I had to read this book for a course I'm taking in modern Asian history but I ended up being genuinely intrigued by the story and character 3.5 stars
I had to read this book for a course I'm taking in modern Asian history but I ended up being genuinely intrigued by the story and character dynamics. It's about a married couple in around the 1930s in Japan who are on the verge of getting a divorce but cannot seem to bring themselves to do it. In the midst of these relationship troubles, the reader gets a glimpse into the variations of Japanese life during this time: the difference between more modern ways of living seen through the couple, older ways of living as seen through the wife's father and his young partner, and even the lifestyle of those that travel and have seen many different cultures and arrive at their own conclusions. Typically in stories like these, it is easy to begrudge one or both parties for their actions and the characters are generally unlikeable. But in this case, though the flaws of each character were made quite evident, their humanity shown through more than anything else and made it easy for the reader to understand how their situation came to be and why they are finding so difficult to come to any final conclusion. The ending was not so much of an ending (which I don't love) but that was likely on purpose. Tanizaki's writing is very compelling and forces you to look at relationships and mindsets in a different light....more
Patricia McCormick tells the story of Lakshmi, a thirteen-year-old girl from Nepal, who is sold into the sex trade. It is a story that is hard enough Patricia McCormick tells the story of Lakshmi, a thirteen-year-old girl from Nepal, who is sold into the sex trade. It is a story that is hard enough to read, nevermind imagining a teenage girl actually going through such horrendous things. Despite the sensitive and tragic subject matter, McCormick's writing provides the reader with a glimpse into the beautiful mind of Lakshmi and how someone like her has the strength and courage to endure such atrocities....more
Ruta Sepetys masterfully tells the story of fifteen-year-old Lina as she and her family are arrested by Soviet secret police and forced to endure unspRuta Sepetys masterfully tells the story of fifteen-year-old Lina as she and her family are arrested by Soviet secret police and forced to endure unspeakable horrors. Stories like these are never easy to read, but Sepetys does a fantastic job of maintaining a balanced mood. Yes, times and circumstances are unbelievably bleak but that does not mean they give themselves up. They help each other throughout, celebrate the small things, and form loving relationships. I really appreciate this book for its themes on the effect of love and the gray areas of morality. The stories of what happened to the people of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were only recently brought to light as many had to keep it to themselves in fear of being arrested again. To this day, some people still deny the events described by many survivors like Lina. This book is very important in making sure what was suffered is never forgotten and never occurs again.
Quotes~
"evil will rule until good men or women choose to act" (338)
"Don't give them anything, Lina, not even your fear" (243)
"Sometimes there is such beauty in awkwardness. There's love and emotion trying to express itself, but at the time, it just ends up being awkward" (161)
"'But how can they just decide that we're animals? They don't even know us," I said. 'We know us,' said Mother. 'They're wrong. And don't ever allow them to convince you otherwise.'" (66)
The House on Mango Street tells the story of Esperanza, a young Latina living in Chicago, and the people she encounters during the year she spends theThe House on Mango Street tells the story of Esperanza, a young Latina living in Chicago, and the people she encounters during the year she spends there. The stories are told through short vignettes written through the mind of Esperanza. Many of these chapters talk about various characters that Esperanza runs into or observes from a distance, yet each vignette gives the reader a better grip on the character of Esperanza herself based on what observations she focuses and dwells on. It was hard for me to emotionally connect at times while reading bc the overall writing style is so straightforward and subdued. I always have a hard time connecting with the works of authors with this writing style, but Cisneros's word choice is so strong and convicting at times that you can't help but become captivated by her prose. It's also a very quick read, which helps haha. In all seriousness, though, what I loved most about Mango Street was the relatability of Esperanza. You don't have to be a lower class Latina living in Chicago to understand Cisneros's writing. Some chapters contain things that any woman can sympathize with. This work shines a light on the struggles and strength of humans everywhere.
This play is very well-written and the characters have such depth to them, but I really did not enjoy reading it because I found the main ch2.5 stars
This play is very well-written and the characters have such depth to them, but I really did not enjoy reading it because I found the main character unlikable and could not easily connect with any of the other characters....more
No words I write here could ever do justice to Daniel Jose Older's magnificent prose in this book. At first, I found his choice of writing style here No words I write here could ever do justice to Daniel Jose Older's magnificent prose in this book. At first, I found his choice of writing style here odd, but the more I read the more I understood how perfect it was in order to encapsulate the musical nature of the narrator, story, and theme. This is the first YA book under Rick Riordan's imprint, Rick Riordan Presents, and I think it is perfect. I felt like I was reading the YA equivalent of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The inner and outer dialogue of Mateo, the main character, could easily have been mistaken to be coming from a Percy Jackson variant. This book is the strangest but best combination of Encanto, Coco, Atlantis, and Percy Jackson. The plot was a bit frustrating at the beginning. New pieces of information and crazy events were being thrown at you without any explanations, but that is exactly what was happening to Mateo, too. The reader truly experiences this book solely through the eyes of the main character, feeling everything along with him. And don't even get me started on his relationship to Chela. I loved it from the beginning but it kept getting better and BETTER. Completely unexpected but absolutely fantastic. I could give you paragraphs of just quotes of Mateo describing her that made me want to scream, but I'll let you read the book yourself for that. :)
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