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elle_reads's Reviews (446)
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BOOK REVIEW
[Nocturnes] A collection of stories about music affecting lives.
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WHAT I LIKED
Nocturnes made me play piano again. It renewed my love of classical music. I hadn’t realized how far away from the operatic notes I’d fallen until reading his last, “Cellists.” I felt that piece. Just as Tibor felt truth in Eloise McCormack's tutorage. Just as Eloise felt alive fingering the cello notes on air.
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I was captivated by the backgrounds of Ishiguro’s different characters. His writing inspired me to pick up more books by Russian and German authors to learn more about events experienced by his characters.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I don’t think I was in the right mindset at the start of Nocturnes. I began this book in the middle of a crowded mall with syrupy cinnamon covered fingers while stopping intermidently to talk to students as they passed by. The first four stories fell flat, but I think it was my fault. I read the fifth story drinking coffee at a quiet cafe. I could barely keep myself from underlining the entire story.
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Nocturnes (by Kazuo Ishiguro) ?/5 will reread
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BOOK REVIEW
[Nocturnes] A collection of stories about music affecting lives.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Nocturnes made me play piano again. It renewed my love of classical music. I hadn’t realized how far away from the operatic notes I’d fallen until reading his last, “Cellists.” I felt that piece. Just as Tibor felt truth in Eloise McCormack's tutorage. Just as Eloise felt alive fingering the cello notes on air.
//
I was captivated by the backgrounds of Ishiguro’s different characters. His writing inspired me to pick up more books by Russian and German authors to learn more about events experienced by his characters.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I don’t think I was in the right mindset at the start of Nocturnes. I began this book in the middle of a crowded mall with syrupy cinnamon covered fingers while stopping intermidently to talk to students as they passed by. The first four stories fell flat, but I think it was my fault. I read the fifth story drinking coffee at a quiet cafe. I could barely keep myself from underlining the entire story.
//
Nocturnes (by Kazuo Ishiguro) ?/5 will reread
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Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Tale of Genji] Pageantry and love bewitch members of the Heian Imperial Japanese Court.
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WHAT I LIKED
Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji is arguably the first novel ever written. Shikibu began writing the novel shortly after her husband died. Her work eventually secured her a place in the salon of Empress Shoshi. She even taught Empress Shoshi Chinese in secret! At the time, Chinese was only a worthy pursuit for men. What a badass.
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Heian Japan is nothing but rules. Murasaki never tells you the rules. You have to figure them out for yourself as characters stretch and tweak each rule to see what is truly allowed. The members of the Heian court live in paradoxes. Ladies are to be coy, but not cold. Men are to be dashing, but humble. Both sexes are to give up worldly pleasures for the Buddha’s scriptures, but they can’t become monks and nuns too early. They have to live their life instead of escape it.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Shikibu wrote this tale for people who have time on their hands. LOTS of time on their hands. At first, the pace was agonizing. It was slow. It described each curtain and coat at length. Each person has five different titles, but no name. But then I learned how to read it. The type of curtain shows the relationship between dweller and caller. Each coat reflects a person’s position. The title used in a specific moment shows the character’s place in the social hierarchy compared to those around them. Once I let go of the reins, The Tale of Genji flowed my consciousness down a gentle stream with small babbling brooks of psychological drama. It’s my new addiction.
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The Tale of Genji (by Murasaki Shikibu) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
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BOOK REVIEW
[The Tale of Genji] Pageantry and love bewitch members of the Heian Imperial Japanese Court.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji is arguably the first novel ever written. Shikibu began writing the novel shortly after her husband died. Her work eventually secured her a place in the salon of Empress Shoshi. She even taught Empress Shoshi Chinese in secret! At the time, Chinese was only a worthy pursuit for men. What a badass.
//
Heian Japan is nothing but rules. Murasaki never tells you the rules. You have to figure them out for yourself as characters stretch and tweak each rule to see what is truly allowed. The members of the Heian court live in paradoxes. Ladies are to be coy, but not cold. Men are to be dashing, but humble. Both sexes are to give up worldly pleasures for the Buddha’s scriptures, but they can’t become monks and nuns too early. They have to live their life instead of escape it.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Shikibu wrote this tale for people who have time on their hands. LOTS of time on their hands. At first, the pace was agonizing. It was slow. It described each curtain and coat at length. Each person has five different titles, but no name. But then I learned how to read it. The type of curtain shows the relationship between dweller and caller. Each coat reflects a person’s position. The title used in a specific moment shows the character’s place in the social hierarchy compared to those around them. Once I let go of the reins, The Tale of Genji flowed my consciousness down a gentle stream with small babbling brooks of psychological drama. It’s my new addiction.
