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| 0062278789
| 9780062278784
| 0062278789
| 4.29
| 48,328
| unknown
| Jan 01, 2013
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it was amazing
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Amity 4EVER. The complete 3-book set of one of my most favorites dystopian series of all times: ★★★★★ 1. Divergente. ★★★★☆ 2. Insurgente. ★★★★☆ 3. Alle Amity 4EVER. The complete 3-book set of one of my most favorites dystopian series of all times: ★★★★★ 1. Divergente. ★★★★☆ 2. Insurgente. ★★★★☆ 3. Allegiant. In a dystopian future, in a post-apocalyptic world, society has divided itself into five factions. Candor, who want nothing but the truth; Erudite, who hold intelligence above all; Amity, who love and desire peace; Dauntless, who value strength and life without fear; and Abnegation, who devote themselves to selfless altruism. Beatrice Prior is born under the care of altruist parents, but at the tender age of sixteen she’ll have to choose a faction to live with for the rest of her life. Her whole world has been Abnegation, but Dauntless also seems wild and full of life. And what about Erudition… Her faction orientation test gives her unsettling results, something dangerous that may even put her life in danger; but she still needs to choose a faction, and fast… before someone finds out. LOVED IT. I love dystopian fiction and love YA, and this one was a perfect combination of both. Add to that a slow burn romance and fast paced plot full of action. Bingo. YA heaven. Loved watching Tris blossom from a shy selfless to a daring dauntless, without ever losing sight of her origins. The chemistry with Four was amazing, and the pair just make dual madness. Christina was also great. Caleb can go suck and egg. Oh yes and Peter and Eric, how could I forget those two! Yeah… f*ck ‘em. Full RTC: Soon! [image] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [2013] [1556p] [Dystopian] [YA] [4.5] [Highly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★☆☆ 0.1-0.4 Four ★★★★★ 1. Divergent ★★★☆☆ 1.5 Tobias Tells the Divergent Knife-Throwing Scene ★★★★☆ 2. Insurgent ★★☆☆☆ 2.5 The Path to Allegiant [1.5] ★★★★☆ 3. Allegiant ★★☆☆☆ 3.5 We Can Be Mended [2.5] ----------------------------------------------- Cordialidad X100PRE. El conjunto completo de 3 libros de una de mis series favoritas distópicas de todos los tiempos: ★★★★★ 1. Divergente. ★★★★☆ 2. Insurgente. ★★★★☆ 3. Leal. En un futuro distópico, en un mundo post-apocalíptico, la sociedad se ha dividido a sí misma en cinco facciones: Verdad, aquellos que quieren nada más que la sinceridad; Erudición, que estiman la inteligencia sobre todo; Cordialidad, que aman y desean la paz; Osadía, que valoran la fuerza y vivir sin temor; y Abnegación, que dedican su vida a un puro altruismo. Beatrice Prior nace bajo la tutela de padres altruistas, pero a la tierna edad de dieciséis deberá elegir una facción en la cual vivir el resto de su vida. Todo su mundo ha sido Abnegación, pero Osadía también parece tan salvaje y lleno de vida. Y no olvidar Erudición… Su test de orientación de facción da resultados inquietantes, algo peligroso que podría poner su vida en peligro; pero aun así debe elegir una facción y rápido… antes de que alguien se entere. LO AME. Amo la ficción distópíca y amo lo Joven Adulto, y esto fue una perfecta combinación de ambas. Añadir a eso un romance de lento ardor y una trama de ritmo rápido lleno de acción. Bingo. Cielo joven adulto. Amé ver a Tris florecer de una tímida desinteresada a una valiente intrépida, sin nunca perder visión de sus orígenes. La química con Cuatro fue espectacular, y el par hacen locura dual. Christina también fue genial. Caleb puede irse a chupar un huevo. Ah sí y Peter y Eric, ¡cómo podría olvidarme de esos dos! Sí… que se pudran. Reseña Completa: ¡Pronto! [image] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [2013] [1556p] [Distopía] [Joven Adulto] [4.5] [Altamente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Jun 12, 2014
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Aug 10, 2014
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Oct 03, 2025
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Hardcover
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| 0345538374
| 9780345538376
| 0345538374
| 4.62
| 143,856
| 1954
| Sep 25, 2012
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really liked it
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"One Review to rule them all. One Review to comment them, One Review to like them all, and in nerdiness bind them." The complete 4-book set of possi "One Review to rule them all. One Review to comment them, One Review to like them all, and in nerdiness bind them." The complete 4-book set of possibly the greatest Fantasy of all times: ★★★★☆ 0. The Hobbit. ★★★★☆ 1. The Fellowship of the Ring ★★★★☆ 2. The Two Towers ★★★★★ 3. The Return of the King Full RTC: Soon! [image] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1954] [1728p] [Fantasy] [Highly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★★☆ A. The Silmarillion ★★★★☆ 0. The Hobbit ★★★★☆ 1. The Fellowship of the Ring ★★★★☆ 2. The Two Towers ★★★★★ 3. The Return of the King ★★★★★ 1-3. The Lord of the Rings [4.5] ----------------------------------------------- "Una Reseña para gobernarlas a todas. Un Reseña para comentarlas. Una Reseña para likearlas, y en la nerdidad atarlas." El conjunto completo de 4 libros de posiblemente la mejor Fantasía de todos los tiempos: ★★★★☆ 0. El Hobbit. ★★★★☆ 1. La Comunidad del Anillo. ★★★★☆ 2. Las Dos Torres. ★★★★★ 3. El Regreso del Rey. Reseña Completa: Pronto! [image] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1954] [1728p] [Fantasía] [Altamente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Jan 2001
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Feb 2004
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Oct 03, 2025
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 0545265355
| 9780545265355
| 0545265355
| 4.50
| 234,245
| 2010
| Aug 24, 2010
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really liked it
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Dystopian Heaven. The complete 3-book set of possibly the greatest dystopic trilogy of all times. ★★★★★ 1. The Hunger Games. [4.5] ★★★★★ 2. Catching Dystopian Heaven. The complete 3-book set of possibly the greatest dystopic trilogy of all times. ★★★★★ 1. The Hunger Games. [4.5] ★★★★★ 2. Catching Fire. ★★★★☆ 3. Mockingjay. [3.5] RTC! [image] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [2010] [1155p] [Dystopia] [YA] [Highly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★★★ 1. The Hunger Games. [4.5] ★★★★★ 2. Catching Fire. ★★★★☆ 3. Mockingjay. [3.5] ----------------------------------------------- Cielo Distópico. El conjunto completo de 3 libros de posiblemente la mejor trilogía distópica de todos los tiempos. ★★★★★ 1. Los Juegos del Hambre. [4.5] ★★★★★ 2. En Llamas. ★★★★☆ 3. Sinsajo. [3.5] RTC! [image] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [2010] [1155p] [Distopía] [Joven Adulto] [Altamente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 12, 2014
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Jul 2014
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Oct 03, 2025
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Hardcover
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| 0140621164
| 9780140621167
| 0140621164
| 4.17
| 7,380
| 1832
| 1994
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it was ok
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EAP Collection. A collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, classical master of anything horror. A good collection, all in all; you cannot go w EAP Collection. A collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, classical master of anything horror. A good collection, all in all; you cannot go wrong with the Penguin. Yet not the best collection I've seen however, too much Meh for me in this one. Good to get acquainted with many of Poe's most famous classical stories, and an apt introductory book to start with the author's writings, although if I had to choose, personally I'd go with "The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe." Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★☆ “The Black Cat.” ★★★★☆ “The Oval Portrait.” ★★★★☆ "The Fall of the House of Usher." [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The Tell-Tale Heart." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “Ligeia.” ★★★☆☆ “The Cask of Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “The Masque of the Red Death.” ★★★☆☆ “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.” ★★★☆☆ “The Premature Burial.” ★★★☆☆ “The Pit and the Pendulum.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “A Descent into the Maelström.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Purloined Letter.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “MS. Found in a Bottle.” [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Imp of the Perverse.” ★★☆☆☆ “Von Kempelen and His Discovery.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Gold-Bug.” ★☆☆☆☆ “How to Write a Blackwood Article.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Assignation.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Mystery of Marie Roget.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Domain of Arnheim.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Island of the Fay.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Colloquy of Monos and Una.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “The Duc De L Omelette.” ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1832] [406p] [Collection] [Partly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★☆☆ The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe ★★☆☆☆ The Complete Stories and Poems ★★★☆☆ The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings ★★★☆☆ The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales ★☆☆☆☆ The Raven and Other Poems ----------------------------------------------- Colección EAP. Una colección de cuentos cortos por Edgar Allan Poe, maestro clásico del terror. Una buena colección, dentro de todo; el Pingüino nunca falla. Sin embargo, no es la mejor colección que he visto, demasiado Meh para mí en ésta. Bueno familiarizarse con muchas de las historias clásicas más famosas de Poe, y un libro introductorio adecuado para comenzar con los escritos del autor, aunque personalmente, si tuviera que elegir, iría con "Los Cuentos y Poemas Esenciales de Edgar Allan Poe." Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★☆ “El Gato Negro.” ★★★★☆ “El Retrato Ovalado.” ★★★★☆ “La Caída de la Casa de Usher.” [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ “El Corazón Revelador.” [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “Ligeia.” ★★★☆☆ “El Barril de Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “La Máscara de la Muerte Roja.” ★★★☆☆ “El Caso del Señor Valdemar.” ★★★☆☆ “El Enterramiento Prematuro.” ★★★☆☆ “El Pozo y el Péndulo.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Los Crímenes de la Rue Morgue.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Un Descenso Dentro del Maelstrom.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “La Carta Robada.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Manuscrito Hallado en una Botella.” [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Demonio de la Perversidad.” ★★☆☆☆ “Von Kempelen y su Descubrimiento.” ★★☆☆☆ ”El Escarabajo de Oro.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Cómo Escribir un Artículo al Estilo de Blackwood.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La Cita.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “El Misterio de Marie Rogêt.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La Posesión de Arnheim.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La Isla del Hada.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Coloquio entre Monos y Una.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “El duc de L’Omelette.” ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1832] [406p] [Colección] [Parcialmente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 31, 2024
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Mar 31, 2024
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Oct 03, 2025
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 0760716218
| 9780760716212
| 0760716218
| 4.34
| 7,353
| 1845
| Jan 01, 1999
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it was ok
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Poe Completeness. The full bibliography of short stories by the immortal Edgar Allan Poe, mighty all-father of classical horror. After reading so ma Poe Completeness. The full bibliography of short stories by the immortal Edgar Allan Poe, mighty all-father of classical horror. After reading so many of his famed short stories on this and that collection, I decided to finally tick the whole thing and just get it over with. Oh the completionism! Some stories may sound very familiar, others will probably not, and for good reason; his lesser known stories are a fantastic mess and a f*cking chore to deal with, and hardly enjoyable at all, when not completely undecipherable, this especially when he often goes philosophical, religious, rambling or absurdly nonsensical. His “humorous” tales also felt remarkably boring. On the whole this wasn’t by any means an easy read, and in all fairness I must admit Poe’s classicness sometimes stings like a bitch. Some classics do age well, and dear Poe, as great as the man may have been, is sadly imo NOT one of those cases. His introductions tend to suck most of the time, and the more and more I read of him, the more I found myself frequently skimming to get to the point and try to make some sense of wth was going on; he tends to progress well, and he certainly excels at giving the killer blow, sort of speak. Clasicness aside, I can honestly vouch for Poe’s ever so popular stories; the unknown stuff though, which is plenty I may add, well, you have been warned. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★★ “Berenice.” [4.5] ★★★★☆ “The Black Cat.” ★★★★☆ “The Oval Portrait.” ★★★★☆ "The Fall of the House of Usher." [3.5] ★★★★☆ “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “Hop-Frog.” [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The Tell-Tale Heart." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “Morella.” ★★★☆☆ “Ligeia.” ★★★☆☆ “The Cask of Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “The Masque of the Red Death.” ★★★☆☆ “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.” ★★★☆☆ “Eleonora.” ★★★☆☆ “The Premature Burial.” ★★★☆☆ "The Spectacles." ★★★☆☆ “The Pit and the Pendulum.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “A Descent into the Maelström.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Thou Art the Man." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Sphinx." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Oblong Box.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Purloined Letter.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “MS. Found in a Bottle.” [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “A Predicament.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “King Pest.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “The Man that Was Used Up.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “Metzengerstein.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Imp of the Perverse.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Business Man.” ★★☆☆☆ “Never Bet the Devil Your Head.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Balloon-Hoax.” ★★☆☆☆ “Von Kempelen and His Discovery.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Gold-Bug.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Man of the Crowd.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Some Words with a Mummy.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Diddling.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “A Tale of the Ragged Mountains.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “How to Write a Blackwood Article.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Assignation.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Loss of Breath.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Angel of the Odd.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Bon-Bon.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Three Sundays in a Week." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Mystery of Marie Roget.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Domain of Arnheim.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Shadow—A Parable.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Island of the Fay.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Mystification.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Mellonta Tauta.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Landor’s Cottage.” ★☆☆☆☆ “X-ing a Paragrab.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Devil in the Belfry.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Why the Little Frenchman Wears His Hand in a Sling.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Philosophy of Furniture.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Maelzel's Chess Player.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Silence—A Fable.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Lionizing.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Colloquy of Monos and Una.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Power of Words.” ★☆☆☆☆ “A Tale of Jerusalem.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Mesmeric Revelation.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “Four Beasts in One; The Homo-Camelopard.” [0.5] ☆☆☆☆☆ “The Literary Life of Thingum Bob, Esq.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “The Duc De L Omelette.” ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1845] [762p] [Collection] [Conditional Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★☆☆ The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe ★★☆☆☆ The Complete Stories and Poems ★★★☆☆ The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings ★★★☆☆ The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales ★☆☆☆☆ The Raven and Other Poems ----------------------------------------------- Completitud Poe. La completa bibliografía de cuentos cortos del inmortal Edgar Allan Poe, todopoderoso padre del horror clásico. Después de leer tantos de sus famosos cuentos cortos en esta y aquella colección, decidí finalmente tildar toda la cosa y terminar con el asunto. ¡Oh la completitud! Algunas historias pueden sonar muy familiar, y otras probablemente no, y por buena razón; sus cuentos pocos reconocidos son un fantástico desastre y una muy jodida tarea con la cual lidiar, y difícilmente disfrutable en absoluto, cuando no completamente indescifrable, esto en especial cuando se vuelve filosófico, religioso, divagante o absurdamente carente de sentido. Sus cuentos “humorosos” me resultaron a su vez impresionantemente aburridos. En su conjunto esta no fue una lectura para nada fácil, y con toda franqueza debo admitir que el clasicismo de Poe a veces pega como un martillo. Algunos clásicos envejecen bien, y el querido Poe, por más grande que el hombre haya sido, lamentablemente creo que NO es uno de esos casos. Sus introducciones tienden a apestar la mayor parte del tiempo, y mientas más y más leía de él, más y más me hallé frecuentemente salteando para tratar de llegar al punto y entender de qué demonios está hablando; tiende sí a progresar bien, y ciertamente sobresale al dar el golpe de gracia, a veces. Clasicismo aparte, honestamente puedo atestiguar por las historias siempre tan populares de Poe; aunque todo lo desconocido, lo cual es bastante debo añadir, bueno, quedan advertidos. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★★ “Berenice.” [4.5] ★★★★☆ “El Gato Negro.” ★★★★☆ “El Retrato Ovalado.” ★★★★☆ “El Hundimiento de la Casa de Usher.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “La Narrativa de A. Gordon Pym.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “El Método del Doctor Alquitrán y del Profesor Trapaza.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “La Aventura sin Paralelo de un Hans Pfaall.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “Hop-Frog.” [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ “El Corazón Revelador.” [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “Morella.” ★★★☆☆ “Ligeia.” ★★★☆☆ “El Barril de Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “La Máscara de la Muerte Roja.” ★★★☆☆ “El Caso del Señor Valdemar.” ★★★☆☆ “Eleonora.” ★★★☆☆ “El Enterramiento Prematuro.” ★★★☆☆ "Los Anteojos." ★★★☆☆ “El Pozo y el Péndulo.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Los Crímenes de la Rue Morgue.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Un Descenso Dentro del Maelstrom.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Tú Has Sido.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Esfinge." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “El Cajón Oblongo.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “La Carta Robada.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Manuscrito Hallado en una Botella.” [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “Un Predicamento.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Rey Peste.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Hombre que se Acabó.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “Metzengerstein.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Demonio de la Perversidad.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Hombre de Negocios.” ★★☆☆☆ “Nunca Apuestes tu Cabeza al Diablo.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Infundio del Globo.” ★★☆☆☆ “Von Kempelen y su Descubrimiento.” ★★☆☆☆ ”El Escarabajo de Oro.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Hombre de la Multitud.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Breve Charla con una Momia.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Arte de Timar.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Una Historia de las Montañas Ragged.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Cómo Escribir un Artículo al Estilo de Blackwood.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La Cita.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Sin Aliento.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “El Ángel de lo Estrambótico.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Bon-Bon.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Tres domingos en una semana." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “El Misterio de Marie Rogêt.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La Posesión de Arnheim” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Sombra—Una Parábola.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La Isla del Hada.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Mistificación.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Mellonta Tauta.” ★☆☆☆☆ “La Quinta de Landor.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Equisizando un Artículo de Fondo.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Diablo en el Campanario.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Por Qué el Hombrecillo Francés lleva una Mano en Cabestrillo.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Filosofía del Mobiliario.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Jugador de Ajedrez de Maelzel” ★☆☆☆☆ “Silencio—Una Fábula.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Elegancias.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Coloquio entre Monos y Una.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Conversación de Eiros con Charmion.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Poder de las Palabras.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Una Narración de Jerusalén.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Revelación Mesmérica.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “Cuatro Bestias en Una.” [0.5] ☆☆☆☆☆ “La Vida Literaria del Señor Don Thingum Bob.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “El duc de L’Omelette.” ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1845] [762p] [Colección] [Recomendable Condicional] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
Notes are private!
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Apr 04, 2024
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Apr 04, 2024
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Oct 03, 2025
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Hardcover
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| 849764462X
| 9788497644624
| 849764462X
| 4.17
| 9,010
| 1840
| Apr 01, 2005
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it was ok
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EAP Collection. A collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, classical master of anything horror. Not the best collection I've seen honestly; ki EAP Collection. A collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, classical master of anything horror. Not the best collection I've seen honestly; kinda lousy even, with a astonishing abundance of Meh. As great a source Poe is for classical horror, I can't recommend this. There are much better compilations out there imo like "The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe", and many others too, shorter, and with fewer duds. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★★ “Berenice.” [4.5] ★★★★☆ “The Black Cat.” ★★★★☆ “The Oval Portrait.” ★★★★☆ "The Fall of the House of Usher." [3.5] ★★★★☆ “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “Hop-Frog.” [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The Tell-Tale Heart." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Cask of Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “The Masque of the Red Death.” ★★★☆☆ “Eleonora.” ★★★☆☆ “The Pit and the Pendulum.” [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “King Pest.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Imp of the Perverse.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Man of the Crowd.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Some Words with a Mummy.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Angel of the Odd.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Domain of Arnheim.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Shadow—A Parable.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Island of the Fay.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Landor’s Cottage.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Devil in the Belfry.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Maelzel's Chess Player.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Silence—A Fable.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Lionizing.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Colloquy of Monos and Una.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Power of Words.” ★☆☆☆☆ “A Tale of Jerusalem.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “Four Beasts in One; The Homo-Camelopard.” [0.5] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1840] [248p] [Collection] [No Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★☆☆ The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe ★★☆☆☆ The Complete Stories and Poems ★★★☆☆ The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings ★★★☆☆ The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales ★☆☆☆☆ The Raven and Other Poems ----------------------------------------------- Colección EAP. Una colección de cuentos cortos por Edgar Allan Poe, maestro clásico del terror. Honestamente no es la mejor colección que he visto; incluso algo pésima, con una desastrosa abundancia de Meh. Por muy buena fuente que sea Poe para el terror clásico, no puedo recomendar esto. En mi opinión, hay compilaciones mucho mejores, como "Los Cuentos y Poemas Esenciales de Edgar Allan Poe", y muchas otras también, más cortas, y con menos decepciones. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★★ “Berenice.” [4.5] ★★★★☆ “El Gato Negro.” ★★★★☆ “El Retrato Oval.” ★★★★☆ "La Caída de la Casa de Usher." [3.5] ★★★★☆ “El Sistema del Dr. Tarr y el Profesor Fether.” [3.5] ★★★★☆ “Hop-Frog.” [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "El Corazón Delator." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “El Barril de Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “La Máscara de la Muerte Roja.” ★★★☆☆ “Eleonora.” ★★★☆☆ “El Pozo y el Péndulo.” [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “Rey Peste.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Demonio de la Perversidad.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Hombre de la Multitud.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Conversación con una Momia.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “El Angel de lo Raro.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “El Dominio de Arnheim.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Sombra — Parábola.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La Isla del Hada.” ★☆☆☆☆ “La Cabaña de Landor.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Diablo en el Campanario.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Jugador de Ajedrez de Maelzel.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Silencio - Fábula.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Los Leones.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Coloquio de Monos y Una.” ★☆☆☆☆ “La Conversación de Eiros y Charmion.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Poder de las Palabras.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Cuento de Jerusalén.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “Cuatro bestias en una.” [0.5] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1840] [248p] [Colección] [No Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 0151002347
