Amelia Halgren > Recent Status Updates

Writing is compelling but I found the assault scene and drug addiction elements disturbing enough that I don’t want to continue.

I think I’ve invested as much of my time in this book as I want to… it’s fine, just not what I’m in the mood for at the moment. But I’ll want to add that the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ posters referenced in this book were never actually used at the time because the feedback was that people found them patronizing.

If “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable” this book may be a work of art … but you lost me at ‘cum soaked sheets.’ 😅

“Jesus was God’s cootie collector.”

😂

The writing is amusing and quirky, even witty… but I don’t enjoy the kissing scenes. They seem cliché and mechanical.

Jeez! Gratuitous sex! I don’t remember anything like this from Murakami’s previous books!

In general I find Murakami’s books a bit elusory. This one is more accessible than most. But he seems to always have an artistic minded character that is looking for meaning and/or ulterior motives where most people might see only coincidence.

I think this is the most explicit book I’ve ever read by Murakami but it’s not steamy… more mechanical. But I think that’s how I feel about sex scenes written by men in general?

Murakami’s details are almost poetic. Here is how he explains that a Japanese shrine is old and neglected without coming out and saying so:

“In front of the doors was an empty white ceramic pot. Rain water had accumulated then evaporated over and over, leaving a number of dirty stained lines inside.”

“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”

…in that sense this book is ART. But I’m bailing at 7% because I just can’t handle the discomfort!

“After marriage you hear the same jokes over and over again. They stop being funny.”

“A lifetime of indulging all manner whims sets the bar for entertainment rather high… or low.”

I’m reminded of an encounter described in Invisible Man by H.G. Wells — the narrator describes a disturbing encounter where young black men are used for the entertainment of wealthy white men. 😞

Doro strikes me as a more dictatorial version of Heinlein’s Lazarus Long…

Ah, a man who can be influenced by a lady’s arguments… ❤️

There’s a lot that goes on in these books that is ethically dubious… lying to the families of the deceased about what is done with the bodies of their loved ones?

So these books are fun but I keep getting the sense they could have used a little more editing.
In the first book the protagonist says “omnipotent” when she clearly means “omniscient.” In this one she’s making an “ancient Egyptian” spell that calls for Goldenseal… which is native to North America…

Calling it now, Lord Wycliffe is totally a werewolf… and the ‘puppy’ Seraphina wants for her daughter… ;)

“Panic was definitely called for right now, but for some reason if there’s two people only one of you panics at a time.”

😂

I’ve decided at this point I’m not invested enough in the characters to continue.

This is cute and silly but I’m not THAT involved with the characters or plot and I’m afraid the narrator’s interpretations are starting to grate.

I’m pushing through because the reviews from folks I usually trust are good; but I must admit this isn’t quite what I was in the mood for. And I have to say this feels an awful lot like a variation on Shaymalan’s, The Village — complete with blind girl. I hope that I get more of the wintry noir style storytelling soon. I loved The Village but this cult is missing its heart.

Too much YA drama for me right now… I’ve got enough of that in my life with my own teenagers 😅

Nope… I’m done. Six chapters in and we are still in introduction territory.

I’m not sure what it is because this is an absorbing “read”, but I’m just feeling kinda icky about this book.