This is my third Palahniuk. I really liked 'Fight Club' and 'Choke' and was looking forward to 'Pygmy'. Wow, did I really not like this book. The entiThis is my third Palahniuk. I really liked 'Fight Club' and 'Choke' and was looking forward to 'Pygmy'. Wow, did I really not like this book. The entire book is written in pidgin English and is very hard to read - even after you start to understand the rhythm of the chapters, which all follow a similar cadence. It reminded me of the chapters written from the point of view of the Ukranian guy in 'Everything is Illuminated' or trying to read the Negro dialect in 'Song of the South'. It makes for a slog of a read and is completely un-necessary....more
While I am not a fan of Wolfe's writing style (wasn't that impressed with 'Bonfire of the Vanities' either) I do acknowledge that he is a keen observeWhile I am not a fan of Wolfe's writing style (wasn't that impressed with 'Bonfire of the Vanities' either) I do acknowledge that he is a keen observer and makes some astute observations about the space program and the country's relationship with it in the early days.
I have seen the movie many times - and enjoy it, probably more than the book - but reading the book I found that an important part of the narrative had been grossly underplayed in the movie. In the movie, it's implied but not very forcefully that Chuck Yeager is really at the top of the pyramid even though he is not eligible to participate in Project Mercury. This theme is explored much more fully in the book. At several intervals, Wolfe compares the accomplishments of the rocket pilots (especially the X-15 pilots such as Robert White, Neil Armstrong and Joe Walker) to the accomplishments (really lack thereof) of the Mercury astronauts. Wolfe is saying that the X-15 pilots (who were really piloting their crafts, as opposed to being mere occupants like the Mercury guys) were never given the recognition they were due. I agree.
One other note: I! can't! remember! ever! reading! a! book! with! quite! so! many! exclamation! points!...more
Really first rate book. Takes a little known but significant sporting event and gives it historical context. Great story about a quintessential AmericReally first rate book. Takes a little known but significant sporting event and gives it historical context. Great story about a quintessential American underdog. Compares very favorably to 'Seabiscuit'....more
A decent read. Trying to read through so many redacted sections just left me hungry for the missing details. And I am noticing that one of the problemA decent read. Trying to read through so many redacted sections just left me hungry for the missing details. And I am noticing that one of the problems of reading accounts of intelligence and SF operations so soon after the event is that you never really get to know the characters. All the names are false and the biographies so vague and general as to keep the people unknown - which is good for operational security but bad for narrative....more
A quick read. Very focused narrative on a tragic accident that turned into a major small arms firefight that cost the lives of seven service members. A quick read. Very focused narrative on a tragic accident that turned into a major small arms firefight that cost the lives of seven service members. Not quite 'Black Hawk Down' (which is the gold standard of modern military histories) but a good read nevertheless....more
Definitely not a stand alone novel. And with so much happening, it's probably best to read all three volumes - each over 1000 pages - in succession. SDefinitely not a stand alone novel. And with so much happening, it's probably best to read all three volumes - each over 1000 pages - in succession. Still, I am enjoying the ride so far. On to 'The Neutronium Alchemist'!...more
If you like sprawling space opera with dozens, maybe hundreds of characters, and a truly galaxy-wide threat, then you will probably like Hamilton's NiIf you like sprawling space opera with dozens, maybe hundreds of characters, and a truly galaxy-wide threat, then you will probably like Hamilton's Night's Dawn trilogy. Be prepared for the long haul, though. Each book is over 1000 pages. And with a plot so involved I would recommend reading them quickly, in order....more
Frankly, I am having a hard time understanding what the hype is all about with the Larsson novels. I found this one very slow to get going. Even once Frankly, I am having a hard time understanding what the hype is all about with the Larsson novels. I found this one very slow to get going. Even once it did 'get going', it still wasn't very suspenseful.
The characters didn't really grab me either. Mikael Blomkvist is supposed to be some kind of middle-aged everyman schlub and yet every woman he comes across seems to want to hop in bed with him.
Lisbeth Salander the high-functioning autistic who can hack any computer - with the thinnest explanation of her methodology - and, oh of course, she has a photographic memory! I suppose her only flaw is that she has small boobs.
The villain's motives are only explained in the most cursory manner. I would have appreciated a more detailed exploration of the killer's motive.
I can only hope that the original Swedish read more naturally than the English translation. The English version reads like a novel you would be assigned to read in your Swedish II class in high school. ...more
I didn't enjoy this second Inspector Shan novel quite as much as the first one ('The Skull Mantra') but it was still very much a worthwhile read. PattI didn't enjoy this second Inspector Shan novel quite as much as the first one ('The Skull Mantra') but it was still very much a worthwhile read. Pattison's familiarity with Tibetan Buddhism and the verisimilitude of the dialog are still very much in evidence....more
Not one of Higgins' better efforts. The plot was serviceable but not particularly complex, thrilling or original. Characters weren't particularly wellNot one of Higgins' better efforts. The plot was serviceable but not particularly complex, thrilling or original. Characters weren't particularly well-developed. His main character, Sean Dillon, is pretty much a carbon copy of Liam Devlin from 'The Eagle Has Landed'. In fact, Dillon even cribs one of Devlin's lines.
If you want to read Higgins, check out the aforementioned 'The Eagle Has Landed' or 'Storm Warning'....more
Fairly well-written, this book provides a sober and all too plausible look at the effects of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. The short version:Fairly well-written, this book provides a sober and all too plausible look at the effects of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. The short version: it ain't pretty.
If you are a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction (The Stand, Swan Song, The Last Ship) then you will probably enjoy this quick read....more
Interesting twist (although I did figure it out about two-thirds the way through). This is the first Lehane I've read. I wanted to read it before I seInteresting twist (although I did figure it out about two-thirds the way through). This is the first Lehane I've read. I wanted to read it before I see the movie. I liked it quite a bit. Fine, fluid, easy-to-read prose. Lehane created some good characters most especially the main character's partner, Chuck. Don't want to say too much, lest I ruin it for someone else....more
The fourth in Ellroy's L.A. Quartet ('L.A. Confidential', 'The Black Dahlia', 'The Big Nowhere', 'White Jazz'). Told from the perspective of Lt. Dave The fourth in Ellroy's L.A. Quartet ('L.A. Confidential', 'The Black Dahlia', 'The Big Nowhere', 'White Jazz'). Told from the perspective of Lt. Dave Klein, this book is the culmination of the rivalry between Edmund Exley and Dudley Smith. It's a rackets duel reminiscent of the long running intelligence duel between George Smiley and the enigmatic Karla in John LeCarre's 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' and 'Smiley's People'.
Of course, that is where the similarities end. Ellroy's prose style is sparse and staccato, very punchy. It allows the action to move quickly but requires the reader to pay close attention and do a lot of reading between the lines. It takes some getting used to but it works for hard-boiled crime fiction set in the 1950s. Ellroy is a master of the authentic language of the period....more
Quick, mostly entertaining read. However, it suffers from an ending that can't measure up to the build up that leads to it. I may try another Cadigan/Quick, mostly entertaining read. However, it suffers from an ending that can't measure up to the build up that leads to it. I may try another Cadigan/Konstantin book, but I won't rush out and buy her catalog....more
Good quick read from one of America's foremost Russian historians. This book examines why Communism - in all it's earthly iterations - has been a dismGood quick read from one of America's foremost Russian historians. This book examines why Communism - in all it's earthly iterations - has been a dismal failure. Pipes explains why it is not the implementation but something inherent in the ideology which carries the seeds of its failure....more
Loading...
