This is one of those great books to have kicking around on your coffee table; a quick guide to the wars and weapons of human history, with pleasing ilThis is one of those great books to have kicking around on your coffee table; a quick guide to the wars and weapons of human history, with pleasing illustrations and enough references to get your feet wet on the general topic of warfare in our world.
Military history is an extensive study, and this book doesn't go into depth, but that isn't its purpose. It serves as a solid introduction and visual guide that gives us the crib notes on when, why, and how humans battled each other through the ages....more
When 'Wolf in White Van' is good, it's really good; intriguing, original, haunting. And then there are parts where it is the polar opposite; boring, mWhen 'Wolf in White Van' is good, it's really good; intriguing, original, haunting. And then there are parts where it is the polar opposite; boring, meandering, disengaging.
My mix of enjoyment and disappointment was very similar to how I felt about John Darnielle's second novel 'Universal Harvester', although I can say I enjoyed WIWV more overall. It's a good book that has moments of true greatness, only to be dragged back down by frustrating detours into overwritten and strained poetic prose, seemingly the byproduct of a pressing desire to present itself as a "literary work", rather than a great story.
I think JD is a talented writer with a hell of an imagination that comes up with great concepts for books... but then gets caught up in the idea of being a "writer", to his detriment. Throughout the novel, he forfeits a lot of pace and plot and great storytelling in order to sound more "literary" and subvert our expectations, but not for the better necessarily. It's almost like he had an awesome novel already written, but then said "Wait... this isn't literary enough to impress my peers... I don't want to be associated with popular fiction at all... So, I guess I've got to go back and overwrite my novel with more flourish and descriptive vagueness to imply intellectualism".
The result was Wolf In White Van, the excellent book that could have been....more
The "Western" has faded considerably over the years, but when a book in this genre gets it right, it absolutely shines. Boone's Lick is one such book,The "Western" has faded considerably over the years, but when a book in this genre gets it right, it absolutely shines. Boone's Lick is one such book, written by the great Larry McMurtry. The story appears to start out quite lighthearted, but gets gritty real quick, reminding you just how unforgiving and brutal (even alien) life in "The West" was once upon a time.
Boone's Lick is the story of the Cecil family, a ragtag bunch scratching out an existence in Missouri at the end of the Civil War and under the care of their matriarch, Mary Margaret. When Mary decides to track down her wayward husband, the family sets off for Wyoming on a somewhat reckless adventure that will shape their lives for years to come. One the way the family bonds, and tragically tears, as they encounter wild predators, hostile Indians, and the destructive side of Mother Nature.
A short, enjoyable read steeped in the tradition of the Western, but elevated by McMurtry's prose, Boone's lick will make you laugh and smile, recoil in horror, and add some heaviness to your heart. A recommended read....more
I enjoyed the story. I did not enjoy the style. And I think this novel is perfect for a discussion about the value of story and substance versus styleI enjoyed the story. I did not enjoy the style. And I think this novel is perfect for a discussion about the value of story and substance versus style.
This is a tale of a native legend come to life to exact revenge on four members of the Blackfeet tribe. It is intriguing, chilling, and at some points, gruesome. The way the paranormal entity gradually enters our world and stalks its victims was fascinating, as were the themes of man versus nature, the natural order and balance therein, and the long-reaching consequences of trespassing against what is good and right. The mind-games, visions, and eventual visceral terror made this a great tale of horror with much tension and tragedy. The story is what kept me reading.
The style, however, was all over the goddamn place. Technically written in third-person omnipotent, the narrative sometimes abruptly switched to second-person with no real priming or break to signify a change, and often wandered into a colloquial or stream-of-consciousness style that really only works in first-person perspective. Imposing this on third-person narrative caused the prose to buckle and sometimes hit a wall. The result often felt like a square peg being forced into a circle hole, crippling the momentum of the storytelling (There were some spots that used "like" colloquially so much, it felt like a valley-girl was suddenly talking). I've seen some excuses for this, saying SGJ was being "experimental". Okay, I'll bite. But "experimental" doesn't automatically mean "good". If this novel had stuck with third-person, or had been rewritten in various first-persons, I think SGJ would have knocked it out of the park.
