Saturday 30 September 2017
I've read 21 books this month! Adding up to 216 books this year! I'm so exhausted! Next month I'll be cutting down on my reading, and catching up on some TV, mostly anime. This includes rewatching 'Revolutionary Girl Utena', as well as a few old favourites, such as 'Princess Tutu'. New ones include the 'Little Witch Academia' TV series. Also, some socializing, and progress and spell-making :) Then finally, Comic Con!
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Basic Witches: How to Summon Success, Banish Drama, and Raise Hell with Your Coven' by Jaya Saxena, Jess Zimmerman
A fun little self-help book for all women, young and old, witch or not.
'Basic Witches: How to Summon Success, Banish Drama, and Raise Hell with Your Coven' is funny, accessible and not too light. It can help anyone with issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, self-pity, abusive friendships and other relationships, fear of failure, grief, breakups, and more. It is not nearly as aggressive as its title might suggest, though the authors, Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman, delight in teaching women not to give a shit about what other people think of them. Really, all it's about is casting simple spells in order to help you boost your confidence and stay focused at any stage in your life.
This witchy product is as good as any mainstream magazine. How I wish I had something like it in my teens!
Also included are witch history excerpts, and a list of the authors' favourite fictional witches who inspired them.
'Basic Witches' might not be super-serious about magic, mysticism or anything to do with Wicca in its religious meaning, but it's still a fun, therapeutic pocketbook for anyone remotely interested in witchcraft or living like a witch to have around. After all, "witch" is just another word for "rebel woman", in every sense. It stands for happy women, and sisterhood. Let's take back the word "witch" with pride!
Happy Halloween!
Final Score: 5/5
'Basic Witches: How to Summon Success, Banish Drama, and Raise Hell with Your Coven' is funny, accessible and not too light. It can help anyone with issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, self-pity, abusive friendships and other relationships, fear of failure, grief, breakups, and more. It is not nearly as aggressive as its title might suggest, though the authors, Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman, delight in teaching women not to give a shit about what other people think of them. Really, all it's about is casting simple spells in order to help you boost your confidence and stay focused at any stage in your life.
This witchy product is as good as any mainstream magazine. How I wish I had something like it in my teens!
Also included are witch history excerpts, and a list of the authors' favourite fictional witches who inspired them.
'Basic Witches' might not be super-serious about magic, mysticism or anything to do with Wicca in its religious meaning, but it's still a fun, therapeutic pocketbook for anyone remotely interested in witchcraft or living like a witch to have around. After all, "witch" is just another word for "rebel woman", in every sense. It stands for happy women, and sisterhood. Let's take back the word "witch" with pride!
Happy Halloween!
Final Score: 5/5
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'What Happened' by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Listen. Learn. Sympathize. Support. Love. Care. Appreciate. Take action. Take the blows as they come. Recover in your own time, as best you can. Be calm. Be mad. Stay righteous. Never let anyone make you doubt yourself or your values and ethics. Again and again, keep going.
These are few of the basics of living life.
I didn't want to read this book at first. Because, like any human being with a soul, I wanted to forget about 2016. I didn't want to go right back to what I like to call PEST (Post-Election Stress and Trauma). Reliving a nightmare-turned-reality in its inception won't do any good. I don't even read non-fiction books on politics, anyway. But then I thought that that would make me a coward. We've had enough time to recover from the worst of PEST by now, I think. And apathy, as many people have learned the hard way, is worse than not doing anything. Not caring is complacency in the face of wrongdoing. So yes, I read 'What Happened' almost as soon as it came out.
It is a very brave, informative, hard, heartbreaking, and important book without being too provocative. The lovely writing helps make this an overall cathartic experience, and I feel brave - privileged - to have read these words, coming straight from the heart.
Hillary Rodham Clinton shows courage, conscience, kindness, compassion, intelligence, commonsense, dignity, and above all humanity (not to mention competence) before, during and after her 2016 Presidential campaign, as well as the Election itself. Far more so than He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Her loss was as devastating to her, obviously, as it was to others who have counted on her (or didn't, as was the tragic case of the none-voters). But she keeps going - she persists in her own way - as 'What Happened' demonstrates. The woman who would have been the first female President of the United States is not going away, naysayers; at least admit that you just hate women, and that her victory - taken away so unfairly, under such bizarre, controversial, evil, mean-spirited circumstances - would have saved lives, or at least made them better by now; free from fear and hate.
Hillary knows well enough that looking backing in regret, frustration, and bitterness is aimless, when there is always a future to work towards. For every victory is temporary, and every loss is a learning experience and just another step forwards. I also loved reading about her family, her relationship with her husband, and the support she receives from her friends (especially her female friends) and those who know her personally, professionally, or other. It's real, and it's incredibly touching; all is not doom and gloom, after all.
'What Happened' left me with more understanding of Hillary- as well as politics - than I ever had before. It's nearly 500 pages long and I finished it in three days - Hillary is a brilliant, engaging writer, even when she talks business. Thanks to her important book, I feel I am no longer angry or upset about what happened. Even after everything, she gives off hope. She allows us to look forward, to learn from our mistakes, to help make our countries truly great one step at a time.
She frees us. Hillary Rodham Clinton is now one of my favourite people in the world.
I nearly cried whilst reading this horrifying yet special, beautiful political non-fiction. Before I had finished the last 100 pages I bought another copy to give to my mother. I never do that.
Thanks to this remarkable, experienced woman - powerful in heart and spirit - I will always believe in staying stronger together, not apart. Not alone. No matter what. I will always believe in might for right. And that love trumps hate.
Thanks to Hillary, I'm going to try harder to do something that adds to human progress.
Final Score: 5/5
These are few of the basics of living life.
I didn't want to read this book at first. Because, like any human being with a soul, I wanted to forget about 2016. I didn't want to go right back to what I like to call PEST (Post-Election Stress and Trauma). Reliving a nightmare-turned-reality in its inception won't do any good. I don't even read non-fiction books on politics, anyway. But then I thought that that would make me a coward. We've had enough time to recover from the worst of PEST by now, I think. And apathy, as many people have learned the hard way, is worse than not doing anything. Not caring is complacency in the face of wrongdoing. So yes, I read 'What Happened' almost as soon as it came out.
It is a very brave, informative, hard, heartbreaking, and important book without being too provocative. The lovely writing helps make this an overall cathartic experience, and I feel brave - privileged - to have read these words, coming straight from the heart.
Hillary Rodham Clinton shows courage, conscience, kindness, compassion, intelligence, commonsense, dignity, and above all humanity (not to mention competence) before, during and after her 2016 Presidential campaign, as well as the Election itself. Far more so than He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Her loss was as devastating to her, obviously, as it was to others who have counted on her (or didn't, as was the tragic case of the none-voters). But she keeps going - she persists in her own way - as 'What Happened' demonstrates. The woman who would have been the first female President of the United States is not going away, naysayers; at least admit that you just hate women, and that her victory - taken away so unfairly, under such bizarre, controversial, evil, mean-spirited circumstances - would have saved lives, or at least made them better by now; free from fear and hate.
Hillary knows well enough that looking backing in regret, frustration, and bitterness is aimless, when there is always a future to work towards. For every victory is temporary, and every loss is a learning experience and just another step forwards. I also loved reading about her family, her relationship with her husband, and the support she receives from her friends (especially her female friends) and those who know her personally, professionally, or other. It's real, and it's incredibly touching; all is not doom and gloom, after all.
'What Happened' left me with more understanding of Hillary- as well as politics - than I ever had before. It's nearly 500 pages long and I finished it in three days - Hillary is a brilliant, engaging writer, even when she talks business. Thanks to her important book, I feel I am no longer angry or upset about what happened. Even after everything, she gives off hope. She allows us to look forward, to learn from our mistakes, to help make our countries truly great one step at a time.
She frees us. Hillary Rodham Clinton is now one of my favourite people in the world.
I nearly cried whilst reading this horrifying yet special, beautiful political non-fiction. Before I had finished the last 100 pages I bought another copy to give to my mother. I never do that.
Thanks to this remarkable, experienced woman - powerful in heart and spirit - I will always believe in staying stronger together, not apart. Not alone. No matter what. I will always believe in might for right. And that love trumps hate.
Thanks to Hillary, I'm going to try harder to do something that adds to human progress.
Final Score: 5/5
Sunday 24 September 2017
Saturday 23 September 2017
Graphic Novel Review - 'Heathen Volume 1' by Natasha Alterici, Rachel Deering, Rebecca Rutledge (Editor), Kristen Grace (Editor)
Norse mythology. Valkyries. Vikings. Barbarians. Lesbian main characters. Talking horses and wolves. Honestly, how could 'Heathen' not be hyped? Or how could a fantasy comic book reader like myself - who also hadn't read anything specifically about Vikings until now - not get ridiculously excited in the name of Freyja and Valhalla and all that goddess goodness?
