Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Neil Gaiman Book Review - 'Coraline'
2020 EDIT: Reread, and it's as good as the first time. 'Coraline' is a great little scary children's book that can be read at bedtime; to teach people of all ages about courage, cleverness, strategy, and exploring. And about people in general. With a young and ordinary - and brave - female protagonist. Forget about reading it once; it can be looked at over and over again in a day, as quick and substantial as anything. There is a reason 'Coraline' became a classic. I love the film, too.
Original Review:
A great and original modern fairy tale. It is about a young girl learning to be brave and resourceful in any scary situation, as well as respecting elders as each of their knowledge is wide and helpful. She is in truth alone in her new home - so she would be tempted by the Other new home - but together with the mysterious black cat she finds she can overcome the most impossible of obstacles.
Bravery is being afraid of something but confronting it anyway, and Coraline (delightful name) Jones learns this from her parents, her neighbours, the cat (whose gender or lack of one, I might add, seems to change from chapter to chapter; intentional?) and ultimately from within herself.
The Other Mother is a fantastic villain, and one I won't soon forget. A favourite as far as scary baddies go.
A short but memorable and creepy book, which can also count as a ghost story. 'Coraline' is written in a flowing and imaginative prose I've come to associate with Neil Gaiman. I highly recommend reading this at least once.
It also got me thinking that maybe Gaiman is better at writing children's books (I have also read and loved 'The Graveyard Book') than ones for adults, since I wasn't too impressed with 'Stardust'. But maybe I just need to read more of his work. I'll check out 'American Gods' soon.
Final Score (for 'Coraline'): 5/5
Original Review:
A great and original modern fairy tale. It is about a young girl learning to be brave and resourceful in any scary situation, as well as respecting elders as each of their knowledge is wide and helpful. She is in truth alone in her new home - so she would be tempted by the Other new home - but together with the mysterious black cat she finds she can overcome the most impossible of obstacles.
Bravery is being afraid of something but confronting it anyway, and Coraline (delightful name) Jones learns this from her parents, her neighbours, the cat (whose gender or lack of one, I might add, seems to change from chapter to chapter; intentional?) and ultimately from within herself.
The Other Mother is a fantastic villain, and one I won't soon forget. A favourite as far as scary baddies go.
A short but memorable and creepy book, which can also count as a ghost story. 'Coraline' is written in a flowing and imaginative prose I've come to associate with Neil Gaiman. I highly recommend reading this at least once.
It also got me thinking that maybe Gaiman is better at writing children's books (I have also read and loved 'The Graveyard Book') than ones for adults, since I wasn't too impressed with 'Stardust'. But maybe I just need to read more of his work. I'll check out 'American Gods' soon.
Final Score (for 'Coraline'): 5/5
Neil Gaiman Book Review - 'The Graveyard Book'
2020 EDIT: Sadly, 'The Graveyard Book' is the first of my rereads of my past favourite books that I will have to retract.
It is quite boring, the chapters are way too long (especially for a book for young audiences), and there are some inconsistencies and parts that don't make sense, even for a fantasy story like this. There are elements that are kind of frustrating, such as concerning the character Silas. Adults and authority figures who are secretive for no good reason - it's always for the sake of having a mystery to the story - is a pet peeve of mine. That, and authority figures and guardians who are incompetent in their roles, because of plot convenience.
In more ways than one, I can now see how 'The Graveyard Book' was inspired by 'The Jungle Book'.
I admit to skimming; I just didn't find 'The Graveyard Book' to be as charming and interesting this time round. I didn't like the ending, either. My dislike of Neil Gaiman's works - in general, and notably in recent years - may have something to do with it, as well. In my opinion, his stories don't tend to stick with you long, or age well; it's usually great ideas, subpar/merely okay execution. Still, I love 'Coraline'.
Maybe it's me, growing older and more impatient. I still recommend 'The Graveyard Book' to anyone, and hope that they have a better experience than me.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
The first Neil Gaiman novel I've ever read, and I'm glad I've finally gotten around to checking out this man's stuff.
A wonderfully written book that can be enjoyed by everyone - it really isn't just for children. There are memorable and creatively-conceived characters and set pieces, with chapters that explore the development of Bod (short for Nobody) Owens as he grows up in a graveyard inhabited by ghosts and demons. He also goes out into the world of the living sometimes - as an odd, supernatural outsider whom people barely remember after meeting.
Each chapter about Bod grips you on the edge of your seat. While I was reading I could almost feel the coldness and loneliness of the old, overgrown graveyard.