I've said this before, but I'm getting real tired of the "up-sell" at this point. The current publishing industry has a real problem hailing mediocrity as "magnificence". Stephen Graham Jones is much more than a mediocre author, and his talent absolutely shines in spots, but the accolades and endorsements this novel received led me to believe I'd be reading something truly incredible. And although The Only Good Indians definitely has some magnificent moments, I didn't feel it added up to the overall hype....more
A solid three stars. Like most Elmore Leonard novels, the dialogue was great, the story was quite slick, and the writing was pro. With a quick pace, aA solid three stars. Like most Elmore Leonard novels, the dialogue was great, the story was quite slick, and the writing was pro. With a quick pace, and a low page count, you'll get through this novel in a few sittings.
Personally, I thought the novel started off better than it ended. The early part taking place in Africa had my all of my attention; the setting, the predicament, the tension, all of which I found riveting. When the story and main character migrated to Detroit, I found the tale becoming a more run-of-the-mill crime caper that didn't have the same pressure and profundity as the first act. In fact, I often wished the story had stayed where it started....more
Denis Johnson wrote one of my favourite novels of all time: Jesus's Son. Since then I've read other books of his, trying to find that magic again; theDenis Johnson wrote one of my favourite novels of all time: Jesus's Son. Since then I've read other books of his, trying to find that magic again; the poignancy mixed with the poetry, the mastery and mystery behind his written words. I have come across it, but not in the same supply or force as found in that one particular masterpiece.
Johnson's first novel 'Angels' definitely possesses his signature talent here and there. It follows the ill-advised journey of Jamie, a woman who has left her husband with two children in tow. She has the misfortune of running into (and shacking up with) Bill; a man with questionable ethics and loose morals, but someone just as lost in America as she is. Together they embark on a downward spiral into drugs, drinking, crime, and the penalties people incur when they don't know when to stop.
The story packs a punch in places, and takes the reader on a wild and tragic ride, but it is generally less controlled, less compelling, and more meandering that I was expecting. Johnson is a powerful writer all right, and this story was enough of a vehicle for what he wanted to say, but his first time out had some engine troubles and spun its wheels enough for me to give it three stars....more
Guess what? You're beloved author of children's books was also an adult with an adult's mind; a mind that enjoyed delving into stories of sexual deviaGuess what? You're beloved author of children's books was also an adult with an adult's mind; a mind that enjoyed delving into stories of sexual deviance and sinister intrigue. Knowing what a talented writer Roald can be, I dove into this collection of short stories eager to plumb the depths of Dahl's dark side.
What I discovered, however, was a bit mild. While these stories might have caused women to clutch their pearls and men to adjust their crotch once upon a time, some of it is quite tame by today's standards. The subject matter of each story, malevolent or mischievous it may be, has clear boundaries which stop it from being actually shocking. The twists are of no great surprise, and the sex always stops at the 1960s standard of foreplay, though the implications (if not blatant suggestions) in the narrative can occasionally be quite ghastly.
Understandable, of course, as time is often not good to art, and art that stands the test of time is a rare and precious thing. 'Switch Bitch' is no such book. But it does have it's moments, and if you can place yourself in a bit of a time capsule, it can be quite a romp, sometimes unsettlingly so.
