It took me several weeks to finish reading ''Bleak House'', a novel by Charles Dickens published (in serials) from 1852 to 1853. To put it simply, I loved it. I really enjoyed reading it, and for a few weeks I was absorbed in the plot and numerous subplots of the novel. I became attached to several of the many, many characters. This was my second full-length Dickens novel- the first being A Tale of Two Cities- and needless to say I have fallen in love with Dickens's style of writing.
''Bleak House'' mainly tells the story of two people: the haughty, charming Lady Dedlock, the beautiful wife of Sir Leicester Dedlock. The Dedlocks reside in a magnificent house called Chesney Wold. Lady Dedlock, however, has a secret: a secret, if revealed, will bring drastic consequences to the lives of many people. The family lawyer, Mr Tulkinghorn, accidentally gets a hint about the secret, and delves into Lady Dedlock's past and acquaintances to learn what the secret actually is.
The other central character in the novel is Esther Summerson, a young woman who has never known her parents. She is supported by the wealthy and generous Mr Jarndyce, who appoints her as a companion to his ward and distant cousin, Ada Clare. Mr Jarndyce, Esther, Ada, and another of Mr Jarndyce's wards, Richard Carstone, are initially seen living happily in Mr Jarndyce's house- known as Bleak House- however, different events soon tear them apart.
The thing that casts a shadow throughout the novel is the case of Jarndyce & Jarndyce, a legal case that has been running for decades, a case that originated because of multiple wills made by an ancestor of the Jarndyces. If the case finally gets a verdict, the fortune of several people would depend on it. Several characters of the novel are involved somehow with the case: including Mr Jarndyce, Richard, Ada and even Lady Dedlock.
These three major plots, along with the numerous subplots, weave Bleak House, and though it might initially seem hard- and at times a bit annoying- to keep track of the numerous storyline and characters, it eventually culminates wonderfully: with various consequences coming to different characters. This is a tale of discovery, reunion, devastation, separation, happiness, and pain.
I loved the way Dickens was able to interlink so many characters. I loved how every single subplot somehow were linked with the major characters. Each character was extremely well developed.
I loved some of the characters: Esther, Mr Jarndyce, Ada, Mr George. These were definitely my favorite characters. Over the course of the novel several characters go through dynamic- yet realistic- changes, including Sir Leicester Dedlock, whom I initially thought to be haughty and stupid but circumstances over the course of the novel made me change my opinion. I definitely cared for Lady Dedlock, though I must say I did not love her the way I loved Esther Summerson. There are so many other characters worth being mentioned: Richard, Mrs Bagnet, Mrs Snagsby, Mr Smallweed, Mr Skimpole, Mr Guppy, Inspector Bucket, Mrs Rouncewell, Miss Flite, Caddy Jellyby, Prince Turveydrop, Charley and so many other characters. Mr Tulkinghorn makes a cold, well developed villain.
The novel has two narrators: Esther and a third person narrator. I personally loved Esther's narrative more: it sounded to me much more personal, much more melodious.
If I need to choose a favorite subplot, well, that would be difficult. But perhaps I would choose the subplot concerning Mr George, mainly because I really started loving the character and I liked the revelations and the unexpected twist in this particular subplot.
Overall, I really, really, really loved the novel. (Right now, I'm reading another of Dickens's novels, David Copperfield. I'm enjoying it so far!)
The 2005 BBC serial consisted of fifteen episodes, and was directed by Justin Chadwick and Susanna White. Though it is true that not every character, not every bit of this huge novel could be included in this adaptations, I must say that I loved it! This series definitely did justice to Dickens's novel. It is indeed a very good adaptation. It is extremely well written and the subject matter is wonderfully dealt with. I loved some of the additions: for example, Mr Skimpole is antagonized more in this adaptation and is far less comical than he was in the novel. I really admired this alteration. Mr Snagsby, for example, is more warm and amiable than comical, and I really appreciated it. Mr Guppy is more creepy and it was definitely funny (and creepy) to watch him. The performances were so very good! Though it could not include everything, I must say its a very good adaptation!
Author: Margaret Mitchell
Published: 1936
Gienre: Historical fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Its hard for me to write this review. It actually is. To express my feelings on this novel. To express how powerful this novel is. To express how heartbreaking it is. To express the myriad of emotions I went through while reading it. I finished reading it just a few minutes ago and wanted to wait for a while before I would write this review, but I couldn't. I feel like expressing all the things I feel about this novel, all the powerful emotions I experienced reading this novel, right now.
''Gone with the Wind'' is the story of Scarlett O'Hara and set in the Old American South, starting a few days before the American Civil War. Scarlett is the pampered daughter of Gerald O'Hara, the owner of Tara, a huge cotton plantation, and lives a sheltered life, a privileged, carefree life. Scarlett has admirers and ''beaux'', but loves Ashley Wilkes, a neighbor, only to discover that Ashley has made his made up his mind to marry Melanie Hamilton, his cousin, who is like him in tastes, gentle and refined, unlike the wild, coquettish Scarlett. This breaks Scarlett's heart, but being embittered, she makes up her mind to marry Melanie's brother Charles, mostly because she wants to make Ashley jealous. However, immediately after all these, the Civil War starts, and all the young men she knows have to go to the war. The war, however, devastates their lives, devastates their lifestyle. Very soon, everything is shattered, not just their old dreams, but also their old lifestyles, their civilization. Scarlett, the sheltered daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, has to make her way through the clutches of poverty, a girl who never had to get her hands dirty has to work in the fields to ensure food for herself and those she loves. This is the story of Scarlett O'Hara, of her plights and the people she loves and the things she loves and the lengths that she can go to achieve what she wants. This is the story of Scarlett O'Hara who faces defeat and endures only to hold her head high once again.
