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Review #45: Harlem Duet

Harlem Duet, by Djanet Sears.

On my TBR? No, for uni.

Harlem Duet is a stage adaptation (revision?) of Othello. It talks about the imaginary first wife of Othello, Billie, who is a black woman. Othello decides to leave her in three different timelines (1860s, 1920s and the 90s, when this was written), in order to marry white Desdemona. We can then assume that the Othello events will take place after the end of Harlem Duet.

This was a very interesting and beautiful piece. I would recommend you to read it even if you are not really familiar with Othello.

But here is the thing, people. I am 100% sure this is more of a Medea adaptation than an Othello adaptation. I don't know if the author ever admitted it or is aware of this, but Billie's story just matches Medea's perfectly.

Verdict: You should read this play and then also read the author's "32 Short Reasons Why I Write For The Theatre".

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Review #44: Cold Comfort Farm

Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibson.

On my TBR? Yes, online one.

I thought this had been recommended to my by my British but when I asked her, she told me she had never read this book, and it was actually her grandmother's favourite. So I guess I must have misunderstood something.

Still, a good novel! This is a parody of a genre popular in the 30s that is not long dead, just like Northanger Abbey is a parody of Gothic novels. Now, while I have studied the Gothic novel at university, I have no idea what pastoral novels (?) were like. I assume it was about how miserable it was to live in the country?

We follow the adventures of Flora, a 20 years old practical middle-class woman, who after suddenly becoming an orphan (don't worry, she didn't care much for her parents anyway), finds out she is actually penniless. She goes to live off some distant relatives in Sussex, at Cold Comfort Farm. They are all quite miserable for some reason or another, so she decides to take the situation in hand and help them out in order to make her own life in the country better.

This was very funny at times and thrilling at others. It also mentions some sexual harassment themes that I wasn't expecting from a 1930s novel, but they are also not much developed afterwards.

The most disappointing thing is that for the whole novel we are tantalized with 2 mysteries, 2 horrible things that brought the family to be as miserable as they are today and, spoiler, they are never actually explained! The novel tries to be tongue in cheek about it but what a let down. It was just like The Mysteries of Udolpho all over again.

But everyone gets a happy ending at the end, so good for them.

Verdict: It was a fun and quick read, but I would only recommend it if you already like old British novels and have a special fondness for Jane Austen (rather than the Brontës).

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Review #43: The Al-Hamlet Summit

The Al-Hamlet Summit, by Sulayman Al-Bassam

From my TBR list? No, for uni.

A very interesting stage adaptation of Hamlet (Shakespeare). The characters and plot are transported to a non-specified late 2000s Arabic country with a strong Muslim population.

It was first presented in English at the Edinburgh Fringe and only later translated in Arabic. I think the author was trying to shove a point down the British (Scottish?)'s throat by using a story they would all be familiar with, but I have missed most of it because I am not familiar with the late 2000s political situation in the MENA region.

Verdict: It was still interesting to read (and to see staged) and I would recommend it to people interested in Shakespeare adaptations.

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Review #42: Adapted Male Lead

Adapted Male Lead, by Si Ra Bin.

From my TBR list? No.

Also known as Will You Be My Male Lead?

A cute and short webtoon about a romance fantasy author in search of inspiration for her next series. She asks the first bad boy she sees to be a model for her new male lead. The guy just so happens to be the CEO of her new publishing house (and not a bad boy). We follow their adventures as she struggles with her unrequited crush for a childhood friend and he struggles with getting her to realize that he has stopped pretending to help her a long time ago.

I love when the female lead is kind of dizzy and absurd and the male lead is like "ugh, she is so frustrating, i love her". Also, there is an age gap in case you are into that, and the art is beautiful as well.

The only problem is that the ending is VERY quick. Like, they introduce a new conflict and then it's solved in the next episode and then there is suddenly an epilogue with their honeymoon. ??? I guess the author had to conclude the series quickly for some reason, which is a damn shame.

Verdict: if you like contemporary rom-com webtoons you will like this one. It is currently available on Tapas.

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Review #41: Love Potion for the Alpha

Love Potion for the Alpha, by Alice Coldbreath

On my TBR? No.

Alice Coldbreath is always perfect when you need a quick, brainless romance with a gruff male lead. This one in particular is about an arranged marriage between a woman with low self-esteem and a werewolf Alpha. Will they come to see eye to eye and live happily ever after or will he divorce her?

It also includes one of my favorite tropes, everyone thinks she is kinda ugly and the male lead thinks everyone is blind, which abounds in Alice Coldbreath's works.

Verdict: Yes.

