Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 29
September 21, 2024
The Master of Seacliff
Just finished reading "The Master of Seacliff" by Max Pierce, published by Harrington Park Press.
Now as regular readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I always come forth and reveal whenever I have a connection to a book, music CD, movie, and/or audio drama that I am reviewing.
Now I do not know Max Pierce, nor have I had the pleasure of interacting with him. But we do share a publisher.
Back in 2003, Lambda Literary Award winner Greg Herren, bought “Empty Noise Between The Stars” a novella I had written for his Distant Horizons GLBT Science Fiction anthology that would have been published for the now defunct Haworth Press, which was a subsidiary of the Harrington Park Press.
There was a lot of behind the scenes DRAMA regarding "Distant Horizons." Oh, I got paid, and I was happy and thrilled that I had finally made my first fiction sale; but other contributors weren't as happy as I was since there was a delay in the anthology being published.
Greg sent a group email addressing the concerns and revealed the reason for the daily - Distant Horizons was being split into two separate anthologies and "Empty Noise Between The Stars" was going to appear in the first Distant Horizons anthology - which I was happy about - and the two anthologies would be released in hardcover. [It was a flat out sale, no royalties.]
Now a friend of mine Greg Appelt, who was also a coworker of mine at Honeywell Technological Solutions, Inc., had read the story and was shocked at my rather not really all that graphic description about the almost "conquering" of a straight man by the protagonist that is interrupted by the arrival by secret service agents at the request of the President of the United States, who kidnap the journalist who was about to go where no one had gone before - if you get my meaning.
Sadly, to make a long story short, neither of the two anthologies were ever published by Haworth Press because the company went under, and I don't think Greg Herren was able to find a new publisher for the anthology.
Yes, I'm still trying to find a home for my novella about a possible solution to the SETI enigma of where are the aliens?
Now back to "The Master of Seacliff" - which is a romantic Gothic mystery much in the style of the late Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and yes, I'm going to shock a few people with this, but Andre Norton also wrote a few Gothic romance mystery novels, and perhaps the first transgender Regency romance novel "Maid-At-Arms," by Enid Cushing - a one-time co-writer of Andre Norton's.
Now it's important to note that "The Master of Seacliff," which was published back in 2007, was not the first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published and enjoy success as a best selling novel. The first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published was "Gaywyck" by Vincent Virga by Avon Books back in 1980.
In need of money in 1899 New York to travel to France and study to become an artist, twenty-year-old Andrew Wyndham, an orphan, accepts a position as a tutor secured for him by a friend for the summer. His pupil will be an eight-year-old boy by the name of Tim whose last governess lasted “only two months.” The boy’s father is Gordon Stewart, a single parent, who pays far more attention to his business than he does his son. He is also the owner of huge, rambling mansion named Seacliff and a man around whom numerous rumors, very few of which are positive and many of which are scandalous, have long swirled. Traveling in the Stewart private railcar, Andrew Wyndham arrives alone at his destination having been warned earlier by a stranger to “Get back on that train. There’s nothin’ but death and despair at Seacliff.”
Pierce creates a fascinating cast of characters for "The Master Of Seacliff" in the grand Gothic romance tradition. Gordon Stewart is a domineering, stern, dour, aloof, hirsute man with a temper which is quick to flare. Andrew surmises “Stewart would have looked comfortable with a sword and eye patch.” Gordon’s valet, Fellowes, previously also valet to Gordon’s father is as cold, rigid, and unapproachable as the cook and housekeeper, Mrs. Johnson, is warm and embracing. Andrew’s charge, Tim, is “chock full of temper,” precocious, a prankster, stubborn, lonely, and mostly out of control. Elena Van Horne and her brother Leo live at a nearby, lesser estate and are the closest to friends Gordon Stewart and Tim have. Although they don’t reside at Seacliff, they play major roles in the novel.