''Gone with the Wind'' is an intensely powerful novel. This is a novel that spans several years and introduces us to many, many characters. This is not just the story of Scarlett O'Hara but also that of the people around her, the places she knows and lives in. There is so much depth in it all. The most remarkable thing about the novel is the character development. These characters are so richly development, they have so much depth. Scarlett O'Hara is a character I often disapproved of. She is a character that can often be annoying and irritating. She is a character that I often found stupid. But at the same time, I applauded her when she triumphed, I felt sympathy for her when she was cornered by those around her. I appreciated her when she- though rarely- developed warm feelings for those around. It took me around two weeks to finish reading this huge novel, but by the time I finished reading the novel, I had grown so attached to her, I knew her thoroughly and had followed her through her journeys and her trials and tribulations. She is a flawed protagonist, often an anti-heroine, yet she is so human, she is such an excellently developed character.
There are many, many other characters. One of my favorite characters- if not my very favorite- is definitely Melanie. She is such a wonderful person, a person who always tries to find the best in everyone. And I loved the way friendship- a deep, deep friendship- is developed between Scarlett and Melanie. No matter how much Scarlett thought she disliked Melanie. Then there are characters like Rhett, Mammy, Ashley, Aunt Pittypat, Will, Uncle Peter, Gerald, Grandma Fontaine- and many other excellently developed characters.
I know I am returning to the topic of Scarlett once again but I am doing it because I need to. She is such a richly developed character, she indeed is. And the way she has to go through her trials and tribulations, her struggle to survive in a world greatly changed- and the way she took care of everybody around her in the hard, hard times. I know she can be annoying. I know she can stupid. Even disgusting at times. But she is a human being. Sh experienced so, so many things. Margaret Mitchell makes sure that we get an inner view of Scarlett's heart, and the deep human emotions and feelings- whether good or bad- she goes through throughout the novel- is described with so much depth!
This is a story of love and hate and misunderstanding and stupidity and devastation and most importantly, human nature and human emotions. The book moved me and touched me in a hundred different ways with its depth.
5 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1934
Genres: Novel, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I really admired ''Why Didn't They Ask Evans?" It was such an exciting read that I couldn't put it down! I really loved it! I loved the suspense. I loved the character development and the excellent chemistry between the characters. It is such an excellent mystery that it kept me puzzled till the very end.
The story's central characters are Bobby Jones, a vicar's son, and his childhood friend, Lady Frances Derwent (Frankie). At the beginning of the novel, Bobby comes across a man who has fallen off a cliff. The man utters these few words before succumbing to his death: ''Why didn't they ask Evans?''
The man is identified as a certain Alex Pritchard by Mrs Cayman, a woman who claims to be the dead man's sister. The case is taken to be that of a suicide or a careless accident. However, Bobby's friend Frankie muses that it might have been a murder. When attempts are taken on Bobby's life, Bobby and Frankie become quite sure that ''Alex Pritchard'''s case was indeed that of murder and the murderer thought that since ''Alex Pritchard'' literally died in Bobby's arms, he (Pritchard) might have told Bobby something that could reveal the identity of the murderer. Bobby and Frankie set out to investigate with a few clues. Their ameteur investigation leads them to discover that things are not as simple as they seem, as they come across complex and layered people; they discover more hidden crimes related to the case, they come across dangers, they find more clues, and they can't quite decide who the hideous villain actually is...
I loved the way the story got more complex, more layered! What seemed a rather straightforward case became a really puzzling and unpredictable one! I kept reading it, and the revelations left me pretty astounded!
It is not just the mystery that makes this book so irresistible and hard to put down. All the characters are so well-developed! I loved, loved, loved Bobby and Frankie! I loved the chemistry between them! The secondary characters are complex and excellently-developed! All these characters and their chemistry kept the story really engrossing!
I loved this novel! I loved the suspense, the puzzling mystery, the way everything unfolded! I loved Bobby and Frankie! I loved the humor! I loved the character development.
4 out of 5
Author: Eleanor H. Porter
Published: 1913
Novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''Pollyanna'' is a lovely little story about optimism, and how a touch of optimism and positive thought can change the bitterness and misery of people into happiness and hopefulness. The titular character is a young girl, who, after her father's death, is sent to live with her late mother's sister, Aunt Polly, a cold and strict middle-aged spinster. Aunt Polly initially treats Pollyanna with coldness, and take Pollyanna in only because she feels it is her ''duty''. Like other members of her family, she also opposed it when Pollyanna's mother had married a poor young man against her family's will. Aunt Polly gives Pollyanna a little, undecorated attic room to live in. However, this bitter situation fails to dishearten the optimistic and hopeful Pollyanna. She play the ''glad game'', a game that her father had made up. She tries to glad about everything- she tries to find something to be happy about even in the most bitter things. Gradually, Pollyanna's optimistic attitude brings happiness to the lives of everybody around her; her positive thinking encourages others to think positively, and take a brighter attitude to life.
