“The past is the present, isn’t it? It’s the future too. We all try to lie out of that but life won’t let us.�
I’m having a very difficult time rating“The past is the present, isn’t it? It’s the future too. We all try to lie out of that but life won’t let us.�
I’m having a very difficult time rating this one. I won’t deny that there is a deep power from the rawness and brutal honesty at points in this very autobiographical play from O’Neill, but at the same time, it’s like admiring a train wreck.
There is just so much in the way of dysfunction exhibited within the dynamics of the Jerome family, and for the duration of the play, there are constantly going after each other. It feels like they are at each other’s throats nearly all the time, and while I suppose that this is the point of the drama, it is very, very bleak and depressing considering the subject matter. At points, it feels a little too heavy with so much dirty laundry being exposed.
The sins of the past are held under a microscope for each member of the Jerome household. Because these failings have not been addressed in due course and reconciled in some manner over the years, they continue to linger and be a part of the present. Alcohol addition, morphine and drug addition, broken promises, broken dreams, broken relationships are all a part of what O’Neill’s work delves into. The title becomes symbolic of not only the journey of this one day of familial strife, but the journey of life.
So, I wouldn’t say this is a play someone “enjoys� or “likes,� even though there is quite a bit of depth and food for thought and room for reflection in this drama.
It reminds me a little of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman in that hopes of characters are dashed and get a reality check, but I feel like Miller’s play has more in the way of giving context to the decline of one Willy Loman and ,to a certain extent, his sons, whereas this play is more of just characters bickering and criticizing each other ad nauseum throughout.
So , on one hand, I can appreciate the play’s depth and brutal honesty, while on the other hand saying it is far too bleak to embrace. Personally, I was just not in the right frame of mind to fully embrace a work like this, so I might in the future take another stab at it and re-read it to see if my feelings change.
I’ll chalk Dragonwyck up to one of those classic Gothic romance guilty pleasure types, as it seemingly has all the staples in place: the naïve young lI’ll chalk Dragonwyck up to one of those classic Gothic romance guilty pleasure types, as it seemingly has all the staples in place: the naïve young lady from simple origins out of her element, the dark and mysterious man who captivates said lady, a foreboding and mysterious estate with secrets and superstitions, and a few skeletons in the closet. And did I forget to mention the flair for melodramatics?
Miranda Wells comes from a humble home. She is the daughter of a very religious and upright father who maintains a farm. While she lives the life in the country with her family, she enjoys reading spicy Gothic romance novels. So, it seems that fate intervenes when a letter arrives at Wells� residence from a certain cousin Nicholas Van Ryn. Living an aristocratic lifestyle, Van Ryn has invited one of the Wells daughters to stay for a time and be a companion to their child.
For Miranda, this is the adventure she has hoped for: “The fantastic name ‘Dragonwyck� enchanted her. She repeated it over and over to herself and it was as though it pulled her to it, and beckoned." So, of course her father relents, and Miranda is off to visit the Van Ryns.
One of the angles explored in the novel is Miranda being caught between the two societies, one that is the country life with a moral and religious upbringing, and that of the aristocratic, genteel lifestyle under her cousin. She soon comes to realize after arriving at Dragonwyck that there are more questions than answers, but she is enamored with Nicholas. Still, she has an uncomfortable, uneasy feeling sometimes about her stay, but why is that?
As I mentioned earlier, the dramatics are definitely there, and maybe a little over the top at points, but there are definitive moments of intrigue and suspense as Miranda gradually learns more about obscure cousin and his wife and tries to pull back the proverbial curtain to this situation. I also thought the romantic angle was handled nicely as well. For some reason, I was thinking about several novels that have traits similar to this one: Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights to name a few.
A nice touch also is Seton’s ability to weave in the historical elements and figures of the time and incorporate them into the plot. For example, the Anti-Rent Wars and the steamboat racing become quite essential to several conflict and parts of the plot. Also, there are several cameo appearances by authors of this time, such as Melville, Cooper, and Poe. (At one point, Miranda and Nicholas are at the Poe’s place listening to “Eddie� recite one of his works).
The ending and final resolve was a little clunky, but I suppose it got the job done. Nevertheless, it did not take away from the enjoyment of the novel.
This was my first exposure to reading Anya Seton (I own and have Katherine on my to -read list), and it was a good experience. There is a film adaptation with Gene Tierney available that I watched years ago, so I might go revisit, to see how it compares....more
I almost feel like this is a great (and deceptive) marketing ploy here by advertising these stories as Christmas tales when in reality, they do not reI almost feel like this is a great (and deceptive) marketing ploy here by advertising these stories as Christmas tales when in reality, they do not really feel very festive or Christmas(sy). I mean, sure, the word Christmas is thrown around here in the stories a time or two, and they take place sometimes near the holiday, but that’s about it. It’s merely window dressing.
This aside, I felt like the first story, “Christmas at Thompson Hall� was the star of the show, the headlining band playing with a bunch of amateur rock groups. Clearly this is the story that carries the weight of this whole collection. The other stories maybe had some enlightening or poignant moments, but these moments were seldom, and all were very flawed and lackluster at points.
