"Have been unavoidably detained by the world. Expect us when you see us." A book that reminds you of the necessity for adventure and risk. I've seen the"Have been unavoidably detained by the world. Expect us when you see us." A book that reminds you of the necessity for adventure and risk. I've seen the movie many times so I often compared or expected plot points. What I appreciated from the book is the emphasis on relying on the help of others, and helping without expectation. There were two plot holes I noticed plus some lazy wrapping up at the end. I understand why the movie diverged in its conclusion. With that said, I kinda liked that the last scene at the market wasn't so tense, and things fell into place like fate. I seemed unrealistic that Tristran would never return to his family. I also didn't like how the mother who raised him is dismissed as part of a lie, and not his real mother. In the book, it was more apparent how many moving parts Gaiman tries to weave together without necessarily guiding the reader enough and, because of its short length, a good deal of the plot devices happen in a rush. I wish the connection between Tristran and Yvaine was more developed. At the market, their relationship really takes a 180 and appears as if Tristran is simply desperate for ANY love of his life. My favorite part of the movie is the pirate captain, and he was TOTALLY different in the book. That was a bummer, but I'm glad they added depth to his character in the movie. This book has one foot in children's lit and one foot in adult fantasy... It risks alienating both crowds, but I find it really comforting and magical to read as an adult....more
For the first 60% of it, I was just reading to read, but then its took a turn and hit its stride. The dialogue shifted from crass, rude observations aFor the first 60% of it, I was just reading to read, but then its took a turn and hit its stride. The dialogue shifted from crass, rude observations and speculations to vulnerable friendship conflict, future fears, and young adult insecurity. The debate about driving to college together was tender and relatable. They are each other's whole world. The change of outfits every scene was pretty iconic and clever. It felt plausible that they are gay for each other, especially how they sleep with boys only as conversation plot in their conversations with each other, or to prove that they are better than the other. I watched the movie awhile ago but I remember hating the sexual relationship with the creepy older man and wished it was more focused on their friendship. The book was that. It still felt like it was written by a man, and the self-insert was a bit egotistical/creepy, but I was okay with how unhinged the girls were. With the book, I could see that the hate-filled chatter was their way of bringing drama to otherwise empty lives (ghost world). They turned boring people in their lives into bizarre characters in their personal plots. I love how they say "This place is GOD" The ending is melancholy, but at least there's change....more
I've come to terms with the fact that I'll need to pick this up again later in life. It's simply a lot to digest if you go through it thoroughly and II've come to terms with the fact that I'll need to pick this up again later in life. It's simply a lot to digest if you go through it thoroughly and I've been reading it for months. Paused at pg. 243 in chapter on self-preservation and the story of the red shoes. This book is really good! The analysis surprises me and sometimes gets a laugh out of me. Dr. Estes is clearly an expert in this topic. At times, the Jungian framework feels like it's forcing a story into a box of this means this and that means that. She also clearly is cherry picking story iterations into versions that she likes. Still, this book is giving me new ways of seeing things, making me think more about my dreams and rethink archetypal images I see in media. In general, this book has inspired me to be more in touch with my body, mind, and soul. The chapter on intuition lingered with me. The stories she tells are incredibly captivating and sometimes elusive until her analysis. I considered reading Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen, but I think I would miss the feminist lean that is surely lacking in them. I also like how Dr. Estes' collection is multicultural, with a focus on the indigenous Americas. Anyways, I'd like to be more in tune with the Wild Woman. Good thing I'm headed to the woods soon......more
In the category of "I lived that, I don't need to read that"
I didn't love this book because it was extremely predictable, voiced ideas that are well eIn the category of "I lived that, I don't need to read that"
I didn't love this book because it was extremely predictable, voiced ideas that are well established (comp het and queer temporality) as if they were profound, relied on dating app tropes, and the style of writing felt too stiff/analytical at times.
Wins:
The strong, almost familial friendship/roommateship of Ash and Bette. Ash is the actual best. Tough love baby. I like how they can be comfortable as a trio with Ash's boyfriend.
You could see as a reader when Bette wasn't picking up on social queues, specifically with Ash's read on Bette/Ruth.
I liked that there was an element of different friend groups gossiping on their own. Side glances, texting around others, etc. It is realistic and faked ignorance can be funny.
It was a sexy book, what can I say? The sex scenes were detailed and that was essential to the plot... verges on eroticism at times.
Good premise. Plays on some "baby gay" culture and pressure for experiences/knowing yourself. It can feel like you have to prove how queer you are to other queers in order to fit in... it's so stupid. A lot of it is internal I'm sure.
