Austin Briggs's Blog, page 57
July 8, 2012
There was a Girl
I met her at the disco last Friday, she said her friends called her Juliebaby as she was so cute.
She said she would phone for another date. I am still waiting.
Lana Pawcel.
There was a Girl is a post from: Aztec Books
The Only Promise Kept
Gabriella’s blood pressure was up.
She replied via keyboard, ” I don’t know why you all are so mean to me. I go out of my way to help and support everyone.”
Her left arm felt numb.
Clicking the ‘ENTER’ button, her last words,”I never do anything wrong, don’t you think?”
Happy Dagger.
The Only Promise Kept is a post from: Aztec Books
Horror in July Town
The hospital was on the outskirts of July town. The air was thick with the scent of blood. Two kids, strangers caught in the same horror movie sat in hiding, listening, hoping the killer wouldn’t find them. Daniel and Joe were their names. The killer made a promise of death this night and he’s delivered.
Horror in July Town is a post from: Aztec Books
July 7, 2012
Plus One
Jen promised Todd’s friend was devilishly handsome and loaded; he’s perfect as my plus one for THE wedding. I conceded. Why do I always believe her?
Todd and my date arrived, Jen giggled. My date may have been an axe murder in a previous life. This night is not going to end well.
Plus One is a post from: Aztec Books
Come Back Home
With her eyes closed, she visions his face. Her forehead wrinkles with pain. She can still feel his breath from this morning’s kiss. The phone rings. The machine picks up and she hears a voice ask, “Has he come home?” Sighing, she opens her eyes. “Baxter!” she yells. “Old Dotson, promise you’ll never leave again.”
Come Back Home is a post from: Aztec Books
In Space they can’t hear the Screams
Not long now baby, I promise. It’s getting closer every hour. The ship nestled into the dock with a slight click. The raspy sound echoed through the bulkhead as the airlock opened, then a whisper of escaping air.
Knife in hand she cradled the baby against the bulkhead. “Look baby, food.”
In Space they can’t hear the Screams is a post from: Aztec Books
The Last Word
In Guatemala the telephone rang. Not possessing “ignore telephone syndrome”, but only knowing “Hola”, although surmising for PMS emergencies “chocolate” must be “cocoa beano”, I heard voluminous, seemingly serious, unintelligible verbiage. Thankfully remembering The Three Amigos, I croaked “Adios” and confidently hung up.
Seconds later the phone rang. I ran!
The Last Word is a post from: Aztec Books
July 6, 2012
No Fear of the Unknown
Waiting breathlessly for my date to arrive, I go over the six months of emails we shared, never sending pictures. I was to wear a gown and he a tux, so we would know the other. His last email to me said, “I will whisk you away and you will become mine forever, I promise.”
No Fear of the Unknown is a post from: Aztec Books
End of A Marriage
“I promise to love, honor, and obey.” The word-memory runs a frantic loop of thought-sound in her mind. Her eyes focus briefly on the tower of dishes, flick to the pile of laundry in the corner. She rocks gently and does not notice the growing sirens as she whispers toward the body, “I’m so sorry.”
Jen.
End of A Marriage is a post from: Aztec Books
July 5, 2012
The Hunger Games – Book Review
A Remake of Battle Royale? Running Man? Lord of the Flies?
I know my title is a little brutal for a book – I’m ALMOST accusing Mrs. Collins of a rip off. But reviews are supposed to be honest; and one feeling that I was unable to shake off while reading this book was that I was reading Lord of the Flies all over again. Or The Running Man. Or The Long Walk. Or, most closely, the Battle Royale.
Totalitarian government – check. Dystopian world – check. Teens fighting to their deaths – check. Only one survivor must remain – check. 42 kids at the start – nope, 24. Same digits, big difference. A simplification, if you will.
And this is where I believe this book wins; a simplification of the complex, foreign, deeply disturbing and graphic Battle Royale for the mass Western audience. For us.
The strengths of the book are fantastic: a past paced thriller, a likable character, lives of innocent children at stake.
The weaknesses are no less formidable. The plot and the writing are unbelievably formulaic. Here are just a few I care to mention:
- Make your character lovable by: (a) being an orphan; (b) having a defenseless relative, preferably a child; (c) taking care of a hurt pet;
- Make your character fight against all odds, ideally for the survival of humanity;
- Make sure she of he are visibly running out of either (a) time or (b) options;
- Have someone (“a guardian”) warn them against the coming dangers…
The check list goes on.
I know this review is a collection of checklists; but this is exactly how I felt reading the book. A set of checklists to create an irresistible thriller.
Having said all that, the result is a fast-paced page turner that’s impossible to put down. Well done. I truly enjoyed this book (although not the two that followed) and will watch the movie.
If only Katniss were less repeatedly whiny about the same issues over and over and over again… oh father… or mother… oh Prim… oh father… oh mother… oh Prim… as if no other thoughts exist to choose from. Sadly, this part gets worse as the series goes on: ad nauseum.
It’s also amazing how Katniss gets through the Games without … spoiler beep … almost anyone. Lucky, I guess.
One major flaw that may call for a re-write, in my opinion, is the missed opportunity to create a hero. Good female leads are few and far between. Katniss (despite the name) could have been one. What do we get instead? A self-centered teen who can’t decide what she wants, does as she told, doesn’t stand for much apart from her family, and manipulates the poor, sincere Peeta. Later on, it gets so bad I don’t want to talk about it. Oh well.
The Hunger Games – Book Review is a post from: Aztec Books
