Book Review: 'The Miniaturist' by Jessie Burton

I feel as though all my posts are book reviews at the minute. That's partly because I have been spending quite a lot of time reading, and partly because, in the style of Draft One posts, book reviews are quite easy to churn out in a way that other posts aren't because they take less time to compile together. However, while I definitely do have other posts in the pipeline, while I'm working full time and currently visiting my Grand and therefore only have my phone to work with, your stuck with book reviews for now!

I finished this book last week, and it took me about a fortnight as it's quite long, but I also started it right at the end of my holiday so I was reading the odd chapter here and there between work really. I'd heard of it from a number of different people and places and, in fact, when I went into Waterstones and bought my copy, the kady at the till said that I must be one of the very few people she knows you hadn't already read it, due to its extreme popularity a couple of years ago!

Brief Summary: Nella moves to Amsterdam to live with her new husband, Johannes, in a marriage that had been organise as a matter of convinience. Also in the house lives the master's 2 servants, 2 dogs, and unmarried sister Marin. Seemingly completely uninterested in her himself, Johannes buys Nella a miniature replica of their house in the hope that furnishing it will keep her occupied. But, as Nella begins to order furniture for her gift, strange things begin to happen, and as Nella grows closer to her new family, the authorities in Amsterdam have ideas that differ greatly from a happily ever after.

I really enjoyed Burton's writing style as it was suitably descriptive but not boring. I found myself engaged enough in the book that I wanted to keep picking it up and find out more, and so grew attatched to the characters, not so much Nella, but certainly some of the others.

I did find this book to be slow moving and thus uneccessarily long. It therefore took me a while to get into, because nothing much happens for ages.

I also failed to see a very strong connection between the overall plot and the relevancy of the miniature cabinet. As cool an idea as it was to have a cabinet creepily predict events that would occur, I didn't think enough focus was made of this, and rather that the story could have in fact worked (perhaps not as successfully!) without the Miniaturist at all!

Plot wise, I thought it was well written and not at all predictable... there were a couple of twists I definitely didn't see coming. In addition, Burton successfully avoided too much in the way of cliche or cheesiness, by keeping true to the intense and sometimes graphic nature of the scenes her characters find themselves in. For this reason, it wasn't a jolly ready, but definitely well-written.

Finally, one thing I really did love was the setting and the huge volume of research Burton had clearly done into the time period and historic elements of Amsterdam, giving the novel a very realistic feel as a piece of historic fiction.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to people as a read unlike anything else I've read really, and have since purchased another of Burton's books 'The Muse'. However, I would say that a little patience and perseverance is necessary due to lack of immediate action. In addition, this is a book I can imaging being made into a film, and I'd certainly give that a watch! Perhaps in that form, the true mysterious intent and events would be clearer to me too!






Reading Challenge: 9/21

Book Review: 'Everything Everything' by Nicola Yoon

I bought this book last summer, having heard its title quite a lot as a highly recommended YA title. Since then, it has also featured as part of the 'Zoella book club' and been made into a film  (which I haven't seen yet). I brought this book on holiday with me (finished it nearly a fortnight ago) and I was pretty hooked... every evening all I wanted to do was get back to reading it!

The book was quite short, with easy-to-read large writing, short chapters and even pictures and diagrams scattered throughout. This made it fun and light to read on holiday. However, in some sense it was also quite a heavy read due to its emotional story.

Brief Summary: 17-year-old Maddy is allergic to the world, and has spent almost her whole life living indoors, with every element of each day being strictly monitored. She just lives with her mother, who is a doctor, as her father and brother were killed in an accident when she was only a baby. However, when a new family move in next door, everything changes. Their teenage son Olly with his complicated home life and quirky personality gives Maddy a glimpse of something that finally makes her want to go outside more than ever before. Can the pair be friends? Or more? As the story unfolds, we discover the consequences of taking risks, both negative and positive, and what happens when you let fear win.

Due to the book's very accessible narration and format, I was quickly drawn to both of the lead characters, and even felt invested in the storylines of secondary characters, such as Maddy's nurse Clara or Olly's sister Rebecca. It was a very emotional read, particularly in the middle/towards the end. While the ending was ultimately a little bit predictable, there was a twist in the middle that kept up a high level of excitement and engaged me as a reader.

