A Greek tragedy set in middle Earth during the first age of Arda about the tragedies and curse that lay upon the house of Hurin, and his kin especiallA Greek tragedy set in middle Earth during the first age of Arda about the tragedies and curse that lay upon the house of Hurin, and his kin especially his children, Turin Turambar and Nienor Niniel. Doom and despair is the central theme throughout....more
Reread all these stories and it was as fresh and astonishing as the first time. Ted Chiang is one of my favourite sci-fi writers and his ability to inReread all these stories and it was as fresh and astonishing as the first time. Ted Chiang is one of my favourite sci-fi writers and his ability to infuse scientific principles with human emotions makes all these stories unique but close to heart. I'll re read them all again some times in the future....more
I'm so proud to have completed this. But even though it was a bit of a difficult read, this particular editon with paintings by Ted Nasmith and also mI'm so proud to have completed this. But even though it was a bit of a difficult read, this particular editon with paintings by Ted Nasmith and also my companion 'The atlas of middle earth' made this a fun journey into this epic saga. I'm now more interested into the detailed stories that stem from these grand tales....more
In love when I read "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit". The tale of friendship and camaraderie, magic and folly, songs and poems, and finaIn love when I read "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit". The tale of friendship and camaraderie, magic and folly, songs and poems, and finally an unexpected adventure....more
A satisfying end to an epic this grand is so rare. It's plain to see why this is lauded as a critical litrature masterpiece. Enjoyed it to the core. WA satisfying end to an epic this grand is so rare. It's plain to see why this is lauded as a critical litrature masterpiece. Enjoyed it to the core. Will definitely reread it soon....more
Even after centuries, Shakespeare's work still feel so fresh and relevant. Truly timeless, for the human nature remains the same. Finaly got around toEven after centuries, Shakespeare's work still feel so fresh and relevant. Truly timeless, for the human nature remains the same. Finaly got around to read these very memorable soliloquies and scenes in their entirety and context....more
Ghoulish. Dark. Creepy. Disturbing. The artwork is very creepy, perfect for setting up the tone and atmosphere. The Joker scripts were a bit hard to reGhoulish. Dark. Creepy. Disturbing. The artwork is very creepy, perfect for setting up the tone and atmosphere. The Joker scripts were a bit hard to read but joker himself was very haunting. This is a nightmare....more
**spoiler alert** Loved the writing and the prose. Jessie Burton did good research around late 17th century Amsterdam. Still, the ideas felt a bit out**spoiler alert** Loved the writing and the prose. Jessie Burton did good research around late 17th century Amsterdam. Still, the ideas felt a bit out of place. This can be totally my lack of awareness about the period, but it felt like a lot of modern-day ideas like feminism, racial equality, etc were put into the perspective of that era. Most of these ideas like having a colored servant, educating him, and even having an illicit affair with him, Marin's control over business affairs etc might fly due to the somewhat eccentric nature of the Brandt family, but I don't feel that's entirely the case. This bugged me a bit. Another thing was the ending. Lots of loose ends, unanswered motivations. Some of the characters, even though being portrayed great, lacked any psychological depth. Like Johannes was a really great character but felt so thin. If we could've heard his inner monologues, his conflicts, his pain, it would've made him a much more emotional and tragic character. But by-and-by the book was overall very enjoyable and I'm glad that I read it....more
Hooked! It's so bizzare to come across such fresh ideas from horror stories written almost a century ago. The spectrum of imagination and creativity iHooked! It's so bizzare to come across such fresh ideas from horror stories written almost a century ago. The spectrum of imagination and creativity in the stories hooked me to 'lovecraftian horror'. This collection has 10 of his stories, and I'm definitely going to explore more, if not all, of his tales of myths, monsters, macarbe, and madness....more
I definately see the appeal and why it is lauded so much. Such an easy and fluid read. Makes you hooked from the start. I rated it 4 stars only cause II definately see the appeal and why it is lauded so much. Such an easy and fluid read. Makes you hooked from the start. I rated it 4 stars only cause I've watched all the movies so many times, I knew the entire plot quite vividly so much so that it lost the appeal for me. Agreed there are some minor plot differences, but they don't really change the entire flow of things. I've heard that the difference between the movies and the books increases with every book in the series so I'm hopeful about that. But I'm glad that I read this and absolutely loved it. Really hope somehow I can conjor up a forgetting spell for the movies on myself and then enjoy them both anew....more
I've read Michael Crichton's work before and it's certainly not his best. But I think this was bound to happen cause it was ultimately written by his I've read Michael Crichton's work before and it's certainly not his best. But I think this was bound to happen cause it was ultimately written by his assistants from his drafts after his sad demise.
Either way, I think this novel could have been a travel monologue or a sailor's log rather than a novel. I liked the use of realistic scenarios as the main driving force of the characters, but I felt that came with the cost of making the plot dull; dull to the point where the second half felt like a predictable drag and hard to go on.
I also liked the research done for the details rather than keeping a black box on how societies worked and different technological advancements during the 17th century.
In the end, I don't think this is a must read novel, especially if you're looking to explore Crichton's work, but also not unworthy of a shot if you've already purchased it....more
This is an important work in singularity literature. This goes on to show the limits of human nature when there are no limits. There are strong themesThis is an important work in singularity literature. This goes on to show the limits of human nature when there are no limits. There are strong themes of gore, violence, BDSM so it's probably not for everyone. But it all becomes valid in the framework of the novel.
In scoping such a huge subject, there are going to be some flaws (and there were IMO), but these could be easily ignored and didn't hinder the general ideas and solidity of the novel. Enjoyable and inspiring....more