Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Thor: The Dark World Prelude (A Graphic Novel) by Marvel Comics; Illustrator: Lan Medina

A precursor to the movie
(Thor: The Dark World, 
movie release date: Nov. 8, 2013).
Book Review by:
Sharon Powers.

    Marvel's Thor: The Dark World Prelude (Graphic Novel) was released on October 29, 2013. So, why am I reviewing a graphic novel? First, because I love all sorts of books, everything from hardbound, paperback, electronic books, CDs and audio books, to comic books and graphic novels. To me the actual form is unimportant (I LOVE what's on the inside!). OK, folks, you can help me out with the answer to why I am reviewing a graphic novel. I know you can. All together now, "Sharon . . . LOVES . . . BOOKS!" Yeah! You did it...thanks for your help.

    I know it's silly, but really, with the subject matter at hand, I'd really love to have fun today reviewing the graphic novel. So, I invite you to take a little fun excursion with me in reviewing the book. The second reason for reviewing this graphic novel is that I see a real opportunity to review for you a story that will soon be on the big screen. Thor: The Dark World is to be released to theaters on November 8, 2013. Of course, since the graphic novel is released less than two weeks before the movie, I think we can assume that it's suppose to be a teaser, a tantalizer, so to speak, to help the public get all tingly and excited for the upcoming movie.

     So, to get us started, please enjoy the short trailer so that after viewing it, we will have some "Thor" images in our mind that may help us consider the images in the graphic novel. Here it is, Thor: The Dark World trailer:



THE COVER: 
     So, the graphic novel--let's begin with the cover, since it's the first thing we see. Thor is firmly planted in the center of the image. He is in focus, with the background slightly blurred or out-of-focus--this is done so we will concentrate on the in-focus image of Thor. Our eye naturally wants to look at the more focused parts of the image. The blurred background implies movement (as does Thor's cape, though it is in focus). With Thor in focus and the background blurred, we feel as if Thor is solidly planted on the ground (even though we don't see his feet). The impression is one of being immovable. Powerful. Unbeatable. Men want to be him, women want to have him. 

     Notice the repeat of the red color on the Avenger logo below the photograph and the "Marvel" logo above the photograph. These repeats of Thor's red lends a continuity to the photograph without being distracting or jarring. The red helps to frame Thor and reflects a little color into his face making him appear real flesh and blood, not cold and distant. Red is a high energy color, implying that we have a dynamic hero with energy to burn. Thor's hair colors are repeated in the lettering above, as is the white color in the lettering to the white accents in the photograph (subtle use of white). Well-done image. Balanced in all respects and visually appealing. Sorry, folks. My photography background has led me to get carried away, here. 

BINDING:
     The cover is heavy paper (like cardstock) and the pages are glued into the cover. None of the pages fall out and seem to be firmly anchored into the cover. I had one graphic novel do this [Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steve Moore]; it is just so disappointing when the publisher can't be bothered with putting the book together correctly. So, anyway, the Thor graphic novel appears well-constructed. However, the better constructed graphic novels I've purchased are bound with hard covers; I prefer the graphic novels be created this way. Even so, I can't fault companies that use card stock, as it is an acceptable form of cover.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS:
     The synopsis is both easy and difficult. Easy, because the book consists almost entirely of previous story lines. We get the plot from the first Thor movie. We get the plot from The Avengers movie. What's difficult is what's left: a few pages of new material that can be surmised if you have watched the two movies.

Thor's Hammer, Mjolnir.
     SPOILER ALERT (NOT MUCH OF ONE, ANYWAY): At the end of the Avengers movie Loki was sent back to Asgard in handcuffs--here we see he's thrown into the "dungeon" to supposedly never see the light of day again. (We could have guessed that. But we already know from the new movie trailer he will join forces with Thor to fight a common enemy.) Jane writes off Thor because she saw him on TV with the Avengers saving Manhattan and he never even contacted her after he got back to earth. (Again, not really a spoiler, because the new trailers of the Thor: Dark World show that. We also see in the movie trailer that she will forgive him.) And lastly, the nine realms are threatened because of the destruction of the bifrost and the Asgardians must use the tesseract and unite to fight their enemy. (Not really that much of a spoiler if you watch the movie trailer.)

THE NOVEL/STORY:
     A novel has a beginning, a middle, and an end. I was planning on giving you a story arc, here, but really, there is no need if you have seen the two movies, Thor and The Avengers.

WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THE GRAPHIC NOVEL AND DID THE GRAPHIC NOVEL ACHIEVE ITS GOALS?
     Basically, I was very disappointed with the graphic novel.

     Good points, first: I liked the cover photography used, it was very well done. The binding is good and the pages stay bound. The art work is wonderful, as is the artist's use of color. I really loved the Illustrator's (Lan Medina) graphic sense, skill at rendering the images, and wonderful use of vibrant color! ...all positive good things.
 
This page is from the Thor:
Dark World Prelude.
It is
the first of 26 pages of a
new comic, advertised
inside Thor:
Dark World Prelude
.
     Negative points: My biggest complaint first: This graphic novel was marketed as a prelude to what happened between the Avenger's movie and the new, to be, movie, Thor: The Dark World Prelude. I counted a total of 11 pages of new material taking place between the two movies. And, if you look at what happened between Thor and the Avenger's movie, a few pages of new material. With the total pages in the book at 120 pages, this is woefully inadequate for new material.

     Since this book was marketed as a graphic novel, I expected a whole story line from the end of the Avengers to the beginning of Thor: The Dark World. The pitiful amount of new material isn't even really new because the trailers advertising the new Thor: The Dark World movie give away almost all of the new material in the graphic novel.

     Second criticism: Graphic novels are novels (with a beginning, middle and end), no advertising (unlike comic books), and are more lengthy than a comic book. Here, Marvel gave us the condensed Thor and Avenger's movies in one graphic novel. If I had wanted those, I would have gone to the comic book stand. Additionally, 26 pages of the book is taken up with a brand new comic called, "Thor: God of Thunder, THE ACCUSED, Part one of five." I would much rather have seen the 26 pages used to flesh out the Thor: The Dark World story. I didn't buy this graphic novel to read a new comic I didn't want in the first place.

     Did the Graphic novel achieve its goals? I think so, I mean, it got me to spend $9.66 on it--that's got to be a great profit margin for Marvel for simply repackaging its Thor and Avengers material. I was so excited about this graphic novel, and now after having examined the book, I just feel ripped-off.

