[***] ISBN: 0553273183
Well, now I'm hooked. This is the third book in Benford's "Galactic Center" series, but the first one set this far in the future. I liked it. I will have to see what happens in the next book, too.
The author has created a rich world of the future where mankind is on the run from intelligent machines that dominate his world. Centuries of human advancement have seemingly been lost in the years of war. The story is about the struggle of a last few hundred on one planet.
Mr. Benford heightens the interest by allowing the characters to speak in a language that is both familiar and different. The world they inhabit is alien to both them and the reader and the author's descriptions keep it that way, without getting burdensome.
This is one of the most satisfying SF novels I've read in a while.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Men In Black (Steve Perry)
[**]
I often like film novelizations. Done well, they open up the interior life of the characters that is largely invisible on film. Like most things, the quality can be hit or miss. This is a miss. Rather than use the opportunity of the written words to drive deeper into the characters, revealing their thoughts and capturing their motivations (well, he does try), the author mostly attempts to capture the humor of the movie. The trouble is, much of the movie humor was visual. That does not often translate well into prose.
A few things work. I liked some of what he did with the inner life of the bug (Edgar). But much of the alien vocabulary was too obviously just throw away. He captures a little of the playful banter between Jay and Kay. Even this sometimes comes off a little forced.
It's not like I wish I had a flashy thing to erase my memories of the book. I will have to watch the movie a couple of times, though, to write over those memories with the better stuff.
I often like film novelizations. Done well, they open up the interior life of the characters that is largely invisible on film. Like most things, the quality can be hit or miss. This is a miss. Rather than use the opportunity of the written words to drive deeper into the characters, revealing their thoughts and capturing their motivations (well, he does try), the author mostly attempts to capture the humor of the movie. The trouble is, much of the movie humor was visual. That does not often translate well into prose.
A few things work. I liked some of what he did with the inner life of the bug (Edgar). But much of the alien vocabulary was too obviously just throw away. He captures a little of the playful banter between Jay and Kay. Even this sometimes comes off a little forced.
It's not like I wish I had a flashy thing to erase my memories of the book. I will have to watch the movie a couple of times, though, to write over those memories with the better stuff.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Zen in the Art of Writing (Ray Bradbury)
[****]
I found this short (176 pages of sparse text) collection of essays on the writerly art to be both inspirational and educational. I am also, sadly, a bit intimidated. Mr. Bradbury has a unique gift of almost photographic observation that he uses to great effect in creating works of great insight and color. On the other hand, there are lessons to be learned here of how to think beyond what others perceive and capture those images and thoughts in words for them to enjoy. I will have to revisit this book and try to learn a bit from this master storyteller.
I found this short (176 pages of sparse text) collection of essays on the writerly art to be both inspirational and educational. I am also, sadly, a bit intimidated. Mr. Bradbury has a unique gift of almost photographic observation that he uses to great effect in creating works of great insight and color. On the other hand, there are lessons to be learned here of how to think beyond what others perceive and capture those images and thoughts in words for them to enjoy. I will have to revisit this book and try to learn a bit from this master storyteller.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Sunk (me)
Sunk is the working title for the partial first draft of a novel I wrote in November for National Novel Writing Month (see my NaNoWriMo Adventure). And while it's not exactly something I read, it's what has kept me busy this month not reading other stuff. I should have some other books finished and mini-reviewed, soon.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Blog Reboot
I'm taking the opportunity here to repurpose this blog. I'm sure I'm the only one that cares.
Rather than mix in a bunch of blogistic murmuring about my life and how it relates to everything, I'm streamlining this to just comment on books that I've read. Previous posts about books are being split into their constituent parts and each entry will now be dated with the (sometimes approximate) day that I finished (or put down) the work.
