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Tag Archives: book review

Book Review: The Crossing

25 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by laviniacollins in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

book review, the crossing

Wow, I’m behind on these! This was originally posted on Chapter and Verse Reviews. 

Screen Shot 2018-03-11 at 21.30.06.pngThis book was recommended to me by my mother, and like a lot of books my mother recommends, it contains quite a lot of sex (which she claimed to have no recollection of), including a particularly striking passage in which one of the characters compares a particular act to being sucked by a heifer. When I showed this passage to my current companion their only question was, “What is a heifer?”

So why I am recommending this heifer book? I didn’t love it. Isn’t it weird to recommend books you don’t love? Maybe, but I’m still thinking about it. It was a rather odd book, really. It centres on this character, Maud, a scientist working in pharmaceutical research, her relationship with her partner and her child and, most of all, other people’s assessment of her, and of her coldness and apparent self-interest.

A lot of the blurb extols what an incredible character Maud is, but what I found most interesting was the way that the other characters seemed not to be able to fathom her, and what that says about what both the author and society at large consider strange, unacceptable, mysterious, unusual, and incompatible about Maud’s personal qualities and womanhood and/or femininity.

Food for thought.

You’ll love this book if you like:
– Unusual family dynamics
– Lots of detail about boats
– Heifers

You might want to avoid this book if you dislike:
– Tattoos
– Boats (there really is a lot of detail about boats)

Happy Reading!

The 10 Best Heroines in Classic Novels

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by laviniacollins in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

best women in classic novels, book review, classic novels, fiction, lists, literary characters, women

10. Tess Tess of the D’Urbevilles

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I’ve never seen a film or TV adaptation that does Tess justice. Sure, she feels sorry for herself quite a lot, and sure she calls her child Sorrow (I mean, WHAT is with that??) but Hardy manages to get across a toughness that has not yet – to my knowledge – made it to the screen, earning Tess a place on my list.

9. Lady Chatterly Lady Chatterly’s Lover

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She’s a super hot lady who knows what she wants, and goes purposefully about getting it, and I’m a big fan, but let’s all be honest with ourselves here – everyone in the world’s favourite character in this book is Mellors, the hot gamekeeper. Grrr!

8. Esther Summerson Bleak House

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Esther is a bit of an unusual choice for me, in terms of favourite female characters. She’s quiet and deferential, but she has a strength and an endurance in that quietness, and that is why she is on my list.

7. Gudrun and Ursula Women In Love

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These sisters are a special BOGOF in my list, because I can’t choose between them. Fancy a bit of philosophical pondering alongside your sexual encounter? Look no further than these two sisters for a bit of sex followed with, “Oh but Rupert don’t you wonder what it all MEANS? I mean to exist…?” etc etc etc.

6. Rebecca Rebecca

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Ok, so she’s not the heroine blah blah stop breaking the rules you say. Shut up this is my list, I say, and even though Rebecca never really appears she sounds like she was an amazing bitch, just not giving any of the fucks and wanting to dress up as a shepherdess and hang out on her boat so she has my vote, sounds amazing fun. The narrator woman is so BLAH.

5. Lolita Lolita

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Is she a heroine? I don’t know. She’s a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a puzzle. Light of my life, fire of my loins…

4. Daisy The Great Gatsby

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She’s a bitch, and I love her. The film did not do her justice.

3. Emma, Emma
Meddleuse supreme – if you’ve got a life dilemma, she’s got an opinion. Also inspired this fab Hollywood modernisation:

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2. Scout To Kill a Mockingbird

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This one needs no explanation. If you haven’t read it, read it.

1. Cathy, Wuthering Heights
She’s hot, she’s crazy, she’s going to come back from the dead to mess with you. What’s not to love?
Also inspired the best ever novel-inspired song:

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BONUS PRIZE FOR LEAST APPEALING FEMALE CHARACTER:
Little Nell The Old Curiosity Shop
I believe it was that noted wit Oscar Wilde who said “It would take a heart of stone not to laugh when little Nell dies”, and I do believe that he was right.

Chime in with your favourites in the comments! Feel free to tell me that I’m wrong 😉

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  • Book Review: The Crossing
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  • Red Sparrow Review, or WTF did I just watch?!

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  • #MeToo? Going back, thinking back and doubt
  • IGRAINE Omnibus Version Now Available
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  • Review: First Love by Gwendoline Riley
  • Red Sparrow Review, or WTF did I just watch?!

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laviniacollins on Do Men Read Books by Wome…
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