If you like 'Xena: Warrior Princess', 'The Legend of Korra', 'Red Sonja', and 'The Lord of the Rings', do yourself a favour and check out 'Heathen Volume 1'. Set to be Natasha Alterici's magnum opus, it tells the epic yet initially-understated tale of Aydis, a young warrior woman of improper clothing for the climate who has been exiled from her village for kissing another girl, Liv (in actuality it was a death sentence, which her father secretly spared her from). She sets out on a quest to free the immortal former Valkyrie queen, Brynhild, from her fire prison on a mountain. She pretty much completes this quest in the first issue and then... things get complicated. All I'll say is that Brynhild becomes a main character equal to and yet separate from Aydis.
These badass, outcast, emotionally-conflicted ladies have the same mission: the women of this series are on a personal journey to find and confront Odin, an ominous god-king kept in the shadows, and break his oppressive curse on Brynhild - doomed to love and lose for all eternity - once and for all.
Perhaps free all of female kind, too?
Many gods and other figures and references to Norse mythos feature in 'Heathen'. The most memorable has to be Freyja, the new Valkyrie queen who doesn't really like war or fighting. But she loves flirting and absolutely devotes herself to her, well, devotees; healing them from pain, tension, and all sorts of frustrations. Freyja simultaneously acts as the comic's rival character, the Shadow, the Shapeshifter, the Mentor, the Wise Woman, and the Gatekeeper; all while looking fabulous as she does so! Anything goes with her. Quite different from Marvel's Freyja, to be sure. However, she wishes for independence from men - mainly the Norse god of gods, Odin - like the other female characters. A free feminist icon, a literal goddess; but Frejya is not truly free (not wanting to be the Valkyrie queen is another indicator of this), and she will use her privileges to help others as well as herself towards a freedom that benefits everyone. She might be my favourite character after Aydis.
Aydis's quest focuses on her strengths, her bravery in the face of gods, her shyness around other humans, and her sexual awakening. She's not ashamed of liking women, but the hurt and betrayal she feels upon facing up against prejudice - not only from hate mobs generally but from her loved ones back home - profoundly affect her. Most of all she'll need to find the courage to never be afraid again of who she is, no matter the small-mindedness of anyone else, in such a primitive, misogynistic society. Aydis is a tough and noble fighter, but also kind of sweet and naïve, as an altruistic teen. She is like any traditionally male hero on a quest for internal (self-worth and confidence) as well as external (saving the world, standing up to gods or god-like dictators on home turfs) balance and catharsis; both self-serving and selfless needs of the protagonist are met and struggled with.
Challenges, obstacles, adversity, temptations: Aydis overcomes quite the trial on her Hero's Journey, with no doubt more, bigger and better things to come.
Linking to feminism, themes of religious conservatism, conversion and colonization are doubly present in this slow-moving yet fascinating story.
Spoiler:
Brynhild putting on her Valkyrie helmet and scaring a village into sparing the life of an innocent dark-skinned witch (I'm not sure she's even given a name), and outing the gay boy who had blamed the witch for his dalliances with a man after she had tried to earnestly help him, leans dangerously close to White Saviour territory. Straight Saviour too? Though Brynhild declares both the boy and the witch to be under her protection, and she herself might develop queer feelings for Aydis; to be revealed later on in the series, depending on how her relationship with Sigurd goes.
Spoiler End.
The art is a gritty, grim, watercolour glory. Nothing is too detailed, or even very consistent, notably in the first issue. But it's sharp, unique, and the haunting atmosphere fits the story perfectly.
'Heathen Volume 1' is a great comic that feels incomplete, even for a first volume. The ending of the fourth issue is abrupt, but that's not enough to muddy my enjoyment of the seemingly-simple, spectacular gem. It is like a video game in graphic novel form: 'The Legend of Zelda', 'God of War', 'Silent Hill' (the look is similar, at least), and 'Horizon Zero Dawn'. And Aydis and Brynhild are the key playable characters.
I love that comics like 'Heathen' are continuing to be made - exploring new territories, breaking traditions and familiar formulas and character archetypes, and being as inclusive and diverse as Hel.
Final Score: 4/5
If you like 'Xena: Warrior Princess', 'The Legend of Korra', 'Red Sonja', and 'The Lord of the Rings', do yourself a favour and check out 'Heathen Volume 1'. Set to be Natasha Alterici's magnum opus, it tells the epic yet initially-understated tale of Aydis, a young warrior woman of improper clothing for the climate who has been exiled from her village for kissing another girl, Liv (in actuality it was a death sentence, which her father secretly spared her from). She sets out on a quest to free the immortal former Valkyrie queen, Brynhild, from her fire prison on a mountain. She pretty much completes this quest in the first issue and then... things get complicated. All I'll say is that Brynhild becomes a main character equal to and yet separate from Aydis.
These badass, outcast, emotionally-conflicted ladies have the same mission: the women of this series are on a personal journey to find and confront Odin, an ominous god-king kept in the shadows, and break his oppressive curse on Brynhild - doomed to love and lose for all eternity - once and for all.
Perhaps free all of female kind, too?
Many gods and other figures and references to Norse mythos feature in 'Heathen'. The most memorable has to be Freyja, the new Valkyrie queen who doesn't really like war or fighting. But she loves flirting and absolutely devotes herself to her, well, devotees; healing them from pain, tension, and all sorts of frustrations. Freyja simultaneously acts as the comic's rival character, the Shadow, the Shapeshifter, the Mentor, the Wise Woman, and the Gatekeeper; all while looking fabulous as she does so! Anything goes with her. Quite different from Marvel's Freyja, to be sure. However, she wishes for independence from men - mainly the Norse god of gods, Odin - like the other female characters. A free feminist icon, a literal goddess; but Frejya is not truly free (not wanting to be the Valkyrie queen is another indicator of this), and she will use her privileges to help others as well as herself towards a freedom that benefits everyone. She might be my favourite character after Aydis.
Aydis's quest focuses on her strengths, her bravery in the face of gods, her shyness around other humans, and her sexual awakening. She's not ashamed of liking women, but the hurt and betrayal she feels upon facing up against prejudice - not only from hate mobs generally but from her loved ones back home - profoundly affect her. Most of all she'll need to find the courage to never be afraid again of who she is, no matter the small-mindedness of anyone else, in such a primitive, misogynistic society. Aydis is a tough and noble fighter, but also kind of sweet and naïve, as an altruistic teen. She is like any traditionally male hero on a quest for internal (self-worth and confidence) as well as external (saving the world, standing up to gods or god-like dictators on home turfs) balance and catharsis; both self-serving and selfless needs of the protagonist are met and struggled with.
Challenges, obstacles, adversity, temptations: Aydis overcomes quite the trial on her Hero's Journey, with no doubt more, bigger and better things to come.
Linking to feminism, themes of religious conservatism, conversion and colonization are doubly present in this slow-moving yet fascinating story.
Spoiler:
Brynhild putting on her Valkyrie helmet and scaring a village into sparing the life of an innocent dark-skinned witch (I'm not sure she's even given a name), and outing the gay boy who had blamed the witch for his dalliances with a man after she had tried to earnestly help him, leans dangerously close to White Saviour territory. Straight Saviour too? Though Brynhild declares both the boy and the witch to be under her protection, and she herself might develop queer feelings for Aydis; to be revealed later on in the series, depending on how her relationship with Sigurd goes.
Spoiler End.
The art is a gritty, grim, watercolour glory. Nothing is too detailed, or even very consistent, notably in the first issue. But it's sharp, unique, and the haunting atmosphere fits the story perfectly.
'Heathen Volume 1' is a great comic that feels incomplete, even for a first volume. The ending of the fourth issue is abrupt, but that's not enough to muddy my enjoyment of the seemingly-simple, spectacular gem. It is like a video game in graphic novel form: 'The Legend of Zelda', 'God of War', 'Silent Hill' (the look is similar, at least), and 'Horizon Zero Dawn'. And Aydis and Brynhild are the key playable characters.
I love that comics like 'Heathen' are continuing to be made - exploring new territories, breaking traditions and familiar formulas and character archetypes, and being as inclusive and diverse as Hel.
Final Score: 4/5
Manga Review - 'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Vol. 1' by Coolkyoushinja
2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
Very inappropriate for an "All-Ages" manga. Yet I ended up really liking this in spite of a few reservations.
