David M. Brown's Blog, page 82
November 11, 2012
Tweedlers’ Jukebox Song of the Week: The Power of Love
Released in November 1984, The Power of Love capped a memorable year for Frankie Goes to Hollywood being their third UK chart topper after Relax and Two Tribes. It’s a very different song to its predecessors and in many ways a deeper and more meaningful song. It missed out on the coveted Christmas number one slot in the UK but that honour went to Band Aid so I don’t imagine the group were that bothered.
The cover to the single and the music video contained religious imagery with the video depicting Nativity scenes. The Tweedlers debated about the song this week with Tweedle Dave insistent that it is a religious and Christmas song but Tweedle Dee argued it didn’t carry those meanings for her. Tweedle Dee was right, of course. The song can have a spiritual meaning for some but love is very much the theme here, capturing the essence of this most striking of emotions. All in all, a great song. The Tweedlers certainly agree on that.
Tweedlers’ Jukebox Song of the Week: The Power of Love | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
November 10, 2012
Book Review: The Truth About Cats: Notes from the Feline Underbelly – Molly Brandenburg
[image error] Get ready, get set, MEOW! Are you ready for the truth? Can you even handle the TRUTH? For cat cartoon enthusiasts, the truth has arrived, in cartoonist Molly Brandenburg’s THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS. It’s the funny, furry, follow-up to Brandenburg’s first book of cat cartoons, EVERYDAY CAT EXCUSES, the hilarious exploration of the inner life of cats, published by Sterling Books in 2008. Brandenburg’s cartoons are also currently a regular feature of the political website Restoringtruthiness.org.
THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS is a random series of cat cartoons that explores the major issues of the kitty universe, including theological concerns, sleeping in piles of other cats, and the real question of who exactly has first dibs on the kibble bowl. The book also introduces Frankie the cat, the loveably soulful cat with his eyes on a Hollywood career. In a series of lively line drawings, Frankie’s story is revealed, as this weight-challenged black and white cat finds his status on the home front threatened when a tabby kitten moves in and takes over his special place on the bed. Small issues, perhaps, to humankind, but to a feline, finding the right place on the owner’s bed is big time stuff, to be sure!
THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS reveals all this and more. It’s sure to be the cat’s meow for cat lovers of every age. The truth is out there. And it’s sure to have a lot of fleas.
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Review: The Truth About Cats: Notes from the Feline Underbelly
I live in a house with six cats so you could say I have witnessed my share of their traits and destructive antics. Molly Brandenburg’s The Truth About Cats is an illustrated guide to the world of felines designed to raise a smile and a knowing nod from those of us that are owned by these naughty but lovable companions.
The Truth About Cats is filled with delightful illustrations and comes from the perspective of our feline friends. This is a guidebook of sorts for cat owners and leaves us in no doubt about our place i.e. beneath cats. Brandenburg covers a wide range of subjects including interpreting feline expressions, body language and the differences between cats and dogs which as you will imagine are considerable.
The book also contains chapters on workouts for cats, pitching ideas in Hollywood, their theology and even the aptly titled “Catastrophes” which shouldn’t require any explanation and there are some amusing antics from a cat called Frank. There are so many illustrations that in places The Truth About Cats is almost more akin to a comic book but each image will raise a smile.
At only 80 pages or so the book is unfortunately too short but what is there is both funny and entertaining in equal measure. Cat lovers will appreciate Brandenburg’s observations of our feline friends. Just don’t let your cheeky cats get hold of a copy!
Verdict: 4/5
(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)
Book Review: The Truth About Cats: Notes from the Feline Underbelly – Molly Brandenburg | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
November 9, 2012
Film Review: Fanny, Annie & Danny
[image error] Everyone’s worst fears are realized when three adult siblings are forced by their powerful mother to reunite for a holiday dinner. Fanny is a developmentally disabled 39-year-old living in a home for dependent adults. Her world starts to implode when the candy factory where she works goes bankrupt. The oldest of three children, Fanny has long been a source of strain and resentment within her family. Her jittery sister Annie has spent her life taking care of her, while their successful but elusive brother Danny has thus far escaped responsibility. When the three siblings are forced by their powerful mother to reunite for a holiday dinner, everyone’s worst fears are realized.