This is a thought-provoking and lovely novel that I would recommend to everybody. I really loved the character development; there are several memorable characters (like Pollyanna, Aunt Polly, Nancy, John Pendleton, and Dr Chilton). I really loved Pollyanna's way of thinking and attitude to life. Overall, this was an engrossing book, a pleasant read, a book that can make you smile, and I definitely loved it.
4 out of 5
Author: John Green
Published: 2012
Genre: Novel, Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
''The Fault in Our Stars'' made me heartbroken and sad, but it also made me smile, laugh, and love. It made me love the characters, it made me love the story. It is a beautiful young adult romance that is sad but optimistic, a tearjerker, and strangely, heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
Hazel Grace is a teenager suffering from cancer and because of that, she is always required to carry an oxygen tank with her. When attending a support group consisting of teenaged cancer victims, she comes across Augustus Waters. Augustus's cancer caused him to lose a leg. The two become very close, and with the passage of time, their bond turns into deep love, as they understand each other, support each other. But their lives are shadowed and followed by cancer itself.
I loved Hazel. Our protagonist. I really admired her. I really appreciated her strength, her humor, her easygoing nature, which she could maintain in spite of the fact that she had cancer. She was a strong protagonist, she indeed was. Augustus Waters is also a strong character, and I really liked the things that he did for Hazel, even sacrificing something so that Hazel could meet her favorite author.
The book is so well-written and irresistible that it's easy to fall in love with it. While the love story itself is beautiful and emotionally intense, the overall novel has a great depth. While it indeed is a tearjerker, it has humor even in it's darkest moments, it is witty and sad, heartbreaking yet optimistic and heartwarming. Strange, isn't it? While the book left me heartbroken, I was overwhelmed by the time I had finished it. It was romantic, it was sad, it was emotionally intense, yet witty, optimistic, and to sum it up, beautiful.
4.5 out of 5
Published: 2013
Author: Veronica Roth
Genres: Novel, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
''Allegiant'' is the final book in the ''Divergent'' trilogy.
After the death of Jeanine Matthews and the victory of the factionless, Evelyn takes up the duty of leading the city and the people, and abolishes the faction system, much to the displeasure of many people. Evelyn also declares that nobody will be allowed to go outside the city, defying the instructions found in the Edith Prior video at the end of ''Insurgent''. However, members of a rebel group, led by Cara and Tori, known as ''Allegiant'', defy the tyrant Evelyn's authority. Instead, they plan to go outside the city and discover how the people outside the city's borders need their help. Tris, Tobias, Christina, Peter, Caleb, Cara, Uriah and Tori decide to go outside the city's border, and they manage to do so. Outside the city, they come across shocking revelations: the greatest secrets about their entire lives, about their city. They come to know that what they had seen, their lifestyles all along were nothing but lies and made-up things. Throughout their lives they had believed, they had known certain things, but after leaving their city, they come across such strange revelations that makes them realize the truth behind everything, the truth behind the city, the confinement, the factions, and above all, the truth about themselves.
''Allegiant'' contains revelations, extremely important revelations. We come to learn the backgrounds of everything in the series in this novel. We come to know about the background of the city, the background and history of the things in the trilogy.
''Allegiant'' is indeed a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. While I really liked it, I didn't exactly love it in the way I loved it's predecessors. There are important revelations in this one, and it was wonderful to know get an insight on the past of the city, the real reason the city was formed, and the truth behind the faction system. The romance between Tris and Tobias is great in this one as well, with nothing becoming sappy, but is really emotional. The character development is excellent like it's predecessors.
I have loved the ''Divergent'' series. I really admired the storytelling, the character development, the excellent emotional depth, the endless secrets and mysteries and the revelations! The ending of ''Allegiant'' was really good- I was in tears several times while reading the book. Overall, it is a good conclusion to the wonderful series. I really liked it.
3.5 out of 5
Author: Lewis Carroll
Published: 1865
Genre: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Oh well. Who doesn't know about this book? When I was little the story of Alice in Wonderland was read to me, and when I got a bit older- perhaps when I was seven or eight years old- I read the abridged version of the novel. I have always enjoyed the story, and read the abridged version a lot of times. This is the first time, however, that I have read the original novel, ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''.
As a child, when I used to read the different abridged versions, I used to think that ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' is simply a children's fantasy novel. I didn't know it is this nonsensical, this weird, this fantastical until I read the original novel! ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' is quirky, it is weird, it is strange. It has got many funny and interesting characters like the white rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Hatter, the March Hare, the Gryphon, and the Queen of Hearts, among others. And there is little Alice, who finds herself amidst such quirky and interesting characters when she reaches the Wonderland after following a Rabbit into a rabbit hole. Many things happen there, many strange things that simply make no sense, and this is the fun of it, isn't it? I The characters, the things they say, their stories, their poems and songs- are all so hilarious, so captivating! loved this one!
4.5 out of 5
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: 2012
Genres: Novel, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Romance, Mystery
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Insurgent, the sequel to ''Divergent'', begins the very moment it's predecessor ended. Tris, Tobias (Four), Caleb, Marcus and Peter are on their way to the Amity compounds. They hope that the peaceful Amity will protect them- and help them during this extremely dangerous time. Though they are welcomed by the Amity, they have to leave the Amity compounds within days for certain reasons. They then take shelter with the factionless- and they come to know that the factionless are now organized against the injustice and tyranny of the Erudite. The once-organized factions have now fallen apart: Abnegation has been destroyed, with only a few members still living. Half of the Dauntless support the Erudite, and are known as ''Dauntless traitors''. The other half, not having been instigated by the Erudite, is residing with the Candor. The factionless, supported by the loyal Dauntless, are planning to take down the Erudite authority.