Normally I hate anime and manga with a focus on maids and maid outfits: it's a type of "I live to serve you in any way, Master" fetish fuel; sexist; outdated; degrading; fanservice. Nothing more. At least 'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Vol. 1' is more self-aware than most of its ilk. Also it's not so much about the maid's outfit (there are different kinds, as is pointed out here), as it is about the person within it (or underneath it... urgh!)
The humour in 'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid' works well for an "ordinary human in modern world meets extraordinary fantasy circumstances"-style slice-of-life, episodic comedy (something I'm not usually into). There are some ironic and witty parts. I like the bored, down-to-earth closeted Otaku Miss Kobayashi, who works at Hell Tours LTD, and likes to drink. A lot. I like her young shapeshifting dragon maid Tohru (how young is made too highly ambiguous) from another world, standing in complete contrast to her, and who's in love with her "mistress". Currently it's one-sided, as is typical in sitcoms, yet I'm relieved due to the age issue. The name Tohru, for a girl, reminds me of the main lead in 'Fruits Basket' as well, which automatically scores points from me. And I like the little fellow shapeshifter Kanna. Side characters are also funny and memorable in their own understated ways (even the obligatory big-breasted girl shapeshifter). There is more to them all than initial appearances suggest.
The artwork is rather inconsistent, light and confusing. But occasionally the drawings - especially of Tohru in her dragon form, and in the rare panels where she's serious and intense - are magnificent. Raw emotions are there and cannot be mistaken.
'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Vol. 1' - a kinda cute, kinda crass fantasy comedy with a wild premise and female focus. It definitely has funny and clever elements to it. Plus LBGTQ content (but seriously, how old is Tohru? Even for a dragon? Kobayashi is clearly an adult. Curse you Moe Lolita! I scourge everything you represent!).
I haven't enjoyed a manga in a long time and this is a good pick-me-up, like tea, coffee, sugar. It did its job and caught my interest, as I'm sure this is how it snared other readers, and it won't let go. One of my guilty pleasures of the year.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
Very inappropriate for an "All-Ages" manga. Yet I ended up really liking this in spite of a few reservations.
Normally I hate anime and manga with a focus on maids and maid outfits: it's a type of "I live to serve you in any way, Master" fetish fuel; sexist; outdated; degrading; fanservice. Nothing more. At least 'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Vol. 1' is more self-aware than most of its ilk. Also it's not so much about the maid's outfit (there are different kinds, as is pointed out here), as it is about the person within it (or underneath it... urgh!)
The humour in 'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid' works well for an "ordinary human in modern world meets extraordinary fantasy circumstances"-style slice-of-life, episodic comedy (something I'm not usually into). There are some ironic and witty parts. I like the bored, down-to-earth closeted Otaku Miss Kobayashi, who works at Hell Tours LTD, and likes to drink. A lot. I like her young shapeshifting dragon maid Tohru (how young is made too highly ambiguous) from another world, standing in complete contrast to her, and who's in love with her "mistress". Currently it's one-sided, as is typical in sitcoms, yet I'm relieved due to the age issue. The name Tohru, for a girl, reminds me of the main lead in 'Fruits Basket' as well, which automatically scores points from me. And I like the little fellow shapeshifter Kanna. Side characters are also funny and memorable in their own understated ways (even the obligatory big-breasted girl shapeshifter). There is more to them all than initial appearances suggest.
The artwork is rather inconsistent, light and confusing. But occasionally the drawings - especially of Tohru in her dragon form, and in the rare panels where she's serious and intense - are magnificent. Raw emotions are there and cannot be mistaken.
'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Vol. 1' - a kinda cute, kinda crass fantasy comedy with a wild premise and female focus. It definitely has funny and clever elements to it. Plus LBGTQ content (but seriously, how old is Tohru? Even for a dragon? Kobayashi is clearly an adult. Curse you Moe Lolita! I scourge everything you represent!).
I haven't enjoyed a manga in a long time and this is a good pick-me-up, like tea, coffee, sugar. It did its job and caught my interest, as I'm sure this is how it snared other readers, and it won't let go. One of my guilty pleasures of the year.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Thursday 21 September 2017
My reaction to the news of 'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' sequel
=cue 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' song=
What's this?
What's this?
An answer to my prayers?
What's this?
A sequel with more layers?
'The Gentleman's Guide' was such a ride
Then I heard 'The Lady's Guide' and I cried
Is this a joke? This isn't funny!
Wait next year to take my money!?
What's this?
It's a companion piece that I would not dare dream
Early news of petticoats I already see a ruffled gleam
Gay Victorians were not to end at 'Vice and Virtue'
Now comes a solo adventure starring Felicity Montague
She of science sails with 'Petticoats and Piracy'
Can one book contain her scrumptiously hard and smart personality???
What's this?
What's this?
Felicity joins a girl gang?
What's this?
Feminism beginning with a bang?
Travelling and sailing as first mate
Such swashbuckling excitement, cannot wait
I feel my anticipation flying much too high
Pirates, science, pre-suffragettes, oh my!
It's full of queens! It's full of queens!
Hope and glory for youthful teens
Felicity cut down the Gentleman
Next she'll outwit Nice Guys with her mighty pen
Patriarchy fear the asexual female protagonist
Darling, this charted sequel shan't be missed
From lead to gold on my paper heart it overflows with bliss!
WHAT. IS. THIS????????????????????????
I couldn't express my feelings any other way, badly or not.
I never write about a book I haven't read yet, much less one that hasn't even been published. That alone should tell you how excited I am about this news. I can't imagine it being anything less than satisfactory. If it turns out to be yet another disappointing sequel, well, I'll only have myself to blame. Sames goes for this parody song.
'The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy' - my new hyped 2018 YA release, after 'The Muse of Nightmares'.
What's this?
What's this?
An answer to my prayers?
What's this?
A sequel with more layers?
'The Gentleman's Guide' was such a ride
Then I heard 'The Lady's Guide' and I cried
Is this a joke? This isn't funny!
Wait next year to take my money!?
What's this?
It's a companion piece that I would not dare dream
Early news of petticoats I already see a ruffled gleam
Gay Victorians were not to end at 'Vice and Virtue'
Now comes a solo adventure starring Felicity Montague
She of science sails with 'Petticoats and Piracy'
Can one book contain her scrumptiously hard and smart personality???
What's this?
What's this?
Felicity joins a girl gang?
What's this?
Feminism beginning with a bang?
Travelling and sailing as first mate
Such swashbuckling excitement, cannot wait
I feel my anticipation flying much too high
Pirates, science, pre-suffragettes, oh my!
It's full of queens! It's full of queens!
Hope and glory for youthful teens
Felicity cut down the Gentleman
Next she'll outwit Nice Guys with her mighty pen
Patriarchy fear the asexual female protagonist
Darling, this charted sequel shan't be missed
From lead to gold on my paper heart it overflows with bliss!
WHAT. IS. THIS????????????????????????
I couldn't express my feelings any other way, badly or not.
I never write about a book I haven't read yet, much less one that hasn't even been published. That alone should tell you how excited I am about this news. I can't imagine it being anything less than satisfactory. If it turns out to be yet another disappointing sequel, well, I'll only have myself to blame. Sames goes for this parody song.
'The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy' - my new hyped 2018 YA release, after 'The Muse of Nightmares'.
Sunday 17 September 2017
Graphic Novel Review - 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' by Isabel Greenberg
No review can do this justice. I'm sorry.
Well, I'll try anyway.
I had never even heard of Isabel Greenberg's 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' until I happened upon it in my local library one day, checking out the comics area. It looked interesting, so I thought that the next day, when I had more time, I would read it in the library in one sitting. I couldn't borrow it then because my bag was nowhere near big enough, and I didn't want to carry it around as I walked all the way to work. Next day came, and I panicked when I saw it had gone; thinking that someone else had beat me to it, and I would have to wait who knows how long to get a chance to read it. Typical. I had just given up hope looking for it, when what should I spot on a shelf right next to me, but the same copy of 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero'. It had been moved to a different place. Also kind of typical. But I wasted no time in sitting and settling down and reading the hardcover beast.
I drank and devoured its 224 pages in less than two hours. I hardly felt the same again afterwards, especially later at work when I couldn't sift it out of my mind.
Because 'The One Hundred and One Nights of Hero' does what all good fiction does: Tells compelling and clever stories that fit together just right, with characters worth caring about and rooting for. Crafted with passion and ease; taking risks and never holding back, never apologising. It gives off hope. Hope for the future even during such dire times. All that makes it so unforgettable.
