It's a crying shame it took me this long to read this book, decades after I saw the movie back in the eighties. The latter remains one of my favoritesIt's a crying shame it took me this long to read this book, decades after I saw the movie back in the eighties. The latter remains one of my favorites, this book is now easily amongst my favorite all-time favorite fantasies and it took me this long to read it. Shame on me, I say! Shame!
The story is simple, a unicorn discovers that she may indeed be the last unicorn in the world. Curious as to what could have happened, she sets out to find out what happened to the unicorns. Along the way she meets Shmendrick the Magician (a man who barely meets that title) and Molly Grue a simple yet passionate woman past her prime. They are strange group, and perhaps this is one of the strengths of the story. The unicorn at first is a strange and alien being that becomes more approachable with the addition of Shmendrick and Molly to her entourage. Indeed, although midway through the story she undergoes the most dramatic and literal change, it is clear by the end that even from the earliest this immutable being was changing.
The story is hauntingly beautiful. It contains the trappings of a fairy tale and is quite aware that this is what it is doing, frequently through the explanations of our wizard. The characters are wonderfully alive perhaps because of this, from passionate Molly, to the aspiring hero Prince Lir, to avaricious King Haggard who seems to embody dusty embitterment. There is an almost musical beauty to the story.
A final side note: I was delighted to discover how true to the book the movie is. It seems the filmmakers wanted to stay as close to the original ideas and themes as presented in the books. A couple of parts are omitted in the film for length most likely, but that does not detract from the story as a whole....more
As of late it's been rare for me to find an author that makes me wish to run out and get another of their books as soon as possible. It's even rarer tAs of late it's been rare for me to find an author that makes me wish to run out and get another of their books as soon as possible. It's even rarer to find one who maintains that level of enthusiasm within me, but Robin Yocum has achieved this. After reading The Essay I wanted to read more by Yocum, and Favorite Sons is just as skillfully written and gripping in its own way. While the former is a more uplifting story, the latter takes on a darker tone.
The story is in two parts: the first is about four young boys who are in involved in the death of a mentally challenged boy whose something of the town menace. In their youth they fear the consequences of what might happen if their involvement is discovered, and so they attempt to cover up the crime and then avoid revealing what truly happened. As this story unfolds, however, there is a darker secret involving Petey Sanchez (the victim in question), one that might offer the boys what seems a way out.
The second part takes place thirty years later, where our narrator is a county DA and finds that old secrets don't remained buried forever. What's worse is that he discovers unforeseen consequences for himself and more as he discovers more details of the incident in question and the details of all involved in the cover-up. It's a great tale of the folly of youth and the damaging effect such a terrible secret can have. The boys start to believe they escaped a terrible situation only to find that it haunts them for much of their lives in ways they couldn't predict.
Yocum has a way with worlds that brings the small world of the boys to life. The characters are vibrant and their pain and struggles are real, as well as their falterings and frustrations. OverallI find Yocum's work compelling and moving. Once more I find myself wanting more from him, and I hope he continues to write so well....more
Strange how books can fall into your view without any plan or seeming reason. Last year for me the surprise book I read was So Much Blue, a tale of anStrange how books can fall into your view without any plan or seeming reason. Last year for me the surprise book I read was So Much Blue, a tale of an artist haunted by an act deep in his path and how it left a wound to fester on his soul, and how in the end he finds redemption. This year, I stumbled across The Essay by Robin Yocum. It is by miles better than the aforementioned book and contains depth and insight that I might have missed if I hadn’t heard of a more recent work of Yocum’s and decided to see what my library might have of his. Finding nothing, I requested they find a copy. And thus began this journey for me.
The Essay is the story of Jimmy Lee Hickam, the son of a long line of white trash in the Ohio Appalachians. The Hickam name in Vinton County is synonymous with ne’er-do-wells and troublemakers. His father is a drunk, his two older brothers include a convict and a carnie, and his mother struggles in her position. Jimmy quickly learns that he’s the social pariah in his little world, like most the people on his street, and it seems to him that he has little to look forward to and heavy burden to bear by way of his family history. It changes in high school when first he attracts the attention of the football coach, and then soon after that of his junior English teacher who refuses to let him slip by her class with a failing grade as she finds he can do much better than he has in her class. To show her he’s serious, Jimmy participates in an Essay contest and to everyone’s surprise he wins, only to find his family’s past and social status brings his success in doubt to others.
