tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52506903913719582662024-03-12T21:31:23.156-07:00Sharon's Love of BooksAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-9632357267872061492015-11-19T15:22:00.001-08:002015-12-14T13:14:47.116-08:00The Knight Who Saved England: William Marshal and the French Invasion, 1217, by Richard Brooks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Robin Hood and his band of merry men? Yes, probably most of us have seen Robin Hood movies, or read books, seen plays, or poured over the comics to enjoy the story of the injustices of John's taxation of the poor people. And, of course, Robin Hood's antics as he robbed the rich and gave to the poor. So, like many others, I am generally familiar with the era in which Robin Hood lived, Richard the Lionheart, John, the king that followed Richard, an era of knights in armor, beautiful ladies, chivalry, kings and courts and the honor or dishonor that could attach to one of the players.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I remember studying the middle ages in grade school, learning about the peasants and how they labored long for little. Our teacher explained how the feudal system worked so, as students, we could reach a basic understanding of people and life in the middle ages.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho0PcAPORuM/VkUTH24DbMI/AAAAAAAAUW8/NJZ9umjJpGI/s1600/ivanhoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho0PcAPORuM/VkUTH24DbMI/AAAAAAAAUW8/NJZ9umjJpGI/s200/ivanhoe.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One spin-off of the classic<br />
story of <i>Ivanhoe</i>, by Sir Wal-<br />
ter Scott, is the <i>Classics<br />Illustrated</i> version. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I lived out in the country while I was growing up, I was able to see country life with a variety of animals all around me. This rural life allowed me to own my very own horse--a black Quarter Horse mare, I called Beauty. Like many young women I loved horses and would read anything about the beautiful animals, not the least of which was about the knights and their horses. As many of you already know from reading past posts, one of my favorite books was written by the author, Sir Walter Scott, and is entitled, <i>Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe</i>, is set in twelfth century England while Richard the Lionheart is, yet, king. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwNLmxiDZAw/VkeMEioPaFI/AAAAAAAAUXo/fIc6M9ZNDqY/s1600/Robin%2BHood--WHurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwNLmxiDZAw/VkeMEioPaFI/AAAAAAAAUXo/fIc6M9ZNDqY/s200/Robin%2BHood--WHurt.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In <i>Robin Hood</i> (2010), starring<br />
Russell Crowe, Max Von Sydow,<br />
and Cate Blanchett, William<br />
Hurt takes on the role of <b>William<br />Marshal</b>. While the movie was a<br />
fun watch for most, it was, none-<br />
theless, roundly criticized for its<br />
historical inaccuracies. [3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, whether it is Robin Hood or Ivanhoe who captures your fancy, William Marshal was the one who transcended his own country's history to leave an indelible mark on the world. As we begin discussing William Marshal through Richard Brooks' book, let's start by taking a look at a brief synopsis of <i>The Knight Who Saved England</i>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK</u>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've already learned that William Marshal is a man of the middle ages. Why should we care about someone who lived so very long ago and has nothing to do with today? Well, my answer is Richard Brooks' book, itself. That is to say, Brook's book explains to us why William Marshal is really a man for all centuries. In short, it has to do with the rights of the common man.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jNe5QylEXq4/VkfIhui706I/AAAAAAAAUX8/nUZQ7DVBnhQ/s1600/Lincoln%2BCastle%2BWalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jNe5QylEXq4/VkfIhui706I/AAAAAAAAUX8/nUZQ7DVBnhQ/s200/Lincoln%2BCastle%2BWalls.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one angle of the walls of Lin-<br />
coln Castle, castle where Marshal won<br />
his greatest victory. Note the steep in-<br />
cline approaching the castle walls. It<br />
is no small wonder the French had to<br />
set siege to the castle. [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Brooks shows us a man who lived during a brutal time of medieval warfare and growing concepts of chivalry and nobility. Marshal faced the betrayal by his countrymen, rebel English forces who had allied themselves with the French. In England's darkest hour, Marshal was called upon to stop the French and rebel troops from pillaging the country. Marshal led the campaign, culminating in the siege of Lincoln in 1217, earning a victory of more import, perhaps, than even that of Agincourt. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In politics, Marshal had to walk a medieval tightrope and not only survived, but thrived. Moreover, as the "right-hand man to three kings and regent for a fourth," he also campaigned for and defended the rights of the common man and the Magna Carta.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YlpDuvBZxc/Vk0i-jFTNXI/AAAAAAAAUks/U7j1nl1-S8s/s1600/papal-bull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YlpDuvBZxc/Vk0i-jFTNXI/AAAAAAAAUks/U7j1nl1-S8s/s320/papal-bull.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image is a copy of the Papal Bull annulling the Magna<br />
Carta. In it, Pope Innocent III calls the Magna Carta,<br />
"shameful and demeaning." [5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
King John never intended to honor his sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215, since he viewed the signing as having been coerced and unlawful. An appeal to the Pope by John resulted in the document being deemed null and void. John's rejection of the document was short-lived, how- ever, for after his death (1216), his son ascended to the throne. A child of nine years, King Henry III, won a bid for Marshal's protection and support. In 1217, Marshal, vowing to protect the young king, began the last period of his life as Regent of England. It was then, as he became regent to the young king, that Marshal issued the edict and made law of, none other than, the Magna Carta. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>WHAT I THINK OF THIS BOOK</u>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b> First, I think it ironic that a man of such stature has no famous quotes with which to be remembered--but his father does. John Marshal, father of William Marshal, had given his son in ransom to King Stephen as a surity to relinquish his castle. Stephen used what time he had, instead, to reinforce his castle. </div>
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</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbXhDQ7_y6w/Vk0mD7rK1nI/AAAAAAAAUk4/FipBgvaOBQ0/s1600/ask-history-magna-carta-E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbXhDQ7_y6w/Vk0mD7rK1nI/AAAAAAAAUk4/FipBgvaOBQ0/s320/ask-history-magna-carta-E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Magna Carta. [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then, when Stephen ordered Marshal to surrender his castle, John Marshal called his bluff. He was reported as having said to King Stephen, "I still have the hammer and anvil with which to forge still more and better sons!" <span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is ironic, because long before I ever heard of William Marshal, I had heard of John Marshal and his words to a besieging King. Instead, we remember William Marshal for the things he did rather than for what he said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Second, it cannot be doubted that no topic for a book could be much better than William Marshal. It really is wonderful to see more attention brought to this historically important person. I hope Marshal's importance continues to be more appreciated and more people grow to learn of his life. So, Richard Brooks really could do no better in my book than to select Marshal for his subject matter.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Technical Considerations</u><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span> </div>
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(1) <u>The very first technical consideration</u> we will look at today is, "What was the author's main purpose in writing a book about William Marshal, and did he accomplish his objective?" Richard Brooks tells us in the <u>INTRODUCTION</u>, that he wrote the book to "reconsider" England's forgotten champi- on, William Marshal, as the author looks forward to the Battle at Lincoln's 800th anniversary (May 20, 1217 to May 20, 2017). I would say Brooks' objective was met, in that he wrote and published the book about William Marshal and the French Invasion of 1217 in anticipation of the 800 year anniversary of the culmination of the victory over the French at Lincoln. His book is also a good way to spread the word about William Marshal and the exemplary life he led and the legacy he left to the world.<br />
<br />
(2) Since this is a nonfiction book, alternatively listed as military history, <u>we must next ask</u> whether or not the facts that the author, Richard Brooks, shared with us in this title, <i>The Knight Who Saved England,</i> are accurate. Since this is a scholarly work, Brooks has documented both his primary and secondary sources at the back of the book. Additionally, Brooks has listed the publishing company, and provided contact information.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7P5jaOFQmYo/Vkkfa7Ub4bI/AAAAAAAAUY0/LZ_UoUP4w0k/s1600/400px-BitvaLincoln1217ortho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7P5jaOFQmYo/Vkkfa7Ub4bI/AAAAAAAAUY0/LZ_UoUP4w0k/s320/400px-BitvaLincoln1217ortho.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image is one included in Richard Brooks' book, <i>The <br />Knight Who Saved England</i>. This graphic is a 13th Century<br />
image of the Battle at Lincoln. An archer shoots at the<br />
fleeing French knights. [8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have not checked Mr. Brooks' sources personally, and leave that to someone with more time to do such things than the little time I have. Moreover, since I am not a scholar on William Marshal, I cannot say with any authority whether everything Mr. Brooks presented is wholly accurate. However, on the face of things, it appears to me that Mr. Brooks' not only has considerable personal knowledge about William Marshal, but that he has completed exhaustive research into the background of this historic individual.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
(3) <u>Our third consideration</u> is the target audience...just who are they? It seems most apparent that the target audience is those appreciating military history, or history in general. Other offshoots could include those interested in medieval history, royalty, war reenactors, armor, mail and weapon reproduction specialists, those interested in politics, law, or strategic alliances. I, of course, fit into none of those categories. Instead, I am a simple book reviewer who happens to love horses, knights, and the era in which they existed.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwt2dxsJQA0/VkusUAzoXCI/AAAAAAAAUZs/K-CSKFl5H-k/s1600/12C_St-Edmund-007v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwt2dxsJQA0/VkusUAzoXCI/AAAAAAAAUZs/K-CSKFl5H-k/s400/12C_St-Edmund-007v.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Richard Brooks book, <i>The Knight Who</i><br />
<i>Saved England</i>, Brooks says, this image is of a<br />
group of "[c]losely formed <i>conrois</i> of knights<br />
pursu[ing] fleeing opponents with lances couch-<br />
ed for impact. Mail shirts are longer than [they<br />
were] at Hastings, but helmets remain open.<br />
One knight (left) has lowered his lance to finish<br />
off a dismounted enemy." [9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(4) <u>Consideration four</u> concerns any extra features that may add to either the appreciation of the story or book, or its under- standing. Some might even include whether or not these added features made the book more attractive. Since this book is an ebook, such features are not under consideration since we have no cover, dust jacket, or glossy illustrated inserts. However, Richard Brooks has included a number of features that makes the book both easier to understand and also helps the reader to visualize the period or the point Brooks attempts to make. The extras Brooks has included are as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>A Preface and an Introduction that helps explain the book to get the basics down. For example, a section on medieval money. I found the Introduction to be most helpful!;</li>
<li>A chronology of events aids the reader in keeping events straight;</li>
<li>A series of maps showing locations and layouts of strategic areas;</li>
<li>A Glossary to include important terms;</li>
<li>A list of Select Bibliography for checking references;</li>
<li>A list of Illustrations (Plate Section): Full color plates of various scenes, people, and events.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I found the full color graphic images beautiful and well selected for the book. They were quite enjoyable and I spent a goodly amount of time perusing the images. Because of the extras, I think this book might be a helpful addition to a public library, or perhaps a university library for those who wish to do research into English history or William Marshal.</div>
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<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ofX3NEqPCfA/Vk0LlExyyUI/AAAAAAAAUkY/IztthxBSbVc/s1600/wILLIAM%2BMARSHAL%2BEFFIGY%2BFACE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ofX3NEqPCfA/Vk0LlExyyUI/AAAAAAAAUkY/IztthxBSbVc/s320/wILLIAM%2BMARSHAL%2BEFFIGY%2BFACE.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The image is a representation of the stone effigy of William<br />
Marshal. As you look at the close-up of the face you see the dam-<br />
age the stone received as a result of the Blitz (WWII). [10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(5) <u>Our fifth consideration</u> is to ask whether or not the book was interesting and held the reader's attention. I've already commented, above, that the topic itself is interesting. William Marshal is a superb topic! Moreover, it is not overdone and seen every- where. Now as far as the topic, the topic held my attention; however, Richard Brooks intellectual style may not appeal to everyone. Since this book is not a novel, we don't get to see character develop- ment. That is we don't really know what William Marshal thought or felt. Also, as I mentioned, above, we do not get dialog or quotes from Marshal, but straight out action. We see what he has done.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are not only asking whether or not the topic is interesting, but whether or not the book is interesting, as written. Mr. Brooks is obviously an intelligent, and erudite persoyn. His book is apparently well-researched and documented. I have to say, however his writing style in presenting factual information seemed to digress or meander from the path before culminating in the paragraph or chapter's thesis. At places I felt a bit lost, and sometimes the material seemed dry because the information about the surrounding cast of characters or events may have been a bit too much when describing the background information or family lineages. My attention wandered a bit and I felt it bogged down, just a bit. For this reason, I don't feel I can recommend this book to younger readers.</div>
<div>
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<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x20Jb4DX4ms/Vk0uynLIELI/AAAAAAAAUlU/rUYsBd814RI/s1600/marshall_300.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x20Jb4DX4ms/Vk0uynLIELI/AAAAAAAAUlU/rUYsBd814RI/s320/marshall_300.gif" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the coat of arms adopted by William Marshal. [5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(6) <u>The sixth consideration</u> is what about the book is its greatest value to the reader? Is there anything that would make it especially worthwhile? Obviously, the greatest value is to learn about William Marshal. To read about him and his life makes it easier to understand the legacy he left to the world in his contribution to the the Magna Carta and the rule of law that had been undertaken. Marshal's life of honor and dedication to higher principles can demonstrate that real people exist to make things like freedom and law come into being. Learning about his role in the Magna Charta was lovely; equally as enjoyable was to learn just how many things in which he took part that were notable and important throughout the course of his whole life.<br />
<br />
The following short list is just a few important things from the life of William Marshal that I learned about in Richard Brooks' book.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfOYSRkzJJg/Vk1EtUCZ_qI/AAAAAAAAUlk/Xyx4o5l5m2s/s1600/eleanor%2Bof%2Baquitaine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfOYSRkzJJg/Vk1EtUCZ_qI/AAAAAAAAUlk/Xyx4o5l5m2s/s1600/eleanor%2Bof%2Baquitaine.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor of Aquitaine. [5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li>William saved the life of Eleanor of Acquitane, being injured and getting captured in the process;</li>
<li>William fought Richard the Lionheart on the field of battle--he avoided killing his future king by aiming his lance at Richard's horse and killing it, instead;</li>
<li>At age 70 (roughly), William was summoned to defend the kingdom one more time and won a great victory at the 1217 battle at Lincoln;</li>
<li>William negotiated a truce between the barons (nobles) and King John;</li>
<li>William encouraged the creation of the Magna Carta and fought for it until his death;</li>
<li>William pledged himself to the nine-year-old King Henry III, with tears in his eyes, pledging to care for the fragile king;</li>
<li>William reissued the Magna Carta after John had it revoked and placed his seal as Regent on the document.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><u>CONCLUSION AND RATING</u>:</b> </div>
<div>
I am glad that I read Richard Brooks' book, <i>The Knight Who Saved England: William Marshal and the French Invasion, 1217</i>. I enjoyed the book and learned some important facts about William Marshal; in conclusion, I find that I can recommend this book to those who love or are interested in history, military history, reenactors, weapon or armour forgers, William Marshal, Richard the Lionheart, John, Henry III, battle strategists, The Magna Carta, those interested in law and human rights, Runnymede (location of Magna Carta signing), Thomas Comte de Perche (French forces commander killed at Lincoln), Nicola de Haye (female Castellan and protector of the castle at Lincoln and pro-John supporter) and those in education, research, or higher learning. I am sure others will be interested in this book, as well. I cannot recommend this book to younger readers or those who have reading difficulties as Brooks writing tends to digress and meander before going back to topic. </div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhi-Zk9CeNM/Vk1bUd5efYI/AAAAAAAAUl4/3jGXdw7vk5s/s1600/reviews-four-stars-out-of-five.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="54" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhi-Zk9CeNM/Vk1bUd5efYI/AAAAAAAAUl4/3jGXdw7vk5s/s320/reviews-four-stars-out-of-five.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
As to the rating, I find that given all the above information, I am very happy to award 4.0 stars out of 5 to this book. Congratulations to Richard Brooks on his informative new book.</div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffdjXBjnD9o/Vk1deFkECPI/AAAAAAAAUmE/JjjIKfGoBuE/s1600/honor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffdjXBjnD9o/Vk1deFkECPI/AAAAAAAAUmE/JjjIKfGoBuE/s1600/honor.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
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<div>
Thank you for joining me this week as we delved into history with a man who was called "The Greatest Knight Whoever Lived." Richard Brooks presented an informative and well-documented book. Please join me again, next week, as we take up another book from a different genre. I hope you join me, then.</div>
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Today we do not live in the Middle Ages, mankind has grown and worked to establish laws and justice systems to treat human beings fairly. Please be fair to everyone with which you do business and try to keep your honor in your daily life like William Marshal--a man for all ages.</div>
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Until next time . . . </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xft1hR7xhEg/VkDTAr0Gp3I/AAAAAAAAUVI/xLNT6qiDMEs/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xft1hR7xhEg/VkDTAr0Gp3I/AAAAAAAAUVI/xLNT6qiDMEs/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a white with red center, Rose of Sharon. [14]</td></tr>
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. . . many happy pages of reading! </div>
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My best to you all.</div>
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Sharon.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/RESOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Knight-Who-Saved-England-Invasion-ebook/dp/B00I75EQQO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447089135&sr=1-1&keywords=the+knight+who+saved+england&pebp=1447089142928&perid=03JWXV67CFC5RYV0WY6R">The Knight Who Saved England: William Marshal and the French Invasion, 1217</a>."</i> [richard brooks] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 11-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Classics-Illustrated-13-Ivanhoe-Graphic/dp/1597072486">Ivanhoe</a>."</i> [walter scott] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 11-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[3] <i>"</i></span><i><a href="http://www.reviewexpress.com/review.php?rv=958">Robin Hood: Production Reins Over Story</a>."</i> [diana saenger] reviewexpress.com. Retrieved 11-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://historytheinterestingbits.com/2015/06/13/nichola-de-la-haye-englands-forgotten-heroine/">Nichola de la Haye, England's Forgotten Heroine</a>."</i> [sharon bennett connolly; 12-11-15] historytheinterestingbits.com. retrieved 11-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://www.medievalwarfare.info/marshal.htm">William Marshal - The Flower of Chivalry</a>."</i> medievalwarfare.info. Retrieved 11-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[6]<i> </i></span><i>"<a href="http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/magna-carta-sealed">This Day in History: [June 15,] 1215 Magna Carta Sealed</a>."</i> history.com. Retrieved 11-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Marshal,_1st_Earl_of_Pembroke">William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke</a>."</i> en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 11-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://deremilitari.org/2014/03/THE-BATTLE-OF-LINCOLN-1217-ACCORDING-TO-ROGER-OF-WENDOVER/">The Battle of Lincoln (1217), According to Roger of Wendover</a>." </i>[drm_peter; 03-24-14] deremilitari.org. Retrieved 11-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Lincolnshire/Lincoln/photo1249969.htm">Manuscript Miniatures</a>."</i> trekearth.com. Retrieved 11-17-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://livingthehistoryelizabethchadwick.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html">Elizabeth Chadwick: Living the History</a>."</i> livingthehistoryelizabethchadwick.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 11-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://publicityhound.com/blog/how-to-pitch-the-top-50-new-product-review-bloggers">How to Pitch the Top 50 'New Product Review' Bloggers</a>."</i> publicityhound.com. Retrieved 11-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://boredomlava.com/28-honor-quotes-live-433">28 Honor Quotes to Live By</a>."</i> boredomlava.com. Retrieved 11-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 11-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[*] <i>"<a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley</a>." </i>NetGalley.com. Retrieved 11-18-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-81230771296301133122015-10-31T23:07:00.002-07:002015-11-01T14:49:14.961-08:00Children of the Comet by Donald Moffitt--New Release by Author of the Genesis Quest Series and The Mechanical Sky Series!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
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Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hung on every word he spoke. Suddenly, so suddenly I hardly realized it, maybe like being unable to sleep and suddenly you find it is morning and you open your surprised eyes to greet the day. Maybe like working on your computer for a little while drafting a few e-mails, or letters, or...whatever, look up and suddenly discover three hours have past, and you never knew it.</div>
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I almost felt like I was sitting by a campfire listening to someone telling a story about some legend or myth in the local area. But "his" words, they bore into me, until it seemed to me like I was awake; really awake.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMg4DFBHicA/Vil1BJ_TIWI/AAAAAAAAUQ8/HbCYqxrDPms/s1600/94854_6462_649_the_power_of_myth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMg4DFBHicA/Vil1BJ_TIWI/AAAAAAAAUQ8/HbCYqxrDPms/s200/94854_6462_649_the_power_of_myth.jpg" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[4]</td></tr>
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Yet the the stories he spoke were little stories from various parts of the world, from every culture and era. As the words fell onto my ears, they bored into me, worming their way into my heart, and warming my very being. The "Truth Speaker" was Joseph Campbell speaking about his book, the <i>The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers</i> on public television--about myth and the hero's journey<i>. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span><i> </i>As Joseph Campbell puts it in the televised show, I was caught by them (these stories and words). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span><br />
<br />
It was after reading Donald Moffitt's book, <i>Children of the Comet</i>, that Joseph Campbell came to mind, again. I thought about rites of initiation, The Tree of Life, and the hero beginning their hero's journey by being thrust out of their little place of security into an unknown world. Let me share with you why Donald Moffitt's book resonates with me just as Joseph Campbell's stories did. Before we discuss more, here is a short synopsis of Moffitt's book:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3K1MfHBa_U/ViRMkee002I/AAAAAAAAUQA/nk-YE5-DA20/s1600/World%2BTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M3K1MfHBa_U/ViRMkee002I/AAAAAAAAUQA/nk-YE5-DA20/s320/World%2BTree.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a gigantic tree in space; although, this tree<br />
doesn't look exactly like the one described in<br />
Moffitt's story, it is a tree in space. In the story the<br />
tree attaches itself to an ice comet and because<br />
of little gravity and the orbitational pull of the<br />
comet, the tree grows to an astronomical height.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The tree is life for the people of Torris's tribe: their</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">food, wood for implements, and even spiritual</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">awakening for their young men in their initiation</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">into manhood. It is their tree of life. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">[5]</span></td></tr>
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<b><u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:</b><br />
As a large comet flies its ordained orbit; on it, a gigantic tree of immense proportions, adapting to life on the comet, grasps the ice, sending its roots down into the frozen orb. A small tribe of people live on this remarkable "world." Life, a daily rugged and hard-fought existence, is made bearable through the tribe's ingenuity and difficult labor.<br />
<br />
Torris, one of the tribe's young men, will soon be ready for initiation into manhood--to become a man, he must climb the monumental tree and have a "vision dream" given to him by the tree, then make the long climb back down to the comet's surface. Torris will then present his dream to the priest.<br />
<br />
Daily life for Torris and his family means a life of very little gravity, frozen air that must be harvested, thawed and captured in a pouch, for later use. All must wear a kind of homemade space suit, stitched and glued together to hold the breathable air. Hunting, also must be done; though in Torris's world it is hunting in the branches of the tree. All hunters must take care, or the prey they hunt could turn the tables on them and quickly the hunter could become the meal.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DeJOOPu0_GM/VjKjmX-QxoI/AAAAAAAAUR4/pC2KWgMFobY/s1600/jack_and_the_beanstalk_by_yusef_abonamah-d5jt4ip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DeJOOPu0_GM/VjKjmX-QxoI/AAAAAAAAUR4/pC2KWgMFobY/s320/jack_and_the_beanstalk_by_yusef_abonamah-d5jt4ip.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like this artful rendition of Jack-in-the<br />
Beanstalk, Torris and Ning climb towards<br />
the top, all the while facing many dangers.<br />
Perhaps those dangers end up being larger<br />
than expected, but they keep climbing,<br />
nonetheless.[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rites of initiation decree no hunter should help or hinder another, but when Torris begins his climb up the trunk and branches of the tree, he finds more than flutterbeasts and meatbeasts with which he must contend. A mysterious climber keeps to the shadows and trails Torris. While Torris watches for glimpses of the mysterious hunter who follows him, Torris acquiesses to a period of sleep. In the dead of night, the mysterious hunter, sneaks in and steals Torris's supplies. What the thief doesn't need, he destroys; for this any hunter would be branded for the sacrilegious waste and cast out into space.<br />
<br />
When Torris wakes he is devastated to see his supplies gone, but he immediately starts anew, collecting the things he will need from the tree and crafting new tools. Torris has a second encounter with a hunter, but this time, with a much different result. Torris finds himself suddenly caught and upside down in a snare similar to that of Luke Skywalker in the ice cave on planet Hoth (<i>Star Wars</i>). Oh, yes...the hunter who catches him is a woman! Discovering that the female hunter is not the one who stole from him, they band together to reach the tree's topmost branches--Torris for his dream quest and the female hunter, called Ning, to get food for her family.<br />
<br />
The two hunters will encounter great flutterbeasts, meatbeasts, and fight for their lives as they set their hearts for the top of the tree. Will their quests end abruptly, interrupted, yet again, by the mysterious sacrilegious tracker? Throw into the mix an alien starship, a murder most foul, aliens capturing Torris, bride raids that threaten not only a nearby tree comet but Torris's, as well. With the Earth now dead, will its children survive as <i>Children of the Comet</i>? Or, will the remnants of the human race and other arriving starships end in destruction and a free-for-all grab for survival and dominance?<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT I THINK OF THE BOOK</u>:</b><br />
THE WORLD OF MYTH AND THE HERO'S JOURNEY:<br />
As I mentioned, above,Joseph Campbell's work instantly came to mind when I read about the comet and the gigantic world tree growing on it and, of course, Torris's journey to become a man through tribal tribal initiation. I found a short video for you (four minutes), to see what I mean--in Joseph Campbell's own words. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kJwPIiUPfK4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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As Campbell said in the video, "Life is always on the edge of death, always!" And that is where Torris and Ning find themselves. Just as in the synopsis, the two are threatened on every side by flutterbeasts (to avoid being eaten by them), meatbeasts (to catch for food), mysterious trackers who follow the two hunters, a murder that takes place, their, Torris's and Ning's, tribes (bride raids and impending war), and eventually strange aliens in a huge space ship. And remember, even the elements threaten the young people--lack of air (for their homemade space suits), gravity (or the lack of it) in falling from the great tree's branches and even the freezing cold. Indeed, for Torris and Ning, their "Li[ves are] always on the edge of death!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Td2IzI93yhE/ViLQskMe9_I/AAAAAAAAUPo/zBIcSP8UQo0/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Td2IzI93yhE/ViLQskMe9_I/AAAAAAAAUPo/zBIcSP8UQo0/s640/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This technique that Donald Moffitt uses is nothing short of wonderful. He builds tension as we (the readers) follow Torris as he faces challenges that could change everything, not only for himself, but for his comet tribe and others. We also know that an ultimate challenge awaits Torris in his journey. Moffit makes the whole story exciting and anticipatory right up until the climax, at which point he gently moves to close the book.<br />
<br />
Moffitt's book, <i>Children of the Comet</i>, had me thinking of what I had learned years ago from a college class. We see "the world tree," "rights of initiation" "masks (in the form of space head gear)," "the hero's journey," itself, just to name a few. Also, know that Torris's father is important in the tribe, all on his own as "Facemaker" for the initiates who succeed and come back to the tribe, he markes their faces as a sign of adulthood.<br />
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Lastly, looking at the book cover can tell you a lot about a book if you look closely enough...and think about it. Moffitt's book has a modernistic space helmet and a bow and arrow superimposed, one upon the other. The background looks black, until you look at the edges and see stars and realize that it is outerspace. A rather odd pairing of images, don't you think? One of the approaching spaceships is called, "Celestial Arrow."<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOYReP5KqVE/VjWMd_921eI/AAAAAAAAUSs/DCytDwV63fE/s1600/Arrow.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="36" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOYReP5KqVE/VjWMd_921eI/AAAAAAAAUSs/DCytDwV63fE/s320/Arrow.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do you wonder how arrows fit into the story? Also, did you wonder about those images when you first saw the cover of the book. What did you think about the disparate images? If you decide to read this book think about the images as you proceed through the pages.<br />
<br />
THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK:<br />
I was a bit worried about the book, but only at first, because the book seemed a little slow to develop. I think the opening sections could have been condensed and still provide the atmosphere and setting for the story. I did find Moffitt's style of writing to be eminently readable. It felt comfortable and smooth, with no verbose or overly long sentences or paragraphs. His use of language and word choice is very subtle, but understandable and easy to move through.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6uF3hWIm8c/VjWWMyZEEdI/AAAAAAAAUS8/A5vCdu258Ic/s1600/creative-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6uF3hWIm8c/VjWWMyZEEdI/AAAAAAAAUS8/A5vCdu258Ic/s1600/creative-A.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
THE REST OF THE BOOK:<br />
And then, as I read on, I began thinking that Donald Moffitt's story had become for me one of the most innovative and creative stories I've ever read. What a creative mind he had to craft such striking images, and excitement in a story. Without giving more of the plot away, I have to tell you that I found this book to be so rare in its originality, that I've never read another like it.<br />
<br />
Also, in this wonderful book you will find many things to consider besides what we have discussed, today. I especially enjoyed the superb way Moffitt contrasted the roles of women in the different societies and tribes. Really, food for thought! Another consideration is "time." The beginning and end of worlds, and the time given them. One spaceship is named "Time's Beginning." Very apropos as time is a major consideration throughout the book. (Sorry, no more juicy hints than that.) "Gravity" plays throughout the book as well as the other themes and motifs, as well as being cast out, shunning and rebirth.<br />
<br />
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:<br />
As well as Joseph Campbell, I fell in love with the words of Black Elk of the Oglala Sioux. Joseph Campbell, in his work, spoke of Black Elk and other Indian tribes, their stories and myths. The quote I leave you, here, is very much appropriate as a tie in to today's book. By the way, if you haven't read about Black Elk, or read any of his words, I urge you to do so. Here's the quote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvwwRxmAznQ/VjWXshuW59I/AAAAAAAAUTI/KVm2EpCIe9w/s1600/buch_black_elk_speaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvwwRxmAznQ/VjWXshuW59I/AAAAAAAAUTI/KVm2EpCIe9w/s320/buch_black_elk_speaks.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being. And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy...but anywhere is the center of the world. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[10]</span></blockquote>
Very much akin to Torris and his dream quest to the top of the gigantic tree. These holy dreams are messages to be taken to the priest or holy man and deciphered as a guide for life. Here, though, Black Elk is the holy man and he speaks to the people and tells them about the "center of the world." If you are excited enough to read this book, you will understand--no more juicy tidbits about the book--sorry.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1K1jWfyrl9s/VjWelofX13I/AAAAAAAAUTY/dUjnp-g0V-M/s1600/Knight%2BWho%2BSaved%2BEngland%252C%2BThe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1K1jWfyrl9s/VjWelofX13I/AAAAAAAAUTY/dUjnp-g0V-M/s200/Knight%2BWho%2BSaved%2BEngland%252C%2BThe.jpg" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:</b><br />
We have covered a lot of material in Donald Moffitt's book, today. I wish we had more time to talk, but we always have next time to cover more exciting reading material. By the way, next time we will be leaving science fiction and taking a trip into history; we will be looking at Richard Brooks' title, <i>The Knight Who Saved England: William Marshal and the French Invasion, 1217."</i> What an amazing true story.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0R9vJJUrTF0/VjWgou-biYI/AAAAAAAAUTk/hmlpPwhvJnA/s1600/logo-REDZ-5-shooting-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="53" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0R9vJJUrTF0/VjWgou-biYI/AAAAAAAAUTk/hmlpPwhvJnA/s200/logo-REDZ-5-shooting-stars.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I have indicated, above, I really enjoyed Donald Moffitt's new title, <i>Children of the Comet</i>. This book from NetGalley deserves a great rating; so, based on everything I have indicated, above, I rate this book 5 stars. Even with the minor problems with the opening, I believe this wonderful book deserves a great rating.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me, today. I sincerely appreciate you reading and considering the material I have provided for you in this post. As always, if you have any comments or questions, please contact me here, or on twitter. Please join me next time as we delve into history with William Marshal and learn how Marshal saved England from the France's invasion.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone's Halloween was safe and fun for all.</div>
Until next time...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxNwT5eNSUE/ViLDcW0br2I/AAAAAAAAUPY/22004ERnvOk/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxNwT5eNSUE/ViLDcW0br2I/AAAAAAAAUPY/22004ERnvOk/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a white, with red center Rose of Sharon.[14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
My love to you all, my reading friends!<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Children-Comet-Donald-Moffitt/dp/1497682940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445239215&sr=8-1&keywords=children+of+the+comet">Children of the Comet</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://reverb.mn/events/2014/12/10/94854_nonfiction_readers_book_discussion_the_power_of">The Power of Myth</a>."</i> [Joseph Campbell] reverb.mn. Retrieved 10-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJwPIiUPfK4">Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey Abridged</a>." </i>youtube.com. Retrieved 10-20-15.<br />[4] <i>"<a href="http://theconversation.com/are-you-monomythic-joseph-campbell-and-the-heros-journey-27074">Are You Monomythic? Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey</a>."</i> [image only from: 06-25-14; the conversation; by craig Batty] theconversation.com. Retrieved 10-31-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"<a href="http://fuckyeahstrangemythology.tumblr.com/post/55983952916/selphyrthefae-in-norse-mythology-the-yggdrasil">Mythology: The Stranger the Better</a>."</i> [selphyrthefae] fuckyeahstrangemythology.tumblr.com. Retreived 10-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://yusef-abonamah.deviantart.com/gallery/">Jack and the Beanstalk.</a>"</i> [by yusef-abonamah] yusef-abonamah.deviantart.com. Retrieved 10-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">NetGally</a>."</i> netgalley.com. Retrieved 10-31-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="https://pixabay.com/en/arrow-bow-old-shoot-weapon-150966/">Arrow</a>." </i>pixabay.com. Retrieved 10-31-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://pixshark.com/creative-thinking.htm">Creative Thinking</a>."</i> pixshark.com. Retrieved 10-31-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.indians.org/welker/blackelk.htm">The Sunset</a>."</i> indians.org. Retrieved 10-30-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://neihardt.com/store/product/black-elk-speaks/">Black Elk Speaks</a>."</i> [image only] [John G. Neihardt] neihardt.com. Retrieved 10-31-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Knight-Who-Saved-England-Invasion/dp/1849085501/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446355284&sr=8-1&keywords=the+knight+who+saved+england">The Knight Who Saved England: William Marshal and the French Invasion, 1217</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Retrieved 10-31-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.jiannecarlo.com/redz-world-reviews/">Five Shooting Stars</a>."</i> jiannecarlo.com. Retrieved 10-31-15.<br />
[14] <i>"</i><i><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 10-17-15.</span><br />
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-59223173086115571812015-10-16T15:38:00.001-07:002015-10-22T14:22:42.607-07:00Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town by Jim Butcher and Mark Powers--They Release a Totally New and Original Story!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hns-7rOwSz8/VgHd1bkaaCI/AAAAAAAATfE/fg2sNS1GHfw/s1600/Jim%2BButcher%2527s%2BDown%2BTown.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hns-7rOwSz8/VgHd1bkaaCI/AAAAAAAATfE/fg2sNS1GHfw/s400/Jim%2BButcher%2527s%2BDown%2BTown.png" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Book Review by:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sharon Powers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> As a long-time fan of Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files," and Dynamite Publishers, once I learned a brand new original story was available as an advance reading copy (ARC) from NetGalley, my adrenaline surged and I hit the "accept" button as quickly as I could. I downloaded my e-copy to my computer and began reading. I did not stop reading until I finished the book.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sometimes books come out and functionally act to extend the main storyline in between series books. In the case of <i>Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, "</i><i>Down Town</i>," falls between <i>White Knight</i> (series book, #9) and <i>Small Favor</i> (series book, #10). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span> Anyone who is a Jim Butcher <i>"Dresden Files," </i>fan will be ecstatic to be able to read a new original story that helps fill out the background of familiar characters, explains mysterious secrets, or just gives the reader explanations about various characters' idiosyncrasies, fears, or foibles. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> In <i>Down Town</i>, we are reacquainted with old familiar characters, we also get to see a great deal more of Harry Dresden's world. But before I say more about the book, let's take a quick look at the book's synopsis.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:</span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ha1Yrdp8HC0/Vh14WjOYBMI/AAAAAAAAT_Q/4XRv733ioUo/s1600/illinois-chicago-dresden-files-harry-dresden-want-ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ha1Yrdp8HC0/Vh14WjOYBMI/AAAAAAAAT_Q/4XRv733ioUo/s320/illinois-chicago-dresden-files-harry-dresden-want-ad.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[3]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Harry Dresden lives as a wizard--one that advertises in the local newspaper as a wizard-for-hire. Harry and recently acquired apprentice, Molly Carpenter, suddenly find themselves trying to find and stop an unknown monster that has been killing Chicago citizens. Soon, they find themselves dealing not only with Chicago's Karen Murphy of Special Investigations, but also, Gentleman Johnny Marcone and his thugs, as well as a new "baddie" from Chicago's notorious supernatural badlands, "Undertown." They will find themselves at risk as they dare to pass through the portal into Undertown. Will apprentice, Molly, be out of her depth and cause Dresden trouble? But most worrisome is whether or not Harry and Molly will make it out alive. Or, will Gentleman Johnny Marcone cause his own brand of trouble in Undertown? <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></span><br />
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>IS "DOWN TOWN" A COMIC BOOK OR A GRAPHIC NOVEL</u>?</span></i></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okcAOIUIhik/Vh18TGchWZI/AAAAAAAAT_c/UudOBk3Ejlc/s1600/On%2Bthe%2BGraphic%2BNovel%2BPhoto%2BAdjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okcAOIUIhik/Vh18TGchWZI/AAAAAAAAT_c/UudOBk3Ejlc/s200/On%2Bthe%2BGraphic%2BNovel%2BPhoto%2BAdjusted.jpg" width="151" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[5]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Having reviewed a number of graphic novels over the two years that I have been writing posts for this blog, I worked hard to follow what other experts had said were the hallmarks of the graphic novel. Well, that changed, in part, after having read <i>On the Graphic Novel</i>, by Santiago Garcia (to read that post click <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/on-graphic-novel-by-santiago-garcia.html">here</a></u><b style="font-style: italic;">.</b>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Garcia said that as far as definitions go, it is mostly critics who have created "...a set of formal parameters that unambiguously trace the shape and size of the graphic novel versus other, different kinds of comics." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span><i> </i>Moreover, Garcia explained that what were mainstream comics in the 1950s changed, in part, due to subsequent audience loss, into a niche market. The result was that scholars and critics suddenly began discrediting the comics that came before by considering "...the graphic novel...an instrument for <i>legitimizing</i> comics.<i>" </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZPCfi7Y_g8/Vh6vW3ruH2I/AAAAAAAAUCg/iDrvMW0LLN4/s200/beginning-middle-end.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[6]</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8vEwdr-4aI/Vh3bvbtJzxI/AAAAAAAAUBw/7eBYPwtKSGs/s1600/volume%2B%2523.PNG" /></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[7]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: medium; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZPCfi7Y_g8/Vh6vW3ruH2I/AAAAAAAAUCg/iDrvMW0LLN4/s1600/beginning-middle-end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Here is list of formal parameters (not from Garcia) that <u>many</u> (not all) critics use to define "graphic novel":</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> 1. <b><u>Story Arc</u>:</b> A
story with a beginning, middle and end;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> 2. <b><u>Character
Development</u>:</b> Does the protagonist grow and change?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> 3.
<b><u>Number of Stories in the Book</u>:</b> Ask, "Is the </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">story
episodic in nature?" (With different Issue </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">and Volume numbers--like
comics.) Or, "Is the story </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">a complete (one) story with a complete story
arc (and the same protagonist and important characters)?"</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6a_WZwyPeA/Vh6pLcarvwI/AAAAAAAAUCI/MY1vu5YBEWE/s1600/Dust%2BCover.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6a_WZwyPeA/Vh6pLcarvwI/AAAAAAAAUCI/MY1vu5YBEWE/s1600/Dust%2BCover.PNG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My copy of <i>Ghoul Goblin</i> by<br />Jim Butcher/Mark Powers. On<br />the right is the hard cover with<br />iridescent green print. On the left<br />is the book's dust cover construct-<br />ed of glossy, full color paper.[8]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">4. <b><u>Publication
Covers</u>:</b> Comic books tend to have inexpensive paper while graphic
novels usually have a type of cardstock, or even a hard cover. This
"requirement" does not always apply since we have seen collections of
older comics with hardbound covers. The other issue is with e-books. Since
e-books have no covers or paper pages, none of the physical parameters apply;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">5. <b><u>Paper
Quality</u>:</b>Episodic publications (comic books) tend to be published
on pulp paper. Graphic novels are usually published on higher quality paper--sometimes,
heavy, textured, or glossy. Again, paper quality is not dispositive because
some episodic publications have been collected and published on good paper;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wyEZ1jN6NhY/Vh4IsQwZrwI/AAAAAAAAUB4/ppgRtvBRXpM/s1600/Ghoul%2BGoblin%2Bbinding.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wyEZ1jN6NhY/Vh4IsQwZrwI/AAAAAAAAUB4/ppgRtvBRXpM/s200/Ghoul%2BGoblin%2Bbinding.PNG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a photo of my copy of <i>Ghoul<br />Goblin</i> by Jim Butcher and Mark<br />Powers. A well-constructed book by<br />Dynamite Publishers. To see the com-<br />plete book review of <i>War Cry</i>, from<br />which this photo is taken,click <i style="font-weight: bold;"><u>here</u>.</i>[8]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">6. </span><b style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><u>How is the
Publication Bound</u>?</b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"> Episodic publications tend to be stapled, or in
the case of collections they can have glued bindings or stitched and glued
bindings. Graphic novels are usually bound the way books are bound (but not
all). </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwkLVhoqYv0/Vh6sqOw_UTI/AAAAAAAAUCU/PGTlauLXP_w/s1600/Hercules%2Bpages.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwkLVhoqYv0/Vh6sqOw_UTI/AAAAAAAAUCU/PGTlauLXP_w/s320/Hercules%2Bpages.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a photo of the book with the pages all falling out of it.<br />I love my books and handle them gently--I never break a<br />spine or fold pages to mark my place! This book literally<br />fell apart as I read it. To see the full review of this <br />book, please click <i style="font-weight: bold;"><u><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/hercules-thracian-wars-by-steve-moore.html">here</a></u>.</i> [9]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"> I have had some bindings on a
few of my graphic novels in my personal collection that are coming unglued. One
publisher, however, reached an all-time low--they used such poor glue to bind
their graphic novel, that all the pages literally fell out even before I
finished reading the book for the first time. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">[To find out which graphic novel this
is, click</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"> </span><b style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><i><u><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/hercules-thracian-wars-by-steve-moore.html">here</a></u></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">.]; </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">7. <b><u>What is the size of the book</u>?</b> In the U.S., comic books are generally 6 5/8 x 10 1/4 (Trade paperbacks: 5.32" x 8.51", and Digests: from 5 3/8" to 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" to 8 3/8").</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">8. <b><u>How many pages are in the book</u>? </b>Early comic books of the 1940s had about 64-96 pages where modernly, comics total about 32 pages (22 for the comics and 10 for advertising). Graphic novels, on the other hand, are about three times the size of a comic book with a minimum of 100 pages. Many graphic novels I've seen, have been closer to 150-165 pages.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eewnt-ajlJ4/Vh6_OG9sxkI/AAAAAAAAUCs/yBFvCL3kKss/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eewnt-ajlJ4/Vh6_OG9sxkI/AAAAAAAAUCs/yBFvCL3kKss/s640/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" width="356" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">[11]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">9. <b><u>Advertising</u>:</b> Does the publication contain any advertising? If a comic book, then, obviously, the answer is yes. Usually a minimum of ten pages of ads. If a graphic novel, the answer is no. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;">10. <b><u>Price</u>:</b> Early comic books would cost about $.10 and modernly might run you $4.00, more or less. Graphic novels, on the other hand, can start at about $9.99 and run to $25.00 (or more if they are large or deluxe gift editions, or personally signed by the author). </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-indent: -22.5pt;">[10]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><br /></span><br />
</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">11. <b><u>WHAT IS THE INTENT OF THE AUTHOR / PUBLISHERS</u>?</b> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
This is the million dollar question that can trump most of the above parameters for distinguishing a comic from a graphic novel. If the publication is openly advertised as a graphic novel this can go a long way in helping to determining whether or not it is a graphic novel. If, however, the author/publishers advertise the publication as comics, the question is generally easy to determine.So, intent of the author/publishers and how it is promoted or advertised may be dispositive.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT JIM BUTCHER'S DRESDEN FILES: DOWN TOWN</u>:</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6y2apSRBuQ/Vh8U7K2yePI/AAAAAAAAUDE/qe_IZDmx8wc/s1600/mythoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6y2apSRBuQ/Vh8U7K2yePI/AAAAAAAAUDE/qe_IZDmx8wc/s200/mythoughts.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[12]</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Since we've just been talking about whether or not a publication can be determined to be a comic or a graphic novel given a set of formal parameters with which to judge such a publication, let's just jump right in and talk about Jim Butcher's new book. Let's start with, "Is it a comic or graphic novel?"</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Answers to the questions posed just above: (1) Yes, there seems to be a beginning, middle, and end to the story; (2) Harry always seems to learn something and grow more into his wizardry powers. Here, Harry learned to trust his apprentice, Molly, that she would be competent to act. He also learned that sometimes enemies can help out in a mutually dangerous situation; sometimes, Harry gets distracted, so he learned that he needs to try harder to stay on the path.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5STxgB_qwag/Vh8rlyKs_cI/AAAAAAAAUDY/nGAc5KtTGKY/s1600/Molly%2BCarpenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5STxgB_qwag/Vh8rlyKs_cI/AAAAAAAAUDY/nGAc5KtTGKY/s1600/Molly%2BCarpenter.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one of the six issues pub-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">lished episodically as a comic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">book. This issue is #3 of <i>Down<br />Town</i>. [13]</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (3) The six parts or chapters were originally published serially with issues numbered 1, 2 3, etc.; no volume numbers were attached as in comics. Serial publication usually indicates the publication is a comic. Even so, when put together, the chapters made one entire story, flowing seamlessly from one chapter to the next. In fact, if I hadn't learned that the chapters in the book were previously published individually, I would never have known it because of how smooth the transitions were. So, the answer to this issue is "I'm not sure."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (4) I am reviewing this book as an e-book edition through NetGalley; because it is not a physical book, with a cover, the issue is moot for this book review. However, I did purchase the "<i>Down Town</i>" hardcover book for myself. The book has a beautiful glossy dust cover. (5) Again, an e-book has no physical pages, so this issue is also moot for this book review. Just to let you know, however, the physical book's inner pages appear to be semi-glossy and are just beautiful to hold and turn. (6) Since e-books have no (physical) cover, you can not have a binding; this issue is also moot. My hardcover edition is bound perfectly; I cannot tell if it is stitched and glued or just glued, but however they did it, it is sturdy and no pages are in danger of falling out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (7) An e-book has no physical dimensions--in terms of actual book size. The hardcover edition, however, as given by the publishers, are: 6.8 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches. (8) The publishers have given the number of pages as 144. This is certainly within the page range for this graphic novel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bcav4F-JLc/Vh9EP3PrOrI/AAAAAAAAUDw/GpCagJNXwd8/s1600/7-really-cool-tips-for-publishing-your-ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bcav4F-JLc/Vh9EP3PrOrI/AAAAAAAAUDw/GpCagJNXwd8/s200/7-really-cool-tips-for-publishing-your-ebook.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[14]</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (9) Since I am reviewing an e-book, advertising doesn't come in to play. My edition of my purchased <i>"Down Town,"</i> likewise, has no advertising, whatsoever. (10) Price. Before the six episodic editions were put together, they cost $1.99 each from Amazon. Again, though I am not reviewing the individual episodes, I am reviewing the whole book, <i>Down Town.</i> I received my copy for free through NetGalley for providing an honest review, and not obligated to give a positive review. People purchasing the e-book, from Amazon, for example, will pay (as of today's date) $14.74; the hardcover will run $18.62 (again, as of today's date). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (11) WHAT IS THE INTENT OF THE AUTHOR/PUBLISHERS? </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xICsmrzKWvA/Vh9LSX0X2nI/AAAAAAAAUD8/0oAq9udqQOA/s1600/intention_sign-_sri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xICsmrzKWvA/Vh9LSX0X2nI/AAAAAAAAUD8/0oAq9udqQOA/s320/intention_sign-_sri.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[16]</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We have finally come to the big question for this book. It was on October 9, 2014 that Dynamite Entertainment announced that Jim Butcher was to release a "contemporary fantasy miniseries featuring an original Jim Butcher story <b>exclusively developed for the comic book medium</b>." The miniseries was set within the continuity of the <i>Dresden File Series. </i>The announcement included that the serialized line would come in "six comic book issues ...before collection as a hardcover graphic novel later in 2015." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] </span>Logically, we come to the conclusion that the book is a series of six comic books in one.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ok2FpKlJUVw/ViB2RSqKoeI/AAAAAAAAUFs/DAH6F8Uprco/s1600/Dresden-Butcher-press-photo-300x240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ok2FpKlJUVw/ViB2RSqKoeI/AAAAAAAAUFs/DAH6F8Uprco/s1600/Dresden-Butcher-press-photo-300x240.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />This photo was part of the press release for Jim Butcher's,<br /><i>Down Town</i> mini series for the spring of 2015 and HC<br />graphic novel for the fall of 2015. Jim Butcher is co-<br />writing with Mark Powers and art is done by Carlos<br />Gomez. Jim Butcher says he likes comics. [2]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We not only have the intention of the publishers and author that they were "exclusively developed for the comic book medium," they actually have different issue numbers. So, now we ask if collecting the six issues into one volume negates the intention of the author/publisher to create a comic, and transform it into a graphic novel. According to <i>The Beat</i>, in Todd Allen's article about the <i>Down Town</i> mini-series, not only was the story to be "serialized in six comic book issues," the intent was to turn the mini-series into a "collection as a hardcover graphic novel later in 2015."<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> So, how does this intention to change the the comics into a graphic novel result in such a metamorphosis? Santiago Garcia, in <i>On the Graphic Novel</i>, said:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The prestige captured by the graphic novel, on the other hand, has in some way rubbed off on traditional comics, and traditional publishers have wasted no time trying to co-opt it by repackaging their old tired products as <i>brand new graphic novels for mature audiences</i>, in the hope of bringing in unwary readers, as if you could go from <i>Persepolis </i> to <i>X-Men</i> just by switching formats. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[xi]</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYFoTbXpYPE/ViCFe7hb1NI/AAAAAAAAUF8/_5x9leNQH4c/s1600/i-dont-know-that-it-ever-crossed-his-mind-that-an-adult-book-may-while-being-at-a-higher-reading-level-also-include-adult-theme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYFoTbXpYPE/ViCFe7hb1NI/AAAAAAAAUF8/_5x9leNQH4c/s320/i-dont-know-that-it-ever-crossed-his-mind-that-an-adult-book-may-while-being-at-a-higher-reading-level-also-include-adult-theme.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing to keep in mind, is that modernly, the graphic<br />novel consists of adult themes. These "adult" themes are<br />not only sexual, but includes violence of all sorts, rape,<br />murder, genocide, torture, supernatural, cultural and<br />hate crimes, etc. [17]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Even if one could say Jim Butcher's six serialized comic books are "new," and neither "old" nor are they "tired," can one still claim that authors/ publishers can metamorph comics into a graphic novel by merely "intending" to do so? It would seem the answer would be "No." if we relied only on Garcia's, above, statement. But, we must also consider that the story was written for adult audiences, not preteens buying from the comic book rack. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Also, consider that Butcher planned his story to have a complete arc, to be a complete story, that no advertising graces the pages of the "graphic novel," and that there's an adequate amount of pages (here, 144). Finally, we must also consider that it was the intention, all along, for the story to eventually be a graphic novel. I believe the answer is yes.Butcher wasn't just trying to merely "repackage" his comics in a different format, his comics metamorphosed into the graphic novel he intended, all along--not just a mere switching of formats.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MldCTsvf7E/ViCdGlBSVWI/AAAAAAAAUGM/sCroqklH3FM/s1600/other_considerations.htm_cmp_pvrwbs110_bnr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MldCTsvf7E/ViCdGlBSVWI/AAAAAAAAUGM/sCroqklH3FM/s320/other_considerations.htm_cmp_pvrwbs110_bnr.gif" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[18]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <u>ART WORK</u>: Original art was done by Carlos Gomez and color by Mohan, letters by Bill Tortolini and the cover by Stjepan Sejic. Let's start with the cover: issue #1 of the 6 issue comics was used for the graphic novel. I've enjoyed other work by Stjepan Sejic before and this cover also does not disappoint. The drawings and use of color is beautiful, placement impeccable, as is the point of view! Inside the book, the drawings by Bill Tortolini are wonderful. Just enough detail to enjoy the art, but not so much that the reader gets lost in the drawing--ending up in confusion, boredom, or not paying attention to what is happening. Mohan's use of color really complements the beautiful drawings. Not only do the drawings, but the use of color help set scene and mood for each frame. None of the frames appear washed out and muddy. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_A6rPW9JR4/ViCfzDMgbkI/AAAAAAAAUGY/kZP1OPF_TYU/s1600/good%2Bstory.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_A6rPW9JR4/ViCfzDMgbkI/AAAAAAAAUGY/kZP1OPF_TYU/s200/good%2Bstory.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[19]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <u>BONUS MATERIAL</u>: Original character sketches of the major players in the story are fun to examine and imagine how the images were drawn from the mind of the artist. Additionally, twenty-two pages of original rough line art (for issue one) are included and are almost as enjoyable as seeing them in color in the story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <u>STORY</u>: The story line begins as any story line does with exposition and some basic background, moves into rising action, followed by climax, falling action, and resolution. I know this sounds terribly dry, but I can't really give away any of the action more than I have in the short synopsis, above. I can say, though, that I really enjoyed another one of Jim Butcher's stories. Yes, it is shorter than any of his novels, but this story seems to fit the format. It's like Harry Dresden and Molly have a job to do and they go out, say, over the weekend, and do it. It isn't complicated with a lot of extraneous characters and subplots; just a nice clean and to the point story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>RATING</u>:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7L-dc9yhLsE/ViCinjCjXrI/AAAAAAAAUGk/hfSGsiI_U74/s1600/5-star_rating_system_pcar_01-w11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7L-dc9yhLsE/ViCinjCjXrI/AAAAAAAAUGk/hfSGsiI_U74/s1600/5-star_rating_system_pcar_01-w11.png" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[20]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Given all the reasons I have stated, above, I am very happy to award, <i>Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town</i>, by Jim Butcher and Mark Powers a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5. I truly enjoyed the e-file download to my computer and know that if you should choose to get your story through an e-book, you will enjoy it. I love Dynamite Publishers and have many books that they have published. I have already received my copy of my hardcover edition of <i>Down Town</i>, and am enjoying the beautiful cover, the wonderful art work, great story, beautiful colors and characters we have all come to love. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9p83WX6dTbQ/ViCu8fwVLTI/AAAAAAAAUG0/_icarXe-MHg/s1600/thank-you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9p83WX6dTbQ/ViCu8fwVLTI/AAAAAAAAUG0/_icarXe-MHg/s200/thank-you.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[21]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>THANK YOU</u>! Truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me today as we got to take a look at Jim Butcher's exciting new graphic novel, <i>Down Town</i>. I enjoyed speaking with you, my dear friends, and hope you were able to take away something useful for yourself this week. I always like being with you to share a little of the joy I feel at reading and writing about some of the wonderful books that have come my way. If you have something special you would like to share with me, please just leave me a comment or contact me on twitter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGM2i8FqGPg/ViCxL2OhP_I/AAAAAAAAUHI/LeQWmtr6jPw/s1600/Children%2Bof%2Bthe%2BComet%2BCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGM2i8FqGPg/ViCxL2OhP_I/AAAAAAAAUHI/LeQWmtr6jPw/s200/Children%2Bof%2Bthe%2BComet%2BCover.png" width="129" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[22]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Please join me, again, next week, as we will be going back to the world of sci-fi with <i>Children of the Comet</i> by Donald Moffitt. Mr. Moffitt's book is another of one of my NetGalley books that I have looked forward to reading and reporting on, here on my blog. Anyway, until next time, thank you for joining me. Remember to be good to one another because you never really know what sorrows another person has in their heart or what burdens are weighing them down. A smile or a kind word can go a long way, sometimes, in cheering another person up. God bless you all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQw5YzZgMes/ViCv86XH3HI/AAAAAAAAUG8/82cgMSTug2k/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQw5YzZgMes/ViCv86XH3HI/AAAAAAAAUG8/82cgMSTug2k/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This flower is a white with red center, Rose of Sharon. [22]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">...many happy pages of reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sharon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">_______________________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Jim-Butchers-Dresden-Files-Down/dp/160690700X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444702103&sr=8-1&keywords=down+town+butcher">Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town</a>."</i> [jim butcher and mark powers] smile.amazon.com. [Retrieved 10-12-15.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.comicsbeat.com/jim-butchers-dresden-files-down-town-coming-in-spring-2015/">Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town Coming in Spring 2015</a>."</i> comicsbeat.com. [Retrieved 10-13-15].</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[3] <a href="https://enchantedamerica.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/harry-dresden-chicago-il/">"<i>Harry Dresden--Chicago, IL</i></a>." [11-22-14] [jaholst] enchantedamerica.wordpress.com. Retrieved 10-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="https://s2.netgalley.com/catalog/book/73297">Jim Butcher's: Dresden Files "Down Town</a>."</i> [jim butcher and mark powers] s2.netgalley.com. Retrieved 10-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Graphic-Novel-Santiago-Garc%C3%ADa/dp/162846481X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444765697&sr=8-1&keywords=on+the+graphic+novel">On the Graphic Novel</a>."</i> [santiago garcia; p.ix] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="https://hannahsteenbock.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/some-more-writing-advice-beginning-middle-end/">Some More Writing Advice--Beginning, Middle, End</a>."</i> hannasteenbock.wordpress.com. Retrieved 10-14-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://comics.imakinarium.net/notis/2010/1/100121_homenaje_a_suydam_miller/100121_homenaje_a_suydam_miller.htm">Homenaje, Wolverine 1 de Frank Miller y Chris Claremont (ensenando las garras)</a>."</i> comics.imakinarium.net. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/10/graphic-novels-exciting-new-graphic.html">GRAPHIC NOVELS: An Exciting New Graphic Novel--A New Original Story! by Jim Butcher, THE DRESDEN FILES: WAR CRY</a>."</i> [Jim Butcher/Mark Powers; 10-15-14] sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/hercules-thracian-wars-by-steve-moore.html">Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steve Moore [Book-to-Movie Staring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson</a>." </i>[06-29-14] sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Distinguish-Between-a-Comic-Book-and-a-Graphic-Novel">How to Distinguish Between a Comic Book and a Graphic Novel</a>." </i> wikihow.com. Retrieved 10-14-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley</a>."</i> netgalley.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://www.ttcbooksandmore.com/2015/07/against-grain-thirds-series-book-5-by.html">My Thoughts on Night of Champions</a>."</i> ttcbooksandmore.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://captaincomics.ning.com/forum/topics/solicitations-dynamite-entertainment-for-april-2015">Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town #3 (of 6)</a>."</i> captaincomics.ning.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2014/07/31/3-tips-for-ebook-marketing-for-inbound-leads/">3 Tips For eBook Marketing For Inbound Leads</a>."</i> forbes.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://www.comicsbeat.com/jim-butchers-dresden-files-down-town-coming-in-spring-2015/">Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town Coming in Spring 2015</a>."</i> comicsbeat.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="https://ivyprosper.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/prosper-prosperous-living-january-16/">Prosper / Prosperous Living--January 16</a>."</i> [01-16-13; ivy prosper] ivyprosper.wordpress.com. Retrieved 10-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="http://chaptertk.com/2014/08/01/adult-books-adult-themes-and-teens-that-read-them/">Adult Books, Adult Themes and Teens That Read Them</a>."</i> chaptertk.com. Retrieved 10-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://www.nyconsul.com/other_considerations.htm">Other Considerations</a>."</i> nyconsul.com. Retrieved 10-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="https://twitter.com/goodstoryuk">Good Story</a>."</i> twitter.com. Retrieved 10-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="https://pitfire.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/page/2/">Jetpack Joyride</a>."</i> pitfire.wordpress.com. Retrieved 10-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[21] <i>"<a href="http://withinrange.ca/events-thornhillmarkham/thank-you-all-members/">Thank You!</a>"</i> withinrange.ca. Retrieved 10-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[22] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Children-Comet-Donald-Moffitt/dp/1497682940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444983591&sr=8-1&keywords=children+of+the+comet">Children of the Comet</a>."</i> [donald moffitt] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">[23]<i> "<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. 10-07-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-43284972167933454402015-10-07T20:29:00.001-07:002015-10-07T22:02:05.024-07:00The Martian by Andy Weir--And What About The Movie?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjvJtuRXeTE/Vg64wJCw8DI/AAAAAAAATsQ/_EzHlZyBfKU/s1600/The%2BMartian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjvJtuRXeTE/Vg64wJCw8DI/AAAAAAAATsQ/_EzHlZyBfKU/s400/The%2BMartian.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A little over a year ago, as I perused the various book lists, I saw the book, <i>The Martian</i> by Andy Weir. I read the short premise of the book, and at that moment decided I wanted to read the book. Because of various promises to read and review certain books, as well as my obligations through NetGalley, <i>The Martian</i>, continued to sit in my virtual to be read (TBR) pile of books untouched. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I guess I should say, the book sat there until I realized that the movie would be out in just two days. I grabbed my e-reader device (a kindle) and began reading Andy Weir's book. Since I can't read during work hours, I read every spare minute I could get. While someone else drove, I read. While the family watched a movie, I sat with them and read. But, I couldn't stay up late to read--I had to get a reasonable amount of sleep so I wouldn't be asleep on my feet for work the next day.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Nonetheless, I did manage to finish the book in two days, October 2, 2015, the day the movie came out. My family, and a dear friend who was joining us, decided they wanted to see the movie on Saturday. And, since today is Saturday, October 3rd, we will all be leaving the house in just a few minutes to see the movie in 3D at our local theater. I'll get back to you after the movie and let you know just how much I liked or hated it...Gotta go now.<br />
<br />
<b><u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:</b><br />
Well, I'm back from the theater, and I suppose I should give you a short synopsis of the book before diving in to discuss it (and a bit about the movie). <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwFbIQyBbUM/VhHVcXBQMKI/AAAAAAAATuI/MFZAlR9MXwg/s1600/mars-landscape%2Bcropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwFbIQyBbUM/VhHVcXBQMKI/AAAAAAAATuI/MFZAlR9MXwg/s400/mars-landscape%2Bcropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this scene from, <i>The Martian</i>, Mark Watney wakes to a blaring alarm<br />
indicating that his oxygen is at a dangerously low level. Watney quickly<br />
discovers his oxygen is leaving the suit because a sharp piece of debris <br />
punctured his suit...and him. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not long after a manned mission to Mars lands and estab- lishes a base from which to conduct scientific exploration, a fast incoming storm threatens to destroy the outpost. Comman- der Lewis notifies the crew that the mission is "scrubbed," and fol- lows protocol in evac- uating the crew. Dur- ing the evacuation Mark Watney is hit by flying debris and thought dead; the team leaves Mars and Mark Watney behind as they head back to planet Earth.<br />
<br />
Mark Watney wakes up to finds himself nearly covered with red Martian sand and pierced by debris, his suit alarm blaring and his oxygen level near depletion. So begins Mark's extraordinary struggle to survive with the limited resources at his disposal. Mark solves one problem after another...until his own "human error" causes an explosion that wipes out much of his work. Mark's engineering and ingenuity enables him to contact Earth. Although Mark is able to overcome many seemingly impossible obstacles, will fortune intervene to save him? Will a rescue ship reach him before he runs out of food, oxygen, water, or hope?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6pEL4MorZY/VhKhzZzBClI/AAAAAAAATuk/Otk38ZEThAc/s1600/robinson-crusoe-on-mars-1964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6pEL4MorZY/VhKhzZzBClI/AAAAAAAATuk/Otk38ZEThAc/s320/robinson-crusoe-on-mars-1964.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>INSPIRATION FOR <i>THE MARTIAN</i></u>:</b><br />
Although Andy Weir did not title his book, <i>"Robinson Crusoe on Mars,"</i> (that one has already been done <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span>) he does seem to have taken inspiration from that and/or similar subject matter. Back when I was a kid, my mom and dad bought the first "color" TV on our block. A wave of nostalgia arises because this movie, <i>Robinson Crusoe on Mars</i>, was the very first color show we watched on our new set. Having only watched black and white shows before this made my experience oh, so memorable.<br />
<br />
How is this story similar to <i>The Martian?</i> Well, the most obvious aspects include (1) "a lone" earth man is (2) stranded on Mars (3) with limited resources, (4) forcing him to rely on his scientific training, (5) and ingenuity, and (5) where he must deal with loneliness, (6) until he is miraculously rescued. I rewatched this old movie on Amazon for the rental price of $2.99 last night--what a blast. Paul Mantee even meets another humanoid whom he dubbs, "Friday," from the original Robinson Crusoe story. This old movie stars Adam West (2 years before he became Batman) who dies early in the story, Paul Mantee and Victor Lundin with Byron Haskins Directing.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMcMEfI8zmY/VhL07uaDN9I/AAAAAAAATu4/qIeKldwCJgM/s1600/51uX4aMzZwL._SL_300_%2Baaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMcMEfI8zmY/VhL07uaDN9I/AAAAAAAATu4/qIeKldwCJgM/s320/51uX4aMzZwL._SL_300_%2Baaa.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <b>FREE E-BOOK</b> of Daniel Defoe's,<br />
<i>Robinson Crusoe,</i> may be downloaded<br />
from Amazon by clicking <br />
on the link, <b><i><u><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Robinson-Crusoe-Daniel-Defoe/dp/1514683989/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1444064026&sr=8-10&keywords=robinson+crusoe">here</a></u>. </i></b>[4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, even this classic film story got its inspiration from somewhere, and that would most likely be Daniel Defoe's, <i>"Robinson Crusoe." </i>Defoe's story focuses on a man who is shipwrecked and castaway on a remote island. He, too must use his wits to survive and to adapt to a more primitive life style...and, of course, find and save a native cannibal, whom he called, "My man, Friday."<br />
<br />
And, where did Daniel Defoe get his inspiration to write the hugely popular and enduring story? Apparently, many have made suggestions as to the source of Defoe's inspiration for the book.<br />
<br />
One of the more popular accounts focuses on a man by the name of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor, who was rescued by the "Woodes Rogers' Expedition," in 1709. Others say this explanation is incorrect. The counter belief was that Selkirk's rescuer, Rogers, wrote his own account of the voyage entitled, <i>"Cruising Voyage,"</i> published in 1712, relaying Selkirk's experiences with many notable differences from Defoe's book. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsnOO9s-lgQ/VhMFC2ulPPI/AAAAAAAATvI/JbIuLkfnyQY/s1600/Crusoe%2BOpera.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsnOO9s-lgQ/VhMFC2ulPPI/AAAAAAAATvI/JbIuLkfnyQY/s320/Crusoe%2BOpera.PNG" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One adaptation of <i>Robinson Crusoe</i>,<br />
is this opera by Offenbach. [6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Still others claim Defoe was influenced by either a Latin or English translation of Ibn Tufail's novel, <i>"Hayy ibn Yaqdhan."</i> This is an earlier, but similar-type novel with the setting being a desert island. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span> Yet, another account is told by Robert Knox who related his story of abduction by the King of Ceylon in 1659, entitled, <i>"An Historical Account of the Island Ceylon."</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span><br />
<b><u></u></b><br />
<b><u></u></b>
And then, there is the claim by Daniel Defoe, himself. He has said that he truly was only the editor of the story. Defoe claimed that the true author of the book was a man by the name of Robinson Crusoe who was still alive in the years 1719-20. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span><br />
<br />
And, there are many, many more claims about the true inspiration for, <i>"Robinson Crusoe."</i> Surely as numerous as the multitude of books, plays, operas, and movies that have been inspired by the story.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9ntOYK8EA0/VhMMNA-wBGI/AAAAAAAATvc/2UKApHjcu9M/s1600/Swiss%2BFamily%2BRobinson%2BMovie%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9ntOYK8EA0/VhMMNA-wBGI/AAAAAAAATvc/2UKApHjcu9M/s200/Swiss%2BFamily%2BRobinson%2BMovie%2BCover.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before I leave the discussion about inspiration for the book (and movie), <i>The Martian</i>, I have to mention that one book and film classic will inevitably arise. I speak, of course of <i>Swiss Family Robinson.</i> To the left, here, is the display for the movie, but let's not forget the book. <i>Swiss Family Robinson</i> (the book) may be downloaded for <u style="font-weight: bold;">FREE</u> from Amazon by clicking the link, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Swiss-Family-Robinson-Puffin-Classics/dp/0141325305/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1444088378&sr=8-3&keywords=Swiss+family+robinson">here</a></u>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[7]</span> If you would like to see the movie, you can either purchase it from Amazon or rent it to watch (click, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YBT576?ie=UTF8&keywords=The%20Swiss%20Family%20Robinson&qid=1444088688&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1">here</a></u>). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[8]</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiK0dNioqS0/VhMbV6Zu7cI/AAAAAAAATv0/gtddNG2NM48/s1600/Apollo%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiK0dNioqS0/VhMbV6Zu7cI/AAAAAAAATv0/gtddNG2NM48/s200/Apollo%2B13.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9]<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_oKkhFsYWQ/VhMc9tUB9BI/AAAAAAAATwE/2YBHLoeudGA/s1600/Cast-Away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_oKkhFsYWQ/VhMc9tUB9BI/AAAAAAAATwE/2YBHLoeudGA/s200/Cast-Away.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally, the two notable stories often mentioned in the same breath with <i>The Martian</i> are <i>Apollo 13</i>, and <i>Cast Away, </i>with <i>The Martian</i> being described as a cross between the other two. Really! Really, two great stories. Ironically, Tom Hanks stars in both wonderful films. Great acting. Resourcefulness shown in both films, limited resources, hope kept alive through trying times, near-death experiences....You get it. I love both of these films and am inspired to go back and watch them, yet, again.<br />
<br />
In preparation for this blog post about Andy Weir's, <i>The Martian</i>, I not only read Weir's book, I watched, <i>Robinson Crusoe on Mars</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span><i>, Swiss Family Robinson</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[8]</span>, <i>The Extraordinary Tale of William Buckley</i> (a docudrama) <span style="font-size: x-small;">[11]</span>, <i>Mr. Robinson Crusoe</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[12]</span>, and, tonight I'm watching <i>Cast Away</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[10]</span>, and <i>Apollo 13</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[9]</span>, as well. [See also, James (Jim) Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger's book, <i>Apollo 13</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[13]</span>, and<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><i>Cast Away: The Shooting Script</i>, by William Broyles. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] </span>]<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<b><u>WHAT I THINK OF ANDY WEIR'S </u><i><u>THE MARTIAN</u>:</i></b><br />
While I was motivated to get <i>The Martian</i> read before I went to see the movie (I prefer to read books before they get to the big screen) this quick read was not an onerous job for me. I opened to page one and was instantly hooked.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SdMohDXLwmY/VhRLILnsCLI/AAAAAAAATwc/FsNVL_UoDAo/s1600/Dickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SdMohDXLwmY/VhRLILnsCLI/AAAAAAAATwc/FsNVL_UoDAo/s320/Dickens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Immediately, I thought of the opening lines of another famous book, <i>A Tale of Two Cities</i>, by Charles Dickens: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." To be chosen as an astronaut to be part of a manned mission to Mars would be the best of times. To be left behind on the foreign planet when your crew mates left, the worst. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[16]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ0DhHJ7-Ng/VhRUA9Io5mI/AAAAAAAATww/SysGyoMPOL0/s1600/main_550_sorry_im_fucked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ0DhHJ7-Ng/VhRUA9Io5mI/AAAAAAAATww/SysGyoMPOL0/s200/main_550_sorry_im_fucked.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[17]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Andy Weir utilizes Mark Watney's daily recorded log for NASA as a way to communicate to the reader those things Mark Watney wants an unidentified "someone" to hear after the records are eventually found, perhaps "a hundred years" into the future. The first Log Entry: Sol 6, has Watney saying, "I'm pretty much fucked." Now, if you are someone who cannot abide cuss words used in a novel, this novel may not be for you. Watney will pepper this cuss word through out the story. 'Why does author, Andy Weir, have Watney speak like this, you might ask?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Watney is an intelligent man, he is an engineer and a botanist; so, if Watney is an intelligent man, educated, and an astronaut, why utilize this "character defect"? Ask yourself, "Would Watney be interesting if he were just a nerd who thinks of nothing other than science?" I mean, really, would it be that interesting to hear him constantly spouting equations and scientific theories? You know the answer to that is "No." What if Watney were a deeply spiritual man who constantly crossed himself, said prayers aloud, and never used a foul word? That, too, would get old, pretty fast.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbB_41H4c20/VhRagZdUyVI/AAAAAAAATxA/ctXMsu8axBg/s1600/Wit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbB_41H4c20/VhRagZdUyVI/AAAAAAAATxA/ctXMsu8axBg/s320/Wit.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[18]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the very first sentence of the book, Andy Weir begins showing us Mark Watney's personality. It may initially be used for shock value, but Mark Watney continues to swear--what about that? If you think about it, intelligent people who are effective at communicating with others...well, they use precisely the words they need to get their point across. If Watney had some very strong emotions at realizing he was left alone on the planet and was highly likely to die, mightn't he cuss? Don't you think it would just help him to relieve some of his stress?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aq1dqxrw1rU/VhReIuZINTI/AAAAAAAATxM/3vax36egpt4/s1600/mostly%2Bdead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aq1dqxrw1rU/VhReIuZINTI/AAAAAAAATxM/3vax36egpt4/s200/mostly%2Bdead.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[19]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think Andy Weir is a cagey little devil--he sets up Watney as a bit of a firebrand, right off the bat. Watney even tells us that he will explain the basics and how the missions work, "for any layman who might be reading this." Watney calls things "pretty cool," and wonders why he wasn't "more dead" (this one reminds me of <i>The Princess Bride--</i>remember?--"mostly dead."?). So, most of the time Watney speaks like an ordinary "layperson," himself, with cussing, off-handed humor, and schtick of all sorts, and curiosity about "how the Cubs are doing."<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12]</span><br />
<br />
And while we are speaking of "more dead/mostly dead," I love the humor all through the book. How about this pithy one: "In the event a crewman dies on Mars, he stays on Mars" <span style="font-size: x-small;">[7]</span>. Ho, ho, ho! What happens on Mars, stays on Mars? Really? Pithy and sneaky to be sure. So, is the dialogue Andy Weir uses in the book sufficient to develop Mark Watney's character? Well, obviously, no. It does, however go a long way in showing us Mark's wacky personality.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8n5SSU1Jjls/VhS2lAO0AtI/AAAAAAAATxg/esDOK4QaGh0/s1600/i__m_falling_apart__by_nonsens8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8n5SSU1Jjls/VhS2lAO0AtI/AAAAAAAATxg/esDOK4QaGh0/s320/i__m_falling_apart__by_nonsens8.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[20]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another reason that Andy Weir has Mark Watney use the "log" to relate the story of what is going on in his life and what he is doing to keep himself alive is that, psychologically, if Mark is busy doing, he will not fall into morbid depression. Mark is the only one who can keep himself from literally falling apart. While Mark may have to deal with his environment as it falls apart--in a wide variety of ways--Mark must keep the one resource together that he really needs to survive...himself.<br />
<br />
Related tangentially to the "Mark has to keep himself together" feat is the question, "Is Mark's ingenuity and indefatigability realistic?" I believe it is. First, given Mark's personality that he is confident in his abilities and that NASA signed him on as an Engineer/Botanist are two big pluses that he is competent to keep the mission's scientific equipment going. Mark needs both of these attributes to succeed.<br />
<br />
When you combine all of Mark's positive attributes (intelligence, education and training, self-confidence, adventurous nature, risk taking and the ability to "live on the edge,"), with Mark's wacky sense of humor and irreverent speech patterns, I think Andy Weir has put together a realistic astronaut. I don't know about you, but I think astronauts need the ability to master their fears. I was taught that <b>"action cures fear!"</b> So...Mark Watney is also an action guy.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuqtAyfv60E/VhVT5g5V71I/AAAAAAAATx0/G_9_A5LS4b0/s1600/A_smiling_astronaut_standing_on_the_surface_Mars_120129-002207-247009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuqtAyfv60E/VhVT5g5V71I/AAAAAAAATx0/G_9_A5LS4b0/s200/A_smiling_astronaut_standing_on_the_surface_Mars_120129-002207-247009.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[21]</td></tr>
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Astronaut's need to be different than the average person. An astronaut needs to be adventurous to risk going so far into space. Moreover, an astronaut needs to be able to make adjustments (in work and self-care) as needed in order to survive. And remember, Mark Watney is highly intelligent and ingenious. If you put those personality traits together with a need to survive, you have a Mark Watney personality.<br />
<br />
While I like how Andy Weir developed Mark Watney's personality, the secondary part of the cast were more like two dimensional characters. They were there on Earth . They did their part. While we saw the beginnings of development, they were just not fleshed out. Now, one might say that was a fatal flaw to the book. Me...I'm not so sure.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANnRqIZxcvM/VhVgIcjUQ9I/AAAAAAAATyE/yRNPLTqlI44/s1600/MattDamon-Martian-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANnRqIZxcvM/VhVgIcjUQ9I/AAAAAAAATyE/yRNPLTqlI44/s320/MattDamon-Martian-front.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[22]</td></tr>
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In photography (any art, really) you focus your lens to make the subject matter clear and crisp to stand out from the background--you may choose to let the background go slightly out of focus. This technique is used to draw attention to the subject matter.<br />
<br />
See the photo from the movie on the left, here? The background is blurred while the plant and Mark's finger as he gently touches the plant are in sharp focus. Your eyes do not look at the background, they focus on the plant. It can be argued that that is what Andy Weir has done in the book with the secondary characters. After all, Weir seems to know what he is doing and has otherwise written his story well, turning it into an absolutely entertaining yarn.<br />
<br />
Finally, just a word about Andy Weir's research and scientific basis for the movie. Since so many others have reviewed that aspect of Andy Weir's book (and critique of the movie), I will just add that (it's been mentioned by Andy Weir and others) much work has been done as research for the book. Well done, Andy Weir.<br />
<br />
Because I'm fairly sure most of you are really interested in the movie, I have for you, today, a short movie trailer from YouTube. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[23]</span> Please enjoy:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ej3ioOneTy8" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Well, I promised you I'd tell you how much I loved or hated the movie, <i>The Martian</i>. In three short words: "I loved it!"<br />
<br />
Movies are not always adapted well from books. One of the most notorious book successes and movie failures--of which I have done a book review--is <i>Endless Love</i> by Scott Spencer. While I found the book to be well-written, the movie and its remake are among the worst ever done in cinema history. In my post of February 1, 2014, I wrote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In fact, Leonard Maltin of <i>Google Books: </i><u style="font-style: italic;">Leonard Maltin's 2010 Movie Guide</u>, panned the film (along with other numerous critics); Leonard Maltin called it "a textbook example of how to do everything wrong in a literary adaptation." Maltin decries the film as "one of the worst films of its time." (To see this book review click, <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/02/endless-love-by-scott-spencer-goes-to.html">here</a></u>.)</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmNyXmQ5ujs/VhV1sYIa73I/AAAAAAAATyk/GUlHGva_6wo/s1600/martian-firstlook2-cropped-700x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmNyXmQ5ujs/VhV1sYIa73I/AAAAAAAATyk/GUlHGva_6wo/s400/martian-firstlook2-cropped-700x300.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[24]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>The Martian</i>, starring Matt Dam- on, not only has great cinematogra- phy and obviously great direction by Ridley Scott, a wonderful screen- play by Drew God- dard, and a wonder- ful supporting cast, it has Andy Weir's wonderful book on which to base this movie. The adaptation was really, really good! <span style="font-size: x-small;">[25]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FJReu4Wop0/VhVwHvuM-GI/AAAAAAAATyU/0TPisQvXFjs/s1600/Matt%2BDamon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FJReu4Wop0/VhVwHvuM-GI/AAAAAAAATyU/0TPisQvXFjs/s320/Matt%2BDamon.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[26]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A word about Matt Damon before we close for today. Matt Damon really sells this movie. While I LOVED the book by Andy Weir, Matt Damon brought Mark Watney to life. Matt's facial expressions were so enjoyable to see, his body language was sublime, and Matt delivered all the vocal nuances needed to really bring out Watney's personality. He made Mark Watney believable. In other words, Matt did a great acting job. I enjoyed the whole move--I would love to see it again, and am planning on buying the movie when it is released to the public.<br />
<br />
<b><u>COMMENTS AND RATING</u>:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIcFmYXNuR0/VhV9Dvs7mFI/AAAAAAAATy0/dQ-FAQy1R9I/s1600/4.5-stars-pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="60" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIcFmYXNuR0/VhV9Dvs7mFI/AAAAAAAATy0/dQ-FAQy1R9I/s320/4.5-stars-pic1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[27]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I realize we have really only scratched the surface as far as topics on which we can write and analyze. Nonetheless, I sincerely hope I've provided enough information for understanding the book and the movie. I would encourage anyone who likes to read, to pick up this book, hardcover, paperback or ebook, and read it. Given all that I have said above about Andy Weir's book, <i>The Martian</i>, I am proud go give this excellent book a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 (If I were giving a full review of the movie, I would, likewise give 4.5 stars out of 5 stars award.). I highly recommend both the book and the movie.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bO-yqY57d6w/VhWLW3FRBAI/AAAAAAAATzQ/G5dcMBnGhPM/s1600/DresdenDownTownHC-Cov-TempSpine-600x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bO-yqY57d6w/VhWLW3FRBAI/AAAAAAAATzQ/G5dcMBnGhPM/s200/DresdenDownTownHC-Cov-TempSpine-600x900.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[28]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you for joining me this week...we looked at a dramatically different book than we did last week (last week: <i>On the Graphic Novel</i> by Santiago Garcia). Next time I have something for you I think you will like. I will be bringing you a review of a graphic novel. This is a new original story from the world of Harry Dresden. The book is, <i>Down Town: Jim Butcher's Dresden Files</i>. So, I hope I have stimulated your curiosity, a bit--to see how this book review will differ from those I have done in the past. Join me next time for some fun and an exciting original story.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Sharon's words for the week</u>:</i> Often we may be at a loss for what to do for another person who seems to need a little encouragement or kindness. In those times give a warm smile. This is my true story: At college I was walking between classes feeling down and discouraged, frowning. I looked up and made eye contact with a young man, his face made beautiful by the warmest smile I've ever seen. I could tell this young man saw my sadness and wanted to cheer me up. I never saw him again, but this wonderful, kind person now lives in my memory. When I think of that smile, I feel lighter and happier to know that there are kind people in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">--William Arthur Ward</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Until next time . . .<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3XLmpZtfyI/VhWJq4JbBmI/AAAAAAAATzE/UpEFat-xlZM/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3XLmpZtfyI/VhWJq4JbBmI/AAAAAAAATzE/UpEFat-xlZM/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a white with red center "Rose of Sharon." [29]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
. . . many happy pages of reading.<br />
<br />
<br />
My friends, I send you my love and good wishes for a wonderful week.<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"'<a href="http://mashable.com/2015/08/24/andy-weir-martian-interview/#HbccVCF8gEqH">The Martian' author Andy Weir is putting the science back in science fiction</a>."</i> mashable.com. Retrieved 10-04-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://thats-normal.com/2015/06/the-martian-movie-is-coming/">The Martian is Coming</a>."</i> thats-normal.com. Retrieved 10-04-15.