Three stars for showing a more sinister/deviant side of Roald Dahl, but with some shortcomings. In all honesty, I think I preferred his children's books. They seem to stand the test of time better....more
'The Devil in the White City' contains what the title implies, but not in equal amounts. I, like most people I reckon, picked the book up to read abou'The Devil in the White City' contains what the title implies, but not in equal amounts. I, like most people I reckon, picked the book up to read about one of America's earliest and most prolific serial killers: H.H. Holmes. What it turned out to be was a story focused much more on a Chicago architect/elite named Daniel Burnham and his circle of associates. The plot structure alternates between Burnham and Holmes, a creator and a destroyer, two men who never meet or have anything to do with one another, with the World's Fair serving as a backdrop to their own stories. The juxtaposition of these two characters and their polar-opposite passions makes for an interesting premise that becomes less engaging when you actually delve into the pages. 'The Devil in the White City' proves to be lopsided, with a lot dedicated to the "White City", and a lot less allotted to "The Devil".
This book is actually about the city of Chicago and it's influential architects/leaders around the time of the city's undertaking to host The World's Fair before the turn of the 20th century. I mean, sure, the serial killer was in there. Every 2-3 chapters an often decidedly short section would be dedicated to him and his murderous exploits to keep your morbid curiosity invested, but it never amounted to much more than a side story, and not much of a chilling one at that despite the subject matter. I don't know how Erik Larson managed to suck the fear factor of Holmes numerous killings, but I suspect it has to do with his more clinical non-fiction writing style. As a result I found very little of it frightening.
If you have any interest in the history of Chicago or the 1893 World's Fair, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this book. However, if you're like me, a person who has little interest in either, you'll still learn some stuff, read a number of passages that will raise your eyebrows, but largely feel like you're grinding through the Burnham chapters in order to get to the Holmes chapters. And when you get to those chapters, they can be a bit of a letdown. I'm all for authors leaving stuff to the reader's imagination, but Larson leaves a lot to be desired.
As a result, The Devil In The White City gets a solid three stars from me. It's decent, no doubt about that. The writing is very good, it's meticulously researched, and the story moves at a good click. It's filled with history, interesting tidbits, and touches on the black soul of a demented killer we would all love to know more about. But there are books you just can't put down, and this definitely isn't one of them. At no point was I ever engrossed by its dutiful content or glued to its many pages....more
Few would argue over Matterhorn's status as a quintessential war story, and a must-read for anyone who is interested in soldiery, warfare, and the conFew would argue over Matterhorn's status as a quintessential war story, and a must-read for anyone who is interested in soldiery, warfare, and the conflict in Vietnam in particular. It is one of those rare long novels that can keep you glued to its many pages. Even during the downtime between skirmishes and battles, its pace almost makes the page count irrelevant. For such a big book, you'll get through it surprisingly fast. Be prepared for a roller-coaster of emotion, because this story constantly bounces you between horror and humor, excitement and grief.
On the slight downside, it was not quite as brilliant as I'd been led to believe. Karl Marlantes is usually put in the same category as Tim O'Brien and Tobias Wolff. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve to be in that ballpark, but his writing doesn't always compare to the others he's placed among. Although the plot, pacing, and characters were commendable, there were more than a few times in the novel where I felt some better prose (or at least better editing) were in order. As a result Marlantes doesn't quite have the consistency or strength as O'Brien or Wolff, creating occasional speedbumps in the reading experience. Regardless, it doesn't do much to dull the shine of an excellent war novel that should be read by all....more
Quite a good read. However, my overall feelings about the book and author are considerably complicated for an array of reasons.
'Consequence' is the trQuite a good read. However, my overall feelings about the book and author are considerably complicated for an array of reasons.
'Consequence' is the true story of Eric Fair's experiences in Iraq working as a private military contractor, or more specifically, an interrogator. The book spans his life, starting with being raised in small town America, moving on to his college days, and then focusing on several ways he served his country. All the while it explores his relationship with family, friends, church, the army, and the corporate side of war.
Eric sees three paths open to him; the police force, the military, and the Presbyterian ministry. At different times in his life he tries to pursue all three and succeeds/fails on varying aspects to varying degrees. Every time he walks in a certain direction he covers considerable distance, but eventually returns with stories that are less than triumphant; poignant and sometimes insightful though they are. His police career is cut unexpectedly short, his army career fails to find traction, his contractor-interrogator job gradually turns into acts of torture (for both him and others), and his pursuit of priesthood is crippled by his constant grappling with the past.