Tris has faced many tragedies. She has lost her parents. She had to kill one of her best friends, Will, in order to save herself. She does not know if Christina will ever forgive her. Tris has to face many more struggles, many more choices, many more difficult situations, many more hardships. Jeanine Matthews, leader of the Erudite, is hunting for the Divergents. And then there is a big secret, a big mystery: according to Marcus, there had been a certain information that the Abnegation had been protecting, information that sheds light on the mysterious things that are beyond the city. Jeanine Matthews now possesses the information. This information is so vital, so important that it can change everything...
Oh well. What an exciting ride ''Insurgent'' was! I really loved it. Just like I had loved it's predecessor. It is action-packed, exciting, and with numerous twists and turns. And like it's predecessor, it also has everything: emotional intensity, great character development, romance, adventures, secrets, mysteries, revelations.
One of the things I am simply loving about this series is the great character development. There are simply so many memorable characters. Tris, Tobias, Christina. Tris is a remarkable heroine. She indeed is. Selfless, brave, and in spite of going through so much sufferings she fights on. An unforgettable heroine she is. I really liked the chemistry between Tris and Tobias.
And there are characters whose true colors are revealed in ''Insurgent''. There are characters who played minor roles in the first novel but play important roles in this one. I admired the excellent characterization.
In the previous novel, the main focus was on Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite, and in this one, Candor and Amity are well-explored as well.
There are twists and turns in this novel, culminating in an amazing cliffhanger ending. There are many secrets, many revelations in this one. Overall, with excellent characterization, mysteries, revelations and twists, ''Insurgent'' is an excellent sequel to ''Divergent''!
4.5 out of 5
Author: E. M. Forster
Published: 1910
Novel
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
The protagonists of E. M. Forster's ''Howards End'' are sisters Margaret Schlegel and Helen Schlegel. They are half-German, and belong to the privileged middle class. The Schlegel sisters have a decent income, and they live a comfortable and elegant life with literature and the arts. They grew up with literature, and they find pleasure in reading and attending cultural programs. The Schlegels soon become acquainted with the Wilcox family, and Helen is soon invited to spend some time with the Wilcoxes in their country house, Howards End. There, Helen has a short affair with Paul Wilcox- the younger son of Henry and Ruth Wilcox. However, the affair ends soon, and after returning to London, Helen and Margaret decide not to remember the affair. However, circumstances cause them to get involved with the Wilcoxes again, as the latter family take a house in London. Margaret develops a friendship with Ruth Wilcox. After Mrs Wilcox's sudden death, the Wilcoxes discover that she left her most valued possession- Howards End itself- to Margaret. They decide not to inform this to Margaret or anyone else, thus disobeying the late Mrs Wilcox's wish.
Time passes, but circumstances bring the Schlegels and Wilcoxes across each other again and again. On the other hand, Margaret and Helen befriend Leonard Bast, a lower middle class clerk who wants to ''improve'' himself, that is, gain a social status, through reading more and trying to become interested in the arts. Leonard is stuck in an unhappy marriage, and then there is his financial problem. The Schlegel sisters get determined to help Leonard.
The story involves these three families: the wealthy, economically and socially prejudiced Wilcoxes; the well-read, intellectual, knowledgeable, middle class Schlegel sisters, who believe in equality among the different class; and the lower middle class Basts (Leonard and his wife Jacky). The novel explores the lifestyle, the way of thinking of the different classes during the Edwardian era. Somehow, the fates of the Schlegels, Basts and Wilcoxes get interconnected- bringing a lot of changes in their lives...
The book explores the class structure of the Edwardian England, the thoughts, views and ideals of different classes, class conflicts and differences. It also explores industrialization and urbanization (among other things), as the population of London keeps increasing, leading to further urbanization.
The reason I am giving Howards End a 3.5 out of 5- in spite of, more or less, loving it- is because I found the first part of the novel too slow-paced. During the first many chapters of the novel I found it difficult to fully understand the characters. It was slow-paced- very slow-paced, and though the story was interesting, the first many chapters was too slow-paced to be enjoyed properly. But then. Really very suddenly. The novel gets really fast paced and lively. Really. Especially from the stage where Margaret receives the marriage proposal. From then it gets really very fast-paced, really enjoyable. It was then that the story picked up a good speed, a nice pace. And with that I picked up a pace as well. I flew from a page to the next, with curious eyes, eagerly waiting for the surprises, for the things that would happen next. I was excited and engrossed, I could then easily understand the characters, identify them properly, identify their emotions. It was at that stage that I started loving this novel. It is during these middle and final chapters of the novel that I found the characters to be greatly developed, greatly understandable. I found the story lively and excitingduring these middle and final chapters. And needless to say, I finished reading the book with great satisfaction. I was glad- more than glad, to be precise- for having read the book.
