Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
31(31%)
4 stars
29(29%)
3 stars
40(40%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Gross! That's what comes to mind when I think of icky-sticky poo poo. It's not only revolting but also incredibly boring at the same time.

You know, that kind of situation where you're faced with something that is just plain unappealing and makes you want to turn away in disgust. It's like a never-ending cycle of yuckiness.

Whether it's a physical mess or a dull and uninteresting task, icky-sticky poo poo has a way of draining your energy and enthusiasm. It can make even the simplest of things seem like a chore.

But hey, life is full of these not-so-pleasant moments. We just have to find a way to deal with them and move on. Maybe try to find some small glimmer of hope or something positive in the midst of the icky-sticky poo poo. Because let's face it, sometimes we just have to grin and bear it.

So, the next time you encounter something that is gross, icky-sticky poo poo and boring all at once, take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to tackle it head-on. You might just surprise yourself and find a way to make it a little less yucky and a whole lot more bearable.

July 15,2025
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The author of Watership Down showcases his remarkable storytelling skills once again, this time by delving into the English ghost story tradition.

This captivating novel features an intricately crafted plot and an erotic supernatural romance that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, especially as you approach the shocking finale.

I can't recall ever reading a novel that managed to create a more believable and authentic romance, only to shatter it in the most unexpected way.

Be forewarned: this is one of those books that offers a great deal of reward (or frustration, depending on your perspective) but also demands a significant investment from the reader.

In the end, it forces you to grapple with complex emotions and themes, leaving you with a lasting impression.
July 15,2025
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Second time through.

It was even more rewarding this time.

The book has accompanied me throughout the years.

When I learned of Richard Adams' passing, I immediately felt the urge to read this again.

It has been approximately 36 years since I first came across it as a 15-year-old in the library, remembering that he was the author who wrote the fascinating book about the rabbits, Hazel and Fiver.

The Girl in a Swing is just as captivating all these years later and is truly excellent.

May you rest in eternal peace, Mr. Adams.

Thank you for the wonderfully imaginative stories that have enriched our lives.

July 15,2025
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I hardly know how to describe this book.

At the beginning, it progressed very slowly, and I seriously doubted whether I would have the patience to persevere and work my way through it. However, all of a sudden, it managed to capture my attention completely. As a result, I ended up reading the last 200 pages in one sitting.

It is truly, truly very different from Watership Down. In fact, it's almost难以置信 that it was penned by the same author. While Watership Down was a social commentary, The Girl in a Swing delves into the supernatural realm while also tying it in with Christian theology.

I had been forewarned that the book was depressing, but surprisingly, I didn't really find it to be so. It was indeed sad, and at times both troubling and disturbing. But clearly, I'm not very adept at deciphering clues. It wasn't until almost the very end that I was able to figure out what the secret was. And suddenly, a great many of the earlier theological debates began to make sense.

A significant portion of the book is set in Copenhagen, Denmark. I must admit that I was absolutely overjoyed by all the references to places that I'm familiar with. Moreover, the inclusion of all those Danish words was a real treat - it's extremely rare to come across such a thing.

Overall, this book was a unique and captivating read that left a lasting impression on me.
July 15,2025
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This was extremely slow-paced. I seriously wondered whether I would be able to finish it or not. I truly love Richard Adams's writing, but "The Girl on a Swing" just didn't click with me at all.

I really hated Karin. The first 300 pages seemed almost completely useless to the plot. The pace only picked up in the last 100 or so pages, which I absolutely adored. However, the rest of it just felt so dreadfully dull.

The story was nothing like as mystical as I had expected. Apart from Karin constantly carrying her guilt around and intoxicating Alan while pretending to be a nice, perfect little girl (I mean, isn't she supposed to be an adult?), she was such a toxic character. But, incredibly, no one seemed to realize that she was. It was quite baffling.

Overall, I was rather disappointed with this book despite my initial anticipation.
July 15,2025
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An odd novel, in places beautiful, in others plodding.

Among other things, it is a love story between reserved, self-effacing English porcelain expert Alan and East German expatriate secretary Käthe, whom he meets on business in Copenhagen.

Neither are accustomed to thinking of or expecting love or tenderness, and both are endearingly vulnerable.

What begins as an enchanting little romance that sweeps them both off their feet soon evolves into a spiritual connection, a whirlwind marriage, and mutually delightful erotic discovery.

But even though their entire story takes place over a mere six weeks, soon their lovemaking interludes become tedious in repetition - a development I find quite sad.

With a little more care, and perhaps a little less spelling-it-out, Adams could have captured the joy of the honeymoon with all the luminous wonder he lavished on their falling in love.

Meanwhile Alan's parapsychological abilities, established somewhat perplexingly in the beginning of the story, lend themselves to a mounting mood of, if not exactly horror, at very least of something profoundly, disturbingly amiss.

Like Alan, the reader too experiences a nagging sense of "What am I missing? What do I not see happening? What clues am I not putting together?"

