I don't know how to write this review because I can't articulate the feelings I had whilst reading this book and I don't think I will be able to do itI don't know how to write this review because I can't articulate the feelings I had whilst reading this book and I don't think I will be able to do it justice so here are a few of my thoughts of the book.
I studied linguistics in the final year of my degree so everything Robin studies and learns makes me yearn for it again. Kuang describes that this book was inspired by her own time at Oxford and Cambridge as well as her time as a translator and it shows. The finite details on the settings and ambience of the Tower and the amount of detail, thought and (research I can only imagine) that went into the studies that the Bablers undertook is exceptional. I couldn't fault anything. The characters, the plot I mean who doesn't want to be a part of the Bablers. The representation was written really well but most of all the way it explores the violence and inter-generational trauma of the violence of colonialism I have never read (especially within fiction) it written so accurately and so heartfelt. By which I mean you can tell the author herself has been through it herself. Portraying the power and influence that elite academic institutions hold and how dangerous it can be and finally the butterfly effect that is created by individual choices.
The starting really reminded me and made me reminiscent of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. The way Pip is orphaned and Miss Havisham (similar to Lovell) for her own interests takes Pip and transforms him into a gentleman which in turn makes Pip/Robin want to better himself and detach themselves from where they started from. (I mean an essay idea to compare the protagonists ...more
It's Jeanette Winterson! Of course I was going to love this.First of all, I do havFind this review on my blog:
It's Jeanette Winterson! Of course I was going to love this.First of all, I do have to point out that I may be biased because I absolutely adore Jeanette Winterson, not only that but I could read ANYTHING she writes so you obviously know that I have her five stars for this book but not without good reason. I had been wanting to read this since it first came out but never got the chance so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity after I read Frankenstein to pick up this beauty!
Frankisstein is a retelling of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley- one of my favourite classics- and in this book, Winterson uses two p.o.v’s one from the nineteenth century focusing on how the story of Frankenstein came about (loved reading this) and then the other p.o.v set in the future set in Brexit Britain where Winterson explores topics such as artificial intelligence, robots, politics and so much more.
In true Winterson style, this breathtaking book was written so directly and lyrically that you could not put it down. I loved it, it was philosophical, it was smart but at the heart of it was a love story and this is why Winterson writes so well because you have all these heavy topics, yet the underlying theme is something I don’t think any of us will be able to fully grasp or understand. Love. It makes you question so many things morality, immortality the evolution of AI and the pros, cons and dangers of it. Expectations of women, how women are treated by men, gender roles and fluidity are so much stuff it is honestly mind-blowing I definitely think I will have to re-read this to fully grasp what this book is saying. I love how Winterson still incorporates the characters from the original especially Ry Shelley and Ron Lord (Mary Shelley and Lord Byron) genius!
This novel explores, life and death it explores travels through the ages it is feminist and the ideas and concepts Winterson explores I still can’t get over it. I highlighted nearly every other passage and it’s one of those that you want to read again and again. It is unique and really is a book that makes you think and stays with you long after you have read it. If you love the speculative fiction genre this one is for you. And as if you needed any more convincing it was longlisted for the Booker Prize.
There are two many quotes to note down because I literally loved every single line so you HAVE to read it to find out exactly how good it is....more
Good ending to the series. Popsugar reading challenge- a book with a palFind this review and others on my blog:
Good ending to the series. Popsugar reading challenge- a book with a palindromic title.
When I finished this book, it was kind of a bittersweet feeling. Over the course of the three novels, you are familiar with this world and the quirky characters but also you can’t help but think about what’s next, these questions are quite overwhelming.
I think I am used to Atwood’s writing by now after reading quite a lot written by her, but she never fails to move me and scare me with her writing. Her speculative fictions novel are all, but fiction and they feel all too real. A man-made plague sweeps the earth- sound all too familiar. Honestly, I think I disliked this book the most out of the trilogy but I think it could partly be because I read the other two last year so I should have really re-read them but also because I just felt a bit too crazy.
You have to read the book to understand what I am saying but I was really let down with Jimmy literally being in a coma for the majority of the book and I guess I wanted to see more of him as the first book all started with him. The ending was probably the strongest out of all the three but then I guess because it fully ended is why it was the strongest. I loved the observations and commentary- Atwood is another one of the authors where I would read anything that she has written- I loved the build-up of the novels and the endless optimism it has taught me a lot and a successful novel- in my opinion- is one that teaches you and this certainly does.