Well I think my feelings about this book can be summed up by this: I really, really, really admired this novel. During the first chapters I couldn't enjoy it, because I couldn't appreciate, or feel attached to the characters. It was a bit too slow paced. But then when the novel picked up it's pace, I really started admiring it. I disliked some characters because of their thoughts. And I loved some characters. I loved it how Margaret stood up for herself, stood up again injustice. I loved how Margaret and Helen understand each other. There were times when I felt sad because of the unfair behavior shown towards certain characters.
Overall I am happy with this book, I really am. I loved the way E. M. Forster told the story, I admired the richly developed characters, I loved the all the drama and fast-paced incidents towards the end of the novel.
3.5 out of 5
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: 2011
Genres: Novel, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
So I have finally read it. Finally. And I was simply so overwhelmed- needless to say, I LOVED ''Divergent'', I really, really, really loved it. While reading it I was like, ''Why did it take me such a long time to start reading this!?'' ''Divergent'' is a book that made me thrilled, that made me smile, that made me think, that brought tears to my eyes. It was an intense, emotional, thrilling, action-packed ride, it was! I would easily recommend it to anyone!
A dystopian novel, ''Divergent'' is set in a post-apocalyptic future where Chicago is divided into five different factions having different characteristics. Years ago, these factions were formed to protect humans from their adverse qualities that lead them to their destruction. The factions were formed to make sure that human stick to the good qualities only: the selfless people belong Abnegation, the truthful and honest people belong to Candor, Erudite consists of people who value knowledge above all, Amity consists of peace-loving people, while Dauntless consists of dauntless, brave people. Every person should choose a faction once he/she reaches the age of sixteen. After choosing, the people need to stick to the values and qualities of the faction they have chosen.
The protagonist and narrator, Beatrice Prior, was born to parents belonging to Abnegation. Her father is one of the people entrusted with the task of running the city: most of the people running the city belong to Abnegation for their selfless nature. Beatrice just cannot accept the Abnegation lifestyle. She cannot think of spending the rest of her life making compromises and sacrifices and sticking to selflessness. The time has come for Beatrice and her brother, Caleb to choose the faction in which they will spend the rest of their lives. They have to go through an apitutude test, where it will be tested which faction is suitable for them. Beatrice's reports are problematic: the person who conducted the test, Tori, explains to Beatrice that she possesses the characteristics of being in Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. Such a person who can belong in different factions are known as ''Divergent''. Tori explains that being a divergent is a dangerous, extremely dangerous thing. She does not explain why, and erases the result of Beatrice's test.
Beatrice is faced with a difficult dilemma: she does not want to spend the rest of her life being selfless and making sacrifices, but she feels hesitant to leave her parents. On the other hand, she is attracted to the brave lifestyle of the Dauntless faction. In the Choosing Ceremony, however, she ultimately chooses Dauntless, thereby abandoning her parents.
Beatrice, along with the other initiators, has to go through three training phases- three difficult, extremely difficult and torturous phases. To Beatrice, these seem cruel. These seem dangerous. These seem extremely cruel and torturous. But at the end of the third phase, only ten initiators will be allowed to be Dauntless, all the other initiators will become factionless and live terrible lives in the streets. Beatrice, who renames herself as Tris, has to go through all these phases, all these cruelties. Slowly, she comes to appreciate, she comes to love the Dauntless way of life. It is a hard life, it is a difficult way, but she comes to appreciate it, she wants to belong in it. But for that she has to survive the difficult phases...
And she falls in love with one of her trainers, Four...
And there is a danger, an unknown conspiracy lurking behind...
Words will not be enough to describe how much I loved ''Divergent''. It was fascinating. I couldn't put it down. It kept me reading, it kept me expecting, it kept me thrilled, it kept me predicting what might happen next. I loved the storytelling and the character development. I loved the setting, I really did. I loved Tris. I loved Four. And I appreciated all the other characters, their development. There were parts in which I cheered for Tris. I was overjoyed when Tris achieved something. There were emotional scenes in which I cried with Tris. There were scenes that made my heart pound, that made me anxious.
I would like to conclude saying that ''Divergent'' is a must-read for everybody. You want dystopia? Sci-Fi? An adventure-filled and action-packed novel? Romance? A novel filled with thrilling as well as heartbreaking and emotional moments? ''Divergent'' has it all. For me, it was a wonderful ride, a wonderful, thrilling, emotional, beautiful, heart pounding ride. I look forward to rereading this one soon!
5 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1945
Genres: Novel, Crime, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
...Rosemary, that's for remembrance.
Memories of Rosemary Barton haunt the six people who had been witnesses to a tragedy a year ago- Rosemary Barton, a beautiful, bubbly socialite, apparently committed suicide taking potassium cyanide, during her birthday party. A year has passed, but the memories of Rosemary- and those of that dreadful evening- haunt these six people. There is Iris, Rosemary's younger sister. There is George Barton, Rosemary's middle-aged husband. There is Ruth Lessing, George's secretary. Anthony Browne, one of the many men Rosemary was friends with. And finally we have Stephen Farraday and his wife Lady Alexandra Farraday. These six people think of Rosemary, and their associations with the high-spirited, beautiful, brainless woman. Rosemary is dead, but her memory, her very presence, clings on to them.
George Barton receives anonymous letters stating that Rosemary had actually been murdered- that it had not actually been a suicide. Being restless, George gets determined to find out the person who had murdered his wife. And the murderer must be one of the six people present in the birthday party.
Who had a motive for Rosemary's murder? Insights into the minds and thoughts of the six people give light to more possibilities, more motives, more complex circumstances. And when a second murder takes place, things seem to get way complicated...