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001YX2Q2C?ie=UTF8&keywords=robinson%20crusoe%20on%20mars&qid=1444084844&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1">Robinson Crusoe on Mars</a>."</i> amazon.com Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Robinson-Crusoe-Daniel-Defoe/dp/1514683989/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1444064026&sr=8-10&keywords=robinson+crusoe">Robinson Crusoe</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-05-15. crusoe book</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_Crusoe">Robinson Crusoe</a>."</i> en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_Cruso%C3%A9">Robinson Crusoe - Opera Comique</a>."</i> en.wikipedia.org. Image Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Swiss-Family-Robinson-Puffin-Classics/dp/0141325305/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1444088378&sr=8-3&keywords=Swiss+family+robinson">The Swiss Family Robinson</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054357/">Swiss Family Robinson</a>."</i> imdb.com. Image Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Apollo-13-Anniversary-Blu-ray-DIGITAL/dp/B00UT57BT4/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1444091329&sr=8-2">Apollo 13</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026O475M?ie=UTF8&keywords=cast%20away&qid=1444092931&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1">Cast Away</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00YK86ZPW/ref=atv_hm_c_yrvds_s9012_2_3?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_i=default&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2217417102&pf_rd_r=1AWAKSPD7K0GTVC63S0V&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_t=12401">The Extraordinary Tale of William Buckley</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-04-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0010XUKI8/ref=atv_hm_c_yrvds_s9012_2_2?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_i=default&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2217417102&pf_rd_r=1AWAKSPD7K0GTVC63S0V&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_t=12401">Mr. Robinson Crusoe</a>."</i> [starring Douglas Fairbanks] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-04-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Apollo-13-James-Lovell/dp/0618619585/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1444096044&sr=8-2&keywords=jim+lovell+lost+moon">Apollo 13</a>."</i> [jim lovell & jeffrey kluger] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Cast-Away-Shooting-William-Broyles/dp/1557044813/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1444096395&sr=8-2&keywords=book+%22cast+away%22">Cast Away: The Shooting Script</a>."</i> [william broyles] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://blog.life-verses.com/is-the-worst-of-times-the-best-of-times/">Is the Worst of Times the Best of Times?</a>"</i> blog.life-verses.com. Retrieved 10-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Tale-Two-Cities-Charles-Dickens/dp/1503219704/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1444103419&sr=8-2&keywords=tale+of+two+cities">A Tale of Two Cities</a>."</i> [charles dickens] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 10-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="http://www.willybanjo.com/shop/t-shirts_and_clothing/anon_clothing/mens_t-shirts/sorry_im_fucked_t-shirt.asp">Sorry I'm Fucked T-Shirt</a>."</i> willybanjo.com. Retrieved 10-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://imgarcade.com/1/westley-princess-bride-gif/">The Princess Bride Dear God</a>."</i> imgarcade.com. Retrieved 10-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="http://www.manaleak.com/mtguk/2015/01/tiny-leaders/">He's Only Mostly Dead</a>."</i> manaleak.com. Retrieved 10-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="http://www.deviantart.com/morelikethis/308152092?view_mode=2">I'm falling apart</a>."</i> [nonsense8] deviantart.com. Retrieved 10-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[21] <i>"<a href="http://www.clipartclipart.com/pages/120129-002207-247009.html">Clip Art Image: A Smiling Astronaut Standing on the Surface of Mars</a>."</i> clipartclipart.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[22] <i>"<a href="http://www.theimproper.com/124263/matt-damons-mars-movie-plants-grow-video/">Matt Damon's New Mars Movie: Can Plants Really Grow There?</a>"</i> theimproper.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[23] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej3ioOneTy8">The Martian - Official Trailer [HD] - 20th Century Fox</a>."</i> youtube.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[24] <i>"<a href="http://www.slashfilm.com/tag/andy-weir/">How 'The Martian' Would Have Been Different With Water on Mars</a>." </i>[09-29-15; peter scriretta] slashvilm.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[25] <i>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3659388/">The Martian (2015)</a>"</i> imdb.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[26] <i>"<a href="http://io9.com/the-martian-is-hands-down-the-best-thriller-of-the-year-1734210971">The Martian is Hands Down the Best Thriller of the Year</a>."</i> io9.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[27] <i>"<a href="http://www.resultsfirst.co.nz/do-online-reviews-count/">4.5 out of 5 stars</a>."</i> [graphic only] resultsfirst.co.nz. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[28] <i>"<a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/07/03/jim-butchers-dresden-files-down-town-gets-hardcover-treatment/">Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town Gets Hardcover Treatment</a>."</i> bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[29] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 10-07-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-1329645949311841152015-09-28T21:38:00.000-07:002015-09-29T14:43:46.899-07:00On the Graphic Novel by Santiago Garcia, translated by Bruce Campbell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hzs5buZW1A/VXZdHbNHEqI/AAAAAAAARzE/8StV1AdCCP4/s1600/On%2Bthe%2BGraphic%2BNovel%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hzs5buZW1A/VXZdHbNHEqI/AAAAAAAARzE/8StV1AdCCP4/s400/On%2Bthe%2BGraphic%2BNovel%2BCover.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In middle school, I loved reading Classics Illustrated. Seeing the pictures along with the words helped me to visualize the story, making it come alive for me. But what does reading Classics Illustrated as a child have to do with Santiago Garcia's beautiful book, <i>"On the Graphic Novel"</i>? The connection is one most children have: the reading of comics.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, though I read <i>Classics Illustrated</i>, I never had the same life-like experiences that daydreamer Walter Mitty had. Nonetheless, the Classics Illustrated stories did help me to create a kind of "reality" where the stories could live. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I was ten, my parents sent me to Children's Hospital in San Francisco while the rest of my family stayed home, some three and one-half hours away--too far to drive every day to see me. I had my operation and skin graft (to my foot), and began a slow recovery--the one day visits on the weekend stretched out to one day every two weeks. Aching with loneliness day after day for many weeks, I turned to my <i>Classics Illustrated</i>, to occupy my mind and to keep my spirits up. I gratefully accepted the titles my folks would bring when they visited me.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zDxlprtas0s/VZwSM5fs1SI/AAAAAAAASeI/9DP0RdMqHmo/s1600/Ivanhoe%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zDxlprtas0s/VZwSM5fs1SI/AAAAAAAASeI/9DP0RdMqHmo/s320/Ivanhoe%2BCover.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This particular edition is a hardcover version<br />
of the classic novel, <i>Ivanhoe</i>, by Sir Walter<br />
Scott, adapted to <i>Classics Illustrated.</i> Comics<br />
and graphic novels can be the inspiration to<br />
read--reading this <i>Classics Illustrated</i> title<br />
inspired me to read the full novel, hardcover<br />
edition of Sir Walter Scott's <i>Ivanhoe.</i><br />
[2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I loved many of those <i>Classics Illustrated</i> titles. Some of my favorites: <i>The Three Musketeers</i> by Alexandre Dumas; <i>The Last Days of Pompeii</i> by Edward Bulwer-Lyton; <i>The Invisible Man</i> by H.G. Wells; <i>Swiss Family Robinson</i> by Jonathan Wyss; and <i>The Prince and the Pauper</i> by Mark Twain. My absolute favorite of them all, though, was <i>Ivanhoe</i> by Sir Walter Scott. Looking at the book cover, on the right, here, note that the cover indicates the title as being a "Full-Color Graphic Novel Adaptation." Of course, back then, as a kid, I did not know what a "graphic novel" was.<br />
<br />
As an adult, I learned that my assumptions about what a graphic novel was were patently wrong. I sought a clear definition on-line for "graphic novel." I found that I had to glean bits and pieces of the definition from many sources to finally put together (what I thought was) a great definition. If you look back on some of my other posts, you can find that definition (of multiple parts), there.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OX8P50ndM4/VXuYDAps1RI/AAAAAAAAR1E/56kb2GuPUWo/s1600/Cover%2B%25232.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OX8P50ndM4/VXuYDAps1RI/AAAAAAAAR1E/56kb2GuPUWo/s320/Cover%2B%25232.PNG" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really liked the book and all the<br />
information provided. I liked it so<br />
much that I purchased the hard-<br />
cover edition for myself. [ ]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's take a look at Santiago Garcia's book, <i>On the Graphic Novel</i>, translated by Bruce Campbell, to see if we can resolve the question about the definition of graphic novel. To begin, let's examine a short synopsis of the book.<br />
<br />
<b><u>SHORT SYNOPSIS</u>:</b><br />
Santiago Garcia is a renowned comics artist. In this publication, Garcia traces the history of comics and the graphic novel back from its infancy and development in nineteenth-century European "sequential art." He takes us through the early beginnings of newspaper strips (in the US) all the way through the early twentieth-century evolution of the "comic book" and to its inevitable upheaval.<br />
<br />
Garcia examines both the "aesthetic" as well as the "metamorphosis" aspects that made for "the rise of the graphic novel." He lays out the "formal" elements and then takes us through the influences of the "cultural" aspects of comics and the graphic novel. He continues his exploration of this subject and shows the reader the many "formats" of the comic as a "popular medium." <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-NikWtb7_s/VXuYYPILjdI/AAAAAAAAR1M/HNh_OAYSSj8/s1600/Picture%2B2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-NikWtb7_s/VXuYYPILjdI/AAAAAAAAR1M/HNh_OAYSSj8/s320/Picture%2B2.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two pages of the opened-up book; the pages illustrate<br />
a few of the "comics" that have been published in the past,<br />
as well as provide a text with information on the history<br />
of the comic industry as well as that of the graphic novel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Garcia states that comics are most often associated with children; even so, comics were condemned as a bad moral influence to children. Comics, at best, were seen as "unedifying" to the reading public. The material found in comics was such that no intelligent, educated, or public personage would want to pick them up to read.<br />
<br />
To show just how far the world of comics has come, Garcia provides illustrations from all over the world: Spain, France, Germany, and even Japan. Garcia uses these examples to clarify how the graphic novel has developed into its increased international profile. He also points to the graphic novel's increasingly sophisticated silhouette and how it evolved into a new type of "graphic narrative production." Moreover, the "graphic novel," is a new way of "empowering" authors. One of the very big things Garcia points out is that this new model challenges the prejudices that attached to "comics," and shows what they have yet to achieve.<br />
<br />
<b><u>CELEBRATE THE FREEDOM TO READ</u>!</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4DcHcYVPBI/VgGgalg9IbI/AAAAAAAATeU/H4SbjBSRxcU/s1600/farenheit%2B451%2Bcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4DcHcYVPBI/VgGgalg9IbI/AAAAAAAATeU/H4SbjBSRxcU/s320/farenheit%2B451%2Bcover.png" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With all that has come before in the evolution of comics and graphic novels, the comic has been condemned as unfit for children to read because it contains nothing of worth. Indeed, it has been decried as encouraging low life and moral values.<br />
<br />
Since Santiago Garcia speaks extensively throughout his book about the perception of comics and graphic novels, his book ties in perfectly with this week as <b><u>BANNED BOOKS WEEK, 09-27-15 THROUGH 10-03-15</u></b>. I want to take part in a great opportunity to help make the point that books in all genres, formats, philosophies, ideologies, etc. should not be banned. In one sense it is quite simple because "no one," as Lisa McMann, author of the <i>Wake Trilogy</i>, has said, "should have the power to decide what other people's kids may or may not read." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span><br />
<br />
In one form or another all of us have felt the impact of books that have been the target for removal from libraries and school bookshelves across this vast nation. Take part this week and join in spreading the word about Banned Books Week (09/27-10/03/15). Please start by simply taking a moment to enjoy and share this enlightening promo from YouTube about the week ahead.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/np9hrDEpNDU?list=PL-71r3OWGsTGsZhlBdhnxcJ1JCBDZRq2A" width="560"></iframe>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGNmgMsEpv0/Vgcb1zLHC6I/AAAAAAAATg8/Kbt7LjWUbsI/s1600/bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGNmgMsEpv0/Vgcb1zLHC6I/AAAAAAAATg8/Kbt7LjWUbsI/s200/bone.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span>I bring up the issue of banned books because,
as author Santiago Garcia points out in his book,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>On the Graphic Novel</i>, modernly graphic novels have received recognition and are viewed by some
as legitimate books, containing legitimate topics and stories. Jason Heller of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Entertainment Weekly,</i> tells us that that "attention cuts both ways." He
continues to explain that "[w]hile comics are now being taken seriously as
literature, they're also being challenged and banned along with
literature" by both private and public
organizations, citizen groups, and religious communities.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">[5]</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-J7Kxk6TEc/Vgceqx4XKzI/AAAAAAAAThI/vmI760kVhlk/s1600/complete-maus-survivors-tale-art-spiegelman-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-J7Kxk6TEc/Vgceqx4XKzI/AAAAAAAAThI/vmI760kVhlk/s200/complete-maus-survivors-tale-art-spiegelman-hardcover-cover-art.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span> In Heller's article of 09-21-14, Heller listed a top group of important graphic novels and comics that have taken
hits and have been banned by various organizations. Those top ten are as
follows: (1)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Color of Earth</i> by Dong Hwa Kim; (2)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Fun Home</i> by Alison Bechdel; (3)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Bone</i> by Jeff Smith; (4) <i>Batman: The Killing Joke</i> by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland; (5)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Persepolis</i> by Marjane Satrapi; (6)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>SideScrollers</i> by Matthew Loux; (7)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Ice Haven</i> by Daniel Clowes; (8)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Stuck Rubber Baby</i> by Howard Cruse; (9)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Maus</i> by Art Spiegelman; and (10) <i>Blankets<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>by Craig Thompson.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">[5]</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The importance of how books, comics, and graphic novels are received by the public speaks to our very right to be able to choose to read whatever we wish to read. It is all about maintaining an essential freedom. Now, to continue on with that in mind, let's get on to what I think about Santiago Garcia's book, <i>On the Graphic Novel.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="text-align: left;"><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT SANTIAGO GARCIA'S BOOK, </u></b><b style="text-align: left;"><i><u>ON THE GRAPHIC NOVEL</u>:</i></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGeJC05b_WE/VXZf4CW8IfI/AAAAAAAARzU/mPzIFaNdnWs/s1600/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGeJC05b_WE/VXZf4CW8IfI/AAAAAAAARzU/mPzIFaNdnWs/s640/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" width="337" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </b>At first I had assumed that Mr. Garcia would be providing a definitive defini- tion of a "graphic novel." It wasn't long until I was disabused of that notion. In the very first pages of the Preface to the American Edition, Garcia tells the reader that he is "not interested in a regular 'definition' of comics...or...the graphic novel." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wondering what the book was all about confused me; after all, the title of Garcia's work is, <i>"On the Graphic Novel." </i>Just a little later I read what Garcia had in- tended for us. Garcia ex- plained that he intended to show us all what the "mean- ing" of comics was to us in the past, what it means to us in the present and what it will mean to us in the future. The second part of all this is that Garcia also intended to show us how the graphic novel is connected to it all.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnpiC5DAqe4/VgnHPbzLxjI/AAAAAAAATiY/Ohx11_Zzzro/s1600/yellowkid.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XnpiC5DAqe4/VgnHPbzLxjI/AAAAAAAATiY/Ohx11_Zzzro/s320/yellowkid.gif" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Yellow Kid" (because he wore yellow gar-<br />
ments) at first, had dialogue written on his<br />
clothing--before the thought bubbles<br />
became prominent. [8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Delving into the pages of the e-book (an advance reading copy from NetGalley) I began to look at comics and graphic novels in a different light. Bringing the history of the telling of stories graphically from instances like Egyptian pictograms and Trajan's Column up to the earliest "comics" (like <i>The Yellow Kid</i>) provided a sound basis for my understanding to grow.<br />
<br />
I am too young to have lived through the horrors of the "McCarthy Era" in which anyone could be accused of being a communist and be blacklisted or even called before a committee with the sole purpose of ferreting out communists. Anyone could be accused, and once accused, even if innocent, you could not live down the accusation. Many people lost their jobs and could no longer work in their chosen profession<br />
<br />
I, of course, had heard about the terrors of "McCarthyism," and the many awful repercussions. What I didn't know was that something very similar happened in the publishing world to comics and graphic novels. Through a complex series of events including an attempt to blame comics for a rise in juvenile crime and "low living," the "Blame Campaign," and the rise of the "Comics Code" brought the demise of publishers and changed the way the comics industry would be from then on. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmKvQgCNzcg/VgnEq49Q3EI/AAAAAAAATiM/KsekZwSVlAE/s1600/The-Ten-Cent-Plague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmKvQgCNzcg/VgnEq49Q3EI/AAAAAAAATiM/KsekZwSVlAE/s320/The-Ten-Cent-Plague.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9] While looking for this graphic to place<br />
here, in this post, I found David Hajdu's<br />
book is still for sale. See the link, below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Garcia proposed a number of reasons for the dramatic change in the industry. The first, already mentioned above, was the comic industry's attempt to force "self-censorship" on publishers of comics. Another reason seemed to be that with the market saturated, and the rise of television as a competitor, the market was sorely injured. Perhaps the killing blow came when comics primary national distributor, American News Company, had to face an anti-monopoly suit by the Department of Justice. Garcia tells us that in David Hajdu's book, <i>The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America</i>, Hajdu lists fifteen pages of writers and artists (over 450 names) who were never able to work in the industry again.<br />
<br />
Another huge effect of the "purge" was comics would not be able to "toy with themes" for adult readers any more. Very few comics survived, for example <i>Mad</i> comics reorganized and became a magazine, <i>Mad Magazine</i>. <i>Illustrated Classics </i>survived because of their continuing insistence that their adaptations of classics were not comic books.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlGwF2ab58o/VgnM-hB72JI/AAAAAAAATio/miNC_ldFQfY/s1600/collected%2Bcomics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlGwF2ab58o/VgnM-hB72JI/AAAAAAAATio/miNC_ldFQfY/s320/collected%2Bcomics.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">This "Graphic Novel" collects under one</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">cover the following: X-Men: Messiah Com-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">plex One-Shot; Uncanny X-Men (1963)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">#492-494; New X-Men (2004) #44-46; X-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Men (2004) #205-207; and X-Factor (2005)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">#25-</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">27. One point Garcia makes in his</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">book is this: Does gathering comics from </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">different years, different comic series, and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">story lines under one cover really make</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">this a </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">graphic novel? </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">[10]</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another repercussion was not only the loss of adult themes (<i>eg.</i> crime or detective stories, horror comics and murder mysteries), but also the resurgence of the old "superheroes" making a comeback--this time with humans as superheroes (<i>Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, etc.</i>). D.C and Marvel flourished; and many old comic books were packaged together under one cover and called a "graphic novel," just to grab the coat tails of true graphic novels to both improve their status and to make more money. It was also during this time that the comix underground began growing.<br />
<br />
What I have described, here, is nothing more than a very abbreviated, nutshell version of a very small section of Garcia's work. He demonstrates how the evolution of comics shaped and perhaps even readied the way for graphic novels. Just reading Garcia's book helped me to appreciate how the history of drawing stories has influenced the modern comic and graphic novel and to keep an eye open as to where influences may take the graphic novel in the future.<br />
<br />
I not only loved reading this book in which I was able to explore more about topics like "underground comix", a subject of which I knew very little. Also, reading this book has made a great change in the way I think about not only comics, and graphic novels, it has changed the way I see influences in society--everywhere. Repercussions. Impacts. Stimuli. I no longer think, for example, that businesses fail just because of their poor fiscal management, alone.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ibCglO_dlM/VgnYKhGyJEI/AAAAAAAATjM/dVTl7cWalPg/s1600/IMG_20150928_171023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ibCglO_dlM/VgnYKhGyJEI/AAAAAAAATjM/dVTl7cWalPg/s320/IMG_20150928_171023.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11] <i>Persepolis</i> by Marjane Satrapi,<br />
is one of my graphic novels that I<br />
keep at arms reach right by my<br />
desk. This book is a wonderful ex-<br />
ample of an adult graphic novel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In spite of the seeming negativity, above, of which I have written, actually Santiago Garcia's book, <i>On the Graphic Novel</i>, is hopeful and uplifting. I look at this book as something like a person working to improve their physical condition through training, struggling everyday, wanting to give up, but nonetheless, continuing to push forward through the pain and doubt. And in the end, he or she finds success and a healthier life.<br />
<br />
So, yes, Garcia honestly and realistically portrays the struggles and triumphs of graphic art communication. It is just so, the graphic novel, growing in "strength," and developing an adult audience looking for mature material, with adult themes. As Garcia pronounces, this growing community of adult graphic art readers will not be satisfied with antiquated themes and stereotypes from their childhood, or those perhaps which have been relegated to "low culture," and will search out more creative topics and sophisticated adult themes. Garcia believes that because of all that has come before and shaped and formed the current aesthetic in graphic communications, on a global level, that we should "behold" that something very "good" has happened in serious comics studies.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAa5HWWI79w/VgnroB831pI/AAAAAAAATjk/o5FlnmCKXKk/s1600/the%2Bcolor%2Bof%2Bearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAa5HWWI79w/VgnroB831pI/AAAAAAAATjk/o5FlnmCKXKk/s320/the%2Bcolor%2Bof%2Bearth.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Color of Earth</i> by Kim Dong Hwa is a<br />
wonderful example of a book banned for a<br />
sexual theme. The book is about a "truly<br />
intimate but respectful journey...of a young<br />
girl and her widowed mother." The focus of <br />
the story is on the young girl's sexual<br />
awakening. [12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I read and review graphic novels from time to time, I found my knowledge vastly improved by reading Santiago Garcia's book. I am more interested than ever in reviewing some of the really good titles, perhaps like, <i>Maus</i> by the wonderful Art Spiegelman, <i>Persepolis</i> by Marjane Satrapi, or one of the other books listed in the banned book section, above.<br />
<br />
Topics about genocide, war, sexual abuse, and repression are just a few topics adults might be looking forward to reading. So, it is important that we sound out on the issue of banning books (in all forms), and make our voices heard that we do not accept the banning of books. One thing you can do is to choose a banned book and read it--and then pass it on to a friend. This year the focus is on young adult literature, so choose a good title from the banned books list and expand your knowledge of our young adults.<br />
<br />
<b><u>FINAL WORDS AND RATING</u>:</b><br />
I found the incredible knowledge and background material given to the reader absolutely dumbfounding. Garcia presents his concepts in a clear and very understanding manner, and yet is able to steer through a mountain of information to get the reader to the destination. I am very impressed with Santiago Garcia's articulate presentation of material. And, as I mentioned, above, the information that I take away from this book will, undoubtedly, aid me in my analysis and review of future graphic novels (and those that say they are graphic novels, but are not). I am genuinely excited to dive into a graphic novel and start writing.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTqsX89LRbI/VgoEgdqewhI/AAAAAAAATj8/XrlDwB5_DIs/s1600/four-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTqsX89LRbI/VgoEgdqewhI/AAAAAAAATj8/XrlDwB5_DIs/s320/four-stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given all the information I have given, above, I am very pleased to award <i>On the Graphic Novel</i> by Santiago Garcia a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5. This book deservedly has achieved this very good rating.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me today as we got to look at this exciting and wonderful book covering the world of comics, graphic novels, the history of these art/literature forms, and the influences that happened to form the current events in these industries. Please join me next time as we take up a new book and learn more from the world of reading. Also, Thank you for taking your time to read and consider my viewpoints in this blog post. I have truly enjoyed being with you, here, today. I look forward to the next time we meet.<br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;">Until next time . . .</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rndMSTDYE6A/VXZeZQKdOPI/AAAAAAAARzM/oaZV8uiRmEc/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rndMSTDYE6A/VXZeZQKdOPI/AAAAAAAARzM/oaZV8uiRmEc/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a white Rose of Sharon with a red center. [**]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
. . . many happy pages of reading.<br />
<br />
Best wishes,<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />
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_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Graphic-Novel-Santiago-Garc%C3%ADa/dp/162846481X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433954797&sr=8-1&keywords=On+the+Graphic+Novel+santiago+garcia">On the Graphic Novel</a>." </i>[Santiago Garcia] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 06-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Classics-Illustrated-13-Ivanhoe-Graphic/dp/1597072486">Ivanhoe</a>." </i>[Sir Walter Scott] amazon.com. Retrieved 07-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/6238213/Fahrenheit-451-Book-Covers">Fahrenheit 451 Book Covers</a>."</i> [Sarah Surachi] behance.net. Retrieved 09-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9hrDEpNDU&list=PL-71r3OWGsTGsZhlBdhnxcJ1JCBDZRq2A&index=10&cp_type=enmu&rmid=201509_MonthlyUpdate_Sept&rrid=3840790">Celebrate The Freedom To Read</a>."</i> Simon and Schuster Books. youtube.com. Retrieved 09-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2014/09/21/banned-books-week-graphic-novels">Cover Up: 10 Essential Banned and Challenged Graphic Novels</a>." </i>ew.com. Retrieved 09-25-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://geekdad.com/2015/02/out-from-boneville/">Jeff Smith's 'Bone," 10 Years On: 'Out From Boneville' Tribute Edition</a>."</i> geekdad.com. Retrieved 09-25-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.tower.com/complete-maus-survivors-tale-art-spiegelman-hardcover/wapi/100056500">The Complete Maus, The Twenty Fifth Anniversary Edition</a>."</i> [art spiegelman] tower.com. Retrieved 09-25-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://webcomicoverlook.com/2010/11/25/know-thy-history-the-yellow-kid/">Know Thy History: The Yellow Kid</a>."</i> [el santo] webcomicoverlook.com. Retrieved 09-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"T<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ten-Cent-Plague-Comic-Book-Changed/dp/0312428235/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RDFJZXD39QFD25GJB3E">he Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How it Changed America</a>." </i>[david hadju] amazon.com. Retrieved 09-97-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/X-Men-Messiah-Complex-Ed-Brubaker-ebook/dp/B00AAJR55O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443482782&sr=1-1&keywords=X-men+graphic+novel">X-Men: Messiah Complex Kindle Edition</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] While this photograph is my own, I want to provide you with the link for this book: <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Persepolis-Marjane-Satrapi/dp/0375714839/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443486170&sr=1-2&keywords=Persepolis">The Complete Persepolis</a>." </i>[paperback/black and white] amazon.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://us.macmillan.com/thecolorofearth/donghwakim">The Color of Earth (Volume 1)</a>."</i> [kim dong hwa] [mcmillan publishers] us.macmillan.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="https://purpleinkwriters.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/four-out-of-five-stars/">Four out of Five Stars!</a>"</i> purpleinkwriters.wordpress.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[*] <i>"<a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a>."</i> netgalley.com. Retrieved 06-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[**] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 06-08-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-64919909774264086692015-09-03T21:45:00.001-07:002015-10-22T08:52:03.476-07:00SHARON'S LOVE OF BOOKS Celebrates its 2nd year Blogiversary! ...AND...A SALUTE TO ALL AMERICAN WORKERS, THIS WEEKEND!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcb7c0xAVV4/VdtiHXJUHDI/AAAAAAAATBI/rMxKUHzYwYI/s1600/happy-2-year-blogiversary.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcb7c0xAVV4/VdtiHXJUHDI/AAAAAAAATBI/rMxKUHzYwYI/s1600/happy-2-year-blogiversary.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am so happy to be here, today, to celebrate my 2nd year of blogging--Sharon's Love of Books. I can hardly tell you what it means to me to be here, today, writing this blog. I almost gave up a number of times this year. So, you see, I really am grateful to have made it through this very tough year. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQatq7lLqN0/VduGe-YNnoI/AAAAAAAATBs/F52EgiQu6-M/s1600/patinet-with-iv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQatq7lLqN0/VduGe-YNnoI/AAAAAAAATBs/F52EgiQu6-M/s200/patinet-with-iv.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The actual day I started the blog was August 19th, 2013. I couldn't, however, write today's post for the 19th, because I just got out of the hospital. Ugh. Pneumonia isn't a good thing to have, believe me. I was admitted to the hospital because I could hardly breathe; my X-rays showed that I had pneumonia in both lungs. IVs were attached and numerous blood draws, and various tests were taken, and, last but not least, I was given oxygen treatments and then put on oxygen via canula. I'll add my vote to everyone else's: I don't like hospital food or port-a-potties.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One last thing before we move on...I had a pneumonia shot, but it didn't protect me against this bout of pneumonia. Having a preventative shot (like the pneumonia shot) may not always protect you, so protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, and if anyone around you is sick, stay away. I didn't do that, and I got pneumonia from a loved one. Now you know how I have ended the blog year (Aug. to Aug.)-(I still have some coughing and am still weak), let's take a look at the rest of the year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gvRGAOFBdc/VduM_3zTrLI/AAAAAAAATB8/ilUJblGoLc4/s1600/2013%2BTop%2BTen.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gvRGAOFBdc/VduM_3zTrLI/AAAAAAAATB8/ilUJblGoLc4/s320/2013%2BTop%2BTen.PNG" width="303" /></a> Everyone asks me about my top ten favorite books. This is a flexible list, with some books that never leave the list and a few others may come then go. Here's how it looked in 2013.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The major changes from 2013 to 2014 were the addition of sequels of a series and two books I read in 2014 that were new to me. It is an agonizing decision to consider removing one of my beloved titles from the top ten list. They fall into another very rare category of read books, my favorite top 20. Let's now take a look at my newly revised 2015 "My Top Ten Favorite Books--That I Have Read, So Far."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luZvBOP_DNk/VduNCpA4LmI/AAAAAAAATCA/4gCGccf_Mlo/s1600/2014%2BTop%2BTen.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luZvBOP_DNk/VduNCpA4LmI/AAAAAAAATCA/4gCGccf_Mlo/s320/2014%2BTop%2BTen.PNG" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The titles in <b>BOLD</b> are the changed titles from<br />
the original 2013 Top Ten list.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you can see in my new list for 2015, just below, this year did not bring any remarkable changes. I combined multiple titles of Orson S. Card under one place slot. If you look at number 6, you will see the big change (in bold); <i>The Lightbringer Series: The Black Prism; The Blinding Knife; </i>and<i> The Broken Eye</i> by Brent Weeks has been added to the list. The final change is that <i>The Wise Man's Fear</i> by Patrick Rothfuss has moved up and <i>Ben Hur</i> by Lew Wallace has dropped one slot. Everything else is the same. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I found the new books that I have read this year to be mixed, of course, with some poor and some very good. As far as truly outstanding titles go, I didn't really find anything I would add to my Top Ten List, and obviously, Brent Week's books had already been published; in fact, the third title, <i>The Broken Eye</i>, was released August 26, 2014. It was just one week too late to get onto my Top Ten 2014 list; hence, its inclusion in this year's list may not be that surprising.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asBIQ0RMUFg/Vduu3T6_GkI/AAAAAAAATCY/4iPCG4893x0/s1600/Top%2BTen%2B2015.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asBIQ0RMUFg/Vduu3T6_GkI/AAAAAAAATCY/4iPCG4893x0/s640/Top%2BTen%2B2015.PNG" width="424" /></a> Speaking of My Top Ten Favorite Books of All Time, I also have for you the <b>ALL TIME FAVORITE POSTS!</b> from the beginning of my blog--two years. If you were to consider the books on the right side of the screen, in the Top Ten Fav- orite Books of the Week, you might find many of these books on the ALL TIME FAVORITE POSTS list, as well.<br />
<br />
As I said, I have given you the top ten books that have, over the course of two years, consistently got- ten the posts about them read and reread. Just below, here, I have included the information about those books with a small thumbnail, Title, and Author.<br />
<br />
Of the ten books, I was very pleased that Brent Weeks' books from <i>The Lightbringer Series</i> made it to the top ten, and also that Brandon Sanderson's <i>Stormlight Archive, Words of Radiance</i> made it on the list, as well.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khAJM78HKu8/VeTsmPezHYI/AAAAAAAATVo/Z0bqnPhIEvs/s1600/ALL%2BTIME%2BFAVORITES.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khAJM78HKu8/VeTsmPezHYI/AAAAAAAATVo/Z0bqnPhIEvs/s1600/ALL%2BTIME%2BFAVORITES.PNG" /></a> For me, I am somewhat perplexed at, <i>Endless Love</i>, by Scott Spencer, and why it is number one of the top ten favorite books. Yes, the book was very well written, but the movies have endured as some of the worst material ever created in film history. I can only surmise that prurient interest garners readers for this book because of the book's reputation for graphic sexual scenes.<br />
<br />
I am very gratified that <i>Long Walk to Freedom,</i> Nelson Mandela's story about his "long walk," made the list. This beautiful soul and, perhaps, the most important person of the previous century, certainly deserves to have his story heard and legendary fight against apartheid and racism exemplified. I will never forget the day he was released from captivity: it was my birthday, and I celebrated his release along with so many others. Similarly, I mourned with the world at his passing, and dedicated the blog post to that great man.<br />
<br />
At first, I thought <i>Monster Hunter Nemesis</i> by Larry Correia, was a fluke. But as time went on, the book had staying power, and as you see, it made the top ten. I have to admit it, I really liked the book; you can see just how much by taking a look at my blog post. Readers of the <i>M.H.I.</i> series seem split on the series; I've read reviews and comments that call Correia anything but a writer, just a gun toting, gun and violence-loving _____. Nonetheless, I like the series, and since I'm a mature adult, I can decide just how much violence I can take in my reading. In a sense, much of the violence is so over-the-top, that the written scene is hilariously funny (BTW, for those of you who have read it, just think "snow plow"!).<br />
<br />
<i>Divergent</i>, is likewise, not a huge surprise. Since Veronica Roth parlayed the trilogy into a huge hit series, no one should be surprised.<br />
<br />
I read the book, <i>47 Ronin,</i> by Joan D. Vinge because I heard the book was going to be coming to the big screen. I had been fascinated with the story of the "47 Ronin," and wanted to see how the true story had been fictionalized. With so many versions of the story out in book format, I wanted to read the book and see the movie. And, although I have mixed feelings about the movie, I really liked the story. Just keep in mind it is the fictionalized version, not a true-to-life story.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGDR7AMXtM8/VeUHc1aD09I/AAAAAAAATV8/YNsR4S1vvHg/s1600/J.B.%2BBernstein.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGDR7AMXtM8/VeUHc1aD09I/AAAAAAAATV8/YNsR4S1vvHg/s320/J.B.%2BBernstein.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date: 04-17-14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I loved the book, <i>Million Dollar Arm</i> by J.B. Bernstein. It follows, that I wouldn't be amazed at its success as a movie as well as a book. Mr. Bernstein was kind enough to contact me and thank me for the review as well on behalf of Rinku and Dinesh. He also liked my book review as posted on my GoodReads page. So...I rejoice in Rinku and Dinesh's success, and everyone involved in the whole "Million Dollar Arm," project, book, and movie.<br />
<br />
<b><u>MULTIMEDIA THROUGH 2014</u>:</b><br />
I try to mix it up when I can. Sometimes reading can get boring, so I try to insert various multimedia sources to keep things exciting and fresh. Taking thirty seconds to a couple of minutes can be a great way to get a new slant on things.<br />
<br />
So . . . since I have just given you a thumbs up on the <i>Million Dollar Arm</i> book (and movie), let me share with you a multimedia insert that I used in my post about the book. I had read an interesting factoid about Rinku. "According to <i>India Today,</i> before every game, Rinku recites Hanuman Chalisa and then listens to <i>"I'm Not Afraid,"</i> by rapper Eminem. I found the song on <i>Soundcloud</i> and have it for you to listen to, here: [3]<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/114906570&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the post I advised readers to listen to the words in the song, carefully, to see how Rinku psychs himself up. I also had confessed that I had never liked rap music much, but after listening to this song, I found it grew on me. I never knew I would ever like a rap song. You see, the power of reading led me to something new and beautiful and exciting. Oh, well, live and learn. Grow and become more.<br />
<br />
Not only did I utilize music tracks to encourage reading and interest in learning more about any subject, I also used movie trailers. Since we've been discussing, <i>Million Dollar Arm,</i> let's see what the movie trailer looked like in my blog post:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EiC8o7i_ZqE" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the blog post about <i>Million Dollar Arm,</i> I confessed to readers that the trailer absolutely captivated me. Yes, I even knew what was coming, I had, after all, read the book. And, by the way, I laughed my way through the book, before seeing the trailer.<br />
<br />
<b><u>BUMPS IN THE ROAD</u>:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7R2aZ3Wgn8c/VeVEikGspeI/AAAAAAAATWY/7r0EcltR28Q/s1600/Bumps%2Bin%2Bthe%2Broad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7R2aZ3Wgn8c/VeVEikGspeI/AAAAAAAATWY/7r0EcltR28Q/s1600/Bumps%2Bin%2Bthe%2Broad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because I enjoy reading books and writ-<br />
ing about them, I love this little caption. [5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Above, I told you what had happened to me, just three weeks ago, about getting pneumonia--that being the reason I could not do my post on time. Well, this year (Aug. 2014 to Aug. 2015), I had a few bumps in the road with which I had to deal. Early fall was all right. I did very well in my work, and health, my family was copasetic, and I looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. In Nov. I got my pneumonia shot, but that didn't prevent me from falling. On Dec. 23rd, I fell and injured my arm. I spent the night in pain with an ice pack on my elbow. Dec. 24th, Christmas Eve, I went to urgent care and found out I broke my left elbow at the radial head in four places. I was placed in a half cast and went home with my arm in a sling. I did not enjoy spending Christmas Eve in urgent care. In late Jan. I was ordered into rehab and worked at that for six weeks. I was discharged from care and continued to work on strengthening my arm.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEqpKcSlNt4/VefTvVkE4fI/AAAAAAAATXI/5paOjPiACDs/s1600/Back%2BPain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEqpKcSlNt4/VefTvVkE4fI/AAAAAAAATXI/5paOjPiACDs/s200/Back%2BPain.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the following spring months I had a round of flu, just like so many others have had this year. Then I began retaining water and had to take a water pill and potassium until that got better; I also wore compression stockings and elevated my feet and legs to help circulation. I continued to have lower back pain due to a degenerative disc; the disc also caused pain in my hip and legs. The most troublesome problem was insomnia; My doctor ordered a sleep study, but my insurance denied it. Then came the pneumonia and the doctors tried to order a sleep study (again), but I told them that it had already been ordered and denied.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAaIvq2uk1I/VefXDCr7SkI/AAAAAAAATXU/YXVzOIHgrQI/s1600/SO_120107_Sleep_Study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAaIvq2uk1I/VefXDCr7SkI/AAAAAAAATXU/YXVzOIHgrQI/s400/SO_120107_Sleep_Study.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cartoon by Rob Rogers. [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It appears I may be going in for my sleep study, soon. I was just informed the study was ap- proved due to the additional problems I had in the hospital. Currently, I am still on oxygen while my lungs heal. Some- times I feel OK about using oxygen, no trouble at all, sometimes I feel as if I am tied or tethered to a post, and want to be free, and sometimes I feel so grateful for advanced medicine. I go back in Nov. for my follow up chest X-ray and my yearly fasting blood work.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-ZqRM7nUqs/VeffS97B2pI/AAAAAAAATXk/nowiAUEPPVE/s1600/tired-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-ZqRM7nUqs/VeffS97B2pI/AAAAAAAATXk/nowiAUEPPVE/s200/tired-woman.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The hardest part for me is that all the injuries and illness, doctor's appointments, X-rays, therapy, seeing the home nurse, my inability to get a good night's sleep, and just feeling physically drained, has really slowed down my ability to draft my blog posts. I am pathetically behind, and feel ashamed I haven't been able to get them out, timely. It didn't matter that I am a "Never say 'quit'" person--I had to quit, at least for a while, and then go again, only much slower. You know what I say to that? <b><i>"PLOT TWIST!"</i></b><br />
<br />
<b><u>FINAL TRANSITION</u>:</b><br />
On May 8, 2014, I posted a blog post entitled, <i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/dont-die-with-your-music-still-in-you.html">Don't Die With Your Music Still in You: A Daughter's Response to Her Father's Wisdom</a>.</i> The book was written by Serena J. Dyer and her father, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. As I write this, it was only four days ago that Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, age 75, reportedly, died of a heart attack, at his Maui home in Hawaii. It all sounds so formal and aseptic, doesn't it? Reporting facts often sound that way, but to millions, it is anything but aseptic.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vO0ggKYGuc/VefnmQPNUYI/AAAAAAAATX0/UKL-GM6uf4o/s1600/Serena%2Band%2BWayne%2BDyer.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vO0ggKYGuc/VefnmQPNUYI/AAAAAAAATX0/UKL-GM6uf4o/s640/Serena%2Band%2BWayne%2BDyer.PNG" width="365" /></a> Everyone who knew Dr. Dyer, who knew of his work, or read his books or listened to his tapes, or met him, will be touched, each in their own unique ways. I would tell you how his death touched me.<br />
<br />
I was privileged to review his daughter's and his book that I mentioned, just above. I couldn't feel more touched when Serena Dyer contacted me to thank me for reviewing her and her father's book. On the right, here, is a copy of her message to me along with her and her father's picture.<br />
<br />
Although Serena was writing to thank me, I felt as if she had given me something wonderful. Her acknowledgement of my post to me was as important as my review was to her.<br />
<br />
Dr' Dyer's death, in part, meant so much to me because I had read many of Dr. Dyer's books and listened to many of his tapes. Without a doubt, my life changed after doing so. It wasn't, after all, the listening to the tapes or reading the books that affected the changes. The changes happened on the inside where they creeped along the byways of my mind...to a "road less taken."<br />
<br />
I dedicate this blog post to Dr. Dyer and his beautiful children and loved ones who will surely miss him the most. Similarly, my heart goes out to all those missing Dr. Dyer and to those who mourn him in his passing. Serena, I thank you and will keep you in my thoughts.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cn2Irz8xqXM/VekZ7GF6uGI/AAAAAAAATY4/PaL9LdOUv7o/s1600/Thank%2BYou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cn2Irz8xqXM/VekZ7GF6uGI/AAAAAAAATY4/PaL9LdOUv7o/s320/Thank%2BYou.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>THANK YOU FOR THIS PAST YEAR!</u></b></div>
As we all leave my blog year behind and begin year three, I want to thank all of you who stuck with me through this very rocky year.<br />
<br />
And while I am still coughing and remain on oxygen, the doctor released me to go back to work. I will be heading back to the law office next Tuesday, 09-08-15. I will be taking it easy there for a while, while I build up more stamina.<br />
<br />
Also, I want to let you all know just how very touched I am by some of your communications to me. I want to thank everyone who took the time to read my blog posts and keep coming back. I keep all of you in my prayers and in my thoughts. Please stick with me as I try to rebuild my blog and increase the frequency of my posts.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nW4MZ2gjLYs/Vekb-FJ0_GI/AAAAAAAATZE/XM8KFTk6e8k/s1600/labor-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nW4MZ2gjLYs/Vekb-FJ0_GI/AAAAAAAATZE/XM8KFTk6e8k/s320/labor-day.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
PLEASE join me again, next time as we get back to reviewing books and having fun doing it. Please do yourselves a favor and read something this long Labor Day Weekend.<br />
<br />
I applaud the work and achievements of ALL of America's workforce and hope that this weekend you take a moment to reflect on what the workers of America have done to bring those achievements to the world. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, drive safely this weekend. Take extra time and leave early enough to not speed; observe the rules of the road, and even more importantly, be courteous to all drivers and pedestrians.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDI78OYKbHs/VekYmUJGwbI/AAAAAAAATYw/Gyi1UZyig3M/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDI78OYKbHs/VekYmUJGwbI/AAAAAAAATYw/Gyi1UZyig3M/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beautiful "Rose of Sharon" is white with red center.[*]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
I send you ALL my love and gratitude.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<br />
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_________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="https://faithlovejoyhope.wordpress.com/2013/09/">Happy Blogiversary!</a>"</i> [Monthly Archives: September 2013.] faithlovejoyhope.wordpress.com. Retrieved 08-24-15.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.amyloidosis.org.uk/cardiac-amyloidosis-2/treatmetn-of-cardiac-amyloidosis/">AL amyloid in the heart</a>."</i> amyloidosis.org.uk. Retrieved 08-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="https://soundcloud.com/search?q=Not%20Afraid">I'm Not Afraid</a>."</i> [Eminem] soundcloud.com Retrieved 04-13-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiC8o7i_ZqE">Million Dollar Arm.</a>"</i> youtube.com [Movie Trailer: <i>Million Dollar Arm</i>] Retrieved 04-13-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/37928821833321454/">Plot Twist</a>."</i> pinterest.com. Retrieved 08-31-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.tonjasgatherings.com/2011/07/">Cahootsville</a>."</i> tonjasgatherings.com. Retrieved 09-02-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://robrogers.com/2007/12/01/sleep-study/">Second Opinion</a>."</i> [rob rogers] robrogers.com. Retrieved 09-02-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://yourhealthupdate.net/archive/health-tips-boosting-your-energy-while-at-work/">Health Tips: Boosting your energy while at work</a>."</i> [<i>your health update</i>] Retrieved 09-02-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/self-help-pioneer-dr-wayne-dyer-dies-75-n418556">Self-Help Pioneer Dr. Wayne Dyer Dies at 75, Family and Publisher Say</a>."</i> nbcnews.com. Retrieved 09-02-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-glastonbury-experience#/story">Donating</a>."</i> indiegogo.com. Retrieved 09-03-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://hometownprovisions.net/2012/08/closed-labor-day-2/">Closed Labor Day</a>."</i> hometownprovisions.net. Retrieved 09-03-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[*] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-7257300142379071542015-07-29T23:01:00.001-07:002015-07-31T13:28:20.325-07:00Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs--A totally new and original story in the Mercy Thompson Series!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1xW3o_z_lQ/VaCSzrVSfOI/AAAAAAAASe8/bxAOd6tpMyg/s1600/TNMercyHopcrossTPCovNotFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1xW3o_z_lQ/VaCSzrVSfOI/AAAAAAAASe8/bxAOd6tpMyg/s400/TNMercyHopcrossTPCovNotFinal.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I blame my daughter for my obsession with Mercy Thompson. Although I've always loved books and reading from the time I could turn the pages until now, I became one of the truly obsessed when my daughter introduced me to Mercy Thompson. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My daughter was reading <i>Silver Borne, Mercy Thompson, Book 5</i>, when I asked her what her book was about. She launched into a diatribe about Mercy Thompson, seemingly not taking a breath until she had told me everything about the spunky auto mechanic. She insisted that I read the first book, <i>Moon Called, Mercy Thompson, Book one.</i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dfCZ8Sizto/VbgddrwXgBI/AAAAAAAASwM/bNAIApbxegM/s1600/Fire%2BTouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dfCZ8Sizto/VbgddrwXgBI/AAAAAAAASwM/bNAIApbxegM/s200/Fire%2BTouched.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a temporary cover<br />
used until the final cover<br />
is released. Amazon.com<br />
says that the release date<br />
for <i>Fire Touched </i>is March<br />
8, 2016. I can't wait! [3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, I read <i>Moon Called</i>, then I read, <i>Blood Bound, Book 2</i>, then <i>Iron Kissed, Book 3</i>. These three were immediately followed by <i>Book 4, Bone Crossed</i>, and <i>Silver Borne, Book 5</i>. I read all five books in four days. I was hooked. That was in 2010, shortly after <i>Silver Borne</i> had come out. Currently, I, like many others, await, <i>Fire Touched</i> (book 9) to be released. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span><br />
<br />
Since I had to wait until 2011 for <i>River Marked</i>, (#6) and until 2013, for <i>Frost Burned</i>, (#7) I became one of those people who constantly checks the calendar and watches for those "releases" by someone about the content of the upcoming book. I got nothing, so it was a long wait until 2014 for <i>Night Broken, </i>(#8).<br />
<br />
In between the publication of one book and another, I read other Patricia Briggs' novels. It helped. I found that I really liked Patricia Briggs' writing and enjoyed other stories from her pen. It comes as no surprise to me, certainly, that I would jump at the chance to read and review a Patricia Briggs' novel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24vOcLhXRjk/VbeuMbNbB9I/AAAAAAAASvU/_E_KiURe7iI/s1600/Mercy%2BThompson%2BSeries.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24vOcLhXRjk/VbeuMbNbB9I/AAAAAAAASvU/_E_KiURe7iI/s640/Mercy%2BThompson%2BSeries.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another very great joy, for me, is that I get the opportunity to read this book from NetGalley as an ARC (advance reading copy) in exchange for a fair and honest book review. One beautiful thing about this is that I get to download the digital book to my computer. I literally jumped for joy when I saw that this book (<i>Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly</i>) was available! And, even though I have another one or two surprises to disclose, it must wait until I give all of you the synopsis of this story.<br />
<br />
<u>A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF </u><i style="text-decoration: underline;">HOPCROSS JILLY, an Original Mercy Thompson Story</i>!<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jV4o5IyzRTk/VbgRAjKltMI/AAAAAAAASv8/FMrGECpS_wY/s1600/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jV4o5IyzRTk/VbgRAjKltMI/AAAAAAAASv8/FMrGECpS_wY/s640/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" width="338" /></a><br />
First, to better understand how <i>Hopcross Jilly</i> fits into the <i>Mercy Thompson Series</i>, we are told that it falls chronologically in between <i>Frost Burned </i>(book 7) and <i>Night Broken</i> (book 8). The book also falls just after events that occurred in the <i>Alpha and Omega Series, Dead Heat</i> (book 4). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> Hopcross Jilly</i> has a complete story arc with a beginning, middle, and end. Although readers of the series will appreciate the nuances of the story better than those who haven't read the series, without a doubt, this book can operate as a stand-alone book.<br />
<br />
Who is Mercy Thompson? She is a native American who is an auto mechanic and a shapeshifting coyote. Break- ing all bounds of the werewolf world, she falls in love with the alpha, Adam Hauptman and is soon an honorary member of his Tri-Cities Werewolf Pack.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8n60MvsIZc/VbhSTRng59I/AAAAAAAASwo/b-bvUqWZC5k/s1600/Hopcross0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8n60MvsIZc/VbhSTRng59I/AAAAAAAASwo/b-bvUqWZC5k/s320/Hopcross0110.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This graphic is from a written press re-<br />
lease by Dynamite Entertainment. In<br />
that press release, they announced the<br />
release date for the new <i>Mercy Thompson<br />Series</i>, created exclusively for comics.<br />
by Keith Davidson: 07-14-14. [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One evening, out with the pack in their wolf form, Mercy and the pack inadvertently stumble upon bones that appear to have been hidden and partially buried. It isn't long before the wolf pack members turn up more remains. Mercy quickly surmises that they are children because of the size of the bones and whole skeleton--she calls the police.<br />
<br />
With the discovery of the buried bones of the many murdered children, Mercy finds herself knee deep in a dark mystery. A mystery which plunges Mercy into dealings with the powerful and secretive fae.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Jesse, Mercy's step-daughter, is drawn by dark forces into the mystery, as well. Once involved, she cannot walk away, and the cost may be her very life. Will her bones be found in a dirt pit, along with the other children?<br />
<br />
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:<br />
OK. I've already divulged my obsession with the <i>Mercy Thompson Series</i>. Now I set all of that aside as I give you an objective opinion about the new book. I hope that by the end of this review you will feel I have been able to accomplish that. Here we go:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PcfERP5y1g/VbluE8MOCdI/AAAAAAAASxw/SmuMaK8hvYE/s1600/20150729_171201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PcfERP5y1g/VbluE8MOCdI/AAAAAAAASxw/SmuMaK8hvYE/s320/20150729_171201.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
This is a quick snapshot I took of<br />
the hardback edition I purchased<br />
for myself. The photo shows part<br />
of one page; setting: high school.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>FIRST</u></b>, let's address the formal components of the book. Since I have an e-book from NetGalley, I cannot review for you the hardcover edition, only the e-book edition. I mention this because in addition to the e-book edition I received from NetGalley, I purchased for myself the hardcover edition of this title.<br />
<br />
The cover image (the first image, located at the top left of this post), as you can see, is vibrant, even while the artist, Tom Garcia and colorist, Mohan, chose to set the mood with somber colors. Given that there is a giant reaching over the house, the image should convey an image of horror and forbidding. Looking, however, at Mercy in her fighting stance with one fist clenched and leaning forward to meet the evil head on, it seems to evoke more a feeling of "Let's dance!" than of unapproachability. The light over part of the scene shows hope. So, I think the cover is outstanding in that it leads us to want to know more, and not be afraid to open the book and turn the pages.<br />
<br />
Inside, where dark forces are at play, somber blues, grays, blacks, punctuated with brick reds and reds to warm the image, a bit--just like the cover. The pages dealing with the high school are full of light, colors, and openness. So, Garcia and Mohan did very well with the use of color in setting the scenes and atmosphere. Additionally, the images are just beautiful. To say that I like the graphic images would be an understatement.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93JrHuDVZ0k/Vbl2nneRnhI/AAAAAAAASyU/2Xlzx4RYTzo/s1600/20150729_175528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93JrHuDVZ0k/Vbl2nneRnhI/AAAAAAAASyU/2Xlzx4RYTzo/s320/20150729_175528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't really see too much of what is going on, here. I<br />
took this photo of my computer screen with the digital book<br />
opened up to a page where Jesse is at the high school.<br />
I wanted you to see the openness and vibrant<br />
colors and lightness of the scenes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>SECOND</u></b>: <u>Audience</u>: In the early days of comics, the "funnies" were for children, fairly exclusively. Since the growth and popularity of the graphic novel, the line is much harder to draw. (no pun intended). Graphic novels made comics acceptable. They also went from "episodic" publications to full novels with a beginning, middle, and end--told in pictures. So, then given those brief considerations of audience, just who is the audience for <i>Hopcross Jilly</i>? At first blush, most would think it a YA (young adult) novel. This could be true, especially with Jesse as a high schooler who takes center stage in the story.<br />
<br />
But, then we have some really gruesome scenes like the finding of children's bodies on the property in question, and the apparent mass murder of children. And then, in a scene much like Edgar Allen Poe's, <i>Tell Tale Heart</i>, parts of the deceased children were buried under the floorboards--here, finger bones and toe bones were buried like that. In the book, the fae tell the story about one who ate the fingers and toes of bad children.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlxMTJ6RQwQ/Vbl6aZkATfI/AAAAAAAASyo/V5tVupHLlEQ/s1600/hansel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlxMTJ6RQwQ/Vbl6aZkATfI/AAAAAAAASyo/V5tVupHLlEQ/s320/hansel.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, Hansel and Gretel are locked in<br />
a cage by the wicked witch, so as to<br />
fatten them up before cooking and<br />
eating them. The witch has very poor<br />
vision, so Hansel sticks a bone through<br />
the cage when the witch comes to<br />
check on how plump the children have<br />
gotten; he does this to fool the witch<br />
into thinking the two are still too thin<br />
to eat. "Wildfire" points out that the<br />
bone Hansel sticks out of the cage is a<br />
bone of a previous occupant who<br />
had been killed and eaten. [5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, the sheer gruesomeness of some of the scenes do not seem appropriate for children. But then, again, modernly, many children from middle schools go to see violent movies and read other books focusing on violence; and what child hasn't heard a violent fairy tale [<i>e.g.</i> the witch who ate children in <i>Hansel and Gretel.</i>]?<br />
<br />
<b><u>THIRD</u>:</b> <u>The Story</u>: I mentioned, above, that the story has a beginning, middle, and end; moreover, given the size of the book, it is large enough to be a graphic novel. But, note, just because it has a complete story arc and is large enough to be a book, doesn't mean it is a graphic novel. Two things are at play, here:<br />
<ul>
<li><u>First</u>, it was the intention of Patricia Briggs and Dynamite Entertainment to create this book as a "comic," exclusively. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u>Second</u>, the book was originally published in episodes, just like a comic book and later (<i>i.e.</i>, now) those episodes have been assembled into the complete story under one cover. These two things are dispositive to the issue of whether or not the book is a comic or a graphic novel.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
Next, let's take a look at Jesse's part in this gruesome story. In the series most of the main characters get to be center stage for a while--along with Mercy--to have their story told. Like many of the books in the series, Jesse gets to have her story told (well, at least part of it). While the story starts out with Mercedes (Mercy), Jesse soon takes center stage in the story.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyHHSlJDzdo/VbmhkcaOVVI/AAAAAAAASzM/qDoAWi6pG9Q/s1600/COLL014113-001-I_Read_YA-Spring_color_ways-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xyHHSlJDzdo/VbmhkcaOVVI/AAAAAAAASzM/qDoAWi6pG9Q/s200/COLL014113-001-I_Read_YA-Spring_color_ways-03.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many people proudly read YA. Given<br />
that there are readers of YA, it must<br />
be that there are authors of YA, as<br />
well. Tori Centanni tells everyone<br />
why she writes in the YA genre. [6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I mentioned, above, one of the things that makes us all suspect that the audience is for young people is that Jesse, a high school student, is one of the main parts of the story. This fact, alone, makes the story very appealing to young people. And then, of course, the story is told graphically, in the comic format--also appealing. We get to see what is going on with her, what problems she has, and also, how she faces those problems. Moreover, the high school, as a setting, is important for part of the story. We get to see Jesse in a high schooler's environment, high school. I can't tell you more without giving away some important facts relating to the major thrust of the story, so we must leave well enough, alone. <br />
<br />
<b><u>FINALLY</u>:</b> <u>Satisfaction</u>: To most of us, we judge whether or not the story gives us satisfaction in the reading. In this case, however, the story is told graphically, in comic book form. Even so, we still might ascertain whether or not the reading and visual parts of the story work as a cohesive whole in providing adequate satisfaction to say that the story was "satisfying," was "worth it," or was "good."<br />
<br />
So, here's what I can tell you without giving away important aspects of the story:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The formal components of the book worked very well. That is to say, I really loved the artwork, the colorists concepts and execution in setting the tone of the various scenes. Very well done! The cover and story pages were just simply beautiful to see and read. </li>
</ul>
<ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGW0bq-RJnI/VbmQAtSAK7I/AAAAAAAASy8/JdHK37-FCoM/s1600/hd_comics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGW0bq-RJnI/VbmQAtSAK7I/AAAAAAAASy8/JdHK37-FCoM/s320/hd_comics.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>Whether or not the book is called a comic book or a graphic novel makes "no nevermind to me." All I mean, is that I believe a story will rise or fall regardless of what it is labeled. So, I won't enjoy it more as a graphic novel than I will a comic. The content is more important to me, so I do not knock down a story "simply because it is a comic."</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It was very gratifying to see Jesse get her day in the sun. Moreover, that Briggs was able to do that without lessening Mercy Thompson's appearances was hugely satisfying. To those of us that love Mercy, we want to see her, and that Briggs accomplished this without losing the story of the high school girl, Jesse, was really great.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In the reading of the book, I sat down to read and read straight through to the end of the book. I would not, I could not, put the book down (so to speak). The story was very entertaining and had me from the beginning pages.</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMYXHKbkW3A/VbmoKLTBOtI/AAAAAAAASzc/aszJVPlK9fw/s1600/don%2527t%2Blike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMYXHKbkW3A/VbmoKLTBOtI/AAAAAAAASzc/aszJVPlK9fw/s320/don%2527t%2Blike.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>What I didn't like about the book. Well, I would like to have seen more of Adam's pack and a bit more interaction with them. Also, I would love to have seen a little bit more involvement from one or two people from the community. A teacher, perhaps, or one of the police officers who hasn't been able to rest since the first child disappearances. Perhaps, even a concerned citizen watch member who has been researching and tracking the disappearances for years, but no one would listen to him or her. The story, if anything, is lacking more involvement with the community. I mean, if the high schoolers are so upset by this, where are the parents--do they not care? Where are the marches and the community searches for the more than twenty missing children? Where is the community outrage? We see it everyday on our televisions when one child is murdered or has gone missing. So, this part of the story just didn't seem true to the theme of missing children. IT LACKS THREE DIMENSIONALITY! And, also, while some might object to the minor amount of cursing in the book, I found it was not offensive to me. </li>
</ul>
<ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8x5y4CfI0hs/VbmqUHhRrEI/AAAAAAAASzo/sdeUAC42HSs/s1600/thought.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8x5y4CfI0hs/VbmqUHhRrEI/AAAAAAAASzo/sdeUAC42HSs/s320/thought.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Overall, with everything considered. I enjoyed the story<br />
and feel my money was well spent on my hardback<br />
edition of the <i>Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly</i>, book. [9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>Overall, I enjoyed the story, beautiful art- work, and the courage to put the gruesome story out in publica- tion. I am sure young people will enjoy it. I certainly did. Perfect? No, the story is not perfect. But, it did pro- vide an overall satisfac- tion in the reading.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><u>RATING</u>:</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5tlmoT0P1U/VbmvG0_PNMI/AAAAAAAASz4/Br_KysHuYPM/s1600/4-out-of-5-Stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5tlmoT0P1U/VbmvG0_PNMI/AAAAAAAASz4/Br_KysHuYPM/s1600/4-out-of-5-Stars.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Given all of my, above, considerations regarding the book, <i>Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly</i>, including the formal components, including the graphics and use of color, of the audience, the story, and the overall satisfaction I felt, balancing the positive against the things I didn't like, I give this book a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you for joining me this week as we were privileged to look at the new <i>Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly</i> book by Patricia Briggs. A big thank you to Ms. Briggs and Dynamite Publishing, and, of course, to NetGalley who makes all of this possible. Thank you, to all my readers for taking time to read and consider my review, today. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please join me again, next week as I will bring you something new, and I hope, interesting. You never know what might jump out of the hat. My love to you all. And remember, show a little kindness every day to someone who may need a hand or just some support. You don't know what others are thinking, feeling, or problems they are facing. A kind word from you might make the difference in their day. God bless you all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until next time...</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXdP8mN7DhU/VbmyFgNmwQI/AAAAAAAAS0E/cpY4pteiiuY/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lXdP8mN7DhU/VbmyFgNmwQI/AAAAAAAAS0E/cpY4pteiiuY/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a white with red center Rose of Sharon. [11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...many happy pages of reading.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sincerely,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sharon.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C1606906682">Hopcross Jilly: Mercy Thompson Series</a>." </i> [patricia briggs] dynamite.com. Retrieved 07-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy_Thompson_series">Mercy Thompson Series > Books</a>."</i> [images from Wikipedia only--no source material] en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 07-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Briggs-Mercy-Thompson-Hopcross-ebook/dp/B00T4PFSN6/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WCEJ1SWGAQ557PBG88Q">Fire Touched: Mercy Thompson Series</a><u>.</u>" </i>[patricia briggs] amazon.com. Retrieved 07-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/pressrelshow.html?display=PR07111428445">Dynamite Announces Release Date for Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson Series, Created Exclusively for Comics and in-continuity with New York Times Bestselling Novels</a>."</i> [Keith Davidson] dynamite.com. Retrieved 07-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="https://wildfiremovies.wordpress.com/2014/06/26/too-dark-for-disney-the-dark-stories-behind-some-of-your-favourite-fairy-tales/">Too Dark for Disney: The Dark Stories Behind Some of Your Favourite Fairy Tales</a>." </i>[06-26-14] [Illustration by Arthur Rackham, Article by Wildfire] wildfiremovies.wordpress.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.toricentanni.com/why-i-write-ya/">Why I Write YA</a>."</i> [tori centanni - 05-19-14] toricentanni.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/splatt/features/comics.html">Comics & Graphic Novels</a>."</i> abc.net.au. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/646935-Blood-Sweat-Heels-Geneva-Thomas-Discusses-Issues-With-Colorism/page6">Don't Like</a>."</i> lipstickalley.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2014/02/maybe-one-day-by-melissa-kantor-book-review.html">What I Thought</a>."</i> [melissa Kantor] perpetualpageturner.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://darlenequinn.net/conflicting-webs/conflicting-webs-reviews/">Conflicting Webs: Reviews</a>."</i> darlenequinn.net. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon</a>." </i>zazzle.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-75153924402313383502015-06-06T17:26:00.001-07:002015-07-20T15:47:01.932-07:00The Darkling Child: Defenders of Shannara, Released by Shannara Series Author, Terry Brooks! New Book Available!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dyD1vyefqI/VWzFeeWdjGI/AAAAAAAARew/3RWkEm-I2UI/s1600/the-darkling-child-by-terry-brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dyD1vyefqI/VWzFeeWdjGI/AAAAAAAARew/3RWkEm-I2UI/s400/the-darkling-child-by-terry-brooks.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have looked forward to reading Terry Brooks,' second book of the <i>Defenders of Shannara</i> trilogy, <i>The Darkling Child</i>. The trilogy books, while they are considered to be stand alone books, nonetheless, are very closely connected with each other. They are connected, not through the use of a storyline, but through the exploits of a particular character, Arcanan, The Sorcerer.<br />