I think I feel comfortable saying that 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' might beat 'Rapunzel's Revenge' as my favourite comic of all time. When I received my own copy, two days after ordering it from Amazon, I rearranged my shelves drastically so I could fit this giant in properly and show it off in a deserved spotlight on top.
Aesthetically, thematically and symbolically, 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' contains practically everything I love in stories: fairy tales; giving credence to the importance of stories (such as using them as a catalyst to start a revolution) and reading and writing; strong and passionate female leads; sisterhood; unflinching feminism; tools on how to dismantle the patriarchy; a LBGTQ romance between main characters; moon symbolism; magical spells and stones (metaphorical or not); an epic saga about a war that reaches across generations (a metaphorical war also counts); spirituality and the meaning of life, and its focus on women and how vital they are to any kind of survival for humanity.
A cliff notes version of this graphic novel tale is: A brief history of our "Early Earth" and how it came to be at the hands of a jealous male god. Then the main story begins, about two women in love, Cherry and Hero, living in a pious patriarchal society where reading and writing for women is forbidden - punishable by death. They plan to foil a monstrous bet made between Cherry's arrogant misogynistic husband and his equally vile friend, which sees the friend seeking to seduce and sleep with Cherry before the husband comes back from a trip lasting one hundred nights; thus proving that women are sneaky and unfaithful in nature (the complete irony of this is not lost on the comic, and its jabs at the patriarchy are hilarious as well as informative). It's also to prove somehow that women are stupid and easily swayed under a man's ruling thumb. But together Cherry and Hero prove how easily swayed the husband's friend is by having Hero (who's a maid at Cherry's castle home) tell stories to him every night to keep him from bedding Cherry - for one hundred nights. That is Hero's gift, and a gift passed on from woman storytellers of the past. Unable to read and write, they crafted stories using tapestries and their own strong, independent voices, bursting to be heard and listened to at campfires; for generations to come.
And the stories are beautiful. Tragic, but they shine in an ethereal, sweet, hopeful light. Even the male guards at Cherry's castle end up spellbound by them, told in Hero's way.
What happens to Cherry and Hero in the end? That is a story I cannot tell you myself, due to spoilers and my own inability to articulate it as it should be at this moment in time. Read Isabel Greenberg's work yourself to find out.
The artwork mixes childlike with brilliance, like a true waxing and waning moon, shadowing towards a bright full; like getting lost and then found in a deep, dark wood. The symbolism and colouring and shading are paramount to fitting the various stories' themes and narratives together. It is art that is expressive and messy in a good way - it grabs at your attention. It reminded me of 'Adventure Time', but even darker.
'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' in its format and structure reads like a fairy tale all on its own for adults; not just because of the violence and injustice inflicted on women represented, and the lesbian content. It is similar to an anthology, or M. Night Shyamalan's 'Lady in the Water' done properly.
There isn't much else I can say about 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero'. It's unlike anything I've ever read, yet I feel it was made for me. It is a part of my story as much as it is a part of every woman's story. It is very funny feminism (bless Miss Greenberg's British wit shining through!). Fairy tale retellings feminism. Starstruck feminism, under the moon in all her beautiful glory and changing faces.
There is darkness (death; betrayal; cheating male lovers; tyrannical male family members; religious fanaticism as abuse of power, male dominance, fear-mongering and attention-seeking) and light (creativity; truth; righteous anger; adorable relationships; sisters; mothers; wise old women; men who are decent and loving; dancing; nature; and immortality via stories/legends) in equal balance. This labour of love has something for everyone, in fact, not only for women.
I will be reading the "prequel" and first of the author's 'Early Earth" graphic novels, 'The Encyclopedia of Early Earth', soon. For now, I'm content with 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' as it is.
A lovely, silk-weaving victory. A hard-boiled, celestial storytelling mistresspiece.
Final Score: 5/5
EDIT: A day after writing this review, a copy of 'The Encyclopedia of Early Earth' did come to me, and I have read it. It is merely okay. Nowhere near the greatness of Miss Greenberg's later work (and nowhere near feminist, for that matter), which deserves a bright, moonstone spot in my heart and bookshelf.
Well, I'll try anyway.
I had never even heard of Isabel Greenberg's 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' until I happened upon it in my local library one day, checking out the comics area. It looked interesting, so I thought that the next day, when I had more time, I would read it in the library in one sitting. I couldn't borrow it then because my bag was nowhere near big enough, and I didn't want to carry it around as I walked all the way to work. Next day came, and I panicked when I saw it had gone; thinking that someone else had beat me to it, and I would have to wait who knows how long to get a chance to read it. Typical. I had just given up hope looking for it, when what should I spot on a shelf right next to me, but the same copy of 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero'. It had been moved to a different place. Also kind of typical. But I wasted no time in sitting and settling down and reading the hardcover beast.
I drank and devoured its 224 pages in less than two hours. I hardly felt the same again afterwards, especially later at work when I couldn't sift it out of my mind.
Because 'The One Hundred and One Nights of Hero' does what all good fiction does: Tells compelling and clever stories that fit together just right, with characters worth caring about and rooting for. Crafted with passion and ease; taking risks and never holding back, never apologising. It gives off hope. Hope for the future even during such dire times. All that makes it so unforgettable.
I think I feel comfortable saying that 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' might beat 'Rapunzel's Revenge' as my favourite comic of all time. When I received my own copy, two days after ordering it from Amazon, I rearranged my shelves drastically so I could fit this giant in properly and show it off in a deserved spotlight on top.
Aesthetically, thematically and symbolically, 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' contains practically everything I love in stories: fairy tales; giving credence to the importance of stories (such as using them as a catalyst to start a revolution) and reading and writing; strong and passionate female leads; sisterhood; unflinching feminism; tools on how to dismantle the patriarchy; a LBGTQ romance between main characters; moon symbolism; magical spells and stones (metaphorical or not); an epic saga about a war that reaches across generations (a metaphorical war also counts); spirituality and the meaning of life, and its focus on women and how vital they are to any kind of survival for humanity.
A cliff notes version of this graphic novel tale is: A brief history of our "Early Earth" and how it came to be at the hands of a jealous male god. Then the main story begins, about two women in love, Cherry and Hero, living in a pious patriarchal society where reading and writing for women is forbidden - punishable by death. They plan to foil a monstrous bet made between Cherry's arrogant misogynistic husband and his equally vile friend, which sees the friend seeking to seduce and sleep with Cherry before the husband comes back from a trip lasting one hundred nights; thus proving that women are sneaky and unfaithful in nature (the complete irony of this is not lost on the comic, and its jabs at the patriarchy are hilarious as well as informative). It's also to prove somehow that women are stupid and easily swayed under a man's ruling thumb. But together Cherry and Hero prove how easily swayed the husband's friend is by having Hero (who's a maid at Cherry's castle home) tell stories to him every night to keep him from bedding Cherry - for one hundred nights. That is Hero's gift, and a gift passed on from woman storytellers of the past. Unable to read and write, they crafted stories using tapestries and their own strong, independent voices, bursting to be heard and listened to at campfires; for generations to come.
And the stories are beautiful. Tragic, but they shine in an ethereal, sweet, hopeful light. Even the male guards at Cherry's castle end up spellbound by them, told in Hero's way.
What happens to Cherry and Hero in the end? That is a story I cannot tell you myself, due to spoilers and my own inability to articulate it as it should be at this moment in time. Read Isabel Greenberg's work yourself to find out.
The artwork mixes childlike with brilliance, like a true waxing and waning moon, shadowing towards a bright full; like getting lost and then found in a deep, dark wood. The symbolism and colouring and shading are paramount to fitting the various stories' themes and narratives together. It is art that is expressive and messy in a good way - it grabs at your attention. It reminded me of 'Adventure Time', but even darker.
'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' in its format and structure reads like a fairy tale all on its own for adults; not just because of the violence and injustice inflicted on women represented, and the lesbian content. It is similar to an anthology, or M. Night Shyamalan's 'Lady in the Water' done properly.
There isn't much else I can say about 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero'. It's unlike anything I've ever read, yet I feel it was made for me. It is a part of my story as much as it is a part of every woman's story. It is very funny feminism (bless Miss Greenberg's British wit shining through!). Fairy tale retellings feminism. Starstruck feminism, under the moon in all her beautiful glory and changing faces.
There is darkness (death; betrayal; cheating male lovers; tyrannical male family members; religious fanaticism as abuse of power, male dominance, fear-mongering and attention-seeking) and light (creativity; truth; righteous anger; adorable relationships; sisters; mothers; wise old women; men who are decent and loving; dancing; nature; and immortality via stories/legends) in equal balance. This labour of love has something for everyone, in fact, not only for women.