Rather than mix in a bunch of blogistic murmuring about my life and how it relates to everything, I'm streamlining this to just comment on books that I've read. Previous posts about books are being split into their constituent parts and each entry will now be dated with the (sometimes approximate) day that I finished (or put down) the work.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Harvest of Stars (Poul Anderson)
[*]
The one star rating is as low as I'll go. I did not finish this book. Maybe it's because I don't feel like investing the time it in (it's 531 pages long). Maybe it's because it's filled with crazy dialect-ridden dialog. Maybe it's because it comes across as a hyperbolic rant against religion and government. I think it's all of that and because it just wasn't very interesting. The premise appears to be that there is some future where governments are mostly puppets of huge corporations and special interest groups. One of the more powerful and benign corporations finds itself in conflict with a somewhat fascist special interest that is currently running one of the larger governments. There is intrigue. There is an AI. There are special agents. Yawn. I could put it down and did. I don't know if I'll ever pick it up again.
The one star rating is as low as I'll go. I did not finish this book. Maybe it's because I don't feel like investing the time it in (it's 531 pages long). Maybe it's because it's filled with crazy dialect-ridden dialog. Maybe it's because it comes across as a hyperbolic rant against religion and government. I think it's all of that and because it just wasn't very interesting. The premise appears to be that there is some future where governments are mostly puppets of huge corporations and special interest groups. One of the more powerful and benign corporations finds itself in conflict with a somewhat fascist special interest that is currently running one of the larger governments. There is intrigue. There is an AI. There are special agents. Yawn. I could put it down and did. I don't know if I'll ever pick it up again.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Injustice For All (J.A. Jance)
[***]
On a lark, I picked this up from the $1 rack at Half-Price Books. I liked it. It's not necessarily one of my all-time favorite books. But it is a solid, enjoyable read in the mystery genre. The protagonist, J.P. Beaumont, is your typical hard-boiled police detective, softened up a bit for the Seattle P.D.
I discovered after reading the story that this is the second entry in the series. I knew it wasn't the first, based on references to previous events. In this entry, Beau is recovering at the Rosario Resort from the events of the first book. A dead man shows up on the beach almost on page one. From there the body count mounts and the detective must deal with his healing emotions, his feelings for one of the victims and clues that don't add up.
The writing is good. The characters are fine, though I question some of Beau's morals. And that's where some of the problems arise. I think the plotting that involves his relationships with other characters in the book are a bit hard to take.
All in all, though, a good read.
On a lark, I picked this up from the $1 rack at Half-Price Books. I liked it. It's not necessarily one of my all-time favorite books. But it is a solid, enjoyable read in the mystery genre. The protagonist, J.P. Beaumont, is your typical hard-boiled police detective, softened up a bit for the Seattle P.D.
I discovered after reading the story that this is the second entry in the series. I knew it wasn't the first, based on references to previous events. In this entry, Beau is recovering at the Rosario Resort from the events of the first book. A dead man shows up on the beach almost on page one. From there the body count mounts and the detective must deal with his healing emotions, his feelings for one of the victims and clues that don't add up.
The writing is good. The characters are fine, though I question some of Beau's morals. And that's where some of the problems arise. I think the plotting that involves his relationships with other characters in the book are a bit hard to take.
All in all, though, a good read.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Writing the Mystery (G. Miki Hayden)
[**]
This book does not come close to living up to its cover blurb. It is not a "start-to-finish" guide. Some of this may not be entirely the author's fault. It's just that most of the lessons in the book are readily available elsewhere, and I've already read them. A complete novice may find some of the material to be helpful, although it is not presented in the most accessible way. An expert would be completely bored.
About half of the interviews in the back of the book were interesting. I love to read about how other writers approach the craft. Many of the interviews are allowed to veer into areas that have little to do with writing mystery novels, eliminating the need to even include them.
Someone considering this book would do better to find Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America edited by Susan Grafton. I am most of the way through that book and it is much more insightful and accessible.
This book does not come close to living up to its cover blurb. It is not a "start-to-finish" guide. Some of this may not be entirely the author's fault. It's just that most of the lessons in the book are readily available elsewhere, and I've already read them. A complete novice may find some of the material to be helpful, although it is not presented in the most accessible way. An expert would be completely bored.
