Book Review - The Talisman

Author: Stephen King & Peter Straub

Year: 1984

I think I've said it before, but I love me some Stephen King.  He's the greatest fiction author of our time, and the reason I can say that with such confidence is because so many people agree.  With each book he can do something that almost no one else can do; reach wide audiences who just want to be entertained and speak to small audiences who are looking for deeper meaning.  His books are creepy, scary, gross, page-turners, but then there's an element that exists if you care to look for it that gives readers more than what appears on the surface.  His short stories are my favorites, because he can create a mood and backgrounds so quickly, give you an emotion, and set you loose.  So I've read most of his novels, novellas, short stories, Bachman books, and now his co-authored work.  I expected great things from The Talisman, and I was not disappointed.

The main character of the book is Jack.  His father is dead, his mother is sick, and for some reason the pair of them are on the run from his Dad's business partner, Morgan.  Something is going on that Jack just doesn't understand, but he's about to become immersed in it.  When he meets a guy named Speedy his eyes are opened to another world, a parallel existence where many people have a "Twinner", basically another you in another dimension.  This amazingly stunning world and ours are close to each other, with a few people able to flip back and forth between the two.  But trouble is brewing, as Morgan is attempting to take control of both worlds, while killing the Queen there and Jack's mother here.  Jack must go west, travel across a dangerous foreign landscape, and retrieve the Talisman if any of the worlds that exist simultaneously have any hope of survival.

What a great story.  I'm not sure how the partnership worked or who wrote when, but whatever they did worked.  I was hooked from the beginning and never let go.  Jack was a great character, a plucky pre-teen who is stronger than people think and funny to boot.  His quest was just so cool and I'm sure I would have loved this book even more had I read it fifteen years ago.  For fans of the Dark Tower series, there weren't any connections, but there were definite similarities; the blasted west, the strange train that crossed it, Jack/Jake, a unique dialect that I found myself wanted to speak in.  There were a few times where the book lagged, using tricks that I didn't think were necessary, like switching chronological events up.  But those flaws were minor and the book as a whole was fun to read, captivating, and offered a lot to think about if you care to go deeper.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Peter Pan

Author: J. M. Barrie

Year: 1911

We've all heard the story of Peter Pan, the boy who won't grow up.  There are so many different versions, just among movies.  And then there are books, plays, TV shows, spin-offs.  My daughter is really into Pixie Hollow, a complete world of characters and adventures (and products) that all came from the original story.  I was even in the play in high school, long long ago.  I played Captain Hook, quite well I might add.  But even though I knew the plot very well, I had never read the book.  It was a play first, of course, turned into a book, and then spawning innumerable adaptations.  But the book remains as the pinnacle of Barrie's wonderful story.

Peter Pan is youth personified.  He is the boy who will remain young forever, but only if he stays in the Neverland, a world that exists through the imaginations of children.  Three such young believers are Wendy, John, and Michael, well-to-do British children who truly think that Peter is a real boy.  And when he visits them one night this is proven to them, and they immediately embark on a journey to the Neverland, leaving their old lives behind.  They will from now on live underground, fighting pirates, competing with Indians, hiding from the wild beasts.  One adventure after another assail the children and their hero Peter Pan, eventually culminating in a final battle with the dreaded James Hook, and forcing them to choose between a live of dreams and one of responsibilities.

It's hard to recommend a book to someone who already knows the story by heart, but I hope I can make it clear that this was one of the best books I have ever read, and that you should read it too.  I almost cried at the end, and let me say that that does not normally happen.  Not only was it very well written, especially for it to slide so easily across one hundred years.  But it was also deeply stirring.  It got inside somehow and made me contemplate every chapter as if it were a hidden message meant just for me.  Every character was a metaphor, every event an example, of youth, time, selfishness, growing up, giving up.  It's not surprising that this simple story has created so many copies, because each individual must see something unique to them inside the text and inside one of the characters.  The book was almost prose at times, beautiful to read, with great descriptions and quick wit.  But the excellence of the story was in its depth, bluntly telling the truth about life using a crocodile, a pirate, a child.  Everyone should read Peter Pan, as it has something to tell us all.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Rascal

Author: Sterling North
Year: 1963

Why are so many classic young adult books about the relationship between man and his animal companions?  Shiloh, The Incredible Journey, Rascal.  They all tell stories of love and friendship between humans and our best friends, often in heartbreaking detail.  But why are they so touching?  We must desire that connection, to a pet or to nature, and apparently we like imagining it even if we don't have it.  I grew up with dogs but I no longer have any, so I understand the need to have an animal friend, and I guess reading about that bond fills some sort of hole.  So for whatever reason, I love reading this genre of novel, and I enjoyed yet another excellent and beautiful story in Rascal.