What we get from Mister Fair is a lot of commentary and introspection on what he felt he became and what America as a country is becoming. At times it gets preachy, and it toes the line of some fairly typical and predictable rhetoric. Understandable and forgivable, given the personal experience, but also stale to an extent; we've heard most of this before regardless of how emotionally charged it is. At times it fails to meet the needs of close examination, and instead we get commentary steeped in anger and sadness, unable to come to terms with the complexities of modern warfare and the fallibility/violence of the human species. At certain points it smacks of idealism colliding with cold reality. Should a man who has been involved in war have to inspect his actions logically and hold back his right to be upset? Not at all, but if you're letting your emotions get the best of you on the battlefield (literally or figuratively), maybe you're in the wrong business.
And that's the one thing that bothered me throughout the whole book. To me, at least, it was obvious that Eric Fair was not cut out to be a police officer, or a soldier, or a minister. He was choosing paths in life that had little or nothing to do with his character, strength, mindset, and attitude. All three of those careers require that the participant be made of some pretty tough stuff, the right stuff, stuff that I felt Mister Fair did not possess. In many cases, people who take on challenging jobs they eventually can't deal with are fired, discharged, denied continuation, asked to resign, or pack it all in themselves. In Eric Fair's case, he stayed on. Then he wrote a book.
As a result I felt I was being told a war story by a man who probably shouldn't been there in the first place. And as a consequence, it tended to taint what was being told....more
John Darnielle is a good writer. He's got a fine imagination that sets up a hell of a premise for a book. And by the time you've finished that book, JJohn Darnielle is a good writer. He's got a fine imagination that sets up a hell of a premise for a book. And by the time you've finished that book, John Darnielle might have also disappointed you quite a bit.
The idea behind 'Universal Harvester' is fantastic. A young man working as a clerk at a small town video store in the 90s lives a quiet, and maybe stunted, life in middle America. A tragedy dominates his past, resulting in guarded and uneventful days gone by. Everything begins to change when customers start returning to the store complaining that there is something wrong with the VHS tapes they have rented. Someone has been splicing snippets of home movies into the feature films. When the clerk begins reviewing the tapes to see what's wrong, he is met with strange images that are haunting, confusing, and sometimes violent. When a small cast of local characters become involved in this mystery for their own personal reasons, the search is on to find who is making these discomforting films and why. And as a reader, you can't wait to get on this ride.
But whatever direction you think this ride might go, I'll wager it is nowhere near where you thought it was heading. This is both a blessing and a curse; it subverts expectations, but not necessarily in the way of any betterment. Darnielle takes a concept that would suit an excellent thriller (even a highbrow one) and sort of wastes it on an exercise in comparatively uneventful literary writing. Yes, it asks some important questions about people's lives intersecting through the passage of broken hearts; past, present, and future. But it fails to pan out in any fashion resembling the initial excitement it stirs up. The thing is, Darnielle's writing is so good that it keeps hooking you and reeling you in, but by the time you're dragged to the boat the barb slips out of your lip and you find yourself drifting away in a kind of indifferent disappointment.
For as good as the writing is, there is a fair amount of unnecessary exposition going on too. Lots to learn about small towns in Iowa, and the people who populate them. All too often this narrative seems boring, yet you can't help feeling it must be building up to something important. However, it never compares to the awesomeness you were trying to picture in your head, but couldn't. One could argue that these tedious descriptions of time and place add to the atmosphere and story. Sure, I'll bite. But I can't deny that chewing on it for so many pages leaves a bland taste in my mouth. What seems like a straight shot to a bull's eye of a plot at the beginning, turns into a far more meandering case of confusing affairs by the end.
This could be a case of the writer losing the plot. Or, more likely, this is a case of an author telling a story you end up caring less and less about. It is rare that I read a book so intriguing, well written, and ultimately underwhelming. Still, there is clear value in reading John Darnielle's 'Universal Harvester'.
