Tumgik
#brutal imagination
Text
All The Books I Read in 2023 (and My Personal Ratings)
The Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys (Fiction)
6/10
Based off of the character of Bertha (Rochester's wife) from Jane Eyre, this is a short read. The writing style isn't my personal favorite, as I feel it's a little bit underdeveloped. I appreciate Rhys' choice to portray Antoinette as a morally gray character (especially regarding her racism, which can't really be passed off as a "product of the time") while still maintaining that she doesn't deserve the treatment she's given. The language does have some good moments. I do recommend this to anyone who's read "Jane Eyre", as it could serve as an interesting re-assessment of Rochester's character, though you should note that I myself have never read Jane Eyre.
Brutal Imagination - Cornelius Eady (Poetry)
10/10
This is an incredible collection of poetry which tackles racism in a really fascinating way. Brutal Imagination is a collection of poems written from the persona of the anonymous black man Susan Smith claimed stole her car and killed her children. If you aren't familiar with the case, Susan Smith, a woman from Union, SC, let her car roll into a lake, killing her two sons. She then made up the story about the armed, anonymous black man. It's interesting to speculate about this detail specifically: why did Smith choose to claim it was a black man? Was it a conscious decision she made, knowing that the race of the supposed suspect would make it more believable? Was the race descriptor a subconscious decision based on her own prejudice?
In this collection, Eady portrays the "armed black man" as materializing into existence when Smith gives her report to police, rather than a concrete person. The collection is rife with nuance and vulnerability, and Eady is an incredible poet. I cannot recommend this collection enough. However, I don't like the final section, which is an excerpt from a completely unrelated collection of poetry by Eady, "Running Man". It feels shoehorned in, maybe per request from the publishing company or something. I recommend just skipping it or reading it separate from the rest of the collection.
The City in Which I Love You - Li-Young Lee (Poetry)
7/10
Another incredibly strong poet language- and structure-wise. Rife with symbolism and references you could analyze and over-analyze for ages. However, it does suffer from some of the stereotypical pitfalls of poetry: intimate scenes for intimacy's sake, and self-referential moments that aren't possible for the reader to understand. However, as a whole, it's pretty good.
The Afterlife and Other Stories - John Updike (Short Stories)
10/10
This is definitely biased, because John Updike is my favorite writer of all time. This short-story collection is quintessential Updike: the mundane being given its beautiful due. Read through completely, the story components can definitely get repetitive: mostly from the perspectives of middle-aged men, married to women with varying levels of satisfaction. While I can recommend Updike as a writer, I can't recommend him as a diverse writer. Therefore, I combine this recommendation with Oyinkan Braithwaite and Mohsin Hamid (I have read very, very little of Hamid's work but from what I have read he is a great writer. I intend to read more of his in the future).
The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien (Fiction)
9/10
I have a bit of trouble with sitting down for long periods of time with a book, so this one definitely took a bit of time to finish (but I did it!!). It was a thoroughly pleasant read, mostly due to Tolkien's writing. Brevity is not his strong suit, so if you're more of a fan of action-centered books that keep lengthy passages to a minimum, than this may not be an enjoyable read for you. However, if you don't mind or even enjoy pages-long infodumping (that's the only way I can describe it), this book is right for you. I watched the movie series first and was surprised at how much was left out of them! It was a pleasant surprise, however, as there was so much more to delve into with Fellowship. I do intend on reading the rest of the series, including The Hobbit, at some point.
I usually don't enjoy high fantasy novels as I find that they can get cliche and repetitive without expanding or subverting the cliches they're filling. However, considering that LOTR was one of the first high fantasy series, it doesn't fall into this rut. It definitely possesses the archetypes of a classic hero's journey, yet often expands upon them.
My Immortal - XXXbloodyrists666XXX (Novel)
6/10
A playful "satire" (it's so mindless that I hesitate to label it as a satire) that has several laugh-out-loud moments. Though many readers may become annoyed with its flat-out disobeying of Harry Potter canon without any signaling of it being an AU, it's incredibly entertaining, especially since it's clear that the author has never picked up a single Harry Potter book. Gets more and more unintelligible as the chapters continue. Fantastic.
