JY's Book Report

Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials

2007-07-22T23:50:00.000+03:00

Very Dark Materials Indeed

It's been a long time since I've read one of those truly breathtaking books. Not coincidentally, it's also been long since I've written a book review.

Sure, I've read some good books in the six months that have passed, but none of them had that certain unfathomable quality that precedes a true masterpiece. The feeling that makes me read a book for the better half of the night, catch a few hours of sleep and read on come morning on the train, oblivious to sore eyelids and burned neurons.

I'm actually tempted to insert a sly, cynical remark here, about how Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy could not possibly rise to these heights hereby described. Except that it does.

It's a complex story, starting with "The Golden Compass" (Also known as "Northern Lights"), continuing with "The Subtle Knife" and concluding with the breathtaking, fast-paced "The Amber Spyglass".

It's a story about children and adults, about growing up in more than one way. About atheism and belief. About fate and choice. About Adam and Eve. It's a work of fantasy interwoven with quantum physics.

I could write so much more, but after spending several sleepless nights on the trilogy, I should think that my own humble review can wait for a more civilized hour.

On the upside: Fascinating, Surprising, Simple yet Rich with Complexity, Strong Characters.
On the downside: This book is for kids, adolescents and adults that hadn't stopped growing. Oh, and excess amounts of addictive qualities.
JYRating: 95. Because only the Authority deserves 100.

Paul Preuss - Starfire

2006-02-12T01:38:00.000+02:00

Orson Scott Card Can Be Wrong

It is not every day that one gets to read a piece refered to by the Orson Scott Card himself as "A terrific novel, I heartily recommend it". The photo on the cover was quite impressive Scifi stuff, so naturally I bought it - more like fell for it, actually.

It's hard to put my finger on the source of my disappointment. I've seen worse technobabble on Startrek, and the occasional plot element did occur, although between long burst of slow story telling.

With scarce character development that was basically limited to the final stage, and with recent developments in the real world not quite befitting the "Enthralling near-future space adventure" slogan on the cover, the book quickly fell out of favor for me.

If it wasn't for Asimov & co I'd be selling out Scifi altogether for Fantasy.

on the upside: Hardcore Scifi, creative techno-babble, author very knowledgeable on NASA and space tech.
On the downside: Slow plot, lacking mystery, very Apollo 13-like.
JYRating: 40. Take my copy - I won't be needing it.

Roger Zelazny - The Great Book of Amber

2005-12-09T21:48:00.000+02:00

The Complete Amber Chronicles 1-10

Lots of time has passed since my previous post. Not to worry, I can explain or at least properly excuse. It's not easy reviewing ten books for your reading pleasue. Thought about making ten different reviews, but somehow it did not seem right...

Today's highlight is a book larger then life, a classic resting in the peaks of immortality alongside Tolkien's Lord of the rings and Adams's Hitchhikers Guide.

Since this is one book that can speak well enough for itself, I'll just give you some highlights...

"While I had always said that I wanted to die in bed, what I really meant was that in my old age I wanted to be stepped on by an elephant while making love."
(Corwin of Amber, The Guns of Avalon)

"It is too late to start pretending I like him", she said. "You know. I just don't like the people he associates with - assorted criminals, jazz musicians..."
(Flora of Amber, Sign of the Unicorn)

"I've a peculiar feeling that I may never see you again. It is as if I were one of these minor characters in a melodrama who gets shuffled offstage without ever learning how things turn out." - "I can appreciate the feeling," I said. "My own role sometimes makes me want to strangle the author."
(Bill Roth and Corwin of Amber, Sign of the Unicorn)

On the Upside: Action, Original, Unpredictable, Humorours, Memorable, Huge world.
On the Downside: May cause loss of contact with friends and family.
JYRating: 98. Steal it!

Links:
Ghostwheel - a short story that follows Prince of Chaos, the last book in the Amber series.
The Amber Series - Amber fansite. Amazing Trump Gallery.

Brian Daley - Jinx on a Terran Inheritance

2005-11-06T20:47:00.000+02:00

The Second Hobart Floyt and Alacrity Fitzhugh Adventure

Brian Daley is dead.

That's right: a stiff.

Well, don't act so shocked. After all, he did kick the bucket in 1996, you've had plenty of time to get used to the idea.

