“Let me tell you then, Professor, that you will not regret the time passed on board my vessel. You are going to visit the land of marvConflicted Review
“Let me tell you then, Professor, that you will not regret the time passed on board my vessel. You are going to visit the land of marvels. "
Another very difficult book for me to review. It is a well-established classic, and itisJules Verne so it was never going to be a bad book. However, I have long since learnt that the generally accepted rule is not always compatible with my own reading experience.
In the midst of the glade, on a pedestal of rocks roughly piled up, stood a cross of coral that extended its long arms that one might have thought were made of petrified blood. Upon a sign from Captain Nemo one of the men advanced; and at some feet from the cross he began to dig a hole with a pickaxe that he took from his belt. I understood all! This glade was a cemetery, this hole a tomb, this oblong object the body of the man who had died in the night! The Captain and his men had come to bury their companion in this general resting-place, at the bottom of this inaccessible ocean!
There is obviously some magic to be had here, but it takes some mining to unearth, buried as it is under mountains of exposition. If ever a novel read like a textbook it is this one.
"Let us reflect," said I, "and take our time… I think a little hesitation in this case would not be ill-timed.”
The premise of the book is actually rather simple, following as it does the protagonist (Professor Aronnax) and the crew of the Nautilus (under Captain Nemo) as they travel around the world’s oceans, alternating between what can arguably be described as scientific sight-seeing and random adventure. (Read: travelogue with endless descriptions of oceans and marine fauna and flora, and interspersed with any number of history lessons).
There arelotsof descriptions of aquatic lifeforms, of every conceivable size, colour and genus. I’m a bit of a compulsive reader (I don’t “skip” ), so some of the detailed sequences almost drove me up the wall in their extensiveness.
And then, of course, at the heart of the story is the ambiguous nature of the enigmatic Captain Nemo, and his desire for independence (or is it vengeance?). It is also worth noting that the narrator, M. Aronnax, is a more complex character than first glance would suggest, given his own contemplations during the voyage. Juxtaposed against all the encyclopedic detail, however, I am afraid quite a bit of the essence of the novel has passed me by, insofar as the characters are concerned. It happens.
”Ah! sir, live--live in the bosom of the waters! There only is independence! There I recognise no masters! There I am free! "
Now, to be clear, therearesome redeeming qualities. How could there not be? Some of the sequences are quite picturesque and taking into account that this novel was published (in serial format) circa 1870 it is actually quite an impressive feat. This last fact in itself accounts for the book’s classic status as a Science Fiction story. Towards the latter end of the novel, there is a sequence of suitable claustrophobic tension (the Nautilus is, after all, a submarine) that stands out, amongst others.
In the end, I suppose the fact that it took mefive yearsto finish this is as telling as anything I might write in a review. It took too long to reel me in, and I found it just a tad dry.
Read as part of have-to-read agreement with my wife....more
Dis nie aldag dat mens sulke lekker kriewelrige Afrikaanse fiksie uit die sewentigerjare raakloop nie. En veral nie met so opvallende omslag nie (effe Dis nie aldag dat mens sulke lekker kriewelrige Afrikaanse fiksie uit die sewentigerjare raakloop nie. En veral nie met so opvallende omslag nie (effens bisar – maar nie op ‘n slegte manier nie).
die weerwolf!
Die nag is swaar swanger aan onheil.
Dis ‘n dunnerige boekie, maar met genoegsame byt om ‘n mens buite toe te stuur om dit in die sonlig te sit en lees eerder as binne in die huis (dit is immers winter en koud). Sommige sinne indie weerwolf!is nie te vreeslik ver van ‘n paar koue hande op ‘n ou se blaaie nie.
Die bloed in my are stol. Hoendervleis slaan oor my hele liggaam uit. Die sagte gepluk aan my haarwortels word naaldskerp stekies wat dit regop laat staan.
Toegegee, miskien is dit so hier en daar effens oordoen en miskien ‘n bietjietekleurvol. Dit maak dit nie minder pret nie. Ek sou definitief meer Afrikaans gelees het as ek meer van hierdie soort ding in die hande kan kry.
die weerwolf!is ‘n boek wat slimmer is as wat jy sou raai met die eerste oogopslag. Dit lees soos ‘n Agatha Christie raaiselverhaal, met ‘n ekstra laag. Eerstens: is daar regtig iets bonatuurlik aan die gang? En tweedens: wie is die skuldige party of partye?
