Five-word book and movie reviews: A headline summary of each work I've read and watched this month. Enjoy!
When You're An Outsider Everywhere
Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return - Marjane Satrapi
Marjane's story continues in Vienna, where she feels like an outsider among friends who've never seen war. After she finishes school, loves and loses, and lives on the street, she returns to Iran, only to find she now feels like an outsider there. If you've read Persepolis 1, you really should know how her story continues.
Nigerian Perspective On Race In America
Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Ifemelu grew up in Nigeria. She comes to America for college, leaving behind her long-time boyfriend, Obinze, whose path takes him to London as an undocumented immigrant. The book follows both their lives. Not only is the commentary on race in America poignant and needed, but it's also just a great story about love and belonging with real, complex characters.
Preconceptions Worse Than Big Noses
Flawed - Andrea Dorfman
Andrea is an artist who falls in love a plastic surgeon, even though she's determined not to like him from the start. A series of events forces her to confront her feelings about herself and Dave the plastic surgeon and disregard her preconceptions. A cute, quick read.
Real World Isn't Like College
Adult World
Recent college graduate Amy is trying to get her poetry published and is pretty financially irresponsible in the process. She eventually realizes the real world is not as easy as getting A's in school, and she grows up (at least a little) in the process. Her character reminded me of so many people I know, myself included.
Not As Good As The Books
Persepolis
Still worth watching, even if it isn't as good as the books. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is interesting. It just lacks some of the detail of the two books.
Must Watch If You Haven't
Precious
Precious is illiterate, overweight, poor, bullied, pregnant by her father for a second time and abused by her mother. Once a teacher starts believing in her, she sees an opportunity to change her life. Parts of this movie are hard to watch, and that's exactly why you should.
You're Better Off Without Money
Generation Wealth
This is a documentary compilation of photographer Lauren Greenfield's work over the past 25 years. She photographed and talked to some pretty interesting people, and shows once again that money can't buy you happiness.
Pick This Before Anything Else:
Americanah. Let me sing the praises of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's writing: Beautiful, poetic, descriptive, nuanced. The observations about race and belonging were impactful and relatable, even for me, a white person who's never been an immigrant. I think everyone can identify with Ifemelu and Obinze in some capacity because they are such a real and complex depiction of love and belonging.
P.S. Precious is my top movie pick.
Which book are you most likely to read based on its five-word review? What movie most interests you? How would you summarize one of the selections above in five words? Let me know in the comments below. if you're looking for more reading recommendations, check out my five-word book reviews for November.