“Christmas at Thompson Hall� will definitely get you thinking about mustard plaster. (I know you probably think about it all the time, but now it will be even more so). It involves a certain Charles and Mary Brown having quite a predicament when Mary has a very awkward moment. Her husband is quite the hypochondriac, and he needs to get something, anything, to feel better, and quick! So, Mary is off to find some mustard plaster to help his throat, and when she finally finds it, she accidentally gets herself into quite a mess.
What ensues is a comedy of errors, and she makes plenty of them let me tell you. The funniest bits in the tale consist of Mary trying to get out of trouble and remedy the situation, only to have each solution blow up in her face and make things worse. I couldn’t wait to see how things panned out for the Browns. Just the right touch of comedy in this one.
Regarding the others in the collection, they all seem to have a commonality in that they deal with familial strife and drama with a lot of quarreling and regrets. “Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage� and “The Mistletoe Bough� are fairly similar in that they both deal with a couple having to iron out some difficulties, but it feels like they both have way too much drama over trifles and that the conflict is contrived and forced. The fourth story “Not if I Know It� is so short that I couldn’t even figure out what it was about before it was over. So, I think that one was the least of the entire bunch. “The Two Generals� , a Civil War story, started off promising in how it was set up with the conflict with the two brothers, but fizzled out and became sort of a mess by the end.
I hate to be a bit of a Scrooge this Christmas Eve, but would give the entire collection as a whole about two and a half stars, which I will round up to three for the lead story.
This was my first exposure to Trollope, and I have heard that his longer works are vastly different, so I’m interested in checking them out. ...more
“The ‘Red Death� had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its seal—the redness and “The ‘Red Death� had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its seal—the redness and the horror of blood.�
While this plague rages on and devastates the outside world, Prince Prospero and his distinguished guests escape it while living in luxury. While basking in his grandiose abbey, eating and drinking and living it up, they leave all of those others outside to their unfortunate fates.
However, on this night, at precisely the stroke of midnight, during all the revelry, the Prince notices the appearance of a mysterious figure, one who has found a way in and crashed Prince Prospero’s little party�
This is one of those stories that was in the old sophomore literature book, and I used to read this one literally every single year. It’s definitely one of the staples and go-to stories in the Poe classic vault and collection. It has such a dark atmosphere that permeates.
What I really appreciate about this one is how much The Masque of the Red Death is dripping with allegory and symbolism, and that these elements lend themselves to a larger moral or message established in the tale. Contained in the elaborate set up of the Prince Prospero’s palace are seven distinguished rooms, each in design with a specific color. We can derive some larger meaning from both the number as well as the colors of these various rooms, and this may become more apparent at the story’s conclusion.
This one reminded me a little of one of my favorites from Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher. Its similarity lies in how non-human elements become like characters in the story because of their impact or significance. In this case, there are the rooms, and in one of the rooms, a giant ebony clocks that ticks away as time passes.
One of the fascinating things about this tale is how much is also going underneath the surface of what is taking place. One can read this story multiple times and find a new, hidden element or meaning in the next reading.
A fascinating and definite gem of a Gothic tale!...more
Paper Moon is set during The Great Depression, and it basically involves a man, Moses Pray, and his daughter(?) Addie Pray going around from place andPaper Moon is set during The Great Depression, and it basically involves a man, Moses Pray, and his daughter(?) Addie Pray going around from place and scheme to scheme trying to scam people out of money. I know that there is not a great moral compass displayed, but there is sort of a tongue-in-cheek humor about many of their episodes. I suppose there is maybe slightly a coming of age and character arc for Addie Pray, the young girl in the schemes who narrates this story.
I felt like many of the earlier episodes and adventures were a tad repetitive: try to scam someone and have it blow up in their face. Repeat it all over again and try again. So, this is a book that I kept putting down, and I wavered in interest at points, but then I would pick it up again because I wanted to see how things would turn out at the end.
I think that, with the exception of the finale in the closing pages, the last episode when Major comes into the story is the most engaging part. If you think that Long Boy and Addie are con artists, they are quite amateurs compared to the Major, who has it all figured out and seems to have made an art form of “the scam.� The trio put together a rather ambitious plan to fleece an old woman out of her dough, but it isn’t as easy as it seems.
At points, this novel has a feeling of “coming of age� from Addie’s point of view, but then this never really completely materializes. I felt like the aforementioned ending was a little odd in that it seems to just end, period, without a few conflicts explained or resolved.
There’s a little fun here and there in the novel. I just wish it had been more consistent.
So, this novel was the basis for a film with Ryan and Tatum O’Neal back in the 70s which I will have to watch if I can track it down. ...more
I tried to read Dune before once or twice before and had a difficult time getting into the novel because it felt like there was so much going on with I tried to read Dune before once or twice before and had a difficult time getting into the novel because it felt like there was so much going on with regards to world building and trying to figure out how everything in this society worked. I tried again this past month and found that I ended up really enjoying it once I got past all the world building and complexities of the work.
Based on the many, many reviews, it is very hard to add something new to the mix other than just giving my two cents on the novel.
I will venture to say that the novel’s biggest strength for one reader might prove to be the novel’s biggest weakness to another reader, and that is the very intricate and sophisticated world building that Herbert sets up.