The book is the tale of Sterling North's childhood during World War I in southern Wisconsin.  Set in his small hometown, the story follows Sterling's youth, from trapping in the woods to building a canoe in his living room.  His pleasant life changes for the the better when he captures a baby raccoon, takes him home, makes him a pet, and names him Rascal.  This curious companion accompanies Sterling on many adventures: canoe rides, parades, camping trips, nights under the stars.  And the two friends form a bond of love that cannot be measured, as Sterling deals with the hardships of life; his brother's fight in France, his mother's early death, his family's distant but deep affection.  Through it all, Rascal is there by his side, a friendly face during the difficulties of growing up.

It's a truly beautiful story, as cheesy as that might sound.  It's amazing the bond we can make with the animals in our lives, using them to help us in ways that perhaps even we didn't know we needed.  Rascal definitely did that for Sterling, becoming his best friend and perhaps the most important influence of his life.  And it's great that the story is true and feels real all the way through.  It's like a slice of life during this time in America, a picture of youth and freedom and nature as seen by an adventurous boy.  The details are the strongest parts, the descriptions of every day events that seem so other-worldly now.  The prose isn't as great as some similar novels I've read; it just doesn't read like a poem like others of its genre.  But the story is great, the time period is perfectly captured, and I enjoyed every minute of this wonderful book.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Fantastic Mr. Fox

Author: Roald Dahl
Year: 1970

I never did read much Roald Dahl as a kid.  I think we read James and the Giant Peach in school once, but that's about it.  My exposure to him was always through movies; Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda.  And when Wes Anderson created a Fantastic Mr. Fox movie I saw that before I read the book as well.  Now that I have kids and they were given a Dahl box set for Christmas, I'm finally catching up on the actual books.  I liked but didn't love the movie version of this novel, and I think I'll have to say the exact same thing about the book; it was good, but it just wasn't great.

The story of the book is much simpler than the story of the movie.  In the novel, Mr. Fox has stolen one too many fowl from the local farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean.  The trio team up to kill the sly fox once and for all.  But when he gets wind of the plan, Mr. Fox simply stays underground with his wife and children.  But the men won't give up that easy.  They dig with shovels, with machines, guard the hole, and do everything they can to make sure that the foxes never escape.  But as the family starves, the wonderful Mr. Fox begins to devise a plan that will both feed his family and steal everything right from under the farmer's noses.

The book is very easy to read, with short chapters and simple themes.  I can see why Anderson jazzed up the movie quite a bit and added his own style, cause otherwise it would have been very boring.  The book was a bit boring itself, but because it was short and sweet you could get through it fast.  I imagine this just isn't one of Dahl's best, at least compared to Charlie and what I remember of James.  Don't expect much more than as easy read, and I'd recommend reading it to children; it adds an extra element of fun to know that they're enjoying it.  But it's a fine book for a nice time.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Naked

Author: David Sedaris
Year: 1997

Apparently I'm way behind getting on board the David Sedaris train.  I had never read any of his books, nor had I even heard of him, until he was a guest on The Daily Show.  He was promoting his newest book and he was immediately interesting, weird, and really funny.  So I figured his books ought to be too.  I found one of his most popular books, Naked, got it from the library, and read away.  By the time I was about fifty pages from the end I had completely checked out.  There is only so much pointless writing I can take before I give up hoping that some of the humor and intrigue I saw on the show will start to appear in his writing as well.

The book is a satirical memoir of the early life of David Sedaris.  It chronicles his youth as the child of a Greek father and a hard-nosed Mother.  It tells of his crazy grandmother, his wild siblings, and the dysfunctional home they made.  At an early age, David was obsessive-compulsive, with ticks & habits that kept him in an isolated bubble.  As he grew up and these additions were replaced by others, he was able to meld into society, but never felt like he quite fit.  Taking to the road, he became a wanderer in the Kerouac style, experiencing all the people and places that the country had to offer, and finding himself in the process.

