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benedettal's reviews
327 reviews
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
3.0
I do like Kazuo Ishiguro, and this was a really good novel. However, it did move me emotionally as much as never let me go or other novels in general. I must say this is not a genre I particularly care for, as much as this particular author is interesting enough for me to want to keep reading.
With that said, klara and the sun explores a fascinating concept, that of essentially artificial intelligence and its ability to imitate human emotions to the point of potentially replacing people gone too soon. It’s a way to question the entire human experience from different points of view, and even more so in the context of a dystopian future in which very little seems sacred.
Those parts were very enjoyable in general, the settings and characters were clever enough. It was interesting that we were given hardly any information about the settings, as our own pov was that of klara, but perhaps that enhanced the story.
What I didn’t enjoy as much was the whole thing about the sun. The entire resolution felt just a bit too puzzling. I kinda imagined that the story was going in a totally different direction, more in line with the characters’ own interpretation of events, and the fact that it didn’t happen didn’t satisfy me, even though that led to a happy ending of sorts. Maybe I just find it hard to entirely relate to child protagonists. Either way, it’s still a good book and I enjoyed my time with it.
With that said, klara and the sun explores a fascinating concept, that of essentially artificial intelligence and its ability to imitate human emotions to the point of potentially replacing people gone too soon. It’s a way to question the entire human experience from different points of view, and even more so in the context of a dystopian future in which very little seems sacred.
Those parts were very enjoyable in general, the settings and characters were clever enough. It was interesting that we were given hardly any information about the settings, as our own pov was that of klara, but perhaps that enhanced the story.
What I didn’t enjoy as much was the whole thing about the sun. The entire resolution felt just a bit too puzzling. I kinda imagined that the story was going in a totally different direction, more in line with the characters’ own interpretation of events, and the fact that it didn’t happen didn’t satisfy me, even though that led to a happy ending of sorts. Maybe I just find it hard to entirely relate to child protagonists. Either way, it’s still a good book and I enjoyed my time with it.
Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir by Dolly Alderton
4.0
I’ve been eyeing up this book for the longest time, while also kinda dreading it. I thought it was gonna be a lot more self help-ish but it really was just the memoir of a semi ordinary person. In terms of relatability it was pretty much split in the middle for me. I cannot relate to the essential thesis that female friendship is the true kind of love etc, because I don’t have that, and I also can’t say I ever was the life of the party or an otherwise liability for myself and others quite to that extent. But it didn’t ruin the experience of reading the book, because if anything Dolly’s stories were weirdly aspirational given just how funny they were. I wish it had been like that for me, because throughout it was very clear that the good and the bad were perfectly balanced.
On the other hand, I think many of the reflections about relationships/dating rang very true, without being pandering nor condescending. I did feel personally attacked when she said that deciding that someone is your soulmate based on shared love of George Harrison’s music is ridiculous tho, like okay but why not???? Please???
Sometimes it’s good to laugh about how ridiculous we all collectively are, and to read about people who have been through the same or worse experiences. I think that’s what this book was about, and I really appreciated it for it.
On the other hand, I think many of the reflections about relationships/dating rang very true, without being pandering nor condescending. I did feel personally attacked when she said that deciding that someone is your soulmate based on shared love of George Harrison’s music is ridiculous tho, like okay but why not???? Please???
Sometimes it’s good to laugh about how ridiculous we all collectively are, and to read about people who have been through the same or worse experiences. I think that’s what this book was about, and I really appreciated it for it.
Helen by Euripides
3.0
This read like the prototype of the Shakespearian problem play. I was waiting for the tragedy to happen but it simply never did. But that’s not a bad thing, although it certainly made this play feel more shallow than your average Euripides.
I really enjoyed Helen’s monologue at the beginning. I am very partial to her portrayal as the victim in the whole golden apple game and I like to think of her relationship with Menelaus as a loving one, so those were immediately extra points scored. Her condemnation of the war and of her vilification is very powerful and modern, but that’s kind of expected with Euripides so I can’t say I was particularly impressed. Still, he can write a female character, and Helen is for once one who is actually innocent and just clever. I love that for her. But still, I kinda like my greek tragedies better when they’re bloodier.
I really enjoyed Helen’s monologue at the beginning. I am very partial to her portrayal as the victim in the whole golden apple game and I like to think of her relationship with Menelaus as a loving one, so those were immediately extra points scored. Her condemnation of the war and of her vilification is very powerful and modern, but that’s kind of expected with Euripides so I can’t say I was particularly impressed. Still, he can write a female character, and Helen is for once one who is actually innocent and just clever. I love that for her. But still, I kinda like my greek tragedies better when they’re bloodier.
Slow Days, Fast Company. The World, the Flesh, and L.A. by Eve Babitz
5.0
I know I’ve already said this about the previous book I reviewed (weird fucks) but I really wish I could have written this book. Eve Babitz seems to have lived life at its very fullest and she had a nearly unmatched talent at telling the tale. I loved Eve’s Hollywood, but I loved this even more.
