Flight of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer
You may remember from my introduction how I described the little book spine stickers we have in our local library - well, this book has a Christian Fiction sticker, which I tend to scan for when choosing a new book to read. This book caught my eye because not only does it claim to be a Christian book, it is sci-fi action, which is a rare combination in adult fiction. And I do enjoy a good sci-fi.
Which this book is NOT. For the sake of an informative blog I muscled my way to chapter 38 (there's 89 chapters plus an epilogue in total) but folks, I just can't take it anymore.
The book is completely disjointed. I suspect the author is trying to keep the reader guessing and keep the action moving by switching back and forth between several different mini-plots with each subsequent chapter, sometimes only spending two pages updating the situation with a specific group of characters. One assumes that at some point all these sub-plots will come together and make sense, and this is a literary ploy which I usually really enjoy - but Brouwer has introduced too many characters, too many poorly described settings and too many random scenarios all within the first few chapters, leaving the reader confused and irritated.
From what I can piece together (and I'm halfway through the book - I should have a better idea of what's going on by now!) the story is set in the not-too-distant future where society has split into various classes; from the wealthy and powerful reigning from heavily walled cities to an entire sub-culture (just introduced two chapters ago) dwelling in old subway tunnels like a pack of animals. Complete with cannibalism. The main character (at least I assume she's the main character, since she's on the cover) is a genetically modified female of unknown age who has wings. There's another inadequately described city/country/province? called Appalacia where people live with little or no freedom, and it's from this place-which-the-author-has-given-no-substance that the main character and a handful of come-and-go characters have escaped. Thus far the only "Christian" content is a brief conversation between two people who run an underground railway of sorts, helping the Appalacians escape. Only one of these two characters showed up in a subsequent chapter, and then he was killed.
There is no character development whatsoever - barely even physical descriptions. I find I have no mental images and no feelings for any of the characters, except perhaps a confused disgust for the bounty hunter who is missing an eye and eats raw rats. Now that I think about it, I feel a confused disgust for almost all the characters. The "good guys" never voice any thoughts or feelings, so I have no empathy or understanding for them, either.
So that makes a book (well, half a book to be accurate, but there's no reason to think it's suddenly going to improve in the second half) full of shadowy images in a barely developed setting partaking in unexplained acts of violence, trickery, sexual immorality and generally skin-crawling ickiness.
In short, this is a vacuous book, pathetically written, and doesn't deserve the sticker on the spine. You can try it if you want to, but you won't like it. Trust me.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Crazy For The Storm
Crazy For The Storm by Norman Ollestad
I've already said that I rarely wander into the non-fiction shelves, but I was in the mood for something "meaty" so I pulled this book out of the biography section. According to the cover it's the true story of an 11-year-old boy who was the sole survivor of a plane crash in the San Gabriel Mountains. It's much more than that - Ollestad weaves his story of survival around his memoirs, and his coming-of-age angst.
As an aside - my son had finished his book and I blithely suggested that he read this book, since it sounded interesting and innocuous. Boy am I ever glad he didn't! Once I picked it up, I very nearly put it right back down.
Ollestad grew up in a hippie community of surfers and ski bums. His father pushed him to adrenaline-junkie extremes while his mother lived with a somewhat abusive boyfriend. Ollestad describes several harrowing experiences as well as some explicit scenarios he witnessed as a boy.
Despite the frequent use of the "f" word, I finished the book. The author does a good job of recording his thoughts and feelings as he tried to reconcile the words and actions of those around him to what he saw in himself. He remembers his reactions to his parents and friends, deals with divorce, death, insecurity and the drive to become something better. The way his childhood reminisces are interspersed with the details of the plane crash draw the reader in and creates a feeling of suspense.
Even though the growth of Ollestad's understanding is intriguing, his vulgarity is a big turn-off for me. One of the jacket reviews states that the book is "beautifully told" but I guess that man's idea of beauty is a lot different than mine. When it was over I was glad that things turned around for the author, but also glad that I don't have to attend parties with him.
All in all, I Red Flag this book for Adult rated content, and I don't recommend it.