//
The Tale of Genji (by Murasaki Shikibu) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
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Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Familiars] The Pendle witches are about to be hung with Fleetwood’s midwife among them.
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WHAT I LIKED
Witches. Familiars. Curses. Small children with eerie magical knowledge. This book is perfect for spooky season (even if you can’t watch horror movies like me)! The Familiars stems from true events - and I think that’s the most horrifying part. There actually was a 17 year old mistress of a manner named Fleetwood at the time of the trials. I would tell you more, but I don’t want to spoil the ending! Fleetwood is pregnant throughout the entire storyline. I love how Halls showcased a pregnant woman as hero!
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WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I wish Fleetwood had more personality. Her small idiosyncrasies were stereotypical. I was rooting for her because of the events in question, not just for her. I felt the same way about the setting. It wasn’t very concrete. Yes - the rugs are Turkish, but what do they ACTUALLY look like?
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Missed opportunities is this book’s greatest weakness. Fleetwood’s personality could have had more oomph. The setting was almost concrete. I was sad to see all the missed opportunities to really hit home with social commentary. Halls had great discussions about gender roles, ostracizing outsiders, and the effects of parenting. Unfortunately, each one only encapsulated the tip of the iceberg. I consumed this book. It was entertaining, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
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The Familiars (by Stacey Halls) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
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BOOK REVIEW
[The Familiars] The Pendle witches are about to be hung with Fleetwood’s midwife among them.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Witches. Familiars. Curses. Small children with eerie magical knowledge. This book is perfect for spooky season (even if you can’t watch horror movies like me)! The Familiars stems from true events - and I think that’s the most horrifying part. There actually was a 17 year old mistress of a manner named Fleetwood at the time of the trials. I would tell you more, but I don’t want to spoil the ending! Fleetwood is pregnant throughout the entire storyline. I love how Halls showcased a pregnant woman as hero!
//
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I wish Fleetwood had more personality. Her small idiosyncrasies were stereotypical. I was rooting for her because of the events in question, not just for her. I felt the same way about the setting. It wasn’t very concrete. Yes - the rugs are Turkish, but what do they ACTUALLY look like?
//
Missed opportunities is this book’s greatest weakness. Fleetwood’s personality could have had more oomph. The setting was almost concrete. I was sad to see all the missed opportunities to really hit home with social commentary. Halls had great discussions about gender roles, ostracizing outsiders, and the effects of parenting. Unfortunately, each one only encapsulated the tip of the iceberg. I consumed this book. It was entertaining, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
//
The Familiars (by Stacey Halls) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
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Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[Flowers for Algernon] Read the progress reports of Charlie Gordon as he undergoes an operation to increase his mental prowess.
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WHAT I LIKED
Flowers for Algernon is an intimate conversation with the changing mind of Charlie Gordon. Readers know they live right next to his prefrontal cortex through the first words “progris riport 1 match 3.” Keyes ingeniously uses words as form to reflect Charlie’s slow mental change. Each progress report differs in length and ends anywhere on the page. There’s no true chapter divide (no matter how many times I told myself 'I’ll just read one more chapter').
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Charlie is incredibly motivated to read and write like a ’normal person.’ Above all, he is innocent. Along with reading and writing comes the knowledge that his friends aren’t exactly who he thought they were. Yet, not even Charlie is perfect. He makes mistakes and mistakes and mistakes. Not even perfect intellect can prevent someone from messing up.
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WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The middle half of the book was a bit onenote for me. I think the jump between Charlie’s problems in the middle and end (keeping it spoiler free, y'all) could have been accomplished with less detail.
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Flowers for Algernon (by Daniel Keyes) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
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Favorite Pages: 5,9, 16, 23, 25, 37, 59, 71, 113, 122, 124, 126, 153, 193, 195, 199, 211, 230, 249, 252, 278
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Recommended for Lovers of: Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
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BOOK REVIEW
[Flowers for Algernon] Read the progress reports of Charlie Gordon as he undergoes an operation to increase his mental prowess.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Flowers for Algernon is an intimate conversation with the changing mind of Charlie Gordon. Readers know they live right next to his prefrontal cortex through the first words “progris riport 1 match 3.” Keyes ingeniously uses words as form to reflect Charlie’s slow mental change. Each progress report differs in length and ends anywhere on the page. There’s no true chapter divide (no matter how many times I told myself 'I’ll just read one more chapter').
