The Prisoner by Vladimir Pereverzin

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Non-Fiction, Memoir

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is not the easiest read and at times felt almost unbelievable to a Westerner but Pereverzin is able to share his real life as an innocent framed man for 11 years in an impressive way. Pereverzin manages to keep his facts straight when he is telling them despite his feelings experiencing it while still getting the emotional impact across and even at times having a comedic twist to make the reader feel at ease. It’s a personal and insightful into the injustices in the Russian justice system and the damages they cause.

Favourite Quote:

“How on earth could all this have happened?"The number of times I have asked myself that.

It boggles the mind quite how far Russia lags behind the civilised world, where the justice system is the bedrock of a harmonious society. When each citizen can appeal against an official's action or inaction, this, in turn, ensures that the full rights, freedoms and equality of all members of society are upheld.”

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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