book review: "Blackout" & "All Clear" by Connie Willis

BLACKOUT & ALL CLEAR

Connie Willis

The latest addition to Connie Willis' Oxford Time Travel series, which includes "Doomsday Book" and "To Say Nothing of the Dog", "Blackout" and "All Clear" document the stories of historians Polly Churchill, Merope Ward, and Michael Davies. Polly, Merope, and Michael each travel back  in time from Oxford in the year 2060 to different periods of World War II Britain to do research, but their lives intertwine when their means of returning to the future does not work, and they are stuck in the past trying to find a way back.

At a total of almost 1,200 pages, not a few readers have found the two novels too lengthy. Indeed, the story was intended to be one novel that was eventually split into two volumes. This means that before starting on "Blackout", one must be prepared to read "All Clear" afterwards, to be able to appreciate the story fully. The fact that the novels jump from one character to another and from one time period to the next also adds to the challenge.

Instead of bogging down the story, I think the novels are richer for the wealth of information they impart about the daily lives of ordinary people in wartime England. This is especially true for people like me whose education, by virtue of place of residence, focused on the Pacific Theater of the Second World War. Part of the appeal of the novels for me too, is trying to figure out the connections between the people who enter the lives of Polly and Merope and Michael, and the events that surround them. The story would be different, I think, were such details left out.

A good story for me is one which has characters who stay with me even after I've closed the book, and one that makes me think; in this case, about the complexities and paradoxes of time travel, which I will leave to readers brave enough and patient enough to tackle the novels, to figure out (to avoid spoilers). More than the above, "Blackout" and "All Clear" are Connie Willis' love letters to the men and women who lived and survived World War II; the soldiers who fought the war, and the loved ones they left behind.

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Hallows reads

Confined (mostly) to bed since Sunday due to an upper respiratory tract infection, I had time to catch up on my reading, and since Halloween and All Souls' (Hallows') Day and All Saints' Day are coming up, I thought to read accordingly.

First was "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs. I can say that this is one of my best reads for the year, for the unusual presentation and the unusual story. I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel.







Then, finding my schedule will allow me to attend my friends' steampunk-themed (post-)Halloween party, I proceeded to get informed on the genre. I'm not sure mention of mechanical devices considered advanced for the Victorian period can be termed steampunk, but I am enjoying the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. It reminds me very much of my favorite Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. (Incidental?)

Here is my pile for the rest of the week and the next...

 

• "Trese: Mass Murder" & "Trese: Last Seen After Midnight" by Budjette Tan & KaJO Baldisimo
• "How to Live with a Unicorn: The Fantastic Guide to Keeping Mythical Pets" by Jane Moseley
• "I am Legend" by Richard Matheson
• "Pure" by Andrew Miller
• "From the Dust Returned" by Ray Bradbury
• "A Hat Full of Sky" by Terry Pratchett

Nothing too long, nothing too scary. Not a guarantee that I will read them, but I like having my options at the ready.

book review: "Lincoln's Dreams" by Connie Willis

LINCOLN'S DREAMS
Connie Willis

While doing research on Abraham Lincoln and his prophetic dreams, Jeff meets Annie, herself experiencing the Civil War in sleep, and tries to help her find meaning to her dreams.

I know next to nothing about the American Civil War, but it did not hinder me from enjoying Connie Willis' "Lincoln's Dreams". Annie's experience was gripping, and the story relevant.

We are conditioned to look up to our heroes on their pedestals, but we need to remember that they were human too. Even though they inspire us by their courage and with their triumphs, they also suffered loss and failure.

Jeff, turning down a job opportunity on studying the effects of the Vietnam War, says, "I haven't figured out the long-term effects of the Civil War yet." It seems that mankind has not even recovered from one war before he becomes involved in another. In the last century alone, we had World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, with Afghanistan at the start of this century. Does no one understand that war does not solve anything? It is a waste of human lives and material resources. War does not resolve conflict, it only postpones it until the "losing" side musters strength to fight again. Which is a lesson mankind, sadly, seems slow to learn.

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book review: "A Storm of Swords" by George R.R. Martin

A STORM OF SWORDS
George R.R. Martin

In the aftermath of The War of the Five Kings, unexpected and uneasy partnerships form among the characters, making the reader re-examine his/her opinions of them. And by the end of this installment, Martin has managed to remove several of his pieces from the board, to make way for new players.

