Having recently travelled to Japan, I wanted to understand their history and culture a bit more. Before coming back to the US, I picked up an English translation of this book. Mishima is one of Japan's most famous authors, though he died (by his own hand) in 1970, at the age of 45. (He led a most interesting life, and the circumstances of his death are also intriguing - you may want to read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukio_Mishima)
If I had to give a one-sentence summary of the book, I'd call it the Japanese Lord of the Flies. Like that book, it deals with the cruel and animalistic nature of adolescent boys. If anything, Mishima's book is even more disturbing. (I do wonder if the reason I think this is the very different ages at which I read these - LOTF I read in high school, or even junior high. TSWFFGWTS I read at the ripe old age of 50. I should probably re-read LOTF to see if my impression still holds.)
At any rate, the book is hauntingly written, and tells a very bleak and often disturbing story. The protagonist of the story is 13 year old Noboru, who lives with his widowed mother. They meet a sailor, who had alwasy dreamed he would do something grand and heroic in his life. He falls in love with Noboru's mother, which is the turning point of the story. Noboru is in a 'gang' of other boys - all brilliant, but all completely disgusted by "normal" society, and through a philosophy called "objectivity" they feel destined to rule the world. They see the sailor's "abandonment" of the sea and his dream as betraying mankind, and another example of a "typical" no-good father. (I will have to read more about Mishima's relationship with his father - and his mother!)
I was riveted by the story, yet at the same time I was repulsed by what was happening. I will probably read another of Mishima's books, because this one was so well written and the theme, while disturbing, it seemed to me that it revealed some truths about human nature.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Isaac Asimov Presents the Great SF Stories - 1939
1939 is seen as the beginning of the golden age of science fiction. Asimov, Heinlein, Del Ray, and Sturgeon are just a few of the 'big' SF authors who got their start at this time. I was curious to see how dated these stories might be, nearly 70 years later, and overall, I'd have to say they held up pretty well.
I was expecting a lot more "Buck Rogers" type action with all the melodrama of a space opera, but that was not what I found. Instead, I found a wide variety of pretty darn good stories. Several of them, such as The Cloak of Aesir by Don Stuart, The Black Destroyerby A.E. Van Vogt, and Heavy Planet by Milton Rothman, were very interesting stories of alien cultures, and other than some antiquated language, could have been written today.
There were several 'fantasy' type stories - not in the Tolkien vein, but definitely not very science-based. These seemed a little naive and simple, but I must say I did enjoy Jack Williamson's Star Bright.
The most obvious clue to the age of the stories was the antiquated writing. Without fail, a full-grown woman was always referred to as a girl. Men were definitely the "leading man" type - taking the lead (when there were women in the story at all!). There were also a couple of slightly racist references, such as describing the character of an Asian man as having the "ancient politeness of his race".
I am glad I got to read these stories, even though they weren't all great, because they were all significant. Personally, I am very grateful at the progress seen in modern writing, but it was most educational to read stories from the very birth of science fiction as a legitimate genre. (Thanks, Robin, for sending it to me!)
I was expecting a lot more "Buck Rogers" type action with all the melodrama of a space opera, but that was not what I found. Instead, I found a wide variety of pretty darn good stories. Several of them, such as The Cloak of Aesir by Don Stuart, The Black Destroyerby A.E. Van Vogt, and Heavy Planet by Milton Rothman, were very interesting stories of alien cultures, and other than some antiquated language, could have been written today.
There were several 'fantasy' type stories - not in the Tolkien vein, but definitely not very science-based. These seemed a little naive and simple, but I must say I did enjoy Jack Williamson's Star Bright.
The most obvious clue to the age of the stories was the antiquated writing. Without fail, a full-grown woman was always referred to as a girl. Men were definitely the "leading man" type - taking the lead (when there were women in the story at all!). There were also a couple of slightly racist references, such as describing the character of an Asian man as having the "ancient politeness of his race".
