A Review On Dracula By Bram Stoker

A Review on ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker

Genre: Gothic/Adventure

Rating: 3/4

Summary: An English solicitor named Jonathan Harker visits the Castle Dracula of Transylvania, Romania, where he meets the famous Count Dracula. By the day, he becomes aware of himself being held captive in the labyrinth like castle. In the meantime, Harker’s fiancée Mina Murray grows anxious of his return while noticing some great changes in her best friend, Lucy Westenra.

My Opinion: I was very excited about this book and waited till October to get the Halloween vibes. Unfortunately my exam date was set for October and I had to sneak some time to read it. Anyway, I was able to finish reading the book and liked it. The gothic environment was evident and at times it creeped me out. The environments of the castle and the graveyard were really creepy. The fact that the whole book was written in the format of letters, diaries and journals, kept me guessing. I did not particularly like any character. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to anyone. They seem too plain. A minor character of a mental patient named Renfield was the only one I found interesting. Another problem I struggled with was that the novel was too descriptive. It took a lot of my attention and will power to go through the whole book. But overall, the story was thrilling.

Quote:  “How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams.”

A Review of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

Genre: Romance

Rate: 5/5

Summary: When Elizabeth Bennet first met Mr. Darcy, she couldn’t stand him for his pride. Neither did Mr. Darcy found her interesting enough to ask her for a dance. But many occasions brought them together again and again. At last, Mr. Darcy couldn’t help but fall in love with Elizabeth.

My Opinion: I don’t know where to begin. This novel is a classic and a masterpiece. I loved the use of satire in a most charming way possible. The first thing I noticed reading this book was that people were extremely nosy. They seemed to notice other people’s even the trifling matters of day to day life. I couldn’t help noticing how the mothers were all so anxious about their daughter’s marriage at the time. I loved Austen’s writing style very much. It was really funny and I laughed out loud at so many places (I’m even smiling to myself now thinking about some funny parts). Though it was a little draggy at the beginning, but I enjoyed almost every part of it. This book was worth all my time.

Favourite Characters: I can’t decide whom I like best among Jane, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Jane is such a sweetheart. Her values and point of views almost match mine. She is also a very responsible daughter and sister. I feel like, there is a warmth present in her which gives one comfort. Elizabeth is carefree and independent. She has a way of charming everyone and being friendly. She is very confident too. She handles her situation in a very tactful way. I specifically like the sisterly relationship between Jane and Elizabeth. My sister and I share a same kind of relationship. We too, like them, have each others confidence and shares every little thing. Now, what can I tell about Mr. Darcy! I loved him at the end as much as I hated him in the beginning. The best thing about him was that though he is proud, he learns.

Quote: “Do anything rather than marry without affection.”

could i get an imagine with James from The Riot Club with a trans reader? or just gender neutral?

Fandom: The Riot Club

Pairing: James Leighton-Masters x Trans Reader

Y/N: Your Name Y/S/N: Your Sur-Name

My friend had forced me to go to the party with her. She wanted me to meet with some of her other friends. She was a party animal which caused her to have many friends. I, on the other hand, had only her.

She was introducing me to many of her friends, whom I never met. Even if I had met some of them before, I didn’t really remember them. I excused myself from a huge crowd of people after being there for about half an hour and went to get a drink.

Then I noticed someone I knew. It was James.

James was the best student of our year. So, it was very common that everybody knew him. But I didn’t just knew him from my class, he was actually my crush. I liked him for his polite manners and definitely for that hair. But I didn’t think if he had ever noticed me.

I was staring at James while he was having some important conversations with his friends. Then suddenly he looked at me and our eyes locked. We stared at each other for about 5 seconds when I realized what I was doing and looked away quickly.

There was some shouts and cheers from behind me. This meant his friends had noticed that too. I felt my blood rushing towards my cheeks.

“Hello Y/S/N.” someone said from my left.

I looked and saw it was James. How did he know my name?

“Umm... Hi.” I said rather stupidly.

“You probably don’t know me” he said, “I am James from your class. I thought I would introduce myself as we’ve never talked.”

That meant he had noticed me. But I thought I was unnoticeable.

“Oh” I said finding nothing else to say.

James let out a small chuckle “Really? You have nothing else to say?”

“You already know my name and that I am in your class. What else should I be saying?”

James frowned “I...I’m sorry. I thought you were alone and needed a company.”

I quickly changed my tone into a friendly one and said “I’m sorry. Actually I don’t usually make new friends. Forgive my awkwardness. And yes, I would very much like your company.”