Naked was barely a book; it was more a rambling.  It wasn't exactly an autobiography, because you were never sure how many of the details were true and how many were complete fiction. And it just went on and on and on, accomplishing nothing other than stroking the ego of the author.  There was no point, which I could deal with, but there was also no comedy or wit, which was harder to accept.  I just don't understand; how can I be expected to enjoy a book about someone's uninteresting life?  So your family is Greek; great.  You traveled around and met some weird people; OK.  Got anything else?  I just don't understand how this book is so popular, unless his others are much better, and I'm not sure I have the energy to find that out.

My rating: ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Stuart Little

Author: E.B. White
Year: 1945

I had never read Stuart Little in school like many kids do, I missed that tradition for some reason.  I have, however, read Charlotte's Web many times, which was also written by E.B. White.  It's one of my favorite children's classics, and I was excited to read it to my kids a while back.  When I got the chance to read Stuart Little, I decided to share it with them as well.  I assumed it couldn't be quite as good as Charlotte's Web; what book is really.  But I love the way White brings animals to life and captures the love we feel for them so clearly.  Unsurprisingly, he did it once again and delivered a beautiful story that both children and adults can both fall in love with.

The story of the book follows the early life of the title character, Stuart Little.  He is a member of a pleasant family in New York City, living there with his father, mother, and older brother.  Life is fairly ordinary for Stuart, except for one little oddity; he has the size and appearance of a mouse.  But he doesn't let this difference stand in the way of having a grand and wonderful life.  Stuart quickly adapts to his house, creating ways to help him move about a home that is not quite his size.  He makes many friends, including a dental surgeon and a bird.  He goes on many adventures, including sailing a toy boat and driving a model car.  But Stuart's greatest adventure comes when he sets out to see the world, make his fortune, and become the wonderful creature that he is destined to be.

It was no great surprise that this was a very pleasant and enjoyable book.  Stuart was such a likeable character; he was charming, industrious, and incredibly positive.  I was entertained by the way he looked at life and the way he faced everyday problems & incredible accidents with the same ferocious determination.  The book was written very well, with never a dull moment and some beautifully descriptive passages.  It wasn't quite on par with Charlotte's Web; it lacked some deeper emotion that turned like into love.  But Stuart Little was a fun book, one that leaves a ton to the imagination, reads very quickly, and can be loved by both children & adults.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - The Incredible Journey

Author: Sheila Burnford

Year: 1960

When I was ten I loved the movie Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.  It was about my favorite thing, dogs, with a cat thrown in.  I knew it was based on a book and that it was a pretty loose interpretation, but that didn't bother me at the time because I had never read the novel.  The movie was based on the idea of companionship; the love the animals had for their human owners and also the love they had for each other, a bond of friendship that kept them together through a very difficult trek across a vast wilderness.  It spoke me, as a kid who loved animals, and I had no doubt that the book would have the same effect when I finally got around to reading it.  Well, here I am, almost thirty, and now I have read the book to my children and we all enjoyed it together.  After having watched the movie, the novel was all I imagined it would be and then some.

The story takes place in the sparsely populated forests of Canada.  The three animals are boarding with a writer, John Longridge, while their family is abroad in England.  They are Tao, the independent Siamese cat, Bodger the elderly English bull dog, and Luath the young Labrador retriever.  When Longridge goes on a hunting trip, Luath decides that he can wait no longer, that he must get back to his master by the most direct route possible; due west.  He takes his companions with him and acts as their leader, keeping Bodger going when it seems like the old dog can't walk another step.  The trio fight against bears, battle constant hunger, cross raging rivers, and find friendship along the way in the most unlikely places.  Their mission is to get home, no matter how long it takes or what the cost.

