Tyson Adams's Blog, page 51
April 26, 2017
Book Review: The Island of Dr Moreau by HG Wells
The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you can make an animal into a person, how long do you think it will be before someone can make a person decent?
Edward Prendick survives a shipwreck and is rescued by a supply ship headed for The Island of Dr Moreau. Prendick is cast overboard by the supply ship and is thus stranded on the island where he discovers a mad scientist (surgeon actually) has been at work for many years. The locals are huge fans of vivisection. Things go downhill when Brando is cast as Moreau.
I mostly enjoyed rereading this novel, and I definitely understood more of the issues than when I read it as a kid. At the time HG Wells wrote this famous tale, there was much debate in Europe regarding degeneration, evolution, and vivisection. Wells himself thought that humans could use vivisection for evolutionary purposes. And what better way to discuss these issues than in a science fiction novel.
There were two main issues that stopped me enjoying this novel more. The first issue is common to all of the HG Wells novels I have recently reviewed, and that is the dated style that drains a lot of the tension out of the narrative. The reader is always left at arm’s-length from the story. The second issue is a narrative device that is still commonly used today: book-ending. Book-ending (a term I’ve probably made up) is where the actual story is wedged between an external narrative that is used to recount the story proper. This does two things that annoy me: it adds needless narrative and characters; and it destroys any suspense or mystery. The latter is the worst part. In The Island of Dr Moreau we already know that Prendick survives the island and his experiences have left him emotionally scarred and unable to live among people, because his nephew introduces the tale after finding the manuscript when Prendick dies.
Regardless, this is a creepy tale that is worth reading even if you just want to learn to recite ‘Are We Not Men’.
Tagged: Are we not men, Book review, Book reviews, Book-ending, Books, Degeneration, HG Wells, Reading, Right What You No, Sci-fi, science fiction, Spec-fic, Speculative Fiction, The Island of Dr Moreau, Tyson Adams, Vivisection
April 23, 2017
Book review: The First Men in the Moon by HG Wells
The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would we have a colony on the Moon if it had gold and a native peoples to wipe out? We know the answer if they had oil.
Perennial con man, Bedford, has escaped his creditors by hiding in the countryside. Here he meets an inventor, Cavor, who is a genius with no idea what he is doing. Bedford cons Cavor into using his invention of Cavorite to fly to the Moon. Upon arrival they discover the moon is hollow and filled with Moonmen (but no Moonwomen….. not sure how that works). And gold. The meeting with the natives follows tradition…
I was disappointed with The First Men in the Moon. This novel was influential to people like CS Lewis, so I was expecting there to be a lot on offer. There are a lot of interesting ideas on display in this novel, but there are also some truly bad ideas as well, even for the time this was written in. For example, Jules Verne criticised the use of Cavorite when both he and Wells had already utilised the more realistic idea of cannons for interplanetary travel. The story is also told in a way that isn’t particularly engaging, particularly the last quarter, which is possibly the most drawn out way to tie up a loose end I’ve read.
This was also one of the many works of HG Wells that was accused of plagiarism. Twenty-six years prior, Robert Cromie had written A Plunge Into Space, which was heavily borrowed from but never acknowledged. Wells’ contestations that he had never heard of Cromie nor his book would have held more weight if the accusations of plagiarism weren’t quite so common throughout Wells’ career.
Skip this classic.
Tagged: Book review, Book reviews, Books, Cavorite, CS Lewis, HG Wells, Moon, Plagiarism, Reading, Right What You No, Robert Cromie, Tyson Adams
April 18, 2017
Book review: The War of the Worlds by HG Wells
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Interplanetary war breaks out in Woking, Surrey England. Newsreaders even less sure where that is than countries in the Middle East.
The War of the Worlds is about Martians invading Earth using advanced technology, like 21 metre tall tripod machines, heat rays, and toxic smogs. One man is able to recount his experience of living through the invasion from the first landing to the start of the rebuilding of southern England.