It is clever and imaginative, and I remember a zoom I had with Atwood where she talks about Oryx and Crake and reading this just made the novels come alive for me. She makes you think and question with every paragraph and I absolutely devoured it, I will for sure be revisiting this and re-reading time and time again. If you want a speculative fiction recommendation this trilogy you won’t want to miss. I loved it. I can’t wait until I re-read this again. ...more
Can I just state that Atwood’s writing is just utterly phenomenal. It also kind of sucks to know this was only a Booker Prize Nominee…like are we all Can I just state that Atwood’s writing is just utterly phenomenal. It also kind of sucks to know this was only a Booker Prize Nominee…like are we all reading the same thing…it should have won. Atwood described the novel as ‘speculative fiction� (please note we don’t mention science fiction), and ‘adventure romance�. I was surprised at it being dubbed an ‘adventure romance� because to me it’s not much of a romance, yes you see the relationship between Jimmy-Snowman- and Oryx but I personally don’t think it is a ‘romance� as such. I love the dysfunctional relationship between Jimmy and his mother (who I absolutely loved and did a celebratory dance when she left Jimmy’s father but equally sad when she left Jimmy behind.)
It’s always such a pleasure to read Atwood’s writing because the power of it just leaves me speechless, she presents a fictional world that is so captivating to read because of its realism. This time she presents a world of man-made viruses (timely) social disparity, genetic hybrids, violence, child pornography (which I found very difficult to read) bio/genetic engineering the issue pf survival for humanity in a world on the brink of environmental and economic collapse. I don’t know if it is just me, but I found myself comparing it a lot to The Handmaid’s Tale, the writing style of the flashbacks and the world Jimmy describes in the time before and the time now had a lot of similarities to Offred’s-June- story.
With the ending I was really dragging it out because I didn’t want to end…also because I know what Atwood is like because my girl just loves an ambiguous ending and drum roll, please she does exactly that, she leaves you with questions…but more than that I think it actually makes you think of a future that is not too far from reality.
I urge everyone to read this, but especially politicians, world leaders, and the government because I trust Atwood more than I do scientists/advisors…just take a look at the news and the world around you and you’ll see why. ...more
This sequel is SLEPT ON! It is so underrated and I feel people dismiss it because it is not a follow up on Offred's story'Love is as strong as death'
This sequel is SLEPT ON! It is so underrated and I feel people dismiss it because it is not a follow up on Offred's story. By that I mean we don't clearly know what happens after Offred went into the van. I have seen and read other people's reviews giving it 2/3/4 stars and I am just questioning why!!!!
I never thought I'd say this but I think I love Aunt Lydia. (Listened to the audio book so Ann Dowd does an amazing job at narrating). Her back story of her being a lawyer and how she became to be an aunt and then becoming one of the founding figures to eventually becoming a destroyer of the regime. The Testaments are a collection of testimonies by two young women who have grown up in this regime and by a their voice who is much older and who wields power through the ruthless accumulation and deployment of secrets.
I have to be honest, initially I was disappointed with not getting June's first hand account on what happend next however this is so much better. I remember reading somewhere Atwood wrote this sequel with the question of how do regime's like this fall and the context of Trump amongst other things also informed her writing. Listening to it again made me realise what I felt about the prequel to The Hunger Games. Collins (in my opinion) didn't write that to humanise Snow's story and Atwood didn't write this to humanise Aunt Lydia.
What I found interesting is she changed up the p.o.v's so the reader could get a more rounded view of Gilead. Agnes who grew up in Gilead and this is her normal. Jade/Nicole who is looking in as an outsider and of course Aunt Lydia. The ending is very smooth and a sigh of relief of course but also does Aunt Lydia survive. I loved it! Like THT can't wait to pick it back up. ...more
The Handmaid's Tale is one of my most read books. Every time I pick it up it continues to prove why it is such an iconic and why it deserves the statuThe Handmaid's Tale is one of my most read books. Every time I pick it up it continues to prove why it is such an iconic and why it deserves the status of a 'modern classic'. This is the first time I listened to it as an audio book narrated by June herself aka Elisabeth Moss and it delivered! It was also really interesting listening to it as opposed to reading it as in the historical notes that is how Offred narrates her tale.
After reading Burning Questions and reading how Atwood wrote this book and the context it gave a heightened meaning towards the book. As well as Orwell's influence and how much dystopias like nineteen eighty four and Ray Bradbury informed her writing process for THT.
For this read or listen I suppose what really stood out to me was Nick and June, June and Nick! Watching the Hulu series just reminds me of how good the actor's are to portray how deep this regime and experience is for June because Luke can't begin to imagine what June has gone through except for those who went through it. Nick, for instance. Listening to this made me realise that I wanted different p.o.v's like Ofglen's or Moira's or even the commander's to see how they viewed it in their eyes. I think the biggest thing I took away from it this time is how regimes like this will never work. The black market, the rebellion the MayDay operative and the commander's abusing their power for their own privilege and gain. Also Nick and June having an affair. It is interesting how Offred presents these meetings giving alternative scenarios because then we don't find out if this is romantic and feelings have developed or they are doing it for the sake of it/touch. Did Ofglen really hang herself or did MayDay save her too. You kind of do feel for Serena Joy but for Fred it is a different story. Offred paints him in a light where he is seen as lonely and in need for company, but as the historical notes suggest he was one of them to create this regime. I could go on and on and the quotes from this book are unmatched. A book I will read or listen to again and something I will always come back too. ...more
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