Leslie Tong ‘29 discusses the japanese novel “Jigoku no Hana” and its exploration of concepts such as virginity and desire. She weaves a complex tapestry describing how societal constructs can restrict one’s sexual expression.
Tag: Book Review
Anime Film Features: A spin on a classic tale that’s out of this world
What happens when you take an ancient story and refigure it for the modern world? What would you do if, all of a sudden, a baby appears right in front of you and is eventually revealed to be a princess from the moon itself? Columnist Joon Kim PO ’26 explores these strange, yet fascinating questions in a brand-new entry of his anime film column.
The Library of Translations: Reading Pop Culture – Book Recommendations from Iconic Moments
Ranging from reality tv scandals to petrifying politics, 2024 is off to a wild start. Columnist Caroline Kelly PO ‘27 highlights three iconic pop culture moments with corresponding book recommendations. Afterall, reading about the drama is far better than experiencing it.
Hidden Gems: ‘My Government Means to Kill Me’ charts political and sexual awakening amidst the AIDS crisis
Rasheed Newson’s “My Government Means to Kill Me” fictionalizes the social movements that arose in response to the U.S. government’s lackluster response to the AIDs crisis. Newson’s robust knowledge of LGBTQ history shines through the novel, but it falls short in its capacity as a narrative, writes book columnist Natalie Ortiz PO ‘25.
In ‘Tell Me I’m Worthless,’ the specter of fascism haunts the UK
Tell Me I’m Worthless uses horror as a vehicle for a timely political message. Unfortunately, the message is a little too obvious, writes book columnist Natalie Ortiz PO ’25.
Hidden Gems: In Titaua Peu’s “Pina”, Tahiti isn’t paradise
This week, book columnist Natalie Ortiz PO ’25 reviews Pina, the first novel by Tahitian author Titaua Peu to be translated to English. The novel deals with the darker shadows hidden beneath the Tahitian sun.
Shelf life: Saga #55 is a gloriously familiar fever dream
Despite the fantasy genre of returning novel “Saga”, the sex-drugs-and-aliens packed comic remains deeply human, asserts book columnist Kate Jones PO ’24.
Throw away the junk mail in Sally Rooney’s ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’
Master of the beach read, Sally Rooney experiments with emails in her new book, “Beautiful World, Where Are You” — but these confusing messages are the novel’s downfall, book columnist Katie Hanson SC ’25 writes.
Read it and weep: Coming-of-age in Phoebe Gloeckner’s ‘The Diary of a Teenage Girl’
Book columnist Nina Potischman PO ’21 examines how Phoebe Gloeckner’s “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” successfully portrays a nuanced coming-of-age tale.
Read it and weep: The perils of high school debate in Ben Lerner’s ‘The Topeka School’
Book columnist Nina Potischman PO ’21 dives into “The Topeka School,” examining its accurate portrayal of high school debate and surface-level ending.