Date Finished: 14/09/2012
My Rating: 3/5
Crime and Punishment, as it's title suggests, isn't exactly a barrel of laughs. As such I tried really hard to have it finished before we went on our honeymoon, but I was just too busy, so it came with us!
It is the story of a young Russian man, Raskolnikov, who, quite frankly, has some mental health issues. He plans and carries out the murder of an old pawn broker, thinking that he can commit his crime without feeling guilty and without being discovered. Don't worry, I haven't spoilt the story... this happens fairly early on.
The rest of the book demonstrates the subsequent turmoil he finds himself in. Paranoid to the point that it makes him ill, Dostoyevsky very neatly tells a detective tale from the viewpoint of the perpetrator. It is dark, has a social sub-plot, and due to the translation (and age of the story I guess), Crime and Punishment is quite a hard book to get through. However it is actually worth it. It is beautifully written, and the character's are colourful and well developed throughout the book.
It does have some ridiculous bits in it, like women fainting because they hear some bad news, but that's a common theme throughout a lot of old novels, and we've moved on from that.
So, who should read this book? This is one for people who like to get really involved with a gritty story and who don't mind a challenge. If this is you, there's a good chance that you'll appreciate Crime and Punishment.
Next book: Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Monday, 17 September 2012
61: Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman
Date Finished: 10/08/2012
My Rating: 4.5/5
I have previously read quite a few of the books on this list and at least heard of most of the rest, but not so with Noughts and Crosses. I had no idea what it was going to be about, when it was written, or what style it would likely be in.
I will also hold my hand up and say that I judged this book by its cover, and had an inkling that I wouldn't like it. But, true to the saying (and appropriate considering the subject matter of this novel), you really should never judge a book by its cover, because I LOVED it! Exciting, intriguing, and I just couldn't put it down.
The premise of the story isn't entirely original, two groups of people struggling in a world of prejudice. On the priviledged side are the all-powerful 'Crosses' and the other are the suppressed 'Noughts', who had been slaves to the ruling class. There's also something of a love story throughout the book between the children of the two central families, obviously one a Cross and the other a Nought.
There are some really poignant moments amongst a story that has a clear social message, tackling such important issues as racism. The friendship and subsequent romance of Sephy and Callum leads them into inevitable danger.
So, who should read this book? I think Noughts and Crosses has something for everyone. The romance part of the book isn't so important that it would put guys off reading it, it's pretty gripping and exciting and the moral element is enough to make anyone sit down and think about not just how far we've come as a society, but how far we still have to go. An excellent read.
Next Book: Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
My Rating: 4.5/5
I have previously read quite a few of the books on this list and at least heard of most of the rest, but not so with Noughts and Crosses. I had no idea what it was going to be about, when it was written, or what style it would likely be in.
I will also hold my hand up and say that I judged this book by its cover, and had an inkling that I wouldn't like it. But, true to the saying (and appropriate considering the subject matter of this novel), you really should never judge a book by its cover, because I LOVED it! Exciting, intriguing, and I just couldn't put it down.
The premise of the story isn't entirely original, two groups of people struggling in a world of prejudice. On the priviledged side are the all-powerful 'Crosses' and the other are the suppressed 'Noughts', who had been slaves to the ruling class. There's also something of a love story throughout the book between the children of the two central families, obviously one a Cross and the other a Nought.
There are some really poignant moments amongst a story that has a clear social message, tackling such important issues as racism. The friendship and subsequent romance of Sephy and Callum leads them into inevitable danger.
So, who should read this book? I think Noughts and Crosses has something for everyone. The romance part of the book isn't so important that it would put guys off reading it, it's pretty gripping and exciting and the moral element is enough to make anyone sit down and think about not just how far we've come as a society, but how far we still have to go. An excellent read.
Next Book: Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Friday, 14 September 2012
62: Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
Date Finished: 04/08/2012
My Rating: 4/5
I was expecting to like this book. I went to see Memoirs of a Geisha at the cinema when it came out at the cinema several years ago. In fact, it was my first UK lone cinema trip, and I remember feeling really self-conscious about being on my own. That is, until about a minute and a half into it, when I completely forgot I was in a cinema at all and was transported to the Geisha world. The second reason that I thought I would like the book is that a friend of mine at work who I have similar taste to when it comes to novels had read it recently, loved it and said that she couldn't put it down. I was slightly surprised by this, as it didn't seem to be the kind of book that ended each chapter on such a cliff-hanger that you just had to keep reading. She was right though, and once I started I also found it difficult to put down.