The novel’s protagonist and narrator, Andrew Wyndham, carries many secrets with which he struggles—primarily secrets about his personal desires and needs. If there is a ghost which haunts Andrew, it is the fate of Oscar Wilde—an author whose work Andrew brings with him to Seacliff. Pierce does an amazing job of keeping readers engaged with the story, eager to learn which of the many secrets are true and which ones are not.
Pierce would go on to be nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for "The Master Of Seacliff," and his publisher did want a sequel, but as Pierce himself pointed out the story came to an end with all the loose ends rather neatly tied up.
Highly Recommended.
Eight Stars - because I suspect that Pierce rushed the ending because he wanted to be done with the novel.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Seaclif...
Now as regular readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I always come forth and reveal whenever I have a connection to a book, music CD, movie, and/or audio drama that I am reviewing.
Now I do not know Max Pierce, nor have I had the pleasure of interacting with him. But we do share a publisher.
Back in 2003, Lambda Literary Award winner Greg Herren, bought “Empty Noise Between The Stars” a novella I had written for his Distant Horizons GLBT Science Fiction anthology that would have been published for the now defunct Haworth Press, which was a subsidiary of the Harrington Park Press.
There was a lot of behind the scenes DRAMA regarding "Distant Horizons." Oh, I got paid, and I was happy and thrilled that I had finally made my first fiction sale; but other contributors weren't as happy as I was since there was a delay in the anthology being published.
Greg sent a group email addressing the concerns and revealed the reason for the daily - Distant Horizons was being split into two separate anthologies and "Empty Noise Between The Stars" was going to appear in the first Distant Horizons anthology - which I was happy about - and the two anthologies would be released in hardcover. [It was a flat out sale, no royalties.]
Now a friend of mine Greg Appelt, who was also a coworker of mine at Honeywell Technological Solutions, Inc., had read the story and was shocked at my rather not really all that graphic description about the almost "conquering" of a straight man by the protagonist that is interrupted by the arrival by secret service agents at the request of the President of the United States, who kidnap the journalist who was about to go where no one had gone before - if you get my meaning.
Sadly, to make a long story short, neither of the two anthologies were ever published by Haworth Press because the company went under, and I don't think Greg Herren was able to find a new publisher for the anthology.
Yes, I'm still trying to find a home for my novella about a possible solution to the SETI enigma of where are the aliens?
Now back to "The Master of Seacliff" - which is a romantic Gothic mystery much in the style of the late Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and yes, I'm going to shock a few people with this, but Andre Norton also wrote a few Gothic romance mystery novels, and perhaps the first transgender Regency romance novel "Maid-At-Arms," by Enid Cushing - a one-time co-writer of Andre Norton's.
Now it's important to note that "The Master of Seacliff," which was published back in 2007, was not the first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published and enjoy success as a best selling novel. The first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published was "Gaywyck" by Vincent Virga by Avon Books back in 1980.
In need of money in 1899 New York to travel to France and study to become an artist, twenty-year-old Andrew Wyndham, an orphan, accepts a position as a tutor secured for him by a friend for the summer. His pupil will be an eight-year-old boy by the name of Tim whose last governess lasted “only two months.” The boy’s father is Gordon Stewart, a single parent, who pays far more attention to his business than he does his son. He is also the owner of huge, rambling mansion named Seacliff and a man around whom numerous rumors, very few of which are positive and many of which are scandalous, have long swirled. Traveling in the Stewart private railcar, Andrew Wyndham arrives alone at his destination having been warned earlier by a stranger to “Get back on that train. There’s nothin’ but death and despair at Seacliff.”
Pierce creates a fascinating cast of characters for "The Master Of Seacliff" in the grand Gothic romance tradition. Gordon Stewart is a domineering, stern, dour, aloof, hirsute man with a temper which is quick to flare. Andrew surmises “Stewart would have looked comfortable with a sword and eye patch.” Gordon’s valet, Fellowes, previously also valet to Gordon’s father is as cold, rigid, and unapproachable as the cook and housekeeper, Mrs. Johnson, is warm and embracing. Andrew’s charge, Tim, is “chock full of temper,” precocious, a prankster, stubborn, lonely, and mostly out of control. Elena Van Horne and her brother Leo live at a nearby, lesser estate and are the closest to friends Gordon Stewart and Tim have. Although they don’t reside at Seacliff, they play major roles in the novel.