<br />
"A sorcerer, you say?" "Yes." And not only that, but Arcanan is the main character of the book and appears in each book of the trilogy. Arcanan, The Sorcerer, is the antagonist. Wow! While it is not unheard of, it is a bit unusual. But, that is exactly what Terry Brooks was going for!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While making an appearance in Montreal to promote the first book of the <i>Defenders</i> series, <i>The High Druid's Blade</i>, Brooks shared with the audience the news that Arcanan, the Sorcerer, would make his appearance known in all three of the series' books. Brooks punctuated those comments by saying of Arcanan, "He is big trouble." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSJpcr1pKrM/VXCxgUWEe-I/AAAAAAAARhE/5YqdVyporBc/s1600/Brooks%2BMontreal%2BAppearance.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSJpcr1pKrM/VXCxgUWEe-I/AAAAAAAARhE/5YqdVyporBc/s1600/Brooks%2BMontreal%2BAppearance.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trilogy is really just "one long story about<br />
what happens to Arcanan." Importantly, these<br />
books about Arcanan, are the perfect setup for<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the last trilogy of the entire </span><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Shannara Saga</i><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[2]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Brooks further explained that the trilogy was set, chronologically, sometime after the <i>Dark Legacy of Shannara</i> [1. <i>Wards of Faerie</i> (2012); 2. <i>Bloodfire Que- st</i> (2013); and 3. <i>Witch Wraith</i> (2013)]. Of the <i>Defenders of Shannara </i>series, Brooks said that the <i>Defenders</i> series is a "pre-conclusion trilogy." That is, since he intends to end <i>The Shannara Saga</i>, Brooks chose to make <i>The Defenders Trilogy</i> the last trilogy before he releases the final three books that will decisively end the sojourn. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[2]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdBEGH6SX4s/VXIB1sgOa3I/AAAAAAAARmE/JNoKb9IzX-M/s1600/synopsis.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdBEGH6SX4s/VXIB1sgOa3I/AAAAAAAARmE/JNoKb9IzX-M/s1600/synopsis.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">[3]</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Paxon Leah, the High Druid's Blade, is sent on a mission with Druid Avelene to find the source of the wishsong magic, detected through the scrying waters in the towers of the Druid stronghold of Paranor. Paxon and Druid Avelene travel towards the Village of Portlow to find whoever is wielding the wishsong magic, to ensure it is not being wielded by the wrong person.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRaGkwKsZIY/VXJMAZ6XMJI/AAAAAAAARm0/zUtQJwsx52E/s1600/My%2BBook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRaGkwKsZIY/VXJMAZ6XMJI/AAAAAAAARm0/zUtQJwsx52E/s200/My%2BBook.PNG" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">This is my very well-used paperback of <br />Terry Brooks,' </span><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The Wishsong of Shannara</i><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. <br />The story </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">introduced the magic </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of the wish- <br />song into the land of </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Shannara and for- <br />ever changed the face of fantasy </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">storytell- <br />ing</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The Wishsong of Shannara </i><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">is the 3rd<br /> book in the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">original </span><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Shannara Series. </i><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[3]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, in Portlow, Reyn Frosch, makes his living by being a traveling minstrel. The popular singer is so very popular because he possesses the magic and the curse of the wishsong. Unfortunately, his popularity and abilities with the wishsong, have drawn the attention of the powerful, dark sorcerer, Arcanan. It seems Arcanan wants to make use of the young man's magic to exact vengeance on the sorcerer's enemies. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Arcanan wished vengeance on the Federation's elite fighting force on the warship, <i>The Red Slash</i>, commanded by Dallen Usurient. Going beyond his orders, Usurient ordered the destruction of the City of Arbrox; it wasn't long, and the city was no more. Every man, woman, and child died in a bloodbath designed by Usurient to kill the Sorcerer. Arcanan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Will Paxon and Druid Avelina be able to rescue the boy, Reyn, from the clutches of Arcanan? And will they be able to sort through all the politics sufficiently to be able to know who to trust? In the faceoff that is coming, who will survive? And just who exactly will show up for the faceoff in this dangerous game of "Tag, you're Dead"?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXlbNmIx-vI/VXJVi-qanyI/AAAAAAAARnI/dz0PBAVEkYQ/s1600/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXlbNmIx-vI/VXJVi-qanyI/AAAAAAAARnI/dz0PBAVEkYQ/s640/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" width="338" /></a> The main character is the antagonist? Really? Actually, some of our most interesting characters in literature have held that position. Take for example, <i>Amadeus</i>, the main character is Salieri, an an- tagonist, and Mozart is the protagonist.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Brooks' selection of Arcanan, The Sorcerer, as the main character for the book is at once delicious and juicy and provocative. Most every- one knows that the usual choice for the main character is the protagonist. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We also know from Brooks' Montreal appearance late last year, that he intended to stretch his writing muscles and give himself flexibility and interest in doing something a little different than he had been doing with the other <i>Shannara</i> books. So, Brooks wanted to do something different, but why this particular choice?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Janice Hardy of Janice Hardy's Fiction University, tells us that a great antagonist is more than "just a cardboard cutout[] of [an] "evil" pe[rson]." Hardy makes the argument that we might even like that dastardly antagonist. To help us understand what makes a truly great antagonist, she gives us <b><u>ten traits of a strong antagonist</u></b>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NSIX5AZ1ee0/VXKN7W3t6NI/AAAAAAAARno/3cTC6bImHmQ/s1600/The-Antagonist-EVERY-HERO-NEEDS-A-CHALLENGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NSIX5AZ1ee0/VXKN7W3t6NI/AAAAAAAARno/3cTC6bImHmQ/s200/The-Antagonist-EVERY-HERO-NEEDS-A-CHALLENGE.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b style="text-align: justify;">The strong antagonist will try to accomplish something.</b><span class="apple-converted-space" style="text-align: justify;"> In<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Darkling Child</i>, Arcanan wants to control Reyn and his wishsong; his real endgame,
though, is to take over Paranor and mold the Druid order to his desires.</span></li>
<span style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b style="font-weight: bold;">The strong antagonist is acting on personal desires.</b><b> </b>Arcanan is described as having a cold, flinty gaze; but when it comes to his burning desire to kill the commander and crew of <i>The Red Slash</i>, he is motivated by vengeance. . . "for Arbrox and her people." We are privy to his passion for the people--to vindicate them and himself.</li>
<li><b>A strong antagonist is highly motivated to act. </b>Arcanan's acting on his personal desires also serves to show just how highly motivated he was to act. We also get to see in the novel, Arcanan's extreme patience and planning (years) to achieve his goals.</li>
</span></ul>
<span style="text-align: justify;">
</span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I8q6UJ9M1C8/VXKQ9ABUlaI/AAAAAAAARn0/XObbK14djdg/s1600/avoid.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I8q6UJ9M1C8/VXKQ9ABUlaI/AAAAAAAARn0/XObbK14djdg/s200/avoid.PNG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>A strong antagonist is trying to avoid something.</b> </span>Avoiding the Federation is, for Arcanan, avoiding death. Avoiding the druid order is avoiding, possibly, death; at the very least imprisonment and the withholding of his magical powers.</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>A strong antagonist is trying to gain something.</b> </span>Arcanan believes if he has control of the druid order and Paranor, he will execute better control over the magic in the land. He believes his control is the right one. Also, another gain Arcanan looks for is, in his eyes, "retribution" for wrongs done against an innocent and helpless people.</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>A strong antagonist is willing to adapt.</b> </span>Arcanan adapts many of his plans as he goes through the story; the most sensational one, however, is his taking on a person as a student when that was not what he wanted. He bargained, and changed his plans--adapting to the situation.</li>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLFeDSXfxp0/VXKTTPEOp5I/AAAAAAAARoA/zL7Zf66cYV8/s1600/Antagonist.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLFeDSXfxp0/VXKTTPEOp5I/AAAAAAAARoA/zL7Zf66cYV8/s200/Antagonist.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">A compelling antagonist. [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>A </b><b>strong antagonist is compelling in some way.</b> </span>Arcanan is strong, not only in his determination to accomplish his goals; we've seen many people with these attributes. Arcanan saves Reyn from the thugs, but he is gentle with him and makes sure he is warm and rests. We see him continue to learn as he reads and studies his books. We even cheer him as he defeats the Federation elite troops--another rather evil group of men who murdered in the most bloody and heinous way, men, women and children.</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>A strong antagonist is flawed in relatable ways.</b> </span>This is one of the more amusing human failings Arcanan reveals: after he left the Village of Portlow on business, he spoke with another character and mused that he had not even gotten "the boy's name" before leaving Portlow. Another time, Arcanan chastises Reyn and Lariana for talking--and interrupting his concentration over his reading.</li>
</span></ul>
<span style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cp4_n9_KLYM/VXKZdtuKOdI/AAAAAAAARoU/gDUJXfqQQoY/s1600/secretsbehind-460x360.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cp4_n9_KLYM/VXKZdtuKOdI/AAAAAAAARoU/gDUJXfqQQoY/s200/secretsbehind-460x360.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<ul><span style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b style="font-weight: bold;">A strong antagonist is hiding things. </b>Oh, my gosh. Looking in the dictionary, I could almost believe that the definition of secretive is, "Arcanan." He withholds all manner of information from Reyn and even Lariana. Arcanan hides the fact that he has special wards up to guard against intrusion by the Federation--he hides this from everyone. </li>
<li><b>A strong antagonist is in the path of the protagonist's goal. </b>Early on in the book, Paxon Leah and Druid Avelene go searching for the source of the wishsong. Upon arriving at Portlow, they briefly encounter the boy, Reyn, and lose him. Arcanan foils the plans of the protagonist by making off with the prize. Later, he again foils their plans when he allows the Federation to close in around him (Can you say, "Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly"?); yet, another delay for the protagonist to confront Arcanan (not now, but eventually, the antagonist and protagonist do battle). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="text-align: justify;">
</span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unOZ-ru7AWs/VXKc9are-iI/AAAAAAAARoc/e13uPTraJEU/s1600/Wolverine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unOZ-ru7AWs/VXKc9are-iI/AAAAAAAARoc/e13uPTraJEU/s320/Wolverine.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">According to Shell Harris of <i>TopTenz</i>,<br />
Wolverine is #8 on the "Top Ten Comic<br />
Book Anti-Heroes (Marvel & DC)."[9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <b>ANTIHERO</b>, on the other hand, is simpler to describe. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The antihero takes part in criminal conduct to be able to do his or her heroic duties;</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The antihero can be a villain recast as a hero;</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The antihero generally suffers from a struggle with the moral ambiguity of his or her actions;</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The reading audience can identify with an antihero because of his or her struggles;</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The antihero generally experiences some event that is similar to the "turning point" for the ordinary hero. It can be because he/she uses death as a motivation to force the antihero to use violence (or threaten with financial ruin). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[10]</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In Terry Brooks' <i>The Darkling Child</i>, the clear choice for antihero would be Reyn. He does take part in criminal conduct and from the beginning struggles with the weight of using the wishsong improperly. We tend to feel sorry for Reyn because he is forced into a situation he cannot seem to escape. And, Reyn does have that "turning point," but I won't say what that turning point is, here. I don't want to spoil that for you. The conclusion seems to be that Arcanan is not the antihero, but the antagonist.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38y90PkOd5Y/VXKqlNsbHsI/AAAAAAAARos/7uo9JFkcASI/s1600/turningpoint2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38y90PkOd5Y/VXKqlNsbHsI/AAAAAAAARos/7uo9JFkcASI/s200/turningpoint2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I really love how Brooks places the antagonist and the anti hero so close in proximity. Equally as delightful is how well Brooks makes it work that the antagonist's interference, thwarts the plans of the druid order (namely, Paxon and Avelene). I find that Terry Brooks' choice of antagonist to be the most interesting choice he made in setting up his characters and novel.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Brooks spins a great yarn in this book; indeed, it is so throughout the entire <i>Shannara Saga</i>. I know this because I have read every book (many of them multiple times). But, everyone writes about Brooks' winning writing style and character development. While those things are true of Brooks' writing, with this novel, I love getting to explore a little examined topic. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZgbsN2cbAc/VXNkZRu7UoI/AAAAAAAARpE/SOrsCByHmB8/s1600/Mickey-fantasia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZgbsN2cbAc/VXNkZRu7UoI/AAAAAAAARpE/SOrsCByHmB8/s320/Mickey-fantasia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since the cover for <i>The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Defenders of<br />Shannara, Book 3</i>, has not, yet, been released, I give you this<br />
graphic of the Disney version of <i>The Sorcerer's Apprentice.</i>[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, by examining the choices made for these char- acters and their place in the <i>Shannara </i>world, you get to see just exactly, how very talented and skilled Terry Brooks really is. I won't hide the fact that I love all of Brooks' works, their com- plexity and interest, char- acter development (many of his characters are oh, so memorable), and the easy and readable style of writing that he has used in this, and other, books. But even more, I love his unusual choice for this book in making the main character, Arcanan, The Sorcerer. I can hardly wait for next year to read part three of <b style="font-style: italic;">The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Defenders of Shannara, Book 3</b>, and see if that book has any surprise elements in it for us. (Currently Scheduled Release Date: July 2016).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9q9Sdtzue8/VXNuJ5jhFqI/AAAAAAAARqE/-odr5bT8UmE/s1600/20150606_145817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9q9Sdtzue8/VXNuJ5jhFqI/AAAAAAAARqE/-odr5bT8UmE/s320/20150606_145817.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Doesn't this cup of tea look beau-<br />
tiful? The color is just amazing.<br />
Writing about having a cup of tea<br />
with you, I went and brewed a pot<br />
and poured myself a tall cup of<br />
India's Assam Black Tea. It is so<br />
smooth <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and wonderful! I'm back to</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">finish </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">writing my blog post, now...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">sip my tea while I continue.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If we were sitting together, enjoying a nice cup of tea or a cold drink, now that summer is upon us, I could blather on about innumerable things that bring joy to me from my reading experience with Terry Brooks' novels. Just think, we haven't even touched topics like his world building, suspense and tension building, why writing a great conclusion is so important (Brooks does), and how his bridge book (that is, the middle book of a trilogy) isn't flat or staid; indeed, this book was more exciting and had more of a "page turning" quality than did <i>The High Druid's Blade: Defenders of Shannara, Book 1</i>. So, yes, I can't wait for Book 3--it's a whole year from now!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS</u>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Terry Brooks' book, <i>The Darkling Child: Defenders of Shannara</i>, captured me from the very first page. Self-defense, murder, a manic chase scene filled with anxiety, and tension, made me breathlessness as I turned the pages. What will happen to the boy with magic in him, the magic of the "wishsong"? Brooks put the boy's magic on the page and it entranced me and held me captive until the very end. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><br /></u>
<u>MY RATING</u>: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UHSHnWdDuc/VXOBuAe4TdI/AAAAAAAARqo/kKcdFhBpjSs/s1600/music-notes.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="71" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UHSHnWdDuc/VXOBuAe4TdI/AAAAAAAARqo/kKcdFhBpjSs/s200/music-notes.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"><br />
Five notes, instead of stars, for<br />
Terry Brooks' novel, <i>The Darkling<br />Child: Defenders of Shannara. </i>[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given all the reasons stated, above, I am very pleased to award a five star rating, out of five (OK. Musical notes instead of stars in honor of "the wishsong.") to Terry Brooks,' <i>The Darkling Child: Defenders of Shannara, Book 2</i>. I loved this book and know you will love it, too. Read Brooks' novel, and let its magic fill your mind and heart...you will long for book three, as much as I.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you for joining me, today, as we had the pleasure and privilege to look at an exciting new book coming out next week. I am pre-ordering my physical copy to join my other Terry Brooks' novels on my bookshelf. Good reading, people! Please join me again, next time, as we leave the world of fantasy and take up a nonfiction book. Have I piqued your interest? I hope so, it looks to be a fun romp in the pages of nonfiction.<br />
________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqzte_bQvLo/VXOAH5fQ4YI/AAAAAAAARqc/uRdAMhZM-_U/s1600/BelmontStakes2015LOGO298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqzte_bQvLo/VXOAH5fQ4YI/AAAAAAAARqc/uRdAMhZM-_U/s200/BelmontStakes2015LOGO298.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is about two minutes after the 147th Running of the Belmont Stakes and I just watched American Pharoah win the race and the triple crown. Congratulations to the owners, trainers, New York and all racing fans, and to all involved with American Pharoah's running and winning. I am so happy for you all. What an exciting race!<br />
<br />
________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time...</div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nldOzP4SU40/VW6RqoYX9XI/AAAAAAAARgE/g6EuyvFkGpg/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nldOzP4SU40/VW6RqoYX9XI/AAAAAAAARgE/g6EuyvFkGpg/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a white Rose of Sharon with red center. [*]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
Be kind to one another,<br />
you never know what sorrows or troubles<br />
are in another's heart.<br />
<br />
My love to you all...<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">RESOURCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]<i> "<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Darkling-Child-Defenders-Shannara-ebook/dp/B00OEXAUMW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1433309866">The Darkling Child: Defenders of Shannara</a>."</i> [Terry Brooks] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 06-02-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"</i><i><a href="http://www.denofgeek.com/books-comics/terry-brooks/28419/terry-brooks-on-the-end-of-the-shannara-saga">Terry Brooks on the End of the Shannara Saga</a>."</i> [Jules-Pierre Malartre; 12-12-13] denofgeek.com. Retrieved 06-04-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.mmandbooks.com/2014/08/review-fall-by-scarlett-dawn.html">Synopsis</a>."</i> mmandbooks.com. Retrieved 06-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/07/10-traits-of-strong-antagonist.html">10 Traits of a Strong Antagonist</a>."</i> blog.janicehardy.com. Retrieved 06-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://genius.com/2191041">Antagonist</a>."</i> [graphic image] genius.com. Retrieved 06-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[*] <i>"<a href="https://s2.netgalley.com/about">Netgalley</a>."</i> netgalley.com. Retrieved 06-05-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://coolconversationslive.com/project-team-member-combinations-to-avoid/">Project Team Member Combinations to Avoid</a>."</i> [graphic] coolconversationslive.com. Retrieved 06-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.scriptmag.com/features/script-notes-major-character-types-antagonist">Script Notes: Major Character Types - 'Antagonist</a>.'"</i> [Michael Tabb; 02-13-15] scriptmag.com. Retrieved 06-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.themudflats.net/archives/tag/hiding-something">Breaking: AK Lawmaker - No Room for Transparency</a>." </i>[Shannyn Moore, 02-18-13] themudflats.net. Retrieved 06-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-anti-heroes.php">Top 10 Comic Book Anti-Heroes (Marvel & DC)</a>."</i> [shell harris, 05-11-10] toptenz.net. Retrieved 05-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="https://epicheroism.wordpress.com/home/the-antihero/">The Antihero</a>."</i> [jacob baggett] epicheroism.wordpress.com. Retrieved 05-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.yoyostorerewind.com/en/yo-yos/japan/turning-point.html">Turning Point</a>." </i>[graphic] yoyostorerewind.com. Retrieved 05-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://random-ness.wikia.com/wiki/File:Mickey-fantasia.jpg">Mickey-fantasia.jpg</a>."</i> random-ness.wikia.com. Retrieved 06-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://pixshark.com/colorful-musical-notes-png.htm">Colorful Music</a>."</i> pixshark.com. Retrieved 06-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://gopsunittanylions.com/2015/2015-belmont-stakes-logo.html">2015 Belmont Stakes Logo</a>."</i> gopsunittanylions.com. Retrieved 06-06-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 06-02-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-86954915897042443412015-05-28T13:09:00.000-07:002015-06-01T09:20:19.104-07:00Age of Ultron, Part II: Marvel Avengers Age of Ultron Prelude by Will Pilgrim; Also, Marvel Avengers Battle Against Ultron by Matt Forbeck<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkEnxrKFLbY/VWJDDuAVs7I/AAAAAAAARIM/BtUHhPwG9Do/s1600/avengers-age-of-ultron-pre1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkEnxrKFLbY/VWJDDuAVs7I/AAAAAAAARIM/BtUHhPwG9Do/s400/avengers-age-of-ultron-pre1.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Marvel has come out with a very popular line of books--new Marvel movies are presaged by "Prelude" books. With all the excitement over the summer block-buster, <i>Age of Ultron</i>, Marvel, it seems, also intended to cash in on a glossy new "Prelude" book for the <i>Age of Ultron</i>, as well. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, here we have it. Marvel Author Will Pilgrim, has collected under this one title, Marvel's <i>Avengers 1 </i>and <i>2</i>; <i>Avengers: Cinematic Infinite Comic 1</i>; <i>Avengers (1963) Nos. 57 </i>and <i>58</i>; <i>Avengers (1998) 22</i>; and <i>Avengers 12.1</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unless you are a comic book fan, you probably don't know what the numbers mean. So, the question becomes, what do these titles include in them to act as a prelude to Marvel's summer movie hit, <i>Age of Ultron</i>? Let's take a look at a brief synopsis and I will tell you what I think about this new title.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>BRIEF SYNOPSIS</u>:</b> As I indicated, just above, this book is a prelude--a way to prepare for the <i>Age of Ultron</i> movie. The Marvel Cinematic Universe sets the book's stories between the events of <i>Captain America: The Winter Soldier</i>, and <i>Avengers: Age of Ultron!</i> Publishers indicate that this new story will fill in for fans, what has happened between the two films, who the Avengers have battled, and what threats they have dealt with. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz4RTl9j-q4/VWPxER9OlJI/AAAAAAAARLQ/g8Ci6I4HLSk/s1600/fury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz4RTl9j-q4/VWPxER9OlJI/AAAAAAAARLQ/g8Ci6I4HLSk/s320/fury.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a scene from the movie, <i>Avengers.</i> [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The book opens with two comic book titles focusing on the first Avengers' movie--the Avenger's come together to find Loki, and then to do battle the Chitauri in downtown New York City. Next, Marvel takes us back to a classic 1957 story with the birth of "Vision." (#57) Another story of "Vision" takes up another classic title from 1958, "Even An Android Can Cry." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two titles from 1998 follow with <i>Avengers 21 & 22</i> where the Avengers battle Ultron, trying a multitude of different approaches without much luck. The final story is the same title, <i>Avengers 12.1</i>, title that I reviewed earlier this month. To see that review, click <u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/05/age-of-ultron-by-brian-michael-bendis.html">here</a></u>. In the final story, the 12.1 issue, the very end of the book, the last page, focuses on Iron Man who says that he has has "seen the future" and Ultron will bring the apocalypse--and "there's nothing we can do to stop it." This statement, of course, paving the way for high anticipation for the (then) upcoming movie, <i>Age of Ultron</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST3Gxqz_U-s/VWZHQECqyAI/AAAAAAAARM0/huKZP0CPxJo/s1600/cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST3Gxqz_U-s/VWZHQECqyAI/AAAAAAAARM0/huKZP0CPxJo/s320/cropped.jpg" width="80" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ultra close up<br />
of the stitches<br />
holding the<br />
pages together.<br />
This keeps the<br />
book from fall-<br />
ing apart. [3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, what I liked the most about this book: Without a doubt the strongest selling point is the professional appearance the publishers have given the book. The cover is a cardstock with a glossy finish. Moreover, the book does not fall apart as I have seen other graphic novels do; the book is sewn together and then glue applied to the inside of the spine. The effect is to create a sturdy book that looks attractive and holds together without falling apart. Without this strong point in its favor the book would be worthless. I have had several, otherwise wonderful, books fall apart and pages come out that were rendered worthless.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkqvmbXeOUI/VWZU_nZMujI/AAAAAAAAROI/Bh1p9qNXRkc/s1600/20150527_160400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkqvmbXeOUI/VWZU_nZMujI/AAAAAAAAROI/Bh1p9qNXRkc/s400/20150527_160400.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the very last page of the book,<br />
<i>Avengers Age of Ultron Prelude</i> by Jack <br />
Penn and Joss Whedon. [3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The final chapter in <i>Prelude</i> is issue <i>Avengers 12.1</i>, and in the <i>Age of Ultron</i> by Will Pilgrim, (Also <i>Avengers 12.1</i>) the story is the very first in that collected book. [See my book review of the <i>Age of Ultron</i> by Will Pilgrim, by clicking <u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/05/age-of-ultron-by-brian-michael-bendis.html">here</a></u>.] My point in bringing this up is the plot line. The <i>Prelude</i> book rightly ends on the note that Ultron will be coming back, whereas Pilgrim's book starts when Ultron has returned and the coming apocalypse must needs be dealt with. So, they have the chronology right--that's another point in their favor.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you would like to read a little bit about what makes a good graphic novel, and would like to see some examples of those I've liked and those I don't, please check out the following reviews (positive + and negative -):<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
- <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/10/thor-dark-world-prelude-graphic-novel.html" style="font-style: italic;">Thor: The Dark World Prelude</a> by Marvel Comics (10-29-13);</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
+ <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/01/vampire-academy-book-i-and-vampire.html" style="font-style: italic;">Vampire Academy, A Graphic Novel</a> by Richelle Mead (01-10-14);</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
+ <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/03/winter-soldier-captain-america-comes-to.html" style="font-style: italic;">Captain America: The Winter Soldier</a><i> </i>HC by Brubaker and Epting (03-14-14); </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
- <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/edge-of-tomorrow-comes-to-theaters-06.html" style="font-style: italic;">All You Need Is Kill</a> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Edge of Tomorrow)</span> </i>by Hiroshi Sakurazaka (05-25-14);</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
- <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/hercules-thracian-wars-by-steve-moore.html" style="font-style: italic;">Hercules: The Thracian Wars</a> by Steve Moore (06-29-14); </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
+ <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/marvels-guardians-of-galaxy-prelude-by.html" style="font-style: italic;">Guardians of the Galaxy</a> by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (07-17-14);</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
+ <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/10/graphic-novels-exciting-new-graphic.html" style="font-style: italic;">Graphic Novels: The Dresden Files: War Cry</a> by Jim Butcher (10-15-14);</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
+ <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/12/wool-graphic-novel-by-hugh-howey.html" style="font-style: italic;">Wool the Graphic Novel Omnibus</a> by Hugh Howey (12-31-14); and</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
- <i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/05/age-of-ultron-by-brian-michael-bendis.html">Age of Ultron/Age of Ultron Companion</a></i> by Will Pilgrim (05-11-15).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpFTX7M3AtQ/VWZc9JFk03I/AAAAAAAAROY/XvVA84UhSE0/s1600/StoryArc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpFTX7M3AtQ/VWZc9JFk03I/AAAAAAAAROY/XvVA84UhSE0/s320/StoryArc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whether you call it intro, climax and resolution, or<br />
beginning, middle, and end, the story arc has these<br />
primary elements. [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the things that marks a graphic novel is that the book or story has a beginning, a middle, and a conclusion. In other words, it has a complete story arc, just as any literary novel would have. Here, while the Avengers have their genesis in the comic books, the comic book characters have had their action turned into a whole story, with a beginning, middle and end. Screenwriters have created a palatable story that would work visually and be as satisfying as a literary work. Comic books are episodic in nature; you know, they come in installments with a short, exciting bit of action created in pictures. A graphic novel--a novel or story using a format with graphic images--is one single story, not episodes; importantly, moreover, the story has that story arc I just mentioned.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXTuLPMW4wo/VWaAvL2bLtI/AAAAAAAARO4/bUjsO_Z375w/s1600/20150527_193355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXTuLPMW4wo/VWaAvL2bLtI/AAAAAAAARO4/bUjsO_Z375w/s320/20150527_193355.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's an example of the <br />
eminently readable text with the<br />
words bolded to aid reading and<br />
to highlight their importance. [3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another point in the plus column is how the dialogue and art were covered. The art, beautifully done by Illustrators Joe Bennett, Marcio Loerzer Bennett, Jay David Ramos, and Augustin Padilla, is both dynamic and expressive and the use of color, vibrant. The dialogue and information boxes within the frames of the graphics are clear, concise, and readable. Some of the dialogue is placed with the text bolded to help important words stand out. <br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME</u>:</b><br />
OK. Let's cut right to the chase. I'll give you the major problem I had with the book, one that really didn't work for me. The book as a whole was disappointing due to the quantity of filler versus "prelude" material. The bulk of the material is what I would call, "filler." For example, the first two stories are merely the <i>Avengers (1)</i> movie turned into a comic; I felt bored reading it because it felt like I was watching the movie through still frames. Talk about dullsville.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1qdBuTAcR4/VWaXvIfpXdI/AAAAAAAARPM/jer_EnwNVsw/s1600/Warning%2BRIP%2BOFF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1qdBuTAcR4/VWaXvIfpXdI/AAAAAAAARPM/jer_EnwNVsw/s200/Warning%2BRIP%2BOFF.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Much of the materials used were merely reprints from years ago, accumulated, it can be surmised, to make money for Marvel. Marvel could sell its "Prelude" books for $13.59 for a book that would need very little work to put it together. No costs would be incurred by Marvel in having authors, illustrators and colorists working on new material.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-BdcWxHcBM/VWabtRzX8rI/AAAAAAAARPY/b4iDu2gCG4o/s1600/atc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-BdcWxHcBM/VWabtRzX8rI/AAAAAAAARPY/b4iDu2gCG4o/s200/atc.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I felt like a sucker...being taken for a ride. The problem was that it wasn't even entertaining.<br />
<br />
The beautiful cover and binding, the readable text, and the wonderful work done by the Illustrators and colorists could not save this book. Marvel calls the book "Prelude," when it should have been called "After Thought."<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">_______________________________________________________</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWcQs_cEPVg/VWauOjg3agI/AAAAAAAARPo/ih9BOhPaCxo/s1600/Word%2BArt.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="59" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWcQs_cEPVg/VWauOjg3agI/AAAAAAAARPo/ih9BOhPaCxo/s320/Word%2BArt.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0KqZNan51Y/VWJ_KgQ-15I/AAAAAAAARIc/yao5PMwcgX4/s1600/Battle%2BAgainst%2BUltron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0KqZNan51Y/VWJ_KgQ-15I/AAAAAAAARIc/yao5PMwcgX4/s320/Battle%2BAgainst%2BUltron.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This little book is only 128 pages long, but boy does it pack a lot of information into those pages. The target audience is the group of children who range in age from 8-12 years old (3-7 the grade); a big caveat, here, I am an adult and I very much enjoyed this book, so don't let the target audience deter you. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Moreover, this title, technically, isn't the AGE OF ULTRON, but the <i>Avengers Battle Against Ultron.</i> Material in the book covers the <i>Age of Ultron</i>, but other periods regarding Ultron, his pitched battle against his biggest enemy, The Avengers, is also included.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJWk-ZAO7ac/VWa1ts0Q3rI/AAAAAAAARQc/J7_VZCDVpfQ/s1600/20150527_232509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJWk-ZAO7ac/VWa1ts0Q3rI/AAAAAAAARQc/J7_VZCDVpfQ/s400/20150527_232509.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i></i> I picked this book up because as I perused its pages, I noted many things about the Avengers, Ultron, Vision, and other superheroes and villains, that I had not known before. For example, I learned that the super heroine, Wasp, came up with the name for the group of heroes known as The Avengers. So many snippets of information exist that I can't share them all with you, today. But one last thing relating directly to the <i>Age of Ultron</i>, is to show you just how many "ages" of Ultron there have been. (See the graphic here in this paragraph.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmUhKbRUQ7k/VWa8-syxGRI/AAAAAAAARRE/3E6hRtwNV8s/s1600/20150527_235319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmUhKbRUQ7k/VWa8-syxGRI/AAAAAAAARRE/3E6hRtwNV8s/s400/20150527_235319.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another thing you will want to know is that really this little book isn't a story, as such, with a beginning, middle and end. The book doesn't even have chapters, just chun- ks of interesting information about The Avengers, Ul- tron, and other heroes and villains related to the Ultron stories. Nonetheless, I found this book very entertaining as well as informative. And, as you can see from the photo in this paragraph the amount of detail and information included is very compacted on just two pages (about the helicarrier). In the photo in the previous paragraph, the use of color is wonderful and the organization of information is well done and easy to understand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FP0fWcB4VyE/VWbCJkDDA5I/AAAAAAAARRY/oTXDn484Pwo/s1600/2stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="46" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FP0fWcB4VyE/VWbCJkDDA5I/AAAAAAAARRY/oTXDn484Pwo/s200/2stars.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the <b><u><i>Age of Ultron Prelude</i>,</u></b> I think that you may have guessed that I am not happy at all about the lack of any meaningful storyline or new material. I am also unhappy that for $13.59 I should have gotten, not only more pages, but a lesser price. Honestly, I think the value of the book should be $2.99--no more. It isn't enough to have a glitzy cover and glossy pages and vibrant art. I recommend you skip this book, it isn't worth your time or money. For all the above reasons, I rate this book 2 stars out of 5.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFIwtgsCQq4/VWbCyqLQOzI/AAAAAAAARRg/wGuP-ne1w5U/s1600/4.5stars2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="56" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFIwtgsCQq4/VWbCyqLQOzI/AAAAAAAARRg/wGuP-ne1w5U/s200/4.5stars2.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the book <i><b><u>Marvel Avengers Battle Against Ultron</u></b></i>, I recommend you buy it if you have any real interest in Ultron or the Avengers. It is very informative and well organized. Moreover, if you know a young person in the target group, it would make a wonderful gift to encourage reading. I loved this little book and for all the above reasons, I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you for joining us this week as we got to see the other two books of most interest following the <i>Age of Ultron</i> movie. Please join me next time as I will give you a book radically different from superheroes, comics and spandex. Thank you, again, my friends. I really do look forward to being back with you next time with another new book.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time...</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvhrDITlrqI/VWKzkbzg4wI/AAAAAAAARJU/KpTTzcRyvas/s1600/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvhrDITlrqI/VWKzkbzg4wI/AAAAAAAARJU/KpTTzcRyvas/s320/White%2B%2526%2BRed%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a white and red Rose of Sharon. [10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...many happy pages of reading!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Be good to each other.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sincerely,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sharon.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Marvels-Avengers-Age-Ultron-Prelude/dp/0785193553/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432518736&sr=8-1&keywords=Marvel+Avengers+Age+of+Ultron+Prelude">Marvel Avengers Age of Ultron Prelude</a>." </i> amazon.com. Retrieved 05-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://omgn.com/review/2012/04/30/the-avengers-review">The Avengers (2012) Review</a>." </i>[Kyle James Hovanec; 04-30-12] omgn.com. Retrieved 05-25-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Marvels-Avengers-Age-Ultron-Prelude/dp/0785193553/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432518736&sr=8-1&keywords=Marvel+Avengers+Age+of+Ultron+Prelude">Close-up of Book--Avengers Age of Ultron Prelude</a>."</i> amazon.com Retrieved 05-26-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://n0elle.com/2011/07/harry-potter-and-the-missing-story-elements/">Harry Potter and the Missing Story Elements</a>."</i> n0elle.com. Retrieved 05-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://thelegionoftchortzine.blogspot.com/2014/05/peruvian-ripoff-peru.html">Peruvian Rip Off The Great Thief (Peru)</a>."</i> thelegionoftchortzine.blogspot.com. Retrieved 05-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.afterthoughtcomics.com/">After Thought</a>."</i> afterthoughtcomics.com. Retrieved 05-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/DK-Adventures-Marvel-Avengers-Against/dp/1465429263/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432518814&sr=8-1&keywords=Marvel+Avengers+Battle+Against+Ultron">Marvel Avengers Battle Against Ultron</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 05-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://ijustwant2ride.com/tag/discovery-channel/">Motorcycle TV The Devil's Ride</a>."</i> ijustwant2ride.com. Retrieved 05-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://ishareimage.com/4.5-stars-png.asp">4.5 Stars Out of 5</a>."</i> ishareimage.com. Retrieved 05-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/white+rose+of+sharon+gifts">White Rose of Sharon Gifts</a>."</i> zazzle.com. Retrieved 05-24-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-12786131960756292052015-05-23T01:26:00.000-07:002015-10-22T08:51:19.249-07:00Footsteps in the Sky by Greg Keyes--Keyes' Book is Released as an e-book on 05-26-15!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6ixCUODk8s/VVF6dmK18-I/AAAAAAAAQqk/WhUApREGJuQ/s1600/Footsteps%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6ixCUODk8s/VVF6dmK18-I/AAAAAAAAQqk/WhUApREGJuQ/s400/Footsteps%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsky.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the cover featuring Greg Keyes' new</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
novel, <i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Footsteps in the Sky.</i><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[1]</span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Book Review by:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sharon Powers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanksgiving in New Mexico. . .well, that's how I thought of it. Of course, it really was a photography trip with my husband and daughter. My husband, daughter, and I had taken night classes in photography at the local college; I had earned two associate degrees (in photography, of course) and looked forward to shooting at a location that I had never been to before. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
New Mexico was nothing short of beautiful, as they say, "The Land of Enchantment." We spent a week driving around Northern New Mexico taking photographs in many urban settings, and landscapes, well, everywhere, Chaco Canyon included. On Thanksgiving we celebrated quietly, ate well, and relaxed. Peace and serenity enveloped us so that we really felt and appreciated the beauty and "enchantment" of the land we photographed. Being there was, indeed, something for which we could truly give thanks.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsxndcd2WfQ/VV0dOwpXYZI/AAAAAAAAQ0o/9VCoheg4jcQ/s1600/cropped%2BKachina%2BDoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsxndcd2WfQ/VV0dOwpXYZI/AAAAAAAAQ0o/9VCoheg4jcQ/s320/cropped%2BKachina%2BDoll.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Kachina Doll I bought when<br />
I was in New Mexico. The Kachina's<br />
name is "Morning Singing."<br />
The artist is D. Livingston. [2]<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhdU37GMrV4/VV0d3F0oeHI/AAAAAAAAQ1A/hq23JsQlTlo/s1600/Cropped%2BRed%2Band%2BBlack%2BPottery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhdU37GMrV4/VV0d3F0oeHI/AAAAAAAAQ1A/hq23JsQlTlo/s320/Cropped%2BRed%2Band%2BBlack%2BPottery.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">This is not the black pottery of which I spoke,<br />
just above, here. This pottery was a gift<br />
from my daughter that she purchased<br />
on another trip to New Mexico. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I remember most fondly, though, was seeing the kivas and dwellings at Chaco Canyon. I was able to take many beautiful photographs there; they now reside on the walls of my home. Of course, while we were there, I couldn't resist purchasing some mementos of our trip, some handmade jewelry, black pottery, and a Kachina Doll. <br />
<br />
Greg Keyes novel, <i>Footsteps in the Sky</i>, is grounded in that Hopi culture, its people, religion and way of life. He takes the beautiful traditions of the Hopi people of New Mexico and, in a way, grafts it to a different time and place.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"The Four Worlds and the Emergence"</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span></div>
<br />
As the book opens, we are transformed from readers to listeners as Keyes presents us with a beautiful Hopi story. But not just any story; it is the story of how the Hopi left this world where the people everywhere were of "two-hearts," where there existed much corruption and the people were unhappy, to make a new start on another planet.<br />
<br />
In the oral traditions of the Hopi, such an origin story really exists. "The Four Worlds and the Emergence," tells of this traditional story:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Hopis tell stories about ancestral journeys through three worlds to the Fourth World, where the people live today. Here, Hopi storyteller Nuvayoiyava (Albert Yava) tells a story, handed down through the generations, about how people began as bugs and migrated and [evolved into people as they] migrated through the worlds." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span> </blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oYjj4ql5wuc/VV-OTwTdvrI/AAAAAAAAQ3Y/FrnNrEeNIrM/s1600/Masaw%2BKachina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oYjj4ql5wuc/VV-OTwTdvrI/AAAAAAAAQ3Y/FrnNrEeNIrM/s320/Masaw%2BKachina.JPG" width="113" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Kachina Doll<br />
is "Maasaw," and<br />
was created by <br />
Bradford Kaye. [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Author, Greg Keyes, takes this beautiful story a step further as he creates a new creation myth for readers. Some of the Hopi heard some footsteps in the sky and realized that someone had to be there and wondered if they, too, could live there. The Hopi sent the Catbird to the sky to find who it was who lived there; the Catbird soon found the person who made the footsteps in the sky--it was the god Masaw. Masaw agreed to let them come to his world and the Hopi ascended to the sky through reeds to Masaw's world--one that required much hard work in order to live and survive there.<br />
<br />
<b><u>BRIEF SYNOPSIS</u>:</b><br />
<br />
In their life on earth, the <b>Vilmer Foundation</b> was a stand in for <b>Masaw</b>. In a contract with the Hopi, the Hopi would travel to the new world and cultivate the land and make the surface conditions habitable; in exchange, the Hopi would get to keep the land. A hundred years later one faction of those early inhabitants looked to bring back the old way and give honor to the Kachina spirits. The other faction looks to technology and power.<br />
<br />
One descendant, SandGreyGirl (Sand), thinks that the Kachina live somewhere beyond the stars and that the gods have been preparing a new world for the people. Even though Sand hopes that the gods live and that they are, indeed, readying a new world for the Hopi, she has her doubts.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GgUw7rF5x4/VVZRmio9g_I/AAAAAAAAQv8/EkTAYAK-8YM/s1600/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GgUw7rF5x4/VVZRmio9g_I/AAAAAAAAQv8/EkTAYAK-8YM/s640/New%2BNetGalley%2BTemplate.PNG" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those doubts may be well founded since the human race has discovered not only one, but nine new and habitable worlds. "Someone has been seeding planets, bringing life to them." But, as yet, no one has discovered who it is that has been seeding the worlds. No one, that is, until the day those "ancient farmers," returned. Finding that the planet has deviated from their growth plans, they contemplate strip- ping the planet bare and starting over with a new seeding.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>WHAT I THINK</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:</b></div>
<br />
First, I have to say I was very pleased to be able to read this title through NetGalley. Even though it was originally released in 1994, I hadn't read it, yet. I am so pleased, now, because the book is specifically being released at this time, as a digital edition by Open Road Media. And, as many of you may know, I read a lot (but, certainly, not ALL) of my books on my Kindle in a digital edition format. This new release, digitally, will make it easier for many readers who require the portability that hardback and paperback editions, do not. Remember, anyone can read a digital edition on a computer or other device, not just e-readers.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dOyP5Mm97ZQ/VV_B5eQfzZI/AAAAAAAAQ34/p3_NLRQlSAM/s1600/POV%2BGraphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dOyP5Mm97ZQ/VV_B5eQfzZI/AAAAAAAAQ34/p3_NLRQlSAM/s1600/POV%2BGraphic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Second, as I began reading, I felt a little bit confused. For anyone, it is under- standable as you open the pages of a new book and step into a brand new world with which you are unfamiliar. Also, it took me a little while to realize what the author was doing with changing characters and scenes. The A-ha moment, if you will.<br />
<br />
So...how does anyone determine the point of view of a story? And...what the heck is the point of view of Greg Keyes' Story?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Well, the very first thing you need to do is to disregard the dialogue in favor of focusing on the PRONOUNS in the narration. What are the pronouns used?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrA9NSOB6U0/VV_33otsQII/AAAAAAAAQ4M/tkTkxE8hnXc/s1600/first_person_no_image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrA9NSOB6U0/VV_33otsQII/AAAAAAAAQ4M/tkTkxE8hnXc/s200/first_person_no_image.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">[6]<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul><ul>
<li>In the first scene, entitled, "Farmer," we see pronouns like <u>we, us, and our; but we also hear the speaker say, I. If you are ever faced with a situation like this, choose the first person point of view.</u> In this story the three sisters operated as one entity; hence, the mixed up pronouns really do equal one person--at least in this section of the book.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSdKe7vpYsI/VV_6WlazMGI/AAAAAAAAQ4Y/T6vazg5MISg/s1600/glossary-person-second.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSdKe7vpYsI/VV_6WlazMGI/AAAAAAAAQ4Y/T6vazg5MISg/s200/glossary-person-second.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">In Greg Keyes' story, <i>Footsteps in the<br />Sky</i>, the narrator doesn't use words<br />
like "you, your, and you're." So,<br />
we don't have second person. [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</ul>
</div>
<ul><ul>
<li>In part "II. Pela," we are introduced to a person named "Pela." Someone says, "Pela," and speaks of Pela as "she" and "her." For example, "Pela took a grateful breath, felt the blood throbbing in her legs and arms." We hear the speaker call Pela by name. Of course, this is third person. The speaker may call the person doing the action by their specific name, here, "Pela."</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
Part III is back to "Farmer," and first person while Part IV, entitled, "Hoku," the speaker addresses us saying "Hoku snarled," and "he," "him," and "his"--again third person. So what is up with the back and forth stuff? Why first person then third person? What's going on? We may find the answer by taking a closer look at THIRD PERSON.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFtFIOSnsIQ/VWAQcxcFfMI/AAAAAAAAQ5Q/WOJ-3c2rre8/s1600/objective.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFtFIOSnsIQ/VWAQcxcFfMI/AAAAAAAAQ5Q/WOJ-3c2rre8/s320/objective.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
In third person, we can ask if the narrator simply describes <u>facts and events in a neutral way</u>, without including the thoughts or feelings of the characters. If so, what we have is <u>THIRD PERSON OBJEC- TIVE</u>.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
If the character's thoughts and feelings are reported by the narrator, then we can ask if the narrator is reporting on the thoughts and feelings of <u>one character</u> or <u>multiple characters</u>. If the narrator is only reporting on one person's thoughts and feelings, we have <u>THIRD PERSON LIMITED</u>, but if multiple characters are observed and reported upon, the narrator is said to be <u>THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT</u>.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOmm7ZgAT_s/VWAHV0rOONI/AAAAAAAAQ40/2gMnUo3YN_w/s1600/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOmm7ZgAT_s/VWAHV0rOONI/AAAAAAAAQ40/2gMnUo3YN_w/s200/hqdefault.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Since we have the narrator making observances that are not just a neutral reporting of facts, we can eliminate Third Person Objective. Also, since the narrator is reporting about multiple characters we know we have third person omniscient. So, there we have it. Not so bad when we realize the narrator is the one speaking and can see into every character. Now, it isn't so confusing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2d3t9lCz-gc/VWAS9zimsWI/AAAAAAAAQ5k/pxW7FGO8FWs/s1600/point-of-view-third-person-3-638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2d3t9lCz-gc/VWAS9zimsWI/AAAAAAAAQ5k/pxW7FGO8FWs/s200/point-of-view-third-person-3-638.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Greg Keyes' narrator speaking in third person omniscient speaks with the voice of authority. By his very distancing from the one being spoken about, he gains credibility--some have said that the narrator speaks with the "voice of authority."<br />
<br />
Another really great benefit from writing third person omniscient versus, say, first person, is that first person tends to be all about the narrator telling the audience what's happening, while third person omniscient tends more to show the action. So Greg Keyes is able to use a point of view that helps him show the action--and that is certainly what I enjoyed as the action picked up in the latter half of the book. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[11]</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxIdnEYkCQY/VWAqVS2XH4I/AAAAAAAAQ50/nPHxs1KtOCA/s1600/Authenticity-feature-image1-300x224.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxIdnEYkCQY/VWAqVS2XH4I/AAAAAAAAQ50/nPHxs1KtOCA/s1600/Authenticity-feature-image1-300x224.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Without giving out more of the plot of the book, I can tell you that the way Greg Keyes weaves the various characters' points of view together, that it conveys an atmosphere that feels authentic and makes the characters feel authentic, as well. Not only that, I found that the story conveyed an ever-deepening sense of mystery and anticipation.<br />
<br />
While the story seems to be a story about the Hopi people, it is also a murder mystery, Star-Trek-like space exploration, and about alien beings from another world holding the power of life and death over the world. Keyes somehow, is able to also weave in spirituality, the Hopi's belief in gods, spirits, and life beyond with moments of poignancy and love; then, characters are hit with painful moments when they realize they've been betrayed. Keyes includes such varied things as tribal conflict, political power, violence, an engineered plague, and a good old-fashioned chase scene. Whew! What a ride!</div>
<div>
<br />
<b><u>WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME</u>:</b><br />
As I indicated, above, I was confused a bit at the beginning of the book until I figured out what Greg Keyes was doing with the various points of view. Also, the beginning third of the book was a bit slow getting established. But given the scope of Keyes' novel, I'm not sure how else he could have accomplished that feat. I liked Keyes' writing and "story-telling," very much and find this aspect of dislike not an insurmountable obstacle. I was puzzled, how to answer the question asked of me, "What is your book about this week?" I stammered a bit, and muttered something to the effect of, "It's about the Hopi Indians in outer space colonizing a planet." Then I sighed with my lame description and launched into more detail, trying to explain. Oh, well....<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS</u>:</b><br />
<b>Greg Keyes' <i>Footsteps in the Sky</i>, is a triumph of science fiction grafted onto earthly roots! It is a book that will hold you spellbound all the way to the end and one that will leave you with imprints of its footsteps in your memory. I haven't seen a book like Greg Keyes' book since I read Hugh Howey's, <i>Wool</i>; I loved the mystery, action, and epic quality conveyed by the novel. The use of voice in conveying an authenticity of the culture of the characters was nothing short of brilliant. Thank you, Greg Keyes. Thank you, Open Road Media.</b></div>
<br />
<u>MY RATING</u>:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rac8Cnj-tEw/VWAxGMz4X9I/AAAAAAAAQ6A/kNk6TQdJ0no/s1600/footprints.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rac8Cnj-tEw/VWAxGMz4X9I/AAAAAAAAQ6A/kNk6TQdJ0no/s1600/footprints.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given all the above reasons, and in honor of the title of Greg Keyes' novel, I am pleased to rate this book 5 footprints out of 5. This book has, indeed, the possibility to become one of sci-fi's classic novels.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me this week as we got to look at an exciting new e-book release of Greg Keyes', <i>Footsteps in the Sky.</i> I hope you enjoyed reading about this exciting new e-book and and I want to thank you for your time and attention to this blog post. Next week we will look at a new book and see what the pages have in store for us.<br />
<br />
Until next time . . .<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwAWwlHzqjs/VVZns9WAawI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/iB8VDXvRmbo/s1600/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PwAWwlHzqjs/VVZns9WAawI/AAAAAAAAQwQ/iB8VDXvRmbo/s320/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double, white Rose of Sharon. [14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
. . . many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
My very best to you,<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Footsteps-Sky-Greg-Keyes/dp/1497699916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431725703&sr=8-1&keywords=footsteps+in+the+sky">Footsteps in the Sky</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 05-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"'Morning Singing' Kachina Doll." </i>[D. Livingston.], and Pueblo Pottery. Photographs by Sharon Powers. 05-20-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"</i><i>"<a href="http://www.southwestcrossroads.org/record.php?num=573">The Four Worlds and the Emergence</a>."</i> [Nuvayoiyava (Albert Yava), Tewa Village, August 1969] southwestcrossroads.org. Retrieved 05-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hopi-Carved-12-75-Maasaw-Death-Kachina-Doll-Sculpture-by-Bradford-Kaye-/371243622536">Maasaw Kachina Death Sculpture</a>."</i> [Bradford Kaye] ebay.com. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://artistryofeducation.blogspot.com/">Point of View</a>."</i> artistryofeducation.blogspot.com. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://firstperson.oxfamamerica.org/author/aperera/">First Person</a>."</i> firstperson.oxfamamerica.org. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.dpdirectory.com/glossary-person.htm">Person</a>."</i> dpdirectory.com. [Second Person] Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://bitstrips.com/read.php?comic_id=5NJF7&sc=1">Third Person Objective.</a>"</i> [Objective.] bitstrips.com. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"</i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOjCbL60SRE">Point of View</a>."</i> [Limited] youtube.com. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.slideshare.net/MissMayfield/point-ofviewthirdperson">Third Person Point of View: Omniscient, Limited, and Objective</a>." </i>[Miss Mayfield.] Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://ingridsundberg.com/2011/03/31/five-advantages-of-third-person-omniscient-pov/">Five Advantages of Third Person Omniscient Point of View</a>."</i> ingridsundberg.com. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://www.themastershift.com/is-our-society-spiritually-starved-for-authenticity-and-trust/">Is our Society Spiritually Starved for Authenticity and Trust?</a>."</i> [themastershift.com. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://pixshark.com/footprint-png.htm">Footprints</a>."</i> pixshark.com. Retrieved 05-22-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"</i><i><a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 05-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
[*] <i>"<a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley</a>."</i> netgalley.com. Retrieved 05-15-15.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-73662747983415899492015-05-11T18:40:00.000-07:002015-05-20T10:48:20.064-07:00Age of Ultron by Brian Michael Bendis and Marvel's Age of Ultron Companion Book: Do These Titles Reflect the Avengers: Age of Ultron Movie?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_EozkR2cCA/VUQlXtSmDXI/AAAAAAAAQXk/I3W9WVcTf7k/s1600/Age%2Bof%2BUltron%2BGraphic%2BNovel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_EozkR2cCA/VUQlXtSmDXI/AAAAAAAAQXk/I3W9WVcTf7k/s1600/Age%2Bof%2BUltron%2BGraphic%2BNovel.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Age of Ultron</i> [1]<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7taq5fvZBUk/VUQlZZxlEOI/AAAAAAAAQXs/OM13MzhMgR4/s1600/Age%2Bof%2BUltron%2BCompanion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7taq5fvZBUk/VUQlZZxlEOI/AAAAAAAAQXs/OM13MzhMgR4/s1600/Age%2Bof%2BUltron%2BCompanion.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>Age of Ultron Companion </i>[2]</td></tr>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My original Marvel post was a review of <i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/10/thor-dark-world-prelude-graphic-novel.html">Thor: The Dark World Prelude (A Graphic Novel)</a> </i>on 10-29-13, followed by <i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/03/winter-soldier-captain-america-comes-to.html">Marvel's Captain America: Winter Soldier</a></i> on 04-04-14. With this book, we will be looking at the third book review I've done from the <i>Marvel</i> universe: <i>Marvel's Age of Ultron</i>. As a bonus, today, I will also include a short review of the companion book to <i>Marvel's Age of Ultron, </i><i>Marvel's Age of Ultron Companion</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b><u>THE STORY</u>:</b><br />
<i>Age of Ultron</i>, the movie, has been out for one week (as I am writing this review). Many of us, me included, have already seen the Marvel blockbuster; many of us, I for one, would not mind paying to go and see it again. Actually, I am planning to take my family to see the movie this weekend.<br />
<br />
The long and short of it is, many of us already know what the movie version of Ultron is all about. Nonetheless, let's take a quick look at the book and movie plots to see how they are the same and how they differ; also, I know many of you would like to know if the graphic novel is worth buying. So, I will be addressing all of this as we go through the story.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YT7N8NiMa2c/VUuq4WwOCBI/AAAAAAAAQbQ/TER3C9_f_lo/s1600/20150507_110802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YT7N8NiMa2c/VUuq4WwOCBI/AAAAAAAAQbQ/TER3C9_f_lo/s320/20150507_110802.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Entertainment Weekly (Double Issue, July 25/August 1, 2014)</i> provided an "<u>Exclusive First Look</u>!" at the <i>Avengers</i> <i>Age of Ultron</i> movie. The author of the article, Anthony Breznican, explains the first major difference between the comic book stories, the graphic novel, and the movie version is a difference by virtue of Ultron's creator; Breznican said that Ultron's "...origins remain the same, but the creator has changed." Breznican went on to explain the difference that, "[i]n the comics, Ultron was built by scientist Hank Pym (a.k.a. the first Ant-Man),..." but in the movie, Ultron's father and creator is Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey, Jr. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span><br />
<br />
OK. So, that major difference having been stated, we find out from none other than the Director of <i>Avengers: Age of Ultron's</i>, Joss Whedan, that even though many people might expect the Ultron story-line to originate in the comics because the movie was titled, <i>Age of Ultron</i>, and because of the newly released book entitled, <i>Age of Ultron. </i>that that is simply, "not the case." Whedon had stated that they had decided, instead, to do their "own version of the origin story of Ultron." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEeBQKtqq6E/VUvWgTy4-eI/AAAAAAAAQbw/e-3-UMU4LhA/s1600/Ant-Man%2BPoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEeBQKtqq6E/VUvWgTy4-eI/AAAAAAAAQbw/e-3-UMU4LhA/s1600/Ant-Man%2BPoster.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ant-Man movie poster. [5]</td></tr>
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For those who know the origin story involving Hank Pym, a.k.a. Ant-Man, and Ultron, readers might have surmised that the origin story would be followed, perhaps in part due to the upcoming Ant-Man movie due for release on 07-17-15. Before the <i>Avengers: Age of Ultron</i> movie came out, some had speculated "...that Ant-Man could debut in <i>The Avengers 2 </i>before spinning off into his own movie." At the time of the interview with the Director, Joss Whedon, he denied an Ant-Man appearance in <i>Avengers, Age of Ultron. </i>Now, obviously, we know that Whedon was being forthright. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span><br />
<br />
Regarding all of the brouhaha around the "origin story," Whedon commented that they were "taking the things from the comics for the movies that we need and can use...[but] a lot of stuff has to fall by the wayside." Whedon went on to say, "...I was amazed [that] anybody was surprised...." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVhXDOEcXc8/VUvyXzJbE9I/AAAAAAAAQcA/YQSaj5byXLw/s1600/Books%2Bto%2BMovies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVhXDOEcXc8/VUvyXzJbE9I/AAAAAAAAQcA/YQSaj5byXLw/s200/Books%2Bto%2BMovies.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
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Whedon's statements go hand-in-hand with the definition of "adaptation." When a book is adapted for film, it necessarily undergoes some kind of transformation. Often, die-hard fans of the books are disappointed in the loss of a character, or in the change of a beloved scene, dialog, appearance of a character, or as in the case of Ultron, the change of story-line.<br />
<br />
The change of story-line is not all that changes from the book to the big-screen; when you step out to the theaters to see the <i>Avenger's: Age of Ultron</i>, see if you spot other changes. Now that we've explored the story-line by comparing the book to the movie, let's move on to the rest of the book to see what is in store for you as a reader.<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>THE COLLECTED EDITIONS OF AGE OF ULTRON</u>:</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQnB9r8l8V8/VUxb0ds8PpI/AAAAAAAAQc4/Sup_rUN3wuA/s1600/20150501_181916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQnB9r8l8V8/VUxb0ds8PpI/AAAAAAAAQc4/Sup_rUN3wuA/s320/20150501_181916.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Brian Michael Bendis has gathered together for readers eleven issues of the Marvel Universe under one cover with the theme of, Ultron. The first collected issue is <i>Avengers #12.1</i>, followed by the other ten to include, <i>Age of Ultron, </i>#s 1-10. Note that it is not uncommon for one comic book, or a major character to cross over from one series to another--just as the <i>Avengers </i>join the <i>Age of Ultron</i> in this collection.<br />
<br />
Also, this would be a good time to point out that in our first story, S.H.I.E.L.D., S.W.O.R.D., and Avengers are mentioned as the "good" guys, as are Hydra and the Intelligencia as the "bad" guys. Moreover, keep in mind that individual characters like Jessica Drew have been involved in several groups at one time or another; here, Jessica Drew has been a member of S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, The Avengers, and S.W.O.R.D. In this book, Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew, is a member of S.W.O.R.D. and The Avengers, and bumps heads with the notorious bad guy group called The Intelligencia.<br />
<br />
NOTE: In the comics and graphic novels, the so-called, "bad guy" group spells its name "Intelligen<b><u>cia</u></b>" vs. the dictionary spelling, Intelligen<b><u>tsia</u></b>. I wonder how many young readers came away from the story thinking the intelligencia was the correct way to spell the word. If this misspelling was done deliberately by Marvel, it is a truly an ironic twist of the definition of the word--and definitely, very dry, and sly humor.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFwO19vwo4o/VUw2kf1S4BI/AAAAAAAAQco/ybqP78-sRvA/s1600/20150507_200819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFwO19vwo4o/VUw2kf1S4BI/AAAAAAAAQco/ybqP78-sRvA/s400/20150507_200819.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Drew, a.k.a. Spider-Woman, from <i>Marvel's Encyclopedia.</i> [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After being kidnapp- ed and interrogated, Jessica Drew is res- cued by The Avengers. At first, The Avengers (including Iron Man, Wolverine, and Hawk- eye) do battle with The Intelligencia, but soon the fight turns ugly and the whole place seems to explode--The Avenger's realize, to their horror, . . . ULTRON IS BACK! After a brief discussion about how to find Ultron, Iron Man says that he has "seen the future," and that when Ultron returns, it will be because "he has brought the human apocalypse." Perhaps this scene inspired Iron-Man's vision in the movie? What do you think?<br />
<br />
With the knowledge that Ultron is back, we know that in this story-line, we will not see the creation of Ultron; that story is covered in other Avenger's comic books. In <i>The Avengers: Age of Ultron</i>, the movie, we see the origin story covered in a "<b>Stark</b>ly" different manner (Ha, ha!). So, where, then, does the story line take us after the revelation of Ultron's return? Take a look at the snapshot, just below. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GY_Fj8S1x4/VU1frHgJchI/AAAAAAAAQfU/wncwIzU-kow/s1600/Ultron%2BEncyclopedia.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GY_Fj8S1x4/VU1frHgJchI/AAAAAAAAQfU/wncwIzU-kow/s1600/Ultron%2BEncyclopedia.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;">In this snapshot from <i>Marvel's Encyclopedia</i> (p.381), see the little box on the right that indicates the "Essential Storylines" for the Ultron story. They are not the same as the ones presented, here, in the <i>Age of Ultron</i>, by Brian Michael Bendis. If you look at the text above the box, you can see where this storyline begins. Ultron caused the explosion that demolished the building, and made his escape. The final sentence also gives away the basic plot of the rest of the storyline--Wolverine and the Invisible Woman (from The Fantastic Four group) time travel to stop the creation of Ultron by Henry Pym. Boy, that sounds like a storyline from The X-Men, doesn't it--you know, time travel back in time to save the future? On the left side of the picture is an image of Ultron and Vision fighting each other. [1, page 381.]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mi6GoaaXUcA/VU1cxK6tK1I/AAAAAAAAQe8/dpryaRgQh8I/s1600/20150508_175857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
So, the rest of the story is quite simple. On the edge of annihilation, Wolverine, and Susan Richards of the Fantastic Four, travel back in time to murder Henry Pym. After Wolverine's nefarious deed, the two return to find things even worse than when they left. Commanded to not return to the past to attempt to fix the murder of Pym, they, quite naturally, go anyway. After some misadventures, Wolverine and Susan Richards (The Invisible Woman), manage to do something unbelievable; they return to the present day and help to stop Ultron. But the magic in the story, is how they do it. You will have to read the story to understand why it is so compelling.<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME</u>:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jp9CwH78hZ0/VU2BeHKzbgI/AAAAAAAAQfo/VMu8Tkm3YyE/s1600/no.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jp9CwH78hZ0/VU2BeHKzbgI/AAAAAAAAQfo/VMu8Tkm3YyE/s200/no.jpeg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grumpy Cat.<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> [8]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some places in the story were confusing and not well-prepared for the reader to understand what was going on. I'm not talking about building tension for the enjoyment of the story, but actual confusion about what is happening. For example, in <i>Age of Ultron, #1</i>, the story opens in New York and we follow a woman into a house where it appears she is willing to trade sex for drugs. An unknown character enters and starts a fight with the thugs; an explosion occurs and then the story makes a jarring cut to a hostage scene where the hostage appears to be Spider Man. Someone starts shooting arrows--it appears to be Hawkeye.<br />
<br />