Starring: Jonathan Leveck, George Killingsworth
Directed by: Chris Brown
Runtime: 82 minutes
Studio: Vanguard Cinema
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Review: Fanny, Annie & Danny
Chris Brown’s story of three grown up siblings brought back together for Christmas by their domineering mother is filled with fascinating characters, drama and some amusing moments. Fanny (Jill Pixley) is the eldest of the siblings, a fragile victim of OCD who has worked in the same factory for years only to be informed that it is closing. Annie (Carlyle Pollack) works at a dentists and is eager for better things, including a lavish wedding to her fiancé, Todd (Nick Frangione), who is unemployed and smokes pot. Then there is Danny (Jonathan Leveck), the youngest sibling and favoured by Annie and their frightening mother, Edie (Collette Keene), who dominates the room and has near subdued her husband, Ronnie (George Killingsworth). A reunion at Christmas might be just what the family needs but this is far from a warm and cozy get together.
The film switches between the family members as it builds carefully to the Christmas reunion. Fanny, played wonderfully by Pixley, manages to annoy all of those around her, yet you can’t help but feel for her. Danny has found himself in a spot of bother with money, accused of stealing funds from a band he has been managing. Perhaps his family can help him out. Though Annie loves her fiancé, Todd frequently frustrates her especially when he insists that she chill whenever she’s worked up. Annie is desperate for attention and seeing the family together you get the impression Fanny enjoyed a lot of the focus as she grew up, Annie was bypassed and the love was then focused on Danny where it has remained ever since.
Edie is near monstrous to her children. She has no patience for Fanny, rolls her eyes at Annie’s wedding plans but falls at the feet of Danny when he comes home! Ronnie is mostly quiet, trying to lose himself in television or hiding in his shed where his treasured mementoes from the Vietnam War are. He is clearly a man that has enjoyed life in the past but no longer does now. For all his laziness, Todd is the reluctant mediator for the family, being kind and patient with Fanny, showing an interest in Ronnie and even managing to have a calm conversation with Edie though not for long. There are suggestions that Danny hasn’t seen the family for a while and it is this distance that has shielded him somewhat from his mother, but even then he is looking out only for himself in the end. This is a family with many irrevocable problems. The film’s ending is sudden and open-ended, allowing us to draw our own conclusion but it’s clear that years of pent up resentment and frustration finally bubble over for some of the characters though I won’t say which ones.
Fanny, Annie & Danny is well-acted, has a simple but engaging storyline throughout and so many scenes that will make you shudder as we spend Christmas with this not so loving family. Seldom has the proverb, “You can choose your friends, but not your family” seemed more appropriate.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer received a copy from the director in exchange for a fair and honest review)
Film Review: Fanny, Annie & Danny | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
November 8, 2012
#FlashFiveFriday – Friendship
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This month Mr B and I are taking part in #FlashFiveFriday run by The Indie Exchange.
#FlashFiveFriday is a weekly flash fiction / flash blogging prompt.
The rules are very simple if you’d like to take part:
1) Write for no longer than five minutes
2) No upper or lower word limits
3) You must write something new
4) You can prepare your post ahead of time but the 5 minute limit still applies
5) If you add your blog post to the weekly linky you must visit five other blogs that week too to show your support
This week’s #FlashFiveFriday post
#FlashFiveFriday – Friendship
Dave
Kevin and I have been friends for around fourteen years. We attended the same secondary school though the closest we came to being friends was when I very briefly dated his cousin. I remember at college we had a mutual friend, Eleanor, and on Mondays the three of us often walked home together from town. One afternoon we were both waiting for Eleanor and she didn’t show so we decided we’d both walk home. Kevin’s parents lived on a main road I took back to my own home so it seemed logical to join forces. Suddenly it became just the two of us walking home each week.