That value will certainly change from reader to reader, however....more
The conclusion to 'The Silence Of The Lambs' left the door wide open for the novel's villain, Doctor Hannibal Lecter. The world was his oyster and manThe conclusion to 'The Silence Of The Lambs' left the door wide open for the novel's villain, Doctor Hannibal Lecter. The world was his oyster and many of it's inhabitants a potential seafood platter. A lot of readers would have been quite happy to leave it there, but there was much that could still be mined from the depths of one of literature's darkest, and most complex, hearts. The "Cannibal" was on the loose. Where would he go? What would he do? Who else might fall under this charming killer's spell, and subsequently his knife?
Though its predecessors (Red Dragon' and 'The Silence Of The Lambs') were superior, 'Hannibal' still packs a punch. Thomas Harris has a gift for villains, and his third installment is no exception. Although Hannibal himself has gone from antagonist to protagonist in this novel, his new nemesis Mason Verger is a considerable creep-show all of his own. A man of considerable wealth and power, Verger crossed paths with Lecter in the past... and lets just say he's unable to "save face" because of it. As a result, what is left of his life is dedicated to a carefully planned scheme of revenge.
Clarice Starling, protagonist from 'The Silence Of The Lambs', is back in the mix (as are several supporting characters from that book), looking for Lecter while dealing with the subversive problems and politics of working as female agent in the FBI. The manhunt for the cannibal has gone international, and Hannibal seems to be playing a game of cat and mouse with his pursuers to some extent. His true intentions could be contradictory to what we've come to believe is his true nature, but the game is afoot and severed body parts will play a meaty role.
'Hannibal' retains much of Harris's signature creepiness and unsettling insight to the lives of those who are quite inclined to deprive others of theirs. Although we learn much more about the fantastic serial killer that could not be figured out by psychiatry's finest, it is worth asking whether making Hannibal the "hero" in this book was a good idea or not. Getting to know the man more intimately certainly sacrifices some of the mystery and menace previously surrounding him. The novel is also not as solid as the books that came before it, moving at a slower pace with some unnecessary amounts of narrative. As a result, 'Hannibal' is a welcome enough edition to the series, though a weaker one. There is little doubt that the ending will split audience opinion as well. ...more
A commendable quick study in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, tribalism, community, and how humans excel at caring for one another just as much as killA commendable quick study in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, tribalism, community, and how humans excel at caring for one another just as much as killing one another. Part memoir and part journalism, Junger uses examples of his own past and the traumatic experiences of others to consider a future where the "tribe" still holds an important and beneficial place in society.
But the "quick study" was also a bit of the problem. Certain sections of it felt too lean and potentially unsupported to a degree; not quite a gloss over of particular subjects, but something amounting to skating the surfaces where delving deeper felt pertinent. The writing has great flow and Junger can certainly command your attention. Overall it's a good book if you wish to wade into the topics of PTSD, soldiers returning from war, and the societies/systems that welcome them home (or fail to). However, by the time you've finished you may be left wanting....more
Welcome to this fourth collection of spine-tingling stories, an assortment appalling acts, some truly terrible tales told by the awful occupants of the hideous haunt!
Who remembers their first encounter with The Haunt of Fear? At some point almost everyone has stumbled over these old penny dreadfuls raised to the price of a dime. Despite being created in the 1950s, these creepy comics have skulked around for decades, discovered and rediscovered at garage sales and flea markets, presented in bookstores as reissues, beckoning young readers to experience a darker side of comic books away from costumed superheroes and run-of-the-mill villains.
Three decrepit hosts would lure young readers through an assortment of short stories drawn with skills that set the bar high. The Old Witch, the Vault-Keeper, and the Crypt-Keeper acted as guides for a great many youngsters into a world of maniacs and monsters spilling blood and guts.
