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hfjarmer's Reviews (394)
I have not read David Copperfield, and I'll be honest after reading so many reviews comparing this book to David Copperfield, I am glad I had the opportunity to experience it on it's own.
The thing I found most compelling about Demon Copperhead was the narrator's "voice" throughout the novel. By the end of the book, I felt as though I could tell you exactly how Demon would respond to any given situation. Kingsolver's character work was superb, and I truly felt like the characters were fully realized individuals. Demon's character was beautifully illustrated. All he wanted in the whole world was to love and be loved (and to see the ocean), but with his rocky family life (to put it lightly) the only love he ever knew was all-consuming and fatal. You want to root for Demon even when he is making terrible decisions. When he
In terms of content, this book is heavy. Covering the introduction and impact of the opioid epidemic on rural Appalachia (and everywhere, for that matter) in the 90s, Demon Copperhead paints a vivid picture of the catastrophic effects of opioids on the physical, mental, and cultural levels. Some say the somewhat
I had two qualms with this novel. First, it was too long. While I loved following Demon's journey, I think Kingsolver could have cut about 100 pages in the middle, as that is where the book lost some momentum for me. Second, while I appreciate the representation of rural Appalachia, I do think Kingsolver played a little too heavily into the stereotypes put onto rural Appalachia. I understand the purpose of the setting, but at times it felt like Kingsolver was just perpetuating the "dumb redneck, abusive step dad, addict parents" stereotype in a way that felt like punching-down. Not that these aren't real issues, but they are problems beyond the scope of this setting.
I could say a lot more about Demon Copperhead, but I'll leave it at that. A great book!
The thing I found most compelling about Demon Copperhead was the narrator's "voice" throughout the novel. By the end of the book, I felt as though I could tell you exactly how Demon would respond to any given situation. Kingsolver's character work was superb, and I truly felt like the characters were fully realized individuals. Demon's character was beautifully illustrated. All he wanted in the whole world was to love and be loved (and to see the ocean), but with his rocky family life (to put it lightly) the only love he ever knew was all-consuming and fatal. You want to root for Demon even when he is making terrible decisions. When he
Spoiler
became addicted to opioids like his mother before him and so many others in his community, I thought "wake up you idiot!!" but I never lost faith in him, and I never lost my desire to see him pull through. I also really empathized with his desire to return home to Lee County, but knowing that to do so would ultimately destroy him and his battle to define "home" even amongst his cycle of fosters.In terms of content, this book is heavy. Covering the introduction and impact of the opioid epidemic on rural Appalachia (and everywhere, for that matter) in the 90s, Demon Copperhead paints a vivid picture of the catastrophic effects of opioids on the physical, mental, and cultural levels. Some say the somewhat
Spoiler
cheery ending felt inauthentic, but I disagree. I think for as tumultuous as this tale was, the reader needed something to hold on to at the end and I liked thinking that Demon was the one that "made it out", so to speak.I had two qualms with this novel. First, it was too long. While I loved following Demon's journey, I think Kingsolver could have cut about 100 pages in the middle, as that is where the book lost some momentum for me. Second, while I appreciate the representation of rural Appalachia, I do think Kingsolver played a little too heavily into the stereotypes put onto rural Appalachia. I understand the purpose of the setting, but at times it felt like Kingsolver was just perpetuating the "dumb redneck, abusive step dad, addict parents" stereotype in a way that felt like punching-down.
Spoiler
One great example of this was Demon calling Angus his "sister" and then them ending up in a confusing entanglement at the very end of the novel. I'm not saying they couldn't have feelings for each other, but I do think it was too suggestive of incest given the setting.I could say a lot more about Demon Copperhead, but I'll leave it at that. A great book!
3.75/5
This was almosttt a 4 star read for me, but not for the reasons I am seeing in a lot of the other 3 star reviews.
This is the second book I have read by R.F. Kuang (the first being Babel), and I have to say I love her style. The way Kuang combines fantasy with history is gripping, compelling, and illuminating. Kuang's novels grip my interest from the first. She is an excellent story teller, and I can see every detail of the story as it unfolds. I also appreciate the pacing of her novels, as one of my biggest gripes with fantasy novels is they are either way too long and laborious, or way too short and fragmentary. Kuang wastes no time throwing you into Rin's world, but does so without sacrificing the quality world-building that is a necessary evil (imo) of the fantasy genre.
If you know me, you know I love an imperfect main character. I loved it in Babel and I loved it in The Poppy War - Kuang's main characters are always trying so hard to be good people, and I think the struggle of making the "right" decision while feeling wronged by the world at every turn is so well depicted in her characters. Did Rin make the right decision in the end? Maybe, maybe not, but that is the reality of this world, right and wrong are often not mutually exclusive.
I give The Poppy Wars 3.75/5 starts (if Goodreads would just allow partial stars already that would be F!&@ing amazing) because while I loved the pacing, writing, and historical context of this novel, I'm not sure it is one that I am going to remember 30 years from now past "yeah, I liked that book".
This was almosttt a 4 star read for me, but not for the reasons I am seeing in a lot of the other 3 star reviews.
