Two Short Book Reports

[leahbobet]

(Published in accordance with the Tenets of Book Reporting and the support of Viewers Like You.)


So far this year...
#1 -- M. John Harrison, Nova Swing
#2 -- Barth Anderson, The Patron Saint of Plagues
#3 -- Stephen King, The Waste Lands
#4 -- Stephen King, Wizard and Glass
#5 -- Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad
#6 -- Patricia McKillip, The Book of Atrix Wolfe
#7 -- Stephen King, Wolves of the Calla
#8 -- Stephen King, Song of Susannah
#9 -- Julia Alvarez, !Yo!
#10 -- Stephen King, The Dark Tower
#11 -- Melissa Marr, Ink Exchange
#12 -- Paul Melko, Singularity's Ring
#13 -- Sarah Prineas, The Magic Thief
#14 -- Sarah Monette, The Bone Key
#15 -- Marie Brennan, Midnight Never Come
#16 -- Michelle West, The Broken Crown
#17 -- Nick Sagan, Edenborn
#18 -- Karl Schroeder, Permanence
Not-#19 -- Joel Shepherd, Crossover
#19 -- Ilona Andrews, Magic Burns
#20 -- Nick Sagan, Everfree
#21 -- Jim Munroe and Salgood Sam, Therefore, Repent!
#22 -- Barth Anderson, The Magician and the Fool
#23 -- Patricia McKillip, The Moon and the Face
#24 -- James Ellroy, The Black Dahlia
#25 -- Caitlin R. Kiernan, Murder of Angels
#26 -- Michael Swanwick, The Dragons of Babel

#27 -- China Mieville, Un Lun Dun
#28 -- Cory Doctorow, Little Brother

These two will be getting their own private essay. Which I may actually try to sell somewhere. They're an interesting experience to read back to back. So, stay tuned.

#29 -- Caitlin R. Kiernan, Silk

As with the rest of Kiernan's books, ridiculously pretty and creepy and yum. The overarching thematic statement: don't stick your dick in crazy. Yeah, really, that's it. However, this is sage advice and does not notably detract from the narrative.

I tend to feel like I don't really have the narrative protocols in place for horror/dark fantasy/whatever people call their books when they are looking to creep you out. Bad things happen -- so? Everybody dies -- so? What more? I am starting to feel like there has to be a payoff to this kind of book that isn't just "well, you survived". This is not me asking for ponies and sunshine and flowers, but something must be gained, I think. Even a small victory -- a move beyond the status quo.

#30 -- Sandra McDonald, The Outback Stars

The parts of this that were roller derby (and ship logistics and politics and such) I loved to bits. Logistics geek loves logistics. The parts that were boyfriend...I just couldn't believe. I don't feel like the love interest really did much to merit the degree of affection he got and what the protagonist was risking to be with him. She just kind of did it because...the narrative said he was the love interest. The narrative also had a vested interest in placing them deliberately into more and more improbable situations in order to foster that love interest.

I think I kind of wished this was a book about Jodenny Scott going in and cleaning up Underway Supply with the toughness of her brain and fighting evil and whatnot and...no boyfriend. I think it might have worked with no boyfriend just fine.

Yes, it's not my book. I know. :p

I will hope for more roller derby goodness in #2.

Comments

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

I tend to feel like I don't really have the narrative protocols in place for horror/dark fantasy/whatever people call their books when they are looking to creep you out. Bad things happen -- so? Everybody dies -- so? What more? I am starting to feel like there has to be a payoff to this kind of book that isn't just "well, you survived". This is not me asking for ponies and sunshine and flowers, but something must be gained, I think. Even a small victory -- a move beyond the status quo.

I think that you need to read Skin.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

Author?

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

Kathe Koja.

It's not unflawed, but I think it's fantastic.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I will hunt/gather it. :)