Narzain’s Comments (group member since May 19, 2009)

Narzain’s comments from the Runs with scissors group.

So far, it seems like I'm mostly in the set-up part. There's been some talk about the trial, but it hasn't begun yet. I don't really have a solid impression yet, since nothing much has happened.

I imagine that Atticus was ahead of his time, in more ways than one. As for how Scout & Jem are turning out... I'll see when I get there.

I'm inclined to think of it as education, as long as they're not telling you "read this instead of that." Of course, having recommended reading instead of mandatory reading (or at least an assortment of options to choose from) is even better.

Hmm. I'd say Spider Robinson, Douglas Adams & Jim Butcher would top the list. Other than that, too many to name.

Did you run with scissors yesterday? I did!

...now where's that spare eyeball?

Sounds okay to me.

Well, anybody who reads Brave New World and decides that's a spiffy template for the society he's trying to breed... that's a messed up dude.

For myself, I think that the updating of the mythos was done fairly well. The 'monster' seems like a reasonable extension from the original novel, after a couple hundred years wandering the earth and hanging out in a monastery to get some perspective. Frankly, I think Deucalion is the best-realized character in the whole book. Though I don't know how much of that is holdover from all the different versions of him I've seen in various media.

Victor, well Victor is also an extension of the original. From someone with the arrogance to 'play god' and create life, to two centuries of perfecting his creations, would probably result in a sociopath like that.

Other than that, I wasn't impressed by any of the characterizations. Everyone was either unimpressive, or had their motivations shoved in your face. And the 'romantic tension' between the cops is laughable. (I guess I'm spoiled by so many good examples).

In all, I like the concept & some of the ideas, but Koontz is not impressing me with the execution. I've seen variations on the themes done much more engagingly before.

Finished reading the book. As for other versions, just a couple different movies, and some 'loosely inspired by' stories.

With all due apologies to Jackie Gleason, mine would be "One s*** at a time!"

I haven't read any of his, but his Frankenstein books have a pretty fierce following. I'm willing to give it a try.

Not so much lately, but when I was working downtown I got to the point where I didn't even have to look up from the book to know the rapid had reached my stop...

I regularly get so involved in a book that I forget reality. But then, reality & I aren't on very good terms anyway.

Right now, um, seven counting Storm Front. Usually only 1 or 2 at a time, plus whatever I read during lunch at work. Oh, wait, that brings it up to eight... Eek.

Kind of a trick question for me, since I've already read the whole series. But, of course, I do plan to re-read it all again. And again. And...

That's very close to what I was going to open with: his character introductions. He gives you a strong feeling of how the character looks & acts without describing every nitpicky detail. At the same time, you get a sense for how Harry sees each character (since it's all through his viewpoint).

I've got it, and read the first four chapters (again). So whenever we're ready to kick off the discussion, I'm good.