It is hard to comment on such a classic novel. The War of the Worlds has gone on to influence culture in many ways. The obvious influences are in books and movies, most notably the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels and the entire alien invasion genre. But it also had an impact on science, such as Freeman Dyson’s search for extraterrestrial life and Robert Goddard’s rocket development. Not many books can claim that (seriously, read the Wiki article for a brief overview). Makes it very hard to comment…
While I enjoyed this book I came away from it underwhelmed. Much of the novel is interesting, not least of which is the understated setting – because now you would be considered mad to set an alien invasion story anywhere without a prominent monument that can be destroyed. The characters the narrator meets are also interesting, particularly the artilleryman who has big dreams about leading the resistance movement. But this is all told in a memoir style that lacks immediacy, tension, and excitement. Southern England has just been invaded by aliens with death rays, yet the narrator could just as well be relating the time he watched a cricket match in Surrey.
Worth reading as a classic, especially if you forgive the narrative style.
NB: It also influenced music, such as this one by Devin Townsend.
Tagged: Book review, Book reviews, Devin Townsend, Freeman Dyson, HG Wells, Reading, Right What You No, Robbert H Goddard, Sci-fi, science fiction, The War of the Worlds, Tripods, Tyson Adams
April 16, 2017
Book Review: The Four Legendary Kingdoms by Matthew Reilly
The Four Legendary Kingdoms: A Jack West Jr Novel 4 by Matthew Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you have twelve labours to perform do you get an energy drink sponsorship deal?
Jack West Jr was retired. The Fifth Greatest Warrior had saved the world and become a family man. But his old nemesis Iolanthe recruits him against his will to compete in The Games. This battle to the death takes representatives from the Four Legendary Kingdoms to compete to become the champion: a modern-day Hercules. Oh, and that champion allows an ancient machine to stop a rogue galaxy from destroying the Milky Way. The galaxy, not the chocolate bar.
With few exceptions – , Seven Deadly Wonders – I’ve loved Matthew Reilly’s novels. They made by taking pure adrenaline, injected with amphetamines, and poured into a stack of paper. The stakes are always high and time is always short. This time Jack West Jr has to save the galaxy by winning a tournament. No doubt Reilly’s next novel will involve saving the universe…
I was a little wary of The Four Legendary Kingdoms. While The Great Zoo of China was a return to form, was somewhat of a letdown for me. There was also the fact that Seven Deadly Wonders, the first Jack West Jr novel, is my least favourite book from Reilly. But any fears I had were well and truly stabbed in the neck. I can’t wait for the next instalment in this series.
Tagged: Book review, Book reviews, Fifth Greatest Warrior, Four Legendary Kingdoms, Jack West Jr, Matthew Reilly, Reading, Right What You No, Scarecrow, Seven Deadly Wonders, Shane Schofield, The Great Zoo of China, Tyson Adams
April 11, 2017
Book to Movie: Lord of the Rings Two Towers – What’s the Difference?
Last month Cinefix covered The Fellowship of the Ring. This month they cover The Two Towers with What’s the Difference?
For me the middle third of the Lord of the Rings was both the most enjoyable and most annoying. As mentioned in the video, there are three tales running separately and rather than moving between these tales as they unfold in the narrative, we jump back to start again for each perspective. The book has some of the most memorable moments in this section – I may or may not have named one of my computers Entwash – but the order of events feels confused. Sorry, not confused, more drawn out, which for a novel that includes a hell of a lot of walking is something unneeded.
As with The Fellowship of the Ring, I think the movie is a fantastic adaptation. Seeing the battles brought to life was certainly a highlight. Nothing quite like watching Ents smash up Isengard rather than just reading about it.
Next month we’ll see the last instalment from Cinefix. Well, until the 6 video coverage of the 3 movie adaptation of the 1 book story The Hobbit.
Tagged: Book to film, Book to movie, Book vs film, Book vs Movie, CineFix, JRR Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, Movies, Reading, Right What You No, Tyson Adams, What's the difference
April 9, 2017
Multitasking definition
[image error]
I’ve mentioned before how multitasking is one of those things everyone does badly (here and here). Time to focus… cat picture!
