July 2020 📚 Wrap Up
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1866)
Rodion Raskolnikov is an impoverished, ex-law university student who struggles with the idea of killing an old and mean pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna.
I totally understand why this book is considered a masterpiece and a classic work of literature. Personally, what I enjoyed the most is the protagonist; although I didn't always condone his behaviour and I couldn't identify with Rodion, I was intrigued by him and his situation and I really wanted to enter his mind so I can understand his motives and his way of thinking. Plus, there is a great variety of characters that are presented and they contribute to the plot as they not only make the whole story more interesting and realistic - as the actions of one influence and affect the people around them - but also they present different perspectives for the same issues. And it goes without saying that there are some remarkable themes, like social class, morals, mental illnesses, murder, suicide and punishment, that really make you think without providing a patronising answer to all these controversial issues.
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan (2007)
We witness the first night of two newlyweds, Florence and Edward, in 1970. Not only do we listen to their deepest fears and insecurities about love, sex and life in general, but we also see how these fears impact the first day of their communal life.
I really enjoyed this book as the multiple flashbacks helped me get to know the two characters and they also function as a way to indicate the importance of interactions and memories in developing feelings for a person. Thus, this book is not just about sex - although it does play a significant role and it is a moving force for the plot - but about human relationships and self-discovery. My only complaint is that I needed more exposure to the relationship of Florence with her family as the reason why they weren't close wasn't so clear to me.
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (2018)
Anna Fox lives at her home in New York all alone. She doesn't and she can't get out of it. So, she spends her time watching old films, drinking wine, playing chess online, and spying on her neighbours. When the Rassel family moves across her, her life turns upside down as she gets close to them and she sees something that she shouldn't have. But did she really see what she claims she did or was it her imagination?
This was the first psychological thriller I had ever read, and it was the perfect introduction to this genre as it made me want to read more of. A.J. Finn takes his time to introduce the protagonist to the readers and he makes them sympathise with her and get invested in her wellbeing. The story itself is very thrilling and honestly, I read the whole thing in 4 days because I couldn't leave it down until I found out what had really happended. I also have to make it clear that there is portrayal of severe mental disorder but it is done in a repectful way and it is a major motif in the whole story. My only criticism is that Anna should experience more severe symptoms of alcoholism based on the amount of Merlot she was drinking daily. Besides this minor detail, I would recommend this book to everyone - especially, a beginner to psychological thrillers like me - since as I was getting closer to the end, I was at the edge of my seat and I was exhilaratingly anxious to see what will happen with Anna.
The Purple Umbrella by Alki Zei (1989)
Leto is 10 years old and she lives with her two younger twin brothers and their parents in Athens, Greece. We see the conventional way of living of this traditional family a while before the occupation of Greece by the Axis Powers. It is the company and the interventions of the modern, French neighbour upstairs, Mr. Marcel, and the always smiling and benign uncle Miltos that bring some light in Leto's life, who is oppressed by her father's beliefs on how a proper woman should be and behave.
This book is targeted towards children at the age of 12, but people at all ages can enjoy and benefit from its messages. There are two things that stood out and impressed me the most; Firstly, we have a strong-willed female protagonist who refuses to comply to stereotypical gender roles - more specific, the ones that oblige women to submissively obey their father or their husband and occupy themselves solely with domestic chores - as she sets dreams and goals for herself based on her desires and not on what society demands of her. Secondly, the importance of treating children as real human beings by truly listening to what they're thinking and saying is extensively discussed.
And that is the end of this July's wrap up. I'd love to hear your thoughts on them as I had a great time reading all of them.
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