gossamer_lens's Reviews (1.48k)

Omg if you want to cry so much but be so happy about it, just pick this book up now. 

 Later in his writing life, Mark Twain published this book. "Mark Twain" had become a name that people would buy from simply because it was him. Interestingly enough, this book wasn't published under that name. He published it anonymously because he wished it to be judged because of it's quality, not because he wrote it. Twain dedicated this work to his wife, and considered it one of his best works. Honestly, I disagree with him. It isn't "one of his best." It is his best work. Having read all of Mark Twain that I can lay my hands on, this is by far the most well done.
I hope that everyone will have a chance to read this book sometime in there life. 

I wanted to love this one. Many choices in the writing of this just felt odd. With how short the work was it was surprisingly repetivie in its reminders of certain things and events while whole themes were left undeveloped. The main characters reactions to events felt hollow and unalive. The central conflict didn't feel reasonable or very well considered. And there was a moment where the main character was reciting her adventures to a group of others (giving us more redundancy and repetition) and I just was struck with how much more interesting it would have been to have the story as that moments narration instead of how it was actually laid out. 

I'm giving it over a 3 star because the world was interesting enough and the book kept me hoping for more at all points. It just didn't deliver what I thought it could deliver had some more polishing of the narrative and consideration of the key conflict and narration style been taken into consideration. 

This books was literally perfect to me. The reflection, themes and characters are all amazing. Each chapter is its own arch and concise narrative. It creates a wonderfully solid, compelling, and fast paced read. Where Dune dragged at times, this book soared and leaped. Loves Dune. Love love love Dune Messiah. 

If you enjoyed this book/review, you may be interested in checking out other books I recommend: https://www.gossamerlens.com/post/2024-full-year-reading-wrap 

Fun and simple. Loved the references to Romeo and Juliet and enjoyed the option to have the MC work with her father to learn and grow. Also loved the ending and it's cute nod to the romance to come in the main story. Very good side story. 

Cute and sweet. Nothing crazy. But I love Jo and her professor and so I loved this adaptation focusing on their relationship. 

While I think this book could be fun and entertaining if it was a physical book... I cannot listen to one more narration by the author of her side notes, inserted "hahaha" or singing. Could be funny in a scrapbookish type formate. But knowing she sat in a insulated studio and recorded herself reading all this... It's too cringe for me. Would give it a solid 3 if I could. But there is too much else to read to keep on. 🫡

Literally just amazing. Informative, emotional, profound and beautifully written. The book should speak for itself. The audiobook was 3 1/2 hours. At that length and with it's message everyone should read it. 

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