Where does Bod belong? Why did someone brutally murder his family and want him dead too, even when he was only a baby? Who is Silas (who's admittedly my least favourite character; a bit too creepy and almost nothing is revealed about him throughout the course of the story)? These questions link more to Bod as a character than to the story just for the sake of it. Not everything will have a happy or wrapped-up conclusion. Bod wants to know more about the world and himself, and he will become smarter and perhaps more frightening in life and death as he grows from boyhood and into adolescence, in spite of his good intentions. Because of this, the ending is powerfully intense.
'The Graveyard Book' - a clever, charming and creepy coming-of-age modern Gothic fairy tale that is also a little sad. Quite simply it's beautiful.
Final Score: 5/5
It is quite boring, the chapters are way too long (especially for a book for young audiences), and there are some inconsistencies and parts that don't make sense, even for a fantasy story like this. There are elements that are kind of frustrating, such as concerning the character Silas. Adults and authority figures who are secretive for no good reason - it's always for the sake of having a mystery to the story - is a pet peeve of mine. That, and authority figures and guardians who are incompetent in their roles, because of plot convenience.
In more ways than one, I can now see how 'The Graveyard Book' was inspired by 'The Jungle Book'.
I admit to skimming; I just didn't find 'The Graveyard Book' to be as charming and interesting this time round. I didn't like the ending, either. My dislike of Neil Gaiman's works - in general, and notably in recent years - may have something to do with it, as well. In my opinion, his stories don't tend to stick with you long, or age well; it's usually great ideas, subpar/merely okay execution. Still, I love 'Coraline'.
Maybe it's me, growing older and more impatient. I still recommend 'The Graveyard Book' to anyone, and hope that they have a better experience than me.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
The first Neil Gaiman novel I've ever read, and I'm glad I've finally gotten around to checking out this man's stuff.
A wonderfully written book that can be enjoyed by everyone - it really isn't just for children. There are memorable and creatively-conceived characters and set pieces, with chapters that explore the development of Bod (short for Nobody) Owens as he grows up in a graveyard inhabited by ghosts and demons. He also goes out into the world of the living sometimes - as an odd, supernatural outsider whom people barely remember after meeting.
Each chapter about Bod grips you on the edge of your seat. While I was reading I could almost feel the coldness and loneliness of the old, overgrown graveyard.
Where does Bod belong? Why did someone brutally murder his family and want him dead too, even when he was only a baby? Who is Silas (who's admittedly my least favourite character; a bit too creepy and almost nothing is revealed about him throughout the course of the story)? These questions link more to Bod as a character than to the story just for the sake of it. Not everything will have a happy or wrapped-up conclusion. Bod wants to know more about the world and himself, and he will become smarter and perhaps more frightening in life and death as he grows from boyhood and into adolescence, in spite of his good intentions. Because of this, the ending is powerfully intense.
'The Graveyard Book' - a clever, charming and creepy coming-of-age modern Gothic fairy tale that is also a little sad. Quite simply it's beautiful.
Final Score: 5/5
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Book/Poetry Review - 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe
I admit, I was introduced to 'The Raven' through 'The Simpsons' parody, years and years ago. But thanks to my university course, as an adult I have read it properly (I still hear James Earl Jones's voice when I do, which is nowhere near a bad thing).
The writing and choice of words are near perfect. "Nevermore" is one of my favourite words. There are beautiful yet creepy beats in each line. Whether you care for the story or not really shouldn't ruin your experience of reading Edgar Allan Poe's Gothic masterpiece about loss and madness. Pure, lovely brilliance.
Final Score: 5/5
The writing and choice of words are near perfect. "Nevermore" is one of my favourite words. There are beautiful yet creepy beats in each line. Whether you care for the story or not really shouldn't ruin your experience of reading Edgar Allan Poe's Gothic masterpiece about loss and madness. Pure, lovely brilliance.
Final Score: 5/5
Book Review - 'Angelfall' by Susan Ee
2019 EDIT: I'd realised a long time ago how problematic and amateurish 'Angelfall' really is. Now I shall change my review and rating.
Opinions do change overtime. Maybe I didn't know better years ago when I first read 'Angelfall', when it was hyped up like hell on earth. I was young and naive and had been disappointed, even outright disgusted, by YA angel literature in the past, and this seemed like a breath of fresh air in comparison. Maybe I was swept up by the fast pace and addictive prose, and by Penryn, who was a cool heroine compared to so many other, passive YA "heroines" at the time. She did stuff, and was like an action star, with her ideas, moves, and sword-swinging.
But I won't ignore or gloss over the flaws anymore.
This book is sexist and ableist, the romance is unnecessary and a joke, and it makes no damn sense. Why are there so few female angels? Why and how do the angels have a sex and gender at all? Why is there an angel nightclub? A nightclub during an apocalypse which started only a few weeks ago, at most? Why the scientific experiments on humans? To what end? What's the point? I thought the angels just want to kill the humans, because they're inferior, I guess? Why are only the female human resistance fighters doing laundry? Do the women even fight?
