Hi all!
I thought I would write about one of my favorite series of books, by Ruth Downie. She writes the Gaius Petreius Ruso novels set in ancient Rome, right around the era of Emperor Hadrian. The first novel is titled Medicus, and was published in 2006. It introduces the central characters of the series, the medicus - Latin for doctor - Ruso and the native British woman Darlughdacha, otherwise known as Tilla. The latest novel, which came out just this year, is titled Tabula Rasa, and is not yet available in libraries (I had to go out and buy it). There are 6 books so far, the last two of which are not in NB libraries, though book five can be obtained through interlibrary loan.
What attracted me to this series is the main protagonist, Gaius Ruso. He is a plain, honest, overworked doctor, just trying to do his job as medicus with the 20th Legion while they are posted in Britain. His main character flaw, which is also how he ends up embroiled in so much trouble, is that he just cannot let a mystery go. He is like a dog that has scented a trail, following every little clue to the bitter end, no matter the consequences to himself or his career. Ruso knows this is his flaw, but seems unable to let matters lie when he knows that something is wrong.
I have tried to think of who his character reminds me of, but so far I haven't been able to decide. He seems to have the same bad luck as Jackson Brodie from Kate Atkinson's series. He also reminds me a bit of Martin Freeman's portrayal of John Watson, in his exasperation over the behaviors of his friend and flatmate.
Overall, I think I'm just charmed by the portrayal of ancient Rome as filled with people, just like us. They may have had different habits, social customs and the like, but they were still people trying to make a living and find happiness. The mysteries are also usually not so clear to unravel as you find in some detective novels. The clues left by the author are subtle, and I am often as baffled by it all as Ruso is.
Anyway, I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good mystery, or a good historical fiction. Or even a good romance, as this book has that too!
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Remakes, why is it always remakes...
I recently watched the newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie (2014 version), directed by Jonathan Liebesman. Now, I grew up on the TMNT; I saw the three movies, watched the first cartoons, and a bit of some subsequent versions, and read both the original and the rebooted comics. I love the turtles, and I don't begrudge their commercial potential for toys and other marketable products. That said, I like the original movies, and recently re-watched them for nostalgia.
Well, let me say, this reboot pales in comparison! Now don't get me wrong, the special effects are light-years ahead of what they had back then, for sure. And the martial arts aspect is not lacking, it's well choreographed. But the plot... oh, the plot. The movie starts with a monologue by splinter. A corny, cliché, horrible monologue. The dialogues between characters are stilted, cliché, and seem like they're only there as garnish for the action scenes. The motivations for their actions are one dimensional, when they're not out and out nonsensical (Hello, April, priorities much?). The new character, April O'Neil's cameraman, could have been a well developed, interesting character. Instead he's the chauffeur, and the butt of all the jokes. pity.
And don't get me started on the turtles. One word: nostrils! The pseudo science, which I'm usually a bit forgiving of because blockbuster, is just going to ridiculous lengths. The number of times the characters should have died is astounding, and they bend the laws of physics every five minutes, when they're not just outright ignoring them.
As for the commercialism, there is one thing I noticed, other than the action figure potential, is that if you put all the action scenes where the turtles are moving at a good clip from one place to another, you get a pretty good amusement ride. Orlando, or Disneyland, I wonder?
Anyway, that's it for my rant. If you want to watch this movie, I won't stop you. My six year old liked it. She said it was awesome. Even if I had lots I disliked about this movie, I still watched it from beginning to end. And I didn't even leave the room once.
Well, let me say, this reboot pales in comparison! Now don't get me wrong, the special effects are light-years ahead of what they had back then, for sure. And the martial arts aspect is not lacking, it's well choreographed. But the plot... oh, the plot. The movie starts with a monologue by splinter. A corny, cliché, horrible monologue. The dialogues between characters are stilted, cliché, and seem like they're only there as garnish for the action scenes. The motivations for their actions are one dimensional, when they're not out and out nonsensical (Hello, April, priorities much?). The new character, April O'Neil's cameraman, could have been a well developed, interesting character. Instead he's the chauffeur, and the butt of all the jokes. pity.
And don't get me started on the turtles. One word: nostrils! The pseudo science, which I'm usually a bit forgiving of because blockbuster, is just going to ridiculous lengths. The number of times the characters should have died is astounding, and they bend the laws of physics every five minutes, when they're not just outright ignoring them.