Now that I got you off hoping for a sequel, we can discuss this book in a slightly more dignified manner, although dignified cannot really apply to the way I've selected, bought and read this book.

Starting with the second part of a trilogy can be a nasty idea, but sometimes you just don't get a say in the matter. Such was my case, picking up Jinx from a Technion used books merchant in a devastated shape at a very humble price. Most writers take this in mind in the first few chapters, drawing the reader subtly into their world with elegantly conceiled character introductions, place descriptions, plot remainders and (Especially in SF and Fantasy) exotic terms explained.

Not so for Brian Daley's Jinx on a Terran Inheritance.

But let's pretend for a moment that we are normal people, reading books the usual way - starting with Requiem for a Ruler of Worlds, moving on to Jinx and wrapping it all up with Fall of the White Ship Avatar, just like nature (or Daley) intended.

Given that, the adventures of the (horribly named) Hobart Floyt and Alacrity Fitzhugh take a turn for the better.

If you feel the urge for some high-paced, action-oriented book, where the heroes never get a dull chance for a relaxed moment, this is where Jinx excels. Strong women characters and the occasional incredible humor can also increase the fun.

Although there are many books I liked better then this one, it still deserves a place in the hall of fame for one particular scene: the memorial service. Buried like you've never buried before.

He led and inspired the nation,
This praiseworthy son of creation,
But although we'll all miss him,
It's time to off-kiss him,
In the int'rests of good sanitation!

On the Upside: Lots of action, Original (Age considered), Most hilarious euology since Monty Python's Graham Chapman's.
On the Downside: Introduction, Names (Try saying "Alacrity Fitzhugh" or "Cpt. Softcoyne Dincrist" 20 times fast...)
JYRating: 75. Try it!

William Goldman - The Princess Bride

2005-10-19T12:15:00.000+02:00

S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

What can I say about this enchanting book/movie that has not already been said? Most of us remember "The Princess Bride" for the memorable lines: "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die", made immortal in the spectacular movie. Can the book really improve such an experience as this?

It can, and it does.

The book is really all about frames within frames of a frame, in which one can hardly tell fiction from reality. Is it a classical tale? The story of a script-writer abridging a classical tale? A story read by a father to his son? A catching satire about royalty? A tale on true love?

Goldman only adds to this confusion, describing the tale as containing "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautiful ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passions. Miracles". He's not lying.

Goldman claims his story to be an abridgement of a classic tale, and proceeds to make fun of everything involved, including himself. His ability to create irony within irony is remarkable, for example the notes on noble packing are simply hilarious.

"No one could be following us yet?" the Spaniard asked.
"No one," the Sicilian assured him. "It would be inconceivable."
"Absolutely inconceivable?"
"Absolutely, totally, and, in all other ways, inconceivable," the Sicilian reassured him. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason," the Spaniard replied. "It's only that I just happened to look back and something's there."

They all whirled.

Something was indeed there. Less than a mile behind them across the moonlight was another sailing boat, small, painted what looked like black, with a giant sail that billowed black in the night, and a single man at the tiller. A man in black.

The Spaniard looked at the Sicilian. "It must just be some local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise alone at night through shark-infested waters."

On the Upside: Enchanting, Hilarious, Moving. Disliking would be inconceivable.
On the Downside: Too short, No sequel.
JYRating: 92. Buy it!

Terry Pratchett - The Wee Free Men

2005-10-10T23:24:00.000+02:00

Pratchett is guaranteed good reading: The man just never seems to run out of ideas. In this book we get to explore the discworld universe from a different point of view, although two familiar faces make a brief appearance.

Tiffany Aching is a classic diskworld hero. She's innocent, she's only 9 years old, and yet she always manages to do the right thing. As goes the way with witches, saving the world comes before learning magic - but don't worry, magic is really just for show, and who needs magic anyway when you have natural cunning and unexpected help from the most feared little blue men around - The Wee Free Men!

Miss Tick looked up.
"That little creature in the boat was a Nac Mac Feegle!" she said. "The most feared of all the fairy races! Even trolls run away from the Wee Free Men! And one of them warned her!"

"She's the witch, then, is she?" said the voice.

"At that age? Impossible!" said Miss Tick. There's been no one to teach her! There's no witches on the Chalk! It's too soft. And yet... she wasn't scared..."

On the Upside: Original, Funny, Enchanting.
On the Downside: Light reading.
JYRating: 80. Get it!