Why the catfight between Penryn and some other, jealous girl (over Raffe, because of course) who's inconsequential to the story - with wet clothes involved? It's for the bastard twins to jerk off to, so that they'll give Penryn her chance to escape. Why did that have to be included? Why did I still think that Penryn was an exceptional heroine after reading that sexist, trite shit? If humanity has really regressed this much in the few weeks that the angels have been attacking earth (and making prostitutes of the women and girls, at their bloody nightclub - wow that was a stupid idea), then why is it never commented on? Are there any male prostitutes?
Penryn is not a "strong female character". She slut-shames other girls, and describes her nightclub clothing as slutty. Her saintly, disabled sister is the only other female character she doesn't either despise or ignore. Other teen girls keep glaring at her because Raffe is so hot. He's an angel; he's the same kind that is killing humanity, for fuck's sake. Way to insult your target audience. The romance between Penryn and Raffe did not need to happen. They're both annoying together.
Penryn's mentally ill mother exists to pop up at convenient and unexpected places, usually running and comically waving her arms around, generally being a nuisance to Penryn; never mind that there's a fucking apocalypse going on and her mother is alone and in danger all the time. I don't recall her being very concerned or wanting to find and protect her vulnerable parent as well as her kidnapped little sister. It's all played for laughs. Said disabled little sister also becomes a victim of body horror. So the disability rep is abysmal. It's borderline offensive.
And Raffe is agnostic. Seriously, what the Hades? As I've said before, why are agnostic angels so adamant that they shouldn't breed with "daughters of men", as it is forbidden in the Holy Bible? I bet there aren't any queer angels in the sequels. Is there any queer and/or POC rep in this series?
Right, I'm done. Glad to finally get that off my chest. There are far better YA books, and YA fantasy and dystopia books, out there, is what I'm saying.
Final Score: 2/5
This review contains slight spoilers.
Probably the most praised and loved self-published novel that's ever come up on my radar. I've even heard that Sam Raimi is considering adapting it into a film. So after reading it, what did I think personally? Did it impress me? If not, were my expectations just a little too high?
In the years I've spent reading books and watching films of all sorts, I've learned to keep my expectations fairly in the middle, especially when it comes to hype. But even so, did 'Angelfall' disappoint me? No, not really. In fact I enjoyed it very much.
It definitely starts off excellent. The first chapter pulls the reader straight into the action while also introducing the protagonist Penryn, her pure-hearted and disabled seven-year-old sister Paige, and their mentally-unstable mother. On their way towards a new shelter in a ruined city, Paige is taken away by the angels of the apocalypse, Mom goes missing, and Penryn is left with her only hope of saving her family - a helpless angel covered in his own blood. His wings have been torn off.
His name is Raffe, and he appears not to be on the side of his brethren. Though he isn't fond of humans either.
The dystopian world is dark and disturbing; I could really picture it in my head. Despite the out-there concept of angels destroying our earth in such a short amount of time (six weeks), the people's reactions to this and the situations and circumstances caused by both angels and humans are believable.
Penryn's determination, cunning, self-awareness, and her strength to survive for herself and for those she loves are awe inspiring. How she talks about her mother is creative, creepy and sad. Mom's madness isn't merely played for comic relief in an otherwise intense story. Her "demons" which she had hallucinated throughout Penryn's life reflect how the real world has also come to fall prey to the real monsters out to devour everyone's physical and mental state.
This contrast is also symbolised here: Penryn's mother is damaged on the inside, while her sister is damaged outwardly. What a very deep and well thought-out concept on the subject of the human psyche, especially compared to most other YA novels. And it's a good change to see a female main character who doesn't outright hate her strange mother - for she still wants to keep her safe despite how her life turned out because of Mom's madness. She is still Penryn's mother after all.
Anyway, the beginning of 'Angelfall' I loved. However I got slightly lost during the middle of the book. This is when Penryn and Raffe come across a human defense army unit. I felt that the cold, lonely and dystopian tone got replaced by one with comic and romantic antics between people who seem fairly upbeat in spite of the apocalypse. I do like that the leader Obi is determined not to let the angels take over the earth, which belongs to the humans - they will fight back, for hope is not yet lost. But what really I don't like is the sexism of the unit (only women do the laundry apparently; wouldn't people living in a post-apocalyptic world need all the help they can get to survive?), and the forced-in and unnecessary catfight between Penryn and a girl named Anita, who seems only to exist to flirt with Raffe and get Penryn jealous. So our strong female protagonist has to fight with Anita - wet laundry clothes and all - so that the perverted, betting twins Dee and Dum will help her to escape the unit afterwards and find Paige faster. The fact that Penryn agrees to spoil her dignity like that, even if she is desperate at that point, didn't gel with me.