This was an excellent book, by far the best I’ve read in some time. Yocum’s skill at writing shines through. It’s easy to see the small Appalachian town Jimmy grows up in, and the characters seemingly come to life. The writing is strong and Jimmy’s essays brought a tear to my eye as I read them – as he recounts those influences in his life that lead him to the better. There is a battle for his soul here: the forces of his family and town who see him as just another Hickam and can’t see more than that and the forces of the family and teachers who see that he has more potential than a last name can bring.
The positive influences are definitely an important part of the story, but this is a coming of age story where Jimmy’s determination and will act upon those influences. While this could be presented as a “how a good teacher can change a life” story, and there are most certainly elements of this, it’s not the entirety of the story. Even Jimmy doesn’t see that it’s his determination to prove himself better that ultimately allows him to rise above social status and familial dysfunction. He is no passive actor, which makes this story all the better.
Perhaps the only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I hadn’t found it sooner. ...more
This was an excellent book that had me at the edge of my seat that only a handful of stories have been able to accomplish. The story revolves around tThis was an excellent book that had me at the edge of my seat that only a handful of stories have been able to accomplish. The story revolves around two men: Frank Beachum, a man who is soon to be executed on death row for murder, and Steven Everett, the reporter who has a last interview with him. As Everett prepares for his interview, he finds there's more to the story than what's been accepted.
There is a lot to love about this book. The characters are engaging, all with a great measure of verisimilitude that you would think this story could be real. Klavan keeps the story engaging. We're offered enough to urge Everett on, but just enough is left behind so that we have some measure of doubt to the truth and to the resolution of the story itself. The last several chapters were intense and rewarding. This is probably the best work of fiction I've read so far this year....more
I tend to be a big fan of the urban fantasy -- actually of fantasy in general. Urban fantasy, however, is always interesting as each author explores aI tend to be a big fan of the urban fantasy -- actually of fantasy in general. Urban fantasy, however, is always interesting as each author explores a different way in which the mythical world intrudes upon on own. Wrestling Demons includes many of the aspects about this general genre that I enjoy: a struggle against good and evil, witty banter, the occasional witty monologue, and of course good action. Author Jason Brick mixes all these well together in a fast-paced young adult novel.
What sets this book above most in the broader category is that he takes heavily from eastern mythology, more specifically Japanese folklore. As a result it comes off as fresh and different. Even better, though there's physical action the primary threat is spiritual and frequently dealt with in the spiritual. The oni of the book feed and nurture negative emotions of which there's fertile ground in high school. Having grown up and from my memories of school, I can say he picked a perfect setting. Connor and his friends can see the creatures attacking. The oni are not always defeated with force alone, and they must counter negative with the positive.
Even more, this book rests on a foundation of the concept of Bushido. Connor and his friends are each present incarnations of the principles of Bushido. It's an idea that's discussed in depth in one chapter, but after that Brick allows the concept to be a backdrop of the story without hammering the reader about it. Most urban fantasy deals heavily with the ideas of good and evil, but Wrestling Demons offers a strong standard to follow. It makes the overall work stronger and gives the heroes of our story something to grasp tightly to beyond their own judgment. It adds to the work overall....more
I am beginning to suspect that I love this book a lot more than my daughter does.
If you are familiar with Kate Beaton's web comic Hark, A Vagrant you I am beginning to suspect that I love this book a lot more than my daughter does.
If you are familiar with Kate Beaton's web comic Hark, A Vagrant you will recognize the artistry and general writing style in this book. The illustrations are highly enjoyable and there's occasionally details on a page or two that brought me a chuckle. Personally the Fist-Hoof bump between a warrior and his horse in the background still gets me grinning. The story is a simple one of finding the good in the midst of disappointment.
Princess Pinecone wants a proper warrior's horse for her birthday. What she gets is Kate Beaton's ever-popular perhaps even notorious roly-poly pony. The story follows her as she tries to make the pony a proper warrior's horse but in the end finds that her pony has advantages she hadn't considered.
Overall it's enjoyable and uncomplicated, and as I noted, I think I enjoy it more. My girl already wants other books read and doesn't even consider this book when I suggest it. Only a toddler and already she has a mind of her own.