From those Monday afternoon walks home, each one 10-15 minutes, we built up a strong friendship that lasted the two years at college and led to us going to the same university at Huddersfield. Though we were in the halls residence in our first year, we shared a house for the second and third years. Kevin trained me up in the art of heavy drinking though I have never reached his level too this day. In turn I was his alarm clock to make sure he attended lectures. I didn’t do this very well.
We continued to be friends after university, meeting up every few months and spending our days in the pub, the nights staying up late watching movies and listening to music. We’re both married now and don’t see one another as often but we remain good friends to this day. When it came to my wedding to Donna there was really only one choice for best man and I’m pleased to say Kevin did a great job on the day.
Donna
Who would have thought that when I sent out a review request last year, I would discover a great friend. When Coral said my husband’s book wasn’t for her, I was undaunted. I shrugged and thanked her for her time. I appreciated her honesty. Our paths seemed to cross again and again until we were working on a project together. Then we were working together on other things. Then she became the co-moderator of The Indie Exchange, making my life about a million times easier.
She’s a fantastic friend and great at keeping a confidence. I’ve been able to tell her many things and knowing she is there with a listening ear and a virtual caipirinha always helps. She plays the smart and savvy card to my wary hesitant one every time, helping me weigh things up and teaching me to be less of a wimp!
I don’t know if we’ll ever meet – Texas is a loooonnnng way from Yorkshire – but even if we don’t it won’t make me any less thankful that I ‘met’ her online!
Related articles (external)
#FlashFiveFriday: #13 – Generosity
#FlashFiveFriday on The Indie Exchange: Generosity
#FlashFiveFriday Generosity
#FlashFiveFriday – Friendship | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Guest Post: Behind the Shadows: Birth of an African-Asian Anthology – Zukiswa Wanner
We are delighted to welcome Zukiswa Wanner, one of the editors of Behind the Shadows. Zukiswa takes us through the painstaking process of selecting the best stories for their anthology.
Behind the Shadows: Birth of an African-Asian Anthology – Zukiswa Wanner
And so it was that after a call out in March and a deadline of August 1st, my co-editor Rohini Chowdhury and I, found ourselves reading through hundreds of manuscripts to select our favourites. As we read through we each had four categories: Yes; Maybe; No; and…Hell No.
In the Yes category were the stories that kept to the word length (3000-5000 words), kept to our theme for the anthology – Outcast, and were well-written. There were some obvious winners. The title story, Behind the Shadows by Tasneem Basha, had both Rohini and I calling each other crying then laughing on the phone. Jill Morsbach’s The Hunted showed a society grappling with newfound democracy. Granny’s Parasychological Services by Himanjali Sankar was another obvious choice because of its playful tone and yet the ability to stick to the brief. So too was Jackee Batanda’s Thing That Ate Your Brain.
Our Maybes consisted of stories that resonated somewhat but failed to meet the word count or needed some clarification on a point in the plot. This may be where we separated the good writers from writers who take their craft seriously. The writers who take their work seriously – some of them established, took a look at the suggestions and reworked what needed to be done and returned it on time. The good writers – many of them quite known in literary circles on both continents –did a ‘don’t- you- know- who- I- am? Google me,’ move -offended that we dared give feedback that was not a hundred percent in love with their work. From the experience, I learnt that Felix Cheong from Singapore is a great writer. And that what’s-her-name from Nigeria has an over inflated sense of self as a writer.
The Nos failed to adhere to both word count and plot. The Hell Nos not only had bad plot, failure to adhere to word count, but atrocious grammar. It was painful to read them and I am still looking at emails that Rohini and I sent each other.