Would I recommend this book?  Sorry, folks. After all the excitement and looking forward to a great book, and really wanting to write something terrific, here, I regretfully have to give my first ever thumbs down.

MY RATING FOR THIS BOOK:

2.5 Stars out of 5.

Series: Thor (Graphic Novels)
Paperback: 120 pages
Publisher: Marvel (October 29, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0785153780
ISBN-13: 978-0785153788
Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches

Until next time...
White Rose.
...many happy pages of reading!

Sharon.







REFERENCES
__________________________________________
http://www.amazon.com/Marvels-Thor-Prelude-Graphic-Novels/dp/0785153780/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382378727&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=thor+dark+world+prelude+volume+1 - Marvel's Thor: The Dark World, Vol. 1, cover from Amazon; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981115/ - Movie release date from IMDb; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvJ9FTgZbM - Thor: The Dark World Official Trailer HD; https://www.google.com/search?q=thor+comic&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=nCxwUpLzMemQjAK0lIHQAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1092&bih=741#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=thor+hammer&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Q53tbjWYBw2dZM%3A%3BE13WFtcrOJor-M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fih1.redbubble.net%252Fimage.12736486.6991%252Fsticker%252C375x360.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.redbubble.com%252Fpeople%252Fkorikian%252Fworks%252F9476991-thor-hammer%3B375%3B360 - Thor's hammer; http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-The-Thracian-Wars-ebook/dp/B009HB0R10/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383084917&sr=1-1&keywords=hercules+the+thracian+wars - Hercules: The Thracian Wars; http://www.amazon.com/Marvels-Thor-Prelude-Graphic-Novels/dp/0785153780/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382378727&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=thor+dark+world+prelude+volume+1 - About the book; https://www.google.com/search?q=two+and+one+half+stars&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=whtwUoaGAajmiALX3oDgAg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1114&bih=727#imgdii=_ - Two and one half stars out of five; https://www.google.com/search?q=white+rose&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=63BlUrKNBKi0iQLn8IHwDQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ - White Rose.


Sunday, October 27, 2013

2013 Hugo Award Winner: Redshirts by John Scalzi

Red Shirts by John Scalzi is the
2013 Hugo Award Winner for
Best Novel!
Book review by:
Sharon Powers.

    I am pleased to be reviewing for you today, a novel that recently won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, 2013. The Hugo Awards took place on August 29th through September 2, 2013 at LoneStarCon3, the 2013 World Science Fiction Convention, in San Antonio, Texas. At that time, the Best Novel Award went to John Scalzi for Red Shirts: A Novel with Three Codas. 

  Also at that time Brandon Sanderson (Tachyon Publications) won the award for Best Novella for a wonderful novella entitled, The Emperor's Soul. I recently reviewed that novella for you and posted it on September 28, 2013.

     Other awards were given, so for more information about the work that garnered those awards (the Hugo Awards) here is a link to the official website: http://www.thehugoawards.org/ . OK, since I'm not doing a posting today, about the Hugo Awards, in general, let's get going with the review of Red Shirts: A Novel with Three Codas!

John Scalzi with his Hugo Award.
ABOUT THE AUTHORJohn Scalzi won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Science Fiction Writer in 2005. He also was nominated for the Hugo Award in 2006 for Old Man's War. Scalzi's novel, Old Man's War, was also a finalist for Best First Novel for the Locus Award. And, of course, this year Scalzi's best-selling novel, Red Shirts: A Novel with Three Codas won the Hugo Award for Best Novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Red Shirts is based on a premise utilized in the old Star Trek series in which characters who wore red shirts and went down to the planet as part of the "away team," were killed, usually early on in the episode. Since the Captain and main cast were needed from week-to-week, those who wore the red shirts were deemed to be "expendable," on and off screen. The characters in the Star Trek series were, seemingly, oblivious to their doom and faced their deaths with equanimity. Not so in John Scalzi's fictional world....
Red Shirts characters are expendable.
    So, as the book opens we meet Ensign Andrew Dahl, our pro- tagonist, newly assign- ed to the Universal Union Capital Ship, Intrepid (versus the Star Trek version, the Federation Starship Enterprise). Dahl is proud that his first assignment is a pres- tigious one, to work in the Xenobiology labor- atory on the Intrepid. Work done by others in the Intrepid's Xenobiology lab has not been able to be duplicated in any other lab. Dahl is anxious to jump in and learn how the lab gets the successful results that they do.

     Dahl begins to experience some strange things and meets people who are acting bizarrely. Dahl is warned to stay off the bridge because if he doesn't he'll be dead. Then there's the talk about all the accidents that happen to red-shirted away team members. After Dahl's first away team mission, and the loss of four red-shirted crewmen, he confronts a fellow lab worker and points out that whenever the Commander shows up the other lab workers disappear...Dahl realizes "...there's something very wrong with this ship." [Kindle Loc. 866)

Red Shirt Ensign will die soon because he's part of the
away team on a strange new planet.
     Dahl keeps his eyes and ears open and learns that everyone in red shirt territory goes to all lengths to avoid being assigned to an away mission. And then he learns a shocking secret that could change the lives of all the Intrepid's crew. . . if he has the nerve . . . and the good-luck to pull it off . . . and maybe, yeah, maybe a kidnapping along the way.

WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK?
   
     John Scalzi has created a fictional world that is both a parody of an earlier cheesy sci-fi world and one that morphs into something more surprising, intricate and involved. This turning comes as the book's characters decide to rebel against their scripted fate and to fight for a life that has "real meaning."

     The book through its characters attempt to address the meaning of life and its value, and the ways in which the characters deal with loss cuts through all the parody and silliness to reveal a reality in which the characters strive to "make sense of it all." Real sacrifice, real heroes, real life. It isn't that Scalzi does an about face, it's more like he takes the scales off the eyes or let's the fog of illusion fade away. The reality with which the characters are left is one they have fought to obtain, one in which they hunger to live. Scalzi's crafting of this fictional world really left me thinking--not about the silly red shirt thing, or alternate universes, but about choices in life. Well done, John Scalzi.


MY RATING FOR THIS BOOK.