The novel’s protagonist and narrator, Andrew Wyndham, carries many secrets with which he struggles—primarily secrets about his personal desires and needs. If there is a ghost which haunts Andrew, it is the fate of Oscar Wilde—an author whose work Andrew brings with him to Seacliff. Pierce does an amazing job of keeping readers engaged with the story, eager to learn which of the many secrets are true and which ones are not.
Pierce would go on to be nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for "The Master Of Seacliff," and his publisher did want a sequel, but as Pierce himself pointed out the story came to an end with all the loose ends rather neatly tied up.
Highly Recommended.
Eight Stars - because I suspect that Pierce rushed the ending because he wanted to be done with the novel.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Seaclif...
September 15, 2024
"Barnaby Unboxed!"
Just finished reading "Barnaby Unboxed!" by The Fan Brothers, released by Tundra Books.
I have been a fan of The Fan Brothers ever since I came across their wonderful book "The Night Gardener" which was a wonderful exploration on how creativity and wonderful magical memories are created in the real world.
"Barnaby Unboxed!" is a sequel of sorts to their book "The Barnabus Project" a few years back.
Barnaby is a genetically created pet that combines elements of a mouse and elephant, with a dash of pink flamingo thrown in for color. Barnaby sits patiently waiting in his box a a store called Perfect Pets, where he is the last one of his kind. He is bought by a little girl who takes him home and adores him, teaching him new tricks and caring for him, until she sees the television add for the brand new Rainbow Barnaby. Then Barnaby is forgotten by her and he soon becomes lost in a city park and learns how to survive with the help of squirrels who befriend him as he yearns for the little girl who loves him, while unbeknownst to him, she is searching for him and the two are reunited after she is able to see that he is her long lost Barnaby.
Another great story with fantastic artwork by the Fan Brothers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Barnaby-Unboxe...
I have been a fan of The Fan Brothers ever since I came across their wonderful book "The Night Gardener" which was a wonderful exploration on how creativity and wonderful magical memories are created in the real world.
"Barnaby Unboxed!" is a sequel of sorts to their book "The Barnabus Project" a few years back.
Barnaby is a genetically created pet that combines elements of a mouse and elephant, with a dash of pink flamingo thrown in for color. Barnaby sits patiently waiting in his box a a store called Perfect Pets, where he is the last one of his kind. He is bought by a little girl who takes him home and adores him, teaching him new tricks and caring for him, until she sees the television add for the brand new Rainbow Barnaby. Then Barnaby is forgotten by her and he soon becomes lost in a city park and learns how to survive with the help of squirrels who befriend him as he yearns for the little girl who loves him, while unbeknownst to him, she is searching for him and the two are reunited after she is able to see that he is her long lost Barnaby.
Another great story with fantastic artwork by the Fan Brothers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Barnaby-Unboxe...
September 12, 2024
Ascendant Destiny
Just finished listening to "Ascendant Destiny" by John Serrie released by New World Music.
Serrie is best know for his space music which has appeared in numerous planetariums around the world. I first discovered his music decades ago when I first listened to his CD "Ixlanda" at the listening station near the Barnes & Noble Bookstore near where I live.
My favorite tracks on this CD are "Zeta Reticuli," The Prism of Lyra," "Time and Distance," and "Ascendant Destiny."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Ascendant-Dest...
Serrie is best know for his space music which has appeared in numerous planetariums around the world. I first discovered his music decades ago when I first listened to his CD "Ixlanda" at the listening station near the Barnes & Noble Bookstore near where I live.
My favorite tracks on this CD are "Zeta Reticuli," The Prism of Lyra," "Time and Distance," and "Ascendant Destiny."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Ascendant-Dest...
