Retellings, Romance & Wrapping Gifts 🎁 a reading vlog

TL;DR

"Red Riding Hood" by Sarah Blackley Cartwright is a disappointing book based on the screenplay of the 2011 movie, while "These Violent Delights" by Chloe Gong is an intriguing retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1926 Shanghai.

Transcript

hey welcome back to another weekly reading vlog today is wednesday uh simply because i haven't been able to film for the past couple days because there's been too much construction noise and sounds in my building but we're here now which means i have a lot of books to talk about this first one i'm trying to tell myself is funny situation instead of... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫠 "Red Riding Hood" by Sarah Blackley Cartwright is a disappointing read, with underwhelming writing and inconsistent elements.
• 😫 "These Violent Delights" by Chloe Gong offers an intriguing retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1926 Shanghai, with a strong plot and interesting historical and cultural elements.
• 😥 The reviewer appreciates the setting and period details in "These Violent Delights," although the writing is noted as a weak point.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main critique of "Red Riding Hood"?

The reviewer found "Red Riding Hood" to be underwhelming, inconsistent in its writing and character traits, and lacking a satisfying conclusion.

Q: How does "These Violent Delights" differ from the original Romeo and Juliet story?

In "These Violent Delights," the main characters, Juliet and Roma, are childhood friends with a complicated history. The story is set in 1926 Shanghai and incorporates elements of a blood feud between rival gangs.

Q: What are the strengths of "These Violent Delights"?

The reviewer praises the plot and setting of "These Violent Delights," particularly the historical and cultural aspects of 1926 Shanghai. The characters and their relationships, as well as the incorporation of fantastical elements, are also highlighted as strong points.

Q: How does the reviewer describe the writing in "These Violent Delights"?

The writing in "These Violent Delights" is described as not particularly strong, with some typos noted. However, the engaging plot and setting make up for this weakness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The reviewer expresses disappointment with "Red Riding Hood" as a retelling of the classic fairy tale, describing it as underwhelming, inconsistent, and irritating.

• "These Violent Delights" is praised for its plot and setting, with the reviewer enjoying the historical and cultural elements of 1926 Shanghai. The writing is noted as a weak point, but the story and characters are still engaging.