[image error]
Tagged: Humor, Humour, Memes, multitasking, Pics, Right What You No, Tyson Adams
April 5, 2017
Book review: The Devil’s Country by Harry Hunsicker
The Devil’s Country by Harry Hunsicker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Has there ever been a religious cult started for something other than allowing the leaders to have sex with the congregation?
Arlo Baines is wandering the state of Texas in an effort to forget the murder of his family. The former Texas Ranger sees a couple of guys up to no good, and starts making trouble in the neighbourhood. He gets in one little fight and has the local sheriff and a religious cult wanting to see him leave (for Bel Air).
It was refreshing to dive into a different take on the itinerant vigilante genre. Obviously there are similarities between any of the novels in this genre, the most prominent being Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series (of which I’m a fan). But Harry Hunsicker has brought a more haunted and reluctant hero to the page, one who feels a little more vulnerable, but no less unstoppable.
This is a fast-moving novel which hits all the right beats. While it doesn’t stray from the itinerant vigilante genre path, nor offer up any surprising twists, The Devil’s Country was an enjoyable read. Recommended for any fans of Lee Child, Matt Hilton, Zoe Sharp, et al.
NB: I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Tagged: Arlo Baines, Book review, Book reviews, Crime thriller, Harry Hunsicker, Itinerant vigilante genre, Jack Reacher, Lee Child, Matt Hilton, Right What You No, The Devil's Country, Thriller, Tyson Adams, Zoe Sharp
April 4, 2017
Abridged Classics
If you haven’t seen them already, these cartoons from John Atkinson at Wrong Hands are awesome. Go see his blog.
Click to view slideshow.
Tagged: Abridged classics, Cartoon, Cartoons, Funny, Humor, Humour, John Atkinson, Right What You No, Tyson Adams, Wrong Hands
April 2, 2017
Readicide
[image error]
I have long-held a disdain for the way reading and books are presented in schools. At a time when kids are trying to be cool by gaming, watching the right TV shows, seeing cool movies, Snap-chatting themselves half-naked, and sleeping until noon, schools try to suck all the fun out of reading.
Up until high school kids are more likely to read regularly for pleasure. At high school this rate declines markedly, and doesn’t really recover until retirement (if at all, as I’d argue that the older people making up those Pew survey numbers grew up in an age before internet, decent TV, and gaming). Not only are teens exposed to more other potential entertainment sources, they also find less enjoyment in reading. Something happens in high school. Something terrible. We assign them standardised texts to read!
In his book, Readicide, Kelly Gallagher explains why the American system has been failing kids and how to fix it. I think many of the points apply to any nation that utilises an emphasis on standardised testing for schools. Below is a summary presentation that you can navigate to by clicking on the image. Worth a look for any fellow book nerds and/or parents.
I don’t actually agree with everything in the overview, namely the idea that classics are classics for a reason. You have to remember that the reason a book becomes a classic is often chance, or because some person reckons it should be, not because it is always good. Plenty of good books have undoubtably been lost in obscurity and thus to history. An example of a book now regarded as a classic that was almost lost to history is Moby Dick. It faded into obscurity after its release and was pretty much forgotten until one literary critic – Carl Van Doren – revived the novel 70 years after its publication. So one guy reckoned it was good, others nodded and agreed with him, and so that means it’s a classic.*
The idea that kids should be reading classics or literary “masterpieces” is part of the problem, in my opinion. This is very much a top down decree of what is important by people who have made a career out of lecturing others on what is important…. to them. Just because they like it doesn’t mean that it will inspire kids to be lifelong readers.
Now, that isn’t to say that those “important” books aren’t worth reading. But it is to say that there is a stark difference between what a literary critic or scholar deems good, and what a kid who just read Harry Potter for the first time deems good. School curriculums would be better off without trying to bash kids over the heads with books they are unlikely to enjoy.
[image error]
*Yes, I’m being overly simplistic.
Tagged: Classic books, classic literature, Classics, Harry Potter, Literary, Literary Fiction, Literature, Moby Dick, Pew Research Center, Readicide, Reading, Right What You No, Teaching, Tyson Adams