James relaxed and ordered two drinks for us and we talked for a very long time. I was very shocked to find out that James knew so much about me.

“To be honest, I like you a lot.” said James. “I actually wanted to ask you out but I feared you would say ‘no’.”

I was so overwhelmed to hear it that I didn’t know how to react. I said, “I also like you, James.”

James smiled and said, “Let’s have dinner tomorrow, at Nando's?”

I accepted his proposal.

As soon as I got to my dorm, I started to worry. I am a trans female. But surely James didn’t know that. How would he react if he find it out? I could keep it a secret. But I didn’t want to.

Finally, the time came and James came to pick me up. We went to the restaurant and chatted for awhile. But the thought of me telling James the truth about myself was terrifying. I didn’t know how to begin.

Probably James noticed me worried about something. He finally asked, “Are you okay, Y/N?”

“I need to tell you something.” I said. Then I explained everything.

James didn’t reply. His expression was unreadable.

I knew what was coming. I said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to be around me. You don’t have to say anything or explain yourself. You can simply walk away and I’ll understand.”

“Why will I walk away?” James asked in a calm way. “Didn’t I say that I like you?”

I was confused and didn’t know what to say. So, I kept silent.

James leaned towards me and whispered “May I?”

“You may.” I replied.

Then he kissed me gently on my lips.

‘The Devil All the Time’ Book Review

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Rating: 4/5

Summary: Willard Russell, a war veteran, tries to find peace by settling down with his family. But soon his wife, Charlotte is diagnosed with cancer and Willard does anything he knows possible to keep her alive, leaving his son, Arvin, traumatized for life. A preacher and his crippled cousin tries to run from the law when an experiment goes terribly wrong. A psychologically disturbed couple search for models to capture perfect photos. This is a story of a place full of ignorance, maniacs, blind faith and evil.

My Opinion: I knew I would love this book as soon as I started reading it. I knew this book will leave me scarred mentally. Yet I couldn’t resist the temptation of reading it. The events on this book are terrible. I cannot stop thinking about it. The dark sides of human natures are represented in a breathtaking way. The haunted images followed me all the time. This book is definitely not for any faint hearted person. The characters are very complicated. Some of them are in such a misery, I feel very bad for them. Morally complicated characters always fascinate me. They seem like real human beings. This book contains such characters. I think too much about them and to me they have become real. I usually don’t support violence. I personally think evils can only be defeated by all the positivity like honesty and love. But some cases in the book contradicts my values. It makes me feel like there are some things which are too evil to forgive or let go.

Favourite Character: Though I like almost all the characterizations in the book, I like Arvin more than any other. He has a very tough life and he is brave. I support almost every action of him. He is the perfect example of a brother. Though he is a violent man, he is a caring one too.

Quote: “Too much religion could be as bad as too little, maybe even worse.”

FLOWERS ARE LIFE

‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens Book Review

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Romance/Mystery

Summary: Narrated fully in first person, the story follows a young orphan boy called Pip, who lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband, Joe. Pip has no expectation for his future but to become a blacksmith and live a common life. But when he is asked to visit a wealthy woman, Miss Havisham, to play with her daughter, Estella, Pip’s life turns upside down. By the day, Estella makes Pip feel more course and common. The only thing Pip wants now is to become a gentleman and be worthy of Estella.

My opinion: If you are a classic lover this book is a must read for you. Even if you are not, you still need to try reading this epic story. One of my favourite classics ever, ‘Great Expectation’ is Dickens’s one of the bests. The story is very intense. There are places where you cannot help but laugh, as well as places where your heart will break.

I can relate myself in a lot of way with Pip as he finds truth about himself along the story. What makes a man wants more? What is the reward in being content? These questions are beautifully answered.

More than one and a half century old, this story depicts the social situation of that time perfectly. Class discrimination is a vital part of this novel. Charles Dickens is famous for his presentation of human behaviour in an authentic way. As a result, each character is well developed and real.

Favourite character: Miss Havisham, one of the most gothic characters in literature, is my favourite person from the novel. Her appearance was very interesting. Her house were decorated like a wedding which took place a long time ago and she wore the same dress literally all the time. Not a single object was moved in her house and it looked like as if it was stuck in time forever.

Miss Havisham was a very complicated character and not without flaws, which made her more real. She was cold on the outside but I feel like there was still some warmth left in her heart somewhere.

Quote: “Throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.”