Looking back on this semester, I can honestly say I’m really happy with the selection of books I read. There was a wide variety in terms of style, setting, and narrative voice, but at the same time, there were some interesting similarities that tied everything together. It also feels especially meaningful that this was my […]
Reading Love Me Tender by Constance Debré felt kind of like being dropped into someone’s brain mid-thought with no filter, no neat explanations, just raw emotion and sharp observations. It’s definitely not a traditional narrative, and that’s one of the first things I noticed. The writing is stripped down, almost blunt, and it moves in […]
One of the first things that stood out to me in My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante is how intense Lila and Lenù’s friendship is. It’s not just a normal “best friend” situation, it’s kind of messy. There’s a lot of jealousy, competition, and comparison going on. I kept noticing how much Lenù bases her […]
Going into The Book of Chameleons, I wasn’t expecting a story about someone who literally sells new identities. Félix Ventura’s job immediately caught my attention and not just because it’s unusual, but because it feels like an exaggerated version of something people already do. We constantly reshape how we present ourselves, just not with forged […]
I thought that the story of Money to Burn would eventually make sense and have a clear direction but it did not. I actually thought it would read more like a movie with a standard plot building towards a robbery. However, it does not have a central narrative from beginning til end. The group planning […]
The Time of the Doves by Mercè Rodoreda tells the story of Natàlia, a working-class woman living in Barcelona before, during, and after the Spanish Civil War. What stood out to me most was how quiet and emotional the story felt. Instead of focusing on big historical events, the novel shows how everyday life, relationships, […]
After reflecting on each chapter, I either felt a sense of loss or weight. I believe the author wanted the reader to not have an easy time reading the novel. Ernesto observed his surroundings like a curious child. He saw things that one may perceive to be insignificant; however, in the end, they ended up […]
At the beginning of the book, I was immediately hit by the environment and emotions of Andrea who was arriving in Barcelona with lots of hope. Soon after arriving the harsh atmosphere of the home created by her relatives became clear. The home was small, but was heavy with tension that I found myself finding […]
One of the first things I noticed about The Shrouded Woman is how abruptly it begins. There’s no buildup or explanation, we’re immediately inside Ana María’s consciousness as she lies in her coffin. What surprised me most was how calm and reflective this perspective is. Death isn’t portrayed as frightening or chaotic, but as quiet […]
While reading Mad Toy, one of the first things I noticed was how uncomfortable and raw the novel feels. Arlt doesn’t try to make Silvio Astier likeable or heroic, and that actually made the story more interesting for me. Silvio is intelligent and imaginative, but he’s also resentful, impulsive, and often self-sabotaging. Instead of a […]
