Although it's a bit on the melodramatic side, I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. Other than a short story or two, I had not previously read anything byAlthough it's a bit on the melodramatic side, I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. Other than a short story or two, I had not previously read anything by Priestley. Valancourt Books recently got time-limited rights to publish a number of Priestley's works. The Valancourt website indicated that time was running out so I bought this one and also a short story collection.
I was impressed with Priestley's narrative style. He's equally good with dialog. This novel shifts between the perspectives of numerous characters and is somewhat non-linear, which enhanced my interest in the tale.
I have yet to see the well-known film adaptation by James Whale (most famous for Frankenstein). I've had the DVD for quite some time, but somehow never got around to watching it.
Sumptuous! Although it's not a hardcover, it's massive. An absolute joy to flip through this extensive tour of Cole's art. Sumptuous! Although it's not a hardcover, it's massive. An absolute joy to flip through this extensive tour of Cole's art. ...more
Rather perplexing, but quite interesting alternate history of WWII.
It made me realize that I only know the most basic outline of what happened duringRather perplexing, but quite interesting alternate history of WWII.
It made me realize that I only know the most basic outline of what happened during WWII. For example, I did not realize that Rudolf Hess flew to England to try and negotiate peace. ...more
This novel is brilliantly conceived but I found the story at many points rather tedious. Conceptually I'd give it 5 stars, but I've knocked it down toThis novel is brilliantly conceived but I found the story at many points rather tedious. Conceptually I'd give it 5 stars, but I've knocked it down to 3 based on lackluster execution. ...more
I first read this many years ago, when I was starting to get back into comics. I don't recall my reaction then, but the book had a high reputation andI first read this many years ago, when I was starting to get back into comics. I don't recall my reaction then, but the book had a high reputation and I wanted to read all the best in "graphic novels."
Needless to say, it's not something that I would have chosen to re-read except that my local alumni group decided to read it for purposes of discussion.
IMHO, this is probably the worst artwork that I've seen by Frank Miller. Many times I was puzzled about what he was trying to depict in a particular panel. The lettering is too cramped and the panels are often too small and monotonously tessellated. The endlessly proliferating talking heads on television sets particularly irritated me.
The story arc is pretty good, but I'm not a huge super-hero fan. Super-hero stories are mostly about physical altercations and confrontations with the biggest and baddest villains imaginable. There's plenty of that here. I was more interested in the back-story. For example, the reason Batman retired and how Superman became a government agent. Miller didn't get into that much. There's a page or two that addresses this while Superman is fighting the Russians, and it's pretty interesting. But it's slim on details.
Most impressive. Perhaps a bit on the long side, considering the almost minimalistic setting, but this is quite a virtuosic display of craftsmanship aMost impressive. Perhaps a bit on the long side, considering the almost minimalistic setting, but this is quite a virtuosic display of craftsmanship and inventiveness. ...more
Different from other works by Burns that I have read, in which the characters are trapped in a nightmare. The nightmarish weirdness here is all imaginDifferent from other works by Burns that I have read, in which the characters are trapped in a nightmare. The nightmarish weirdness here is all imagined by the characters, so it's far less disturbing than a typical Burns story. The graphics are fantastic, as usual, but I was a bit disappointed by the quotidian quality of this story. ...more
I found this difficult to read. The first section is mostly a long argument between four Earthlings, which takes place on a newly discovered planet, LI found this difficult to read. The first section is mostly a long argument between four Earthlings, which takes place on a newly discovered planet, Lithia. Although we learn some interesting things about Lithia and its lizard-like, highly intelligent inhabitants, the delegation of Earthlings is debating whether the planet should be either off-limits or raped for its natural resources.
The delegation returns to earth with a Lithian egg, which is hatched. The Lithian develops quickly and becomes a provocateur who threatens the stability of the government.
The heart of the novel, however, concerns one Ruiz-Sanchez, a member of the original Earthling delegation. While he's a scientist, he's also a Jesuit priest. The existence of the Lithians - who have no religion but have nevertheless developed a more or less perfect society free of conflict - shakes his faith to its core. He suspects that Lithians are a creation of Satan, but according to his faith, Satan cannot create anything.