This is an incredibly well written book. Golden really takes you on the journey with Sayuri, the central character. It's not just the story that makes this book intriguing, however, but the insight into a culture that is so different to anything I have known myself. At times tender and thoughtful, other parts of Memoirs are sad and there are some bits that will make you laugh. He tackles each of the obstacles that Sayuri has to overcome with genuine understanding of that world.
Essentially, Memoirs is a love story. But really, it is so much more than that.
So, who should read this book? Well, if you like love stories you should. If you like learning about other cultures you should. If you like well-written stories you should. If you like good characters in your books you should. This is now in my all-time favourite books, so, actually I think everyone should take a chance and read it! If you're disappointed, you should let me know why. And I will then mock you for having no soul.
Next Book: Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman
My Rating: 4/5
I was expecting to like this book. I went to see Memoirs of a Geisha at the cinema when it came out at the cinema several years ago. In fact, it was my first UK lone cinema trip, and I remember feeling really self-conscious about being on my own. That is, until about a minute and a half into it, when I completely forgot I was in a cinema at all and was transported to the Geisha world. The second reason that I thought I would like the book is that a friend of mine at work who I have similar taste to when it comes to novels had read it recently, loved it and said that she couldn't put it down. I was slightly surprised by this, as it didn't seem to be the kind of book that ended each chapter on such a cliff-hanger that you just had to keep reading. She was right though, and once I started I also found it difficult to put down.
This is an incredibly well written book. Golden really takes you on the journey with Sayuri, the central character. It's not just the story that makes this book intriguing, however, but the insight into a culture that is so different to anything I have known myself. At times tender and thoughtful, other parts of Memoirs are sad and there are some bits that will make you laugh. He tackles each of the obstacles that Sayuri has to overcome with genuine understanding of that world.
Essentially, Memoirs is a love story. But really, it is so much more than that.
So, who should read this book? Well, if you like love stories you should. If you like learning about other cultures you should. If you like well-written stories you should. If you like good characters in your books you should. This is now in my all-time favourite books, so, actually I think everyone should take a chance and read it! If you're disappointed, you should let me know why. And I will then mock you for having no soul.
Next Book: Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman
Thursday, 13 September 2012
63: A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
Date Finished: 26/07/2012
My Rating: 1/5
I have read a few Dickens' novels before, and quite enjoyed them. Generally, I have to force myself to stick with them for the first few chapters, but once the story gets going and you get used to the language that is used they get pretty good. Not so with Two Cities. I kept expecting the story to come together and it just didn't. I also thought that it might be quite interesting in terms of learning a little about the French revolution, but I didn't even really get that out of it.
I'm afraid to say that Two Cities went over my head. I can't even remember much about the story (I'm writing this some 7 weeks after I finished it). It had something to do with London. And France. And the Guillotine.
So, who should read this book? Not me, and that's for sure! I chatted to a colleague at work when I was reading Two Cities. He is a big Dickens fan and was really surprised when I said that I wasn't enjoying it as he loved it, so I'm guessing that this is one for the fans.
Next book: Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
My Rating: 1/5
I have read a few Dickens' novels before, and quite enjoyed them. Generally, I have to force myself to stick with them for the first few chapters, but once the story gets going and you get used to the language that is used they get pretty good. Not so with Two Cities. I kept expecting the story to come together and it just didn't. I also thought that it might be quite interesting in terms of learning a little about the French revolution, but I didn't even really get that out of it.
I'm afraid to say that Two Cities went over my head. I can't even remember much about the story (I'm writing this some 7 weeks after I finished it). It had something to do with London. And France. And the Guillotine.
So, who should read this book? Not me, and that's for sure! I chatted to a colleague at work when I was reading Two Cities. He is a big Dickens fan and was really surprised when I said that I wasn't enjoying it as he loved it, so I'm guessing that this is one for the fans.
Next book: Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
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