Zoë

• Rated 5 stars

“A Passage to India would (I suppose) be best described as a period drama, but really it is more than that.
Set during the time when India was still under control by the English, it poses to us a realistic view of the politics back then, and what went through the heads of "either side" -- the English and the Indians. But aside from the politics we enter the lives of people who are more real than this, and look past the racial struggle into a view of India that is more poetic and beautiful.
A Passage to India is a period drama, but it is also poetry, and about life and the level of racial struggle that existed in another time.”

Zoë wrote this review Monday, January 31, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“There's certainly a reason why this book is one of the best selling novels in the country -- it really is good. I really could hardly bear to put it down, I was completely absorbed in reading it. Stieg Larsson hooks us into this novel with a intriguing mystery that the main character is hired to solve, sort of to redeem himself. It poses the question to readers, "What really does happen to people who disappear?" The ones that are never even "confirmed" to have been murdered. And through answering this question one is sucked into a fast-paced, gritty, and absorbing story, filled with very believable characters and a great sense of "payback" at its best.”

Zoë wrote this review Monday, January 31, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

0 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 2 stars

“I actually didn't finish this book. I stopped reading it because I found that it was far too much of a dead end plot. The story is mostly told in flashbacks, but you gradually learn about the character's present condition in-between the flashbacks. For me, it just reaches a point where it's like, Why should I keep reading? Because nothing is going to get better for the main character. And for me the flashbacks just make it worse because you know his life will never have the same potential as before.”

Zoë wrote this review Friday, January 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I thought it was a pretty interesting book. It was interesting to read it, and realize that it was all true, and actually happened. However, I think, personally I liked the movie better. I thought it was more organized, and delved more into the characters. Even though I guess the movie was more fiction than reality, I just liked it better.”

Zoë wrote this review Wednesday, November 24, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I thought The Picture of Dorian Gray was extremely well written, but for a few reasons I just didn't totally like it. I think it was because most of the characters were pretty weak, aside from Dorian himself. Lord Henry spent most of his time being cynical, sexist and philosophical. Basil spends his time being depressed about Dorian. And all the other characters either adore Dorian or have absolutely no spine against him. I mean, of course it's fiction, but it just seemed a little fake how none of the characters seemed resistant to his influence. Also, Dorian was the only character that seemed to have any action going on in the story besides sitting around, being posh, and discussing philosophy. Philosophy can be interesting, but the book takes up so much space with it that it takes forever for some rising action to take place. On the plus side, the story has some strong morals and, as I mentioned earlier, excellent writing. ”

Zoë wrote this review Thursday, July 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I thought this first novel of the Sookie Stackhouse series was quite good. Compared to most vampire fiction out there, it definitely should rank as one of the top few. The characters actually have substance; this is probably what I liked the best. Some characters are truly nasty, and some are truly lovable. And best of all, the female lead isn't a total wuss, which is always a nice departure from certain other well known vampire series. Another thing I liked about Dead Until Dark was that it wasn't afraid to be grisly and true to life. At least as true to life as it could get. Also, the concept of vampires actually being known about to the rest of society was an interesting plot choice.
The only thing I didn't particularly like was how in some points it felt more like I was reading a romance novel than just a fiction/fantasy story. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't completely abhor having romance or somewhat racy scenes in books, it just wasn't really what I was expecting from it, and surprised me a bit.
Overall, though, I thought Dead Until Dark was a read worth my time, and I am more than likely to pick up the second book in the series.”

Zoë wrote this review Sunday, October 17, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I thought Water For Elephants was an excellent novel. It is the perfect "time period" novel; set in the 1930's during the Great Depression in America, it really gives you a feel of what it was like. The author also excellently gives us the feel and look of a circus and circus life, and that really adds to feeling as if one is there. The story is also alternately set in modern times, in an old folk's home, where Jacob lives as he tells us his story.
I couldn't really find many flaws in this story. It is smoothly written, and entertaining. I felt happy when the characters were happy, angry when they were angry, and it was just generally a page turner. I would recommend this book to almost anyone, I think it has something that will keep anyone entertained. ”

Zoë wrote this review Thursday, October 7, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I thought the Just So Stories were really charming. The book is basically a collection of short stories that tell about how things came to be. Such as, how the Rhinoceros gets his skin, how the first alphabet was made, how the whale got his throat, and many others. They aren't the most thrilling stories I've ever read, and they're a little repetitive in the style of writing, but, they do give you something to think about, and I think that young children would get a kick out of them too.”

Zoë wrote this review Thursday, October 7, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I decided to read The Jungle Books because I have an interest in Rudyard Kipling, but also because I always liked Disney's The Jungle Book. I was curious as to how it compared to the original stories. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed, and I was also surprised. I was surprised because of the vast differences it has with the Disney movie. I mean, there is still the same basic plot; Mowgli is raised by wolves and lives in the jungle after being lost from his parents. But, there is a whole plethora of other differences. Many of the characters, albeit bearing the same names, have different personalities than what Disney gave us. The best difference, I think, being with Kaa. In the movie, he is depicted as being dumb and cowardly, but in the books he is cunning and very wise.
However, differences between Disney and the original is not all that made me love these stories. They are excellently written and give the reader stunning imagery. It was also interesting being able to read other stories in the Jungle Book series besides just ones about Mowgli.
Basically, I would recommend this to just about anyone who wants a good read. ”

Zoë wrote this review Saturday, September 18, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The Odyssey is most definitely an enjoyable classic. The story has just the right amount of mythology in it, but still has some relatable aspects. I also found it easy to read. When I had planned to read the Odyssey I expected it to have really difficult Old English, but I was surprised to find that it was actually an easy read. (Maybe it was my translation, but maybe not.) The only complaint I have about the style, is that it's a bit repetitious. Maybe this is just a part of what it is, classical Greek poetry, but still. The repetitious parts of it were the hardest to get through. But getting through them to the end was worthwhile. Odysseus' final revenge against the suitors makes it a very worthy read, even in our action-packed society today!”

Zoë wrote this review Tuesday, September 14, 2010. ( reply | permalink )