     I found this an easy book to rate, maybe not always so easy to understand, but easy to rate. The book easily earned a four out of five star rating. And yes, I think it probably did deserve to garner the prestigious Hugo Award for 2013. I have to tell you, I did enjoy reading the book. I hope you do, too.

4 stars out of 5.

My rating is 4.0 Stars out of 5.



Other Ratings:
3.7 out of 5 Stars: Amazon (583 Reviewers)
3.81 out of 5 Stars: Goodreads (18, 159 Reviewers)

About this book:
Pages: 318
ISBN: 0765316994
Publisher: Tor Books
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B0079XPUO2

Just for fun--here's a little trailer about red shirts from YouTube; please enjoy!


Thank you for taking time to read my post on my blog. If you enjoyed it, please share.

Until next time...

White Rose.

...many happy pages of reading!

Sharon.






REFERENCES
_______________________________________________

 http://www.amazon.com/Redshirts-A-Novel-Three-Codas/dp/0765316994/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1382636506&sr=1-1 - Red Shirts hard cover image; http://www.thehugoawards.org/ - Hugo Awards Official site; http://www.thehugoawards.org/ - Link to the official Hugo Awards website; https://www.google.com/search?q=2013+Hugo+Award+trophy&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=GEdsUqbNOcvoiAKMwoGQCw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=903#imgdii=_ - Photo of John Scalzi with his Hugo Award; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series - Star Trek Series; https://www.google.com/search?q=red+shirts&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9qlpUoKVC6H9igLMcA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1095&bih=696#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=red+shirts+cartoon&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=IPfY1mq-_XNu7M%3A%3B1aU6mnzL1gtE_M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-n4tVyZWm1cQ%252FTX1FUPcYefI%252FAAAAAAAAAB0%252FX4oYwEcQoE8%252Fs1600%252Fcomics_red_shirt_01.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.zubuddy.com%252F2011%252F03%252Fred-shirt-1.html%3B545%3B541 - Red Shirt Cartoon; https://www.google.com/search?q=red+shirts&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9qlpUoKVC6H9igLMcA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1095&bih=696#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=red+shirts&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=V5NJAkCC3nCBYM%3A%3BWEi2W6M9elQ2eM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.wired.com%252Fimages_blogs%252Fphotos%252Funcategorized%252F2008%252F04%252F10%252Finsp_expendability.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.wired.com%252Fdangerroom%252F2008%252F04%252Fstar-trek-red-s%252F%3B684%3B504 - Red Shirt's are expendable; https://www.google.com/search?q=John+Scalzi&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=FqdpUqusN8rIiwKH9YCwBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1095&bih=696#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=ByMld027_K2SQM%3A%3BzDdW0EP51JgMhM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Famazingstoriesmag.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F09%252FJohn_Scalzi_Hugo.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Famazingstoriesmag.com%252F2013%252F09%252Fmemories-world-science-fiction-convention-2013%252F%3B256%3B278 - John Scalzi with his Hugo Award; http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/9722/ - Think Geek Red Shirt; https://www.google.com/search?q=four+stars&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ZodsUviiE-S0iQKfxYDYCQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=874#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=uhpqTAKIGw7I0M%3A%3BTcfJ83M00SgnKM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fjjjernigan1.files.wordpress.com%252F2013%252F05%252F4-stars.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fjjjernigan1.wordpress.com%252Fcategory%252F4-stars%252F%3B1000%3B250 - Four Stars out of Five; http://www.amazon.com/Redshirts-A-Novel-Three-Codas/dp/0765316994/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1382636506&sr=1-1 - Amazon Reviews; https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13055592-redshirts - Goodreads Reviews; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E90oZSY9M-s - YouTube: Red Shirt; https://www.google.com/search?q=white+rose&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WI9sUu2GDqStigLWwoGwAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=874#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=n-K6FukUb7-iXM%3A%3BEblbCq5pEQD02M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages5.fanpop.com%252Fimage%252Fphotos%252F25700000%252FWhite-Roses-flowers-25785322-2240-1680.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.fanpop.com%252Fclubs%252Fflowers%252Fimages%252F25785322%252Ftitle%252Fwhite-roses-photo%3B2240%3B1680 - White Rose.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Last Dark: The Climax of the Entire Thomas Covenant Chronicles by Stephen R. Donaldson



by Stephen R. Donaldson, hardcover edition. I believe
the person on the cover is "Manethrall Mahrtiir" (who is
blind, hence the wrapped eyes). The scene on the cover, 
taken from the book, appears at close to half way through 
the book--no spoilers about what the scene is about, 
though. You have to read it to find out!
Book Review by:
Sharon Powers.

     Stephen Donaldson begins each of his books with, "What Has Gone Before." A short synopsis of each of the books before the current book. So, if you haven't read the other books, but want to read, The Last Dark, you can get up to speed on what has come before by reading the introduction. 

     The short synopsis of each book is also good for those of us who have read the books, to use as a reminder, a refresher, of the earlier foundational part of the series. I do recommend that you read the other books, but I can understand the excitement of finding out just how the series will be concluded. 

    Donaldson does a good job of relating all the important parts of the stories and distilling them down to just a few pages. And...I know about the desire to be able to discuss with others the latest, hot new book release. I, personally, don't like saying, "No, I haven't read it yet." So, if you don't want to be left behind, read "What has Gone Before" and dive into the book, guilt-free. You'll be the one asking, "Have you read the last book of Donaldson's Covenant series?" 

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: The Unbeliever,
Books 1-3; The Second Chronicles of Thomas
Covenant: The 
Unbeliever, Books 1-3
THE SERIES: If, however, you want to read the other books in the series first, here they are in the preferred reading order. The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: (1) Lord Foul's Bane; (2) The Illearth War; (3) The Power That Preserves.

     The top three images on the right are images of the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.

    The second row of images immediately to the right are those of  The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: (1) The Wounded Land; (2) The One Tree;    (3) White Gold Wielder. 

The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: The Unbeliever Series,
Books 1-3.
Finally, the third and last series include the books as follows: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: (1) The Runes of the Earth; (2) Fatal Revenant; (3) Against All Things Ending; and now, book (4) The Last Dark. The images of the first three books are here, to the right, and book four is at the top of the page.

    Now that we've looked at all the books in the massive series, let's take a look at Donaldson's newest, and the final, book of the series.

THE BOOK: At the very end of the previous book, Against All Things Ending, Linden is joyfully reunited with Jeremiah (her adopted son) after Jeremiah's mind is restored.

