7/2/2000
A Flame in Byzantium by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
[Note - part of the St. Germain series]
 |
| Chelsea Quinn Yarbro via Wikipedia |
The
horror in Yarbro’s novels does not come from the vampires but from society
itself. At times, one comes tired of
it. Picking up a Saint Germain novel
ones knows usually what to except. Writ
in Blood is on the few expectations.
It is the novels that take place earlier in history that focus on the
horror of society, the later novels have the emphasis shifted somewhat.
But the
reason why these novels are popular is because readers can identify with being
the outsides as the main characters.
But I
still like Olivia much better than the count (not that I don’t like the
Count). She seems so much more
alive. Less depressing than the
Count. While suffering similar tragedies
she seems better able to deal with them.
Sometimes I think the Count should go on Prozac. Olivia’s treatment at the hands of Drosos
after his return from Alexandria is more tragic than anything that the Count
has gone though. Such a complete repudiation. Even though Drosos did it because he didn’t
think he was worthy of her, the pain of
it is still more heart wrenching than any of the deaths that the Count had to
deal with . He never seems to have to
deal with such rejection.
Drosos’s
depression after Alexandria does not seem that believable because he never
appeared to be inclined to scholarly or books before. Some more in depth character development
would have been better.
7/5/2000
 |
| from National Museum of Natural History (old hall) |
Mammoth: Silverhair by Stephen Baxter
Very
good but a little strange.
Not sure
if the idea of mammoths existing for such a long period is possible. While like the circular beginning and end,
the mammoth on Mars ideas doesn’t seem to totally click for some reason.
It is
nice to read a book where not all the humans are the bad guys. He appears to try and strike a balance.
I like
how he presumes that an acute observer, one that would be able to interpret the
nature of nature of mammoths would be female.
Is the
key to the novel the fact that Silverhair must accept what humans are trying to
learn now? How to share the planet with
the other inhabitants? In this way modern
animal fables are like “literature” and yet they are frowned upon. We still read “:The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” but
modern tales that do the same are now seen s fantasy, not true literature. It’s sad.
7/5/2000
Longtooth: Mammoth Book Two by Stephen Baxter
 |
| National Museum of Natural History (Old Hall) |
Funnier
than Silverhair at the same a prequel and a sequel. Sequel in the sense of not only Silverhair’s
story to her calf but because it sets the stage for the journey to Mars. Longtusk is like Silverhair but not in
regards to his curiosity. It is also
interesting to see difference between he cycle and the book’s reality. And yet The Lost do control the fate of the
mammoths. But what I don’t understand is
how the mammoths in Silverhair did not the humans were there. Books show the necessity of having to change
to survive. The mammoths do not evolve
and that is part of the problem. But even
given the remoteness of the island won’t they have?
The
finest line in the book has to be Walk with Thunder’s line, “Well, I’m sorry. I was trying to make a point. I left out all the fights and sex scenes”
(83).
Also the
introducing sentences to the story proper, “The greatest hero of them all was
twelve years old, and he was in trouble with his mother again” (10).
7/6/2000
Wizards of Odd ed. By Peter Haining
[Note short story collection]
“Intro” – Dufflepads!
“Theatre of Cruelty” by Terry Pratchett
Interesting
take on Punch and Judy shows.
“Hell Hath No Fury” by John Collier
This
one was funny. But did the angel really
have to be a blonde one?
“The Twonky” by Henry Kuttner
Don’t
know if I would really classify this story as comic. It does have comic elements (the radio washing the dishes for example) but
the humor turns to horror. It is more of
a chillingly tale, ending on ana ominous note.
Story starts somewhat slow but then picks up with the introduction of
Kerry, Martha, and Fitz.
“A Great Deal of Power” by Eric Frank Russel
Again
this one is not really funny. It is a
good adaption of the Frankenstein idea but besides the irony at the end, the
tale is somewhat morbid. It is more of a
cautionary tale. Disturbing to a degree
but not really funny.
The editor of this book [Haining] appears to have a
strange sense of humor.
“Doodad” by Ray Bradbury
Against
the twists takes away from the humor.
And it isn’t the kind of twist expressed in a way that fits.
“Not By Its Cover” by Phillip K Dick
Couldn’t
finish this one.
“The Rule of Names” by Ursula K Le Guin
Finally
a funny one. The somewhat morbid twist
that the end doesn’t take away from the humor, in fact it fits in well. The story is extremely well done, the
characters well drawn. You sit back and
chuckle at it. Le Guin gives enough info
so that the ending is not a complete surprise.
“Mythological Beast” by Stephen Donaldson
Already this one.
Stories seem to be picking up however.
“The Adventure of the Snowing Globe” nu F Anstey
Hehe
The
rational lawyer meets something you cannot explain rationally. I like the fact that while he does seem to be
little awed by the Princess he is not overwhelming attracted to her. In fact, he seems totally rational about it.
“At my
time of life marriage with a flighty young woman of eighteen- and a princess into
the bargain – would be rather too hazardous an experiment” (131)
Narrator
is so rational in his thinking, upon being asked (told) to slay the dragon, he
thinks, “My common sense told me that it was perfectly preposterous on her part
to e expect such services as these from one who was merely acting as her legal
adviser” (130)
Narrator
tackles the problem so rationally and calmly.
“Affairs in Poictesone”
by James Branch Cabell
Funny
but not so good as the last story.
“The Ring of Hans Carvel” by Fredric Brown
I
love funny short ones. And nice how the
woman comes out on top.
“The Bait” by Fritz Leiber
Not
the best story so far, yet good enough to make seek out more with the same character
“A Knight’s Work” by Robert Block
Nice to meet a
character that acts very relatively. But
the use of slang makes the story seem dated.
“Poor Little Warrior” by Brian W Aldiss
Couldn’t
finish this one.
“The Odd Odd Bird” by Avrom Davidson
Starts
off extremely funny but then seems to get blogged down in itself. Perhaps not the author’s best work.
“Young Zaphod Plays it Safe” by Douglas Adams
Read
this already
“The Wild Asses of the Devil” by H G Wells
Finally
read something by Wells that I liked. Similar
to Le Guin’s Underhill.
“Ministering Angels” by C S Lewis
Very
logical and funny.
Have skipped several stories in the last selection. The only good one being Asimov’s. The book is not strictly comic, think editor
was hard pressed to find humorous one.
Most the stories regardless of humor not good in last section.
Comments
Post a Comment