Maus, Vol. I and II - Art Spiegelman (Graphic Novel)
10/10
Not only should you read banned books, you should read this banned book. The art style is incredibly expressive considering that everybody is represented by animals. I'm not going to say it has "dark moments" because it is quite literally a book about the Holocaust. I learned several things I did not know before about concentration camps and the Holocaust as a whole: there's so much in here that textbooks didn't teach me. It's a very fascinating intersection between personal and universal history. Here's a quote from my thesis statement from an essay about Maus, because I am lazy, but also because I think it's an effective summary on my feelings about these graphic novels: "Heroic tales conventionally have morals at the end of them, something about how someone’s good character led to them being able to make it out of an experience others did not. But Maus does not congratulate Vladek [Art Spiegelman's father] for his savviness: it comes off less as a gift and more as a survival instinct. Vladek and Anja [Art's mother] lost their home, their family, and their sense of safety. The importance of Vladek’s story is not to congratulate him for his intelligence, but rather put into perspective the brutality of the Holocaust: even Vladek’s intelligence could not save him from the horrific experiences the Jews were subjected to. It was a lose-lose situation: live the torturous experience or die from it."
I cannot stress enough how incredibly important it is to read this book.
Interview with the Vampire - Anne Rice (Novel)
7/10
I am a HUGE fan of the movie, which I watched first, then decided to read the book. (Side note: I know people have their qualms about watching the movie before reading the book, but I think in some cases it helps to visualize scenes from the book. Also, most of the time, books have more in the story than movies, so it's sort of like bonus content--and you aren't getting all annoyed while watching the movie and going, "They left this out!! How could you leave that out?!" Of course, this doesn't apply to every book and its movie adaptation.)
The book version of IWTV was quite the enjoyable ride! Anne Rice... she gets it. I don't know what "it" is, but she just does. Her writing is strong, her characters tactile and brimming with energy, and her storytelling ability absolutely magnificent.
However:
There is something really weird going on with the relationship between Claudia and Louis, and I don't think Rice intended it to be pedo-y?
It is a bit bloated, which can make it hard to recognize thematic parallels.
Above Us the Milky Way - Fowzia Karimi (Novel, Autofiction)
6/10
Based on Karimi's personal experiences growing up in Afghanistan and being forced to seek refuge, AUTMW takes a highly abstract and speculative approach to this personal history with an abecedarian chapter structure. It has several strong moments, but overall it feels very disjointed. I do recommend reading this book, though I wouldn't say it's the most important book you could read regarding this subject.
1 note · View note
yabakuboi · 1 month
Text
There's an incredibly pretty girl at the front desk in Family Video, and Steve—Eddie's boyfriend of eight months—is leaning over the counter with a sly smile and half-lidded eyes.
Eddie pauses in the doorway, struck dumb for a moment as he takes in the scene, and then gleefully ducks down behind the nearest shelf.
"So tell me," Steve says, all low and intimate. "What kind of movie were you looking for?"
"Um," the girl says. She doesn't sound very enthusiastic—barely indulgent at best. Eddie wishes he could see, but any sight of him will ruin Steve's chances right now. He's got a pretty good mental picture though. "I really like those old black and white movies, the really glamorous ones, you know?"
"Oh, totally," Steve sighs, like he's swooning. "Like Cary Grant, Clarke Gabel?" Eddie can practically hear his smirk. "Katharine Hepburn? Ginger Rogers?"
"Oh, I love Ginger Rogers!"
"Really?" Steve says matching her excitement. "Well, you're just in luck! Robin here knows all about those old black and white movies, don't you Robin?"
Eddie presses a hand to his mouth to hide his snickering. Robin had looked like a hooked fish when he'd walked in, she's gotta be gaping stupidly right now. "Uuuh," he hears her mumbling, and tries not to snort too loud. "Y-Yeah, uh, golden age of Hollywood stuff, absolutely. I could? Show you where they are?"