Then, one or two?--apparent Avengers continue fighting. All of a sudden flying robots enter, a countdown occurs, a bomb goes off and Hawkeye and Spider-Man make their escape. Not knowing who the characters are might be OK in some situations where you later learn who those characters are. It is mightily confusing, though, to have the story shift suddenly without dialog boxes to explain what is happening, characters you don't know, shifting to a location that is disorienting, and, then, add in action that is unclear.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdPg-WQP1hQ/VU2HTONXaaI/AAAAAAAAQhQ/ZI-Gjj4npvY/s1600/20150508_204443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdPg-WQP1hQ/VU2HTONXaaI/AAAAAAAAQhQ/ZI-Gjj4npvY/s320/20150508_204443.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, I read this book one time and took a couple of photos of it. Just take a look at how the pages are already coming away from the binding. I don't know what happened, here, because Marvel books are generally better constructed than this. It is disappointing that I paid $22.13 for the paperback and it is already falling apart. See the photo? I can't say if all the <i>Age of Ultron </i>books are like the one I have, here, but I wanted you to know that if you decide to buy the book, you should be aware of its possible deficiencies.<br />
<br />
Finally, I do not like the cover. The cover is just way to busy to be a good design. I do see Ultron in the middle and Captain America on the right, but the rest of it just gets muddled with the dark, dull colors.<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>AGE OF ULTRON COMPANION</u>:</i></b><br />
First, the nuts and bolts, so to speak, about the companion book to <i>Age of Ultron</i>. The Authors are credited as Al Ewing, Matt Fraction, Cullen Bunn, Christos Gage, Kathryn Immonen, Gerry Duggan, Rick Remender, Matt Kindt, and Mark Waid. Illustrators are listed as Butch Guice, Andre Araujo, Phil Jimenez, Dexter Soy, Amilcar Pinna, Adam Kubert, and Paco Medina. The paperback book edition is a mere 200 pages, just under two thirds the size of the <i>Age of Ultron</i> (288 pages), and yet the hefty price ($21.11) for this "gold leaf," "<b>paperback</b>" edition is only $1.02 less than the larger book. The Collected Edition collects under one cover the <i>Marvel</i> editions as follows <span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span>:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjkTixDpYKU/VU50cirTMTI/AAAAAAAAQhw/FFj1jCOnIvw/s1600/1933751030_NoGold_answer_2_xlarge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjkTixDpYKU/VU50cirTMTI/AAAAAAAAQhw/FFj1jCOnIvw/s200/1933751030_NoGold_answer_2_xlarge.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AU is the designation for gold. Here,<br />
however, it is not used for gold, <br />
but for the <i>Age of Ultron.</i> [10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><i>Avengers Assemble #14AU-15AU;</i></li>
<li><i>The Fantastic Four (2012) #5AU;</i></li>
<li><i>Fearless Defenders #4AU</i></li>
<li><i>Superior Spider-Man #6AU; </i></li>
<li><i>Ultron #1AU;</i></li>
<li><i>Uncanny Avengers #8AU;</i></li>
<li><i>Wolverine & the X-Men #27AU; </i>and</li>
<li><i>Age of Ultron #10AI</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
If you are wondering what the funky numbering is after the title, like AU and AI, just know, that I was wondering about that, too. I discovered that AU is a designation for the <i>Age of Ultron</i> mini series. These books are crossovers from other series of books that deal with the <i>Age of Ultron</i> storylines. The A.I. designation refers to an Avenger series that takes place at some point after <i>The Age of Ultron</i>. The world "has been colonized by A.I.s [artificial intelligence drones] 'who may or may not have positive feelings about the way humanity has been treating them....'" The mini series ended in 2014. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[9]</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> <b><u style="font-style: italic;">AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #14AU-15AU</u>:</b><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vpxybvXMIk/VVDnUPy-_QI/AAAAAAAAQkA/ln--bEdt9oQ/s1600/20150511_100705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vpxybvXMIk/VVDnUPy-_QI/AAAAAAAAQkA/ln--bEdt9oQ/s200/20150511_100705.jpg" width="200" /></a>As this title indicates, #s 14AU-15AU, are about the coming together of the Avengers. Initially, in #14AU, we see the world before the apocalypse, before Ultron's attack and the devastation of modern society. Suddenly Ultron attacks and sends his drones to annihilate society--Black Widow tries to help civilians escape underground. Making it to the safe house, she finds only one other Avenger: Marc Spector a.k.a. Moon Knight.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvJCzOmGa2Q/VVDoVATEABI/AAAAAAAAQkM/A9R7Pte7-ks/s1600/20150511_100951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvJCzOmGa2Q/VVDoVATEABI/AAAAAAAAQkM/A9R7Pte7-ks/s320/20150511_100951.jpg" width="179" /></a> <b><u style="font-style: italic;">AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #15AU</u>:</b> Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel, is stuck on the Americas side of the ocean as the Ultron drones attack; quickly, she saves a civilian. In London, at the British Museum, the magical sword, Excalibur, connects with other magical artifacts to keep Ultron's drones away. Dr. Faiza Hussain, the current caretaker of the sword, Excalibur, also has magical powers to heal, and does so with the civilians huddled under the British Museum's roof. The balance of the story features "Computer Grahame," Brian Braddock a.k.a. Captain Britain, Dane Whitman, The Black Knight, wielder of the black "Ebony Blade (the Anti-Excalibur), and Mel Kapoor, a.k.a. Magic Boots Mel. Computer Grahame attacks within the machine giving it a "bad code." Half of the heroes die, but Ultron's signal has been blocked, giving Earth's heroes a chance to regroup.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vM6EQyuqTRc/VVDp3wr4GnI/AAAAAAAAQkc/ALfegsGoHFY/s1600/20150511_101546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vM6EQyuqTRc/VVDp3wr4GnI/AAAAAAAAQkc/ALfegsGoHFY/s200/20150511_101546.jpg" width="112" /></a> <b><u style="font-style: italic;">FANTASTIC FOUR (2012) 5AU</u>:</b> The Fantastic Four realize Earth is under attack and travel to the planet to find it devastated. The story alternates between Fantastic Four action on earth and a Fantastic Four base where two children wait for their parents. Apparently all four are killed, but then, suddenly, Sue Richards is rescued from the rubble. The children wait for the Four's return.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYbNbFKYKqc/VVDpeVVYgiI/AAAAAAAAQkU/v5Rv4U0k1gA/s1600/20150511_101847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYbNbFKYKqc/VVDpeVVYgiI/AAAAAAAAQkU/v5Rv4U0k1gA/s200/20150511_101847.jpg" width="112" /></a> <b><u style="font-style: italic;">SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #6AU</u>:</b> We find Peter Parker, Spider Man, rise from the ashes of the apocalypse, but not quite. Dr. Octopus had transferred his consciousness to Parker's body, and what arose from those ashes was "Superior Spider Man," both Parker and Doc Oct. Superior Spider Man schemes to make the Ultron drones fall under his control. The Superior Spider Man fails but realizes that with the right people at your side, Ultron can be defeated.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOx_MKhOCcs/VVDqJ0PBDlI/AAAAAAAAQkk/WzN-LUouOow/s1600/20150511_101952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOx_MKhOCcs/VVDqJ0PBDlI/AAAAAAAAQkk/WzN-LUouOow/s200/20150511_101952.jpg" width="112" /></a> <b><u style="font-style: italic;">ULTRON #1AU</u>:</b> This story is about Victor Mancha, cyborg, and son of Ultron. Victor grieves for his lost friends, but with eidetic memory, he can recall every last conversation and detail about them. We find Victor in the ruins of the apocalypse, as he does everyday, searching for lost children--he finds a young boy, Jaime, and returns to the hideout where other lost children hide. Soon the Ultron drones attack, destroying the hideout. Victor cries out that his father may be Ultron, but his mother is Marianella Mancha, and he enjoins battle against the drones.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RlLDtoiHBU/VVDqet0v1zI/AAAAAAAAQks/RO0wv5w-D94/s1600/20150511_102118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RlLDtoiHBU/VVDqet0v1zI/AAAAAAAAQks/RO0wv5w-D94/s320/20150511_102118.jpg" width="179" /></a> <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #27AU</u><b>:</b> This episode starts out very similar to an episode in, <i>Age of Ultron</i>, by Brian Michael Bendis. After Wolverine and The Invisible Woman arrive in New York at a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. laboratory, each go in different directions. Wolverine heads to the laboratory and finds an alien life form pleading for freedom--Wolverine releases it and immediately the lifeform enters his body through Wolverine's mouth--he does battle with others like it. Invisible Woman checks surveillance monitors trying to remember something important--suddenly she remembers. Wolverine gets back to the car first and Invisible Woman shortly after; with an alien growing inside Wolverine, the two head off in search of Hank Pym...Ultron's creator.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QC8TU6r7Los/VVDq_dLwgrI/AAAAAAAAQk0/V4X-nz3VgG4/s1600/20150511_102358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QC8TU6r7Los/VVDq_dLwgrI/AAAAAAAAQk0/V4X-nz3VgG4/s200/20150511_102358.jpg" width="112" /></a> <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">UNCANNY AVENGERS #8AU</u><b>:</b> This story revolves around Kang and his "Twins of the Apocalypse," Uriel and his sister, Eimin. Kang fills in background by speaking of the altering of time and of plucking the Twins from their timeline; Kang sends them on a test: to kill Captain America. Meanwhile the Captain has gone below ground to the land of the Morlocks in search of Caliban to bring him back for a murder. Eimin manages to kill Rogue, but Uriel protects Cap to keep him from being killed. The Twins failure causes Kang to send them to "camp," as punishment so they can better learn not to be merciful.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypA_kMK4Ng8/VVDrc61VwII/AAAAAAAAQlA/QYzQ9Goa3ZU/s1600/20150511_102616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypA_kMK4Ng8/VVDrc61VwII/AAAAAAAAQlA/QYzQ9Goa3ZU/s200/20150511_102616.jpg" width="112" /></a> <b><u style="font-style: italic;">FEARLESS DEFENDERS #4AU</u>:</b> The time frame is the post Latveria-Asgard Wars, the location is Lord Doom's Domain. Demonic Air-Sentries shoot down a plane killing the former Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta. During the following three days, the Amazons were destroyed, apparently, by Lord Doom's forces. Hippolyta is brought back from the dead by the gods; she is then captured and sentenced to the "War" Arena to fight against other captured Amazons. Hippolyta disarms her own Amazons and frees them, and then destroys the fake Lord Doom. Finally, Hippolyta fights Ares, her real father, and lets him live. Hippolyta says, "...The Amazons will fight by their Queen's side!"<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K70d76uxde4/VVDrsSi3WoI/AAAAAAAAQlI/Lm9gSCKWPbo/s1600/20150511_102702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K70d76uxde4/VVDrsSi3WoI/AAAAAAAAQlI/Lm9gSCKWPbo/s200/20150511_102702.jpg" width="112" /></a> <b><u style="font-style: italic;">AGE OF ULTRON #10</u>:</b> The final story is the culmination of the book. The story takes us through the sweet and sour of Hank Pym's childhood, through his monotonous days of lab work for a big corporation as a "little worker ant" before he quit his job and began experimenting on a serum to make himself small. Having succeeded, he played at being the hero, Ant-Man, then a "giant," then a "Goliath," a "swashbuckler," and eventually, a father. Trying to create something practical he then created Ultron, who nearly annihilated mankind before he was able to stop it. After contemplating suicide and feeling dejected, Pym finally realized that he did matter...he started life, anew.<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT </u><i style="text-decoration: underline;">MARVEL'S AGE OF ULTRON COMPANION</i>:</b><br />
First, I like the cover better on the <i>Companion</i> than the <i>Age of Ultron</i> cover. It is a simpler, less chaotic cover; it is much more appealing than the latter.<br />
<br />
Second I also like that the book is more understandable than the <i>Age of Ultron</i> book; look, for example, at the photo of <i>Avenger's Assemble 14AU</i>. I find all the stories, in general, clearer and more understandable than the <i>Age of Ultron</i>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-gZrzHWWgg/VVEXPBtv93I/AAAAAAAAQmA/S3gkqNaEZMc/s1600/dark-mood-icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-gZrzHWWgg/VVEXPBtv93I/AAAAAAAAQmA/S3gkqNaEZMc/s1600/dark-mood-icon.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even though the companion book introduces some <i>Marvel</i> heroes that are new to me, I did not feel lost. The hero was described, his/her powers, and sometimes even a basic background given. As I have indicated in another post, I am not a comic book aficionado, but I do enjoy reading graphic novels relating to other books, books made into graphic novels, and those that have been adapted to film, or are coming to the big screen. On the negative side of things, this book lacks cohesiveness and is an oppressive read--it has few redeeming aspects, as a whole, with which to recommend it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b><u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING(S)</u>:</b><br />
Comic books or graphic novels are what they are; that is, children and young people have always been the target audience for works of pulp fiction. Modernly, however, many graphic novels have been written to appeal to adult sensibilities. So, in these two works, we seem to have a bit of both. If you are an adult, these graphic novels or collected editions will work for you. If you are a parent who regulates what their children read, then perhaps consideration should be given to the apocalyptic themes of murder, killing, destruction, consideration of suicide, etc.<br />
<br />
<u>MY RATINGS FOR EACH BOOK</u>:<br />
<b>For <i>Age of Ultron</i> by Brian Michael Bendis:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWb8UWkySLI/VVD0zeYjqzI/AAAAAAAAQlY/G1MZUI07YcM/s1600/2-5-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWb8UWkySLI/VVD0zeYjqzI/AAAAAAAAQlY/G1MZUI07YcM/s1600/2-5-stars.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have, above, already indicated that the story is muddled and confusing. First, if you haven't followed the comic book story-lines, and second, by virtue of the lack of scene descriptors and dialog prompts, and by having art work that seems to jump from situation to situation without explanation. Moreover, the story is apocalyptic, without the redeeming qualities of such works. It was not only bleak, the art work added to the overall glumness and gloom of the book. Finally, in one photograph, above, I showed the pages coming away from the binding. This paperback book was not cheap, I paid $22.13 for this book only to begin falling apart after one reading. I find that almost unconscionable. The only good thing that might come of this is that you will know to buy the Kindle ed. over the paperback. Given this, and all of the above reasons, I rate this book 2.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yADjfsCtw9I/VVEdD-MfxpI/AAAAAAAAQmQ/XR1sxEk74bg/s1600/expensive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yADjfsCtw9I/VVEdD-MfxpI/AAAAAAAAQmQ/XR1sxEk74bg/s200/expensive.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>For </b><b><i>Age of Ultron Companion</i> by <i>Marvel </i>(and all the above-listed authors):</b><br />
This companion book is better than the <i>Age of Ultron</i> book it accompanies. A big, however, here, this book is still expensive at $21.11, comparing it to the <i>Age of Ultron</i> at $22.13. Moreover, a reader gets less bang for the buck, because there are 88 pages fewer than <i>Age of Ultron</i>. And while I liked the companion book better than <i>Age of Ultron</i>, it had a lot of room for improvement.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxZK2axgbpA/VVEN7mlrabI/AAAAAAAAQlo/twbxOFzEb4M/s1600/3.5%2Bstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="49" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxZK2axgbpA/VVEN7mlrabI/AAAAAAAAQlo/twbxOFzEb4M/s200/3.5%2Bstars.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I understand, this book is meant to augment, accompany, or add to the <i>Ultron</i> book, but even giving it a break for that reason, I still find it lacking. Yes, the art is better and the selections more comprehensible, but overall it lacks a cohesiveness that I'd like to see there. Also, like the <i>Ultron</i> book, it is oppressive with negativity and dour attitudes. I realize it is apocolyptic in nature, but I find few redeeming aspects. So, because it is better than <i>Age of Ultron</i> for the reasons I mentioned, above, I rate this book at 3.5 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me this week as we got a close up look at the <i>Age of Ultron </i>and its <i>Companion</i> book. I hope you have enjoyed checking out these two titles since we now have the movie, <i>Avengers: Age of Ultron</i> out in theaters to help stimulate our desire to read more about this movie theme. Join me next time for a new title and a new review.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VL42NLFpInw/VUzocg2J59I/AAAAAAAAQdM/AkPFg4GAZrs/s1600/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VL42NLFpInw/VUzocg2J59I/AAAAAAAAQdM/AkPFg4GAZrs/s320/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double, white Rose of Sharon. [15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
My best to you all.<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Ultron-Avengers-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/0785155651/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431020791&sr=8-1&keywords=age+of+ultron+bendis">Age of Ultron</a>."</i> [Brian Michael Bendis] amazon.com. Retrieved 05-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Age-Ultron-Companion-Al-Ewing/dp/0785184856/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431064065&sr=8-1&keywords=age+of+ultron+companion">Age of Ultron Companion</a>."</i> [Al Ewing, Cullen Bunn, Christos Gage, Kathryn Immonen, Gerry Duggan, & Rick Remender.] amazon.com. Retrieved 05-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LZ8G780/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Avenger's Age of Ultron</a>."</i> [Breznican, Anthony. <i>"Avenger's Age of Ultron." Entertainment Weekly, July 25/August 1, 2015: </i>26-32.] Print. Retrieved 04-10-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://collider.com/avengers-2-age-ultron-plot-details-joss-whedon/">Joss Whedon says The Avengers: Age of Ultron Not Based on Age of Ultron Comic; Promises New Ultron Origin Story, No Ant-Man, and More Sci-Fi</a>."</i> [Brendan Bettinger, 07-21-13] <i>Collider. </i>Retrieved 05-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="https://apocaflix.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/evangeline-lilly-talks-up-marvel-ant-man/">Evangeline Lilly Talks Up Marvel & 'Ant-Man</a>.'"</i> [12-18-14] apocaflix. Retrieved 05-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://httproductions.blogspot.com/2011/04/httpresents-adaptations-your-doing-it.html">HTTPresents--Adaptations: You're Doing it Wrong</a>."</i> [HTTProductions, 04-30-11] httproductions.blogspot.com. Retrieved 05-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Marvel-Encyclopedia-Matt-Forbeck/dp/1465415939/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431060765&sr=8-1&keywords=marvel+encyclopedia">Spider-Woman</a>."</i> [<i>Marvel Encyclopedia,</i> First American Ed., New York, N.Y.; DK Publishing, 2015. Print.] (Purchased on amazon.com.).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="https://edplaysgames.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/no/">no</a>."</i> [grumpy cat] edplaysgames.wordpress.com. Retrieved 05-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://comicbookrealm.com/topic/8/17813/marvel-au-comics-question/all">Marvel AU Comics Question</a>."</i> [comic book forum] comicbookrealm.com. Retrieved 05-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/ron-paul-vs-bernanke-is-gold-money-well-is-it/question-1972047/">Ron Paul vs. Bernanke: Is Gold Money? (Well is it?)</a>."</i> sodahead.com. Retrieved 05-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.iconarchive.com/show/yolks-2-icons-by-bad-blood/dark-mood-icon.html">Dark Mood Icon</a>."</i> iconarchive.com<i>. </i>Retrieved 05-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://abookvacation.com/2014/05/13/arc-review-we-were-liars-by-e-lockhart/">Books, The Cheapest Vacation You Can Buy</a>."</i> [2.5 stars] abookvacation.com. Retrieved 05-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://binfind.com/img/vion/any/">Expensive Sign</a>."</i> binfind.com. Retrieved 05-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://dpnow.com/2184.html">Kodak Easy Share Picture Reviewer</a>."</i> [3.5 stars] dpnow.com. Retrieved 05-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 05-08-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-68144567677818962602015-04-30T23:37:00.001-07:002015-10-22T08:48:48.897-07:00The Merit Birds by Kelley Powell--An Exciting New Release!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ro2BsKnIDQ/VT2N57NcgHI/AAAAAAAAQMU/za1vTr8aIlA/s1600/The%2BMerit%2BBirds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ro2BsKnIDQ/VT2N57NcgHI/AAAAAAAAQMU/za1vTr8aIlA/s1600/The%2BMerit%2BBirds.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I grew up in the Sacramento Valley in California. I love driving down the roads smelling the different seasons as they come and go, the rice paddies, the sweet smell of harvest time as the alfalfa is cut, the corn and sunflowers harvested, and the tomatoes shipped off to the cannery. I love the wet earthy smell after a rain and crazy as it seems, I even love the dry, hot valley summer sun. And though the terrain is somewhat flat until you get to the coastal mountain range, I have come to love the wide open landscape and the many oaks that populate the valley and foothills. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p54T6s5kYgs/VUFjHgQko9I/AAAAAAAAQNg/vxkE3xZonFE/s1600/sunflowers%2Bsac%2Bvalley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p54T6s5kYgs/VUFjHgQko9I/AAAAAAAAQNg/vxkE3xZonFE/s1600/sunflowers%2Bsac%2Bvalley.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">[2]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have traveled to other places, like Ireland, where the beauty of the landscape cannot be denied. Yet, I always long for home, so here I am. I live where the sights, smells, and sounds are engraved on my mind and fill my memories with their delights.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In our story, today, <i>The Merit Birds</i>, by Kelley Powell, we meet Cameron (Cam) who loves his home in Ottawa, Canada. Cam loves his basketball team and the welcome familiarity of the area in which he lived. And, like a plant, Cam was uprooted and planted in the alien environment of Vientiane, Laos; moreover, since Cam could not speak the language of the people of the area, didn't have his basketball team and his comfortable, familiar, homeland, Cam felt uprooted, resentful and angry. So, will Cam ever fit into this new environment? And, will he ever be able to let go of his anger?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJMJt-7TLdk/VUGIqOcoHJI/AAAAAAAAQOA/7UCK8zPKIW0/s1600/Ottawa_Elgin_Street_at_Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJMJt-7TLdk/VUGIqOcoHJI/AAAAAAAAQOA/7UCK8zPKIW0/s1600/Ottawa_Elgin_Street_at_Queen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elgin Street, Downtown Ottawa. [3]</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9h76s5TcJRo/VUGB8OMOvOI/AAAAAAAAQNw/XqKg7tYlsaY/s1600/laos_vientiane_street01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9h76s5TcJRo/VUGB8OMOvOI/AAAAAAAAQNw/XqKg7tYlsaY/s1600/laos_vientiane_street01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a simple little street in Vientiane, Laos. [4]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At some point in our lives most of us feel that we've been stopped from going somewhere or doing something that we really wanted to do. This may be true for most teens as they gradually grow into adulthood and want to get on with their lives. Let's see what Cam does to adjust to this new life.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<u><i><b>SHORT SYNOPSIS OF</b></i></u> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b><u>THE MERIT BIRDS</u>:</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"> Cam, an eighteen-year-old young man, loves Canada, and loves his Ottawa basketball team, but he doesn't love being forced from his Canadian home to live in a strange country, Laos. Cam's mother, heading for a new job in Vientiane, Laos, must take Cam with her to this strange alien country. Although moving with his mom to Laos was not an experience he looked forward to, Cam gradually began feeling more comfortable when he makes friends with a young neighborhood man named Somchai.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1zZxNgESOo/VUK-5JXnW0I/AAAAAAAAQOc/t6pMIbwdOGc/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1zZxNgESOo/VUK-5JXnW0I/AAAAAAAAQOc/t6pMIbwdOGc/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Merit birds for sale. These birds can die of hunger before they<br />even get a chance to be bought and released. Many who are<br />released hardly have enough energy to fly away. See article:<br /><i><a href="http://cambodiabirdingnews.blogspot.com/2012/12/bird-merit-release-at-phnom-penh.html">Bird Merit Release at Phnom Penh Riverside</a>. </i>[5] These birds<br />are like the prisoners in the story we review, <i>The Merit Birds.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;"></span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span>Cam begins to feel somewhat better with Somchai's friendship and, even more so, when Cam begins to fall in love with a beautiful young Southeast Asian woman by the name of Nok. Cam not only learns to accept his life as it is, but also learns about building up merit for oneself, or karma, from Nok--through the simple, soulful acts of doing good deeds for others, or by buying caged birds--often called "merit birds,"--in the market and releasing them to freedom.</div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><br /></span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKSLi_qMuMk/VULIymn_UOI/AAAAAAAAQOs/sdBiF785JNA/s1600/3d0fae86161c54bdcfe79637defef88e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKSLi_qMuMk/VULIymn_UOI/AAAAAAAAQOs/sdBiF785JNA/s1600/3d0fae86161c54bdcfe79637defef88e.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />One of the rules of KARMA<br />that Cam learns from Nok. [6]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""> It is just when Cam is finally settling into this life in Vientiane, acquiring a true friend and having a romance with a beautiful Southeast Asian woman, that his life takes a jarring change. Tragedy strikes, and Cam is accused of murder and jailed...now, he is like the caged birds.</span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><br /></span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""> What will happen to Cam? Will he face the death penalty? Cam despairs as he daily faces hunger, hard labor, and possible torture at the hands of his jailers. Little does Cam know that his freedom will only come if the murderer turns himself in and confesses.</span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><br /></span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
<b></b></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><b><b><i><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:</i></b></b></span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><b>
</b>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span>When I started reading this book and read the prologue, I put the book down and tried numerous times to pick it up and begin reading again. The prologue dealt with a murderer watching a funeral procession of a character, I surmised, was a major character. I didn't want to read any more of the story. Still, I struggled with reading it for a couple of weeks, but eventually, knowing I had this blog post to publish, picked up the book and began reading again. I am not sorry I did. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><br /></span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYB5jXGXmGg/VULlYThxFFI/AAAAAAAAQO8/R6AqShUsdPg/s1600/dorothy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYB5jXGXmGg/VULlYThxFFI/AAAAAAAAQO8/R6AqShUsdPg/s1600/dorothy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the book and movie, <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, Dorothy<br />
is swept away by a tornado and lands in Oz.[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On its face, the story about Cameron (Cam) from Ottawa, uprooted and planted again in Laos, is a story that many people face, not unlike Dorothy in <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, who is swept up and away by a tornado and dropped in a land of witches and munchkins. Although Cam didn't land in Oz, he did face things he did not understand and trying to communicate in a language he did not speak. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, literally, this could be anyone facing a new situation they may not want, and having to plunge feet first into a life that feels not like home. The author gives us this very situation because she knows we all have had similar experiences, if not similar feelings; now we can identify with Cam, no matter the age of the reader. Plus, now that we know what "merit birds" are, and we know that Cam's girlfriend, Nok, taught Cam about gaining merit for himself, we might deduce that Cam will learn some painful lessons. And he does. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CjhUboKU3zQ/VUL0868DTpI/AAAAAAAAQPM/xXuXgLP-SY8/s1600/Use%2BThis%2BNetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CjhUboKU3zQ/VUL0868DTpI/AAAAAAAAQPM/xXuXgLP-SY8/s1600/Use%2BThis%2BNetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" width="332" /></a> The author Kelley Powell, does something very beautiful with her story weaving. Since the title of the book is, <i>The Merit Birds</i>, we need to look very closely at the title to see what we might garner about the rest of the book. It may not sound like much of a trick, but I learned in school that authors often name their books in such a way as to name it, first, for the obvious; here, it is the poor little merit birds being sold from cages in the market. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Second, I also learned that authors use the first book naming trick to point the way to the second, or more, meanings in the story. In other words, I learned that I had to look beyond the author's obvious title and seek out a second meaning. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have a secret tool in my arsenal that helps me determine where to look in any story. The secret question I ask myself whenever I am trying to figure out the tie-in from the title to theme threads is as follows: "Who is (or who are) the real ___________ ? In the case of Kelley Powell's book, we should ask, "<b>Who are the real <u>merit birds</u> ?</b> When I was in college and writing a paper on <i>The Merchant of Venice</i>, I had a much easier time by asking, "Who is the real merchant of Venice?" It helped a lot, and I got an A on my paper. Now you have a neat trick you can use to help you assess books that you read. So, now that we have this new tool, let's look at Kelly Powell's book and put the tool to practice.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKp9L0HJLtE/VUMOXEy3pLI/AAAAAAAAQPc/a3If-j0b9rQ/s1600/One%2BMinute%2BBreath.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKp9L0HJLtE/VUMOXEy3pLI/AAAAAAAAQPc/a3If-j0b9rQ/s1600/One%2BMinute%2BBreath.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the book: This is (the monk) Sai's One Minute Breath instructions. [8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To begin, Kelley Powell uses Cam as a vehicle to point out the main theme of the story: That we all can help save others just by putting ourselves out there at, well, whatever the cost may be, and by doing so, we can save not only others, but ourselves, as well...all are, in essence, merit birds. Who are the real merit birds? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, since we realize we are not just looking at the obvious reason for the title (the caged merit birds in cages in the market), we should start looking throughout the book at anyone who is in some sort of cage (physical, mental, or emotional), and someone teaching or freeing the caged bird substitute (i.e. Cam).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gD8-7y7gZ_8/VUMYI5brqTI/AAAAAAAAQP4/zknBKBu23XQ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gD8-7y7gZ_8/VUMYI5brqTI/AAAAAAAAQP4/zknBKBu23XQ/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My personal favorite example of this trope is the monk who gains merit by teaching--and in essence freeing--Cam from his anger and self preoccupation. I don't want to mislead you, because Cam actually had many teachers in the book from Nok, and Somchai (Cam's friend), to the monk and Cam's mother. I hope you enjoy using this new tool to enrich your reading and understanding of books.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember that when you are seeking a theme in a novel, themes are not patently obvious; the theme is ascertained by looking at the characters in a book, action that is occurring, and perhaps even the setting of the novel. The author will not tell you what the main theme is about, it takes detective work to figure it out for yourself. This is why I have given you one little tool about the book's title to help you with finding major themes. Good luck.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uIDFUU-cQDU/VUMVzugf_XI/AAAAAAAAQPs/yjEYrjxAn0Y/s1600/detective.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="45" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uIDFUU-cQDU/VUMVzugf_XI/AAAAAAAAQPs/yjEYrjxAn0Y/s1600/detective.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, I would love to tell you more because I am so excited about this book. I just can't divulge to you about what leads up to the climax or what happens in the climax, itself. I would have to give away the whole of the plot to do that. Just know that Kelley Powell writes a very realistic portrayal of life that is nothing short of high adventure, action, and a contemplative psychological portrayal of a young man growing into...himself. We also see a very realistic slice of life in Laos, as well as a realistic portrayal of a young man coming of age. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[11]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This book is not one for small children or those sensitive to physical trauma, violence, and death. Those of a sensitive nature should consider the book's material before beginning reading. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>RATING</u>: </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljEcHMynhSo/VUMan8QLfCI/AAAAAAAAQQE/WEdiYV1CEtU/s1600/4%2Bstars%2Bout%2Bof%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="55" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljEcHMynhSo/VUMan8QLfCI/AAAAAAAAQQE/WEdiYV1CEtU/s1600/4%2Bstars%2Bout%2Bof%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[121]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Given all the points I have addressed, above, I rate this wonderful and engaging book four stars out of five. Consider buying and reading this beautiful portrait of Canada and Laos and the wonderful and horrible people that inhabit both countries. The story is satisfying and emotionally gratifying. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VB2puN4RFsE/VUMa6eNEUrI/AAAAAAAAQQM/89_82Nys3a8/s1600/Age%2Bof%2BUltron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VB2puN4RFsE/VUMa6eNEUrI/AAAAAAAAQQM/89_82Nys3a8/s1600/Age%2Bof%2BUltron.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you for joining me this week as we got to look at a book that will be out very soon for your reading pleasure (May 2, 2015). My next blog post we will be visiting the world of the imagination and fantasy as we look at Marvel's <i>Age of Ultron</i> and Marvel's <i>Age of Ultron Companion</i> by Brian Michael Bendis. The U.S. movie release date is May 1, 2015.<br />
<br />
I know many fans want to know about these books; I will be providing photographs of my own graphic novel and companion guide so that you will get a chance to see more about the books before you commit to purchasing it for yourself or for a family member or friend fan. Thank you, again, for visiting my blog and checking out this wonderful NetGalley book, <i>The Merit Birds</i>by Kelley Powell.</div>
</span><span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
<span style="text-align: left;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Until next time...</span></div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CG42P43LEU4/VT2Qh4B5HRI/AAAAAAAAQMg/eutuYNSoDfQ/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CG42P43LEU4/VT2Qh4B5HRI/AAAAAAAAQMg/eutuYNSoDfQ/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: left;">...many happy pages of reading!<br /><br />All my love,<br /><br />Sharon.</span></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">_________________________________________________</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Merit-Birds-Kelley-Powell/dp/1459729315/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430098360&sr=8-1&keywords=the+merit+birds">The Merit Birds</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 04-26-15.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">[2] <i>"<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcheah/">DSC_3459 (web)</a>."</i> [Jeff Chea] [sunflowers in Sacramento Valley] flickr.com. Retrieved 04-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">[3] </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa">Elgin Street in Downtown Ottawa</a>."</i> [photo only] en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 04-29-15.</span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[4] <i>"<a href="https://colibrist.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/experimental-travel-vientiane-laos/">Experimental Travel in Vientiane, Laos</a>."</i> colibrist.wordpress.com. Retrieved 04-29-15.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://cambodiabirdingnews.blogspot.com/2012/12/bird-merit-release-at-phnom-penh.html">Bird Merit Release at Phnom Penh Riverside</a>."</i> [12-11-12; <i>Cambodia Birding News</i>] Cambodiabirdingnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[6] <i>"<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andrewjayden190/karma-quotes/">Karma Quotes</a>."</i> pinterest.com. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[7] <i>"<a href="https://redcrossggr.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/hey-dorothy-theres-an-app-for-that/">Hey Dorothy - There's an App for That!</a>"</i> redcrossggr.wordpress.com. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="font-size: xx-small; shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:="">[*] <i>"<a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley</a>."</i> netgalley.com. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.urbanyogachicago.org/blog">One Minute Breath</a>."</i> [10-20-14; urban yoga chicago] urbanyogachicago.org. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/2012/04/6-ways-to-reuse-magazines-and-junk-mail.html">Theme: The Central Message</a>."</i> teachinginroom6.blogspot.com. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.beyourowndetective.com/about/criminal-records-background-checks/">Be Your Own Detective</a>."</i> beyourowndetective.com. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="font-size: xx-small; shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="text-align: left;">[11] </span><i>"<a href="http://www.learner.org/interactives/literature/read/theme1.html">Theme</a>."</i> learner.org. Retrieved 04-30-15.</span></div>
<div>
<span justify="" style="shoulder: anger at his father for not being in his life, anger at having to give up his beloved Ottawa basketball team, and anger that he had to give up everything he loved to go with his mother to Laos for her new job.</span></div> <div style=; text-align: justify;" text-align:=""><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://imgbuddy.com/4-out-of-5-stars-blue.asp">Four Stars out of 5</a>."</i> imgbuddy.com. Retrieved 04-30-15.<br />[13] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Age-Ultron-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/1846535409/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1430100279">Age of Ultron</a>."</i> [Kelley Powell] amazon.com. Retrieved 04-26-15.<br />[14] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 03-29-15.</span><br />
</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-54796337456147337962015-04-14T21:44:00.003-07:002015-05-11T17:42:12.220-07:00The Horse Healer: A Novel. By Gonzalo Giner. New book release!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uxckv855rPg/VRMedmgwBBI/AAAAAAAAPWM/LN87iipulWw/s1600/The%2BHorse%2BHealer%2Bby%2BGonzalvo%2BGiner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uxckv855rPg/VRMedmgwBBI/AAAAAAAAPWM/LN87iipulWw/s1600/The%2BHorse%2BHealer%2Bby%2BGonzalvo%2BGiner.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a young woman, my favorite novel was, <i>Black Beauty</i>, by Anna Sewell; I read this book more than thirty times because of my love for the story and, of course, for my love of horses. I was what people called, "horse crazy." My bedroom had books about horses, Breyer horse statues, horse magazines, horse stickers, and, of course, I watched horse movies whenever I could (<i>International Velvet </i>starring Elizabeth Taylor, etc.). I told everyone that I was going to grow up and have a horse farm, and later, that I was going to be a veterinarian.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIHcxSG8Q9c/VSb9yQIvyCI/AAAAAAAAP7M/BPORLJF2vFE/s1600/Black%2BBeauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIHcxSG8Q9c/VSb9yQIvyCI/AAAAAAAAP7M/BPORLJF2vFE/s1600/Black%2BBeauty.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Image: 2] [Book: 3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was no surprise to anyone in my family that by my teenage years, when I had earned enough money, I was able to purchase a horse. I was able to bring to my family's home in the country, a beautiful black mare that I named "Beauty." My Beauty stood about 14.5 hands high and was a Quarter Horse Mix. Unlike "Black Beauty," from the story, my Beauty didn't have any white markings. Oh, but did I love her.<br />
<br />
I would hug Beauty around the neck and ride out on the farmland and local roads by our home. In the fall, I entered my horse in the local county fair, and during hunting season, I let my father take her deer hunting. Beauty was an excellent trail horse as well as being beautiful in the show ring. It has been nearly fifty years now since I hugged her around the neck and left her behind to go to college; though I missed our rides in the countryside terribly, I just couldn't take her with me. I can only find her now if I look for her with my mind's eye--and when I do, I can only hug her in the memories I've stored away in my heart.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H06bZRbdtoM/VSc2jSZWRJI/AAAAAAAAP7k/lOoKctly23I/s1600/sorrel%2Barabian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H06bZRbdtoM/VSc2jSZWRJI/AAAAAAAAP7k/lOoKctly23I/s1600/sorrel%2Barabian.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diego's horse was a sorrel-colored Arabian mare<br />
that he called "SABBA."[4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I mentioned, above, that long ago I wanted to be a veterinarian since I loved animals, and horses, in particular. It was this old desire that pulled me towards reading, <i>The Horse Healer: A Novel</i>, by Gonzalo Giner. As I began reading the novel, I was greatly and happily surprised by this book. I guess I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. So...before I tell you more, let's take a quick look at the synopsis.<br />
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>SHORT SYNOPSIS OF </u><i><u>THE HORSE HEALER: A NOVEL</u>:</i></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQbEVl6zvpo/VSnLOof19hI/AAAAAAAAP8I/pnMCBz5Utxs/s1600/NAVAS%2BCAMPO%2BMuhammand%2BAl-Nasir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQbEVl6zvpo/VSnLOof19hI/AAAAAAAAP8I/pnMCBz5Utxs/s1600/NAVAS%2BCAMPO%2BMuhammand%2BAl-Nasir.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Horse Healer: A Novel</i>,<br />
is based on fact, but fiction-<br />
alized with new characters<br />
and events added to the story<br />
--this is the real Al-Nasir. [5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don Marcelo, the lord of an inn in Malagón, the city situated on a trade route between Toledo and Al-Andalus and on the shores of a "Great Lake," had, but three years ago, lost his wife, the mother of the couple's four children. The children and their father, Don Marcelo worked to keep the inn going, until poor health put Don Marcelo into bed.<br />
<br />
The four children, Diego, Belinda, Blanca, and Estela, worked to keep the small inn running and to care for their invalid father; that is, until word came that the great Muslim leader, Muhammand Al-Nasir, had sent his fiercest warriors, the black-skinned Africans, born and raised to kill, to conquer the Christian territory.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kB_L3EaFnIE/VSn4clET0KI/AAAAAAAAP80/1RCufCQbMPw/s1600/Capture%2Bimesepelen.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kB_L3EaFnIE/VSn4clET0KI/AAAAAAAAP80/1RCufCQbMPw/s1600/Capture%2Bimesepelen.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Al-Nasir's<br />
Imesebelen during the battle<br />
of Navas de Tolosa. Note: See<br />
the full image below. [6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The, "Imesebelen," meaning, the bridegrooms, sent to conquer and ruthlessly kill all Christians, were making their way towards the little family's beloved city of Malagón. Everyone in the region began to flee in terror. Don Marcelo placed the burden for protecting his three girls on his son, Diego's, shoulders; he told them to run...as an invalid, he had to stay. At the last moment Diego left the girls to go back for his father--who, in the end, he could not save. His decision to go back led to disastrous results--his sister Belinda was killed by an Imesebelen while trying to protect her two sisters; Blanca and Estela with their flame red hair, were taken into captivity to be sent to Al-Nasir's harem.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I3I0CvPCCfs/VSn00htloyI/AAAAAAAAP8o/HwLUhogIAQs/s1600/Cus10205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I3I0CvPCCfs/VSn00htloyI/AAAAAAAAP8o/HwLUhogIAQs/s1600/Cus10205.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From an old text on the treatment of horses <br />
by the a<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">lbéitar </span>(veterinarian). [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Narrowly escaping the Imesebelen, Diego fled on his horse Sabba, and headed to Toledo. Devastated, Diego wants to make his decision right, to go back to Muslim country for his sisters, but finds the ways barred to him. Eventually, Diego is taken in by an "<i>albéitar </i>(veterinarian)<i>,"</i> by the name of Galib and soon is apprenticed to him. Diego has begun a new journey that is sad, yes, and traumatic, indeed. But what Diego doesn't know, is that soon, very soon, he will be in for more excitement than he can imagine.<br />
<br />
This story is more than a horse story, it is more than a slice of the reconquest of medieval Spain, it is even more than the story of a lost boy who must make his way in the world. Diego's story encompasses a momentous time in history where an orphaned boy grows into a man who can help to shape the future and save a people. But what happens to this horse healer, his horse friend Sabba, and the boy's sisters will shock you! Diego and Sabba's journey into the pages of history during the momentous times of the "reconquest of medieval Spain" will leave you gasping!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2KkpqBsl1o/VSxBdBX4VPI/AAAAAAAAP-0/-pDX72awXaY/s1600/Spanien-Karte1212-Reconquista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2KkpqBsl1o/VSxBdBX4VPI/AAAAAAAAP-0/-pDX72awXaY/s1600/Spanien-Karte1212-Reconquista.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">This map shows the location of Toledo (almost center of the map) where Diego studied to become an </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">"</span><i style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">albéitar </i><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">(or veterinarian)</span><i style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">." </i><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">Malagón, Diego's home city (not shown on this map), is located between Calatrava and Toledo--closer to Calatrava than Toledo. Al-Nasir's forces captured Calatrava, and then went on to capture </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">Malagón. Later in the book, when the three kings unite to stop Al-Nasir's incursion into Christian lands, and to retake lands lost to Al-Nasir, the great battle of <i style="font-weight: bold;">LAS NAVAS DE TOLOSA</i> took place in 1212, indicated by the words <i>"Las Navas de Tolosa </i>(by the two red stars)<i>."</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKVsJD5cujI/VSwBSlWFfAI/AAAAAAAAP94/R1Kb8q-h_7o/s1600/andalusian_horse_by_ele6767-d5jkfh1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKVsJD5cujI/VSwBSlWFfAI/AAAAAAAAP94/R1Kb8q-h_7o/s1600/andalusian_horse_by_ele6767-d5jkfh1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><b><u>Andalusian Horses</u></b>, as you can see, are well</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">built, having a head with either a straight or</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">subconvex profile. They have beautiful eyes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and are elegant, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">with a beautifully </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">arched</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">neck that carries </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a "long, profuse and </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">often</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">wavy mane and </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">tail." They have strong </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">legs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"with ample </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">bone, broad flexible joints; and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the hoof is </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">well formed, sound and iron hard.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Generally, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">they are large horses, stand</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ing</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> be-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">tween 15 </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to 16.2 hands tall. Grey is the pre-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">dominent </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">color "followed by bay and black</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">which is </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">more rare (also, chestnut).[9] Manes </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and tails are often braided to show the beaut-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ifully arched neck and to keep the mane out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of the way of the reins, and, of course, to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">prevent tangling</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"> [10] <u style="font-weight: bold;">Andalusians</u> are men-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">tioned in the book and especially during the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">battle at Las Nevas de Telosa. Additionally,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">the <u style="font-weight: bold;">Andalusian</u> is also called, "Spanish</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">Horse, & Pura Raza </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Española,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">" with the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">breed originating in Spain's Iberian Penin-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">sula. Throughout most of history, the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Andalusian</u> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">has been known for its</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">prowess as a war </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">horse. [11]</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3nTZr2YiD4/VSwKRbfm6yI/AAAAAAAAP-I/fYCIX03irwY/s1600/1355930348_walker-carol-bay-andalusian-stallion-with-plaited-mane-and-bridle-austin-texas-usa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3nTZr2YiD4/VSwKRbfm6yI/AAAAAAAAP-I/fYCIX03irwY/s1600/1355930348_walker-carol-bay-andalusian-stallion-with-plaited-mane-and-bridle-austin-texas-usa.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM </u><i><u>THE HORSE HEALER: A NOVEL</u>:</i><br />
Well, I can't really give you an exact quote from the book because the book, itself, is an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) from NetGalley. An ARC is the NOT final version of the book which may change dramatically, including page numbers and text before publication. Hence, no exact quotes can be given. Nonetheless, what I can do is tell you about a discussion between Galib and Diego (the <span style="text-align: center;"><i>a</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>lbéitar</i> [veterinarian] master is Galib and the apprentice is Diego). In this discussion Galib instructs Diego in the </span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>a</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>lbéitar's </i>art. So...this is not a direct quote from the book. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the conversation, Galib indicated that he was happy that Diego was dissatisfied with things that weren't clear to him. Galib begged Diego to never give up on the attitude that he already seemed to have of questioning things. The master said that he was right to try to reason out the cause of an animal's injury, pain, or death. Galib rubbed Diego's hair and smiled affectionately. Then Galib said that Diego should also be modest in his work, especially when he didn't know the answer. Galib concluded that in situations where he didn't understand, that Diego should then cast his eyes towards heaven. Your god and mine know everything. We are, after all, but a small speck compared to him. And even though we may seek truth, He is pure truth. (Again, these are not the words from the book. You will have to wait for the final version of the book and publication on 04-14-15. I just wanted to share with you one of my favorite sections of the book.) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P52YOb_xGP4/VSns-f3tByI/AAAAAAAAP8Y/KQnfPUiDWdY/s1600/Breton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P52YOb_xGP4/VSns-f3tByI/AAAAAAAAP8Y/KQnfPUiDWdY/s1600/Breton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Look at this massive horse! It is the<b><u> French Breton</u></b>, mentioned</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in numerous places in the novel, but here (in the book) is </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">where</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">you </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">can check out what Diego thinks about </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">these horses, bred</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">carry men with armor on their backs and </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to "...knock down</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">fences </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and [literally] walls of men in battle." </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I think this</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">massive horse could do that, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">don't you? [12] And what do you see</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">happening with a whole </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">company of these horses, armored</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and mounted by knights </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in armor and wielding swords, lances,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and morning stars charging at a field of infantry? </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[13]</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwF4kRZD4ac/VSwhEY-As1I/AAAAAAAAP-Y/pBq9qBdMtH4/s1600/Armored%2BHorse.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwF4kRZD4ac/VSwhEY-As1I/AAAAAAAAP-Y/pBq9qBdMtH4/s1600/Armored%2BHorse.PNG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK</u>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>THE INTRODUCTION AND BEGINNING OF THE BOOK.</b></div>
From the opening pages I loved this book. I was immediately drawn into the lives of Diego and his family. Although it felt immediate to me, I was present in a way that compelled me to turn the pages, captivated by the lives of those simple and good people.<br />
<br />
The multiple tragedies that came with the incursion of the Imese- belen warriors virtually had me by my shirt collar and wouldn't let go. I had to know what happened after the murder of Belinda and Don Marcelo, and the capture of two of his children, Blanca and Es- tela. Reading about them taken to the Imesebelen encamp- ment, the kidnapping of those two girls and their treatment, left me breathless.<br />
<br />
Of course, I was thankful that Diego had escaped, but, as a reader, I groaned when I saw the tragedies he had to bear. Experiencing with the journey to Toledo, along with Diego, had me biting my nails and turning the pages even faster. Oh, my gosh!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RMiAmtKp0U/VSxK0mHJDBI/AAAAAAAAP_E/X0wweK7inBg/s1600/scene-from-a-muslim-slave-market-of-white-women2-otto-pilny.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RMiAmtKp0U/VSxK0mHJDBI/AAAAAAAAP_E/X0wweK7inBg/s1600/scene-from-a-muslim-slave-market-of-white-women2-otto-pilny.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, in "Scenes From a Slave Market," we see two white women who have<br />
been captured and are being offered up for sale. There are no girl children here, <br />
but it was a very lucrative trade to obtain girls young so they could be used at <br />
a very young age sexually, as well as to be trained to serve their masters.[14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the introduction and synopsis we know Diego eventually becomes appren- ticed to a the best <span style="text-align: center;"><i>a</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>lbéitar</i> [veterin- arian] in the whole of the area --master Galib. We also sense in Diego a great love for horses, and in particular, his "Sabba." My point, here, is that I had to tell you how much I loved that Gonzalo Giner pulled us into the story of this family. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><b>RELIGION, INTOLERANCE, AND THE ALMOHADS.</b></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr5qQbp8Tq0/VS1RqH2ARPI/AAAAAAAAP_8/TTxASFtX1ps/s1600/emir-of-the-almohad-dynasty-yaqub-al-mansur-with-his-bodyguard-yakub-al-mansur-reigned-from-1184-to-1199-with-distinction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr5qQbp8Tq0/VS1RqH2ARPI/AAAAAAAAP_8/TTxASFtX1ps/s1600/emir-of-the-almohad-dynasty-yaqub-al-mansur-with-his-bodyguard-yakub-al-mansur-reigned-from-1184-to-1199-with-distinction.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emir of the Almohad Dyn-<br />
asty Yakub al Mansour, with<br />
his bodyguard. Yakub al<br />
Mansour reigned from <br />
1184-1199. [15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"> I also like Giner's choice to have the person that teaches Diego the art of healing horses be a Muslim. Aside from the wonderful irony, having Diego being forced to deal with Galib is great, since Diego now harbors much resentment against the Muslims and the Imesebelen. Diego, though, learns from Galib that the Muslim religion is like any other, in that there are good Muslims, and not good Muslims, just like there are good Christians and not good Christians. Giner has Diego learn that even Galib hates the actions of the Almohads. Galib pointed out to Diego that it was the <b><u>A</u></b><u style="font-weight: bold;">lmohads</u>, not peaceful Muslims, that were to blame for the murder of so many innocents. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BFmc6dkGDL8/VS1VAiYy9fI/AAAAAAAAQAI/aDEc6U_UnoY/s1600/the%2Bhero's%2Bjourney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BFmc6dkGDL8/VS1VAiYy9fI/AAAAAAAAQAI/aDEc6U_UnoY/s1600/the%2Bhero's%2Bjourney.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: The Hero's Journey [image only] [16]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE HERO'S JOURNEY.</b></div>
Another compelling technique Giner utilizes in his storytelling is "The Hero's Journey." The hero's Journey, as Joseph Campbell explained, in a now famous quote from the Introduction of <i>The Hero With A Thousand Faces</i>, "A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder; fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won; the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man." Undoubtedly, the hero's journey is at once a technique that helps in creating intimacy and also forces the reader along on the journey where the protagonist grows into something more than he was.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9zfahUntIA/VS1WFLVLM8I/AAAAAAAAQAQ/wZmX1IqIMR0/s1600/endersgame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9zfahUntIA/VS1WFLVLM8I/AAAAAAAAQAQ/wZmX1IqIMR0/s1600/endersgame.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ender's Game </i>is the win-<br />
ner of the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Nebula</i> and<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Hugo Awards</i>. <i>Ender's<br />Game</i> is a very popular<br />
<b>Hero's Journey</b> story.[17]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I have extensively written about "The Hero's Journey" in my blog posts, I will not bore you with another repetition of the material, nor will I unduly add to this post's length by such repetition. If, however, you would like to read more about the fascinating world of the hero's journey (in detail), then, one of my posts you might enjoy is <i>Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Part 2 'Monomyth: The Hero's Journey]</i>. Simply click on the link, <i><u><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/enders-game-by-orson-scott-card-part-2.html">here</a></u>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> </i>Part and parcel of the Hero's Journey is the growth of the hero (protagonist). Diego's growth has much to do with how he handles his adversity, how he refuses to give up on his dreams, and how he seeks out and finds people to help him. The Hero's Journey satisfies the longing and desire for our own journey--here, we find it vicariously through our protagonist.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>SABBA AND AGING.</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xnNdU8C8g0/VS1gCGX0QTI/AAAAAAAAQAg/VmpIEGjcxGg/s1600/10-year_groove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xnNdU8C8g0/VS1gCGX0QTI/AAAAAAAAQAg/VmpIEGjcxGg/s1600/10-year_groove.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one way to tell a horses' age. [18]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the book, the discussion about how you tell the age of a horse by looking at its teeth is spot on. As many of you know, I lived in the country and raised my own horses (see the story, above). The <span style="text-align: center;"><i>a</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>lbéitar </i>or today's veterinarian and anyone who purchases horses, knows how to look at a horse's teeth to determine its age. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"> Well, here's the problem. Sabba (Diego's horse friend) was mature at the beginning of the story, then as the story progresses, some seventeen years, we see Sabba and Diego in the battle of Las Navas de Telosa with Sabba <u>acting like a youthful mare</u>, not one who must be around twenty or twenty-one. An average lifespan of a horse is 25-30 years, so Sabba was fairly old by the time of the battle. No where do we see Giner have Diego address Sabba's aging or how fit she was in her twilight years. It bothered me that this important aspect of Sabba's life was not addressed.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yShbsWTWkvs/VSa6tcnXfOI/AAAAAAAAP68/tcXepyk8TSk/s1600/Use%2BThis%2BNetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yShbsWTWkvs/VSa6tcnXfOI/AAAAAAAAP68/tcXepyk8TSk/s1600/Use%2BThis%2BNetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">[*]<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><b>OTHER ISSUES</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><b>...AND QUESTIONS.</b></span></div>
1. Parallel story threads run throughout the novel. I've already mentioned The Hero's Journey and Diego's growth, above.<br />
<br />
2. The two girls--who grow into womanhood during the length of the book--and their two stories alternate in the book with Diego's.<br />
<br />
3. The story of the horses, including Sabba, and their importance during this time. The horses touch other themes in the book, for example, Diego's growth as an <span style="text-align: center;"><i>a</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>lbéitar </i>or veterinarian.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"> 4. Political movements amongst the various countries, monarchs, and leaders, and how common men, such as Galib or Diego, interact with the Kings because they had to keep the monarch's horses well.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"> 5. Diego's motivation: Is Diego running away from the past, or his motivation propelling him towards a goal? Diego seems ashamed he did not live up to his promise to his father, but at the same time, he wants to make right his mistakes. So with this tangled issue, what is Diego's true motivation?</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vjK4--jBfQ/VSnGVQJe-uI/AAAAAAAAP74/A0cloLPyvec/s1600/Navas%2Bde%2BTolosa%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vjK4--jBfQ/VSnGVQJe-uI/AAAAAAAAP74/A0cloLPyvec/s1600/Navas%2Bde%2BTolosa%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
This is one artist's conception of the battle at Las Navas de Tolosa. Import-<br />
antly, the artist includes the Imesebelen for the Caliph. <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[6]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"> 6. Love and sex: Diego gives into temptation with Galib's wife, Benezir, and it ruins his relationship with Galib. What about Diego's lost love with </span>MencÃa<span style="text-align: center;">? Since it was Diego's choice to leave </span>MencÃa, and since he believed it was true love, why did he go? Why did he refuse sex with the woman pur- chased for him (for the night) by Men- cÃa's uncle? Did Al-Nasir Love Estela or was his "love" something else, like possession, control, sexual desire, or fascination with her uniqueness (red hair)? Why did he have Estela flogged, leaving her scarred?<br />
<br />
7. Women in the book: Fatima, Benezir, MencÃa, Diego's three sisters (Belinda, Blanca, and Estela), Najla (sister of al-Nasir), and Sancha de Laredo. What do these women have in common? Why does Estela think she must have something in common with MencÃa, even though she doesn't know her? How did women in the Middle Ages survive? What did women, then, have to give up?--think about what each woman had to give up, or what they lost.<br />
<br />
8. Diego loved his horse friend Sabba. At what point in the story did Diego fail Sabba? Was Diego "running away" or was he "running towards" his goal? Did this failure help Diego grow as a young man? Did Diego also fail his standards as an <span style="text-align: center;"><i>a</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>lbéitar</i></span> (veterinarian) in regards to Sabba?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3t49LZGgMU/VS3cT3nJCII/AAAAAAAAQA0/vLxRjXo0SNM/s1600/fae4a37c90a3876e785287d147921efd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3t49LZGgMU/VS3cT3nJCII/AAAAAAAAQA0/vLxRjXo0SNM/s1600/fae4a37c90a3876e785287d147921efd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[19]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So many wonderful themes, motifs and issues could be addressed in this book. For example, did Diego "make things right," and with whom did he make things right, if anyone? How can he ever make right the death of his sister, Belinda? Infidelity with Galib's wife? Betrayal of his <span style="text-align: center;"><i>a</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>lbéitar</i></span> (veterinarian) standard to do no harm (which he does with Sabba)? Others?<br />
<br />
So many delicious things to contemplate in regards to Giner's novel (and I never even addressed his time at the monastery). If you choose to read this book think about these questions as you go through the novel and see what delightful insights come to you.<br />
<br />
<b><u>MY RECOMMENDATION</u>:</b><br />
I highly recommend this book to those desiring to be veterinarians, lovers of all things Spanish, history buffs, women who struggle for women's rights or who want to become more knowledgeable about the past, horse lovers, lovers of large horses, war horses, or modernly dressage horses, those who love healing, etc. Only those readers who are young or of a sensitive nature should consider other themes regarding violence and death, sexuality, enslavement, and descriptions of medical procedures, before they read the book.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">MY RATING</u>:<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhABOJa05lo/VS3rDV454qI/AAAAAAAAQBQ/9yy3ncj5wUc/s1600/Five-star-feedback-on-oDesk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhABOJa05lo/VS3rDV454qI/AAAAAAAAQBQ/9yy3ncj5wUc/s1600/Five-star-feedback-on-oDesk.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[20]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given all the reasons I have stated, above, I award this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not only for the horses in the story, but also for Diego's growth, and his desire to be really good at his art. I loved the stories of the women and the courage of them to fight even though it was very costly. Most of all, I love how Gonzalo Giner pulls us into the immediacy of the story, making us feel and walk along side the characters.<br />
<br />
<u>THANK YOU</u>:<br />
Thank you for joining me this week as we got to look at a very enjoyable book, <i>The Horse Healer: A Novel</i>, by Gonzalo Giner. Please join me next time as we take up a book very different from this one. It is one, I am sure you will enjoy reading about. So...<br />
<br />
Until next time....<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnG716etkBU/VRjHXbLMspI/AAAAAAAAPn4/ajPraHYSMg4/s1600/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnG716etkBU/VRjHXbLMspI/AAAAAAAAPn4/ajPraHYSMg4/s1600/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double Rose of Sharon. [21]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...many happy pages of reading.<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
<br />
Sharon. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Horse-Healer-Novel-Gonzalo-Giner/dp/1497697557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428456462&sr=8-1&keywords=the+horse+healer">The Horse Healer</a>." </i>[Gonzalo Giner] amazon.com. Retrieved 04-05-15. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/5607160-companion-library">Black Beauty</a>."</i> [Anna Sewell] [image only] goodreads.com. Retrieved 04-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Black-Beauty-Anna-Sewell/dp/1435142020/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1428628821&sr=8-13&keywords=black+beauty">Black Beauty</a>."</i> [Anna Sewell] [book only] amazon.com. Retrieved 04-05-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.neopets.com/~scorpioninico">Arabian</a>."</i> [sorrel] neopets.com. Retrieved 04-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]<i>"<a href="http://www.grandesbatallas.es/batalla%20de%20las%20navas%20de%20tolosa.html">Muhammand Al-Nasir</a>." </i>grandesbatallas.es. Retrieved 04-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6]<i>"<a href="http://historiaconminusculas.blogspot.com/2014_07_01_archive.html">Los Imesebelen</a>."</i> [martes, 8 de julio de 2014.] historiaconminusculas.blogspot.com. Retrieved 04-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7]<i>"<a href="http://mulomedicus-gabinetedelalbeitar.blogspot.com/2011/12/veterinarios-mariscales-y-albeitares.html">Gabinete del albeitar</a>." </i>mulomedicus-gabinetedelalbeitar.blogspot.com. Retrieved 04-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.tauteam.ch/aktuelles/207-vor-800-jahren-franziskus-unterwegs-nach-spanien.html">España, entre 1157 y 1212</a>."</i> tauteam.ch. Retrieved 04-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.deviantart.com/morelikethis/collections/335196757">Andalusian Horse</a>."</i> [by ele6767] deviantart.com. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.theandalusianhorse.com/The_Andalusian_Breed.html">The Traits of the Andalusian</a>."</i> theandalusianhorse.com. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andalusian_horse">Andalusian horse</a>." </i>en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://equitation.marocain.biz/le-cheval-breton/">Le Cheval Breton</a>."</i> equitation.marocain.biz. Retrieved 04-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-MEDIEVAL-TIMES-CRUSADES-KNIGHT-on-HORSE-STATUE-in-ARMOR-W-SWORD-/131325457377">Medieval Times Crusades Knight on Horse Statue in Armor w/ Sword</a>."</i> [Item Is No Longer Available.] ebay.com. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://whosthatgirl-searchme.blogspot.com/2013/05/otto-pilny-scenes-from-slave-market.html">Scenes From The Slave Market</a>."</i> [Otto Pilny] whosthatgirl-searchme.blogspot.com. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="https://thelosttreasurechest.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/historical-warrior-illustration-series-part-xll/#jp-carousel-1665">Emir of the Almohad Dynasty....</a>"</i> thelosttreasurechest.wordpress.com. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/26041/joseph-campbell-the-heros-journey/">Joseph Campbell - The Hero's Journey</a>."</i> dvdtalk.com. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Enders-Quintet-Reprint-published-Paperback/dp/B00E292V7K/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1429069282&sr=8-9&keywords=ender%27s+game">Ender's Game</a>." </i>amazon.com. Retrieved 04-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://www.cowboyhvn.com/MTMay03.htm">Cowboy Heaven Consulting</a>."</i> cowboyhvn.com. Retrieved 04-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/bunkermomma/inspiring-quotes/">Run Towards - Not Away</a>."</i> pinterest.com. Retrieved 04-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="http://30daystox.com/earn-five-star-feedback-odesk/">Five Stars</a>."</i> 30daystox.com. Retrieved 04-14-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[21] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 03-29-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[*] <i>"<a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">NetGalley.com</a>."</i> netgalley.com. Retrieved 04-09-15. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-50411599507902228282015-03-28T23:51:00.001-07:002015-04-14T10:24:46.957-07:00Prey: a Novel by Michael Crichton [CD Edition], Book Review by Sharon Powers. Today, we take a look at Michael Crichton's book, as we ask, "Is one form of listening [CDs, Kindle, Audio] better than another?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mM7rt7RKt1c/VRMbyMDvoiI/AAAAAAAAPVg/1iQIPoe77lw/s1600/Prey%2Bcover%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mM7rt7RKt1c/VRMbyMDvoiI/AAAAAAAAPVg/1iQIPoe77lw/s1600/Prey%2Bcover%2Bimage.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This edition of <i>Prey</i> is the downloadable edition from Audible. [1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were on the road headed to my daughter's house for my grandson's fun- eral. The radio was- n't working because all around us were hills. Everyone in the car complained that they were bored... apparently no one had thought to bring along a book to read or a CD that we all could have enjoyed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, not able to take any more complaining, I stopped at a roadside super service station. First, I got out of the car and filled it up with gas. Then I went inside to see what I could find to still the complaining. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ncnGAmGes/VRR0RXkLo7I/AAAAAAAAPYo/vecFVEyjVTg/s1600/20150326_135743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ncnGAmGes/VRR0RXkLo7I/AAAAAAAAPYo/vecFVEyjVTg/s1600/20150326_135743.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the box I purchased--except<br />
