I decided to end the year of 2022 with an easy review. I have watched dozens of versions of Dickens' A Christmas Carol since I was a wee lad. Whether I decided to end the year of 2022 with an easy review. I have watched dozens of versions of Dickens' A Christmas Carol since I was a wee lad. Whether the actual movies or just TV episodes homaging the themes presented, this tale has become emblematic of Christmas and what it should signify in stark variation of what it should not. Dickens' criticism of societal mores advocating for social reforms in the areas of poverty, education, and children's rights are endemic to his writing such that an adjective was created to identify such literature as Dickensian. This particular version has both the original text and a version that Dickens himself would read to audiences during the holiday season. Clearly, the man was active as more than just someone pointing to a problem, but addressing the issue as well. I would love to believe that the themes delineated in A Christmas Carol were a thing of the past, but sadly, even though the themes have been addressed, they continue to impede the ultimate hope voiced by Scrooge near the end “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!" I would echo that sentiment, as we begin a New Year....more
I sometimes like to have background noise while I'm running errands in my car or while I'm doing chores around the house. During the holidays, The StoI sometimes like to have background noise while I'm running errands in my car or while I'm doing chores around the house. During the holidays, The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting fit the bill nicely. Doctor Dolittle is a gifted veterinarian that has learned how to communicate with the animals via their own languages. Here, in this first of a series of children's adventure books, Dolittle learns that the monkeys in Africa have caught what is described as a terrible disease. Even though he does not have a great deal of money, he intends to travel to Africa in order to help cure the monkeys of their disease. Although the plot is grievously serious, the story itself has some silly beats to ameliorate the situations throughout. This book is one of the books that I read as a boy, and at one time or other read to all three of my sons. Because of its high nostalgia value and the fact that it meets all three of my criteria as a classic: longevity (over 62 years), paradigm creation of animal languages, and exceptional story telling that creates suspense with ameliorating humorous story beats. Because this was written in the 1920s, the modern reader may find some of the language culturally and racially insensitive. Each person must decide for themselves their own level of acceptability with such things so Trigger Warning for the n-word....more
When I first acquired my Kindle, I was told that I could access classics for free, and so I immediately loaded up on many of the classics I read in myWhen I first acquired my Kindle, I was told that I could access classics for free, and so I immediately loaded up on many of the classics I read in my youth, to re-visit at some time in the future. That of course began my never-ending struggle with my TBR list that most constant readers recognize as that list of books we eventually plan to get to read. 2023 will be my intentional look at some of those books that have been on my TBR for more than 5 years. I originally read Deathworld during my Middle School years, when I was finally allowed to go to the library by myself (no adult supervision means I took my younger sibs with me.) This is the first of a trilogy of books by Harry Harrison published in 1960. The protagonist Jason is a gambler who has a rather carefree life. He is hired to use his skill at games of chance to earn as much as possible to buy protection for the human beings that have colonized the planet of Pyrrus. Pyrrus is a hostile world that seems to adapt environmentally to repel the colonizers. Jason has decided not just to help the people of Pyrrus, but make it his mission to find a happy measure of coexistence between planet and people. Definitely a classic under my three criteria of identifying classics: longevity, constructing new paradigms, and exceptionalism....more
I have been a fan of Koontz since late 70s early 80s, when I was in Junior High School and then in High School, when I ravenously devoured every singlI have been a fan of Koontz since late 70s early 80s, when I was in Junior High School and then in High School, when I ravenously devoured every single novel I could find. My favorite librarian, Mrs. Paladino, helped me discover new writers to follow, and Koontz was the best of the bunch. Here, we have two suspense thriller novels with horror elements to give the reader heart palpitations galore. In Hideaway, Hatch and Lindsey Harrison are a nice, normal couple put in a life-threatening situation and wind up experiencing evil of the darkest kind. Bad enough that they are headed to a destiny they must confront, but worse is the fact that they have just adopted a daughter who may be drawn into a confrontation that could cause them to witness the death of a second child. Chilling, masterfully drawn characters with depth, a plot rife with resonant believability, and you have a book that is deliciously good and worthy of rereads. In The Vision, you have Mary (the female protagonist) gifted with some form of foresight, telepathy maybe. She has been hired by the police to assist in the capture of a serial killer. The serial killer is killed, but Mary believes that the spirit of the serial killer has moved from that body to another body. There is a red herring that is meant as a distraction, and the discussion of a prior evil is supposed to lead us down a different avenue, but I do not believe either succeeds very well. Not a horrible read by any means. It is a short and quick-paced novel. I just think that the story suffers for its brevity. Together, they're an excellent combination....more
I begin with caveats, because this novel was written over 100 years ago, when cultural sensitivities were not as large an issue as they are in this prI begin with caveats, because this novel was written over 100 years ago, when cultural sensitivities were not as large an issue as they are in this present milieu. In this book, there are what today is considered misogynistic language and themes, racially insensitive nomenclature, and violence that is distinct from what is usually experienced in normal, post-modern society.
