Mere Mortals Book Reviews

There be wicked witchcraft afoot!'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller is a fictionalised play depicting the 1692-93 Salem witch trials. It centres around John Proctor & the accusation against his wife Elizabeth (followed subsequently by his denunciation). There are 4 Acts which take place in various locations across the town. As it was written as a play, it mostly contains dialogue between characters, with some minor introductions to begin with.I summarised the book as follows. "It conveys a sinking hopelessness, a black mark on humanity and not on the devil. It actually scares me because this is really a modern story of vengeance, fear, guilt and hysteria. It works amazing even in a literary form and if it weren't for the fact that it made me rather depressed about human foibles I would be raving about it more."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:28) - Synopsis(4:18) - Mass Hysteria: Illness without cause(12:20) - Martyrs: Death for refusing to comply(19:06) - Observations/Takeaways(23:29) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

If you can burn away all the pain, should you take that path?'The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion' by Yukio Mishima is a fictionalised account of real events concerning a temple in Kyoto in the 1940's. Mizoguchi a young acolyte become enamoured & then disillusioned by the Golden Temple. He experiences growing frustration due to his stutter & lack of connection to females, which leads to a climatic fiery end.I summarised the book as follows. "A book you could analyse thoroughly, perhaps even too much! It's a glimpse into the mind of a wild author via a troubled boy. The beauty aspect feels slightly overdone but the narrative & internal self-talk is so identifiable. It was actually helpful for me in knowing what to avoid when I feel inner turmoil."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:29) - Synopsis(3:32) - Torment: Physical or mental suffering(8:53) - Respite: How to relieve the suffering(17:39) - Observations/Takeaways(23:00) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Is it possible to choose only the best books to read?In May 2023 we reviewed 4 books on this channel. Love is such a weird word. It seems to mean so many things that I personally find it almost useless. And part of this is due to 'love' stories that seem to me nothing but flighty fancies and lust (looking at you Thomas Hardy). But there are others like 'The Debacle' which I feel actually do showcase what 'real love' is. Super subjective opinion there, but hey, that's basically what love is haha.Big sad puppy on the boostagrams, I'm going to have to change some things up.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Live and raring(0:36) - The Debacle: Émile Zola(5:26) - The Second Curve: Charles Handy(9:44) - Far From The Madding Crowd: Thomas Hardy(12:28) - Life Force: Tony Robbins(15:48) - Boostagram Lounge & housekeeping(19:38) - Coming In June 2023(21:51) - V4V: Feedback & MMConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

In reality war is horrible, in fiction .... it's also horrible.'The Debacle' by Émile Zola is a historical cum realistic fiction (also known as naturalism) set during 1870-1 of the Franco-Prussian war. It follows Jean/Maurice, two French soldiers and Maurice's civilian sister as they endure the privations of war and the suffering caused in the aftermath.I summarised the book as follows. "A heartbreakingly vivid story that hurts to get through. Thankfully it doesn't have the endless feel of something like 'The Gulag Archipelago' but the pain & needless agony still has a lingering sensation. Zola is a powerful writer and offers a compelling case against war merely by showcasing it's realities."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(3:33) - Warfare: Senseless & horrifying(11:33) - Love: Intense feeling of kinship(18:46) - Observations/Takeaways(24:13) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Enthusiasms taken too far!'Far From The Madding Crowd' by Thomas Hardy is a small & simple tale of love, betrayal, anger and heartbreak. It's set in Wessex during Victorian England in the farmland countryside. The young, beautiful Bathsheba is courted by 3 suitors: mild-mannered shepherd Gabriel, distinguished farmer Boldwood and dashing sergeant Troy.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a bare bones tale that probably strays into too much simplicity. I found it hard to connect with any character other than Gabriel and even then not deeply so. It's not a great love story and is probably better suited for kids. Personally I would recommend his other famous work 'Tess Of The d'Urbervilles' rather than this one."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:27) - Synopsis(2:06) - Zeal: Love for the impatient & indecisive(5:24) - The Madding Crowd: Who can you listen to?(10:52) - Observations/Takeaways(13:21) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

We live in a society .... so let's fix it!'The Second Curve' by Charles Handy is a collection of 16 essays reflecting on societal changes & predicting potential innovations of the future. It has a technology/management focus but is also broad and ties in with human wellbeing. There are a smattering of anecdotes & facts that help to reinforce his personal opinions and thoughts.I summarised the book as follows. "A typical problem with books of essays is continuity, but these were all crafted for this work. The topics are scattered but he shows clear & consistent thinking throughout. Really is more for provoking thoughts/discussion rather than solving actual societal problems. Perfect for people who prefer shorter form and I'd personally say was good but not mind shattering."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:28) - Synopsis(2:48) - Innovation: Get started before the decline(10:56) - Justified Outrage: Fun but dangerous(17:41) - Observations/Takeaways(22:10) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

A short summary this month on Life Force by Tony Robbins and partners. A great, big, thick book that had a lot of promise pre-reading it, but afterwards left me thinking that the sell was slightly better than the product.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

All men are enemies, all animals are comrades.'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is an allegorical satire criticising the USSR regime & Joseph Stalin. A group of talking animals led by the pigs revolt against the human farmers. They attempt to create a paradise called Animal Farm through their ideology of Animalism but this has disastrous consequences for the general animal society.I summarised the book as follows. "If I was a writer this would want to make me give up. It's so tight with it's words and it feel like every sentence has a purpose. If you study deeper this book can give you an education on 30 different things. Orwell was an observer of people, of systems and of truth. One of the only 'political' books I care about, can't rave enough about this!"I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(2:16) - Communism: Great in principle, terrible in practice(7:46) - Ideologies: The problem is the humans(15:38) - Observations/Takeaways(19:52) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Is it possible to choose only the best books to read?In April 2023 we reviewed 5 books on this channel. For some crazy reason both Juan and I just read bangers this month. It could be somewhat predicted as I revisited two authors who are probably in my top 10 writers. Juan was also reading to prepare himself for his baby girl so was also focused intently on trying to get good information.A big thanks to Alwin from Conshax for supporting. Go check out their service for stats & boostagrams.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - They're all good!(1:44) - Animal Farm: George Orwell(5:12) - A Confederacy Of Dunces: JK Toole(7:35) - Cannery Row: John Steinbeck(10:53) - Up The Duff: Kaz Cooke(12:50) - Dad's Guide To Pregnancy: Justin Coulson(15:06) - Boostagram Lounge(19:08) - Coming up for May 2023(21:41) - V4V: Feedback please!Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Kaz Cooke's "Up the Duff" is an informative and humorous guide to pregnancy, covering everything from conception to childbirth and beyond.With its relatable anecdotes and practical advice, I highly recommend reading it alongside your partner.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show