dies, leaving her completely alone. Amidst all the sadness, there's one thing that Molly finds solace in. It is cleaning. Perhaps this is why there's no better job for her than that of being a maid. Molly works for a posh hotel, where her clients tip her generously for the splendid job she does, her favourite being Mrs Black who stays in the hotel quite often. They share a bond that exceeds the usual maid-client relationship. Molly thinks that she finally has a friend. It is at this hotel that a bunch of other characters are introduced to us, some suspicious and others fairly simple.
When Molly discovers a dead body in one of the rooms during her cleaning session, her seemingly normal life is thrown out the window.
This story revolves solely around Molly and I wouldn't have had it any other way. There's humour that pops up ever so often, especially when we least expect it making it such an enjoyable read. Honestly, Nita Prose has outdone herself and I cannot wait to read more of her.
Will I ever stop recommending this book?
Not at all. So you may as well read it :)
The Maid is so much more than a normal whodunnit novel. Have you ever imagined a murder mystery to be humorous and heartwarming? Well, The Maid is exactly that. And i honestly don't think I've ever come across a protagonist as likeable as Molly Gray. There were times when I instinctively wanted to reach out to her and squeeze her hand or even give her a warm hug. This story is as much about character development as it is about the murder mystery. If there is one whodunnit you absolutely are planning to read this year, let it be this one.
Molly Gray is a woman of few words. Her entire life crashes when her grandmother dies, leaving her completely alone. Amidst all the sadness, there's one thing that Molly finds solace in. It is cleaning. Perhaps this is why there's no better job for her than that of being a maid. Molly works for a posh hotel, where her clients tip her generously for the splendid job she does, her favourite being Mrs Black who stays in the hotel quite often. They share a bond that exceeds the usual maid-client relationship. Molly thinks that she finally has a friend. It is at this hotel that a bunch of other characters are introduced to us, some suspicious and others fairly simple.
When Molly discovers a dead body in one of the rooms during her cleaning session, her seemingly normal life is thrown out the window.
This story revolves solely around Molly and I wouldn't have had it any other way. There's humour that pops up ever so often, especially when we least expect it making it such an enjoyable read. Honestly, Nita Prose has outdone herself and I cannot wait to read more of her.
Will I ever stop recommending this book?
Not at all. So you may as well read it :)
// Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick
I've read quite a few memoirs of North Korea defectors in the past, each one imprinting itself on my mind for years to come. One might wonder what makes Nothing to Envy so different from the other stories. For starters, it covers the lives of six defectors who speak to Barbara about the lives they once lived back in the country which stays well hidden from the public eye. Secondly, Barabara offers history and the events associated with in a neat and precised manner starting from the early 90s. Needless to say, there's a lot of horror associated with this book, sometimes to the point of it all sounding unbelievable.
If there ever has to be hell on Earth, it would undoubtedly be North Korea. To think that one family can wield such immense power to subjugate millions of people to listen to them is something that's straight out of a dystopian novel. Covering the lives of six commoners, Nothing to Envy makes a terrific book, both precise and emotional at the same time. When the economy collapsed and a man induced famine plagued the country, millions lost their lives. The privileged, as usual survived and ate three meals a day while the others barely had a morsel for an entire week.
The social hierarchy in NK is baffling, one that is still in place. Everytime I thought I'd read everything about NK, something new pops up. Each terrifying than the previous one.
Nothing to Envy may just be the right book to introduce you to the world of North Korea. This is an important read, one that sheds floodlights on a rather dark country.
I've read quite a few memoirs of North Korea defectors in the past, each one imprinting itself on my mind for years to come. One might wonder what makes Nothing to Envy so different from the other stories. For starters, it covers the lives of six defectors who speak to Barbara about the lives they once lived back in the country which stays well hidden from the public eye. Secondly, Barabara offers history and the events associated with in a neat and precised manner starting from the early 90s. Needless to say, there's a lot of horror associated with this book, sometimes to the point of it all sounding unbelievable.
If there ever has to be hell on Earth, it would undoubtedly be North Korea. To think that one family can wield such immense power to subjugate millions of people to listen to them is something that's straight out of a dystopian novel. Covering the lives of six commoners, Nothing to Envy makes a terrific book, both precise and emotional at the same time. When the economy collapsed and a man induced famine plagued the country, millions lost their lives. The privileged, as usual survived and ate three meals a day while the others barely had a morsel for an entire week.
The social hierarchy in NK is baffling, one that is still in place. Everytime I thought I'd read everything about NK, something new pops up. Each terrifying than the previous one.
Nothing to Envy may just be the right book to introduce you to the world of North Korea. This is an important read, one that sheds floodlights on a rather dark country.