| 9780151002344
| 0151002347
| 4.09
| 10,610
| 1842
| Oct 01, 1996
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liked it
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EAP Collection. A collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, classical master of anything horror. A good collection, all in all; not the best I' EAP Collection. A collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, classical master of anything horror. A good collection, all in all; not the best I've seen however, but interesting enough. Good to get acquainted with many of Poe's most famous classical stories. An apt introductory book to start with the author's writings, although if I had to choose, personally I'd go with "The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe." Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★☆ “The Black Cat.” ★★★★☆ "The Fall of the House of Usher." [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The Tell-Tale Heart." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Cask of Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “The Masque of the Red Death.” ★★★☆☆ “The Pit and the Pendulum.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “A Descent into the Maelström.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Purloined Letter.” [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “Metzengerstein.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Gold-Bug.” ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1842] [496p] [Collection] [2.5] [Partly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★☆☆ The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe ★★☆☆☆ The Complete Stories and Poems ★★★☆☆ The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings ★★★☆☆ The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales ★☆☆☆☆ The Raven and Other Poems ----------------------------------------------- Colección EAP. Una colección de cuentos cortos por Edgar Allan Poe, maestro clásico del terror. Una buena colección, dentro de todo; sin embargo, no es la mejor que he visto, pero sí lo suficientemente interesante. Buena para familiarizarse con muchas de las historias más famosas y clásicas de Poe. Un libro introductorio adecuado para comenzar con los escritos del autor, aunque si tuviera que elegir, personalmente iría con"Los Cuentos y Poemas Esenciales de Edgar Allan Poe." Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★☆ “El Gato Negro.” ★★★★☆ "El Hundimiento de la Casa de Usher." [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "El Corazón Delator." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “El Barril de Amontillado.” ★★★☆☆ “La Máscara de la Muerte Roja.” ★★★☆☆ “El Pozo y el Péndulo.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Los Crímenes de la Rue Morgue.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Un Descenso Dentro del Maelstrom.” [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “La Carta Robada.” [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “William Wilson.” ★★☆☆☆ “Metzengerstein.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Escarabajo de Oro.” ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1842] [496p] [Colección] [2.5] [Parcialmente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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| B0082TB4UG
| 3.60
| 63
| 1872
| May 12, 2012
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Le Fanu Double Combo. A free-domain collection with two long short stories by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the famously renowned author of Carmilla. Meh. Ca Le Fanu Double Combo. A free-domain collection with two long short stories by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the famously renowned author of Carmilla. Meh. Can't say I'm a fan of this collection, or Le Fanu for that matter. As any classical author, he tends to go tediously over-descriptive sometimes, which severely dampens my enjoyment. His stories are good though, I really appreciate the ideas and can't understate their value. It's just his style man! And my patience. Still looking forward to reading Carmilla; soon, very soon. ★★☆☆☆ Green Tea. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ Mr. Justice Harbottle. It’s public domain. You can find it HERE. ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1872] [84p] [Collection] [2.25] [Not Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ???????? Carmilla. ★★★☆☆ Schalken the Painter. ★★☆☆☆ Green Tea. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ Mr. Justice Harbottle. ★★☆☆☆ Green Tea & Mr. Justice Harbottle. ----------------------------------------------- Doble Combo Le Fanu. Una colección de dominio libre con dos cuentos largos de J. Sheridan Le Fanu, el famoso autor de Carmilla. Meh. No puedo decir que sea fan de esta colección, ni de Le Fanu dicho sea de paso. Como cualquier autor clásico, a veces tiende a ser tediosamente demasiado sobredescriptivo, lo cual perjudica severamente mi satisfacción. Aunque sus historias son buenas, realmente aprecio las ideas y no puedo subestimar su valor. ¡Es simplemente su estilo, hombre! Y mi paciencia. Igual sigo queriendo leer Carmilla; pronto, muy pronto. ★★☆☆☆ Té Verde. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ Sr. Justice Harbottle. Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA. ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1872] [87p] [Colección] [2.25] [No Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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| 044667950X
| 9780446679503
| 044667950X
| 3.92
| 193
| Sep 01, 2002
| Sep 01, 2002
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The Lucky Thirteen. An anthology with 13 of the best horror stories ever, written by many of the most renowned classical authors of all times. Again The Lucky Thirteen. An anthology with 13 of the best horror stories ever, written by many of the most renowned classical authors of all times. Again, I don’t know if they are the “best”, but they are all very good, nearly all of them, and if not read, they deserve at least to be known, for “famous” they are indeed, or should be, classic wise. I would like to note that, even if I didn’t enjoy some so much (for personal reasons), I think many of the “Good” could greatly appeal to others and rank among their “Best”, easily. For example, I can’t understate the literary value of The Call of Cthulhu, even if I hated Lovecraft’s style writing. The "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe are immensely remarkable on their own merit. And even "The Beckoning Fair One" by Oliver Onions is extremely memorable, even if it wasn’t my jam at all. In truth, the only one I don’t care about is “Green Tea” by Le Fanu. All others, given the correct circumstances, I feel I could recommend them, to the right reader. Every story here except for "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is free-domain, so the links for each of them can be found in the corresponding review below. So all the best, if you decide to risk it. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★☆ “The Bottle Imp”, by Robert Louis Stevenson. [4.5] ★★★★☆ "The Lottery", by Shirley Jackson. [3.5] ★★★★☆ “The Monkey's Paw”, by W. W. Jacobs. [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The Yellow Wallpaper", by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Tell-Tale Heart", by Edgar Allan Poe. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “Dracula’s Guest”, by Bram Stoker. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Great God Pan”, by Arthur Machen. ★★★☆☆ “The Country Of The Blind”, by H. G. Wells. ★★★☆☆ “The Willows”, by Algernon Blackwood. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “The Call of Cthulhu”, by H. P. Lovecraft. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad”, by M. R. James. [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "The Beckoning Fair One", by Oliver Onions. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Green Tea”, by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. [2.5] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [2002] [400p] [Anthology] [Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- El Trece de la Suerte. Una antología con 13 de los mejores cuentos cortos de terror jamás, escritos por varios de los más reconocidos autores clásicos de todos los tiempos. Nuevamente, no sé si son los “mejores”, pero son todos muy buenos, casi todos, y si no se leen, al menos merecen ser conocidos, porque “famosos” sí que son, o deberían serlo, dentro de lo clásico. Quisiera señalar que, incluso si no disfruté tanto de algunos (por razones personales), creo que muchos de los "Buenos" podrían interesar mucho a otros, y clasificarse fácilmente entre sus "Mejores". Por ejemplo, no puedo subestimar el valor literario de La Llamada de Cthulhu, incluso si odié el estilo de escritura de Lovecraft. "El Tapiz Amarillo" de Charlotte Perkins Gilman y "El Corazón Delator" de Edgar Allan Poe son inmensamente destacables por mérito propio. E incluso "La Bella que Hace Señas" de Oliver Onions es extremadamente memorable, incluso si no fue mi agrado en absoluto. En verdad, el único que realmente no me importa es “Té Verde” de Le Fanu. Todos los demás, dadas las circunstancias correctas, creo que podría recomendarlos, al lector adecuado. Todas las historias aquí excepto "La Lotería" de Shirley Jackson son de dominio libre, por lo que los enlaces para cada una de ellas se pueden encontrar en la reseña correspondiente debajo. Así que todo lo mejor, si deciden arriesgarse. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★☆ “El Diablillo de la Botella”, de Robert Louis Stevenson. [4.5] ★★★★☆ "La Lotería", de Shirley Jackson. [3.5] ★★★★☆ “La Pata de Mono”, de W. W. Jacobs. [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "El Tapiz Amarillo", de Charlotte Perkins Gilman. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “El Corazón Delator”, de Edgar Allan Poe. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “El Invitado de Drácula”, de Bram Stoker. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “El Gran Dios Pan”, de Arthur Machen. ★★★☆☆ “El País de los Ciegos”, de H. G. Wells. ★★★☆☆ “Los Sauces”, de Algernon Blackwood. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “La Llamada de Cthulhu”, de H. P. Lovecraft. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Silba y Acudiré”, de M. R. James. [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "La Bella que Hace Señas", de Oliver Onions. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Té Verde”, de J. Sheridan Le Fanu. [2.5] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [2002] [400p] [Antología] [Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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| B0DM1KLCB3
| 3.79
| 48,122
| 1936
| Aug 1936
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it was ok
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Dude is bleak. A collection of ten short stories by Ernest Hemingway, master of bleakness and stale storytelling. I have this feeling reading Heming Dude is bleak. A collection of ten short stories by Ernest Hemingway, master of bleakness and stale storytelling. I have this feeling reading Hemingway is like having a depressing, often chauvinistic, old grandpa smoking his pipe, retelling stories of his manly glory days, while at the same time scratching his ass and balls like it’s nothing. He may surprise you or make your eyes widen once in a while, but mainly he just angers you and weirds you out, and that is when he doesn’t just completely bores you out of your mind. His stories seem to be nearly always ridden with a frequently over-descriptive, insufferably ponderative prose, where virtually nothing happens at all, except through dialogs, and stuff. And if I had a machine to keep track of how many times it made me doze, I’d venture to guess it made me doze off around fifty times or more while reading this thing. Possibly a record. Nevertheless, I still want to read “The Old Man and the Sea”, because I’m stupid, you know? Anywho, if you enjoy Hemingway and his writings never mind anything I say here. Just add a plus two to each story and go wild, bet he’ll knock your socks off, one way or the other. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The "Good" : ★★★☆☆ "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Killers." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "In Another Country." [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Fifty Grand." ★★☆☆☆ "A Day’s Wait." ★★☆☆☆ "Fathers and Sons." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "The Gambler, the Nun, and the Radio." ★☆☆☆☆ "A Way You’ll Never Be." [0.5] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1936] [144p] [Collection] [Not Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★☆☆☆ The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories ???????? The Old Man and the Sea ----------------------------------------------- El tipo es sombrío. Una colección de diez cuentos cortos por Ernest Hemingway, maestro de la desolación y narración rancia. Tengo esta sensación de que leer a Hemingway es como tener a un viejo abuelo deprimente, a menudo chovinista, fumando su pipa, contando historias de sus varoniles días de gloria, mientras al mismo tiempo se rasca el culo y las pelotas como si nada. Puede que te sorprenda o te haga abrir los ojos de vez en cuando, pero principalmente sólo te disgusta y te da cosa, y eso cuando no te aburre por completo. Sus historias parecen casi siempre estar plagadas de una prosa frecuentemente sobredescriptiva e insufriblemente reflexiva, donde prácticamente no sucede nada en absoluto, excepto a través de diálogos, y eso. Y si tuviera una máquina para llevar la cuenta de cuantas veces me hizo dormitar, me atrevería a suponer que me adormiló alrededor de unas cincuenta o más veces mientras leía esta cosa. Posiblemente un récord. Aunque todavía quiero leer “El Viejo y el Mar”, porque uno es estúpido, ¿vio? Pero bueno, si disfrutás de Hemingway y sus escritos, que no te preocupe nada de lo que digo acá. Simplemente agrega un más dos a cada historia y dale a lo loco, apuesto a que te volará la cabeza, de una forma u otra. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo "Bueno" : ★★★☆☆ "Las Nieves del Kilimanjaro." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Los Asesinos." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Corta y Feliz Vida de Francis Macomber." [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "En Otro País." [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Cincuenta Mil Dólares." ★★☆☆☆ "Un Día de Espera." ★★☆☆☆ "Padres e Hijos." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Un Lugar Limpio y Bien Iluminado." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "El Jugador, la Monja y la Radio." ★☆☆☆☆ "Una Forma en la que Nunca Serás." [1.5] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1936] [144p] [Colección] [No Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Aug 28, 2025