     And, Covenant, having just survived an attack by Joan, his "Raver-possessed" wife, manages to retaliate and kill her with a special dagger called the "krill."  No sooner has this been accomplished than a huge tsunami hits...Covenant and his two guards, Clyme and Branl, somehow manage to survive. As we take up the opening pages of The Last Dark, we find out that with the beginning of the new day, the world has fallen into "perpetual twilight: the onset of the last dark." [Kindle loc. 353 of 12385]

The Worm  of the World's End.
    Linden, with her "restored" son Jeremiah and fellow travelers, feel overwhelmed because they cannot conceive of a way to stop the Worm of the World's End, nor how to stop She Who Must Not be Named. They look sadly upon the stars (Elohim) as they, one-by-one are eaten by the giant worm and disappear forever.

    Though Linden and Covenant are reunited, they don't have the wherewithal to stop the Worm. How is it to be accomplished? The Worm approaches to consume all within its path. Stephen R. Donaldson dramatically brings tension after tension to climatic heights. How is the company to survive? All are stretched to their limits...all are tested beyond endurance.

    Stephen R. Donaldson places the company and characters in one impossible situation after another. Though Linden and Covenant have survived many trials, only hope keeps them clinging to life, clinging to each other in love, clinging to each other in friendship and determination. Many plot twists and turns abound: life and death, triumph and grief, joy and sorrow; I found myself engrossed in the book, cheering, yelling (inwardly, mostly) at some of the characters, desperately hoping for a great ending for everyone, and...I found tears in my eyes at the loss of some of my friends in the book, laughter, and excitement.

What I Think About the Book:
    Oops!...I guess I jumped the gun a little in the previous paragraph. Oh, well. I guess we move on. When I first started reading the series, I found that in the first books I couldn't stand Thomas Covenant's character, his whining, his belly-aching...but...there was definitely a point to Donaldson's creation of Covenant's character as an anti-hero ("I get it.").  In the allegorical story (or stories) of Thomas Covenant, the prophecy of the white gold wielder in "saving or damning" the land mirrors the choices Covenant faces in saving or damning himself. It is especially illustrative in this last book of the series, The Last Dark.

Donaldson created Thomas
Covenant as an antihero.
    Yes. As an anti-hero, Thomas Covenant, in many ways is deeply an unlikable sort; yet, he strives to help the land to bring about a balance somehow capable of defeating evil. In Covenant's attitude about his illness, we see his struggle for balance. In The Last Dark, Covenant is thinking: he reflects that his "need to be numb" doesn't make him who he is but, "it makes me who I can be." [Loc. 2221 of 12385]


The whole series, Thomas Covenant, Unbeliever, is allegorical in nature,
never more so than in the last book of the series, The Last Dark.
  Later, when Covenant has the opportunity to be healed, he contem- plates the prophecy of the "Old Lords" who foretold that Cove- nant would "save or damn the Earth." Covenant thinks no, not "save or damn," the "words should have been 'save and damn." He thinks that the Old Lords had either misremembered the prophecy or misunder- stood it. Covenant "needs" to remain numb, yet he also wants the proffered healing. The juxtaposition of conflicting desires is especially troubling to Covenant. Nothing, he thinks, undermines my "foundations more than being cured."

    We wonder if Covenant will ever find the balance he so desperately needs or whether he will let go of "the contradiction of renewal and ruin that formed the keystone of the Arch of Time." [Loc. 11247]  Stephen Donaldson does a masterful job at keeping the tension going between the opposing attitudes with Covenant and we are really hoping he can pull it together by the end of the book. This theme is so pervasive that even Linden  Avery acknowledges "the blazing paradox, save or damn, which formed the [very] keystone of life." [Loc. 10724 of 12385]

     Without a doubt Stephen Donaldson's writing is masterful. In reading Donaldson's book, I have to say again, that though I thoroughly dislike Covenant, I love Donaldson's writing. While Covenant is irritating and unlikable, the beautifully executed story is elegant in its delivery and its characters appealing and memorable.

Saltheart Foamfollower and
Thomas Covenant.
     I worked in an office once where I could not stand one of the "managers," he was an absolute tyrant. When I confided to a friend the situation, my friend said that he bet that the manager's secretary was kind and thoughtful. I said, "Yes, she is." My friend pointed out that often where you find people with difficult personalities, their assistants often balance them out by going out of their way to be kind and thoughtful. This simple truth boggled my mind. I think that Donaldson has done something  strikingly similar in his book.

 
    Characters around Covenant are exceedingly kind and noble. For example, in previous books, I really like some of the characters, like Lord Mhoram, but my absolute favorite is Saltheart Foamfollower (although, I truly love all the Giants...I mean, really, Donaldson wrote them that way!). And, for good measure, Donaldson really beefs up the rolls for the Giants in this book, The Last Dark. 

Ranyhyn with a Winhome.
All Ranyhyn have the mark
of a star on them.
    I would not miss having read this series for the world. "I can't help it...Any world that has Haruchai and Ranyhyn and Ramen and Insequent and even Elohim in it is precious. But there really is no substitute for Giants." [Loc. 8351] They are forever with me now, like old friends.

   The journey undertaken to read this series was not done without trepidation, especially in the early books. But in the end, it was very worth the effort. Parts of the series, in general, were plodding and repetitive, but always, I found delight in the characters (except Covenant and sometimes Linden). In spite of those criticisms, I think the story line and themes elegant in their delivery. I have heard others complain that Donaldson's series is as depressing as George Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, but I did not find it so. Maybe I'm an eternal optimist, or maybe for me the "down" emotions were balanced by the "positive" emotions, or maybe I just loved Donaldson's characters and how they interacted with others and with "the land" to bring hope to each other and to each situation.

    Should I recommend to you that you read the book (and, of course, the series)? This ambitious story is troublesome, in ways, but I can't but acknowledge that Donaldson's epic is captivating. If you can put up with some plodding passages, and of course, an irritating anti-hero, then to you I would say, "Read the book, read the series." As for me, the characters are ones I am happy to have known...all the hours spent following their footsteps across "The Land," being privy to their thoughts, and hearing their stories with my ears. Just like Frostheart Grueburn expressed, "The burden of joy is mine. It belongs to the ears that hear...." [Loc. 4031].