// The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
"Every woman who enters the sea carries a coffin on her back,β she warned the gathering. βIn this world, in the undersea world, we tow the burdens of a hard life. We are crossing between life and death every day.β
I first learnt of Haenyeo from White Chrysanthemum. I knew that these women on Jeju Island grew their lungs so that they can plunge into the depths of the sea and farm the underwater life. They wore cotton clothes which did nothing to protect them from the cold as they ventured into the water day in and out. Contrary to other traditional societies, Haenyeos worked to support their family while the men took care of the children and cooked for everyone. It's surprising to see this progressive quality but it has its own downside too. Women were supposed to send their brothers to school while they toiled in the sea. A huge burden remained on their shoulders, moulding them into extremely strong women.
The Island of Sea Women is a thoroughly researched book that gives an in-depth view into the lives of Haenyeo from the time of Japanese occupation. Of course, with history comes an incredible amount of pain and horror. As the protagonist of the story, Young-sook loses her loved ones, my heart kept chipping into pieces. We get to witness a friendship that spans across years, a tight unity amongst women of the sea and their immense strength to keep going in the face of adversity.
The Island of Sea Women is a feminist book through and through and although some parts were gut-wrenching to read, I absolutely loved how well Lisa has presented the series of events that once affected Korea.
I recommend this very highly. Please add this to your cart and experience the power of the winds and water with the women who are no less than goddesses of the sea.
"Every woman who enters the sea carries a coffin on her back,β she warned the gathering. βIn this world, in the undersea world, we tow the burdens of a hard life. We are crossing between life and death every day.β
I first learnt of Haenyeo from White Chrysanthemum. I knew that these women on Jeju Island grew their lungs so that they can plunge into the depths of the sea and farm the underwater life. They wore cotton clothes which did nothing to protect them from the cold as they ventured into the water day in and out. Contrary to other traditional societies, Haenyeos worked to support their family while the men took care of the children and cooked for everyone. It's surprising to see this progressive quality but it has its own downside too. Women were supposed to send their brothers to school while they toiled in the sea. A huge burden remained on their shoulders, moulding them into extremely strong women.
The Island of Sea Women is a thoroughly researched book that gives an in-depth view into the lives of Haenyeo from the time of Japanese occupation. Of course, with history comes an incredible amount of pain and horror. As the protagonist of the story, Young-sook loses her loved ones, my heart kept chipping into pieces. We get to witness a friendship that spans across years, a tight unity amongst women of the sea and their immense strength to keep going in the face of adversity.
The Island of Sea Women is a feminist book through and through and although some parts were gut-wrenching to read, I absolutely loved how well Lisa has presented the series of events that once affected Korea.
I recommend this very highly. Please add this to your cart and experience the power of the winds and water with the women who are no less than goddesses of the sea.
// Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
"A true lady lets no ugliness into her life," she repeated again and again, drilling the words into me. "Only through pain will you have beauty. Only through suffering will you find peace. I wrap, I bind, but you will have the reward."
It wasn't too long ago that I read Lisa's The Island of Sea Women, a book that sheds light on Haenyeos (female divers from Jeju). I was immensely fascinated by the way they lived. Soon after, I downloaded a copy of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Set in the 19th century, this historical fiction focuses on two young girls growing up in remote China. There was an interesting concept of finding Laotongs for young girls back then. A Laotong relationship was considered the most sacred of all, which bound two girls in sisterhood till eternity. These relationships were cherished and celebrated, sometimes more than their marriages with the husbands.
Lily and Snow Flower were brought together as Laotongs at a very young age. While Lily came from a poor family, Snow Flower was from an affluent one. Back then people were convinced that foot binding made a girl special and important. The smaller the feet were, the better the girl's prospects were in getting married to a wealthy family. These feet which were broken and remoulded were ironically termed as 'Golden Lilies'.
As the story progresses, we see the girls growing up into beautiful ladies but not before their lives are peppered with pain and suffering. Lisa explains in detail about the Confucian system and about the rich Chinese culture. It doesn't take long to realise that both of her books, The Island of Sea Women and this one have certain similarities. Both carry women at the centre of the stories, exploring their friendship and sisterhood. Both are melancholic books, one that portrays the unfair manner in which society treats women.
While I thought Sea Women was painful, this one exceeds it. There's so much sadness in it that it feels impossible to read it quickly. This has only made me appreciate Lisa's brilliant researching capacity. A lot of hardwork goes into her books and it's very evident.
Please read it.
4.5 β
"A true lady lets no ugliness into her life," she repeated again and again, drilling the words into me. "Only through pain will you have beauty. Only through suffering will you find peace. I wrap, I bind, but you will have the reward."