Oh well. If you love Beaton's work, get this book for yourself. I suspect many of her fans already have. Will your child enjoy it? Who knows?...more
This is a beautiful book, both in poetry and in illustration and in meaning.
Neil Gaiman wrote this as a gift to a friend upon announcing she was pregnThis is a beautiful book, both in poetry and in illustration and in meaning.
Neil Gaiman wrote this as a gift to a friend upon announcing she was pregnant with a little girl. It is a heartfelt and earnest message full of hopes and dreams. In many ways, it is written for adults in mind, but this has not stopped my daughter from requesting it. The poetry and the illustrations are captivating. I suppose it helps that she adores blueberries, too, but she'll pay attention to the parts without blueberries. So there is that.
Gaiman's strength as a compelling author is that his work embraces the spiritual and this shines through. The trappings of this piece are pagan, but it celebrates the spirit of a young girl and her parents' hopes and desires for her. This book celebrates just what a wonderful thing it is to be a girl and hopes for a life of dreams, wonder, and adventure tempered with wisdom and discernment.
Clearly I shouldn't cut onions before reading this book. I keep having to rub my eyes....more
I have yet to be disappointed in any way by Indriðason. The Erlendur mysteries have been compelling, yet rarely in a typical murder mystery sense. HisI have yet to be disappointed in any way by Indriðason. The Erlendur mysteries have been compelling, yet rarely in a typical murder mystery sense. His novels are very human stories, working with human themes.
In The Draining Lake, we are presented with the skeleton of someone long dead discovered after an earthquake temporarily causes the lake to ... okay drain. Hence the name of the book. What follows is a well-crafted story. Mystery stories tend to follow two patterns: either we don't know the culprit and join the investigator in discovery, or we know the culprit early in the story and watch how the investigator gets to the knowledge we know. The Draining Lake takes the latter, presenting the real mystery as to who the victim was.
In this, Indriðason weaves together two stories, that of Erlendur and his search and that of Tomas, a young Icelandic Student in 1950's East Germany. The latter is an enthusiastic socialist at start, and throughout the investigation we flashback to his tragic tale. Indriðason weaves together these two stories masterfully. The jumps back and forth are never jarring. In fact, I found each flashback integral to the story. As Erlendur slowly closes on what happen and who the killer is, we close in on who the victim was and why the killer did what he did.
But the thread that connects is a powerful one: loss without answer. Erlendur, as revealed in previous stories, lost his brother in a snow storm long ago when both were children and indeed he seems to have lost part of himself as well. Disappearances are not uncommon in the dangerous climate of Iceland. The weather can turn and people can be lost and never found should they be unprepared. But there's also the loss felt by one close to the victim, and there's a deep and abiding loss felt by the killer. Throughout the book, none have satisfying answers as to what happened to their loved one, and it is that loss that makes this work so powerful.
I can't tell you why I decided to pick up these books a few years ago. I suspect it was like, "Ooo! A mystery! In Iceland." But I believe I am truly fortunate to have done so....more
This was an excellent book. For me, an avid reader, a lot of his conclusions and findings confirmed my intuition. It was great to know that we're on tThis was an excellent book. For me, an avid reader, a lot of his conclusions and findings confirmed my intuition. It was great to know that we're on the right track in raising our girl. Moreover this book offers some great ideas that we hadn't thought of and are worth pursuing. Although I tired some of the anecdotal examples, Trelease uses a multi-tiered approach and I realize not everyone learns the same way. In some ways, this book has given me reasons to examine my actions and how my kids might perceive what I do.
For those who need good suggestions on what to read, the latter half of the book is filled with some of his suggestions. It's fun for me to peruse and see books I know and love, and others I might be interested in.
Of particular interest to me are his discussions of modern education. If he's correct, we're moving in a completely ineffective direction in pursuit of results, while removing the very thing that produce these results -- that is our libraries. My lovely wife and I enjoy our local libraries a lot, and this just makes me want to visit it more often.