The Haunt of Fear earned its rightful place in the pantheon of horror, as recognizable a name as The Twilight Zone and Stephen King. The effect it had on entertainment and culture cannot be overstated. The horror genre was new ground for comics at the time of its inception, and the influence of these stories carries on today. A great many books, films, and TV series were built on the foundations laid by The Haunt of Fear, as well as plenty of spin-offs and imitators on the comic book front. From thrilling short story collections by innumerable authors, to movies like Creepshow and Tales from the Dark Side, to television such as Tales from the Crypt and Black Mirror, almost every short-form design can trace its roots back to the style and substance of this classic horror comic.
Kicking off the book is an introduction by Grant Geissman that is as interesting as it is informative, supplying us with the story of the comic’s creation and subsequent rise to fame. Of equal intrigue is the foreword by Rob Zombie, who recounts his first discovery of The Haunt of Fear as a young boy. He describes the powerful and almost forbidden magnetism of the art and stories, something that greatly influenced him to become the music/filmmaker he is today.
Making up the collection are issues #19–24 of The Haunt of Fear, presented in digitally remastered color. Each issue features five tales told in comic form, plus a short story, and finally a column featuring letters written by fans and answered by The Old Witch.
You get 24 scary stories with some additional content, not a bad deal for a trip down memory lane! As nostalgic as it all is, however, the collection also proves how bad the material could be too at times (occasionally laughably so). The three old crones’ groan-worthy puns, atrocious alliteration, and cheesy jokes littering the intros and outros are one thing, but the stories themselves sometimes leave a lot to be desired.
Readers are led by the hand all too often, characters’ dialogue leaving little to the imagination. Most endings can be guessed long before anyone reaches the halfway point. In contrast, sometimes plot developments or revelations come out of nowhere with no setup or logic, leaving readers with a raised eyebrow or creased forehead.
A good number of stories rely heavily (often directly) on the standard-setting predecessors of long ago. Attempts to put new spins on old stories are frequent; Jekyll & Hyde, Bluebeard, Grimm’s fairy tales, the works of Edgar Allen Poe, as well an assortment of vampire and werewolf lore. There is no question how outdated it all is, and many of these tales don’t hold up today. It’s something nobody probably noticed when they were young and impressionable, but we become painfully aware of it now as adults looking back.
But The Haunt of Fear had its place and time, making a hell of an impact when it was fresh and unsettling. Best to remember it that way and enjoy these old offerings as a time capsule filled with the stuff of 1950s nightmares, the kind of comics that kept the nightlights on and made children check under their beds....more
If you're looking for a quick, entertaining left-field read that will supply you with the odd chuckle and occasional grin, then 'Squirrel Seeks ChipmuIf you're looking for a quick, entertaining left-field read that will supply you with the odd chuckle and occasional grin, then 'Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk' will satisfy.
Sedaris is a damn good writer. He takes the common (and occasionally not-so-common) animal and puts them in a variety of human-esque predicaments that still greatly adhere to the laws of the animal kingdom. It can be sweet and funny one moment, or surprisingly cruel and brutal at other times. Various animal characters have conversations, arguments, and heartfelt moments. Sometimes it's surface level, sometimes it's deep and insightful, and sometimes they dispense with words entirely and just tear each other apart (literally).
For an extra bonus, listen to the audio book featuring the voice talents of Elaine Stritch, Dylan Baker, Sian Phillips, and David Sedaris. Makes for some fun storytelling.
Jamie Bartlett is back, following up his stellar debut 'The Dark Net' with something equally enlightening and unnerving for the modern age. 'Radicals Chasing Utopia' is an in-depth look at a selection of outlying organizations that all feel they hold the key to the future, or at least the futures they envision. These radicals range from unconventional to unhinged, brilliant to bat-shit crazy. They’ve convinced themselves that their extreme ideas have merit, but hold back on judgment and hear them out because they just might convince you, too. Bartlett, ever the knowledgeable guide through murky political and technological waters, introduces us to the radicals he investigates with these words:
"It's the hubris of every generation to think that they have arrived at the best way of living. But all the things we now take for granted, all the modern wisdoms we hold to be self-evident, were once derided as dangerous or foolish radical thinking."
