A tragic coming-of-age novel, set in Virginia and North Carolina. Jake is the teenager, troubled after the death of his mother. George, his father, is depressed over the loss of his wife and the selling of his company, which has been in the family for generation. An old friend of George's, Freeman Hawk, a Vietnam-era draft dodger and ex-patriot from Canada, visits and brings tragedy with him.
The novel gets off to a slow, confusing start. It's not clear at times what story is actually being told. Things do pick up about midway, but there is still quite a bit of confusion at times, due, I think, to some awkward storytelling.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
I am Legend by Richard Matheson
Pretty disappointing book. The original novel is repackaged with a selection of short stories with no distinction or division between the novel and the stories. Nowhere on the covers or inside is there any indication of what was done.
So, when I got to the end of the novel, I did not realize I was at the end of the novel, and thought the next short story was the next chapter of the novel. Very confusing.
The original novel is very short, either a novella or long short story. And it leaves a lot to be desired. As science fiction/horror, I suppose it works - the image of the sole human surrounded by vampires is chilling, but the attempt to explain the science behind vampires is week, and the female character is not convincing. I haven't seen the movie, but knowing Hollywood, no doubt they changed it quite a bit.
So, when I got to the end of the novel, I did not realize I was at the end of the novel, and thought the next short story was the next chapter of the novel. Very confusing.
The original novel is very short, either a novella or long short story. And it leaves a lot to be desired. As science fiction/horror, I suppose it works - the image of the sole human surrounded by vampires is chilling, but the attempt to explain the science behind vampires is week, and the female character is not convincing. I haven't seen the movie, but knowing Hollywood, no doubt they changed it quite a bit.
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
A very enjoyable memoir that chronicles the author's relationship with the piano, a particular piano that he purchased, and the the owner of the Paris shop where he purchased it. Along the way we learn about piano history and construction, piano performance, and the quirks of the residents of Paris. A lot of fun to read for anyone with an interest in pianos or Paris.
Hell by Robert Olen Butler
One of Butler's better novels - his forte is short fiction. This one imagines Hell from the viewpoint of a network news anchor that finds himself dead and damned. Lots of famous people and their unique tortures are described, in the manner of Dante's Inferno.
Unfortunately the author includes living people in Hell, putting words in their mouths. Such as Bush and both Clintons, etc. I find that petty and vindictive - he could easily have restricted himself to only the dead.
Other than that, it's an interesting read. The ending is so so. There are some humorous parts, but not the laugh-out-loud type of humor.
Unfortunately the author includes living people in Hell, putting words in their mouths. Such as Bush and both Clintons, etc. I find that petty and vindictive - he could easily have restricted himself to only the dead.
Other than that, it's an interesting read. The ending is so so. There are some humorous parts, but not the laugh-out-loud type of humor.
The Discworld Graphic Novels by Terry Pratchett
Don't waste your time on these. Something is definitely lost when converting the Discworld novels to graphic novels, and the artwork is just your standard stuff. Pretty disappointing.