Lance Greenfield's Blog, page 65
March 21, 2016
Review: The Valley of Fear
The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book contains two stories which tie up nicely towards the end.
The first is a classic Holmes crime and mystery which is resolved, as expected by the smug Sherlock, to the astonishment and adulation of Watson and all of the other characters involved. Most avid readers of the Sherlock Holmes stories would probably unravel the puzzles before they read the conclusions of the master. The twist provided by the discovery of a corpse which has been shot in the face by a shotgun is overdone these days, but Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle’s representation of that scenario may have been completely original when he wrote this story. I would be very interested to know if he was the first, or if there was already a precedent.
It is a good mystery based around the murder of the owner of a mansion which is surrounded by a moat. The murderer’s escape route seems to be clear, but how did he get into the mansion when the draw bridge was up. There are many more puzzles to be solved. Of course, as always, the police detectives quickly come to the obvious conclusions, whilst Holmes thinks laterally until he arrives at the truth. The clues are scattered liberally throughout the text for the pleasure of the reader. I usually find that I discover the explanation just before it is revealed. That is what makes these stories so skillfully crafted and so enjoyable.
The second story is about “the scourers” in a mining community in North America. They are a goup of men who terrorise the Valley of Fear using their Freemasons’ Lodge as their cover and meeting place. A violent and terrible death is on the cards for anyone who crosses them or who tries to bring them to justice. This is an exciting and action-packed tale. What has this got to do with the murder which occurred in the opening chapter. Well, you know that there is some connection, but the layers are peeled off slowly, and the final knots are not tied until towards the end of the book.
I really did enjoy this one despite the predictabilities. Because of thier timings, they just made it more digestible. I can see why some lovers of Holmes would disagree with me, but I would strongly recommend it to any of my friends who enjoy a good crime mystery. For any lovers of Sherlock Holmes stories who have not read The Valley of Fear, I would say that their reading is not complete if this one is missing from their list.
March 18, 2016
Review: Genghis: Birth of an Empire
Genghis: Birth of an Empire by Conn Iggulden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
(In UK, this book is entitled “Wolf of the Plains”)
A more harsh childhood is hard to imagine!
Although this book gallops along at Conn Iggulden’s usual pace, I was continually tempted to leap ahead to find out what happened next. That makes it much more of a chapter-turner than merely a page-turner, and the narrative left me quite breathless at times!
Temujin is the son of the khan of one of the many Mongol tribes who are in continual, violent conflict. Without spoiling the story for you, his circumstances force him to grow up very quickly rather than lose his life. As the story unfolds, Temujin faces death many times and learns from his terrifying experiences. His list of those on whom he determines to wreak revenge grows as you read. Eventually, he becomes the respected, feared and uncompromising leader of the great horde which dominated two continents during that age.
Had his childhood been easy, he would probably have settled down with a couple of wives and a few goats. Historic record shows otherwise, but that record hardly brings Ghengis Khan’s tale to life in the way that Iggulden has managed in this book.
I would recommend this book to anybody, and would challenge them to resist being swept along by such a brilliantly told story. I just can’t wait to get my hands on the next episode, “Lords of the Bow,” in January 2008.
March 16, 2016
Writer’s Quote Wednesday – SAY IT NOW!
This is slightly out of step with the new challenge that has been thrown out by Silverthreading and Ronovan Writes, which is #WQWWC Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge – “Wisdom”, but only slightly. I prepared this in advance, so please accept my apology. However, it does fit the theme, as I am talking about wisdom after the event. It is a somewhat sad reflection.
I have just finished reading a wonderful book, A Man Called Ove by Swedish author, Frederik Backman. It is littered with quotes that I’d love to share with followers of Silver Threading’s Writer’s Quote Wednesday and Ronovan Writes‘ BeWoW (Be Writing on Wednesday). You’ll be relieved to hear that I am going to limit myself to just one, which struck a deep, resonant chord with me. I have a feeling that the same, harmonious music will soon be humming through your soul too.
But we are always optimists when it comes to time, we think there will be time to do things with other people. And time to say things to them.
Fredrik Backman
Last week, a school chum of mine died. We haven’t seen each other since we were about twenty years old. That is forty years ago. Yet Tony and I had stayed in touch through all those years. Social media has made it easier to keep abreast of each other’s activities more recently. We spoke a couple of times on the phone, and we even arranged to meet up when he was back in England, but that fell through.