As for the commercialism, there is one thing I noticed, other than the action figure potential, is that if you put all the action scenes where the turtles are moving at a good clip from one place to another, you get a pretty good amusement ride. Orlando, or Disneyland, I wonder?
Anyway, that's it for my rant. If you want to watch this movie, I won't stop you. My six year old liked it. She said it was awesome. Even if I had lots I disliked about this movie, I still watched it from beginning to end. And I didn't even leave the room once.
Thursday, 9 April 2015
Book reviews
Now that the movie reviews are under control, here are a few book reviews!
Here are a few really great titles:
Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel (2014)
This book. Seriously, go read this book! In an era when every other book boasts depressing portrayals of the future and sad endings, this book is a refreshingly delicious change. The prose is gorgeous, the words simply leaping off the page and into your brain where they paint a vivid portrait of the characters and settings, and you find yourself at 1 am simply unable to put the book down. Centered around the end of our civilization as we know it, and the events that precipitate it, this story tells us about the resilience of the human spirit, and how hope can survive through the arts. I cannot under-stress this: go read this book now!
The Martian by Andy Weir (2014)
Another near future novel, but this one will cater to everyone's cravings for the Mars space race. The first thing that came to mind when I read this book is 'wait a second, this seems familiar...'. It feels like the modern day version of that good old classic, Robinson Crusoe. On Mars. Seriously! Our main character literally wakes up on the rusty red ball of dirt alone, an astronaut presumed dead after a catastrophic aborted mission. His only hope of survival is to make it to a location many miles away, where some supplies were dropped for future planned missions, including a radio link to earth. I simply devoured this book, and I think the Crusoe analogy works well to determine if you will like it. If you like the 'lone man against nature' format, you will enjoy this book.
I am not a serial killer by Dan Wells (2010)
This was a disturbing book, but a very engrossing and enjoyable one. The main character has a psychological profile which has been somewhat popular in the media these last few years. He is qualified as a sociopath, or a person who has difficulty empathizing with others and is focused on their own wellbeing first. He is also a young teenager struggling with his baser impulses, and keeps telling himself the same thing: I am not a serial killer. Then, improbably, he encounters a real serial killer, and decides to stalk and kill the criminal. The book contains a twist that changes the genre of the book somewhat from straight thriller, though I won't tell you what. I found that this book was well written, and the characters were well rounded and engaging; however, I did find that the main character's personality might not accurately portray a true sociopath's decision making process and reactions. Whether this was intentional to bring more sympathy for the character, to imply that he was misdiagnosed, or the author simply did not have the information necessary for an accurate portrayal I do not know. This doesn't change the fact that this is a good read, and I recommend it to anyone who likes a good suspense thriller.
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (2003)
I found this book a very good read in the supernatural thriller genre, as well as the detective/murder mystery genre. It revolves around Odd Thomas, who other than a strange name has the ability to see, though not hear, the dead. He encounters something malevolent in his hometown, and decides that he will investigate it, in between his shifts as a fry cook. I found that I could only take this book in bits at a time, as it has an overall gloomy atmosphere to it. It reminded me of the Anita Blake novels in a way, just getting a bit more depressing at a time, with a slight downer at the end of the book. That said it was quite good and I will be picking up the sequel one of these days.
Genesis by Bernard Beckett (2006)
This is one of my favorite under appreciated gems, and I feel saddened that our library system doesn't have more books by this author, despite him having written more. The book takes place in the far future, where a student is submitting her subject for examinations, concerning the life of a long dead hero of humankind, Adam Forde. As she studies her subject, she uncovers shocking truths that had long been buried by the authorities. Who exactly was Adam Forde? I simply love this book, and believe it would rightly belong in any list of classic science-fiction.
Machine Man by Max Barry (2011)
This story is about one man's mission, nay, obsession with 'improving' himself. I'm not talking about self-help books here, but over the top, intense body modifications. Starting innocuously enough with an accident at work, our protagonist finds himself missing a leg. Dissatisfied with the currently available prosthetics, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Concluding that the human model is inherently flawed, he takes the unorthodox and alarming view that in order to get a truly good performance out of any prosthetic he can design, he will simply have to get rid of the other inferior limb. Thus starts a truly alarming trip into the depths of amoral mega corporations and man's obsession with making things better. Also, this strangely is a love story. In my top titles of science-fiction.
