This novel is the archetypal work for so many subgenres: time travel, evolution, future dystopia, the human condition, and the list would go on. Our tThis novel is the archetypal work for so many subgenres: time travel, evolution, future dystopia, the human condition, and the list would go on. Our time traveler finds himself in a future earth with two disparate peoples: the aesthetic, peaceful, but fairly simple, Eloi, and the subterranean intelligent, violent ape-like Morlocks. Our human nature has been separated over time to reveal some telling consequences. Brilliant!...more
Merricat is one of those all-time fantastic narrative voices. Unreliable, cute, likable, psychotic, dangerous. Think this is Jackson's finest work.Merricat is one of those all-time fantastic narrative voices. Unreliable, cute, likable, psychotic, dangerous. Think this is Jackson's finest work....more
Orlando was certainly a groundbreaking novel at the time and certainly deserves to be studied at university. In the opening scene, and even for the fiOrlando was certainly a groundbreaking novel at the time and certainly deserves to be studied at university. In the opening scene, and even for the first 30 pages, I was mesmerised. Woolf's command of imagery and figurative language, combined with cheek and wit, is something to behold. The ice sequence lone is one of the all time great pieces of writing.
However, as the novel progressed, I felt that it was too much of the same. Similar syntax, similar pacing, just different scenes, and obviously different identities, and, although I appreciated the novel, the brilliance began to dim.
I do believe that Orlando paved the way for other greats like Angela Carter. Only Nights at the Circus surpasses it's predecessor. ...more
Have no idea what this would be like by today's standards, and also today's sensibilities. But I loved this as an child. Have no idea what this would be like by today's standards, and also today's sensibilities. But I loved this as an child. ...more
I'd just like to thank Susan Cooper. This was the first novel series that I ever read, which was fantastic development for a young reader at the time.I'd just like to thank Susan Cooper. This was the first novel series that I ever read, which was fantastic development for a young reader at the time. ...more
Look, this rating reflects the thoughts an adult who read this way back when they were in Year 3 and all that I can remember of them is that they wereLook, this rating reflects the thoughts an adult who read this way back when they were in Year 3 and all that I can remember of them is that they were fantastic, and helped enjoy longer works outside of Roald Dahl. May be dated of course, I haven't ever returned and I don't plan to as there are so many great books to still read....more
I was and I am still unsure of this novel. I ended up giving it 4 stars for the parts that scintillate, but I was close to giving it 3 stars too. SomeI was and I am still unsure of this novel. I ended up giving it 4 stars for the parts that scintillate, but I was close to giving it 3 stars too. Some pointers:
*The gradual unveiling darkness of the brother sister relationship was a brave move, as before things unveil, the reader is totally supportive of the protagonist. * The POV and voice of the sister displays McCarthy's strengths as a writer. The style and atmosphere being totally different from the main narrative. *There is a sense of slight unreliability with the POV that works well. * Parts at time seem to meander away and they border on philosophical diatribe, rather than seamlessly tie in with the narrative in a more well-crafted natural manner. * the transgender friend, who he worships and is supportive of, is represented in a heavy handed manner, which seems to appease a modern reader rather than a well-realised, believable representation of their relationship. I'd have preferred it to be more flawed and layered. I did like that it was a positive representation, but it also felt stereotypically cartoonish.
Hats off though to McCarthy. This will have readers reflecting on WTF well after they've finished. And when on-song here, McCarthy is equal to his previous best. A challenging, but ultimately rewarding read all up.
One of those rare cases when the film surpasses the novel. It is still a good read though, but it really feels as though you're reading a screen play One of those rare cases when the film surpasses the novel. It is still a good read though, but it really feels as though you're reading a screen play as opposed to a literary text. I think the film captures the atmosphere and darkness in a far more effective manner. ...more
I have read so many polarising reviews on this dystopian novel, some raving about it and others the opposite. A lot of the sci-fi reviewers canned it,I have read so many polarising reviews on this dystopian novel, some raving about it and others the opposite. A lot of the sci-fi reviewers canned it, stating that the readers praising it haven't read enough sci-fi. This includes one of the commentators on The Coode St Podcast (which is a podcast I really respect).
As I do read quite eclectically, and I am as at home in genre as much as literary fiction, I'd like to add my own 2c for what it's worth (suppose that means it's worth 2c...)
I think that the sci-fi critics may not quite understand why McCarthy has written this. Many sci-fi enthusiasts IMO are after an intricate plot and also a degree of clever speculation on future worlds and future possibilities.
The Road does not achieve the complexities nor the speculation that many genre readers seek. However, what The Road does endeavour to explore, rather than a complex world and convoluted plot, is an in-depth portrayal of the loving bond between parent and child. It really is that simple. Sure, the backdrop is a dead world, yet this ashen grey landscape serves to emphasise this bond, as the two are eking out whatever time they have available together.
The prose also mirrors this. Anyone who has touched on Blood Meridian or All the Pretty Horses or even The Passenger, can see that when McCarthy wishes to write rich prose, he is more than capable. Yet The Road is written in a parred back rhythmic simplicity. Once again, this works to highlight the heart of the text, simply the loving bond.