Whether you read all the time to your kids, or whether you don't see why, I think this book is well worth the effort. I don't regret the time I took to read this....more
So everyone who reads to their toddler knows that you’ll soon be bombarded with requests to read the same book over and over, enough that you could reSo everyone who reads to their toddler knows that you’ll soon be bombarded with requests to read the same book over and over, enough that you could recite it without even opening it. Of course you have to open it because there are pictures and besides, just reciting is not reading right. Seriously, Parental Unit in Question, don’t you know how to read right?
Okay, sorry. That was a bit of a tangent. I’ve just started reading to my little girl (henceforth the most Adorable Little Girl Ever), and found books that delight her, books that interest her, and books that fail to capture her attention. I feel fortunate that she seems enchanted by I Am a Bunny.
This book has been around for some time, but has a certain timelessness to it. It is gentle and serene, never dependent on modern conventions but not dependent on disdaining them either. It is less a story than just exposition from the bunny in question, Nicolas.
It is the illustrations that draw us in. Richard Scary is the illustrator and should be familiar to many. I grew up reading his cartoonish stories, catching all the details in his illustration, reading and re-reading them. In I Am a Bunny he shows off his talent. Nicholas’ portrayal appears a skilled rendition of his familiar characters, but it’s the backgrounds he’s in that take the breath away. Each is beautiful and vibrant as if the reader could step into the pages. We go through the seasons and we see the beautiful burst of life in spring, the energy of summer, the activity of autumn, and the silent contemplation of winter.
Ole Risom is the author and his use of language is perfect. It is neither too simplistic or repetitive, nor is it too wordy. The reader can maintain the audience’s attention and long enough that the illustrations can be taken in as well. The two mediums go together perfectly. It’s no wonder it’s captured the Most Adorable Little Girl Ever’s attention.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read to their toddler. ...more
As an expectant father I looked upon most depictions of expectant fatherhood as a rather passive affair. The father stands by offering cheerleader supAs an expectant father I looked upon most depictions of expectant fatherhood as a rather passive affair. The father stands by offering cheerleader support and pats on the back while mother does all the painful work in this. There's the dad, standing by looking stunned by everything going on, occasionally offering a "you can do it!" Of course, this depiction is all wrong.
The great thing about Simkin's book is that it makes the partner's role a wholly active one. She fully prepares the partner by explaining not just what is going on, but what your role in this is and how you can help and support the mother. I and my wife have acted on several things this book suggests, and its advice has proven invaluable to me.
Any dad-to-be should read this book. In fact, I'm putting this on your required reading list. I'll be holding a quiz on its contents in a month, but yes, it will be open book. In all the things you can do as a partner to prepare for your child-to-be, this book is the best start....more
I take what I said about the ending of the last book back. In fact, it was perfect for this conclusion. In fact, this has been one of the best conclusI take what I said about the ending of the last book back. In fact, it was perfect for this conclusion. In fact, this has been one of the best conclusions to a trilogy I've read in a while. Overall, it takes elements from the previous two and ties them all together to make a great story in three parts.
Paks grows considerably as a character, and her final trial is both painful to read yet almost had me standing up and cheering at its conclusion. How she persevered through it is a succinct and perfect demonstration of her development as a woman of courage, strength, devotion, and faith.
In fact, there were plenty of times I wanted to cheer at the end of the book.
The story continued at the same pace. Moon doesn't waste time in each situation. She paints a scene expertly without wasting words, and draws us in without making us wait on interior musings.
In all I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy....more
This book is in a genre which begs for what the author offers: a different take and greater depth. The zombie-apocalypse scenario has played out ad naThis book is in a genre which begs for what the author offers: a different take and greater depth. The zombie-apocalypse scenario has played out ad nauseum in the past couple of decades, enough that it's frequently tiresome, predictable, and soon just uninteresting. Carey overcomes any of these pitfalls and surpasses the genre in several ways.
Though the zombie apocalypse is a thriller, Carey plants this book firmly in hard sci-fi ground which makes it very satisfying. There's little hand-waving about this epidemic. There's an explanation of where it comes from, why it spreads the way it does, and what it does to its victims, called "hungries" but let's face it, they do just about everything a zombie does. However the name change does add a bit of weight to the science. Rather than use a modicum of science as exposition, the science of this epidemic is central to the story and its conclusion. That makes this very satisfying.