More so than another other science fiction I’ve read, I do believe that Dune has so much going on not only on the surface level story, but “off screen� as well. It is quite amazing how Herbert could design a novel where past, present, and future all bear a great weight of importance and how so many themes intertwine. It feels like the essence of time is such a critical factor in laying out the framework of this novel, and perhaps subsequent sequels in the Dune saga.
The focal point of Dune is on Paul Atreides and all the future prophecies and potential that lie in store for him. Even at a very young age, he has a premonition that big plans are part of his fate and future. His direction that lay ahead is sometimes revealed through visions that could possibly be truth or illusion.
I think one of the essential aspects of Dune is how there is so much packed into it. It is amazing to think how Herbert is able to blend in so many important themes about culture, politics, traditions, religion, power, etc. and weave them into the story all the while establishing this complex world. For this reason, there is such an intricate depth that Dune reaches, and so it is a novel that I feel like a reader must take their time with.
As stated earlier, the world building is quite sophisticated, but I think if the reader is patient, then many of the elements come into focus later. Herbert uses characters� inner monologue quite often to give glimpses into a character’s head and perspective. There are also quite a few terms and concepts the author uses, but there is a glossary that explains and sheds light on these.
Being a sci-fi fan, I’m glad to finally have powered through this novel, which many people put on the Mount Rushmore of science fiction. I found that, once I figured out the central conflict, this novel became a much more enjoyable and entertaining experience. It’s clear to see how this novel has become such a phenomenon and been the basis of many adaptations and inspiration for the genre. I already have Dune Messiah on my to-read list for the upcoming year.
“Well, onward through the desert ice I continued my lonely way, with a baleful shrinking terror in my heart; for very stupendous alas! is the burden o“Well, onward through the desert ice I continued my lonely way, with a baleful shrinking terror in my heart; for very stupendous alas! is the burden of that Arctic solitude upon one poor human soul.�
This classic, published at the beginning of the 1900s, popped up on my recommendations after I read a few books of the post-apocalyptic, dystopian variety. Shiel’s novel is an excellent example of the “last man� scenario. It is unique in that the narrative itself changes and shifts in tone, style, and direction several times through the course of the story.
It all begins with a quest to the North Pole. The late and affluent Charles P. Stickney had offered 175 million dollars to the first person to reach the North Pole, and this sends many individuals in due course to the polar region for this challenge and prize.
Adam Jeffson, the man who composes our narrative, embarks on this expedition to the artic climate with a group of other prospectors. However, an unusual and disastrously fatal event happens that interrupts this quest: a toxic purple fume is emitted into the atmosphere, and soon after begins to wreak havoc, leaving death and destruction in its path. Everyone, it seems, except Jeffson.
Quite a bit of the narrative comes in the form of Jeffson’s wanderings, traversing from place to place via ship, train, or other method in search of survivors, but being faced with a harsh, grim reality.
There are several interesting themes unearthed through the course of the plot, one of which is the psychological toll, the inner mental turmoil, of this global cataclysmic tragedy upon the individual. From his recollections, Jeffson recalls a man who spoke about two diverging forces at play in the world, one compelling us towards benevolence and reason, the other towards malevolence and irrationality. These two forces are forever at odds in the makeup of Jeffson who, at points, goes through various phases psychologically: reflective, manic, depressed, egotistical, sociopathic, somber, philosophical, etc.
Additionally, the author captures so well the disturbing sense of prevailing isolation from Jeffson’s point of view:
“…I can feel again now that abysmal desolation of loneliness and sense of hostile and malign universe bent upon eating me up: for the ocean seemed to me nothing but a great ghost.�
I found it rather fascinating that despite Jeffson (who I suppose is both protagonist AND antagonist in this novel) being a rather unsympathetic character for substantial portions, and the reader having to be stuck with him for the long haul, Shiel still manages to make us invested in his fate and the novel’s outcome.
The Purple Cloud has a subtlety disturbing, haunting atmosphere that permeates throughout. There are various shifts in the tone and feel of the novel, and we see this again the book’s final portions.
If there is one downside, I think that the wanderings of Jeffson (specifically in the middle parts) do get a tad long-winded and drag some. However, I suppose this was an intentional tactic employ by the author to the create the aimless effect we—and Jeffson—feel during the search.
The Purple Cloud breaches into various genres, and it is an unusual, haunting, disturbing, yet thought-provoking experience....more
I discovered Ovidia Yu’s Crown Colony (Su Lin) mystery series about six months ago thanks to an online reading group, and enjoyed the opening book, ThI discovered Ovidia Yu’s Crown Colony (Su Lin) mystery series about six months ago thanks to an online reading group, and enjoyed the opening book, The Frangipani Tree Mystery, quite a bit. Much like the first book, the second installment features our amateur sleuth, Su Lin.
While there is a definite charm about the series so far, I can’t help but feel that The Betel Nut Tree Mystery was a slight letdown compared to the first book. The overall plot and its unravelling mystery felt a little messy and convoluted.
The second book begins where the first left off as far as our principle character is concerned. Su Lin is working as secretary for Chief Inspector Le Froy at Singapore’s Detective and Intelligence Unit.
