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astridandlouise's Reviews (665)
This was a light yet highly enjoyable read. I know how knowledgeable and revered ALT is amongst his peers, but didn't know any of the background of how this came to be or how truly admired he is amid notable fashion icons most of which are lifelong friends. Reading about his forty year friendship with Lagerfeld was truly fascinating as I didn't know about it previously.
If you are intrigued by or engrossed with the fashion industry, there are some fantastic stories within these pages. A dazzling insider view of some of the most synonymous names in fashion. As well as great commentary on the current world of fashion (which I hadn't considered before) and the 'use and abuse' culture of fashion print media.
If you are intrigued by or engrossed with the fashion industry, there are some fantastic stories within these pages. A dazzling insider view of some of the most synonymous names in fashion. As well as great commentary on the current world of fashion (which I hadn't considered before) and the 'use and abuse' culture of fashion print media.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Simon & Schuster (Australia) via NetGalley.
I love "coming of age" memoirs, especially written by Australian's. I find them to feel familiar and relatable. And this memoir is breathtaking. It's a story of bullying, harassment and violence, but also about self-discovery. Described by Molloy as, "a love letter to my mother."
Molloy recounts his traumatic experiences encountered over the course of his year as a fourteen year old boy in Yeppoon, Queensland. It details the torment and bullying experienced as an adolescent whilst coming to understand and accept his sexuality. We travel with Molloy as he navigates through his incredibly difficult year and emerges on the other side much stronger, happier and assured of the person he is.
The writing is raw, vivid and immeasurably honest. There's a relatability within these pages even though experiences can differ. We're all uncovering and confronting our insecurities throughout adolescence but we don't understand that when we're living it. Instead we feel alone and confused. Sharing stories such as these unites us in our differences and are so important to assist the generations to come.
I love "coming of age" memoirs, especially written by Australian's. I find them to feel familiar and relatable. And this memoir is breathtaking. It's a story of bullying, harassment and violence, but also about self-discovery. Described by Molloy as, "a love letter to my mother."
Molloy recounts his traumatic experiences encountered over the course of his year as a fourteen year old boy in Yeppoon, Queensland. It details the torment and bullying experienced as an adolescent whilst coming to understand and accept his sexuality. We travel with Molloy as he navigates through his incredibly difficult year and emerges on the other side much stronger, happier and assured of the person he is.
The writing is raw, vivid and immeasurably honest. There's a relatability within these pages even though experiences can differ. We're all uncovering and confronting our insecurities throughout adolescence but we don't understand that when we're living it. Instead we feel alone and confused. Sharing stories such as these unites us in our differences and are so important to assist the generations to come.
I have seen so many mixed reviews about this one so I began with trepidation, but also with extreme curiosity. As I read I could definitely understand the variety and scope of the reviews I have seen. I decided to approach this from a place of neutrality and read it from the angle of a fiction book with a political narrative. (I don't really know anything about Rodham Clinton's background, platform, personality or education other than what I've seen splashed across the news.) I didn't associate or even picture the characters as the true figures they're based upon; perhaps the only exception being Trump.
I quite enjoyed the story if I were to separate it from the factual figures of who it was written to represent. I am curious as to what Rodham Clinton would make of her representation in this book as well as feeling slightly irked that this alternate reality has been imagined and published whilst she's still living. I do find it to be somewhat bizarre if not ambitious. I thought that the structure was strong and it was written well. (I did read this in two days, which for a 400+p book is an achievement.) There were a few plot points that I didn't overly enjoy and thought the approach taken in those specific scenes was slightly awkward and cringe worthy. I did find it to be slightly too long; I thoroughly enjoyed the first half but the second half seemingly dragged somewhat. Dependent on the approach one was to take reading this I'd still recommend it, especially if you're fascinated by Sittenfeld's ambition to create this piece of speculative fiction.
I quite enjoyed the story if I were to separate it from the factual figures of who it was written to represent. I am curious as to what Rodham Clinton would make of her representation in this book as well as feeling slightly irked that this alternate reality has been imagined and published whilst she's still living. I do find it to be somewhat bizarre if not ambitious. I thought that the structure was strong and it was written well. (I did read this in two days, which for a 400+p book is an achievement.) There were a few plot points that I didn't overly enjoy and thought the approach taken in those specific scenes was slightly awkward and cringe worthy. I did find it to be slightly too long; I thoroughly enjoyed the first half but the second half seemingly dragged somewhat. Dependent on the approach one was to take reading this I'd still recommend it, especially if you're fascinated by Sittenfeld's ambition to create this piece of speculative fiction.
This was extremely uncomfortable and confronting to read, yet I could hardly put it down. The structure and use of language is exquisite. The manipulation, predatory nature and psychological abuse conducted by Strane is disgusting. The confusion, repulsion and sadness faced by Wye is heartbreaking.