However what's even more satisfying are the characters. Miss Justineau, Sergeant Parks, Dr. Caldwell, and Private Gallagher are integral to the story and spark as real. Moreover there's surprising depth to this story. Parks comes off initially as hard-nosed and intolerant, but the novel allows the reader to see why, and allows him to grow. The others get varying levels of growth as well, but it's Parks that develops the most and makes the reader grow to understand and appreciate him.
It's Melanie that's the real star of this book, as Carey pulls off a neat trick that's only successfully done in two other instances that I'm aware of in this particular subgenre: that is he makes the monster -- the zombie -- the primary protagonist. In the other cases, [i]Warm Bodies[/i] and [i]iZombie[/i], the protagonist role is played for comedy. Both have their drama, but it's the humor of the situation that lessens the blow. Melanie is played entirely straight. Carey not only does this well, but pulls this off brilliantly. He manages to place childlike wonder within her, then takes us along as she grows.
The questions the novel asks, "how do we survive and and we worthy of survival?" are typical of this genre and the answers might not be too different. Though there's something of nihilist undertones, it's actually less than most such stories played straight. There are more interesting questions explored, and I find I may want to read this again to look deeper into the novel. Though I need a break.
The ending was not predictable, or rather one of several outcomes I would anticipate, but the end for all of the characters was in some cases surprising. This was a great book and worth reading....more
I've enjoyed a lot of the Dresden Files, but it's been a few of the series since I've walked away from one of the books thoroughly satisfied. Skin GamI've enjoyed a lot of the Dresden Files, but it's been a few of the series since I've walked away from one of the books thoroughly satisfied. Skin Game contains all the essentials of a good Dresden book, and kicks it up a notch. I've enjoyed just about every moment of this book and it makes me want to read the series again just so I have an excuse to read this book again. I'll probably read this book before the next comes out just 'cause that's how good it is.
The story itself is a heist, something along the lines of the old Parker (Parkour!) novels and all they entail. There's the actual heist, and the various alliances and double dealings and underhanded motives that weave strings through it all. Of course you have to expect that given Harry's current career path.
Moreover I find that though I love the fast-paced action and tense moments in this book, I also greatly appreciate the brief down times and how well they are handled. Harry's scenes in the Carpenter homes are thoughtful and give brief moments of respite and clarity that he and we the readers need.
This is going on my list of "best Dresden books". The world is just slightly a better place with Jim Butcher and this book in it....more
This, by far, is my favorite of the series so far. Despite the lack of the Drew Children, we are able to follow along the adventures of Will and Bran.This, by far, is my favorite of the series so far. Despite the lack of the Drew Children, we are able to follow along the adventures of Will and Bran. I don't feel as if I'm kept something at arm's length like I was at the second novel. The journey and unfolding of the tale is the best so far, and the resolution even had me surprised and elated....more
This book tied in the previous two novels in a more than satisfying way. The Drew children return as does Merriman Lyon and Will Stanton. All of them This book tied in the previous two novels in a more than satisfying way. The Drew children return as does Merriman Lyon and Will Stanton. All of them weave the story in a way that preserves the spirit of the first two novels while going deeper into this supernatural world more seriously introduced in the second. Despite the Drews not being wholly part of that latter world, their ability to participate in this adventure is in no way hindered, and I enjoyed the resolution of this novel a lot....more
This one is a definitive shift in tone and style from the first. Though it's still something in the manner of a treasure hunt, the search is far more This one is a definitive shift in tone and style from the first. Though it's still something in the manner of a treasure hunt, the search is far more supernatural, and Will Stanton's journey is more contemplative than active. The Dark is insidious and menacing, dangerous all the same, but it is not as physically threatening as before. Only the return of "Grand Uncle Merry" seems to tie it with the first, but overall I enjoyed it thoroughly....more
Okay, this is more like it. I needed a good book like this. Geared towards a younger audience, this book still has plenty to speak to all audiences. IOkay, this is more like it. I needed a good book like this. Geared towards a younger audience, this book still has plenty to speak to all audiences. It reads a lot like an Indiana Jones-style adventure in England, specifically Cornwall, complete with clues, treasure, and rivals that the kids have to respectively solve, find, and elude. Though they have help in the form of Grand Uncle Merry, he notes that this is their adventure, and thus his help is as minimal as necessary. It means the kids get the thrill of the adventure, and it makes for an engaging tale that stands the test of time.
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