It's Only A Game
Just finished reading "It's Only A Game - The Complete Color Collection" by Charles M. Schulz with Jim Sasseville, published by About Comics back in 2004.
I do remember reading about this collection when I read an article in the now defunct weekly Comic Times newspaper about Jim Sasseville and how he was only the second artist/cartoonist who drew Schulz's legendary "Peanuts" daily comic strip and how he worked with Schulz on his "It's Only A Game."
Sasseville was selected to draw the monthly "Peanuts" magazine for Dell Comics. Dell Comics did not reprint previously published comic strips and insisted on original stories. It was this relationship that lead to the creative partnership between Schulz and Sasseville and this collection contains the complete run of "It's Only A Game" - which ran for a little over a year in just a handful of newspapers. The strips are a little more detailed than those from Peanuts. The topics focus a lot on sports like bowling with the biggest focus on the card game Bridge.
Schulz and Sasseville parted ways after "It's Only A Game" came to an end. Sadly Sasseville did not work as a cartoonist again and eventually was hired as a graphic designer with Varian until here returned with them back in 1990.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as a look at one of three comic strips that Schulz created during his lifetime.
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Only-Game-...
I do remember reading about this collection when I read an article in the now defunct weekly Comic Times newspaper about Jim Sasseville and how he was only the second artist/cartoonist who drew Schulz's legendary "Peanuts" daily comic strip and how he worked with Schulz on his "It's Only A Game."
Sasseville was selected to draw the monthly "Peanuts" magazine for Dell Comics. Dell Comics did not reprint previously published comic strips and insisted on original stories. It was this relationship that lead to the creative partnership between Schulz and Sasseville and this collection contains the complete run of "It's Only A Game" - which ran for a little over a year in just a handful of newspapers. The strips are a little more detailed than those from Peanuts. The topics focus a lot on sports like bowling with the biggest focus on the card game Bridge.
Schulz and Sasseville parted ways after "It's Only A Game" came to an end. Sadly Sasseville did not work as a cartoonist again and eventually was hired as a graphic designer with Varian until here returned with them back in 1990.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as a look at one of three comic strips that Schulz created during his lifetime.
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Only-Game-...
September 8, 2024
Aftershock And Awe
Just finished reading "Aftershock And Awe" released by Anderson Entertainment.
BLAM! Ventures originally created these two comic books based on the classic science fiction show that are collected here in this hardcover edition.
This groundbreaking retro-reintroduction to the sci-fi hit series from the early 1970s begins with Awe – an adaption of Space: 1999’s pilot episode, Breakaway.
Now expanded to include both new and un-filmed material, this revolutionary retelling of a sci-fi classic is illustrated with the remastered art of comics legend Gray Morrow and the great Neal Adams’s own Continuity Studios.
In an alternate universe where JFK was never assassinated, humankind has suffered through World War III and built a base on the Moon by the year 1999. It should be noted that there is no reference of this "alternate universe" in the original run of the show, but it is mentioned n the Big Finish audio series that followed these comic books by BLAM! Ventures.
On September 13th, 1999 – an atomic accident causes the Moon to be blown out of orbit and hurled into the unknown. The survivors of the lunar base stationed there are launched towards their destiny across the stars. But what of the cataclysm and wanton destruction caused to the Earth in its wake?
The story continues in Aftershock as nine lives are forever changed by the carnage left in the Moon’s wake. Aftershock explores the scientific, environmental and socio-political repercussions of a world left with no Moon.
This edition of Aftershock and Awe also includes a never-before-seen look at BLAM! Ventures un-produced follow-up comic series, Mission: Alpha that includes a story line that would have lead up to a Space: 1999 Year Three. What is interesting about this Mission: Alpha series is that it would have made all the novels in the Powys Media Space: 1999 books series canon.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://shop.gerryanderson.com/produc...