The first part of this book was rather slow paced, and it was absolutely necessary, as we get insights into the minds of the six major characters, their backgrounds, their thoughts. We come to know what they thought about Rosemary. The characters are really well developed.
Psychologically intense, complex, and quite unpredictable- I really enjoyed this novel. I really did. It is definitely not the one of the best Agatha Christie novels I have read, but it was definitely fascinating, complex and unpredictable.
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1959
Genre: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''Cat Among the Pigeons'' is about a school, Meadowbanks, one of the most successful boarding school for girls in England, run by Miss Bulstrode. A lot of important people are students in this school, like princesses and members of foreign royal families. A new term starts at the school, and several of the students and teachers feel that something unusual is going on in the school, that there is somebody unwanted present among them, that there is a ''cat among the pigeons'' present in the school. However, nobody can guess who that ''cat'' actually is...
However, things turn serious as two of the teachers are found murdered, and a student is apparently kidnapped...
One of the students, Julia Upjohn, finds out some clues about what might be responsible behind these incidents, and she goes to the famous detective, Hercule Poirot, and asks him to look deeply into the matter.
''Cat Among the Pigeons'' is not one of the best Agatha Christie novels that I have read, but it was certainly a wonderful, suspenseful read, a quick read. Some of the parts were really scary, and some of the suspenseful scenes were really well-written. Hercule Poirot makes a very late appearance in this novel. Before his arrival, the novel develops the incidences, characters, and the mystery. It helps to develop the situation and the atmosphere.
I didn't find it to be a predictable mystery, and overall, the mystery is quite good, it has quite a good cast of characters, and I really liked it.
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1961
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Pale Horse'' is not a great mystery novel, but the concept, the narration, and atm0sphere are so good that the book is hard to put down! I really enjoyed this novel. It had such a wonderful atmosphere and the narration by Mark Easterbrook is very engrossing.
''The Pale Horse'' is mostly narrated by Mark Easterbrook. He is a historian. Well, I guess this story will be a bit difficult to summarize. But the main thing about the story is, Father Gorman was recently found murdered, and a paper was found in his shoe, and it seems that the murderer wanted this paper. There are names of some people written in this paper--- and the people whose names are written have all died recently, of natural causes. Detective Inspector Lejune is puzzled.
Mark Easterbrook comes to know about the case from Dr Corrigan, who had been his friend at university. Mark is visiting a village, Much Deeping, where his cousin, Rhoda, and her husband, resides. Rhoda takes Mark and some other visitors to a pub, The Pale Horse, run by three strange women: Thyrza, Sybil and Bella. These three women are said to practice black magic. Most residents of the village think that it's nothing serious.
Thyrza takes Mark to the library of the pub, and tells him about a strange and mysterious way of death--- that she can send death rays that can eventually kill a person from natural causes. Mark is puzzled, and several incidences lead him to think about the connection of Pale Horse and case about which he heard from Corrigan. Something wicked and mysterious is certainly going on, and Mark teams up with Ginger, a woman who was also a guest in Rhoda's house, to solve the case.
It was a very puzzling novel, and it kept me guessing. Especially from the time Mark and Ginger take the initiative to solve the case, to know what is actually going on, the novel really gets exciting. It's not that it's a very great mystery novel, but it was really a puzzling, entertaining read, and I really liked the clever Ginger who comes up with such clever plans. Some of the things were a bit predictable but still this novel was absolutely entertaining and engrossing.
There are quite a lot of characters present in this novel. Ariadne Oliver, the famous novelist, appears in this one. I first read about Ariadne Oliver in the Hercule Poirot novel, ''Cards on the Table''. Though Mrs Oliver is a minor supporting character in ''The Pale Horse'', her appearances were still very memorable.
Overall, I really, really, really liked this book. It was very entertaining and very enjoyable. It's a good mystery novel, cleverly written and a smooth read.
P.S: The cover of this book is beautiful!
4 out of 5
Author: Rick Riordan
Published: 2006
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
The Sea of Monsters is the second book in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series.
I read the first book in this series, ''The Lightening Thief'', a few weeks ago, and I had really liked it. I also liked ''The Sea of Monsters'', perhaps not as much as the first book in the series, but enough to recommend it.
''The Sea of Monsters'' starts with Percy and his mother living happily, after the incidences of the first book. Percy has weird nightmares about his satyr friend, Grover, and one day, guesses that something wrong, something bad is happening at Camp Half Blood. His mother doesn't tell him anything clearly, but however, after reaching Camp Half Blood, he gets to learn that the camp's security charm has broken, as the tree of Thalia, that had protected the camp, has been mysteriously poisoned.
Percy learns through his friend that his satyr friend, Grover, has been imprisoned by the Cyclops Polyphemus. He also gets to know that Polyphemus has the Golden Fleece, the only thing that can cure Thalia's tree and bring back the camp's security. Along with Annabeth, and his newly-made friend Tyson (who is a good Cyclops and a son of Poseidon), Percy sets off in an adventure to rescue Grover and the Golden Fleece.
A lot (well, most of the) of the characters from the first book return in this book, and those that get important roles are: Annabeth, Chiron, Grover, Clarisse in supporting roles, and Luke in a negative role. Luke is the primary antagonist of this novel. A few new characters are also introduced, and remarkable among them is Tyson, a homeless boy whom Percy befriends in his school. Tyson turns out to be a Cyclops and a son of Poseidon; thus, the half-brother of Percy.