Meteens wyk die miswolke heeltemal en die maan se koue strale doop alles in ysgeel.
So waaroor gaan dit dan? Wel, net wat die titel sê. En miskien sokleeeeinbietjie meer. ‘n Handvol mense bevind hulle in ‘n kasteel in Duistland, afgesny van die res van samelewing deur ‘n storm wat die pad verspoel het. Daar is iets wat besig is om hulle een-een te verskeur… maar waarom? En wie (of wat) is dit?
Interessant genoeg is die boek ook vol skaars onderdrukte seksuele spanning tussen sommige van die karakters. Dit nogal in ‘n Afrikaanse boek uit die sewentigs – wie sou kon dink?
As jy hou van raaiselagtige tipe rillers met ‘n tikkie van die bonatuurlike, lees gerus hierdie as jy dit iewers in die hande kan kry. Dis seker so skaars soos hoendertande, maar dis nogalkwaai.
En die oë – die oë wat lyk asof dit rooi in die donker glinster. ...more
Suddenly, with a magician's flourish, he produced a skull. He held it high over his head with his strong left arm and turned slowly around in a compleSuddenly, with a magician's flourish, he produced a skull. He held it high over his head with his strong left arm and turned slowly around in a complete circle so each man could see the large, distinctive, high-domed shape. The men stared at the cave bear's skull glowing whitely in the flickering light of the torches.
Contemporary anthropology can be pretty confusing, and science may have disproved some of what’s on display here, but this novel doesfeellike it was well researched at any rate, so let’s leave it at that. It’s still just a story, and an historical-fantasy at that.
“The child has a totem, a strong totem. We just don't know what it is.”
And we all know the story by now. Cro-Magnon girl is orphaned by earthquake and is adopted by Neanderthal clan: drama and intrigue follows. It’s no surprise that emphasis is laid on the differences, and perceived differences, betweenH. neanderthalensisandH. sapiens.
(I found the “Caveman” names quite typical, and amusing: Eg. Grod, Droog, Groob, Crug and for obvious reasons, Durc.)
This book was pretty huge back in its day. It also seems to be provoking all kinds of debate. The reviews on goodreads alone make for interesting reading, and more than a little contradiction. Is the book racist? Is the book sexist? Is the book factually correct?
More to the point: is the book any good?
He had a sudden understanding of the gulf between the mind of this girl and his own, and it shook him.
The intimacies of clan interaction does have a terrifically epic backdrop in prehistoric (paleolithic) Europe and something that the author conveys quite well is the solitude; you reallydoget the idea that there are not many people around. However, expect a bit of an infodump: there are pages and pages of depictions of plants and their medicinal properties. If you can skip-read over these, you’ll read the book in half the time I did (I compulsively read everything).
She was part of nature's new experiment, and though she tried to model herself after the women of the clan, it was only an overlay, a facade only culture-deep, assumed for the sake of survival.
It’s an interesting story, but also somewhat cyclical, with some events seemingly repeated in some form or other throughout the story. Season follows season; day to day depictions of paleolithic Neanderthal life serving as backdrop for the pissing contest between Ayla and Broud; wash, rinse, repeat.
Something that reviewers seem to be skirting around is the rape scene depicted in the story. I found it fairly brutal, given the context (the victim is a 10-year girl), even if it does serve to move the story along. I would have expected the author to exhibit a modicum of sensitivity in the prose, but alas. The reason I’m mentioning this incident specifically is because itdidinfluence my reading experience. Perhaps this is the idea, to set a more sinister tone for the rest of the novel.
We don't know why your totem has led you to follow that ancient path, but we cannot deny the Spirit of the Cave Lion; it must be allowed.
In the end, it’s testament to the staying power of the novel that I still enjoyed it despite its shortcomings. With a tweak here and an edit there it could have been great; as it is it’s still very good.