"Oh my gosh, that would be amazing!" the girl says, her interest in the conversation now warmed by several degrees. Eddie is still a little in awe of how well his boyfriend can sniff out gay girls.
"I got the front here, Robin," Steve cuts in smoothly. "You ladies take your time, make sure you pick out a good one!"
Eddie waits another beat, listening at their footsteps shuffle away, before he pops up from behind the shelf. Steve, lighting up like a Christmas tree, beams at him.
"Am I a genius or what?" he whispers, grinning ear to ear.
"Your lesbian powers know no equal," Eddie says just as quietly, taking the girl's spot at the counter, leaning into Steve's space. Steve happily mirrors him, until they're tucked together, the world narrowing down to the two of them. It's Eddie's favorite place to be. "All hail Steve Harrington, blessid he, lesbian whisper. Come to aid all useless queers in the fight against singledom."
"Thank you, thank you," Steve says with an air of novel benevolence. "I promise to only use my powers for good."
"Dingus. Doofus."
They jump away from each other as if shocked. Robin glowers at them both, but the pretty girl behind her is giggling and standing way too close for friendly, just at Robin's elbow.
"Move it, lovebirds," she hisses as she rounds the desk. "I need to check Claire out."
"I think you already have," Steve says. His smile this time is down right evil.
Robin actually hisses at him, and hip checks him away from the register. Eddie does a bow, sweeping his arm out to give Claire the prime spot in front of the desk, before he turns back to Steve.
"My dear, if you could please," he simpers, all posh and nasally. "Show me to your finest, grossest horror movie, thank you my good sir."
"Ugh," Steve groans already heading off into the shelves, not waiting for Eddie to follow. "You're lucky I love you, Ed. Shit gives me nightmares."
"I know," Eddie sings, chasing him. "I love you too."
2K notes · View notes
ironinkpen · 1 month
Text
just had the funniest thought in the world which is what if the reason Kipperlilly Clerickiller first started hating Riz was bc she wanted Kristen as her cleric. like wanted her SO fucking bad. her type A ass 100% scoped out her classmates before the first day of freshman year so she could build the optimal party, and imagine her excitement when she found out! that they had a real live Chosen One in their grade!! she probably practiced the snobby little speech she was gonna give Kristen for HOURS, already mentally mapping out her path to valedictorian. meanwhile Riz walks in with a briefcase and a newsie hat and a missing babysitter to find and stumbles into Kipperlilly's Number One Draft Pick by accident in detention. how much do you think she lost her little fucking mind
1K notes · View notes
pixlokita · 7 months
Text
Tumblr media
Another trade/ collab this time a crossover between @cookieruma29 ‘s vengeful Evan AU and into the ballpit AU✨
2K notes · View notes
uncanny-tranny · 8 months
Text
Hey, if you have speech impediments, you are so amazing.
If you stutter or have a lisp or misspeak easily or you have a flat affect or a limited verbal vocabulary or if your voice is AAC or if you just have a difference in your vocality, you are so incredibly important and amazing.
Just know that your voice is yours. Nobody will ever be able to truly take it away. Your voice is part of you, and you deserve to make it as true to you as you deem fit. I hope you have the space to grow with your voice and whatever about it makes it unique.
1K notes · View notes
kayit-z · 8 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
(Probably???) No eggs for halloween or día de muertos so I'm coping by drawing my favorite family
The mexican eggs missing two importan festivities... that's very mexicanphobic of you quackity
-
-
Close ups because I spent 3 fcking hours drawing the details and you better admire them
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
846 notes · View notes
doydoune · 8 months
Text
Tumblr media
the worst day of their lives so far, but the night is quiet
621 notes · View notes
muzzleroars · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media
in the tomb of saint gabriel
(may your woes be many)
2K notes · View notes
starcurtain · 11 days
Text
One thing I wish I'd see more of among Ratio fans is some thought about how he views himself as a teacher.