I've already said that I rarely wander into the non-fiction shelves, but I was in the mood for something "meaty" so I pulled this book out of the biography section. According to the cover it's the true story of an 11-year-old boy who was the sole survivor of a plane crash in the San Gabriel Mountains. It's much more than that - Ollestad weaves his story of survival around his memoirs, and his coming-of-age angst.
As an aside - my son had finished his book and I blithely suggested that he read this book, since it sounded interesting and innocuous. Boy am I ever glad he didn't! Once I picked it up, I very nearly put it right back down.
Ollestad grew up in a hippie community of surfers and ski bums. His father pushed him to adrenaline-junkie extremes while his mother lived with a somewhat abusive boyfriend. Ollestad describes several harrowing experiences as well as some explicit scenarios he witnessed as a boy.
Despite the frequent use of the "f" word, I finished the book. The author does a good job of recording his thoughts and feelings as he tried to reconcile the words and actions of those around him to what he saw in himself. He remembers his reactions to his parents and friends, deals with divorce, death, insecurity and the drive to become something better. The way his childhood reminisces are interspersed with the details of the plane crash draw the reader in and creates a feeling of suspense.
Even though the growth of Ollestad's understanding is intriguing, his vulgarity is a big turn-off for me. One of the jacket reviews states that the book is "beautifully told" but I guess that man's idea of beauty is a lot different than mine. When it was over I was glad that things turned around for the author, but also glad that I don't have to attend parties with him.
All in all, I Red Flag this book for Adult rated content, and I don't recommend it.
An Introduction of Sorts
Greetings to all, and welcome to my newest blog, in which I endeavor to keep the populace of Boyle metropolis informed about better book choices.
This all started the other day when I had a brief rant (which was patiently heard by the lovely library ladies) about the necessity of red flag warnings on book spines in the library. We have little stickers that advertise whether a book is fantasy, mystery, romance or is written by a Christian author, but where are the little stickers that say "Hey! Watch Out! This one is X-rated!"
There's nothing worse than checking out a new library book for a long weekend, opening up the crisp fresh spine of Book, pressing back the spotless pages and snuggling down with a cookie, cup of tea and Thou, only to discover that before the first chapter is through the book is doomed for destiny on the trash heap. And the library is closed until Tuesday afternoon (gasp!) which leaves one listless and at loose ends for a seemingly endless weekend of booklessness.
This has, in fact, happened to me on several occasions, and it was seeing the Latest Offender on the New Book Display shelf that prompted my sudden ravings about book warnings. The library ladies were, as usual, understanding and sympathetic but what can be done? Who would read all those books and pick out the nasties? And by what standards could they be judged? The people who rate movies G, PG, R and so on are doing so poorly at their job we couldn't possibly enlist them to start previewing books as well!
So I don this Superhero cape in the name of Peace, Justice and Good Reads for all the citizens of Boyle (or, whoever actually deems this blog readable) and I take up the task of publicly reviewing the books I'm reading. Perhaps there is at least one person out there who will share my strangely varied taste in literature and will find some helpful suggestions in this cyberspace babble.
Firstly, I ought to list the criteria by which I judge a book. Partly by its cover, as it happens. At least, that's often how I choose a book off the shelves. A catchy cover with appealing font is important. Usually I can tell right off if a book is going to be frivolous, fun or fantastic just by the way the publisher has put the cover together. This is not a fool-proof method, however. The older the book is, the less likely that it will have a catchy cover, but it may still be an excellent read.
I like to read for relaxation and escape, so I enjoy books that are not drudgery. This means my forays into non-fiction are seldom, as I find true stories less riveting than made-up ones. But I do enjoy a good cookbook, especially if it has drool-worthy photography, and I try to read some historical accounts once in a while.
Some may joke about reading being a "guilty little pleasure" but I don't want to come away from my book actually feeling guilty. So I steer clear of erotica, violence, crime and generally Adult Rated content. I think authors ought to be able to pull out a thesaurus every so often and find some decent words.
As far as genre goes, I really do like a buffet - sci-fi, if it's really good, fantasy, classics, historical fiction, and even some girly "junk-food" novels - the kind that often become romantic comedies on the silver screen. So far I have loathed most of Oprah's Book Club selections, and while I've read a lot of Margaret Atwood and I'm supposed to like her because she's Canadian and a Woman, I find her books generally leave me unsettled and feeling somewhat grimy.