the cellophane wrapper has been<br />
removed. I paid $14.95<br />
for the book. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I poured over the CD racks looking for a few that had enjoyable music (I knew I would need more than one) until, that is, I found the section with books on CD. Then I was almost immediately disappointed since it looked like all the good books were gone. Still, I decided to browse through them quickly to see if anything interesting might be there. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2gmPRzqzOE/VRRwGCPotCI/AAAAAAAAPYY/UQPF5WrmAck/s1600/20150326_134333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2gmPRzqzOE/VRRwGCPotCI/AAAAAAAAPYY/UQPF5WrmAck/s1600/20150326_134333.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it looked like as I pulled out the CD binder. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eventually, after spending more time than I had planned to--isn't that the funny way it always seems to go?--anyway, I found a Michael Crichton book, <i>Prey: a Novel.</i> I wasn't sure if I should get it because I had never read anything by Michael Crichton. Since I read, a lot, I had heard of him. I remembered that some of his notable books included: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9iiR-AWSA6s/VRRvF_-UbSI/AAAAAAAAPXs/eVmPl3WRFzg/s1600/20150326_133540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9iiR-AWSA6s/VRRvF_-UbSI/AAAAAAAAPXs/eVmPl3WRFzg/s1600/20150326_133540.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CD case is only a little larger than your average CD.<br />
As you can see, multiple discs can be fit into each page<br />
of the CD wallet. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-StI_pypi9MU/VRRvBzt48OI/AAAAAAAAPXk/l7lyUJH6iyQ/s1600/20150326_133610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-StI_pypi9MU/VRRvBzt48OI/AAAAAAAAPXk/l7lyUJH6iyQ/s1600/20150326_133610.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the number 1 CD of the book. The book publishers<br />
have thoughtfully included the size of the swarm of the<br />
nanobots. Of course, the dots are meant to represent the<br />
mysterious nanobots. If you look at the other CDs you might<br />
notice that each disc seems to represent the growing cloud<br />
of nanobots. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The Andromeda Strain, The Terminal Man, Congo, Jurassic Park, The Lost World, </i>and, of course, I had heard of his work on <i>Coma, Westworld, </i>and <i>Rising Sun </i>(a movie I had watched with my family). Still, I wasn't sure. It wasn't normally the type of book I would pick for myself..."Wait a minute," I thought, I'm not buying this for me but for everyone in my</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
car. I just couldn't come back empty-handed. I bought the CD book and we were back on the road. Before I tell you how my passengers and I liked the book, I think we should first take a quick look at the synopsis. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Are you ready? OK. Here we go....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>SYNOPSIS OF MICHAEL CRICHTON'S BOOK, </u><i><u>PREY: A NOVEL</u>:</i></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTHPGacTods/VRS2INN0fcI/AAAAAAAAPZQ/iWWwjs14uCA/s1600/STORM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTHPGacTods/VRS2INN0fcI/AAAAAAAAPZQ/iWWwjs14uCA/s1600/STORM.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a dust storm over Phoenix. [3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i>Michael Crichton sets his novel in a dry Nevada desert--a barren landscape, empty, and lonely. Even as the wind howls through isolated landscapes we cannot escape the foreboding that something else inhabits the dust clouds of desert dirt. Maybe this dust cloud is more than it seems. You see, a mysterious cloud of nanoparticles (microrobots) also calls the desert home. The really ominous thing about the dust cloud is that it is looking for us...to be its PREY!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTj0iCvpYxE/VRTEvILbupI/AAAAAAAAPZg/mrgDDS9M-nY/s1600/nanobot%2Bcloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTj0iCvpYxE/VRTEvILbupI/AAAAAAAAPZg/mrgDDS9M-nY/s1600/nanobot%2Bcloud.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image accompanies the magazine article,<br />
<i>"Will Artificial Organism with Advanced Group<br />intelligence Evolve?" </i>[4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How can these nanobots have come to be in the desert? And, why are they the predators and we the prey? The mysterious cloud is self-sustaining and self-reproducing, but what is really scary is that the nanobots are very intelligent and learn from every experience. With every passing minute the nanobots learn and grow, and then they evolve into something... more...continually changing and growing bigger, stronger, more intelligent, and deadly. What has caused this horrible disaster for humans? You will be shocked to find out!<br />
_____________________________<br />
<br />
Interestingly, as I was looking for a photo to use in this post, I came across an article from an on-line magazine called <i>The Daily Galaxy</i>. The article, <i>"<a href="http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/artificial_intelligence/">Will Artificial Organism with Advanced Group Intelligence Evolve?</a></i> appeared on January 9, 2009, and referred to Michael Crichton's book. Here is what they said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Remember Michael Crichton's science-fiction novel, "Prey"? Well, researchers at the University of York have investigated large swarms of up to 10,000 miniature robots which can work together to form a single, artificial life form. The multi-robot approach to artificial intelligence is a relatively new one, and has developed from studies of the swarm behavior of social insects such as ants." [4]</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjjCd6Huwik/VRTLTSJM5UI/AAAAAAAAPZw/j0XBhR5CDrs/s1600/Daily%2BGalaxy.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjjCd6Huwik/VRTLTSJM5UI/AAAAAAAAPZw/j0XBhR5CDrs/s1600/Daily%2BGalaxy.PNG" height="71" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can read more of this interesting article by clicking the link (above) to read the entire short article in <i>The Daily Galaxy</i>. They have some interesting theories you might enjoy exploring.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM, </u><i style="text-decoration: underline;">PREY</i>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlePSRx4XxA/VRYLDwbT-QI/AAAAAAAAPaU/jAkSY3CAVIQ/s1600/They%2BDidn't%2BUnderstand.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlePSRx4XxA/VRYLDwbT-QI/AAAAAAAAPaU/jAkSY3CAVIQ/s1600/They%2BDidn't%2BUnderstand.PNG" height="320" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I have to have a little disclaimer, here. Since I listened to a book on CD, I couldn't remember where my quote came from in the book (i.e. what page, or how much time into the book). By necessity, I had to type in the quote on-line, as well as I could remember it, to get it exactly right. These two very short quotes relate to each other, as you shall see:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We think we know what we are doing. We have always thought so."--Michael Crichton, <i>Prey</i>.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
They didn't understand what they were doing. I'm afraid that will be on the tombstone of the human race." --Michael Crichton, <i>Prey</i>.</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See what I mean. These two independent statements are about "knowing" and "understanding" what we, as human beings are doing. I love how Michael Crichton can embody both concepts so neatly in one book. Well-done, Michael Crichton!<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK</u>:</b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>NANOTECHNOLOGY</u>:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqX05ViH3pw/VRYT9zS6gsI/AAAAAAAAPak/dz2EKOxUp4M/s1600/nanotech_medicine_future_soliant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqX05ViH3pw/VRYT9zS6gsI/AAAAAAAAPak/dz2EKOxUp4M/s1600/nanotech_medicine_future_soliant.jpg" height="228" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"<a href="http://blog.soliant.com/healthcare-news/future-effects-of-nanotech-on-health-care/">Future Effects of Nanotech on Health Care</a>." </i>[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b>Michael Crichton's ability to choose a critical topic on the world front that also appears on the pages of newspapers and maga- zines on which to write seems uncanny. I found a number of articles just by bumping into them. Here's one, for example, from the CDC on nanotechnology: <i><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/critical.html" style="text-decoration: underline;">Nanotechnology - 10 Critical Top Areas</a> </i>that you may wish to take a look at. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[6]</span><br />
<br />
My point, here, is that nanotechnology is on the forefront of importance in being assessed not just as a possibility, but in the "determining [of] the physical and chemical properties...influenc[ing] the potential toxicity of nanoparticles," in evaluating the effects of nanomaterial in organs (long & short-term); and assessing possible hazards. These topics are just a few of the issues scientists, politicians, and the global community are examining as we begin to realistically face the imminent future, just on our doorstep, concerning nanotechnology. With this kind of far seeing eye, maybe we should ask Michael Crichton to step up and advise the world leaders on a few other critical topics in the world, today.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcbBmWAlEqg/VRYbsC8j7hI/AAAAAAAAPa0/iK8ulpz86kA/s1600/mosquito%2Bbot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcbBmWAlEqg/VRYbsC8j7hI/AAAAAAAAPa0/iK8ulpz86kA/s1600/mosquito%2Bbot.jpg" height="336" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One aspect of nanotechnology. See the article listed under References/<br />
Sources [#8], below, for more information on what's being done<br />
in this area of research and development. [8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Therefore, with all this information about the burgeoning growth in nanotechnology, the importance becomes apropos to Crichton's story. This means that utilizing critical topics to make the plot a little more dramatic, per- haps scary for some, can only add to the drama that Crichton uses in his book, <i>Prey</i>. The writer must be abreast the fields that can give him those potential topics and lead, who knows, to a best seller.<br />
<br />
<b><u>FAMILY</u>:</b><br />
Another appealing aspect of Michael Crichton's book is his use of the adorable children he has given our lead character, Jack Forman (former manager/lead at MediaTronics [adv. computer algorithms]) and his wife, Julia Foreman, Vice President of the Xymos Co. Together they have three beautiful children: Eric, their son, Nicole (a preteen girl), and Amanda (a baby girl).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKB-w0Q3X3M/VRZKC4brXZI/AAAAAAAAPbE/LSO5ODNm1T0/s1600/Family.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKB-w0Q3X3M/VRZKC4brXZI/AAAAAAAAPbE/LSO5ODNm1T0/s1600/Family.png" height="320" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't this loving little family<br />
look so very idyllic? They are:<br />
Jack Forman, Julia Forman,<br />
Eric, Nicole, and Amanda. [9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Crichton puts this adorable family into the story, undoubtedly, not only to be appealing, but as an object of <b><u>fear</u></b>. <b><u>Fear</u></b>, because we almost immediately begin to <b><u>fear</u></b> for the children and adults that something is terribly wrong; something, not yet explained at this early point of the story. Crichton is starting to build the tension. He will build the tension layer upon layer until the tension is almost palpable.<br />
<br />
Then we begin suspecting something dark and mysterious is going on with the Julia, the children's mother--the one person who loves her children more than life, itself. We see her acting strangely, and then she disappears into the night with an unidentified man in a car. Jack watches as the two make their escape--he suspects infidelity, now. But, the real truth is far more shocking than any infidelity.<br />
<br />
Crichton just keeps layering the tension with each segment of the story. Now, we have a mystery behind Julia's behavior and her leaving in a car with another man.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>GENRE--JUST WHAT IS IT</u>?</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESKQ87gx-iM/VRZj1Jg87mI/AAAAAAAAPbU/UtrcKwXp6Ik/s1600/sci%2Bfi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESKQ87gx-iM/VRZj1Jg87mI/AAAAAAAAPbU/UtrcKwXp6Ik/s1600/sci%2Bfi.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At first blush, looking at the book cover (and CDs), we see a swarm of something that looks terribly dangerous. As we read, we eventually acknowledge that since science and technology is part of the story, as well as a strange type of non-human "alien" life in the nanobots (alien meaning "strange," not alien from outer space). We think, "Yes." this is <u>SCI-FI</u>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[11]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GmJqh16QETI/VRZn25_KpDI/AAAAAAAAPbo/nm5nlRNeOZg/s1600/suspense%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GmJqh16QETI/VRZn25_KpDI/AAAAAAAAPbo/nm5nlRNeOZg/s1600/suspense%2B2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have already told you, above, how Crichton has layered the story with one tension-building situation after another in order to build tension and anxiety in the reader. I'm sure most of you know that a story with tension or conflict between characters expressed in action, tension building and some sort of conflict equals <u><b>SUSPENSE</b></u>. In this story, Crichton creates tension among people, and also with the swarm of nanobots (e.g. like Alfred Hitchcock's, <i>The Birds</i>.). But is this enough to categorize it as a suspense novel? I don't think so. You see, in suspense novels the reader knows things the protagonist doesn't know. I think that places <i>Prey</i>, outside the category of suspense. So, no to this category. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[12]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrDl1mUdjXM/VRZlV-hpXkI/AAAAAAAAPbc/CIJtaGE2Lmo/s1600/mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrDl1mUdjXM/VRZlV-hpXkI/AAAAAAAAPbc/CIJtaGE2Lmo/s1600/mystery.jpg" height="200" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, what about <u><b>MYSTERY</b></u>? Well, when we say, "mystery," our minds conjure up a protagonist who tries to solve some kind of problem, goes on a quest, of sorts, ferreting out clues until he is able to ascertain who did the action (like stealing the maltese falcon) and why. In a mystery novel, the reader takes the trip with the protagonist and only learns of the clues when the protagonist does. The reader doesn't have any special insight like other types of novels (Thrillers). The protagonist is seldom in any danger--he is, after, trying to solve a puzzle. After all, puzzles aren't very dangerous...think Hercule Poirot or Agatha Christie. In <i>Prey</i>, Jack Forman IS in danger. . . Hmm. Where does that put us, now? <span style="font-size: x-small;">[12]</span><br />
<br />
Usually, the mystery is told in first person, like our story, today, <i>Prey</i>. The result of utilizing first person also helps the author to get the reader involved in the story, to create empathy for the protagonist, and, in the end, sympathize and care about their hero. Involvement. It creates an investment by the reader in the story. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[12]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUqGihw10Oc/VRce636loxI/AAAAAAAAPcY/mSwi3YR722Y/s1600/horror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUqGihw10Oc/VRce636loxI/AAAAAAAAPcY/mSwi3YR722Y/s1600/horror.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[16]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <u style="font-weight: bold;">HORROR</u> genre, as stated by <i>The Horror Writers Association (HWA)</i>, firsts looks to <i>Webster's Collegiate Diction- ary</i> for a start. <i>HWA </i>says that the dictionary gives the basic definition of horror as, "a painful and intense fear, dread, or dismay." Further, <i>HWA</i> reasons that "horror fiction" is a fictional work that "elicits those emotions in the reader." And that by accepting the <i>Webster's </i>definition, it means that horror can encompass natural or supernatural, the fantastic or the normal. <i>HWA</i> further states that the essential "requirement is that it elicit an emotional reaction that includes some aspect of fear or dread."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm1hs862WC0/VRdDeArnzwI/AAAAAAAAPc0/PxD-AIrEEMc/s1600/slaughter-of-the-innocents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm1hs862WC0/VRdDeArnzwI/AAAAAAAAPc0/PxD-AIrEEMc/s1600/slaughter-of-the-innocents.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, <i>The Slaughter of the Innocents.</i> All boys under two yrs.<br />
old were slaughtered. Rachel would not be comforted. <br />
<i>The Bible</i>. [16]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Many examples can fill this definition. The examples cited by <i>HWA</i> include not only <i>Salem's Lot</i> (by Stephen King), but also includes such books as <i>The Lovely Bones</i> (by Alice Sebold), and Tim Lahay's, <i>Left Behind Series</i>; surprisingly, <i>The Holy Bible</i>, would also be included because, "where else can you find fallen angels, demonic possessions, and an apocalypse absolutely terrifying in its majesty, all in one volume..."<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>
Finally, <b><u>THRILLERS</u>:</b> Thrillers are pretty easy to spot. Look at the word, thrillers--try "thrill." Yes, these stories are full of action (e.g. car chases), violence, fighting or running away from the bad guy(s)--our hero, or our protagonist is in all kinds of danger.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ORa9O14vhB0/VRZqnhP3g7I/AAAAAAAAPb0/sENr_1YOvB0/s1600/thrillers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ORa9O14vhB0/VRZqnhP3g7I/AAAAAAAAPb0/sENr_1YOvB0/s1600/thrillers.jpg" height="96" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[17]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Additionally, the reader watches the bad guy from the beginning, see him do the crime (e.g. murder), and, therefore, knows who the killer is, unlike the protagonist. A sub-genre of this could include technological aspects, like our book, <i>Prey</i>. The fact that our protagonist knows who the killer is and has information about the crime/murder, alone, could put <i>Prey</i> out of the thriller running, since Jack has no information at the beginning of the book about what is going on; instead, Jack has to get information and put the pieces together. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[12]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1B77QXGQto/VRZu9Uni-7I/AAAAAAAAPcA/5KEeFpUoVbo/s1600/genres.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1B77QXGQto/VRZu9Uni-7I/AAAAAAAAPcA/5KEeFpUoVbo/s1600/genres.PNG" height="320" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This table includes the results of readers' assessment<br />
of what genre they believe the book, <i>Prey</i>, fits into. [18]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So what have we decided? Science Fiction seemed to fit. In the suspense genre, we placed it outside of the genre category. The mystery category, also, seemed to be outside the genre, as well as the thriller category. We seem to have a <u style="font-weight: bold;">Fictional</u> novel in the sub genre of <b><u>science fiction</u>. </b> Also, we seem to have narrowed the other genre's down to...what? none of these, except sci-fi?<br />
<br />
Well, here's the problem. Some genre's have crossovers. What we see, here, is that each of the categories have SOME of the elements belonging to that category. Moreover, we don't want to just say, the genre is a sci-fi/suspense/mystery/thriller. The conceit generally allows for two names only, so it appears we can only have two. To answer this question, we must look to what the publishers and author intended the book to be. Publishers have listed <i>Prey</i>, as being <u style="font-weight: bold;">SCI-FI</u>, and of the <u style="font-weight: bold;">TECHNO-THRILLER/HORROR</u> genres. There you have it--it looks like most of us were probably wrong in assessing the genre (above, left). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[19]</span><br />
<br />
One thing I really liked about the book is Crichton's easy-going style of writing. It made me feel at ease with the writing, and I enjoyed, very much the way he put words and sentences together.<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME ABOUT MICHAEL CRICHTON'S BOOK--</u><i><u>PREY</u>:</i></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6YdV7IZfCI/VRc_5LN84eI/AAAAAAAAPco/EQNAYYemPSw/s1600/brunsell-cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6YdV7IZfCI/VRc_5LN84eI/AAAAAAAAPco/EQNAYYemPSw/s1600/brunsell-cat.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[21]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> </i>I have to acknowledge that the science part of Michael Crichton's book falls far short of reality. The science is patently wrong in some areas of the book. Even though I acknowledge the erroneous parts of the book, really, who cares (Except science oriented persons, of which I am not one.)? As I see it, a work of fiction is "fictional." So what, then, if parts of a book aren't realistic. Addressing this and Michael Crichton's book, the co-founder of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology, Chris Phoenix, writes about "evolutionary learning and emergent behavior," among other things. Take a look at this informational article (see below) that sorts out all sorts of issues surrounding <i>Prey</i>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[20]</span><br />
<br />
I also had a problem with how slow the beginning of the book was. I do understand that Crichton was setting up the reader to understand what a "normal" life looked like, and how he was allowing the doubt and fear to creep in, but it still seemed a bit slow. Later in the book, though, Crichton gave the characters (and our protagonist) a frenetic pace right up to the end of the book. Because of the science errors, you might hate this book; if you enjoy the plot you might love it.<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHICH IS BETTER? CDs, KINDLE, OR AUDIO DOWNLOAD</u>?</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NcYGDp73q4/VReOxw86gOI/AAAAAAAAPdo/O_IoiC-Is5E/s1600/cd.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NcYGDp73q4/VReOxw86gOI/AAAAAAAAPdo/O_IoiC-Is5E/s1600/cd.PNG" height="176" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First, I am not an audiophile, and I have not made a study of sound. What I do know is what I am pleased to hear, and what I am not pleased with. The <u>CD</u> book that I purchased was read by Robert Sean Leonard with an introduction to the book read by Michael Crichton. Mr. Leonard is a professional actor, appearing not only on Broadway in <i>Brighton Beach Memoirs </i>and <i>The Iceman Cometh</i>, but starring in the very popular Kenneth Branagh production of <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i> and <i>Dead Poets Society</i>.I very much enjoyed the professional reading, and must remark that Leonard added a lot to the enjoyment of the story. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ygwxdEnDvD8/VReRmBdAdoI/AAAAAAAAPd0/cJZPk2doaJI/s1600/kindle%2Band%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ygwxdEnDvD8/VReRmBdAdoI/AAAAAAAAPd0/cJZPk2doaJI/s1600/kindle%2Band%2Bcover.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[22]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Second, with a <u>Kindle reader</u> or other brand of e-reader device, often the reading is mechanical sounding, and since it is so, it is not nearly as enjoyable as a recording professionally read. I have so many books, however, that to purchase for an additional cost to the book itself, a professional recording, would be cost prohibitive. With some books, however, when I am exceedingly busy, I may turn on my kindle reader while I am cooking dinner or working quietly in my office. Sometimes, I turn on my reader for ten or fifteen minutes before bed to help relax me, and I get the added bonus of hearing an enjoyable story, too.<br />
<br />
And...when I am getting ready for work, listening to my e-reader helps me relax and not feel stressed as I begin the day--I especially enjoy listening to a book while I am putting on my cosmetics. Then in the evening or on weekends, I can pick up my Kindle and read it just as I do a paper book, turning one page at a time. I read books in many different locations, so I must be flexible and read how and when the type of reading works best for me. For example, sitting in my doctor's office waiting room, I read my Kindle as a book, but when cooking, I listen to it.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbqd_k12GoA/VReTdj9HvpI/AAAAAAAAPeA/ZvsVtPMV_1w/s1600/233912-apple-ipod-nano-6th-gen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbqd_k12GoA/VReTdj9HvpI/AAAAAAAAPeA/ZvsVtPMV_1w/s1600/233912-apple-ipod-nano-6th-gen.jpg" height="165" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[23]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Third, with the <u>audio downloads</u>, you purchase the book with the professional narration included. With these audio books, you can download to your listening device (I have an iPod and a nano that I download my music and audiobooks to.). The professional readers who read the book can be really wonderful, or they can be really terrible. The talent of every reader varies, but the purchaser of the book has the opportunity to listen to a sample of the book before they purchase it, so the risk is cut down that the reader will end up hating the book because it sounded so terrible. I have an "Audible" account, and was quite pleased when Amazon and Audible became one; now, I can purchase professional reading quite easily for my Kindle without going to the Audible website (Of course, I still go to the Audible website for the cool sales.). I like these type of audiobooks for when I am driving in the car on long stretches of road--it is quite easy to attach the device to my car's radio speakers, and voilá, I'm in business. When I exercise, I wear headphones.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
I think that with every book that you listen to, the quality and enjoyment may well depend exactly who is the reader. I've listened to some books where the reader was quite terrible, and I tended to not enjoy the book so much. The way to fix that predicament is to listen to the sample reading if you are at Amazon or Audible (or some other vendor of audio, CD and e-books).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQh1aGlMKYI/VReFuVeJJmI/AAAAAAAAPdM/pKJOrnxr9-w/s1600/Three-Choices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQh1aGlMKYI/VReFuVeJJmI/AAAAAAAAPdM/pKJOrnxr9-w/s1600/Three-Choices.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which will it be for you? Will it be CD? Will it be<br />
Kindle? or Will it be Audio download? [24]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>THE VERDICT</u>:</b> I think part of the process is what you prefer for reading devices. I like flexibility, so I use all three ways of listening to recorded books. If you prefer an e-reader (whatever brand) you should feel free to purchase a book with a professional reader if you desire. That is my biggest piece of advice for all three types of listening devices--sample the book you are going to purchase. The winner, though I pick is the audio book download. It has a great added feature of being able to have a ton of audio books and also of being able to download the book multiple times; whereas, with CDs I have storage issues. While the Kindle as an e-reader is good, the downside there is that in addition to purchasing the book to read, you must in addition purchase the audio version if you are to listen to it without the "mechanical-sounding" narration. Hands down, the downloadable version has the most good attributes and the least negative points.<br />
<br />
<b><u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOOK, <i>PREY</i></u>:</b><br />
Since the target audience appears to be adult readers who enjoy sci-fi, techno-thrillers and horror, I will, obviously, recommend the book to those readers. However, young readers and those who are sensitive should give thought to its contents before reading this book.<br />
<br />
<b><u>MY RATING OF THE BOOK, </u><i style="text-decoration: underline;">PREY</i>:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-srQAnb-MvRk/VReWu8UH1wI/AAAAAAAAPeM/BJxO-MFQsAU/s1600/4%2BSTARS.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-srQAnb-MvRk/VReWu8UH1wI/AAAAAAAAPeM/BJxO-MFQsAU/s1600/4%2BSTARS.png" height="61" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[25]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I loved reading the book, or rather...listening to it on my drive north. My family found the book as intense and gripping as I did and we all give it a thumbs up. So, given the positive and negative points I have given you above, and also on the amount that I enjoyed the book, I rate this book 4.0 stars out of 5.0.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me this week as we got to look at a book that has been "out" for a while, but is, nonetheless, an exciting and "thrilling" book. Next week we will be looking at a book that will be released on April 14, 2015, <i>The Horse Healer</i>. This exciting new book is a NetGalley book that I am proud to have had the privilege of reading, and will be reviewing for you. Thank you for taking time to read and consider my book review of <i>Prey</i>, by Michael Crichton.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZYi7fDTmAA/VReXhsECDDI/AAAAAAAAPeU/tFWJFj6SpuE/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZYi7fDTmAA/VReXhsECDDI/AAAAAAAAPeU/tFWJFj6SpuE/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [26]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...many happy pages of reading.<br />
<br />
Remember to be kind to one another...<br />
<br />
...you never know what kind of pain is in another's heart.<br />
<br />
My love to you all.<br />
<br />
Sharon. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
_________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"Prey: a Novel."</i> [Audible Edition][Michael Crichton] <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Prey/dp/B0000YSH3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427399704&sr=8-1&keywords=prey+audible+edition+by+michael+crichton">amazon.com</a>. Retrieved 03-26-15.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"Prey: a Novel." </i>[CD Edition] [Michael Crichton] <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Michael-Crichton-Robert-Leonard-Audiobook/dp/B004E215TA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427399401&sr=8-2&keywords=Prey+by+Michael+Crichton+on+CD">amazon.com</a>. Retrieved 03-26-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://wilsonwyattjr.com/category/dust-storm-over-phoenix/">Dust Storm Over Phoenix</a>."</i> [25 Wednesday, July 2012.] [Wilson Wyatt Jr.] Retrieved 03-26-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/artificial_intelligence/">Will Artificial Organism with Advanced Group Intelligence Evolve?</a>"</i> [<i>The Daily Galaxy, </i>01-09-09] dailygalaxy.com. Retrieved 03-26-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] Image from Microsoft Office Professional 2010. Text box and text added by author of this post.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/critical.html">Nanotechnology - 10 Critical Top Areas</a>."</i> [Workplace Safety and Health Topics] cec.gov. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://blog.soliant.com/healthcare-news/future-effects-of-nanotech-on-health-care/">Future Effects of Nanotech on Health Care</a>."</i> [Ryan Winter, 10-21-09] blog.soliant.com. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.bubblews.com/news/766159-us-develops-robotic-mosquito-any-thoughts-on-this">U.S. Develops Robotic Mosquito, Any thoughts on This?</a>" </i>[AnComm, &AnComm] bubblews.com. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.willowcreeklane.com/PARENTS-with-3-Children-1-Boy-2-Girls-MG-MS.htm">Parents With Three Children (1 boy and 2 girls)</a>."</i> willowcreeklane.com. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.bigrat.co.uk/contents/scifi.html">Sci-Fi</a>."</i> bigrat.co.uk. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction">Science Fiction</a>."</i> en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://www.nadinelapierre.com/blog/?p=26">Mystery, Suspense, or Thriller--What's the Difference?</a>"</i> nadinelapierre.com. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="https://ittakes10k.wordpress.com/2012/10/20/1-807-of-10000-the-suspense/">The Suspense</a>."</i> [Yor Ryeter] ittakes10k.wordpress.com. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://www.romanolaw.com/2014/01/07/mystery-solved-sherlock-holmes-public-domain/">Mystery Solved: Sherlock Holmes is in the Public Domain</a>."</i> romanolaw.com. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i> "<a href="http://horror.org/horror-is.htm">What is Horror?</a>" </i>horror.org. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="http://seasonsreading.blogspot.com/2014/09/frightfall-read-thon-time-to-sign-up.html">FrightFall Read-a-thon</a>." </i>seasonsreading.blogspot.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"</i><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.juste-pour-lire.com/5-thrillers">Polars and Thrillers</a>."</i><span style="text-align: left;"> juste-pour-lire.com. Retrieved 03-27-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83763.Prey?from_search=true">Genres</a>." </i>goodreads.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062094735/micro">Product Details</a>." </i>[harpercollinspublishers] harpercollins.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="http://www.nanotech-now.com/Chris-Phoenix/prey-critique.htm">Don't let Crichton's Prey scare you--the science isn't real</a>."</i> [Chris Phoenix, co-founder of the <i>Center for Responsible Nanotechnology</i>; January 2003<i>.</i>] nanotech-now.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[21] <i>"<a href="http://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-bad-science-jokes-eric-brunsell">Twenty of the Worst Science Jokes Ever</a>."</i> edutopia.org. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[22] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Fintie-Kindle-Leather-Amazon-Generation/dp/B00FXKUMBY/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1427607821&sr=8-11&keywords=hdx+8.9+cover">Kindle 8.9 HDX and Finti magenta case</a>."</i> smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[23] <i>"<a href="http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,3253,l=254255&a=254255&po=9,00.asp">Apple iPod nano (6th Generation with Touch Screen)</a>."</i> pcmag.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">[24] </span><i style="text-align: left;">"<a href="http://www.dominatethegmat.com/video-purchase/">Dominate the GMAT</a>."</i><span style="text-align: left;"> dominatethegmat.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[25] <i>"<a href="http://www.mandyssecrets.com/2013_04_01_archive.html">Final Verdict & Rating.</a>"</i> mandyssecrets.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[26] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 03-28-15.</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-42522547679606396802015-03-18T03:37:00.000-07:002015-10-22T08:50:14.702-07:00Insurgent: The Divergent Series, Book 2, by Veronica Roth--An Eagerly Awaited Book-to-Movie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tG1pqObCasY/VQcZNHs7fbI/AAAAAAAAPF0/RKpHu10uj7E/s1600/Insurgent%2BMovie%2BTie%2BIn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tG1pqObCasY/VQcZNHs7fbI/AAAAAAAAPF0/RKpHu10uj7E/s1600/Insurgent%2BMovie%2BTie%2BIn.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by: Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last year on March 21, 2014, the movie, <i>Divergent</i>, came to the big screen; this year, in just a few short weeks, on March 20, 2015, Veronica Roth's second book in the <i>Divergent </i>series, <i>Insurgent, </i>becomes a book-to-movie, and will open in theaters.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For fans of the <i>Divergent</i> series, as the date for the opening draws near, the long-awaited movie promises to satiate desires to see the book come alive on the big screen. And, although one can never tell whether or not an adaptation of a book to a movie will be a good one, at least fans know that book one's adaptation was successful. This means that hopes are high for a repeat of success and that the movie will be as exciting as their enjoyment of the book.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let's begin our look at <i>Insurgent</i>, by Veronica Roth, by garnering a look at the synopsis. This a good place to begin, so everyone will know what the book is about.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>SYNOPSIS OF </u><i><u>INSURGENT</u>:</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dhivQ4DIDCQ/VQcfHwwl7mI/AAAAAAAAPGE/m2DLsA4gI8Q/s1600/I%2Bmight%2Bbe%2Bin%2Blove%2Bwith%2Byou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dhivQ4DIDCQ/VQcfHwwl7mI/AAAAAAAAPGE/m2DLsA4gI8Q/s1600/I%2Bmight%2Bbe%2Bin%2Blove%2Bwith%2Byou.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the end of <i>Divergent</i>, we learn that Tris, Four (Tobias Eaton), Caleb (Tris's brother), Marcus (Four's/Tobias's father), and Peter (from Dauntless & Tris's enemy) jump on a train headed towards the "Amity" section of the city. Tris mourns her parents who died sacrificing themselves for others; Four confesses to Tris that he, "might be in love with [her]" (<i>Divergent</i>, p.485). After this, Four confesses that he really does love her, not just, "might be in love with [her]." And then, in the last couple of paragraphs before the end, Tris spies Marcus "greedily" eying the hard drive in her hands. Tris thinks that they are all like a leaf separated from a tree--having left everything behind, that they, too, are like the factionless.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the opening pages of <i>Insurgent</i>, the reader is back on the train heading towards the Amity compound. Having nodded off to sleep, Tris sees Will "crumple to the pavement, again. Dead. "Then, waking her, Four (Tobias), tells Tris that, "[they] have to jump" (p1). They jump off the train, one-by-one and then make their way to Amity headquarters.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
_________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSjHUrwVfrs/VQcg8OVjzpI/AAAAAAAAPGQ/C2wULl_bSIk/s1600/spoiler%2Balert.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSjHUrwVfrs/VQcg8OVjzpI/AAAAAAAAPGQ/C2wULl_bSIk/s1600/spoiler%2Balert.PNG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPOILERS BELOW! [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For a fun read, see the article by Jonah Lehrer entitled, "<i><a href="http://www.wired.com/2011/08/spoilers-dont-spoil-anything/">Spoilers Don't Spoil Anything</a></i>." After clicking on this link, make sure you are on the tab at the top of the page that indicates "Science." Then, go to the bottom of the page and hit the page right arrow until you get to August 10, 2011. You will find the article there. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
_________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iknxHXqj6hQ/VQcjhwxRNAI/AAAAAAAAPGc/bDqnSu7Ah1Q/s1600/Grief%2Band%2BGuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iknxHXqj6hQ/VQcjhwxRNAI/AAAAAAAAPGc/bDqnSu7Ah1Q/s1600/Grief%2Band%2BGuilt.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psychologically, Tris suffers from<br />
both grief and guilt over the death<br />
of her friend, Will. She doesn't under-<br />
stand what's happening to her, and<br />
she won't talk to anyone about her<br />
problem. When Tris unrealistically<br />
takes on the responsibility for killing<br />
Will (when it was really self defense);<br />
in a way, Tris takes on this responsibil-<br />
ity to maintain the illusion of control,<br />
AND as an ex<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">cuse to take life-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">endangering</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> behav</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ior. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[5]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is at the beginning of <i>Insurgent</i>, then, that we discover that Tris is haunted by the death of her friend, Will. She keeps seeing herself shoot Will, and then, him crumpling to the pavement. Her grief and guilt threaten to overwhelm her; unable to cope with Will's death at her hands, she acts recklessly, putting her life in danger, time after time. Then, because of those reckless choices to endanger herself to the point, her relationship with Four is damaged to the extent that he threatens to end their relationship if she continues choosing life-endangering behavior. Grief and guilt is, indeed, a dangerous combination.<br />
<br />
It seems as if the group had hardly arrived at Amity when Erudite raided the compound, and the Dauntless group fled. This time their flight for safety leads them to the factionless area of the city [It is with the factionless, that one of the book's big shockers happen!], and Dauntless agrees to an alliance with the factionl. Seeking the Candor faction's help and an alliance with them, a trip is made to Candor HQ (headquarters) where Tris and Four are arrested.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJU_FrMiR50/VQeYg8EEH7I/AAAAAAAAPG4/NrzQfen-hIQ/s1600/truthseru-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJU_FrMiR50/VQeYg8EEH7I/AAAAAAAAPG4/NrzQfen-hIQ/s1600/truthseru-full.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After Four and Tris are arrested as traitors, they are put on trial. To prove the two were not traitors, they are injected with truth serum and then they undergo interrogation in front of everyone. You know, of course, that secret things come out here--both for Four and Tris. The interrogation by Candor representatives adds to the already strained relationship the two are having due to Tris's identity problems, loss of her parents, and the grief and guilt that went along with Tris's killing of Will. This section of the book has real heartbreaking moments for readers to explore.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQriU_LxGT4/VQeaJwuDuwI/AAAAAAAAPHE/fuYj9kGYor8/s1600/Dauntless%2BTraitor%2BUniform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQriU_LxGT4/VQeaJwuDuwI/AAAAAAAAPHE/fuYj9kGYor8/s1600/Dauntless%2BTraitor%2BUniform.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dauntless Traitors who sided with the Erudite faction,<br />
wear the Erudite color <b>blue </b>to show allegiance to Erudite.<br />
The armbands are stitched onto the jackets and<br />
cannot be simply untied and taken off. [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not long after the trial, another shocking scene explodes onto the pages of the book--the Candor compound is attacked by the "Traitor Dauntless" who are loyal, now, to Jeanine (and Erudite). The attack team is lead by none other that a former Dauntless leader, Eric. During the attack, shocking incidents occur. It is during this raid that Eric is captured. Since new Dauntless leadership is needed, Tobias, Tori and (an unknown character) Harrison, are voted-in; the three take over the leadership roles. Eric is interrogated and put on trial--you will not believe what he reveals and what happens after his interrogation is completed.<br />
<br />
Shortly after, the Dauntless grab their few possessions and flee the Candor compound. Returning to their former home at the Dauntless compound, they discover that many of the Dauntless were marked with a kind of tracker (during the attack by the Traitor Dauntless at Candor's HQ). The tracker was created so that any given individual's tracker could be activated and those controlled would do whatever nightmare sim (simulation) they are called upon to do.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1PQ1weUAB4w/VQechyuxADI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/uScGQzMV__c/s1600/marlene.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1PQ1weUAB4w/VQechyuxADI/AAAAAAAAPHQ/uScGQzMV__c/s1600/marlene.gif" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The above graphic image is a gif showing<br />
Marlene after she "delivers" Jeanine's message to the<br />
Dauntless--she jumps off of the roof in the horrible<br />
"nightmare" sim and dies. [8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Action comes fast and furious, now. The Dauntless make allies of the factionless (since none can be made with either Amity or Candor); nonetheless, Tris doesn't trust the factionless leadership. Then, Jeanine activates the new nightmare-like sims among a few selected Dauntless; in fact, Marlene (a Dauntless), delivers a message to the Dauntless from Jeanine, that every two days more Dauntless will be selected to die unless one of the Divergent surrender themselves to Erudite HQ. Marlene, quite suddenly, jumps to her death from the top of the roof--unable to get out of the nightmarish sim Jeanine sent the the selected Dauntless.<br />
<br />
Other secret alliances are made--who aligns with whom--will shock you! And, as far as the open alliance with the factionless, Tris harbors her own secret reasons why she doesn't trust the new alliance with the factionless, while Four insists in trusting them. With all the secret alliances that are made and keeping the truth from one another will impact everyone, but just how it will, only time will tell.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8GpwuT5Ff8/VQeyJx8By9I/AAAAAAAAPHg/79alNlduQyE/s1600/jeanine%2Bmatthews.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8GpwuT5Ff8/VQeyJx8By9I/AAAAAAAAPHg/79alNlduQyE/s1600/jeanine%2Bmatthews.PNG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jeanine Matthews </b>[9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An assault is planned on Erudite HQ with Dauntless and Factionless participating; it seems as if everyone wants the data on Jeanine's computer and many would kill Jeanine if they could get their hands on her. Tori especially would like to exact revenge for her brother's murder at the hands of Erudite leadership (i.e. Jeanine).<br />
<br />
Tris, accompanying another, more clandestine group, makes her way to Amity, from which they head out with taser-like weapons toward the Erudite HQ. Meanwhile, the official group with Tobias and many others, including the factionless also head to assault Erudite HQ. Both groups succeed in getting in, and race to Jeanine's secure office where the data is kept.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDddAsRsToU/VQezwMXtrhI/AAAAAAAAPHs/WPh2cuU8zWE/s1600/Evelyn%2Band%2BEdgar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDddAsRsToU/VQezwMXtrhI/AAAAAAAAPHs/WPh2cuU8zWE/s1600/Evelyn%2Band%2BEdgar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evelyn and Edgar. Evelyn is leader of the factionless--she<br />
takes over leadership after the assault on Erudite HQ,<br />
essentially ousting the Dauntless faction (by collecting<br />
their guns and leaving them without any way in which to<br />
either defend themselves or to fight back to regain their<br />
leverage). What will the Dauntless and Divergent do now?<br />
And...personally, when I read the book, I never saw Evelyn<br />
like a beautiful Naomi Watts. For me, Naomi Watts just<br />
looked too young and beautiful for her to portray Evelyn. [10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tris fights her way through a room where she is ensnared in a difficult sim; finally making it through the sim, Tris enters Jeanine's office as Tori is about to kill Jeanine. Tris tries to stop Tori from killing Jeanine so that Jeanine can retrieve the encrypted files of data from her computer. Tori refuses and then, Tris and Tori fight--Tori winning. In only a moment, Tori stabs Jeanine to death.<br />
<br />
Tori has Tris and her companions arrested as traitors and set to be tried as such. The group are all taken down to the lobby to sit on the floor in a group, under armed guard. Feeling dejected because they didn't get the data, Tris is faced with another heart-rending death that unfolds right in front of her (might I say, "again"?). The group continues to wait in the lobby with others (captured Erudite faction members) being held there, when suddenly, a video recording is played to everyone in the lobby, up on the wall. What? The missing data concealed from everyone by Jeanine? Who is playing the vid?<br />
<br />
The data that is revealed indicates that the Divergent are the key to saving the world. And then...another bombshell as the person on the vid reveals a shocking secret--everyone in the lobby is stunned to silence....Suddenly, everyone in the lobby starts yelling! End of <i>Insurgent</i>.<br />
<br />
If you've read the book, you know that this is a real HUGE cliffhanger! What the heck was revealed? What will happen, now? Only by reading, <i>Insurgent</i>, and <i>Allegiant: The Divergent Series, Book 3</i>, will you know.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GF8-Gm_DV9A/VQe7-h1iJLI/AAAAAAAAPH8/h5-CfrNBP-s/s1600/lib_Onions_021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GF8-Gm_DV9A/VQe7-h1iJLI/AAAAAAAAPH8/h5-CfrNBP-s/s1600/lib_Onions_021.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've often heard the analogy about<br />
people's personalities being like an<br />
onion, and you have to peel away the<br />
layers to get to know them. Also, as<br />
regards secrets, it can be said that<br />
used as a metaphor, and following <br />
the quote, "People...are layers and<br />
layers of secrets," that the metaphor<br />
seems to be apropos. [11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>MY FAVORITE QUOTE</u>:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
People, I have discovered, are layers and layers of secrets. You believe you know them, that you understand them, but their motives are always hidden from you, buried in their own hearts. You will never know them, but sometimes you decide to trust them. (p.510)</blockquote>
This quote was sandwiched (pardon the pun) in between a discussion about Tori, and a discussion about their sentences when the court convened and found them guilty. The consensus was that "...they're going to force us to eat lots of cake and then take an unreasonably long nap" (p.510) OK. I think we can agree that this is <b>black humor </b>(you know, eating cake and being executed--i.e. "forced...[to] take an unreasonably long nap").<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK</u>:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RS6Ku2TnX_4/VQiQrwBh3fI/AAAAAAAAPJE/i5x6kIzNYbs/s1600/utopiadystopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RS6Ku2TnX_4/VQiQrwBh3fI/AAAAAAAAPJE/i5x6kIzNYbs/s1600/utopiadystopia.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may have seen this simple, but<br />
effective art work around on the net.<br />
The very simplicity and stark color<br />
changes really make the image work.<br />
The artist is a ten-year-old boy. [12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b>I'd like to address a common writing technique and how it impacts the story. "Which one?" you ask? Well, that would be how the Dystopian genre impacts or predicates certain parts of a story.<br />
<br />
In a previous blog post I gave you a kind of "nutshell" version of the dystopian society. If you like, you can see that post by clicking <u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-hunger-games-hunger-games-trilogy.html">here</a></u>. I can better explain how I feel about <i>Insurgent</i> by addressing what a dystopian society embodies. To start with, we should know that a dystopian society is one that is undesirable in some way or harmful or unpleasant. Dystopian stories may end in an unsatisfying manner or the goals of the protagonist may be achieved, but the protagonist dies. Moreover, the unpleasantness is usually due to a dramatic decline in society, for example, an apocalypse. These unpleasant side effects usually center around the following:<br />
<br />
<b><u>HALLMARKS OF THE DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY</u>:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><u>STRATIFICATION OF SOCIETY</u>:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C70kov2b8lg/VQiT6YtUQRI/AAAAAAAAPJQ/C5F95Hwh7UA/s1600/Social%2BStratification.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C70kov2b8lg/VQiT6YtUQRI/AAAAAAAAPJQ/C5F95Hwh7UA/s1600/Social%2BStratification.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>In Roth's first book in the trilogy, <i>Divergent</i>, she created a strata in society of individuals based on the innate abilities and inclina- tions of those individ- uals: Amity, Erudite, Dauntless, Abnegation, and Candor. The grouping is very similar to Aldus Huxley's dys- topian novel, <i>Brave New World</i> where Huxley also stratified society into five groups: Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons. The stratification of society makes it easy to exert <u style="font-weight: bold;">CONTROL</u> over individuals.</li>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgv9HaaRHF4/VQiWfM2LiWI/AAAAAAAAPJY/dOqvX1v3zK8/s1600/Thought-police1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgv9HaaRHF4/VQiWfM2LiWI/AAAAAAAAPJY/dOqvX1v3zK8/s1600/Thought-police1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li><b><u>CONTROL OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGH VARIOUS TYPES OF PROPAGANDA</u>:</b> By breaking society into strata, the government or controlling body can keep people from communication, it can have the effect of causing one set of individuals to dislike other groups and make the group feel their group is the best and the others are _________ (bad, evil, strange, sick, poor, etc.). Control of the population may be exercised in different ways. Here are the main ways propaganda is used to control society:</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><u>CORPORATE CONTROL</u>:</b> One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include <i>Minority Report and Running Man</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>BUREAUCRATIC CONTROL</u>:</b> This kind of control utilizes a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, endless regulations and incompetent or corrupt government officials. An example of a movie with these aspects is the movie, <i>Brazil</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14KDXlisjDs/VQiqigvPoOI/AAAAAAAAPJo/8zSj7_hnKPg/s1600/V_for_Vendetta_by_DragaoNegro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14KDXlisjDs/VQiqigvPoOI/AAAAAAAAPJo/8zSj7_hnKPg/s1600/V_for_Vendetta_by_DragaoNegro.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><u>POLITICS (THE GOVERNMENT) AND ECONOM- ICS</u>:</b> This one may cross over a bit with some of the other methods of control, for example, "Bureaucratic Control." An example of this type would be, <i>V for Vendetta</i> and <i>The Hunger Games</i>. The same can be said about (about crossing over):</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>VIOLENCE</u>: </b>Creating a war, schism, or some other issue that causes society members to take up fighting, war, or other type ofppression. See, <i>Judge Dredd, Mad Maxx,</i> or <i>The Running Man<b>.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<b><u>TECHNOLOGICAL CONTROL</u>:</b> Control of societal members is accomplished through technology like, computers, robots, and/or through scientific means. Examples of these woud be, <i>I, Robot, The Matrix, </i>and <i>The Terminator</i>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3u7z5ZeCRJ8/VQislDWpSPI/AAAAAAAAPJ0/c40YN_aOlxM/s1600/atwood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3u7z5ZeCRJ8/VQislDWpSPI/AAAAAAAAPJ0/c40YN_aOlxM/s1600/atwood1.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[16]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><u>PHILOSOPHICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, OR RELIGIOUS CONTROL (ALSO, BY CREAT- ING FEAR)</u>:</b> Control of individuals through these philosophical, psychological, or religious ideologies will often see the control going to either a theocratic government or a dictatorship. An example of this would be: <i>Brave New World; A Canticle for Liebowitz; Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep </i>and (control through creating fear, say, of our bodies) <i>The Handmaid's Tale</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>CONTROL THROUGH CONFORMITY</u>:</b> </div>
<div>
Citizens are required to conform to uniform expectations. In <i>Divergent</i>, and <i>Insurgent</i>, each faction must live by a set of standards of behavior and even types of clothing, styles, and customs. Pressure is exerted by family, friends, government, and at work, to follow the expectations and rules. This could be any number of books, but how about taking a look at another dystopian novel I reviewed on </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bR8zSWe9J3c/VQiuYDVexwI/AAAAAAAAPJ8/nnEyXJLoWQM/s1600/divergentwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bR8zSWe9J3c/VQiuYDVexwI/AAAAAAAAPJ8/nnEyXJLoWQM/s1600/divergentwall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The outside world is perceived as dangerous, deadly, and to be <b>FEARED. </b>In fact, in <i>The Divergent Series</i>, the wall is to keep individuals in as well as to keep out the unknown dangers beyond the fence. The fences is tall (as you can see from the movie, <i>Divergent</i>) with a huge concrete base, metal and wire atop the base, and it is patrolled by armed guards. I would believe the dangers were severe and , of course, this fence would be needed to keep out the "horrible threat(s)" beyond the fence.This is effective indoctrination, but who, exactly, was the person or group who gave life to it? [17]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>PROPAGANDA AND INDOCTRINATION</u>: </b></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Through indoctrination, education, and training, members came to believe that the natural world (outside the fence in </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Insurgence</i><span style="text-align: justify;">) is hostile and dangerous, engendering </span><b style="text-align: justify;">FEAR</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> of the outside world. The fenced-in-city (Chicago) is very much like a prison where information, freedom, and independent thought are restricted. Also, by utilizing propaganda, the powers that be can control dissemination of information, hide secrets, and make individuals conform to societies rules. Other examples include: </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Nineteen-Eighty-Four</i><span style="text-align: justify;">, and </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Fahrenheit 451</i><span style="text-align: justify;">. </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">(14)</span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvXl1cXgMZM/VQjgtXenUlI/AAAAAAAAPKM/yZpBHQcOayY/s1600/gattaca-minimalist-rocket-ship-dna-tumblr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvXl1cXgMZM/VQjgtXenUlI/AAAAAAAAPKM/yZpBHQcOayY/s1600/gattaca-minimalist-rocket-ship-dna-tumblr.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I belonged to a new underclass, no longer determined<br />
by social status or the color of your skin. No, we now<br />
have discrimination down to a science," explains<br />
Vincent. (<i>Gattaca</i>, the film.) <span style="font-size: x-small;">[17]</span> I love the DNA<br />
below the ship on the poster. This a great poster for the<br />
movie, as an example of <b>CONTROL THROUGH<br />IDENTITY</b>, AND <b>SCIENCE</b>. <i>Gattaca</i> [the novel],<br />
was written by Frederic P. Miller, and<br />
Agnes F. Vandome. [18]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>IDENTITY</u>:</b></div>
<br />
If you've seen the movie, <i>Gattica</i>, you know that the ability to move up in society depends almost entirely on identity--as verified by DNA (so this control could also fit in technological or control by science, too. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[19]</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES</u>:</b></div>
<br />
This type of control can be identified by the amount of pollution tolerated, not having sufficient supplies, including food. Examples of this control would be: <i>Avatar; Soylent Green; Logan's Run; </i>and <i>Wall-E</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>CONTROL GAINED THROUGH ETHICS AND SCIENCE</u>: </b></div>
<b><br /></b>
Control of individuals may also be obtained through use of either ethics, and/or science. A couple of great example of this type would be, <i>Blade Runner </i>and <i>I, Robot</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>CONTROL GAINED THROUGH FAMILY</u>:</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
I left "Control Gained Through Family" until last because it is one of the most important, critical aspects of dystopian society. The government seeks to destroy or control social interaction by exerting rigid controls on the family. Take a look at what happens in our book, <i>Divergent Trilogy</i>. If a coming-of-age person chooses a faction alien to their family of origin, they lose their family. And if they fail their "initiate" stage of training, they are, likewise, thrust of into a factionless world without family or support of loved ones. The family is broken apart.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n1dDRxFbiE8/VQjmx0KPCuI/AAAAAAAAPKc/zYSaByKuUa0/s1600/tumblr_nid2p6HsGw1shi7kno1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n1dDRxFbiE8/VQjmx0KPCuI/AAAAAAAAPKc/zYSaByKuUa0/s1600/tumblr_nid2p6HsGw1shi7kno1_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[22]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, the faction (<i>The Divergent Tril- ogy</i>) now serves as a substitute for the family unit. Because of the decline of socie;ty before the present time, due to war, death, fighting, rampant diseases, etc. Also, because the people of that time had so desired the unpleasantness to end that they merely traded one kind of unpleasant- ness for another. Therefore, instead of war, diseases, etc., they would have peace, stability, and oneness--but at a cost--very restrictive and unpleasant side-effects. The individual accepted <b>CONTROL </b>over his or her life to obtain the peace and oneness that they so desired. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[20]</span><br />
<br />
<b><u>THE DYSTOPIAN PROTAGONIST</u>:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Some of the aspects of the dystopian protagonist can also be found in Joseph Campbell's, <i>Hero's Journey</i>. For example, Luke Skywalker felt trapped on the farm and looked for any reason to leave. We can find another example from the <i>Star Wars</i> story where the hero's journey meets at the crossroads with the "Dystopian Protagonist." Young Anakin Skywalker suffered in slavery with his mother and often questioned the wrongness of enslaving people--<b><u>ironically</u>,</b> as an adult, renamed Darth Vader, Anakin used mind control to exact <b>FEAR</b> and obedience from others. In other words, you must look closely at the protagonist to see if he or she was written with the Dystopian or <i>The Hero's Journey</i> in mind. [20]<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KadY14gyOIE/VQjpo-PUCzI/AAAAAAAAPKo/LgPYGRHZ2ZM/s1600/s-shadow_4693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KadY14gyOIE/VQjpo-PUCzI/AAAAAAAAPKo/LgPYGRHZ2ZM/s1600/s-shadow_4693.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Foreshadowing . . . Literally!" [Here, we see young<br />
Anaken Skywalker with a "fore<b>shadow</b>ing"<br />
of his future self. [23]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, if the two examples I gave you in the, above, kparagraph are similar to each other in both the "Dystopian Protagonist," and in <i>The Hefro's Journey</i> way, what is it that's different about a protagonist in a dystopian novel that makes them different from one who is on a Campbell's-style, hero's journey? In addition to feeling boxed-in and wanting to escape like Luke Skywalker, consider the following:<br />
<br />
<b>(1)</b> The protagonist has a feeling, though he/she cannot prove it, that something is terribly wrong with the way society is being run;<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>(2)</b> The dystopian protagonist also questions the political or social system in which he/she lives;<br />
<b>(3)</b> The protagonist's reaction to the imposition of controls by the political (or social system) helps the reader to recognize the "wrongness" of society and its systems.<br />
<b>(4)</b> The dystopian protagonist is often seen breaking rules or questioning authority that has been placed or her/him. This one may be difficult to identify because it is also seen in other <b>NON-dystopian novels--like the quintessential "coming-of-age"</b> novels;<br />
<b>(5)</b> Character development is important, too. The protagonist's struggle to be free, independent, and to know oneself is essential; but, just as important is the protagonist's internal warring needs to come to terms with inner desires, needs, and identity;<br />
<b>(6)</b> The protagonist is likely (but, not always) to be an <b>anti-hero</b>;<br />
<b>(7)</b> Do you see any <b>foreshadowing </b>in the story? Here, you should think about the <b>themes, motifs, and symbols,</b> that you read in the story to help identify foreshadowing. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[24]</span><br />
<br />
<u><b>LET'S TIE THINGS TOGETHER</b></u>:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMJsMS5EJX8/VQkh5-hmeSI/AAAAAAAAPLI/W_n8H2EvzJ4/s1600/fallout%2Bnew%2Bvegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMJsMS5EJX8/VQkh5-hmeSI/AAAAAAAAPLI/W_n8H2EvzJ4/s1600/fallout%2Bnew%2Bvegas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[25.5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Undoubtedly, since novels and movies following dystopian themes are so popular and very prevalent in society, right now, assuredly we will be seeing more from this genre, again. Because the dystopian genre is seen in everything from television shows, like <i>The Walking Dead</i>, video, console, or online games such as <i>Fallout </i>or<i> Fallout New Vegas</i>, and movies, like <i>The Book of Eli</i>, we may be able to reliably identify what a <b>"Dystopian"</b> genre is. Don't jump to conclusions just because a story is after a war and call it dystopian. Many books are mislabeled as dystopian in nature when, perhaps they are really a coming-of-age story or a "Hero's Journey" story. Don't be hasty in your judgment. Take your time, think about it, and if you need to, just refer back to the list I have given you. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[25] </span>You can ask yourself the nutshell version, if it helps:<br />
<br />
<b><u>NUTSHELL VERSION</u>:</b><br />
<br />
<b>(1) <u>STRATIFICATION</u> of society;</b><br />
<b>(2) <u>CONTROL</u> of Individuals </b>(through one of the methods listed, above);<br />
<b>(3) <u>FAMILY</u> is under scrutiny, closely monitored, and broken apart at least in some way; ask, if society or another public entity takes the place of the family </b>(just as it does in <i>Divergent </i>and <i>Insurgent</i>);<br />
<b>(4) <u>PROTAGONIST</u>: Can you identify a "Dystopian Protagonist"?</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47sKHQkqiKk/VQklzEWD4NI/AAAAAAAAPLU/ZVG-w1R16L4/s1600/choice%2Bconsequences.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47sKHQkqiKk/VQklzEWD4NI/AAAAAAAAPLU/ZVG-w1R16L4/s1600/choice%2Bconsequences.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[27]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even though this has been a rather long blog post, I still did not cover all that could be covered in depth. For example, I very much enjoyed the trope of "choices" and "consequences." Do you remember this quote from the book? "One choice can transform you,"? and, what about, "You die, I die too"? Tobias looks over his shoulder at me. "Iasked you not to do this. You made your decision. "These are the repercussions." Choice and consequence are seen throughout <i>Insurgence</i>--so pay attention to this (and other things that are often repeated); examen repeated things to see if they are part of a theme, symbol, or motif, or even perhaps, foreshadowing.].<br />
<b><u>MY RECOMMENDATION</u>:</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfCdrSVXE-A/VQkoTd6G7KI/AAAAAAAAPLg/OHPcWm5Mgog/s1600/Veronica%2BRoth.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfCdrSVXE-A/VQkoTd6G7KI/AAAAAAAAPLg/OHPcWm5Mgog/s1600/Veronica%2BRoth.PNG" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[28]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First, this book is for adults, or young adults fitting into the category of YA readers. The book is appropriate for all readers who fit into these categories, but for those who are considered sensitive, those individuals should think about the themes before they read. By that, I mean, violence, bloodshed, guns, shootings, knifing, conspiracy, post-apocalyptic settings, suicide, murder, graphic executions, imprisonment, torture by psychological means, etc.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzcoiak5jfU/VQkqim5jv1I/AAAAAAAAPLs/DM0i11Nn4e4/s1600/Stars4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="39" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzcoiak5jfU/VQkqim5jv1I/AAAAAAAAPLs/DM0i11Nn4e4/s1600/Stars4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[29]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>MY RATING</u>:</b> I really enjoyed reading this book because Ms. Roth had me hooked when I read Book one (<i>Divergent</i>). So, for all the reasons I have stated, above, I award this wonderful book a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.0 stars. Congratulations to Veronica Roth for all her success, and also for her excellent writing in the series. I look forward to reading more books by Veronica Roth.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me today and hanging in ther through this long blog post. I offer you a heartfelt thank you for taking time to be with me today. Please join me next time as we will be taking a look at a brand new book--very different from this one.<br />
<br />
Until next time . . .<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-voO_IlA4zeE/VQkrNAd1cAI/AAAAAAAAPL0/P5aAyOaaCFk/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-voO_IlA4zeE/VQkrNAd1cAI/AAAAAAAAPL0/P5aAyOaaCFk/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [30]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
My very best to you all.<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HAk9OKGUNY/VQlTmGQgciI/AAAAAAAAPME/amGXQyPMoZY/s1600/big%2Bbrother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HAk9OKGUNY/VQlTmGQgciI/AAAAAAAAPME/amGXQyPMoZY/s1600/big%2Bbrother.jpg" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[31]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Insurgent-Divergent-Veronica-Roth/dp/0062024051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426664504&sr=8-1&keywords=insurgent">Insurgent: Divergent Series, Book 2</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 03-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://imgarcade.com/1/divergent-tobias-quotes/">I might be in love with you</a>."</i> imgarcade.com. Retrieved 03f-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.wired.com/2011/08/spoilers-dont-spoil-anything/">Spoilers Don't Spoil Anything</a>." </i>wired.com. Retrieved 03-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.alex-effect.com/tag/the-walking-dead/">Spoiler Alert</a>."</i> alex-effect.com. Retrieved 03-17-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://www.hannahevazquez.com/day-22-grief-and-guilt/">Day 22: Grief and Guilt</a>." </i>hannahevazquez.com. Retrieved 03-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://imgarcade.com/1/truth-serum-divergent/">Truth Serum</a>."</i> imgarcade.com. Retrieved 03-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/lydia_martin_teen_wolf/set?id=134888844">Dauntless Traitor</a>." </i>[robynnkittyy] polyvore.com. Retrieved 03-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://neitherheavenorhell.tumblr.com/post/61051574540/ya-meme-1-4-deaths-marlene-insurgent">Marlene--Insurgent; Veronica Roth</a>."</i> [heather] neitherheavenorhell.tumblr.com. Retrieved 03-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://imgkid.com/jeanine-divergent-movie.shtml">Jeanine Matthews</a>." </i>imgkid.com. Retrieved 03-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.fyeahtheojames.com/gallery-international-insurgent-stills-revealed-today/b7va8_siyaadsnq/">Evelyn Eaton and Edgar in Insurgent</a>."</i> fyeahtheojames.com. Retrieved 03-08-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.mydish.co.uk/recipe/1626/red-pepper---red-onion---feta-pate---dip">Red Pepper - Red Onion - Feta Pate - Dip</a>."</i> mydish.co.uk. Retrieved 03-09-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://www.futuretimeline.net/forum/topic/8843-dystopian-picturesvideos/">Utopia Dystopia</a>."</i> [dylan, 10] futuretimeline.net. Retrieved 03-10-15.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"</span><a href="http://thesocietypages.org/sociologysource/category/deling-w-large-classes/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Social Stratification as Explained Through Rock Stratification</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">."</span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> thesocietypages.org. Retrieved 03-10-15.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://lawrencerspencer.com/tag/priests/">Thought Police: Divide-Distract-Deceive</a>."</i> lawrencerspencer.com. Retrieved 03-10-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://dragaonegro.deviantart.com/art/V-for-Vendetta-124417714">V for Vendetta</a>."</i> [DragoNegro] dragaonegro.deviantart.com. Retrieved 03-10-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Handmaids-Tale-Margaret-Atwood/dp/038549081X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426668614&sr=8-1&keywords=handmaid%27s+tale">The Handmaid's Tale</a>."</i> [atwood] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 03-10-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="http://commentaramafilms.blogspot.com/">Film Friday: Divergent (2014)</a>."</i> [fence] commentaramafilms.blogspot.com. Retrieved 03-10-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://jenburstedt.com/2013/07/18/embracing-gattaca-why-ive-decided-to-get-my-dna-genotyped/">Embracing Gattaca....</a>"</i> [movie poster] jenburstedt.com. Retrieved 03-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7992000-gattaca">Gattaca</a>." </i>godreads.com. Retrieved 03-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="https://prezi.com/ca3vr0caqgjh/common-elements-of-dystopian-literature/">Common Elements of Dystopian Novels</a>."</i> prezi.com. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[21] <i>"<a href="http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson926/DefinitionCharacteristics.pdf">Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics</a>."</i> readwritethink.org. Retrieved 03-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[22] <i>"<a href="http://themostgirlishotakuever.tumblr.com/page/4">Me Against The World</a>."</i> [Dystopian Protagonist] themostgirlishotakuever.tumblr.com. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[23] <i>"<a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Foreshadowing?from=Main.Foreshadow">Foreshadowing</a>."</i> tvtropes.org. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[24] <i>"<a href="http://facweb.northseattle.edu/jclapp/Children's%20Literature/Discussion%20Questions/Dystopias%20Characteristics.htm">Dystopian Literature Primer</a>."</i> facweb.northseattle.edu. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[25] <i>"<a href="http://www.giraffedays.com/?p=7607">Dystopian Fiction: What is it Really?</a>"</i> giraffedays.com. Retrieved 03-11-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[25.5] <i>"<a href="http://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/22380/">Fallout New Vegas</a>."</i> steamcommunity.com. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[26] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Insurgent-Divergent-Trilogy-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00655U3WE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1426664504">Insurgent: Divergent Series, Book 2</a>."</i> [hardcover edition] amazon.com. Retrieved 03-07-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[27] <i>"<a href="http://imgarcade.com/1/choices-have-consequences/">Choices Have Consequences</a>."</i> imgarcade.com. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[28] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Veronica-Roth/e/B004FX672S/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0">Veronica Roth.</a>" </i>[photo] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[29] <i>"<a href="http://cinedork.com/2013/12/26/review-the-wolf-of-wall-street/">Review: The Wolf of Wallstreet</a>."</i> cinedork.com. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[30] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>." </i>sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 03-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[31] <i>"<a href="http://imgkid.com/big-brother-is-watching-you-obey.shtml">Big Brother is Watching You</a>."</i> imgkid.com. Retrieved 03-11-15.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-55713431542847806662015-02-28T22:19:00.001-08:002015-03-03T10:32:18.787-08:00In Search of Lost Dragons by Elian Black'Mor and Carine M. This WONDERFUL! Book was just released on 02-03-15! Check it out in this review!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDMWNHOZNKQ/VO_sXofR-rI/AAAAAAAAOkg/hjomOVGeebU/s1600/LostDragonsCover1-600x955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDMWNHOZNKQ/VO_sXofR-rI/AAAAAAAAOkg/hjomOVGeebU/s1600/LostDragonsCover1-600x955.jpg" height="400" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by: Sharon Powers.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Like many little girls, I loved to read about dragons in stories. As an adult my fascination, admittedly, has dimmed a bit--it happens to all of us as we grow into adulthood and responsibility. However, I found my excitement with dragons rekindled when I read a story about a blue egg delivered to a young boy; the boy bonded with the dragon, Saphira, and he became a dragon rider. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[(<i>Eragon</i>)<i> </i>2]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MeOMYyALxI/VPIpUrHy5HI/AAAAAAAAOmU/Hphy4oLe2KU/s1600/Glaedr.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MeOMYyALxI/VPIpUrHy5HI/AAAAAAAAOmU/Hphy4oLe2KU/s1600/Glaedr.PNG" height="200" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Glaedr is 10" tall and<br />
