zahrowl's reviews
33 reviews

Inheritance by Balli Kaur Jaswal

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I hated the characters in the first two chapters because of their very human flaws, upbringing and environment, and I'm so happy for them when they and their situations improve later. Balli Kaur's prose is both beautiful and accessible and this family drama thoroughly explores societal and familial expectations, mental illness and inheritance in parallel with the development of 1970s-1990s Singapore.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Misogyny

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, and Sexual content

Minor: Death, Racism, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism, Cursing, and Eating disorder

Rashomon and Other Stories by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

challenging dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Emily of Emerald Hill by Stella Kon

informative lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Candide by Voltaire

adventurous dark inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel García Márquez

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Dress [with] Sense: The Practical Guide to a Conscious Closet by Sofia Tärneberg, Christina Dean, Hannah Lane

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

Fox 8 by George Saunders

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

My Hygge Home by Meik Wiking

informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.75

残疾暴君的掌心鱼宠 (The Disabled Tyrant's Pet Palm Fish) by 雪山肥狐

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5