//
Charlie is incredibly motivated to read and write like a ’normal person.’ Above all, he is innocent. Along with reading and writing comes the knowledge that his friends aren’t exactly who he thought they were. Yet, not even Charlie is perfect. He makes mistakes and mistakes and mistakes. Not even perfect intellect can prevent someone from messing up.
//
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The middle half of the book was a bit onenote for me. I think the jump between Charlie’s problems in the middle and end (keeping it spoiler free, y'all) could have been accomplished with less detail.
//
Flowers for Algernon (by Daniel Keyes) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
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Favorite Pages: 5,9, 16, 23, 25, 37, 59, 71, 113, 122, 124, 126, 153, 193, 195, 199, 211, 230, 249, 252, 278
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Recommended for Lovers of: Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
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Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Wall] Defenders on the Wall keep Others out.
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WHAT I LIKED
The Wall is cunning and deceptive. Problems are obvious. Narration is plain. Then the subtext slowly unveils itself into a web of social commentary. Lanchester brilliantly depicts current tensions in British society: Brexit, immigration debates, dead end jobs, generational guilt/blame, etc. As an American, I feel many of his observations across the pond as well. As an expat, I feel the same generational tensions in Taiwan. Lanchester dives into the complex psychology behind these difficult tensions with the ease of a relatable first person narrator.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Most major plot points were predictable, but I didn’t hate them. It is a generic plot with unique world building. Spoiler - but not really spoiler - the defender eventually becomes a floating refugee. Some critics find the beginning slow, but I find it purposeful. The beginning is supposed hold concrete and boredom like defenders standing on the Wall. The ending was an abrupt deus ex machina without closure.
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The Wall (by John Lanchester) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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Favorite Pages: 3, 46, 47, 48, 59, 66, 73, 93, 112, 145, 160, 191
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Recommended for Lovers of: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Animal Farm by George Orwell, poems by Wilfred Owen
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BOOK REVIEW
[The Wall] Defenders on the Wall keep Others out.
//
WHAT I LIKED
The Wall is cunning and deceptive. Problems are obvious. Narration is plain. Then the subtext slowly unveils itself into a web of social commentary. Lanchester brilliantly depicts current tensions in British society: Brexit, immigration debates, dead end jobs, generational guilt/blame, etc. As an American, I feel many of his observations across the pond as well. As an expat, I feel the same generational tensions in Taiwan. Lanchester dives into the complex psychology behind these difficult tensions with the ease of a relatable first person narrator.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Most major plot points were predictable, but I didn’t hate them. It is a generic plot with unique world building. Spoiler - but not really spoiler - the defender eventually becomes a floating refugee. Some critics find the beginning slow, but I find it purposeful. The beginning is supposed hold concrete and boredom like defenders standing on the Wall. The ending was an abrupt deus ex machina without closure.
//
The Wall (by John Lanchester) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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Favorite Pages: 3, 46, 47, 48, 59, 66, 73, 93, 112, 145, 160, 191
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Recommended for Lovers of: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Animal Farm by George Orwell, poems by Wilfred Owen
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Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Joy Luck Club] Mothers and daughters attempt understanding across the vast plains of generational and cultural difference.
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WHAT I LIKED
The Joy Luck Club is one of my top 2019 reads. I will keep recommending this book for years. It was that amazing.
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Amy Tan is a master of using every single sentence for a double purpose. There is always an obvious meaning and clever subtext. She uses beautiful metaphors for complex feelings. Furthermore, her metaphors showcase the generational and cultural differences between Chinese immigrant mothers and their Chinese American daughters. For some plot points, readers watch the same moment through each family member’s eyes. For others, it is too late. Her mother has already passed on, and now the daughter has to grapple with her history alone.
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This book is divided into four sections with titles corresponding to the themes of each narrative. I absolutely loved the section titles and short introductions. Tan uses these blocks and separate chapters to keep the mothers and daughters apart. They are literally and literar(ily?) isolated. These separations display the distance between each mother/daughter pair.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I had to keep referencing who is who from a short list at the beginning of the book. However, I think the separation is worth a small inconvenience.