3.5 Stars Read as part of the must-read agreement with my wife – 2015
An amalgam of suspense fiction and dark (urban) fantasy, this book is a quirky but enjoyable romp that manages to retain an impressive helping of respAn amalgam of suspense fiction and dark (urban) fantasy, this book is a quirky but enjoyable romp that manages to retain an impressive helping of respectability given the subject matter. At first the protagonist comes across a bit like Jason Bourne, trying to piece together his identity bit by bit, but it quickly becomes apparent that this isn’t a story that Robert Ludlum would have written.
Despite also being a tale of the “Cleveland Undead”,Ravenisn’t very similar toThe Flesh, the Blood, and the Fire.I quite enjoyed both, but for different reasons. It is a Horror novel, but there’s nothing really gratuitous oroverlygory here. The chills are derived from the immediacy of the first person narration and the disturbing journey of discovery. As if vampirism isn’t enough, some occultism is thrown into the mixture, just to be sure that librarians don’t inadvertently shelf this incorrectly.
Refreshingly free of naïve romanticism and compulsory erotica,Ravenwas, for me, a refreshing take on the vampire mythos. I can see, from the mixed reviews here that it isn’t to everyone’s taste, though. And isn’t that wonderful?
Recommended Read as part of must-read agreement with wife...more
Now began our real journey. Hitherto our toil had overcome all difficulties, now difficulties would spring up at every step. I had not yet ventured toNow began our real journey. Hitherto our toil had overcome all difficulties, now difficulties would spring up at every step. I had not yet ventured to look down the bottomless pit into which I was about to take a plunge. The supreme hour had come.
OK so if you’re a reader of Science Fiction, and especially the classics, you owe it to yourself to read some Jules Verne. Not only was he enormously influential in the genre, but he is responsible for stories that are still popular to this day.
What human power could restore me to the light of the sun by rending asunder the huge arches of rock which united over my head, buttressing each other with impregnable strength?
The story here is not unfamiliar. In fact, it’s been well covered by film and television, as well as the illustrated medium, a great many times. I will therefore not go into great detail around the plot, other than to say that it deals with a journey into the earth’s crust and below (much like the title states).
So, then, the dream in which I had had a vision of the prehistoric world, of the tertiary and post-tertiary periods, was now realised. And there we were alone, in the bowels of the earth, at the mercy of its wild inhabitants!
It’s an adventure novel, really, and not hard science fiction by modern standards. However, it would have been a very different story at the time of first publication (1864). The scientific discussions presented here must have been positively electrifying.
There are only a few characters and none are truly fleshed out. This, I think, is a symptom of the genre and the time it was written. Science Fiction has come a long way since 1864.
It is apparent that the author was aiming not only for a base to present his own scientific beliefs (the book does enter “lecture mode” on a few occasions) but also to press some “sense of wonder”buttons in his readers. I didn’t read the book in the original French but in English, alternating between thePenguin Classictranslation and theGutenberg Projecttranslation (there are some interesting comparisons / differences between the two but that is a discussion for another time). Still: it is obvious, even in translated form, that Mister Verne had a flair for the dramatic and knew how to spin a yarn. Respect.
From that hour we had no further occasion for the exercise of reason, or judgment, or skill, or contrivance. We were henceforth to be hurled along, the playthings of the fierce elements of the deep.
3.5 – 4 stars
Read as part of annual “have to read” agreement with wife....more
I postponed readingThe Lincoln Lawyerbecause I thought it was going to be a courtroom drama with excessive infodumps and tedious pacing. Boy was I eI postponed readingThe Lincoln Lawyerbecause I thought it was going to be a courtroom drama with excessive infodumps and tedious pacing. Boy was I ever wrong. Fortunately, my wife had the foresight to spring it on me as part of our annualmust-readagreement for 2015.
The law was a large, rusting machine that sucked up people and lives and money. I was just a mechanic. I had become expert at going into the machine and fixing things and extracting what I needed from it in return.
Don’t misunderstand, though. Thisisa legal thriller, for the most part, but it also doubles quite deftly as a mystery / suspense novel. A gripping one, at that.
Much of society thought of me as the devil but they were wrong. I was a greasy angel.