In what would be called the third act of 'Angelfall', Penryn and Raffe go undercover in an angel nightclub. I am not joking.
At first I didn't see how and why angel nightclubs are necessary, especially compared to how monstrous the angels are portrayed in the beginning. But I see now that the angels crave power over the humans in more ways than one, in different parts of the world. And humans may choose to work alongside their destroyers for the survival of their loved ones and themselves.
But speaking of angel-human relationships, I don't like that Penryn and Raffe are set up to be in love with each other. It happens too quickly in my opinion and I prefer them staying companions or friends. I mean, it's only been six weeks since the angels started attacking and killing people! At least Penryn is aware that falling for an angel is disgusting, not to mention it's distracting her from her mission to save her family. I was also bothered that she can't see that it's obvious Raffe feels the same way about her, despite what he tells her. He's lied to her before, and this kind of relationship has been written to death, not just in YA. She also has to be saved by Raffe a few times (however she's saved his life twice in the beginning, proving that humans, even teenaged ones, can be resourceful), especially at the end, which I won't spoil any further.
Female angels are also surprisingly absent in 'Angelfall', at least ones who are useful to the plot. No mention is made of any of them falling in love with human men. And why are there no female warrior angels? Are they only at the nightclubs? Why, with the exception of family members, do the secondary female characters keep glaring at Penryn? Is Raffe really all that hot? Not at all progressive in a YA novel.
A little talk about the writing of 'Angelfall' now. While it is straight-to-the-point, fast-paced and addictive with the present-tense-and-first-person-perspective of Penryn, it does feel a little like the novel was self-published without an editor. For example, the phrase "I'll bet..." or something along the lines of that is used too many times.
But back to the positives, the things that made me give 'Angelfall' four stars regardless of the parts that annoyed me. I like that it is under 300 pages - a change from most other YA books that feel they have to be longer than the Bible in order to be successful. Less is more, and 'Angelfall' accomplishes that feat with the imaginative substance it has.
And the ending.
It really put me on the edge of my seat - to read the build-up and eventual pay-off in the climax. I felt like I was there with Penryn as she came across a most horrifying discovery. Moral dilemmas are written in beautifully without delaying the action. And a girl who wields any sword - be it an ordinary one or one belonging to an angel - is always badass.
So overall I can see why 'Angelfall' is being hailed as much as it is. It has a strong narrative and is full of action, character development and reflection.
There are interesting takes on angel mythology as well. These are greatly bizarre, if a tad inconsistent (for example, if there are agnostic angels, why are they so adamant that they shouldn't breed with "daughters of men", as it is forbidden in the Holy Bible?)
'Angelfall' is definitely one of the better YA angel novels I've read. While it definitely has flaws (but what book doesn't?), in the end they didn't ruin my experience of enjoying this passionate piece of work, and sequels be damned.
Final Score: 4/5
Opinions do change overtime. Maybe I didn't know better years ago when I first read 'Angelfall', when it was hyped up like hell on earth. I was young and naive and had been disappointed, even outright disgusted, by YA angel literature in the past, and this seemed like a breath of fresh air in comparison. Maybe I was swept up by the fast pace and addictive prose, and by Penryn, who was a cool heroine compared to so many other, passive YA "heroines" at the time. She did stuff, and was like an action star, with her ideas, moves, and sword-swinging.
But I won't ignore or gloss over the flaws anymore.
This book is sexist and ableist, the romance is unnecessary and a joke, and it makes no damn sense. Why are there so few female angels? Why and how do the angels have a sex and gender at all? Why is there an angel nightclub? A nightclub during an apocalypse which started only a few weeks ago, at most? Why the scientific experiments on humans? To what end? What's the point? I thought the angels just want to kill the humans, because they're inferior, I guess? Why are only the female human resistance fighters doing laundry? Do the women even fight?
Why the catfight between Penryn and some other, jealous girl (over Raffe, because of course) who's inconsequential to the story - with wet clothes involved? It's for the bastard twins to jerk off to, so that they'll give Penryn her chance to escape. Why did that have to be included? Why did I still think that Penryn was an exceptional heroine after reading that sexist, trite shit? If humanity has really regressed this much in the few weeks that the angels have been attacking earth (and making prostitutes of the women and girls, at their bloody nightclub - wow that was a stupid idea), then why is it never commented on? Are there any male prostitutes?
Penryn is not a "strong female character". She slut-shames other girls, and describes her nightclub clothing as slutty. Her saintly, disabled sister is the only other female character she doesn't either despise or ignore. Other teen girls keep glaring at her because Raffe is so hot. He's an angel; he's the same kind that is killing humanity, for fuck's sake. Way to insult your target audience. The romance between Penryn and Raffe did not need to happen. They're both annoying together.