BLAM! Ventures originally created these two comic books based on the classic science fiction show that are collected here in this hardcover edition.
This groundbreaking retro-reintroduction to the sci-fi hit series from the early 1970s begins with Awe – an adaption of Space: 1999’s pilot episode, Breakaway.
Now expanded to include both new and un-filmed material, this revolutionary retelling of a sci-fi classic is illustrated with the remastered art of comics legend Gray Morrow and the great Neal Adams’s own Continuity Studios.
In an alternate universe where JFK was never assassinated, humankind has suffered through World War III and built a base on the Moon by the year 1999. It should be noted that there is no reference of this "alternate universe" in the original run of the show, but it is mentioned n the Big Finish audio series that followed these comic books by BLAM! Ventures.
On September 13th, 1999 – an atomic accident causes the Moon to be blown out of orbit and hurled into the unknown. The survivors of the lunar base stationed there are launched towards their destiny across the stars. But what of the cataclysm and wanton destruction caused to the Earth in its wake?
The story continues in Aftershock as nine lives are forever changed by the carnage left in the Moon’s wake. Aftershock explores the scientific, environmental and socio-political repercussions of a world left with no Moon.
This edition of Aftershock and Awe also includes a never-before-seen look at BLAM! Ventures un-produced follow-up comic series, Mission: Alpha that includes a story line that would have lead up to a Space: 1999 Year Three. What is interesting about this Mission: Alpha series is that it would have made all the novels in the Powys Media Space: 1999 books series canon.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://shop.gerryanderson.com/produc...
Aftershock And Awe
Just finished reading "Aftershock And Awe" released by Anderson Entertainment.
BLAM! Ventures originally created these two comic books based on the classic science fiction show that are collected here in this hardcover edition.
This groundbreaking retro-reintroduction to the sci-fi hit series from the early 1970s begins with Awe – an adaption of Space: 1999’s pilot episode, Breakaway.
Now expanded to include both new and un-filmed material, this revolutionary retelling of a sci-fi classic is illustrated with the remastered art of comics legend Gray Morrow and the great Neal Adams’s own Continuity Studios.
In an alternate universe where JFK was never assassinated, humankind has suffered through World War III and built a base on the Moon by the year 1999. It should be noted that there is no reference of this "alternate universe" in the original run of the show, but it is mentioned n the Big Finish audio series that followed these comic books by BLAM! Ventures.
On September 13th, 1999 – an atomic accident causes the Moon to be blown out of orbit and hurled into the unknown. The survivors of the lunar base stationed there are launched towards their destiny across the stars. But what of the cataclysm and wanton destruction caused to the Earth in its wake?
The story continues in Aftershock as nine lives are forever changed by the carnage left in the Moon’s wake. Aftershock explores the scientific, environmental and socio-political repercussions of a world left with no Moon.
This edition of Aftershock and Awe also includes a never-before-seen look at BLAM! Ventures un-produced follow-up comic series, Mission: Alpha that includes a story line that would have lead up to a Space: 1999 Year Three. What is interesting about this Mission: Alpha series is that it would have made all the novels in the Powys Media Space: 1999 books series canon.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://shop.gerryanderson.com/produc...
BLAM! Ventures originally created these two comic books based on the classic science fiction show that are collected here in this hardcover edition.
This groundbreaking retro-reintroduction to the sci-fi hit series from the early 1970s begins with Awe – an adaption of Space: 1999’s pilot episode, Breakaway.
Now expanded to include both new and un-filmed material, this revolutionary retelling of a sci-fi classic is illustrated with the remastered art of comics legend Gray Morrow and the great Neal Adams’s own Continuity Studios.
In an alternate universe where JFK was never assassinated, humankind has suffered through World War III and built a base on the Moon by the year 1999. It should be noted that there is no reference of this "alternate universe" in the original run of the show, but it is mentioned n the Big Finish audio series that followed these comic books by BLAM! Ventures.