A real coming of age story, but with a twist, 'Everything Everything' deals excellently with concepts such as disabilities, being comfortable being yourself, the fact that we all have secrets and hardships, and the importance of working through challenges. This was Yoon's debut novel and I loved her style- I will certainly be looking out for her name in the future. For a pretty basic concept and storyline, it really is a lovely quick read which I would highly recommend.




Reading Challenge: 8/21

Book Review: 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood

I know it's been a while since I last blogged, which is mostly because I was working every day at home, and then went away on holiday for 10 days (blog post about my trip coming soon - yay, something that's not a review!).

I have, however, kept reading over the past month and so I thought it was about time I started reviewing before I forget all my thoughts about the books.

I finished 'The Handmaid's Tale' about 3 weeks ago, but I'll do my best to recall my thoughts. I had heard of the book several times in the past, but it didn't properly catch my attention until it was featured in Emma Watson's 'Our Shared Shelf' Goodreads reading list, which is a book club of sorts in which she picks a new book, usually with some link to feminism, each month and followers read and share their views. I've been following the club for a while, but hadn't got round to reading any of the books on it until now.

I couldn't resist finding a copy on a recent trip to Waterstones. Shortly after, I discovered that a 10-episode TV drama depicting the story is currently running. This has certainly led to a new wave of interest in the novel. I wanted to wait until after I finished the book to start watching, and I did watch the first episode, but due to being away I still have a few to catch up on!

Brief Summary (based predominately on my own interpretation): Set in the not-too-distant future, people are not free. Women are given roles in society. That of the Handmaid is to reproduce. Pleasure is sinful. The story follows Offred and other women she meets as they figure out how to survive, how to battle through, and whether this new life is to be the norm. 

Atwood's ability to describe everything so beautifully and in such detail, but still completely understandable and not too tough to read, is astounding. Each place Offred went, each horror she experienced, I felt it.

I don't however think I totally understood everything the book intended. In fact, I know I didn't. Some symbols seemed so clear, the names of the Handmaid's for example, linking them as property of men (Of-name e.g. OfFred, OfWarren etc.) I suppose I read the book as a statement of warning to modern society, that, in terms of equality and divisions and priorities, we risk going backwards instead of progressing. However, there were many other connotations, for example religious, which I did not fully comprehend.

There was a lot of anger and violence portrayed in these books that was subsequently taken out on citizens. Particular prejudices held by those in power which led them to execute those they could not find a 'category' or 'role' for numerous reasons. The hatred towards these people was encouraged among others. With many recent events of violence still very fresh in my mind, I couldn't help but draw comparisons regarding scaremongering and prejudice and the devastation these can lead to.

My mum recently told me that Atwood was referencing the Shah of Iran and the situation of that time in Handmaid's Tale. This was after I had finished the book, but I have done a small amount of reading up about it and it is true that Atwood referenced these events in her historical notes. Some critics have identified an intended parallel between the Republic of Gilead (the fictional setting of the novel) and Iran under the Shah's rule. This is one explanation given for how alien the setting  appears to modern American readers.  So was Atwood actually giving a warning to the US/West about their own society, or about our position with regard to others, where things have not progressed as far?

I found this really interesting, and it made me realise that my first read really had been to be read the story as a story and take in the settings and characters and plot, but there are certainly many many references I have missed.

When watching the first TV episode, I realised that many of the novel's events have been altered in order to add action and make it more dramatic and engaging, however I hope to use the next 9 episodes to find new meanings, and I would really love to give the book a second read in the near future. It's not very long, so this should definitely be possible. I like books that make me google things, that force me to break away from my relative naivety and become more knowledgeable about situations I probably should already know more about, but also give me characters to care about at the same time

The Daily Telegraph quote on the front of my copy read "Compulsively readable' and I am inclined to degree. Despite perhaps lacking in action for long stretches, I didn't want to put this book down. The narration and flashes between past and present pull you in, coupled with the flawless flow of the words on the page and handy chapter lengths.

I am also very keen to read more of Emma Watson's 'Our Shared Shelf' books ... some of the titles look like fab reads!

I followed this read with a lighter, YA book (actually I think I might post some time about book 'quality' and 'good' books and how people determine what is 'acceptable' for them to read, but that's for another time...!) so there will be a totally different kind of review coming very soon!