About half of the interviews in the back of the book were interesting. I love to read about how other writers approach the craft. Many of the interviews are allowed to veer into areas that have little to do with writing mystery novels, eliminating the need to even include them.
Someone considering this book would do better to find Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America edited by Susan Grafton. I am most of the way through that book and it is much more insightful and accessible.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Rum Punch (Elmore Leonard)
[***]
I'd say this was a pretty decent Elmore Leonard book. Not great. But decent. I think the trouble that I had was that it was hard to find a character to really like and identify with. I had the same trouble with the movie (Jackie Brown), but the visual style of that made it fascinating to watch. In this one, many of the characters are just plain nasty and I didn't want to spend all that much time with them.
I'd say this was a pretty decent Elmore Leonard book. Not great. But decent. I think the trouble that I had was that it was hard to find a character to really like and identify with. I had the same trouble with the movie (Jackie Brown), but the visual style of that made it fascinating to watch. In this one, many of the characters are just plain nasty and I didn't want to spend all that much time with them.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Songs of Distant Earth (Arthur C. Clarke)
[***]
This is a very clever short story made novel length. What happens when ark-ships are sent to distant planets and the humans are raised by robots, along with the rest of the flora and fauna. Who decides the kind of social structure they will inherit? Who decides what kind of art and culture they get? What happens when much speedier travel is possible and their cousins from earth show up, carrying all the negative cultural and sociological baggage the ark-children were denied?
These are interesting questions, entertainingly entertained. Ultimately, the typical, liberal spin is given to everything. But the story is nicely told and most of the characters are richly drawn.
This is a very clever short story made novel length. What happens when ark-ships are sent to distant planets and the humans are raised by robots, along with the rest of the flora and fauna. Who decides the kind of social structure they will inherit? Who decides what kind of art and culture they get? What happens when much speedier travel is possible and their cousins from earth show up, carrying all the negative cultural and sociological baggage the ark-children were denied?
These are interesting questions, entertainingly entertained. Ultimately, the typical, liberal spin is given to everything. But the story is nicely told and most of the characters are richly drawn.
Black (Ted Dekker)
[*]
Ted Dekker is supposed to be a pretty good writer. I would not assent to that proposition based on this book. Based on the high ratings and good reviews of this work on Amazon.com, I had hoped this would be a good introduction to the author and a fun, but challenging, read. I could barely finish it.
The one thing Mr. Dekker does well here is create two distinct worlds and keep the protagonist and the reader wondering which one is real. Is it the world that seems to be our own, with all of its wars, disease and crime? Or is it the land the protagonist visits when he is sleeping (or in a coma), where evil is decidedly black and good is innocent and naive?
The problem is that I don't care. The fantasy world is not rich enough and things are too black and white. The allegory is both too obvious and too dense to penetrate. I'm not sure what the author is trying to show. Events in the real world are either too coincidental or too dependent on an almost omniscient and omnipotent antagonist. No one has that kind of power and insight. And the protagonist is too laid back for a novel. Things just happen to him, even when he's trying to be a bit assertive. I made it all the way to the end of the book, looking for something to really happen or be explained. It never was. And I don't care enough about it to pick up the other two books and spend the hours needed to read them.
Ted Dekker is supposed to be a pretty good writer. I would not assent to that proposition based on this book. Based on the high ratings and good reviews of this work on Amazon.com, I had hoped this would be a good introduction to the author and a fun, but challenging, read. I could barely finish it.
The one thing Mr. Dekker does well here is create two distinct worlds and keep the protagonist and the reader wondering which one is real. Is it the world that seems to be our own, with all of its wars, disease and crime? Or is it the land the protagonist visits when he is sleeping (or in a coma), where evil is decidedly black and good is innocent and naive?
