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The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova — book review
What could have been the perfect historical mystery for bibliophiles ended up being an unnecessarily long-winded and frequently dull novel. “Looking up from my work, I suddenly realized that someone had left a book whose spine I had never seen before among my own textbooks, which sat on a shelf above my desk. The spine…
15th century, 1950s, 1970s, 20th century, 3 STARS, Adult, adventure, AMERICAN AUTHOR, big books, BOOK REVIEW, Booklr, books about books, bram stoker, bulgaria, different styles (1st/2nd/3rd povs), dracula, drama, Elizabeth Kostova, epistolary, female authors, FOLKLORE, FRANCE, GOTHIC, historians, HISTORICAL FICTION, history, istanbul, librarians, libraries/bookshops, LITERARY FICTION, modern gothic, MYSTERY, Netherlands, philosophical, psychological, published in 2005, READ IN 2019, Religion, Romania, slow pacing, story within a story, SUPERNATURAL, SUSPENSE, the historian, travel, Turkey, unnamed narrator, VAMPIRES -
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak — book review
Shafak never disappoints! In her newest novel Shafak explores many of the themes she has already touched upon in previous novels in an innovative manner as the narrative bridges the gap between the life and death of its protagonist. There is something about Shafak’s prose that really resonates with me. She can address serious and…
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World, 4.25 stars, afterlife, BOOK REVIEW, class, Contemporary, DEATH, different styles (1st/2nd/3rd povs), ELIF SHAFAK, favourite authors, female authors, female friendships, friendships, GRIEF, introspective, istanbul, lgbtq+ side, LITERARY FICTION, MAGICAL REALISM, MEMORY, Poverty, prostitution, sexual assault/abuse/rape, social issues, trans side characters, TRANSGENDER, Turkey, turkish author, violence against women -
Walking on the Ceiling : Book Review
Walking on the Ceiling by Aysegül Savas ★★✰✰✰ 2 stars I don’t mind plotless novels or meandering stories but there has to be something that holds my attention. Some of my favourite books feature characters with little to no backstory, and simply focus on a time of their life or certain feelings that they…
1st pov, 2 STARS, Adult, Aysegül Savas, bad love, BOOK REVIEWS, Booklr, books about writers, BOOKS ON WRITING, Contemporary, cultural dissonance, existentialism, female authors, FRANCE, GRIEF, identity, istanbul, LITERARY FICTION, MEMORY, metaphysical, migration/immigration, Paris, philosophical, published in 2019, READ IN 2019, REVIEW, travel, Turkey, turkish author, UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE, Walking on the Ceiling -
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
A whimsical and moving tale that spans through the most difficult times. To say that the focus of this novel is of the contemporary troubled relationship between Armenians and Turks is reductive. Shafak’s writing is incredibly evocative: she brings to life smells, sounds, cultures and cities. Her descriptions envelope you transporting you straight into her…