The immediacy of first person narrative seemed to suit this story better than most. The protagonist comes across as either a sleazy defense lawyer or a loveable rogue (depending on the events being depicted at the time), but there is an enormous amount of character development as he starts questioning his own morality and reasons for doing what he does - the catalyst, of course, being the specific case that this novel deals with…
It seemed so far-fetched that it might actually be true. And that bothered me.
…and it is a layered one.
The Lincoln Lawyeris a pretty twisty novel. It has a few curveballs up its sleeve, for each time when you finally think you know where the story is headed. It’s easy to see why this was made into a film (which, at the time of writing this review, I haven’t seen yet).
A cold shiver of fear pierced my chest.
This one genuinely had my stomach knotted with tension a few times. It probably won’t change the way I look at the world, but it was nigh impossible to put down and scratched that thriller itch just fine.
“He’s telling us that the devil did it.”
Recommended – an easy 4 and a half, without prejudice
Read as part of “have-to-read” agreement with my wife – 2015 ...more
Ah. This was quite good. The art suited the pulpy vibe of the story perfectly. And it is a good story too, underscored by Lovecraftian influences.
Ther Ah. This was quite good. The art suited the pulpy vibe of the story perfectly. And it is a good story too, underscored by Lovecraftian influences.
There really isn’t much more I can say, other than this: it’s much better than the film.
Recommended. Even to readers who don’t particularly enjoy the graphic medium. ...more
I’m also one of the stooges who came to the party late. That’s to say, I watched the series before reading the book, or graphic novel to be exact. HecI’m also one of the stooges who came to the party late. That’s to say, I watched the series before reading the book, or graphic novel to be exact. Heck, when I purchased “the complete season one” I wasn’t even aware that it was based on a book. Now, when something like this happens, there is absolutely no way to undo it. There is no way to un-remember the visual medium and any first impressions, so it’s all spilt milk.
But it is every goodreader’s sworn duty, if you’ve enjoyed the show, to read the books... if only to consider the parallels, and the differences. There are some hilarious memes out there which you’ll appreciate a lot more once you’ve read this, at the very least. I particularly enjoyed the joke about the post-apocalyptic lawns always being mown and neat (in the book everything is overgrown and decrepit, as you would expect).
As for the book: it’s pretty good, although it’s pretty darn brusque. To be completely honest, I have mixed feelings about it. Normally I’d be quick to say the book is better than the movie (it is almostalwaysthe case), but there are actually one or two things that the show does better (in my opinion). However, it’s early days yet, since this is only book 1, so I’ll see how it progresses from here.
It’s interesting to note that the art is black & white. This didn’t immediately appeal to me, but it serves well to underline the dreary existence of a zombie-apocalypse. And the art is just as gruesome as what you’d expect after seeing the show.
It obviously isn’t a direct adaptation either. The TV show does take some artistic license, but for the most part it’s for the best, especially the Shane arc, which is just a bit awkwardly handled in the book.
All in all, it isn’tmind-blowing,and I probably wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t for the show. But it’s interesting enough that I will continue to read the series, at least as long as I’m watching the show. ...more
For some reason this Batman story felt kind of “old school”, but in a good way.Knight Terrorsruns a whole gamut of classic Bat villains, but somethiFor some reason this Batman story felt kind of “old school”, but in a good way.Knight Terrorsruns a whole gamut of classic Bat villains, but something sinister is afoot: they’re all seriously powerful and amped up on some drug (sound familiar?). Yep, it’s like that –the 80s all over again. This series isn’t a reboot; it refers to events in the previous DC continuity.
Knight Terrorsis pretty violent and bloody; this isn’t a comic you’ll want lying around for the kids to read. I’ve heard the same thing regarding the New 52Detective Comicsseries but I haven’t read that yet. Something amusing: Batman gets heavily beaten up at one point… so you’d think that Bruce Wayne would at least sport a few bruises or a black eye the next day. But you’d be wrong. This is either a very good ad for make-up or an inconsistency by the creative team – take your pick. It didn’t put me off the story though. I rather likedKnight Terrors.I can see how some people won’t, to be fair… it’s ratheractionoriented and not as sophisticated (or cinematic) a story as theCity of Owlsarc being explored in the other New 52 Batman series. Speaking of which, there is a crossover in the last issue collected here, featuring one of the Talons of the Court of Owls. Also: The Flash and Superman both make appearances inKnight Terrors.