(JF) The Hero's Guide series by Christopher Healy (2012-2014)
Here is one example of books that transcend their intended audience. This series of three books - The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom, [...]To Storming The Castle, and [...]To Being An Outlaw - follows the adventures of Prince Charming. All four of them. The princes are tired of being called charming; they have names you know! But apparently trying to get those pesky bards to remember that is impossible. The disgruntled royals end up meeting up when they uncover a plot by a sinister party to take over their kingdoms. This, they think, is their chance to set the stories straight, and get songs sung about their true heroic deeds and not just a sidebar in some princess's story. Ah, if only it was so simple... I have to say that I don't understand how this series is not on everybody's must read list. Not only is the prose of outstanding quality, but the plot is complex, layered and filled with surprising twists that defy all fantasy genre clichés. And the characters are truly memorable! Reading the first book, I constantly found myself thinking what a fantastic movie this series would make. I could practically see the camera work scene by scene in my head...
(JF) The Incorrigible children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood (2010- )
Another example of books that should be read by everyone, not just children. Miss Penelope Lumley has just graduated from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, and she is ready to enter the workforce. She is hired by an affluent man, Lord Ashton, to raise three young children who have been found living on his lands, supposedly raised by wolves. Despite their unconventional upbringing, Miss Lumley finds herself getting attached to her charges. This is when strange things start to occur at Ashton Place, which imply a mysterious link between the children, the Ashtons and Miss Lumley herself. Just what is going on here? I found that these novels, despite being written for a younger crowd, do not skimp on vocabulary or complexity of plot. Although the author does make some of the mystery a bit more obvious for the older crowd, it does not detract from its readability. Highly recommended. The first book in the series is titled The Mysterious Howling.
(YAF) Every Day by David Levithan (2012)
What would you do if every day, you woke up as someone different? For A, it's not a thought exercise, but a fact of life. A has been coasting along for the first sixteen or so years of 'his' life, and is getting along pretty well, considering. A doesn't like making waves, goes with the flow, tries not to be noticed. Until A meets her, and is no longer content with being invisible. A wants to be seen.
I truly loved the premise of this novel, how one can retain an identity when everything changes from day to day, how love and goodness are even possibilities, is remarkable. I found the ending of the story bittersweet, and I am torn as whether a sequel would add or detract from this novel. It just seems like there should be a reckoning for the story's antagonist, as our protagonist just ends up... but that would be telling. Suffice it to say, very good read.
That's it for this post; next time I will post some more Young Adult novels, favorite titles, and a few graphic novels too!
Here are a few really great titles:
Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel (2014)
This book. Seriously, go read this book! In an era when every other book boasts depressing portrayals of the future and sad endings, this book is a refreshingly delicious change. The prose is gorgeous, the words simply leaping off the page and into your brain where they paint a vivid portrait of the characters and settings, and you find yourself at 1 am simply unable to put the book down. Centered around the end of our civilization as we know it, and the events that precipitate it, this story tells us about the resilience of the human spirit, and how hope can survive through the arts. I cannot under-stress this: go read this book now!
The Martian by Andy Weir (2014)
Another near future novel, but this one will cater to everyone's cravings for the Mars space race. The first thing that came to mind when I read this book is 'wait a second, this seems familiar...'. It feels like the modern day version of that good old classic, Robinson Crusoe. On Mars. Seriously! Our main character literally wakes up on the rusty red ball of dirt alone, an astronaut presumed dead after a catastrophic aborted mission. His only hope of survival is to make it to a location many miles away, where some supplies were dropped for future planned missions, including a radio link to earth. I simply devoured this book, and I think the Crusoe analogy works well to determine if you will like it. If you like the 'lone man against nature' format, you will enjoy this book.
I am not a serial killer by Dan Wells (2010)
This was a disturbing book, but a very engrossing and enjoyable one. The main character has a psychological profile which has been somewhat popular in the media these last few years. He is qualified as a sociopath, or a person who has difficulty empathizing with others and is focused on their own wellbeing first. He is also a young teenager struggling with his baser impulses, and keeps telling himself the same thing: I am not a serial killer. Then, improbably, he encounters a real serial killer, and decides to stalk and kill the criminal. The book contains a twist that changes the genre of the book somewhat from straight thriller, though I won't tell you what. I found that this book was well written, and the characters were well rounded and engaging; however, I did find that the main character's personality might not accurately portray a true sociopath's decision making process and reactions. Whether this was intentional to bring more sympathy for the character, to imply that he was misdiagnosed, or the author simply did not have the information necessary for an accurate portrayal I do not know. This doesn't change the fact that this is a good read, and I recommend it to anyone who likes a good suspense thriller.