It was an incredibly beautiful book, in many ways.  First, the story was touching and very realistic.  The animals weren't humanized, they were written in a way that any pet owner can recognize as being truly accurate.  The love they showed for each other and for the humans in their lives reminded me of the love I had for my animals throughout the years.  I was pulling for them the entire way, hoping that they would make it against all odds.  And the writing was excellent as well.  At times it was almost poetry, describing the animals in nature, the way the land lay, the lonely people in a lonely place.  I was sucked into a world I have never seen, the rough landscape of the northern woods, and the danger that waits there for anyone who doesn't know its secrets.  All in all, a very enjoyable book that deserves to be read early and often.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Lonesome Dove

Author: Larry McMurtry
Year: 1985

When I was young my dad & I loved the Lonesome Down miniseries.  It ran in four parts, and was a total of over three hours long.  Of course, now you can get the movie on DVD and watch it all at once, and in that way it's fairly similar to other historic epics.  But the difference between Lonesome Dove and movies like Braveheart or Gettysburg is that it's not based on true events.  It was adapted from a fiction novel written four years earlier by Larry McMurtry under the same name.  So twenty-some-odd years later, I finally got my hands on the book that inspired the film that I love so much.  It's always tricky reading the book after having seen the film, especially when that film is one of your all-time favorites.  I was worried that the book just couldn't live up to the story and the characters that I love so much.  But apparently the miniseries was even more excellent that I knew, as they stuck to the novel almost exactly and brought to live what was already written so well.

Lonesome Dove is a tale of the wild west.  Living in Texas on the Rio Grande in the 1870s, two former Rangers are living out the rest of their days as cattlemen.  Their names are Augustus McCrea and Woodrow Call, and in their younger days they were fearsome Indian fighters, protectors of the settlers, and basically the law of the land.  Now they have nothing to do other than to raid into Mexico and steal cattle.  But when their old companero Jake Spoon arrives in the small town of Lonesome Dove, he excites their old spirit of adventure with stories of Montana; a land so beautiful, wild, and free for the taking.  The crew decide to start a cattle drive, with hopes of becoming the very first ranchers ever to settle in Montana, a feat that will make them all rich men.  Along for the ride come Deets (the trusty scout), Pea Eye (the stolid worker), Newt (the unclaimed boy), Dish (the top hand), Lorena (the former whore), and a whole group of other cowboys.  The entirety of the mid-west lays before them, but so does danger, as they must survive in order to enjoy the wonderful northern country that has become something more than simply a goal.

Well, I loved the movie, so perhaps I'm biased, but this novel was one of the greatest I've ever read.  It was just so simple; a cattle drive, a few lowly cowboys, the open prairie, some bandits.  But that's what made it great.  So often today's stories are so forced, so contrived.  This one wasn't.  It  was honest, harsh, dry, but somehow beautiful.  Perhaps it was the description of the country the characters crossed, an American that was wild and murderous and fresh.  Or perhaps it was the characters themselves, written so well that you could almost predict what they were going to say next.  By the end I felt like I had traveled every mile with the boys, had crossed every river with them, had borne every heartbreak.  I just couldn't get enough of this sad and lonely tale.  It might not be for everyone, because I know some people don't like Westerns, but if you're willing to give it a chance Lonesome Dove has the power to sweep you away and show you a fascinating time that has never been depicted better.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - The Neverending Story

Author: Michael Ende
Year: 1979

I first encountered The NeverEnding Story as a kid, borrowing the movie from the library and enjoying it over and over again.  I loved the story and the characters, and I remember that I used to swing at school while pretending that I was Atreyu riding across Fantasia on his trusty steed Artax.  Later on I would also watch the second film, The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter.  It wasn't nearly as good as the first, but it did have Jonathan Brandis in it, and he was my hero.  So I grew up knowing the movies well, but I had no idea that it was a novel.  I'm not sure how I missed that, but one day I was out shopping and stumbled across one lone copy of the original book.  I, of course, bought it right away, and have now read it aloud to my daughter.  Nothing will ever replace the first movie in my heart because it's a definite part of my childhood, but I was happy to read the book as an adult and get a new perspective on the story.

In the book, the fictional land that the story takes place in is called Fantastica, not Fantasia.  The book was originally written in German, but the translation soon makes you forget that fact.  The main character of the story is Bastian, a boy who doesn't feel like he belongs in his boring world of school and home life.  When he finds himself in a strange bookstore one morning, he discovers a novel that is almost calling for him.  Surprising even himself, he steals the book, hides in his school's attic, and begins to read the book, deciding that he will never go back to his old way of life.  As he reads, Bastian finds himself being drawn deeper and deeper into the unfolding story.  He learns of Fantastica, its Childlike Empress, a horrible Nothing that is eating up the world, and a brave young man named Atreyu who must begin a quest to save the Empress' life.  His mission is to find a human child, for only someone from Earth can heal the land.  Bastian begins to suspect that this is no mere book, and as he begins to read about himself he knows that he is in too deep to escape.

