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eloise_bradbooks's Reviews (801)
3.5 / 5
I didn't know much about The Great Gatsby before reading this (hunt me down for not reading the classics all you want), knowing the original story will probably bring something more that i probably missed.
The author's note made me understand a little more how the way things were represented in this version was much more representative of the way we see people and the world nowadays, more relatable to people of the 21st century. And I appreciated that.
That being said, I didn't really come to care about the people or the story...
I didn't know much about The Great Gatsby before reading this (hunt me down for not reading the classics all you want), knowing the original story will probably bring something more that i probably missed.
The author's note made me understand a little more how the way things were represented in this version was much more representative of the way we see people and the world nowadays, more relatable to people of the 21st century. And I appreciated that.
That being said, I didn't really come to care about the people or the story...
A robot visits an agender depressed Tea Monk to try to understand how the humans have been doing since they released the robots.
Becky Chambers' scifi is my absolute favourite. You get this expansive world building that takes the shape of character's interactions and feelings, which makes you care for them greatly.
Becky Chambers' scifi is my absolute favourite. You get this expansive world building that takes the shape of character's interactions and feelings, which makes you care for them greatly.
As always, Becky Chambers' pulls you into a fascinating world with kind and warm beings, questioning people and their desires.
I don't quite understand why these two novellas didn't just end up being one novel but I still loved reading them nevertheless.
I don't quite understand why these two novellas didn't just end up being one novel but I still loved reading them nevertheless.
2.5 / 5
Ce qui j'ai apprécié c'est qu'on en apprend pas mal sur les besoins d'un nourrisson albinos.
Ce que j'ai moins apprécié c'est le jugement, la négativité, les critiques qu'ont eu les parents envers les soignants, les passants, les situations (surtout la maman) alors qu'ils sont clairement privilégiés sur de nombreux points, ça m'a foutu la rage.
Ce qui j'ai apprécié c'est qu'on en apprend pas mal sur les besoins d'un nourrisson albinos.
Ce que j'ai moins apprécié c'est le jugement, la négativité, les critiques qu'ont eu les parents envers les soignants, les passants, les situations (surtout la maman) alors qu'ils sont clairement privilégiés sur de nombreux points, ça m'a foutu la rage.
Short version: untruthful marketing and a whole lot of cheating made this story very disappointing.
A scatter of deeper thoughts:
- First of all, this absolutely shouldn't be considered a sequel or even a companion novel to Last Night At The Telegraph Club. There is very little reference to that book, very little comparison. We don't get to see the places or people we saw in LNATTC and how they've changed all these decades later. We just get one small article added near the end that tells us where Kath and Lily are now. That's it.
- Even the "this book shows what it's like for queer people when gay marriage is officially allowed in the states" isn't really true. It gets mentioned at the beginning and that's about it.
- We follow Aria as she spends time at her grandmother Joan's place her last summer before college. She hangs out with Joan's gardner and her friends, which are all queer.
- it felt nice knowing that almost ever character was queer and at different stages of figuring out exactly who they are and who they can tell.
- I really liked Joan and Aria's relationship with her. Although I didn't get why Aria calls her Joan and not grandma or something similar. Felt really odd.
- I enjoy reading about messy imperfect characters, but there's a limit to how messy someone can be. And cheating and thinking that's fine, not learning and being sorry for it is where the line gets drawn.
- many people have said Malinda Lo's writing is exquisite. At times I do agree. Especially in moments of deep emotion. But at other times I didn't really like the writing, especially during descriptions or objects or places. It was simple in a way that made no sense (like a house described only as white and a hat described only as orange... That doesn't help me visualise them at all).
A scatter of deeper thoughts:
- First of all, this absolutely shouldn't be considered a sequel or even a companion novel to Last Night At The Telegraph Club. There is very little reference to that book, very little comparison. We don't get to see the places or people we saw in LNATTC and how they've changed all these decades later. We just get one small article added near the end that tells us where Kath and Lily are now. That's it.
- Even the "this book shows what it's like for queer people when gay marriage is officially allowed in the states" isn't really true. It gets mentioned at the beginning and that's about it.
- We follow Aria as she spends time at her grandmother Joan's place her last summer before college. She hangs out with Joan's gardner and her friends, which are all queer.
- it felt nice knowing that almost ever character was queer and at different stages of figuring out exactly who they are and who they can tell.
- I really liked Joan and Aria's relationship with her. Although I didn't get why Aria calls her Joan and not grandma or something similar. Felt really odd.
- I enjoy reading about messy imperfect characters, but there's a limit to how messy someone can be. And cheating and thinking that's fine, not learning and being sorry for it is where the line gets drawn.
- many people have said Malinda Lo's writing is exquisite. At times I do agree. Especially in moments of deep emotion. But at other times I didn't really like the writing, especially during descriptions or objects or places. It was simple in a way that made no sense (like a house described only as white and a hat described only as orange... That doesn't help me visualise them at all).