Now I am left with regrets. We had so much to catch up on; so much to say to each other; so many memories to share. We didn’t make the time to do that, and now it is too late.
My Mum died seventeen years ago, in February 1999. I often wish that I had asked her this or that, seeking answers which I will never know. It is too late.
I often see something, or hear something, usually a piece of classical or traditional jazz music, and think “I must tell Mum about that!” only to realise that it is now too late.
My father is ailing. He is suffering very badly from the effects of Parkinson’s Disease and various other maladies. He is eighty-four and he is not immortal. He will die sometime, probably before me.
I aim to not be so optimistic about time. I must make the most of it. I must have those vital conversations with my Dad now, before it is too late. I know that I will miss something, but I will give him my time and I will get the most out of him while we are still able to converse.
Are we humming in harmony. Will you take this quote on board and make the most of the time that you have with somebody who is close to you?
I hope so!
Pingback: #WQW (Writers Quote Wednesday) & #BeWow (Be Writing on Wednesday) – Poet, Mary Webb
Pingback: #WQWWC Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge – “Wisdom”
March 15, 2016
Review: The Goshawk
The Goshawk by T.H. White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was one of the books that I had to read for O-Level English literature, and it was the only really interesting one out of the set. (These were the UK school exams for 16 year-olds back in the early ’70s).
This is a role model for those who would practice the craft of writing great literature. The language is so descriptive and captivating and really pulls the reader in to experience the emotions of the author.
We were told that this is NOT the way to train a falcon, but it is a brilliant account of patience and the relationship between a man and a bird.
March 14, 2016
Review: Doomsday Book
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Connie Willis is a very imaginative writer. I love the time travel genre, and this story is one of the better ones that I have read. However, at almost 600 pages, this book is way too long. The pace is so slow and repetitive that I believe that the first 400 pages could have been condensed into about a quarter of that length.
All the way through, Finch, who is the secretary of one of the main characters, Dunworthy, complains about the lack of “lavatory paper.” All he needed to do was by a few copies of Doomsday Book, ripped out the first two-thirds, and he would’ve had a surplus!
I hold the editor responsible for my tedium, as the author presented that editor with a great story and received no good guidance in return. The proof reader is also culpable of serious crime: there are numerous typos and incorrect vocabulary usage. Worse than that, there are so many punctuation errors that, if Lynne Truss were to read this story, she would be pulling her hair out by the time she were half way through.
Once the pace picked up, just past page 400, I was captivated and read through to the end quite quickly.
What puzzled me immensely, and many other readers too, is that although Kivrin, the historian who travelled back in time to the Middle Ages, had brilliant technology in the form of implants which automatically translated her speech into Old English and allowed her to record her journal by speaking into her hands as if praying, she was not equipped with the most essential, available piece of technology. (view spoiler)[When two of the modern day characters travel back to rescue Kivrin, 35 pages from the end, they have a “locator” which will guide them back to the “drop”, or the time portal, through which they transported. Since most of Kivrin’s quest, back in the 14th century, concerned seeking the location of the drop, why oh why did she not take one of these locators with her in the first place? (hide spoiler)]. I suppose that it would have taken away half of the story, had she been so equipped.
All in all, this is a really good time travel story, but the book could have been less than 300 pages long, have been better edited, and should certainly have been scrutinized by a proficient proof-reader.
I would only recommend it to friends who love a good time travel book and have the stamina to keep reading to the end of a marathon.
March 10, 2016
Review: Return of the Pale Feather
Return of the Pale Feather by E.B. Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The complex mix of the related characters in this book is marvelous. I just loved the way that the author made it all seem so natural. There are people from modern North America, the natives and immigrants of the same lands of the seventeenth century, and Norse warriors who arrived in the seventeenth century from almost a millennium before.
Some of this mixture have been born in each of the eras.
It does sound very complicated, but it all hangs together when you read the story.
It is difficult for me to describe much more of the situation, and the events which are described, without giving away too much of this book or the previous book in the series: The Legend of the Bloodstone.
However, you can believe me when I tell you that there are many conflicts and tensions to be resolved. There are tragedies to deal with, and the balance of much joy. I warn you not to become too attached to any of the characters, as the author has a wicked habit of killing off your most loved one just when you want more of him or her. But isn’t that like life?
Maggie is a very strong woman. Her twenty-first century attitudes do not fit well with either the native American, or immigrant European, societies of seventeenth century America, as you can imagine. Winn does his best to understand, and he will do anything to protect his wife. The bond is strong.
