Doug Lewars's Blog, page 26

Carry On Jeeves

Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

You can't go wrong with P.G. Wodehouse. I selected this because I've been having difficulty lately finding books I enjoyed. It's charming, humourous but a little on the short side. Still it provided some summer entertainment and I'll certainly read more, although I have some difficulty finding Jeeves books I haven't already read. If you haven't read this one, and if you like British humour, you'll like this one. On the other hand, if you're wedded to American humour which is more in-your-face, you may want to pass this one by.



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The Devil Crept In

The Devil Crept In by Ania Ahlborn

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


*** Possible spoilers ***
I'm DNFing this one after 10%. There are quite a few characters and not a single one is interesting. I checked the reviews and they say things get going in part 2. Then I checked the unfavorable reviews and found some with spoilers so I've got a pretty good idea where the story is headed and I'm not impressed. The thing which makes me stop, and which some readers say is wonderful, is the lack of ending. Far too many authors write ambiguous endings these days. If they want to do that, fine. They may even win literary awards. Just don't expect me to read those books.



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Three Men in a Boat

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I loved this book but then I love classics and British humour. If you don't like those you'd best pass this one by. It's definitely not for everyone. I doubt anyone under the age of 40 would enjoy it much and it's definitely for those under 25. People raised on action thrillers will find this dull. With respect to the plot, very little happens. Most of the humour is tongue-in-cheek and if you're not good with subtleties, you won't enjoy it. However, if you do like subtle British humour this is a fantastic book.



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The Lonely Heartattack Club

The Lonely Heart Attack Club by J.C. Williams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This was a nice little rom-com, not a long read but pleasant for a relaxing afternoon in the summer. There was a bit of humour in it but only a little. Still, I think it's worth reading.



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A Little Hatred

A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This book is basic sword and sorcery, much more sword than sorcery but there's a bit of magic tucked between the covers. If you are the type of reader who focuses on characters you're bound to find something you like in this book as there are a LOT of them. I listened to the audio recording and at first I found it rather confusing but as the story developed I began to remember who was who. There are two plots operating in parallel and I had doubts they'd merge but the author brought them together near the end. Since this is book one of a series, don't expect everything to be wrapped up at the end. In fact there are a couple of interesting plot developments in the final few pages but it's not a cliff hanger. The author merely does a little preparation for the subsequent books. I quite enjoyed this book and I may read on in the series but I'm not champing at the bit to get to the next volume. It will come in due time if it comes at all.

This book reminded me a little of Game of Thrones insofar as there are plenty of groups seeking advantage over one another sometimes politically and sometimes with the sword. In some ways it's not as complex as Game of Thrones but in other ways more-so. Here we have a society in flux politically, socially and economically. Like during the industrial revolution, common people are being moved from the farms into the cities where conditions are harsh and work is hard to find. Add to that an influx of immigrants fleeing violence in the south and there is plenty of opportunity for civil unrest. It's well written and quite interesting.



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The Next Civil War

The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future by Stephen Marche

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Most authors realize there is virtue in terseness. Therefore I'll assist Mr. Marche with the blurb. In it he uses the words 'speculative non-fiction' which can be shortened to 'fantasy'. This book is a variation on the Chicken Little theme. In the original the panic was the result of a falling acorn suggesting the sky was falling. In this one we have a combination of global warming and polarization in the United States drawing much the same conclusion. Barely hidden between the lines is a far-left diatribe against the right. As far back as I can remember - and my memory extends a disturbingly long way - we have been faced with immanent disaster. Somehow we seem to have struggled on. Certainly the world has undergone massive change since I was young and this will continue. The author hedges his bets. He defines civil war as decidedly different than the one starting in 1861, more like outbursts of political violence. As such he has a point. There were riots in something like 49 cities following George Floyd's death. Likewise there is sufficient shooting in Chicago over the course of a month to qualify for the author's definition of a civil war, although the politics in this case are gang related. Yes there will continue to be friction and some of it will be violent. Yes subsets of various demographics will become increasingly intolerant of one another, but I doubt what most people think of when they hear the words 'civil war' will happen.

The author is, however, accurate when he says there will be some significant changes in the United States over the coming years. It has changed radically over the last fifty and will undergo another transformation in the next fifty.

In general I'm not recommending this book except to authors of dystopian novels. There's plenty of material here you might find useful.



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Al Franken, Giant of the Senate

Al Franken, Giant of the Senate by Al Franken

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I normally reserve 3 ratings for books which are blah; however, I also use it for those parts of which deserve a 5 and parts a 1. In this case there are some very interesting bits and some are highly unimpressive.

One of the things I disliked was the classification of this book as humour. True, there are one or two smiles throughout but it's basically a political biography, interesting in parts, but definitely not funny. This was disappointing because Al Franken got his start as a comedian. He wrote for Saturday Night Live. Because i go to bed early, I've never seen the show but I've heard it's quite well done. Therefore, presumably, he can write humour. He just doesn't in this book. Part of the lack may because he was still a sitting senator when he wrote it. He makes it clear humour is NOT appreciated in politics and it's possible he chose to tone it down considerably. Whatever the case, if you're reading this book because you expect it to be funny, you're wasting your time, although I have to admit, reading other reviews some people do think it's hilarious. I suspect these individuals also get a laugh out of vanilla custard. Having said that, I have to admit there was one line near the end of the book which made me laugh out loud. This one, however, was not intended to be funny and it wasn't when he wrote it. Time, however, has a way of adding irony to fairly simple statements.

