Kaylena Radcliff's Blog, page 7

Book Review: I am Legend

The science fiction horror novel, I am Legend, imagines a post-apocalyptic world in which a pandemic decimates the human population. The first casualties of the pandemic rise again and walk the earth at night as vampiric creatures until everyone is either infected or feasted upon. Everyone, that is, except Robert Neville.

Robert Neville, the last surviving resident of Los Angeles, remains behind. Having lost his small family and everyone he knows to the disease, Neville drowns his loneliness and grief in alcohol and his now mundane routine of survival. But as time goes on, and the vampires continue to roam at night, Neville desperately seeks out the pandemic’s cause and a cure- even as he kills the slumbering creatures during the day.

But when new revelations turn Neville’s new normal upside-down, he must learn what it means to be human in a post-human world.

I am Legend surprised me. Thanks to the movie, I had very different picture in my mind of the setting, plot, and protagonist than what was presented in the book. Indeed, the character’s physical description aside, Robert Neville of the novel is not Robert Neville of the film. In my opinion, Matheson’s creation is better.  He is a more cohesive, developed character, whose flaws, excesses, anger, and curiosity drive the plot forward and make its climax and conclusion all the more successful.

In contrast to the film, Neville is an average, working class man- totally average, actually- except, being neither dead nor undead, he is the only human unchanged by the virus. Suddenly, his average-ness is unique in a world of corpses and monsters.

This fact generates so much impetus for the plot as we watch Neville wrestle with his wretched and lonely humanity. By day he is in survival mode in almost Castaway fashion; he shores up his home, repairs the destruction of the night before, stocks up on supplies, and, finds more efficient ways to mass exterminate the vampires he finds. By night, Neville endures the existential horror of the screaming horde outside, which, with some semblance of humanity, call out his name and pantomime seduction. How does the last human deal with the incredible loss, the unbelievable loneliness, and the constant companion of violent death crouching beyond his door? The book and the questions it asks prove a fascinating study of the human mind and will to survive.

For the most part I enjoyed the writing, although there are points where it gets a bit too “science-y” for me and my eyes glazed over. There is a lot of introspection and analysis on Neville’s part, and that seems to take precedence over the dramatic presentation of the action that ought to be inherent in a world overrun by vampires. I can see that’s not really Matheson’s point, but a few more suspenseful scenes could have easily made the novel more compelling.

My favorite part- and indeed Matheson’s crowning jewel- is the end of the story. I won’t spoil it here, but it was the right way to do it. And, unlike the movie version, the statement “I am legend” packs a cathartic punch. (You’ll understand when you read it!)

In summary, despite its few shortcomings, I am Legend is a successful and seminal work in the modern supernatural horror genre. It seems to me like source material in the many iterations of zombie/vampire lore we see in the genre today.

Have you read I am Legend and/or seen the movie? What are your thoughts?

 

 

 

Book Review: Ender’s Game

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

After reading Hugo and Nebula awards-winning novella, Binti (reviewed here), I knew I wanted to see more from the awards list. First up- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

In this first science fiction novel of the Ender Quartet, the world is at war- not with itself, but with a horrifying and technologically advanced hostile alien race. The last battle seemed to wipe the “Buggers” out, but the government agencies of earth know they’ll be back. In preparation for their return, they commence selective genetic manipulation and breeding of child geniuses and soldiers.  One such brilliant manipulation is Andrew “Ender” Wiggin. Though his sadistic brother, Peter, and gentle sister, Valentine, did not make the cut, Ender appears the perfect balance of his siblings’ excesses- to his hated brother’s disdain and his loving sister’s fear. He is drafted into the orbiting Battle School that rigorously trains child soldiers from around the world.

Ender excels and quickly becomes a respected leader in the Battle Room- the place where children play at war in zero gravity. But the harsh atmosphere, training, and community of Battle School takes its psychological toll on the young warrior, and Ender must wrestle with social isolation, academic pressure, and the looming fear of the Buggers’ return.  Will Ender become the general the earth needs? And if he can’t, will earth survive?

Ender’s Game is, without a doubt, one of the best books I’ve read all year. While the initial plot points itself are not re-inventions of typical sci-fi themes, Card crafts a story that you’re invested in from the very first chapter. Much of this is due, in my opinion, to his ability to write fascinating, complex characters; characters who reveal their true selves through their actions even as they say something else entirely. Their duality makes them feel all the more human, and even in his supporting characters, Card manages to recreate depth, individuality, and self-awareness with few words.