I was surprised that the book actually covers both movies.  The first half of the novel is almost exactly like the first movie, the second half of the novel is only slightly similar to the second movie.  And I understand why they split the films up this way; because The Neverending Story is almost two books in one.  The first half is Bastian reading about Atreyu's adventures, and the second half is Bastian's own adventures.  Unfortunately, the first part is exponentially better that the last.  I was invested, engrossed, and having a great time.  There was a climax, I felt good about it, and then there were still 200 pages left.  I was disappointed that the book got progressively slower, less interesting, and began to ramble on.  That said, the story as a whole was very interesting, and maybe the second half was meant to be read philosophically, rather than as part of an action/adventure plot.  Overall, it was a great book, especially if you loved the movies as a kid, but be prepared for a bit of a drag near the end.  If you've bought into the characters up until then you may forgive it, but if you weren't hooked you could be tempted to put the book down.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Little House on the Prairie

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Year: 1935

In the late 1800s Laura Ingalls and her family lived an adventurous life in the untamed land of the Midwest.  In the 1930s and 40s, she wrote a series of books describing the way of life and culture of the American pioneer through the eyes of the little girl she used to be.  So far I've read the first two books of the series: Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie.  They are both excellent books, but they are very similar.  The settings are different, but the format and description remains the same.  So this book review will be a summary of the two novels and my take of Ingalls' writing.  Many of you may remember the TV show that spawned from these books starring Michael Landon.  I used to watch it as a kid having never read the books, and it was enjoyable on its own.  It was actually based primarily on the book that comes next in the series, On the Banks of Plum Creek.  Ingalls would go on to write about her husband's childhood, her family's various moves, and her later life.  I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series if they are anywhere near as good as the first two.

Little House in the Big Woods is the story of Laura's early childhood in Wisconsin.  Her family lives deep in the forest, with no neighbors, but having family close enough to travel to in a day.  Through Laura's perspective we see the difficulty and simplicity of every day life at this time.  We see how her family makes almost everything they use, from cheese to shelves.  Her Pa is an extremely hard-working and industrious man, providing everything his family needs.  Her Ma works just as diligently in the house, taking care of the food, the family, which includes Laura, her older sister Mary, her baby sister Carrie, and the family dog Jack.  Life is a struggle against nature; the weather, animals, the growing of food, but the Ingalls family is happy with their existence and with their snug home deep in the woods.

Little House on the Prairie is a tale told in a very similar way.  Laura recounts her family's every day activities, their play, their songs, and the way they live together in a wild land.  When the woods of Wisconsin began to be more populated, Pa decided to move the family out West.  The land there was free, plentiful, and wide open.  Those who got there first would have the claim to the best areas, which no new settlers could take away.   But life on the prairie was hard; a new climate to learn, wolves, a house to build.  And the Ingalls weren't alone; the native people who had always lived there were friendly but wary, as more and more pioneers began to move West and push the Indians out of their territory.  Life was challenging but wonderful on the wide open prairie.

I really enjoyed reading these books.  They were written so simply and so descriptively that I found myself learning about woodcraft, farming, building, hunting, and so many other little things.  Ingalls goes into detail about the crafting of a door or a rocking chair, but somehow it's not boring.  The details make you feel as if you are there on the prairie, and they make you think about how convenient life is today.  So the descriptions are the strongest parts of the books, and you will enjoy them if you enjoy learning about this time period.  There is action and dialogue, but that's not really the point and that's not really the strong suit of the books.  That's not to say that I didn't get into the characters; I came to care very much about them and their survival.  But the history is the best part and the plot comes second.  I read these books to my daughter and perhaps that helped me to enjoy them even more, but I think they would have been strong books all on their own.  I recommend reading Ingalls' series if you loved the TV show, if you like pioneer history, or if you are looking for a refreshingly simple story of family, nature, and the great American frontier.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Give Me Back My Legions!

Author: Harry Turtledove
Year: 2009

I should have known.  I mean, come on, there's an exclamation mark in the title. But when I heard "historical fiction" and I saw the cool cover I thought I would enjoy it.  I have a strong interest in history, especially Roman/Greek/European history, and I was excited to read a fictional account of real battles, real people, and real history.  Well, I got what I asked for.  But I guess I forgot to ask for it to be written well, to remain interesting, and to, basically, not be the worst book ever.  I know it seems like a lot to ask, but shouldn't published novels be readable?