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The Joy Luck Club (by Amy Tan) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
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Favorite Pages: There were too many. Here are the one I considered writing about for my posts! 19, 27, 31, 36, 68, 92, 94, 128, 140, 156, 201, 213, 223, 254, 257, 261, 272, 288-289
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Recommended for Lovers of: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
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BOOK REVIEW
[The Joy Luck Club] Mothers and daughters attempt understanding across the vast plains of generational and cultural difference.
//
WHAT I LIKED
The Joy Luck Club is one of my top 2019 reads. I will keep recommending this book for years. It was that amazing.
//
Amy Tan is a master of using every single sentence for a double purpose. There is always an obvious meaning and clever subtext. She uses beautiful metaphors for complex feelings. Furthermore, her metaphors showcase the generational and cultural differences between Chinese immigrant mothers and their Chinese American daughters. For some plot points, readers watch the same moment through each family member’s eyes. For others, it is too late. Her mother has already passed on, and now the daughter has to grapple with her history alone.
//
This book is divided into four sections with titles corresponding to the themes of each narrative. I absolutely loved the section titles and short introductions. Tan uses these blocks and separate chapters to keep the mothers and daughters apart. They are literally and literar(ily?) isolated. These separations display the distance between each mother/daughter pair.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I had to keep referencing who is who from a short list at the beginning of the book. However, I think the separation is worth a small inconvenience.
//
The Joy Luck Club (by Amy Tan) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
//
Favorite Pages: There were too many. Here are the one I considered writing about for my posts! 19, 27, 31, 36, 68, 92, 94, 128, 140, 156, 201, 213, 223, 254, 257, 261, 272, 288-289
//
Recommended for Lovers of: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
//
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Testaments] Women work against and together to build and destroy Gilead.
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WHAT I LIKED
The Testaments is an action (not character) driven thriller. I loved Atwood’s increasing sense of urgency on each page. She makes some poignant contemporary social commentary without bashing it on the reader’s head. This book also allows reads insights into multiple factions of Gilead women. Instead of Offred’s utter isolation, these characters interact with other under a cunning guise or pure innocence. I’m excited that Atwood wrote another ‘academic conference’ chapter to end The Testaments. It difficult to restrain my annoyance at the light humor the modern speakers give their sources, but then the last paragraph…the last paragraph pulled at my heartstrings. It hit me hard and humanized the characters one final time before close.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
*whisper* I skimmed a bit of Daisy’s narrative *whisper* There’s idealistic teenager, and then there is reader-unbelievable idealistic teenager. The pacing was just off. Her storyline was equally stagnant and rushed. Everything just fit to easily into place. It was predictable - and not just because I’ve read The Handmaid’s Tale. The other teenager, Agnes, was a touch flat as well.
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I think it's impossible to review The Testaments without some mention of The Handmaid’s Tale. IT IS DIFFERENT than The Handmaid’s Tale! The Testaments has a foot in instant classic (mostly Aunt Lydia’s plot) and a foot in action thriller. It may not be a modern classic like The Handmaid’s Tale, but it was still worth the read and recommendation.
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The Testaments (by Margaret Atwood) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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Favorite Pages: 10, 11, 13, 15, 48, 32, 142, 166, 174, 178, 278, 303, 307, 327, 364, 412
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Recommended if you like: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, 1984 by George Orwell, Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton
BOOK REVIEW
[The Testaments] Women work against and together to build and destroy Gilead.
//
WHAT I LIKED
The Testaments is an action (not character) driven thriller. I loved Atwood’s increasing sense of urgency on each page. She makes some poignant contemporary social commentary without bashing it on the reader’s head. This book also allows reads insights into multiple factions of Gilead women. Instead of Offred’s utter isolation, these characters interact with other under a cunning guise or pure innocence. I’m excited that Atwood wrote another ‘academic conference’ chapter to end The Testaments. It difficult to restrain my annoyance at the light humor the modern speakers give their sources, but then the last paragraph…the last paragraph pulled at my heartstrings. It hit me hard and humanized the characters one final time before close.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
*whisper* I skimmed a bit of Daisy’s narrative *whisper* There’s idealistic teenager, and then there is reader-unbelievable idealistic teenager. The pacing was just off. Her storyline was equally stagnant and rushed. Everything just fit to easily into place. It was predictable - and not just because I’ve read The Handmaid’s Tale. The other teenager, Agnes, was a touch flat as well.