On September 13th, 1999 – an atomic accident causes the Moon to be blown out of orbit and hurled into the unknown. The survivors of the lunar base stationed there are launched towards their destiny across the stars. But what of the cataclysm and wanton destruction caused to the Earth in its wake?
The story continues in Aftershock as nine lives are forever changed by the carnage left in the Moon’s wake. Aftershock explores the scientific, environmental and socio-political repercussions of a world left with no Moon.
This edition of Aftershock and Awe also includes a never-before-seen look at BLAM! Ventures un-produced follow-up comic series, Mission: Alpha that includes a story line that would have lead up to a Space: 1999 Year Three. What is interesting about this Mission: Alpha series is that it would have made all the novels in the Powys Media Space: 1999 books series canon.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://shop.gerryanderson.com/produc...
We Don't Eat Our Classmates
Just finished reading "We Don't Eat Our Classmates - A Penelope Rex Book" by Ryan T. Higgins, published by Disney Hyperion Books.
One of the things Mom and Dad always hated about attending parent-teacher conferences back when I was in elementary, junior high school, and yes, even high school back in the 1960s and 1970s is that my teachers in the Camp Lejeune School System would always try using the gentle bigotry of societal expectations to censor what I was reading. It was deemed inappropriate for me to be reading science fiction novels, mystery novels, adventure novels, western novels, non-fiction books, ect....I think you can see where this is going. Mom and Dad always pushed back and told my teachers that they would not curtail my reading habits, much to the dismay of my teachers.
So why bring this up now in present times when it's perfectly acceptable for adults to read Harry Potter books, the Hunger Game Books, and other books originally geared towards young adult readers?
Unfortunately there is still a bit of a taboo against adults buying and reading children picture books. I know this because a few years back, a former Barnes & Noble employee near the bookstore where I work, took it upon herself to write down my license plate number and report me to the police for buying "Dinosaur Bob" - a picture book. When I was checking out the book, along with several other non-fiction and fiction books that I had bought at the time, she said something along the lines that my child should like the book. I replied that I didn't have any children and that I thought the book looked like a great read.
Apparently, I was a danger to the community and she took it upon herself to report me to the police. I took it upon myself to get her fired from her job at Barnes & Noble.
After that incident, I rarely go to that Barnes & Noble, but when I do and I see a book I want, I take a photo of it, and then order it online from Amazon when I get back home. It's safer and much less of a hassle that way, and cheaper too. Trust me. As my dear sweet baby sister says, I am a weirdness magnet and for some reason people get triggered by my presence. Perhaps its my yamicah.
Higgins' "We Don't Eat Our Classmates" appeals to my sense of whimsy and the macabre. He deftly explores the fears a young child has about starting school and trying to make friends while learning that some restraint while being true to themselves is always good, and yes, while you may find your classmates tasty, there's always something else that will find you just as tasty.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/We-Dont-Eat-Ou...
One of the things Mom and Dad always hated about attending parent-teacher conferences back when I was in elementary, junior high school, and yes, even high school back in the 1960s and 1970s is that my teachers in the Camp Lejeune School System would always try using the gentle bigotry of societal expectations to censor what I was reading. It was deemed inappropriate for me to be reading science fiction novels, mystery novels, adventure novels, western novels, non-fiction books, ect....I think you can see where this is going. Mom and Dad always pushed back and told my teachers that they would not curtail my reading habits, much to the dismay of my teachers.
So why bring this up now in present times when it's perfectly acceptable for adults to read Harry Potter books, the Hunger Game Books, and other books originally geared towards young adult readers?
Unfortunately there is still a bit of a taboo against adults buying and reading children picture books. I know this because a few years back, a former Barnes & Noble employee near the bookstore where I work, took it upon herself to write down my license plate number and report me to the police for buying "Dinosaur Bob" - a picture book. When I was checking out the book, along with several other non-fiction and fiction books that I had bought at the time, she said something along the lines that my child should like the book. I replied that I didn't have any children and that I thought the book looked like a great read.