I am, of course, of the opinion that there are way,waytoo many Bat-related titles out there at the moment (anything from Batman incorporated through Batgirl, Batwoman and Batwing – what’s next? BatLantern? Oh wait, they did that already) so it’s debatable whether there really needs to be aDark Knightseries in addition toBatman, Detective ComicsandBatman & Robin.However, I’ll continue reading the series. Even if it is just for the art (which is great, by the way)… and the mayhem… and the female villain that looks like a Playboy Bunny! ...more
I haven’t read all the New 52 titles (who has the time these days to read everything they’d really like to?), but so far I’ve been fairly impressed. TI haven’t read all the New 52 titles (who has the time these days to read everything they’d really like to?), but so far I’ve been fairly impressed. There have been numerous reboots and retcons in the DC Universe, but the New 52 actuallydoesfeel like a fresh start and notjustanother attempt to cash in on the resurging popularity of comic culture.
There are quite a few New 52 Batman titles, andBatman #1kicks off theCourt of Owlsarc. It’s a sinister and atmospheric tale about secrets, conspiracies and madness… and this is only the beginning. The art is very good, although I did feel that Bruce Wayne looks pretty young, considering that at this stage Damian Wayne is already Robin. The Talon is a good foil for Batman, and the tidbits of information regarding the interplay of owls and bats in the natural world are fascinating. Clearly the author gave this some thought, and it adds a lot of depth to an already good plot.
I knocked off one star from my original five star rating for theMazesequence, which gets a bit weird for my taste. It’s worth mentioning, though, that in this story Batman comes dangerously close to meeting his match. It seems the writing team wants to emphasize the fact that, despite everything, he is only human / fallible. Great stuff all round. ...more
I have to be honest, I don’t know Greek mythology allthatwell and I only have a passing understanding of Won Well this was certainly something else.
I have to be honest, I don’t know Greek mythology allthatwell and I only have a passing understanding of Wonder Woman’s origin. Of course, I did read Wonder Woman comics as a kid, when and where I could find them, but she was never one of the characters I focused heavily on.
I got this for my wife as a gift and she recommended that I read it as well. It’s pretty good. The origin story has been retconned, which won’t be to everybody’s liking. Despair not, however, because if the history of comics is anything to go by, it may well be changed back and forth dozens of times yet. I suppose the idea is to just enjoy each version while you can.
The updated look confused me at times. Hermes, for example, doesn’t lookanythinglike he did previously. I also have to agree with another reviewer: why is Hera running around naked all the time? I’m assuming gods don’t necessarily feel the need for clothing, but why are the other gods dressed then? Anyway, I’m nitpicking now.
I enjoyed this collection enough to rate it highly, although it’s certainly incomplete. You’d think the guys at DC would fill up the collected editions withcompletestory arcs, but you’d be wrong. The idea is obviously toforcereaders to buy the next edition. I would have done so anyway, if I enjoyed the series... and no amount of cliffhanging would persuade me to buy the next edition if I thought the series was crappy. So, it’s pointless. DC, are you paying attention here?
In conclusion: it’s a refreshing, if different, take on the Amazon Princess. My wife and I both enjoyed it, although I realize that’s hardly representative of the comic reading community. Check it out for yourself, and decide. I'm especially curious to know what hardcore Wonder Woman fans make of the New 52 Wonder Woman.
This is a fine collection. It deals with events rather early in Batman’s career. In fact, I suppose these could be considered “year one” events, sinceThis is a fine collection. It deals with events rather early in Batman’s career. In fact, I suppose these could be considered “year one” events, since this collection depicts the first use of the bat signal. ThePreystory was first published around 1990-1991 when I was at school and, needless to say, reading a lot of comics. It could be that my judgment is being clouded by nostalgia but I’d like to think that this isn’t the case.
Preyis actually quite violent. One of the challenges Batman faces here is a Vigilante calledNight Scourgeand the story shows how wearing a mask can amplify personality traits (for better or worse). Isolated from (Captain) Gordon and being driven over the edge by the psychological machinations of Hugo Strange,Preyfeatures an all-too-human Caped Crusader who struggles to keep things together. The story also clearly illustrates the importance of James Gordon in the Batman mythos.