has a 12" wingspan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was at a Barnes & Noble on the publica- tion date of an- other one of Christopher Pao- lini's books, saw a stuffed Glader <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span> sitting on top of a stack of books, and grabbed it--it was the last one! I still have the golden dragon--it is on guard duty at my house--so trespassers and prowlers, BEWARE! Guard Dragon, on duty! OK. Enough of my lame jokes.... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTUwSPNfTPM/VPIlUkN_UEI/AAAAAAAAOmE/Fvewr2QhEZQ/s1600/Glaedr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTUwSPNfTPM/VPIlUkN_UEI/AAAAAAAAOmE/Fvewr2QhEZQ/s1600/Glaedr.jpg" height="200" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hero dragon, Glaedr from<br />
Christopher Paolini's, <br />
<i>Brisingr. </i>[3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The only other dragon items I have in my home are (1) a pop-up book about dragons that was given to me as a gift. It is a beautiful book that I pull down off the shelf from time to time to enjoy, and (2) a few very fine Oriental yixing clay teapots and cups (see the photo, just below) <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span> given to me as gifts because of my love of tea. No. I do not have a dragon collection with statues and such, but I have liked reading stories about dragons. One of the most famous series of books I read was Anne McCaffrey's the <i>Dragonriders of Pern</i> series.<br />
<br />
Additionally, a few other notable dragons with whom I have crossed paths include: Smaug, an awesome dragon in <i>The Hobbit</i>; and, of course, anyone keeping up with George R.R. Martin's, <i>Song of Ice and Fire</i> will know about those famous dragons--even appearing on TV in an HBO series.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--720k9504SE/VPI1Il7YICI/AAAAAAAAOoc/X28rai4GqEk/s1600/20150228_133458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--720k9504SE/VPI1Il7YICI/AAAAAAAAOoc/X28rai4GqEk/s1600/20150228_133458.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Left to right: A yixing "salamander" mug; a hand-crafted yixing teapot with <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">pewter accents (on the outside, only); an egg-shaped yixing tea pot, with the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">handle serving as the "mother" dragon and the lid (in front of the teapot) in the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">shape of a baby dragon--removed from the teapot so you can see the "baby" </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">dragon, better; </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">then another yixing teapot in the shape of a coiled dragon, and </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">lastly a yixing mug with flowers and lid to keep the tea warm. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">All of these tea </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">pots and mugs are used with only one specific </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">type of tea. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Usually yixing-ware </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">are used with Oolong teas, Puer teas, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">or fine black tea (like Black Dragon </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pearls--see even some teas are named after dragons.). </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">For example, in the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Mother Dragon on egg with baby dragon," I only make my very best oolong tea. [4]</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then there are the dragons in the <i>Harry Potter Series </i>(including Norbert); <i>How To Train Your Dragon; </i>the <i>Temeraire Series</i>: <i>A Novel of Temeraire</i>--about a great black dragon called Temeraire (the name came from the famous warship, <i>H.M.S Temeraire, </i>dubbed, <i>"The Fighting Temeraire" </i>after service in the Battle of Trafalgar.); <i>The Dragonlance Chronicles</i>; <i>Saint George and the Dragon</i>; and even <i>Puff the Magic Dragon.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOR73hOEZlM/VPJ0yb_wSBI/AAAAAAAAOtA/zDxpooDZx6A/s1600/20150228_163217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOR73hOEZlM/VPJ0yb_wSBI/AAAAAAAAOtA/zDxpooDZx6A/s1600/20150228_163217.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the journey includes a map with the marshes marked. <br />
The journal also has a red ribbon with which to keep your place<br />
marked for later reading. [1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we open the pages of this journal we enter the world of Elian Black'Mor and Carine M. A first journal entry begins in Brittany and an "Unexplained Dis- appearance of an Antiquarian in the 'Marshes of Hell.'" The journalist places the newspaper clip- pings of the disap- pearance, photographs, pen and ink washes, and full color renderings, including a marked map, in his journal along with entries and notes detailing every experience in search of the lost dragons.<br />
<br />
As the journey progresses to different locations, each one provides a look of very distinct stories about lost dragons, along with a peek at strange guides and guardians, strange ship rides and experiences. But none are stranger than the journalist; you see, the journalist has a gift of "seeing the invisible"! The journey takes the journalist "from Europe through the Middle East and finally to Saigon." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wcEgEwB5WU/VPJ5r78y9sI/AAAAAAAAOtQ/7jENPtg4OmY/s1600/20150228_163743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wcEgEwB5WU/VPJ5r78y9sI/AAAAAAAAOtQ/7jENPtg4OmY/s1600/20150228_163743.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, the journal includes photographs along side the pen and<br />
ink drawings with wash. Note the tape on the edges of the photographs,<br />
and the detail provided such as shadows along the edges of the photos<br />
to lend the appearance of a real photograph taped to the book! [1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In the end, the journalist ponders the journey and, unsettled, worries that it wasn't more than a "daydream." And just the way the journalist recorded the fantastical jour- ney around the world in search of lost dragons, will the "intrepid" journalist choose to "preserve" the dragondreams like the journal--by fleeing reality? Which will the journalist choose?<br />
<br />
<u>MY FAVORITE QUOTATION</u>:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">Dreamtime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">The
creature awaited me at the entrance of a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">long
crevasse that crossed the width of the glacier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">I followed
it to the city of the dragon people...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">Like a ship
drifting<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>in a becalmed sea</u>, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">the top of
the budding stood in the <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">first light
of a misty polar morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 20pt;">«</span><span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">So comes snow after fire, and even<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std'; font-size: 20pt;">Dragons
have their ending</span><span style="font-size: 20pt;">.»</span><span style="font-family: 'Brush Script Std';"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> [1]</span></span></span></div>
<br />
Such a poignant and wonderful statement of the journalist's feelings, perhaps summing up the whole of the journey. Coming full circle to the realization that dragons are no more. The very thing that prompted the beginning of the journey in the first place. And, like the cold and snow that puts out fire, the dragons have gone in the way of a calm, cool ending.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbodZ2SCFsw/VPJ8O5irozI/AAAAAAAAOtk/aB6JsDANB3Y/s1600/Capture%2B1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbodZ2SCFsw/VPJ8O5irozI/AAAAAAAAOtk/aB6JsDANB3Y/s1600/Capture%2B1.PNG" height="484" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another great example of the detail included in the book. The left page looks likke a brown paper with slightly frayed<br />
edges, typewritten, signed, stamped and taped to the journal along with the envelope (below the document) and its<br />
stamps. Also, shading around the edges add to the realistic 3-D experience for the reader. Additionally, the artwork,<br />
done in washes with drips of ink (or wash) at the top of the page; the script is legible (except for the tiniest of words),<br />
also making the journal look and feel like a real journal. Note that this page is typical of all book pages. [1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We find out at very end of the book, that the journalist has doubts about the journey taken. Was the search for something noble, terrible, and beautiful, all a "daydream"? So...does this help us to understand the end of the book, the journal, and the journalist, any more? Do you think the cold crevasse and the "misty polar morning" is Death?...or is it the end of a dream? And back to the original question, will the journalist choose to "preserve" the dragons by staying in the dream? I think you will have to read the journal yourself to make this determination. All I can say, further, is that I absolutely loved the twist this puts on the journalist's story. Well done!</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJxsCFeTm0E/VPJ98wXGv_I/AAAAAAAAOtw/JL8sVy-uGzM/s1600/20150228_164137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJxsCFeTm0E/VPJ98wXGv_I/AAAAAAAAOtw/JL8sVy-uGzM/s1600/20150228_164137.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's another beautiful page. Included<br />
by the authors are full-color renditions<br />
of the flower and a "real" flower plant flat-<br />
tened and dried and taped to the journal.[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK</u>:<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since I am an ARC reader for this book, from NetGalley, I received this book recently in exchange for a review of it (See the NetGalley Disclaimer, below). Well, when I downloaded my e-book to begin reading, I was flat-out amazed! I opened the first pages and couldn't put it down. I kept turning pages, turning, turning, staring at the book. Mesmerized by its beauty. I examined every page. The surprising amount of detail simply entranced me. It is the most beautiful, most well crafted, written, detailed book it has ever been my pleasure to read. In fact, I was so taken with the book, I purchased a hardcover edition for me to keep in my collection of wonderful books.<br />
<br />
The superlatives are NOT an exaggeration. Just take a look at the photographs I took of the book to see for yourself. I included as many photographs in my blog post, today, as I could, just because they are so beautiful and I want you to see what a fantastic job the authors and the DYNAMITE team (publishers) did to bring this book to market.<br />
<br />
A word about the publishers: Dynamite. I have many, many, books by Dynamite publishers. Every single book I own has a sturdy, beautiful cover, many of them with dust jackets; the pages are securely placed between the hardcover so as they will not fall out. Dynamite Publishers are my favorite publishers, ever.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSRtiHI1l_c/VPKN_oa1uhI/AAAAAAAAOuI/_oS2IlQYbIE/s1600/Book%2Bback%2Bcover.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSRtiHI1l_c/VPKN_oa1uhI/AAAAAAAAOuI/_oS2IlQYbIE/s1600/Book%2Bback%2Bcover.PNG" height="400" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the back cover of the Journal [<i>In Search of<br />Lost Dragons</i>]. Note the realistic look to the<br />
string and card attached by it. Even the "<i>Dynamite<br />Entertainment"</i> label appears as if it were actually<br />
stuck on the book. The rather "beat up" look is<br />
really a "faux" look--only for appearances of a<br />
realistic looking journal--one that has been<br />
carried around and well-used. [1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
OK. Back to what I think about this book. What I said in the paragraph, just above this paragraph, is also true of this book, <i>In Search of Lost Dragons</i>. That is to say, the hardcover book has a sturdy, hard cover and the pages are securely attached.<br />
<br />
These two things on my own personal check list, are very important because I have purchased books that have not had securely bound pages. The pages fell out and the book was ruined. You can see some examples of this by clicking on the link to a post I did of one hardcover graphic novel book with pages that fell out. Click, <i><u><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/hercules-thracian-wars-by-steve-moore.html">here</a></u> </i>or <u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/marvels-guardians-of-galaxy-prelude-by.html">here</a></u>.<br />
<br />
Finally, while I have already mentioned the general beauty of the book and the amount of detail the pages hold, I have not mentioned the artwork, specifically. The one, just below, is is quite beautiful.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jf48Dl8WQWg/VPKVC0Avx1I/AAAAAAAAOuY/m2rqQesUk54/s1600/20150228_164211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jf48Dl8WQWg/VPKVC0Avx1I/AAAAAAAAOuY/m2rqQesUk54/s1600/20150228_164211.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">One of the beautiful pages of art-<br />
work is this watercolor of a dragon<br />
flying above a canyon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Some of the artwork are like the one, here, just to the right--a watercolor with notations at the bottom. Other works included appear to be pen and ink, pen with washes, full color illustrations that could be electronically produced, done with pastels, or perhaps with artists paint and then photographed.<br />
<br />
Again, I cannot emphasize enough just how beautiful is the the whole book. Individually, some of pages are just stunning. But in any event, each and every page holds entertaining and eye-catching images.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
NetGalley Disclaimer:<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Odr8QWtIRSU/VPKcKBd25II/AAAAAAAAOuo/XOJd9g3nbAI/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Odr8QWtIRSU/VPKcKBd25II/AAAAAAAAOuo/XOJd9g3nbAI/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" height="640" width="353" /></a><br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>MY </u><br />
<u>RECOMMENDATIONS</u>:<br />
<br />
This book is simply wonderful. I recommend this book to all ages of reader. I think, though, that adults would better appreciate the detail and amount of work that has gone into the creation of this book.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>MY RATING </u><br />
<u>OF THIS BOOK</u>:<br />
<br />
It probably comes as no surprise to you, if you that I loved the book and have no qualms about telling you that it is the best, most detailed book I have ever seen. The entertainment factor is very high, as well. So...given all that I have told you, above, I rate this book 5.0 stars out of 5.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UgpSk7GtBQU/VPKhH3uiEBI/AAAAAAAAOu4/lbDY06A2XJ4/s1600/5star-rating1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UgpSk7GtBQU/VPKhH3uiEBI/AAAAAAAAOu4/lbDY06A2XJ4/s1600/5star-rating1.png" height="68" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me this week as we were privileged to become acquainted with this beautiful book, <i>In Search of Lost Dragons</i> by Elian Black'Mor and Carine M. I loved showing you this book, and hope you consider getting a hardcover copy for yourself. Also, please don't forget to read a few minutes every day, its good for your mind and your spirit. I also want to thank you for taking time to consider all that I've presented to you, today. Your time is precious and want you to know that I appreciate you spending a little time here to consider possible reading material. You won't go wrong with this book.<br />
<br />
Please join me, again, next week as we take a look at a totally different book. One I'm sure most of you will enjoy. So...<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zio9A1R58Y/VPKmIdAWyFI/AAAAAAAAOvI/rb853Fr6kRI/s1600/White-Roses-flowers-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zio9A1R58Y/VPKmIdAWyFI/AAAAAAAAOvI/rb853Fr6kRI/s1600/White-Roses-flowers-.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading.<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
_________________________________________________________<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0343QyOI8o/VPKpyQwmKsI/AAAAAAAAOvc/zgevzp9ASO8/s1600/Dragon's%2BEye.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0343QyOI8o/VPKpyQwmKsI/AAAAAAAAOvc/zgevzp9ASO8/s1600/Dragon's%2BEye.PNG" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Search-Lost-Dragons-Elian-BlackMor-ebook/dp/B00PV5B1CA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425157006&sr=8-1&keywords=in+search+of+dragons">In Search of Lost Dragons</a>."</i> [Elian Black'Mor and Carine M.] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Eragon-Book-One-Inheritance-cycle-ebook/dp/B000FBJCK8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425156694&sr=8-1&keywords=Eragon">Eragon: The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 02-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Brisingr-Book-Three-Inheritance-cycle-ebook/dp/B001H4R4LQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425156034&sr=8-1&keywords=Brisinger">Brisingr: The Inheritance Cycle, Book 3</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 02-28-15.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="https://sevencups.com/learn-about-tea/brewing-tea/making-yixing-teaware/">Yixing Teaware</a>."</i> sevencups.com. Retrieved 02-28-15 [Primarily, zisha pottery is also called yixing--taken from its place of origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China--is a very unique pottery with a highly porous surface that takes on the flavors of the tea that is brewed within it. For more on this wonderful pottery, see this websight: <a href="http://sevencups.com/">sevencups.com</a>.]</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://lindawatkins.biz/wonderful-new-5-star-review-for-return-to-mateguas-island-2/">Return to Mateguas Island</a>." </i>lindawatkins.biz. Retrieved on 02-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/flowers/images/25785322/title/white-roses-photo">Flowers: White Roses</a>."</i> fanpop.com. Retrieved 02-22-15.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-25485102640229104672015-02-25T01:39:00.000-08:002015-02-26T19:42:36.358-08:00Heir to the Jedi: Star Wars by Kevin Hearne. Book Released 03-03-15! Book Review by: Sharon Powers.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #558ed5; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #558ed5; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....</span><span style="font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-a1EkcsLws/VOrNtoNIzFI/AAAAAAAAOSc/fKfxo-pMjD8/s1600/star-wars-episode-7-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-a1EkcsLws/VOrNtoNIzFI/AAAAAAAAOSc/fKfxo-pMjD8/s1600/star-wars-episode-7-image.jpg" height="205" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;"> We could say, "Once Upon a Time." But, however we say it, Star Wars has become a legendary story, a myth, that has become part of cultures around the world. The Star Wars stories are far from over. As you can see, we have a brand new story to add to the expanding mythos surrounding the Skywalker Clan and the Jedi Knights. The author of this new novel is none other than Kevin Hearne, well-known author of the </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Iron Druid</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> series. Kevin Hearne is absolutely one of my favorite authors. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oHT7bnFoPww/VOmZUwAmgCI/AAAAAAAAORU/CMNlL91gYfo/s1600/Heir_to_the_Jedi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oHT7bnFoPww/VOmZUwAmgCI/AAAAAAAAORU/CMNlL91gYfo/s1600/Heir_to_the_Jedi.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[f2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was captivated when I first picked up <i>Hounded, The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 1)</i>, and immediately was entranced by Atticus O'Sullivan who wielded a magical sword Fragarach, and later on, Granuaile (who eventually becomes an Iron Druid); but the character I loved most was Oberon, the sausage craving canine, of the Irish Wolfhound variety--you've just got to LOVE Oberon! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, when I saw that Kevin Hearne was authoring this new Star Wars book, I readily volunteered to be one of the privileged few who would read the novel and present an impartial review of the book. The book is slated for release on March 3, 2015. So, let's dive right into the book with a quick synopsis.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>SYNOPSIS OF </u><i style="text-decoration: underline;">HEIR TO THE JEDI: STAR WARS</i>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b> </b>The Death Star's destruction gave hope and energized the Rebel Alliance to move forward in their resolve. With Darth Vader still pursuing the Alliance they hide in an Outer Rim orbit while they quickly search for a more permanent base; they, also, seek allies to provide material sources (notably, in the form of weapons) to the struggling Rebel Alliance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouqzv5y7irY/VOugTqvfASI/AAAAAAAAOZY/UjNWQBpYRYU/s1600/Deathstar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouqzv5y7irY/VOugTqvfASI/AAAAAAAAOZY/UjNWQBpYRYU/s1600/Deathstar.jpg" height="135" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One version of the exploding Death Star.<br />
[3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Luke Skywalker helps in whatever way he can, mostly by taking on smaller piloting assignments, while he worries about how to become more proficient in the Force. One such assignment by Admiral Akbar and Princess Leia takes him on a rescue mission that could be instrumental in assisting the Rebel Alliance. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPC19ME1v8U/VOvAMJQrhCI/AAAAAAAAOaI/Tw6xbuCBS2A/s1600/Obi-Wan-Kenobi-Wallpaper-obi-wan-kenobi-10078964-1024-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPC19ME1v8U/VOvAMJQrhCI/AAAAAAAAOaI/Tw6xbuCBS2A/s1600/Obi-Wan-Kenobi-Wallpaper-obi-wan-kenobi-10078964-1024-768.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Luke takes on a small crew to help him with his task: trusted robot, R2-D2, and a daughter of a biotech mogul, Nakari Kelen. Nakari brings to the board a very sleek high-speed cruiser--not heavily gunned, but fast. Very fast. Now the only question is how do they pull off the "high-stakes" undercover spy mission that challenges everything Luke has learned thus far on his road to becoming a Jedi Knight. Luke feels inadequately prepared and daydreams about Obi-Wan Kenobi and how, if he were there, Obi-Wan could give him good counsel and additional training. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWPaMJlMd_w/VOvCIGNAKYI/AAAAAAAAOaU/HlLt8SX3zfE/s1600/Luke-Skywalker-WP-luke-skywalker-2493071-1024-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWPaMJlMd_w/VOvCIGNAKYI/AAAAAAAAOaU/HlLt8SX3zfE/s1600/Luke-Skywalker-WP-luke-skywalker-2493071-1024-768.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Somehow, Luke, Nakari, who, by the way, wants payback of her own against the Empire, and R2-D2, must save a renowned cryptographer's family. In ex- change for saving her family, the gifted cryptographer will assist the Rebel Alliance in breaching the Empire's communications sys- tems. Along their way Luke and company will face Imperial bodyguards, scurry away from enemy battleships, elude ever-resourceful bounty hunters, avoid brain-eating parasites, and, of course, to channel the wisdom of his old mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to trust him and "Use the force, Luke!" to see them all through all the dangers they must face.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK:<i> HEIR TO THE JEDI: STAR WARS</i></u>:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwStwXBK43A/VO11aKtR4xI/AAAAAAAAObY/ZRyTvQQozDQ/s1600/hounded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwStwXBK43A/VO11aKtR4xI/AAAAAAAAObY/ZRyTvQQozDQ/s1600/hounded.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've already acknowledged that I love Kevin Hearne's books, <i>The Iron Druid Chronicles</i>, and really looked forward to reading this book by him. Mr. Hearne is a really wonderful writer; the pacing in his books, outstanding. I also love his balancing of humor with action and the easy-flowing text that give his writing a comfortable familiarity that other writers have difficulty imparting to the reader. OK. Enough of the Kevin Hearne promo. Let's get to the book:<br />
<br />
At the outset, Luke and R2-D2 (Artoo) are in the Outer Rim and the time is just shortly after the destruction of the Death Star (<i>Star Wars</i>) and before <i>The Empire Strikes Back</i>. In the synopsis, above, I gave you the names of the primary characters (Luke, Artoo, and Nakari, these three are later joined by Drusil (the cryptographer).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4AvJB8fMBI/VO17VSiQ7TI/AAAAAAAAObw/q0SPeryy3yM/s1600/Battleship-Movie-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4AvJB8fMBI/VO17VSiQ7TI/AAAAAAAAObw/q0SPeryy3yM/s1600/Battleship-Movie-Poster.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My second impression (my first, later), was a flashback to the movie, <i>Battleship--</i>a movie that didn't really fare that well in theaters. Anyway, I was reminded of a short dialog between Taylor Kitch's character, Lieutenant Alex Hopper and Tadanobu Asano, Captain Yugi Nagata, that goes as follows: Nagata: <b>We're going to die! </b>Hopper (Agreeing with Nagata--calmly): <b>We're going to die. You're going to die. I'm going to die. We're all going to die. . . . Just not today. </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[7]</span> Like the movie, <i>Battleship</i>, Luke Skywalker, Artoo, Nakiri and Drusil go from one near capture or near death adventure to the next. And, just like the alien space ship that "hops" across the water, Luke and his company, seem to hop from one location to another, narrowly evading capture or death.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0nv_14yFQ4/VO16b2GwqvI/AAAAAAAAObo/dgDZtG0tf3Q/s1600/Jedi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0nv_14yFQ4/VO16b2GwqvI/AAAAAAAAObo/dgDZtG0tf3Q/s1600/Jedi.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also thought it ironic and funny that<br />
Liam Neesan starred as Obi-Wan<br />
Kenobi as well as starring in<br />
the movie, <i>Battleship</i>. [9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cryptographer seems to play the part of Captain Nagata, utilizing complicated mathematical formulas to "mysteriously" call out the next location they should jump to. In the movie, Nagata called out the locations for targeting the alien space ship, intuiting the location where it would be and when. Just so in <i>Heir to the Jedi</i>, only this time it was a cryptographer doing the calling. I actually thought that this section of the book was pretty cool and thought it hilarious when I thought of the similarities to the movie, <i>Battleship</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
OK. So now we are down to the nitty-gritty...what I really did and didn't like. This part is tough for me because I really like Kevin Hearne's writing (as I've stated, above). The first, oh, approximately 20% of the book was a snooze-fest. I had such a hard time with it that I couldn't remember what I had read after I had read it. So, regrettably, I started the book over. I reread the first 20% and lo and behold, it really was boring. I could hardly believe one of my favorite authors wrote material that was so boring I had to first, reread it, and second, continue to read the rest of the book.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vwlEolPvjsE/VO2GyYuIZ6I/AAAAAAAAOcA/_SCFu_AQ-Rw/s1600/Original%2BTrilogy%2B-%2BLuke%2BSkywalker%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vwlEolPvjsE/VO2GyYuIZ6I/AAAAAAAAOcA/_SCFu_AQ-Rw/s1600/Original%2BTrilogy%2B-%2BLuke%2BSkywalker%2B12.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am glad, however, that I finished the book, because it did get better. Kevin Hearne's writing style with its irreverent humor punctuated with terrific action sequences brought the book alive, again. While the plot was thin, and, like I said, above, seemed to jump from one sequence of events to another, Hearne brought the book back to life, again, saving it from complete death.<br />
<br />
Part of the problem for me was that I just didn't see Luke the way Hearne had written him. Yes, he still had a lot of the farmboy still in him, but it just wasn't there for me. This is taking into account that the story is told in first person, so we are privy to Luke's thoughts and motivations; it just wasn't enough to save his character.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxfc-9_nBjM/VO2Ingpen5I/AAAAAAAAOcM/Uphsn4-x-do/s1600/No-Spoilers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxfc-9_nBjM/VO2Ingpen5I/AAAAAAAAOcM/Uphsn4-x-do/s1600/No-Spoilers.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Actually, my favorite character was Drusil, the cryptographer. I loved hearing about how some communications were done in mathematics--one person would ask the other a mathematical question, and the answer to the problem was the response. I also really liked how she could "predict" the locations of stars that had not, yet been discovered, the locations where bounty hunters were hiding in the landscape, and the way past electronic booby traps. Very interesting! I loved her!<br />
<br />
The one part of the book that I felt had redeemed itself, I cannot relate to you because it would be a colossal spoiler. The scene left me in tears. That's all I can say.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLbgnZBdOpo/VO2KYToTpyI/AAAAAAAAOcY/6KpKzU5k6Rw/s1600/quote-Michael-Gruber-but-theres-the-paradox-of-fiction--183702.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLbgnZBdOpo/VO2KYToTpyI/AAAAAAAAOcY/6KpKzU5k6Rw/s1600/quote-Michael-Gruber-but-theres-the-paradox-of-fiction--183702.png" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I said, the book did get better, but folks, come on...20% of a book that is virtually boring to the point of tears cannot be fixed by having one scene that brings you to tears (in a good way).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS</u>:</div>
This book is in the genre of sci-fi; as such, it has in it, action sequences that include deaths, blood and gore, kidnapping, pursuit scenes, etc. These scenes are suitable for the targeted audience, adult readers. As such any other readers of a sensitive nature should be cautioned to consider the material before reading.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SkBsAxR7GE/VO2O-zv_CeI/AAAAAAAAOck/4N2vKIFNqmc/s1600/3-star-rating_zps1a68a9b2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SkBsAxR7GE/VO2O-zv_CeI/AAAAAAAAOck/4N2vKIFNqmc/s1600/3-star-rating_zps1a68a9b2.png" height="38" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>MY RATING</u>:<br />
Given all the reasons I have provided, above, both positive and negative, I award this book three stars out of five.<br />
<br />
Thank you for stopping by this blog site, today, to check out this new NetGalley book, <i>Heir to the Jedi: Star Wars</i> by Kevin Hearne. Remember that Mr. Hearne's book is scheduled for release on March 3, 2015; you still have time to preorder this book from your local book purveyor.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ov2hHZirDaU/VO2PdyHXtvI/AAAAAAAAOcs/4CdcWXC0MYE/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ov2hHZirDaU/VO2PdyHXtvI/AAAAAAAAOcs/4CdcWXC0MYE/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" height="640" width="355" /></a> I deeply appreciate you taking time from your busy day to check out the reading material that I have reviewed for you, today. I always appreciate you taking time to evaluate the material presented and consider the points of view I present to you.<br />
<br />
Please take some time this week to read a little bit. Reading helps you stay young and is good for your brain. From the bottom of my heart, I offer my thanks to you for stopping by my blog, today.<br />
<br />
Please join me, again, next week, as we can all examine a new book and see for ourselves if we should spend our well-earned money to purchase a book, or spend our more valuable time reading it. It is always good to evaluate your reading material; if you have any questions or comments for me, please leave a comment below, or contact me through Twitter [See the side bar on the right.].<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Until next time...</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXDU42VagWA/VOq-e3etI2I/AAAAAAAAORs/LH6dz7NDzKk/s1600/White-Roses-flowers-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXDU42VagWA/VOq-e3etI2I/AAAAAAAAORs/LH6dz7NDzKk/s1600/White-Roses-flowers-.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[*]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
My love to you all,<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-7-rumors-gary-oldman-benedict-cumberbatch/">Star Wars</a>."</i> screenrant.com. Retrieved 02-23-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]<i> "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heir-Jedi-Star-Kevin-Hearne-ebook/dp/B00MKZ3VMW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424671123&sr=8-1&keywords=Heir+to+the+jedi+kevin+hearne">Heir to the Jedi: Star Wars</a>."</i> [Kevin Hearne] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.blastr.com/2013-3-18/destruction-death-star-was-inside-job-weird-video">Destruction of the Death Star was an inside job in this weird video</a>."</i> blastr.com. Retrieved 02-23-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]<i> "<a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/obi-wan-kenobi/images/10078964/title/obi-wan-kenobi-wallpaper-wallpaper">Obi-Wan Kenobi Wallpaper</a>."</i> fanpop.com. Retrieved 02-23-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/luke-skywalker/images/2493071/title/luke-skywalker-wp-wallpaper">Luke Skywalker WP</a>."</i> fanpop.com. Retrieved 02-23-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://pixelatedgeek.com/2014/02/hounded-and-hexed-the-iron-druid-chronicles-1-2/">Hounded and Hexed (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1 & #2)</a>."</i> pixelatedgeek.com. Retrieved 02-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1440129/quotes">Battleship (2012) Quotes</a>."</i> [emphasis added] imdb.com. Retrieved 02-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://mauricebroaddus.com/uncategorized/battleship-a-review/">Battleship--A Review</a>."</i> mauricebroaddus.com. Retrieved 02-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://memegenerator.net/instance/54664647">Meme Generator: I've Trained Jedi.</a>"</i> memegenerator.net. Retrieved 02-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://thestarwarstrilogy.com/starwars/page/Original-Trilogy-Luke-Skywalker">Original Trilogy--Luke Skywalker</a>."</i> thestarwarstrilogy.com. Retrieved 02-24-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.wonderoftech.com/how-to-block-spoilers-from-ruining-your-tv-fun/">How to Block Spoilers From Ruining Your TV Fun!</a>"</i> [Carolyn Nicander Mohr] wonderoftech.com. Retrieved 02-25-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://likesuccess.com/140954">Like Success: Michael Gruber Quotes</a>."</i> likesuccess.com. Retrieved 02-25-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.buckethataficionado.com/2013/01/dmc-devil-may-cry-review_19.html">DMC: Devil May Cry Review</a>."</i> buckethataficionado.com. Retrieved 02-25-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
[*] <i>"<a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/flowers/images/25785322/title/white-roses-photo">Flowers: White Roses</a>."</i> fanpop.com. Retrieved 02-22-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-44228907110709670582015-02-21T15:59:00.000-08:002015-02-22T00:08:35.842-08:00Saint Odd: The Climax of the Entire Odd Thomas Series; Also, The Prequel: You Are Destined to be Together Forever [from the Odd Thomas Series], by Dean Koontz. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAKx12SV6e4/VNQRjXNetEI/AAAAAAAAN_I/qWndMIMPDO4/s1600/Odd%2BThomas%2BSt%2BOdd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAKx12SV6e4/VNQRjXNetEI/AAAAAAAAN_I/qWndMIMPDO4/s1600/Odd%2BThomas%2BSt%2BOdd.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
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Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
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It is here, at last. <i>Saint Odd.</i> The Climax of the entire <i>Odd Thomas</i> series by Dean Koontz. The long-awaited novel everyone has longed for; on one hand we get to read about Odd, again, but on the other hand, we fear both Oddie's death, and that the final book won't tie up all the threads that were woven throughout the series, and that we will hate the ending (for not living up to our expectations).</div>
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Here follows a quick recap. These are the novels that preceded this final installment of <i>Odd Thomas</i>:</div>
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<b><i>ODD THOMAS: </i>THE JOURNEY</b></div>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GNqJZoQfIzo/VNQRrK-VZEI/AAAAAAAAN_Q/vNtay4PH-aI/s1600/Odd%2BThomas%2BYou-Are-Destined-To-Be-Together-Forever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GNqJZoQfIzo/VNQRrK-VZEI/AAAAAAAAN_Q/vNtay4PH-aI/s1600/Odd%2BThomas%2BYou-Are-Destined-To-Be-Together-Forever.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">A short and poignant story<br />
about young love. Learn<br />
about the catalyst that shap-<br />
ed Odd and Stormy's lives.<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[2]</span><br />
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<b><u>(.5) A prequel: </u></b><i><u style="font-weight: bold;">You Are Destined To Be Together Forever, Odd Thomas Series Prequel</u><b>:</b> </i></div>
<i> </i>The prequel that readers longed to read, takes us all the way back to the beginning--Odd's pivotal relationship with Stormy Llewellyn. Read this short story to learn about the prophecy that made the young couple believe that they would be together forever. When a carnival came to town, the pair go to visit the "Gypsy Mummy," a prognosticator that dares them to believe. Watch out readers, we will see the "Gypsy Mummy," again, in the final book: <i>Saint Odd.</i><br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Odd Thomas: The Odd<br />Thomas Series, Book 1.</i>[3]</td></tr>
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<u><b>(1) </b></u><i><u><b>Odd Thomas: Odd Thomas Series, Book 1</b></u></i><b>:</b></div>
The first book of the series introduced readers to the young man, Odd Thomas. Odd's character thought of himself as an ordinary guy, a short-order cook who loves making pancakes. We quickly discover, though, that Oddie has a strange gift. Odd knows an impending disaster is about to hit his beloved town of Pico Mundo. Frantically, Odd uses his gifts to try to prevent the worst from happening--Odd never counted on the love of his life (Stormy Llewellyn) to be in the middle of it all. We frantically read to find out whether Odd stops the disaster or becomes part of it. I reviewed this book on March 11, 2014. If you would like to read my full review of Dean Koontz's first <i>Odd Thomas </i>novel, click on this <b><u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/03/odd-thomas-odd-thomas-novel-book-1-by.html">link</a></u>.</b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b>
(2) <b><i><u>Forever Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 2</u></i>:</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Forever Odd: Odd<br />Thomas Series, Book 2</i>.<br />
One of the numerous<br />
covers for the book. [4]</td></tr>
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The first sequel to the most remarkable (book 1) seemed to fall a bit flat for most readers. Many readers commented that the book, although NOT bad, just didn't live up to Dean Koontz's best writing. In this second book, Odd, as revealed in book one, sees and talks to the dead. Oddly enough (pun intended), one of his ghost friends is none other than Elvis Presley. Odd talks to ghosts and tries to help them, worries about his friends (notably, P. Oswald Boone) and mopes about the past.<br />
<br />
In a brief synopsis of this book, a ghost, Dr. Jessup, summons Oddie late one night, and lets him know that his son, Danny, was kidnapped. Not enough just to be kidnapped, Danny has brittle bone disease. Using his "psychic magnetism," Odd places himself in danger of the evil villains and henchmen to bring Danny home. Odd's supernatural abilities are as appealing as his wholesomeness. Even so, Odd, is not naive, and battles evil wherever he finds it. Now, bringing Danny home is all that matters. Will Oddie and his strange talents be enough to save this fragile child and help Dr. Jessup to cross over?<br />
<br />
<b><u>(3) </u><i><u>Brother Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 3</u>:</i></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />Brother Odd:<br />The Odd Thomas<br />Series, Book 3. </i>[5]</td></tr>
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Having trouble dealing with life, loss, and his psychic gifts, Oddie retreats to St. Bartholomew's Abbey hoping a contemplative life will help him cope. At first, he finds surcease in living the life of a contemplative monk. However idyllic a life Oddie was living in the monastery, it was simply not meant to continue--trouble had a way of finding him. The "bodachs" that he had observed in previous encounters with evil began showing up in droves. Odd has his hands full in attempting to solve the murder of a monk, Brother Constantine, and to put an end to more killings of the religious brothers. This time out Oddie is helped in his quest by a librarian (an undercover NSA agent) and a new friend--a ghost dog named "Boo." Can Oddie solve the murder of Brother Constantine and put a stop to the continuing murders at the abbey?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1-siRUZHIQ/VOaL2Msi8DI/AAAAAAAAOD4/SMky4HtPSeU/s1600/Odd%2BHours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1-siRUZHIQ/VOaL2Msi8DI/AAAAAAAAOD4/SMky4HtPSeU/s1600/Odd%2BHours.jpg" height="200" width="109" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Odd Hours:<br />The Odd Thomas<br />Series, Book 4.</i>[6]</td></tr>
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<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">(4) </u><i style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Odd Hours: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 4</u>:</i><br />
In, <i>Odd Hours</i>, Odd Thomas begins having nightmares of a terrifying red tide. Not understanding the dream, it, nevertheless, pulls Oddie to a small town situated on the coast, where things seem "oddly" out of place. Odd puts his psychic abilities to the test to make things right in this sleepy little town. Oddie's ghost-friend, "Boo" (How charming a name for a ghost dog!) returns, and while Elvis is now out of the picture, Oddie has a new (or should I say "old"?) ghost friend to help him. Yet, Oddie faces his biggest and most challenging baddie in this sinister city--challenging himself to step up to the plate and deliver...but will Oddie overcome his own "dark night of the soul"?<br />
<br />
<b><u>(4.1-4.3) </u><i><u>Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure</u>:</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2MUiqCJ09U/VOc1uP5NsbI/AAAAAAAAOEI/ovXIO3luxuQ/s1600/odd%2Binterlude%2B41-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2MUiqCJ09U/VOc1uP5NsbI/AAAAAAAAOEI/ovXIO3luxuQ/s1600/odd%2Binterlude%2B41-43.jpg" height="200" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Odd Interlude #s 1-3</i><br />
are included in this<br />
three-part collection<br />
as, <i>Odd Interlude. </i>[7]</td></tr>
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This short collection, originally published in three separate parts, is entirely Dean Koontz charming. The three short installments comprising one single story originally were titled <i>Odd Interlude</i>, <i>#s 1, 2, </i>and <i>3. </i>So, don't get confused by the different titles.<br />
<br />
Oddie is once again in another small town, on the coast, again. The quaint little city even has a quaint name, "Harmony Corners." Unfortunately, for Oddie, when he checks into a charming little hotel and mysterious events begin to happen, the reader begins wondering if Oddie has met his match--will he ever be able to check out of the hotel? No, friends and neighbors, the hotel is not "The Bates Hotel"!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DaUshWDskA/VOc7XB3MjoI/AAAAAAAAOEY/sw4lRriA1B8/s1600/Odd-Apocalypse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DaUshWDskA/VOc7XB3MjoI/AAAAAAAAOEY/sw4lRriA1B8/s1600/Odd-Apocalypse.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Odd Apocalypse: The<br />Odd Thomas Series,<br />Book 6. </i>[8]</td></tr>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">(5) </u><i><u style="font-weight: bold;">Odd Apocalypse: The Odd Thomas Series, </u><u style="font-weight: bold;">Book 5</u><b>:</b></i><br />
Just coming from the difficult situation in Harmony Corners, Oddie and his traveling companion, Annamaria, (who also has her own spiritual gifts), gladly accept an invitation from a rather reclusive billionaire to spend time on his palatial estate, Roseland. Once again, all is not what it seems and the palatial estate begins to look more like a house of horrors. Odd Thomas must face lethal adversaries and uncover shocking secrets that just might reveal an estate whose real location is Hell. What kind of consequences will be exacted? Will it be a "pound of flesh"? Odd Thomas keeps the answers to these questions close to the vest.<br />
<br />
<b><u>(6) </u><i><u>Deeply Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 6</u>:</i></b><br />
I titled this section of the book review, today, as "Odd Thomas: The Journey." First, I did that to refer to the journey we all have taken in reading the series of books. Second, I titled the section for somewhat obvious reasons: Oddie starts on a journey in Pico Mundo, his home town, and is drawn by the "magnetism" to go in search of evil in other locations than Pico Mundo. Book six heralds the coming end of the journey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXdg9NaoW7w/VOdHBaE3fsI/AAAAAAAAOEo/H2P9SJweZis/s1600/deeply%2Bodd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXdg9NaoW7w/VOdHBaE3fsI/AAAAAAAAOEo/H2P9SJweZis/s1600/deeply%2Bodd.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deeply Odd: The<br />Odd Thomas Series,<br />Book 7. </i>[9]</td></tr>
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In <i>Deeply Odd</i>, Odd Thomas encounters a cowboy truck driver, bedecked in rhinestones and sparkles. Soon, Odd begins having shocking visions of a whole series of murders from California through Nevada and then back. But, just one tinsy little problem: the murders haven't been committed, yet. Odd journeys down a road to prevent the multiple tragedies from happening. Once again, Odd acquires new friends and allies--my personal favorite is "Edie." She is one of those gun-toting little old ladies that, in part, charms your heart just because she is so quaint and no-nonsense. Edie also goes way out of her way to help people. What does a little old lady have to do with Oddie's "road chase" to stop a sociopathic truck driver? Just wait and see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Saint Odd (Odd Thomas, #7)" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403303609l/15722284.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="209" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
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<b><u>(7)<i> Saint Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 7</i>--FINAL BOOK OF THE SERIES</u>:</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
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Do you remember that I promised that the Gypsy Mummy fortune-telling machine that appeared in the prequel to the series (and mentioned numerous times throughout the series) would reappear in this volume? Well, here she is...the very same, exactly the same, carnival has returned to Pico Mundo that made an appearance when Odd Thomas was only sixteen-years-old. Oddie can't resist seeing her, again--he wants to find out when he will get to be with Stormy.<br />
<br />
But, as Oddie grapples with what he feels is his own impending death, the same satanic cult returns to Koontz's pages with which Oddie must deal a second time. This time, Oddie's prophetic dreams consist of his beloved town with all its citizens and homes, streets and streetlamps, being submerged and drowned under lots and lots of water. But that seems just short of crazy to Oddie, how could that happen?<br />
<br />
Let's not forget about all the wonderful characters Koontz has created for us readers to enjoy. Who will survive? There are many, many deaths, yet there are survivors. Who will walk away from the approaching deluge and live to tell about it? Will Odd's old friend, P. Oswald Boone survive? What happens to Annamaria? What about all the people Oddie loves in Pico Mundo...? Will Oddie walk away from the impending disaster to live a quiet life or will he meet his death?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KYcnCTFGGoQ/VOf4hsYmsTI/AAAAAAAAOE4/MsnUfNdc41c/s1600/keep-calm-it-s-the-circle-of-life.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KYcnCTFGGoQ/VOf4hsYmsTI/AAAAAAAAOE4/MsnUfNdc41c/s1600/keep-calm-it-s-the-circle-of-life.png" height="200" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
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<b>FIRST, MY FAVORITE QUOTE:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
To set the stage for the quote, Oddie has returned home to Pico Mundo, "to die and to live in death." Oddie had been feeling the pull of magnetism towards Pico Mundo for a while. His feelings led him to believe that he was going home to die. Before he dies he wants to save his beloved town. Here, he muses on what he thinks is death and the circle of life.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
That I had come full circle shouldn't have surprised me, for we are born into time only to be born out of it, after living through the cycles of the seasons, under stars that turn because the world turns, born into ignorance and acquiring knowledge that ultimately reveals to us our enduring ignorance. The circle is the essential pattern of our existence. [Kindle location 216]</blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5e7H8dA0OY/VOgBAlYn25I/AAAAAAAAOFI/4rj_TxK6RGI/s1600/storystructure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5e7H8dA0OY/VOgBAlYn25I/AAAAAAAAOFI/4rj_TxK6RGI/s1600/storystructure.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
[Graphic image 11]</div>
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Joseph Campbell is often associated with the Hero's Journey, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
but as Dan Harmon puts it, "Joseph Campbell was a compara-</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
tive mythologist, not a corny screenwriting guru. Nevertheless,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
here is where I, Dan Harmon, feel that the chapters of Camp-</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
bell's famous "monomyth" or "hero's journey" would fall if you</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
forced them into my circle." The circle of which Dan Harmon</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">speaks is in the image, just above, here. [12]</span></div>
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<b>STORY STRUCTURE UTILIZED IN THE SERIES</b></div>
<br />
I like the above quote not only because Dean Koontz has his protagonist, Odd Thomas, tell us about his philosophy of life, but also because Koontz brings the reader back to the beginning of the story. This is a wonderful technique for writers and, Mr. Koontz utilizes it most effectively!<br />
<br />
We are reminded of the beginning of the whole series and we are able to better comprehend the whole of the series by this going back. Moreover, this technique helps the author tie up loose ends and the protagonist and reader alike, have a sense of completion. When Koontz's writing is good, it is really good!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBIK4jWG6gg/VOjoXaI0-gI/AAAAAAAAOGI/hNbnBvaPW5w/s1600/woman%2Breading.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBIK4jWG6gg/VOjoXaI0-gI/AAAAAAAAOGI/hNbnBvaPW5w/s1600/woman%2Breading.JPG" height="200" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
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Although the circular plot is not the only way to set up a plot for a novel, it can be one of the most effective. This approach to plot structure appeals to readers because it gives a sense of order, a sense of familiarity and most importantly, it helps the reader identify with the protagonist (Because every reader is said to be on their own hero's journey, the reader psychologically understands the trials and struggles of the protagonist.). In the chart, just below, Dan Harmon's steps for a circular plot can be seen on the left while the concrete example from Dean Koontz's <i>Odd Thomas Series</i> are listed on the right side.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoNF9UgwmQw/VOgfk-5NkyI/AAAAAAAAOF0/3LHIUDdf9uU/s1600/Circular%2BPlot.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoNF9UgwmQw/VOgfk-5NkyI/AAAAAAAAOF0/3LHIUDdf9uU/s1600/Circular%2BPlot.PNG" height="406" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a more in-depth explanation, please see Dan Harmon's web site. The link is below under source #[11].</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, now you know my favorite quote and that I really liked the story structure Dean Koontz used in creating his series, and specifically, the final book, <i>Saint Odd.</i> What else worked for me in <i>Saint Odd</i>? Well, one of the things that got me to start reading Dean Koontz's books in the first place was his writing style. I like his easy flowing text and the pacing that goes with it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7X2ayCsjSGI/VOjrEUtPrDI/AAAAAAAAOGU/_TAkPVkjmRw/s1600/own-pace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7X2ayCsjSGI/VOjrEUtPrDI/AAAAAAAAOGU/_TAkPVkjmRw/s1600/own-pace.jpg" height="176" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[14]</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also like that in these fantasy/mystery/thriller novels, Koontz doesn't employ a stuffy tone. Koontz uses words that are commonly known so as to not make the reader slow down. The reader is able to read at a pace that suits him as an individual--and, is able to do this, in part, because no complicated words or extensively long sentences are used. The more "intellectual" style of writing is better suited to other types of literary works.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIdc2bVR8Gc/VOj0FsBmiuI/AAAAAAAAOGk/KUqLjPFqszI/s1600/oddthomas-ozzie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIdc2bVR8Gc/VOj0FsBmiuI/AAAAAAAAOGk/KUqLjPFqszI/s1600/oddthomas-ozzie.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>"Ozzie Boone"</b><br />
P. Oswald Boone--Oddies 400 <br />
pound friend who often <br />
helped him. [15]</td></tr>
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Although, in general, I enjoyed the book, it isn't a perfect book by any means. And, although Koontz did pretty well at tying up the ends, a few things bothered me:</div>
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I would have really liked to see an appearance from one of Oddie's best friends, P. Oswald Boone and his cat, Chester. And, Annamaria was in the final book to show Oddie the "trick" with the flower, I would have liked to see more of her talking with him in that mysterious and enigmatic way she always spoke. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxEqaewtgiw/VOj7NF2LtBI/AAAAAAAAOG0/1yU8uakv32M/s1600/Casper-Friendly-Ghost-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxEqaewtgiw/VOj7NF2LtBI/AAAAAAAAOG0/1yU8uakv32M/s1600/Casper-Friendly-Ghost-1.jpg" height="161" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[16]</td></tr>
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I also wondered why, after Oddie seeing ghosts of one sort or another throughout the series, the reader really didn't get to see a ghost in this final installment. I know we wouldn't see Stormy's ghost because she had already crossed over, but how about someone else?...maybe someone else who had died in the mall shootings. For that matter, if this were going to be a disaster that would have destroyed the town and all the people in it, where were all the bodachs?</div>
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And, although there were a number of small things I didn't like, one major flaw troubled me the most. The end seemed anticlimactic and tired. It just didn't have the punch I was waiting for and expected. I thought that Koontz could have put more effort into writing a really great ending for this great series. The main story was fine, but the ending just fell flat for me. A good ending, just not a great one.</div>
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<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZFvnuPry0g/VOkGWN5e8tI/AAAAAAAAOHY/qRTp1udFnGE/s1600/Aabout%2BThis%2BBook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZFvnuPry0g/VOkGWN5e8tI/AAAAAAAAOHY/qRTp1udFnGE/s1600/Aabout%2BThis%2BBook.PNG" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I created this graphic in the<br />
MS Word Program. [1]</td></tr>
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This book contains violence of various sorts including, but not limited to shootings and murder. The tone, because it is of the fan- tasy/mystery/thriller genre, quite naturally contains scenes where the characters show fear, anger, bitterness, and other negative emotions. I would only recommend this book for the target audience of readers, adult readers. Any adult who is of a sensitive nature should be cautioned to consider the material before reading the novel.</div>
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I enjoyed the book and was quite happy that Koontz tied up all the major threads. Based on my views presented above, and my enjoyment reading Dean Koontz's novel, I am happy to award the book with 4.0 stars out of 5. Thank you Mr. Koontz for a great series.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h0MUooKERCs/VOkIIfV-FOI/AAAAAAAAOHk/eefKw55Bdl8/s1600/4_stars_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h0MUooKERCs/VOkIIfV-FOI/AAAAAAAAOHk/eefKw55Bdl8/s1600/4_stars_lg.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[17]</td></tr>
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Please join me again, next time, as we get to look at another wonderful book. This next book is a book from NetGalley, so it should be fun to see what the author and NetGalley have in store for us.</div>
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I thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me this week to read and consider Dean Koontz's book, <i>Saint Odd</i>, the final book in his <i>Odd Thomas Series.</i> I very much appreciate your effort in taking part in today's book review, in taking time to read and consider my views, and just for reading. I hope you are encouraging your family and friends to read by giving them new books and by showing them how much fun reading can be. You are setting a good example by just letting others see you read.</div>
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Until next time my dear friends...</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzmCn9rDCAA/VOkLFq6ImII/AAAAAAAAOH4/Iiw4ftyqCKY/s1600/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzmCn9rDCAA/VOkLFq6ImII/AAAAAAAAOH4/Iiw4ftyqCKY/s1600/Rose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" height="366" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Here is a Rose of Sharon plant with white double blooms. Just look at those<br />beautiful flowers and vibrant green leaves. I only wish this were in my garden.<br />This flower is a full double white Rose of Sharon. I place it here for my<br />beautiful new granddaughter (and namesake) Sharon Ele'a. [18]</span></td></tr>
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...many happy </div>
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pages </div>
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of reading!</div>
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All my love,</div>
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dear friends.</div>
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Sharon.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Saint-Odd-Thomas-Novel-ebook/dp/B00JI4ZSF6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424226095&sr=1-1&keywords=saint+odd">Saint Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 7</a>."</i> [Dean Koontz] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]<i> "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Odd-Thomas-Destined-Together-Forever-ebook/dp/B00P5557EE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424479012&sr=8-1&keywords=You+are+destined+to+be+together+forever+books">You Are Destined To Be Together, Forever</a>." </i>[Prequel, Dean Koontz] Retrieved d02-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Odd-Thomas-An-Novel-ebook/dp/B000T8F50S/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=11369WHHKDCM704NZG46">Odd Thomas: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 1</a>."</i> [Dean Koontz] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Forever-Odd-An-Thomas-Novel-ebook/dp/B000SEI5CI/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=08H439CBJGQ8FKRJZQX7">Forever Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 2</a>."</i> [Dean Koontz] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-15-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Brother-Odd-Dean-Koontz-ebook/dp/B000SEIJRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424383483&sr=8-1&keywords=Brother+Odd+dean+koontz">Brother Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 3</a>."</i> [Dean Koontz] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-16-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Odd-Hours-An-Thomas-Novel-ebook/dp/B000YJ67A4/ref=pd_sim_kstore_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=10075A4R9PJB3VGEX4NF">Odd Hours: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 4</a>."</i> [Dean koontz] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] </span><i style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Odd-Hours-An-Thomas-Novel-ebook/dp/B000YJ67A4/ref=pd_sim_kstore_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=10075A4R9PJB3VGEX4NF">Odd Interlude: The Odd Thomas Series</a>." </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Dean koontz] (includes </span><i style="font-size: small;">Odd Interlude, #s 4.1-4.3) </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">amazon.com. Retrieved 02-19-15. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Odd-Apocalypse-An-Thomas-Novel-ebook/dp/B0064C3TWE/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z6BDVDWAPM3QM27CSKZ">Odd Apocalypse: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 5</a>." </i>[Dean Koontz] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-20-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deeply-Odd-Dean-Koontz-ebook/dp/B009UAO06G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424591966&sr=8-1&keywords=deeply+odd">Deeply Odd: The Odd Thomas Series, Book 6</a>." </i>[Dean Koontz] amazon.com. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] </span><i style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-it-s-the-circle-of-life/">Keep Calm It's the Circle of Life</a>."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk. Retrieved 02-20-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] </span><i style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://www.wildgrounds.com/2012/11/12/an-example-of-storytelling-penny-pinchers/">An Example of Storytelling: Penny Pinchers</a>." </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">wildgrounds.com. Retrieved 02-20-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] </span><i style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://channel101.wikia.com/wiki/Story_Structure_104:_The_Juicy_Details">Story Structure 104: The Juicy Details</a>."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> channell01.wikia.com. Retrieved 02-20-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] </span><i style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://pixgood.com/woman-reading-drawing.html">Illustration of Woman Reading</a>."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> pixgood.com. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] </span><i style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://www.lorettahelson.com/the-pivotal-point/">At Your Own Pace</a>."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> lorettahelson.com. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://www.queeniechan.com/books/oddthomas/">Ozzie Boone</a>." </i>queeniechan.com. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] </span><i style="font-size: small;">"<a href="http://i-love-cartoons.us/snags/clipart/Casper-Friendly-Ghost-clipart.php">Casper the Friendly Ghost Cartoon Clipart</a>."</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> i-love-cartoons.us. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="https://www.aaljackets.com/patches.php?FKPatchType=2">Four Walking Stars</a>."</i> aaljackets.com. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>." </i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 02-21-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-46405370470111582282015-01-28T23:42:00.001-08:002015-03-02T11:02:31.210-08:00Don't Point That Thing at Me: The Mortdecai Trilogy, Book 1, by Kyril Bonfiglioli. Big Screen Limited Release of Book-to-Movie: Mortdecai, was on 01-23-15!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNqFUMdXnx8/VL4HSdHTAEI/AAAAAAAAND4/BHeS8Yr8_po/s1600/Don't%2BPoint%2BThat%2BThing%2Bat%2BMe%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNqFUMdXnx8/VL4HSdHTAEI/AAAAAAAAND4/BHeS8Yr8_po/s1600/Don't%2BPoint%2BThat%2BThing%2Bat%2BMe%2B2.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first book of <i>The Mortdecai Trilogy</i>, is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Point-That-Thing-Mortdecai-ebook/dp/B00E3WHCPW/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422407769&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=Bonfigliolli+book+trilogy">Don't </a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Point-That-Thing-Mortdecai-ebook/dp/B00E3WHCPW/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422407769&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=Bonfigliolli+book+trilogy">Point That Thing at Me</a></i>. Book 2, is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/After-you-pistol-Charlie-Mortdecai-ebook/dp/B00KI7TYWA/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1422407769&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=Bonfigliolli+book+trilogy">After You With</a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/After-you-pistol-Charlie-Mortdecai-ebook/dp/B00KI7TYWA/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1422407769&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=Bonfigliolli+book+trilogy">The Pistol</a></i>, and Book 3, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Something-Nasty-Woodshed-Mortdecai-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00E3WHE7S/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SE644YWQ5E6R9CYH4AX">Something Nasty in the </a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Something-Nasty-Woodshed-Mortdecai-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00E3WHE7S/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SE644YWQ5E6R9CYH4AX">Woodshed</a></i>. The trilogy, <i>The Mortdecai Trilogy</i>,<br />
may also be purchased in the paperback format, apt-<br />
ly enough, under the title, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mortdecai-Trilogy-Kyril-Bonfiglioli/dp/0141003774/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422408061&sr=8-2&keywords=Mortdecai+trilogy">The Mortdecai Trilogy</a></i>.[1]</td></tr>
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Book Review by: Sharon Powers.<br />
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<i>Don't Point That Thing At Me</i>, by Kyril Bonfiglioli had movie rights purchased and was made into a movie that opened in theaters this week, Friday, January 23, 2015. The movie, entitled simply, <i>Mortdecai</i>, from the name of the protagonist of Kyril Bonfiglioli's book, is very loosely based upon Bonfiglioli's book. </div>
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Many changes were made in order to adapt the book to the silver screen. Writing the screenplay for <i>Mortdecai</i>, was Eric Aronson, who also received writing credits for the movie, <i>On The Line</i>. Directing the movie was David Koepp, notable director of <i>Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit; Angels and Demons; Spider Man; Jurassic Park; The Lost World: Jurassic Park; Carlito's Way; Stir of Echoes, </i>and many other popular movies.</div>
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Before we delve any more into the book-to-movie, both book and film, let's take a look at the synopsis for Kyril Bonfiglioli's book. This will become very important as we begin discussing how his book came to the big screen, and why changes were made to the book to adapt it to a movie.</div>
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<u>BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF: <i>DON'T POINT THAT THING AT ME</i></u>.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcmAUpKTstQ/VMhWdiYfkhI/AAAAAAAANxE/aMSMN2BjL5A/s1600/1915%2BRolls%2BSilver%2BGhost.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcmAUpKTstQ/VMhWdiYfkhI/AAAAAAAANxE/aMSMN2BjL5A/s1600/1915%2BRolls%2BSilver%2BGhost.PNG" height="197" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although I don't remember what kind of Silver Ghost Charlie<br />
Mortdecai had, I wanted to show you what a vintage Silver<br />
Ghost, looked like. I found this beautiful photograph of a<br />
vintage 1915 Silver Ghost (courtesy of BoldRide). [2]</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Charlie Mortdecai, his title dubbed "Honorable," was due to his father being the First Baron Mortdecai of Silverdale, County Palatine, in Lancaster. A great art dealer, Bernard Mortdecai, received his barony for contributions of art (mostly unsaleable) to the government (and the real reason, for "forgetting something embar- rassing he knew about some- one." loc.94.) </div>
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In an ironic twist, the "Honorable" Charlie Mortdecai is to deliver a stolen Goya painting to a party in the U.S. To get the Goya through customs, it is hidden in the headliner of a vintage Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3InNNFGOTo/VMhwrpGb_6I/AAAAAAAANxo/taJiy11QtO4/s1600/Mortdecai%2Band%2BJock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3InNNFGOTo/VMhwrpGb_6I/AAAAAAAANxo/taJiy11QtO4/s1600/Mortdecai%2Band%2BJock.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This still photo is from the movie, <i>Mortdecai</i>. Charlie Mort-<br />
decai is on the right (Johnny Depp) and Jock Strap, Charlie's<br />
body guard/thug/manservant, is on the <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">left (Paul Bettany). [4]</span></td></tr>
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Once the car is through customs Charlie sets out on a series of misadventures, aided by his manservant (thug), Jock Strap <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span>, to deliver the painting. Charlie is chased by his nemesis, Extra (police) Chief Super- intendent Martland--who really "[L]ikes hurting people, a lot" (Loc. 79). Charlie undergoes a pleth- ora of misadventures.<br />
<br />
Charlie and Jock are constantly watching out for the police (from England), being chased by a mysterious "powder blue car" (that always seems to find him), a near death car <i>accident(?)</i>, murder, a dead client, near-misses, chase scenes in the dead of night, and sex with a "hot," beautiful recent widow, to name a few of those adventures. What will Charlie do? Will he be able to escape the pursuit of Martland?<br />
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<u>MY FAVORITE QUOTE</u>:<br />
The scene, below, in the quotation, is near the beginning of the book. Chief Superintendent Martland has made a call on Charlie; Charlie "was more or less expecting him" to come. Martland has made a comment about a frame Charlie had been burning in the fireplace, of course, Charlie has indicated it wasn't valuable. Martland had made some protestations....<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtKwZ6_dcGM/VMlsZgGO4mI/AAAAAAAANx4/wcAf38PniPE/s1600/Louis%2BSeize%2BMirrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtKwZ6_dcGM/VMlsZgGO4mI/AAAAAAAANx4/wcAf38PniPE/s1600/Louis%2BSeize%2BMirrow.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an example of a<br />
Louis Seize Mirrow, from an<br />
auction house. The Louis<br />
Seize is always gilt. Charlie<br />
was burning something along<br />
these lines, although this is <br />
a mirror. [5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>He made embarrassed, protesting noises as though nothing was further from his thoughts than the princely Goya whose theft from Madrid had filled the newspapers for the past five days. He helped out the noises by flapping his hands a bit, slopping some of the alleged wine onto a nearby rug. 'That,' I said crisply, 'is a valuable Savonnerie rug. Port is bad for it. Moreover, <u>there is probably a priceless Old Master cunningly concealed beneath it</u>. Port would be very bad for that.' He leered at me nastily, knowing that I was quite possibly telling the truth. I leered back coyly, knowing that I was telling the truth.</b> (Emphasis Added; Location 56) </blockquote>
This quote is a perfect example of Bonfiglioli's writing. Since this wonderful novel has been around since 1972, it has attracted a legendary cult following. Lovers of Bonfiglioli's work will probably all say that his work is extremely hard to describe, or even put into a classification.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nBBQBg2yeIQ/VMl3IBwkujI/AAAAAAAANyI/2U6cr5lmqM4/s1600/Goya%2BWoman%2Bred%2Bslippers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nBBQBg2yeIQ/VMl3IBwkujI/AAAAAAAANyI/2U6cr5lmqM4/s1600/Goya%2BWoman%2Bred%2Bslippers.PNG" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image is from the movie, <i>Mortdecai</i>--<br />
the stolen Goya.<i> </i>[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Often found in genres such as mystery, mystery-thriller, myst- ery and crime, comedy, thriller, and British Literature, it is easy to be confused as to what genre into which most people place it. For example, the majority of GoodReads readers place it almost equally between mystery and fiction, a second group places the book in humor, crime, and thriller genres. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[6]</span> But no matter which genre seems correct to you, you, undoubtedly, will have a difficult time actually describing his writing.<br />