To my mind, this book deserves a 4 and a half rating, because although the story is imperfect and highly derivative of The Island of Dr. Moreau by H. G. Wells or Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus, this novel is action-oriented, wonderfully speculative, and a historical snapshot of a prolific pulp writer with an expansive vocabulary learning his craft.
Sure, there's a mad scientist, attempting to prove to the scientific community that he has conquered the secrets of biology and made strides toward creating the perfect mate for his daughter. Burroughs' work here is worthy to be considered classic. It fits my three criteria of longevity (over fifty years), paradigm altering (mad scientist returns to sanity), and exceptional (the prose is lyrical and mellifluous with sophistication and ardor). I really enjoyed it....more
I love these classic pulp tales that were a cross between science fiction and fantasy. All-Story Weekly was famous for these incredible stories and thI love these classic pulp tales that were a cross between science fiction and fantasy. All-Story Weekly was famous for these incredible stories and the writers made famous for their florid language, vivid imaginations, and profound mastery of suspense and adventure. At the Earth's Core written by Edgar Rice Burroughs is his initial attempt at communicating a "hollow earth" concept that so fascinated other writers that they (H.P. Lovecraft, no less) would homage and emulate.
Here, Abner Perry and David Innes use a vessel made to burrow through the Earth's layers to get to a place where an entire subterranean ecosystem is thriving. They encounter what appears to be almost alien flora and fauna, oceans, jungles, primitive warring tribes, and of course, a beautiful damsel in distress. Our heroes may be smarter than the indigenous peoples, but they are ill-equipped to navigate the cultural norms that are relative to this society and consequently find their situations complicated by their ignorance.
I loved this classic tale. Although it is not perfect, it fits with my definition for a classic and matches my three criteria: longevity (written in 1914, this novel is more than a hundred years old); initiate a new paradigm (hollow earth theory); and exceptional (the vocabulary is sophisticated and overly descriptive.) It's not Tarzan; it's not John Carter, but it's a damn great read. It's also the first of the Pellucidar series of books....more
I originally received an invitation earlier this year to grab this book for free via one of the lists to which I subscribe, and I was immediately engaI originally received an invitation earlier this year to grab this book for free via one of the lists to which I subscribe, and I was immediately engaged by the cover blurb. Little did I realize that the author was from a bygone era (born June 18, 1862 — died March 26, 1942), not that it disqualifies the author in my eyes. I love reading books that expand my worldview whether it is horizontally through time or vertically in perspective.
Carolyn Wells wrote and published 170 books of various genres, but mostly mysteries. I had never read a Carolyn Wells book and would be OK to read others. One of the criticisms of her work lie in the fact that her work is largely formulaic, but it doesn't really matter when one has never read any of her previous work, and much more importantly murder mysteries as a whole are practically all formulaic.
Chain of Evidence is a traditional locked-room murder mystery in which the dead body is found in a locked room where no one could have gotten in or out. In this case, the niece and a servant locked the door with a chain, went to bed, only to discover that in the morning the uncle is dead. A lawyer from the building witnesses some of the proceedings and gets involved. He does much of the initial investigating such that when Fleming Stone gets involved near the end (fully 75 % has nothing to do with Stone) a strong foundation has been built.