In the opening, it seems everyone is getting ready for a high-profile wedding of Victor Glossop with rich widow, Nicole Covington. However, a monkey wrench is thrown into that plan when the ultimate prankster Victor is found dead at the Farquhar hotel in a rather odd, bizarre manner. Now it is up to Le Froy and company to come in and figure this mess out�
The characters were a mixed bag in total. It's interesting how some of the familiar faces from book one, including some of Su Lin’s family and other minor characters make an appearance. However, some of the minor characters who are central to the plot are somewhat underwhelming, particularly the likes of Nicole Covington, Dr. Covington, and Kenneth Mulliner among others, who are of the stock variety: unreasonable, overdramatic, predictable, irritating, and forgettable. These characters mainly serve to get us from Point A to Point B.
As far as the pacing, the mystery peaked too early, and then seemingly fizzled out. When we get deeper into the plot, the investigation gets a little repetitive, drawn out, and convoluted. We are just tapping our feet waiting for the big reveal.
I do, however, like how Su Lin has more of a prominent and assertive role in the crime investigation. Another job she has (other than having to deal with perennial drama queen Nicole Covington) is to keep her naive friend Parshanti out of harm’s way while she wades through the various suspects and their motives. It feels like Le Froy takes a lesser role, and is often missing in action while many key events are taking place.
Another notable trait (and plus) is the author’s ability to create a vivid setting of 1930s Singapore and give the story a historical element.
In the end, I feel like the mystery was serviceable, but fairly pedestrian. I will most likely read the next one in the series, but I am not in as much of a hurry to get there.
At the core of Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is the lunar colony’s rebellion against Lunar Authority, Warden, and all those other baddies trAt the core of Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is the lunar colony’s rebellion against Lunar Authority, Warden, and all those other baddies trying to oppress the common civilians. When enough is enough, they decide to act.
I know this book is highly regarded in science fiction circles, but I found the novel to be one where the execution--- or to be more precise, the lack thereof—to be the main component of irritation, not necessarily the ideas, premise contained within. The manner and style in which the story is presented is equal parts convoluted and cringey.
For starters, the narrator’s voice got on my nerves. Maybe it’s the English major in me, but Manuel’s lack of articles and subjects from sentences annoyed me throughout and I found it a source of distraction while reading.
Likewise, the heavy-handed approach, as our band of rebels make their way towards their cause, was also bothersome. As readers we are given heavy mouthfuls of politics and told to keep our mouths open and then swallow down everything whether we like it or not. Heinlein utilizes the Professor as the central mouthpieces for these causes.
In general, with “Man� as our narrator, events come to us in a random, scattered way that fails to give any power or consequence to any given scene or important moment. (Also, it felt like a good chunk of the book was just characters going back and forth yapping about this glorious cause and movement). It feels like there is so much wasted potential with world building because as much as there are some interesting concepts within, none of these concepts really come to life in the reader’s mind.
The cast of characters for this great Lunar rebellion include aforementioned Manual (“Man,� a computer technician), Mike (a supercomputer), Wyoming Knot (a female agitator, and yes, that really is her name), and Professor Bernardo de la Paz (the brainpower behind their movement).
I felt like one of the interesting dynamics was simply the relationship between our protagonist Man and his supercomputer friend, Mike. The back-and-forth exchanges and dialogue are engaging in the initial stages of the novel and set the scene of this society. It becomes clear that Mike is a form of artificial intelligence with strong capabilities. It feels, however, that as time moves on in the novel, this dynamic lessens as Mike becomes takes a more prominent role in their fight against Authority.
While some concepts are brought forth, the overall method of presenting the story just did not gel for the long haul. The blurb on my edition boasts such accolades as “masterpiece� and the like. If this is the best book in the Heinlein collection, I’m not that encouraged to try another.
Maybe someone can suggest another in the Heinlein vault that is very unlike this one.
After reading Silverberg’s Dying Inside years back and finding it fairly mediocre and being less than enthusiastic about it, a few of my friends and rAfter reading Silverberg’s Dying Inside years back and finding it fairly mediocre and being less than enthusiastic about it, a few of my friends and reading buddies recommended I try Lord Valentine's Castle. And let me just say: this one came through with flying colors.
Silverberg handles so many elements superbly to make this one an entertaining, enlightening, and enjoyable ride.
Lord Valentine’s Castle thus begins Silverberg’s Majipoor book series, and the novel is a perfect blending of fantasy, adventure, and science fiction that fans of these genres can enjoy.
The novel begins with Valentine looking down on the city of Pidruid with what appears to be a festival taking place and the Coronel being welcomed. Ironically, this is another Valentine, a Lord Valentine, who is being honored. Valentine, in a sort of mind haze and suffering from amnesia as he cannot recall past events, eventually befriends a boy named Shanimar and they join a traveling juggling troupe.
One of the more compelling dynamics of the story is how the world of dreams and the physical world coincide and are equal to each other in significance. The dreams, often referred to as sendings, reveal probable future destinies and fates. In this way, dreams carry a great weight and level of import and can even be a method of communication from one character to another, and we see this play out in the novel.