Give Me Back My Legions! is the story of the Roman occupation of Germania (Germany) in 9 AD.  After having conquered Gaul (France), the Roman legions, under the command of Quinctilius Varus, turn their attention to the colonization of the land east of the Rhine.  Although slowly developing a foothold in the area and seeming to make peace with many Germanic tribes, the Romans were not as secure as they imagined.  A local chieftain named Arminius roused the anger of the Germanic peoples and gathered together an army with the goal of pushing the Romans back over the river forever.  Culminating at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest, the fates of two nations clashed in this epic struggle.

It's bad.  It's very bad.  Imagine a history class in which the professor attempts to make the lesson interesting by using all the historical terms and names in a clever fashion, but fails miserably, and then will not stop trying, but keeps plugging away for hours and hours until your brain feels as if it might melt.  That's how it felt to read this book; thank you, Mr. Turtledove.  Not only was it boring & forced, but it was extremely repetitive, taking chapter after chapter to hammer home each and every point.  I could sum it up for you and save you some time; Varus doesn't like being in Germania, he thinks Arminius is his friend, Arminius hates the Romans, he's plotting to drive them away, there's a battle at the end to decide the matter that you already know the outcome of if you know anything about the Roman Empire.  Don't read this book.  Read the Wikipedia articles of the Battle if you're mildly interested, but please don't waste your time.  I did, and it doesn't feel good.

My rating: ✰

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Book Review - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl
Year: 1964

Like most of the English-speaking world, I have seen Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.  And, like everyone else, I loved it.  I have also read my fair share of Roald Dahl books: James and the Giant Peach, Matilda.  But somehow I never read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the book that the movie is loosely based on.  If you want to see a movie that's worse but more closely related to the book, check out Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp; it's not great, but it's entertaining.  But I digress; the book was great.  Let's talk about that.

Charlie Bucket is a very poor little boy.  His family is so poor, in fact, that he, his parents, and his four grandparents all live in a tiny two-roomed shack.  They never get enough to eat and they never get warm.  But Charlie's fortunes are about to change.  Willy Wonka, the famous chocolatier, has announced that hidden inside five of his candy bars are five Golden Tickets, and that the children who find these tickets will get to tour his factory and take home a lifetime supply of Chocolate.  Charlie soon discovers that there is much more than meets to eye to both Mr. Wonka and his marvellous world.

With a beloved classic like this, I pretty much knew what to expect, and I was not disappointed.  It was a very entertaining and magical read, filled with interesting characters and vivid imaginings.  But what surprised me about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was just how clever it was.  Underneath the childish story was some very witty humor and subtle messaging.  The songs of the Oompa Loompas were specifically sharp and cutting, slightly gruesome but poignant.  Overall, a pleasant read for a child or an adult, and a book you could visit again and again.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - Robopocalypse

Author: Daniel Wilson
Year: 2011

If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that I'm into science fiction.  If you know me personally, you know that I'm also into fantasy.  But while I love the genres, I tend to be marginally old manish about them; I like the classics and I'm skeptical about the new stuff.  As far as sci-fi goes, I like Asimov (I, Robot), I like Wells (The Time Machine), and Carl Sagan is about as modern as I get.  So when a friend recommended that I read Robopocalypse, I was intrigued but wary.  But I decided, hey, I'd give it a shot.  After tearing through it in record Coen time, I have to say that I'm  very glad I did.

The story is told almost entirely in flashback and documentation.  The main character, Cormac, perceives it as his duty to tell us about the history of the New War; a battle between man and his machines.  What started as a science project in AI during a time in which humans relied heavily on robots for domestic and military duties swiftly became a fight for survival, in which a newly liberated robotic army sought to control and pacify their former masters.  As the catalytic events of the War are uncovered, heroes emerge and their story is told in unblinking fashion.

At the start of my reading of the book, I was fairly critical.  I couldn't help but see Asimov in the details and wonder why I was reading a rip-off of his stories instead of simply reading the originals.  When I settled down I realized that all sci-fi will be a retelling of the great authors' works, just as all fantasy will be taken straight from Tolkien.  It's unavoidable, and therefor acceptable.  