To: Rohini Chowdhury
From: Zukiswa Wanner
Subject: ‘Story__________ from alleged writer________
Email Content: Errr Ms. Well-read co-editor, maybe you can help. What is the point of this story? Is there something in Indian mythology that my African brain cannot understand? I rate it a ‘oh hell hell no.’ I think I need a tea break to undo the sour taste in my mouth.
Zooks
The amusing thing about the Nos and the Hells Nos is that there were some persistent people in this group. I remember Rohini and I in a back and forth with some writers who initially enquired why we did not select their stories. We explained AGAIN (we had already done so in the ‘we regret’ emails). And then they emailed back again suggesting that they edit the scripts, and getting progressively obnoxious with each email. It was like those rejected ‘singers’ one sees on the first day of rehearsals on Pop Idols. You know those ones who always say they have been studying music since three, are in the church choir or something and then when they starts singing it’s like a nail running along a chalkboard.
Interviewer: ‘So what happened in there, are you okay?’
‘Singer’(with false bravado): ‘Those judges don’t know what they are talking about. My mom says I am the best singer in my family. I am going to the studio on my own and sell more records than the stupid idol who wins. Watch me!’
After the feedbacks, we had a total of 30 stories. Some writers had published elsewhere so we had to remove them. Others fell through the cracks because they failed to submit their edits on time. The final work is these twenty one stories.
About Behind the Shadows (2012)
[image error] An anthology of African and Asian short stories, born out of a meeting between Indian and South African writers, Rohini Chowdhury and Zukiswa Wanner.
In March 2011, Chowdhury and Wanner, with the objective of bringing together the two continents of Africa and Asia, sent out a call for short stories with the theme outcast, to be interpreted by the writers as they pleased. The writers could be from Africa or Asia, or in the Diaspora, but it was necessary that their stories deal with the theme as experienced by Africans and/or Asians. Chowdhury and Wanner, who worked on this project as co-editors, went through hundreds of short stories to select the twenty-one that make up this anthology. The title, Behind the Shadows, is from one of the short stories in the collection by writer Tasneem Basha. The collection also includes Penguin-shortlisted author Isabella Morris; Caine Prize-shortlisted writer Lauri Kubuitsile; renowned Singaporean Young Artist Award recipient, author and poet, Felix Cheong; and emerging Indian writers Rumjhum Biswas, Monideepa Sahu, and Sucharita Dutta-Asane.
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About the Editors
[image error]Zukiswa Wanner is the author of three critically-acclaimed novels and her latest novel, Men of the South was shortlisted for Commonwealth Prize for Best Book Africa region. In addition to the novels, she has written three children’s books and has contributed short stories to numerous anthologies. Wanner is the co-author of the Mandela house biography 8115: A Prisoner’s House with the late award-winning photographer Alf Kumalo. She has also written widely for international and African newspapers, journals, and magazines.
Rohini Chowdhury writes for both children and adults, and has more than twenty books and several short stories to her credit.She is published in both Hindi and English, and her writing covers a wide spectrum of literary genres including translations, novels, short fiction, comics, and non-fiction. Her most recent publication for children is Gautam Buddha: The Lord of Wisdom, a biography of the Buddha, published by Puffin India. Her most recent translation is that of the widely-acclaimed Hindi novel Tyagpatra by Jainendra, into English, published by Penguin India earlier this year. Her literary interests include translation, mythology, folklore, mathematics and history.
Guest Post: Behind the Shadows: Birth of an African-Asian Anthology – Zukiswa Wanner | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Book Review: Alison Wonderland – Helen Smith
[image error] After her husband leaves her for another woman, twentysomething Londoner Alison Temple impulsively applies for a job at the very P.I. firm she hired to trap her philandering ex. She hopes it will be the change of scene she so desperately needs to move on with her shattered life. At the all-female Fitzgerald’s Bureau of Investigation, she spends her days tracking lost objects and her nights shadowing unfaithful husbands. But no matter what the case, none of her clients can compare to the fascinating characters in her personal life. There’s her boss, the estimable and tidy Mrs. Fitzgerald; Taron, Alison’s eccentric best friend, who claims her mother is a witch; Jeff, her love-struck, poetry-writing neighbour; and—last but not least—her psychic postman. Her relationships with them all become entangled when she joins Taron for a road trip to the seaside and stumbles into a misadventure of epic proportions! Clever, quirky, and infused with just a hint of magic, this humorous literary novel introduces a memorable heroine struggling with the everyday complexities of modern life.
