"Not everybody needs to see themselves in literature." Bless you, a thousand times over! For the life of me, I don't know what is this current obsession. I'm trying to think back, but I can't ever remember reading a book or watching a show/movie and thinking, "I don't see myself* here! There are no 50-something, curly haired (and way too gray), Puerto Rican females who were born in the Bronx but grew up in Chicago. I'M OPPRESSED!" I don't read novels or watch shows/movies to see myself. Why would I?! I think enough. I want to get OUT of my own head and see someone else, learn about someone else, see life from someone else's POV. * You're not going to "see yourself" anyway. Unless it's a self made documentary or autobiography, there is no possible way any book/movie/show can show YOU, exactly. Each person is unique. No one else is going to be able to perfectly capture you. 1/2

@Yesica1993

Жыл бұрын

Seriously, this is just self absorption. I wonder if the Selfie Generation thing comes into this. I happened to be glancing out the window this morning and saw a young woman walking past our house. I don't know how she didn't trip and fall. The whole time I watched her, she was looking into her phone. That's why it caught my eye. Her arm was that selfie angle and she kept turning this way and that as she was walking. I'm not sure if she was taking selfies or using the phone as a mirror. Whatever the case, it was clear that she was staring at herself as she walked down the block. Good grief. Not to mention stupid, as it's not the best area and you should be aware of your surroundings. If you want to "see yourself", go look in a mirror. Or in your phone, like that chick. Better yet, start a journal and then go back and read it. You will be sure to get 100% accurate "representation" because YOU WROTE IT. /rant

@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD

Жыл бұрын

🎉🎉👏👏🙌

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Haha yes! I also want to get out of my own head! I’m with myself all the time 🤣 You may be in to something about with the selfie generation! I don’t even remember seeing this obsession with this until recently - this wasn’t a thing even when I was growing up.

PREACH!!! no I don't care or "need" representation. I read to leave this world a lot of the time.

@Yesica1993

Жыл бұрын

For real!

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

It’s especially cringey when you can tell it was forced for brownie points 😩

Lolita and A Little Life? Man, I'm looking forward to that! Very original, and yet makes so much sense. I love both books. The Rosie Project was def a fun book, but the one criticism I have is that I found it forgettable once I finished it. IDK why. I did enjoy it, but it didn't leave a deep mark. Most of the time, if an author spends a lot of time on a book, I find it memorable. I was surprised to find out how long it took the author to actually write and publish it. Great review.

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Just need to set the time aside to do that video haha. Wait, how long did it take for him to write it?!

@martasoltys9091

Жыл бұрын

@@alanaestelle2076 I can't remember now, but I think it was a screenplay first, and Rosie's name was Klara (which I found endearing because that's my protagonist's name); but he changed a lot. I don't think he's the only one. This happens to a lot if writers (me included); at some point...You've got to let go. This is hard. At some point, the story is in charge and it may not be the story you've imagined. Master and margarita was burned by the author; that's how frustrated he got. He thought no one would read it. Then, he rewrote it from memory and it became a world sensation. Same thing happened to Hemingway. I had to put my book away; I'm so frustrated with myself and it ATM. Just the creative process has it's own rules. I honor any author who sticks it out.

Hi, I'm the sister. I do like books about the struggle. I'm currently recommendations for Soviet-Era memoirs. Some can be hard to find (in English translation). My friend recommended The Rosie Project to me, and it was hilarious. It's funny, smart, and goofy without the author treating the reader like he's stupid.

@alanaestelle2076

11 ай бұрын

What are you doing here? 🤣

@rachelelizabeth1889

11 ай бұрын

@@alanaestelle2076 I had to make sure you're behaving. Obviously, there is room for improvement.

@alanaestelle2076

11 ай бұрын

@@rachelelizabeth1889 💀💀💀

Hi Alana! Great review! I read the book about 10 years ago when it was released (and have read the other books in the series). I loved them. It is true, Graeme Simsion is a smart and funny writer. As a plus size person, I did not find any of Don’s comments about BMI to be offensive. To me, Don had the social intelligence of my 2 year-old nephew; and his faux pas were endearing. I should note that as the series go on, Don’s social skills improve dramatically. Nevertheless, that is the key to a good protagonist: a flaw in the character that would otherwise make them unlikeable but keeps the reader rooting for them. After all, that is what it means to be human- to be flawed but still worthy. Which brings me to why I disagree with your statement about representation. While it is true that you do not have to look anything like a character to relate to them, representation does matter. This is because when the character looks like the reader (be it physically or in the depiction of some other commonality between reader and protagonist), it tells the reader that they are not alone and they too are also worthy. FULL DISCLAIMER: My comment above is not meant to in any way be mean-spirited, to troll, or be negative. I am simply a watcher of your reviews that wanted to offer a different point of view. -All the Best

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Haha that is a good way to explain it and it was Don’s faux pas were endearing! You weren’t mean spirited at all!! And I appreciate your thoughts on this! I get why it’s important for some readers - and then I do come across other readers (myself included) where it’s not important for them personally. Just goes to show that we all seek to engage with reading for so many reasons and that books are a great way to seek those out! 🙌🏼 Edit: and you’re thoughts on this made me wonder… if we were to survey readers on this, how would the demographics be skewed? Would be really interesting to see a break down even generationally!