I am glad I got to read these stories, even though they weren't all great, because they were all significant. Personally, I am very grateful at the progress seen in modern writing, but it was most educational to read stories from the very birth of science fiction as a legitimate genre. (Thanks, Robin, for sending it to me!)
Interview with the Vampire - Ann Rice
I had avoided reading any of Rice's vampire books, as I was afraid they would be too dark and satanic. Finding a copy of Interview with the Vampire at a yard sale for 10 cents, I figured I could take a chance - if I didn't like it, I was only out a dime! As for my fears, I was partially right - it was dark. But not inherently satanic. Yes, there are vampires. Yes, they kill people to survive. But it was not a "scary" book, nor was it particularly gory. It was more like a tragic Gothic romance - emphasis on tragic.
This is not a book full of sunshine and flowers. It is most definitely dark, but the story is quite well-written and I was engaged after the first few pages. But far from being something from a Bela Lugosi movie, and far from being a Stephen King horror novel, it was really just a very sad tale of a very sad (albeit artifically long) life.
The vampire being interviewed is Louis, and the time of the interview is modern-day. Louis' story begins in the 1700's in Louisiana, and we follow him through his life: becoming a vampire, being mentored by the vampire Lestat, falling in love, finding other vampires and all the strange life he led. He is loath to kill humans, though doing so brings him great ecstasy. He is constantly warring against his nature, and pondering if he is truly evil and damned. He is a tragic character in the full, literary sense of the word. (Did I mention that this wasn't a "happy" book?)
The vampire culture created by Rice is very interesting, and is well thought-out. She breaks somewhat with 'traditional' vampire lore, in that garlic & crucifixes are not vampire deterrents. But, they still sleep in coffins (though I really don't know why - why not any large container that could be sealed?), sunlight is fatal to them, and they have to drink blood to live.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, mostly for the good writing and interesting culture and characters. It's not a book that upon putting it down I say "Wow! I have to read that one again!", but I certainly didn't dislike it. However, having read this one and satisfied my curiosity, I'm not sure I'll read any more in the series. I just don't care to be that depressed all the time! ;-)
This is not a book full of sunshine and flowers. It is most definitely dark, but the story is quite well-written and I was engaged after the first few pages. But far from being something from a Bela Lugosi movie, and far from being a Stephen King horror novel, it was really just a very sad tale of a very sad (albeit artifically long) life.
The vampire being interviewed is Louis, and the time of the interview is modern-day. Louis' story begins in the 1700's in Louisiana, and we follow him through his life: becoming a vampire, being mentored by the vampire Lestat, falling in love, finding other vampires and all the strange life he led. He is loath to kill humans, though doing so brings him great ecstasy. He is constantly warring against his nature, and pondering if he is truly evil and damned. He is a tragic character in the full, literary sense of the word. (Did I mention that this wasn't a "happy" book?)
The vampire culture created by Rice is very interesting, and is well thought-out. She breaks somewhat with 'traditional' vampire lore, in that garlic & crucifixes are not vampire deterrents. But, they still sleep in coffins (though I really don't know why - why not any large container that could be sealed?), sunlight is fatal to them, and they have to drink blood to live.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, mostly for the good writing and interesting culture and characters. It's not a book that upon putting it down I say "Wow! I have to read that one again!", but I certainly didn't dislike it. However, having read this one and satisfied my curiosity, I'm not sure I'll read any more in the series. I just don't care to be that depressed all the time! ;-)
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Latest Read: Cryptonomicon
I am a member of a book club ("Read it and Eat!"), and our most recent book was Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. I was one of those who recommended it, as I had read it before (at least twice) and enjoyed it so much it has made my list of "favorites" (see left-hand column). I must say I enjoyed it just as much this time!
The book is part thriller and part historical novel. The narrative switches each chapter between current time (circa 1995) and WWII. There are 2 main families we follow, the Shaftoes and the Waterhouses, and their lives are interwoven, both in the past and in the modern-day sections. Stephenson does a great job of switching back and forth between the families, and between times, and we see how the modern generation of each family is a product of their ancestors. Some may find the transition between stories a bit jarring or hard to follow at first, but once the characters become more fleshed out, it's really quite fun to see how Stephenson ties it all together.