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Aug 24, 2025
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Unknown Binding
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| 0151365040
| 9780151365043
| 0151365040
| 4.16
| 49,629
| 1955
| Oct 15, 1992
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it was ok
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A Good Short Story Is Hard To Find. A collection of ten short stories by Flannery O'Connor, Queen of Southern Gothic and Christian low-jabs. I have A Good Short Story Is Hard To Find. A collection of ten short stories by Flannery O'Connor, Queen of Southern Gothic and Christian low-jabs. I have this feeling reading Flannery O'Connor is like reading a Christian version of Shirley Jackson, which isn’t bad really, just not my jam, sadly. One can only endure so many slaps to the face! This was my first encounter with the “Southern Gothic” genre, which can’t say I’m a fan of, and never knew before it existed. Of course, even if I didn’t found it so enjoyable that doesn’t mean it can’t be for others. I’m positive any Shirley Jackson fan would love these stories, since dear Flannery O'Connor seems to irk her readers the same way, sort of. Like Shirley, truly excels at the deeply, unsettling thing, honestly. All in all, I’m just glad I got to read ”The Displaced Person” and ”A Good Man Is Hard to Find", which are the two stories I hold most dear from this collection, and the only ones that I think will truly remain in my memory; the rest, although good, or ok, I could’ve lived without. Flannery O'Connor is just too damn religious sometimes, for my taste. Can’t say I look forward to reading more by this author, but chances are high that I will anyway, because of randomness, and stuff. Yet, hopefully, it’ll be someday far away. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★☆ "The Displaced Person." [4.5] ★★★★☆ "A Good Man Is Hard to Find." [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The River." ★★★☆☆ "A Stroke of Good Fortune." [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Good Country People." [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "A Circle in the Fire." ★★☆☆☆ "A Late Encounter with the Enemy." ★★☆☆☆ "A Temple of the Holy Ghost." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "The Artificial Nigger." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "The Life You Save May Be Your Own." [0.5] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1955] [252p] [Collection] [2.5] [Partly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- Una Buena Historia Corta Es Difícil De Encontrar. Una colección de diez cuentos cortos por Flannery O'Connor, Reina del Gótico sureño y golpes bajos cristianos. Tengo la sensación de que leer a Flannery O'Connor es como leer una versión cristiana de Shirley Jackson, lo cual no está mal en verdad, pero no mi vibra, lamentablemente. ¡Uno sólo puede soportar tantas bofetadas en la cara! Este fue mi primer encuentro con el género “Gótico sureño”, del que no puedo decir que sea fan, y que ni siquiera sabía que existía hasta ahora. Por supuesto, incluso si no lo disfruté tanto, eso no significa que no pueda serlo para otros. Creo con cierta seguridad que a cualquier fan de Shirley Jackson le encantarían estas historias, ya que la querida Flannery O'Connor parece irritar a sus lectores de la misma manera, más o menos. Como Shirley, realmente sobresale en esa cosa profundamente inquietante, honestamente. Considerando todo, me alegra haber podido leer ”La Persona Desplazada” y ”Un Buen Hombre es Difícil de Encontrar", que son las dos historias que más aprecio de esta colección, y las únicas que creo que realmente permanecerán en mi memoria; el resto, aunque buenas o aceptables, podría haber vivido sin ellas. Flannery O'Connor es a veces simplemente demasiado religiosa, para mi gusto. No puedo decir que tenga ganas de leer más de esta autora, pero hay altas posibilidades de que lo haga de igual forma, por mi aleatoriedad, y esas cosas. Sin embargo, con suerte, será algún día lejano. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★☆ "La Persona Desplazada." [4.5] ★★★★☆ "Un Buen Hombre es Difícil de Encontrar." [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "El Rio." ★★★☆☆ "Un Golpe de Buena Fortuna." [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Buena Gente del Campo." [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Un Círculo en el Fuego." ★★☆☆☆ "Un Encuentro Tardío con el Enemigo." ★★☆☆☆ "Un Templo del Espíritu Santo." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "El Negro Artificial." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "La Vida que Salves puede ser la Tuya." [0.5] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1955] [252p] [Colección] [2.5] [Parcialmente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Aug 28, 2025
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Aug 18, 2025
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Hardcover
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| 0020163908
| 9780020163909
| 0020163908
| 4.05
| 858
| Feb 1963
| 1978
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liked it
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SF Galore. An old anthology with 50 short science fiction tales, written by several of the most famous and not so famous Sci-Fi authors of the time, SF Galore. An old anthology with 50 short science fiction tales, written by several of the most famous and not so famous Sci-Fi authors of the time, circa 1950’s. To be honest most of these authors don’t ring a bell and totally escape my limited frame of knowledge for this genre, although pleased to find some remarkable figures I already knew, like Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert A. Heinlein, Fritz Leiber, Theodore Sturgeon and a few others more. Most of the rest I never heard before, but always happy to add a new name to my list of ‘done and sampled’. A somewhat outdated collection, easy to tell by the style of writing, themes treated and the general feeling of the stories, not to mention the publication date of course. Some, maybe many, of these stories didn’t age so well, but the grand majority were still reasonably enjoyable, on the whole. A mixed bag too, being half Meh and half Good or better; noting Meh is just ok, as long it’s not 1 or zero stars, which is crap. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★★ "Hilda", by H. B. Hickey. (view spoiler)[Fast learner. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "A Bad Day for Sales", by Fritz Leiber. ★★★★☆ "Who ’s Cribbing?", by Jack Lewis. (view spoiler)[Mimicry. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "The Haunted Space Suit", by Arthur C. Clarke. ★★★★☆ "The Figure", by Edward Grendon. ★★★★☆ "Random Sample", by T. P. Caravan. [3.5] (view spoiler)[I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. (hide spoiler)] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "Men Are Different", by Alan Block. [3.5] (view spoiler)[Robotics first aid. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "We Don ’t Want Any Trouble", by James H. Schmitz. [3.5] (view spoiler)[The Host. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Teething Ring", by James Causey. ★★★☆☆ "Unwelcome Tenant", by Roger Dee. (view spoiler)[Complete awareness. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Tiger by the Tail", by Alan E. Nourse. ★★★☆☆ "Not with a Bang", by Damon Knight. ★★★☆☆ "Double-Take", by Winston K. Marks. (view spoiler)[Gemini. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "The Hunters", by Walt Sheldon. (view spoiler)[Human nature. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Talent", by Theodore Sturgeon. ★★★☆☆ "Appointment at Noon", by Eric Frank Russell. ★★★☆☆ "The Fly", by Arthur Porges. ★★★☆☆ "See?", by Edward G. Robles, Jr. ★★★☆☆ "The Mist", by Peter Cartur. (view spoiler)[Home sweet home. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Stair Trick", by Mildred Clingerman. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Fun They Had", by Isaac Asimov. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Weapon", by Fredric Brown. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Rag Thing", by David Grinnell. [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "The Mathematicians", by Arthur Feldman. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Two Weeks in August", by Frank M. Robinson. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Perfect Woman", by Robert Sheckley. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Great Judge", by A. E. Van Vogt. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Martian and the Magician", by Evelyn E. Smith. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Jupiter Ascending. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "The Business, As Usual", by Mack Reynolds. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Mirrors for gold. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Narapoia", by Alan Nelson. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Delusions of followution. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "The Available Data on the Worp Reaction", by Lion Miller. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Self-taught. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "The Cricket Ball", by Avro Manhattan. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Excalibur. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Emergency Landing", by Ralph Williams. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Thirsty submarine. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Columbus Was a Dope", by Robert A. Heinlein. ★★☆☆☆ "The Third Level", by Jack Finney. ★★☆☆☆ "The Altar at Midnight", by C. M. Kornbluth. ★★☆☆☆ "The Choice", by W. Hilton-Young. (view spoiler)[Sometimes it’s better not to know. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Counter Charm", by Peter Phillips. ★★☆☆☆ "The Good Provider", by Marion Gross. ★★☆☆☆ "Project Hush", by William Tenn. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Obviously Suicide", by S. Fowler Wright. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Well-guarded secret. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Oscar", by Cleve Cartmill. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Bing Bong. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "The Ambassadors", by Anthony Boucher. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Lycanthropic Politics. (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "An Egg a Month from All Over", by Idris Seabright. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Hatch this! (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "Prolog", by John P. McKnight. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Ma, ma. (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "Texas Week", by Albert Hernhuter. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Barney", by Will Stanton. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Spectator Sport", by John D. MacDonald. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Vanilla Sky. (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "Built Down Logically", by Howard Schoenfeld. (view spoiler)[I think, therefore you are not. (hide spoiler)] ☆☆☆☆☆ "Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!", by Stuart Friedman. [0.5] (view spoiler)[Waste of time. (hide spoiler)] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1963] [287p] [Anthology] [2.5] [Partly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- Sobrecarga de CF. Una vieja antología con 50 cuentos cortos de ciencia ficción, escritos por varios de los autores de CF más famosos y no tan famosos de la época, alrededor de los años cincuenta. Para ser honestos, la mayoría de estos autores no me suenan para nada y escapan por completo mi limitado conocimiento del género, aunque me complace encontrar ciertas figuras notables que sí conocía, como Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert A. Heinlein, Fritz Leiber, Theodore Sturgeon y algunos otros más. La mayoría del resto nunca los había escuchado antes, pero siempre estoy feliz de agregar un nuevo nombre a mi lista de "listo y probado". Una colección un tanto anticuada, fácil de distinguir por el estilo de escritura, los temas tratados y la calidad general de los cuentos, sin mencionar la fecha de publicación por supuesto. Algunas, tal vez muchas, de estas historias no envejecieron muy bien, pero la gran mayoría, en general, todavía son razonablemente disfrutables. Una bolsa mixta también, siendo mitad Meh y mitad Bueno o mejor; notando que Meh es sólo ok, siempre y cuando no sea 1 o cero estrellas, lo cual es basura. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★★ "Hilda", de H. B. Hickey. (view spoiler)[Alumna estrella. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "Un Mal Día para las Ventas", de Fritz Leiber. ★★★★☆ "¿Quién está Cribbing?", de Jack Lewis. (view spoiler)[El cuento de la buena pipa. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "El Traje Espacial Embrujado", de Arthur C. Clarke. ★★★★☆ "La Figura", de Edward Grendon. ★★★★☆ "Muestra Aleatoria", de T. P. Caravan. [3.5] (view spoiler)[Juro solemnemente que no estoy tramando nada bueno. (hide spoiler)] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "Los Hombres son Diferentes", de Alan Block. [3.5] (view spoiler)[Primeros auxilios robóticos. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "No Queremos Ningún Problema", de James H. Schmitz. [3.5] (view spoiler)[El Huésped. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Anillo de Dentición", de James Causey. ★★★☆☆ "Inquilino no Deseado", de Roger Dee. (view spoiler)[Completa consciencia. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Tigre por la Cola", de Alan E. Nourse. ★★★☆☆ "No con una Explosión", de Damon Knight. ★★★☆☆ "Doble Toma", de Winston K. Marks. (view spoiler)[Géminis. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Los Cazadores", de Walt Sheldon. (view spoiler)[Naturaleza humana. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Talento", de Theodore Sturgeon. ★★★☆☆ "Cita al Mediodía ", de Eric Frank Russell. ★★★☆☆ "La Mosca", de Arthur Porges. ★★★☆☆ "¿Ves?", de Edward G. Robles, Jr. ★★★☆☆ "La Niebla", de Peter Cartur. (view spoiler)[Hogar dulce hogar. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Truco de Escalera", de Mildred Clingerman. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Diversión que Tuvieron", de Isaac Asimov. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ ""El Arma", de Fredric Brown. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Cosa del Trapo", de David Grinnell. [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Los Matemáticos", de Arthur Feldman. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Dos Semanas de Agosto", de Frank M. Robinson. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "La Mujer Perfecta", de Robert Sheckley. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Gran Juez", de A. E. Van Vogt. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Marciano y el Mago”, de Evelyn E. Smith. [2.5] (view spoiler)[El Destino de Júpiter. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "El Negocio, como Siempre", de Mack Reynolds. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Espejos por oro. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Narapoia", de Alan Nelson. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Delirios de seguimiento. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Los Datos Disponibles sobre la Reacción de Worp", por Lion Miller. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Autodidacta. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "La Pelota de Críquet", de Avro Manhattan. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Excalibur. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Aterrizaje de Emergencia", de Ralph Williams. [2.5] (view spoiler)[Submarino sediento. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Colón era un Tonto", de Robert A. Heinlein. ★★☆☆☆ "El Tercer Nivel", de Jack Finney. ★★☆☆☆ "El Altar a Medianoche", de C. M. Kornbluth. ★★☆☆☆ "La Elección", de W. Hilton-Young. (view spoiler)[A veces es mejor no saber. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Contraencanto", de Peter Phillips. ★★☆☆☆ "El Buen Proveedor", de Marion Gross. ★★☆☆☆ "Proyecto Silencio", de William Tenn. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Obviamente Suicidio", de S. Fowler Wright. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Secreto bien guardado. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Óscar", de Cleve Cartmill. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Bing Bong. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Los Embajadores", de Anthony Boucher. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Política Licantrópica. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Prólogo", de John P. McKnight. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Ma, ma. (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "Un Huevo al Mes de Todas Partes", de Idris Seabright. [1.5] (view spoiler)[¡Incubá esto! (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "Semana de Texas", de Albert Hernhuter. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Barney", de Will Stanton. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Deporte para Espectadores", de John D. MacDonald. [1.5] (view spoiler)[Cielo vainilla. (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "Construido Lógicamente", de Howard Schoenfeld. (view spoiler)[Pienso, luego no existes. (hide spoiler)] ☆☆☆☆☆ "¡Hermosa, Hermosa, Hermosa!", de Stuart Friedman. [0.5] (view spoiler)[Pérdida de tiempo. (hide spoiler)] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1963] [287p] [Antología] [2.5] [Parcialmente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 15, 2025
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Aug 24, 2025
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Aug 15, 2025
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Paperback
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| 0143039652
| 9780143039655
| 0143039652
| 4.21
| 19,109
| 1943
| Aug 29, 2006
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liked it
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Mundanely meaningful. A 32 short story collection by RK Narayan, national dearest and one of the most successful Indian writers of all time. This wa Mundanely meaningful. A 32 short story collection by RK Narayan, national dearest and one of the most successful Indian writers of all time. This was a fine collection on the whole; with many Best (which are always supremely welcomed), a sizeable amount of Good, and one third of Meh, which isn’t bad, as long as it is not 1-star. "Second Opinion" is not necessarily the best either, just a favorite of mine (since I could relate to it at a personal level) and found, generally speaking, to be one of the ones that most transmits about Indian norms and traditions. It’s also the longest, averaging 30p, when almost all others range from 5 to 12 pages. Still, every little story usually contains, in their own way, some different share and morsel about Indian culture and every-day life. And if I had to go into the essence of this collection, I’d say the motto that comes to mind is “Mundanely meaningful.” There’s an interesting introduction by Jhumpa Lahiri too, not that I really care, most times I just find her vibe “Mundanely depressing.” Normally I’d review each and every single one of these stories individually, but since next to none were singly added to GR, I had to settle with my one-liner only, which I hope is enough to remind myself what the general story and point was about, in case I ever decide to come back here to check them out, someday. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★★ "Second Opinion." [4.5] (view spoiler)[ Thy mother’s will be done. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "The Axe." (view spoiler)[ Home is where the heart is. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "The Doctor's Word." (view spoiler)[Because I said so. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "A Shadow." [3.5] (view spoiler)[ A ★★★★☆ "Lawley Road." [3.5] (view spoiler)["If the statue won't come to Mohammed…” (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "The Blind Dog." [3.5] (view spoiler)[Inadvisably loyal. (hide spoiler)] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The Missing Mail." [3.5] (view spoiler)[The ★★★☆☆ "An Astrologer's Day." [3.5] (view spoiler)[Déjà vu! I see dead people! (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Trail of the Green Blazer." (view spoiler)[No good side-deed goes unpunished. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Gateman's Gift." (view spoiler)[Schrödinger’s envelope. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Fellow Feeling." (view spoiler)[If you throw a stone into the gutter it’ll only spurt filth. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "The Tiger's Claw." (view spoiler)[ “Bravery.” (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Attila." (view spoiler)[ Burglar’s best friend. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Selvi." (view spoiler)[ You are fired. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Emden." (view spoiler)[ You can’t teach an old dog new streets. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Wife's Holiday." (view spoiler)[ Misfortune favors the rogue. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Out of Business." (view spoiler)[ Grand prize. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "The Martyr's Corner." (view spoiler)[ Jolly days are over. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Iswaran." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Riding imaginary horses is risky business. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Such Perfection." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ God works in mysterious toes. (hide spoiler)] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Father's Help." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ The student who cried teacher. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Forty-Five A Month." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Daddy’s girl. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "The Edge." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Baby unboomer. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "A Willing Slave." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Family comes first? (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Mother and Son." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Mother knows werst. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Naga." (view spoiler)[ Snakes, monkeys, and strumpets. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "God and the Cobbler." (view spoiler)[ Namaste. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Leela's Friend." (view spoiler)[ Brat. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "The Snake-Song." (view spoiler)[ Reluctant snake charmer. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Engine Trouble." (view spoiler)[ Don't look a gift engine road in the mouth. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Hungry Child." [1.5] (view spoiler)[ Big Daddy 1999. (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "Cat Within." [1.5] (view spoiler)[ Charlatan. (hide spoiler)] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1943] [264p] [Collection] [Partly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- Mundanamente significativo. Una colección de 32 cuentos cortos por RK Narayan, uno de los escritores indios más queridos a nivel nacional, y uno de los más exitosos de todos los tiempos. En su conjunto, ésta fue una buena colección; con muchos de lo Mejor (que siempre son muy bienvenidos), una cantidad considerable de Buenos, y un tercio de Meh, que no está mal, siempre y cuando no sea 1-estrella. "Segunda Opinión" tampoco es necesariamente el mejor, sólo uno de mis favoritos (ya que pude identificarme con él a nivel personal) y me pareció, a nivel general, uno de los que más transmiten sobre las normas y tradiciones indias. También es el más largo, promediando 30p, cuando casi todos los demás oscilan entre las 5 y 12 páginas. Aun así, cada pequeña historia suele contener, a su manera, alguna parte diferente sobre la cultura india y la vida cotidiana de todos los días. Y si tuviera que profundizar en la esencia de esta colección, diría que el lema que me viene a la mente es "Mundanamente significativo." También hay una interesante introducción por Jhumpa Lahiri, aunque no es que realmente me importe, la mayoría de las veces encuentro su vibra "Mundanamente deprimente." Normalmente reseñaría todos y cada uno de estos cuentos individualmente, pero como casi ninguno fue agregado por separado a GR, tuve que conformarme con mi línea única, que espero sea suficiente para recordarme de qué se trata cada historia en general y su punto, si es que decido volver acá para revisarlos, algún día. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★★ "Segunda Opinión." [4.5] (view spoiler)[ Hágase la voluntad de tu madre. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "El Hacha." (view spoiler)[ El hogar es donde está el corazón. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "La Palabra del Médico." (view spoiler)[ Porque lo dije yo. (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "Una Sombra." [3.5] (view spoiler)[ Nace un ★★★★☆ "Calle Lawley." [3.5] (view spoiler)[ ”Si la estatua no va a Mahoma…” (hide spoiler)] ★★★★☆ "El Perro Ciego." [3.5] (view spoiler)[Desaconsejadamente leal. (hide spoiler)] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "El Correo Perdido." [3.5] (view spoiler)[El ★★★☆☆ "El Día del Astrólogo." [3.5] (view spoiler)[ ¡Déjà vu! ¡Veo gente muerta! (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "El Rastro de la Chaqueta Verde." (view spoiler)[Ninguna semi-buena acción queda impune. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ " El Regalo del Portero." (view spoiler)[El gato de Schrödinger. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Simpatía." (view spoiler)[Si tirás una piedra a la alcantarilla sólo saldrá suciedad. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "La Garra del Tigre." (view spoiler)[ “Valentía.” (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Atila." (view spoiler)[ El mejor amigo del ladrón. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Selvi." (view spoiler)[ Estás despedido. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Emden." (view spoiler)[ No puedes enseñarle a un perro viejo nuevas calles. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Vacaciones de la Esposa." (view spoiler)[ El infortunio favorece a los desgraciados. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Fuera de Negocio." (view spoiler)[ Premio mayor. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "El Rincón del Mártir." (view spoiler)[ Los días alegres se acabaron. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Iswaran." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Es peligroso montar caballos imaginarios. (hide spoiler)] ★★★☆☆ "Tanta Perfección." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Dios obra en dedos misteriosos. (hide spoiler)] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "La Ayuda del Padre.” [2.5] (view spoiler)[ El estudiante que lloró maestro. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Cuarenta y Cinco al Mes." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ La nena de papá. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "El Borde." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Anti Baby boomer. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Una Esclava Dispuesta." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ ¿La familia primero? (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Madre e Hijo." [2.5] (view spoiler)[ Madre sabe lo mepeor. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Naga." (view spoiler)[ Serpientes, monos, y rameras. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Dios y el Zapatero." (view spoiler)[ Namaste. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "El Amigo de Leela." (view spoiler)[ Mocosa. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "La Canción de la Serpiente." (view spoiler)[ Encantador de serpientes reacio. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Problema de Motor." (view spoiler)[ No mires el diente a un motor de carretera regalado. (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ "Niño Hambriento." [1.5] (view spoiler)[ Un papá genial 1999. (hide spoiler)] ★☆☆☆☆ "El Gato Dentro." [1.5] (view spoiler)[ Charlatán. (hide spoiler)] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1943] [264p] [Colección] [Parcialmente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 19, 2025
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Aug 07, 2025
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Jul 15, 2025
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Paperback
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| 9501323013
| 9789501323016
| 9501323013
| 4.00
| 34
| Mar 1986
| 1988