I think it's likely emotion that guides my book choices more than anything. I want a smart book, one that lets my imagination do some of the work, but not so smart that the literary allusions make me feel like an idiot that has to google every other concept. I want a story that engages, characters that feel like friends, and I don't really care if the plot is predictable, as long as I feel good in the end. Not necessarily happy - sad endings do happen... but satisfied.
Lastly, in case you're looking for a good book to read Right Now, I'll give you a list of some of my ultimate faves:
Thomas B. Costain. Here's a Canadian author for you. His books are historical fiction, and while they're a little on the simplistic side, I love how he describes the food and the clothing in every situation. He weaves his fictional storyline in and around real history seamlessly, and even though his books have a decidedly romantic turn, it's not sickeningly sweet or blushingly sordid. I know I could let my teens read these books and they would learn a little about a period in time while keeping their innocence in Other Matters.
Lilian Beckwith. Now here's one of my all-time favorite authors! Her humorous accounts of a handful of dubious characters on the Scottish Hebrides islands never fail to make me laugh out loud. Her books are short and entertaining, basically compilations of anecdotes. She has also written a few "novel" type books, which I enjoyed as well. These books are worthy of buying when found - I've read them over and over and never tire of them.
P.G. Wodehouse. I really lean toward British authors, and this one's a gem. Wodehouse creates truly unforgettable characters and bizarre "mystery" type plots. Again, don't read him in public, as people will wonder if you're bonkers when you double over in laughter.
Maeve Binchy. Even though I tend to abhor romance novels, I still consider Maeve Binchy in my top 5 faves. While her books always involve relationships in various forms, her characters are such companions to me I can't help but devour every book she pens. I love her stories that are set in Dublin and involve a central cast of characters: like "Scarlet Feather", "Quentins" and "Minding Frankie". It was wonderful to pick up "Minding Frankie" and discover all my old friends in it - more as a backdrop for new acquaintances, but present nonetheless. I look at Maeve as "junk-food" - the ultimate beach-read, and a good pal during bouts of insomnia.
Of course there's more - I have a collection of Kipling, but "Thy Servant A Dog" will likely be my favorite forever. Obviously C.S. Lewis and Tolkien are bookshelf staples. And since I like historical fiction, Philippa Gregory makes the cut, although some of her books cross the line into overly-erotic at times.
Jamie Oliver cookbooks are the best, and a Vinyl Cafe book by Stuart Mclean is always good for reading out loud during long car trips. You'll end up reading him out loud - the stories are too good not to share. Same goes for Arthur Black.
I probably won't bother to review any of the classics unless someone requests an opinion - some of them I've read, some I own, some I loathe. There are tons of other peoples' takes on these books, probably no need to add my voice to the din.
So, all this being said, I'll plunge right in and post my first review of a book I just finished. Join me, feel free to comment, and by all means request a review if you like. I love to read and now that the snow is falling, 'tis the season!
This all started the other day when I had a brief rant (which was patiently heard by the lovely library ladies) about the necessity of red flag warnings on book spines in the library. We have little stickers that advertise whether a book is fantasy, mystery, romance or is written by a Christian author, but where are the little stickers that say "Hey! Watch Out! This one is X-rated!"
There's nothing worse than checking out a new library book for a long weekend, opening up the crisp fresh spine of Book, pressing back the spotless pages and snuggling down with a cookie, cup of tea and Thou, only to discover that before the first chapter is through the book is doomed for destiny on the trash heap. And the library is closed until Tuesday afternoon (gasp!) which leaves one listless and at loose ends for a seemingly endless weekend of booklessness.
This has, in fact, happened to me on several occasions, and it was seeing the Latest Offender on the New Book Display shelf that prompted my sudden ravings about book warnings. The library ladies were, as usual, understanding and sympathetic but what can be done? Who would read all those books and pick out the nasties? And by what standards could they be judged? The people who rate movies G, PG, R and so on are doing so poorly at their job we couldn't possibly enlist them to start previewing books as well!
So I don this Superhero cape in the name of Peace, Justice and Good Reads for all the citizens of Boyle (or, whoever actually deems this blog readable) and I take up the task of publicly reviewing the books I'm reading. Perhaps there is at least one person out there who will share my strangely varied taste in literature and will find some helpful suggestions in this cyberspace babble.
