“There are many stories for what happens after you die. You become light or become dead light of stars or you swim the river in the sky or you become “There are many stories for what happens after you die. You become light or become dead light of stars or you swim the river in the sky or you become the soil in the earth. Angels and demons and ghosts. Anything is a story we tell ourselves about a silence.”
I'm just in awe of Tommy Orange's exquisite storytelling, effortlessly navigating between past and present, delving into the ancestral tapestry and spiritual journeys of his characters with profound emotion and breathtaking imagery.
(thank you for the free book PRH Internacional)...more
a haunting masterpiece, weaving intricate relationships and profound themes with Morrison's unparalleled storytelling prowess - a must read!!!a haunting masterpiece, weaving intricate relationships and profound themes with Morrison's unparalleled storytelling prowess - a must read!!!...more
magical realism has triumphed once more! the longer i contemplate it, the more i find it truly phenomenal. it's so rich that it can feel slightly overmagical realism has triumphed once more! the longer i contemplate it, the more i find it truly phenomenal. it's so rich that it can feel slightly overwhelming, hence i highly recommend savoring this masterpiece slowly, relishing every moment, and basking in the brilliance of this exceptional debut novel....more
I would describe 'Trouble the Living' as part thriller, part introspective family saga, delivering a poignant exploration of love, redemption, and theI would describe 'Trouble the Living' as part thriller, part introspective family saga, delivering a poignant exploration of love, redemption, and the intricate ties that bind us all—it's entirely captivating.
Things I loved:
- Dual Timelines Done Right: Capossela effortlessly flips between Northern Ireland's Troubles and Southern California, offering a dynamic emotional journey. This is what I call time travel done right — no, not the sci-fi kind, but the emotional kind. - Compelling Characters: Bríd and Bernie are more than just characters; they're a study in contrasts, with layers that unravel as you delve deeper into their intertwined histories. - Themes That Hit Home: Beyond the historical backdrop, the novel explores universal themes of identity, family dynamics, and the lasting impact of choices across generations. - Balance of Depth and Pace: While tackling weighty subjects, the pacing keeps you engaged without feeling overwhelmed, striking a perfect balance between introspection and action. And, just when you think you've got it all figured out, the narrative throws in some unexpected twists, because why not? - The writting style: The prose is lyrical and introspective, making it hard to believe this is a debut novel. It's rich, complex, and showcases Capossela's undeniable talent.
In summary, this outstanding debut novel is rich and complex, leaving me eager to read more from Francesca. If you're seeking a light beach read, this might not be your top pick. However, if you're up for a thought-provoking journey sprinkled with moments that tug at your heartstrings and even tickle your funny bone, "Trouble the Living" deserves a prominent place on your reading list."...more
"This love is good This love is bad This love is alive back from the dead, oh, oh, oh These hands had to let it go free, and This love came back to me, oh"This love is good This love is bad This love is alive back from the dead, oh, oh, oh These hands had to let it go free, and This love came back to me, oh, oh, oh" ...more
lan zhan is so perfect that it should be illegal.<33
(i'm too obsessed with this story to be able to give anything other than 5 stars, however, i am pelan zhan is so perfect that it should be illegal.<33
(i'm too obsessed with this story to be able to give anything other than 5 stars, however, i am perfectly aware that the translation isn't the best work.... but i'm so happy that i don't care!)...more
Ghassan Kanafani's collection of short stories, especially the titular 'Men in the Sun,' is nothing short of a literary masterpiece. each narrative isGhassan Kanafani's collection of short stories, especially the titular 'Men in the Sun,' is nothing short of a literary masterpiece. each narrative is a window into the raw realities of Palestinian lives, capturing the depth of human emotions amidst political turmoil. Kanafani's prose is both lyrical and heartbreaking. 'Men in the Sun' it's a compelling exploration of the human spirit against all odds - a must-read! ...more
wow. this novel is truly exceptional. it artfully unravels the lives of various inhabitants who have called a secluded woodland house their home acrosswow. this novel is truly exceptional. it artfully unravels the lives of various inhabitants who have called a secluded woodland house their home across different eras. the narrative is intricately woven with both haunting and poignant historical details. the book pays homage to the intricate interplay between time and nature with a precision that resonates deeply.
