So far, I enjoy this series despite frequently having trouble keeping characters and events straight in my head. TThe sprawling Space Opera continues!
So far, I enjoy this series despite frequently having trouble keeping characters and events straight in my head. There is just so much content here that it is like drinking from the firehose (on top of retaining events from previous firehose-consumption books). It is a series worthy of a study guide and a flowchart.
One of the most intriguing parts of this entry in the series is the indepth speculation on the effects of space travel on the human body. Most sci-fi series just accept that the characters are traveling quickly through space without issue. In this series, and this book in particular, there are many scenes where space travel does not go as expected and the results are fascinatingly gruesome.
So, while the series still occasionally has me going back to reread parts or sometimes trying to hunt down recaps online, I continue to enjoy it and I think any sci-fi fan should give it a try....more
An interesting interpretation of Upton Sinclair’s classic novel. For the most part, the storyline stays true to the original source material. A few deAn interesting interpretation of Upton Sinclair’s classic novel. For the most part, the storyline stays true to the original source material. A few details are missing for the sake of pacing, but, all in all an acceptable substitute if you are looking for another option because you don’t feel like taking on the novel.
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You may note that my review of Sinclair’s novel is only 3 stars and this one has 4, and that may surprise you. So, I will clarify. I think that both of them are very interesting, it is just that this version is likely more accessible and would be more interesting to a wider audience. The novel is very heavy and it could be hard for some to stay interested in it. So, I think giving this graphic novel one more star makes sense, but, overall, I would rate them fairly even in the story they share.
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I did enjoy the art in this book, but I do have one big complaint: in my opinion, the art made everything look too clean. While reading the novel I was picturing horrible and dirty working conditions. People covered in filth and, even though they might be young, looking way beyond their years. In this version, even after going through much pain and suffering, the characters didn’t look all that bad. So, it kind of took away from the direness of their situation.
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Finally – why not 5 stars? Much like the ending of the novel, I just don’t care much for the way the story ends. I appreciate the story and the struggle that is being shared, but instead of any real resolution, it just turns into a commercial for Socialism. I suppose I can describe how it feels in my mind this way:
- What if the book The Stand ended with an advertisement for Flu Medication? - What if the Star Wars saga ended with an advertisement for family counseling? - What if Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ended with advertisements for candy?
Instead of being a subtle commentary, it is in your face. You get a really great and moving story and it ends with an advertisement.
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(I guess with how bad product placement is getting, this isn’t far from what is really happening!) ...more
Another book from the great 2020 COVID-19 Quarantine Reading Slump finished! I started this in early March and then WHAM! I hardly read a thing for a Another book from the great 2020 COVID-19 Quarantine Reading Slump finished! I started this in early March and then WHAM! I hardly read a thing for a month and a half. The slump seems to be over and reading is going well. So, don't look at the length of time it took me to read this book and let that sway how you think my experience was and how yours might be. This was definitely an anomaly!
I seem to be in the midst of a Soviet reading marathon! This one, Midnight in Chernobyl, and Red Storm Rising have all been on my plate recently. I suppose The Communist Manifesto or Das Kapital are next!
My early impressions of this book were tainted by my slump. I was enjoying what I read, but I would only read a few pages before my mind wandered or I would go days between times I was interested in picking it up. Because of this, I don't remember a whole lot from the first 150 pages or so.
Since it is not fair to evaluate based on my mindset during the slump, I am going to assume that the first 150 pages were as good as the rest of the book!
It is a rather timely story for a quarantine as the main character is under house arrest in a hotel in Moscow. You thought you were frustrated stuck at home for two months, try years and years under the watchful eye of the KGB. At least he makes the most of it and we are all treated to this wonderful book.
If you are a fan of well written historical fiction and/or capers (yes, this book is a bit of a caper in the end - seems like a lot of books with characters under the oppressive thumb of a Communist government end up being capers to thwart the tyranny), then I think you will find this to be an enjoyable experience. It is worth a try but maybe don't start it if you are slumping!...more
If you have read Hiaasen before, you know his mysteries are in Florida and you know that they are weird. This was his second book and I can confirm thIf you have read Hiaasen before, you know his mysteries are in Florida and you know that they are weird. This was his second book and I can confirm this pattern has been in place since the beginning! This book is irreverent and bizarre. Some things make no sense while at the same time making perfect sense (make sense?). If you cannot suspend disbelief for a while, you are gonna get lost in the gator swamp with this one.
