raphaelly - Tumblr blog

[raphaelly]

Tudors ladies in love

[raphaelly]

paris in the winter fog (2022)

[raphaelly]

Kiwami Shin as Jacqueline in Me and My Girl (2023)

[raphaelly]

Rose of Versailles (1972) by Riyoko Ikeda

[raphaelly]

im going to complain for a sec about something arbitrary but as expected ppl rbing the news abt greece legalising gay marriage and adoption are being so unfunny abt it like "haha werent they always gay since ancient times" or "nice to see greece embracing tradition" straight up saw multiple people make references to aphrodite or the greek gods like can u shut up 😭 its not even funny you dont know anything abt this country

[raphaelly]

If you ever wanted to see a concept of what Tod could look like in a different dress, here you go 🤗

[raphaelly]

Thoughts on Dogra Magra

“Dogra magra” was a book I wanted to read for a very long time. Even before I read “Hashihime of the old book town” I was interested in it and, of course, after reading “Hashihime…” my interest only became stronger. I got the book in October of last year but I was putting off reading it because I didn't have enough time. But now, finally, after all this time, I read it. And it was definitely one of a kind experience.

The book itself actually was quite different than I expected. I was anticipating a continuous text focusing on the struggles of the main character and following his descent into madness. And sure, part of a book is like that. But another, much bigger part, is composed of several different texts, some pseudo-buddhist, some pseudoscientific. Combination of all these different genres and continuous switching between makes you feel extremely bizarre when reading. Some of the pseudoscientific parts felt a bit dragged on and made me lose the sense of what exactly was going on but otherwise all the parts and all the styles were mixed together quite well.

Structure of the story was the most interesting thing about it and, I'd say, the main point of this book. The plot, the actions of the characters, everything had already been decided for them, they don’t have any agency in this story. The loop, the neverending recursion that drags both characters and you deeper, and deeper, and deeper to the point where it’s impossible tell where and when exactly did you start and if you will ever reach the end at all — this is what drives the story, and this is what leaves the strongest impression, this is what makes you think and feel the most.

When you reach the end of the book you immediately want to go back to the beginning to start again — not only because of the realisation that now all the little scattered details will make more sense but also because… what if this time the loop can be broken? What if this time the fetus will end its nightmare and will be born to this world? Despite knowing that everything will still be the same, the book draws you to read it again and again.

This story doesn't have a linear, completely comprehensible plot. It doesn't give you definite answers to all the questions; in the end I wasn't even sure which questions I should be asking at all. And exactly for that I loved it so much. At first you are presented with some seemingly certain questions to which you expect to get proper answers. But with each page you read you start to doubt — the characters, the author, yourself as a reader. And in the end you are left with nothing but the sense of inevitable repetition, of everything going back to where it started and never changing, never going forward.

Amazing read. For me personally it was 10/10. I definitely can’t recommend this book to everyone because I can see why many people wouldn’t enjoy it. But if you’re looking for something unusual and bizzare this one may be just for you. I look forward to the English translation by Demon Crane Press because I feel like experiencing this book in another language will be worth it. And I hope that one day my Japanese will be good enough to read the original.

[raphaelly]

oops just realized i posted the wrong version of ruthlessness LMAO. there isn't much difference just the additional length. Prev for context

[raphaelly]

when does a man become a monsterrrr

[raphaelly]

i know everyone (including me) loves the teatro comunale di bologna posters but i feel like we need to talk about the don giovanni one. they understand the assignment, which is 'this guy has to look like a trust fund grade-A SHITHEAD'. truly incredible

[raphaelly]

I am so happy, I don't need anything else anymore, look at her

(I am assuming that the first pic is her cosplay on Don Juan in her pb, but I genuinely need someone to confirm this, because I literally have seen it only once)

[raphaelly]

i hated you (i loved you too)

[raphaelly]

i don't really understand why people think of juri and shiori's relationship as like uniquely toxic. is it not just what happens to literally every lesbian in highschool

[raphaelly]

"Despite everything, it's still you."

"...is it really?"

[raphaelly]

pay your respects to the ogs of shoujo 🙏🏻

[raphaelly]

Takarazuka Yukigumi Fersen Hen Chirashi 🌹