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Review: Alison Wonderland
At times weird, at times wonderful might be an apt way to describe Helen Smith’s novel. The story focuses on Alison Temple who hires a private investigator to prove her husband is being unfaithful to her. When her suspicions are confirmed she not only leaves her husband but decides to work for the agency she hired to help her. As a PI and using the name Alison begins with simple assignments of checking on the monogamy of accused husbands but her work takes her into some strange places and the novels cast of bizarre characters each have their own part to play.
Alison follows one husband, suspecting an illicit liaison and stumbles upon activities involving the genetic modification of animals. Following a series of mix-ups Alison is in the middle of being investigated herself with her pursuers believing she is a dangerous activist. Alison’s personal life is no less complicated. Her postman is psychic, the neighbour Jeff is in lover with her, while her best friend Taron believes her mother is a witch and she becomes fixated on acquiring a child for herself, even going so far as to drag Alison to the coast on peculiar adventures. There is a lot going on and the novel jumps around a lot to visit these many threads.
I found Alison Wonderland to be a decent enough read. It’s well-written in places with some amusing moments but such is the array of characters and viewpoints that it is not always easy to keep track of what is happening. This is one of those books that many readers will love and others may struggle with. Smith has come up with some quirky and often memorable characters though some scenes are very strange indeed, one in particular I’d like to mention but I wouldn’t want to spoil it.
Alison Wonderland is a fun read but the range of characters and side stories hinder the narrative somewhat. Smith’s characters are a memorable bunch but I do think readers will be divided with the book
Verdict: 3/5
(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)
Book Review: Alison Wonderland – Helen Smith | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
November 6, 2012
Guest Post and Excerpt: Scott Bartlett and Royal Flush
We’re delighted to welcome Scott Bartlett, author of Royal Flush. Scott joins us to share his experience of writing and self-publishing his novel.
Guest Post
Hello, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave readers! I’m Scott Bartlett, an indie author from Newfoundland, Canada.
In this post I’ll discuss my experiences writing and self-publishing my humour novel, Royal Flush. Hopefully this information will be valuable to anyone considering indie authordom.
I wrote the first draft in the 18 days leading up to a competition deadline. It didn’t win—probably because it was a first draft. But I rewrote and revised several times, eventually submitting it to the Atlantic Writing Competition. It received the H. R. (Bill) Percy Prize, which is something I make sure to mention now in promotional material, as well as on the back of the book.
I submitted it to several publishers, and got a couple nibbles (read: full manuscript requests), but no bites.
My decision to self-publish meant I was responsible for virtually everything except the actual printing—including writing, editing, cover art, formatting the book, turning it into a PDF, and promoting it.
To be taken seriously, it’s crucial that a self-published book be professionally produced. And that means thorough editing. I was lucky enough that many people took an interest in reading Royal Flush before it was published—I would estimate that over 100 people read it during its various stages of pre-publication. This includes friends, family, coworkers, and users of Authonomy.com, all who provided valuable feedback. You might say I crowdsourced a significant amount of the editing.
I also went through 10 drafts myself. I didn’t catch all the mistakes—I know of at least one that irks me to no end. But I am proud that distracting grammatical and spelling mistakes have been kept to a minimum.
I approached a local artist I went to high school with, Susan Jarvis, with a concept for the book cover, and she made me something very close to what you see today. I was immediately very happy with the cover, and I requested only minor changes.