it's safe to say that i've never encountered anything quite like this before - the impact of these interconnected yet distinct stories lingers long after the last page. it's heartbreaking, and yet hopeful. this is undoubtedly a remarkable work that leaves an indelible impression.
many thanks to Penguin Random House for kindly sending me this book....more
I went in with great expectations, and perhaps that was the issue. There's no denying the significance of the subject matter, and I appreci3.5 stars.
I went in with great expectations, and perhaps that was the issue. There's no denying the significance of the subject matter, and I appreciate Colson Whitehead's efforts to recount this tragic and historically relevant story. However, the delivery just didn't resonate with me. The narrative seemed disjointed, and I felt entirely disconnected from Elwood. I wanted to love it, truly, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something essential was missing....more
it is a heartbreaking, raw, and honest account that made me truly appreciate the things I often take for granted. this book is an absolute must-read!
it is a heartbreaking, raw, and honest account that made me truly appreciate the things I often take for granted. the author skillfully weaves hope, love, and courage throughout the narrative, even in the darkest and bleakest times. I couldn't stop reading it, and I was completely unprepared for the sheer beauty it holds, leaving me breathless. The writing is truly outstanding, evoking a nostalgic feeling at times, almost akin to a warm hug.
pls check all tw before picking this book up. ...more
It’s took me almost 2 months to read this book, I need more time apparently to form words that will be able to do justice to the masterpiece that thisIt’s took me almost 2 months to read this book, I need more time apparently to form words that will be able to do justice to the masterpiece that this book is!!!
*PROUD OF MYSELF FOR READING THIS HUGE HUGEEEE BOOK*...more
You know a book is better than you imagined when you finish it a couple of days ago, and you still keep thinking about the characters.
That's how it wYou know a book is better than you imagined when you finish it a couple of days ago, and you still keep thinking about the characters.
That's how it went for me, I wasn't able to see how good the book was, as I was angry at Marion for obvious reasons and even slightly upset at Tom.
You want these characters to be happy, you want them to be honest with each other, and more importantly, you want them to be true to themselves. BUT NOOO.
We follow Marion as she retells the story of how she met and fell in love with Tom. We follow Patrick as he meets and falls in love with Tom. And, we never get to read about how Tom felt. Tom's feelings are entirely dependent on what others think about him.
Marion, oh Marion... I lost years of my life to this woman. I wanted to punch her, so desperately. She did the unthinkable and didn't give a second thought to the consequences.
What she did was just awful, and I couldn't understand how naive she could be, thinking that would be a solution. She was terrible and didn't care about anytone else as long as she got what she wanted.
OFC, I think Tom should have told her and not assumed that apparently she knew and was ok with it. To be honest, if he did tell her the truth early on as he did with Patrick, she would have said yes anyway. This is how blinded by love she was. (But there's no need for my wishful thinking).
A couple of things that I really enjoyed reading were the parts that dealt with Tom's relationship with his mother and the relationship between Tom and Patrick that felt era-appropriately dangerous.
But that ending, that ending was all kinds of heartbreaking. When Marion finally came clean about her actions, of course, she disappeared and leaves them to deal with it. (Marion is a true jackass until the end). Even in the end, she had to address decades of loss, pain, and fear about her own guilt and redemption. *rolling my eyes until September*
It really annoyed me that years, if not decades, slipped by without being acknowledged. Consequences of revelations that weren't explored. And most importantly, we never know how Tom feels. We can only guess, based on what Marion perceives. The majority of those are probably incorrect since she tends to focus on herself. *BYE MARION, BYE*
I wouldn't consider this a gay romance, nor an exploration of the difficulties of maintaining a public face and an illegal private love. This is because we mostly read from a straight women's perspective, and most of the time it's just plain awful and difficult to empathize with her....more