Tuesday, July 1, 2008

"Now that is enigmatic. That is textbook enigmatic."

Just thought I take this opportunity to rant about one of my favorite subjects, books! Oh, you guessed? I'm terribly distraught. :D

I finished Stranger in a Strange Land. Yes, I did.

Finally.

I had started it before, and not liked it. Then I kept coming across references to it, and found a cheap copy, and I had recently re-read some books that I had not liked and I did like them this time, so I thought I give it another go. And how did it go? I very much doubt that I will read it again. It just- failed to catch my interest. Big time failure. When the MC strips nude in a public square and is stoned to death, the other MC's break into the morgue, steal part of his body and eat it, and then go off to form a group-marriage commune and the reader's reaction is "meh;" you know the author has some issues.

It is sad, because I really like his juvenile fiction. (His being other things by Heinlein). But in the adult stuff, he seems to spend way too much time preaching laughably inaccurate sexual ethics and various self-centered heresies. And they aren't even new heresies! Come on man, get it together... Yeah, in all the adult stuff I've managed to wade my way through so far, he manages to have at least one episode where a (female) character monologues on about how wonderful pornography and/or free sex is. The only problem is; all his characters sound like men. So you are supposed to have this great eureka moment, ("Oh, there is no emotional bond connected to sex, and women like being stared at in lust!") and instead the whole scene rings hysterically false. Bottom line; to any of my younger siblings who might see this post- don't read the book. Read Citizen of the Galaxy instead if you want some good SF. And to anyone else who sees this; consider yourself warned. I wash my hands of it. :D

And now I'm reading an actual good book. *hugs it* Unfinished Tales, you make my heart soar. :P Since I'm reading it in snatches of time between shifts I'm only as far as "the Children of Hurin," but it sings at me from the corner of the room. I greatly love the style of writing. It feels like I could pick any line at random and it would be a good quote. A lovely book. Read it. Yes, I'm talking to you!

And what else have I devoured lately? Oh, yes. FMA. :D Bless the day I stole a volume off Stephanie's shelf and read it in the basement. "I have worse things than that to regret." Lovely.

3 comments:

Kemendraugh said...

Waaah! I have exciting news that I forgot to tell you! I think I dod anyways... but first thing's first.
Adult books are overrated. I'm tired of every time I try one it's about sex. So I gave up unless one is given to me by a trusted prof, or a trusted friend, who knows the Kendra Rating System.
*sighs lovingly* Just knowing that YOU're reading Unfinished tales makes me feel good. It's really beautiful, it's true. One of my favourite bits in that is the one about Isildur. Wow, it's so good, I have to go home and read it now.
Okay! Exciting news! I've read all of Fullmetal Alchemist that I could find online. Yay! It's so good. I knowed it would be, I just didn't ahve the emotional or mental capacity to start it at Augustine. I'm also watching the amnime, cause Rose has it, or her brother does, w/e. And I love both. They're kind of the best thing ever right now. Buuut, I had a question. I know you read it online, right Jasminay? What site were you using? And is it a good one? Cause I tried three or so, and I don't know which does a better translating job. Do tell, it is muchly appreciated.

Pine Cone Boy said...

That was a great review. Even if I know absolutely nothing about that book.

Bahnree said...

Haha I'm glad you're still blessing the day you started FMA...and I'll remember your advice on Heinlein, I keep meaning to read him and yeah.

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