Apparently, I was a danger to the community and she took it upon herself to report me to the police. I took it upon myself to get her fired from her job at Barnes & Noble.
After that incident, I rarely go to that Barnes & Noble, but when I do and I see a book I want, I take a photo of it, and then order it online from Amazon when I get back home. It's safer and much less of a hassle that way, and cheaper too. Trust me. As my dear sweet baby sister says, I am a weirdness magnet and for some reason people get triggered by my presence. Perhaps its my yamicah.
Higgins' "We Don't Eat Our Classmates" appeals to my sense of whimsy and the macabre. He deftly explores the fears a young child has about starting school and trying to make friends while learning that some restraint while being true to themselves is always good, and yes, while you may find your classmates tasty, there's always something else that will find you just as tasty.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/We-Dont-Eat-Ou...
September 7, 2024
The Loathsome Dragon
Just finished reading "The Loathsome Dragon" retold by David Wiesner and Kim Kahng, published by Clarion Books.
Fairy tales have long been among my favorite stories because they are essentially stories about unwavering faith, steadfast hope, enduring resilience, and not always the happiest of endings - especially in Japanese fairy tales.
Wiesner and Kahng adapted this English fairy tale from Joseph Jacobs' tale of "The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh" of a sorceress who marries a widowed king and plans to take over his kingdom by sending his son away and transforming his daughter into a dragon who can only be saved by her brother's love and willingness to take a leap of faith when he hears her voice.
Wiesner's art vividly recaptures the classic fairy tale kingdoms of yesteryear.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Loathsome-Drag...
Fairy tales have long been among my favorite stories because they are essentially stories about unwavering faith, steadfast hope, enduring resilience, and not always the happiest of endings - especially in Japanese fairy tales.
Wiesner and Kahng adapted this English fairy tale from Joseph Jacobs' tale of "The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh" of a sorceress who marries a widowed king and plans to take over his kingdom by sending his son away and transforming his daughter into a dragon who can only be saved by her brother's love and willingness to take a leap of faith when he hears her voice.
Wiesner's art vividly recaptures the classic fairy tale kingdoms of yesteryear.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Loathsome-Drag...
Afterglow
Just finished listening to "Afterglow" by Kevin Kendle, released by Eventide Music.
Now even though it creates mixed feelings among readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms - OH HELL NO, I'm not on X, formerly known as Toxic Twitter - I always reveal when I have a connection with the writer, musician, and/or artist in question. In this instance, although we have never met in person, I am friends with Kevin Kendle on Facebook, and I think we may have exchanged a few text messages in the past. And just for the record, I always mention if what I am reviewing is a review copy. If I don't mention that it's a review copy, that means I used my day job money to actually purchase it, and NO, even though I do provide links to everything I review, I don't get a percentage of sales. Some people have nothing better to do than to make wild unsupported accusations in the hopes that you'll stop doing reviews because they don't like you. Haters going to hate. The trick is to ignore them and deny their ability to have any influence over wheat you do.
Kevin uses keyboards, synthesizers and samplers to create evocative soundscapes which are then layered with sounds of nature, which Kevin records near his home in the Hertfordshire countryside. He is also a qualified pilot and has a series of New Age CDs exploring the depths of the universe.
"Afterglow" is Kevin's musical exploration of the mystical moment which occurs everyday just as the sun sets and twilight is just beginning to darken the sky.
My favorite tracks on "Afterglow" are: "Sunfall," "At Dusk" "Below The Horizon," "Strange Light," and "Firelight."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-aftergl...
Now even though it creates mixed feelings among readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms - OH HELL NO, I'm not on X, formerly known as Toxic Twitter - I always reveal when I have a connection with the writer, musician, and/or artist in question. In this instance, although we have never met in person, I am friends with Kevin Kendle on Facebook, and I think we may have exchanged a few text messages in the past. And just for the record, I always mention if what I am reviewing is a review copy. If I don't mention that it's a review copy, that means I used my day job money to actually purchase it, and NO, even though I do provide links to everything I review, I don't get a percentage of sales. Some people have nothing better to do than to make wild unsupported accusations in the hopes that you'll stop doing reviews because they don't like you. Haters going to hate. The trick is to ignore them and deny their ability to have any influence over wheat you do.