I will be reading the "prequel" and first of the author's 'Early Earth" graphic novels, 'The Encyclopedia of Early Earth', soon. For now, I'm content with 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' as it is.
A lovely, silk-weaving victory. A hard-boiled, celestial storytelling mistresspiece.
Final Score: 5/5
EDIT: A day after writing this review, a copy of 'The Encyclopedia of Early Earth' did come to me, and I have read it. It is merely okay. Nowhere near the greatness of Miss Greenberg's later work (and nowhere near feminist, for that matter), which deserves a bright, moonstone spot in my heart and bookshelf.
Scribble #56
There's a spider in my window. The soft black widow weaves her strong, silk web in a spiral, crafting a kaleidoscope through which I can see so many patterns every day I look outside, and every night the trinket lines reflecting moonlight. A tiny eye for a larger eye; a world seen through another.
I wonder how much time she has. Will her hatchlings carry on her art, her legacy? I won't bring myself to sweep away such beauty, and a family. A family tradition.
I wonder how much time she has. Will her hatchlings carry on her art, her legacy? I won't bring myself to sweep away such beauty, and a family. A family tradition.
Saturday 16 September 2017
Book Review - 'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' by Mackenzi Lee
Holy shit on a barby.
It's nice to have such fun reading a book. I read 'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' in four days, and it is 500 pages, but if I hadn't had work commitments, I'm sure I would have finished it in one day; one fifth of a moon cycle (maths isn't my strong point so don't quote me on that).
Ahh 'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' - a glorious adventure tale set in the rigid-yet-rapidly-changing and perilous 18th century, about a fantastically wealthy, heavy-drinking, womanizing, always-found-with-his-pantaloons-off-plus-much-more, teenage git of an English aristocratic heir, Henry "Monty" Montague. Monty is in love with his life-long best friend, the mixed-race compatriot Percy Newton (not Capulet). Together, along with Monty's fifteen-year-old sister Felicity who's his exact opposite, the trio end up running for their lives whilst on a tour around France, thanks to the reckless, stupid actions of a certain gentleman heir (hint: it sounds something like numpty). They also uncover a plot involving government corruption and conspiracies (why! preposterous! poppycock! hu-hu-hurumph hurumph hurumph!) surrounding an alchemic heart; the key to everlasting life (like the Philosopher's Stone! Which is oddly never mentioned in this book).
Monty learns ever so much about life on this journey that takes him across seas, surviving encounters with highwaymen and pirates, like recognizing his own privileges, and how easy everything came to him until now. He very slowly but assuredly learns that whatever society had blessed him with and given him the benefit of the doubt for regardless of his scandals and escapades, it's not the same for Percy and Felicity, just because of his race and her gender. Monty gets his head out of his arse crack by crack, and basically his main motivation throughout all this is to find the alchemist's heart so he can "cure" Percy of his epilepsy, a largely misunderstood medical condition in the 18th century, that had been kept secret from Monty up to this point (not that that was hard to do, for Monty only sees the world through his own end of a drained glass of booze). Percy is soon to be locked up in an asylum for his epilepsy, making the quest for the alchemist's Holy Grail all the more crucial in Monty's view.
Too stupid to realize that Percy, whom he had known since infancy, is in love for him too (why? I'unno), and yet is smart enough to literally know which boy is gay from afar in a bank, young Henry Montague braves through the trials and tribulations of his hero's journey to reach a valuable lesson in vice and virtue:
That it is all bollocks. And a gentleman is only so much as you make of him. Nobody's perfect, and everybody's a hypocrite, but what's great about life is that it's daring and wild; never as straightforward and orderly as some posh twats high up their own derrieres and the food chain in society might want us to think. Anyone can see how dangerous the big wide world is if they get out more - privilege means nothing outside or inside certain borders - but it can be fun and an eye-opener, too.
Seriously though, this book is a well-written, well-structured riot from beginning to end. Monty may be an ass, but I kind of love him. His arrogance and ignorance are charming and understandable, given his eighteen years of age, plus his upbringing. His abusive upbringing. With a violent and coldhearted father never hiding how much of a disappointment he finds Monty - his liking boys and bringing them to bed being one of the reasons. Monty has every right to not bother trying to earn his father's approval. Or that could be boiled down to his selfishness and laziness. He does get called out on his behaviour and thoughtless words and actions (mostly), but it takes a while for words not uttered by angry rich white men to sink into his thick skull. To think that it takes various life-and-death situations across continents for him to finally know the importance of compassion, love, (wise) family, and tolerance! To be in this idiot tosser's first-person narrative is sometimes annoying, but this is one of the ways the author elicits passionate emotions in the reader.
In a way Monty fits the stereotype of the wild, lying, cheating, thieving, insecure, abused bisexual (his alcoholism doesn't help matters), but he's written to be grounded and believable enough, with varied, honest thought processes, to be more human than that. His flaws are his best traits. Interesting as well is that when keeping in mind the setting, it isn't technically a stereotype yet. It's a first of human, free love expression!
Percy, sadly, receives the least compelling characterization and development - the only hobby and talent we know he has is violin playing - but he is nice and decent enough. He's not afraid to attempt to make Monty realize his disadvantages as a dark-skinned man in 18th century England and France, and how degrading he finds having to rely on Monty to stand up for him in public gatherings. Really, Percy's only flaw is caring for Monty too much, even when the little sod doesn't deserve it. Neither his race nor his epilepsy are Percy's defining character traits, and that is brilliant praise, especially for Young Adult historical fiction.
Completing the triad of unlikely heroes is Felicity, who is my favourite character in 'A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue'. To call her a girl "ahead of her time" is an insult: she's interesting enough all on her own. Smart, a bookworm, a budding scientist and doctor, and as stubborn and witty in personality as any modern politician and comedian, she is awesome. For her age, and her gender that was treated so barbarically poorly three hundred years ago. Felicity and her older brother are not close, understandably, but she will strike him down a peg; educate him when he needs it; is less cold when she finds out about their father's abuse (but she never comes across as a typical thawing ice queen bending to the wills of men); culminating in showing how she does care about Monty deep down.
Hermione Granger is sure to come to mind when thinking of Felicity Montague: she's the single female in an adventurous trio and the "smart one". She's serious and extremely resourceful, and the boys would be dead without her. Extra bonus: it is implied at one point that Felicity might be asexual! That a historical novel can have this much representation isn't wishful-thinking or overly-optimistic: it is in fact realistic. A whole spectrum of sexuality and sexual identities have always existed; they just weren't recorded (or were covered up) for obvious reasons.
'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' by Mackenzi Lee is astounding and commendable; contemporaries have no excuse not to be this inclusive. It was hyped for a good reason. I wish it could have focused more on changes to Percy's and Felicity's characters than Monty's. Felicity deserves better, and so does Percy. Protagonist status kind of works like privilege in that sense.
The romance shifts back and forth between being adorable and steamy in one sexy moment, and then irritating in the next, due to the characters' close-minded stupidity and lack of communication. But I suppose that's growing pains for these boys, especially for their individual circumstances.
The ending leaves behind quite a few glaring lose ends. Minor, non-spoiler example: an attack on the heroes' carriage by a gang of presumed highwaymen, which sets off the plot's inciting incident, leaves a driver appearing dead and bleeding on the ground, shocking Monty tremendously. It is his first sight of death - in the first dangerous situation he has ever been in far away from home.
The driver is never mentioned again after that chapter.
The book works exceedingly well for what could and couldn't happen in the time period it's set in, managing not to lose its sense of enjoyment throughout. Yeah, a lot of liberties and hopeful outcomes were taken. However, if a fantasy, written by a female author, gives hope and in fact a better, realistic representation of humanity than in modern day fantasy stories by (male) authors who seem incapable of writing women as people and who carelessly throw in prospects of rape into their fiction because female, then who's complaining? And why?
After finishing the entire rapscallion adventure, I could easily imagine it working as a TV series. Campy and fun, but educational, while also incorporating serious stories, character development, and issues.
So, in my humble opinion, 'The Rich Tool's Guide to Faking it and then Moving On from Society's Limitations to Have a Gay Old Time' deserves a standing ovation. It just needs more asexual, teenage girl doctor Felicity Montague in the LBGTQ mix!
Final Score: 4/5
It's nice to have such fun reading a book. I read 'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' in four days, and it is 500 pages, but if I hadn't had work commitments, I'm sure I would have finished it in one day; one fifth of a moon cycle (maths isn't my strong point so don't quote me on that).