Seven groups are on the target list, with a chapter dedicated to each; transhumanists, European nationalists, a psychedelic society, an Italian Internet-based political party, a functioning free-love commune, a collection of climate change activists, and a tiny new country founded on Libertarian principles. Bartlett embeds himself with these groups and approaches each with a commendable balance of genuine open-mindedness and healthy skepticism. He’s the kind of writer that can sift through complexities to find value in supposedly absurd or dismissed ideas, be highly critical while avoiding cynicism, and also be skeptical of skeptics themselves.
A merchant of information, Bartlett offers readers a great deal within these pages. If knowledge is what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed. Each organization is outlined, infiltrated, dissected, and reviewed. Background and applicable history, multiple points of view, pros and cons are all presented. Bartlett’s writing is smooth and authoritative with a noticeably friendly tone. He doesn’t miss a beat, keeps you constantly interested, and even allows for the occasional good laugh. When subject matter gets complicated, the author thankfully doesn’t, breaking down and filtering the material so readers can digest it more easily.
These “radicals” often flourish, but sometimes squirm under the spotlight that Bartlett shines on them. They alternate between fascinating and frightening. They are people living on the fringes of society, intelligent misfits and outcasts dedicated to their causes and callings who view the paths they forge ahead as the only way forward. No doubt some of them are crazy, but readers won’t be able to shake the feeling that they may be “crazy as a fox.”
It would be easy to dismiss these radicals if they didn’t seem to constantly be on the cusp of what humanity potentially faces. What is it they know, or think they know, that the rest of us don’t? The answers may be surprising and the supporting data equally alarming. In a world where popular ideas are becoming more insular, radicals are the ones thinking outside the box. What’s more, they could very well be our best hope for the future.
“A liberal democracy with no radicals would atrophy and degenerate: society would become ossified, gripped by a dreary and monotonous set of unchallenged dogmas and received wisdoms that save people the trouble of thinking for themselves. This is precisely what has happened over the last thirty years. All the right words come out of the modern liberal’s mouth—listening to the people, human rights, democratic values, tolerance, etc.—but the brain isn’t properly engaged, it just auto-pilots through these platitudes.”
Most of us have been asleep at the wheel too long, lured into a false sense of security in a world that has the increasing potential to be turned on its head at any time. The radicals among us sense imminent danger and impending doom. The mainstream may not have the answers, so it’s society’s outsiders who try for more abstract solutions and do so on their own terms. A highly recommended read, 'Radicals Chasing Utopia' could influence you to chase after some of these utopian organizations and ideas, or make you want to flee from them just the same....more
Adaptations of classics can be tricky things. Television and film often come up against the usual suspects: problems with length, translation, or the fact that some novels don’t lend themselves well to other art forms. Whether a reinterpretation or a stickler for source material, updated versions of literature’s great works have their work cut out for them. Christophe Chaboute’s graphic novel of Herman Melville’s masterpiece Moby Dick is no different, though it makes a valiant effort and harpoons a good deal of the targets set before it.
Chaboute’s version follows Melville’s book closely, particularly in spirit. This is no small feat as narrative is almost nonexistent and dialogue dominates the pages. He effectively says more with less, letting his pictures paint thousands of words. Drawn in a stark pen and ink pared-down style, the work has a throwback vibe that works well in the context of a classic. It’s got a sharp edge and bleak tone to it, helping to render characters as the hard seafaring men they are, as well as showing the relentless pursuit of Moby Dick as the cold, calculated, vengeful act it is.
