Becky's comments
(member since Dec 06, 2008)
Becky's comments from the Fantasy Book Club group.
(showing 1-20 of 298)
Jim wrote: "Of course, I know nothing about the culture other than through his & other books, not all that many of them, so I have no idea how accurate his depiction is."
Yeah, that's how I am as well. I just find the whole thing fascinating. It intrigues me how everyone thinks their way is the right way. But I do enjoy looking at things from the other side of the fence, and sometimes that means playing "devil's advocate". Hehe...
I can understand that, but again I'd argue that it depends on how you're looking at it. From the Japanese perspective in the book, it doesn't seem that they feel their lives are horrific. Rather they feel that the "Western" ways are.
This has to do with how you're raised and taught, and I'm definitely not defending someone having the power to kill whole families on a whim just because one person failed to be perfect at something, which seems to have been common.
I'm just saying that the mindset we hold colors our reactions to events. Things that are normal and even accepted in other cultures are abhorred in ours, and vice versa.
There is something of that in the book, yes. I'm a little more than 1/3 into it right now, but the differences in the cultures are very intriguing. They've talked about love, and how that is not something that the Japanese, in the book anyway, have a concept of. They base their actions rather on honor and duty, or even desire, as a baser impulse, but love isn't a factor because it's sort of a useless emotion, when duty and honor can inspire the same actions without any of the negative aspects, like jealousy, etc. (But that's me reading into it a little.)Anyway... Just goes to show what a difference a culture can make with how this question could be answered. :)
PS. You should read Shogun. It's VERY good so far.
Well, I don't know, Jim, I think that has to do with your concept of "life". I'm reading Shogun and it's made me look at the value of life a bit differently. The Japanese, as they are depicted in the book, value honor and duty over all else, and do not hesitate to sacrifice themselves and their family for their honor and at their liege lord's whim, no matter the reason. If he says "die" they die. No questions asked. Very interesting concept to me. I can't imagine having that kind of mindset, but then again, they hold the belief that they will be reborn again and again until they reach Nirvana, so life isn't as precious or fleeting, if you're just going to get another one.
Being the modern girl that I am, I agree with you, though: Mess with my family and it's on. I could never stand by and do nothing when the people I love are suffering or will suffer.
Sorry I didn't answer before, I was at work. If I was in that kind of situation - by which I mean thrust into a world completely foreign and then informed that I would have to fight for my life - I imagine that I'd look for a means of escape without having to kill or be killed. If none was available, I would fight.
If the situation was such that my opponent was willing to kill me for no reason at all, and would not NOT kill me, then I wouldn't just stand there and die. That, to me and FROM me, would be cowardly. Better to try than to just give up.
But that's only MY answer. I am not able to speak for anyone else.
OK... But there is no way that anyone can really give you an answer to that question. Only the person IN the situation could tell whether he was acting out of cowardice or courage.
I guess I don't understand your questions. Why would two "dilemmas" pop into your head just from reading discussions and posting? Or are you asking for forgiveness for posting? As long as your posts are relevant to the discussion and are not spam, there's nothing to ask forgiveness for, and no reason to obtain permission. This is a public group.
Second, the physical situation that "cannot possibly exist", quoted below, DOES exist, in a condition called "synesthesia," a neurologically based phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.
People hear colors, feel sounds, taste words, etc.
Maybe the fight to the death and disembodied voice don't exist, but... who's to say what can possibly exist? *shrug*
LOL Yes. It's very good. :D
Oh, hmm... Sorry Pamela, I just realized that I recommended you two HF books in the Fantasy group. O_oI should pay more attention. LOL
Well, I haven't read any of those books, but two that MAY fit what you're looking for come to mind. First is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which is a historical fiction story and has a fair amount of violence and a swoon-worthy romance.
Second is Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey, which is about a heroine who gets pleasure from pain, so she endures a LOT of pain. There's also a very nice romantic interest in that one as well.
Another just came to mind, which I just finished actually, but it might be a bit off from what you're looking for because the romance is not a major point of the story. There is a LOT of violence though. That one is Pillars of the Earth. (It's historical fiction as well, and requires a bit of patience, but it is totally worth it in the end.)
Hello again all! I'm temporarily filling in for Chris because his Goodreads account is having some identity crisis issues. Since the server change, every time he logs in, he ends up as someone new. He's not able to stay logged in long enough as himself to actually do anything, so I offered to reprise my role as Pollster Mod temporarily to help out. :)
Chris has informed me that this is to be a dual month with a fantasy read and GR Author read. So, if everyone would nominate the two fantasy books and two GR Author books (*Group member status not required), we can get this ball rolling!
Remember: Please list which nominations are for which category, and list title and author along with why you're nominating it. :D
Thanks everyone!
I just have to say, once again, that Tim Curry could read his grocery list and make it spectacular. :D
Well, I think it's open to interpretation. But I thought of it more in terms of the Sending knowing it's job and doing it until it was done, no matter what Sabriel said. Kind of like a stubborn personality quirk. :P
I'm not sure I know what you mean Mary-Ann. I didn't think that the Sendings were running down, really. More like they were acquiring their own personalities, so to speak. Can you give an example of what you mean by running down, or acting weird?
I think there's a pool, and waterfalls, but every time the current is mentioned, it's referred to as being a river. *shrug*
You're right blackrose, I forgot about the bridge. But still, there are no land areas in Death, just the water, if I remember correctly. So, my thinking is that there is more like a vast plain of water flowing towards the center/end (being the 9th gate) rather than an actual river.
The coins go on the eyes, generally. I know that it was referred to as a "river" but I didn't actually feel like it was one. Rather, I felt like water WAS death, and that the 9th gate was the drain, drawing all water to it and beyond.
Neither Lirael, or Sabriel or anyone that I can recall was ever NOT in water in death, no matter where they were. Does that make sense?
Well, bringing the bell would at least be somewhat ok... Better than: ..."Grandma's body. I haven't managed to get her spirit back yet, but I think I only have one more gate to try!"
I'm sorry!! LOL
Libby, I agree with you. And your raising grandma with a hand bell comment made me laugh! :D