A single moment of foreshadowing during a prenuptial conversation between Käthe and Alan stands out like a sore thumb - and yet even then, neither Alan nor the reader quite catches on.

Adams develops his numinous ghost-story element to be, by the end, as solid as an anvil, and the realization of who the ghost IS becomes a heartbreaking indictment of the narrow expectations both "eligible young men" and "polite society" hold regarding "marriageable women".

This element of social criticism may seem dated or at least heavy-handed 33 years after publication, but it will ring true of the past at least to those who recall a time when any familial encumbrance was seen as a grave impediment to a young woman's social or marital aspirations.
July 15,2025
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4.6 out of 5.

I read this book in the late 80s. The main reason was that Mike Scott of the Waterboys had said it was his favourite book.

It is nothing like Watership Down. Instead, it is a love story, a horror story, and a tragedy all rolled into one.

There were some truly beautiful descriptive passages that painted vivid pictures in my mind. At the same time, there were also some terrifying episodes that sent shivers down my spine.

Thirty years later, this book still haunts me. It has stayed with me all these years, and I find myself constantly thinking about it.

I would really like to reread it, but I am afraid that the 50-year-old me will not be moved in the same way as the 20-year-old me was.

Should I go back and revisit this book? Will it have the same impact on me now as it did then? These are the questions that keep swirling in my mind.

I guess only time will tell if I have the courage to take that leap and rediscover this literary gem.
July 15,2025
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I read this when it was brand new, more than thirty years ago.

My younger self was completely in awe of it and raced through it almost without taking a break.

It has perhaps been undeservedly forgotten, just like his other works.

This piece of writing held a special charm for me back then. It was as if it had a magical pull that made me unable to put it down.

The words seemed to flow effortlessly, captivating my attention from the very first sentence.

However, over the years, it has unfortunately slipped into obscurity.

Maybe it's because of the passage of time or the changing literary landscape.

But whatever the reason, it's a pity that such a wonderful work has been overlooked.

I often think about that young me who was so enthralled by this piece and wonder if others would have felt the same way if they had discovered it.

Perhaps one day, it will be rediscovered and given the recognition it truly deserves.

Until then, it will remain a hidden gem in my memory.

July 15,2025
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Not my cup of tea.

I feel like this story could have been told much faster. It seems to drag on and on, making it a bit of a chore to get through.

The pacing is just too slow for my taste. Maybe if the author had cut out some of the unnecessary details and focused more on the main plot, it would have been a more engaging read.

As it is, I find myself losing interest halfway through. I think there are other stories out there that would be a better fit for me, ones that are more exciting and fast-paced.

Overall, while this story may have some redeeming qualities, it's just not for me. I'll be on the lookout for something else to read that will capture my attention from start to finish.
July 15,2025
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DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a crucial part of the Internet infrastructure.

On 3/6/2021, the DNS played an important role in ensuring the proper functioning of websites and online services.

DNS translates human-readable domain names, such as www.example.com, into IP addresses that computers can understand.

This allows users to access websites and other online resources simply by typing in the domain name.

Without DNS, the Internet would be much more difficult to use, as users would have to remember the IP addresses of every website they wanted to visit.

The DNS system is constantly evolving to meet the growing demands of the Internet.

New technologies and protocols are being developed to improve the security, performance, and reliability of DNS.

Overall, DNS is an essential part of the Internet that enables users to access the information and services they need quickly and easily.
July 15,2025
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This little gem is truly a remarkable piece of literature. It defies simple categorization as it neatly fits into multiple descriptions beyond just fiction. It showcases all the wonderful qualities of Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Horror, and British Lit. In fact, when it comes to gothic romance, it ranks right up there with the likes of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.


The story begins with a classic scenario: boy meets girl and both fall head over heels in love. However, there is a significant hurdle in their path. Before the heroine can relocate from Scandinavia to marry her newfound English love, she must address the issue of her young daughter.


The heroine's love is so intense that she is willing to do anything to be with her beloved. But this "anything" proves to be deeply troubling, not only for the reader but also for the lovers within the book.


This book has the power to horrify you, so it is advisable to proceed with caution. :D
July 15,2025
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The only other book by this author that I have read is Watership Down. That was a long time ago, but I vividly recall loving it.

This book, however, is no Watership Down. It is so incredibly confusing that I am seriously tempted to accuse Adams of starting it up at different times and completely forgetting what he had already set down.

It purports to be 'horror', but I was not horrified in the least, if you don't count my reaction to his rather muddled writing. There was some rather steamy sex in it, but it started with impotence, so I am really not sure what we were supposed to make of either aspect.

To be honest, I am not sure what to make of the book as a whole. I will say that I did manage to learn something about pottery - yes, pottery of all things. It was an unexpected bit of knowledge that I gained from this otherwise rather perplexing read.

Perhaps if I were to read it again, I might be able to make more sense of it, but for now, I am left with a sense of confusion and mild disappointment.
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