The book had interesting twists and turns and humor, and often startling revelations. There are several things that I liked about this book: the flow, Rick Riordan's storytelling, the characters, the twists, the humor. I also found the references to mythology extremely fascinating! Among the humorous parts, I found Polyphemus's wedding plans really amusing; they made me burst into laughter.
Overall, I liked this book. It was charming and entertaining; maybe not as much as it's predecessor, but still, it was good enough.
3.5 out of 5
Author: Wilkie Collins
Published: 1868
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Moonstone'' is my first Wilkie Collins novel, and I really adored it. I loved the storytelling, wit, narration, character development, and the way in which different characters narrate the story in their own style. I really liked this novel.
''The Moonstone'' tells the story of a valuable Indian diamond. Colonel James Herncastle, a corrupt soldier, had acquired this diamond in India as a result of war. He brings the diamond, known as the Moonstone, to England, and leaves it to his niece, Rachel Verinder.
Rachel Verinder lives with her mother, Lady Verinder. After the death of Colonel Herncastle, Franklin Blake (a cousin of Rachel Verinder), is given the task of taking the diamond to Rachel, and present it to her on her 18th birthday. On her birthday party, Rachel wears the diamond, and before going to bed, she keeps it in her cabinet.
However, that very night, the diamond is stolen...
Things get mysterious... who could have stolen the diamond? Apparently, the house was perfectly locked and secure, and no outsider could get into the house...
The renowned detective Sergeant Cuff is called. Everything centering the case seems puzzling, mysterious...
The book is divided into two parts: the first part is narrated by Gabriel Betteredge, the trusted elderly steward of the Verinders, and the second part is narrated by different characters.
I really liked the narration style. The style of each of the characters is reflected through their narrations. For example, Gabriel Betteredge's narrative, which, I think, is the longest narrative in the book (he narrates the whole first part), is a little slow-paced and sometimes witty. Gabriel Betteredge is the trusted old steward of the family, and Lady Verinder likes him a lot. He has quirks, which are reflected in his narrative. The first narrative of the second part is by Miss Clack, a relative of the Verinders. Miss Clack's narrative was amusing and also irritating! The narratives by Franklin Blake and Mr Bruff (and others) are more serious-sounding.
This is a long book, and a lot of things happen in the course of the novel, it takes several unexpected turns, making the mystery really enjoyable. Not only this, there are several characters that remain memorable, for whom we feel sympathy. Though the main subject of the book is the mystery, the characters also form a major part of the book, and over the course of the story, a lot of things happen to the characters, changing the lives of several of them. As mentioned a lot of times in the book, after the night of the birthday party, nothing remained same in the carefree, happy lives of the central characters; rather, they were being haunted by mysteries and suspicions.
I really liked this novel; I liked the narrative style, character development, and the development of the mystery. It's an amazing book, and I'm looking forward to read more Wilkie Collins novels.
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1931
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
Agatha Christie's ''The Sittaford Mystery'' is set in a snowy village, Sittaford. A woman named Mrs Willett, and her daughter Violet, have recently rented The Sittaford Cottage, owned by Captain Trevelyan. Captain Trevelyan lives in the neighboring town of Exhampton. Mrs Willett and her daughter are very sociable people. They regularly invite their neighbors for tea. The story begins with a tea party at the Sittaford Cottage. The guests are: Major Burnaby (who is a neighbor of the Willetts and also the best friend of Trevelyan), Mr Rycroft (a neighbor interested in criminology and ornithology), Mr Duke (a mysterious man), and Ronald Garfield (a young man who is visiting his elderly aunt in Sittaford). They play table-turning, when suddenly, through table-turning, a message comes to them: that Captain Trevelyan has been murdered.
Though everybody feels uneasy because of the message, they try to think that it was just an unpleasant joke. However, Major Burnaby feels uneasy, and goes to Exhampton on foot, in the snowy night, to see if Trevelyan's alright. However, he discovers that Trevelyan has indeed been murdered.
Inspector Narcott starts investigating the case, and the police arrest James Pearson, nephew of Trevelyan, who was in Exhampton the evening his uncle had died. However, James's fiance, Emily Trefusis, doesn't believe that James can murder anyone. She is sure that James is innocent. So she starts investigation the matter on her own.
Another pleasant mystery by Agatha Christie! The setting of this novel is really good. The isolated, snowy village Sittaford.
The most unforgettable thing about this book was the character of Emily Trefusis! It was such an amazing character! The way she takes the responsibility of personally investigating the case finding out who the actual criminal is... she was absolutely a very strong character! I found the character sweet, strong and unforgettable. The firm determination of the character is extremely noteworthy.
There are many characters in this novel: the family of Captain Trevelyan, the residents of Sittaford, and several residents of Exhampton. This cast of characters was quite strong and very remarkable.
This is a novel full of twists and turns! The solution comes quite unexpected (though I did have a faint--- very faint--- idea of who it might be, though I didn't have any idea of why), and the ways in which Emily solves the puzzle were really good!
This is not among my favorite Agatha Christie novels, but it was certainly a very, very pleasant, extremely satisfying, puzzling read that I would recommend! It is very cleverly written, engrossing, and has a very strong cast of characters.