Ahh 'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' - a glorious adventure tale set in the rigid-yet-rapidly-changing and perilous 18th century, about a fantastically wealthy, heavy-drinking, womanizing, always-found-with-his-pantaloons-off-plus-much-more, teenage git of an English aristocratic heir, Henry "Monty" Montague. Monty is in love with his life-long best friend, the mixed-race compatriot Percy Newton (not Capulet). Together, along with Monty's fifteen-year-old sister Felicity who's his exact opposite, the trio end up running for their lives whilst on a tour around France, thanks to the reckless, stupid actions of a certain gentleman heir (hint: it sounds something like numpty). They also uncover a plot involving government corruption and conspiracies (why! preposterous! poppycock! hu-hu-hurumph hurumph hurumph!) surrounding an alchemic heart; the key to everlasting life (like the Philosopher's Stone! Which is oddly never mentioned in this book).
Monty learns ever so much about life on this journey that takes him across seas, surviving encounters with highwaymen and pirates, like recognizing his own privileges, and how easy everything came to him until now. He very slowly but assuredly learns that whatever society had blessed him with and given him the benefit of the doubt for regardless of his scandals and escapades, it's not the same for Percy and Felicity, just because of his race and her gender. Monty gets his head out of his arse crack by crack, and basically his main motivation throughout all this is to find the alchemist's heart so he can "cure" Percy of his epilepsy, a largely misunderstood medical condition in the 18th century, that had been kept secret from Monty up to this point (not that that was hard to do, for Monty only sees the world through his own end of a drained glass of booze). Percy is soon to be locked up in an asylum for his epilepsy, making the quest for the alchemist's Holy Grail all the more crucial in Monty's view.
Too stupid to realize that Percy, whom he had known since infancy, is in love for him too (why? I'unno), and yet is smart enough to literally know which boy is gay from afar in a bank, young Henry Montague braves through the trials and tribulations of his hero's journey to reach a valuable lesson in vice and virtue:
That it is all bollocks. And a gentleman is only so much as you make of him. Nobody's perfect, and everybody's a hypocrite, but what's great about life is that it's daring and wild; never as straightforward and orderly as some posh twats high up their own derrieres and the food chain in society might want us to think. Anyone can see how dangerous the big wide world is if they get out more - privilege means nothing outside or inside certain borders - but it can be fun and an eye-opener, too.
Seriously though, this book is a well-written, well-structured riot from beginning to end. Monty may be an ass, but I kind of love him. His arrogance and ignorance are charming and understandable, given his eighteen years of age, plus his upbringing. His abusive upbringing. With a violent and coldhearted father never hiding how much of a disappointment he finds Monty - his liking boys and bringing them to bed being one of the reasons. Monty has every right to not bother trying to earn his father's approval. Or that could be boiled down to his selfishness and laziness. He does get called out on his behaviour and thoughtless words and actions (mostly), but it takes a while for words not uttered by angry rich white men to sink into his thick skull. To think that it takes various life-and-death situations across continents for him to finally know the importance of compassion, love, (wise) family, and tolerance! To be in this idiot tosser's first-person narrative is sometimes annoying, but this is one of the ways the author elicits passionate emotions in the reader.
In a way Monty fits the stereotype of the wild, lying, cheating, thieving, insecure, abused bisexual (his alcoholism doesn't help matters), but he's written to be grounded and believable enough, with varied, honest thought processes, to be more human than that. His flaws are his best traits. Interesting as well is that when keeping in mind the setting, it isn't technically a stereotype yet. It's a first of human, free love expression!
Percy, sadly, receives the least compelling characterization and development - the only hobby and talent we know he has is violin playing - but he is nice and decent enough. He's not afraid to attempt to make Monty realize his disadvantages as a dark-skinned man in 18th century England and France, and how degrading he finds having to rely on Monty to stand up for him in public gatherings. Really, Percy's only flaw is caring for Monty too much, even when the little sod doesn't deserve it. Neither his race nor his epilepsy are Percy's defining character traits, and that is brilliant praise, especially for Young Adult historical fiction.
Completing the triad of unlikely heroes is Felicity, who is my favourite character in 'A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue'. To call her a girl "ahead of her time" is an insult: she's interesting enough all on her own. Smart, a bookworm, a budding scientist and doctor, and as stubborn and witty in personality as any modern politician and comedian, she is awesome. For her age, and her gender that was treated so barbarically poorly three hundred years ago. Felicity and her older brother are not close, understandably, but she will strike him down a peg; educate him when he needs it; is less cold when she finds out about their father's abuse (but she never comes across as a typical thawing ice queen bending to the wills of men); culminating in showing how she does care about Monty deep down.
Hermione Granger is sure to come to mind when thinking of Felicity Montague: she's the single female in an adventurous trio and the "smart one". She's serious and extremely resourceful, and the boys would be dead without her. Extra bonus: it is implied at one point that Felicity might be asexual! That a historical novel can have this much representation isn't wishful-thinking or overly-optimistic: it is in fact realistic. A whole spectrum of sexuality and sexual identities have always existed; they just weren't recorded (or were covered up) for obvious reasons.
'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue' by Mackenzi Lee is astounding and commendable; contemporaries have no excuse not to be this inclusive. It was hyped for a good reason. I wish it could have focused more on changes to Percy's and Felicity's characters than Monty's. Felicity deserves better, and so does Percy. Protagonist status kind of works like privilege in that sense.
The romance shifts back and forth between being adorable and steamy in one sexy moment, and then irritating in the next, due to the characters' close-minded stupidity and lack of communication. But I suppose that's growing pains for these boys, especially for their individual circumstances.
The ending leaves behind quite a few glaring lose ends. Minor, non-spoiler example: an attack on the heroes' carriage by a gang of presumed highwaymen, which sets off the plot's inciting incident, leaves a driver appearing dead and bleeding on the ground, shocking Monty tremendously. It is his first sight of death - in the first dangerous situation he has ever been in far away from home.
The driver is never mentioned again after that chapter.
The book works exceedingly well for what could and couldn't happen in the time period it's set in, managing not to lose its sense of enjoyment throughout. Yeah, a lot of liberties and hopeful outcomes were taken. However, if a fantasy, written by a female author, gives hope and in fact a better, realistic representation of humanity than in modern day fantasy stories by (male) authors who seem incapable of writing women as people and who carelessly throw in prospects of rape into their fiction because female, then who's complaining? And why?
After finishing the entire rapscallion adventure, I could easily imagine it working as a TV series. Campy and fun, but educational, while also incorporating serious stories, character development, and issues.
So, in my humble opinion, 'The Rich Tool's Guide to Faking it and then Moving On from Society's Limitations to Have a Gay Old Time' deserves a standing ovation. It just needs more asexual, teenage girl doctor Felicity Montague in the LBGTQ mix!
Final Score: 4/5
Pink Land
When I was little, my brother and I played with our toys together, and we would enact in our own fantasy worlds. My room, my world - where all my action figures and character dolls lived - was called, creatively enough, Pink Land. It was populated entirely by females; and this was before I'd even heard of Amazons or any kind of feminist doctrine or activism. I just liked pink and kick ass girls, and didn't think the two things contradicted each other at all.
Today I thought I'd go back to my childhood for a bit and return to Pink Land once more, with updated characters and ethics. Though women rule in Pink Land - and very well I might add - and it is a monarchy, men are welcome to share and live peacefully in this not-so-fantasy, female-friendly paradise as well. Where learning, knowledge and books on all things are freely given. Where everyone is seen as equal, and all views and experiences are seen as valid, and where everyone gets a chance to speak and act, and be listened to. Where nature is respected and preserved, and any kind of study and practice (art, cultural, religious, spiritual, ritual, health, scientific, exploration, etc.) can be enacted, so long as no harm is done to people, animals and the environment. Pink Land - a rainbow land regardless of its name - could be a democracy that actually does work!
Here are my favourite existing characters who are in Pink Land, and what their roles are within this society: Who make it what it is.
This is made just for fun. And for geekiness. Think of it as a sequel sister to my Fairy Pokemon Trainer post.
Palace Staff!
Empress: Elphaba ('Wicked' musical)
Second in command, Mentor: Elsa ('Frozen')
Assistant, Adviser, Informant, Librarian: Belle ('Beauty and the Beast')
Teams for crime fighting and civilian protection, all flexible!