<br />
I love the quote for its pithy humor, condescending attitude towards Martland, and a witty quality of letting the reader in on all this, but concealing it from Martland. It is sort of the way Charlie conceals the Goya beneath Martland's feet, making him wonder in confusion over whether Charlie was telling the truth, playing a fop, lying, just entertaining, or gloating about his knowledge of art. I love the gyrations through which he put Martland. Really great!<br />
<br />
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ThzfxJQ_8/VMmBx0WfgdI/AAAAAAAANyY/qPjNSFYLjOE/s1600/My%2BMan%2BJeeves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ThzfxJQ_8/VMmBx0WfgdI/AAAAAAAANyY/qPjNSFYLjOE/s1600/My%2BMan%2BJeeves.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The way I feel about the above quote, I would say about the whole of the book. The writing is in a style of pithy humor, sarcasm, and irony. Much has been said about Bonfiglioli's allusion to, and outright flagrant use of P.G. Wodehouse. Bonfiglioli even has Charlie reference Wodehouse in the novel, itself. Many critics have noted Bonfiglioli's writing style and the way he structures his novels as a somewhat favorable comparison to the writings of P.G. Wodehouse's, <i>Wooster and Jeeves</i>. It has even been said that Bonfiglioli's pair (Mortdecai and Jock) "bear[] a fun-house mirror relation to Wodehouse's <i>Wooster and Jeeves."</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[7]</span><br />
<br />
In one of the Wodehouse writings, <i>Jeeves and the Kid Clementina</i>, Jeeves even has a conversation with a policeman (it seems a favorite trope in literature--even Edgar Allen Poe in the <i>Tell Tale Heart</i> has the guilty man entertain the police having the police sit in chairs right above where the dismembered body is hidden--akin to Charlie and the painting beneath the rug.); Jeeves refers to himself as a Gentleman's (Personal) Gentleman or valet who serves the gentleman and "not the household" (i.e. so, not a butler). So, the term, "Jeeves," has become so iconic that it is now in the dictionary as to actually mean, valet. And, ironically, it's also become a search engine on the internet. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[9]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kehfFQzHTKE/VMm14-WHrBI/AAAAAAAANy4/EHzBzznX72k/s1600/tell%2Btale%2Bheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kehfFQzHTKE/VMm14-WHrBI/AAAAAAAANy4/EHzBzznX72k/s1600/tell%2Btale%2Bheart.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edgar Allen Poe's <i>Tell Tale Heart</i>, wherein the protagonist<br />
invites the police in and has them sit in chairs just above<br />
where the murdered man's dismembered body is hidden<br />
--beneath <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the </span>floorboards<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. [10]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Turning back to Charlie and his man, Jock, we can then see a sort of mirror image of the two. A mirror image is the reverse of the original image. Jock is a thug. That is, he is anything but the proper English valet image of Jeeves. While Jock does take care of Charlie, it is not the way a valet would normally take care of a "Gentleman" with the standing of Baron. Compare Jeeves (in the photo below) to the Jock in the photo, above.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxc8b1tsYgw/VMmMRVFbHWI/AAAAAAAANyo/fGC98JNbp_c/s1600/jeeves-and-wooster-jeeves-and-wooster-18685744-1600-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxc8b1tsYgw/VMmMRVFbHWI/AAAAAAAANyo/fGC98JNbp_c/s1600/jeeves-and-wooster-jeeves-and-wooster-18685744-1600-1200.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster have an enduring<br />
popularity and are still loved, today. [11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If the characters of Charlie and Jock are, indeed, a "funhouse mirror" relationship to Jeeves and Wooster, perhaps we can understand why Bonfiglioli's following is so beloved. The "fun-house mirror" description is perhaps, very apt, as Sam Leith of the <i>Guardian</i> states that Mortdecai is nothing more than a "debauched" Wooster and Jock carries negative-energy unlike Jeeves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEbNd4Klkd0/VMm8p7AOmTI/AAAAAAAANzI/zf7wJ0kfF2o/s1600/john-jonik-drunken-man-standing-in-front-of-a-fun-house-mirror-and-sees-himself-if-h-cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEbNd4Klkd0/VMm8p7AOmTI/AAAAAAAANzI/zf7wJ0kfF2o/s1600/john-jonik-drunken-man-standing-in-front-of-a-fun-house-mirror-and-sees-himself-if-h-cartoon.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<b>A Fun-House Mirror:</b><br />
The distorted "fun-house mirror"<br />
approach to the characters of<br />
Jeeves/Wooster and Charlie/Jock.<br />
[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Leith goes on to state that "Charlie is cunning where Bertie [Wooster] is dim; Jock is thuggish where Jeeves is urbane." In the article by Leith, <i>"Forget Johnny Depp in Mortdecai: Read the Much Funnier Bonfiglioli Novels</i>...Sam Leith raises a glass to the original <i>bon vivant." </i>Leith praises the works of Bonfiglioli while at the same time suggesting that readers stick to the books instead of spending their time watching the movie. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[11]</span><br />
<br />
So, we can get an idea of why Leith tells us to forget the movie and read the book, let's take a look at the trailer. Here is <i>Mortdecai</i> [Official Trailer #1 (2015)] with Johnny Depp (as Charlie), Ewan McGregor (as Inspector Martland), and Gwyneth Paltrow (as Johanna) <span style="font-size: x-small;">[13]</span>:<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aW_sfxUnbZA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
An on-line newspaper, <i>The Week</i>, published a feature article about the movie, <i>Mortdecai</i>, four days after the movie hit the big screens (just yesterday, as I draft this post). The feature article [by Scott Meslow] was entitled, <b>"Anatomy of a flop: How a horribly misguided movie like <i>Mortdecai</i> made it into theaters." </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[14]</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0pTnXtZTic/VMnLz5HaVLI/AAAAAAAANzY/t2-RjdNZmNU/s1600/Johnny%2BDepp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0pTnXtZTic/VMnLz5HaVLI/AAAAAAAANzY/t2-RjdNZmNU/s1600/Johnny%2BDepp.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meslow tells us that while filming <i>Pirates of the Caribbean,</i> co-star Jack Davenport lent his collection of <i>Mortdecai</i> novels to Depp, afterwhich Depp vowed to bring the character and novels to the big screen. It took Depp ten years to convince writer Aronson and Director Koepp to get on board. Depp then convinced Ewan McGregor, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Paul Bettany, all wonderful name actors to also sign up to do the movie. Lionsgate, thinking the prospects good for the film, perhaps even as good as <i>The Pink Panther</i> franchise, also gets on board. Promos are done and a trailer made. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[14]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cf0PmzHx-hA/VMnNeHbMhKI/AAAAAAAANzk/0H9aSqPogk4/s1600/bad%2Breview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cf0PmzHx-hA/VMnNeHbMhKI/AAAAAAAANzk/0H9aSqPogk4/s1600/bad%2Breview.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[16]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But here, is where the story gets funky, according to Meslow. Those watching the trailer saw a "baffling" clip introducing a character, but no plot or indication of who Johnny Depp's character was. Two months later the second trailer was released and confusion metamorphosed into "irritation." Lionsgate cancelled their advanced screenings to hold off negative reviews as long as possible. On opening day, January 23, 2015 (just five days ago as I draft this post), reviews were extremely "dismal."<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EegGMdiuFJo/VMnO0y0Li1I/AAAAAAAANzs/IgFjOwVr8c0/s1600/endless%2Blove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EegGMdiuFJo/VMnO0y0Li1I/AAAAAAAANzs/IgFjOwVr8c0/s1600/endless%2Blove.jpg" height="200" width="115" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[17]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meslow reports that reviewers found the movie strange and unfunny, and that Rotten Tomatoes reported only 11% positive reviews. The final line is that the franchise "has been killed in its infancy." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] </span>It seems to me that if the reviews are as bad as Meslow seems to think the movie is, then this movie may go down in history much the way <i>Endless Love</i> did in 1981. Leonard Maltin (film critic) decried the movie as one of the worst of its time. See my review of <i>Endless Love </i>(the book and the movie), and more about Maltin's review by clicking, <b><i><u><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/02/endless-love-by-scott-spencer-goes-to.html">here</a></u>. </i></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>FINAL COMMENTS FOR THIS POST</u>:</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SlVNSYEwoxk/VMnZ06fOHkI/AAAAAAAAN0I/3cUQYKiBBW8/s1600/dry%2Bhumor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SlVNSYEwoxk/VMnZ06fOHkI/AAAAAAAAN0I/3cUQYKiBBW8/s1600/dry%2Bhumor.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[18]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol>
<li>I loved the irony that Charlie's title brings to the book. "HONORABLE." Of course, he is disreputable, without a doubt; some say he walks in the gray areas of morality. In any event, it is great irony in utilizing this title of "nobility" for Charlie. This gets into the area of how Charlie's father obtained the barony by less than noble means. I love it.</li>
<li>Kyril Bonfiglioli writes in a style that is considered "dry humor." Some have called his humor, black humor. But, I rather love that it is "pithy," or "wry," with a slightly skewed, oddball way of looking at things. If this kind of writing is not your cup of tea, don't feel bad. Everyone, everyone! is entitled to read what pleases them. Just remember, if you don't like Bonfiglioli, there are plenty of other authors out there to read. Nuf said.</li>
<li>Do not let the bad reviews of the movie deter you from reading the book. I loved it. It isn't that "Laugh out loud" kind of funny (although I did, once), I sniggered, chuckled, and just smiled. But, I DID enjoy it and thought it wryly humorous. Just don't let the movie spoil a great book.</li>
<li>Many, many more things can be said about Bonfiglioli's writing and his book, <i>Don't Point That Thing At Me.</i> If you are interested, look Bonfiglioli up on the internet, library, or audio book club. Check out other reviewers to see what they have to say. I love to get more than one opinion (on almost everything), so why not you?</li>
</ol>
<ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Pi2Sg496zw/VMnXUFnyJtI/AAAAAAAANz8/jO7mWQDb-X8/s1600/reducing-stress-levels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Pi2Sg496zw/VMnXUFnyJtI/AAAAAAAANz8/jO7mWQDb-X8/s1600/reducing-stress-levels.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[19]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>Even having weighed others' opinions, sometimes it just boils down to you deciding to read and enjoy the book. Stop. Read. Enjoy. Like that old saying, Stop and smell the roses. You can take time for yourself and enjoy some time reading.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:</div>
<div>
I recommend this book for adults. Included in the book are themes of violence, murder, sex, and other "nefarious deeds." But adults should quite enjoy this book, as I have indicated, above.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xL8iAnYuKM/VMncAZlOSII/AAAAAAAAN0U/i_z-TVWLvfw/s1600/four%2Bstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xL8iAnYuKM/VMncAZlOSII/AAAAAAAAN0U/i_z-TVWLvfw/s1600/four%2Bstars.jpg" height="40" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[20]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Based on all the information I have provided to you, above, and on my sincerest enjoyment of the book, I rate this book 4.0 stars out of 5.0 stars.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you for taking time to join me today. I sincerely appreciate you using precious time to read and consider my review, my ideas, and comments. Remember if you agree or disagree, you can always make comments, below. You can also contact me on Twitter (see above, right column). </div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKr4gDQnUQ4/VMnc6M5XPPI/AAAAAAAAN0c/X45kZpoHwdk/s1600/thank%2Byou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKr4gDQnUQ4/VMnc6M5XPPI/AAAAAAAAN0c/X45kZpoHwdk/s1600/thank%2Byou.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[21]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please join me again next time as we crack open another book for consideration. Take some time for yourself this week. The new year often feels to people kind of like a post-holiday let down. Be kind to yourself and others (you can never tell who needs that little bit of support.).</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Until next time...</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1saJPdx1bE/VL6g1zzGm2I/AAAAAAAANEU/a4vXVxqgdJs/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1saJPdx1bE/VL6g1zzGm2I/AAAAAAAANEU/a4vXVxqgdJs/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[22]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Point-That-Thing-Mortdecai-ebook/dp/B00E3WHCPW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422408061&sr=8-1&keywords=Mortdecai+trilogy&pebp=1422410561780&peasin=B00E3WHCPW">Don't Point That Thing At Me: The Mortdecai Trilogy, book 1</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 01-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.boldride.com/ride/1915/rolls-royce-silver-ghost-london-edinburgh-tourer">-Rolls-Royce-1915 Rolls-Royce Silverr Ghost London-Edinburgh Tourer Car Images</a>."</i> boldride.com. Retrieved 01-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169704.Don_t_Point_that_Thing_at_Me">Don't Point That Thing At Me (Charlie Mortdecai #1)</a>."</i> [by Kyril Bonfiglioli] goodreads.com. Retrieved 01-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30962106">Johnny Depp: Mortdecai was 'criminally fun to make</a>.'"</i> bbc.com. Retrieved 01-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="https://www.auktionshaus-stahl.de/catalogue-archiv.php?katalog=9&detail=69323">Louis Seize Mirrow</a>."</i> auktionshaus-stahl.de. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169704.Don_t_Point_that_Thing_at_Me">Don't Point That Thing At Me (Charlie Mortdecai #1)</a>."</i> gooddreads.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortdecai">Mortdecai</a>."</i> wikipedia.org. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Man-Jeeves-P-Wodehouse/dp/1481842498/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1422491856&sr=8-5">My Man Jeeves</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeeves">Jeeves</a>."</i> en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://genius.com/Lit-genius-editors-american-literature-digital-anthology-beginnings-through-1914-annotated/">American Literature Digital Anthology [Beginnings through 1914]</a>."</i> [Edgar Allen Poe: <i>Tell Tale Heart.</i>] genius.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/jeeves-and-wooster/images/461813/title/j-w-portrait-photo">Jeeves and Wooster</a>."</i> fanpop.com. Retrieved d0d1-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://pixgood.com/standing-in-front-of-mirror.html">Man Standing in Front of a Mirror</a>."</i> pixgood.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW_sfxUnbZA">Mortdecai Official Trailer #1 (2015-Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow Movie HD</a>."</i> youtube.com. Retrieved 01-27-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://theweek.com/articles/535868/anatomy-flop-horribly-misguided-movie-like-mortdecai-made-into-theaters">Anatomy of a flop: How a horribly misguided movie like Mortdecai made it into theaters</a>."</i> theweek.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://sgkenn330.wikidot.com/disneyblog:johnny-depp-s-massive-salary-for-pirates">Disney Blog: Johnny Depp's Massive Salary for Pirates</a>."</i> sgkenn330.wikidot.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="http://robcarmack.blogspot.com/2011/08/your-movie-sucks-by-roger-ebert-2011.html">Your Movie Sucks by Roger Ebert (2011 Reading List, #2)</a>."</i> robcarmack.blogspot.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082329/">Endless Love</a>." </i>[movie] imdb.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://www.quickmeme.com/Bad-Joke-Eel/page/270/">Bad Joke Eel</a>."</i> quickmeme.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="http://writerjocarter.com/tag/books/">The Clan of the Cave Bear</a>."</i> [by Jean M.Auel] writerjocarter.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/forums/dark-souls-ii-8967/dark-souls-ii-review-1485735/">Dark Souls II Review</a>."</i> giantbomb.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[21] <i>"<a href="http://oilersnation.com/2014/12/29/thank-you-thank-you">Thank You, Thank You!!!</a>"</i> oilersnation.com. Retrieved 01-28-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[22] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 01-20-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-47457777663788560902015-01-19T22:08:00.000-08:002015-05-11T17:34:25.180-07:00The World Made Straight: A Novel by Ron Rash--Book-to-Movie--Out Now Avaible on Blu-ray & DVD!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAFTP5EjNho/VLrxDE8O9YI/AAAAAAAAM2c/zK6cmFjsBMI/s1600/The%2BWorld%2BMade%2BStraight%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAFTP5EjNho/VLrxDE8O9YI/AAAAAAAAM2c/zK6cmFjsBMI/s1600/The%2BWorld%2BMade%2BStraight%2BCover.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the movie edition cover of Ron Rash's<br />
novel, <i>The World Made Straight.</i> [1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was reported that on, "Jan. 18, 1863, troops from the 64th North Carolina Infantry under the command of Lt. Col. James Keith lined up 13 men and boys, ranging in age from 13 to 60, made them kneel and shot them at point-blank range." One of the captured was a 13-year-old boy by the name of David Shelton. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before being shot, the boy pleaded with his captors saying, "You have killed my father and brothers. You have shot my father in the face. Do not shoot me in the face." The soldiers fired, killing four more of the captives, and wounding young David in both arms. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y94RnevK7TI/VLtbFLXULHI/AAAAAAAAM2s/1C9N1BcyJ1o/s1600/Shelton%2BLaurel%2BSign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y94RnevK7TI/VLtbFLXULHI/AAAAAAAAM2s/1C9N1BcyJ1o/s1600/Shelton%2BLaurel%2BSign.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
David then, in close proximity to one of the executioners, grabbed the soldier by the legs and cried out, "You have killed my old father and three brothers, you have shot me in both arms....I forgive you all this--I can get well....Let me go home to my mother and sisters." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Though his cries were pitiful, the soldiers hauled David back to the firing line next to the final three men slated for execution. The three men were shot and killed and young David, too. David was shot eight times. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5SPWCDXf9I/VLtth1GBAqI/AAAAAAAAM28/QdIubTZ8UmU/s1600/laurel-shelton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5SPWCDXf9I/VLtth1GBAqI/AAAAAAAAM28/QdIubTZ8UmU/s1600/laurel-shelton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This scene shows some of the county where the<br />
Shelton Laurel Massacre occurred (N.C.). [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The soldiers drug the captives bodies to a shallow trench dug out of the snow and threw them into it. Then, apparently, one soldier, Sgt. N.B.D. Jay (from Virginia), jumped into the trench on top of the bodies and began to dance around on top of corpses singing, "Pat Juba for me while I dance the damned scoundrels down to and through hell!" <span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi0AAgnQMiE/VLt2OyDnwYI/AAAAAAAAM3M/b8lX8p2wlNs/s1600/The%2BWorld%2BMade%2BStraight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi0AAgnQMiE/VLt2OyDnwYI/AAAAAAAAM3M/b8lX8p2wlNs/s1600/The%2BWorld%2BMade%2BStraight.jpg" width="123" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An alternate cover for<br />
Ron Rash's book, <i>The<br />World Made Straight.</i><br />
[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The location where the execution of innocent men and boys occurred, Shelton Laurel, is the location of Ron Rash's book, <i>The World Made Straight</i>. The movie rights were purchased and the movie (released January 9, 2015) is now out in limited release for the viewing public. But, before we start the discussion of what I think of Ron Rash's book, let's begin by taking a quick look at the synopsis.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Travis Shelton, seventeen years old, goes fishing and wanders his way up the creek, eventually going onto private property. There, Shelton finds marijuana plants, gathers a few and takes them to sell to Leonard Shuler. Shelton returns a second time, and, like the first, he successfully gathers the plants and sells them to Leonard Shuler. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lox1TbhktD4/VLwpJYYetII/AAAAAAAAM3c/pAeUW9SMzl8/s1600/Bear%2BTrap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lox1TbhktD4/VLwpJYYetII/AAAAAAAAM3c/pAeUW9SMzl8/s1600/Bear%2BTrap.png" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear traps have been used from time to<br />
time as deterrents against men going<br />
onto private property. Such traps have<br />
been used to guard gold diggings and<br />
marijuana farms. [6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leonard warns Travis not to go again, but Shelton, anxious to make some more money, doesn't heed Leonard's warning. Travis gets to the farm and starts to harvest some more of the marijuana, but inadvertently steps into a bear trap set by the marijuana growers. Leonard, unable to get out of the trap fades in and out of consciousness, due to blood loss. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eventually, Carlton Toomey and his son, the pot growing farmers, discover Travis and get him out of the trap. Carlton and his son discuss whether or not they should kill the pot thieving tresspasser--eventually they decide not to kill Travis, but to make Travis account for his wrongdoing by cutting Travis's leg and tendon with a large knife. The Toomey's let Travis go only with a promise he will never reveal anything about what happened there.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Travis goes to the hospital and keeps quiet about the Toomey's bear trap and the marijuana; Travis heals, and goes home to his mom and dad's farm. Sometime later Travis's father hits Travis for "sassing" him. Travis packs his few possessions, gets in his truck, and leaves home. With nowhere to go, he lands at Leonard Shuler's trailer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBBDJc3hXIg/VLw39FAeA0I/AAAAAAAAM3s/lh5l4GDmX9s/s1600/girlfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBBDJc3hXIg/VLw39FAeA0I/AAAAAAAAM3s/lh5l4GDmX9s/s1600/girlfriend.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the movie, <i>The World Made Straight</i>, this photo is<br />
of Leonard Shuler's girlfriend, Dena. [7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leonard, the one-time schoolteacher, who unjustly lost his job and his family, accepts Travis, and lets him stay in the trailer with him; also living in the trailer are Leonard's girlfriend, and two dogs. Leonard occupies his time by selling a few drugs and studying family journals from the Civil War era. Leonard challenges Travis to get his GED--Travis takes the challenge and begins studying for the test. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The fate of the two men become inextricably intertwined as Travis learns more about the Sheltons, the Civil War, and the bleak history of the area. Leonard has a secret of his own and struggles to keep Travis from learning it. The question is, what do Leonard and Travis have to do with the Toomeys and more perplexing, the Civil War that after a hundred years, still continues to cause a rift in the Appalachian community? Tensions rise, leading them all to a "violent reckoning."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:<br />
<br />
First, <u>MY FAVORITE QUOTE</u>:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slmmv5ovr5E/VLw_7ZYYkBI/AAAAAAAAM38/81aYgFpzpwI/s1600/handels-messiah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="84" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slmmv5ovr5E/VLw_7ZYYkBI/AAAAAAAAM38/81aYgFpzpwI/s1600/handels-messiah.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Travis ate his cereal as Leonard listened to "For Unto Us a Child Is Born," the choral voices tentative as though afraid to speak this truth--God come to the world as a child. These uncertain voices were the direct opposite of the bombast at the symphony's conclusion. That was the wonder of it, Leonard knew, the balance of the thing, everything countered, not just balanced but <i>reconciled</i> as the tenor voices resonated below the ethereal sopranos. Even the words proclaimed an order, <i>the crookedness of the world made straight.</i> It was, Leonard recognized, such a magnificent order as to demand devotion, the same kind of devotion his mother had shown as she embraced the world from her porch steps. [p. 158-9]</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9VUhlGW-gmA/VLyRQckECeI/AAAAAAAAM4s/rLyEh1O7Bzg/s1600/I%2Bwill%2Bgo%2Bbefore%2Bthee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9VUhlGW-gmA/VLyRQckECeI/AAAAAAAAM4s/rLyEh1O7Bzg/s1600/I%2Bwill%2Bgo%2Bbefore%2Bthee.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the passage that Handal used in his<br />
magnificent, <i>Messiah</i>, for the lyrics. [9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In this passage we find the title of Ron Rash's book, <i>The World Made Straight.</i> The passage embodies the whole of the book, the deep roots, the bedrock of the story: <i>The crookedness of the world made straight</i>.<br />
<br />
The words of Handel's, <i>Messiah</i>, say, what inspired the name of the book: "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain." <span style="font-size: x-small;">[9]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
The location of Shelton Laurel is of a deep valley and tall, nearly impenetrable, mountains. It is easy to see how Ron Rash sought this location for his book.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3Zf4PwL-zo/VLyZ64s8_OI/AAAAAAAAM48/zek4L66OGqM/s1600/Spoiler-Alert.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3Zf4PwL-zo/VLyZ64s8_OI/AAAAAAAAM48/zek4L66OGqM/s1600/Spoiler-Alert.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>From this point on spoilers may be present.<br />If you don't want to know more, don't read<br />further.</b> [10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>WHAT ELSE I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK</u>:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The author sets up the story so that Leonard's books came to him through Leonard's family, originating with Joshua Candler, assigned to the 64th as their doctor. The author takes real facts and weaves them into the fictional story, since Joshua Candler knew all the people of the Shelton Laurel area he would have known and treated all of them from infancy up. For example, Dr. Candler treated young David Shelton as a babe and through his childhood. On the day of the Shelton Laurel Massacre, Joshua Candler stood silently by, consenting to the massacre and watched as young David Shelton was killed with his father and brothers. He never uttered a word--not when young David begged for his life, not when he was shot ten times, not when he was killed, and not when soldier Jay danced on the bodies of the deceased men whom he had treated in his practice. So these real facts are woven into the fictional story.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMVgoDIDK-Q/VL2glmyhFdI/AAAAAAAAM5M/Txleo2NcRuw/s1600/Civil-War-Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMVgoDIDK-Q/VL2glmyhFdI/AAAAAAAAM5M/Txleo2NcRuw/s1600/Civil-War-Diary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leonard had the numerous journals<br />
of his ancestor, Dr. Joshua Candler,<br />
as the Dr. had written before,<br />
and during the Civil War. [11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Author Ron Rash tells us that Leonard, quite naturally would have perused and studied his ancestor's journals learning about all the people his well-known ancestor treated. None, however, was more gripping to him than David Shelton. Having Travis come into his trailer, fascinated about the Civil War, and learning about the Shelton Massacre, it would be all Leonard could do to prevent Travis from learning about his secret. At first we wonder why Leonard is helping Travis and then we learn that in some small way Leonard was trying to help make up for his ancestor's failings by helping Travis pass his GED test. Because Travis was so interested, he even took Travis out to the massacre site. Ironically, Travis, using a metal detector found David Shelton's eyeglasses.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_MtMVWOryM/VL22g4E-6YI/AAAAAAAAM5s/77fmJQkqJ3g/s1600/ghost-finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_MtMVWOryM/VL22g4E-6YI/AAAAAAAAM5s/77fmJQkqJ3g/s1600/ghost-finished.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the book the author has the two men discuss how time does not flow, but instead is layered one layer upon the other, so all moments in the past are also happening in the present (you just have to peel the layers back.). This is a wonderful technique the author uses to tie the past (Civil War era) with the present; it brings a bit of surrealism into the story, and we even get to hear scary, mysterious, and metaphysical stories of the local people. For example, Travis has a strange experience when he wears the eyeglasses--he talks to David Shelton's "ghost" or spirit about the beauty of the speckled trout in the stream. So it is that much is made of ghosts in the book and of reality or seeming reality.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9sSTBfnS4U/VL2lRhLN_zI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/eahEPgRW2Yo/s1600/layered_rock303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9sSTBfnS4U/VL2lRhLN_zI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/eahEPgRW2Yo/s1600/layered_rock303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
In the book time is "layered" like the picture of the rocks,<br />
shown in the photograph. A sandwich with its various<br />
layers (meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.), when<br />
bitten into can be consumed in one bite, all at once. The<br />
sandwich is probably a better symbol of layered time, here.[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is more surrealism when Travis muses about the past and how his finding arrowheads seemed more real to him because of the layering of time. Although the author doesn't say it, it is almost as if Travis Shelton (ancestor of the Sheltons) and David are one! Also, it is as if Leonard and his ancestor, Dr. Joshua Candler, are one and the same, just in a different layer of time. We'll see this concept later in the book, as well.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmkeCOey-YY/VL2-DvRvUpI/AAAAAAAAM58/qqC61v_qEE8/s1600/ron%2Brash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmkeCOey-YY/VL2-DvRvUpI/AAAAAAAAM58/qqC61v_qEE8/s1600/ron%2Brash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bestselling author, Ron Rash,<br />
author of <i>The Cove</i>, and <i>Serena,</i><br />
has won the <i>Frank O'Connor<br />International Short Story Award</i>,<br />
and the <i>O.Henry Prize</i>, twice.<br />
He teaches at Western <br />
Carolina University. [14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is later in the book, then, when Leonard sends Travis to ferret Dena to the bus station so she can escape to her sister's home, and also to get David out of the way, that we see his plan. Leonard takes Toomey's hand and pulls down so the steering wheel turns and plummets the truck over the edge of the cliff to crash. Both Toomeys are killed. We see now, that Leonard did not stand idly by as the Toomy's would have laid waste to Dena and David Shelton's replacement, Travis. Leonard did the courageous thing, but it cost him his life. How elegant the author, Ron Rash ties everything together this way.<br />
<br />
Leonard's last thoughts, too embody another of the author's themes in the book, BEAUTY (beauty, as a theme is seen throughout the book). Leonard's last thoughts have his body flow down the river, out the Mississippi to the ocean, then across the ocean to the beach where his little "Emily" waited.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2Tpq0ZSRWM/VL3PROzIG-I/AAAAAAAAM6M/GFn4FwDpT9c/s1600/drop-of-water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2Tpq0ZSRWM/VL3PROzIG-I/AAAAAAAAM6M/GFn4FwDpT9c/s1600/drop-of-water.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To see a world in a grain of sand, and<br />
heaven in a wildflower; hold infinity in<br />
the palm of your hand, and eternity in<br />
an hour. Leonard wanted to show his<br />
daughter, Emily, the world of beauty<br />
in a single drop of water. [15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Leonard wanted to show his daughter the "fern that held a bead of water," when he would "cup his hand to the plant and show her more than he could ever tell her, a pearl of rain held in his open palm." WOW! BEAUTIFUL! See how beautifully the author writes of Leonard's death? "<b>To see a world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wildflower...hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour" [William Blake </b>(bold emphasis added)<b>]. </b>Leonard has all of infinity in that moment, a whole life, embodying all beauty by simply cupping in his hand that single drop of water!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I have so much I'd like to say about Ron Rash's book. Too much, probably. So...what I'll do is distill my considerations down to bullets (mostly), for you to think about.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li> <u style="font-weight: bold;">Conflict Resolution</u>: We have Carlton Toomey and trespassers (notably, Travis) exacting "retribution" with his "pound of flesh" (Cutting Travis's leg);</li>
<li> Travis v. his father: Travis "insulted" his father, the father hit Travis, Travis left home (kinda sounds like the war between the states, doesn't it: states demanding their rights, then seceded from the union--i.e. left home);</li>
<li> Travis v. Lori Triplet: Well, Travis didn't like being told what to do. He never talked to Lori about it, he just dropped her off at her house and threw the <b>"slave chain" </b>necklace back at her house (location 2553);</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRvNBa-qgl8/VL3afbdp5tI/AAAAAAAAM6c/W8hVFBCaBK0/s1600/conflict20resolution20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRvNBa-qgl8/VL3afbdp5tI/AAAAAAAAM6c/W8hVFBCaBK0/s1600/conflict20resolution20graphic.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[16]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li> Dena had a <b>"slave chain,"</b> too, on her wrist (from the carnival); the way she resolved her issues of having an unhappy life was to drink, do drugs, sleep around, (and hurt Leonard);</li>
<li> Leonard v. Kera (his wife--daughter Emily): Differences were not amicably done, no forgiveness; Kera ended up divorcing Leonard to solve her differences with him;</li>
<li> Smaller instances of conflict resolution throughout the book (here's one): When Travis and his friend Shank first came to see Leonard about buying the marijuana, and to have a beer, Leonard then told them they had "overstayed their welcome," and asked them to leave due to their behavior;</li>
<li> The Civil War was an armed conflict to resolve the issues of states rights (and slavery);</li>
<li> Of course, the Shelton Laurel Massacre, conflict resolution, basically vengeance for supposed crimes by the Union against officer's families, etc.--somebody had to pay--Old Testament justice (an eye-for-an-eye) exacted; and,</li>
<li>Mrs. Ponder (at the Vocational Center/previously a teacher); marriage and then divorce as a conflict resolution with Mr. Ponder; also, she had sorrows and upsets at the high school, her resolution was to quit the high school and begin working at the Vocational Center;</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>WHAT IS "THE WORLD MADE STRAIGHT"</u>?</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji42uxOL9cI/VL3mgbeooNI/AAAAAAAAM6s/dhvoRYhDLBg/s1600/IMG_8575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji42uxOL9cI/VL3mgbeooNI/AAAAAAAAM6s/dhvoRYhDLBg/s1600/IMG_8575.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[17]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Finally, one last comment: I realize that when we discussed, at the top of the post, the soldier who danced on the bodies of the deceased, it probably disturbed you. In history, this type of thing was seen in everything from poetry, music, and art. It was called, <b>Danse Macabre</b>. Symbolically, this dancing on top of the dead is paramount to Death summoning representatives from every walk of life; the representatives would then dance along to the grave, all to remind everyone that life is fragile and all vainglory. What all this means is that <b>death is the great equalizer--this is the way the road is straightened or alternatively, death is the way all inequities are evened up and made straight. Hence, the title of the book: </b><b style="font-style: italic;">The World Made Straight. </b>Leonard, by sacrificing himself (the sacrificial lamb) for Dena and Travis, makes not only his ancestor's terrible silence right, it makes his failings right, too. At the end of the book (and movie) we see Travis going around curves on a crooked road, then he turns and hits the straight road--he's leaving Shelton Laurel behind. Travis begins a new, fresh, hopeful life--beauty is everywhere. (location 2283)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>MY RECOMMENDATION</u>:</div>
<div>
This book contains scenes of violence, including maiming, talk of murder, theft, drugs and drug dealing, vengeance, greed, murder, etc. Parents are advised to speak with their teenagers before they read this book. All others will find this book wonderful. Many beautiful themes, symbols, and topics can be discussed from this book (No. I did certainly NOT cover them all in this blog post!). If you like, you may take a look at the trailer, just for fun. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[18]</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UAlh5UYXp4Q" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yr_lOdwPlU/VL3qKd-7VzI/AAAAAAAAM64/_d4fNP1h5Mg/s1600/4.5%2Bstars%2Bout%2Bof%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="77" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yr_lOdwPlU/VL3qKd-7VzI/AAAAAAAAM64/_d4fNP1h5Mg/s1600/4.5%2Bstars%2Bout%2Bof%2B5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[19]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>MY RATING</u>: Given all the above information, reasons, and facts about this book, <i>The World Made Straight</i>, I award this book 4.5 stars out of 5. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any adult. I will be reading Ron Rash's, <i>Serena</i>, soon. I hope that book is as good as this one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you for joining me this week as I had the privilege of talking with you about this wonderful novel. Please join me again, next week, as we will look at another exciting book.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Until next time...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlEsYLYiE94/VLruamm9WqI/AAAAAAAAM2Q/UsnK3s3MHCE/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlEsYLYiE94/VLruamm9WqI/AAAAAAAAM2Q/UsnK3s3MHCE/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[20]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Made-Straight-Novel-ebook/dp/B000S1LBOU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421571763&sr=8-1&keywords=the+world+made+straight">The World Made Straight</a>."</i> amazon.com. [Ron Rash] Retrieved 11-17-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2980257/posts">Murder in the Mountains --NY Times Disunion</a>."</i> [January 19, 2013; Rick Beard] freerepublic.com. Retrieved 11-17-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://vickilanemysteries.blogspot.com/2013/09/david-shelton-of-shelton-laurel.html">Vicki Lane Mysteries</a>."</i> vickilanemysteries.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-17-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.ourstate.com/atrocity-at-shelton-laurel/">Atrocity at Shelton Laurel--Indifferent No More</a>."</i> [by Philip Gerard] ourstate.com. Retrieved 01-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Made-Straight-Novel-Paperback/dp/B00BSZV2C6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1421571763&sr=8-5&keywords=the+world+made+straight">The World Made Straight</a>."</i> amazon.com. [Ron Rash] Retrieved 11-17-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14934/14934-h/14934-h.htm">Hamlet's Soliloquy. Parodied by a XX Teetotaller</a>."</i> gutenberg.org. Retrieved 01-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-world-made-straight">Metacritic--The World Made Straight</a>."</i> metacritic.com. Retrieved 01-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/boston-baroque-presents-handel-s-messiah">The Boston Calendar: Boston Baroque presents Handel's Messiah</a>."</i> thebostoncalendar.com. Retrieved 11-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] "<i><a href="http://memegenerator.net/instance/58227339">The Crooked Made Straight</a>."</i> [meme by Sharon Powers] memegenerator.net. Retrieved 01-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://3twins.net/?p=82">Of Mages & Pages: Spoiler Alerts.</a>" </i>3twins.net. Retrieved 01-18-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://fineestateliquidation.com/estate-sales-30-day-diary-of-an-estate-liquidator-day-11-12/">Estate Sales: 30 Day Diary Of An Estate Liquidator Day 11-12</a>."</i> fineestateliquidation.com. Retrieved 11-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://www.mediacollege.com/video/special-effects/ghost/">Ghost Effect</a>."</i> mediacollege.com. Retrieved 11-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70311">Polycount Forum</a>."</i> polycount.com. Retrieved 11-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/cr-103756/ron-rash">Discover Author Ron Rash</a>."</i> [harper collins publishers] harpercollins.com. Retrieved 11-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://www.gopixpic.com/600/so-i-dropped-my-watch-in-the-toilet-today/http:%7C%7Cthreeceebee*com%7Cwp-content%7Cuploads%7C2011%7C01%7CDSC00805-600x338*jpg/">Geopix</a>."</i> gopixpic.com. Retrieved 01-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="http://filipinonurses.org/2013/12/conflict-resolution/">Conflict Resolution.</a>"</i> filipinonurses.org. Retrieved 01-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="http://grimb137.seesaa.net/category/1672599-2.html">Danse Macabre.</a>"</i> grimb137.seesaa.net. Retrieved 01-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAlh5UYXp4Q">The World Made Straight Official Trailer #1 (2015)</a>."</i> youtube.com. Retrieved 11-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="https://odetojoandkatniss.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/review-for-darkness-shows-the-stars/">Review for Darkness Shows the Stars</a>."</i> [4.5 stars graphic] odetojoandkatniss.wordpress.com. Retrieved 01-19-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>." </i>sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 01-17-15.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-3095147320216737472015-01-13T18:48:00.000-08:002015-05-11T17:40:18.718-07:00Lucy Stone: An Unapologetic Life by Sally G. McMillen--New Biography Book Release.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3WF1yUzbGM/VKXIW6iU6yI/AAAAAAAAMWQ/kyAY-V5E4As/s1600/Lucy%2BStone%2BBook%2BCover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3WF1yUzbGM/VKXIW6iU6yI/AAAAAAAAMWQ/kyAY-V5E4As/s1600/Lucy%2BStone%2BBook%2BCover.JPG" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I came home from grade school so excited because our teacher had read to us today about a woman who had lived during the time of the Civil War. Her name was Elizabeth Blackwell, and she was the very first woman to become a doctor in the United States. What had so enthralled me as a grade school girl was just how much determination she had. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My teacher told us that Elizabeth Blackwell had to apply over and over again to get into medical school and even then her struggles didn't end. She steadfastly kept her goal in sight and determined nothing would stop her--including some men who didn't want to see a woman in the medical profession. It seems the men at that time thought that women belonged at home, taking care of the children. I thought that she was an extraordinary woman and came to admire her greatly.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjb_hqSzi3A/VLQamhNXftI/AAAAAAAAMoU/92U7IvNTZbM/s1600/stoneLG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjb_hqSzi3A/VLQamhNXftI/AAAAAAAAMoU/92U7IvNTZbM/s1600/stoneLG.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy Stone giving <br />
a speech. [2]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I began reading Lucy Stone's story, I began learning many things about her. Things, I thought, that seemed similar to what Elizabeth Blackwell had gone through. No. Lucy Stone didn't become a doctor, but she did struggle to become a public speaker at a time when women were just not seen speaking in public. The women of the time were suppose to be quiet and listen to speeches, not give them. One of Lucy Stone's struggles, then, was to get people to accept the notion that it was acceptable for women to speak in public. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Little did I know how inextricably Lucy Stone and Elizabeth Blackwell were linked. Before I delve into that, let's take a quick look at the synopsis of the book.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK: </u><i><u>LUCY STONE: AN UNAPOLOGETIC LIFE</u>:</i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akXC1zthTSA/VKm6x4mkBTI/AAAAAAAAMZU/VrD-seDxsAM/s1600/marble%2Bstatues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #e6e6e6; clear: right; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.8000011444092px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akXC1zthTSA/VKm6x4mkBTI/AAAAAAAAMZU/VrD-seDxsAM/s1600/marble%2Bstatues.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Absent from this marvelous marble monument<br />
is Lucy Stone, frontline Suffrage Proponent and<br />
abolitionist. Stone does not appear in the sculpture nor<br />
is she mentioned on the inscription. [3]<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
McMillen's "Introduction," explains the very focus of the book. In the rotunda of our capitol is a famous statue, "The Memorial Sculpture," embody- ing the images of Suffragists, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony. Inscribed below the marble work is an inscription saying, "these three stand unique and peerless." No mention of Lucy Stone and no image in marble tells of her great achievements and work in the suffrage and abolition movements. McMillen argues that even though Stone is not famous, she was a "pivotal" part of the abolition and suffrage movements, and importantly, should have been included in the memorial sculpture.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qLkGFU3QQ7Q/VLQwxbzrwII/AAAAAAAAMpA/KM0OuoQ_PKI/s1600/Lucy%2BStone%2BFlyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qLkGFU3QQ7Q/VLQwxbzrwII/AAAAAAAAMpA/KM0OuoQ_PKI/s1600/Lucy%2BStone%2BFlyer.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note: Under the section, "Speakers," the left column,<br />
second name down, is Lucy Stone's name. She was<br />
listed on this flyer as one of the speakers. [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
McMillen lays the groundwork for her book and for Stone's life by relating how Stone's Massachusetts childhood formed Lucy into an unflagging proponent for women's rights. Early on in Stone's life she was attracted to education and women's independence. Believing education the key to independence Stone was one of the first women in all of the US to enroll in and earn a college degree. At the time, Oberlin College Institute was the only college open to women.<br />
<br />
After earning her degree she began a career in public as an orator, speaking as an activist for women's rights and anti-slavery issues. It wasn't long until Lucy Stone was one of the most famous and leading orators of her day.<br />
<br />
Working towards women's rights, Stone helped organize many yearly national women's rights conventions during the 1850s. During the Civil War, she also played a crucial role in the American Equal Rights Association as as one of its organizers and as one of its leaders. Additionally, Stone was one of the co-founders of the American Woman Suffrage Association (Later, the American Woman Suffrage Association and the National Woman Suffrage Association would merge into one association; the new association was then called the National American Woman Suffrage Association.[2]).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A61IkypunPE/VLQ0pweOslI/AAAAAAAAMpM/MPGxRzk2EiA/s1600/Alice%2BBlackwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A61IkypunPE/VLQ0pweOslI/AAAAAAAAMpM/MPGxRzk2EiA/s1600/Alice%2BBlackwell.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice Stone Blackwell, dau-<br />
ghter of Lucy Stone and<br />
Henry Browne Blackwell.[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lucy Stone married Henry Blackwell and gave birth to Alice Stone Blackwell. Alice would become a well-known feminist, suffragist, journalist and continue the work of her mother advocating for human rights.<br />
<br />
Lucy Stone knew and worked with other greats, like Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, William Lloyd Garrison, and many others. McMillen's biography of Lucy Stone reveals Stone's influential and important work. She shows why her extremely important work has been overlooked by historians and artists. McMillen points out that Stone's contributions to human and woman's rights "were no less significant or revolutionary" than those of Stanton, Anthony, and Mott. In this eminently readable and wonderfully researched work, McMillen sets out and proves that Lucy Stone deserves the credit and acclaim for her critical life's work.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jij78EDz7gc/VLQ3gGS5eaI/AAAAAAAAMpY/t6zdnhvxpMM/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jij78EDz7gc/VLQ3gGS5eaI/AAAAAAAAMpY/t6zdnhvxpMM/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" width="356" /></a><u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, the book is due to be released 01-29-15. Also, I loved that I discovered the connection between Elizabeth Black- well and Lucy Stone. Here it is: Lucy Stone married Henry Browne Blackwell. Henry Blackwell was only one of nine children; of those other eight children, one was a beloved sister by the name of Elizabeth Black- well. So, Elizabeth Black- well and Lucy Stone became sisters-in-law to each other when Henry married Lucy.<br />
<br />
According to Sally G. McMillen, author of the book, <i>Lucy Stone: An Unapologetic Life</i>, Stone accomplished many, many things in her desire to make life better, especially for women. McMillen details those activities and achievements in her book. Those references and sources are well documented.<br />
<br />
McMillen's writing style is easy to read, not pedantic, but knowledgeable and obviously containing a great love for the subject. Moreover, when things like unattractive in-fighting among those in the suffrage movement occurs over different approaches, political strategy, or philosophy, McMillen is unflinching in her effort to honestly portray those incidents.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DR6Em1WJu3w/VLWkJuR5FbI/AAAAAAAAMpo/e_8qk6kiup4/s1600/Stamp_US_1968_Lucy_Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DR6Em1WJu3w/VLWkJuR5FbI/AAAAAAAAMpo/e_8qk6kiup4/s1600/Stamp_US_1968_Lucy_Stone.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"On August 13, 1968, the 150th anni- <br />
versary of her birth, the U.S. <br />
Postal Service honored Stone with<br />
a $.50 postage stamp in the<br />
<b>Prominent Americans </b>Series." [6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I very much enjoyed learning about Lucy Stone, so much so, that I agree with Sally McMillen, that Stone was given insufficient credit for her work. I think that Stone should be included in History classes along with the other suffragettes like Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Also, I think it highly unlikely that the statue will be changed in the rotunda of the Capitol. Something else, could be done to right the fact that Stone has been so overlooked, like creating a statue of her and placing it in the rotunda, as well.<br />
<br />
I was so taken with Sally G. McMillen's book that I went to the internet to seek out more information about Lucy Stone. On YouTube, I found this wonderful, short (3min. 41 sec.) video about Lucy Stone. I enjoyed getting to see the pictures of the 1800's, and facts that reinforced my reading of McMillen's book. Take a quick look at the short video and see what you think. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[7]</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2hcIDGAKCjE" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
I gained a wonderful appreciation for Lucy Stone and other women working for women's rights in the 1800s. I gained appreciation for the hardships they had to endure, the daily lives of women, and the numerous legal injustices forced upon womankind. Appreciation also, for women when they gave birth to baby girls--they grieved the birth of a girl because they knew the hard road that lay ahead for her, amounting to almost servitude with no legal rights (property, divorce, etc.).<br />
<br />
<u>MY FAVORITE QUOTE</u>:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNgUd702J_Y/VLXI6Ma1j1I/AAAAAAAAMp4/nJB-DduBZBw/s1600/annie-dillard-quote-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNgUd702J_Y/VLXI6Ma1j1I/AAAAAAAAMp4/nJB-DduBZBw/s1600/annie-dillard-quote-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I selected this quote because of my obvious love of books, reading and all things bookish. A love of reading is something many people had in the 1800s because of lack of other forms of intellectual and pleasurable pursuits that many of us take for granted in modern times--including the computer and internet. Here's my favorite quote (highlighting is not in the source material):<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6YA0QH9C3Q/VLXNV1Es9kI/AAAAAAAAMqQ/NTPFvKz__c8/s1600/5500976097_5a9b874d3d_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6YA0QH9C3Q/VLXNV1Es9kI/AAAAAAAAMqQ/NTPFvKz__c8/s1600/5500976097_5a9b874d3d_m.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lucy also was a voracious reader and read everything she could get her hands on</b>, <b>including newspapers the family subscribed to</b>--The Massachusetts Spy, published in Worcester by Isaiah Thomas; William Lloyd Garrison's The Liberator; and the Anti-Slavery Standard, the paper of the American Anti-Slavery Society. 50 other papers the family was able to borrow, including Youth's Companion and the Advocate of Moral Reform. Lucy and Rhoda subscribed to the New England Spectator, which Lucy described as a "family paper" covering "the study of the Bible, family religion, active piety, the abolition of slavery, and the licentiousness and to promote the circulation of useful intelligence. <b>Lucy devoured books though did not read her first novel until she was in her teens [because Puritan influence]...considered reading fiction a useless pastime.</b> [Kindle Location 310-317.]</blockquote>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuhUX90uQjQ/VLXLUTwV_fI/AAAAAAAAMqE/vJGNfMsiaEg/s1600/voracious%2BReader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuhUX90uQjQ/VLXLUTwV_fI/AAAAAAAAMqE/vJGNfMsiaEg/s1600/voracious%2BReader.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love that Lucy Stone was a "voracious reader." I have a great love of reading, too; hence, the name of my blog: Sharon's Love of Books. My reading includes everything from classics to comics--from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations,"to Guardians of the Galaxy. I read it all. I also like that it points out that we are blessed to live in the times we do. We can read fiction, non-fiction, classic, in fact, every genre in any format. People in the 1800s didn't know about the benefits of reading fiction. In fact, there are cognitive benefits to reading fiction.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>BENEFITS OF READING FICTION</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A "useless pastime." Well, I have never found reading fiction to be a useless pastime. In fact, Jordan Bates of <i>"<a href="http://www.refinethemind.com/three-cognitive-benefits-of-reading-fiction/">Refine the Mind</a>,"</i> likes to promote reading of fiction, too. He reports that he found an article in the <i>New York Times</i> who had done an in-depth news reporting piece from the journal, <i>Science.</i> Bates synthesized the article to give us a few benefits of reading fiction. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Reading literary fiction has immediate effects in terms of influencing how well we can understand our peers;</li>
<li>Reading fiction exposes the reader to empathy (while non-fiction has a negative correlation);</li>
<li>People who read fiction (even short stories) have less need for "cognitive closure" than those who only read non-fiction;</li>
<li>Reading fiction affects our minds by giving us insight into human behavior, motivation, and even perception. We can better understand how societies operate, </li>
<li>how to maintain good relationships, and why people live in certain ways;</li>
<li>Reading fiction can help us relate emotionally with others--making us more sensitive and compassionate, and be kinder because "we realize the depth beyond the unfamiliar face";</li>
<li>Also, reading fiction helps us to deal with ambiguity...leading to creativity and sophisticated thinking. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[12]</span></li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpI0J9ADtbM/VLXP9m2ew4I/AAAAAAAAMqc/l05ivrfucCo/s1600/02-2013_NG_Blog_Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpI0J9ADtbM/VLXP9m2ew4I/AAAAAAAAMqc/l05ivrfucCo/s1600/02-2013_NG_Blog_Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A big thank you to Mr. Bates for providing us all with these wonderful benefits of reading fiction. Second, the benefits of reading fiction are not limited to these six attributes. This is just a start for you to help you understand that reading fiction is not just a waste of time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:</div>
<div>
This book, if it were a movie, would get a "G" rating from me. Since it is not a movie, suffice to say that anyone of any age, capable of reading, would find the book acceptable in all respects.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OybqS0xEq0U/VLXTjLljcPI/AAAAAAAAMqo/Z_6uSxgSrts/s1600/4.0%2Bstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OybqS0xEq0U/VLXTjLljcPI/AAAAAAAAMqo/Z_6uSxgSrts/s1600/4.0%2Bstars.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Second, as to my rating of the book: For all the reasons I have stated above, I am pleased to rate this book at 4.0 stars out of 5.0 stars. Well done Ms. McMillen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please remember this new biography will be released 01-29-15--preorder your copy now! Thank you for joining me this week as we were privileged to look at the book, <i>Lucy Stone: An Unapologetic Life</i> by Sally G. McMillen--a NetGalley ARC book. Thank you to the publishers, as well for providing this Advance Reading Copy. Please join me, again, next week as we go back to fiction for our book review.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Until next time...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui7bQJgxGpM/VKotQ6w52wI/AAAAAAAAMZk/mk4_zsOeFmE/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui7bQJgxGpM/VKotQ6w52wI/AAAAAAAAMZk/mk4_zsOeFmE/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy New Year! I send my best wishes to you for a joyous, safe, and abundant new year! All my love,<br />
<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/other-statues/portrait-monument">Lucy Stone: An Unapologetic Life</a>."</i> [by Sally G. McMillen] amazon.com. Retrieved 01-02-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://avhs-apush.wikispaces.com/Lucy+Stone">Beginning of Stone's Career</a>." </i>avhs-apush.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 01-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/other-statues/portrait-monument">Portrait Monument to Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony</a>."</i> [artist: Adelaide Johnson, 1920, Rotunda, U.S. Capitol] aoc.gov. Retrieved 01-04-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="https://laurendukes.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/empowered-women/">Empowered Women</a>."</i> laurendukes.wordpress.com. Retrieved 01-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="https://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/alice-stone-blackwell/">Alice Stone Blackwell (1857-1950)</a>."</i> nwhm.org. Retrieved 01-12-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Stone">50-cent United States Postal Service stamp Honoring Stone</a>."</i> wikipedia.org. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hcIDGAKCjE">Lucy Stone.</a>"</i> [Published 03-17-13. Text from "101Changemakers: Rebels and Radicals Who Changed US History," Edited by Michele Bollinger and Dao X. Tran, "#11: Lucy Stone," written by Sarah Grey; Music: "This Little Light of Mine" by Odetta (Google Play--AmazonMP3--eMusic--iTunes)] youtube.com. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8]<i> "<a href="http://pixshark.com/i-love-books-quotes.htm">Annie Dillard</a>."</i> pixshark.com. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="https://bookbloggerdirectory.wordpress.com/fiction-blogs/general-fiction-poetry/gen-fic-poetry-a-h/">General Fiction Book Blogs (A-H)</a>."</i> bookbloggerdirectory.wordpress.com. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://sanderssays.typepad.com/sanders_says/2013/07/how-to-read-20-books-a-year.html">How to Read 20 Books a Year</a>." </i> sanderssays.typepad.com. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.newberrygroup.com/Blog/?id=38">Dealing With Ambiguity</a>."</i> newberrygroup.com. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://www.refinethemind.com/three-cognitive-benefits-of-reading-fiction/">Three Cognitive Benefits of Reading</a>."</i> refinethemind.com. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.webhostingsearch.com/how-we-rate.php">How We Rate the Providers</a>."</i> webhostingsearch.com. Retrieved 01-13-15.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 01-04-15.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-44099898108080446152014-12-31T20:34:00.001-08:002015-01-01T09:57:50.548-08:00Wool The Graphic Novel Omnibus by Hugh Howey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QBYN-uRKcOY/VKLhJy_jg9I/AAAAAAAAMCQ/P4YqcLohTZU/s1600/Wool%2BThe%2BGraphic%2BNovel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QBYN-uRKcOY/VKLhJy_jg9I/AAAAAAAAMCQ/P4YqcLohTZU/s1600/Wool%2BThe%2BGraphic%2BNovel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hugh Howey's journey began quietly enough when he decided to self-publish his thriller/post apocalyptic serial novel on Amazon in 2011. Originally, Howey published <i>Wool</i> as a serial publication consisting of five parts. Howey was unprepared for the huge success he would meet as his novel became one of Amazon's leading sellers and made over a million dollars. [<i>Nerdist</i>, Dan Casey, June 4, 2014.] <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSrK_XvQ4T4/VKNTnAFYAOI/AAAAAAAAMCg/ivw7mq7jSFc/s1600/Wool%2BOmnibus%2BEdition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSrK_XvQ4T4/VKNTnAFYAOI/AAAAAAAAMCg/ivw7mq7jSFc/s1600/Wool%2BOmnibus%2BEdition.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">This is the full novel (an omnibus), with<br />all five parts collected into one edition.<br />The novel is sold in hardcover, paper-<br />back, unabridged (Audible) audio edi-<br />tion, or as an audiobook. <i>Wool Omnibus<br />Edition (Wool 1-5) </i><i>Silo Series </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">[4].</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to Casey, it was not long before Howey's successful book attracted attention from mainstream publishers looking to capitalize on the already successful book, apparently, to parlay it into a huge draw (similar to <i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-hunger-games-hunger-games-trilogy.html">The Hunger Games</a></i> <i>Trilogy </i>by Suzanne Collins). Howey surprised everyone by not giving in to tempting offers that would see his book rights disappear--Howey finally garnered a deal where he was paid well, but one which allowed him to keep the book rights (e-book). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the most exciting new developments for Hugh Howey is that he has, according to Rachel Deahl of <i>Publisher's Weekly</i>, sold the film rights for <i>Wool</i> to 20th Century Fox; Director Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian are two who have "expressed interest in the film adaptation" as well as Lionsgate Films. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS OF HUGH HOWEY'S GRAPHIC NOVEL, </u><i><u>WOOL</u>:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Publishers and promoters have kept the synopsis of the graphic novel short. Whether the brevity is because the novel has been distilled down to its essence, or whether it is because theirs is a desire to keep the plot secret really doesn't matter. It is short. So...let's get to it!</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWhnnkEkH7A/VKRXI10imQI/AAAAAAAAMDE/Ys6puBdyZBI/s1600/Wool%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWhnnkEkH7A/VKRXI10imQI/AAAAAAAAMDE/Ys6puBdyZBI/s1600/Wool%2B1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wool (Part One) Silo <br />Series Book 1</i> (cover)[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;"> This "contemporary dystopian" story is one of the struggle of man to eke out a kind of existence in the harsh remnants of a destroyed society. Man lives on the fringes of existence while the world they once knew has grown harsh and for the most part, unlivable. Man has retreated to underground silos to live, and survivors fear to even speak of the outside world because to even speak of it is forbidden.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OPLDVnkAdYQ/VKRXKehB_1I/AAAAAAAAMDM/MKpf1pwwVkE/s1600/wool%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OPLDVnkAdYQ/VKRXKehB_1I/AAAAAAAAMDM/MKpf1pwwVkE/s1600/wool%2B2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wool (Part Two) Silo<br />Series Book 2</i> (cover)[6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Throughout history, in societies of oppression, hope springs up in the form of rebellious men and women preaching optimism in the face of societal oppression. So it does in Howey's novel, <i>Wool</i>. But against what are these unlikely rebels rebelling? When they are caught, they are given a way out...that is, a way out of the silos. Out into the unbreathable air of the outside. A way out of life. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOjuTqUVq1Y/VKRXLwM0rrI/AAAAAAAAMDU/emKX8aVE0XY/s1600/wool%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOjuTqUVq1Y/VKRXLwM0rrI/AAAAAAAAMDU/emKX8aVE0XY/s1600/wool%2B3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><i>Wool (Part Three) Silo<br />Series Book 3</i> (cover)[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<u><i>WOOL</i> AS A GRAPHIC NOVEL</u>:</div>
<div>
<u>Book Description</u>:</div>
<div>
First, the official title: <i>Wool: The Graphic Novel: The Silo Saga Omnibus</i> by Hugh Howey; Script by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti.</div>
<div>
Book Length: 160 Pages</div>
<div>
Publisher: Jet City Comics (August 12, 2014)</div>
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Language: English</div>
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ISBN-10: 1477849122</div>
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ISBN-13: 978-1477849125</div>
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Originally published in serial publications (1-5): The covers are shown in this section; now available for download as a complete book.</div>
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Additional Included Information: Twenty pages of BONUS material (including the following: Jimmy Broxton's Sketchbook, Variant Covers by Darwyn Cooke, inked pages by Jimmy Broxton, and Bios).</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCYPFqLd_uw/VKRXNu_jPSI/AAAAAAAAMDc/ppEecWwLK8U/s1600/wool%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCYPFqLd_uw/VKRXNu_jPSI/AAAAAAAAMDc/ppEecWwLK8U/s1600/wool%2B4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wool (Part Four) Silo<br />Series Book 4</i> (cover)[8]</td></tr>
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<u>ANALYSIS OF </u><i style="text-decoration: underline;">WOOL</i><u> AS A GRAPHIC NOVEL</u>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>First</u>: </b>The very first thing I ask myself when I pick up a graphic novel is whether or not it actually is a graphic novel. How can I tell? Well I look to see whether or not the publication is episodic in nature (like comic books), or is the publication a story with a complete beginning, middle, and end? So, that's the first thing.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7eIYwfMEtk/VKRXPAcAZkI/AAAAAAAAMDk/MCG5Oc8hlfw/s1600/wool%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7eIYwfMEtk/VKRXPAcAZkI/AAAAAAAAMDk/MCG5Oc8hlfw/s1600/wool%2B5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Wool (Part Five) Silo </i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Series Book 5</i> (cover)[9]</i></div>
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</i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here, Howey's graphic novel was originally published as a series (of 5). Since Howey had the intent to have a complete story arc (beginning, middle, end), and since Howey took the five parts and then published them as an omnibus, I conclude that the five parts are similar to chapters in a book, not episodic, like comics. Also, since movie makers desire to make the book into a movie, credence is lent to the idea that the story is a complete story arc.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6Vl0vdPrK4/VKRpcmDE5BI/AAAAAAAAMEg/-A72t4-if-Y/s1600/2014-12-31%2B13.22.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6Vl0vdPrK4/VKRpcmDE5BI/AAAAAAAAMEg/-A72t4-if-Y/s1600/2014-12-31%2B13.22.31.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo is one I took of my book,<br />
<i>Wool: The Graphic Novel</i>. The pages<br />
are securely bound to the cover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>Second</u>:</b> I look at the pages, binding, and cover--What kind of cover does the book have, and how are the pages bound?</div>
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The book I purchased is a physical book (not an e-book) with a cardstock cover, and the pages appear to be glued. I couldn't find any stitching, but the pages seem to be secure within the book, unlike the example I have for you, here, just below, left. (<i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/hercules-thracian-wars-by-steve-moore.html">Hercules: The Thracian Wars</a></i> by Steve Moore, Reviewed on this blog on 06-29-14.)</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzCy37CoXlo/VKRokv5HBEI/AAAAAAAAMEM/GkdpW52fwGU/s1600/Hercules%2Bbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzCy37CoXlo/VKRokv5HBEI/AAAAAAAAMEM/GkdpW52fwGU/s1600/Hercules%2Bbook.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/hercules-thracian-wars-by-steve-moore.html"><i>Hercules: The Thracian Wars</i> </a>by Steve Moore. I reviewed this book on my<br />
blog on 06-29-14, if you would like to see and read more about this book.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Comic books are usually covered in the same pulp paper with which their pages are printed, and the pages are usually stapled. Poorly constructed graphic novels often have their pages fall out due to poor construction meth- ods or materials (the glue) used to bind the pages between the covers. This second step is <b>critical</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>because if your book falls apart, the book is ruined and your money wasted. I found that Hugh Howey's book, <i>Wool</i>, is well-constructed with good materials, the pages securely adhering to the binding.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBap5olN3tA/VKSiKt6YJFI/AAAAAAAAMFU/PFlh2nj27RE/s1600/Wool%2BKindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBap5olN3tA/VKSiKt6YJFI/AAAAAAAAMFU/PFlh2nj27RE/s1600/Wool%2BKindle.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a graphic of the Kindle<br />
Edition from Amazon's website.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10]</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li>NOTE: Some of these points do not apply to e-books or novels purchased as Amazon Kindle downloads. So, where the analysis doesn't fit, simply ignore that point and move on to other parts of the analysis. The Second analysis point, for example, does not apply to e-books.</li>
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<b>Three</b>: Analysis point three is a quality question. What kind of paper is used for the book? Is the paper pulp paper, like comic books have, or heavier paper with glossy or semi-glossy pages? Generally, you will find that the cheaper the paper is used on comics, and the better, heavier, and glossier paper, is used on graphic novels. Even so, this MAY not always be true, as I have seen collections of comics in bound cardstock and hardbound covers, and a few graphic novels published on inexpensive paper. The point, here, is to look at all the points, together, before you decide.</div>
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I found Howey's publication, <i>Wool</i>, covered with cardstock and very nice paper inside with a semi-glossy finish. The cover was done in a beautiful matte finish.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kC1KVBZWfY4/VKSp3J9culI/AAAAAAAAMGc/lOdtoPdlYpo/s1600/Advertising-Word-Cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kC1KVBZWfY4/VKSp3J9culI/AAAAAAAAMGc/lOdtoPdlYpo/s1600/Advertising-Word-Cloud.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
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<b>Four</b>: Does the publication have advertising? If so, how much and where is it located within the book? Advertising is invariably found in comic books, having as much as 10-12 pages of ads. Graphic novels, however, contain no advertising whatso- ever, or if it does, it is for the same publisher, or book in the same series--the point is that little or no ads are found in graphic novels.</div>
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I found Hugh Howey's book, <i>Wool</i>, to contain absolutely NO advertisements on any pages. My conclusion on this point (only) is that it meets this point's criteria for a graphic novel.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMNGqImRbAY/VKSuaJKG4bI/AAAAAAAAMGo/vr33GEGvplA/s1600/underwar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMNGqImRbAY/VKSuaJKG4bI/AAAAAAAAMGo/vr33GEGvplA/s1600/underwar1.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
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<b>Five</b>: It is important to know how many pages the publication contains. The reason you need to know this is that generally, graphic novels average about 100-150 pages. Also, you need to know that in the United States, the standard comic book is generally 22 pages plus another 10 pages for advertising. On the other hand, graphic novels are approximately three times the size of a comic book, at around 100 pages. I have many graphic novels that have over 150 pages.</div>
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Hugh Howey's book, <i>Wool</i>, is 160 pages, so it easily meets requirement five for a graphic novel. It is really nice to see this many pages in any graphic novel.</div>
