sabato, marzo 21, 2026

Review: No Name

No Name No Name by Wilkie Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With the exception of a brief central section where the pace slows down – though not by much – this feuilletton , which would put Dumas to shame, is on a par with that author’s masterpieces (such as *The Moonstone* and *The Woman in White*). This time, Wilkie Collins shows a less venomous edge towards women and, in a way, even redeems the ‘worst’ character – who is also my favourite.
Nora and Magdalene could not be more different, yet their bond seems more than genuine, almost real in its ability to adapt even to the worst situations. The Victorian era once again comes off badly, both in terms of the written and unwritten rules of puritanical society and its immense hypocrisy.
An absolute must-read.

Con l'eccezione di una piccola parte centrale nel quale il ritmo é sceso, anche se non di molto, questo feulletton che farebbe invidia a Dumas, é paragonabile ai capolavori di questo autore (per capirsi Moonstone e The woman in white). Wilkie Collins dimostra questa volta un dente meno avvelenato nei confronti delle donne e in qualche modo ne redime anche il personaggio "peggiore" nonché il mio preferito.
Nora e Magdalene non potrebbero essere piú diverse, ma il loro legame sembra piú che autentico, quasi reale nell'adeguarsi anche alle peggiori situazioni. L'epoca vittoriana ne esce ancora una volta con le ossa rotte per quanto riguarda le sia le regole scritte che quelle non scritte della societá puritana e della sua immensa ipocrisia.
Da leggere assolutamente.

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giovedì, marzo 19, 2026

Review: Tout mais pas Beyrouth

Tout mais pas Beyrouth Tout mais pas Beyrouth by Mathieu DIEZ
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

La vérité, c'est que lire ce BD qui se déroule à Beyrouth il y a trois ou quatre ans, en cette période historique précise, fait vraiment mal. Savoir que tout cela s'est déjà produit ne me laisse guère d'espoir, vu ce qui se passe actuellement. Nous sommes probablement destinés à nous autodétruire, plutôt qu'à discuter de la recette du taboulé.

La veritá é che leggere questa graphic novel ambientata nella Beirut di 3-4 anni fa, in questo preciso momento storico, fa proprio male. Il fatto di sapere che é tutto giá successo non mi fa nemmeno sperare tanto in bene visto quanto sta succedendo. Probabilmente siamo destinati ad autodistruggerci, piuttosto che discutere sulla ricetta del taboulé.

J'ai reçu de l'éditeur une copie digitale gratuite de ce livre en échange d'une review honnête.

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mercoledì, marzo 11, 2026

Review: Essays of the Sadat Era: The Non-Fiction of Naguib Mahfouz: Volume II

Essays of the Sadat Era: The Non-Fiction of Naguib Mahfouz: Volume II Essays of the Sadat Era: The Non-Fiction of Naguib Mahfouz: Volume II by Naguib Mahfouz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: The High-Protein Plate: 100 Satisfying Everyday Recipes

The High-Protein Plate: 100 Satisfying Everyday Recipes The High-Protein Plate: 100 Satisfying Everyday Recipes by Rachael DeVaux
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier

North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier by Sue Aikens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Lebanon: Cooking the Foods of My Homeland

Lebanon: Cooking the Foods of My Homeland Lebanon: Cooking the Foods of My Homeland by Anissa Helou
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Six Little Words

Six Little Words Six Little Words by Sally Page
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



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Review: A Bookish Story

A Bookish Story A Bookish Story by Heatherly Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: How to Retreat: Step away from your everyday to rest, reset and renew

How to Retreat: Step away from your everyday to rest, reset and renew How to Retreat: Step away from your everyday to rest, reset and renew by Caroline Sylge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: All Change: the utterly addictive, small-town spicy romance

All Change: the utterly addictive, small-town spicy romance All Change: the utterly addictive, small-town spicy romance by Pippa Nixon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



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Review: Ghost Stories: Ein Buch der Erinnerung

Ghost Stories: Ein Buch der Erinnerung Ghost Stories: Ein Buch der Erinnerung by Siri Hustvedt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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