This is a really great book of well-researched historical fiction, human interactions through the ages, mild erotica, with a smattering of violence. It is even better than book one, and I am already half way through the third in the series as I write this review. That is how much the Time Walkers series has gripped me so far.
Well done E.B. Brown. More please!
Quotes that I liked from this book
“You break me, wife,” he said, his voice hoarse and low as he turned back to her. His eyes shimmered beneath narrowed brows. “You know what it means? It means I want you, as I want water when my lips thirst. As I want food when I have hunger. But this need, this need I have for you- it breaks me. It takes the breath from my chest. It drains the blood from my veins and the spirit from my soul. I cannot be, unless I can be here with you, like this. With our flesh touching and your heart beating here against mine. I cannot be, not without you.”
― E.B. Brown, Return of the Pale Feather
4 likes
“He felt her relax as his fingers caressed her back and moved lower to her buttocks, slick, yet firm, beneath the water.
“You’re not going to wash my hair, are you?” she whispered.”
― E.B. Brown, Return of the Pale Feather
March 8, 2016
Writing, Reading and Reviewing Books For Love
I almost completely go along with Sheila’s thoughts and sentiments here.
I love to review books and I always give my honest opinion. I feel that I am helping both the potential readers and the authors. And I really am driven by love.
The only point on which we differ is her rule number one. Very occasionally, I will give a one star review. This is either because I could not finish a book, which has only happened twice, or because the book genuinely merits a single star. That means that, in my humble opinion, the book is awful. I will always give my reasons.
Compassion, respect and kindness are human qualities common to all regardless of any faith position. In this post, I’m making a plea for these three things in the online world of books.
Even when readers buy physical books in bricks-and-mortar bookstores they often like to post a review online.
Recently I learned from my fellow authors of something very sad which is happening on Goodreads – which I had previously been totally unaware of. See this article by Anne Rice here.
I have been aware that the dark side of human nature does indeed find outlets for expression on the internet but I had up to now been unconscious of the fact that this affects the world of reviewing books.
In today’s publishing scene, Amazon reviews are of great importance to a writer – though I sometimes wish they weren’t. The fact remains a new review can lift an author’s spirits…
View original post 306 more words
March 3, 2016
Review: Conqueror
Conqueror by Conn Iggulden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a wonderful conclusion to the series. Once I was into the last one hundred pages, I just had to keep reading until I had finished at 2.30 am this morning.
As Conn Iggulden says in his historical notes at the end of the book, there is still so much that he could have continued to write about the Mongolian empire. Sorhatani, mother of the four grandsons of Genghis: Mongke, Kublai, Hulegu and Arik-Boke, deserves a book of her own. However, I think that Conn is correct in deciding to leave the story at the point that he does.
In this book, three of the four sons of Sorhatani, and Tolui, become Gur-khan (the Great Khan), following the early demise of their cousin Guyuk. As the author points out, this is a work of fiction, and the exact nature of any of the deaths and battles are made up around known historical fact. This is waht makes Conn Iggulden such a great writer of historical fiction. He brings it to life. He adds excitement to the (possibly) dry historical reference. This is why I love the genre so much.
Although it is possible to read any one of the five books in this series as a stand-alone volume, I would advise against it. One can only wonder at the rise of an empire that, at its peak, extends far further than either the Roman or Alexandran empires, from the tiniest of beginnings in the first episode. Terujin, as a small boy, is purssued into the wilderness. He grows to become Genghis, uniting the Mongolian nation and conquering most of the known world from western Europe to Eastern China.
The Conqueror series is a marathon read, and I have read them as they hit the book shops. I am glad that I did. This is tremendous series, and Conn Iggulden and his supporters have done a fantastic job.
I thoroughly recommend the whole series starting from the first volume and ending in the early hours of one morning sometime in your future. You will not be disappointed!
February 29, 2016
Song of the Day
This is absolutely beautiful.
It fills me and surrounds me with intense love and light!
The first song I heard today:
View original post 526 more words
Song of the Day
Browsing a bit through YouTube from LeAnn Rimes over Patsy Cline until I arrived at Jennifer Lopez. Yes, what a mix of styles! Once arrived at J-Lo I went from one song to another and stopped at this one. (This time, I remember that you posted a song of hers lately, Lisa…lol…. but it is not gonna be the same one
