Review of I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Status: read and back on my shelf.

Rating: 5/5.

I am Malala had me hooked from the first page. The story begins as any great story begins, with a birth and a family. From the outset, it is clear that Malala's relationship with her father is integral to her life story. Respect in their relationship, is always mutual. 

The thing that most impressed me was Malala's confidence. No not her confidence, her no nonsense honesty. In interviews, when asked how she has the boldness to confront world leaders about controversial topics, she says she doesn't do it for her, it is bigger than her. She finds the confidence because she must step up for her fellow people. 

What's more, she shows that everyone can learn from others. Malala is insatiable for knowledge. She is never satisfied with herself and often looks to her father and other great leaders on how to improve herself. Her father learns from his daughter too (though her brothers seem to not learn all that much haha from her). I feel I have learned to love learning through Malala. 

My favourite parts of the book were when Malala describes her life in Swat Valley. Malala captures the essence of her valley and explains it simply, aware of the possible cultural differences between herself and her readership. The importance of stories, particularly religious stories, is emphasised. She perfectly describes the real fear of your home becoming a dangerous place at night. The anxiety of her fellow classmates sneaking to school. 

That is what the book says. There are rules worth breaking despite threats and there are things worth saying despite nerves. Just as there are books worth reading despite the time of night. I highly recommend this book as an important an amazing story.

Favourite quote:

'It doesn't matter if I can't smile or blink properly,' I told her, I'm still me, Malala. The important thing is God has given me my life.' Yet every time they came to the hospital and I laugh or tried to smile, my mother's face would darken as if a shadow had crossed it. It was like a reverse mirror - when there was laughter on my face there was distress on my mother's.

Review of The Giver by Lois Lowry

Status: returned to elibrary to much dismay.
Rating: 5/5 stars.

In a futuristic society Jonas reaches the age of maturity where his career will be decided. Instead of being awarded a career, Jonas is selected as the society’s new Receiver of all human memories of the past. Though exempted from society’s rules against curiosity and dishonesty in his new position, Jonas vows to never lie. But he must lie. With the Giver’s training he sees the true world and cannot share it.

This novel kept surprising me. Like many adult readers, I lowered my expectations due to the book's classification as children’s fiction. However the book challenged me intellectually and morally beyond what a child may grasp. I came to realise how a totalitarian society can flourish without its citizens noticing how controlled they really are. The twists were seamlessly interwoven with world-building and clear dialogue. I would recommend this book for non-readers or lovers of dystopian or introspective literature. Think Animal Farm crossed with If I stay. An odd mix, but it works.

Let me know what other children’s stories you enjoyed as an adult. Have you seen the film adaptation of the Giver? Ciao.

Review of A Tale of Two Cities

I've been reading this book for quite a while now as some of you may know (it was getting quite stale on my Goodreads shelf) and today I will tell you why, also why I will reread this at some point in the future.

Reading at the beach. I am a nerd.

A Tale of Two Cities has a small cast of characters, the most famous of which you clockwork princess fans out there will recognize as Sydney Carton. Pretty much, it starts with a slightly mentally ill prisoner known as Doctor Manette who has been imprisoned in the Bastille for political reasons. He is released by the caretaker of his estate, Mr Lorry the banker and his young daughter Lucie. A few years later these three are witnesses to a political conspiracy with a man called Charles Darnay. His lawyer is Sydney Carton. During the trial, everyone falls in love with Lucie- as you would expect- and she ends up getting married *no spoilers as to who.* They live a quiet life until the French Revolution when Charles Darnay is again accused of treason, this time to the new Republic of France and the doctor's mental trauma from his years in the Bastille begins to resurface.

Previously I hadn't flirted with Dickens although I had assumed he was an amazing writer, why else would he have lasted so long? I was blown away by the rhythm and movement of his work. There was a beautiful line on every second page. The imagery of for instance Madame Defarge and the Vengeance strangling enemies with their knitting lingered. Closer to the end when we see all the ladies in court knitting during the beheadings, Dickens paired the knitting with the horror. A row of stitches. 52 heads.

I really struggled getting through this book not only because of the subject matter -tragic and bloody- but also because of the length. Not much seemed to happen in each chapter and each were quite long. Also, I never really connected with Lucie or Charles nor with their love story. The character formation was lacking for me especially as I am so used to seeing much stronger and central female characters.

The satisfaction I got from finishing this book though was monumental. This has taken me almost as long as Game of Thrones, I feel like my vocabulary and reading skills have really been developed and I really challenged myself to read something outside my comfort zone. Additionally, the ending was absolutely incredibly done. I take my hat off to Dickens for tying up all the loose ends, even some introduced pretty late in the plot. It was like he had been painting something bit by bit and only at the end did he show you the big picture. Storytelling at its best. Bravo good sir.


Favourite quote:
"O you will let me hold your brave hand, stranger?"

Let me know what you think of Dickens and any other book recommendations. Ciao!