I can't say very much about Fleming Stone because his reputation has been established before this book. (It's number three in his series of mystery novels.) I enjoyed the story. I loved the locked door aspect. The characters are OK (kind of stock characters from any given vintage period, New York, murder mystery). I liked it just fine, and would definitely read more to see if it really does feel like a carbon copy of this one. I'm calling it right down the middle....more
I feel like an apologist for Ian Fleming since I have reviewed all nine of the previous James Bond books, and every time I have begun with caveats genI feel like an apologist for Ian Fleming since I have reviewed all nine of the previous James Bond books, and every time I have begun with caveats gently reminding the readers of these reviews that Fleming wrote these novels starting in the 1950s. Consequently, the mindset of the period dictated societal mores, language, and cultural ideas less-enlightened than the current milieu. Trigger Warnings for the misogynistic and racially insensitive verbiage which may seem offensive to a postmodern sensibility. One of the most startling things that I found was that this novel was written in first person POV in the voice of a woman, Vivienne Michel, a French Canadian main character of this 007 book. She relates a backstory involving her sexual history that would be unnecessary these days, but Fleming felt it to be important. She is working the desk at a hotel that is closing for the season, but becomes the target of some gangsters. Agent 007 is the deus ex-machina used to resolve the situation. I want to say a few things that may be unpopular. I loved that Fleming was attempting to grow as a writer by writing a first-person story in the voice of a woman. I know that he mostly fails, but you have to give him credit for trying. He could have continued writing Bond stories the old way and been very successful. (They were successful anyway.) Clearly, I give credit for attempting to be innovative. I'm not certain that 4 stars is right, but 3 stars is too low a rating, probably more like 3 and 3/4ths or just 4 stars....more
Eleanor M. Ingram came to my attention when one of my email lists sent me a mailer suggesting The Thing from the Lake. After buying, reading, and loviEleanor M. Ingram came to my attention when one of my email lists sent me a mailer suggesting The Thing from the Lake. After buying, reading, and loving it, I was so impressed with the writing that I endeavored to find out why I had never heard of the book and the author. Surprisingly there was very little information about Ingram other than that she died the same year The Thing from the Lake was published. There's no information about how or why she died in her 35th year of life. Because it was her last book, I then resolved to see how many of the 7 books she wrote, I could get to read. This is one of the four I received.
The Game and the Candle is a bit of an odd duck. It reads a little like a modern fairy tale with an emperor (instead of a prince.) The main character resolved to make as much money as possible in order to provide his love with a fortune. It backfires somewhat, and requires the help of people in power. I'm certain I have not done the story justice because it is far more complicated and has the unique freshness of not having been over-read, over-talked about, and hyped.
This is a literary unicorn that has true-crime elements, mystery elements, political intrigue, assassination schemes, thriller elements. Kind of a poor person's David Baldacci. I enjoyed it, but I don't want to oversell. I apologize if I steer you wrong. When I find something so unique I tend to gush. Another thing to take note is that Ingram's books are all out of print so finding them will cost you at least $25 each or free on various apps including Gutenberg. Happy Reading....more
The Journal of John Woolman is book number two out of the 180 books fixed on the Harvard Five Foot Bookshelf, so called because it is rumored that allThe Journal of John Woolman is book number two out of the 180 books fixed on the Harvard Five Foot Bookshelf, so called because it is rumored that all 180 tomes would occupy five feet on a library shelf. To be fair, there are many positive things about the book: it demonstrates the spiritual journey of a pious man, his works are shared, his troubled conscience in attempting to resolve a Christian faith that permits owning slavery while grounded in a faith that posits axiomatically that all "men" are equal in the sight of God.
His thinking was radical for the 18th century, especially among his Quaker brethren. He would travel from one province to another in order to spread his ideas about slavery, which were not always well-received. The language is antiquated with misogynist, patriarchal ideas and racially insensitive language. However, it is important to note that Woolman does not use such language himself. He was surprisingly enlightened for a Quaker living in colonial times.