3.5 rounded up. ~ Listening to the audiobook of the book written about audiobook narrators by one of my favourite audiobook narrators was really fun!
We rarely get to read stories about audiobook narrating and the fact this one came from a hugely successful narrator made it feel extremely reel and personal.
The characters were nice and you get why they liked each other. I especially appreciated the main characters relationship with her grandmother but also the author she used to narrate books for who recently passed away. They made her feel like a really sweet person.
I admit it was a little *too* cheesy on the end. Even though they made a whole deal about not liking HEAs and cutesy romance, that's exactly what they got and in the most cheesy way....
Anyways, it remained a fun fast paced read (listen) I didn't want to put down most.
We rarely get to read stories about audiobook narrating and the fact this one came from a hugely successful narrator made it feel extremely reel and personal.
The characters were nice and you get why they liked each other. I especially appreciated the main characters relationship with her grandmother but also the author she used to narrate books for who recently passed away. They made her feel like a really sweet person.
I admit it was a little *too* cheesy on the end. Even though they made a whole deal about not liking HEAs and cutesy romance, that's exactly what they got and in the most cheesy way....
Anyways, it remained a fun fast paced read (listen) I didn't want to put down most.
This was SO GOOD on every level!
And let's be honest, i loved the britishness of it. Hearing about a mixed-race gay teen growing up in the UK and finding out how to express himself in the way he feels best was
Hearing the author himself narrate his book just gives it so much more closeness.
And let's be honest, i loved the britishness of it. Hearing about a mixed-race gay teen growing up in the UK and finding out how to express himself in the way he feels best was
Hearing the author himself narrate his book just gives it so much more closeness.
4.5? Cynthia So has a way of putting into beautiful words the feelings you never thought could be expressed into words. If You Still Recognise Me deals with family, culture, friendships (online and away from keyboard), trauma from a past relationship and new crushes.
Elsie is still struggling to get over her previous relationship when her Popo (her grandmother from Hong-Kong) which she hasn't seen is years, comes to live with her in the UK. She now has to deal with family secrets, rekindling her friendship with her childhood bestfriend turned stranger Joan, all whilst also attempting a big gesture for her crush who lives on the other side of the globe.
I loved seeing all the different relationships Elsie has with different members of her family and with her different friends. Everything felt so real, imperfect and relatable.
It was also comforting in many ways.
Elsie is British-Chinese and bisexual. We also have a very diverse cast of characters of multiple ethnicities and sexual and romantic orientations (we even have a questioning ace side character!!). And seeing a bunch of old queer ladies living very happily and in love was amazing.
If I were to be a little critical, I did feel like a couple of things could have been developed slightly more...
Elsie's relationship with her father for example feels completely non existant, we have little insight into their relationship as there is a heavy focus on her mother's side of the family (which made me want to know what it was like on the other side of the family!).
But also, sadly, the final pairing, between Elsie and who she finally ends up with felt very sudden and I couldn't quite root for them as much as I would have if there had been more on-page content between them.
Ultimately, this book goes into a whooole lot of great topics! But there might be slightly too many things going on, which leads to a couple of point feeling underdeveloped.
It does not take away the fact that I loved reading this book and felt like the words touched my heart and my soul in a way other books rarely do nowadays.
So thank you Cynthia So, I can't wait to read more from you!
Elsie is still struggling to get over her previous relationship when her Popo (her grandmother from Hong-Kong) which she hasn't seen is years, comes to live with her in the UK. She now has to deal with family secrets, rekindling her friendship with her childhood bestfriend turned stranger Joan, all whilst also attempting a big gesture for her crush who lives on the other side of the globe.
I loved seeing all the different relationships Elsie has with different members of her family and with her different friends. Everything felt so real, imperfect and relatable.
It was also comforting in many ways.
Elsie is British-Chinese and bisexual. We also have a very diverse cast of characters of multiple ethnicities and sexual and romantic orientations (we even have a questioning ace side character!!). And seeing a bunch of old queer ladies living very happily and in love was amazing.
If I were to be a little critical, I did feel like a couple of things could have been developed slightly more...
Elsie's relationship with her father for example feels completely non existant, we have little insight into their relationship as there is a heavy focus on her mother's side of the family (which made me want to know what it was like on the other side of the family!).
But also, sadly, the final pairing, between Elsie and who she finally ends up with felt very sudden and I couldn't quite root for them as much as I would have if there had been more on-page content between them.
Ultimately, this book goes into a whooole lot of great topics! But there might be slightly too many things going on, which leads to a couple of point feeling underdeveloped.
It does not take away the fact that I loved reading this book and felt like the words touched my heart and my soul in a way other books rarely do nowadays.
So thank you Cynthia So, I can't wait to read more from you!