Team 1:
Wonder Woman/Diana (Leader, and ambassador)
Batgirl (Techie, also part-time teacher))
Sailor Moon
Hermione Granger (also part-time teacher, and apprentice to Belle)
Pink Power Ranger (whichever, they're all great)
Moana (also diplomat)
Team 2:
Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Leader, scientist, and diplomat)
Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan
Rey ('Star Wars') (Techie, among other things)
Mikasa Ackerman ('Attack on Titan')
Merida ('Brave')
Mulan (also diplomat)
Jokers/Villains:
Harley Quinn
Homura Akemi ('Puella Magi Madoka Magica')
Interesting turnabout? Welcome to Pink Land!
Today I thought I'd go back to my childhood for a bit and return to Pink Land once more, with updated characters and ethics. Though women rule in Pink Land - and very well I might add - and it is a monarchy, men are welcome to share and live peacefully in this not-so-fantasy, female-friendly paradise as well. Where learning, knowledge and books on all things are freely given. Where everyone is seen as equal, and all views and experiences are seen as valid, and where everyone gets a chance to speak and act, and be listened to. Where nature is respected and preserved, and any kind of study and practice (art, cultural, religious, spiritual, ritual, health, scientific, exploration, etc.) can be enacted, so long as no harm is done to people, animals and the environment. Pink Land - a rainbow land regardless of its name - could be a democracy that actually does work!
Here are my favourite existing characters who are in Pink Land, and what their roles are within this society: Who make it what it is.
This is made just for fun. And for geekiness. Think of it as a sequel sister to my Fairy Pokemon Trainer post.
Pink Land
Empress: Elphaba ('Wicked' musical)
Second in command, Mentor: Elsa ('Frozen')
Assistant, Adviser, Informant, Librarian: Belle ('Beauty and the Beast')
Teams for crime fighting and civilian protection, all flexible!
Team 1:
Wonder Woman/Diana (Leader, and ambassador)
Batgirl (Techie, also part-time teacher))
Sailor Moon
Hermione Granger (also part-time teacher, and apprentice to Belle)
Pink Power Ranger (whichever, they're all great)
Moana (also diplomat)
Team 2:
Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Leader, scientist, and diplomat)
Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan
Rey ('Star Wars') (Techie, among other things)
Mikasa Ackerman ('Attack on Titan')
Merida ('Brave')
Mulan (also diplomat)
Jokers/Villains:
Harley Quinn
Homura Akemi ('Puella Magi Madoka Magica')
Interesting turnabout? Welcome to Pink Land!
Wednesday 6 September 2017
I can't believe I forgot to mention this before, but: 'In a Heartbeat' is one of the most adorable, heartwarming, tearful and beyond hopeful things that I have ever seen. You have no excuse not to see the several minutes of it on YouTube. You will not regret it. For we need it and creative projects like it so, so badly in our lives.
Loveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveislove
Loveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveisloveislove
Sunday 3 September 2017
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'The Vagina Monologues' by Eve Ensler
This review contains excessive amounts of the word "vagina". If for some reason this bothers you, go and take a long hard look at your life and your views on women, then come back to read the review. Or read it anyway regardless.
Read 'The Vagina Monologues'. See 'The Vagina Monologues', and understand, respect, and love vaginas. As their own utterly normal, natural yet amazing thing; not like a goldmine or the Holy Grail in how patriarchal societies and cultures have kept them in the dark - as mysteries - even from people who own them. There is nothing to be ashamed of for having a vagina (and not having one) - there never has been, and it damn well must never be.
Women everywhere, at some point in their lives, perhaps even for the rest of their lives, have been taught on an unconscious level to hate their own bodies. Including the unmentionables. The vagina, and the beautiful package that comes with it.
Women's bodies are universally seen as things that are incomplete: Imperfect. Not good enough. Things that always need fixing: Concealing. Cutting. Bleeding. Penetrating. Sex education in most middle eastern and western countries continues to remain woefully abysmal; full of withholding of information, misinformation, and sexist stigma (it's one of the reasons why the archaic phrase "Boys will be boys" is still used to excuse ignorance and sexual violence; FYI, this is how rape culture thrives). Planned Parenthood is under constant attack right now, because a significant number of conservatives and Republicans see women as so unimportant, so wasteful, and so not needed for the health and continuation of the human race.
How is it that there are quite a lot of women who have never taken the time to actually look at their vaginas? Who have never heard what a clitoris is? Because a clitoris is purely a pleasure nervous system - something that men don't possess in their biology (some transgender and intersex cases can be the exception) - and one of the things the patriarchy hates and fears most is women experiencing pleasure, being comfortable, especially in their sexuality. In themselves. Uppity, out-of-touch (heh heh), conservative men hate whatever women have that they don't, so they build shame and even violence around the very idea of having a vagina. And the very idea of liking sex, and anything sexual.
So, primarily-female organs do not seem awesome anymore, but disgusting, taboo.
So, under the patriarchy, female masturbation and orgasms are almost considered phenomenal, if not mythical.
In 'The Vagina Monologues', an interview piece-turned-theater play started in 1996, Eve Ensler shares real women's stories about their shy, growing, then understanding relationships with their vaginas. Women who are diverse: Black, white, Asian, straight, gay, bisexual, impoverished, young, old, etc. It teaches us to get to know vaginas intimately, individually, free of shame and embarrassment, thus boosting self-esteem; and, in more cases than one would like to acknowledge, allowing for a healing from trauma.
It is shocking, and completely disgraceful, that violence against women has become so normalised that it's practically a rarity to meet a woman who hasn't been subjected to some kind of violence - sexual or otherwise - at any time in her life. A woman who hasn't been harassed, dominated, controlled, violated, or shamed by a man (father, brother, uncle, cousin, partner, friend, a stranger on the bus, etc.) This is rape culture in its toxicity. It is vastly under-reported and not brought to the grassroots/public mainstream's attention enough (i.e. cases of destroyed rape kits: this is our reality). So it is still a common consensus, at the beginning and during the 21st century, that humanity has achieved equality. That is rape culture, too. Ignorance spreads lies, and lies, especially if repeated enough, can be damaging to real lives. Women's lives.
Women are not subhuman creatures because of their vaginas (I also appreciate that Ensler included a story where she met a woman at one of her shows who did not have a vagina; proving that there is in fact no right or wrong way to be a woman or a man). Vagina - a word substituted by countless euphemisms. Vagina, to some extent, remains generally unsaid through embarrassment, stigma, and fear of mockery. Women's unique, lovely bodies are not evil, nor are they punchlines. Nor an excuse to commit heinous acts of violence against them. Hell, 'The Vagina Monologues', in one of its "Vagina Facts" segments, states that when certain men apparently "discovered" clitorises in the 15th-16th centuries, they thought they were a sign that a woman was a witch. Witch hunts - one of the many roots in, and excuses for, widespread misogyny.
Vaginas, like women themselves, are not so mysterious or scary once you get to know them. They're just a part of a body. Someone's own body, not to be used, abused, damaged and destroyed by anyone else.
'The Vagina Monologues' isn't dated. It is more relevant now than ever. It kickstarted V-Day, and other organisations working to this day to end violence against women, until Vagina Day can be celebrated globally alongside Victory Day.
The play is a quick read, and a poignant, honest, deeply personal, tragic, and even humorous eye-opener. Men, including those from college fraternity houses, have been said, in email responses to the countless performances of 'The Vagina Monologues', to change their attitudes towards women by the end of watching a performance. They finally, fully understand women and their lives living under a shaming rape culture and patriarchy. No one should be made to live out their existence hating their own bodies; to not know anything about vaginas except in relation to what it gives to others. That is what is disgusting, not the vagina itself.
Heartbreaking as well as educational, though the play could have been longer, and more diverse. Disabled and transgender women's experiences with their sexuality, sex lives, and their views of vaginas (generally as well as their own) are not mentioned. There are sex stories, period stories, naming stories, vaginal "enlightenment" stories, horrific rape stories, female genital mutilation stories. However, there is only one birth story featured - Eve Ensler's own experience in "being in the same room" when her granddaughter (by her adoptive son) was born; when I had thought it clear in the beginning that she knew she did not represent all women, hence the hundreds of interviews and chosen stories in preparation for the play and performances. 'The Vagina Monologues' is an important feminist text and cultural milestone needing higher attention, but maybe it should receive another updated version sometime.
Maybe it will never be short of updates. What with so many women's stories needing to be heard.
Ignorance isn't bliss. Knowing, seeing, touching, feeling, and understanding is. Especially where the clitoris is concerned. Never will I substitute vagina for any other, childish, stupid, or inaccurate word in a conversation again. People, embrace your awesome bodies! Pleasure yourselves! You've earned it.
Women rule. Men rule. We all rule. Let us take back our bodies, our health, our freedom, our fulfilling experiences as human beings. Our chances at a free, happy life.
