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blithesquesttoread's Reviews (480)
I'm still very confused about this book, to be honest.
When I first read the blurb, I thought this book will be something different from what I actually read. I anticipated some great changes in how people think or something as monumental but well what I got was quite unexpected. Basically, it was reality. Reality in its core, the most gruesome scenes and ideologies described. Starting from crimes, accidents, gossips, catcalling, assumptions about someone's character, gender roles, restrictions on women, societal norms and constraints, rape, sexual assault, drug abuse, domestic violence, misogyny, patriarchy, child abuse in form of physical abuse, bullying, depression and death.
I wasn't surprised by where the plot was going because this is something one sees around a lot. So it didn't hit me hard because the situations got worse and worse. And somewhere again it had the same thing, about seeking validation from someone else, leading to realization that you are worthy. Which is fine but I didn't really want to see it here. The thing I really loved about this book was that the author didn't shy away from discussing these topics. It was like an open ended discussion, you know, it lead you to form your own perspectives and theories about the characters and the issues discussed. The other thing was the lack of remorse on part of the characters which somehow brought them to life because it is uncommon to see people realize and accept their wrongdoings. Same thing happened here.
So, basically, I do recommend this book because it can be very moving for some people. The book was written with keeping in mind the stereotypes we see in the society and it held onto that and expressed how situations are so stuffing because of these very stereotypes.
When I first read the blurb, I thought this book will be something different from what I actually read. I anticipated some great changes in how people think or something as monumental but well what I got was quite unexpected. Basically, it was reality. Reality in its core, the most gruesome scenes and ideologies described. Starting from crimes, accidents, gossips, catcalling, assumptions about someone's character, gender roles, restrictions on women, societal norms and constraints, rape, sexual assault, drug abuse, domestic violence, misogyny, patriarchy, child abuse in form of physical abuse, bullying, depression and death.
I wasn't surprised by where the plot was going because this is something one sees around a lot. So it didn't hit me hard because the situations got worse and worse. And somewhere again it had the same thing, about seeking validation from someone else, leading to realization that you are worthy. Which is fine but I didn't really want to see it here. The thing I really loved about this book was that the author didn't shy away from discussing these topics. It was like an open ended discussion, you know, it lead you to form your own perspectives and theories about the characters and the issues discussed. The other thing was the lack of remorse on part of the characters which somehow brought them to life because it is uncommon to see people realize and accept their wrongdoings. Same thing happened here.
So, basically, I do recommend this book because it can be very moving for some people. The book was written with keeping in mind the stereotypes we see in the society and it held onto that and expressed how situations are so stuffing because of these very stereotypes.
This review is long overdue.
Fairytale is a modern adaptation of the old classic - Cinderella. This was definitely the very reason I picked up this novel and, well, to put it... it was too similar to the plot we see in Cinderella.
Camille's parents are "the perfect couple". The books starts with describing how they met (Christophe and Joy), how they instantly knew they were made for each other, it was an easy romance and they knew they would end up together. Christophe always knew he wanted to get into winery business and Joy being a business intellectual, they decided to move to Napa Valley in order to build their own vineyard and a chateau to have their own peaceful living. Camille inherits her mother's intellect and starts at a young age to look into the business matters. Soon after Camille's graduation, Joy dies of breast cancer and it is up to Camille to take care of the estate and her father's distress.
Up till this time the story was going okay. I mean the setting seemed too idyllic but it was alright. The story progresses with us meeting the sophisticated French lady who apparently has shifted to Napa Valley out of the blue. She is going around throwing lavish parties and it is during one such party that she meets Christophe. Now, the thing is this whole plot scenario was just too much. The lady wanted to apparently 'fish for a man who would take care of her expenses' and that's why she came to Napa Valley. First of all, to find a partner I don't know why she would come to a literally secluded area where it would be apparent that mostly families live?? Second of all, it was kind of stupid of her to go around throwing parties, I mean you got money why are you wasting it just to lure men in?? And third of all, this scenario seems really regressive to me...
Now the point here is that she was after this particular rich and handsome friend of Christophe whose wife died of breast cancer just like Joy a few years before her. That guy instantly seemed to know that she was after his money and he even warned Christophe to stay away and alert of her. Now the plot seemed to progress in a way that he somehow ends up having a fling with her and they have repetitive such flings and somehow he ends up proposing her. Did I mention it was kind of just 6 months after Joy died? Well, moving on... we have the same plot lines that we see in Cinderella... somehow Christophe and Camille become distant, the lady (I forgot her name lol) makes a ton of changes in the house, Camille feels sad and burdened etc.
Now, Christophe used to travel a lot for his business trips and after Joy died, this came to a standstill. But Camille had persuaded him to continue with the trips. It is in such a sudden manner that he dies. He kept everything in Camille's name and this is where the plot becomes more sinister and the lady and her two sons try to coerce money out of her. Things get so bad that they are ready to murder her by any means. And well, I want to describe the plot more but I guess it can potentially be a spoiler so I'll stop.
The writing style was good, no doubt about it. It was written in the same format how Fairytales are actually written. The fact that it was a modern adaptation of Cinderella could be seen clearly from the way story progressed. It's just that it somehow was regressive in the sense I had to question whether this actually happened or not. No doubt such cases aren't uncommon but I expected to have a plot twist in such a manner that we see a different approach to this particular story. I liked how Camille's romance was not the focal point of the whole story but at the same time who she ends up saying she loves him was kind of cliched. VERY. But leaving that aside, there were only a handful of characters I actually liked - The grandmother, Joy, Christophe's friend (we don't see a lot of him but he was a good character) and Camille as well although I hoped she would have taken more of an action.