//
I think it's impossible to review The Testaments without some mention of The Handmaid’s Tale. IT IS DIFFERENT than The Handmaid’s Tale! The Testaments has a foot in instant classic (mostly Aunt Lydia’s plot) and a foot in action thriller. It may not be a modern classic like The Handmaid’s Tale, but it was still worth the read and recommendation.
//
The Testaments (by Margaret Atwood) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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Favorite Pages: 10, 11, 13, 15, 48, 32, 142, 166, 174, 178, 278, 303, 307, 327, 364, 412
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Recommended if you like: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, 1984 by George Orwell, Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[Dance Dance Dance] An unnamed narrator explores capitalism with the help of high class call girls, trust-exuding actors, and psychic teenagers.
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WHAT I LIKED
I loved the ambivalent ending. It gave hope, sorrow, and acceptance to readers/characters alike at the partial solution to Dance Dance Dance’s overarching mystery. Finding these little clues in realms of reality and magical realism were my favorite passages. My predictions were flipped on the head my Murakami’s changing rules. Right when I thought I understood the ‘other world,’ it changed.
//
Small note: I loved the main character’s cooking descriptions. I don't cook, but his nonchalant food descriptions make me wish I did.
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WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The pacing in the middle was touch lax, but it sped up in the end. I slowly became less interested with the main character through the book. He’s bland enough everyone can relate to him, but at some point after four books I want more. I understand the loafing, routine-loving main character is one of Murakami’s hallmarks, but this character wasn’t as fully formed as others in his writing (like Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki).
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Dance Dance Dance (by Haruki Murakami) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3.5/5
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Favorite Pages: 5, 13, 55, 86, 102, 107, 110, 120, 146, 149, 156, 205, 222, 245, 271, 282, 290, 306, 312, 323, 333, 365, 366, 372
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Recommended for Lovers of: Franz Kafka, Voltaire, Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, Jorge Luis Borges
BOOK REVIEW
[Dance Dance Dance] An unnamed narrator explores capitalism with the help of high class call girls, trust-exuding actors, and psychic teenagers.
//
WHAT I LIKED
I loved the ambivalent ending. It gave hope, sorrow, and acceptance to readers/characters alike at the partial solution to Dance Dance Dance’s overarching mystery. Finding these little clues in realms of reality and magical realism were my favorite passages. My predictions were flipped on the head my Murakami’s changing rules. Right when I thought I understood the ‘other world,’ it changed.
//
Small note: I loved the main character’s cooking descriptions. I don't cook, but his nonchalant food descriptions make me wish I did.
//
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The pacing in the middle was touch lax, but it sped up in the end. I slowly became less interested with the main character through the book. He’s bland enough everyone can relate to him, but at some point after four books I want more. I understand the loafing, routine-loving main character is one of Murakami’s hallmarks, but this character wasn’t as fully formed as others in his writing (like Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki).
//
Dance Dance Dance (by Haruki Murakami) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3.5/5
//
Favorite Pages: 5, 13, 55, 86, 102, 107, 110, 120, 146, 149, 156, 205, 222, 245, 271, 282, 290, 306, 312, 323, 333, 365, 366, 372
//
Recommended for Lovers of: Franz Kafka, Voltaire, Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, Jorge Luis Borges
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[A Wild Sheep Chase] An unnamed narrator searches for a magic sheep.
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WHAT I LIKED
My favorite moment of A Wild Sheep Chase is the naming of the unnamed narrator’s cat. No, its not JUST because there’s a fat, old cat with a strict diet. Hear me out. It is a perfect example of Murakami's little mundane, humanized moments leading into greater observations of life. He moves from a character’s old cat to the meaning of names. Why do some objects have names, yet others don’t? Is it for the interchangeability of a thing? It’s role? Does it connect to religion?
//
I also loved the feeling of clues coming together at the end. Murakami’s writing is always a toss up: will we know why/how something happened or be left with a muddy impression? I enjoy understanding the pieces before the characters fully put it together. As the third in the series, I don’t think it's necessary to read the other books to understand the plot, but the payoff is greater just because. There a small attributes to prior themes.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Murakami is often criticised for male gaze. I have conflicting views on the subject. Yes - woman are more than their bodies. But yes - women’s bodies are also beautiful. Murakami’s descriptions are general respectful, but a few in this piece made me cringe. There’s a place for cringing, but even the cringe didn’t seem to add to the plot. Not enough to give it a less star (that’s more based on pacing), but it is enough for me to sit back and wonder, what that part necessary? What do you think about male gaze in literature?