I’ve always felt that the wholeTalia al GhulandDamian Wayneangle was a bit superfluous. For one thing: did DCreallyneed another RobiRanty Review
I’ve always felt that the wholeTalia al GhulandDamian Wayneangle was a bit superfluous. For one thing: did DCreallyneed another Robin? This brings the tally up to, what, six Robins (depending on who you ask, and whether you include theBatman: The Dark Knight Returnstimeline)? Also, Damian is really annoying. Why would any franchise want to carry a character that nobody likes? Okay, thatfewpeople like. It seems that DC has dispensed with this complication (for now), and good riddance. The Batman mythos was already getting too cluttered as it is.
What we have here is a story that included the extended Batman family at the time of writing, which means there are featuring roles for Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Talia, Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne… and Alfred. Yes, in here you will find Alfred holding his own against assassins from the League of Shadows, without so much as a scratch. As if it wasn’t hard enough to justify asnot nosedpre-teen Damian being able to do this (yes I know he wastrained- so were the ninjas). Ridiculous. Nitpick for the day: at the end of the storyNightwingsports bandages but Alfred doesn’t… I never knew Alfred was the better fighter of the two. No, the sorry truth is that this story sadly relegates the “mighty” League of Shadows to nothing more than bumbling thugs with masks. If you're OK with that, then you'll enjoy this story. Yeah, I get it, comic relief and all that, but thisisa fairly serious story.
Now that I’ve gotten all that off my chest… therearesome positives here. Notably the scenes with Tim Drake and Dick Grayson. There are some choices that both have to make, that don’t come easy. If you plan on reading this, read it for Robin and Nightwing, the Batman bits are not so good. This is a good example of why Batman should stick to Gotham.
Note 1 - it seems I need to qualify what I meant by "...DC has dispensed with this complication (for now)" - I was referring torecentevents inNew 52.People have been asking me about it because Damian is still Robin whenNew 52opens. The following will only be considered a spoiler by hardcore comic readers, but they will already know it in any event. I was of course referring to the deaths, in 2013, ofDamianandTaliarespectively....more
What we have here is a bona fide local classic. The tale of Jock of the Bushveld is as proudly South African as biltong and beskuit. Or perhaps not asWhat we have here is a bona fide local classic. The tale of Jock of the Bushveld is as proudly South African as biltong and beskuit. Or perhaps not as proudly: the original version (which I obtained from the Gutenberg project) is absolutely rife with racial slurs. Here’s the thing: even thoughapartheidis an Afrikaans word, it was never an Afrikaans invention, as this book (which was written at about turn of the century) unflinchingly illustrates. The colonials at the time, and especially, it seems, the British, were actively laying the groundwork for this country’s current ugly legacy (whichourgeneration now has to deal with). Gobshites!
The book is also jam-packed with passages describing all kinds of cruelty to animals: antelopes have their legs shot off; a dog is kicked against the head by antelope (causing permanent deafness); dogs are butchered by baboons (and, eventually, vice versa), and everything that moves is either shot by hunters or attacked by their “loveable” hunting dogs and mauled. In South Africa we have a big problem with poaching. We also have a fairly shocking endangered species list, because of the hunting habits of the colonials, which caused a lot of damage before it was eventually governed. Again, the novel serves to illustrate. Gobshites!
I am a white South African, and I am the owner of aCanis Africanis.She is beautiful, loyal and has a lovely disposition. My wife and I adopted her from a rescue dog shelter. InJock of the Bushveldthese “native” dogs are depicted as cowardly and rubbish and the author tells with some glee how Jock attacks (and often kills) them just for the apparent hell of it.
And that ending! Of all the bloody stupid things to do! Are some people just born daft!
The writing is quite powerful and the adventures are often enjoyable. Is it a good book? It probably is. Did I enjoy it?Not really- there were just too many things that annoyed me on some level…
I will likely revisit this review at some point, once I’ve cooled off a bit
Edit 1: I probably missed the whole point of the book, but I'm still sticking to my guns (no pun intended)...more
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