Firstly, I ought to list the criteria by which I judge a book. Partly by its cover, as it happens. At least, that's often how I choose a book off the shelves. A catchy cover with appealing font is important. Usually I can tell right off if a book is going to be frivolous, fun or fantastic just by the way the publisher has put the cover together. This is not a fool-proof method, however. The older the book is, the less likely that it will have a catchy cover, but it may still be an excellent read.
I like to read for relaxation and escape, so I enjoy books that are not drudgery. This means my forays into non-fiction are seldom, as I find true stories less riveting than made-up ones. But I do enjoy a good cookbook, especially if it has drool-worthy photography, and I try to read some historical accounts once in a while.
Some may joke about reading being a "guilty little pleasure" but I don't want to come away from my book actually feeling guilty. So I steer clear of erotica, violence, crime and generally Adult Rated content. I think authors ought to be able to pull out a thesaurus every so often and find some decent words.
As far as genre goes, I really do like a buffet - sci-fi, if it's really good, fantasy, classics, historical fiction, and even some girly "junk-food" novels - the kind that often become romantic comedies on the silver screen. So far I have loathed most of Oprah's Book Club selections, and while I've read a lot of Margaret Atwood and I'm supposed to like her because she's Canadian and a Woman, I find her books generally leave me unsettled and feeling somewhat grimy.
I think it's likely emotion that guides my book choices more than anything. I want a smart book, one that lets my imagination do some of the work, but not so smart that the literary allusions make me feel like an idiot that has to google every other concept. I want a story that engages, characters that feel like friends, and I don't really care if the plot is predictable, as long as I feel good in the end. Not necessarily happy - sad endings do happen... but satisfied.
Lastly, in case you're looking for a good book to read Right Now, I'll give you a list of some of my ultimate faves:
Thomas B. Costain. Here's a Canadian author for you. His books are historical fiction, and while they're a little on the simplistic side, I love how he describes the food and the clothing in every situation. He weaves his fictional storyline in and around real history seamlessly, and even though his books have a decidedly romantic turn, it's not sickeningly sweet or blushingly sordid. I know I could let my teens read these books and they would learn a little about a period in time while keeping their innocence in Other Matters.
Lilian Beckwith. Now here's one of my all-time favorite authors! Her humorous accounts of a handful of dubious characters on the Scottish Hebrides islands never fail to make me laugh out loud. Her books are short and entertaining, basically compilations of anecdotes. She has also written a few "novel" type books, which I enjoyed as well. These books are worthy of buying when found - I've read them over and over and never tire of them.
P.G. Wodehouse. I really lean toward British authors, and this one's a gem. Wodehouse creates truly unforgettable characters and bizarre "mystery" type plots. Again, don't read him in public, as people will wonder if you're bonkers when you double over in laughter.
Maeve Binchy. Even though I tend to abhor romance novels, I still consider Maeve Binchy in my top 5 faves. While her books always involve relationships in various forms, her characters are such companions to me I can't help but devour every book she pens. I love her stories that are set in Dublin and involve a central cast of characters: like "Scarlet Feather", "Quentins" and "Minding Frankie". It was wonderful to pick up "Minding Frankie" and discover all my old friends in it - more as a backdrop for new acquaintances, but present nonetheless. I look at Maeve as "junk-food" - the ultimate beach-read, and a good pal during bouts of insomnia.
Of course there's more - I have a collection of Kipling, but "Thy Servant A Dog" will likely be my favorite forever. Obviously C.S. Lewis and Tolkien are bookshelf staples. And since I like historical fiction, Philippa Gregory makes the cut, although some of her books cross the line into overly-erotic at times.
Jamie Oliver cookbooks are the best, and a Vinyl Cafe book by Stuart Mclean is always good for reading out loud during long car trips. You'll end up reading him out loud - the stories are too good not to share. Same goes for Arthur Black.
I probably won't bother to review any of the classics unless someone requests an opinion - some of them I've read, some I own, some I loathe. There are tons of other peoples' takes on these books, probably no need to add my voice to the din.
So, all this being said, I'll plunge right in and post my first review of a book I just finished. Join me, feel free to comment, and by all means request a review if you like. I love to read and now that the snow is falling, 'tis the season!
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