Map of "The Land," from The Thomas Covenant Chronicles. I like having a copy of a map of "The Land"
around, because (while I'm reading) I like to track where in "The Land" the heroes and heroines
and villains are  located at any given time--and, where they are going or plan to go.



























MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
    I had a really hard time selecting only one short passage. So many, so many, wonderful quotes. I opted to go with one that embraced a little humor. I could not help myself...I actually laughed out loud when I read the short passage. Remember: Stave and Linden haven't always had the best relationship. Moreover, the Haruchai are somber, grim, unyielding, stone-faced and mostly unemotional people. Yet, near the end of the book we get to see in my chosen quote, that Stave's "...assertion sounded like an example of Haruchai humor," as follows:

    "Linden Avery, I have said that I will not be parted from you again....You I will accompany....At one time, I declared that Desecration lies ahead of you. Now I am persuaded that there is no Desecration in you. I will not stand at your side to ward against you. I will do so because I have not learned humility, though you have endeavored to teach me. I crave further instruction." [Location: 10336 of 12385]

I found this lovely, short little quiz that will help you discover which character from the series you are. Just ask yourself:
WHICH CHARACTER FROM THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER ARE YOU?
     I took the quiz and the results are here, just below. According to the quiz, I am Lord Mhoram; my second place character would be Saltheart Foamfollower. I absolutely love both of these characters, so I guess, I'm happy with the test/quiz results.

The quiz only took a couple of minutes, and it was fun. Here is the link for you to try your hand at it and discover which character you are:  http://quizfarm.com/quizzes/quiz/Churchill14/which-character-from-thomas-covenant-the-unbeliever-are-you/

The following link is from the website where you can find out which character you are:  http://quizfarm.com/quizzes/quiz/Churchill14/which-character-from-thomas-covenant-the-unbeliever-are-you/



         I also found a little entertainment for you in the form of a trailer for the book from YouTube.  I hope you enjoy this teaser about The Last Dark: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant



My rating for The Last Dark: The Thomas Covenant Chronicles:
4.5 Stars out of 5.

Other vendors and Ratings:
4.06--Goodreads: 83 Ratings
5.00--Amazon: 8 Ratings

ABOUT THE BOOK
Pages: 592
Publisher: Putnam Adult (10-15-13)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B00C5R7446
Kindle: Text-to-speech: Enabled
Kindle: X-Ray: Enabled
Kindle: Lending: Not Enabled

     "Doubtless all things must have an end." [Loc. 8756] And so do we come to the end of the book, the series, and my book review. Thank you so very much for taking time to read this weeks posting from my blog. I truly hope you have enjoyed your visit to this little island of time: Stephen Donaldson's, The Last Dark: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

     Until next time...
White Rose.
...many happy pages of reading!

Sharon.







REFERENCES
__________________________________________
http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Dark-Covenant-Chronicles/dp/0399159207/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1381945694&sr=1-1 - Cover image of The Last Dark: The Climax of the Entire Thomas Chronicles (Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant), Amazon;
http://www.amazon.com/First-Chronicles-Thomas-Covenant-Unbeliever/dp/073942548X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381954749&sr=1-1&keywords=thomas+covenant+first+series - The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: Lord Foul's Bane; The Illearth War; The Power That Preserves, Amazon; http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chronicles-Thomas-Covenant/dp/0739435582/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381955173&sr=1-1&keywords=the+second+chronicles+of+thomas+covenant - The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: (1) The Wounded Land; (2) The One Tree; (3) White Gold Wielder, Amazon; https://www.google.com/search?q=thomas+covenant+series&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=M-heUrDTKKWuigKt-4H4Aw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=851#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=the+chronicles+of+thomas+covenant&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=wtGA13FhWJBq9M%3A%3BZBgxoOix1f5p9M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Faardvarkian.files.wordpress.com%252F2010%252F07%252Fthomascovenant1-6.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Faardvarkian.com%252F2010%252F07%252F22%252Fthe-chronicles-of-thomas-covenant%252F%3B300%3B340 - The first two series of Thomas Covenant: The Unbeliever; https://www.google.com/search?q=saltheart+foamfollower&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=xVRgUruQFOaZiAKu9IGwCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1088&bih=707&dpr=1#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=Giant+Monster+Worm&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=NwgTNV_Uxoy8ZM%3A%3B6ue0tGuWFkUigM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.proprofs.com%252Fquiz-school%252Fupload%252Fyuiupload%252F445552991.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.proprofs.com%252Fquiz-school%252Fstory.php%253Ftitle%253Dgears-w-quiz%3B1638%3B1368 - The Worm Who Eats The World; https://www.google.com/search?q=Ranyhyn&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sHRgUq-VEcjmigL8qIHYDw&ved=0CDYQsAQ&biw=1088&bih=678&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=5BMQP-1qpY69yM%3A%3B1ZLGnVVJDQ5KSM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ffc06.deviantart.net%252Ffs70%252Fi%252F2011%252F360%252F7%252Fc%252Fthe_ranyhyn_and_the_winhome_by_darthiggy-d4kaoyi.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdarthiggy.deviantart.com%252Fart%252FThe-Ranyhyn-and-the-Winhome-275955930%3B900%3B1036 - A Ranyhyn with a Winhome; https://www.google.com/search?q=map+of+%22The+Land%22+Thomas+covenant&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=7AxfUr6QKeL-iwLc6oHoCQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=851#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=hNrU1KLHCmb5rM%3A%3BSbdsoVB7IsRWqM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdaelstorm.thegraveyard.org%252Fmaps%252FLord%252520Fouls%252520Bane%252520Map%252520-%252520colored.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdaelstorm.thegraveyard.org%252Fmaps.php%3B937%3B687 - The Land (map); https://www.google.com/search?q=anti-hero&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=NRdgUtXYAoKmigKq74CwBQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1065&bih=712&dpr=1#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=allegory%20examples&revid=420675620&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=FUhsm5Ec2nAzvM%3A%3BzpIKuHp0nfwioM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi.ytimg.com%252Fvi%252F29XBn3M6ZGs%252F0.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.encyclopedia.com%252Ftopic%252Fallegory.aspx%3B480%3B360 - Allegory; https://www.google.com/search?q=anti-hero&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=NRdgUtXYAoKmigKq74CwBQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1065&bih=712&dpr=1#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=anti-hero+cartoon&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=5RuTvBGzytysyM%3A%3BIHUZpx2YdH1RNM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fstatic.flickr.com%252F43%252F111764458_a7d6eb01a5_m.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Flylofilm.blogspot.com%252F2006%252F03%252Fanti-hero-for-hire.html%3B240%3B122 - Antihero; http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the%20last%20chronicles%20of%20thomas%20covenant&sprefix=the+last%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Athe%20last%20chronicles%20of%20thomas%20covenant - The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: The Unbeliever, Amazon; http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-dark-stephen-r-donaldson/1116149183?ean=9780399159206&isbn=9780399159206 - Barnes & Noble Ratings; https://www.google.com/search?q=thomas+covenant+series&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=M-heUrDTKKWuigKt-4H4Aw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=851#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=the+last+chronicles+of+thomas+covenant&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=CC_Z81i6eYrx7M%3A%3BM2JgqCiSOltAAM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F_8bYiKU77OGM%252FS_lW-5BTevI%252FAAAAAAAAAGw%252FeFVT4iQBWqw%252Fs320%252FLast%252BChronicles.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdilking2002.blogspot.com%252F2010%252F05%252Ffavorite-series-chronicles-of-thomas.html%3B320%3B167 - The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk2lGqT5Lu0 - YouTube: The Last Dark trailer; https://www.google.com/search?q=map+of+%22The+Land%22+Thomas+covenant&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=7AxfUr6QKeL-iwLc6oHoCQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=851#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=hNrU1KLHCmb5rM%3A%3BSbdsoVB7IsRWqM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdaelstorm.thegraveyard.org%252Fmaps%252FLord%252520Fouls%252520Bane%252520Map%252520-%252520colored.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdaelstorm.thegraveyard.org%252Fmaps.php%3B937%3B687 - Map of "The Land" from Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Series; https://www.google.com/search?q=saltheart+foamfollower&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=xVRgUruQFOaZiAKu9IGwCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1088&bih=707&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=txgWa7uZRO1fBM%3A%3B6hrwEfcRrS9BNM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Frlv.zcache.com%252Fcovenant_and_foamfollower_customizable_size_poster-r96c0943af2b24550b541aa840453e392_a5sb_8byvr_512.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.zazzle.com%252Fcovenant_and_foamfollower_customizable_size_poster-228578802000320575%3B512%3B512 - Saltheart Foamfollower & Covenant; http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12407466-the-last-dark -Goodreads Ratings;
https://www.google.com/search?q=4.5+stars&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-eliUsPFOMTmiwLTvYDgCQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=903#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=bh2rhZ5GVfkPJM%3A%3BitUJSaMjyJvpJM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Finvestors.interactivebrokers.com%252Fimages%252Fcommon%252FwhyIB_awards_001.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Finvestors.interactivebrokers.com%252Fen%252Findex.php%253Ff%253D809%3B921%3B210 - 4.5 Stars; http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Dark-Covenant-Chronicles/dp/0399159207 - Amazon Ratings; https://www.google.com/search?q=white+rose&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=N9NeUo6CB5DPigLp5IDwDQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=851#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=n-K6FukUb7-iXM%3A%3BEblbCq5pEQD02M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages5.fanpop.com%252Fimage%252Fphotos%252F25700000%252FWhite-Roses-flowers-25785322-2240-1680.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.fanpop.com%252Fclubs%252Fflowers%252Fimages%252F25785322%252Ftitle%252Fwhite-roses-photo%3B2240%3B1680 - White Rose.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Tom Clancy and The Hunt For Red October. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Blu-ray/DVD Now Available for Purchase!