For the first time in the span of three books, I finally like Daenerys Targaryen. And if I didn't already love Jon Snow, I would love him for his defense of Castle Black, which reminded me of the Battle of Helm's Deep in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Two Towers".

But I can't believe I spent nearly a month in Westeros and its environs, reading books 2 and 3 of "A Song of Ice and Fire". I think it's time for me to move on. Who knows when I might return?

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book review: "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

A CLASH OF KINGS
George R.R. Martin

The title of the second book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series is truly apt. In "A Clash of Kings", we are treated to a battle between brothers and wars among factions, with only the Night's Watch recognizing and standing against the common enemy, the creatures beyond the Wall.

It is difficult to write a review without giving away spoilers, so let me just say that after reading "A Game of Thrones" and having experienced how Martin writes, nothing should surprise you. Betrayals abound in this book.

I like this part more than I did the first, I think because I have become emotionally invested in the characters. I have come to really care about what happens to them, especially House Stark. And because of that my next read will be "A Storm of Swords".

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book review: "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins

THE HUNGER GAMES Trilogy
Suzanne Collins

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in place of her younger sister as District 12's female tribute in the country's hunger games, an annual survival-of-the-fittest, and becomes entangled in a bigger game with higher stakes.

Oft compared to the Japanese film "Battle Royale", the series, composed of three books - "The Hunger Games", "Catching Fire", and "Mockingjay" - goes further than the brutality and horror of "kill or be killed" and focuses on the characters and the world that produced the games. It feels like a coming-of-age story, except the reader knows that Katniss grew up before her time in the name of survival.

The best book in the trilogy for me is "Mockingjay". I think it is the most real of the three books. It shows us that we don't always get what we want. People sometimes come to hate the ones they love. And love does not make our family and friends immune to suffering and death.

Heroes die. Winning the war does not mean that things will immediately become better. It may take years, even generations, for true change to be felt. But as long as there is life, one must not give up.

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Panem Map

I started reading "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins last night in preparation to seeing the film adaptation (to be released locally at SM Cinemas on March 21, 2012), and look what I found online!

Map of Panem by aimmyarrowshigh & badguys

I'm only on Chapter 7, but I'm sure this will be helpful later on.

book review: "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

A GAME OF THRONES
George R.R. Martin

I like fantasy novels, but I'm the type of reader who won't touch a "popular" book until the hype has died down. However, since my book club Flips Flipping Pages will be discussing "A Game of Thrones" this month, I thought it was time I read it.

From the beginning of the novel the reader is presented with the challenge of keeping track of the numerous characters and their relationships with each other. Thank God for the appendix at the end. And it seems from the way AGoT is written, from the points-of-view of different characters, that Martin wants his readers to empathize with House Stark. Or it could just be me.

Once King Robert Baratheon arrives at Winterfell, one has a foreboding of terrible times to come, especially after a certain likeable character has an unpleasant "accident". My experience throughout the novel was that of a helpless spectator to a tragedy; you can't keep your eyes off the carnage.

A lot of things happen in the book, but once you reach the end it feels like everything was simply a setup for the rest of the series (of which there are currently 4 books, not including this one, out of a projected 7). Yet you can't help but read the next book in line. And watch the TV series.

Aside: For those who have read Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy, the Wall of Westeros reminds me of the Wall between the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre. Even the supernatural beings (the Others vs. the Dead Hands and Free Magic elementals) feel similar. Coincidence?

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book review: "Only You Can Save Mankind" by Terry Pratchett

ONLY YOU CAN SAVE MANKIND
Terry Pratchett

While playing the computer game “Only You Can Save Mankind”, 12-year-old Johnny Maxwell receives a message from the captain of the ScreeWee wishing to surrender. At first Johnny is bewildered; weren’t aliens in computer games only there to be shot at and die? But soon he accepts the mission to save the ScreeWee from annihilation by his fellow game players.

With this book Pratchett has written a commentary against the 1990s Gulf War, which can apply to all wars in general, in a way that is easy for his young readers to comprehend, and he manages to make it entertaining as well. To humans the ScreeWee are the enemy, and to ScreeWee we humans are the enemy. It is all a matter of perspective and of whose side you are on, so who is to say that what one side is doing is the right thing and what the other side is doing is wrong?

