Biblioteca de la EOI de Oviedo

Título: Gulliver’s Travels

Autor: Johnathan Swift

Editorial: Penguin Classics

Obra adaptada: NO

Reseña: Gulliver’s Travels is a book written by Jonathan Swift in 1726 and tells us the story of the different adventures that the main character Lemuel Gulliver, an intelligent and well-educated man, lives in his travels.
Behind the detailed descriptions and adventures that Gulliver experiences, there is something behind. I could notice some kind of criticism towards the society in general, Swift did not use lands inhabited by giants, horses or diminutive creatures by chance, he was trying to present how ridicule our society can be or presenting it as a threat. If we pay attention we can find criticism towards different fields: politics, science and finally mankind in general terms. Gulliver’s Travels was a controversial work when it was published. In fact, it was not until ten years after its first printing that the book appeared with the complete text that Swift had written.
I really enjoyed reading it although sometimes I found it a bit hard because of the exhaustive descriptions. In any case I encourage you to read it because you will have a good time and at the same time you will know one of the most satirical writer of the18th century English literature.

Valoración: 5/5

Sara García Ruisánchez

Título: Thinks…

Autor: David Lodge

Editorial: Penguin Books

Obra adaptada: NO

Reseña: Have you ever desired to go deeper in other people’s mind? Especially to know what are the sensations your partner has about the things you do together? With David Lodge’s Thinks… you’ll find some examples of what goes on in a successful scientist and in a recently bereaved woman’s minds from the moment they meet.
David Lodge mixes funny and informative dialogues with a little part of sex, which is described in an absolutely witty way. The book is written in a peculiar form I had never tried before. It is written in both first and third person, but it happens that sometimes the first person is Helen and others Ralph as both are commenting on what has happened and how they have felt during the days, and during their moments together.
At first it was a bit difficult for me to understand who was talking because of the mixture of narrators, however I must admit that I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes it makes you think about the reality of our minds, are we machines? Can we be substituted by them? And what about the chapters talking about sex?, I must admit that at first I was shocked in some way, I suppose it was because I had never read something like that, but as I said before it’s written in a witty and also funny way, what makes it “enjoyable”. I do strongly recommend you this book, especially for those, who as I said before would love to know what is going on in others’ minds.

Valoración: 5/5

Rocío Álvarez Escudero