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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
An Important UnderratedRead Revisited: The Least Among Us: Waging the Battle for the Vulnerable – Rosa DeLauro
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Morally speaking, the social safety net acknowledges that we are accountable to one another. It originated from our recognition that the vulnerable and the poor are not alien populations; they are us, in certain times and … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged ACA, American politics, congress, NAFTA, Obamacare, poverty, Religion, women's rights
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Gigolo: Inside the Secret World of the Super Rich – Ben Foster, Clifford Thurlow
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…I had plenty of money but always needed more. I had thought of myself as a healer when I started work at the spa. I had turned into a total slut. I played every client until … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, History, Politics and Social Justice
Tagged Britain, class, massage, prostitution, rich, society
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Poso Wells- Gabriela Alemán (Translated from the Spanish by Dick Cluster)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Something crouches in the streets of Poso Wells, and it attaches the nerves like a persistent drumbeat. Whatever it is haunts the dreams of the residents, panting I their faces, slobbering them with noxious saliva and … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Latin American Literature, Political fiction, World Issues, World Literature
Tagged corruption, Crime, cults, Ecuador, noir, politics
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The Third Hotel: A Novel – Laura van den Berg
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “The foundation of horror is a dislocation of reality, a dislocation designed to reveal the reality that has been there all along, and such dislocations happen all the time. “ That was according to the fictional … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Horror, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged cinema, Cuba, death, grief, Havana, Latin America, noir, surrealism
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Absinthe: A Thriller – Guido Eekhaut
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “His methods are unconventional at best and border on illegal at times. And his opinion of women, well, I won’t go into that topic.” This is what AIVD Chief inspector Alexandra Dewaal has to deal with … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Political fiction, World Issues, World Literature
Tagged Crime, European fiction, Netherlands, politics, Russia
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From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia – Michael McFaul
(Reviewed by Cathy Carey) “I have spent the greater part of my life trying to deepen relations between Russia and the United States. But in 2014 all these efforts seemed for naught. Heightening my sense of frustration, I was banned … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction, Politics and Social Justice, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged cold war, diplomacy, Obama, Putin, Russia, treason, Trump
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Serial Killers: Horror and Murder: Scary and True Stories of the Most Terrifying Serial Killers the World has Ever Seen! – Frank C. Chastain
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Don’t be fooled by the book cover! You may think it was taken right out of a tabloid headline. No, Serial Killers takes a mostly objective look at some of the world’s darkest and most notorious … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, History
Tagged Crime, murder, psychopaths, serial killers
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An UnderratedRead Revisited: Fardwor, Russia!: A Fantastical Tale of Life Under Putin – Oleg Kashin (Author), Max Seddon (Introduction), Will Evans (Translator)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Fardwor, Ruissa!” The girls at the mental hospital mean “Forward, Russia!”, but it doesn’t come out that way, and as everything else, is blown out of proportion. That is one aside but amusing part of the political satire, … Continue reading
Crook’s Hollow – Robert Parker
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “You should have got on with it.” Those were the only words that twenty-five year old Thorton “Thor” Loxley remembered from his assailant. But that would not be the only attempt on his life. Thor didn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged England, fiction, mystery
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Trump’s Trojan Horse – Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Legendary poet and long-time defender of free speech, Lawrence Ferlinghetti reads his new poem “Trump’s Trojan Horse”. Check it out below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29N5HqBAkeU When you’re in San Francisco, visit City Lights Booksellers & Publishers which he co-founded in 1953. Then wander … Continue reading
Posted in Let's talk, Poetry
Tagged beat generation, poetry, San Francisco
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