Card’s characters make sense, and thanks to that, their actions and the consequences of those actions make sense, too. It’s easy to see how familial dynamics affect Ender and inform his interactions with his peers and teachers, and how he must overcome his past if he hopes to succeed at Battle School. And, while I don’t want to post any spoilers, I was floored by the climax and conclusion even as I understood that Ender’s struggles and choices would inevitably bring him there.

I was just as impressed with Card’s ability to draw together heavy thematic elements in Ender’s Game. Through Ender’s journey, Card writes with subtlety and nuance the trauma of war and war-time mentality, the burden of leadership, the question of what defines humanity, and ultimately, the problem of good and evil.  It left me pondering those questions myself. I don’t think either of us arrive at an answer (well, at least not in this book), but I think the mark of a good story is one that leaves you thinking about it afterward. Card certainly accomplishes that.

As far as detractors for Ender’s Game, some reviewers find issues of implausibility with the intensely advanced abilities of the genetically modified children, as well as problems with some of Card’s own ideology that filters through the pages. I felt that the former was easily explained away by the rules governing the world, and as to the latter, I suppose that ends up being a matter of preference.

In short, I loved this book and would absolutely recommend it.

What are your thoughts on Ender’s Game? 

 

 

 

 

Read, Reading, and To Be Read: October Edition

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Is it really mid-October already? This autumn is just FLYING by and it only just got that crisp, cool-weather feel like three days ago. Well, I’ll enjoy it while I can!

Between the latest (and maybe LAST! *SQUEE!*) round of edits for my forthcoming novel, hospital stays, and you know, life in general, reading has fallen a bit on my priority list. Nevertheless, I’ve persisted and managed to find some quality kindle time. Check out my recent, current, and upcoming reads!

Recently Read
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

This book, man. It deserves a full review, but I’ll say this for now- one of the best books I read this year.

I am Legend by Richard Matheson

The film based on the novel bears very little resemblance to the written work, challenging my many wrong assumptions. I appreciated the poignancy the statement, “I am legend” contained in the novel (it had none of the punch in the film, that’s for sure), but I did still find some difficulties with it. Overall, however, I am Legend appears to be a seminal work in modern post-apocalyptic/horror and you’d be remiss to skip it.

Reading
Mimi of the Nowhere by Michael Kilman

Working through this short but fascinating piece of speculative sci-fi. Really cool premise so far and I’m interested to see where it goes.

A Threat of Shadows by JA Andrews

OK, when I say, “Currently Reading,” for this one, it means I literally just opened the first page. Definitely had to pick this one up since I’ve continually heard great things about the book and the author. I’ll be sure to let you know!

To Be Read

I haven’t made my decision yet, but here are my top options. I like to rotate classics, new/indie authors, and established authors, so it looks like I’m due for a classic. Any suggestions?

What are your recent, current, and upcoming reads? Let me know what you loved, liked, and hated! 

An unexpected journey: Updates from the blog

This- with trolls, goblins, big ol’ spiders, dragons and all- was arguably a better journey than the unexpected one I got

This past week I took an unintentional and unexpected journey. No, I didn’t travel miles of peril-fraught lands in the company of dwarves to burgle a dragon’s lair, but I did journey to the ER! I had acquired a kidney stone and then sepsis, so my excursion lasted a few days.

[image error]Can confirm: kidney stones are worse than labor

It may surprise you, but completing (seemingly) leisurely activities like reading, writing, and blogging while convalescing in a hospital bed is much easier said than done. Instead, the extent of my concentration was pretty much limited to Chopped and House Hunters reruns.

Your baskets include: live snakes, badger milk, a vial of unidentified tears, and kale. Good luck!

Thankfully, I had finished Ender’s Game before all the excitement took place and was able to get a few chapters of  I Am Legend when the pain meds were working. Expect a review for Ender’s Game soon, but a little spoiler for you: it might be the best book I’ve read in 2018. Now that I’m feeling better, I’m breezing through I Am Legend and it is shockingly (but enjoyably) different from the film version.

Barring any further unexpected journeys, I’ll have more reviews and good reads coming your way. And yes, even though my TBR list is long enough already, recommend your favorite and/or latest read! I’d love to check it out! Until then:

“You didn’t transform the tears in your dish and you over-cooked the snakes. For that reason, we had to chop you.”