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it was ok
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ExhaustKing. A collection of 14 short stories by the argentine all-time legend Jorge Luis Borges. This mangled, torn-cover, decaying used book I bou ExhaustKing. A collection of 14 short stories by the argentine all-time legend Jorge Luis Borges. This mangled, torn-cover, decaying used book I bought at a laughable price, mainly compiles some of the most recognized stories found in Borges’ other best-seller collections, like ‘Fictions’, ‘The Aleph’ (and other stories) and ‘Dreamtigers’. Or so I suppose was the idea. As you may appreciate by the ratings my history with Borges has been plagued with duds, and this little book was no exception. He and I just don’t get along. The man’s intellect clearly works on different plane and I usually can’t follow, nor care to, after a while. But please, don’t be discouraged by my appalling ratings and, if you enjoy this author, just add a +2 and go nuts. Leave me alone. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★☆ “The Circular Ruins.” The Good : ★★★☆☆ “The Aleph.” [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “Funes, the Memorious.” [3.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “The Immortal.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “The Cruel Redeemer Lazarus Morell.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “The Dead.” ★★☆☆☆ “Man on Pink Corner.” ★★☆☆☆ “The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “The South.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “The Garden of Forking Paths.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The Captive.” ★☆☆☆☆ “The Maker.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “Borges and I.” * I read something different from the book listed in GR but this is the closest thing I could find. ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1968] [111p] [Collection] [Conditional Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★☆☆☆ Ficciones ★★☆☆☆ Borges: Cuentos ★☆☆☆☆ Borges profesor: Curso de literatura inglesa en la Universidad de Buenos Aires [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ El tamaño de mi esperanza [0.5] ----------------------------------------------- Agotadios. Una colección de 14 cuentos de la leyenda argentina de todos los tiempos Jorge Luis Borges. Este destrozado libro usado, con la cubierta rota y en plena descomposición que compré a un precio irrisorio, recopila principalmente algunas de las historias más reconocidas que se encuentran en otras colecciones populares de Borges, como ‘Ficciones’, ‘El Aleph’ (y otras historias) y ‘El Hacedor’. O eso supongo era la idea. Como podrán apreciar por las calificaciones, mi historia con Borges ha estado plagada de desaciertos, y este pequeño libro no fue la excepción. Él y yo simplemente no congeniamos. El intelecto del señor claramente funciona en un plano superior y yo normalmente no puedo seguirlo, ni me importa, pasado un tiempo. Pero por favor, no se desanimen por mis pésimas calificaciones y, si disfrutan de este autor, simplemente agreguen un +2 y avanti morocha. Déjenme en paz. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★☆ “Las Ruinas Circulares.” Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ “El Aleph.” [3.5] ★★★☆☆ “Funes, el Memorioso.” [3.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “El Inmortal.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Espantoso Redentor Lazarus Morell.” [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Muerto.” ★★☆☆☆ “Hombre de la Esquina Rosada.” ★★☆☆☆ “El Acercamiento a Almotásim.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Sur.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El Jardín de los Senderos que se Bifurcan.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “El Cautivo.” ★☆☆☆☆ “El Hacedor.” ☆☆☆☆☆ “Borges y yo.” * Leí algo diferente al libro que figura en GR pero esto es lo más parecido que pude encontrar. ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1968] [111p] [Colección] [Recomendable Condicional] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Jun 09, 2025
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Jun 09, 2025
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Paperback
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| 1593963149
| 9781593963149
| 1593963149
| 4.40
| 2,181
| Aug 2005
| Aug 2005
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liked it
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Sinful. The whole thing. The entire Sin City 7 comic collection, in all its glorious B&W noir-ness. What can I say? It lives up to its fame, at least Sinful. The whole thing. The entire Sin City 7 comic collection, in all its glorious B&W noir-ness. What can I say? It lives up to its fame, at least the first two volumes. But the movie! [image] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [2005] [1456p] [Collection] [Conditional Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★★☆ Sin City #1 - The Hard Goodbye. ★★★★☆ Sin City #2 - A Dame to Kill For. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ Sin City #3 - The Big Fat Kill. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ Sin City #4 - That Yellow Bastard. ★★★☆☆ Sin City #5 - Family Values. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ Sin City #6 - Booze, Broads, and Bullets. ★★★☆☆ Sin City #7 - Hell and Back. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ Sin City #1-7 Complete Set. ----------------------------------------------- Pecaminoso, Todo el mambo. Toda la colección completa de 7 cómics de Sin City, en todo su glorioso estilo noir de blanco y negro. ¿Qué puedo decir? Está a la altura de su fama, al menos los primeros dos volúmenes. ¡Pero la película! [image] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [2005] [1456p] [Colección] [Recomendable Condicional] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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1
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Mar 13, 2025
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Jul 16, 2025
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Mar 13, 2025
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Paperback
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| 9506951225
| 9789506951221
| 9506951225
| 3.00
| 1
| unknown
| 1983
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liked it
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Not bad. A collection of short stories by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, one of the greatest Spanish writers of the 19th century. This was a very nice colle Not bad. A collection of short stories by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, one of the greatest Spanish writers of the 19th century. This was a very nice collection, all things considered. Tbh I’m not a fan of Bécquer’s classical style of writing, but certainly can’t deny the value of some of his ideas, or the way he carries them to completion. Also surprised by a notable degree of versatility, in this collection mostly fiction, but sometimes also borderline horror, and even fairy taley, if nothing else. Or maybe this was just an excellent compilation nailed by the editor. Anywho, kudos to both. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★☆ "The Tavern of the Cats." ★★★★☆ "The Passion Rose." [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The White Doe." ★★★☆☆ "The Kiss." [2.5] The Meh : ★☆☆☆☆ "The Voice of the Silence." [1.5] It’s public domain. You can find it HERE. ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1860] [94p] [Collection] [Almost Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- Nada mal. Una colección de cuentos cortos por Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, uno de los más grandes escritores españoles del siglo XIX. Esta fue una colección muy interesante, considerando todo. Sinceramente, no soy un fanático del estilo clásico de escritura de Bécquer, pero ciertamente no puedo negar el valor de algunas de sus ideas, o la forma en que las lleva a completitud. Sorprende también su notable versatilidad, en esta colección mayormente ficción, pero también a veces terror, e incluso estilo cuento de hadas, si no es que más. O tal vez esto fue sólo una excelente compilación realizada por el editor. De cualquier modo, felicitaciones a ambos. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★☆ "La Venta de los Gatos." ★★★★☆ "La Rosa de Pasión." [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "La Corza Blanca." ★★★☆☆ "El Beso." [2.5] Lo Meh : ★☆☆☆☆ "La Voz del Silencio." [1.5] Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar 1 ACA y 2 ACA. ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1860] [94p] [Colección] [Casi Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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1
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Feb 11, 2025
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Feb 15, 2025
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Feb 17, 2025
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Paperback
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| B0DT292Z8V
| 4.02
| 84,395
| 1949
| Oct 2009
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it was ok
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No Jackpot. A collection of 25 short stories by Shirley Jackson, the undisputed Queen of subtle uncomfortableness. After reading so many of Shirley No Jackpot. A collection of 25 short stories by Shirley Jackson, the undisputed Queen of subtle uncomfortableness. After reading so many of Shirley Jackson’s stories, I find her storytelling style somewhat similar to that of Robert Aickman’s, both true masters that excel at the unidentifiable horror of the strange tale, without a doubt. Having that said, I very much enjoy more Aickman’s style, since even though I can never “pinpoint” the horror, I can at least “understand” it. With Jackson, I can never really “see” the horror either, but 80% of the time I can’t even “grasp” it, usually involving having to read an explanation elsewhere to find the “hidden” meaning behind it, which is, as far as I am concerned, not good. She’s an uncanny master of the subtleness, granted, yet sadly, for me, too good for her own good. I mean, what’s the point of reading a story if you can’t even “hint” a meaning? Having to read with a wiki, a dictionary, or an encyclopedia on the side is hardly something to be considered in favor, at least in my regard. And ofc it may happen once in a while, nobody is a genius, but if it’s a constant every single time with the same author, then it’s a problem, right? And I don’t think because of the reader. After all, we are just reading fiction here, not quantum physics. So anywho, that’s my main beef with Shirley, which explains all the lousy ratings. Almost all the 2-stars felt actually like 1-star, but I rounded them “up” because after reading the explanation “elsewhere”, I found that I at least appreciated the ideas. Doesn’t mean I enjoyed any when I read them at the time though. All in all, I can say Shirley Jackson is definitely not my jam, at all, but if it is yours, then by all means just add a plus two to each rating and give this collection a go. On a side note, I also noticed a considerable overuse of children as a plot device to heighten her horror, which I find an effective, yet cheap trick when used too frequently. And looking back at this collection, I find that at least more than half of them involve children in a small or big degree. For whatever it’s worth. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★☆ "The Lottery." [3.5] ★★★★☆ "The Renegade." [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "Flower Garden." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Daemon Lover." ★★★☆☆ "Like Mother Used to Make." ★★★☆☆ "Charles." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Witch." [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "The Dummy." ★★☆☆☆ "Trial by Combat." ★★☆☆☆ "After You, My Dear Alphonse." ★★☆☆☆ "The Intoxicated." ★★☆☆☆ "The Villager." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Afternoon in Linen." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Dorothy and My Grandmother and The Sailors." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Colloquy." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Elizabeth." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Tooth." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "My Life with R. H. Macy." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "A Fine Old Firm." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Seven Types of Ambiguity." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Come Dance with Me in Ireland." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Of Course." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Pillar of Salt." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Got A Letter from Jimmy." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Men with Their Big Shoes." ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1949] [302p] [Collection] [Not Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★☆☆☆ The Lottery and Other Stories. ???????? Dark Tales. ----------------------------------------------- Sin Premio Mayor. Una colección de 25 cuentos de Shirley Jackson, la Reina indiscutible del sutil malestar. Después de leer tantas historias de Shirley Jackson, encuentro su estilo narrativo algo similar al de Robert Aickman, ambos verdaderos maestros que sobresalen en el inidentificable horror del cuento extraño, sin duda. Dicho esto, disfruto mucho más del estilo de Aickman, ya que aunque nunca puedo “detectar” el horror, al menos puedo “entenderlo”. Con Jackson, igual tampoco nunca puedo realmente “ver” el horror, pero el 80% de las veces ni siquiera puedo “captarlo”, lo que generalmente implica tener que leer una explicación en otro lugar para encontrar el “oculto” significado detrás de ello, lo cual, en lo que a mí respecta, no es bueno. Es una asombrosa maestra de la sutileza, concedido, aunque lamentablemente, para mí, es demasiado buena para su propio bien. Quiero decir, ¿de qué sirve leer una historia si ni siquiera puedes “atisbar” un significado? Tener que leer con una wiki, un diccionario, o una enciclopedia al lado no es algo que deba considerarse a favor, al menos en mi opinión. Y claro, puede pasar de vez en cuando, nadie es un genio, pero si es una constante todas las veces con el mismo autor, entonces es un problema, ¿no? Y no creo que sea por el lector. Después de todo, sólo estamos leyendo ficción acá, no física cuántica. Pero bueno, ese es mi principal problema con Shirley, lo que explica todas las pésimas calificaciones. Casi todas las 2 estrellas en realidad son 1 estrella, pero las redondeé "hacia arriba" porque después de leer la explicación "en otra parte", descubrí que al menos apreciaba las ideas. Sin embargo, eso no significa que disfruté ninguna de ellas cuando las leí en ese momento. Considerando todo, puedo decir definitivamente que no soy fan de Shirley Jackson, en absoluto, pero si vos lo sos, entonces simplemente agregá un más dos a cada calificación y probá esta colección. Como nota al margen, también noté un considerable uso excesivo de niños como recurso argumental para aumentar su horror, lo que encuentro un truco efectivo, pero barato, cuando se usa con demasiada frecuencia. Y mirando retrospectivamente esta colección, encuentro que al menos más de la mitad de ellos involucran a niños en mayor o menor medida. Para lo que valga. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★☆ "La Lotería." [3.5] ★★★★☆ "El Renegado." [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "Jardín de Flores." [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "El Amante del Demonio." ★★★☆☆ "Como Solía Hacer mi Madre." ★★★☆☆ "Carlos." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Bruja." [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "El Muñeco." ★★☆☆☆ "Juicio por Combate." ★★☆☆☆ "Después de Ti, mi Querido Alphonse." ★★☆☆☆ "El Ebrio." ★★☆☆☆ "La Pueblerina." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Tarde en Lino." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Dorothy y mi Abuela y los Marineros." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Coloquio." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Elizabeth." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Diente." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Mi Vida con R. H. Macy." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Una Buena Empresa Antigua." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Siete Tipos de Ambigüedad." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Ven a Bailar Conmigo en Irlanda." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Por Supuesto." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Columna de Sal." [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Recibí una Carta de Jimmy." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Hombres con sus Zapatos Grandes." ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1949] [302p] [Colección] [No Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 16, 2025
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Mar 13, 2025
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Feb 15, 2025
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Paperback
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| 0553803700
| 9780553803709
| 0553803700
| 4.21
| 378,102
| Dec 02, 1950
| Jun 2004
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liked it
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Positronic: A User's Manual. A collection of nine short stories by Isaac Asimov, one of the founding pillars of early science fiction. My first Asimo Positronic: A User's Manual. A collection of nine short stories by Isaac Asimov, one of the founding pillars of early science fiction. My first Asimov collection, and probably not the last, though can’t say I’m a fan. This is the first entry in the “Robot” series, which consists of several short story collections and novels, taking place in a timeline before his famous “Foundation” series. As a whole, I can say this collection had a great start with “Robbie”, but consistently declined as it advanced. It’s not that these stories are bad, it’s just they are in a way so similar to each other that they get increasingly tedious over time. With "Runaround", the epic 3 Laws are officially born, and thereafter a new random scenario with a minor tweak to the 3 Laws to create a different outcome/story. After a couple of them, the trick just gets thin very fast, and by the end leaving me an overall feeling that I just read a 9-part philosophical essay about the ethics in field application of Robotics Law. All said and done, I can say I’m especially fond of "Robbie." and "Liar!" The rest, I could’ve lived without. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★★ "Liar!" ★★★★☆ "Robbie." The Good : ★★★☆☆ "The Evitable Conflict." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Runaround." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Evidence." [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Reason." [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Little Lost Robot." ★★☆☆☆ "Catch that Rabbit." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Escape!" [1.5] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1950] [224p] [Collection] [Partly Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ★★★☆☆ Robot # 0.1 - I, Robot ----------------------------------------------- Positrónico: Manual de Usuario. Una colección de nueve cuentos cortos de Isaac Asimov, uno de los fundadores y pilares de la incipiente ciencia ficción. Mi primera colección de Asimov, y probablemente no la última, aunque no puedo decir que sea un fan. Esta es la primera entrada de la serie “Robot”, que consta de varias colecciones de cuentos y novelas, teniendo lugar en una línea temporal anterior a su famosa serie “Foundación.” En general, puedo decir que esta colección tuvo un gran comienzo con “Robbie”, pero que decayó constantemente a medida que avanzaba. No es que estas historias sean malas, es sólo que son tan similares entre sí que se vuelven cada vez más tediosas con el tiempo. Con "Dar Vueltas" nacen oficialmente las épicas 3 Leyes y, posteriormente, un aleatorio nuevo escenario con un pequeño ajuste a las 3 Leyes para crear un resultado/historia diferente. Después de un par de éstas, el truco se gasta terriblemente rápido, dejándome para el final una sensación general de que acabo de leer un ensayo filosófico de 9 partes sobre la ética en la aplicación de campo de Ley Robótica. Dicho y hecho, puedo decir que especialmente disfruté de "Robbie." y "¡Mentiroso!". Del resto, podría haber vivido sin conocerlas. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★★ "¡Mentiroso!" ★★★★☆ "Robbie." Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "El Conflicto Evitable." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Dar vueltas." [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Evidencia." [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Razón." [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Pequeño Robot Perdido." ★★☆☆☆ "Atrapa ese Conejo." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "¡Escapa!" [1.5] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1950] [224p] [Colección] [Parcialmente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Feb 15, 2025
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Jun 25, 2025
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Feb 15, 2025
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Hardcover
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| 8525418110
| 9788525418111
| 8525418110
| 2.71
| 7
| Jan 01, 2008
| 2008
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did not like it
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It stinks! A collection of twelve short stories by Sérgio Faraco. Each story around 6 pages, give or take. A small used book I only read because I g It stinks! A collection of twelve short stories by Sérgio Faraco. Each story around 6 pages, give or take. A small used book I only read because I got it at a ridiculously low price, though it's not like I think it was worth it either. When you have trouble understanding the first sentence of a book, you know you are going to have a problem. And so it was. From the first page I knew I was going to dislike this book terribly, and I wasn’t wrong. This type of gaucho/country literature really hits my nerves like a kick in the balls. I don't dislike the countryside, in fact, I frequently daydream of leaving the city and setting to live on an island or a forest. But this infatuation and culture of the strong gaucho, almost praising of male chauvinism, the whore women, or the incest with the underage cousin or a goat, the smell of dung as rose perfume, or the slaughter of animals as something beautiful; really grates me. Typical gaucho garbage that reminds me greatly of Martín Fierro, or the human misery of Vargas Llosa. Anyway, if you like all that then maybe this book may a ten for you. Whatever. I plan to return it to the used bookstore and, with pleasure, maybe someday I will forget about it. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “Pretty with bugs.” ★★☆☆☆ “There in the field." [1.5] (view spoiler)[ Joca (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ “Two jerks.” [1.5] (view spoiler)[ Anita (hide spoiler)] ★★☆☆☆ “The yellow monkey massacre.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “The flight of the little egret.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “In the fields of Urutaú mooing.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Man." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Brave seven.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Journey." [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “The voice of the heart.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Night of killing a man.” [0.5] ☆☆☆☆☆ “Goodbye to the little birds.” [image] ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1992] [80p] [Collection] [1.5] [Not Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- ¡Apesta! Una colección de doce cuentos cortos por Sérgio Faraco. Cada cuento de 6 páginas, más o menos. Un pequeño libro usado que sólo leí porque lo compré a precio irrisorio, aunque no es que creo que lo valga tampoco. Cuando te cuesta entender la primera oración de un libro, sabés que vas a tener un problema. Y así fue. Desde la primera página supe que me iba a desagradar terriblemente este libro, y no me equivoqué. Este tipo de literatrucha gauchesca/campestre realmente me llega en los nervios como una patada en los huevos. No me desagrada el campo, es mas en más frecuentemente sueño con dejar la ciudad e irme a vivir a una isla o a un bosque. Pero esta cultura del enamoramiento del gaucho fuerte, casi ensalzando el machismo, la mujer puta o el incesto con la prima menor o una cabra, del olor de la bosta como fragancia de rosas, o la faena de animales como algo hermoso; realmente me irrita. Típica basura gauchesca que me recuerda sobremanera a Martín Fierro, o la miseria humana de Vargas Llosa. En fin, si te gusta todo eso entonces tal vez este libro para vos sea un diez. Lo que sea. Pienso devolverlo a la librería de usados y, con agrado, tal vez algún día llegue a olvidarlo. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ “Guapear con bichos.” ★★☆☆☆ “Allá en el campo.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “Dos guachos.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “La masacre del mono amarillo.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “El vuelo de la garcita.” [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ “En los campos del Urutaú mugidor.” [2.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Hombre.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Siete bravo.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Travesía.” [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “La voz del corazón.” ★☆☆☆☆ “Noche de matar un hombre.” [0.5] ☆☆☆☆☆ “Adiós a los pajaritos.” [image] ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1992] [80p] [Colección] [1.5] [No Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 2025
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Feb 02, 2025
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Jan 25, 2025
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Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0553251414
| 9780553251418
| 0553251414
| 3.62
| 159
| Apr 01, 1961
| Jan 01, 1985
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liked it
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6 Masterpieces, 26 Middlepieces and 43 Mehpieces. An old anthology of so called “75 short masterpieces”, in my humble opinion more accurately titled 6 Masterpieces, 26 Middlepieces and 43 Mehpieces. An old anthology of so called “75 short masterpieces”, in my humble opinion more accurately titled as noted above. Like with most anthologies, I was pleasantly delighted to encounter some authors I had never sampled before and really wanted to, like Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Forster and Hardy. New neat finds include: Walter De La Mare, Algren, Haycox and Gorky. Some inevitable acquaintances I already knew that always seem to make it to whatever collection I read, like Poe, Bradbury, Maupassant, Maugham, Chekhov, Greene, O. Henry, S. Jackson, Irving, Quiroga, Bierce and Hawthorne. And many many more authors too, for which I don’t particularly harbor any strong positive or negative feelings about. Except maybe Villiers de L'isle-Adam, who has almost always delivered me exclusively duds. Also a special mention for James Hanley and his “Butterfly” story, who vexed me so much as to inspire me to write my ”The Priest, the Boy and the Slug” in response, in mere five days, and finally initiated me in the authorship path. Thank you for that Hanley. Go for the Best, consider the Good, whatever the Meh. The Best : ★★★★★ "The Three Hermits", by Leo Tolstoy. [4.5] ★★★★☆ "The Heavenly Christmas Tree" , by Fyodor Dostoevsky. [4.5] ★★★★☆ “The Oval Portrait.”, Edgar Allan Poe. ★★★★☆ "The Riddle", by Walter De La Mare. ★★★★☆ "He Swung and He Missed", by Nelson Algren. [3.5] ★★★★☆ "A Question of Blood", by Ernest Haycox. [3.5] The Good : ★★★☆☆ "I See You Never", by Ray Bradbury. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Guardian Angel", by Andre Maurois. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "The False Gems", by Guy De Maupassant. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Ant and the Grasshopper", by Somerset Maugham. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "Her Lover", by Maxim Gorky. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "An Attempt at Reform", by August Strindberg. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Beggar-Woman of Locarno", by Heinrich Von Kleist. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "A Wicked Boy", by Anton Chekhov. ★★★☆☆ "The Sniper", by Liam O'Flaherty. ★★★☆☆ "Virtuoso", by Herbert Goldstone. ★★★☆☆ "Proof Positive", by Graham Greene. ★★★☆☆ "The Lost Soul", by Ben Hecht. ★★★☆☆ "The Phoenix", by Sylvia Townsend Warner. ★★★☆☆ "Fard", by Aldous Huxley. ★★★☆☆ "The Crime on Calle de la Perseguida", by Palacio Valdes. ★★★☆☆ "The Boy Who Drew Cats", by Lafcadio Hearn. ★★★☆☆ "Senor Payroll", by William E Barret. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Exact Science of Matrimony", by O. Henry. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Wife", by Washington Irving. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Charles", by Shirley Jackson. