Pajiban’s might have seen the trailer for the new Tom Hiddleston/Jeremy Irons movie based on this book which looks pretty great. It’s full of gorgeously brutalist architecture and stylised sets and cinematography that hint at the original time period of the book (the mid 70’s). My advice, maybe just watch the movie and skip the book? First up, I’m going to tell you that a bunch of dogs get killed and/or eaten in this book. That is a total deal breaker for me and if I’d […]
Area X and its “poisonous” snakes (eye twitch)
Thirty years ago, a mysterious border appeared, cutting off an isolated area of coast and swampland which has come to be known as Area X. Area X appears normal from the outside, but it’s not. Expeditions are sent in regularly to gather samples and to try and understand the changes taking place in this landscape. Sometimes they return, sometimes they don’t. Those who return are changed. Annihilation is the first book of the Southern Reach trilogy. It focuses on the 12th expedition, made up of […]
“What if Heaven is real, but only in moments?”
I don’t really even know how to begin to review this book. This was one of those books where I finished the last page and wanted to cry because it was over and I’m never going to find out what happened to these characters and the world they live in. But I’m also happy that this was the first David Mitchell book I’ve ever read and now I have a bunch more to read. But I’m also afraid for the characters and for humanity. Basically, this is […]
Gangs of Wonderland
First time Cannonballer (LOL, “baller”), long time Pajiban. I decided to take the plunge and do a half Cannonball this year. So, first review is Alice. And I’m going to trigger warning the hell out of this because it’s difficult to even review it without touching on some nasty stuff. Have you ever finished a book and gone full Kurtz? Have you ever wished you could read a story about Discworld’s Ankh-Morpork, but without all that annoying wit, sharply observed satire and compelling characterisation? Have you ever wanted to read a […]