Penryn's mentally ill mother exists to pop up at convenient and unexpected places, usually running and comically waving her arms around, generally being a nuisance to Penryn; never mind that there's a fucking apocalypse going on and her mother is alone and in danger all the time. I don't recall her being very concerned or wanting to find and protect her vulnerable parent as well as her kidnapped little sister. It's all played for laughs. Said disabled little sister also becomes a victim of body horror. So the disability rep is abysmal. It's borderline offensive.
And Raffe is agnostic. Seriously, what the Hades? As I've said before, why are agnostic angels so adamant that they shouldn't breed with "daughters of men", as it is forbidden in the Holy Bible? I bet there aren't any queer angels in the sequels. Is there any queer and/or POC rep in this series?
Right, I'm done. Glad to finally get that off my chest. There are far better YA books, and YA fantasy and dystopia books, out there, is what I'm saying.
Final Score: 2/5
Probably the most praised and loved self-published novel that's ever come up on my radar. I've even heard that Sam Raimi is considering adapting it into a film. So after reading it, what did I think personally? Did it impress me? If not, were my expectations just a little too high?
In the years I've spent reading books and watching films of all sorts, I've learned to keep my expectations fairly in the middle, especially when it comes to hype. But even so, did 'Angelfall' disappoint me? No, not really. In fact I enjoyed it very much.
It definitely starts off excellent. The first chapter pulls the reader straight into the action while also introducing the protagonist Penryn, her pure-hearted and disabled seven-year-old sister Paige, and their mentally-unstable mother. On their way towards a new shelter in a ruined city, Paige is taken away by the angels of the apocalypse, Mom goes missing, and Penryn is left with her only hope of saving her family - a helpless angel covered in his own blood. His wings have been torn off.
His name is Raffe, and he appears not to be on the side of his brethren. Though he isn't fond of humans either.
The dystopian world is dark and disturbing; I could really picture it in my head. Despite the out-there concept of angels destroying our earth in such a short amount of time (six weeks), the people's reactions to this and the situations and circumstances caused by both angels and humans are believable.
Penryn's determination, cunning, self-awareness, and her strength to survive for herself and for those she loves are awe inspiring. How she talks about her mother is creative, creepy and sad. Mom's madness isn't merely played for comic relief in an otherwise intense story. Her "demons" which she had hallucinated throughout Penryn's life reflect how the real world has also come to fall prey to the real monsters out to devour everyone's physical and mental state.
This contrast is also symbolised here: Penryn's mother is damaged on the inside, while her sister is damaged outwardly. What a very deep and well thought-out concept on the subject of the human psyche, especially compared to most other YA novels. And it's a good change to see a female main character who doesn't outright hate her strange mother - for she still wants to keep her safe despite how her life turned out because of Mom's madness. She is still Penryn's mother after all.
Anyway, the beginning of 'Angelfall' I loved. However I got slightly lost during the middle of the book. This is when Penryn and Raffe come across a human defense army unit. I felt that the cold, lonely and dystopian tone got replaced by one with comic and romantic antics between people who seem fairly upbeat in spite of the apocalypse. I do like that the leader Obi is determined not to let the angels take over the earth, which belongs to the humans - they will fight back, for hope is not yet lost. But what really I don't like is the sexism of the unit (only women do the laundry apparently; wouldn't people living in a post-apocalyptic world need all the help they can get to survive?), and the forced-in and unnecessary catfight between Penryn and a girl named Anita, who seems only to exist to flirt with Raffe and get Penryn jealous. So our strong female protagonist has to fight with Anita - wet laundry clothes and all - so that the perverted, betting twins Dee and Dum will help her to escape the unit afterwards and find Paige faster. The fact that Penryn agrees to spoil her dignity like that, even if she is desperate at that point, didn't gel with me.
In what would be called the third act of 'Angelfall', Penryn and Raffe go undercover in an angel nightclub. I am not joking.
At first I didn't see how and why angel nightclubs are necessary, especially compared to how monstrous the angels are portrayed in the beginning. But I see now that the angels crave power over the humans in more ways than one, in different parts of the world. And humans may choose to work alongside their destroyers for the survival of their loved ones and themselves.
But speaking of angel-human relationships, I don't like that Penryn and Raffe are set up to be in love with each other. It happens too quickly in my opinion and I prefer them staying companions or friends. I mean, it's only been six weeks since the angels started attacking and killing people! At least Penryn is aware that falling for an angel is disgusting, not to mention it's distracting her from her mission to save her family. I was also bothered that she can't see that it's obvious Raffe feels the same way about her, despite what he tells her. He's lied to her before, and this kind of relationship has been written to death, not just in YA. She also has to be saved by Raffe a few times (however she's saved his life twice in the beginning, proving that humans, even teenaged ones, can be resourceful), especially at the end, which I won't spoil any further.