The problem is that I don't care. The fantasy world is not rich enough and things are too black and white. The allegory is both too obvious and too dense to penetrate. I'm not sure what the author is trying to show. Events in the real world are either too coincidental or too dependent on an almost omniscient and omnipotent antagonist. No one has that kind of power and insight. And the protagonist is too laid back for a novel. Things just happen to him, even when he's trying to be a bit assertive. I made it all the way to the end of the book, looking for something to really happen or be explained. It never was. And I don't care enough about it to pick up the other two books and spend the hours needed to read them.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Deception Pass (Earl Emerson)
[***]
This is the second or third book I've read by Mr. Emerson. He's a good writer. But this book was disappointing. The protagonist, Thomas Black, seemed a bit too goofy. There were a few too many coincidences. And there was not enough taking place at the Deception Pass of the title. I think there's enough here to make me sample this writer again.
This is the second or third book I've read by Mr. Emerson. He's a good writer. But this book was disappointing. The protagonist, Thomas Black, seemed a bit too goofy. There were a few too many coincidences. And there was not enough taking place at the Deception Pass of the title. I think there's enough here to make me sample this writer again.
Monday, August 07, 2006
A Bridge Too Far (Cornelius Ryan)
[***]
This is the rugged, true and tragic history of Operation: Marketgarden. Mr. Ryan does a grand job of introducing us to the men involved in this operation, from the generals down to the cooks. The only trouble is that this is the largest operation of World War II and there are just too darn many of them to keep straight. So you just have to slog forward (somewhat like they did) and trust in the author. With that in mind, you are treated to the grand sweep of the plan, the infeasibility of key parts of it and the personal cost and valor involved in attempting it. Good maps and photos, too.
This is the rugged, true and tragic history of Operation: Marketgarden. Mr. Ryan does a grand job of introducing us to the men involved in this operation, from the generals down to the cooks. The only trouble is that this is the largest operation of World War II and there are just too darn many of them to keep straight. So you just have to slog forward (somewhat like they did) and trust in the author. With that in mind, you are treated to the grand sweep of the plan, the infeasibility of key parts of it and the personal cost and valor involved in attempting it. Good maps and photos, too.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Universal Principles of Design (William Lidwell)
[**]
There are a lot of positive reviews for this on Amazon.com. I was not impressed. I guess if you need a reference list of obvious human factors principles, this would be it. But I think it's too general to be a real reference book for any given application.
There are a lot of positive reviews for this on Amazon.com. I was not impressed. I guess if you need a reference list of obvious human factors principles, this would be it. But I think it's too general to be a real reference book for any given application.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Strange Angel (George Pendle)
[****]
The sub-title says it all: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons. I saw this lying on a table at the library and was fascinated by the cover, both the title and the pictures. Reading the jacket convinced me, I had to know more about this goofy mad scientist that worked on rocket engines and hung around with science fiction authors and spiritual con men at the dawn of the rocket age. I had never heard of him before and now I will never forget him.
The sub-title says it all: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons. I saw this lying on a table at the library and was fascinated by the cover, both the title and the pictures. Reading the jacket convinced me, I had to know more about this goofy mad scientist that worked on rocket engines and hung around with science fiction authors and spiritual con men at the dawn of the rocket age. I had never heard of him before and now I will never forget him.
Monday, May 29, 2006
City (Clifford Simak)
[***]
I liked this. It's really four long short stories (or three stories and a novella?) based on the premise that in the far future man has departed the earth for a better place, dogs have inherited the earth (with the help of the robots man built for them) and man has become the stuff of myth and legend.
The downside of the book is that you have to be willing to put up with early fifties anachronisms like impossible sociology (everyone moves to huge suburban estates, commutes by helicopter and communicates by television) and completely speculative science (something does live under all that gas pressure on Jupiter and man can be surgically altered to adapt to the same environment). Fascinating.
I liked this. It's really four long short stories (or three stories and a novella?) based on the premise that in the far future man has departed the earth for a better place, dogs have inherited the earth (with the help of the robots man built for them) and man has become the stuff of myth and legend.