Formatting the book was a trial. I spent hours researching how to do it. Hyphenation was especially troublesome. I’m glad I invested the time, though, because I think the finished print book looks very professional. (Formatting for eReaders, of course, wasn’t as big a deal, since it looks different on every device anyway.)
To promote the novel, I’ve turned to Twitter, Facebook, my blog, and local venues such as bookstores, science fiction conventions, festivals, my local farmers’ market. I’ve been interviewed in local newspapers and on the radio. I conducted a blog tour, too, in August.
I also I plan to record the first part of my book as an audiobook, and give that away for free, to try and pique interest in the rest of it.
I have an 8-page marketing plan, which never seems to shrink no matter how many to-do items I delete from it. This is because I’m constantly adding new things—both new ideas and things I’ve realized I need to do. If you’re like me, you’ll underestimate just how much work self-publishing is before you go into it. A lot of it is unglamorous logistics. But based on my personal experience, I consider it well worth it.
One advantage associated with being self-published (and with being published electronically) is that your book is always ‘in print’. There doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge push immediately after the book is released, and then little to no activity afterward. Since my book is available for as long as Lightning Source, the ebook sellers, and I are all solvent, I can promote at my leisure.
Mind you, I don’t feel very leisurely. I am having lots of fun, though, and I consider that extremely important!
Excerpt
In the following scene, the King’s castle is stormed by a group of highly-trained soldiers. They are repelled using unorthodox means.
A trumpet sounded in the distance. The King looked up, unenthused. His interest grew when he discerned a flood of movement on the apex of Shepherd’s Hill. He squinted. A swarm of black-clad figures was cresting the summit, only to rush down the side nearest the King. It seemed to be some sort of a parade, or a marathon, or perhaps a…
(The King’s mouth fell open.)
…a vast host of armed warriors, dressed in the same uniform Private Reginald had worn.
The trumpet blared again, inspiring the King once more to scamper down the hallways. This time, he screamed uncontrollably.
“Your Majesty!” Frederick called as the King ran past the room in which he and Eliza cuddled. “Whatever is the matter?”
The King entered the room and paused to catch his breath, holding up a finger. Finally, he was ready.
“What is it?” Frederick said urgently.
The King’s brow furrowed. “I can’t remember.”
“Oh.”
“It can’t have been very important. I’ll let you know if I recall.” The King left the room again.
Frederick and Eliza returned to snuggling.
The King came barrelling back in. “I remember now!” he shrieked. “Invaders! Approaching the castle!”
Frederick jumped up. “Is the drawbridge closed?”
The King thought this over.
“No!”
“Then let’s go!” They dashed out of the room.
“Bring your fiddle!” said the King. They dashed back. Frederick tore open the case and extracted his instrument.
They dashed out again.
Downstairs, the attackers were already rushing into the entrance foyer.
“Hey!” Frederick shouted from the stairs, his voice cracking. The King cowered behind him. “Get out of here!” Frederick brandished the fiddle.
“Assail them!” ordered the King from over the fiddler’s shoulder.
By now completely pale, Frederick proceeded hesitantly down the staircase. “Hey!” he shouted again. He swung the instrument in a clumsy arc.
The black-uniformed soldiers drew up hastily. “Hold it, boys! He’s got a fiddle.”
“That’s right!” Frederick said.
“Is that a Stradivarius?” asked another soldier, who wielded a broadsword.
“Er, no,” the fiddler said. “It’s a replica.”
“Skilfully crafted, though,” said the swordsman. The invaders all agreed.
Another piped up. “Hey, now, you’re not going to hit us with that, are you?”
Frederick faltered.
“I’ve been thinking about it!”
“But you might damage it,” a thoughtful young corporal observed.
“That’s possible, yes.”
“You shouldn’t jeopardize a decent piece of equipment like that.”
“I’ve taken leave of my senses!” Frederick said, gaining momentum.
“Instruments like that are hard to come by nowadays.”