Female angels are also surprisingly absent in 'Angelfall', at least ones who are useful to the plot. No mention is made of any of them falling in love with human men. And why are there no female warrior angels? Are they only at the nightclubs? Why, with the exception of family members, do the secondary female characters keep glaring at Penryn? Is Raffe really all that hot? Not at all progressive in a YA novel.
A little talk about the writing of 'Angelfall' now. While it is straight-to-the-point, fast-paced and addictive with the present-tense-and-first-person-perspective of Penryn, it does feel a little like the novel was self-published without an editor. For example, the phrase "I'll bet..." or something along the lines of that is used too many times.
But back to the positives, the things that made me give 'Angelfall' four stars regardless of the parts that annoyed me. I like that it is under 300 pages - a change from most other YA books that feel they have to be longer than the Bible in order to be successful. Less is more, and 'Angelfall' accomplishes that feat with the imaginative substance it has.
And the ending.
It really put me on the edge of my seat - to read the build-up and eventual pay-off in the climax. I felt like I was there with Penryn as she came across a most horrifying discovery. Moral dilemmas are written in beautifully without delaying the action. And a girl who wields any sword - be it an ordinary one or one belonging to an angel - is always badass.
So overall I can see why 'Angelfall' is being hailed as much as it is. It has a strong narrative and is full of action, character development and reflection.
There are interesting takes on angel mythology as well. These are greatly bizarre, if a tad inconsistent (for example, if there are agnostic angels, why are they so adamant that they shouldn't breed with "daughters of men", as it is forbidden in the Holy Bible?)
'Angelfall' is definitely one of the better YA angel novels I've read. While it definitely has flaws (but what book doesn't?), in the end they didn't ruin my experience of enjoying this passionate piece of work, and sequels be damned.
Final Score: 4/5
Monday, 22 July 2013
Book Review - 'Titus Groan' by Mervyn Peake
2021 EDIT: Great writing and descriptions, but it proved to be too much. I prefer stories that focus on the characters and the, you know, stories, more than anything else. Five hundred pages of an effective oppressive and stagnant atmosphere can quickly grow into a trying chore to read. I don't think I ever enjoyed 'Titus Groan'; it's an academic classic through and through. In my original review I said that my dad once read and liked it, but I may likely be mistaken about that; if he ever did read 'Titus Groan', he certainly wouldn't remember any of it now. I sure didn't on rereading.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
This was recommended to me in my fantasy writing module at university, and by many online lovers of fantasy. My dad also read it a long time ago and could remember it very well. So I knew I had to give it a go. In fact, I think that everyone should try reading this book at least once, if that doesn't sound too pushy.
Because I can see why 'Titus Groan' won't be liked by everyone, for different reasons.
First, the writing style. It can read as being overly descriptive and prosy. But I think it captures the repressive and dreary mood of the set-in-its-old-ways world of Gormenghast without drawing attention away from its inhabitants. The style fits wonderfully with the setting of large stone castles and dewy woods. It grabs at you, intrigues you, and you read faster than you thought you would - at least for me the reading experience was like that. Like a picture you can't forget, the prose is absorbing and it makes you think - and as author Mervyn Peake was also an artist/illustrator that is not surprising.
Plus I love the occasional poems in the book, my favourite being 'The Frivolous Cake'.
Second, for a book labelled as a fantasy, there are no dragons, fairies, wizards (at least not obviously), trolls or a typical hero's quest you would normally expect from a fantasy "epic". Indeed this would usually have put me off, but it turns out not to be misleading. The real magic of 'Titus Groan' lies in its unfamiliar yet familiar world of routine and tradition, and characters who are not who they first appear to be. It explores the redundancies and loneliness of living in a castle with so many old rooms and towers that it may take a lifetime to find them all. Gormenghast castle is like a city; a city which is too afraid of change to even knock down or improve unneeded areas. They still exist, though they might as well not, since nobody seems to know about them anymore, not even the Earl of Gormenghast. A different approach to fantasy, but one that works.
Third, the plot. There's not really a plot per say, just a string of events that happen that revolve around the many characters that inhabit Gormenghast and how their actions take effect on the first couple of years of Earl Titus's life. These events are subplots, as it were. Each is interesting in its own bizarre way, and they tell of the complex thoughts and strange yet relatable idles of the characters.
And fourth, the titular character himself, Titus Groan. The book starts with his birth and finishes before he turns two years of age, and he is not in the story much and is known only through the actions of others (at least until the very end). He is not a main character in the traditional sense. Indeed it is hard to point out who the protagonist could be, since there a lot of characters and their stories are told fairly equally. But the book aims to foreshadow Titus's life that is ahead of him, where he will soon rule over a land powered by rituals which are potentially destructive.