Putting that aside, the story, the drama, the intensity of the book was phenomenal.  I was constantly interested and thoroughly entertained.  The style of writing led to very short chapters and a very quick read, allowing me to speed through to the end, and perhaps allowing me to forgive a few failings.  The writing itself wasn't great.  Ok, it was kind of bad; it was a little cheesy and a little Hollywood.  But then again, Dreamworks owned the movie rights to this novel even before it was published, so it was literally made for the big screen, and Wilson is a robotics professor, not Stephen King.  Don't look for the next Great Expectations from Robopocalypse, but do look for it in your library and in your theatre in 2014; you will not be disappointed.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - On the Road

Author: Jack Kerouac
Year: 1957

Admittedly, it was the movie that prompted me to read the book.  I had, of course, heard of Jack Kerouac and his novels, but when I saw the movie trailer for On the Road I was intrigued and decided to read the book before the film came out.  I'm glad I did, because I doubt the movie will make much sense to anyone who has not read the story first, as Kerouac's exploits a wild, weird, and mostly disjointed account of his very interesting life.

On the Road is a true story, the tale of Kerouac's multiple journeys across the United States with his friend Nick.  Under the names Sal and Dean, these two spiritual brothers experience as much in a week as many people do in a lifetime.  With a host of interesting and real life characters, these two epitomes of the beat generation travel the world together, losing each other many times only to find each other again at the journey's end.

It's difficult to describe this book; makes sense, it was pretty difficult to read.  It is a true story and told event by event, as the characters drive from state to state, hop from bar to bar.  The details became repetitive fairly quickly, and by the end I was ready to be done.  But the saving grace of the novel was Dean.  Sal/Jack Kerouac's best friend Dean/Nick Cassidy is everything a young man could want in a hero; he is brash, driven, exciting, beautiful.  He is Peter Pan, Finny, Gatsby, and Ferris Bueller all rolled into one ball of pure energy.  Reading about him you can tell how much Sal loves him, wants to be him, is envious of him, and needs him.  I was reminded of my own youth, a friend I have, and how perhaps without even knowing it we saw ourselves as Sal and Dean; two free spirits ready to take the world on.  And perhaps that is the beauty of this story.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - I, Robot

Author: Isaac Asimov
Year: 1950

My first experience with Asimov was reading Robot Dreams, a collection of short stories centered around the topic of robot development, intelligence, and incorporation into the human world.  When I picked up I, Robot I was expecting something more akin to the movie.  I was very wrong, but thankfully so.  It was much more a collection than I expected, and had very little to do with the film, but this classic sci-fi masterpiece turned out to be a wonderful read.

The story of I, Robot is one of time.  It is a series of short stories, all interconnected, and chronologically placed to show the history of robot production, improvement, and integration.  The narrator and main character, Susan Calvin, works for U.S. Robotics, a company than ultimately runs the robot world.  As these man-made creations become more and more sophisticated, problems arise that must be faced, solved, and dealt with in a surprisingly human way.  The lines begin to blur between robots as slaves and robots as peers in this scientifically interesting work.

You have got to enjoy science to enjoy this book, even more so than other sc-fi novels.  There is a technical side that is very interesting, but also very in depth.  However, beyond the science is a very human element; the attempt to understand the robot brain leads to some intriguing conversations on religion, thought processes, morals, etc.  It sounds cheesy to say, but the study of robotics leads to some fascinating insights on humans.  I, Robot is part story but mostly idea, as it poses a possible future and leads us in a discussion of the various topics related to it.  A very interesting read, one of sci-fi's groundbreaking stories.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - The Cider House Rules

Author: John Irving
Year: 1985

Apparently it's easier to write a review of something I hated, because I am finding this very difficult.  When a book exceeds all your expectations, when it surprises you with just how deep it goes, and how strongly it affects you, it becomes hard to judge.  What can I write that will express what this story meant to me?  You might read it, enjoy it, even love it, but it will become something totally different to each person who experiences it, for good or for bad.  And that, I guess, is the magic of a great book.

The Cider House Rules is the story of Homer, an orphan from St. Clouds, Maine.  His early life is sculpted by the people around him; from Dr. Larch, the obstetrician, to the two dedicated nurses on staff, to the children like Fuzzy and Melony who will always be a part of who he is.  Destined to be a doctor and follow in his mentor's footsteps, Homer's life veers onto another path when he meets Candy and Wally, two young lovers whose privileged existence is so very different from his own.  As he begins to understand the world outside of St. Clouds, Homer must make decisions that will effect his future, that of the orphanage, and of everyone he has come to love.