UPDATE TO BLOG POST, 06-10-14: Today the Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is now available for purchase. I am so excited, as I have already purchased my copy and really look forward to watching it on our big screen TV. I hope everyone is having a good day today. My love to you all. Sharon.
________________________________________________________
UPDATE TO BLOG POST, 05-27-14: This update is just to let you know that for all those interested in purchasing the movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, on Blu-ray/DVD, it is slated for release on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.
________________________________________________________
UPDATE TO BLOG POST, 01-18-14: This update is strictly about the movie. I just got back from seeing the movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. I absolutely LOVED! the movie. Chris Pine and Kevin Costner work wonderfully together to save the U.S. from national economic and terrorist disaster. The major villain, Kenneth Branagh, is delightfully awful as the bad guy, and Keira Knightly is beautiful, but still manages to get in on the action scenes, too. Chris Pine has left his arrogant "Captain Kirk," Star Trek role behind and is very successful in adopting the new persona of a young Jack Ryan. I really loved that the writers enhanced the script to show Jack Ryan's early days, the helicopter crash and major back injury, as well as his painful recovery and then recruitment by Thomas Harper (AKA: Kevin Costner), into the CIA. This all is a wonderful tribute to Tom Clancy. And finally, I give major kudos to Kenneth Branagh, who has done a masterful job as Director of the movie! Go see the movie! It is a very fun watch and it may inspire you to read more of Tom Clancy's novels.
________________________________________________________

Book Review by Sharon Powers.

The Hunt for Red October,
(Kindle Ed.) by Tom Clancy.
   This book review is a tribute to well-known and loved author, Tom Clancy who died last week (October 1, 2013) at the age of 66. Tom Clancy was known for his many popular novels including The Hunt for Red OctoberPatriot GamesThe Sum of All Fears and Clear and Present Danger.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is
scheduled to open January 17, 2014
(originally scheduled for 12-25-13).
    A number of Clancy's popular books have been made into movies, such as, The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, and Patriot Games.  A popular character in the books, Jack Ryan, was played on the big screen by such actor notables as Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. 

The Hunt for Red October 
in blu-ray (image).
    Soon to be released to the big screen is the new movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. The movie will star Chris Pine as a young Jack Ryan and, according to Kenneth Branagh (who will also star in the movie as a bad guy), the movie will be "'an original story that allows us to understand how Jack Ryan develops into a CIA analyst, before joining and perhaps even joining, the CIA. It's a very contemporary action thriller set in the here and now. [A]pparently, its launching point is mentioned in Clancy's The Hunt for Red October book and film." According to Branagh, the Hunt for Red October reveals that a terrifying helicopter crash nearly killed Jack Ryan when he was a 23-year-old Marine platoon leader...and, traumatically for Jack, he was the only member to survive the crash. (from: 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' Trailer: Chris Pine and Kenneth Branagh Reboot the Spy Franchise.") Please check out the new trailer for Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit:

Check out the new trailer for Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.