Like yes, of course he refuses to compromise on the quality and rigor of the education he imparts, and he would find it unforgivably unethical to lower his standards in order to pass more students who had not genuinely learned the material. This is core to his character.
However, as someone who is a teacher IRL, I know the absolutely miserable feeling setting that kind of standard can cause. There's the obvious disheartening sense of disappointment ("Are students these days really not capable of doing the work correctly? Is our future in danger, if this is the highest level of understanding our current generation of students can achieve?"), but even worse than that is the self-doubt.
"Is this somehow my fault? Am I not teaching this material in the right ways for the students to learn? Is there something I could have done differently to get through to these students? Would a better teacher have a higher passing rate?"
We know that Ratio does (or at least did) struggle with feeling inferior to the Genius Society, so I think it is also likely, as much as he absolutely will not budge on his academic standards, that he has doubts about his teaching ability as well.
This is the man who wants to educate the entire world to cure the disease of ignorance, and yet only 3% of his actual students are able to get there. How can someone who gets so few of his direct students to a state of enlightenment hope to enlighten the whole universe? If so few students are successfully learning the material of a given class, doesn't that mean the teacher is doing something wrong?Would a better teacher--would a genius, maybe--not be able to impart their knowledge more efficiently and educate even the most challenging of students?
As someone constantly struggling with that balance between keeping academic standards high while also meeting the needs of today's students, I think the passing rates of his courses must affect Dr. Ratio much more deeply than I've seen fans discuss. I think he would question himself harshly over his class success rates, and I think he must be constantly trying to push himself to become the best teacher he possibly can be.
tl;dr: I hope one day the HSR fandom will stop sleeping on the fact that Ratio is an actual practicing professor who probably has astronomical levels of teacher angst. 😂
183 notes · View notes
sc0tters · 9 months
Text
New Cities Mean Fresh Starts, Right? | Jack Hughes
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
summary: you’ve finally moved to New Jersey and whilst most people seem happy to see you, one man in particular doesn’t. And did you forget? He’s your new neighbour!
warnings: swearing
word count: 1.21k
authors note: we have been waiting but the first chapter of the brutal series is now here! It’s a little bit shorter than what I would have wanted but nevertheless I like the ground roots it has set for the rest of the series. This is an interactive AU so you guys are the ones who drive the blurbs and social media posts for this series!
brutal masterlist
Tumblr media
You watched as Alex brought the last of the boxes up to your apartment.
The frown was clear on your face as he looked back up to you “we promised that you wouldn’t cry!” Alex groaned at the sight of your lip quivering “c’mere,” he sighed holding his arms out for you to come and hug him.
It took you like less than ten seconds to respond as you ran over to him almost tackling your best friend in the process “it’s not too late for you to come back to LA with me.” Alex reminded you as he squeezed your waist.
This was a common moment for you two as he let his hands slide up to cup your face “I gotta stay here Al,” you mumbled placing your hands on top of his.
He smiled nodding “was worth a shot,” Alex shrugged making you laugh “and are you sure you don’t want me to have a talk with Jack?” The Kings player added as the idea of you being left alone with Jack made him feel sick.
Sure Alex liked his friend when it came to the way Jack was around you, Alex felt better being there to tell him to lay off. The older boy felt like it was his job to protect you “I can handle him!” You complained rolling your eyes.
Being Jacks new coworker was not exactly something you were looking forward to, but your position with the Devils was a promotion from the one with the Kings and the money was also better here. So Jack was going to have to put up with you like how you planned to put up with him “just let me know if he gets too much for you.” Alex mumbled taking the cap from his head and placing it on yours.
That black cap of his was on the top of the list of clothing items that you stole from Alex whenever you went into his closet. You had the blue version of his hat but Alex’s was always your favourite “you finally letting me keep this one?” You gasped dropping your jaw as your eyes lit up.
Alex nodded as he let out a laugh “we can have split custody for it.” He proposed wriggling his eyebrows as he made you smile.