Because of the overtly religious metaphors and similes, I would not recommend this book the way that I would recommend The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Despite both being written during colonial times, Woolman's language is too rooted in biblical lore and thus, IMHO mostly inaccessible to the post-modern, non-Christian reader. I would agree with the editors at Harvard that chose this book as historically relevant and would agree that it has value, but I can not call this a classic because it does not meet my criteria for exceptionalism....more
There is something about listening to a writer gush (this was an audiobook) about the books he owns that absolutely gives me my yayas. I suspect that There is something about listening to a writer gush (this was an audiobook) about the books he owns that absolutely gives me my yayas. I suspect that many Goodreads readers might enjoy this book simply because Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was clearly one of us (an avid reader) as he communicates the circumstances under which he acquired specific books, what the books have meant to him, and the authors which have served to inform / entertain him. Which of us cannot do that? I have anecdotes about every one of my books. Some of them are the same (an eBay lot of 100 thrillers comes to mind), but I can show you which they are because they have been catalogued and meticulously placed on my bookshelves in Puerto Rico, my sister's garage in Connecticut, and my boys' home with their mother (most of those books, probably all, that I will never see because the boys won't relinquish and I'm OK with that.) The magic door in the title is every book that once opened, transports the reader to a magical place sometimes vastly distant from our reality, sometimes as near as a gentle zephyr. Have you ever been transported? I know you have, and just wait until he writes about an author that you are fond of, and explains why he loves Sir Walter Scott, or Jonathan Swift, or the American short story writer Edgar Allan Poe. I was very excited to open that magic door for myself when I was five, and every single time I open a book I expect to tap into that magic. Most of the time, I do find magic. This one is pretty powerful stuff for me, but it's for people that want to see how the sausage is made. It's not for everybody....more
Although not a mystery in the traditional sense, The Mystery of Cloomber takes several disparate and unique genre elements to combine them into a blenAlthough not a mystery in the traditional sense, The Mystery of Cloomber takes several disparate and unique genre elements to combine them into a blend that is both interesting and classic. Here, Conan Doyle, writes about a Scottish family that gets new neighbors to their remote coastal home. When the neighbors reveal that they would prefer to isolate themselves at Cloomber Hall and live a reclusive existence the Hunter Wests decide to respect their wishes. Interestingly both families have a male and a female child. Eventually the Heatherstones sneak out of Cloomber Hall, and the Hunter Wests follow. Friendships arise and the inevitable romantic feelings also. We learn that there is a logical reason for isolation, but little do we realize how profoundly unbelievable the circumstances that have engendered this tale. Conan Doyle was an eclectic writer that wrote a variety of story types. This one more readily falls into a spiritual exploration than it would a mystery. Although it has mystery elements, it also has war elements, horror, and heavy spirituality. Trigger Warning for a British Imperialist tale, with war elements that highlight a bloodthirsty episode, misogynistic and racist language with antiquated values and violent imagery. Despite all of the TW, whenever approaching classic literature I am compelled to accept that my modern views as a Puerto Rican man may probably not be reflected in the work. I must choose to judge its values on a distinct set of criteria that are important to me, and then share those with you to inform you how and why I gave my rating. The beginning is a slow burn, so I subtract a half star, but once it got started, I was enthralled. There's a scene of heroism at the midpoint that was compelling. The supernatural elements are explained. There's racism that is subtle and unsubtle, subtract a half star. Everything else, I love. Excellent story. Gripping narrative. Richly drawn characters. Setting, mood, and tone were perfect. There's much to love here in this little-known classic piece....more
Honestly, this is my third Brent Reilly book, and I was prepared to do something I have never done: DNF this book, because it is almost exactly like tHonestly, this is my third Brent Reilly book, and I was prepared to do something I have never done: DNF this book, because it is almost exactly like the previous two that I read which were war epics. This is supposed to be about a single character, at least that's what the blurb communicates. I was so frustrated because Reilly writes that all diseases and cancers have been cured. And then, he proceeds to list two whole pages of diseases that have been cured. But wait, didn't you already state that ALL diseases have been cured. Why must you bog me down in the minutia of lists? He does this repeatedly and it drove me nuts.
He fully goes through 200 pages of world-building before he gets to the main story about Raptor Ray. I had stupidly grabbed all of Reilly's free books hoping to find a new writer to follow. I read three books and they really revolve around similar themes of war and nation-building. I hate to give up on the guy, but seriously even he knew that the book ran overlong, because there is an apologetic final chapter that I have mixed feelings about.