As Valentine treks from place to place with his juggling companions, it begins to dawn on him that he may be in store for a bigger destiny:
“These tortured dreams, these squirming dragons in his soul, these portents and omens…�
What destiny lay in store for Valentine that is desperately trying to break out?
On this planet, there are beings and creatures of all sorts. Humans share this planet with Hjorts, a creature who are a part of the juggling troupe, and there are Metamorphs, creatures who can readily alter their appearance at will.
The level of imagination contained within the plot and storytelling is quite profound.
I also liked how the characters were so well drawn, especially our protagonist, Valentine. As Valentine begins to comprehend his past, he must do quite a bit of grappling and soul-searching. There is a deep conflicted nature that exists between Valentine the juggler and Lord Valentine as he tries to maintain his simple principles all the while accepting the future and all the challenges he must overcome. In this way, there is a depth to his character, and this makes him a character one will readily root for. The secondary characters like Carabella are also distinct and memorable as well.
Much like an Arthurian Legend or an adventure, the archetype of “the quest,� both physical and internal, becomes a prominent aspect as the novel progresses and new revelations come into focus.
Silverberg went on to write more novels in this series, and I am eager to pick them up. This was a fantastic start to the series, one that I think will appeal to fans of science fiction, adventure, or fantasy.
I remember seeing the film adaptation for Annihilation near the time it had come out and I loved it, never realizing it was based on a novel trilogy, I remember seeing the film adaptation for Annihilation near the time it had come out and I loved it, never realizing it was based on a novel trilogy, the Southern Reach Trilogy.
This novel almost works like a jigsaw puzzle that the reader, similar to the characters in their explorations, must try to interpret and put together. It’s not an easy novel to give a synopsis for because of its fragmented and unique approach.
At its core, the novel presents four woman—a biologist, an anthropologist, a surveyor, and a psychologist—who explore and investigate a place known as Area X. They are working for a government agency known as Southern Reach, but the agency hasn’t clued them in on various aspects of this search.
There is a mysterious tunnel (tower) that the group come upon in their investigation which makes up the basis for a good deal of the mysterious and unsettling aura of the narrative: “The tower steps kept revealing themselves, those whitish steps like the spiraling teeth of some unfathomable beast…�
With the biologist as our narrator, we see moments from her point of view, and there is a gradual release of information she gives the reader about her past, the prior expeditions into Area X, and what she witnesses as the explorers dig further into this area.
One of the interesting aspects of this novel is how difficult it is to pin down, both in terms of content and genre. As the reader, sometimes we are left trying to grasp onto anything for clues as much as the main character. This novel is defined as “weird� fiction, but it fuses into various forms: science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, thriller, dystopian, etc.
Even at a rather brisk 195 pages, I had to slow down and take my time with this read. There are many deep implications and thought-provoking ideas contained within, and both an uneasiness as well as an undefined aspect exist within this novel. The reader does have to do a little bit of work, but there is a rewarding aspect to try to decipher this literary puzzle and put everything together to form a picture.
The novel ends with enough closure, yet also opens the door to the sequel in the series. This is an engaging and very cerebral experience, and I look forward to part 2!
“There’s things that happen at Jamaica Inn, Mary, that I’ve never dared to breathe. Bad things. Evil things…I dare not even admit them to myself.�
Thi“There’s things that happen at Jamaica Inn, Mary, that I’ve never dared to breathe. Bad things. Evil things…I dare not even admit them to myself.�
This is my third novel I’ve read by Daphne Du Maurier. I really enjoyed Rebecca (5 stars), and My Cousin Rachel (4 stars) was pretty stellar, but Jamaica Inn lacks the qualities that make it as stellar as those two. This novel left me a little underwhelmed.
I would like to begin with the positive. In my opinion, Du Maurier is at her best when she is creating an unsettling or foreboding atmosphere, and she does this somewhat in this novel. Some of the depictions of Mary exploring the moors and confines outside Jamaica Inn are pure dark ambience, and these moments reminded me a little of the tension in Rebecca.
However, one of the problems I had (other than the lackluster characters) is that, for the most part, there is little in the way of subtlety in Jamaica Inn. There are dark elements for sure, but instead of leaving anything to the discretion of the reader’s imagination, it feels like most key elements and revelations are thrust before us to see and witness upfront. It is often what we don’t see or know or hear that is far more suspenseful and tension-filled but Jamaica Inn, once we know the happenings behind the curtain, is fairly transparent and thus, repetitive, as it circles around.
This, in turn, leads me to the other problem I had: the characters. The characters were lacking in the sense that, for the most part, what you see is what you get. Not that we read mysteries or thrillers for deep characterization, but these characters are fairly prototypical and predictable from the overbearing villain on down. (There is something that the readers could see as a “twist� or turn nearing the end, but some readers were able to see through this as well).
Finally--and this is just a personal preference--but this novel just left me cold. It is, by far, the darkest of the novels I’ve read by this author, and I just kind of wanted to be done with it.
I’m hoping this novel is the “exception to the rule� , the outlier, when it comes to this author in terms of being somewhat letdown. That is not to say that there aren’t foreboding moments, or great prose or descriptions that have moments of tension. But, in the end, overall Jamaica Inn was a so-so experience given my expectations.