The downside of the book is that you have to be willing to put up with early fifties anachronisms like impossible sociology (everyone moves to huge suburban estates, commutes by helicopter and communicates by television) and completely speculative science (something does live under all that gas pressure on Jupiter and man can be surgically altered to adapt to the same environment). Fascinating.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Double Star (Robert Heinlein)
[****] audiobook
Wonderful stuff. A space-opera, told in first person, about an actor caught up in political intrigue of galactic proportions (in a future imagined in 1956). The imagined martians are as anachronistic as the rockets. Still, I need to read more stuff like this.
Wonderful stuff. A space-opera, told in first person, about an actor caught up in political intrigue of galactic proportions (in a future imagined in 1956). The imagined martians are as anachronistic as the rockets. Still, I need to read more stuff like this.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
The Third Policeman (Flann O'Brien)
[*]
One of the few books I have started that I actually did not finish. Perhaps I would have slogged through it if I felt like I had some leisure time (that is, time to waste). But I didn't feel that way and this is certainly even more esoteric and off-beat than I was expecting. Somehow this abstract 'novel' (with no real plot, how can it really be a novel?) is referenced or related to the television show Lost. I hope I read enough to figure out how. Something about death and hell and infinite loops, but it was also supposed to be funny (in some Irish way that I didn't understand). We'll see.
P.S. I still haven't seen how this relates to Lost (11/25/06)
One of the few books I have started that I actually did not finish. Perhaps I would have slogged through it if I felt like I had some leisure time (that is, time to waste). But I didn't feel that way and this is certainly even more esoteric and off-beat than I was expecting. Somehow this abstract 'novel' (with no real plot, how can it really be a novel?) is referenced or related to the television show Lost. I hope I read enough to figure out how. Something about death and hell and infinite loops, but it was also supposed to be funny (in some Irish way that I didn't understand). We'll see.
P.S. I still haven't seen how this relates to Lost (11/25/06)
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Kong Unbound (edited by Karen Haber)
[***]
Some of these I skipped, but I read most. Several helped me with insights into the Kong myth and origins. Others were just personal ruminations that were fun, but irrelevent.
Some of these I skipped, but I read most. Several helped me with insights into the Kong myth and origins. Others were just personal ruminations that were fun, but irrelevent.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Living Dangerously: Merian C. Cooper (Mark Cotta Vaz)
[****]
This is the biography of the creator of King Kong. I had not previously known that this guy had lived a life rivaling Indiana Jones or any other adventurer. I thoroughly enjoyed this and might have to read it again. But not too soon, or I'll spoil any chance I have of writing my story about the origins of Kong.
This is the biography of the creator of King Kong. I had not previously known that this guy had lived a life rivaling Indiana Jones or any other adventurer. I thoroughly enjoyed this and might have to read it again. But not too soon, or I'll spoil any chance I have of writing my story about the origins of Kong.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
California Girl (T. Jefferson Parker)
[***] audio
Since we both attended the University of California at Irvine, I've been wanting to read something by this author for a long time. This had it's faults, which other, better critics have called out (the family relations were a bit contrived and clumsy, and the epic sweep did not sweep me up). But I thought the prose was grand and I loved reading about my old stomping grounds in Orange County, California.
Since we both attended the University of California at Irvine, I've been wanting to read something by this author for a long time. This had it's faults, which other, better critics have called out (the family relations were a bit contrived and clumsy, and the epic sweep did not sweep me up). But I thought the prose was grand and I loved reading about my old stomping grounds in Orange County, California.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Robison Crusoe (Daniel Defoe)
[****] audiobook
Yes, this is the classic novel by Daniel Defoe. Yes, its old and stodgy in a way, but it's wonderful stuff. I read or heard something that said it was the original English-language novel. How did one guy get it so right? Yes, it's anachronistic. But it's also engaging and fun, especially when read aloud by someone with a British accent.
Yes, this is the classic novel by Daniel Defoe. Yes, its old and stodgy in a way, but it's wonderful stuff. I read or heard something that said it was the original English-language novel. How did one guy get it so right? Yes, it's anachronistic. But it's also engaging and fun, especially when read aloud by someone with a British accent.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Golden Buddha (Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo)
[*] audio
Wow! What a truly horrendous mash of contrived television-grade plots and stereotyped characters and clunky writing. How did this get published? If these guys can get a book into print, I think I can. From what I've read, this is not representative of Clive's writing. I will give him another chance. Please don't read this book.