“I can get behind that.”
Your first night in your apartment was rough to put it lightly. Alex had left to go back to LA which meant that you were living on your own for the first time in your life since you had living with your best friend from the moment you left university.
New Jersey was humid in the morning as you sat on your balcony enjoying a much needed coffee and Redbull as you swore you only got three hours of sleep all together.
It was peaceful at you watched the city wake up beneath you “mom just listen to me!” Your neighbour groaned slamming the door behind him as he walked onto his own balcony.
Your eyes went wide at the disruption turning to see the what was going on “I think she’s here!” The voice all of a sudden began to sound familiar.
It was Jack.
You were quick to slide onto the floor as you tried to avoid being caught by him “I think I’ve got a new neighbour.” Jack mumbled as he had heard you hit the floor.
There was a mental coin toss going on in your brain as you contemplated what to do “fuck it,” you grumbled getting up as you brushed your fingers through your hair.
What you didn’t expect was that he’d be looking right back at you “I’ve got to go.” The Devils players eyes went wide as he stared at yours.
But before he got the chance to talk to you your legs had already pushed you back into your apartment leaving the boy alone with nothing more than the mug from your coffee and your empty can of Redbull “move into the place with no neighbours they said, it’d be fun they said.” He grumbled to himself slamming the glass door behind him.
Today was going to be a long day for the both of you.
Sure you knew what you were doing was going to piss Jack off but you were friendly with Luke and wanted to have at least one friendly face at work.
short stack 😎: howdy neighbour 🤠
tall shot 🦅: what.
tall shot 🦅: NEIGHBOUR?!
Your couldn’t help but laugh as your phone began to ring with Luke’s contact information lighting up your phone “hey tall shot,” you smiled walking into the prudential centre for your introductory meeting with the players as the previous photographer had apparently been integrated pretty well amongst everyone.
Luke shut the door behind him as he obviously didn’t want Jack to hear about this “you better not be fucking with me short stack.” The nickname was something he had called you for the last three years from the moment he overtook you in height. It started off as a joke when he had said it since there was the guy who was trying to flirt with you and Luke came to your rescue and the joke his came from there.
You giggled hearing his words “you think I’m lying?” You asked smiling as you sat on your chair “come and visit the media office when you get to the centre.” You proposed grinning to yourself.
The youngest Hughes boy chuckled to himself “I’ll be there in a bit shortie.” His tone was serious as he now looking forward to all of those fitness tests that he was going to be put through.
What you didn’t know media day meant was that you were going to be forced to be stood alone with each of the players individually.
John and Nico and each offered to show you around the city and of course you accepted on both occasions because Luke’s inevitable tour was going to be to the nearest Costco and maybe to the apartment building gym “who should I send in next?” John asked sending you a toothy grin as he grabbed his jersey to pull over his head.
You looked at the list of player you had left “little Hughesy would be nice,” you proposed ready to see the youngest Hughes boy again “you got it!” He called out walking to the door “oh one more thing.” John spun around to face you as he smiled.
Your head tilted up to look up at him “yep?” You cocked your chin as you sent him a grin “you’re gonna fucking smash it!” His words of encouragement made you laugh as he walked out of room.
With the little time you had left to try to work on things in preparation for Luke’s arrival as you pulled his jerseys off of their stack “pretty sure that you’ve got the wrong Hughes jerseys.” The voice came from the door causing you to drop the hanger on the floor.
You spun around so fast that you almost fell over “now do you mind telling me what the fuck you are doing in Jersey?” Jack asked letting the door slam shut behind him.
Fuck.