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Kong at the Seaside", by Arnold Zweig. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Test", by Angelica Gibbs. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "The Butterfly", by James Hanley. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "If Not Higher", by Isaac Loeb Perez. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "A Wedding Without Musicians", by Sholem Aleichem. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Luck", by Samuel Clemens. [2.5] The Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Born of Man and Woman", by Richard Matheson. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Chaser", by John Collier. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Fiddler", by Herman Melville. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Pearl of Toledo", by Prosper Merimee. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Bedchamber Mystery", by C. S. Forester. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "How Grandpa Came into the Money", by Elsa Zantner. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Standard of Living", by Dorothy Parker. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Shepherd's Daughter", by William Saroyan. ★★☆☆☆ "The Foreigner", by Francis Steegmuller. ★★☆☆☆ "Three Letters... and a Footnote", by Horacio Quiroga. ★★☆☆☆ "A Dangerous Guy Indeed", by Damon Runyon. ★★☆☆☆ "Mr. Andrews", by E. M. Forster. ★★☆☆☆ "The Ghosts", by Lord Dunsany. ★★☆☆☆ "The Disabled Soldier", by Oliver Goldsmith. ★★☆☆☆ "Slipping Beauty", by Jerome Weidman. ★★☆☆☆ "The Hour of Letdown", by E. B. White. ★★☆☆☆ "Then Came the Legions", by Mackinlay Kantor. ★★☆☆☆ "A Toast to Captain Jerk", by Russell Maloney. ★★☆☆☆ "Over the Hill", by John Steinbeck. ★★☆☆☆ "Fear", by Rhys Davies. ★★☆☆☆ "The Lottery Ticket", by Ventura Garcia Calderon. ★★☆☆☆ "A Psychological Shipwreck", by Ambrose Bierce. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Moonlight Sonata", by Alexander Woollcott. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Kiss", by William Sansom. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "The Father", by Bjornstjerne Bjornson. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Neifile's Story", by Boccaccio. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Absent-Mindedness in a Parish Choir", by Thomas Hardy. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "The Hollow of the Three Hills", by Nathaniel Hawthorne. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "The Wild Duck's Nest", by Michael McLaverty. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Germans at Meat", by Katherine Mansfield. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "How the Devil Lost His Poncho", by Ricardo Palma. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Reginald's Choir Treat", by Saki. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "How Light Belief Bringeth Damage", by Bidpai. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Houseparty", by Walter Bernstein. ★☆☆☆☆ "God", by Eugene Ivanovich Zamiatin. ★☆☆☆☆ "Truth And Consequences", by Brendan Gill. ★☆☆☆☆ "Daughter", by Erskine Caldwell. ★☆☆☆☆ "The Upturned Face", by Stephen Crane. ★☆☆☆☆ "The Scoop", by James T. Farrell. ★☆☆☆☆ "A Game Of Billiards", by Alphonse Daudet. ★☆☆☆☆ "The Doctor's Heroism", by Villiers de L'isle-Adam. ★☆☆☆☆ "The Three Veterans", by Leane Zugsmith. ☆☆☆☆☆ "Tom Varnish", by Richard Steele. ----------------------------------------------- PERSONAL NOTE : [1961] [283p] [Anthology] [2.5] [Partially Recommendable] ----------------------------------------------- 6 Obras Maestras, 26 Obras Intermedias y 43 Obras Meh. Una antigua antología de llamadas “75 obras maestras”, en mi humilde opinión titulada con mayor precisión como señalo ahí arriba. Como ocurre con la mayoría de las antologías, tuve el placer de encontrarme con algunos autores que nunca antes había probado y que tenía muchas ganas de conocer, como Dostoievski, Tolstoi, Forster y Hardy. Nuevos hallazgos interesantes incluyen: Walter De La Mare, Algren, Haycox y Gorky. Algunos inevitables personajes que ya conocía y que siempre parecen aparecer en cualquier colección que lea, como Poe, Bradbury, Maupassant, Maugham, Chekhov, Greene, O. Henry, S. Jackson, Irving, Quiroga, Bierce y Hawthorne. Y también muchos más autores, por los cuales no albergo ningún sentimiento positivo o negativo. Excepto tal vez Villiers de L'isle-Adam, que casi siempre me ha entregado exclusivamente decepciones. A su vez una mención especial para James Hanley y su historia “Mariposa”, que me molestó tanto que me inspiró a escribir mi ”El Cura, el Niño y la Babosa” en respuesta, en apenas cinco días, y finalmente me inició en el camino de la autoría. Gracias por eso Hanley. Ir por lo Mejor, considerar lo Bueno, loquesea lo Meh. Lo Mejor : ★★★★★ "Los Tres Ermitaños", de Leo Tolstoy. [4.5] ★★★★☆ “El Arbol de Navidad Celestial”, de Fyodor Dostoevsky. [4.5] ★★★★☆ “El Retrato Ovalado.”, de Edgar Allan Poe. ★★★★☆ "El Acertijo", de Walter De La Mare. ★★★★☆ "Él Lanzó y Falló", de Nelson Algren. [3.5] ★★★★☆ "Una Cuestión de Sangre", de Ernest Haycox. [3.5] Lo Bueno : ★★★☆☆ "Nunca te Veré", de Ray Bradbury. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "El Angel de la Guarda", de André Maurois. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "Las Joyas Falsas", de Guy De Maupassant. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Hormiga y el Saltamontes", de Somerset Maugham. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "Su Amante", de Maxim Gorky. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "Un Intento de Reforma", de August Strindberg. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Mendiga de Locarno", de Heinrich Von Kleist. [3.5] ★★★☆☆ "Un Niño Malvado", de Antón Chéjov. ★★★☆☆ "El Francotirador", de Liam O'Flaherty. ★★★☆☆ "Virtuoso", de Herbert Goldstone. ★★★☆☆ "Prueba Positiva", de Graham Greene. ★★★☆☆ "El Alma Perdida", de Ben Hecht. ★★★☆☆ "El Fénix", de Sylvia Townsend Warner. ★★★☆☆ "Fardo", de Aldous Huxley. ★★★☆☆ “El Crimen de la Calle de la Perseguida”, de Palacio Valdés. ★★★☆☆ "El Niño que Dibujaba Gatos", de Lafcadio Hearn. ★★★☆☆ “Señor Nómina”, de William E Barret. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Ciencia Exacta del Matrimonio”, de O. Henry. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Esposa", de Washington Irving. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Charles", de Shirley Jackson. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Kong a la Orilla del Mar", de Arnold Zweig. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Prueba", de Angelica Gibbs. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "La Mariposa", de James Hanley. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ “Si No Más Alto”, de Isaac Loeb Pérez. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Una Boda Sin Músicos", de Sholem Aleichem. [2.5] ★★★☆☆ "Suerte", de Samuel Clemens. [2.5] Lo Meh : ★★☆☆☆ "Nacido del Hombre y de la Mujer", de Richard Matheson. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Cazador", de John Collier. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Violinista", de Herman Melville. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "La Perla de Toledo", de Prosper Merimee. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Misterio del Dormitorio", de C. S. Forester. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Cómo el Abuelo Ganó el Dinero", de Elsa Zantner. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Nivel de Vida", de Dorothy Parker. [2.5] ★★☆☆☆ "La Hija del Pastor ", de William Saroyan. ★★☆☆☆ "El Extranjero", de Francis Steegmuller. ★★☆☆☆ “Tres Cartas… y una Nota al Pie”, de Horacio Quiroga. ★★☆☆☆ "Un Tipo Realmente Peligroso", de Damon Runyon. ★★☆☆☆ "Sr. Andrews", de E. M. Forster. ★★☆☆☆ "Los Fantasmas", de Lord Dunsany. ★★☆☆☆ "El Soldado Discapacitado", de Oliver Goldsmith. ★★☆☆☆ "Belleza Resbaladiza", de Jerome Weidman. ★★☆☆☆ "La Hora de la Decepción", de E. B. White. ★★☆☆☆ "Luego Vinieron las Legiones", de Mackinlay Kantor. ★★☆☆☆ "Un Brindis por el Capitán Idiota", de Russell Maloney. ★★☆☆☆ "Sobre la Colina", de John Steinbeck. ★★☆☆☆ "Miedo", de Rhys Davies. ★★☆☆☆ “El Billete de Lotería”, de Ventura García Calderón. ★★☆☆☆ "Un Naufragio Psicológico", de Ambrose Bierce. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "Sonata Claro de Luna”, de Alexander Woollcott. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Beso", de William Sansom. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "El Padre", de Bjornstjerne Bjornson. [1.5] ★★☆☆☆ "La Historia de Neifile", de Boccaccio. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Distracción en un Coro Parroquial", de Thomas Hardy. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "El Hueco de las Tres Colinas", de Nathaniel Hawthorne. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "El Nido del Pato Salvaje", de Michael McLaverty. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Alemanes en la Carne", de Katherine Mansfield. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ “Cómo el Diablo perdió su Poncho”, de Ricardo Palma. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "El Regalo del Coro de Reginald", de Saki. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Cómo la Creencia en la Luz Trae Daño", de Bidpai. [1.5] ★☆☆☆☆ "Fiesta en Casa", de Walter Bernstein. ★☆☆☆☆ "Dios", de Eugene Ivanovich Zamiatin. ★☆☆☆☆ "Verdad y Consecuencias", de Brendan Gill. ★☆☆☆☆ "Hija", de Erskine Caldwell. ★☆☆☆☆ "La Cara Vuelta Hacia Arriba", de Stephen Crane. ★☆☆☆☆ "La Primicia", de James T. Farrell. ★☆☆☆☆ "Un Juego de Billar", de Alphonse Daudet. ★☆☆☆☆ "Las Tres Veteranas", de Leane Zugsmith. ★☆☆☆☆ "El Heroísmo del Doctor", de Villiers de L'isle-Adam. ☆☆☆☆☆ "Tom Varnish", de Richard Steele. ----------------------------------------------- NOTA PERSONAL : [1961] [283p] [Antología] [2.5] [Parcialmente Recomendable] ----------------------------------------------- ...more |
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Nov 18, 2024
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Jan 30, 2025
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Nov 17, 2024
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 4.29
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it was amazing
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Aug 10, 2014
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 4.62
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really liked it
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Feb 2004
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 4.50
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really liked it
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Jul 2014
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 4.17
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it was ok
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Mar 31, 2024
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 4.34
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it was ok
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Apr 04, 2024
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 4.17
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it was ok
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Apr 2024
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 4.09
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liked it
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Apr 03, 2024
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Oct 03, 2025
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| 3.60
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it was ok
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Sep 13, 2025
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Sep 13, 2025
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| 3.92
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liked it
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Sep 21, 2025
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Aug 25, 2025
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| 3.79
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it was ok
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Sep 03, 2025
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Aug 24, 2025
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| 4.16
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it was ok
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Sep 08, 2025
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Aug 18, 2025
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| 4.05
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liked it
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Aug 24, 2025
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Aug 15, 2025
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| 4.21
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liked it
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Aug 07, 2025
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Jul 15, 2025
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| 4.00
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it was ok
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Jul 03, 2025
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Jun 09, 2025
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| 4.40
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liked it
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Jul 16, 2025
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Mar 13, 2025
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| 3.00
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liked it
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Feb 15, 2025
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Feb 17, 2025
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| 4.02
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it was ok
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Mar 13, 2025
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Feb 15, 2025
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| 4.21
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liked it
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Jun 25, 2025
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Feb 15, 2025
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| 2.71
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did not like it
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Feb 02, 2025
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Jan 25, 2025
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| 3.62
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liked it
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Jan 30, 2025
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Nov 17, 2024
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