NOTE: I'm typing this post way too late, I forgot a lot of details about some books. This post is really blurry and bad, my excuses for that. I should really start typing these comments right after I finish, but man am I lazy...
Bret Easton Ellis - 'Imperial bedrooms' (read in Dutch; title: 'De informanten')
Bret Easton Ellis is one of my favourite authors, so I really looked forward to reading this book. Imperial bedrooms takes us back to the characters we've met in his first novel, 'less than zero', which is still my favourite Ellis book. I must say I wasn't that impressed with this sequel. You do get a nice view into the lives of Clay, Rip, and all the others, but this book just didn't tickle my fancy like the rest of his books do. (this reminds me, I still have to read 'rules of attraction', I bought it a million years ago but still didn't read it). I'm not saying you shouldn't read it, but I strongly suggest you start with 'less than zero' first. Else you really won't know what the hell he's writing about
my score: 5/10
Jonathan Franzen - 'Strong Motion' (read in Dutch; title: 'Schokgolven')
A strange book. The protagonist is a young man who struggles with live, society, but most of all his materialistic mom and sister. After an earthquake, his grandmother dies. His mom inherits all her money, which brings great stress into the household. At the same time, he falls in love with an older scientist, who discovered a connection between the earthquakes and a nearby factory. The book handles about love and growing up, but also about pollution and how we are all responsible. Can't say I enjoyed it that much, but it's beautifully written. I do believe the author has a lot of potential to grow, so I might read more of his books.
My score: 5/10
Hubert Lampo - 'Terugkeer naar Atlantis' (famous Flemish writer, found no translation)
My mom hates Lampo, because she was forced to read his most famous novel, 'De komst van Joachim Stiller', in high school. She hated it with a passion, but I read that book about 4 years ago and loved it. This one wasn't as good, but still I like how Lampo writes, in a philosophical way, no big stories, but big thoughts. I can't really describe it anymore and since there is no translation, I won't bother. I strongly recommend 'Joachim Stiller', tho.
My score: 7/10
Gayle Lynds - 'The book of Spies' (read in Dutch; title: 'De geheime Boekenclub')
This book was really stupid. I liked the idea at first, but the story bored me to dead, probably one of the worst 'thrillers' I've ever read. I don't want to use any more words for it.
My score: 3/10
Lawrence hill - 'The book of Negroes' (read in Dutch; title: 'Het Negerboek')
I love books about the South, slavery, and Southern literature (I know this is not Southern literature). This book describes the journey of a young girl who was captured and enslaved. She describes the horrors of a slave ship, the terrors of being enslaved, and how she was finally freed and lived in London. Described painfuly yet very touching, this book caught me by the troath and punched me in the stomach, just like every truly touching book does.
My score: 8/10
Jeroen Brouwers - 'Sysiphus' bakens - vloekschrift (feuilletons 8)' (probably my favourite Dutch author, no translation)
I admire Jeroen Brouwers. He's one of the best Dutch writers I have read, and by far the best polemic writer I've ever read. I'm doing a great job on collecting all his books. Anyway, this polemic deals with the fact Brouwers denied 'the most prestigious literary price in the lowlands' because he can hardly live from the money he makes as an author. I like all his books, but I like him the most when he gets angry.
My score: 9/10
Dirk De Wachter - 'Borderline times - the end of normality' (read in Dutch; title: 'Borderline times, the end of normality')
Great, just great. De Wachter gives us a view on society based on the 8 characteristics of borderline as listed in the DSM IV, and how they dominate our society. The destruction of family, the glorification of violence and substance abuse, and many more. By some of the points I shaked my head and felt like he finally described how I felt for years. But as every one on earth, I'm not free of blame, and sometimes I had to admit I make the same mistakes. A thought-provoking and very interesting book, I recommend it to everybody who is interested in psychology and society.
My score: 8/10
Books that match the 2015 reading challenge
- A book with more than 500 pages: 'strong motion'
- A book by a female author: 'The book of spies' (sadly enough)
- A book set in a different country: 'The book of negroes' (multiple countries!)
- A book you can finish in a day: 'Imperial bedrooms'
- A non-fiction book: 'Borderline times'
Sabetha
pissedofpenguin@gmail.com
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