I think Graeme is pronounced the same as Graham. I laughed a lot with this book too, though it was given to me as a friend thought I would relate to Don - eek!

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Oooh good to know! Thanks! LOL that’s what I was told, as well!🤣

“A bug shouldn’t sound like it’s screaming” 😂 With you on the importance of authorial intent. I’m always thinking about that when reading. Representation is an interesting one. I agree with you that it’s not necessary and I find “the character wasn’t relatable!” such a weird criticism. I guess my take as a gay person is that each individual book doesn’t need LGBT representation (and shoehorning it in or doing representation ‘badly’ is annoying) BUT across literature in general I want to see voices like mine, and also be able to read lots of voices that are different from mine in many different ways. Variety is where it’s at!!!

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

I’m so sick of summer. The heat is making these bugs act a fool 🤣 Haha I don’t get that criticism either. Sometimes I relatable characters are the best ones - they do things we would never do in real life! Oooooh yes! I like you’re take on this!! 🙌🏼

Thx Alana; Autism is very frightening, even for those us well past the age of first diagnosis (tho we do have some other fears). I guess in the 20s and 30s we still think a lot about proper conduct and normalcy, at least until we start families of our own and no longer have time for such trivialities. It's especially good you liked a book brought to you by your sister. Thx for the recommendation.

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

And it’s still misunderstood! Hahah definitely no time for those types of trivialities!

I read The Rosie Project about 3yrs ago. (I was unaware that it was set in Australia until about a quarter of a way through the story.) Yes, I laughed out loud while reading it. Just as with non-autistic folks, people on the spectrum can find themselves in odd and humorous social situations. Since then I have randomly enjoyed reading several books with neurodivergent protagonists. Have you found that there has been more of a focus on such characters in recent years? It seems that way to me. Recently, these are some of the books I read with characters on the spectrum- “Eleanor Oliphant is Perfectly Fine”, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night”, “Big Girl, Small Town”. “Convenience Store Woman”, and “Eggshells”.

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

This book is so funny, isn’t it?! 😂 Yes I’ve noticed that too - especially Convenience Store Woman. I want to read Eleanor Oliphant and now I’m tempted to look into the others you’ve mentioned 👀 Also, for me and someone else I know, The main character in Batuman’s The Idiot reads to me like she’s on the spectrum - though I can’t say that’s what Batuman intended.

No. I’m reading _The Gulag Archipelago_ and hope to be done in a week. I won’t need more of that. 😂

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Lol!!! Whew I’ve heard that is intense!

I have to say I’ve never given much thought to whether or not I see myself “represented” in books. I must acknowledge, however, that as a young(ish) white-British person I tend to see characters similar to myself in the books I read anyway, so perhaps it’s not something I’ve really “needed” to think about. Generally though, I’m more interested in whether a book is enjoyable or engaging than whether I feel represented.

@alanaestelle2076

11 ай бұрын

I agree with you - I never cared to be honest because for me, I just want to connect to the story. And reading allows us to connect with people who are different from us. I

No, I don't need to be represented. I liked The Rosie Project and the sequel.

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Glad I’m not the only one haha. Oooh good to know! 👀

I couldn't hear the cicada. And that was fine by me! Those things creep me out. I know they're one of God's creatures but... they can just stay far away from me. Although I do miss the fact that their sound = summer and it's sad when they go and you know Winter Is Coming. Okay, I clearly had this title mixed up with something else. You started talking and I thought you were going to say this had something to do with... decluttering or a charity project. Something along those lines. I think I like this guy. I kinda wish I could design such a survey/project to find a husband, LOL! There's no possible way a novel is going to perfectly "represent" (I hate that term) this or that person. People are individuals. They're unique. There's always going be some differences. Not even twins are exactly alike. So whatever you do in a story, you're going to not "get it right" from the viewpoint of this or that person.

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Loooool! Cicadas are so. Loud!!! I love winter actually 🤣 LOOOOL! If you come up with one, let me know 🤣🤣🤣 Yes, exactly!! 🙌🏼

Loved this book.

Hm, I may have to buy this book before it's, "cancelled."

@alanaestelle2076

Жыл бұрын

Looool I need to get my hands on Gone with the Wind 🤣

@Yesica1993

Жыл бұрын

@@alanaestelle2076 I actually bought a new copy of both book and film a few years ago, for this very reason. I'd had my book since 8th grade and it was literally falling apart from my re-reading.