He eventually meets with the Pope to sort things out. To avoid a spoiler, I'll stop here. In the long run, this was an interesting novel and Blish was obviously a brilliant polymath. But the execution of this novel leaves a lot to be desired. For me, it was borderline unreadable. ...more
Perhaps ten years ago, I found a battered, ex-library copy of this book at a library book sale. I remember opening it up to discover Alex Ross's wondePerhaps ten years ago, I found a battered, ex-library copy of this book at a library book sale. I remember opening it up to discover Alex Ross's wonderfully gouache-painted panels. I had never seen any comic book art like this before, so I immediately added the book to my stack. I read a few pages here and there, and sometimes pulled it off the shelf to admire the art work, but never committed to reading the entire thing until now.
Ross's art is 5-star quality, but I'd probably give the story a 3. It's not a bad story, but in my opinion, Busiek bit off more than he could chew for such a brief series. He's trying to encapsulate the entire history of the so-called "Marvel Universe" here. Consequently, the story arc is disjointed and bumpy.
The story centers around a news photographer and his family. The photographer races around to record the doings of various super-heroes and villains in NYC, much to the neglect of his wife and daughter.
One of the main themes is the public's distrust of super-heroes, which is a familiar Marvel trope. The focus is less on the heroes and more on how they are misunderstood. The photographer understands them. He eventually publishes a book about the heroes, gets old, gives up on changing public opinion, passes the torch to an assistant, and finally retires.
The art is so beautiful that the weaknesses of the story are easily forgiven....more
I've owned this book for quite some time now. At the time of purchase, I had previously read almost all the tales in the first section ("The Literary I've owned this book for quite some time now. At the time of purchase, I had previously read almost all the tales in the first section ("The Literary Weird Tale") and nothing from the second section ("The Popular Weird Tale").
Much time has passed and I'm picking a few stories to read or re-read. First stop was the debut story, "Fall of the House of Usher," which is choked with thickets of intricate descriptions and lacks a sense of movement. I became impatient enough to skim numerous paragraphs -- perhaps partly because I've read this story a few too many times, and partly because it doesn't seem to live up to its reputation as one of Poe's best tales.
Then, I read "The Canal," by Everil Worrell (a contributor to Weird Tales magazine). It's a decent and atmospheric vampire story.
This morning (Dec. 1, 2024), I finished "Seaton's Aunt," by de la Mare. It's one of those British boarding-school stories. Withers, the main character, has a tepid friendship with an unpopular classmate named Seaton, who has lost his parents and brother and is living with a sinister "Aunt" whenever school is out. Withers visits the Seaton home once during their schooldays and meets the creepy Aunt. Both boys finish school and meet up randomly over the years, sometimes at the Seaton residence. Seaton plans to marry, but ultimately dies. He's survived by the Aunt, who is definitely somewhat worse for wear but even more creepy than ever. Lovecraft referred to this story as one of "malignant vampirism," but I'm not sure it that's an apt description. Perhaps "psychological vampirism" would fit better.
So far, I'm not terribly impressed with these stories. Perhaps I'll sample a few more, but it seems unlikely that I'll read the entire book. I have not read Machen in quite some time. And I'm curious about Merritt.
Update: I did indeed read all the stories. The best two by far are Machen's "The White People" and Blackwood's "The Willows." I re-read them and they seem even richer than on previous reads.
Most of the stories in "The Popular Weird Tale" section are not memorable. Nevertheless, the book on the whole is fairly entertaining and it's interesting to experience the variety of styles represented. Some of stories reprinted from Weird Tales (or other pulp magazines) are by authors not well known today (Arthur Burks and M.P. Shiel, for example.) A few of the authors included in this anthology have been forgotten entirely and little is known about them. ...more
I enjoyed the story, but it might have been better if Lapham did more to mimic film noir techniques. Instead, his drawing style is rather humdrum withI enjoyed the story, but it might have been better if Lapham did more to mimic film noir techniques. Instead, his drawing style is rather humdrum with almost no play on perspective, light, or skewed framing. In his introduction, he states that his model was film noir, but apart from the story line, the book didn't have the feel of the old movies that he claims as his inspiration. ...more
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