I was a bit surprised at some of the dated references in the stories, then I glanced at the copyright data and noticed that the author had passed in 1I was a bit surprised at some of the dated references in the stories, then I glanced at the copyright data and noticed that the author had passed in 1986. The writing style does remind me of Le Guin's The Lathe of Heaven or Russ's The Female Man combined with a large amount of absurdity. For the most part the stories are dark, with unpleasant settings, you won't die from too much happiness reading this.
It was an interesting read, but I probably won't read anymore books by this author....more
The setting reminds of Victorian England, with photographs and other technology. The book does have a bit of YA feel to it, it's a fun romp. Troll socThe setting reminds of Victorian England, with photographs and other technology. The book does have a bit of YA feel to it, it's a fun romp. Troll society is interesting, they have no fixed gender roles. There's a small group of troll haters, which are a stirring up trouble.
I was a decent read, I will eventually read the next book....more
I think I'm ODing on fox spirits, this book presents multiple, interlinked stories about the critters. Some where they are hunted down and slain as weI think I'm ODing on fox spirits, this book presents multiple, interlinked stories about the critters. Some where they are hunted down and slain as well as stories where they kill the abusers an everything in between. I read this book, I think it might not make a great audio book, it jumps around a lot and it would be easy to forget which thread is what.
It was a decent if bizarre read, a mix of traditional and modern folklore....more
While I can understand the problem of writing about someone that had had much of their story destroyed or suppressed by a king, I was disappointed howWhile I can understand the problem of writing about someone that had had much of their story destroyed or suppressed by a king, I was disappointed how much of this book looked at modern books, plays, movies and TV series. Boleyn's history was very lightly covered, instead she is used as a mirror to contrast different author's attitude towards powerful women based on their portrayal of Anne. I think this purpose could have been better served with some of the other powerful English woman like Eleanor or Elizabeth among others.
I was surprised at how popular Ann Boleyn was in modern media, but its not much of a history or feminist critique. It was OK, but I wouldn't read it again....more
When I was much younger, I loved reading about ancient civilizations in both fiction and non-fiction. Also trips to natural historQuite the eyeopener!
When I was much younger, I loved reading about ancient civilizations in both fiction and non-fiction. Also trips to natural history museums to see King Tut and other such treasures didn't hurt. One thing missing though was what a huge part of society was associated with the making of cloth. Cloth is so valuable, we get the word robe from the word rob, because it's the most stolen trade good.
The ancient Minoans cloth industry had elaborate systems and safeguards. The fibers would be harvested and rushed to a weigh station followed by assigning it to various groups. Thread, cloth and other products were created and stored or distributed mostly under the supervision of women. The matriarchy reserved the fancier materials for women while men dressed in plainer, simpler outfits.
There's so much more in here, but it won't fit in a reasonably sized review, plus I'm a lazy bum.
It was a great read, I'm sorry I hadn't stumbled upon it earlier....more
Madame Restell is one of those historical figures that would have made high school American history worth taking. Born Anna Trow in England, she marriMadame Restell is one of those historical figures that would have made high school American history worth taking. Born Anna Trow in England, she married a tailor who turned out to be a worthless drunk, she wound up taking over his business. Immigrating to America, she worked as a seamstress until her first husband died and she remarried to Charles R. Lohman, a printer.
This changed her life around, she and her husband became involved with midwifery, birth control and abortion. She became the best of her trade in New York and it was a very lucrative business, she was very open about what she was about and used her money to pay off any clashes with the law that she had in her early career.
Between the Know Nothings (19th century MAGA), the AMA and other scummy fundamentalist types, the later part of her life became oppressive. These folk sadly have modern couterparts and I hope it doesn't take another 100 years to restore women's rights to manage their own bodies.
An excellent read that concentrates on Restell and leaves some of the surrounding politics out....more
Started reading the wrong book for my book club, it's shorter and covers the same material with less emphasis on Lady Restell's lifestyle. It's a deceStarted reading the wrong book for my book club, it's shorter and covers the same material with less emphasis on Lady Restell's lifestyle. It's a decent read, but I only finished half, I'm a bit overdosed on 19th century sex and sinning....more
Set in the early 1990s, in Mexico city, its a story about Nazi filmmakers and the Mexican film industry. Monserrat is a good sound editor, but she's aSet in the early 1990s, in Mexico city, its a story about Nazi filmmakers and the Mexican film industry. Monserrat is a good sound editor, but she's a woman in a male dominated industry. She finds out about a strange uncompleted horror film and then the nightmare begins. A decent read.
Ordinary people didn't have cell phones at this time, this plot wouldn't work otherwise....more
An interesting take on time traveling to the past, you can interact a little with people, but they forgot everything very shortly afterword. Also timeAn interesting take on time traveling to the past, you can interact a little with people, but they forgot everything very shortly afterword. Also time machines are extremely dangerous, keep them away from me! Also the tea master detective is a nice change of pace and reminds me a bit of Sen no Rikyū, who played politics with tea. A decent read set in a unique universe....more
The first female film director and possibly the first to make a film with an all African-American cast. Also a radical feminist and progressive. She mThe first female film director and possibly the first to make a film with an all African-American cast. Also a radical feminist and progressive. She made films in France, the US and other locations. The B&W artwork is decent, the last 20% of the book is straight text. A fun and informative read....more
The first movie I remember seeing was the 1940 Thief of Bagdad and I've been an ardent fan of The 1,001 Nights ever since.
A delightful fantasy based lThe first movie I remember seeing was the 1940 Thief of Bagdad and I've been an ardent fan of The 1,001 Nights ever since.
A delightful fantasy based loosely on Arabian legends and history. Amina though is not the typical hero of such stories, her personal style, relations and free spirits would be historically improper and narrow minded modern bigots would probably not care for her either. She is extorted into finding the daughter of an ex-crewmate which sets off an adventure worthy of Sinbad!
Staying in creepy, haunted homes maybe hazardous to your health. A story much in line with #1 of the series, it's shot and sweat, or something like thStaying in creepy, haunted homes maybe hazardous to your health. A story much in line with #1 of the series, it's shot and sweat, or something like that....more
Luckily modern means older movies I've mostly seen, so at least I could read it without spoiling any films. These include The Fugitive, Top Gun and SpLuckily modern means older movies I've mostly seen, so at least I could read it without spoiling any films. These include The Fugitive, Top Gun and Speed. West gives a thorough verbal roasting to these and many other popular 'modern' films reminiscent of MAD magazine. I suspect this would be more enjoyable as an audio book.
How the societal view of the middle ages changed the how it was portrayed in media for the last three centuries. In brings up example of sexism, race,How the societal view of the middle ages changed the how it was portrayed in media for the last three centuries. In brings up example of sexism, race, LGBTQA phobia, etc. Lots of photos and artwork, an interesting read....more
A character study about monomaniacal tennis players. The father forces his daughter into being a tennis pro, she eventually drops out of high school aA character study about monomaniacal tennis players. The father forces his daughter into being a tennis pro, she eventually drops out of high school and enters the tennis circuit. At this point the only person close to her was her father, Carry was otherwise friendless. It does has some good critiques on the sexist nature of the sports industry.
I'm not a sports fan, but it was a OK read....more
A story that starts in an alternative America where dragons are substituted for every minority, an interesting concept that's stretched to the breakinA story that starts in an alternative America where dragons are substituted for every minority, an interesting concept that's stretched to the breaking point. A decent read once sort of thing....more
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