Catriona xx






Reading Challenge: 7/21

Book Review: 'The Upside of Unrequited' by Becky Albertalli

My friend sent me a Snapchat of this book a couple of weeks ago and recommended it, so when I was in Waterstones last week (naughtily allowing myself to buy books I definitely did not need) and saw that this one was on their 'Buy one get one half price' offer, I was sold (or rather, it was sold, to me...)!

It was in the YA section, and as soon as I opened it up I knew it was probably going to be quite 'easy' to read, in the sense that it is the kind of book I was able to start a couple of days ago and now be finished, despite having been at work almost all weekend. This is not, however, a criticism at all. In fact, I loved to have a book in my hands that I could completely devour. That I was so caught up in I didn't want to put down. I also really appreciated the short chapters, I really do like when I can read an entire chapter of a book when I only have a short time.

Brief Summary: Molly and Cassie are 17 year old twin sisters who live in Maryland with their half brother (on the side of their shared sperm donor) and 2 Moms. Cassie is also attracted to girls and, while she frequently brags of random hook-ups, is a little overwhelmed when faced with the prospect of her first real girlfriend. Molly, who narrates the book, is straight but has never had any experience with a guy, despite numerous crushes. The book follows the pair, but particularly Molly as she deals with body image, opening herself up to the possibility of heartbreak, and the notion that guys might like her back!

From early on, Albertalli's writing style reminded me very much of Rainbow Rowell's, and the plot reminded me of her book 'Fangirl', which I also really enjoyed when I read it last year (you can read my review here). I actually learnt a lot about writing style from this book - Albetalli was very good at setting up relationships between characters and giving them background. I thought the book was very cleverly written and I picked up on a couple of wee techniques I will certainly be bearing in mind. For example, characters referring to each other using nicknames, or associating something random with a character that then keeps reoccurring throughout the book (like Reid's obsession with Mini Eggs) which as a reader you never forget, and helps to give them a sense of being tangible, 3D people!

The less confident, with regard to all things romance in particular, nature of Molly in comparison to her sister and friends was certainly an appealing and relatable characteristic for me, and I found this book to be very honest, for example opening up questions of how do we learn things we are never explicitly told about? What is the code of conduct for certain situations and how do people just seem to know what to do all the time? As well as the constant inner doubt many young people experience regarding attraction and how he/she could possibly fancy you back!

I think there were a lot of characters involved in order to make the story seem relatable, so that the reader could feel like they were part of the girls lives and knew all about the people who surrounded them. However, there were almost too many characters introduced for what was actually quite a minimalistic plot. Not a lot actually happens, as the story is more about how the girls begin their first relationships while holding onto the closeness they share, and so it kind of felt like some of the characters (Olivia, Max, Mina, Abby, Simon, Nick and more...) could have their own stories, where we actually get to know more about their own lives and purposes. As a reader, you get snippets of these background people that are intriguing, but never really followed up because they're pretty irrelevant to the book's main purpose, and would just overcomplicate a rather straightforward concept! I'd also just like to note, despite its relative irrelevance, how much I like the names Cassie and Molly! Have done for years... coincidence, or what?

Following on from this point, it was something which only really occurred to me as I was finishing the book, because to be honest this book ended rather suddenly! I don't know where I thought it was heading but I was kind of surprised it was over, and only then did I start to think that maybe its plot was a little simpler than the number of characters had previously suggested, if that makes sense?

That however, is not a criticism as I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for something quite light, which is quick to read and is "cute" as my friend described it - it really does make you believe that happiness and happy endings are out there for us all if we have the courage to actively seek them out.

While I did really enjoy it, I possibly wasn't in a massive rush to read Albertalli's other work straight away, however then I realised that her first book actually includes some of the characters from this book, just like I suggested would be great earlier, and now I'm quite intrigued, so we'll just have to wait and see what my book-buying fetish decides on! But I reckon its just a matter of time...

Reading Challenge: 6/21

Book Review 'Another Day' by David Levithan

So, I recently reviewed the book 'Every Day', and loved it. I mentioned in that review, which you can read here, that I had treated myself to a copy of its sequel, 'Another Day'. I won't do a summary of
this book, because it is basically the same story as 'Every Day, but this time from the perspective of the character of Rhiannon, so check out my previous review first for some context!

My first impression of this book was that I was a wee bit disappointed, even bored. I mean, a lot of the book is made up of dialogue between Rhiannon and A which I recognised, as it was identical to what was in 'Every Day'. I spoke to my friend, who also loved these books, about this and she suggested that perhaps she was less bored by the sequel because she had waited ages for it, whereas because I read the two so close together, the story was a bit more repetitive to me.