As such, I think the sci-fic critics would be better off looking at this novel from a more appropriate reading lens. It is not targeting genre readers but those readers who are interested in the intimate parent-child relationship. And, if you look at McCarthy's spare prose to match the spare world to match the monotony of this grey future, then The Road is a real winner. It's wonderful thematic exploration of deep family love is all the more interesting due to his deliberate choices. ...more
Erik Secker has impeccable taste. Easily my favourite magazine/journal at present. Another fine edition as I backtrack through these free stories on tErik Secker has impeccable taste. Easily my favourite magazine/journal at present. Another fine edition as I backtrack through these free stories on the web. ...more
I read three Jules Vern novels as an 11 year old, and this was the one I enjoyed the least. But I still liked it. I suppose Around the World was fun, I read three Jules Vern novels as an 11 year old, and this was the one I enjoyed the least. But I still liked it. I suppose Around the World was fun, and 20000 Leagues was mysterious, but this one just seemed childish in terms of the serious scientific way it viewed things.
In the story, Professor Lidenbrock is a geologist who picks up an old manuscript about the core of the earth, and it more than pikes his desire for exploration. His nephew, Axel, accompanies him, along with an Icelandic guide called Hans.
The subterranean worlds are fairly ridiculous, full of dangers and megafauna, but if you simply read it for enjoyment's sake, there is still plenty of fun to be had here. Although, the earnest way the secrets to the human existence are explored is a sauropod-sized pill to swallow......more
This is a wonderfully out-there tale of old school adventure. The protagonist's name, Phileas Fogg, gives you a strong indication of the novel's mood This is a wonderfully out-there tale of old school adventure. The protagonist's name, Phileas Fogg, gives you a strong indication of the novel's mood and atmosphere. The story revolves, Phileas Fogg wagering that he can travel around the world in a mere eighty days. The clock is on, as he and his small team, face plenty of delays and adventures and 'exotic' interludes on the way.
A fun adventure novel with plenty of humour. ...more
I read this in upper primary school along with a few HG Wells and few other Jules Verne novels. We all seemed to have more time for reading back then,I read this in upper primary school along with a few HG Wells and few other Jules Verne novels. We all seemed to have more time for reading back then, before the advent of the internet and social media.
I appreciate that some of the values are dated. For instance, a firm belief in the disproven notion of 'race', the stance on class structure, all reek of yesteryear. But, then again, in many ways we haven't progressed as far as I'd like to think we have. You only have to look at the inequity in both large capitalist economies, but also totalitarian regimes, to understand that outside of a few places, such as the Scandinavian countries, that something has gone awfully awry.
But to get back to Verne, I found both him and Wells rather easy reads, although Verne appeared the more wordy of the two. His writing and structure is also not as strong as Wells' and he has far more 'fantasy' in his science fiction.
In this novel, a deep sea “monster� threatens humankind's mastery of the oceans. The US navy and a couple of French oceanographers aim to put an end to the threat, only to discover that it isn't a living creature at all, but a submarine called the Nautilus, captained by the enigmatic ambitious genius, Captain Nemo. Captain Nemo and his crew and three new guests are taken on an underseas exploration of the unknown.
I suppose today, I'd recommend it for those interested in the evolution of the genre, and those after old explorative and mysterious adventure stories. ...more
I am in the minority here, but this was like as dull as concrete and cement, but then again, I see a lot of concrete and cement these days.
Look the olI am in the minority here, but this was like as dull as concrete and cement, but then again, I see a lot of concrete and cement these days.
Look the old crime and follow-up is sem- interesting, the issue I have is Mikael is a bit of a middle aged man's wet dream. I can't believe that so many readers are buying into this story. Let's call him the heroic sexual healer. He's divorced, yet his ex still pines for him (from recall they may have screwed too). The tattooed girl with tude, who is his daughter's age, who he is working closely with, has sex with him = sexual healing and it's AOK. One of the more mature witnesses also has sex with him = sexual healing and again, it's AOK.
And in one of the scenes, this middle ages investigative journo, commando rolls for all to escape sniper shots.
Maybe, I'm getting it all wrong, but in the first novel, Mikael the much-loved middle-aged Romeo, is able to have it off with anyone, and it's AOK because he's nice. Plus, there's the old commando thing when you need it.
Dry stagnant prose, stereotypes, and sexist. ...more
My brother loved this novel, and it certainly has a cult following which reflects my brother's love.
I enjoyed Dune, but didn't read anymore of HerberMy brother loved this novel, and it certainly has a cult following which reflects my brother's love.
I enjoyed Dune, but didn't read anymore of Herbert. It's a cold and very descriptive style (I would say overly descriptive and bordering on laborious) yet I found it hard to connect with the world and its characters. I also felt it took itself far too seriously. I find that the best literature contains a dash of humour and this is pretty grim.
Paul Atreides, a noble heir, is sent to a desert planet, where the valuable commodity is “spice�, a substance that can extend longevity and expand consciousness. It is coveted by the wealthy across the universe.
Paul's House is betrayed, and the boy is left stranded in a world of dunes. But he evolves into a prophetic hero of sorts, and there is more to Dune and its inhabitants, and the colossal desert worms, than at first perceived.
I did love the latest film though and will definitely see the sequel. They have really done the novel justice, in a sense, more than justice. It's a rare thing to say but the richness of the narrative on screen is better than the book , but clearly that's just my subjective opinion. And if you do read it, I hope that you admire it as much as my brother....more
It's a little like Mark Twain's Connecticut novel with a contemporary man taken out of his own time line. In this case, the time is of a fantasy medie It's a little like Mark Twain's Connecticut novel with a contemporary man taken out of his own time line. In this case, the time is of a fantasy medieval era. The dark armies of Faery are about to overthrow the Light Realms. Only the legendary Holger Danske, the knight of Three Hearts and Three Lions, can save the realm, which ironically is our modern day Carlsen. Despite the backdrop, this is more of a light enjoyable adventure story.
It doesn't possess the coldness, darkness, nor originality of Anderson's epic The Broken Sword, but it is a fun read, nevertheless. ...more
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