The panels are often tilted, giving a superb off-balance sense of life aboard an old sailing ship on the open ocean. Chaboute often speaks only in silhouettes to great effect. The black and white also recalls a time and era when people thought much more in terms of such. Captain Ahab’s madness and single-mindedness of purpose are reflected commendably, as well as the alternating loyalty and increasing worry of his men aboard the Pequod. The tale of the great white whale moves at a good pace in this form, granting a fair amount of valuable insight to a sailor’s lonely life as well as the savagery, courage, and often misguided heroism of whaling in its early days.
This graphic novel was not without a few faults, however. Right off the bat, the introduction written by John Arcudi is a bit presumptuous. The heaps of praise and endorsement are to be expected, but there are some substantial claims made before a reader has even got to the first official page. Arcudi takes great pains to insinuate (if not downright tell us) what we should think of the book before judging for ourselves. By the finale of this version of Moby Dick it seems obvious he was off the mark on a couple things. As the introduction is the first thing read, it proves to be a slight turn off going in, while also setting the bar a little higher than appropriate. The expectations set are not entirely met.
The minimalist artistic style of Chaboute has its merits, but at times one can’t help but think that Moby Dick deserved more, maybe even simply some needed shades of grey. The sheer black and white lacks depth after a while, something that Melville’s original book had plenty of.
Also, someone needs to educate Chaboute in a more nuanced use of the exclamation point. Practically every sentence of dialogue (and it’s almost all dialogue) ends in an exclamation point, giving the impression that all characters are constantly raising their voices, even when they’re clearly not. It seems a trifling complaint at first, but becomes increasingly annoying as the pages wear on, soon establishing a monotonous feeling of forced volume throughout the novel. This overuse feels a bit childish, akin to a cheap comic book, a detraction that could have been easily rectified before publication.
Despite these setbacks, Chaboute’s adaptation is well worth the time of any fan of Herman Melville’s definitive classic. In the hands of this artist, the graphic novel proves a compelling vehicle for a retelling of one of the world’s greatest stories. In fact, it is one we can all get on board....more
I'd heard quite a lot about Donnybrook over the last several years. It's a short novel that has been recommended by plenty of people and has been a blI'd heard quite a lot about Donnybrook over the last several years. It's a short novel that has been recommended by plenty of people and has been a blip on my radar for awhile. I finally got around to reading it recently, and it proved to be both an enjoyable and disagreeable experience. It's tough to review a book like Donnybrook for two main reasons.
1) It's the type of story I like to read. 2) It's not the kind of writing I enjoy reading.
The plot is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Set in the broken backwoods of southern Indiana, Donnybrook focuses on a dozen or so dangerous characters, most of who exist on the fringes of society and fight to stay alive, carving out an existence that amounts to little more than survival one day at a time. Unemployment and drug-addiction run rampant as rural societies hang on by their fingernails. Several desperate/deplorable/vengeful story lines are put in motion, all of them advancing toward the fabled 'Donnybrook', a three-day bare-knuckle fight fest where much money can be won and lives can be lost. It's a great read if you're into stories about the state of man's brutality when guys start scraping the bottom of the barrel. The plot gets a little redundant by falling into a loose pattern where robbery, fights, torture, double-crosses, gun play and getting shot seem to cycle over and over again. But otherwise, you get what you paid for; so much savagery that the whole thing starts to lose its bite after awhile.
When it comes to the writing, however, I'd been led to believe that the prose would be lean, clean, and razor sharp. The truth is the narrative is quite bloated in a lot of places; far too much description going on, an awful lot of similes (a good number of them eye-roll worthy), and a lot of instances where the author's stabs at creativity fall flat or fail to connect. Much more could have been achieved with less, which is surprising since Donnybrook is so short a read. Dialogue is great, but the action scenes are frustratingly repetitive and come off like movie script fight sequences that often drag on too long. For such a hard-hitting sinewy story, the writing doesn't match, which is a goddamn shame.
If you like your books brutal and bloody, this novel is a worthwhile read. But I hunger for the kind of writing that emulates the key fighters in this novel; lean, disciplined, and highly effective. You won't find enough of that in Donnybrook unfortunately....more
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