1860onwards

1860onwards challenge - Book 5 - The Woman in White (1860)

Gripping 'scandal' novel. Well-written and engaging. Well-fleshed out characters with unique personalities. Some fun twists and turns in this tale.

Characters *****

Atmosphere ***

Plot *****

Emotion ****

Style *****

4.3

1860onwards challenge - Book 4 - To Kill a Mocking Bird (1960)

A really easy and enjoyable read. Interesting setting. Inspiring father. Told from a child's perspective. Sugar-coated sadness in that regard. Alabama, eh?

Characters *****

Atmosphere ****

Plot ****

Emotion ****

Style ****

4.2

1860onwards challenge - Book 3 - The Great Gatsby (1925)

Slow and somewhat tepid start. Personally not super interested in the period or the setting. Sometimes hard to follow, the writing being quite wishy-washy in places. Last third more interesting, emotional, and enjoyable. However it wasn't worth trudging through the first two thirds.

Characters ***

Atmosphere **

Plot *

Emotion ***

Style **

2.2

1860onwards challenge - Book 2 - Infinite Jest (1996)

Each chapter like it's own vignette. The book and the writing feels intimately connected to the author. Really strong and unique feeling as you read. Interesting O.N.A.N. world and the plot, while a macguffin, is very interesting. Footnotes break up the text almost in a deliberately challenging way.

Characters *****

Atmosphere *****

Plot *****

Emotion *****

Style *****

5.0

1860onwards challenge - Book 1 - Dracula (1897)

Atmospheric and haunting beginning - the castle, the crawl down the wall, being kept prisoner. Enthralling moments such as the arrival of the boat in Whitby. Interesting characters such as Van Helsing, Renfield and his conversations with Dr Seward. Tense ending, never sure how it was going to end. Overall a clever structure and a fun read throughout. Perhaps needed some more detailed character development.

Characters ***

Atmosphere *****

Plot ****

Emotion ***

Style ****

3.8