However, I still enjoyed the book. It was like finishing a book you've loved (in this case, 'Every Day'), and instead of getting the 'more' you crave in the usual way of continuing the story, you get it in the form of extra, previously unknown information and details. Depth rather than length, I suppose! I think in this particular case this helped us to understand far more some of the things that may have come across as a little problematic previously, like Rhiannon's relationship with her (ex)boyfriend Justin.

I was reminded in this book of something that first occurred to me when reading 'Every Day ... these characters are supposed to be aged 16, and yet there feelings, sexual desires, thoughts, conversations, etc., are far from PG. It just sort of made me think, these are genuinely the types of things which interest many/most 16 year olds and are major parts of their lives (relationships, for example) and that just made me feel old!

Levithan used this book, perhaps even more so than 'Every Day, although I spoke about it in that review too, to explore ideas of gender and sexuality labelling. I think I found it more poignant here because, for A, it really wasn't a big deal since he had never really assigned himself definitive labels or been assigned any by society, but for Rhiannon, the thought process of whether or not she is able to love a person truly unconditionally, and not be swayed by her 'type' is a main theme of this perspective.

Finally, I was not a fan of how this book ended! While the 'Every Day' ending was a little sad, it, on reflection, kind of made sense. This ending is far more romantically hopeful, and yet, well I don't want to spoil it but let's just say that I worry that Rhiannon's inability to let go may lead to tears further down the line!

I found myself wondering, while I read this book, what it would be like if I had read this book forst, and then perhaps 'Every Day' later. Would it have made sense? I don't really think so and yet I wonder if that is just because I could not possibly read it with a clean, fresh mind-set, it was too clouded by my knowledge and experience of just having read, well, the same story!
]
So, I would say to readers who have read 'Every Day', 'Another Day' is certainly worth a read, but maybe give yourself a break in between so that you can fully enjoy it. And if you've read neither, well, if anyone wants to try reading them in the opposite order, I'd love to hear about it!



Reading Challenge: 5/21

Film Review: 'Miss Sloane'

Basking in our newfound freedom now that university is over and a nice long summer begins, my friend and I made plans on Wednesday to go into town for some lunch and a trip to the cinema. She had already seen this film, but highly recommended it and thought it would be one I would enjoy too, and as she has a Cineworld Unlimited card, she was more than willing to join me!

Brief Summary: Miss Sloane is a majorly respected lobbyist in the US, who represents many top companies. However, when she is asked to persuade more women to support the right to bare arms, in order to oppose a proposed bill looking to introduce restrictions to this right, she jumps ship and campaigns for the other side. Her exceptional passion for work and seeming lack of personal life proves to do her both good and bad... and suddenly her often ruthless decisions, effect her new colleagues, and can come back to haunt her.

From reading the synopsis, I was expecting this film to be a bit like the show Suits and, in some ways, it was, particularly the legal references and fast pace. But it was also a bit
different - more serious, fewer romances and quite relevant to real life context.

I was surprised that I didn't really know any of the cast with the exception of brief appearances from Christine Baranski Mamma Mia! ; The Good Wife, etc.) and John Lithgow (How I M et Your Mother, etc.) However, I thought the overall standard was excellent - no weak links, and all the characters fitted well together.

I particularly liked Jessica Chastain's performance as Elizabeth Sloane - the principal character, of course, but a very complicated one in my opinion and thus a tough role which she portrayed excellently.

While Miss Sloane is a very extreme version of what I am perhaps picking up on and therefore not particularly like me at first glance, I did feel a little as though I could relate to aspects of her personality- obsessiveness, addictive personality, bossy, impatient (at times), living life with a wall up for fear of being hurt (sometimes), a generally good person who can come across as ruthless or heartless without meaning to, etc...

The plot was simple enough to follow, yet complex enough to keep you interested. I found the overall concept exceptionally engaging as US gun law is something I find particularly interesting and have my own real opinion on (Short version: I am very much anti-gun situation as is, no matter what the founding fathers thought! Long version: I think that would need a whole new post....)