Kevin uses keyboards, synthesizers and samplers to create evocative soundscapes which are then layered with sounds of nature, which Kevin records near his home in the Hertfordshire countryside. He is also a qualified pilot and has a series of New Age CDs exploring the depths of the universe.
"Afterglow" is Kevin's musical exploration of the mystical moment which occurs everyday just as the sun sets and twilight is just beginning to darken the sky.
My favorite tracks on "Afterglow" are: "Sunfall," "At Dusk" "Below The Horizon," "Strange Light," and "Firelight."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-aftergl...
"Space: 1999 - Comic Anthology - From The Pages of Look-in,"
Just finished reading "Space: 1999 - Comic Anthology - From The Pages of Look-in," published by Anderson Entertainment.
Now I'm going to have to defer to my good friend Steve Orchard on this, but I believe that Look-in was a children's magazine that primarily centered it's coverage on ITV's television programs in the United Kingdom, and subtitled "The Junior TVTimes" that has a print run from January 9, 1971 to March 12, 1994. Sadly, I'm not a full fledged Anglophile, so I may be off on this.
[Even to this day, people think I'm from England because I lack any trace of an accent as a result of the voice training I got stuck with when I was younger.]
In addition to containing all the Space: 1999 comic strips that appeared in the pages of Look-in between Sep 1975 on thru to Mar 1977, this volume also contains articles about how the artists who drew the strips along with how they came up with the story lines, and it was rather interesting to learn that all the artists and writers of the Look-in Comic Strips had were just a few photos from the pre-production of the first season. Now when Maya was introduced in the second season of Space: 1999, the artists and writers of the Look-in comic strips laid the ground work for a season three which sadly was never produced, where Maya also was able to develop telepathy from the Moonbase's encounter with Dorzak - another survivor of the destroyed planet Psychon, and that telephay was used a plot-device on several strips.
It was fascinating how the artists decided to incorporate the television trick used with Maya's eyes when she transformed into the strips. A very nice touch.
Even covering both seasons of the Space: 1999, the Look-in strips stayed true to the look and feel of the show's first season, which has a great metaphysical feel of unresolved destiny to it.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://shop.gerryanderson.com/en-us/...
Now I'm going to have to defer to my good friend Steve Orchard on this, but I believe that Look-in was a children's magazine that primarily centered it's coverage on ITV's television programs in the United Kingdom, and subtitled "The Junior TVTimes" that has a print run from January 9, 1971 to March 12, 1994. Sadly, I'm not a full fledged Anglophile, so I may be off on this.
[Even to this day, people think I'm from England because I lack any trace of an accent as a result of the voice training I got stuck with when I was younger.]
In addition to containing all the Space: 1999 comic strips that appeared in the pages of Look-in between Sep 1975 on thru to Mar 1977, this volume also contains articles about how the artists who drew the strips along with how they came up with the story lines, and it was rather interesting to learn that all the artists and writers of the Look-in Comic Strips had were just a few photos from the pre-production of the first season. Now when Maya was introduced in the second season of Space: 1999, the artists and writers of the Look-in comic strips laid the ground work for a season three which sadly was never produced, where Maya also was able to develop telepathy from the Moonbase's encounter with Dorzak - another survivor of the destroyed planet Psychon, and that telephay was used a plot-device on several strips.
It was fascinating how the artists decided to incorporate the television trick used with Maya's eyes when she transformed into the strips. A very nice touch.
Even covering both seasons of the Space: 1999, the Look-in strips stayed true to the look and feel of the show's first season, which has a great metaphysical feel of unresolved destiny to it.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://shop.gerryanderson.com/en-us/...