//
A Wild Sheep Chase (by Haruki Murakami) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
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Favorite Pages: 15, 36, 83, 101, 108, 135, 152-155, 167, 253, //
Recommended for Lovers of: Franz Kafka, Voltaire, Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, Jorge Luis Borges
//
BOOK REVIEW
[A Wild Sheep Chase] An unnamed narrator searches for a magic sheep.
//
WHAT I LIKED
My favorite moment of A Wild Sheep Chase is the naming of the unnamed narrator’s cat. No, its not JUST because there’s a fat, old cat with a strict diet. Hear me out. It is a perfect example of Murakami's little mundane, humanized moments leading into greater observations of life. He moves from a character’s old cat to the meaning of names. Why do some objects have names, yet others don’t? Is it for the interchangeability of a thing? It’s role? Does it connect to religion?
//
I also loved the feeling of clues coming together at the end. Murakami’s writing is always a toss up: will we know why/how something happened or be left with a muddy impression? I enjoy understanding the pieces before the characters fully put it together. As the third in the series, I don’t think it's necessary to read the other books to understand the plot, but the payoff is greater just because. There a small attributes to prior themes.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Murakami is often criticised for male gaze. I have conflicting views on the subject. Yes - woman are more than their bodies. But yes - women’s bodies are also beautiful. Murakami’s descriptions are general respectful, but a few in this piece made me cringe. There’s a place for cringing, but even the cringe didn’t seem to add to the plot. Not enough to give it a less star (that’s more based on pacing), but it is enough for me to sit back and wonder, what that part necessary? What do you think about male gaze in literature?
//
A Wild Sheep Chase (by Haruki Murakami) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️4/5
//
Favorite Pages: 15, 36, 83, 101, 108, 135, 152-155, 167, 253, //
Recommended for Lovers of: Franz Kafka, Voltaire, Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, Jorge Luis Borges
//
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
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[Pinball, 1973] An unnamed narrator tries to find meaning during his quest for a pinball machine.
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WHAT I LIKED
Pinball, 1973 follows the same unnamed narrator back to his city job. I enjoyed the contrasts between the quick-to-change, quick-to-forget city and the small town with the same lights dotting the mountain for decades. In the city, a coffee barista doesn’t know what happened to the previous business. In the village, families visit their future graves and admire their plot.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I felt like this installment of The Rat Series was spinning its wheels. Lots was said, but very little actually happened or was realized. It was a complex meagnering maze without a thesis at the end. There were less layers then Hear the Wind Sing. It just didn’t hold the UMPH of the first instalment. Perhaps this is the point. Perhaps this is the book when the characters reve their engines to speed forward in the next selection. I wouldn’t reread this section, but I will finish the series!
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Pinball, 1973 (by Haruki Murakami) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
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Favorite Pages: 3, 10, 17, 21, 45, 57, 62, 69, 70, 96, 106
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Recommended for Lovers of: Franz Kafka, Voltaire, Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, Jorge Luis Borges
//
BOOK REVIEW
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[Pinball, 1973] An unnamed narrator tries to find meaning during his quest for a pinball machine.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Pinball, 1973 follows the same unnamed narrator back to his city job. I enjoyed the contrasts between the quick-to-change, quick-to-forget city and the small town with the same lights dotting the mountain for decades. In the city, a coffee barista doesn’t know what happened to the previous business. In the village, families visit their future graves and admire their plot.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I felt like this installment of The Rat Series was spinning its wheels. Lots was said, but very little actually happened or was realized. It was a complex meagnering maze without a thesis at the end. There were less layers then Hear the Wind Sing. It just didn’t hold the UMPH of the first instalment. Perhaps this is the point. Perhaps this is the book when the characters reve their engines to speed forward in the next selection. I wouldn’t reread this section, but I will finish the series!
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Pinball, 1973 (by Haruki Murakami) ⚡️⚡️⚡️3/5
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Favorite Pages: 3, 10, 17, 21, 45, 57, 62, 69, 70, 96, 106
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Recommended for Lovers of: Franz Kafka, Voltaire, Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, Jorge Luis Borges
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