Book Review- The Color of Magic

The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

A (hopefully) succinct and informative review!

Summary

The Color of Magic takes place in the fantasy world of Discworld, a flat, planetary disc carried on the backs of four enormous elephants standing on the shell of Great A’Tuin, a space-traversing sea turtle. With that fantastical premise, the story itself begins in the corrupt and deplorable Ankh-Morpork, Discworld’s largest city. A failed wizard named Rincewind inadvertently becomes the hired guide of the outrageously wealthy but naive Twoflower, a tourist and insurance clerk from the Agatean Empire. Things go wrong almost immediately. And when the city of Ankh-Morpork goes up in flames, Rincewind finds himself launched on a wild flight with Twoflower and Twoflower’s sentient and rage-filled Luggage.

But their troubles are far from over. Pursued by Death (sickle and all) and in the hands of Discworld’s gods as unwitting pieces in their lively board game, the cowardly wizard and his tourist face all manner of absurdities, impossibilities, and dangers. And, to Rincewind’s annoyance, Twoflower can’t help but enjoy every minute of it- even, to the very end of Discworld.

Review

Pratchett’s debut Discworld novel felt a lot like a fantasy version of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in both tone and plot structure. Parody, absurdism, and tongue-in-cheek aphorisms abound, and it’s hard not to find something worth chuckling about in The Color of Magic. His world-building is both fun, imaginative and endlessly rich; you get the feeling that just about anything can happen on Discworld.  I also found the mythological constructs to be intriguing and creative, playing on both parody and thoughtful motifs that display the intelligence of the author.

That said, I initially struggled with the story. For one, I found Rincewind too unlikeable at first, making it hard for me to sympathize with him. There were some “British-isms” as well that I did not have a lot of context for, so I’m sure some of the earlier jokes were lost on my American wit. And, as I’ve said before, there is such thing as too much absurdism, and Pratchett indeed dances on the line.

The narrative improves significantly after the first few chapters, however, with the development of Rincewind’s character, the unfolding of the world’s complexities, and introduction of a great cast of supporting characters. By the end, I was rooting for Rincewind. And even if I wasn’t, the Luggage could have carried the entire story on its lid. (You’ll never meet a more expressive and well-written character, despite it never uttering a word!)

According to Wikipedia, The Color of Magic was “an attempt to do for the classical fantasy universe what Blazing Saddles did for Westerns.” In my opinion, Pratchett succeeds. I know there’s like 30 books in this series, so I probably won’t get to all of them, but I’m sure I’ll pick up the next in the near future.

Have you read The Color of Magic? What did you think? 

 

Read, reading, and to be read

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I might not be the most fastidious when it comes to regular blogging, but this month I at least have a good reason! I’ve upped my game when it comes to reading and writing. As much as I really love keeping up this blog, I think my time (and maybe yours, too) is better spent elsewhere.

And I’ve read (and listened to) a lot of great books recently!  Here’s another drive by of my read, reading, and to be read list!

Recently Read
The Color of Magic

Not posting any spoilers here, as I expect to do a full review of this one- but I will say it was a rollercoaster of a read for me!

The Pastor’s Wife

This was a dense but practical read for wives of those in ministry. I found it extraordinarily helpful and would recommend!

Hidden with Christ

A memoir, devotional, and counseling guide for survivors of sexual abuse. Heart-wrenching and hopeful- a definite recommend from me on this one, and not just because I know the author!

Blood of Elves

This is the sequel to The Last Wish, featured on my Audible’s Laudables segment. I continued with the audio on Blood of Elves. Another excellent story, but another RIDICULOUS cliff-hanger. Come on, Sapkowski, I can only handle so much suspense!

The Chronicles of Narnia- From The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe to The Silver Chair
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Audio dramatization, which I reviewed here. It was a treat for both adult and child alike!

Am Reading
Ender’s Game

Holy Cowbells Batman! This story is so gripping I can hardly put it down. Look for a review on this in the near future!

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

My pre-K aged child is absolutely enchanted with the world of Narnia. We’re working through the Dawn Treader (her choice) at a surprisingly normal pace. Stay tuned for if we ever finish the written books!

Joy Beyond Agony

Working through study for a ladies’ Bible study I help teach. I’m finding it full of good stuff so far.