    So...this book review, about The Hunt for Red October, is prompted not only by Tom Clancy's death, but is also is meant to consider the tie-in to the soon-to-be-released movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Indeed, I selected The Hunt for Red October instead of one of another of Clancy's very popular books because Red October specifically addresses the young Jack Ryan's early beginnings (as posited by Kenneth Branagh, above).

My wonderful husband, Carl
(photo taken at our home, 2011).
    I also have a very personal reason for selecting The Hunt for Red October for the subject matter of this week's post. Wait for it...wait for it.... OK. The reason is that I met my husband-to-be (Carl) very late in 1989 and we went out on our very first movie date in early March 1990. Since he was still in the Naval Reserves then, he thought it would be a good idea if he took me to see The Hunt for Red October. I know. I know. Not your typical date movie, but hey, it worked for us. We held hands for the first time (A Sleepless in Seattle moment), and the movie became for us a very nostalgic and lovely memory redolent with sensuousness and joy. Needless to say, The Hunt for Red October, book and movie, has a very sentimental grip on my heart and mind.

The Hunt for Red October: Escaping torpedoes scene.



THE BOOK


The Red October submarine in the
movie, The Hunt for the Red October.
    As the book opens we meet Captain Ramius who is musing about wreaking vengeance on the Soviet Union for the death of his beloved wife, Natalia. Ramius muses that he saw her death as "...a crime committed not by God but the State....a monsterous crime, one that demanded punishment." And so it is that the Captain of the Soviet nuclear submarine, Red October, declares his vengeful intent in a letter and mails it to his superiors just before sailing. Ramius cloncludes..."[t]here was no going back after that." As the Red October set out to sea, in his cabin with the political officer, Putin, Captain Ramius receives his orders to conduct a "four-day acquisition and tracking drill" with the Soviet attack submarine, V.K. Konovalov; the attack submarine is to attempt to track and hunt the Red October in a drill

    Shockingly, as soon as he has his orders, Ramius reaches out, grabs Putin, slams the man's head into the table, breaks his neck, and sets about covering up the murder. We wonder what kind of vengeance this madman is about to wreak upon the Soviet Union. We wonder whether it will involve launching the nuclear missiles at his command and whether or not the U.S., itself, will soon be pulled into Ramius' plans to wreak vengeance through nuclear war.

Crazy Ivan: a term used in the book
describing a strategic submarine move
involving a sharp, quick turn.
   It isn't long before a "deadly serious game of hide-and-seek" is being played with both the Soviets who seek to regain or destroy their own misappropriated nuclear sub, the Red October, and the Americans who hunt her for their own rather confused reasons. After receiving secret spy reports, tracking analysis, and switching from ship to ship, Jack Ryan manages to get on board the USS Dallas, an American submarine, hunting for the Red October. Following on the heels of tentative communications with Red October, twists and plot turns abound--the author's own form of Crazy Ivan.

    The Hunt for Red October is rife with intrigue, spying, sabotage, betrayal, murder, "red herrings" (pardon the bad pun), action sequences, dead-pan humor, and sentimental longing. The answer as to whether Ramius will get his revenge on the Soviets--and...whether or not he will come out of it alive--is answered as the book comes to its dramatic climax. This action-packed, yet oddly pensive book, keeps you turning the pages right to the end to discover the outcome.

One ping only.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM 
The Hunt for Red October: 
Captain Ramius asked Vasili
to re-verify the Red October's
range to target:

Ramius: "One ping only."
Vasily: "Captain, I - I - I just..."
Ramius: "Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only, please."
Vasili: "Aye, Captain."

Of course, the above quote is from the movie. The book does it slightly differently: "Borodin," he said finally, ... A single ping, Comrade. Just one, for range." [p. 269 of 423, 64%]

Personal Note: My husband and I often quote Ramius when we only want one of anything (say, one serving of mashed potatoes at dinner, for example). Carl's getting full at dinner, but wants more mashed potatoes, so points to them and says, "Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only, please." ...I pass the mashed potatoes and we chuckle. I think it's funnier, though, when he tries to pass the green vegetables without taking any for his plate--I point and say, "One ping only." Then he laughs and says, "Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only...PLEASE!" Then we all laugh that I've turned the tables (so to speak) on him, just like Ramius did to the other sub...and he's torpedoed. I'm glad that Carl has a great sense of humor!

SPOILER ALERT...
WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK?
    Well...I'm afraid that I've already tipped my hand as to what I think about the book. I mean, after getting to this point in the book review, and having read all of the above information--peppered, I must admit--with little gems of excitement and praise, how can you not already know how I feel about this book?

  That having been said, I have to tell you that usually, I like to read a book and then see the movie after it has gone to the big screen. With Red October, however, I saw the movie first, and it was only after seeing the movie did I read the book. The Hunt for Red October was my very first Tom Clancy novel. So, the book and the movie are sentimental to me in more ways than one.

    The Hunt for Red October has many typical elements of other stories about submarines. One typical plot element in many submarine stories has the hunter's tables turned on it so that it suddenly becomes the hunted. Also, submarine movies often have conflicts between the crew and commanding officers, threatened mutiny, and problems with equipment or damages to the engines or the nuclear reactor. Here, the Red October becomes the hunted--the movie's title tells us that much up front. Also, an undercurrent of a conflict exists between the Soviet's Political Officer Putin and Ramius (before Ramius kills Putin).
The Hunt for Red October, Cartoon.
    In the prototypical submarine movie, Run Silent, Run Deep (starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster), the American sub tricks the Japanese into thinking that their sub is destroyed; the Americans shoot blankets, bodies, trash and equipment out the torpedo tubes to make it appear as wreckage. In The Hunt for Red October, the cook (a secret spy/saboteur) on the Red October, sabotaged the submarine and shoots Ramius. Then in a twist that is only predictable if you have watched Run Silent, Run Deep, the Red October utilizes a similar trick in convincing the Soviets that the Red October has been sunk--another ship is sunk so that everyone will believe it is the Red October.