“I’ll just have to do without!” the fiddler said, a wild gleam in his eyes.
The soldiers muttered among themselves. “Bloody maniacal,” one said. “Not a shred of respect for good craftsmanship,” said another.
The corporal cleared his throat. “If you’re not going to be reasonable, then we’ll have to. Come on, men. We’ll find another way in. On the double, now.”
The soldiers filed out in an orderly fashion. The King rushed up to the winch that controlled the drawbridge and cranked it for all his worth.
King and fiddler leaned panting against the blessedly vertical wooden plane.
“Play me a mournful tune,” the King requested.
About Royal Flush (2011)
[image error] Royal Flush is a humor novel about a King with no special talent for anything, especially running his Kingdom. If you like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you should read this book.
The main character is known only as the King. He is selfish, immoral and incompetent–yet strangely endearing. The novel is divided into four parts, and in each one, the King tries unsuccessfully to establish a lasting relationship with a different woman.
These romantic catastrophes are intertwined with other mishaps. For instance, the King is portrayed as a cross dresser by a local tabloid, the Kingdom Crier. Soon after, his castle is besieged–a fact he attempts to ignore as he pursues his royal fiddler’s girlfriend.
The issues addressed in the novel include the pursuit of love and happiness, the role of the media, loyalty, hidden agendas, cultural differences, the responsibility of government, and, of course, the murky underworld of linguistics.
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About Scott Bartlett
[image error]Scott Bartlett has been writing fiction since he was fifteen. Since then, he’s written three novels and several short stories. His second novel, Royal Flush, won the H. R (Bill) Percy Prize, and his third novel, Taking Stock, received the Lawrence Jackson Writers’ Award and the Percy Janes First Novel Award.
Guest Post and Excerpt: Scott Bartlett and Royal Flush | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Game News: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dragonborn Trailer
Bethesda have unveiled a new trailer for Dragonborn, the next official game add-on for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Dragonborn is due for release on Xbox LIVE on December 4 .
Trailer: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
About Skyrim (2011)
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The next installment in the critically acclaimed Elder Scrolls series is finally here: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Skyrim is the homeland of the Nords, a fierce and proud warrior people who are used to the bitter cold and mountanous terrain that mark the lands of Skyrim. Wracked by civil war, and threatened by the return of the legendary dragons, Skyrim faces its darkest hour. You must make sense of this maelstrom, explore the frozen tundra and bring hope to the people.
The Elder Scrolls told of their return. The Empire of Tamriel is on the edge. The High King of Skyrim has been murdered.
Alliances form as claims to the throne are made. In the midst of this conflict, a far more dangerous, ancient evil is awakened. Dragons, long lost to the passages of the Elder Scrolls, have returned to Tamriel.
The future of Skyrim, even the Empire itself, hangs in the balance as they wait for the prophesized Dragonborn to come; a hero born with the power of The Voice, and the only one who can stand amongst the dragons.
Format: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
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Related articles (external)
‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ (ALL) Dragonborn DLC Revealed – Trailer
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Dragonborn DLC – Official Trailer
Bethesda Reveals ‘Skyrim’ Dragonborn DLC (video)
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim: Dragonborn announced
Bethesda Teases “Dragonborn” DLC For The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Full Trailer This Monday
Game News: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dragonborn Trailer | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
November 5, 2012
Book Review: Goliath Gets Up – Starbuck O’Dwyer
[image error] What makes someone great? For David Horvath, life hasn’t turned out exactly as planned. At 39, he’s single, unemployed and living with his grandmother, Beatie, in Rochester, New York. Although most of his days are spent drinking at a downtown bar with a group of fellow outcasts, he still clings tightly to the belief that he will achieve greatness, just as his late mother predicted. The problem is he can’t figure out how.