The Time of Contempt

Oh man, it just picks up where Blood of Elves left off and I’m like CIRI YOU’RE THE COOLEST CHARACTER AND I’M SO WORRIED ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN

The Magician’s Nephew

Had to get the little one started off right with TLTWATW; we’re circling back around so that she can make the character connections. (If you’re wondering, introducing your kids to the stuff you love is one of the best parts of parenting.)

To Be Read
I am Legend

“That ending was…weird,” I said after watching the movie adaptation. But WAIT! There’s a book with a more poetic ending to it (or so I’ve been told). I can’t wait.

A Threat of Shadows

I’ve heard a lot of great stuff about this book and author. AND! It’s 99 cents on Kindle right now! Get it here.

Baptism of Fire

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There’s more? You’re killing me, Sapkowski. *sigh* There goes next month’s audible credit.

 

Hey! I want to hear from you- give me your read, reading, and to be read in the comments or in your own post! 

 

Audio Review: The Chronicles of Narnia

Q: How do you survive an entire day of driving with a carsickness-prone preschooler and an infant?

A: Coffee, snacks, your best Disney playlists, and AUDIOBOOKS.

And what better stories to introduce to your kids for the first time than those of Narnia?

As previously mentioned on this blog, I’m forever in love with C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. If you’re unfamiliar with this magical realm, Narnia is a land hidden away from our own world, out of our time, and full of Talking Beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs, giants, and other mythical creatures. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (the first book written by Lewis), the four Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, accidentally discover the fantastical Narnia when they blunder into it through a magical wardrobe. They discover that the White Witch who currently reigns has plunged the land into unending winter. But in fulfillment of an ancient Narnian prophecy, the children’s arrival heralds the return of Narnia’s rightful ruler, Aslan, his breaking of the witch’s spell, and the battle for Narnia’s freedom. I won’t spoil the ending and all the fun stuff in between, but the stories generally follow the adventures of the Pevensies and other human children as Aslan’s mysterious magic pulls them out of their world and into his, where they aid Narnia in its times of peril.

A friend of mine purchased this CD set dramatization of the entire Chronicles from ALDI and offered to let us borrow it. (I know, kind of a weird place to find it!) Naturally, I was worried about the preschooler’s attention span and also a bit skeptical of the production quality, (y’all remember the BBC The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?) but hey, what else were we going to do? One can only listen to the Frozen soundtrack for so long.

Shut it, Elsa

 

To my delight, the production was excellent. The voice actors did an incredible job of bringing the characters to life. Narration remained true to both the words and spirit of the books, even while creatively dramatizing exposition through conversation.  It also made full use of theatrical elements- the engaging sound effects and dramatic music served as fun and engaging aids to any young listeners. Surprisingly, even for the very young listener! While the four-year-old’s attention wandered at times, she loved it and could, for the most part, tell me what was happening in the story afterward. She begged to listen to the next one and the one after that. We got through three books on our wearisome journey (TLTWATW, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) and are now working through The Silver Chair.

I forgot how great of a character Puddleglum is

I’d recommend this audio production to any lovers of the written series, people with school-age children, or for anyone who enjoys a good fairy story. To really make your listening experience complete, grab a kid (preferable one you know) to join you. Not much beats seeing and hearing the innocent delight of a child in a great story.

As an aside, as enthralled as my daughter was with the audio, she was ECSTATIC when she realized we owned the full paperback set. It’s so cool to see the stories that shaped me enlivening the imagination of my own child.

Do you have any book dramatizations that you’d recommend for kids? Share your favorites!

 

Book Review: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Well hello! I’m back from Maine with a brand new book review for you! Sure, I got zero writing done, but it was a time of soul refreshment and wonderful family moments that I’m already treasuring and DEFINITELY needed.

[image error]A glorious sunset over our Downeast Maine lake view

And, like I said, I got to READ! You can expect a review of Terry Pratchett’s Color of Magic in the near future. But for today, you can enjoy my review of this little novella:

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

(BTW- SOME SPOILERS!)

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Binti, a sixteen year old genius, is the first of the Himba people to ever be offered a place at the prestigious Oomza University. To get there, however, Binti must give up her way of life, the comfort of her people, and the support of her family and traverse the galaxy with strangers who find her customs strange and even inferior.

Risking all to slake her thirst for knowledge, Binti leaves home. However, she risks more than she bargains for when she finds herself in the middle of her new world’s age-old war with a fierce and nightmarish alien race, the Meduse.

Now, as Binti seeks to survive, she must rely on her natural wit, a mysterious relic, and the parts of the Himba people she brought along for the journey.

