Jess

Considering I finished this book in a week, I was brought into this world fairly quickly, though disoriented. What Pynchon achieves with an artful use of language (the man can write a paragraph, for sure) he disappoints with sloppy plot. (is he postmodern/post-structuralist... or just bad at structure?). A lot of memorable character-building and funny one-liners are juxtaposed with a general creepiness and relatively anticlimactic ending.

The adventures of huckleberry fin is an interesting book because it displays a grim, dystopian society through the bubblegum-shaded glasses of boyish fun. In that way, it’s a very important insight into the collective American psyche.

This book is so much better than that. I would say that the first third or so follows the huckleberry fin plot told through Jim’s perspective, and where it branches off is much more interesting, sad, real. The story holds a mirror up to the ugliest, most vile realities of American slavery. Everett consistently created devices for reflection on the nature of identity, language, double consciousness, and many other philosophical concepts throughout the book. When he does so, it is usually through the incredibly insightful titular character’s musings as he tumbles through his odyssey. I particularly loved Jim/Jame’s (towards the end we see him lean into James more intentionally) dream conversations with different Enlightenment philosophers.

There was a lot of violence, racism, sexual violence, slurs, and terrible things said and done throughout the book, which can be really difficult to hear/read (audiobook version was still a really good way to experience this story, but it’s very visceral and a little nauseating at times for its portrayal of deeply brutal historical realities).

This book was a very silly murder mystery where the mystery takes a backseat to the jokes. The ending is a bit slapped together, but it was an enjoyable and quick read. The audiobook, read by the author, is the way to go for this one.

This collection of letters took me on a journey I was not, perhaps could never be, prepared for. What a truly spectacular mind the world lost in 1940. Watching Benjamin develop as a thinker, a friend, a loved one... through his own interpersonal words felt like an intimate glimpse into this man's soul. Witty, determined, flawed. I genuinely, in this moment and for the last several hundred pages, am mourning a real loss across time and space.

classic Shirley Jackson, a somber exploration of class and sisterhood, repression and alienation.

This book was an unhinged, wild ride. It does a great job of showcasing the power of narrative to shape a reader’s viewpoint.

An excellent primer with short texts/lectures by Patočka. This was my first time reading his work, and I am excited to read more in the future.

This is a very well written reflective piece about space travel in the age of billionaires. It is short, and hardly anything happens. I enjoyed listening to it, but it took me a long time to get through because nothing really pulled me in.

What a well written atrocity. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book where I hate everyone involved (edit: I forgot about my year of rest and relaxation), but there you go! Utterly silly, ridiculous, frivolous, though entertaining.

Mystery is not my usual genre, but I did enjoy this. It was particularly distressing due to the core mysteries both being about children. The ending had comforting elements, but I felt it was too wrapped up— not every element of a story needs to be explained in the end (especially ghost stories children tell each other at camp).

The adventures of huckleberry fin is an interesting book because it displays a grim, dystopian society through the bubblegum-shaded glasses of boyish fun. In that way, it’s a very important insight into the collective American psyche.

This book is so much better than that. I would say that the first third or so follows the huckleberry fin plot told through Jim’s perspective, and where it branches off is much more interesting, sad, real. The story holds a mirror up to the ugliest, most vile realities of American slavery. Everett consistently created devices for reflection on the nature of identity, language, double consciousness, and many other philosophical concepts throughout the book. When he does so, it is usually through the incredibly insightful titular character’s musings as he tumbles through his odyssey. I particularly loved Jim/Jame’s (towards the end we see him lean into James more intentionally) dream conversations with different Enlightenment philosophers.

There was a lot of violence, racism, sexual violence, slurs, and terrible things said and done throughout the book, which can be really difficult to hear/read (audiobook version was still a really good way to experience this story, but it’s very visceral and a little nauseating at times for its portrayal of deeply brutal historical realities).

The adventures of huckleberry fin is an interesting book because it displays a grim, dystopian society through the bubblegum-shaded glasses of boyish fun. In that way, it’s a very important insight into the collective American psyche.

This book is so much better than that. I would say that the first third or so follows the huckleberry fin plot told through Jim’s perspective, and where it branches off is much more interesting, sad, real. The story holds a mirror up to the ugliest, most vile realities of American slavery. Everett consistently created devices for reflection on the nature of identity, language, double consciousness, and many other philosophical concepts throughout the book. When he does so, it is usually through the incredibly insightful titular character’s musings as he tumbles through his odyssey. I particularly loved Jim/Jame’s (towards the end we see him lean into James more intentionally) dream conversations with different Enlightenment philosophers.

There was a lot of violence, racism, sexual violence, slurs, and terrible things said and done throughout the book, which can be really difficult to hear/read (audiobook version was still a really good way to experience this story, but it’s very visceral and a little nauseating at times for its portrayal of deeply brutal historical realities).

Frustrating and sad, but in a very real way. I enjoyed the jumpiness in the structure/timeline. I think Rooney captures the liminal space between misunderstanding remarkably well, and her characters are complex and unpolished much like real life.