This is not an easy read nor should it be, but if it offers everyday citizens a slight insight and a better understanding of both predatory and victim mentality then it's a book worth reading.
This is not an easy read nor should it be, but if it offers everyday citizens a slight insight and a better understanding of both predatory and victim mentality then it's a book worth reading.
The two main characters in Apartment aren't overly likeable. However Wayne has a sincere gift in ensuring you forge a connection with them, particularly our unnamed narrator. It was such an ordinary story but at the same time completely unusual. I loved the fluency in Wayne's writing and will definitely read more of his work. Highly enjoyable.
Yuknavitch is so vivid and visceral with her prose. She's a captivating read.
Adelaide Inner South Book Club - June Selection
I found this to be a bit of a disappointment, especially after seeing so much praise for it and being excited to read it. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, the twist was fairly obvious (I predicted it a third of the way through) and honestly, I just don’t believe any psychotherapist would act in the manner in which Theo Faber did. (Psychotherapist or detective?) There were characters that were relevant throughout the narrative yet went missing at the end, their storylines left unresolved and me with many unanswered questions.
I will give credit for the way that it read. It was easy to read and it did give me that suspense and eagerness to want to keep reading. Unfortunately though it had me cringing the majority of the time.
I found this to be a bit of a disappointment, especially after seeing so much praise for it and being excited to read it. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, the twist was fairly obvious (I predicted it a third of the way through) and honestly, I just don’t believe any psychotherapist would act in the manner in which Theo Faber did. (Psychotherapist or detective?) There were characters that were relevant throughout the narrative yet went missing at the end, their storylines left unresolved and me with many unanswered questions.
I will give credit for the way that it read. It was easy to read and it did give me that suspense and eagerness to want to keep reading. Unfortunately though it had me cringing the majority of the time.
Quirky and engaging read. The characters were interwoven very well and there were a few moments throughout that caught me by surprise.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to AmazonCrossing via NetGalley
Set in a volatile Turkey, we follow a young girl who decides to live out the rest of her days in the treetops of Gulhane Park. The story rallies between The Girl wanting to forget everything that has come before her and not wanting to lose precious memories she holds dear. Before long, love enters the trees and her life, but even that is not enough to entice her to return to life below.
This began incredibly strongly for me however, roughly 40% through I just got tired. The narrative seemed to volley between past and present, as well as various character arcs which I found difficult to navigate. Whether this was supposed to represent The Girl and her state of mind I'm unsure, but if it was it didn't translate especially well. Whilst I genuinely felt for The Girl in The Tree, by the ending she frustrated and perplexed me.
2.5 stars.
Set in a volatile Turkey, we follow a young girl who decides to live out the rest of her days in the treetops of Gulhane Park. The story rallies between The Girl wanting to forget everything that has come before her and not wanting to lose precious memories she holds dear. Before long, love enters the trees and her life, but even that is not enough to entice her to return to life below.
This began incredibly strongly for me however, roughly 40% through I just got tired. The narrative seemed to volley between past and present, as well as various character arcs which I found difficult to navigate. Whether this was supposed to represent The Girl and her state of mind I'm unsure, but if it was it didn't translate especially well. Whilst I genuinely felt for The Girl in The Tree, by the ending she frustrated and perplexed me.
2.5 stars.
Book Club – Michael’s Selection
I truly don’t know where to start with this book. The first half infuriated me like no other. The misogynistic and racial elements of this book (whether intentional of the author or not) were incredibly one-dimensional (much like the characters) and I didn’t find their use throughout the narrative to be of any benefit, nor did it address the deeper systemic issues this has on societies such as the one in the book. It just felt convenient, used to advance a storyline with no real elaboration on how these systemic issues can be addressed or how we can begin to incite change as communities within such societies. (I understand that this probably wasn’t the author’s intention with this piece of fiction, that perhaps he was inspired to write something fun and quirky, but it just seems tone-deaf for the world in which we’re currently living in.)
The second half picked up slightly for me, but I still found it to be quite long and, in a sense, repetitive. All in all, probably not a book for or aimed at me.
I truly don’t know where to start with this book. The first half infuriated me like no other. The misogynistic and racial elements of this book (whether intentional of the author or not) were incredibly one-dimensional (much like the characters) and I didn’t find their use throughout the narrative to be of any benefit, nor did it address the deeper systemic issues this has on societies such as the one in the book. It just felt convenient, used to advance a storyline with no real elaboration on how these systemic issues can be addressed or how we can begin to incite change as communities within such societies. (I understand that this probably wasn’t the author’s intention with this piece of fiction, that perhaps he was inspired to write something fun and quirky, but it just seems tone-deaf for the world in which we’re currently living in.)
The second half picked up slightly for me, but I still found it to be quite long and, in a sense, repetitive. All in all, probably not a book for or aimed at me.