Barbara Vine has quite a following, and given the reviews, whether A Dark-Adapted Eye is one of her better works seems to be a point of contention. ThBarbara Vine has quite a following, and given the reviews, whether A Dark-Adapted Eye is one of her better works seems to be a point of contention. This was my first read by this author, and for my money, I felt that the novel had quite a few problems that kept it more in the mediocre range.
Our narrator is Faith Severn, niece to Vera Hillyard, who was sentenced and executed for the murder of her sister, Eden. As she learns that Daniel Stevens, a journalist, is to embark on a project to tell Vera’s story, Faith’s narrative sheds light on the timeline of the family history and those closely associated with Vera. As it is 35 years since the murder and Vera’s trial and subsequent hanging, Faith hopes to form a picture of how and why events transpired.
In the present, even though many of the family have tried to separate themselves from Vera and sweep this under the rug, Faith feels as though tracing Vera and the family is unavoidable:
“She has come back into my life after an absence that extends over more than a third of a century. Helen and Daniel Stewart have brought her to me and she is here in the house…�
While the premise of this novel sounds intriguing and gripping, the process for the reader to sort through this book is not.
For one, this book introduces far too many characters in both the family and those associated with the family—some integral to the plot, some not—and it becomes a chore to figure out said person’s context or relation to other characters around them. A few reviewers had suggested that a family tree be inserted in the preface somewhere to give some clarity; I agree wholeheartedly.
Secondly, there are shifts in time back and forth with moments of supposed import, but Faith has a voice that speaks of these events in a same consistent, off-handed, unassuming manner that gives no particular moment a stronger level of significance over another. Because of this, the time delineations are quite confusing because there is little to suggest a shift is coming or that anything in the way of a vital juncture has arrived.
The novel redeems itself somewhat in the final thirty pages or so, which are easily the most impactful and gripping, but it feels like we have to wade through so much to get here. It’s here where the pieces come together and give us a better picture.
At the end of the day, I can only say that the novel was so so, but like I said, some have indicated that this is not one of her better works, so maybe I will look into others.
“In the last decades interest in hunger artists has declined considerably. Where in earlier days there was good money to be earned putting on major pr“In the last decades interest in hunger artists has declined considerably. Where in earlier days there was good money to be earned putting on major productions of this sort under one’s management, nowadays that is totally impossible.�
This was my first venture into the world of Frank Kafka and, although a small sample size, “A Hunger Artist� has quite a bit going on under the surface that give it a deeper and richer meaning symbolically.
There is something of the spectacle to the hunger artist’s craft as presented in the story. Within the story, we are given a context into how the hunger artist became something of a phenomenon. By fasting for great lengths of time within the confines of a cage, these individuals become something of an attraction for onlookers. One of the interesting dynamics explored and delved into is the relationship between the artist’s motivations for their fast versus the public’s perceptions and skepticisms.
Perhaps more than any story I’ve read, Kafka’s tale lends itself to a deeply allegorical level of interpretation that can go many ways and be examined through many different lenses. Certainly one of the angles is the historical context of hunger artists, but one could also look at the story thematically and moralistically as well as other ways: religiously, examining the roles of artists and their work, etc.
I will freely admit that there is quite a bit to sift through and put together and consider upon reading the final page, but one remarkable feature of Kafka’s story is just that: there is so much room for reflection. Kafka’s tale gives enough to pique one’s interest, but he definitely puts a lot on the reader in terms of trying to unpack and interpret levels of meaning. This, however, is totally fine and makes for a deeper and richer reading experience.
I look forward to reading more longer works from Kafka in the future.
I’m finding this behemoth of a novel a very difficult one to review.
I’ll give Infinite Jest some credit: it’s different for sure. Different than anytI’m finding this behemoth of a novel a very difficult one to review.
I’ll give Infinite Jest some credit: it’s different for sure. Different than anything I’ve ever read. It seems to exist in so many genres and subgenres and is has a unique presentation. I had to pull the plug, though, because it was just too much of everything else.
Probably the one thing that this book has going for it is the moments of humor aimed at society. There were a few entertaining segments that are spot on, for instance, that are insightful and predictive of our future (there is a funny chapter dedicated to all of the problems of communication that reminded me quite a bit of the Zoom meetings we were forced to take part in during the 2020 lockdowns for instance). Also, the competitive tennis world scenarios were rather funny as well.
So why 2 stars? Basically, everything else. This book packs in various alternating storylines but within these storylines there is so much filler and superfluous, minute, overabundant nonsense thrown in that I literally had to skim over chapters just to get to something else. Footnotes and endnotes are everywhere as well. Alongside all the extraneous material, there was quite a bit of off-putting and/or depressing subject matter (drug use, mental health, etc.) that I just didn’t want to read about every day.
I stopped around the 400-page mark and it took me a month and a half to get there, and it feels like this book could have been trimmed down significantly. I could only read this book in small mouthfuls, 15 or 20 pages a day.
I watched a few interviews online with Wallace and he comes across well spoken and as some sort of genius. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean his writing will translate into a book people want to read. So I suppose the joke is on us. This was mostly a tedious and unrewarding read, not worth the investment in the long run.