The ending caught me completely by surprise. Not because I had a predicted ending ready, I don't think, and yet I was initially not keen on the ending simply due to the fact that I was taken off guard. However, when we left the cinema I was aware that I needed some time to process it before I could make a real assessment. On reflection, I think my initial dislike was down to the fact that the events that had been set up throughout the course of the film were all quite hurriedly drawn together in the final 10-15 minutes, and felt a little rushed. That said, I think the overall ending and its effect were clever.

Don't go and see it if all you want is a chic-flick, but for some seriously good drama, this is a must see!

Book Review: 'Every Day' by David Levithan

I am currently stuck at home studying because, well, long story short: I'm on crutches.

Basically, I'm a dafty who fell and managed to somehow damage a ligament in my knee which is extremely painful and considerably inconvenient. But anything for an excuse to procrastinate, right?

Anyway, I have a lot of work to get through this afternoon, to make up for spending most of yesterday in the hospital and taking forever to get up and dressed and out to the polling station to vote today! But since I'm at home and in a pretty good mood all things considered, I thought I'd put it off just a tiny bit longer and review the book I read last week.

So, I've been trying to read a few pages of a book for pleasure every evening before bed. Whether I've been studying, or Netflix-ing or social media-ing beforehand, I like to finish every day with a little bit of light reading. This seemed liked a really good plan until I started study leave and realised that when I get really into a book there's very little stopping me from blowing off studying plans and spending all day reading for pleasure! Which may have been what happened on a couple of occasions last week ...

I bought this book in a wee haul I did from Amazon last summer. I got excited about all the free time I'd have when I broke up from uni and Amazon were running a '3 for £10' deal on books and I couldn't resist! As usual, I never got round to actually reading the books at the time, but recently Carrie Hope Fletcher mentioned in a live stream or vlog that 'Every Day' was a good book, and I remembered that I had a copy so decided to put it next on my list.

I knew that I liked David Levithan as an author from reading 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson' which was a collaborative effort between him and John Green, but I wasn't expecting to get so hooked so quickly!

Brief Summary: A wakes up each morning in a different body. It's always someone the same age and in the same rough area, but it's someone knew every day. Then, in the body of a 16 year old named Justin, A spends a day with Justin's girlfriend Rhiannon, and suddenly has a reason to want to end this strange lifestyle. As A juggles these new feelings, A must simultaneously deal with the fact that someone may have caught on to this big secret.

While the initial concept seems to simple, there are so many wee details that could have created major plot flaws in the novel, but David Levithan brilliantly addresses just about every question. In addition, I wondered to begin with how he would manage to make this one concept span an entire book, but he does!

In order to do so, two or more very major moments in the life of A, which appears to otherwise have been rather uneventful (apart from the causal swapping of lives on a daily basis, of course!) had to occur  all of a sudden and at the same time. It did cross my mind that this was just a little too coincidental, but to be honest it was so skilfully done that some artistic license can be afforded!

Thanks to the set up of the characters and plotline, Levithan created the flexibility for himself to deal with a number of big issues, particularly sexuality and gender and to what extent these things define our lives. I knew Levithan to be the type of YA author to address such issues from previous experience, which was why I also wasn't surprised at how well he did so. Without it being to forced, without to much cliché or cringe, without sounding preachy, he brought to the light the normality of diversity and I imagine brought  lot of confidence to many young readers.

This book reinforces the notion that we can love someone just for being them and (no spoilers!) that we won't always get the fairy-tale ending, but we can learn to prioritise in order to make the best of a situation. It also touched on a broader theme I've often written about on here recently: labels. When I began the book, I immediately assumed the A was male (I even struggled not to use 'he' and 'him' in this post). Why? I don't know, A's gender is never explicitly stated and that soon became clear to me. But that fact struck a chord with me in the sense that I was reminded of the human obsession with labelling.

My only other small criticism of this book was that, while I liked that each chapter was a new day of A's life, Levithan talks at length about some days and barely scrapes the surface of others which means that the chapters vary drastically in length and its therefore hard to know how long I'd need to keep reading to get ton the end of one (I preferably like to read books in chapters, as in not stop mid-chapter if I can help it!). However, this really is just a tiny thing, and to have even-lengthed chapters would have totally ruined the effect of the narrative structure.

Overall, a brilliant book that is highly addictive! My friend, who also loved this book, informed me that there is a second one which is the same story but from Rhiannon's perspective, and so guess what I ordered this afternoon, since it's pay day?!

Right, I need to stop distracting myself from revision with fiction, no matter how good it is!

Catriona x


Reading Challenge: 4/21