Doug Lewars's Blog, page 52
December 27, 2018
The Outsider
The Outsider by Stephen KingMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*** Possible spoilers ***
This is Stephen King at his best - fast paced, exciting, a touch of the supernatural and engaging right to the last page. You can't do much better than that. One thing I really appreciate is that Mr. King doesn't telegraph his pitches. Before the first hundred pages are done, the book takes a plot twist that is totally unexpected. I liked that.
Since this is a work of fiction, the author is entitled to play a bit loose with the facts and it can't be totally discounted that a car might burst into flames when shot with a bullet. Still, when an experiment was performed involving shooting into the tank of a car several times nothing happened. Hollywood loves the exploding gas tank and plenty of writers use it but it's a bit of a stretch. Still, if that's the only thing questionable about this work - and for me it is - then the author is to be congratulated.
If you like surprises and horror then this book is for you.
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December 24, 2018
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to one and all. If you'd like an e-book for a Christmas present you are welcome to 'Wham! Bam! Pow! Slam!', humorous fluff that seeks to answer the burning question - what would happen if a group of super villains and super heroes suddenly found their jobs off-shored to India? Just go to Smashwords.com, locate the title and, at checkout enter code NB79R. You can download it in any number of formats or read it on your browser.
December 15, 2018
The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements
The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric HofferMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*** Possible spoilers ***
This book was first published in 1951 and it is amazing how well it has held up. It analyzes the requirements for and nature of mass movements using example such as the French revolution, the rise of Hitler and Nazism in Germany and the Russian Revolution. It illustrates the psychological underpinnings of fanaticism whether nationalist or religious. One reason I particularly enjoyed this book was that even though it was written long before events like the cultural revolution in China or the rise of ISIS, it is possible to see in them the factors described by this author.
I recommend anyone who is interested in fanaticism and mass movements in general to read it. I particularly recommend it for authors. If you like to create villains who command great armies threatening to take over the world then this book will provide considerable insight into the factors that drive them, not only to do what they do but to continue despite any amount of resistance facing them or chaos within their ranks. In fact the author suggests that for the true fanatic, chaos is the medium in which the need to thrive. There are plot possibilities and character insights on just about every page.
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November 22, 2018
The Book of Magic
The Book of Magic: A Collection of Stories by Gardner DozoisMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*** Possible Spoilers ***
Magic, sorcerers and a fine collection of well-written stories. I liked every one - some quite a bit more than others but I can't say there was a single story in this book that I actively disliked. There was one that I thought might have been improved with a bit more editing but I still enjoyed it.
All of the stories were well written and I was a little surprised to see that all the copyrights were 2018 so these aren't merely an amalgamation of past publications but appear to have been commissioned just for this book. Some of the sorcerers are masters of their craft and some less so. One of the stories involves a dual with the devil - the sort of thing that has been undertaken by any number of authors which makes it more difficult to some up with something original; however, the author accomplished that.
If you like magic and sorcery then by all means, give this one a try.
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November 5, 2018
The Diversity Delusion
The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture by Heather Mac DonaldMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*** Possible Spoilers ***
If your politics are left of center you’ll hate this book. On the other hand, if you are to the right you’ll like it. Whatever the case it’s very well written and easy to read. In addition, the author has done a pretty good job of describing a lot of the excesses that can be seen on university campuses today. However I don’t think the situation is quite as drastic as she makes it out to be. First she covers specific incidents of universities pandering to highly vocal mobs of students. These are well documented but there are plenty of institutions were such incidents don’t occur. A statistic such as the number of institutions where clear acts of pandering have taken place divided by the total number of higher centers of education in America might have put things better into perspective. In addition, Humanities departments constitute the bulk of the problem. While some STEM and business departments are under pressure, the majority still provide good solid education independent of left-wing political pressure. Of course that may change and the author displays a number of red flags that should be taken seriously; but the problem is far from ubiquitous on university campuses. In addition, while both professors and administrators go through contortions of appeasement, there are a goodly number of students who merely shrug, try and obtain the best possible education for themselves, and move on without ever becoming involved in campus politics.
What is crystal clear is that there is a considerable degree of culture-clash in America today. It tends to stand out on campuses because students, being young, sometimes act first and think later – if they think at all. For me it’s unfortunate that I’ll be long dead because I’d love to see what these radicals will be doing fifty years from now. It would also be interesting to learn whether they have any long-term effect on society as a whole. True, Google has become an organization where left-of-center ideologues make up a substantial part of the workforce but Google is also a business; and, like any business, needs to show a healthy return on investment. To some extent they can accommodate radical ideologies but outside of possibly firing a few dissenters and saying the proper things to appease the rest, I doubt that their overall business model will be affected. That, too, I would like to see some years into the future.