Wow! What a truly horrendous mash of contrived television-grade plots and stereotyped characters and clunky writing. How did this get published? If these guys can get a book into print, I think I can. From what I've read, this is not representative of Clive's writing. I will give him another chance. Please don't read this book.
Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy (David Gerrold)
[**]
There were plenty of good tidbits and insight in here. But I was disappointed, overall. I think there was much self-indulgence in including huge sections of his own writing. And I mean huge. It was distractingly huge. Still, I think a few things crept into my brain that I will be able to use in becoming a better writer. I may have to come back and look at this again.
There were plenty of good tidbits and insight in here. But I was disappointed, overall. I think there was much self-indulgence in including huge sections of his own writing. And I mean huge. It was distractingly huge. Still, I think a few things crept into my brain that I will be able to use in becoming a better writer. I may have to come back and look at this again.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
King Kong (Delos W. Lovelace)
[****]
During a busy time, I managed to squeeze in a read of the original novelization of the original King Kong movie. The main attribution is to Delos W. Lovelace, but apparently there was ample input from Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace. Very fun. A few extra details and slight divergence from the film, but good to read. The best parts, though, were the Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz and the Introduction by Greg Bear. It made me go out and get Mark's book about Cooper, which I review later.
During a busy time, I managed to squeeze in a read of the original novelization of the original King Kong movie. The main attribution is to Delos W. Lovelace, but apparently there was ample input from Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace. Very fun. A few extra details and slight divergence from the film, but good to read. The best parts, though, were the Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz and the Introduction by Greg Bear. It made me go out and get Mark's book about Cooper, which I review later.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Christ the Lord - Out of Egypt (Anne Rice)
[****]
Yes, this is by the Anne Rice of vampire fame (which I have not read). It turned out to be quite different from my expectations, but I liked it. It is written entirely from the viewpoint of a seven-year-old--a seven-year-old Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. Anne did her research, which means the book is steeped in ancient Hebrew culture and history. It's probably a bit of a stretch for any adult to truly write from the viewpoint of a young child, much less from the viewpoint of one that is also divine. Anne may come as close as anyone could. I look forward to the next volume in the series.
Yes, this is by the Anne Rice of vampire fame (which I have not read). It turned out to be quite different from my expectations, but I liked it. It is written entirely from the viewpoint of a seven-year-old--a seven-year-old Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. Anne did her research, which means the book is steeped in ancient Hebrew culture and history. It's probably a bit of a stretch for any adult to truly write from the viewpoint of a young child, much less from the viewpoint of one that is also divine. Anne may come as close as anyone could. I look forward to the next volume in the series.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Christine (Stephen King)
[***]
I had not been that attracted to Mr. King's novels before. Horror is not really my thing. But now that I've seen some of the more interesting films based on his stories (like The Green Mile and The Secret Garden) and I read his On Writing, I thought I should read one of his actual novels and see what the hubbub was about.
I did like the book (better than the movie of the same name). I'm still not sure if I can become a dyed-in-the-wool Stephen King fan. I have a later book, From a Buick 8 waiting for a future read. I guess I'll know better after that. I do think I learned a bit about storytelling from reading this book and can relate better to what he says about his craft in On Writing.
I had not been that attracted to Mr. King's novels before. Horror is not really my thing. But now that I've seen some of the more interesting films based on his stories (like The Green Mile and The Secret Garden) and I read his On Writing, I thought I should read one of his actual novels and see what the hubbub was about.
I did like the book (better than the movie of the same name). I'm still not sure if I can become a dyed-in-the-wool Stephen King fan. I have a later book, From a Buick 8 waiting for a future read. I guess I'll know better after that. I do think I learned a bit about storytelling from reading this book and can relate better to what he says about his craft in On Writing.
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