What is the last book you read, and your rating?
- null2018
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Re: What is the last book you read, and your rating?
- Redlegs
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Firstly, The Sellout by Paul Beatty, winner of the 2016 Man Booker Prize.
This was an unusual but thoroughly biting, razor sharp satire, full of wit, sass and off-beat humour, dealing with issues of race in modern America - although its messages transcend that country, as racism is a condition that is universal.
The humour wasn't always the laugh-out-loud kind, but more the knowing smirk kind, even in the more ridiculous parts of the narrative. Beatty puts himself out there to be confrontational, but I suspect that many for whom racism is at the core of their existence just won't get it.
Much of the plot is completely absurd, in the style of the best satire, and the style is caustic and crude. But Beatty hits his mark with a mostly unerring aim, although I suspect that the crudity of some of his language and the black jive rhythm of his observational comedy will not appeal to some readers who like their narratives a little more structured and controlled.
I felt like it hit a bit of a flat spot and lacked some direction in the middle, but I'm certainly happy to give it a solid 4.5 stars out of 5.
Secondly, A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle. This was an entertaining fantasy novel for a younger audience, full of religious allegory and moral themes, wrapped up in a fun adventure through space and time.
L'Engle emphasizes themes of individuality, diversity, acceptance and, especially, love in this tale about the awkward Meg Murry, her gifted younger brother Charles Wallace, her twin brothers and her mother and father, along with a new-found geeky friend Calvin O'Keefe.
The ending was a bit corny, but overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read. 3.5 stars out of 5.
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
- elabooklover
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- chrystalheart
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- meglovesreading
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- pink boy
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- Danielsond
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Very insightful and helpful if you are interested in quieting your mind and experiencing more peace and joy in your life. Very interesting as he has a unique approach to achieving this which is really quite basic and available to everyone.
- jaylperry
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– Madeleine L’Engle
- Redlegs
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We are introduced to Will Parry, also searching for his missing father, also in imminent danger from the authorities, and who has his own connections to Dust. His and Lyra's causes become inextricably linked.
In a tale that crosses frequently between different worlds through almost invisible windows, Pullman fleshes out his epic yarn involving daemons, witches, angels, Specters, men in balloons and zeppelins and a whole cast of good and evil characters, of both the human and fantasy kind.
I much preferred this second instalment, being more adult in its fantasy concepts, despite having two children, Will and Lyra, as its central protagonists. Some of the childishness that was apparent in Lyra's character in The Golden Compass is less evident here, although Lyra is still capable of the tantrums that are common to precocious girls of her age.
This was an engaging and enjoyable story and I will look forward to continuing it in The Amber Spyglass in due course.
4 stars out of 5.
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
- Rosemary Wright
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- Kasslyn
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Made you up was a great read. A lovely tale of a young girl with schizophrenia and the world she lives in. To any young adult readers out there, I would highly recommend.
- egdi_85
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