One particularly good thing about this book is that the author has included a huge number of references at the back. In addition, many of these are in the forms of links so, if you read it online as I did, you can click on them, go to the respective websites and bookmark them for future reference. As a writer I know I will find that useful.
In summary the book is well-written, easy to read, contains plenty of references and, if you happen to be right of center in your politics, you will enjoy it. I highly recommend it,
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November 1, 2018
The Penguin History of Canada
The Penguin History of Canada by Robert BothwellMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*** Possible Spoilers ***
Covering a topic as broad as Canadian history in one volume is difficult but the author has done a pretty good job of touching on the highlights. The book seems to be well researched and even if some topics are a little rushed, the events and effects are at least mentioned. One particularly good thing about this book is that it lacks the annoying politically-correct ideology that permeates history as it is taught in schools today. That by itself is a recommendation in its favour. Although not a page-turner, it provides a nice overview into the substance of Canadian history.
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October 31, 2018
The Session - Some Halloween Fun
The Session - by Doug Lewars - Copyright 2018
“Come in and have a seat.”
“Uh, should I …” He looked at the couch.
“It’s really what you’re most comfortable with. Some patients believe that lying on a couch is a requirement for seeing a psychiatrist while others prefer the chair.”
He looked nervous as he selected the chair.
“Now, Mr. Lupern, what can I do for you?”
“Uh, well, I’m a werewolf.”
“I see.”
“You don’t believe me.
”
“Mr. Lupern, my experience in dealing with patients is to believe everything they tell me. Some of it may not be factually accurate. Some may even be delusional. However, if I start off by believing everything, it creates a common understanding. Then if my patients choose to modify some details over time, I’ll believe the revisions. So if you say you are a werewolf, then you are a werewolf as far as I’m concerned.”
“Uh, okay doc, but that isn’t my actual problem.”
“Very well, let’s see if we can be specific about the problem.”
“I can’t transform.”
“Aw, well that might prove awkward – not even under a full moon?”
He shook his head. “Well, a full moon helps of course, but I should be able to transform anytime. But the thing is, I can sort of transform. I mean I can’t adopt the form of a wolf but I do change. And that’s a problem; because when I go one way, if I don’t have a really full moon, then I can’t get back.”
“Let’s see if I understand correctly. You can only transform under a full moon when you should be able to transform any time, and when you do transform, you don’t take on the characteristics of a wolf. Is that correct?”
“Yes that’s it exactly!”
“I see. So when was the last time you transformed?”
“A week ago Wednesday.”
I glanced at my calendar. “That would have been a full moon. So what did you transform into?”
“Me. I transformed back. You see I’d waited too long and I’d been stuck for a month.”
“As a wolf?”
He looked downcast. “As a hamster.”
“Oh, that would be awkward.”
“You’re telling me. Have you any idea how many cats live in my neighborhood?”
“I can see that might prove … difficult.”
“I almost died! I think there should be a law that people keep those monsters indoors.”
“I see.
”
He continued. “Anyway, I’m not always a hamster. I’ve been a rabbit, a skunk, a raccoon and a coyote – came pretty close with that last one but still not a wolf.”
“Perhaps you’re more of a generic shapeshifter.”
“No I’m a werewolf but I may not be one much longer. I’ve pretty much become the laughingstock of the pack. They’ll probably kick me out any day now.”
“How many members are there in the pack?”
“Counting me – seven.”
“And none of the others have problems transforming?”
He looked away for a moment and seemed to be considering. “I don’t think so. It’s hard to tell. We don’t transform together. We do it in private.”
“So you haven’t actually seen the others transform?”
“No, but I have seen a pack running through the park.”
“And there are six of them?”
Once more he considered. “It was hard to see. Even with the full moon, it’s pretty dark near the trees.”
“Does it make a difference for you if the night is cloudy even though the moon is full?”
“Oh yeah – big time. I need a clear sky and a full moon. Even if there’s just a wisp of a cloud I’m stuck.”
“How long have you been a werewolf?”
“I was born that way. You hear stories about becoming one after you’re bitten but it doesn’t work like that. Either you’re born a werewolf or you’re not.”
“It must have been a bit awkward for you as a child with the transformations and all.”
“Oh, I only started transforming about a year ago.”