Lastly, it isn't like the book was full of old stereotypes, there were certain key points that I really liked such as characters like Joy. We see that there were two types of relationships that were depicted - one where marriage was the answer and one where companionship was. And as I said earlier, romance wasn't the key point and honestly it would have been better if it wasn't present at all. It was fairly easy to guess how the plot would progress and end and that was a major meh point for me. So I would just say that liking this book is very subjective I guess, it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. But of course, you can give it a try.
*NOTE* I read this book just before a major reading slump hit me or it was during the slump? I don't remember. That could be one of the reasons why the review sounds so critical.
Trigger Warnings: Death, Plane Crash, mention of poisoning leading to death, arson, brief scene of sexual assault, ill-treatment of people, misogynistic characters.
Fairytale is a modern adaptation of the old classic - Cinderella. This was definitely the very reason I picked up this novel and, well, to put it... it was too similar to the plot we see in Cinderella.
Camille's parents are "the perfect couple". The books starts with describing how they met (Christophe and Joy), how they instantly knew they were made for each other, it was an easy romance and they knew they would end up together. Christophe always knew he wanted to get into winery business and Joy being a business intellectual, they decided to move to Napa Valley in order to build their own vineyard and a chateau to have their own peaceful living. Camille inherits her mother's intellect and starts at a young age to look into the business matters. Soon after Camille's graduation, Joy dies of breast cancer and it is up to Camille to take care of the estate and her father's distress.
Up till this time the story was going okay. I mean the setting seemed too idyllic but it was alright. The story progresses with us meeting the sophisticated French lady who apparently has shifted to Napa Valley out of the blue. She is going around throwing lavish parties and it is during one such party that she meets Christophe. Now, the thing is this whole plot scenario was just too much. The lady wanted to apparently 'fish for a man who would take care of her expenses' and that's why she came to Napa Valley. First of all, to find a partner I don't know why she would come to a literally secluded area where it would be apparent that mostly families live?? Second of all, it was kind of stupid of her to go around throwing parties, I mean you got money why are you wasting it just to lure men in?? And third of all, this scenario seems really regressive to me...
Now the point here is that she was after this particular rich and handsome friend of Christophe whose wife died of breast cancer just like Joy a few years before her. That guy instantly seemed to know that she was after his money and he even warned Christophe to stay away and alert of her. Now the plot seemed to progress in a way that he somehow ends up having a fling with her and they have repetitive such flings and somehow he ends up proposing her. Did I mention it was kind of just 6 months after Joy died? Well, moving on... we have the same plot lines that we see in Cinderella... somehow Christophe and Camille become distant, the lady (I forgot her name lol) makes a ton of changes in the house, Camille feels sad and burdened etc.
Now, Christophe used to travel a lot for his business trips and after Joy died, this came to a standstill. But Camille had persuaded him to continue with the trips. It is in such a sudden manner that he dies. He kept everything in Camille's name and this is where the plot becomes more sinister and the lady and her two sons try to coerce money out of her. Things get so bad that they are ready to murder her by any means. And well, I want to describe the plot more but I guess it can potentially be a spoiler so I'll stop.
The writing style was good, no doubt about it. It was written in the same format how Fairytales are actually written. The fact that it was a modern adaptation of Cinderella could be seen clearly from the way story progressed. It's just that it somehow was regressive in the sense I had to question whether this actually happened or not. No doubt such cases aren't uncommon but I expected to have a plot twist in such a manner that we see a different approach to this particular story. I liked how Camille's romance was not the focal point of the whole story but at the same time who she ends up saying she loves him was kind of cliched. VERY. But leaving that aside, there were only a handful of characters I actually liked - The grandmother, Joy, Christophe's friend (we don't see a lot of him but he was a good character) and Camille as well although I hoped she would have taken more of an action.
Lastly, it isn't like the book was full of old stereotypes, there were certain key points that I really liked such as characters like Joy. We see that there were two types of relationships that were depicted - one where marriage was the answer and one where companionship was. And as I said earlier, romance wasn't the key point and honestly it would have been better if it wasn't present at all. It was fairly easy to guess how the plot would progress and end and that was a major meh point for me. So I would just say that liking this book is very subjective I guess, it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. But of course, you can give it a try.
*NOTE* I read this book just before a major reading slump hit me or it was during the slump? I don't remember. That could be one of the reasons why the review sounds so critical.
Trigger Warnings: Death, Plane Crash, mention of poisoning leading to death, arson, brief scene of sexual assault, ill-treatment of people, misogynistic characters.
I first heard about this anthology through Snailords account (he has a story in it!) and I immediately knew I had to read this book.
I loved the simple narration of all the experiences of the contributors. There's something amazing about depictions of self-love and acceptance of one's identity and I'm so glad I get to read this anthology. Not only did I discover different experiences but also some amazing artists I'm going to Google asap!
I loved the simple narration of all the experiences of the contributors. There's something amazing about depictions of self-love and acceptance of one's identity and I'm so glad I get to read this anthology. Not only did I discover different experiences but also some amazing artists I'm going to Google asap!
Cha Eun Woo is literally the perfect actor to represent Mr. Jin. Like for real.