3.5 out of 5
Author: Rick Riordan
Released: 2005
Genres: Novel, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
While reading this book, I kept asking myself why it took me so long to start reading this series! It was such an AMAZING book that I could not put down, that was so fast paced, with such a lot of twists, turns, and surprises! I really loved it!
Percy Jackson is a teenager who has always struggled in school and has been expelled from several schools. In the boarding school where he stays at the beginning of the novel, his best friend is Grover, and his Latin teacher is a kindly man, Mr Brunner, who expects a lot from him. Several strange and dangerous incidences bring Percy across a lot of unexpected revelations about himself: he is in fact the son of Poseidon, the god of the Sea in Greek Mythology. Grover is, in fact, a satyr who was assigned to the job of protecting him, and Mr Brunner is actually a centaur (whose real name is Chiron). Percy is taken to the Camp Half Blood, where demigods, the children of Greek gods and goddesses, reside. Percy slowly comes to love the camp, but then...
It is revealed to Percy that the lightening bolt of Zeus has been stolen, and Zeus believes that Poseidon has stolen it. A terrible conflict may arise if the lightening bolt is not found and returned to Zeus. It is thought that Hades has stolen the lightning bolt, and Percy is given the task to find the lightening bolt from the Underworld, and return it to Zeus, so that a destructive conflict can be avoided. The companions of Percy in this dangerous adventure is Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, and Grover.
''The Lightening Thief'' was an amazing book! With such a lot of humor, surprises, twists and turns, mystery and suspense, it is certainly a wonderful, engrossing book with a great pace! It has it all: suspense, mystery, humor, some emotional depth, twists! Some of the plot twists and revelations came so absolutely unexpected that it left me shocked.
The adventures are really suspenseful, and some are very twisted. I really liked the developing friendship between Percy and Annabeth.
Such a wonderful book! I think I will definitely love the whole Percy Jackson series!
4 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1956
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
''The Last Battle'' is the final novel in C. S. Lewis's ''Chronicles of Narnia''.
It is set in the ''last days of Narnia''. The novel starts with an ape, named Shift. His friend is a donkey, Puzzle. One day, Shift and Puzzle come across the skin of a lion. The cunning Shift suddenly gets an idea: Puzzle will dress up as a lion, and Shift will tell the Narnians that Aslan has returned to Narnia. Then he will use this for his evil purposes.
The reigning king of Narnia is King Tirian, a descendant of King Rilian, whom Eustace and Jill had rescued in ''The Silver Chair''. Tirian gets to learn that Aslan has returned, and shockingly, he is ordering the cutting down of trees, talking trees. It shocks him. Why would Aslan order such a thing? He comes to know, after some time, that this is all a plot for the Calormenes to take over Narnia.
And then... Eustace and Jill come to Narnia once again, to fight against the Calormenes, in the last battle of the last king of Narnia.
I have mixed feelings towards the book. While I certainly didn't hate it, I certainly didn't love it. I didn't think that it was enchanting, something that the previous novels were. It didn't have the excitement, the feel-good elements, the beauty of the previous novels. In fact, until Peter, Lucy, and Edmund arrive, only then did the novel becomes a little enchanting and gets some beauty.
One of the things that I loved about this book is that so many characters in the previous novels return in this one. There are so many, so many old characters. Characters whom we loved and had missed. Some of them last appeared in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardobe, some in Prince Caspian or Voyage of the Dawn Treader. (Edmund and Lucy had had brief appearances in ''The Horse and his Boy''). Many characters from each of the previous novels appear in this one.
And
now... One of the most disappointing things about this book. The
children who had had adventures in the previous books appear in this
one: Peter, Edmund, Lucy, Eustace, Jill, Digory and Polly. Did you
notice any name missing? It's Susan. She doesn't appear in this novel.
According to Peter, she is ''no longer a friend of Narnia''. I was
shocked at this. Susan, one of the major characters of the series. I
kept hoping that maybe she will appear, through some way or other. But I
was disappointed. Susan doesn't appear in this novel. She is mentioned
only once, when Tirian is startled to see that Susan is not present
among the humans who came from their world. Then Peter tells him that
Susan is ''no longer a friend of Narnia''.
I
don't exactly know what to feel about the ending. It felt beautiful.
The descriptions were beautiful. The presence of so many old characters
made me overwhelmed. I think I was quite satisfied with the ending.
So what do I think about The Last Battle? I think it was good. Just good. But it was neither excellent nor enchanting. I didn't feel it was wonderful, magical like the other books of the series. The reunion of the characters were really good. And some of the battle description were good. As the ending to the magical series, ''The Last Battle'' was quite satisfying.
3 out of 5
The 2005 BBC serial consisted of fifteen episodes, and was directed by Justin Chadwick and Susanna White. Though it is true that not every character, not every bit of this huge novel could be included in this adaptations, I must say that I loved it! This series definitely did justice to Dickens's novel. It is indeed a very good adaptation. It is extremely well written and the subject matter is wonderfully dealt with. I loved some of the additions: for example, Mr Skimpole is antagonized more in this adaptation and is far less comical than he was in the novel. I really admired this alteration. Mr Snagsby, for example, is more warm and amiable than comical, and I really appreciated it. Mr Guppy is more creepy and it was definitely funny (and creepy) to watch him. The performances were so very good! Though it could not include everything, I must say its a very good adaptation! 