“And before that?”
“Nothing.”
I made a note. “And your parents - were they both werewolves?”
Once again he had to stop and think. “I’m not sure if either were. I mean I never saw them transform. They may have done it when I wasn’t around but I didn’t see it.”
“And they didn’t discuss it with you?”
“No.”
“Very well. By the way, have you ever transformed in front of someone? Say someone walking through the park just at the time you were changing.”
“No that’s never happened.”
“Okay, well I’m afraid that’s all the time we have for this session but I’ll see you in a week and maybe we can dig a little deeper.”
“Thanks Doc, I’m starting to feel good about coming to you.”
“Well I’m glad to hear that.”
I have two doors in my office so that departing patients don’t have to meet those who are arriving. I find it makes everyone feel more comfortable that way.
I called to my receptionist, “I’m ready for Miss Wickens now.”
The door opened and she entered.
“Now Miss Wickens,” I said, “Last week you told me you were a witch and your problem was that your spells tended to backfire. Is that still the case?”
“Ribbit.”
“I see.”
“Come in and have a seat.”
“Uh, should I …” He looked at the couch.
“It’s really what you’re most comfortable with. Some patients believe that lying on a couch is a requirement for seeing a psychiatrist while others prefer the chair.”
He looked nervous as he selected the chair.
“Now, Mr. Lupern, what can I do for you?”
“Uh, well, I’m a werewolf.”
“I see.”
“You don’t believe me.
”
“Mr. Lupern, my experience in dealing with patients is to believe everything they tell me. Some of it may not be factually accurate. Some may even be delusional. However, if I start off by believing everything, it creates a common understanding. Then if my patients choose to modify some details over time, I’ll believe the revisions. So if you say you are a werewolf, then you are a werewolf as far as I’m concerned.”
“Uh, okay doc, but that isn’t my actual problem.”
“Very well, let’s see if we can be specific about the problem.”
“I can’t transform.”
“Aw, well that might prove awkward – not even under a full moon?”
He shook his head. “Well, a full moon helps of course, but I should be able to transform anytime. But the thing is, I can sort of transform. I mean I can’t adopt the form of a wolf but I do change. And that’s a problem; because when I go one way, if I don’t have a really full moon, then I can’t get back.”
“Let’s see if I understand correctly. You can only transform under a full moon when you should be able to transform any time, and when you do transform, you don’t take on the characteristics of a wolf. Is that correct?”
“Yes that’s it exactly!”
“I see. So when was the last time you transformed?”
“A week ago Wednesday.”
I glanced at my calendar. “That would have been a full moon. So what did you transform into?”
“Me. I transformed back. You see I’d waited too long and I’d been stuck for a month.”
“As a wolf?”
He looked downcast. “As a hamster.”
“Oh, that would be awkward.”
“You’re telling me. Have you any idea how many cats live in my neighborhood?”
“I can see that might prove … difficult.”
“I almost died! I think there should be a law that people keep those monsters indoors.”
“I see.
”
He continued. “Anyway, I’m not always a hamster. I’ve been a rabbit, a skunk, a raccoon and a coyote – came pretty close with that last one but still not a wolf.”
“Perhaps you’re more of a generic shapeshifter.”
“No I’m a werewolf but I may not be one much longer. I’ve pretty much become the laughingstock of the pack. They’ll probably kick me out any day now.”
“How many members are there in the pack?”
“Counting me – seven.”
“And none of the others have problems transforming?”
He looked away for a moment and seemed to be considering. “I don’t think so. It’s hard to tell. We don’t transform together. We do it in private.”
“So you haven’t actually seen the others transform?”
“No, but I have seen a pack running through the park.”
“And there are six of them?”
Once more he considered. “It was hard to see. Even with the full moon, it’s pretty dark near the trees.”
“Does it make a difference for you if the night is cloudy even though the moon is full?”
“Oh yeah – big time. I need a clear sky and a full moon. Even if there’s just a wisp of a cloud I’m stuck.”
“How long have you been a werewolf?”
“I was born that way. You hear stories about becoming one after you’re bitten but it doesn’t work like that. Either you’re born a werewolf or you’re not.”
“It must have been a bit awkward for you as a child with the transformations and all.”
“Oh, I only started transforming about a year ago.”
“And before that?”
“Nothing.”
I made a note. “And your parents - were they both werewolves?”
Once again he had to stop and think. “I’m not sure if either were. I mean I never saw them transform. They may have done it when I wasn’t around but I didn’t see it.”
