I watched the movie when it first came out. It was my first exposure the Nicole Kidman and I thought she was amazing in it. Like is often the case, thI watched the movie when it first came out. It was my first exposure the Nicole Kidman and I thought she was amazing in it. Like is often the case, the book is actually better (except for missing Nicole Kidman) with a more nuanced plot. The characters were interesting, bordering on Patricia Highsmith intensity. I liked the story, the narrative drive, and the characters. Nearly perfect. No wonder even Orson Wells considered making a movie out of it....more
The last of Vidal's three Edgar Box mysteries. Interesting. None of these novels was great fiction or even a great mystery, but all were fun. InterestThe last of Vidal's three Edgar Box mysteries. Interesting. None of these novels was great fiction or even a great mystery, but all were fun. Interesting to see Vidal's early playfulness and nonconformity, mixed with status....more
My sister gave this to me a few months ago. I don't normally read YA fiction, not my jam, but my sister is a middle school librarian, so I gave it a sMy sister gave this to me a few months ago. I don't normally read YA fiction, not my jam, but my sister is a middle school librarian, so I gave it a shot. Not bad. Great characters and now I might have to look for a Snake Handling Church shelf (my first book about Appalachia with some Snake churches thrown into the mix). ...more
An interesting take on the crime novel. Gives it a bit of a family history and family trauma aspect that isn't usually around. One of the better Alex An interesting take on the crime novel. Gives it a bit of a family history and family trauma aspect that isn't usually around. One of the better Alex McKnight novels. My biggest complaint about these novels is the amplitude of the narrative never emotionally goes super high or super low. There are moments that are horrible (beatings, shootings, breakups) that are horrible, but Hamilton writes them almost surgically. The humanity is partially there. I can feel the pain of Alex in recovery, but he just doesn't dip deep enough into the well that say a Matt Bell or a Brian Evenson can evoke. The despair that exists in a pit, constantly gets shielded from the reader. Minor issue, but I keep wondering why I both like these books at one level, but never LOVE any of them....more
Another solid Steve Hamilton. The reluctant Upper Peninsula detective, ex-cop, and good friend finds himself again beat up, out gunned, and a bit outtAnother solid Steve Hamilton. The reluctant Upper Peninsula detective, ex-cop, and good friend finds himself again beat up, out gunned, and a bit outta sorts. ...more
Capek wrote this play in 1920 in Prague. Contemporary of Kafka, this work was the first to popularize the term ROBOT. This 3=act play wasn't just abouCapek wrote this play in 1920 in Prague. Contemporary of Kafka, this work was the first to popularize the term ROBOT. This 3=act play wasn't just about technology, but also naivety, power, control and economics (capitalism vs human dignity).
Its dialogue appears a bit cheesy now, but it was super influential for science fiction writing. A lot of Philip K Dick and Alasdair Gray's Poor Things feel like decedents. It also feels like it belongs next to Shelly's Frankenstein and Verne's War of the Worlds. With the rise of AI this book also feel s a bit prescient. I see Elon Musk or Sam Altman talking about OpenAI and ChatGPT, or a hedge fund manager/private equity CEO talk about market efficiencies, and it seems to resonate the same strings as R.U.R....more
How can you not like a crime novel that has snowmobiles, Canadian beer, and hockey elements in it. My only gripe is in the first Alex McKnight novel HHow can you not like a crime novel that has snowmobiles, Canadian beer, and hockey elements in it. My only gripe is in the first Alex McKnight novel Hamilton has Alex being shot with a 9mm Uzi (with a full metal jacket). One of the three bullets get left in him. In the second novel the caliber switches to a .22. Kinda sloppy gun work. I know Wikipedia give you a couple different option but you probably need to stick to one story, otherwise the narrator becomes even more unreliable. Other than that this is a fine series set in the UP (upper peninsula) of Michigan. ...more
A sold first step. I've read Hamilton before (Lock Artist), but just ordered a bunch of his Alex McKnight books. Figured I'd give them a shot. An inteA sold first step. I've read Hamilton before (Lock Artist), but just ordered a bunch of his Alex McKnight books. Figured I'd give them a shot. An interesting take on the retired cop/detective narrative....more
An updated Flatland. Interesting, but not revolutionary. The first third started great. It lasted a bit too long and the ending kinda went limp. A lotAn updated Flatland. Interesting, but not revolutionary. The first third started great. It lasted a bit too long and the ending kinda went limp. A lot of build-up, but never really broke the tape at the end....more
The last of the first series (16) of Parker novels. Late in his life Richard Stark (Donald E Westlake) would return to Parker, but this was a nice finThe last of the first series (16) of Parker novels. Late in his life Richard Stark (Donald E Westlake) would return to Parker, but this was a nice finish to the first group. A lot of the old gang getting back together, and old score reclaimed, and accounts balanced....more
Broadly, this feels a bit like Steinbeck's Cannery Row or Sweet Thursday, but sadder, more saddled with Kerouac's addiction and struggle with the weigBroadly, this feels a bit like Steinbeck's Cannery Row or Sweet Thursday, but sadder, more saddled with Kerouac's addiction and struggle with the weight of fame on him and his friends. Jack goes out (all names in the novel were changed, but the characters are pretty easy to triangulate) to Big Sur to spend some time at Lawrence Ferlinghetti's cabin at the bottom of Big Sur. He returns to SF, returns to Big Sur, returns to SF, returns to Big Sur as he spirals down a port-induced hole that also gives similar vibes to Lowry's Under the Volcano. It was a book I constantly had to take micro-breaks from because it both reminded me of my little brother and also just wasn't a burden I could carry for long stretches. But good stuff. Ended in a poem about the SEA that wasn't great....more
The original book that 'The Edge of Tomorrow' was based on. Different from the movie, but still excellent. The original book that 'The Edge of Tomorrow' was based on. Different from the movie, but still excellent. ...more
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