twominutebookreviews - Tumblr blog

[twominutebookreviews]

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Haunting and thrilling, held by back by several instances of boring, no-action paragraphs. Very interesting to see just how far society has twisted the story from its original roots. eg. the mad scientist is simply a genius college kid!

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

A charming, simple story full of life lessons - yet at times, too idealistic in its words of wisdom to the reader. Most evident in its main message: "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." Are those living in poverty and wishing to escape it guaranteed to do so? Not necessarily of course. Same with those living in war, sickness... the novel's moral lessons take a hit here (and in some other places), but its simple, entertaining nature is still likable in the end.

3/5

[twominutebookreviews]

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

The antithesis to 1984 (George Orwell). Similarly terrifying, but the main difference is that reform occurs at the end here; the ultra-violence is dying out, and Alex finally matures.

An interesting concept in the Author's Note is that if we only do good or only do evil, then we are merely "a clockwork orange, being wound up by God or the Devil". The author believes that moral choice is what drives us forward and that to do only good or only evil is inhuman, hence the development of Alex's character.

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

The Positronic Man by Isaac Asimov

A perfect extension of the short story. It is amazing how something so mechanical can invoke such rich feelings in the reader. From the small lapses in his roboticism (feelings of curiosity, acts of creativity...) to a full desire to alter his body, Andrew's journey is downright touching. Despite all odds and naysayers, he finally achieves his bicentennial goal and the reader is with him every single step of the way.

"I would rather die as a man than live eternally as a Robot." - Andrew Martin

5/5

[twominutebookreviews]

The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov

Taken by itself, the concept is nothing short of creative. When taken holistically with Asimov's Foundation series however, it is simply astounding. Asimov has somehow constructed two more higher levels of control in his fictional Universe. It is now as follows: the Second Foundationers < Gaia < the Eternals < the 'Superhumans' in the upper centuries controlling the Eternals. Equal parts intelligent, imaginative, and thought-provoking, with elements of love, action, and thriller at every page turn.

5/5

[twominutebookreviews]

Nightfall by Isaac Asimov

Nightfall is the perfect example of the hard science fiction I've come to know and love from Asimov (and in this case, in conjunction with Silverberg). The scientific detail provided really makes you believe that the plot is entirely plausible, and that this might actually happen in some yet undiscovered solar system in the Universe. The novel also has some interesting things to say about the division between science and religion (possibly that though they are polarizing, they can work together in the end).

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Simple love triangle (Tom, Daisy, Gatsby) complicated with money - Daisy ends up with Tom due to his money. Wonderful depiction of superficiality/hollowness of the upper class. - eg. the man who is surprised that Gatsby's books are all actually real was a nice touch. The chapter about Nick's attendance of Gatsby's part (chapter 3 or 4?) is *wonderfully* detailed, really shows the extravagance of the party.

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

Animal Farm by George Orwell

A bitesized variant of the novel 1984 by George Orwell. Both explore the themes of corruption, myopia, ignorance and greed, but Animal Farm does so in a satirical, almost laughable way.

3/5

[twominutebookreviews]

Logan's Run by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson

Extremely fast-paced! The setting changes abruptly between MOLLY, the Antarctic, the Crazy Horse Memorial and gypsies, and many more - thus greatly emphasizing chase between Logan and Jess and the Deep Sleep Operatives. Considering that the entire book takes place in just one day, these abrupt scene changes were often confusing, even chaotic. Finishes with a mild plot twist that does not necessarily implore one to read the succeeding novel.

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

An extremely heartwarming book which shows just how much love can change us. Impressive character development in that sense - not just in the main character, Landon (who is at first immature, but is essentially a man at the end), but in all other characters, once they know of Jamie's leukemia. The book also effectively imparts the notion that we should not judge a person until we know them for who they really are.

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Touching love story, but extremely cheesy and sappy. I cannot help but think that if Allie was so strongly in love with Noah, her love would have outweighed her parents' and society's pressures of not being with him.

Sparks' writing style is repetitive; it is often in the form of "Lorem ipsum dolor sit (comma) amet consectetur adipiscing elit." For example: "She knows this, so she makes me stop in the doorway and face her."

2/5

[twominutebookreviews]

In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives by Steven Levy

Fascinating insight into the inner workings of Google. Could have gone more in-depth with the development process of Android. Somewhat dry in some parts.

3/5

[twominutebookreviews]

The Complete Robot by Isaac Asimov

There are three amazing things about Asimov's robot universe, all of which are present in this book:

This robot universe seems likely to occur in reality. The advent of 'positronic' brains and a global robot company, use of robots in outer space, etc. are all things which sound plausible and realistic. (Yes, positronic brains are fictional; I refer to the idea of highly intelligent robotic brains becoming a reality).

The Three Laws of Robotics. At first glance they appear perfect, but are far from it.

Most impressive: the way Asimov has dissected his robot universe and conceived of what seems like every possible issue that would arise with robots in our world.

The Bicentennial Man is the perfect ending.

5/5

[twominutebookreviews]

1984 by George Orwell

Good, up to the point where Winston reads Goldstein's book - the reading of Goldstein's is long and arduous. In the end, I would have wanted Winston to start a revolution as opposed to succumbing to the Party. The first 2/3 of the book leads you into a false sense of security, the final 1/3 is terrifying and spine-chilling.

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

First half of the book is a great insight into the life of someone highly regarded in society (and yet, after reading this biography, makes the reader think that they do not deserve such respect). Second half of the book talks about the development and success of iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad, the conception of iCloud, and the proposed plans for the new Apple Campus, so it felt more like 'The History of Apple' with mentions of Steve Jobs sprinkled in here and there.

4/5

[twominutebookreviews]

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

The novella unfortunately seems more of a prequel; a setup for a continuation of the story in other novels which sadly do not exist. What happened to Holly? Where is she now? With no follow-through with her situation, the reader and the protagonist are left in the dark, leaving behind the possibility of an amazing story. It falls short of amazing, but it is definitely not bad either. Side note: I expected Holly and the narrator to become a couple, but nothing outside of friendship blossomed between them.

2/5

[twominutebookreviews]

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Although published in 1953, the book's premise - the decline of books and more convenient forms of entertainment taking over - provide a kind of social commentary for today's world. What's interesting is how Bradbury has projected it to the point where books are outright burned due to society's inferiority complex, against those more educated. A sign of things to come in reality? Unique prose in some pages which, though sometimes tedious and confusing, is very immersive and even somewhat surreal.

5/5