Book Review - All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury

5/5 stars

This is my introduction to Ray Bradbury's works, and I'm impressed. Yesterday I was scrolling through my GR feed and caught an eye on one of the reviews from Kenny. He writes outstanding reviews. You all should go read his reviews. Thanks, Kenny for bringing this book to my notice.

I'd never before read such a short novel that'd such a big impact. Can you believe, All Summer in a Day is a 4 page short story? Okay, now you must be thinking what can an author write in just 4 pages. It takes 50 pages on an average for a story plot to develop. One might wonder, how can you start and conclude a story in 4 pages.



I read All Summer in a Day yesterday evening when it had been raining since the previous night. Heavily. The book was all about heavy rain. I could very well understand and feel what the nine year old children were feeling in the story.

"I think the sun is a flower,
That blooms for just one hour."

This story takes us to the schoolroom of the planet Venus filled with children of rocket men and women who'd come to Venus to set up a civilization. They'd been living there since. What's a strange fact about this is that here, it rains day in and day out, endlessly for the entirety of seven years. On the completion of these seven years the sun comes out but, only for AN HOUR.



I can't even imagine to be in their position. Just imagine, endless rain, and no sun - for seven long years. But, these are children, and they tend to find joy, excitement, and happiness in everything. All of these children are nine years old. So, naturally, they couldn't recall how the sun looked like when it came out for an hour and showed its face.

However, Margot was separate from the rest. She had come to this planet from Earth five years ago. So, her memories are fresh, and she remembers the sun when she was in Ohio. She knew she was different. Therefore, she kept herself away from the other mates. This was the reason why nobody liked her. They all locked her up in the closet. And, when the sun came out, they all ran out to enjoy. Forgetting about Margot.

Just as they all paused for a while, to reflect on how wonderful and joyful the experience had been, we see morality, sense of empathy, and guilt.

"They could not meet each other’s glances. Their faces were solemn and pale. They looked at their hands and feet, their faces down."

Some think the story is too short, ends on a cliffhanger, and leaves without a clue. This isn't just a story about bullying. It tells more than that. If you take a few moments after reading the last line of this story, you'll see a stillness. We need it to comprehend and bring out possibilities. Its about the mysteries of human nature. You see, that's why it ended the way it had too.

Review Posted: 12 August 2022.

Book Review - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

With this, completing 9 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

5/5 stars

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

Thereby beginning my review with one of my favorite opening lines I've read till now. If you're a classic romance lover, this is the one you should be picking first. Well, let's just say, you should read Pride and Prejudice at least once in your life.

I remember the time when I'd decided to read Pride and Prejudice, and soon my off campus interviews were about to begin. In an interview with the HR, when I said reading books as my hobby, the interviewer asked me what I was currently reading, and what was my feeling about it so far. As I was only halfway through with the novel, I explained to her my feeling about the story at that time. After that I got busy with my job and everything. Let's just say, life. I put down Pride and Prejudice which never got picked up until this time.

I'm so mesmerized by Jane Austen that I feel myself unqualified to write a review of this book. I won't attempt. I can't even. So, I'll just talk about my feelings, more like rambling about it. I don't read a lot of romance. I watch a lot of them, I love to watch them, just not read if that makes sense. That's just me. Also, Pride and Prejudice is the only romance that I loved reading as well as watching equally. Having said that, I also want to state that I'll reread Pride and Prejudice n number of times. It has become a favorite, and I LOVE this book.

Also, this review will have repetitive reread updates in here, in future.

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”

“We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing if you really liked him.”

“Till this moment I never knew myself.”

“My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.”

It's so beautifully and delicately written. Now I know why Jane Austen is being worshipped in the field of literature. My god! I'm going to read all of her novels. I will. I have to. I must. We are so lucky to be blessed with her novels.

I can see everyone today being obsessed with the 'Enemies to Lovers' trope. Now that I've read Pride and Prejudice, I can say that for certain that Elizabeth and Darcy invented this trope.

If you're looking to get your toes dipped into the works of Jane Austen, or classics for that matter in general, I believe Pride and Prejudice is the place to start. It's soft, subtle, and gentle. Those 407 pages are everything you need. Trust me.

Review Posted: 05 August 2022.

Book Review - Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters By Rick Riordan

3.5/5 stars

It hasn't been long enough since I finished reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Yet, here I'm, with another book review of the world of Percy Jackson and all the Greek Mythology stuff. When I started reading Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, my hopes were already too high as I'd loved reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. This one didn't quite live up to my expectations. Nevertheless, it wasn't a bad read. You can call it okayish, if that makes sense.

Before I forget to mention, let me tell you these novels are so fast paced that I'm beginning to challenge myself on how fast I can read these novels. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters was on the shorter end as compared to Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Also, a little flat in terms of plot development. Still, I'm loving this series and I don't see myself stopping until I finish this series.

I'm not a fan of this book, but the last half of the book made up for it. The venture through the sea of monsters was truly gripping. Also, I missed Grover. It was fun, not as much as the first one but fun nonetheless.

“You weren't able to talk sense into him?"
Well, we kind of tried to kill each other in a duel to the death."
I see. You tried the diplomatic approach.”

To know Rick Riordan has three more installments to the series with such witty dialogues just gives me immense childish joy that I look forward to enjoying.


Review Posted: 28 July 2022.

Book Review - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2/5 stars

"All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries."

It's incredibly difficult to write with integrity about race, at the same be completely honest about it. Although, I found it a little difficult to buy everything the author was saying. In one hand, she is trying to show the image of white supremacy as a bad one while, on the other hand, she is making attempts on showing us the good side of the white people. I mean, Come on! How can they be good and bad both? Nope! Sorry, you can't have it both ways.

