Setting aside the inevitable comparisons to The Shape of Water (in my opinion, the movie is reduced to a ratherBook Club: LAPL Sci-Fi Short Story Club
Setting aside the inevitable comparisons to The Shape of Water (in my opinion, the movie is reduced to a rather formulaic romance in an odd, but appealing package in comparison), Ingalls' proficiency and penetrating insight into human nature and the human condition reminded me of Steinbeck's best short novels, e.g., The Wayward Bus.
NB: Unintentionally correlated to Cold Skin - both stories feature amphibious humanoid creatures - but a stark contrast in tone....more
While the movie wasn't bad, it didn't quite capture the originality or strangeness of its source material. That said, I have some doubts about the quaWhile the movie wasn't bad, it didn't quite capture the originality or strangeness of its source material. That said, I have some doubts about the quality of this translation....more
My old ass is a loaf of white bread. I'm ready to be carved out of wood.My old ass is a loaf of white bread. I'm ready to be carved out of wood....more
A mostly quaint entertainment with some cringier parts. From what I recall of Fleming's other Bond stories (I read them many years ago), it's one of tA mostly quaint entertainment with some cringier parts. From what I recall of Fleming's other Bond stories (I read them many years ago), it's one of the better ones.
For those wondering, the book is pretty much the same as the movie but the movie did make some changes for the better, in my opinion. One notable exception to that is the character of Honey Ryder. In the book, although she's portrayed as child-like, there's an understated strength and wisdom to her. A stark contrast to Bond's one-dimensionality. This is not the case in the film, where she's little more than another Bond accessory (no shade on Ursula Andress intended).
A question: What are your thoughts on the narrators of audiobooks using different voices for different characters? I understand the motive for doing so, but in the audiobooks I've listened to, there always seems to be a voice (or several voices or all the voices) that just doesn't work for me. Simon Vance, the narrator of this audiobook, is quite good; his Bond voice is perfect. It's not that his other voices were bad either; they just made me seriously wonder if different voices are even necessary....more
Challenge: A mystery featuring a female cop/private detective
I don't usually go in for serial detective novels (Hercule Poirot notwithstanding) becausChallenge: A mystery featuring a female cop/private detective
I don't usually go in for serial detective novels (Hercule Poirot notwithstanding) because I have a poor opinion of them in general, but I was more than pleasantly surprised by Indemnity Only and V.I. Warshawski (V.I. stands for Victoria Iphigenia, in case you were wondering). I may even read another one. ...more
Keen readers will recognize the scarlet threads of The Murders in the Rue Morgue, Sherlock Holmes, and Arsène Lupin running through The Mystery of theKeen readers will recognize the scarlet threads of The Murders in the Rue Morgue, Sherlock Holmes, and Arsène Lupin running through The Mystery of the Yellow Room - and from it, onward to Hercule Poirot - but it stands on its own merit as a classic, if not the classic "locked room" mystery....more
Bradbury's homage to hardboiled detective fiction is dark, but not too dark, a bit playful, and surprisingly ribald. Bradbury's homage to hardboiled detective fiction is dark, but not too dark, a bit playful, and surprisingly ribald. ...more
Ghost Story will inevitably be compared to Stephen King, and while I consider the Stephen King novels I've read to be slightly better, fans of StephenGhost Story will inevitably be compared to Stephen King, and while I consider the Stephen King novels I've read to be slightly better, fans of Stephen King will certainly still enjoy it....more
One will note the similarity to Ogden Nash or Silverstein, but in the realm of nonsense poetry, it isn't equal to either dean.
NB: The exception is MystOne will note the similarity to Ogden Nash or Silverstein, but in the realm of nonsense poetry, it isn't equal to either dean.
NB: The exception is Mystery Poem. I really liked that one....more
An extremely cool premise that didn't live long enough to fulfill its extremely cool potential. Rio certainly has style - and I daresay if you liked GAn extremely cool premise that didn't live long enough to fulfill its extremely cool potential. Rio certainly has style - and I daresay if you liked Graveyard Shit, you will almost certainly like her novel, If We Were Villains, which I read a bit of post-Shift - but it's not for me.
NB: Jacket copy called Rio's style "inimitable," but it seemed pretty imitable to me....more
The Monsters of Templeton isn't the type of novel I'd normally read, but it was imaginative, self-assured, anChallenge #4: Read an author's debut work
The Monsters of Templeton isn't the type of novel I'd normally read, but it was imaginative, self-assured, and well-written, so I liked it, in spite of myself....more
One of the best books I've read on why and how to apply Stoic philosophy to daily life. Highly recommended for those interested in doing so. One of the best books I've read on why and how to apply Stoic philosophy to daily life. Highly recommended for those interested in doing so. ...more
With the exception of a non-sequitur plot angle that led to a somewhat unsatisfying ending, Who Censored I didn't know it was based on a book either!
With the exception of a non-sequitur plot angle that led to a somewhat unsatisfying ending, Who Censored Roger Rabbit was more fun to read than a barrel of monkeys! I'd even recommend it to someone who's seen the movie.
That said, the changes made for the movie - including "Censored" to "Framed" - were all for the better in my opinion. ...more
Mapping the Interior was my introduction to Stephen Graham Jones. Although I won't be able to say for sure until I've read more of his work, I expect Mapping the Interior was my introduction to Stephen Graham Jones. Although I won't be able to say for sure until I've read more of his work, I expect it will be a adequate one. ...more
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