Everyone in a Hiaasen book is a caricature and I think that is one of the things that make them so entertaining. With caricatures you have a lot of free reign with what you can do – even if it seems ridiculous, you cannot really complain because it is kind of supposed to be ridiculous. I was entertained by every single character – good, bad, dumb, smart, goofy, straight-laced, etc. And, with the characters in this book there is no line (nope, not even a fine line) between law abiding and criminal – anything goes!
Speaking of characters, Skink is introduced in this book. I have only heard of him before as I have not read any other books with him, but I understand he is important in many of Hiaasen’s books. As he is described in the book, I kept thinking of Hayduke from The Monkey Wrench Gang. He has his principles, will do anything to achieve them, and woe to anyone who gets in his way. I am definitely looking forward to more books with him.
I think this book was an improvement over Tourist Season, Hiaasen’s first book. That makes sense as this was the beginning of his career and I am sure he was just getting into his groove. I plan to continue to work my way through his books in publication order and hope to find a few more hidden gems in the swamps and on the beaches of Florida....more
Not quite as witty as the first one, but still pretty funny! I think they tried a little too hard to make it the same, but not enough of a complaint tNot quite as witty as the first one, but still pretty funny! I think they tried a little too hard to make it the same, but not enough of a complaint to make me say it isn't good.
Very easy for me to rate this book 5 stars. It is amazing. There is so much in it and it is not hard to read. It just tells it like it is and does it Very easy for me to rate this book 5 stars. It is amazing. There is so much in it and it is not hard to read. It just tells it like it is and does it so well.
It is like a high priced, high quality buffet with lots of different stations. At each of those stations is a main table with an awesome featured food (thick cut prime rib, chocolate fondue fountain, Mongolian BBQ bowl, etc.). In layman's terms, there is SO MUCH awesome story here with a HUGE payoff every 50 pages or so. I am very satisfied with the story I got - full of literature!
Oh, and this book has one of the most heartless and despicable villains ever put on paper.
I recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a decent story told very well. This has solidified with me that Steinbeck is a literary genius - cannot be denied!...more
Not Thor's strongest effort. There was some action and a little intrigue, but the story did not feel quite as tight or smooth as his earlier books. I Not Thor's strongest effort. There was some action and a little intrigue, but the story did not feel quite as tight or smooth as his earlier books. I think it is the first time while reading one of his books that I got kind of lost about what was going on because I wasn't very interested.
The last third of the book improved somewhat, but in the end I was left feeling like I didn't really gain much. Only recommend to the die hard Brad Thor fans - if this was the first of his books I read, I am not sure I would have read the others....more
Paranoia and conspiracy theory! Possible spoilers: If the author was trying to sell me on her concerns, I am not buying. The majority of the book seemParanoia and conspiracy theory! Possible spoilers: If the author was trying to sell me on her concerns, I am not buying. The majority of the book seemed to be about being angry because she could be profiled by Amazon or Google so that the pop-up ads could be tailored to her browsing habits. I am not a huge fan of pop-up ads, but to spend a lot of time and money to prevent all my activity from being tracked is not worth it - at least if I am tracked I might actually be interested in the ads that I see. Also, she attemps to raise concern about e-mail and text messages being tracked. Personally I don't care a whole lot because what I have to say in my e-mails and texts is not particularly interesting. Seems like she might have a lot of skeletons in the closet she wants to hide. At one point she even mentions that by trying to hide your digital trail, certain agencies may then feel the need to track you. It is common sense to me that if it looks like you are doing something suspicious, people will be suspicious of you . . .
Facepalm moment: Author turns of location tracking and and installs location blocking software on her cell phone but is annoyed about how long it takes to search for nearby restaurants because her phone does not know where she is. You just can't have your cake and eat it too!
So, I am not all that impressed and this book has not "opened my eyes"...more
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