Secrets lurk everywhere; in the castle walls, in the Mud Dwellings (full of people also accepting of their impoverished positions with no thought for improvement or rebellion. Or is there?), and in the far-reaching woods. The characters get through the boring days (even sitting and waiting is considered an activity), but behind their personal walls they are different people, each a little mad in their own unique way.
Thus I don't think it matters that there isn't a clear main character in 'Titus Groan'. As I've said they are all interesting, because they are very flawed and oddly sympathetic and relatable in a deep-dark-human-desires-and-weaknesses kind of reflection. I especially grew to love Fuchsia, Flay, Prunesquallor, Slagg and Steerpike - man did I enjoy the diabolical rise of that seventeen-year-old conniving devil in sheep's clothing, who also single-handedly finds the lost parts of the Gormenghast castle.
Their quirks - such as Lady Gertrude's devotion to her birds and cats rather than to human beings - gave me a vivid picture of who they are. As did their habits, surprise actions (especially those of Gertrude), grotesque appearances (no one is described as being beautiful in this book, even Keda the Mud Dweller is said to be losing her beauty at the end of childhood fancies), interactions with one another and their surroundings, and their ways of speaking. I would confidently call them three-dimensional. And that fits with the book's setting - with its shadows, its dim orange and blue lights that signify the end of another day, its stone cold walls, and the rules and traditions that play within them.
To conclude then, 'Titus Groan''s strongest points lie in its world building and characterisation. Sometimes sad yet full of life, other times funny yet macabre. I think that if you give it a chance, it will stick with you, like it did with me and my dad. It can get repetitive and overly long and prosy, but it is a unique novel that I would consider calling a start of an epic.
Maybe I will read the sequel, although I have others books at the moment that are high on my reading list. But who knows. One day I might revisit the most-definitely changing world of Gormenghast.
Final Score: 4/5
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
This was recommended to me in my fantasy writing module at university, and by many online lovers of fantasy. My dad also read it a long time ago and could remember it very well. So I knew I had to give it a go. In fact, I think that everyone should try reading this book at least once, if that doesn't sound too pushy.
Because I can see why 'Titus Groan' won't be liked by everyone, for different reasons.
First, the writing style. It can read as being overly descriptive and prosy. But I think it captures the repressive and dreary mood of the set-in-its-old-ways world of Gormenghast without drawing attention away from its inhabitants. The style fits wonderfully with the setting of large stone castles and dewy woods. It grabs at you, intrigues you, and you read faster than you thought you would - at least for me the reading experience was like that. Like a picture you can't forget, the prose is absorbing and it makes you think - and as author Mervyn Peake was also an artist/illustrator that is not surprising.
Plus I love the occasional poems in the book, my favourite being 'The Frivolous Cake'.
Second, for a book labelled as a fantasy, there are no dragons, fairies, wizards (at least not obviously), trolls or a typical hero's quest you would normally expect from a fantasy "epic". Indeed this would usually have put me off, but it turns out not to be misleading. The real magic of 'Titus Groan' lies in its unfamiliar yet familiar world of routine and tradition, and characters who are not who they first appear to be. It explores the redundancies and loneliness of living in a castle with so many old rooms and towers that it may take a lifetime to find them all. Gormenghast castle is like a city; a city which is too afraid of change to even knock down or improve unneeded areas. They still exist, though they might as well not, since nobody seems to know about them anymore, not even the Earl of Gormenghast. A different approach to fantasy, but one that works.
Third, the plot. There's not really a plot per say, just a string of events that happen that revolve around the many characters that inhabit Gormenghast and how their actions take effect on the first couple of years of Earl Titus's life. These events are subplots, as it were. Each is interesting in its own bizarre way, and they tell of the complex thoughts and strange yet relatable idles of the characters.
And fourth, the titular character himself, Titus Groan. The book starts with his birth and finishes before he turns two years of age, and he is not in the story much and is known only through the actions of others (at least until the very end). He is not a main character in the traditional sense. Indeed it is hard to point out who the protagonist could be, since there a lot of characters and their stories are told fairly equally. But the book aims to foreshadow Titus's life that is ahead of him, where he will soon rule over a land powered by rituals which are potentially destructive.
Secrets lurk everywhere; in the castle walls, in the Mud Dwellings (full of people also accepting of their impoverished positions with no thought for improvement or rebellion. Or is there?), and in the far-reaching woods. The characters get through the boring days (even sitting and waiting is considered an activity), but behind their personal walls they are different people, each a little mad in their own unique way.