Final Score: 4/5
Read 'The Vagina Monologues'. See 'The Vagina Monologues', and understand, respect, and love vaginas. As their own utterly normal, natural yet amazing thing; not like a goldmine or the Holy Grail in how patriarchal societies and cultures have kept them in the dark - as mysteries - even from people who own them. There is nothing to be ashamed of for having a vagina (and not having one) - there never has been, and it damn well must never be.
Women everywhere, at some point in their lives, perhaps even for the rest of their lives, have been taught on an unconscious level to hate their own bodies. Including the unmentionables. The vagina, and the beautiful package that comes with it.
Women's bodies are universally seen as things that are incomplete: Imperfect. Not good enough. Things that always need fixing: Concealing. Cutting. Bleeding. Penetrating. Sex education in most middle eastern and western countries continues to remain woefully abysmal; full of withholding of information, misinformation, and sexist stigma (it's one of the reasons why the archaic phrase "Boys will be boys" is still used to excuse ignorance and sexual violence; FYI, this is how rape culture thrives). Planned Parenthood is under constant attack right now, because a significant number of conservatives and Republicans see women as so unimportant, so wasteful, and so not needed for the health and continuation of the human race.
How is it that there are quite a lot of women who have never taken the time to actually look at their vaginas? Who have never heard what a clitoris is? Because a clitoris is purely a pleasure nervous system - something that men don't possess in their biology (some transgender and intersex cases can be the exception) - and one of the things the patriarchy hates and fears most is women experiencing pleasure, being comfortable, especially in their sexuality. In themselves. Uppity, out-of-touch (heh heh), conservative men hate whatever women have that they don't, so they build shame and even violence around the very idea of having a vagina. And the very idea of liking sex, and anything sexual.
So, primarily-female organs do not seem awesome anymore, but disgusting, taboo.
So, under the patriarchy, female masturbation and orgasms are almost considered phenomenal, if not mythical.
In 'The Vagina Monologues', an interview piece-turned-theater play started in 1996, Eve Ensler shares real women's stories about their shy, growing, then understanding relationships with their vaginas. Women who are diverse: Black, white, Asian, straight, gay, bisexual, impoverished, young, old, etc. It teaches us to get to know vaginas intimately, individually, free of shame and embarrassment, thus boosting self-esteem; and, in more cases than one would like to acknowledge, allowing for a healing from trauma.
It is shocking, and completely disgraceful, that violence against women has become so normalised that it's practically a rarity to meet a woman who hasn't been subjected to some kind of violence - sexual or otherwise - at any time in her life. A woman who hasn't been harassed, dominated, controlled, violated, or shamed by a man (father, brother, uncle, cousin, partner, friend, a stranger on the bus, etc.) This is rape culture in its toxicity. It is vastly under-reported and not brought to the grassroots/public mainstream's attention enough (i.e. cases of destroyed rape kits: this is our reality). So it is still a common consensus, at the beginning and during the 21st century, that humanity has achieved equality. That is rape culture, too. Ignorance spreads lies, and lies, especially if repeated enough, can be damaging to real lives. Women's lives.
Women are not subhuman creatures because of their vaginas (I also appreciate that Ensler included a story where she met a woman at one of her shows who did not have a vagina; proving that there is in fact no right or wrong way to be a woman or a man). Vagina - a word substituted by countless euphemisms. Vagina, to some extent, remains generally unsaid through embarrassment, stigma, and fear of mockery. Women's unique, lovely bodies are not evil, nor are they punchlines. Nor an excuse to commit heinous acts of violence against them. Hell, 'The Vagina Monologues', in one of its "Vagina Facts" segments, states that when certain men apparently "discovered" clitorises in the 15th-16th centuries, they thought they were a sign that a woman was a witch. Witch hunts - one of the many roots in, and excuses for, widespread misogyny.
Vaginas, like women themselves, are not so mysterious or scary once you get to know them. They're just a part of a body. Someone's own body, not to be used, abused, damaged and destroyed by anyone else.
'The Vagina Monologues' isn't dated. It is more relevant now than ever. It kickstarted V-Day, and other organisations working to this day to end violence against women, until Vagina Day can be celebrated globally alongside Victory Day.
The play is a quick read, and a poignant, honest, deeply personal, tragic, and even humorous eye-opener. Men, including those from college fraternity houses, have been said, in email responses to the countless performances of 'The Vagina Monologues', to change their attitudes towards women by the end of watching a performance. They finally, fully understand women and their lives living under a shaming rape culture and patriarchy. No one should be made to live out their existence hating their own bodies; to not know anything about vaginas except in relation to what it gives to others. That is what is disgusting, not the vagina itself.
Heartbreaking as well as educational, though the play could have been longer, and more diverse. Disabled and transgender women's experiences with their sexuality, sex lives, and their views of vaginas (generally as well as their own) are not mentioned. There are sex stories, period stories, naming stories, vaginal "enlightenment" stories, horrific rape stories, female genital mutilation stories. However, there is only one birth story featured - Eve Ensler's own experience in "being in the same room" when her granddaughter (by her adoptive son) was born; when I had thought it clear in the beginning that she knew she did not represent all women, hence the hundreds of interviews and chosen stories in preparation for the play and performances. 'The Vagina Monologues' is an important feminist text and cultural milestone needing higher attention, but maybe it should receive another updated version sometime.
Maybe it will never be short of updates. What with so many women's stories needing to be heard.
Ignorance isn't bliss. Knowing, seeing, touching, feeling, and understanding is. Especially where the clitoris is concerned. Never will I substitute vagina for any other, childish, stupid, or inaccurate word in a conversation again. People, embrace your awesome bodies! Pleasure yourselves! You've earned it.
Women rule. Men rule. We all rule. Let us take back our bodies, our health, our freedom, our fulfilling experiences as human beings. Our chances at a free, happy life.
Final Score: 4/5
Saturday 2 September 2017
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World' by Chelsea Clinton (Writer), Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)
"Sometimes being a girl isn't easy. At some point, someone probably will tell you to be quiet and may even tell you your dreams are impossible. Don't listen to them. These thirteen American women certainly did not take no for an answer." - First page.
Chelsea Clinton briefly teaches all of us - children and adults - about thirteen important women who helped change the world for the better, because nobody else will.
These aspiring, brave and pure-hearted geniuses fought; they struggled, they strove through all sorts of oppression, adversity and other dangers, because of their gender, from the time they were little girls.
They persisted.
The watercolour illustrations are cute and nicely capture the picturesque atmosphere of the girls'/women's lives and careers. I only wish the book could have been longer, even for a picture book for children. I guess I'm spoiled after having read 'Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls' first -which features one hundred amazing women, and not all of them are American, or ever worked in America. I wish more women could have been given a mention and celebration here, because there are so many to remember and appreciate; to dig up from obscurity and the patriarchal control on history, mainstream culture, and politics.
Also, America is not the center of the earth. It certainly isn't the center of progress. Not even close.
'She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World' - It's as good as it gets. Educational and highly accessible, it's a good starting point for any feminist, and anyone just learning what feminism is.
Famous, hardworking women persisted, and they continue to persist to this day; and we all must persist in making sure that all girls learn, once and for all, that nothing is impossible. That there are no limitations - no reasons to feel small, weak, inferior and unappreciated - due to their sex, no matter what anybody tells them.
“So, if anyone ever tells you no, if anyone says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.” - Last page.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Chelsea Clinton briefly teaches all of us - children and adults - about thirteen important women who helped change the world for the better, because nobody else will.
These aspiring, brave and pure-hearted geniuses fought; they struggled, they strove through all sorts of oppression, adversity and other dangers, because of their gender, from the time they were little girls.
They persisted.
The watercolour illustrations are cute and nicely capture the picturesque atmosphere of the girls'/women's lives and careers. I only wish the book could have been longer, even for a picture book for children. I guess I'm spoiled after having read 'Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls' first -which features one hundred amazing women, and not all of them are American, or ever worked in America. I wish more women could have been given a mention and celebration here, because there are so many to remember and appreciate; to dig up from obscurity and the patriarchal control on history, mainstream culture, and politics.
Also, America is not the center of the earth. It certainly isn't the center of progress. Not even close.
'She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World' - It's as good as it gets. Educational and highly accessible, it's a good starting point for any feminist, and anyone just learning what feminism is.
Famous, hardworking women persisted, and they continue to persist to this day; and we all must persist in making sure that all girls learn, once and for all, that nothing is impossible. That there are no limitations - no reasons to feel small, weak, inferior and unappreciated - due to their sex, no matter what anybody tells them.
“So, if anyone ever tells you no, if anyone says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.” - Last page.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)