David doesn’t realize it, but when Beatie tells him she’s ready to die and wants his help, it’s a blessing in disguise. For this request inspires David to try to change Beatie’s mind by bringing the Academy Awards to Rochester; and puts in motion a plan to revive her spirits, his city and the lives of all those who live there. Along the way, he battles self-doubt, loneliness and Cornelia Candee, Rochester’s evil mayor, who tries to steal his idea about the Oscars and use it as a way to turn the city’s historic High Falls into a waterslide park.
Acknowledging the inevitable gap between our dreams and the reality of our lives, Goliath Gets Up examines the journey we take trying to bridge that gap and make a difference in the world. What makes someone great? Come along with David and find out.
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Goliath Gets Up (2011) – Starbuck O’Dwyer
I do enjoy a wide variety of books and after a handful of serious reads it is nice to pick up a book that offers some genuine laughs. I wasn’t sure what Goliath Gets Up would have to offer but I headed out to Rochester, New York, to find out what was going on.
The novel focuses on David Horvath who is pushing 40, has lost one of his two jobs and has come home to find his girlfriend cheating on him. After a less than pleasant break-up, David is left to reflect on his somewhat wasted life. His late mother used to refer to him as a dragon and had high hopes for him. Instead, David lives with his grandmother and spends his days drinking with his friends – Nubby and Big Nasty. David decides enough is enough. He wants to do something with his life but what?
Drowning his sorrows with his friends, David is in something of a rut with an unfulfilling life. He teaches tennis to a group of kids that are less than complimentary or disciplined and even his home life isn’t great. David is close to his grandmother but her partner Biff who is often in a bathrobe is a different matter. One day David is horrified to learn his grandmother has terminal cancer but this sad turn of events inspires David. His grandmother always wanted to go to the Academy Awards so David decides he will bring the Oscars from Los Angeles to Rochester! His friends Nubby and Big Nasty embrace the idea despite a previous preference for having less than subtle shaped buildings erected in Rochester.
The three friends are helped by Dixie who also reveals her father has been contracted to build Candee Land, a complex for gambling and prostitution, spearheaded by the hilarious Mayor Candee, and destroy the scenic High Falls in the process. After pitching the idea of the Oscars in Rochester to the mayor, David is horrified when it is dismissed then stolen by the mayor! Dixie wants her friends to help destroy her father’s business but instead they form QWEAFS to protest about the development of the High Falls. What follows is both a tragic and hilarious series of confrontations as Mayor Candee does everything in her power to disgrace and stop David and his protesters, especially when they vow to go over the falls to a likely certain death come November!
Goliath Gets Up reminded me of Steve Toltz’s A Fraction of the Whole. It is hilarious with some fantastic characters. David is a great protagonist but many of the laughs belong to Mayor Candee who is obsessed with gambling and prostitution and believes a famous suffragette from Rochester is one of Charlie’s Angels. The hapless Nubby and the poetic Big Nasty with a love of Maya Angelou are simply wonderful. The build up to the protesters going over the High Falls is fantastic and the ending is completely apt as well.
I have no complaints with Goliath Gets Up. It’s very funny throughout, has some great characters and conflicts and should raise a smile with many readers. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish.
Verdict: 5/5
(Book source: reviewer received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review)
Book Review: Goliath Gets Up – Starbuck O’Dwyer | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
November 4, 2012
Tweedlers’ Jukebox Song of the Week: This is Halloween
Quite a list of contenders for song of the week from the Tweedlers but given that we’ve had the joys of Halloween a few days ago, we had only one option in the end. This opening number from The Nightmare Before Christmas is an absolute gem. After a brief narration at the start of the film we are whisked off to Halloween Town where the residents have their own catchy theme tune – This is Halloween.
Not only is The Nightmare Before Christmas one of the best animated films ever made it is filled with a plethora of catchy tunes such as Jack’s Lament and What’s This? Hard to believe that a film about a group of scary monsters hijacking Christmas could be so much fun but it was a thrill a minute ride and This is Halloween is the perfect way to begin the journey.
Tweedlers’ Jukebox Song of the Week: This is Halloween | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