If you ask me what went wrong for me as far as the writing is concerned? I'd say, most of all. It made me uncomfortable, and not in a good way. That's where the problem began. Despite, the underlying tension and references to violent events that do occur eventually, the book struggled. I'm very okay with reading a book that makes me so uncomfortable that I don't want to stop reading until I know how the story would end. I'm perfectly fine with a story that would make me cry and sob too, once in a while. What I'm not okay with is reading a book that would make me sad and then pull me back to say - 'It's okay!' It is not okay. If you're going to do it, do it all out.

While I wholeheartedly appreciate the well written attempt to such an important theme, the story didn't quite hold my attention. Some of the part I found myself skimming through the pages whereas on some instances I used to find myself lost while reading. I was struggling through the pages. I wanted the story to end just for two reasons. One, to know what happens in the end. Two, so that I can tick the book off my tbr list and pick the next one up.

I don't know what the hype is all about. If its only about horrible time in the history, and in the country where racism is still alive then I get it. But, for the writing aspect of it, I didn't find it overwhelming. I wouldn't recommend the book, to say the least.

Review Posted: 17 July 2022.

 

Book Review - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

With this, completing 8 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

5/5 stars

"Hardships make or break people."

Scarlett O'Hara doesn't hold herself like every other girl. Full of spirit and courage, she can climb onto trees like other boys. She doesn't find interest in girly conversations. Scarlett is unlike other girls. She loves herself. Yes, we all should. The stubborn Scarlett O'Hara. When she wants something, she gets it anyhow. She is soft in one instance and bold in the other. I want to applaud you for certain things you did. For most parts, she is stupid, selfish, and spoiled.

It takes guts to write the main character like that. I can see why this is a classic. The book is a monster.

Before I go further with my thoughts, I want to address the fact that the unjust treatment of black, the description of racism, and other Civil War-era activities made me really sad. There were times when I felt why is this happening and how long is this going to happen. Reading about it meant feeling about it.

"Most of the misery of the world has been caused by wars."

Honestly speaking, Gone with the Wind stands to be the most tragic, disturbing, engrossing, and epic piece of literature I've ever read.

The book was 800 pages long, and I was expecting something good to happen in the story. At least somewhere in the story. To my disappointment, the way the story turned in the last part was upsetting. I read the last 50 pages with my jaws wide open, unable to believe that it was going to be THAT tragically sad. It never got happy. There wasn't any redemption.

I finished reading Gone with the Wind last week. It took me a few days to absorb the story. To gather my shattered thoughts to sit back and write about it. No matter how unlikeable the main character was, I'm still thinking about her days after I've finished reading Gone with the Wind. This book deserves the highest rating for creating that strong effect on the reader. Besides, who doesn't like an emotional roller coaster ride?

War destroys not only a region but an entire civilization for thousands of people. Gone with the Wind. And you can see Margaret Mitchell mourning for the lost era on every page. I think I'll pause for a while every time I hear about Gone with the Wind.

I think everyone should read this book at least once in their lifetime to understand the loss that envelops the lives of people affected by war. If you haven't read this Pulitzer Prize winner, go read it, because it could very well be one of the best books you've ever read.

Review Posted: 13 July 2022.

Book Review - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

4.5/5 stars

The Percy Jackson series had been sitting on my shelf for a number of years. And, I'd not pick them up until this month. I don't know what inspired or pushed me into reading the series I'd not been eying all this time. What I know is that I'm not putting the series unfinished. Yes, I'm so into it.

Before I begin, to talk about how and why I liked Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, I'd like to make this clear that I haven't watched the movie adaption. Also, I do not plan on doing so. However, I'm really looking forward to the TV adaptation of the same. No particular reasons for such unjust biasness. I guess I prefer the book to TV adaptations more when compared to book to movie adaptations.

Beginning with Greek Mythology. I have not read any Greek Mythology stuff (please don't kill me). Wow! Such bold confessions. But yes, I loved reading everything about Greek Mythology in the book. Which really inspired me to read more of Greek Mythology books/Greek Mythology inspired books. Thanks, Rick Riordan for doing so.

I absolutely loved camp Halfblood. Rick Riordan outdid himself in writing the camp.

The story is fast-paced which makes you want to read more and more of it.

About Percy, what can I say? As I kept on turning the pages, I adored him more and more. I so want to know him in the later installments. He's the kind of kid you can't help sympathizing with. Apart from the MC, I loved reading about Annabeth the most.

The book had so many similarities to the Harry Potter series. I can't say about the later books in the series. Reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief definitely gave me some of the Harry Potter feels. For instance, reading about Percy reminded me of Harry, Annabeth of Hermione, Chiron of Dumbledore, Kronos of Voldemort, etc.

Why do I want to go on with the series despite the analogy? Because it was super fun. The fact that it's kind of a Harry Potter rip-off makes me, even more, want to read it. I can't wait to read the second installment in the series.

If you like the Harry Potter series, you should definitely read the Percy Jackson series.


Review Posted: 25 June 2022.

Book Review - How Much Land Does A Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy

5/5 stars

I always have mixed feelings about short stories. There are times when I feel I prefer long books that can keep me engrossed in its story for a really really long time. Sometimes, I feel short stories are equally capable of keeping me captivated. I had read How Much Land Does A Man Need? in my school days. The story got etched in my heart then. I'm equally amazed by the story on my reread as I was the first time I read the story.

It tells a story of a man's need slowly, gradually, and exponentially getting converted into greed. Tolstoy uses greed as an allegory for a man's ever-growing ambitions.

Our needs have no boundaries. Nothing is ever enough for us. We all should be ambitious. The question is, what is the extent to it?

It is a perfect life lesson teacher. It is a true masterpiece. It is what we all need to know. It is what we all should know.

Review Posted: 25 June 2022.