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Review #40: Colin Firth, the Biography

Colin Firth: The Biography, by Alison Maloney

On my TBR? Yes, physical one.

This is a biography of Colin Firth, published right after he won Best Actor in 2010 for The King's Speech.

I bought my copy at a used bookshop in Florence. It was faith.

I'm still not completely sure whether this is an authorized or unauthorized biography. The author knows Firth in a professional capacity as she has interviewed him in the past, but never mentions interviewing him specifically for this book. Furthermore, the author keeps citing "in this article on this newspaper, in this interview on this other magazine" etc for the whole biography. So I lean towards the gently unauthorized biography.

It was interesting to read about Colin Firth's life. I found out a lot of things I didn't know about him. The first couple of chapters (about his youth) are a bit boring and repetitive to get through. Once his career starts, though, the author has a penchant for making every single one of his movies sound like the most incredible film ever produced. I would have watched half his filmography only based on this book, if I had had the time.

There are a lot of tidbits about behind the scenes too, which I adore.

One of the chapters is called "Bride and prejudice", but it is not a clever reference to the 2004 movie like I had been hoping. The part dedicated to Pride and Prejudice is actually not that long and the author certainly didn't pay particular attention to the phenomenon miniseries.

My reading experience was made somewhat awkward by the author's continuous reminders that Firth is living a happy life with his wonderful wife in stunning Italy. In case you didn't know, they are divorced now and it was quite the scandal.

Verdict: A must read if you are already interested in Colin Firth. Otherwise, why are you even contemplating reading this?

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Review #39: The Bell Jar

The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath.

On my TBR? No, for uni.

A working title to this book was "Diary of a Suicide" and it really is. Please stay away from this book if you are struggling with your mental health. I'm not depressed but still had to walk away from the book for a while after some passages.

Set in the 50s first in New York and then Massachusetts, this book is basically an autobiography of Sylvia Plath's first time depression period and suicide attempt. She changed names and some details but the protagonist is her, the story is hers.

It doesn't look like it at the beginning, but trust me, the story will take a turn.

Verdict: Stay away from this book if you are struggling with your mental health in any way shape or form.

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Review #38: The Color Purple

The Color Purple, by Alice Walker

On my TBR? No, for uni.

One of the excellent things that come with studying literature at Uni is that you get to discover a whole lot of wonderful books you had never heard of or thought you'd never read.

The Color Purple is the story of African American women in early twentieth-century rural Georgia. I have not read many books by African American authors and certainly not one with this kind of setting, so I'm happy I got to fill the gap a little.

All of the characters were well-rounded and very interesting, especially Celie. While the story is ultimately about her self-discovery and becoming happy, she starts off in a really bad place and the book contains a lot of sexual assault.

I wish someone (my professor) had given us a heads up, because especially at the beginning it's pretty horrifying, so here I am telling you: there is A LOT of SA and almost always the perpetrator is part of the family.

Verdict: Excellent read but please pay attention to the trigger warnings.

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it's always so fascinating and heartbreaking when a character in a story is simultaneously idolized and abused. a chosen prophet destined for martyrdom. a child prodigy forced to grow up too fast. a powerful warrior raised as nothing but a weapon. there's just something so uniquely messed up about singing someone's praises whilst destroying them.

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Review #37: The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway.

On my TBR? No, for uni.

Moby Dick but in Cuba.

I do not get Hemingway at all.

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Review #36: The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway.

On my TBR? No. For uni.

Drunk people trying to make plans in Paris.

Later, in Spain.

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Review #35: Valperga

Valperga, by Mary Shelley.

On my TBR? No. For uni.

Apparently, Mary Shelley wrote novels other than Frankenstein and this one is, all considered, a bop.

It's the Middle Ages in Tuscany. Castruccio wants revenge and power. Euthanasia wants peace and zero tyranny. They are in love. But will they stay in love?

The first volume is a bore (just Castruccio going around Europe being a knight) but afterwards we get into the nitty-gritty and things get interesting.

Euthanesia is so alone, it makes me sad to even think about it, much less read it. I'll forever remember that scene when she is walking in the family crypt and then the end of the second volume is so chilling and heartbreaking. Damn you, Castruccio. Would that you had learned some morals while travelling through Europe.

Shelley spends very few words on describing the characters' feelings but somehow you can taste it and that, was beautiful.

Verdict: If you like stuff set in the Middle Ages why not.

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Review #34: Never Fall for Your Fiancée

Never Fall for Your Fiancée, by Virginia Heath

From my TBR? Yes. The GoodReads one.

I was halfway through reading this book when I realized that I had already read it sometime last year. I had forgotten to write it down on GoodReads. You can guess it wasn't exactly memorable.

