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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Author Archives: J D Jung
Happy Life – David Foenkinos (Author), Sam Taylor (Translator)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Eric Kherson is forty years old, divorced, has little contact with his son, and is struggling to find meaning in his life. He makes a good living but feels disconnected from both his personal life and … Continue reading
Posted in French Literature, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged French literature, life, purpose
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Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop – Alba Donati (Author), Elena Pala (Translator)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “People want stories; it doesn’t matter who wrote them, they need stories to take their mind off things, stories to identify with or to take them elsewhere. Stories that won’t hurt, that will heal a wound, … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Italian Literature
Tagged bookstores, Italian literature, memoirs
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Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt – Ben Reeves
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt offers a fascinating and deeply original perspective on death through the character of Travis Smith, who is death in human form. Rather than causing death or deciding who dies, Travis … Continue reading
An UnderratedRead Revisited on this 4th of July:America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State – Randall Balmer
(Reviewed by JD Jung) For years Americans have taken for granted the most cherished and essential constitutional principles, one being the separation of Church and State. Historian and ordained minister Randall Balmer presents a timely, thoughtful, and deeply researched examination … Continue reading
Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip Across America with Einstein’s Brain – Michael Paterniti
(Reviewed by JD Jung) I first heard about this book the way all the best recommendations happen — from a stranger in a secondhand bookstore. During a visit to Nashville, I ducked into Defunct Books and asked the bookseller for … Continue reading
An Exceptional UnderratedReads Revisited: Pancakes in Paris: Living the American Dream in France – Craig Carlson
(Reviewed by J.D. Jung) “I spoke of my favorite city and how beautiful it was…How all it needed was an American breakfast joint, and then it would be perfect!” Former Hollywood screenwriter, Craig Carlson, wanted to live his dream and … Continue reading
An UnderratedRead Revisited: Selamlik – Khaled Alesmael (translated from the Arabic by Leri Price)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “I am so glad I was born in Syria and get to be young in Damascus, no matter the fear and danger. I love Damascus even if she is cruel to me.” Our narrator Furat lives … Continue reading
An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants – Orlando Ortega-Media
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “We were a family of emigrants, on the move from generation to generation. Forced to flee our homes because of intolerable situations imposed on us by those in power. The United States was meant to be … Continue reading
Lisette – Clare Castleberry
(Reviewed by JD Jung) I’ll be honest — erotic horror isn’t usually my genre. But after enjoying Clare Castleberry’s Bound by Blood, I gave Lisette a chance, and I’m glad I did. Set against the gritty backdrop of New Orleans … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Horror
Tagged horror, murder, New Orleans, sex, short books
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An Excellent UnderratedRead Revisited:The Riddle of the Sphinx – Alexandre Montagu
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Eric (Keyvan) fled Iran as a child during the Islamic revolution and grew up in Paris. He later studied Comparative Literature at Princeton. That is one scenario. What would have happened if he was forced … Continue reading