“And they didn’t discuss it with you?”
“No.”
“Very well. By the way, have you ever transformed in front of someone? Say someone walking through the park just at the time you were changing.”
“No that’s never happened.”
“Okay, well I’m afraid that’s all the time we have for this session but I’ll see you in a week and maybe we can dig a little deeper.”
“Thanks Doc, I’m starting to feel good about coming to you.”
“Well I’m glad to hear that.”
I have two doors in my office so that departing patients don’t have to meet those who are arriving. I find it makes everyone feel more comfortable that way.
I called to my receptionist, “I’m ready for Miss Wickens now.”
The door opened and she entered.
“Now Miss Wickens,” I said, “Last week you told me you were a witch and your problem was that your spells tended to backfire. Is that still the case?”
“Ribbit.”
“I see.”
October 19, 2018
I, Claudia
I, Claudia by Marilyn ToddMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
*** Possible Spoilers ***
It's very seldom that I mark a book DNF but I came close with this one. The writing wasn't bad. The plot was adequate. The pacing could have used some work but it wasn't really terrible. The characters were ... just plain awful. The protagonist was supposed to be a STRONG woman. Instead she came across somewhere between whiny and hysterical. Her most annoying failing was that she was totally reactive. She didn't pause for one second to simply think. This was a mystery. As the story opens, Claudia finds one of her clients very much deceased. This is awkward because the nature of the business she is running must be kept secret from her husband. Therefore she feels compelled to find the murderer. Up to there things are fine. So what does she do? Absolutely nothing. She reminded me of a ball in an arcade game bouncing from place to place as she digs herself ever deeper into a hole. Then when she runs into difficulty she simply bulldozes her way through. By the half way point I was ready to pack it in but I tend to be stubborn and kept on reading just to see if the book would improve. It did. At about the 80% mark things improved. Our heroine started to think and act like a rational human being. She stopped with the stupid games and started making progress. The remainder of the book was a page-turner.
So I cannot say I hated this novel. On the other hand, I can't say that slogging through the 80% for the final 20% was time well spent. This book is number one in a series and I doubt I'll be reading beyond it.
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October 7, 2018
The Mammoth Book of New Comic Fantasy
The Mammoth Book of New Comic Fantasy by Mike AshleyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*** Possible Spoilers ***
I've seen some criticisms that not all the stories were within the fantasy genre. This is correct but the majority were and Sci-Fi/fantasy is often closely related. A second criticism is that these stories aren't very funny. There's some truth to that. Writing humor can be very difficult - particularly when no two people seem to laugh at the same things. Humor is very personal. There were a few stories that I thought were rather childish but I also thought a young person would find them hilarious. There were a number that I classified as 'cute' - not something to laugh at but worth a smile and there were a few that evoked a chuckle. For, me, however, there were two stories that did laugh at and these made the entire book worthwhile.
'Sooner or Later or Never Never' by Gary Jennings was one. It told the tale of Crispin Mobey, a very young, very idealistic, evangelical preacher who want to make his mark in the world by saving a primitive tribe of Australian bushmen. Things do not go well for poor Crispin and what befalls the poor lad I found more than a little amusing.
The second story I particularly enjoyed was 'Stakes and Ladders' by Marilyn Todd. Here we have a witch and a teacher of witches attempting to mark exam papers while a snake who, may formerly have been a prince is lobbying her to make him human once again. It isn't so much that he minds being a snake. It's simply that a development project is threatening to eliminate the habitat where he and a goodly number of his peers live. After a class transformation assignment goes horribly wrong, our teacher finds herself out of a job and therefore turns her attention to other things. Eventually matters work themselves out but it's great story and well worth reading.
A couple of stories are trite, most are okay and, as noted above, a couple are excellent. I think it's worth investing your time in reading this one.
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October 5, 2018
Help I Am Being Held Prisoner
Help I Am Being Held Prisoner by Donald E. WestlakeMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
*** Possible Spoilers ***
This wasn't a bad book. It wasn't a good book. It was an okay book. The story revolves around an inveterate practical joker who winds up in prison as the result of a joke gone terribly awry. Then by accident, he finds himself part of a gang planning to rob two banks. The pacing is brisk and the plot isn't bad. The characters are a little wooden. It's supposed to be humorous but I didn't find it particularly amusing. For one thing I couldn't relate to the protagonist. He is forever in react mode and appears incapable of thinking for himself. If that doesn't bother you then you might enjoy the story. I think, however, that there are so many books available these days that you can do better.
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