On the one hand, if you know that you ran overlong, then why didn't you edit it better? And on the other hand, you apologized, and I should give you another chance. That final chapter is why I give you two stars instead of one. Brent, you're the writer and I'm a nobody, but you have to get yourself an editor that's going to be honest with you. The execution here is piss poor. My two cents....more
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the first book in the Harvard Classics Collection also known as the Five Foot Bookshelf for how long a booksThe Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the first book in the Harvard Classics Collection also known as the Five Foot Bookshelf for how long a bookshelf it was felt you would need in order to curate the most important works of the western world. At this point, my Kindle library says there are 180 books, and knowing the thickness of some of those tomes, I believe it would be longer than five feet. In any case, most of you wonderful reading people know how Herculean the task is that lies before me, but to be completely honest, I'm salivating at having begun.
I was concerned at starting with what I believed would be a dry, uninteresting read, and I found the subject matter fascinating. Franklin though uneducated in the eyes of his contemporaries was astoundingly brilliant. His work ethic was also a major factor in his success. Although, he had a Presbyterian upbringing, he was irreligious. He preferred to be kind and respectful, feeling that honeyed words taste better than those immersed in gall. As a printer, he wrote numerous helpful pamphlets, started a group of like-minded individuals called a Junto (secret society), invented an oven, lending libraries, and bifocals.
Benjamin Franklin was amazing and reading about his exploits was an actual joy. I consumed this biography in one day, leaving my chair only once to use the bathroom and grab food. I was truly mesmerized and this book is available for free everywhere. One down, 179 more to go....more
I would start with apologies to all you wonderful people who enjoy and have enjoyed this adventure tale. Clearly, I did not. I know that sometimes we I would start with apologies to all you wonderful people who enjoy and have enjoyed this adventure tale. Clearly, I did not. I know that sometimes we become almost idolatrously protective of our sacred cows in literature. (I write this knowing full-well that, I perhaps, am the most guilty of this transgression.)
When it became obvious to me that the language would serve as an impediment to my understanding, I decided to take the additional step of listening to a YouTube audible version while reading along with my hardcopy book. Good Lord in heaven, this was boring AF!
The story has merit, of a rich kid who falls overboard and gets rescued by another boat that just put out to sea for a season. They simply cannot return to shore or they would experience financial ruin. So Harvey must learn to fish in order to make his presence useful. I acknowledge that some of these sea adventures are exciting; however, the prose was so drab that whatever adventure was transpiring was lost by my inability to stay engaged and awake.
The Scottish accents may have been accurate, but whether the words were written or spoken, I was very much WTF! When reading a "classic," I never get offended at the language, but the n-word was so liberally used whether to describe the black cook or the Portuguese fishermen, equal member of the crew that it added to my lack of enjoyment.
I'm far too obsessive-compulsive to DNF this novel, so I hurried through this almost joyless experience. I can not in good conscience call this a classic, because although it might have longevity (almost 150 years), and even paradigm creating, this is certainly NOT exceptional....more
One of the inherent flaws of writing stories about a Marvel comic book superhero is that the end of the novel will very much resemble the beginning. WOne of the inherent flaws of writing stories about a Marvel comic book superhero is that the end of the novel will very much resemble the beginning. What I mean is that although a novel is all about a character's transformation from what s/he was to what s/he is becoming, characters like Batman, Superman, and James Bond never change. They are perpetually 35 and single. (I would say that the Death of Superman and James Bond's marriage in On Her Majesty's Secret Service underscore the point that after both storylines, Bond and Superman were essentially unchanged.)
I make the point only to express the challenge Margaret Stohl had in writing Black Widow: Forever Red. My expectation was low not because she does not have talent, but because I did not believe that she would be allowed to make any major changes to Natasha Romanov, the Black Widow. To a certain extent, I was right, but the writer did something cagey. Stohl creates a cast of supporting characters in the beginning that flow organically from the plot and then causes chaos to occur to and with those characters so that in essence they are changed by the things that happen from the characters as they were in the beginning.
It's good, but I'm not distracted by the writing gymnastics that Stohl has to employ in order to tell a significant tale. I recommend it as a good story (I listened on Audible), if you're a fan of Marvel movies, but recognize that there is that inherent limitation to the character....more
I have read these anthology collections multiple times during the course of my life, and most recently I finished Different Seasons after re-reading SI have read these anthology collections multiple times during the course of my life, and most recently I finished Different Seasons after re-reading Skeleton Crew. Pairing these two collections was a stroke of genius, because they naturally and organically flow.
