L.S. Popovich's Blog, page 8

Review of The Huntress and the Trickster by Tristan Zelden

The story opens with a quiet scene between Abigail and Jacob, who may not seem extraordinary at first, despite their penchants for piercings and tattoos.  Though many chapters are weighted down by some filler, this lends a more relaxed tone to the novel than one may have expected. There are plenty of surprises to come […]

Review of Servants of the Wankh by Jack Vance

The adventures of our surly protagonist continue in this second book in the series. He has acquired new friends and enemies, but his goal remains the same. Of course he wants to return to Earth with the knowledge he has gained – but does he stand to profit more by exploiting the natives of this […]

Review of A Conversation With an Errant God: Distorted Reflections on the Kerker-Kreis by Damian Murphy

I have written many other reviews on the majority of Murphy’s work. Each time I finish one of his stories or novellas I am slightly saddened by the fact that I have one fewer pieces of his left to encounter for the first time. This piece takes the form of a lengthy dialogue or interview […]

Review of Reconciliation by Naoya Shiga

A quiet and simple story in the best I-novel tradition. Shiga pioneered this style and joined the ranks of Soseki and others in giving slice of life and autobiographical fiction a place in Japanese literature. His book A Dark Night’s Passing is considered by some the first I-novel. Like his other stories, the author channels […]

Review of A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay

Sublime and magnificently ornate visions. A startling voyage through bizarre and fantastic imagery. Reminded me of the film Fantastic Planet, and of course Out of the Silent Planet. I also thought it bore some similarity to the expansive scope of Starmaker by Olaf Stapledon. A beguiling allegory about Man’s search for meaning. The differing forms […]

Review of 2023 on Goodreads by Various

I surprised myself by not exceeding my previous years’ reading this year. What was I doing all year? Slacking? Adult coloring books? Knitting? Nascar? What even are those things? Where did last year go? The world speeds up and you slow down. Here I have lapsed into 2nd person because I want you to sympathize […]

Review of At the Sign of the Reine Pedauque by Anatole France

Another strange and mesmerizing book by one of my favorite Nobel laureate authors. As in Thais, the author layers a sometimes straightforward tale with religious and occult themes. Here we have a young main character who is tasked with aiding in a translation of Zosimus and other obscure authors for an alchemist’s researches. The discussion […]

Review of The Complete Cosmicomics by by Italo Calvino

A collection of more than 30 stories by one of the masters of Italian literature. The germs for other works are present in this collection, including Invisible Cities and Castle of Crossed Destinies. The most interesting and delightful tales are toward the beginning in my opinion. As the collection wore on, it veered into more […]

Review of Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi

This adorable sitcomic comedy by the inimitable Rumiko made for diverting reading. I will be continuing with the series. While lacking in supernatural elements, I was at once taken by the cozy atmosphere. Most of the scenes take place in the eccentrically populated titular rooming house, where the quintessential collegial ronin has ensconced himself amid […]

Review of The Explosion of a Chandelier by by Damian Murphy

In this swiftly paced adventure, D. M. marries a clarity of expression with a depth and ambiguity of subtexts.  You feel a current running beneath the surface narrative of dark forces astir. Hector and Vito epitomize the thrill of youth’s longing after dramatic distractions as they encounter with some uncertainty the consequences of their haphazard […]