Pratchett also shows his readers that one need not be intelligent or talented like Kirsty/Sigourney to make a difference. Even someone as ordinary as Johnny can do it, because he was the only one who listened and was willing to try. Every one of us is given the opportunity for change, and it is up to us if we are willing to take on the challenge.

“Only you can save mankind.

If not you, who else?”

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book review: "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

THE PRINCESS BRIDE
William Goldman

“The Princess Bride” is one of my favorite novels and I reread it after seeing the film adaptation. Sad to say the film has ruined the novel for me. :( The humor, the witty exchanges. And Inigo “Hello. I am Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Montoya! <3 To me it seemed like the film made a mockery of the novel. I have to rereread it when the film is buried in the deepest darkest recesses of my mind.




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book review: "Equal Rites" by Terry Pratchett

EQUAL RITES
Terry Pratchett

Esk is the eighth daughter of an eighth son, which makes her wizard material. Except no female can ever be a wizard. Or can she? Usual Pratchett-style humor, but I only paid attention during the last fourth of the novel with [SPOILER ALERT!] the budding courtship between Archchancellor Cutangle and Granny Weatherwax. :)





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book review: "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke

JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL
Susanna Clarke

The question, “Why is no more magic done in England?” leads to the discovery of magician Gilbert Norrell. The belief that Norrell is the only magician in England proves false however, when Jonathan Strange appears and becomes his pupil. Norrell’s ambition is to bring back magic to England, and with Strange helps the country in the war against France. But a magic done for this ambition brings continuous misfortune, and the return of England’s greatest magician, the Raven King.

I would have given up reading this long novel [the paperback numbers 1006 pages] had I not wanted to know whether Lady Pole and Stephen Black would escape from the gentleman with the thistle-down hair. I would have enjoyed the book more were it in comic book format, for its atmosphere reminded me of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman”. With all fairness to Clarke, I am curious as to whether the history and practice of English magic in the novel and its footnotes were purely from imagination or had some basis in English mythology, legends, and folktales.

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book review: "Eaters of the Dead" by Michael Crichton

EATERS OF THE DEAD
Michael Crichton

Ibn Fadlan, a Muslim, becomes a reluctant member and chronicler of a company of Northmen, more commonly known as Vikings, as they battle with the wendol, the eaters of the dead. A blend of history, adventure, and the supernatural in one novel – what else can one ask for? I have previously found Norse history and mythology uninteresting, but maybe I just needed to read other books, like this one.




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book review: "Many Waters" by Madeleine L'Engle

MANY WATERS
Madeleine L'Engle

Twins Sandy and Dennys Murphy disturb their father’s experiment on space and time travel and find themselves displaced back in the time of Noah and the flood.

“Many Waters” was my introduction to Madeleine L’Engle, and it was a favorite in grade school. I was afraid I had outgrown it, but thankfully I still find it beautiful - An atmosphere still pure one can see billions of stars. The sound of baboons clapping to greet the dawn. Listening to the wind and stars talking. Unicorns and mammoths and manticores and griffins. Silver and golden seraphim, cool and fiery nephilim.

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book review: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
J.K. Rowling

What a journey it has been, one of laughter and of tears; happy that there is a happy ending, yet sad to finally be leaving Harry and Ron and Hermione as they stand on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. All I can say is congratulations to J.K. Rowling, and thank you.







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book review: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
J.K. Rowling
 

The entire book is relatively light until one gets to the heart-wrenching last chapters. I’m still in shock. And thankful I read this only now and don’t have to wait 2 years for the next and final book.








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book review: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
J.K. Rowling

I don’t remember the last time I couldn’t put a book down until this. Shares the spot with Book 4 as my new favorite HP book. On to Book 6...








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book review: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
J. K. Rowling

My new favorite HP book. We learn more about many other characters, aside from Harry Potter. The halfway point, one feels the story finally going somewhere; I have never been more excited to get on to the next book.







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book review: "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
J.K. Rowling

It is Harry’s third year at Hogwarts, and we learn more about his parents James and Lily Potter, their friends Moony and Wormtail and Padfoot and Prongs, and their own stay at Hogwarts.

Book 3 was my favorite of the 3 HP books I read. I again had tears in my eyes when Harry’s hopes of living away from the Dursleys are dashed. On to Book 4...




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book review: "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J.K. Rowling

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
J.K. Rowling
 

Another easy and fun reread, albeit darker than Book 1. During Harry’s second year at Hogwarts we learn more about him, the Weasley family, the Malfoys, and the history of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.








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