Know, going into this, Al Fraken is on the far left of the political spectrum. If your own politics are left of center, this won't bother you. If you happen to lean to the right, there are plenty of things you won't enjoy. That doesn't mean you shouldn't read it. About the first third is dedicated to his career as a comedian and how he made the transition to politics. Whether you're left of right you can learn something from it. In addition, listening to his arguments, and observing the things he glosses over or omits altogether provides an insight into his thought processes.

Some of his critics - those rating the book as 1 - did so because of the later sex scandal. I think that's an abuse of the ratings system particularly as one reviewer says specifically she changed her rating from a 5 to a 1 because of the scandal. If the book warrants a 5, give it a 5. You're reviewing the book, not the author's sex life.

Overall, I think readers can learn from this book. Many may not LIKE what they learn but it's useful to know what and how the left thinks. Admittedly some parts of the book are boring. Political fund raising is pretty dry stuff and he discusses that quite a lot, possibly because he had to do it much of the time. It's been said the United States has the best government money can buy and this seems to be the case.

I listened to the audio recording of the book and Al Franken has a very pleasant voice. Evidently he learned something from his time in Hollywood. It's just a pity he appeared to suppress his comedic skills.



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The Shepherd's Crown

The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This book was highly enjoyable but it lacked the satire and humour of Terry Pratchett's earlier work. Still, considering his deteriorating health at the time, I think it's impressive he was able to write the book at all. Despite the lack of satire, it's a good fantasy novel and provides a nice adventure story. it's a little sad there won't be any more Discworld novels but everything comes to an end sooner or later and at 41 books, it's been an impressive series.



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The Hum and The Shiver

The Hum and the Shiver by Alex Bledsoe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I liked this book slightly more than I disliked it so it gets a 4. It is, however, NOT for everyone. I looked over the 1 ratings to see what people really disliked and I think I can suggest certain people who might be better passing this one by.

Some people thought there was too much slut shaming. It's true there was some but those characters disliked the protagonist to begin with and criticizing her sexual exploits was just one more thing they could use; however, if you firmly believe women who are licentious are above reproach avoid this book.

Some found Bronwyn's appreciation of her father's physique incestuous. There were a few other references that could have supported the suggestion of incest but you have to dig a bit. In any event if the very thought of incest causes you to cringe then you'd best move on.

There is one scene in which a character relates an incident of animal cruelty. Those who are squeamish should back off.

One person listed her criticisms as a set of trigger warnings. If you feel you need such things before reading books skip this one.

An individual was horrified by use of the 'n'-word. If words bother you stop reading.

The Tufa are based on a real-life group I'd never heard of and had to look up in Wikipedia. This seems to be the case although personally I don't see it as a reason to avoid the book. You might.

Readers objected to the emphasis on bloodlines. Therefore if you don't like genetics move on.

One person maintained this book was 'right wing propaganda'. I think that's a bit of a stretch but if you're far left this book is not for you and in today's polarized society there are quite a few people who are well to the left. Be warned.

The characters are not fully developed. The bad guys are wholly bad and the good guys are ... maybe not quite as bad. In any event if you want nuanced character development and sympathetic characters you probably won't find them here.

Those are the things mentioned by the people who hated the book. For them they are valid. For me not so much. There are, however, some things I didn't care for. There weren't bad enough to stop me reading and I may even go on to the second book in the series but I'm in no hurry to do so.

Plot development is pretty slow. There are enough interesting questions to keep the reader somewhat engaged but don't expect quick answers.

The author is obsessed with sex. It seemed about half the book involved Bronwyn's past performances or current sexual stirrings. Boring.

The author isn't really good at handling a series. Yes, world-building is important and you want to introduce elements which will be fleshed out in later books but you don't just mention someone and leave them hanging. A better technique is to refer to such individuals near the end and have them planning or threatening something for the future. Leaving some poor blogger sitting in the woods is NOT the way to deal with him.

I can't complain the author actually used purple prose, but some descriptions drifted towards the lavender end of the spectrum.

It's not a criticism but I think I would have left the principle villain alive. He was a pretty bad character and could have been rescued at the end to use again in subsequent books.

In general I think this book is okay but nothing to write home about. I may continue with the series or I may not.



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I Shall Wear Midnight

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

There isn't as much satire in this book as in some but it was a fine fantasy adventure and definitely a page-turner. Even though this is about Tiffany Aching we had a chance to visit Ankh Morpork and meet Captain Carrot, Angua, and Commander Vimes. I thought the villain could have been a bit more villainous but he was sufficiently bad to keep Tiffany busy so I guess that counts for something. All in all I heartily enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.



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