Feminista
Hi everyone! I used to be a former Goodreads lover. Who has decided to move to BookLikes due to the recent changes to the GR site: that is, the decision of the management to delete reviews that talk about bad author behaviour.
It is important that we know of bad author behaviour and actions. We buy their books. I want to know whether Author A has decided to harass Reviewer A or encouraged fans to stalk Reviewer B.
I want to know this, the same way I wanted to know that a well known sporting good company had been using child labour in the production of some of its products. The same way the WHOLE WORLD wanted to know.
It is irrelevant that the author writes well, or that the said sporting good company produces good quality sporting goods. Our ethics and morals MATTER!
-
Now to discuss my reading habits:
I am very picky when it comes to books. I am a feminist and I think that shows in my reading list.
There are many things that bug me to death. But I'll always make an exception if the boy-girl standard is reversed. Dear world, that is MY double standard. I respect and champion authors who have the guts to do something different.
Firstly, I hate infidelity in novels.
Secondly, I hate it when the heroine is a virgin and the guy is an expert and skilled lover. I hate it when the heroine, for fated reasons, saves herself for someone who has been sowing his oats. It's not only overdone, old-fashioned and pathetic, but it also grosses me out like he is violating something so sacrosanct.
Thirdly, I might enjoy the occasional alpha-hero tendencies, but my true love lies with beta-heroes. Guys who are loving and sweet. Who don't feel the need to push around their women to make themselves feel more manly.
Feminista's bookshelf: read
The Runaway Wife
Rating: 3 out of 5
A beautiful poignant story about a woman who leaves behind a life of abuse, in search of something better for her and her daughter. This novel started out great and overall, it was pretty good. The trials and tribulations of life is beatutifully depicted here. The fact that one man's actions could have such great consequences, is humbling.
Having said that, however, I found it hard to like the characters.
For starters, the main character's father was a flawed man. He has ruined not only the life of his first wife and daughter, but also his second wife's, the woman he left them both for. I suppose I ought to be sympathetic, because he does regret it in the end, but regret wasn't enough. Set aside the great injustice he has done to both his wives, his daughter deserved much more than to be thrown away like a toy he had no interest in anymore... Nothing he said or has done could take back the the destruction he has caused in her life. And for reasons that were so bloody selfish...
I didn't like how the men in her life thought it was okay to push her around. I disliked Frasier very much. I don't know how a man could make such beautiful promises in one night and coldly take it away the next morning. All because she kissed another man, at a time when she knew that Frasier had a girlfriend. Even if she had slept with the other guy, I don't see how he could justify that. He says he loved her from the very first moment. What a lie! If he loved her so much, then why did he leave, even when he suspected that she was being abused? He left her there and then moved on with other women, and he dares to throw stones at her? He didn't even recognise her when he met her again! Not only that, but he calls her pathetic! He is the one who is pathetic and an idiot to boot. I was not okay with the verbal put down he gave her, considering her history of abuse. I wish this was a better women's novel, because I was not happy with the so-called hero. I think the heroine could have done much better. Which brings me to the heroine.
I didn't like that she forgives him. Did he take her back when she explained what happened with Ted? No! So why should she allow him the courtesy of forgiving him, when he couldn't extend the same thing to her. And honestly, he leaves her for such a little thing! If he really is that unsure of her, then I don't believe this relationship could ever be a HEA. I also didn't like how she forgave her father... He keeps on lying to her even throughout this book. And Tilda. Some people might consider others who forgive a better person, but I don't. I don't like how she forgave everyone who wronged her. There are somethings that are unforgivable.
The only person I liked was Maddie. She is such a beautiful child, and a joy to read about!
ARC Courtesy of Edelweiss and Gallery Books.
1