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<b>Six</b>: Following up on number five, determine whether or not the publisher is a U.S. publisher. European publishers have different standards, practices and traditions. The reason you should know this fact is that with the internet and international publishing, you may find some publications that follow non-U.S. publishing practices. For example, the publication may be of a different size.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6fMe1NHTDA/VKSodU9w-6I/AAAAAAAAMGM/-9Zuyc5RFKk/s1600/2014-12-31%2B17.49.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a> <i>Wool</i> is a standard size publication, and looking at the publisher: Jet City Comics, we find out that they are located in Mill Creek, WA. That makes them a U.S. publisher that will follow the standards, practices and traditions of U..S. publishers.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJgOHhVFTNc/VKSwX1BAoJI/AAAAAAAAMG0/b-8mNKbt_Cg/s1600/Ad.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJgOHhVFTNc/VKSwX1BAoJI/AAAAAAAAMG0/b-8mNKbt_Cg/s1600/Ad.PNG" height="81" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is from the Amazon website, showing the title for <i>Wool</i> being<br />
listed as a "GRAPHIC NOVEL." This is just one way to demonstrate<br />
that a novel is a graphic novel. [1]</td></tr>
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<b>Seven</b>: Is the book advertised as a graphic novel? Is the book labeled as a "graphic novel"? This point addresses the intent of the publisher and/or author. It is important to know what they think. This is especially important when the line between comic and graphic novel may be crossed or may be somewhat blurred. It is NOT dispositive, however, just a good indicator of what's intended.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0z3P9xmD7TA/VKSxhFxst8I/AAAAAAAAMHI/N6c7W93Xk3s/s1600/2014-12-31%2B18.29.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0z3P9xmD7TA/VKSxhFxst8I/AAAAAAAAMHI/N6c7W93Xk3s/s1600/2014-12-31%2B18.29.57.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of my book. A photo showing<br />
the author/publisher intended to list<br />
the book as a graphic novel.</td></tr>
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<i>Wool's</i> title clearly indicates it is a graphic novel, as does the cover. Moreover, it is advertised as a graphic novel and sold as such. Ergo. The author and publishers intend that the book be conceived of as a graphic novel.</div>
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<b>Eight</b>: The final point is one of quality and appearance. Is the cover and art well done and appealing? What is your overall impression of the publication?</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6fMe1NHTDA/VKSodU9w-6I/AAAAAAAAMGM/-9Zuyc5RFKk/s1600/2014-12-31%2B17.49.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6fMe1NHTDA/VKSodU9w-6I/AAAAAAAAMGM/-9Zuyc5RFKk/s1600/2014-12-31%2B17.49.39.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of the cover<br />
of my book--again:<br />
earthtones, muted<br />
colors and blacks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<i>Wool's </i>cover art is quintessential to the story with the cardstock a beautiful matte finish done in earth tones and a sober pallette. The color pallette continues on to the inside with some story themes receiving warm earth tones including sunset colors, golds and warm browns, while some themes receive a much cooler treatment with toned-down greens and even blues. A very few pages are done in black and white (you'll see why when you read the graphic novel).</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiPJ_hokH0s/VKSnfBfSX-I/AAAAAAAAMFs/O2IQvEQ4ai8/s1600/2014-12-31%2B17.45.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiPJ_hokH0s/VKSnfBfSX-I/AAAAAAAAMFs/O2IQvEQ4ai8/s1600/2014-12-31%2B17.45.03.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pallette for the book consists of earth tones. Here, the<br />
color scheme are cool colors with greens and blues and<br />
somber blacks and grays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The overall impre- ssion is that the quality and appearance of the publication is both sturdy and appealing, leaving a wonderful sense of a quality product.</div>
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<b>Optional Point</b>: If the graphic novel is one in which the graphic novel was created as a follow up publication to an original novel (or series), is the adaptation faithful (enough) to make you feel satisfied that justice was done to the story? This point is optional because not every graphic novel has been adapted from a novel (or series). Also, the point is moot if the reader has only read the graphic novel and not the novel(s). </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6xlRRfT3qg/VKS1O4UEsnI/AAAAAAAAMHY/GmYK5hzUT0c/s1600/no%2Bspoilers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6xlRRfT3qg/VKS1O4UEsnI/AAAAAAAAMHY/GmYK5hzUT0c/s1600/no%2Bspoilers.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
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I have found that adaptations are very interesting, sometimes successful, sometimes, not. <i>Wool </i>is mostly successful. While there are some things that have been changed from the original omnibus story (the ending is one of them), mostly I find <i>Wool</i>, successful as an adaptation to a graphic novel.<b> I have really endeavored to not give away spoilers to the book</b>, so I can't be too specific as to what I found changed that I didn't care for. Just...in general, I liked the book as an adaptation.</div>
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<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:</div>
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This book is a contemporary post-apocalyptic thriller. If you are OK with your teens reading it, I wouldn't think it is any worse than other, similar, stories out there today. Adults and teens normally reading this subject matter should know what to expect--and enjoy.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWsuLwtE158/VKS2Ntsfy_I/AAAAAAAAMHg/GrdQzy_6mDY/s1600/4%2Bstars.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWsuLwtE158/VKS2Ntsfy_I/AAAAAAAAMHg/GrdQzy_6mDY/s1600/4%2Bstars.png" height="76" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[14]</td></tr>
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For all of the above reasons, I rate this book 4.0 stars out of 5.0 stars. While it is a very good book, it is not <i>Wool,</i> the novel, it is <i>Wool</i>, the graphic novel. While being very good, it just can't rise to the same level as the novel. It is, however, a very good adaptation of the novel, <i>Wool</i>. For those reasons, I have awarded 4 instead of 5 stars. </div>
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Thank you for taking the time to read my review of this book and consider the ideas and opinions I have presented to you as food for thought. If you would like to read more about graphic novels please go to my website at <a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/marvels-guardians-of-galaxy-prelude-by.html">Sharon's Love of Books</a>. Meanwhile, this week, pick up something good to read and have some fun. Happy New Year's Day to you all. </div>
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Until next time...</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLI0gcQRz64/VKS2tKRs9eI/AAAAAAAAMHs/8pBEcB7zNJo/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLI0gcQRz64/VKS2tKRs9eI/AAAAAAAAMHs/8pBEcB7zNJo/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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...many happy pages of reading.</div>
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All my love, </div>
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Sharon.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hugh-Howey-Wool-Graphic-Novel/dp/B00N4ET230/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419989405&sr=8-2&keywords=wool+graphic+novel+howey">Wool: The Graphic Novel (The Silo Saga)</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.nerdist.com/2014/06/author-hugh-howey-on-turning-his-self-published-hit-wool-into-a-graphic-novel/">Author Hugh Howey on Turning His Self-Published Hit Wool Into a Graphic Novel</a>."</i> [<i>Nerdist</i>, Dan Casey, 06-04-14] nerdist.com. Retrieved 12-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://deadline.com/2012/05/20th-century-fox-spins-wool-for-scott-free-and-film-rites-270955/">20th Century Fox Spins 'Wool' For Scott Free And Film Rites</a>."</i> [Mike Fleming; Deadline] Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-Omnibus-Edition-Silo-ebook/dp/B0071XO8RA">Wool Omnibus Edition (Wool 1-5) Silo Series</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-Part-One-Silo-Book-ebook/dp/B005FC52L0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419989833&sr=8-2&keywords=wool+howey">Wool (Part One) Silo Series Book 1.</a>"</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-2-Proper-Gauge-Silo-ebook/dp/B006GTKF2C/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1419989833&sr=8-9&keywords=wool+howey">Wool (Part Two) Silo Series Book 2</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-3-Casting-Off-Silo-ebook/dp/B006KYE9J8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1419989833&sr=8-8&keywords=wool+howey">Wool (Part Three) Silo Series Book 3</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-4-Unraveling-Hugh-Howey-ebook/dp/B006Q595LI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1419989833&sr=8-7&keywords=wool+howey">Wool (Part Four) Silo Series Book 4</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-5-Stranded-Hugh-Howey-ebook/dp/B0071QRLNU/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1419989833&sr=8-12&keywords=wool+howey">Wool (Part Five) Silo Series Book 5</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-Graphic-Novel-Silo-Saga-ebook/dp/B00DL6CY4K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1419989833&sr=8-6&keywords=wool+howey">Wool--Kindle Edition</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://usamanagement.com/advertising/">Advertising</a>." </i>usamanagement.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://rebekahjeannine.wordpress.com/tag/comics/">Comic Book Advertising f101: Lesson 1</a>." </i>rebekahjeannine.wordpress.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.kevinmckiddonline.com/news-blog/chat-chatroom-spoiler-free-first-half-and-spoilers-second-half">Chatroom Spoiler Free....</a>"</i> kevinmckiddonline.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://www.philipitstrue.com/whiskey/category/whiskey">(RI) 1 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Review</a>."</i> philipitstrue.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 12-31-14.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-73088744599859665962014-12-23T08:45:00.000-08:002014-12-23T10:08:42.034-08:00Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne--This New Novel Will Be Released January 24, 2015!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pages: 224. Publisher: Dundurn (February 17,<br />
2014); Language: English; ISBN-10:<br />
1459728181; ISBN-13: 978-1459728189. [1]</td></tr>
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Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
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Can a horse really jump the distance of a city block? No, you say. What about an man who doesn't age and sees generations come and go? The Fountain of Youth, you say! Hmm. Well, what about a secret city existing that isn't on any map and you can't get there unless you are a resident of the city? The North Pole? Yes, well, maybe; many children believe there's a North Pole. These examples are all elements of a famous novel by Mark Helprin, called <i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/01/winters-tale-by-mark-helprin-winters.html">Winter's Tale</a>.</i> I reviewed that book in January (2014), and if you want to look in more detail at these fantastical elements, click <u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/01/winters-tale-by-mark-helprin-winters.html">here</a></u>. And while, <i>Since You've Been Gone,</i> may not have flying horses, ageless characters, or secret cities, it does have some elements requiring the reader's suspension of disbelief.</div>
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Both Mark Helprin and Mary Jennifer Payne include elements to their stories requiring the reader to engage in a willing suspension of disbelief. So why do writers like Helprin and Payne utilize these elements if people don't believe them?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL5aiT7lODg/VJNYPLHeR3I/AAAAAAAALqk/oZZffTuX1lE/s1600/winterstale_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL5aiT7lODg/VJNYPLHeR3I/AAAAAAAALqk/oZZffTuX1lE/s1600/winterstale_cover.jpg" height="200" width="127" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[3]</td></tr>
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<i>Winter's Tale, </i>for example, is from the genre of <i>magical realism</i> where these kind of weird elements are utilized. Other genres where you may find weird stuff include <i>gothic literature, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, </i>and<i> </i>sometimes <i>romanticism.</i><i> </i>Yes, but why do authors use this weird stuff? Well, the answer is really quite simple. They use these fantastical elements because when you enter the story, as Samuel Taylor Coleridge coined the phrase, you enter with a <i>"<b><u>willing suspension of disbelief</u></b>." </i>All this means is that when you start reading a book, or walk into a movie theater, you willingly set aside doubt or skepticism all for the sake of enjoying a good story. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span> </div>
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Before I get any more into why I started out today's post with a discussion of "suspension of disbelief," let me give the the synopsis of the book we'll be looking at, today. That book is Mary Jennifer Payne's new book, <i>Since You've Been Gone.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A funny example of "suspension of disbelief." [4]</td></tr>
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<u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:</div>
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Edie's mother is late getting home and fifteen-year-old Edie sits looking out the window at a frozen landscape, fidgeting and worrying about her mother. Edie suddenly gets a mysterious call from her mother asking Edie to pack one bag and meet her in the drive-way. They've got to run! Edie is suddenly scared and angry--she must leave her pet cat, Peaches behind. Edie also worries about not being able to tell her friend she is leaving without saying goodbye--Edie will just disappear, and her friend won't know why or where she's gone.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JB5OETwgJA/VJNm_kOcRYI/AAAAAAAALrE/B5oQ-7yCuRY/s1600/UK_london_big_ben_london_eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JB5OETwgJA/VJNm_kOcRYI/AAAAAAAALrE/B5oQ-7yCuRY/s1600/UK_london_big_ben_london_eye.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London, England. [5]</td></tr>
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Having fled from Toronto, Canada, and a day later, in England, Edie wakes up and wonders what happened to her cat, Peaches, since she left. She demands to know from her mother what she did with Peaches; Edie learns the indoor cat was left on the frozen porch with a bowl of cat food. While Edie knows her mother is trying, Edie is still angry and upset. Edie also wants to know if "he" will find them, here, in London.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two women on the run, fifteen-year-old, Edie, and Sydney, her mother, flee from an unknown terror. Edie's mother takes a night job as a cleaner in an office building, and when Edie's mother fails to return home, Edie is left bereft. With no money for food or transportation, and no one to care for her, Edie feels lost and adrift.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-043igIjUWCo/VJNs3UIgJVI/AAAAAAAALrU/vNq_Im0hyM0/s1600/imgMissing-Person.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-043igIjUWCo/VJNs3UIgJVI/AAAAAAAALrU/vNq_Im0hyM0/s1600/imgMissing-Person.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[6]</td></tr>
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Days later, Edie's mother still has not returned to their apartment. Edie tries to follow her own "normal" activities of going to school, but she is quickly targeted and bullied by female school bullies. Edie knows she will have to confront the bullies sooner or later if she is to find any peace. Now, at her wits end, without her mother or money, she does something that could land her in jail. But will Edie's new found friends be able to help her? Will Edie be able to solve the mystery about what happened to her mother? Will she ever find her?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a series of events that leaves Edie fleeing from not only the mysterious stranger, but also the police, Edie puts it all on the line in an incredible effort to solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance. But the real question is, will Edie's past catch up with her before she is able to solve the mystery?<br />
<br />
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE BOOK</u>:</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUNyJbLKmzc/VJkjLxZo8pI/AAAAAAAALus/rXQccmKykNY/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUNyJbLKmzc/VJkjLxZo8pI/AAAAAAAALus/rXQccmKykNY/s1600/NetGalley%2BDisclosure.PNG" height="640" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
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While I liked many things about this book, without a doubt, I most loved the exciting opening of the novel. It grabbed me. Edie, our protagonist, in the very first sentence, tells us that today she punched Ranice in the face. Edie muses on being in trouble with her mom; idly, Edie looks out the window to a frozen, snowy, Canadian landscape and worries about her mom being so late getting home.<br />
<br />
"BAM." The second punch connects. The phone rings and both Edie and her cat jump in surprise; Edie answers the phone and her mom, breathing heavily and frantically, tells her that she needs to pack a bag as quickly as she can. Sydney, Edie's mom, tells her she'll be home in fifteen minutes to pick her up--and insists that Edie not answer the door for anyone.<br />
<br />
Holy mackerel! What a great opening! Of course, author, Mary Jennifer Payne, tells it much better than my poor summation of the few opening paragraphs.<br />
<br />
The book continues to balance suspense with action, pacing the reveals to keep the reader on the edge of the seat. I enjoyed the read from the first word to the last period. While this book is targeted to teens, eighth grade and up, I would say that the writing would also appeal to adults, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I would definitely read future books written by this author.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DhFOhESE1w/VJk4ddTHQKI/AAAAAAAALwQ/VEvCOAhdxew/s1600/willing_suspension_of_disbelief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DhFOhESE1w/VJk4ddTHQKI/AAAAAAAALwQ/VEvCOAhdxew/s1600/willing_suspension_of_disbelief.jpg" height="320" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
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And finally, Payne's novel, <i>Since You've Been Gone,</i> is a quick read, and while it tends to be realistic, it has those elements I mentioned, above, requiring the <i><u style="font-weight: bold;">willing suspension of disbelief</u>. </i>Looking at the series of implausible sequence of events, one would at some point, realize that just far too many coincidences have occurred. The plot becomes one in which the story arc approaches implausibility. Eventually, the reader must reach the point of disbelief and then suspend that disbelief. This scenario is unlikely, however, since most readers, when picking up a novel, have already adopted the mindset in which they have decided, albeit, subconsciously, to enjoy the book and adopt the author's ground rules for the world in which they find themselves. They, in effect, have adopted the <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">willing suspension of disbelief</u> already, even before they have picked up the book.<br />
<br />
A similar event occurs when viewing a television show, movie, or other work of fiction. Having been conditioned by society, readers readily adopt this suspension of their disbelief. If, however, the author crafts their work very poorly then all bets are off.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9pdw5jOtME/VJlDoHdvyRI/AAAAAAAALwg/tW5LU5o_1SE/s1600/military%2Bsci-fi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9pdw5jOtME/VJlDoHdvyRI/AAAAAAAALwg/tW5LU5o_1SE/s1600/military%2Bsci-fi.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[8]</td></tr>
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For example, in a sci-fi movie where CGI is heavily used to the extent that the CGI images look fake, then that suspension of disbelief is out the window. It's almost like waving a red flag in the middle of a scene--it is DISTRACTING to the reader (or viewer) to the point the reader is pulled back to "reality" and out of the author's created world.<br />
<br />
One genre particularly hard on authors in this regard is the genre of "militaristic sci-fi." Avid readers of this genre don't mind fantastically created monsters, aliens, space ships, and any manner of armament, but if the author incorrectly reflects the life of the military man--the novel tends to be panned. [See my post of: <i><a href="http://sharonsloveofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/03/terms-of-enlistment-frontline-series.html">Terms of Enlistment</a> </i>by Marko Kloos (03-30-14).]<br />
<br />
I have to admit that some of the writing came across as a bit choppy. Sometimes the character, Edie, seemed heartless or oblivious to other's feelings or motivations. I don't believe that is truly a bad thing. Teens are NOT adults, with adult reasoning, nor do they have adult actions or behaviors. We shouldn't expect that either, from Edie, just because she's the heroine of the story. Teens can be "heartless" sometimes. I don't expect the author to turn a blind eye to what teens face in open society.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X31gBVOiIQ4/VJlRoYDPv1I/AAAAAAAALxU/0BjxaLnZkIQ/s1600/27947-the-beauty-of-life-is-in-each-precious-moment-stop-and-smell.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X31gBVOiIQ4/VJlRoYDPv1I/AAAAAAAALxU/0BjxaLnZkIQ/s1600/27947-the-beauty-of-life-is-in-each-precious-moment-stop-and-smell.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[9]</td></tr>
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I also don't think that finding out what happens to Edie's mom--late in the book--is necessarily a bad thing, either. Readers don't always get to know what they want to know when they want to know it. The writing technique is utilized to build suspense and create tension. I think, whether or not you like or dislike this book might be dependent upon whether or not you allow yourself to go along for the ride. Are you enjoying the story or trying to analyze every paragraph and sentence looking for flaws? It all depends on what you want to get out of a book.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlgj_PqHc1Q/VJlSnCozdeI/AAAAAAAALxc/EOLv2Ou6rZs/s1600/flower_carpet_rose_scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlgj_PqHc1Q/VJlSnCozdeI/AAAAAAAALxc/EOLv2Ou6rZs/s1600/flower_carpet_rose_scarlet.jpg" height="188" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No, I do not believe every bad book should be accepted as good by merely suspending your disbelief. I do think there is a place for the <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">willing suspension of disbelief</u> in reading a book, however. Have you ever heard about stopping and smelling the roses? How about just enjoying something just for the sake of it?<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:<br />
This book's target audience, as I mentioned, above, is for eighth-grade readers and older. Since this book is for teen audiences, I would say, generally, the book is appropriate for that age group. As always, for anyone who has a sensitive nature, or is younger than the target audience, consideration must be given to the material before reading. The novel does cover kidnapping, murder, abuse, fear, and (potential) molestation. I don't recall any bad language in the novel, making it appropriate for the target group.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWSTRviV1Tw/VJlKSJ_QOLI/AAAAAAAALw8/LpRxowPmIxY/s1600/Stars4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWSTRviV1Tw/VJlKSJ_QOLI/AAAAAAAALw8/LpRxowPmIxY/s1600/Stars4.jpg" height="63" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given my reasons, above, the negative and the positive, and my thorough enjoyment of this YA novel, by this wonderful author, Mary Jennifer Payne, I have no qualms about awarding this book 4.0 stars out of 5. I would read the book again, and would recommend it to others. I think this novel has the potential to reach teens who are struggling to find their way in the world, especially when facing isolation, those who have to move frequently, abuse within the family, those who know or know of the murder of a friend or family member, or those who simply struggle to be accepted. I believe this novel will also appeal to readers of contemporary stories about teens leading a troubled life. I applaud Ms. Payne's novel.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpxQsquE0-o/VJlUgbU5tsI/AAAAAAAALxo/aSRPG-4o__A/s1600/thank-you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpxQsquE0-o/VJlUgbU5tsI/AAAAAAAALxo/aSRPG-4o__A/s1600/thank-you.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
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Thank you for joining me today, as we were privileged to look at Mary Jennifer Payne's wonderful new novel, to be released on January 24, 2015. Please join me next week as I pick up another book in which we can have a bit of enjoyment looking at it. Thank you for taking time to read my blog post, this week. I always appreciate your consideration of my ideas and comments. Do take some time this week to read a little bit. Most likely, you will have a few days off over the Christmas holidays, so pick up a book and give it a try.<br />
<br />
Until next week...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL5vAYqYZRU/VJlOmAzEllI/AAAAAAAALxI/RAFNWNTq-V4/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL5vAYqYZRU/VJlOmAzEllI/AAAAAAAALxI/RAFNWNTq-V4/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [13]</td></tr>
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...many happy pages of reading.</div>
<br />
God bless you this holiday season, and<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas.<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">RESOURCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Since-Youve-Been-Jennifer-Payne/dp/1459728181/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418834350&sr=8-1&keywords=since+you%27ve+been+gone+jennifer+payne&pebp=1418834353680">Since You've Been Gone</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-17-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <i>"<a href="http://www.shmoop.com/literature-glossary/suspension-of-disbelief.html">Suspension of Disbelief - Definition</a>."</i> shmoop.com. Retrieved 12-18-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Mark-Helprin-Winters-Tale-1st/dp/B0022D9216/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1418942727&sr=8-7&keywords=mark+helprin+winter%27s+tale&pebp=1418942730185">Winter's Tale</a>."</i> [hardcover/paperback ed.] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 12-18-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://dipthatpen.tumblr.com/post/41036923336/the-suspension-of-disbelief-and-why-you-shouldnt">Dip that pen, Shake that speare</a>."</i> dipthatpen.tumblr.com. Retrieved 12-18-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://www.raileurope.com/blog/?attachment_id=3015">Rail Europe</a>."</i> [London, England] raileurope.com. Retrieved 12-18-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.missingpersoninvestigators.com/">Dedicated to Locating Missing Persons</a>." </i>missingpersoninvestigators.com. Retrieved 12-18-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://thesecondsight.blogspot.com/2010/12/forgotten-genius-of-henry-hoke.html">The Forgotten Genius of Henry Hoke</a>."</i> thesecondsight.blogspot.com. Retrieved 12-22-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andrewliptak/war-stories-modern-military-science-fiction">War Stories: Modern Military Science Fiction</a>."</i> kickstarter.com. Retrieved 12-23-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://inspirably.com/quotes/by-tanja-christine-jaeger/the-beauty-of-life-is-in-each-precious-moment-stop-and-smell">Quotes Picture by Tanya Christine Jaeger</a>."</i> inspirably.com. Retrieved 12-23-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://easytogrowblog.com/stop-and-smell-the-roses/">Stop and Smell the Roses No, Really!</a>"</i> easytogrowblog.com. Retrieved 12-23-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://cinedork.com/2013/12/26/review-the-wolf-of-wall-street/">Review: The Wolf of Wall Street</a>."</i> cinedork.com. Retrieved 12-23-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://herhighheels.blogspot.com/2012/07/thank-you-thank-you-thank-you.html">Thank You, Thank You, Thank You</a>."</i> herhighheels.blogspot.com. Retrieved 12-23-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden</a>."</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 12-23-14.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-62233895775905396272014-12-10T23:27:00.000-08:002014-12-11T00:32:53.187-08:00The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and See The Trailer for The Battle of the Five Armies!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.</span></div>
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<i>The Hero With A Thousand Faces</i> by Joseph Campbell [1949], p. 23.<br />
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Joseph Campbell described the "Hero's Journey" in his book, <i>The Hero With A Thousand Faces.</i> Campbell explains how this journey has captured the minds and hearts of everyone who learns of it. The Hero's Journey is so ingrained into the human psyche as to be found in virtually every culture that has ever been. People never weary of the story of a person who sets out on a journey where he or she encounters obstacles and faces temptations, all to obtain the magic elixir, or sword, or talisman in order to save his family or his people. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[2]</td></tr>
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One of the most captivating stories about the hero's journey is from the pen of J.R.R. Tolkien, entitled, <i>The Hobbit.</i> All of Tolkien's stories have had long-lasting appeal; indeed, even his story of <i>The Hobbit</i> has been reprinted in a 75th anniversary edition. In fact, the story is so popular that movie-makers have made a series of movies based on the book, <i>The Hobbit</i>: <i>An Unexpected Journey</i> (2012), <i>The Desolation of Smaug</i> (2013), and <i>The Battle of the Five Armies</i> (Set for release on December 17, 2014). Even though many people already know the story of <i>The Hobbit</i>, let's take a quick look at the synopsis.</div>
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<u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:</div>
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Gandalf and a party of Dwarves entice a reluctant Bilbo to join their quest to help recover Dwarf lands (The Lonely Mountain) and treasures from the dragon, Smaug, in return for a share of the treasure. The group begins their journey, facing a series of challenges and trials to get to the Lonely Mountain. The first is a group of trolls where Bilbo buys time by keeping the trolls talking about cooking--at dawn Gandalf appears and saves the day. After a stop at Rivendell to get help understanding their map, Elrond reveals some secrets that the map held. </div>
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Moving on, they travel over the Misty Mountains and The Valley of the Stone Giants, only to be caught by goblins. They are taken into the bowels of the earth, where Bilbo sneaks away, only to get lost in other dark tunnels. While Gandalf rescues the Dwarves, Bilbo finds a magic ring. He then encounters Gollum and they engage in a riddle contest--if Bilbo loses, he loses his life. Bilbo wins but can't get Gollum to lead him out of the tunnels. Eventually Bilbo, with the help of the magic ring, escapes. The Dwarves and Bilbo find each other and flee from the Goblins and Wargs who chase them; cornered, the party climbs up some trees and are only saved from death by the giant Eagles who come to rescue them.</div>
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The group next encounters Beorn, a bear skinchanger. Beorn feeds them and gives them advice before they set out for the black forest of Mirkwood. After even more life-threatening encounters, the Dwarves eventually get to the Lonely Mountain and use the key to open the secret door. Bilbo enters first and encounters the dragon, Smaug. Bilbo steals a golden cup and reports back about Smaug's weakness. The dragon deduces that the people of Lake-town helped the Dwarves and goes to destroy the town--but Bard, kills Smaug with an arrow to a vulnerable location--Smaug's Achilles' heel. Meanwhile, Bilbo has found and hidden the Arkenstone. Quickly, men from Lake-town and the Wood-elves come and demand compensation for their help--Thorin refuses to deal with an armed force. Bilbo, trying to head off a clash of armies, gives the Arkenstone to Bard so he can ransome it. Unhappily for Bilbo, after he admits to taking the stone, he is banished by Thorin.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, Gandalf is meeting with Beorn,<br />
the bear skinchanger, in his bear form.<br />
[5]</td></tr>
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It is at this low point when Gandalf reappears and warns everyone that an immense army of Goblins and Wargs is approaching. Quickly, the Dwarves, men and elves join forces in time to battle the Goblin army. On the threshold of losing the war, Beorn arrives as a bear to do battle and he is joined by the magnificent giant eagles, to save the day. Even so, Thorin is fatally wounded. He sends for Bilbo and reconciles with him before he dies. Sadly, Fili and Kili are also killed in the battle. Bilbo takes a small share and goes home a wealthier and wiser hobbit.</div>
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<u>MY FAVORITE QUOTE</u>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
'Farewell, King under the Mountain!' he said. 'This is a bitter adventure, if it must end so; and not a mountain of gold can amend it. Yet I am glad that I have shared in your perils--that has been more than any Baggins deserves. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(p. 290)</span></blockquote>
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I chose this beautiful quote, Bilbo's final farewell to Thorin Oakenshield, not only because it is sentimental and poignant, but also because Bilbo shows that he has grown enough to make amends with a friend--instead of throwing it back in his face for Thorin's banishing him from the group. Here, Bilbo shows remarkable maturity and grace.<br />
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Even more importantly, I chose it because Bilbo acknowledges the gratitude in his heart for the great grace of being able to accompany Thorin on his journey. This simple acknowledgement tells Thorin that Bilbo feels he has gained more from the journey than wealth can buy. In this regard, Thorin then says, "No!...There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly west. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(p.290)</span> Thorin acknowledges Bilbo's attitude towards life and the realization that while gold may be important, valuing the good things and people in life is far more important. It is, basically, the order in which Bilbo sets the value of things in his life. Moreover, in doing so, Thorin has acknowledged Bilbo's value and that Thorin, too, has learned to value Bilbo above the Gold.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT </u><i><u>THE HOBBIT</u>:</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
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Well, I know that I have already tipped my hand about what I think about the book, given my opening remarks about <i>The Hero's Journey</i>. I love the book. Others are not quite so generous because they tend to compare <i>The Hobbit</i> to the epic <i>Lord of the Rings</i> (<i>LOTR) </i>series, also by J.R.R. Tolkien. I've heard disparaging remarks mostly from die hard <i>LOTR </i>fans. Hey, not to disparage <i>LOTR</i> fans, because I'm one of them, it's just that that's where I hear most of the criticisms.<br />
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One of the things I like most about <i>The Hobbit</i>, aside from my favorite quote, above, is that this wonderful story is the story about adventure and wonder, and "fabulous forces," encountered on a journey of discovery. The journey of a quest. Such a journey is known as a <i>monomyth</i>, or The Hero's Journey.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytdrZwtFLX8/VIeuSUDqikI/AAAAAAAALP4/TuxixIrRuK8/s1600/Monomyth.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytdrZwtFLX8/VIeuSUDqikI/AAAAAAAALP4/TuxixIrRuK8/s1600/Monomyth.PNG" height="41" width="400" /></a></div>
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Joseph Campbell showed the world that seventeen steps comprised The Hero's Journey. Today, we're going to condense it down to the three primary stages. They are <b>(1) The Departure</b>: in which the Hero/Heroine leaves their familiar and safe world behind; <b>(2) Initiation</b>: Our Hero learns to make his way through the unfamiliar territory of Adventure; and <b>(3) The Return</b>: where our Hero returns to his or her familiar world from which they started. Here is a graphic with the three primary stages shown on the inside of the bubble and the 17 stages listed on the outside to show you just what I mean:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IHCucnj3mo/VIf8JS8BH1I/AAAAAAAALQI/bXbvfdx9yjA/s1600/Heros-Journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IHCucnj3mo/VIf8JS8BH1I/AAAAAAAALQI/bXbvfdx9yjA/s1600/Heros-Journey.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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The story opens with Bilbo peacefully living in his "Hobbit Hole," when Gandalf comes up and tells him he'd like Bilbo to come with him for an "Adventure." Bilbo says, "Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not today." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(p.6)</span> After a night of eating, singing, and drinking with the Darves, Bilbo gets up to an empty house. Gandalf comes in and tells him he has ten minutes to get to the group. He does nudge Bilbo out the door, but Bilbo chooses to go. This is the whole of <b><u>THE DEPARTURE</u></b> stage--check the chart and fit the pieces. When Bilbo goes out his front door, he has crossed the First Threshold!<br />
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Next comes <b><u>THE INITIATION</u></b> stage. This is where the hero is tested, his road of trials:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qND1Aqc9ISo/VIiHYxq56CI/AAAAAAAALQY/ALAf4XLiRD0/s1600/trolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qND1Aqc9ISo/VIiHYxq56CI/AAAAAAAALQY/ALAf4XLiRD0/s1600/trolls.jpg" height="179" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>Bilbo and the Dwarves meet the trolls. Bilbo has his first attempt at theft. Bilbo is challenged to use his ability to <b><u>speak</u></b> in order to delay the trolls from killing any one of them. Notice that Gandalf is always away when the hero is tested.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The road over the Misty Mountains and the Valley of the Stone Giants is a <u><b>physical</b></u> challenge of strength, tenacity and endurance--this is where the group is captured by the Goblins.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Taken into the deep recesses of the earth, Bilbo is separated from his party. He must, by himself, face this challenge. Through the dark, Bilbo finds the One Ring--his talisman--and pockets it; soon after, Bilbo bets his life on a game of <b style="text-decoration: underline;">wits</b> with Gollum --the riddle contest. (Both parties escape the Goblins and meet up outside the Goblin's warren.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Bilbo and the Dwarves are chased by the Goblins and their Wargs. Bilbo must<u><b> keep his fear under control and not panic</b></u>, as the group runs to a bluff where they are trapped. They all climb the trees, Gandalf throws fireballs at the group and everything goes up in flames. Outside help comes in the form of the giant Eagles who pick up and carry away the group members.</li>
<li>Regrouping, Bilbo and the Dwarves meet an important character: Beorn, the bear skinchanger.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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Bilbo learns that <u><b>good can come from unexpected places</b></u>.</li>
<li>Onward, the party presses through the black forest of Mirkwood. There they leave the path and must face three trials: (1) Crossing the magic stream; (2) Fighting the spiders (and Bilbo names his sword, "Sting"); and (3) Capture by the Wood-elves. With the help of the ring, Bilbo eludes capture. Bilbo must use <b><u>patience, cunning, and planning</u></b> to help break out his Dwarf friends from the Wood-elves dungeon cells. They next go to Lake town and on to the Lonely Mountain.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Bilbo's final two great challenges are (1) Bilbo must face himself in a test of loyalties--does he choose his Dwarf friends, or his new friend, Bard (who kills the dragon)? (2) Bilbo must face the dragon. This is the hardest test in the book for Bilbo. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgP7GFbq0tU/VIiTaOXFYsI/AAAAAAAALRA/efrAByjnJNM/s1600/Arkenstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgP7GFbq0tU/VIiTaOXFYsI/AAAAAAAALRA/efrAByjnJNM/s1600/Arkenstone.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After all the long quest, The Arkenstone<br />
is buried with Thorin. [12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
In the final stage, <u style="font-weight: bold;">THE RETURN</u>, Bilbo attempts to stop the war by giving the Arkenstone to Bard to ransom. The attempt fails and Bilbo is exiled. Then, Gandalf comes and warns of the Goblin Army approaching. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A great battle is fought, Thorin is mortally wounded, but dies making amends to Bilbo. Bilbo only takes a small amount of treasure and goes home. There, he finds that his property is being sold because he was presumed dead. He recovers most of his things and leads a quiet life having grown and having learned the lessons of his journey with the Dwarves.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The "fabulous forces" working upon Bilbo changed him. As Gandalf says, he is no longer the same Hobbit. When Bilbo left his home and crossed the threshold for the first time, he complained of not having his pocket handkerchief. I think that Bilbo learned that at every awakening, every threshold something is lost, "your shoe, your watch, your favorite negligee." For Bilbo, symbolically, it was his pocket handkerchief. Now Bilbo knows that was yesterday. Yesterday he needed those things, but today "the Universe teaches [him] that [he didn't]" need them at all. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[13]</span></div>
<br />
While <i>The Hobbit </i>may be considered for younger readers, adults can gain from reading the beautiful story. Look at what Joseph Campbell said, you step from the common every day world into one of "supernatural wonder"!<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubU9_yrEa10/VIkooSTe4fI/AAAAAAAALRw/rvbPOO6ESfg/s1600/may-the-force-be-with-you.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubU9_yrEa10/VIkooSTe4fI/AAAAAAAALRw/rvbPOO6ESfg/s1600/may-the-force-be-with-you.gif" height="263" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> <u>FABULOUS FORCES</u></b> are encountered! What is not to love about that? All you have to do is let yourself go and enjoy the story. Get into it and allow yourself to experience the wonder of the encounters the way young people do. Let any jadedness go. Just let the child in you enjoy, rejoice, and be excited! Is it any wonder I love this book? If you let yourself, you will, too. Let the "Fabulous Forces" be with you!<br />
<br />
Have you realized, yet, that the <i>Hero With a Thousand Faces</i> is you? That's right. Campbell tells us that we are ALL on a hero's journey encountering fabulous forces, being tested and facing formidable obstacles and brilliant ecstasy. Where are you on your hero's journey?<br />
<br />
<u><i>THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES</i> MOVIE</u>:<br />
Before I leave you, today, I thought you might enjoy seeing the trailer of the movie being released on December 17th. If you think you might enjoy it, take a look (I loved this trailer!):<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15]</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iVAgTiBrrDA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<u><br /></u>
A HUGE cast of stars are in the movie, including, but not limited to: Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug/Necromancer, Lee Pace as Thranduil, Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel, Luke Evans as Bard, Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Manu Bennett as Azog, Aidan Turner as Kili, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Dean O'Gorman as Fili, Christopher Lee as Saruman, and many others. Directing the picture is Peter Jackson, with writing credits going to J.R.R. Tolkien (novel), Guillermo del Toro, Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Fran Walsh (screenplay). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[16]</span> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezhh9CMIC74/VIk4rrcsqQI/AAAAAAAALSA/Xvsb0sF1xgc/s1600/About%2BThis%2BBook%2BThe%2BHobbit.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezhh9CMIC74/VIk4rrcsqQI/AAAAAAAALSA/Xvsb0sF1xgc/s1600/About%2BThis%2BBook%2BThe%2BHobbit.PNG" height="640" width="218" /></a><u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:<br />
The movie, <i>The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies</i>, is rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[14]</span> MPAA also states that no sex or nudity is in the movie and not bad language; some scenes with smoking do occur. The book, however, is--obviously--less frightening to the reader. Since graphic images give a sense of immediacy that a book does not, I would permit most grade school students to read the book--if they are interested.<br />
<br />
I would definitely downgrade the PG-13 movie rating to, maybe PG. All parents should know what their children read since they know how sensitive their children are and how much the material would be influential to the child. To all others, especially you adults, I would highly recommend this wonderful, fun-filled novel of adventure. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[17]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f797TlCkW18/VIkC-78L0WI/AAAAAAAALRQ/nvmpiVNtY6U/s1600/5stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f797TlCkW18/VIkC-78L0WI/AAAAAAAALRQ/nvmpiVNtY6U/s1600/5stars.jpg" height="68" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[18]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Given my love for the book, stated above, it was very easy for me to rate this book. I give the book 5 stars out of 5. Good reading to all of you.<br />
<br />
Thank you all for joining me this week as we got to review <i>The Hobbit</i> by J.R.R. Tolkien. Please join me next week as we look at another exciting new title.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeVUnx8FvPc/VIkWoFMYzyI/AAAAAAAALRg/iOx1RdhxluQ/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeVUnx8FvPc/VIkWoFMYzyI/AAAAAAAALRg/iOx1RdhxluQ/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [19]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hobbit-There-Back-Again/dp/054792822X/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WG679QHJ9XRVSWASQ3S">The Hobbit or There and Back Again.</a>"</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]<i>"<a href="http://www.hdwallpapers.in/the_hobbit_movie-wallpapers.html">The Hobbit Movie</a>."</i> hewallpapers.in. Retrieved 12-09-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.techlivewire.com/4322/what-is-meaning-of-writing-on-ring-lord-of-the-rings.html">What is the meaning of writing on ring...?</a>"</i> techlivewire.com. Retrieved 12-09-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://www.thehdroom.com/news/the-hobbit-movie-dwarves-assemble-37296/">The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition</a>."</i> thehdroom.com. Retrieved 12-09-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="https://atolkienistperspective.wordpress.com/2013/12/14/dos-major-editorial-changes/">DoS: Major Editorial Changes?</a>" </i>atolkienistperspective.wordpress.com. Retrieved 12-09-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://tolkiengeek.blogspot.com/2014/11/chapter-eighteen-return-journey.html">Chapter 18: The Return Journey</a>."</i> tolkiengeek.blogspot.com. Retrieved 12-09-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"<a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/haveamagnificentday/2014/03/the-tiny-seed.html#">The Tiny Seed</a>."</i> beliefnet.com. Retrieved 12-09-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://pierofalci.com/blog/2014/04/08/heros-journey/">Hero's Journey</a>."</i> pierofalci.com. Retrieved 12-09-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tom,_Bert,_and_William">In the Hobbit</a>."</i> lotr.wikia.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://twilightswarden.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/movie-review-the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-2012/">Movie Review: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' (2012)</a>."</i> twilightswarden.wordpress.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/186406872049531456/">Beorn</a>."</i> pinterest.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/krasznaik/a-hobbit/">The Arkenstone.</a>"</i> pinterest.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.rebellesociety.com/2013/08/15/5-signs-youre-on-the-heros-journey/">5 Signs You're on the Hero's Journey.</a>"</i> [by Allison Nappi] rebellesociety.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="http://thinkpurpose.com/2012/11/18/i-am-luke-skywalker/">I Am Luke Skywalker</a>."</i> thinkpurpose.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAgTiBrrDA">The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies--Official Main Trailer [HD]</a>."</i> youtube.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_961789555"></span>The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.<span id="goog_961789556"></span></a>"</i> imdb.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2310332/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg">The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.</a>"</i> [MPAA Rating] imdb.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://pixgood.com/5-stars.html">Rating 5 Out of 5</a>."</i> pixgood.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden.</a>"</i> sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hobbit-There-Back-Again/dp/054792822X/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WG679QHJ9XRVSWASQ3S">The Hobbit or There and Back Again.</a>"</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 12-10-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[*] <i>"<a href="https://www.tumblr.com/search/The+Adventures+of+Tom+Bombadil">Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien [3 January 1892-2 September 1973</a>]."</i> tumblr.com. Retrieved 12-02-14.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04181964240156976600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250690391371958266.post-37608026971111557582014-11-30T23:48:00.003-08:002014-12-03T09:07:14.813-08:00Mockingjay: The Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 3, by Suzanne Collins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNd6GxZxDi4/VHV_SpV-KRI/AAAAAAAAK8g/9Yx5wyKvgfs/s1600/The%2BMockingjay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNd6GxZxDi4/VHV_SpV-KRI/AAAAAAAAK8g/9Yx5wyKvgfs/s1600/The%2BMockingjay.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[1]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Book Review by:<br />
Sharon Powers.<br />
<br />
"Hope" is the thing with feathers -<br />
That perches in the soul -<br />
And sings the tune without the words -<br />
And never stops - at all -<br />
<br />
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -<br />
And sore must be the storm -<br />
That could abash the little Bird<br />
That kept so many warm -<br />
<br />
I've heard it in the chillest land -<br />
And on the strangest Sea -<br />
Yet - never - in Extremity,<br />
It asked a crumb - of me.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Title:</span> "Hope is the thing with feathers"<br />
By Emily Dickinson. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In capturing the spirit of "Hope" for us all, Emily Dickinson personifies "Hope" as a bird, a "thing with feathers." She goes even further and tells us that this bird "perches in the soul," and just as shockingly, sings a tune without words--and it never stops. It is almost as if Suzanne Collins called up as muse, Emily Dickinson, to sing Collins a song from Dickinson's own soul. And then, inspire Collins to devise a story through the inspiration of "Hope is the thing with feathers." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyISn9hFRa8/VHpoiZO1F0I/AAAAAAAAK9Q/iuLyMqZ27mI/s1600/Hope%2BDickinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyISn9hFRa8/VHpoiZO1F0I/AAAAAAAAK9Q/iuLyMqZ27mI/s1600/Hope%2BDickinson.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[3]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gale, the name of Katniss's friend from District 12, bears the name of a windstorm. The gale in the <i>Hunger Games Trilogy</i>, is, of course, about the winds of war--the past, most assuredly, but also the present (in the story line). Hope is the "sweetest" in the midst of the storm that bashes the little bird of hope about, whether it be fought with guns and bullets or in the tempest of the soul. We see both kinds of storms in the series, especially in the last book, <i>Mockingjay</i>. In the book, Katniss is, metaphorically, the mockingjay. She is, therefore, the symbol of hope for all the people. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NpO44SmTb8/VHpwEYZqfiI/AAAAAAAAK9g/sy-tiKSOC2g/s1600/rue_whiterunderhands2_725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NpO44SmTb8/VHpwEYZqfiI/AAAAAAAAK9g/sy-tiKSOC2g/s1600/rue_whiterunderhands2_725.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From: <i>Hunger Games, Book 1</i>, Concept of Peeta's<br />
Portrait of Rue (during <i>Catching Fire, Book 2</i>). [4]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The "mockingjay" sings the song of hope in a number of places in the series, the most public one is when she sings to Rue as she is dying (the first <i>Hunger Games</i>); and later, she says she sees Rue in the flowers in the meadow and that she hears her in the mockingjay's song. Also, when Katniss is out by the lake under the trees (in, <i>Mockingjay</i>) and sings, "Under the Hanging Tree," she brings tears to Pollux's eyes. This moment is especially poignant since Pollux is an Avox; having had his tongue cut out, he cannot speak. Moreover, it works beautifully as a symbol of Katniss as the "thing with feathers," (the mockingjay) a symbol of hope, because Katniss sings for all the people who cannot speak.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4KsAw4WAfo/VHp0sEx-NxI/AAAAAAAAK9s/P6N4AYkdiRs/s1600/hope_by_burythereckless-d6vz97y.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4KsAw4WAfo/VHp0sEx-NxI/AAAAAAAAK9s/P6N4AYkdiRs/s1600/hope_by_burythereckless-d6vz97y.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[5]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first two books in the series carry a message of hope that also works well in book three, <i>Mockingjay. </i>Katniss and Peeta have both been bashed about by the storm of war and have come out irrevocably changed. Hope, though, perching there, in their souls, unseen, nonetheless, sings its song of hope to them. And though it takes a long, long time, they do heal. Before I go on talking more about the book, I had better give you the book synopsis. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>SHORT BOOK SYNOPSIS</u>:</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuTBomJ3PlI/VHu14sKM0zI/AAAAAAAAK-8/R6Qq6DaLw2k/s1600/spoiler%2Balert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuTBomJ3PlI/VHu14sKM0zI/AAAAAAAAK-8/R6Qq6DaLw2k/s1600/spoiler%2Balert.jpg" height="118" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This section contains spoilers! [6]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the title of the book, <i>Mockingjay</i>, most of us were probably not surprised that Katniss would become the Mockingjay in Book 3. As the book opens, Katniss is in District 13, recovering from the burns she received at the Capitol, in the last book (<i>Catching Fire</i>). Katniss becomes the pawn of the rebel forces and agrees to become the Mockingjay. In exchange for her performance, the rebels agree to grant amnesty to Peeta and all Victors, and...Katniss gets to kill President Snow.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQHEtYzi7mQ/VHuukgYIZ3I/AAAAAAAAK-Y/hurcnFvZNeA/s1600/the_hanging_tree_by_ashdoh-d5fbrsc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQHEtYzi7mQ/VHuukgYIZ3I/AAAAAAAAK-Y/hurcnFvZNeA/s1600/the_hanging_tree_by_ashdoh-d5fbrsc.jpg" height="200" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[7]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Katniss appears in a number of "propos" for the rebels; her reputation grows, and she gives hope to everyone. In a trip to District 12, she sings, "The Hanging Tree," for Pollux, an Avox with no voice, symbolically giving all the voiceless a voice. Returning to District 13, Beetee is successful in gaining access to the Capitol's airways feed--they see Peeta, and before he is dragged off and beaten, he screams out a warning to the rebels. Katniss breaks down and refuses to do more propos, so a plan is made to rescue Peeta, Annie and other hostages. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The rescue is successful. When Peeta recovers in the infirmary, however, he tries to kill Katniss by choking her, but guards intervene. The rebels discover that Peeta has been "hijacked," that is, he has been submitted to mind-altering programming along with certain venoms. Peeta is put under treatment and over time slowly makes progress. Katniss is assigned to Squad 451 [A nod here to the book <i>Fahrenheit 451</i> by Ray Bradbury--451 is the temperature at which paper burns.]. Then, when Peeta is assigned to Squad 451, the commander, Boggs and Katniss realize that President Coin (of District 13) secretly sent Peeta to kill her.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay7PWEtCpRQ/VHuwevrhVXI/AAAAAAAAK-k/9cfpfSk1T4A/s1600/Gale%2BCaptured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay7PWEtCpRQ/VHuwevrhVXI/AAAAAAAAK-k/9cfpfSk1T4A/s1600/Gale%2BCaptured.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a scene from the movie, <i>Mockingjay, Part I</i>, <br />
Released to the big screen on 11-21-14. [8]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On a mission on the outskirts of the Capitol, the Squad runs into trouble, Boggs is killed and Katniss takes over. Knowing she can't go back, she leads the squad towards President Snow's mansion with the goal of killing him. Along the way most of the squad is killed, and Gale is captured. Katniss makes it to the mansion under cover with other refugees. A hovercraft appears and drops parachutes (like those used in the Hunger Games), some of them go off killing the children holding them. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rebel medics come in to help the wounded--Katniss see Prue--and then the second wave of bombs go off killing Prue and many, many others, fire consuming and burning people to death. Katniss, too, is burned, but survives and wakes up in the hospital, again. Katniss and Gale decide to part ways since they suspect it was Gale's plan that was used by Coin to kill the children in the bombing--Gale knows Katniss could never live with him in peace.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWPMOA3Ch7U/VHuzT0MxTXI/AAAAAAAAK-w/_MaZXxUdhBY/s1600/President_Alma_Coin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWPMOA3Ch7U/VHuzT0MxTXI/AAAAAAAAK-w/_MaZXxUdhBY/s1600/President_Alma_Coin.jpeg" height="197" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Alma Coin. [9]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Capitol is taken by rebel forces, President Snow is tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. Then, President Coin calls the sole surviving seven victors in for one last duty. Coin proposes staging one last Hunger games with the Capitol's children selected for reaping--the victors to vote on the outcome. Thinking the vote is Coin's last test for her, Katniss votes yes to avoid possible death at Coin's hands. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The day of the execution arrives and Katniss dresses and prepares for the public event. She is given her bow and one arrow and placed only ten feet from Snow to shoot him. She aims at Snow, but at the last second points the arrow at Coin and releases the arrow killing President Coin. Katniss is arrested, tried and then released under medical supervision. She returns to District 12 to live without her mother. Peeta and Haymitch also return to 12 to live, Haymitch returning to his previous life style, Peeta continuing to slowly recover. Time passes and along with their slow recovery, Peeta and Katniss slowly fall in love. Eventually, they marry and have two children. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pihkQ1S1PM/VHu6UpOreGI/AAAAAAAAK_I/KplT34TiKKI/s1600/my%2Bfavorite%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0pihkQ1S1PM/VHu6UpOreGI/AAAAAAAAK_I/KplT34TiKKI/s1600/my%2Bfavorite%2Bquote.jpg" height="58" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[10]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
My children...one day I'll have to explain about my nightmares. Why they came. Why they won't ever really go away. I'll tell them how I survive it. I'll tell them that on bad mornings, it feels impossible to take pleasure in anything because I'm afraid it could be taken away. That's when I make a list in my head of every act of goodness I've seen someone do. It's like a game. Repetitive. Even a little tedious after more than twenty years. But there are much worse games to play. (pp. 387-388)</blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfIN7WKsugk/VHvW7ze644I/AAAAAAAAK_Y/gMdrduUPLpc/s1600/kindness_quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfIN7WKsugk/VHvW7ze644I/AAAAAAAAK_Y/gMdrduUPLpc/s1600/kindness_quote.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[11]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The very first time I read this passage I just melted and thought how hopeful it was. I mean, just think about this passage, someone looking at every act of goodness observed! And then, when the times are bad, it is repeated and remembered, again.<br />
<br />
I recently reread the book again, in anticipation of writing this blog post, so it is fresh in my mind. What I discovered is that as I have aged, I have lost a goodly number of people I have loved in my life, and thinking about the good things I've seen them do for others, also dredges up painful memories of their loss. Replaying those good things over and over is a lot like constantly ripping a healing scab off, and then doing it again--it never heals. I've had to put away pictures of love ones who have passed away so they aren't a daily and constant renewal of pain. For me, picking some sweet memory--one moment in time--is much healthier. I visit that one joyful moment over and over again, never wearying of its memory. It never gets tedious.<br />
<br />
<u>WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK</u>:<br />
<u>WHAT WORKS FOR ME</u>:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8_MvIoyIzk/VHv4M4Cy6pI/AAAAAAAAK_o/ioCRif3I0V0/s1600/themes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8_MvIoyIzk/VHv4M4Cy6pI/AAAAAAAAK_o/ioCRif3I0V0/s1600/themes.jpg" height="131" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[12]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So many important themes, symbols, and motifs grace the pages of Suzanne Collins trilogy, we can only wonder at how she was able to write such a compelling story and weave them all together. I covered a few of them in the last two weeks, so I will not revisit those, today. Here are a few of my personal favorites: Real or not real?; Coming full circle; The girl on fire; Mutations created to serve a specific purpose (i.e. the contestants in the games or "fire mutts"); The Phoenix (birth/death/rebirth); Stone; Games (a really big one), Sacrifice; Costume (or what you wear is who you are); Hope out of despair, Unusual alliances, and others.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWTldLKx4ls/VHv5myee9HI/AAAAAAAAK_w/IUgUqbZzOl8/s1600/mother%2Bdaughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWTldLKx4ls/VHv5myee9HI/AAAAAAAAK_w/IUgUqbZzOl8/s1600/mother%2Bdaughter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[13]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last week I addressed the relationship between Katniss and her mother. In the <i>Mockingjay</i>, Katniss's sister, Prim, is killed in the firebombing at Snow's Mansion, causing the loss of her beloved sister. The loss devastates Katniss, causing a mental break down--placing her in a similar situation to Katniss's mother lost her husband and had a mental breakdown. At the end of the book, Katniss's mother cannot return to District 12 after losing Prim, because the memories are just too painful for her. That leaves Katniss and Prim's cat--two who hated each other--forming an unusual alliance for survival.<br />
<br />
<u>WHAT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME</u>: <br />
While I love the book and it has many things I find laudable, I really did not care for the ending of the book. I have had friends and relatives tell me they didn't like the ending of the book, either, after they had finished reading it. The ambiguity inherent in the resolution of the conflicts in which all were involved can be troublesome to many readers. We know that Gale comes up with the plan to have a first attack followed by a second attack when medics or rescue personnel think everything is safe. The same type of attack is utilized in front of Snow's Mansion when the children and medics, including Prim, Katniss's sister, are killed, and Katniss, herself, is burned.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPBYbD48aTE/VHv64aFsk3I/AAAAAAAAK_8/iFPghhMYLX0/s1600/finger-pointing-1308660615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPBYbD48aTE/VHv64aFsk3I/AAAAAAAAK_8/iFPghhMYLX0/s1600/finger-pointing-1308660615.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fingerpointing. [14]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK. So, then, in her meeting with Snow, he tells Katniss that the bombing really was President Coin's doing, that she had taken the hovercraft, it was her bombs and her plan. He also tells Katniss that Coin has been lusting after the Capitol's Presidency for years and was determined to get it. So what does Katniss do? She breaks up with Gale, because they each think it was his plans and bombs that caused the killing, and second, she takes her single arrow with Snow's name on it and kills President Coin.<br />
<br />
Here's the wrinkle: President Snow has a granddaughter we see (only in) the <i>Mockingjay</i> book. President Snow, seeing the handwriting on the wall could have been trying to save his family, and especially, his granddaughter from coming retribution at the hands of the rebels, as well as using his love for his granddaughter to bolster his argument that he loves children and wouldn't do anything so despicable. Remember also that Snow tells Katniss that its the things you love most that destroy you--could he mean his own family?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0V1enHtLaws/VHv_eXewg5I/AAAAAAAALAQ/t2cp0uQZeuE/s1600/Died%2BLaughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0V1enHtLaws/VHv_eXewg5I/AAAAAAAALAQ/t2cp0uQZeuE/s1600/Died%2BLaughing.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[15]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since Snow is also dying of a wasting disease (presumably tuberculosis), he really has nothing to lose except his family. Snow also accuses Katniss of lying and says, "Oh, my dear Miss Everdeen. I thought we had agreed not to lie to each other." (p.355) Since we know Katniss lies, we can assume Snow lies also--but what facts are being lied about? So whether or not Snow was despicable enough to set up the murder of the children, lie to Katniss, and finesse Coin's demise, he certainly took great pleasure in her killing by Katniss--afterwich, Snow "cackle[s]," coughs and spews "foamy blood." (p. 371) He certainly was joyful in his death about something.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVHPcHnoNLc/VHwCV0O1seI/AAAAAAAALAc/p-i4DrvXvJQ/s1600/scary_big_cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVHPcHnoNLc/VHwCV0O1seI/AAAAAAAALAc/p-i4DrvXvJQ/s1600/scary_big_cat.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katniss and Prim's cat's relationship<br />
was troubled...it all began after Katniss<br />
tried to drown the cat. But in the end,<br />
the two settle their differences and<br />
learn to live together peacefully. [16]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ambiguity thing, or gray area as some like to call it, is so dissatisfying to readers expecting to have good resolutions, or a moral tale told. Here, war has no winners, as Suzanne Collins says in the book (via Peeta). So both sides on the war struggle to survive, and then do what they can to put their lives back together again after it is over. This is what Katniss does in choosing Peeta for a partner, in her making peace and allying with Prim's cat, and forgiving her mother. She grows and she heals slowly. Not exactly the stuff of romance or thrilling suspense novels. And while we may understand this premise, it is a lot like the tasteless food served in District 13--bland, colorless and tasteless.<br />
<br />
<u>A QUICK LOOK AT THE MOVIE TRAILER</u>:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17]</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IXshQ5mv1K8?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
The Director for the movie is, Francis Lawrence (no relation to Jennifer Lawrence) with writing credits going to Suzanne Collins (book), Peter Craig, Danny Strong (screenplay), and Suzanne Collins (adaptation). Starring in the movie are Jennifer Lawrence reprising her role as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Donald Sutherland as President Snow, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin, and many other wonderful stars. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[18]</span><br />
<br />
<u>MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATING</u>:<br />
Since the movie MPAA rating is PG-13, parents are strongly cautioned due to intense sequences of violence and action with some disturbing images and thematic material included, we can use that guide for the book, as well. Even if graphic images MAY impact young people more than words in a book, I am using the MPAA Rating as a guide, as I said. I, also, always caution not only the young viewer and reader, but those persons of a sensitive nature, that they should consider before reading the book or watching the movie. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[18]</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjvWE7DUuSw/VHwMUGiB_-I/AAAAAAAALAs/LLNxUh8kqNM/s1600/4-and-a-half.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjvWE7DUuSw/VHwMUGiB_-I/AAAAAAAALAs/LLNxUh8kqNM/s1600/4-and-a-half.png" height="102" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[19]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given all the reasons I have stated, above, and even considering the few minor criticisms I have listed, I rate this book 4.5 stars out of 5. After having reread this book, yet again, I have no qualms about highly recommending this book to readers of this genre, or for those who love Suzanne Collins or this series.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me, today, as we got to take a look at <i>The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Book 3,</i> series by Suzanne Collins. I am truly happy we got a chance to take a look at this very popular book and series (and a quick look at the new movie just released to theaters). Please join me, again, next week as we will be leaving our three-week <i>Hunger Games</i> stint behind and moving on to other new material, other new books and authors.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46OOT_AL3Rg/VHwOcLcD7cI/AAAAAAAALA4/YHXrJXOO1DY/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46OOT_AL3Rg/VHwOcLcD7cI/AAAAAAAALA4/YHXrJXOO1DY/s1600/Double%2BWhite%2BRose%2Bof%2BSharon.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower is a double white Rose of Sharon. [20]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...many happy pages of reading!<br />
<br />
All my best,<br />
<br />
Sharon.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
_________________________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">REFERENCES/SOURCES</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mockingjay-Hunger-Games-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B003XF1XOQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417309002&sr=8-1&keywords=mockingjay">Mockingjay: Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 3</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 11-29-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>"<a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171619">Hope is the thing with feathers - (314)</a>."</i> [by Emily Dickinson] [as cited by: Poetry Foundation] poetryfoundation.org. Retrieved 11-29-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <i>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Emily-Dickinson-American-Author-Famous/dp/B00DZV2QFI">Emily Dickinson - Hope - NEW American Author Poet - Famous Person Poster</a>."</i> amazon.com. Retrieved 11-29-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] <i>"<a href="http://joannabush.com/Hunger-Games-2-Catching-Fire">Concept of Peeta's Portrait of Rue</a>."</i> joannabush.com. Retrieved 11-29-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] <i>"<a href="http://allegralaboratory.net/after-elections-hope-afghan-elections-2014/">After Elections: Hope? #Afghan - Elections - 2014.</a>"</i> allegralaboratory.net. Retrieved 11-29-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] <i>"<a href="http://www.geek4tv.com/spoiler-alert/spoiler-alert-1">Spoiler Alert - #1</a>."</i> geek4tv.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <i>"The Hanging Tree."</i> [by Ash Doh] ashdoh.deviantart.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] <i>"<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/hunger-games-mockingjay-problems">Gale Ceases to be a Romantic Interest for Katniss, and They Drift Apart</a>."</i> buzzfeed.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[9] <i>"<a href="http://thehungergames.wikia.com/wiki/President_Alma_Coin">President Alma Coin</a>."</i> thehungergames.wikia.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[10] <i>"<a href="http://sites.myhomepage.org/steveupdike/quote.htm">My Favorite Quote.</a>"</i> sites.myhomepage.org. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[11] <i>"<a href="http://www.notable-quotes.com/k/kindness_quotes.html">Kindness Quotes</a>."</i> notable-quotes.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[12] <i>"<a href="http://read-learn-educate.blogspot.com/2011/01/black-beauty-theme.html">Themes</a>."</i> read-learn-educate.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[13] <i>"<a href="http://www.quotesdump.com/page/5239/">Family Quotes: The mother daughter relationship is important relationship.</a>"</i> quotesdump.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[14] <i>"<a href="https://www.seroundtable.com/google-seo-blame-game-13592.html">Blaming Others As A Ranking Factor In Google? No!</a>"</i> seroundtable.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[15] <i>"<a href="http://memegenerator.net/instance/56704320">President Snow Saw President Coin Killed...He Died Laughing!</a>"</i> memegenerator.net. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[16] <i>"<a href="http://acuriouscure.com/2010/04/">The Odd and the Unmentionable.</a>"</i> acuriouscure.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[17] <i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXshQ5mv1K8">The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Final Trailer - 'Burn'"</a></i> youtube.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[18] <i>"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951265/">The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part I</a>."</i> imdb.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[19] <i>"<a href="http://www.laketahoenews.net/2014/11/birdman-a-near-perfect-movie/">Birdman - A Near Perfect Movie</a>."</i> [by Jeremy Miller] laketahoenews.net. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[20] <i>"<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4130502">Pictures From My Garden.</a>" </i>sparkpeople.com. Retrieved 11-30-14.</span></div>
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