Around the time I started reading this novel, I felt reaffirmed that it'd be easier for me to explore/experiment within a trusting relationship. Yes, that might take some time to find, and that's just life. Bette was forcing herself into a mold that just wasn't her and that just isn't me. I took this too personal maybe lol...
I think there could've been more said about wanting to give someone an "out" of a relationship when it's starting to get serious.
All in all, a fine book that might hit harder if you just figured out your sexuality/don't have much experience on dating apps... The book has potential, though I think it was undeveloped and exposed itself as a debut. ...more
This is the best long-hike book I've read and will be part of my favorites of 2025. Marnie and Michael feel so real. They have distinct ways of talkingThis is the best long-hike book I've read and will be part of my favorites of 2025. Marnie and Michael feel so real. They have distinct ways of talking and thinking, and their individual conflict is not overly dramatic. Overlap of scenes rarely happens apart from references that add humor and value.
Writing nature: Hiking in this book has high highs and low lows in a realistic way. Marnie is consistently sceptical of hiking, and she continues out of stubborness and curiosity in Michael... I can relate to that. The most enjoyable backpacking trips I've had are social-centric. The descriptions of the landscape don't get romantic (as in the writing era). We learn facts through Michael's geography-teacher rambling (most of which the reader is allowed to tune out) and physical conflicts like storms. The weather doesn't match up with their mood always鈥攖hank god!
Humor: I was impressed by the skill to write so many jokes for Marnie's dialogue. The scene where they want to swim in the lake is absurd and hilarious! The awkwardness in Marnie and Michael's dynamic adds relatability and adds an endearing quality.
Intimacy: I adored how both characters are coming from a place of middle age-ish, post-divorce experience, yet they're out of practice being vulnerable with others. The writing never criticizes being alone and rather shows how easy it is to fall into isolation, and to find yourself without friends or a partner despite being a normal, likeable person. I loved how Michael's attractiveness was described. He was never the most attractive person in the group, was rather unkempt, poorly dressed, and looked his age. Then, attraction is built on personality, proximity, and persistence. With time, his descriptions start to include things like ripped calves (kind of niche). He's attractive in a very achievable, subjective way which I think is beautiful!...more
5 stars for sentimentality, plus it held up pretty well. Some spoilers ahead. Okay, so despite having reread this book many many times as a kid, I open5 stars for sentimentality, plus it held up pretty well. Some spoilers ahead. Okay, so despite having reread this book many many times as a kid, I opened it this time without being able to summarize the plot. I knew there was a fairy girl (was she half goblin or half human?), goblin boy, and titania in the fairy forest. I had forgotten the dancing, Sograssy sea, Tobi, the cave, Lamia Lou, the unicorn... basically the entire story. Which was good! It meant that there was still some suspense and the experience of reading it was like figuring out if you emailed someone in a dream or in real life.
I picked up on a few things that went over my head as a kid. For example Herbert the unicorn is a stand in for a totally creepy, possessive man. He's this sardonic portrayal of simps. Surely a critique on purity culture. The stroking of the horn, especially, was very sexual but implicit enough to not offend kids. I thought it was clever and off-putting all at once. It was funny how Baker paired him with Lamia Lou who is also a biting portrayal of codependent, narcissistic women. She is extremely clingy towards Tamisin and talks everyone's ear off out of loneliness. I'm not saying she's as bad as the unicorn, but you can see how her desperation makes her enjoy someone who is relationally toxic. Tobi is a pretty selfish friend. He throws food into the well and accidentally gives Jak a concussion, an allegory of well-intentioned harm. I believe the reader is meant to take that Jak would be better off without him (he is a spy after all). The history of their friendship keeps them together. Titania is also selfish and only wants to give love when it makes herself look good. More classic narcissism. She pushes away anyone who makes her confront herself. Gammi is flawless!
As for the construction of the story, The chunk from Jak's perspective could've been executed MUCH BETTER. There were too many descriptions and dialogue that were copy pasted from the first half. Have some faith in the reader! I don't think kids need that much hand holding through the timeline. I have yet to watch or read Midsummer Night's Dream but I believe I got which was a direct pull and which was original. Were the 3 old women a pull from the play or Greek Mythology? I'd love to watch the play live now! I'm particularly curious about the intent of disguising the human as a goblin, and why he wants to get with Titania. I'd like to know more about Oberon as well.
The racism towards half-breeds was crystal clear as an adult. I think the way Jak can transform manmade items instead of natural is clever. The fight scene was really cool to see how each creature uses the elements as weapons. Bees, frozen mud, sleeping fairy dust, monsters, swords, changing size, transforming roots, etc. Really cool, and I liked how we got to see both Jak and Tamisin take charge when they were separated. It ended in a very diplomatic way which was cheasy/deus ex machina, but also nice to have a war that ended with some pacifism.
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