But, the book is really about codes and code-breaking, with a little bit of computer hacking. It's an exciting story incorporating Nazis, geeks (both modern day and historical), gold and high-finance in a fast-paced (for the most part) book. Even the "dry" historical sections where we see the birth of computing are told through the eyes of those involved, so one can feel the excitement of discovery.
While the book is long (~900 pages) it is very readable and the characters are all quite interesting. If there is a nit to pick, it's the propensity of Stepehnson to ramble on (in some detail) about minor incidents and characters. Most of these sections do nothing to move the plot forward, but, in their defense, they do add color and ambience to the story. However, I think the book would be just as enjoyable (and not turn away so many readers) if the editor had been a bit more ruthless with the scissors.
The characters are for the most part fairly well-developed, especially as related to the story. We are privy to their thoughts and attitudes, all of which are unique and interesting - for example, Bobby Shaftoe, the Haiku-composing, heroin-addicted Marine.
One of the things I enjoy most about the book (besides the cool code-breaking/computer stuff!) is Stephenson's wry sense of humor that he injects in many characters/scenes. The reaction of one character during the raid on Pearl Harbor is a great example of this, as is a section where this same character meets the woman who will become his wife. These sections are found throughout the book, and help to make the story lines even more enjoyable.
The biggest disappointment was the ending - first, because I didn't want the story to end, and secondly because it all ends rather abruptly. It seems as if the author realized he had to end the book, and so wrapped things up as quickly as possible. I was left feeling a little cheated. But, not enough to make me dislike the book! The rest of the book is as good a read as I've had in years, and its inventiveness and characters make up for any shortcomings.
The book is part thriller and part historical novel. The narrative switches each chapter between current time (circa 1995) and WWII. There are 2 main families we follow, the Shaftoes and the Waterhouses, and their lives are interwoven, both in the past and in the modern-day sections. Stephenson does a great job of switching back and forth between the families, and between times, and we see how the modern generation of each family is a product of their ancestors. Some may find the transition between stories a bit jarring or hard to follow at first, but once the characters become more fleshed out, it's really quite fun to see how Stephenson ties it all together.
But, the book is really about codes and code-breaking, with a little bit of computer hacking. It's an exciting story incorporating Nazis, geeks (both modern day and historical), gold and high-finance in a fast-paced (for the most part) book. Even the "dry" historical sections where we see the birth of computing are told through the eyes of those involved, so one can feel the excitement of discovery.
While the book is long (~900 pages) it is very readable and the characters are all quite interesting. If there is a nit to pick, it's the propensity of Stepehnson to ramble on (in some detail) about minor incidents and characters. Most of these sections do nothing to move the plot forward, but, in their defense, they do add color and ambience to the story. However, I think the book would be just as enjoyable (and not turn away so many readers) if the editor had been a bit more ruthless with the scissors.
The characters are for the most part fairly well-developed, especially as related to the story. We are privy to their thoughts and attitudes, all of which are unique and interesting - for example, Bobby Shaftoe, the Haiku-composing, heroin-addicted Marine.
One of the things I enjoy most about the book (besides the cool code-breaking/computer stuff!) is Stephenson's wry sense of humor that he injects in many characters/scenes. The reaction of one character during the raid on Pearl Harbor is a great example of this, as is a section where this same character meets the woman who will become his wife. These sections are found throughout the book, and help to make the story lines even more enjoyable.
The biggest disappointment was the ending - first, because I didn't want the story to end, and secondly because it all ends rather abruptly. It seems as if the author realized he had to end the book, and so wrapped things up as quickly as possible. I was left feeling a little cheated. But, not enough to make me dislike the book! The rest of the book is as good a read as I've had in years, and its inventiveness and characters make up for any shortcomings.
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