It wasn't too long ago that I read Lisa's The Island of Sea Women, a book that sheds light on Haenyeos (female divers from Jeju). I was immensely fascinated by the way they lived. Soon after, I downloaded a copy of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Set in the 19th century, this historical fiction focuses on two young girls growing up in remote China. There was an interesting concept of finding Laotongs for young girls back then. A Laotong relationship was considered the most sacred of all, which bound two girls in sisterhood till eternity. These relationships were cherished and celebrated, sometimes more than their marriages with the husbands.
Lily and Snow Flower were brought together as Laotongs at a very young age. While Lily came from a poor family, Snow Flower was from an affluent one. Back then people were convinced that foot binding made a girl special and important. The smaller the feet were, the better the girl's prospects were in getting married to a wealthy family. These feet which were broken and remoulded were ironically termed as 'Golden Lilies'.
As the story progresses, we see the girls growing up into beautiful ladies but not before their lives are peppered with pain and suffering. Lisa explains in detail about the Confucian system and about the rich Chinese culture. It doesn't take long to realise that both of her books, The Island of Sea Women and this one have certain similarities. Both carry women at the centre of the stories, exploring their friendship and sisterhood. Both are melancholic books, one that portrays the unfair manner in which society treats women.
While I thought Sea Women was painful, this one exceeds it. There's so much sadness in it that it feels impossible to read it quickly. This has only made me appreciate Lisa's brilliant researching capacity. A lot of hardwork goes into her books and it's very evident.
Please read it.
4.5 β
// it's all in your head, m by @manjiriindurkar
I purchased this memoir on a whim to support @westland_books when the news of their closing was announced. I didn't read the blurb but simply chose this book because it promised to speak of mental health. A few days ago when I finally started reading it, I found it impossible to put it down. I read it while I worked, while I ate and finished it late into the night. Or morning because it was 3.30am. And I was left with a throbbing pain in the middle of my chest for little Manjiri.
The book begins with Manjiri's scary encounter with Rotavirus. This seemingly simple incident eventually opens up a portal of pain and terror in her mind, bringing back everything that has gone wrong since her childhood. Growing up in Jabalpur to parents who were ahead of their time, Manjiri could have had an ideal childhood. Could. No one knew that the little girl who looked beaming in the pictures all those years ago, had dark secrets hidden behind her eyes. Having been sexually abused as a child, Manjiri speaks of trauma that comes back to haunt her even today.
This infuriating incident which was carried out again and again, eventually stemmed out to mental trauma. How else can a child cope with this tragedy at such a young age? As she grew up, Manjiri noticed a pattern in her romantic relationships, her anger towards her grandmother and her tumultuous relationship with her body. What she couldn't say to the world, was put down on paper as poems.
There's so much to write about this book but I honestly don't want to give away too much. Although this book unpacks a lot of trauma and pain, Manjiri's writing keeps you going. It is simply exceptional. She has clipped tiny pieces of her heart onto these pages and it really shows.
Writing a book like this takes immense courage but I can also imagine how liberating it must have been to get this rock lifted off her chest, even if it is for a little while. I cannot wait to read more by her. And I can't thank her enough for her honesty in writing this memoir.
I highly recommend this.
I purchased this memoir on a whim to support @westland_books when the news of their closing was announced. I didn't read the blurb but simply chose this book because it promised to speak of mental health. A few days ago when I finally started reading it, I found it impossible to put it down. I read it while I worked, while I ate and finished it late into the night. Or morning because it was 3.30am. And I was left with a throbbing pain in the middle of my chest for little Manjiri.
The book begins with Manjiri's scary encounter with Rotavirus. This seemingly simple incident eventually opens up a portal of pain and terror in her mind, bringing back everything that has gone wrong since her childhood. Growing up in Jabalpur to parents who were ahead of their time, Manjiri could have had an ideal childhood. Could. No one knew that the little girl who looked beaming in the pictures all those years ago, had dark secrets hidden behind her eyes. Having been sexually abused as a child, Manjiri speaks of trauma that comes back to haunt her even today.
This infuriating incident which was carried out again and again, eventually stemmed out to mental trauma. How else can a child cope with this tragedy at such a young age? As she grew up, Manjiri noticed a pattern in her romantic relationships, her anger towards her grandmother and her tumultuous relationship with her body. What she couldn't say to the world, was put down on paper as poems.
There's so much to write about this book but I honestly don't want to give away too much. Although this book unpacks a lot of trauma and pain, Manjiri's writing keeps you going. It is simply exceptional. She has clipped tiny pieces of her heart onto these pages and it really shows.
Writing a book like this takes immense courage but I can also imagine how liberating it must have been to get this rock lifted off her chest, even if it is for a little while. I cannot wait to read more by her. And I can't thank her enough for her honesty in writing this memoir.
I highly recommend this.