The framing of recounting her romances to a current lover, while not being particularly overbearing on the narrative, adds just the tiniest bit of spice, like I love the idea of doing that and also can totally relate. Plus her life is just exceptional, and I love her LA. It’s so romantic and free, everyone is wild but happy, also weird coincidence but this is the second book I’ve read this month where the woman dates a “gay” (obviously bi) man, seems like that was all the rage in the 60s.
I just wish I could have lived a life like that, so it’s nice to at least read about it. And Eve Babitz is such a great writer, she’s so witty and has such a knack for telling good stories. So sad I’m about to run out of books written by her.
The framing of recounting her romances to a current lover, while not being particularly overbearing on the narrative, adds just the tiniest bit of spice, like I love the idea of doing that and also can totally relate. Plus her life is just exceptional, and I love her LA. It’s so romantic and free, everyone is wild but happy, also weird coincidence but this is the second book I’ve read this month where the woman dates a “gay” (obviously bi) man, seems like that was all the rage in the 60s.
I just wish I could have lived a life like that, so it’s nice to at least read about it. And Eve Babitz is such a great writer, she’s so witty and has such a knack for telling good stories. So sad I’m about to run out of books written by her.
Just Kids by Patti Smith
4.5
My goodness this was so incredible. The prose!! The life, the stories, the art, the heartbreak! But I want to highlight the prose because none of this would be half as compelling without it. What a gorgeous book to read. You don’t need any background knowledge, it just takes you on such a ride from page one, crafting such a lovely tribute to Robert, and letting you know exactly what it is from the get go. All you need to do is keep reading and feel more and more tenderness for these young kids following their passions and being embraced but one of the most incredible artistic community of all time.
The Chelsea Hotel and the Factory and other artists communes in NYC in the 70s play a huge part in this story, and Patti tells it in a way that only a true insider could. All the people she mentions are so interesting too, without having to name drop or anything. Like we know who she is, even though in the story she’s not the revolutionary singer yet. I just really liked how she expresses nothing but love and kindness throughout the book. It made me sort of emotional. Still can’t stand her music, honestly so gutted about that.
The Chelsea Hotel and the Factory and other artists communes in NYC in the 70s play a huge part in this story, and Patti tells it in a way that only a true insider could. All the people she mentions are so interesting too, without having to name drop or anything. Like we know who she is, even though in the story she’s not the revolutionary singer yet. I just really liked how she expresses nothing but love and kindness throughout the book. It made me sort of emotional. Still can’t stand her music, honestly so gutted about that.
Weird Fucks by Lynne Tillman
5.0
This is the kind of book I wish I would write, in fact I’ve pretty much started writing it a long time ago, but it’s not half as interesting as this one. This is the second book by Lynne Tillman that I happily rate 5 stars because I’m kinda jealous of her life and I like to live vicariously through her. I will forever long for that absolute freedom of just floating around, meeting kindred spirits everywhere, not knowing where you’re gonna wake up next. I still wouldn’t have done it if I had been around in the 70s, but it’s so fun to read about it at least. Also I wish I also lived my life just collecting stories for my next book, like doesn’t that sound like a dream job? I wish I could elaborate my feelings on this book further but I’m not writing this review at the most optimal time for that, but one day I’ll read the book again and revise this.
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
4.0
Everything I wanted from Joan Didion and more. This was my first collection of essay/non-fiction work from her that I read, after reading Play It As It Lays and not totally connecting to it. I found Slouching towards Bethlehem a lot stronger, even though I don’t necessarily love short form writing collections usually.
Didion’s writing on the current events of the 60s is partially made great by the subject matter itself. Really capturing the freedom land myth of California at the time, the youth, the drugs, the culture. It was rather raw, but these days (at least for me) it felt so nostalgic and I loved it.
Other than that, the prose itself is extremely captivating and evocative, even going so far as romanticising the subject matter a little, but that’s the charm, it’s not meant to be sterile journalism. The author certainly has a keen eye for good stories extrapolated directly from living life. I know this is not her deepest work, but again, I appreciated it because of that. It was just a cool read by a cool author who lived an interesting life in a very interesting time in history and had a lot of interesting thoughts about the things happening around her. More of this please!
Didion’s writing on the current events of the 60s is partially made great by the subject matter itself. Really capturing the freedom land myth of California at the time, the youth, the drugs, the culture. It was rather raw, but these days (at least for me) it felt so nostalgic and I loved it.
Other than that, the prose itself is extremely captivating and evocative, even going so far as romanticising the subject matter a little, but that’s the charm, it’s not meant to be sterile journalism. The author certainly has a keen eye for good stories extrapolated directly from living life. I know this is not her deepest work, but again, I appreciated it because of that. It was just a cool read by a cool author who lived an interesting life in a very interesting time in history and had a lot of interesting thoughts about the things happening around her. More of this please!
Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett
4.5
I’ve been using the phrase no plot just vibes surprisingly frequently as of late, but it’s never been as true as for this one. For a work of fiction, this book barely bothers to establish any kind of boundaries, any set characters, let alone developing a story. It’s like stream of consciousness on steroids, you simply don’t know where you’re gonna end up next. First it’s some out of body experience using the first person plural, then a list of classics books and authors divided between those that had and hadn’t been read yet at that point in the narrative, then a fantasy revolving around an in universe fictional character created by the psyche of the narrator. It’s so non-linear and cerebral and whimsical. I loved it. Maybe because I also would like to split my life into before and after I read a certain author. Maybe because this felt eerily similar to my inner monologue. I find the exercise of just putting down unadulterated thoughts into paper and turning that into a fascinating reading experience compelling in and of itself. I know this book gets a fair bit of flack, and while I’m glad I was positively surprised, beware: this is not a novel, it’s not purposeful non-fiction, it gives off strong creative writing vibes. But it’s something I wish I would write, expressing many of the same feelings, so I liked it a lot.
Richard III by William Shakespeare
3.0
Good but not great. Maybe I’m holding it to a higher standard because it’s a history, but I just felt like Richard was too much of a caricature at times, felt too political.
Needless to say Shakespeare crafted a perfectly sleazy and evil villain that really gets the job done in terms of alienating the audience and any amount of sympathy they may have had at any point. It definitely makes some scenes more powerful, and overall I think it does work. Only it could have been a more nuanced piece of work.
On a positive note to end with, I really appreciated Richard’s dialogues. I can’t really think off the top of my head of another play that is dominated by the villain (as the effective protagonist) to such a wide margin. In that sense it felt quite creative and compelling. Getting inside the mind of the bad guy is always fun.
Needless to say Shakespeare crafted a perfectly sleazy and evil villain that really gets the job done in terms of alienating the audience and any amount of sympathy they may have had at any point. It definitely makes some scenes more powerful, and overall I think it does work. Only it could have been a more nuanced piece of work.
On a positive note to end with, I really appreciated Richard’s dialogues. I can’t really think off the top of my head of another play that is dominated by the villain (as the effective protagonist) to such a wide margin. In that sense it felt quite creative and compelling. Getting inside the mind of the bad guy is always fun.
Hollywood by Gore Vidal
2.5
I have a problem with how this book is called Hollywood but is really not about that at all. It’s about presidential elections and Washington DC. Not a sin, but definitely a very different setting.
This novel belongs to an entire saga, called Empire, in which Gore Vidal set out to fictionalise American history. This particular entry (which is number 5 I think) revolves around the years of the Woodrow Wilson and Warren G Harding presidencies, which are extremely fascinating. By centring the story around the ever present spectre of election over the years, the novel presents a lot of famous players and their aspirations, which is nice foreshadowing when you know how the story ends. Plus, you get people like the Roosevelts (TR, FDR and Eleanor) which are bound to make the background more interesting.
The protagonist is arguably the fictional Caroline, who is a newspaper editor in DC and later a Hollywood star. This is what provides an in to insert lots of Hollywood celebrities of the silent era, which is fun but the names just don’t quite ring a bell anymore.
The point of the plot, besides the selection of election candidates, is pretty much political scandal. The wives play and important part, though they’re mostly depicted unflatteringly, Wilson’s stroke stopping his dreams of a third term, TR’s death stopping his dreams of a third term, FDR’s polio stopping no wait, he makes it but not in this book.
I think to appreciate this book you need to be really passionate about American history, and I think that’s why I didn’t find it irredeemable. If anything, I wish it had been tighter. The Hollywood plot hardly adds anything to the central story, and I think in general both the writing and the plot were a bit bloated. Might still check out other entries in the saga, but wasn’t blown away by this.
This novel belongs to an entire saga, called Empire, in which Gore Vidal set out to fictionalise American history. This particular entry (which is number 5 I think) revolves around the years of the Woodrow Wilson and Warren G Harding presidencies, which are extremely fascinating. By centring the story around the ever present spectre of election over the years, the novel presents a lot of famous players and their aspirations, which is nice foreshadowing when you know how the story ends. Plus, you get people like the Roosevelts (TR, FDR and Eleanor) which are bound to make the background more interesting.
The protagonist is arguably the fictional Caroline, who is a newspaper editor in DC and later a Hollywood star. This is what provides an in to insert lots of Hollywood celebrities of the silent era, which is fun but the names just don’t quite ring a bell anymore.
The point of the plot, besides the selection of election candidates, is pretty much political scandal. The wives play and important part, though they’re mostly depicted unflatteringly, Wilson’s stroke stopping his dreams of a third term, TR’s death stopping his dreams of a third term, FDR’s polio stopping no wait, he makes it but not in this book.
I think to appreciate this book you need to be really passionate about American history, and I think that’s why I didn’t find it irredeemable. If anything, I wish it had been tighter. The Hollywood plot hardly adds anything to the central story, and I think in general both the writing and the plot were a bit bloated. Might still check out other entries in the saga, but wasn’t blown away by this.