Category: Books

Books

I Just Read: “Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders

A hard book to rate. First thing: this book is impressive. The story, concept, research, form, and technique, made this book undoubtedly very important. But, I found it hard at times to be emotional because of the visuals: like a play, it’s completely written in active voice, but each speaker’s name is written at the bottom of their line (sometimes paragraph). And since there are … Continue reading I Just Read: “Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders

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Books

I Just Read: “Grief is the Thing with Feathers” by Max Porter

Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter I finished this book in one sitting after finally getting it at the bookstore. It’s extraordinary, it’s brilliant. It’s poetry, it’s “polyphonic fable”, it’s something you may have never read before. Read the synopsis and you’ll be intrigued by the concept being proposed. Read the book and you’ll grief and laugh without feeling apologetic. You’ll get … Continue reading I Just Read: “Grief is the Thing with Feathers” by Max Porter

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Books

I Just Read: “Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was” by Sjón

by Sjón I nod to the notion that the interpretation of any art form is left to its viewer. Once the painter, the sculptor, or the writer, releases the work out to the public, the creator no longer possesses its meaning. I don’t understand paintings, let alone sculpture, but I adore the theatre and literature. Most books are straightforward that they leave little to explore. … Continue reading I Just Read: “Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was” by Sjón

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Books

I Just Read: “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr

It’s been a while since I last read a book as touching as this one. Anthony Doerr masterfully tells the story in short chapters – no longer than five pages each – flowing with detail. I found myself too emotional to flip a page at times, but I always did to answer my urgent question, “Then what happens?” The short fractions did not fail to catch attention … Continue reading I Just Read: “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr

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Books

I Just Read: “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami This is not my first Murakami, unlike many recommend it for. Thus I joined those who complained about its “commonness” – in the beginning. I was disappointed to find the theme of suicide and sadness like in other Japanese novels. Too typical. Plus I was reading this after a novel on World War 2 which was also drenched in death … Continue reading I Just Read: “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami

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Books

I Just Read: “Kitchen” (and “Moonlight Shadow”) by Banana Yoshimoto

Just finished a book by another Japanese writer, this one with young people set in the more recent years. I was actually reading another book of speeches, but it was left behind when I moved so I can’t finish it yet. Banana Yoshimoto’s style is contemplative and fresh. If you like Murakami, most likely you’ll like her. Here’s My thoughts on “Kitchen” : Goodreads Next review: … Continue reading I Just Read: “Kitchen” (and “Moonlight Shadow”) by Banana Yoshimoto

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Books

I Just Read: “The Life of a Stupid Man”, “Testimonies”, and “Death Register” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa

I’m starting a new routine of writing a review on every book I’ve finished. So far I’ve produced 2 reviews. Here’s one, on a small compilation of a ‘Japanese modernist writer’ Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s works, written with a sangfroid.   Ryunosuke Akutagawa is sceptic about living, but too curious to let himself die. His younger self, brought by the infecting minds of 19th century philosophers, grew … Continue reading I Just Read: “The Life of a Stupid Man”, “Testimonies”, and “Death Register” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa

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