Wow. I felt such a strong connection to the protagonist in this book. Kraus really understands the long-lasting trauma that sensitive children experieWow. I felt such a strong connection to the protagonist in this book. Kraus really understands the long-lasting trauma that sensitive children experience when faced with toxic masculinity. Some of my own personal baggage keeps me from giving this 5 stars, but it was so close. Suspenseful, visceral, vivid, and memorable. ...more
5-stars for the first half of this book - it presents an intriguing world and features exceptional writing. But there’s a shift in the second half. It5-stars for the first half of this book - it presents an intriguing world and features exceptional writing. But there’s a shift in the second half. It becomes aimless, confusing, and repetitive. I’m good with experimental, difficult novels, but I didn’t feel much depth or ingenuity with the back half of this one. ...more
I’m hopeful for the recently announced animated film adaptation - I think it could be an enjoyable and imaginative visual experience. But I did not enI’m hopeful for the recently announced animated film adaptation - I think it could be an enjoyable and imaginative visual experience. But I did not enjoy reading this as a book. There wasn’t enough to draw me into the world - I craved more detailed descriptions and something more compelling overall. ...more
This was good, but I’m still searching for an equal to Scott Smith’s “The Ruins� for page-turning dread. Thought this might be a contender, but didn’tThis was good, but I’m still searching for an equal to Scott Smith’s “The Ruins� for page-turning dread. Thought this might be a contender, but didn’t quite reach those heights. ...more
A rare example where the movie is better than the book! The book is a nice read, but Andrew Haigh took Yamada’s material and polished it into somethinA rare example where the movie is better than the book! The book is a nice read, but Andrew Haigh took Yamada’s material and polished it into something sharp and deep. Yamada keeps things relatively simple and superficial. Haigh takes the concept to a more confrontational and complex place of catharsis and healing. ...more
RuPaul as a person?: 5 stars This memoir?: a sensible 3 stars
A good read, but I was hoping for more details and insights. It gradually devolves into a RuPaul as a person?: 5 stars This memoir?: a sensible 3 stars
A good read, but I was hoping for more details and insights. It gradually devolves into a laundry list of “and then this happened, then this happened, then I met this person..� I can’t help but feel like focusing on more precise moments and fleshing those out in more detail may have left more of an impact? I still enjoyed it for what it is, though....more
A marvelous return to form for Coetzee. The writing is precise, even cold, which is perfect for this type of story filled with murky intentions and miA marvelous return to form for Coetzee. The writing is precise, even cold, which is perfect for this type of story filled with murky intentions and miscommunication. It's a wonderfully tense read, not just because of the power dynamics between Witold and Beatriz, but the way Coetzee structures the novel. "The Pole" will stick with me as much as some of his best works, like "Disgrace" and "Foe". ...more
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