I have a prejudice about graphic novels in that they feel both too short and too long at the same time. The artwork often seems to take up too much space and the plot happens either too quickly or too slowly as a result. This graphic novel by Nick Drnaso is a masterful reversal of […]
Compelling page turner but but strangely empty for me Sally Hepworth’s novel “Darling Girls” is an extremely easy-to-read thriller, that investigates the discovery of human remains at the childhood foster home of three adult women. The book’s blurb has a quote from the New York Times that perfectly describes the book: “A blueprint for how […]
A very strange hallucinatory novel. I wish I could have liked it but I really struggled to finish it. Analysed through the lens of the author’s heroin addiction, this novel makes a lot more sense, but no less difficult to read
A short autobiography that felt like a very long boring rant “One Hundred Years of Dirt” by Rick Morton is an auto biographical novel about Morton’s largely fatherless, poor and difficult life to date. It is only a short book but felt like a really long and unenjoyable rant. The dry writing style, characteristic of […]
Desolate and bleak novel about a group of women inexplicably imprisoned in a featureless prison who then escape to an earth like barren wilderness. The novel promises no answers from the very beginning but in doing so, asks what is our purpose for living
A promising story about a group of three women with supernatural powers tasked with avenging the rape and murders of girls. Unfortunately ended up being very predictable and misandrist. “The Change” by Kirsten Miller tells the story of three women (Harriet, Jo and Nessa) with super natural powers, inexplicably drawn together to avenge the rape […]
Epic and sprawling novel about a flawed gay man Published: 2017 Completed: 09/08/2024 Pages: 588 So…I am finding it very hard to write a review about this epic and sprawling novel, “The Heart’s Invisible Furies” by John Boyne. There is just so much going on that it’s a bit intimidating to find an angle to […]
A really dumb book about premature ejaculation Published: 2007 Completed: 28/06/2024 Pages: 166 I feel quite conflicted about this short novella about a couple’s first night together following their wedding. Essentially due to them both being virgins, their first sexual encounter is a disaster, with the man prematurely ejaculating and the woman revolted by the […]
A brave and incredible personal story of the author’s experience of dating a fraud Published: 2019 Completed: 15/06/2024 Pages: 325 This incredibly brave and personal book by Stephanie Wood goes through the author’s experience of dating a fraud, and her attempts to understand and come to peace with the ordeal once it ended. This novel […]
A long sustained joke that I didn’t get Published: 2009 Completed: 03/05/2024 Pages: 384 “The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared” by Jonas Jonasson, is a comedic novel that weaves together major historical events of the 20th century, through the adventures of the titular and central character, Allan Karlsson. […]
A generic and forgettable crime novel set in the Australian outback that uses every cliche available to the genre and setting Published: 2022 Completed: 25/02/2024 Pages: 356 Outback by Patricia Wolf is a novel that goes over some fairly well trod tropes of the crime genre. The title, tagline (“Two backpackers disappear without a trace”) […]
I don’t feel I fully understood this novel, but the story was dynamic and unpredictable. Possibly a bit romanced by the committed artistic and philosophical idealism displayed by the characters within
Deplorable and unsympathetic main character whose motivations make no sense. Horrible sentence construction, ludicrous scenarios (this must be the modern gothic part) and every single annoying plot outcome you could think of. Could not wait to finish it, then burn it
A richly whimsical novel of a boy who goes to live in the trees and never comes down. At times difficult to read, but evocative and pleasurable
A dreary but well written book. I can appreciate why others would like it, but I guess I really do not like the detective genre Published: 2018 Completed: 13/10/2023 Pages: 380 Rúin is an intriguing detective story that links two apparent suicides that occurred more than 20 years apart. It is compelling and well written, […]
Throughly enjoyable historical drama about the murder of a young duchess. Perfect amount of creative to descriptive prose
This was a very easy and light hearted read about Don Tillman, a university academic with autism and his efforts to find a partner via an exhaustive and awkward questionnaire. Along the way he meets Rosie Jarman, who, despite being completely incompatible in theory, inspires Don to change and ultimately fall in love with her. […]
Powerful depiction of the refugee experience but at its core, a story about a couple’s relationship under incredible strain and their journey to reconnect after shared trauma Published: 2019 Completed: 02/07/2023 Pages: 378 It’s been a really long time since I have read a book that has moved me like this has. The final pages […]
A weird comic book in a nostalgic Japanese / Astro Boy / Kimba style. Violent and sexually perverse. Seems very 90s shocking
A shapeless book of platitudes. Beautiful cliches that I guess are important to remember
Only the first two thirds were enjoyable. The last third was awful and wrecked the entire novel Published: 2015 Completed: 21/05/2023 Pages: 306 This sci-fi novel by Margaret Atwood is a bleak and misanthropic account of a desperately destitute couple who give up their freedoms in exchange for the anodyne comfort of the gated community […]
The use of “them/they/their” for the gender less main character was grating. Novel was otherwise pleasant and easy to read
Very nearly considered purchasing this book club novel. A lovely perambulation through the romantic relationship memories between two writers Published: 2017 Completed: 10/04/2023 Pages: 291 This book is a non fiction account of Bill Hayes’ relationship with the city of New York and his partner, the renowned Oliver Sacks. I really enjoyed this book. Reading […]
Did not finish. Inoffensive enough – just did not capture my interest
A plainly written, colourless romance novel Published: 2020 Completed: 2023/02/28 Pages: 371 A very straight forward and easy to read novel about two women – Ashley and Nikki – and their relationships with each other, their children and respective partners. Despite a plot that was obvious from the very beginning, there is some enjoyment in […]
Absolutely not the sort of novel I would normally read. It was gruesomely violent but very suspenseful and exceedingly well paced. Let down by stereotypical characterisations Published: 2020 Completed: 2023/01/04 Pages: 482 Absolutely not the sort of book I would normally read. Having said that, it was exceedingly well constructed with superb pacing and plot. […]
Very short book of short stories. Enjoyable, succinct and at its best, reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s shorts
Interesting non fiction facts about cats. Was a bit repetitive after a while
Really interesting doomsday premise: rapid devolving of human society into fetid and base animals. Unfortunately like a lot of media in this genre, I was left wanting regarding an explanation of cause
A graphic novel with an interesting premise, but ultimately and frustratingly unfinished story.
I am a failed reader. This should have been an easy read, but not all stories were…good? This collection did remind me that I once used to question my gender identity
Cowboy caricatures, interesting perverse and detailed stories. I got a bit tired of the griminess of them after a while but Brokeback Mountain is still excellent
Incredibly well drawn, but became a bit repetitive after a while
Really good synthesis of fiction and non fiction delivered in a crazy premise
Varied but felt very academic. A third enjoyable