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (2003)
I found this book a very good read in the supernatural thriller genre, as well as the detective/murder mystery genre. It revolves around Odd Thomas, who other than a strange name has the ability to see, though not hear, the dead. He encounters something malevolent in his hometown, and decides that he will investigate it, in between his shifts as a fry cook. I found that I could only take this book in bits at a time, as it has an overall gloomy atmosphere to it. It reminded me of the Anita Blake novels in a way, just getting a bit more depressing at a time, with a slight downer at the end of the book. That said it was quite good and I will be picking up the sequel one of these days.
Genesis by Bernard Beckett (2006)
This is one of my favorite under appreciated gems, and I feel saddened that our library system doesn't have more books by this author, despite him having written more. The book takes place in the far future, where a student is submitting her subject for examinations, concerning the life of a long dead hero of humankind, Adam Forde. As she studies her subject, she uncovers shocking truths that had long been buried by the authorities. Who exactly was Adam Forde? I simply love this book, and believe it would rightly belong in any list of classic science-fiction.
Machine Man by Max Barry (2011)
This story is about one man's mission, nay, obsession with 'improving' himself. I'm not talking about self-help books here, but over the top, intense body modifications. Starting innocuously enough with an accident at work, our protagonist finds himself missing a leg. Dissatisfied with the currently available prosthetics, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Concluding that the human model is inherently flawed, he takes the unorthodox and alarming view that in order to get a truly good performance out of any prosthetic he can design, he will simply have to get rid of the other inferior limb. Thus starts a truly alarming trip into the depths of amoral mega corporations and man's obsession with making things better. Also, this strangely is a love story. In my top titles of science-fiction.
(JF) The Hero's Guide series by Christopher Healy (2012-2014)
Here is one example of books that transcend their intended audience. This series of three books - The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom, [...]To Storming The Castle, and [...]To Being An Outlaw - follows the adventures of Prince Charming. All four of them. The princes are tired of being called charming; they have names you know! But apparently trying to get those pesky bards to remember that is impossible. The disgruntled royals end up meeting up when they uncover a plot by a sinister party to take over their kingdoms. This, they think, is their chance to set the stories straight, and get songs sung about their true heroic deeds and not just a sidebar in some princess's story. Ah, if only it was so simple... I have to say that I don't understand how this series is not on everybody's must read list. Not only is the prose of outstanding quality, but the plot is complex, layered and filled with surprising twists that defy all fantasy genre clichés. And the characters are truly memorable! Reading the first book, I constantly found myself thinking what a fantastic movie this series would make. I could practically see the camera work scene by scene in my head...
(JF) The Incorrigible children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood (2010- )
Another example of books that should be read by everyone, not just children. Miss Penelope Lumley has just graduated from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, and she is ready to enter the workforce. She is hired by an affluent man, Lord Ashton, to raise three young children who have been found living on his lands, supposedly raised by wolves. Despite their unconventional upbringing, Miss Lumley finds herself getting attached to her charges. This is when strange things start to occur at Ashton Place, which imply a mysterious link between the children, the Ashtons and Miss Lumley herself. Just what is going on here? I found that these novels, despite being written for a younger crowd, do not skimp on vocabulary or complexity of plot. Although the author does make some of the mystery a bit more obvious for the older crowd, it does not detract from its readability. Highly recommended. The first book in the series is titled The Mysterious Howling.
(YAF) Every Day by David Levithan (2012)
What would you do if every day, you woke up as someone different? For A, it's not a thought exercise, but a fact of life. A has been coasting along for the first sixteen or so years of 'his' life, and is getting along pretty well, considering. A doesn't like making waves, goes with the flow, tries not to be noticed. Until A meets her, and is no longer content with being invisible. A wants to be seen.
I truly loved the premise of this novel, how one can retain an identity when everything changes from day to day, how love and goodness are even possibilities, is remarkable. I found the ending of the story bittersweet, and I am torn as whether a sequel would add or detract from this novel. It just seems like there should be a reckoning for the story's antagonist, as our protagonist just ends up... but that would be telling. Suffice it to say, very good read.
That's it for this post; next time I will post some more Young Adult novels, favorite titles, and a few graphic novels too!
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