    While many elements of Tom Clancy's novel are similar in nature to other submarine novels and movies, in general, his execution of the story is masterfully entertaining. Moreover, the story was timely in the sense that Clancy wrote the story before the demise of the the Soviet Union while everyone was still worried about a potential missile crisis. My recommendation is to read this book. Tom Clancy has nailed the suspense, excitement and drama that piloted his book into best-seller status.

My rating for this book:

Tom Clancy
04/12/47 - 10/01/13



About this book:
Pages: 436
ISBN: 0425172902
Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (February 3, 20009)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
AISN: B001PSEPLG
Kindle Edition: Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled



BONUS INFORMATION:
Have you ever wondered what, "Red October" means? Here's an audio clip giving you a short definition of Red October.
 I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this weeks posting. Join me again, next week, for a new book review.


Until next time...


...many happy pages of reading.

Sharon.









REFERENCES
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http://www.amazon.com/Hunt-October-Jack-Ryan-ebook/dp/B001PSEPLG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381168060&sr=1-1&keywords=hunt+for+red+october - The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy Book Cover, Kindle Edition image; http://www.amazon.com/Hunt-October-Jack-Ryan-ebook/dp/B001PSEPLG/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381174655&sr=1-2&keywords=the+hunt+for+red+october - The Hunt for Red October in books (Kindle Ed.) on Amazon; http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Games-JACK-RYAN-ebook/dp/B001QEAQQM/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381174390&sr=1-2&keywords=patriot+games - Patriot Games in books; http://www.amazon.com/Sum-Fears-Jack-Ryan-ebook/dp/B001Q9J4QA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381175716&sr=1-2&keywords=the+sum+of+all+fears - The Sum of All Fears Kindle Ed. on Amazon; http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Present-Danger-Jack-ebook/dp/B001QEAQQ2/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381175796&sr=1-2&keywords=Clear+and+present+danger - Clear and Present Danger Kindle Ed. on Amazon; http://www.amazon.com/The-Hunt-Red-October-Blu-ray/dp/B001AII4SQ/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1381174005&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=hunt+for+red+october+in+blu+ray - The Hunt for Red October in blu-ray on Amazon; https://www.google.com/search?q=the+hunt+for+red+october+blu+ray&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=EgtTUtWFB-aeiQKZgoHABw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1077&bih=713&dpr=1 - The Hunt for Red October blu-ray image; http://www.slashfilm.com/jack-ryan-shadow-recruit-trailer-chris-pine-and-kenneth-branagh-reboot-this-spy-franchise/ - Kenneth Branagh's quote; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZtVfmTZftk - YouTube: Trailer for new Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit movie; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/jack-ryan-shadow-recruit-trailer_n_4040452.html - Movie poster image; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/jack-ryan-shadow-recruit-trailer_n_4040452.html - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit movie release date; https://www.google.com/search?q=red+october+submarine&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=xmRUUofOBKbAiwKo9YD4Ag&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1077&bih=713&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=sKJoBcJSljWNwM%3A%3BjUjQYHEx5DjJIM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252Fthumb%252Fe%252Fe1%252FTyphoon3.jpg%252F300px-Typhoon3.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FRed_October_(submarine)%3B300%3B212 - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit release date; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ak917meUoo - The Hunt for Red October: Escaping torpedoes; https://www.google.com/search?q=Release+date+the+hunt+for+red+october&oq=Release+date+the+hunt+for+red+october&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.10981j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espvd=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8 - The Hunt for Red October release date; https://www.google.com/search?q=one+ping+only+vasily&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=bMRVUtjfOMiKiAKw6YGQAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1378&bih=860&dpr=1#es_sm=122&q=one+ping+only+vasily+cartoon&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=bDvfHBA5etfYyM%3A%3BRuXNgIgDd7x12M%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fs3.teefury.com%252Fproducts_large_images%252F1315331129_One%252520Ping%252520Only_BottomTH.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.teefury.com%252Fgallery%252F1368%252FOne_Ping_Only%252F%3B618%3B581 - One ping only (image); https://www.google.com/search?q=crazy+ivan&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aspVUqaRJaH9igKrqIGAAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1378&bih=860&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=MRcAGiLEvVGvmM%3A%3BjM-urc6agBxt5M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F4closureflipping.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F05%252FScreen-Shot-2012-05-20-at-4.32.41-PM.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F4closureflipping.com%252Ftag%252Fforeclosure-2%252F%3B504%3B256 - Crazy Ivan image; https://www.google.com/search?q=the+hunt+for+red+october&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=NclVUtyIHoqhiQLH8YCoBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1378&bih=860&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=k09B3IFrp671VM%3A%3BE_bzhrciQ8cVlM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupup-downdown.com%252Fcomics%252F2012-05-23-hunt-for-red-october.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupup-downdown.com%252Fcomics%252F2012%252F05%252F23%252Fthe-hunt-for-red-october%252F%3B1000%3B560 - Cartoon; https://www.google.com/search?q=four+and+one+half+sickle+and+hammers+clip+art&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=cb9VUoaHDoK_igLBi4H4Dw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1378&bih=912&dpr=1#es_sm=122&q=four+and+one+half+stars+red&tbm=isch - 4.5 stars (red); https://www.google.com/search?q=tom+clancy&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=iRtTUtbeHaf8iQKb24GgAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1077&bih=713&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Bgyvo3NJnBdH8M%3A%3BUh-hjf3ciPuHtM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vanityfair.com%252Fonline%252Foscars%252F2013%252F10%252Ftom-clancy-dies%252F.i.1.tom-clancy-obituary.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vanityfair.com%252Fonline%252Foscars%252F2013%252F10%252Ftom-clancy-dies%3B300%3B453 - Photo of Tom Clancy; http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.Nsf/cnames/Clancy+Tom - DOD; http://www.ask.com/question/what-was-the-bolshevik-revolution - Ask.com: definition or Red October/October Revolution; - Ask.com: Definition of Red October; https://www.google.com/search?q=tom+clancy&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=iRtTUtbeHaf8iQKb24GgAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1077&bih=713&dpr=1#es_sm=93&q=white+rose&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=n-K6FukUb7-iXM%3A%3BEblbCq5pEQD02M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages5.fanpop.com%252Fimage%252Fphotos%252F25700000%252FWhite-Roses-flowers-25785322-2240-1680.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.fanpop.com%252Fclubs%252Fflowers%252Fimages%252F25785322%252Ftitle%252Fwhite-roses-photo%3B2240%3B1680 - White Rose.