Very rarely does a story have so much of an effect on me that I can't describe it or even express myself.  Very simply, this is one of the best books that I have ever read.  It was more than a novel, it was a piece of life.  It was a record of an interesting time and the extraordinary people who lived it.  It was a window into a character that becomes more real than any I have ever known.  I will never forget the story, the conflicts and questions that it raises, the personalities that were so well written that they became physical.  The Cider House Rules will always be on my mind, and will change the way I read every book from now on.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - The Leftovers

Author: Tom Perrotta
Year: 2011

Given to me as a gift, I had never heard of The Leftovers before, nor had I heard of Tom Perrotta.  When I found out what it was about, I was very intrigued; a 'rapture' occurs in the present day and millions of people from every nation and faith just disappear.  Sounded cool, and I like sci-fi/fantasy/post-apocalyptic themes.  But I underestimated the depth and focus of the book, as it goes far beyond the single event that caught my attention.

The story focuses on the small town of Mapleton, a very normal, suburban community.  It is hit hard by the 'rapture', as is almost every city in the world.   The mayor, his family, and the residents of the town are all touched by the event in some fashion, and deal with the consequences in one way or another.  They must come to terms with their losses if they ever hope to move on with their own lives.

Perhaps I should have known from the title, but The Leftovers was about just that; the remaining people, not the event, not the search for the cause.  It was, in all ways, a character book, following the lives of those left behind and how they chose to cope with fear, abandonment, guilt, all of the emotions that confused and tortured them.  Those who enjoy character study and dialogue will enjoy this book, but don't expect much action or suspense.  The causality takes place offstage, leaving readers to sort through the effects.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - The Time Ships

Author: Stephen Baxter
Year: 1995

As mentioned before in my review of The Time Machine, I reread it in order to refresh my memory so that I could read The Time Ships, a sequel written exactly 100 years after H.G. Wells' classic.  I enjoyed the original very much; it was a quick, exciting, and interesting read.  I expected the second in the series to be equally interesting, but I was not prepared for the philosophic depth that Baxter's novel would bring, going far beyond the story that birthed it.

The Time Traveler, as the protagonist is called, is off on another adventure.  After his trip to the far future and his return to London, he sets off again to visit humanity's descendants.  However, the Earth he discovers is unaccountably different, and time, it appears, is more complicated than he could have ever imagined.  With a very strange companion, our hero journeys through space and dimension, attempting to unravel the truth and history of his own invention.

A much longer and more complicated novel, The Time Ships does justice to its predecessor.  It takes the idea of time and twists it, examines it, and ultimately breaks it down in a way that is more philosophical than scientific.  Baxter does an excellent job writing his book in a very similar style to Wells, using the same catch-phrases and tone, just in a different setting.  These novels should be read as one book, as each makes the other better, and together they create one of the best sci-fi stories of all time.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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Book Review - The Time Machine

Author: H.G. Wells
Year: 1895

Recently my father-in-law loaned me a novel called The Time Ships, knowing that we shared an interest in science-fiction.  Written by Stephen Baxter, the story is a sequel to the classic H.G. Wells sci-fi pioneer The Time Machine, written exactly 100 years earlier.  Well, I had read the original novel at some point in junior high, but couldn't remember much about it other than a 'Wishbone' episode featuring a Jack Russell Terrier attempting to escape from ape-like Morlocks.  I decided a re-read was in order.

The Time Machine takes place in London, both during the late 1800's and in the year 802,701 A.D.  This massive leap in time is conducted by the Time Traveler, as the main character is referred to.  While hosting a dinner party, the adventurer emerges from his office disheveled, exhausted, and bursting with a need to tell his story; an unbelievable tale of time, space, evolution, and the future of mankind.  The dinner guests, as well as we the readers, can only listen in awe as the incredible journey is retold.

It is amazing how much detail and suspense can be packed into 100 pages.  Though short, the story is exciting, intriguing, creepy, and even philosophical.  Wells paints a picture of a very possible future, one in which evolution has worked perfectly, but not in ways that are as Utopian as we would like to believe.  A great and quick read, The Time Machine is a novel that should be a required text, both for its impact on the sci-fi genre and its statement on humanity.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

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