This is the second book I have read by R.F. Kuang (the first being Babel), and I have to say I love her style. The way Kuang combines fantasy with history is gripping, compelling, and illuminating. Kuang's novels grip my interest from the first. She is an excellent story teller, and I can see every detail of the story as it unfolds. I also appreciate the pacing of her novels, as one of my biggest gripes with fantasy novels is they are either way too long and laborious, or way too short and fragmentary. Kuang wastes no time throwing you into Rin's world, but does so without sacrificing the quality world-building that is a necessary evil (imo) of the fantasy genre.
If you know me, you know I love an imperfect main character. I loved it in Babel and I loved it in The Poppy War - Kuang's main characters are always trying so hard to be good people, and I think the struggle of making the "right" decision while feeling wronged by the world at every turn is so well depicted in her characters. Did Rin make the right decision in the end? Maybe, maybe not, but that is the reality of this world, right and wrong are often not mutually exclusive.
I give The Poppy Wars 3.75/5 starts (if Goodreads would just allow partial stars already that would be F!&@ing amazing) because while I loved the pacing, writing, and historical context of this novel, I'm not sure it is one that I am going to remember 30 years from now past "yeah, I liked that book".
2.5/5 -- Comedy Central Presents: The Roast of Fanny Price
I am a firm believer that just because a book is a classic does not mean that it is truly a good book, and most unfortunately Mansfield Park is a testament to that belief. Lady J, what happened?
I am a big Jane Austen fan and am currently working my way through her collective works, but I have to say this book fell short for me in many ways. I've done some research and yes yes I understand that Mansfield Park is argued to be a societal commentary in contrast to her typical clever romances, but unfortunately that knowledge was not enough to save the book for me. Fanny, while moral and upstanding and the center of everyone's mind by the end of the novel, was simply boring. The plot was completely lackluster and dragged on and on in many places (the play, her time in Portsmouth, etc) and I feel Austen certainly had the skill set to portray this social and moral commentary while maintaining a level of intrigue that accompanies her other novels. The ending felt similar to an episode of Scooby-Doo where the villain is caught and they divulge the entire plot/ending in the last two minutes of the show. Why she decided to roll credits the way she did confounds me.
Lastly, I know that this was a different time period, but I simply could not get behind the whole marrying-your-first-cousin-that-you-were-basically-raised-with-as-a-sibling thing. I could have looked past it had Edmund not so frequently described his love for Fanny as being the same as that of a sister.
I am a firm believer that just because a book is a classic does not mean that it is truly a good book, and most unfortunately Mansfield Park is a testament to that belief. Lady J, what happened?
I am a big Jane Austen fan and am currently working my way through her collective works, but I have to say this book fell short for me in many ways. I've done some research and yes yes I understand that Mansfield Park is argued to be a societal commentary in contrast to her typical clever romances, but unfortunately that knowledge was not enough to save the book for me. Fanny, while moral and upstanding and the center of everyone's mind by the end of the novel, was simply boring. The plot was completely lackluster and dragged on and on in many places (the play, her time in Portsmouth, etc) and I feel Austen certainly had the skill set to portray this social and moral commentary while maintaining a level of intrigue that accompanies her other novels. The ending felt similar to an episode of Scooby-Doo where the villain is caught and they divulge the entire plot/ending in the last two minutes of the show. Why she decided to roll credits the way she did confounds me.
Lastly, I know that this was a different time period, but I simply could not get behind the whole marrying-your-first-cousin-that-you-were-basically-raised-with-as-a-sibling thing. I could have looked past it had Edmund not so frequently described his love for Fanny as being the same as that of a sister.
*Just Mercy* by Bryan Stevenson is a compelling and important memoir that offers a glimpse into the author's career as a lawyer and the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. Stevenson masterfully presents various cases he worked on, shedding light on the glaring flaws within the American justice system. Through these cases, readers gain insight into the injustices faced by many, particularly people of color and those economically disadvantaged, when facing legal action. Stevenson specializes in the mitigation of death row sentences, especially those related to children under 18, and has won several cases under the Supreme Court.
Stevenson's narrative serves as a poignant introduction to the systemic issues within the U.S. legal system, notably the injustices surrounding death sentencing and broader inequities of racial and economic bias. It is impossible not to be pissed off the entire time you read this book. Stevenson leaves his readers wondering: What am I doing to stop injustice?
While Stevenson's message is powerful, the book's layout could be improved. The frequent transitions between cases within the same chapter can be confusing and disrupt the flow of the stories. A more organized structure, perhaps thematic or chronological, would enhance readability and comprehension. I read and listened to the audiobook simultaneously to increase my comprehension and I must say that while Stevenson excels as a lawyer and writer, he is not a gifted narrator. Despite this drawback, the importance of the book's content cannot be overstated, even if its narrative falls short in some aspects, in my opinion.
Stevenson's narrative serves as a poignant introduction to the systemic issues within the U.S. legal system, notably the injustices surrounding death sentencing and broader inequities of racial and economic bias. It is impossible not to be pissed off the entire time you read this book. Stevenson leaves his readers wondering: What am I doing to stop injustice?
While Stevenson's message is powerful, the book's layout could be improved. The frequent transitions between cases within the same chapter can be confusing and disrupt the flow of the stories. A more organized structure, perhaps thematic or chronological, would enhance readability and comprehension. I read and listened to the audiobook simultaneously to increase my comprehension and I must say that while Stevenson excels as a lawyer and writer, he is not a gifted narrator. Despite this drawback, the importance of the book's content cannot be overstated, even if its narrative falls short in some aspects, in my opinion.
