Book Me Books

Oscar Wilde No. 3 Rating -  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Genre - play, romance, comedy Themes - love, class, morality, women, politics Similar plays - 'An Inspector Calls' - J.B Priestley, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' - Oscar Wilde 'An Ideal Husband' by Oscar Wilde begins at a social gathering hosted by Sir Robert Chiltern and his wife Lady Chiltern. When the uninvited guest Mrs Cheveley appears threatening to reveal the crime Sir Chiltern did to acquire his social standing, chaos entails to both hide and reveal the truth. Like any of Wilde's work 'An Ideal Husband' is rich with symbolism, especially in the stage directions that are blunt about the symbolic meaning of certain items and also philosophical in themselves. It makes the stage directions seem more intimate than just directions and I find that really interesting. There's lots of references to art and classical traditions. Is the art about a façade of morality? Is it to show upper class status? Is it to make...

It's okay to not be okay. Rating -  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Genre - fictional autobiography, psychological fiction Themes - mental health, women, class, freedom Similar Books - 'The Catcher in the Rye' - J.D Salinger, 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' - Ned Vizzini 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath follows the talented and intelligent Esther Greenwood in her struggles with depression, resulting in a mental breakdown. A powerful feminist novel, Plath explores the double standards between men and women and the difficult journey of recovery from mental illness. Sylvia Plath's writing in this novel is brilliantly done. Esther's descent into madness is mirrored in the writing as the transitions from scene to scene become more disjointed and rapid, the comparisons become slightly more obscure and her fascination with death increases. I also enjoyed Plath's characterisation of Esther Greenwood. Despite her ailing mental health condition, Esther is still a powerful femal...

Think before you marry. Rating -  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐   Genre - social realism Themes - marriage, community, misogyny, religion, domestic abuse Similar Books - 'Pride and Prejudice' - Jane Austen, 'Wuthering Heights' - Emily Brontë  'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' by Anne Brontë begins with the mysterious Helen Graham moving into Wildfell Hall with her young son intriguing the nosy, gossiping community she moved into, especially Gilbert Markham who is quick to offer her his friendship. Her reclusive behaviour sparks gossip and rumours until Helen provides Gilbert with her diary, revealing the disastrous marriage she left behind. 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' is a feminist novel exploring a woman's pursuit for domestic independence, as well as a morality novel showcasing the disastrous and destructive effects of abundance.    This book took me a month to get through. It's not incredibly difficult to read, but it is tough to understand the relationships betwee...

It's pretty privilege  Rating -  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Genre - gothic, philosophical Themes - beauty, corruption, youth, idolism, pleasure, morality Similar Books/ Plays - 'The Importance of Being Earnest' - Oscar Wilde, 'A Streetcar Named Desire' - Tennessee Williams, 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' - Robert Louis Stevenson 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde follows the story of the beautiful and charming Dorian Gray who unintentionally sacrifices his soul to retain his beauty and youth. Now whilst Dorian Gray remains beautiful and youthful, his portrait hiding in the attic bears the consequences of his decadence. 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' explores through its' anti-hero Dorian Gray, themes of morality and the superficial pursuit of beauty and pleasure at the cost of one's moral compass.   I really enjoyed this book as it raised interesting ideas on morality and corruption. Lord Henry Wotton acts the philosophical vehicle...