Book Nerd’s Comments (group member since Dec 20, 2018)

Book Nerd’s comments from the Never too Late to Read Classics group.

shannon wrote: "The " aliens" in Childhoods End is not nearly as creepy as the ones in Lilith's Brood. I was just suspicious of the ones in Childhoods End."
I really wasn't. As Frodo said: I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler.

Yeah, it was sad. Things about endings always are.

Carol wrote: "While he is somewhat intrigued by Ojousan, Sensei doesn't become interested in a future with Ojousan until K discloses that K loves her."
I think it was just the kick in the butt he needed to do something about it.

Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "One thing I found interesting is the relationship between the narrator and this mentor/teacher. It seemed very natural and a very Japanese thing. Any other cultures where such a relationship would not be uncommon?"
It reminds me of the Greeks. Socrates and Plato and whatnot.

I've seen the Twilight Zone episode and many parodies of it so this was no surprise.

(view spoiler)[They give humans the technology to grow unlimited food and then eat the humans. They must just like the taste. :) (hide spoiler)]

It's basically Verne's experience riding this real ship. I imagine it's a lot like being on a cruise ship these days.

This is my favorite of Clarke's books. He has some good ones but some real stinkers of sequels.

A Floating City, published in 1871, enjoyed a popularity almost equal to that of Round the World in Eighty Days. The "Floating City" was the direct result of the trip which the author actually made to America in 1867, on the largest iron ship ever built. He gives us a faithful picture of the natural and usual incidents of an ocean voyage of those days, enlivening these by introducing a romance aboard ship. The pictures of the "Great Eastern," are of course exaggerated, not so much in words themselves as in the impressions they convey. But the pictures of New York and of Niagara are the genuine imprint made upon the great writer by his visit.

Classic spine-tingler that was made into an episode of The Twilight Zone. It's interesting to compare the original short story version to the Rod Serling screenplay. 1951 Retro Hugo Award Winner

To Serve Man

The Overlords appeared suddenly over every city--intellectually, technologically, and militarily superior to humankind. Benevolent, they made few demands: unify earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. With little rebellion, humankind agreed, and a golden age began.

But at what cost? With the advent of peace, man ceases to strive for creative greatness, and a malaise settles over the human race. To those who resist, it becomes evident that the Overlords have an agenda of their own. As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind . . . or the beginning?

At first I was annoyed that you don't really learn anything about Sensei or the narrator. What they study and what they talk about or even why they're friends. Seems like he just randomly stalked a guy on the beach. But then the story about his past gets interesting.
I get the feeling this is one of those stories that's a commentary on Japan in general?

Read this quite a while ago. It's better than the Illiad but not as good as the Odyssey.

Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "It's funny how Irene keeps calling her "giant great grandmother" and such. I still can't decide if she's really some part of the goblin conspiracy or not.
Also I just finished the..."
I finished it. It was a pretty good little story.

(view spoiler)[At first I thought she might be evil because she was clearly using illusion. (hide spoiler)]

It's funny how Irene keeps calling her "giant great grandmother" and such. I still can't decide if she's really some part of the goblin conspiracy or not.
Also I just finished the descriptions of the goblin animals. They sure had odd ideas about evolution back then.

Kathy wrote: "This is my first time reading the book. I love the scenes from the hunting in the submarine forest."

Yeah, they were really so "shoot anything that moves" back then.

Patrick wrote: "Threads are weak to water, fire/heat, and cold. They usually get burned up entering the atmosphere, or freeze depending on where they land on Pern. Let me know if that answered your question :D"

Yeah, for something that survives in space they seem awfully fragile. They're also vulnerable to that fertilizer stuff.

Anyway, I finished. It was pretty good. Hopefully I'll finish the trilogy sometime.

I understand why she did it but I hate when they italicize a word like between. It makes me put a weird emphasis on it while I'm reading.

It's not really a question. Just doesn't make sense.

Why are the threads that travel through space destroyed by cold weather on Pern?

I've read this a couple of time. It's Verne's most famous book for a reason.

I just started this. Looks good.

Finished finally. A lot of things have been keeping me from reading.
I agree the australia chapters weren't as good but I really liked New Zealand.
A really great adventure.