That being said, I suppose I can see the appeal of this book to some readers. I am clearly not in this demographic though. ...more
“At the same time, Glass sensed that his body was marshalling itself for another, decisive battle. Not at the surface, but deep within.�
The term reve“At the same time, Glass sensed that his body was marshalling itself for another, decisive battle. Not at the surface, but deep within.�
The term revenant is defined as “one who returns after death,� a fitting title given the predicament and remarkable story of trapper Hugh Glass.
I’m sure all are aware of the Leonardo DiCaprio film from a while back that is the adaptation of this novel, and specifically the famous (infamous) “grizzly bear� scene. I feel as though, while both are powerful stories, the novel gives more emphasis on the psychology of Glass� dire life or death situation and the lengths to which he had to “come back from death.�
The author sets the scene early in the novel. In the early part of the 1800s, the Rocky Mountain Fur Company is in the midst of a brutal and often dangerous mission. One of the more experience of the bunch, Hugh Glass, is preforming a scouting duty when a vicious encounter with a grizzly bear puts him at death’s edge as the rest of men decide how to proceed.
This novel is called a “revenge� novel or “revenge� story, and while revenge is certainly a player and theme—and largely the basis and fuel for the protagonist’s motivations—the survival element was far more important, thought-provoking, and interesting.
And, as a survival story, The Revenant is top notch and engrossing. The author does a superb job placing the reader right square in the point of view from Hugh Glass� perspective after he is abandoned by two of the men in his group, his supplies taken, and his wounds severe and life-threatening. There is a rawness and brutality to the depiction of Glass efforts to go from the brink of death to try to muster up enough energy to go into full survival mode.
I cannot write it without maybe giving away some spoilers, but there is a great quote from one of the characters near the end who basically gives such great insights into his thoughts on Glass� quest for revenge.
In this edition, there is an “Historical Note� from Punke where he details the historical elements and certain fictionalized parts of the novel, and sheds some light on the book itself and gives some context.
The Revenant is a gripping and fascinating historical fiction, looking into one man’s brutal quest to survive and make it to the next day in the harshest of conditions.
Definitely recommended, especially for those who love survival or man vs. nature type stories, or stories of overcoming odds.
“When the two champions stood opposed to each other at the two extremities of the lists, the public expectation was strained to the highest pitch. Few“When the two champions stood opposed to each other at the two extremities of the lists, the public expectation was strained to the highest pitch. Few argued the possibility that the encounter could terminate well for the Disinherited Knight, yet his courage and gallantry secured the general good wishes of the spectators.�
Obviously, Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe has gained quite a reputation as a solid classic work that is notable for its medieval and high adventure qualities and is the basis for several film adaptations.
I can see why this novel has come into some criticism for both its antiquated viewpoints from several characters and its questionable historical references. I do feel, however, that Scott’s novel is quite compelling in several ways in its storytelling and has relevant themes that give it substance.
This novel is odd in that there is not really one central main conflict, per se, but rather a series of them through various episodes. Perhaps, though, the prevailing conflict comes in the form of the clashing between the Saxons and the Normans.
In my opinion, the best parts of the novel are simply the essentials that make this a great adventure. The battle scenes and spectacle of the tournaments as well as the several moments of peril where a hero must rush in to try to save the day make for a very compelling story. There is quite a bit of “star power� in this one in terms of legendary heroes as well, with Ivanhoe, Robin Hood and King Richard wearing disguises and for a good deal of the plot and then coming in and key points in moment of peril.
There are some very engaging scenes, and this book really has it all when it comes to the staples of this genre: damsels in distress, villainous and dastardly antagonists, compelling combats that leave the audience in awe, wanderings through the forests and castles, romance, a code of chivalry and honorability, and a compelling witch trial.
I did feel, though, that the ending was just a tad anticlimactic and that there were some moments where things dragged a little, mostly due to some character giving a long-winded speech that could have been summed up a little more neatly and quickly.
Overall, though, Ivanhoe is a fun, engaging adventure, and historical fiction. I can see how its classic status has endured for all these years.
I wanted to like this novel. I really did. I mean, cats and everything. But I can only say that I feel lukewarm about the whole experience. This is a I wanted to like this novel. I really did. I mean, cats and everything. But I can only say that I feel lukewarm about the whole experience. This is a read that I thought would be about something else entirely.
In the opening segments, a man named Saturo forms a bond with a cat (Nana) who Saturo has rescued from being hit by a car. Saturo eventually helps kitty recover and recuperate and the bond is firmly solidified. However, for reasons that are undiscovered until much later in the novel, Saturo is forced to try to give up and find a suitable owner who will take Nana and care for him. From here, we go from place to place, locale to locale, as Saturo tries to find Nana a place.
As I hinted at earlier, this had all the makings of a book I would like, but it really felt like the book’s title is a massive misnomer since so much of the focus is on human interaction and the behind-the-scenes interactions and so little of it is really about the life of Nana.