Thus I don't think it matters that there isn't a clear main character in 'Titus Groan'. As I've said they are all interesting, because they are very flawed and oddly sympathetic and relatable in a deep-dark-human-desires-and-weaknesses kind of reflection. I especially grew to love Fuchsia, Flay, Prunesquallor, Slagg and Steerpike - man did I enjoy the diabolical rise of that seventeen-year-old conniving devil in sheep's clothing, who also single-handedly finds the lost parts of the Gormenghast castle.
Their quirks - such as Lady Gertrude's devotion to her birds and cats rather than to human beings - gave me a vivid picture of who they are. As did their habits, surprise actions (especially those of Gertrude), grotesque appearances (no one is described as being beautiful in this book, even Keda the Mud Dweller is said to be losing her beauty at the end of childhood fancies), interactions with one another and their surroundings, and their ways of speaking. I would confidently call them three-dimensional. And that fits with the book's setting - with its shadows, its dim orange and blue lights that signify the end of another day, its stone cold walls, and the rules and traditions that play within them.
To conclude then, 'Titus Groan''s strongest points lie in its world building and characterisation. Sometimes sad yet full of life, other times funny yet macabre. I think that if you give it a chance, it will stick with you, like it did with me and my dad. It can get repetitive and overly long and prosy, but it is a unique novel that I would consider calling a start of an epic.
Maybe I will read the sequel, although I have others books at the moment that are high on my reading list. But who knows. One day I might revisit the most-definitely changing world of Gormenghast.
Final Score: 4/5
Book Review - 'The Women of Troy' by Euripides, Don Taylor (Translator)
I've studied, reconstructed, and deconstructed 'The Women of Troy' to death at school for my drama course. It's one of the few reading materials at that time and place in my life that I actually liked. I've visualised the setting, took apart its themes, and imagined feeling the devastating emotions of the characters. I also saw it on stage in London with my class, which helps me to understand it better.
'The Women of Troy' is not a happy play. It is a Greek Tragedy to the core. And I love it.
We all know about war and its terrible consequences and revealings of the truths of human nature. But what of hearing about it from women's perspectives? The ones who are deeply affected by it? What about perceiving it from the POV of the wives and daughters of the men who had fought and died in vain?
That is what 'The Women of Troy' by Euripides is about. It's about the women at the fall of Troy losing power and control in their lives. They support one another in such ghastly horrors, or try to in poor Cassandra's case. Jealousy, hatred and fear are rampant. They did not fight or die in the Trojan War like their male loved ones, however the women (queen, princesses and chorus) refuse to lose their identities or their humanity, even when they are shipped off by the Greeks to be sex slaves in other regions at the end of the play.
They would prefer to be dead - to end the suffering - but they don't want to lose hope either. The strength of Queen Hecuba is remarkable yet complex, for she has loved and lost as much as the others. She is at their level now, and must adapt to it.
The Greek herald Talthybius is also a somewhat sympathetic character. You know he must feel for these women, that he is not like the Greek enemies. But he is only a messenger. Another tragic person doomed to live through his assigned role, like the women.
Unlike when I wrote about it in my school exam, typing about 'The Women of Troy' here will not do it justice for me.
Read the play, or watch it on stage. Feel the power. Feel the ungodly suffering the women go through in the enemy's hands - in fate's hands - for being Trojans.
For being women.
Final Score: 5/5
'The Women of Troy' is not a happy play. It is a Greek Tragedy to the core. And I love it.
We all know about war and its terrible consequences and revealings of the truths of human nature. But what of hearing about it from women's perspectives? The ones who are deeply affected by it? What about perceiving it from the POV of the wives and daughters of the men who had fought and died in vain?
That is what 'The Women of Troy' by Euripides is about. It's about the women at the fall of Troy losing power and control in their lives. They support one another in such ghastly horrors, or try to in poor Cassandra's case. Jealousy, hatred and fear are rampant. They did not fight or die in the Trojan War like their male loved ones, however the women (queen, princesses and chorus) refuse to lose their identities or their humanity, even when they are shipped off by the Greeks to be sex slaves in other regions at the end of the play.
They would prefer to be dead - to end the suffering - but they don't want to lose hope either. The strength of Queen Hecuba is remarkable yet complex, for she has loved and lost as much as the others. She is at their level now, and must adapt to it.
The Greek herald Talthybius is also a somewhat sympathetic character. You know he must feel for these women, that he is not like the Greek enemies. But he is only a messenger. Another tragic person doomed to live through his assigned role, like the women.
Unlike when I wrote about it in my school exam, typing about 'The Women of Troy' here will not do it justice for me.
Read the play, or watch it on stage. Feel the power. Feel the ungodly suffering the women go through in the enemy's hands - in fate's hands - for being Trojans.
For being women.
Final Score: 5/5
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