By my 5-star rating, I don't pretend that every single story is fantastic, but every single story has merit. Whenever you have an anthology, by its very nature, every story is individual, unique, and must be judged in comparison to the others. Consequently, the stories will be uneven as they must be contrasted to the ones they follow and the ones as yet to come.
Here the steady stream of stories is not just vast, but deep. There is depth to the tales whether they are brief or whether they crossover into the length of novellas. If you have never read the stories written by this modern master, then you are in for a treat. Many of these stories have found life in a different medium as movies and TV shows. I think that these compilations are a must-own....more
I distinctly remember going to the movies as part of attending a graduation party in June of 1979. We had graduated Junior High School and one of my fI distinctly remember going to the movies as part of attending a graduation party in June of 1979. We had graduated Junior High School and one of my friends' mom had decided to throw the party, but had wanted to initiate the party with a collective watch of the movie Alien at the theater. I remember thinking even back then that the creature itself was a thing of horrifying beauty. I did not yet understand aesthetic beauty, and the alien itself had not yet captivated the zeitgeist, but I knew enough to realize that what we were watching was a premiere horror movie, a special movie akin to a haunted house narrative situated in outer space. Recently, I got an opportunity to listen to the movie novelization of Alien written by Alan Dean Foster, and I was taken back to that first time I was captivated. Since that time, I have watched that movie a dozen times. Of course the sequels have followed the original, but rather than rehash the same story, each creative team of the subsequent sequel has adapted, and changed the story. This one has the makings of classic, but it is too soon to call. Amid my criteria for a classic is longevity, and IMHO I say 50 years would fulfill that item on my list and it still requires 7 years to get there. Still, I believe that my other two criteria of exceptionalism and paradigm creation are already fulfilled....more
I think I offer up this disclaimer with every Amy Cross review I write: I love me some Amy Cross. There is something about her complete dedication to I think I offer up this disclaimer with every Amy Cross review I write: I love me some Amy Cross. There is something about her complete dedication to churning out horror tales like a factory conveyor belt that fills me with admiration. I really liked this story, because it surprised me.
I expected a rip on Word Processor of the Gods by King, and I got something totally different. Trigger Warnings here for explicit violence against women and children, a healthy dose of blood and gore, and even a bit of the weird sub-genre of horror with a call-back to a parallel universe very similar to an H.P. Lovecraft nightmare.
Steve buys an off-brand printer that is so off-brand that the store manager offers him an incredible deal to take it off his hands. However, when he takes it home to print up some documents, they don't print or copy. What does occur is that pictures of his apartment are somehow making their way into the output tray. Also, Steve's son Josh is showing up to school with bruises and he even has to be taken to the ER.
Steve's wife, Mary is worried because she feels something has been allowed to infiltrate their lives, and it's not just affecting Josh, but it's causing marital woes as well. If you want to experience real horror, then check this out. It really demonstrates Cross at her gory best....more
Ordinarily, an anthology collection of stories will inevitably IMHO have an uneven flow due to the lack in some of the stories chosen. However, The IlOrdinarily, an anthology collection of stories will inevitably IMHO have an uneven flow due to the lack in some of the stories chosen. However, The Illustrated Man, an anthology published as such in 1951, is a collection where every single story seems to carry a hefty speculative punch. Even no less a talent than Stephen King will kowtow to Bradbury as a short story-telling genius. The 18 stories here are sometimes horror, sometimes science fiction, sometimes science fantasy, or a mashup of various genres. The wraparound story involves the Illustrated Man who has numerous tattoos that form a complete mosaic over his entire body. The kicker here is that the tattoos are fluid and predictive of the future so what is painted on his body today is not necessarily what will be on his body tomorrow. The Illustrated Man is a character that we will see again in another Bradbury classic, Something Wicked This Way Comes. I won't tease any other stories so that I do not deprive you of discovering these classics for yourself. Suffice it to say that with these stories Bradbury begins to build a universe from which it is clear these stories are merely the seeds of fully verdant and lush gardens. If you're a science fiction geek, you really need to read this guy....more
Louie the Mustache
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