I hate to say this, but I was somewhat disappointed by Binti. As an award-winning novella (the Hugo and Nebula Awards, no less), I expected a lot. In some ways, the book delivers. For one, Okorafor weaves in cultural, religious, and technological elements that build a richly imaginative, Afro-centric world. Even the hard sciences presented in the book have a sort of magical quality to them, imbuing simple mathematical knowledge with almost tangible power, and I think that is to the story’s credit. If you’re used to primarily Western or European based fantasies, Binti provides a much needed alternative universe to round out your reading. The prose overall is elegant and engaging, and while there were a few points in the book that I had to read a couple times to figure out what was happening, the actual reading was a pleasure.

But unfortunately I think the novella does not deliver elsewhere. For instance, nearly every supporting character in Binti lacks any real development. When (spoilers) everyone gets murdered by the Meduse, I want to care about their fates as much as Binti does, but it’s hard because I never really get to know them. The plot sort of rockets along from here, and while we see character development in the Meduse antagonist Okwu, it’s not enough for me to feel compassion or kinship with him (as Binti does) after the atrocities he and his people committed against a group of students. In fact, Okorafor fails to adequately address the horror of what Binti experiences, and it creates a resolution that is both unbelievable and unsatisfying.

And while some of the plot points are hard to swallow, I think it’s compounded by the character of Binti herself. Maybe I’m extra cynical because I’ve worked with teenagers for nearly a decade, but I’ve never met a fierce, attractive, self-aware, rational 16-year-old savant with (more spoilers) the ability to negotiate eloquently on behalf of her terroristic captors. I love amazing strong female characters, but the YA trope of the nearly invincible teen girl is just so unrealistic and dull. Writing a strong woman doesn’t mean she can’t have damaging flaws and a lot of room to grow. And while I have heard that the second book in the Binti series manages to find a way to keep the character interesting, I’m left wondering where she could possibly go from here.

I don’t want to be unfair. I did find Binti an enjoyable read overall despite its problems, and I have to wonder if I would’ve liked it even more had I known nothing of all the hype. For that reason, I suggest that if you pick up a copy, you do so with your expectations tempered.

Oh, and one minor point- Okorafor defines the genre for Binti as more sci-fi, but I think space opera might be more appropriate.

Published TODAY! Pennsylvania’s Emerging Writers Anthology

It’s here!  Pennsylvania’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction is printed and ready to ship to your mailbox TODAY!

[image error]Get it here!

Pick up your own copy to read my contribution, “The Rift,” and let me know what you think!

I love anthologies because they provide a place to sample many voices at a time, especially newer voices that you may not have heard yet. Look forward to a review in its entirety soon with a listing of my favorite works.

Tell me about your favorite anthologies. What’s worth my time? 

To Vacationland!

I want to say I’m sorry that I won’t have much to post for you this coming week, but I’m not sorry AT ALL. Tomorrow my family and I will be heading north to our little slice of paradise, a rustic cabin on a logging lake in Downeast Maine.

[image error]Our lakeside view

Maine is often referred to as “Vacationland,” and for good reasons- pleasant summers, isolation, and breathtaking views from the rocky coastline to any one of its thousands of lakes.

[image error]Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia National Park

I often think about Stephen King and how this state inspired his works throughout the years. You can see it when you meander along the lonely, pine-crowded roads and visit the charming, quiet towns. You can feel it in the eerie morning mists rolling across the lake and in the primordial shadow of the dizzyingly dense woods. The night here is dark and alive with cries of loons and calls of…well, something else.

[image error]Our visit to the supposedly haunted Fort Knox made all the spookier by this relentless fog

Haunting and beautiful. Honestly, it’s a writers’ or readers’ oasis. I’m so looking forward to a bit of down time, holing up with my next TBRs, and finding inspiration for my current WIPs. It’d be icing on the cake to listen to King’s The Mist on our drive there to fully get me in the mood, but I’d like my preschooler to NOT have crippling nightmares, so… The Chronicles of Narnia will have to do instead!

[image error]I never got a chance to read the novella, but the ending of the movie MESSED ME UP. Oh, and hi Carol! 

 

All this to say, while you might see a post or two from me next week, I won’t be around to engage.

[image error]I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself

Stay tuned for some fantastic reviews when I get back. Enjoy your last week of summer before Pumpkin Spice everything obliterates it.

You guys this youtube trailer was actually really funny