417 notes · View notes
sketchy--akechi · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media
bad day
1K notes · View notes
x-starshines-x · 6 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Ģ̷̗̱͍̰̗̘̖͙̥͒O̸͙̪͇͔͖̹̳̳͈͐̍,̴̛͖̱͇̰̺̘̅̋̈̔͛͐ ̴̨̩͎̟̙̜̒͋̾̽Ņ̸̮̺͔̓I̴̛̱͔͗́̒̈͌̾́͘G̷̡͉͕̞͕̤̼͍̗̞̉̊̅̿̓̅͛̚̕H̵̨̢̨̞̟̞̟͔͓̄͆̔̎̍̀͆̈́̇͜͝T̴̛͖̱́̔̑̃͌̄͑̋̂H̶̡͍̱̰̀͜ͅĀ̴͙͕̫̼̼͍͈̯̝͊̏̀̆̀͐͛̿͜W̶̢̝͔͍̜̳̑͗̐͐̂̀̇̑͊͜͝ͅK̵̞̳͑̐̂̈́̎S̴̛͍̤͙͗̐̊͐̈́̈́͂͑!̸̢̤̩͍͉̙͝
been thinking abt wiggly stealing richie's face lately :)) he's so fucked up
221 notes · View notes
circadianaa · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media
okay hear me out. corrie guard yearbook
2K notes · View notes
lyramundana · 8 months
Text
Just listened to "Want it so BAD", the new song by Han and Lee Know and, after reading the lyrics twice, let me tell you:
If there's still people who claim they're just friends, I'll lose my faith in humanity. Those guys are the real delulu here because what the fuck? With this song they basically confirmed everything we've heard since debut and screamed to the world they're, in fact, very much in love and not in a platonic way. They're married, your honour. This song basically confirms it, it states firmly and without a shadow of doubt that MINSUNG is fucking REAL and it has been since the survival show.
So for all those who don't agree with it, go argue with the wall. Us, the minsung whores and defenders, are going to fucking celebrate this gift to humanity.
Now lets focus on the parts where they specifically mention their first meeting, something we've heard from both of them in skz episodes, but now the uncensored version.
Minho: "I fell in love with you unexpectedly, couldn't get any work done, so many thoughts in my head keep me awake at night, spring snuck into my heart and left me frozen with excitement, i'm not used to it i know it's pain but i really want it so BAD" 😭😭😭😭😭 this is so minsung pre-debut coded omg, he's so fucking cute in the early states of love. knowing he was going to suffer but he loved him so much he just kept going.
Jisung: "Ride, come closer, just the two of us"🥺🥺 "together we make a whole romantic comedy movie" "let's get is started, getting anxious, can't think straight" "love you, i wanna place mysef in a spot next to you" "i'll hold you tight and say i've always been waiting for this moment" "the moment I first saw you, it was meant to be. For me, it's you"💀💀💀💀💀my man wasn't even being subtle here, he didn't try
In conclusion: Minsung is more real and solid that my parents' marriage and anyone who disagrees please come and kiss my ass. thank you❤
253 notes · View notes
klappert-art · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media
Fabricated past
1K notes · View notes
tennessoui · 2 months
Text
oh ho ho au where there’s been a brutal murder and all signs point towards anakin being guilty….but during the trial prep work, obi-wan, not on trial at all btw, confesses to the murder.
the prosecution knows he didn’t do it, but his dna is at the scene, there’s security photos of him close by the murder scene, there’s enough circumstantial evidence that it makes it incredibly hard to prove that he didn’t do it. there’s a ton of evidence to prove that anakin did it, but there’s also not a small amount of evidence that obi-wan did it which makes it really difficult
(anakin definitely definitely did it. but obi-wan feels an incredible amount of both guilt for the loss of life at the hands of a boy who he has vouched for so ardently in the past and also a fervent and insane devotion to anakin, and he can’t let him suffer for his crime when obi-wan could suffer for his crime instead <3 that’s the way things should be)
(anakin would snap out of his stunned stupor and tell the judge and jury that obi-wan is innocent and he’s the actual murderer, but like. it’s really hot. it’s like really hot that obi-wan’s going to give his freedom away so that anakin can live untroubled. no one’s ever loved him so much, not even the devoted wife of his sitting in the audience. this is different. this is everything. this is like. breathtaking.)
141 notes · View notes