A Lord needs a fake fiancée named Minerva to introduce to her mother. Miraculously, he meets a woman named Minerva who is in need of money. Fake relationship shenanigans kick off and then you get your usual Misunderstandings Fuelled Climax followed by a nice HEA.

Verdict: it's fine. The Perfect Rake is better.

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Review #33: Check & Mate

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood.

From my TBR? Nope.

My second Ali Hazelwood novel. I just have two things to say.

Now, I'm not complaining and I don't mean to be puritan/pedantic, I'm just asking a sincere question. This is supposed to be YA but from what I remember, YA does not have sexual content? At least in my time (like 5 years ago) there wasn't. Ye ye, I know about ACOTAR. To be clear, this here is sex behind closed doors, but still, I was surprised when it went further than making out.

Other than that, I found the female protagonist to be insufferable and incredibly naive. Her motivations were bullshit, her actions were stupid. Specifically, here are her three sins in my eyes:

She is a chess genius but once she becomes the main breadwinner in her family she completely abandons her chess career, which could have brought her a shitload of money, and decides to become... a mechanic? Yep.

She also refuses a shitload of money she desperately needs and a job when she is this far from getting her family evicted because she'd have to play chess and...??? Playing chess?? reminds her?? of her father? Your mother is sick. Grow up.

She doesn't even know professional players get paid a shitload of money. How?? Your father was a professional player! How can you possibly not have known???

I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable. Get smart, girl. Accept the shitloads of money when they come your way.

Verdict: Skip this book and go watch The Queen's Gambit.

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Review #32: Beau Brummell

Beau Brummell, by Ian Kelly.

On my TBR? Yes. Digital one.

Beau Brummell was a very influential figure during the Regency Era + in the history of Western male fashion in general so I was excited to read this biography but oh boy, it felt like it would never end.

I started reading this book in February 2023 so it's taken me more than a year to finish it, but it's finally over! A weight off my shoulders.

I do think it could have been shorter. Plus, the author is constantly mentioning a previous biography (written soon after Brummell's death by a certain Jesse) so I wonder if I shouldn't have just read that one.

In total, I learned 3 things about Beau Brummell:

I will unfortunately be unable to feature him in my Regency romance novel.

People make it look like irresponsible spending is a plague of contemporary times but actually it was pretty common in the olden days too and Brummell takes the cake! This guy was constantly in debt & getting bailed out by his rich friends. I mean, even after he had to exile himself to France to escape the debtor's prison, he still didn't curb his spending and then he ended up in a French debtor's prison! Like dude, get a grip.

Syphilis is a horrifying illness. Thank God for modern medicine. Get tested, readers.

Verdict: I'm just glad it's off my to-do list, frankly.

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Just found out there is a new Eragon novel out and now I feel the visceral need to reread the whole series.

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Review #31: The Kiss Quotient

The Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang.

On my TBR? Kind of. On my mental one.

I've been wanting to read this ever since With Cindy reviewed it. It must have been in 2020 so it's been 3 years haha.

This is the first volume in the romance series The Kiss Quotient. I read this right after reading the second volume.

The story is about Heroine, an economist with Asperger's who is terrible at sex and relationships. She decides to hire a male escort to teach her how to get better at sex and relationships. The male escort is our Hero, who just so happens to be of Vietnamese origins.

Having now read 2 books by this author, I can see some patterns emerge. All 4 protagonists start the book with the fundamental belief that there is something inside of them that is broken (being autistic, having a not-so-stellar past, etc) and that will make them forever unworthy of romantic love. And then they learn to embrace that characteristic or forget about it or improve it and everything is alright in the world again.

Also, these books are so optimistic. All the struggling protagonists end up rich and successful by the end of the book, even if the situation is not realistic at all. (3 new stores in a couple of months? Really?)

Lastly, for some reason 2/3 of the protagonists with Vietnamese origins have a white father. I don't know if that's something common in the American-Vietnamese community? But I found it interesting data.

That said, I liked The Kiss Quotient much better than The Bride Test.

The protagonists cared and respected each other. The romance was there. It's shown ever since their first encounter and it only grows further. I all but melted when they revealed the Hero's private life. I didn't know I needed that kind of reveal but I did need it.

The protagonists in general were much more fleshed out. I enjoyed being inside Stella's head in particular. She is very frank and straightforward but also quite clueless at times, which created an interesting contrast.

I do feel like the ending was a full-on miscommunication trope in the worst way but oh well, we can't have everything.

Verdict: If you enjoy romcoms it is worth a read :) but if you want The Sexual Tension you should read The Bride Test.