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tildafin16's reviews
596 reviews
As You Like It by William Shakespeare
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Treacle Walker by Alan Garner
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This just isn’t my kind of thing , but it can see why it will appeal if it is yours. Very based in mythology and folklore , and not entirely clear to me what was actually happening a lot of the time. Echoes of Stranger Things!
When It Is Darkest: Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do to Prevent It by Rory O’ Connor
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Incredibly informative, compassionate , practical and evidence based by one of the leading researchers of suicidal behaviours. Please read, whoever you are because this is everyone’s business.
Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady by Samuel Richardson
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can’t describe how much this touched me. Am working my way down McCrum’s top 100 list and this is one of my favourites so far. Simple , moving prose and so incredibly well observed. Made me cry and laugh. I found the ending just a little bit abrupt which is why the half mark off but for me, almost a perfect short novel.
Heatwave by Victor Jestin
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In My Defence - Life After Suicide by Sharon Burke
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Searing and visceral account of emotions following the suicide of the authors son in 2017, the common emotions felt after such a unique and traumatic loss and a window into what the stigma around this kind of death still does to those left behind. I’ll never forget this little book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Rabbit Redux by John Updike
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I really really struggled to finish this. Making my way through the Guardian top 100 and this is in the mid 80s - I disliked every character but especially Rabbit. I found the writing about women and sex appallingly bad (yes I know he’s well known for that) , the general plot far fetched and the racism even if it was a ‚way in‘ as he says in his afterword, unsettling. Yuck
Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
adventurous
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of my fave Shakespeares - romantic, exciting, challenging and fun
The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606 by James Shapiro
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Very readable history of a fascinating year , and the place of Shakespeare’s plays within it