Also, the plot jumps around way too much and too randomly without any rhyme or reason, and so there is not much in the way of a deep focus on any one story or moment. It was too scattered, and it feels like it could have been a translation issue. (Also, it was odd how the narrative voice shifted from the sarcastic Nana to a third person narrator on a whim from segment to segment).
The novel heads toward a slightly predictable path in the final parts and just overall has an overly sentimental, saccharine mood that is too heavy handed and obvious. The author lays this on way too thick. Because of this, there is not as much power in the key moments that should have been more of an emotional investment on the part of the reader, and, in general, things fall a little flat.
In the end, I appreciate the kitty and the story of his owner and there is a little charm and thoughtfulness to how it is presented, but it just didn’t entirely work with all the behind-the-scenes family/ human drama. ...more
The Caves of Steel was my first introduction to the world of Asimov a few years ago (I am a little late to the Asimov party), and it was quite enjoyabThe Caves of Steel was my first introduction to the world of Asimov a few years ago (I am a little late to the Asimov party), and it was quite enjoyable, so I thought I would backtrack and read the story collection that works as the prequel to the Robot series.
I, Robot features a series of loosely connected stories that are framed around an interview with Dr. Susan Calvin, robot psychologist (you heard that right) who is a prominent figure in several of the stories in the collection. Her role as a psychologist comes into prominence in several tales as she has to deconstruct the motivations and behaviors of robots.
Asimov infuses the fundamental Rules of Robotics into the stories and these rules come into play with the robot’s encounters with humans. In general, the stories explore the dynamics of how these rules oftentimes influence behavior and come into conflict when robots interact with humans. As one can imagine, a common theme throughout is human overconfidence in their ability to shape and control robots (and, in general, technology) and how things do not go as swimmingly as expected.
Many of the tales navigate into how problems—some minor, some life-threatening—can occur when humans overestimate their own capabilities.
I thought almost all the stories were quite cerebral and thought-provoking. Clearly Asimov was ahead of his time in many ways. Here are a few of the standouts:
“Robbie� concerns a child (Gloria) who has a robot named Robbie as a playfellow and companion. The story deals with Gloria’s attachment to Robbie and Gloria’s mother’s hope to break this attachment through various means. This was a very human story, powerful and emotional, and it was my favorite of the bunch with its impactful finish.
“Reason� delves into the theme of humans losing control of robots and features Powell and Donovan, two featured characters in a few of the stories. When robot QT-1 goes rogue and follows his own line of orders, Powell and Donovan try to restore him and solve the problem without risking too much.
“Little Lost Robot� explores how a modification of the first law of robotics—that robots cannot harm humans—sets up a dangerous precedent. Pretty interesting story about a robot gone slightly amok because of this modification and how Dr. Calvin tries to solve this puzzling situation before harm comes of it.
In “Escape�, there is a robot named The Brain that U.S. officials hope will help them launch quite an ambitious project. When our duo Powell and Donovan get stuck on a ship, it is up to Dr. Calvin and other humans to try to get them back. This story explores the nature of how innovative technological advancements always come with a price.
Those were some of the notable ones but overall, it is a very worthy collection. These stories pave the way the human/ robot interaction in the subsequent robot novels. ...more
“Go as far as you can—way out yonder where the crawdads sing.�
I am fairly skeptical of those books that are very hyped up to the max and have high ra“Go as far as you can—way out yonder where the crawdads sing.�
I am fairly skeptical of those books that are very hyped up to the max and have high ratings galore with the masses singing their praises. I have gone into some of those books and felt quite let down and disappointed by the novel’s end. However, this was not the case at all with Delia Owen’s popular novel Where the Crawdads Sing, a novel that breaches into various genres and themes: coming of age, romance, mystery, courtroom drama.
1969. The quiet, small North Carolina town Barkley Cove is astir and up in arms when one of its popular locals, Chase Andrews, is found dead. Suspected of the crime is Kya Clark, who has been dubbed the “Marsh girl� because she has isolated herself out in the marsh away from the town and the public.
Owens formats this novel so we are constantly shifting around through the past and fast forwarding to various years, and this allows us to “fill in the pieces� of what has taken place in this small community. Through this structure, we get to see Kya’s childhood as well as the communities� reaction to her and the choices she has made along the way.
During the years in the past, we come to know that her mother left her at an early age and never came back, and her abusive father also left her, along with her brother, who joined the military. Left to fend on her own, Kya becomes resourceful and visits Jumpin� and Mabel, a kind couple who own a store and become parental-type figures to help Kya survive and provide help. Kya also comes to know and be involved with two of the boys who are her age, Tate Walker and Chase Andrews, who form a love triangle of sorts and forms the basis for the mystery at hand.
I think this book does have a few flaws, but I tended to forgive them because I just enjoyed pretty much everything else. I love how the author brings in love of the natural world and how Kya so readily identifies with this world as a source of comfort and means to escape. In many ways, the marsh itself becomes a character symbolizing the solace away from the town gossip.
The author also delves into important themes such as isolation and fitting in and finding oneself. I like how she manages to put many of the pieces together to form a picture of the past and present.
Overall, I was fairly pleased with Where the Crawdads Sing and will look into more works from this author. It was a very easy read that just flew by and was quite engaging from beginning to end....more
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