An amazing collection of short stories. True to Murakami's style, most of these are centered around the loneliness people feel at different stages of An amazing collection of short stories. True to Murakami's style, most of these are centered around the loneliness people feel at different stages of their lives - whether it's an old couple whose son doesn't come to celebrate his birthday with him anymore, or a young adult who feels alienated from his divorced mother, or a demented lady finding companionship with the birds who flew into her apartment. Curated from some of the more prominent writers, Murakami writes a short introduction before each story to tell what the author (and sometimes, a little bit of the story) is about.
The book ends with a story by Murakami himself, which I found a bit underwhelming, although very characteristic of him. All in all, the stories are delightful and I had a great time reading them....more
It's difficult to talk about this book without spoiling anything. It's such an amazing book, I think possibly the most outlandish, and probably the moIt's difficult to talk about this book without spoiling anything. It's such an amazing book, I think possibly the most outlandish, and probably the most realistic depiction of "first contact" - humanity's first encounter with an alien civilisation. Most aliens depicted in popular media are re-hashed humans. They turn out to be reflections on humanity with more appendages or eyes or some such. This book foregoes any concept of such aliens and creates aliens which are truly "alien" in every way.
A lot of scientific and philosophical concepts are discussed in this book. The prose is thick with scientific jargon, and it takes a bit of practice to slow down and absorb everything. The evolution of humanity with progressing technology, the depersonalisation of everything, and a lot of things were explored. The astronomy nerd in me loved the setting being a superJovian gas cloud (Big Ben) in the Oort cloud on the outskirts of the solar system.
A very good book, and I think one of the prime examples of a strong female lead done right. The power structure made me immediately draw comparisons tA very good book, and I think one of the prime examples of a strong female lead done right. The power structure made me immediately draw comparisons to Dune, which might have been a little unfair. There are some instances where I was incredulous of the actions of a character, (view spoiler)[like when Kelsier capriciously took Vin, an apprentice Allomancer, along with him to raid Kredik Shaw. (hide spoiler)]
I think I would have appreciated it more if I read it when I was younger, but in any case, it's a very good book, and well worthy of your time....more
Another naval thriller from Maclean. Possibly one of his best plots - the suspense really builds up in the first half of the novel. The second half isAnother naval thriller from Maclean. Possibly one of his best plots - the suspense really builds up in the first half of the novel. The second half is not half-bad, but I had to exercise my suspension of disbelief too often. The plot isn't as layered as some of his books, and I got the feeling that with a protagonist like Chief Officer Carter, the antagonists never had a chance.
Nonetheless, it serves it's purpose as quick, enjoyable filler between more serious reads admirably. Maybe I'm putting it up to too high a standard, with books like The Guns of Navarone and Night Without End. Or I might just have had too high an expectation - my teenage mind was enthralled by anything by Alistair Maclean. Believe it or not, I started with Partisans - generally considered to be one of his worst books, and I liked it so much, I went on to read all of his books. Those were some really good times, though....more
Robin Hobb's a fantastic storyteller, and good storytelling never goes out of fashion. One of the best thing about this book is how well fleshed-out tRobin Hobb's a fantastic storyteller, and good storytelling never goes out of fashion. One of the best thing about this book is how well fleshed-out the characters are, so you really relish an interaction between them. The mechanics of the Skill are not properly explored in this book, but I guess that'll be revealed slowly. Not much of action, but full of politics, intrigue and delicious characters....more
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