Wulf C. Krueger

Not really sure why but this one simply didn't work for me. No star rating.

[a:Matthew Reilly's 83714 Matthew Reilly https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1309746050p2/83714.jpg] “[b:Seven Deadly Wonders 144791 Seven Deadly Wonders (Jack West Jr, #1) Matthew Reilly https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388589227l/144791.SY75.jpg 1271370]” is akin to reading a 90s action B-movie. Unfortunately, the novel fails to deliver a compelling narrative, with both the plot and characters lacking believability. While Reilly attempts to blend high-octane action with historical mysteries, the result is a muddled execution that leaves much to be desired.From the outset, the characters come off as one-dimensional and unconvincing. They are supposedly a diverse group from various backgrounds, but this diversity is sadly superficial. This oversight detracts significantly from the novel, creating a sense of sameness that undermines the story's potential. For instance, Big Ears dangling precariously over a ledge is a moment ripe with tension but falls flat due to clichéd dialogue and character interactions:»Big Ears was dangling over the edge of Level 1 directly above her, helpless. ‘I can't get to her!'‘And I can!' another voice called.West.He never missed a step.Running full tilt, he just leapt off the edge of Level 1 and sailed in a high curving arc through the air toward the croc-lake below.«The plot is convoluted with numerous loose ends and implausible scenarios. The novel struggles to maintain a coherent storyline, often feeling episodic rather than a unified narrative. This lack of cohesion disrupts the reading experience and makes it difficult to remain invested in the characters' exploits. The plot includes a vividly gruesome yet ridiculous depiction of a Caesarean delivery performed during a volcanic eruption.»A gruesome yet urgent image: flanked by the encroaching lava and the steadily lowering ceiling, the two men perform a Caesarean delivery on the dead woman's body using West's Leatherman knife.«Reilly's attempts at infusing the story with historical conspiracies come across as overly extravagant and eye-roll-inducing. The portrayal of the Cult of Amun-Ra, linked to various historical and modern figures, borders on the absurd. This inclusion feels less like a testament to thorough research and more like desperate embellishment.»This Cult of Amun-Ra has endured to the present day, under many guises. For instance, the Knights of St John of Malta, and some sections of the Catholic Church.‘The Freemasons, too, have long attached great significance to the Great Pyramid—and are often accused of being a thinly-veiled reincarnation of the Cult of Amun-Ra. Indeed, one very famous Freemason, Napoleon Bonaparte, was initiated into the order's highest ranks inside the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid.«Ultimately, “Seven Deadly Wonders” reads like a cheap piece of bubble gum – initially somewhat fresh but quickly becoming bland and boring. The novel fails to deliver on its intriguing premise, leaving readers with a disappointing aftertaste. With its numerous flaws and lacklustre execution, this novel does not live up to the standards set by other works in the genre. If you're seeking a quality action-adventure read, you might want to look elsewhere. If you want an in-depth, detailed review, read https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1678820144 which absolutely nails it.One star out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

I've long wanted to read some of the more “classic” mysteries in the hopes of finding another Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple. I was also inspired by 1986's mystery-adventure “Killed Until Dead” in which Wimsey and other classic sleuths investigate. Unfortunately, [a:Dorothy L. Sayers' 8734 Dorothy L. Sayers https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519840173p2/8734.jpg] “[b:Strong Poison 246225 Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #6) Dorothy L. Sayers https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225.SY75.jpg 1121561]” failed to impress, feeling distinctly dated. Published in 1930, it suffers from the mannerisms, the tone, and the zeitgeist of the previous decade which detracted from my overall enjoyment. Right from the outset, the narrative was bogged down by a significant information dump delivered through the judge's summarising of the case to the jury. This served as an intro, and while I appreciate thorough background, it dragged on unnecessarily for the first 12% of the novel, making for a tedious start. Lord Peter Wimsey, the supposed star of the show, comes across as unsympathetic and rather superficial. His character, along with that of Harriet Vane, left me feeling disconnected and uninvested. The novel seemed to revel in his eccentricity without endearing him to the reader. Unlike Holmes, Poirot, or Marple, whose quirks add depth and charm, Wimsey's characteristics felt forced and less appealing.The secondary characters did not fare much better in my estimation. Harriet Vane, the accused at the heart of the narrative, and various other figures blended into the background without making a significant impact.Moreover, the characterisation is often shallow and relies on outdated stereotypes.»“Female intuition,” said Eiluned, bluntly. “She doesn't like the way he does his hair.”«To make matters worse, I correctly guessed the culprit and motive early on, leaving me underwhelmed for much of the remainder of the novel.Despite its shortcomings, I must admit that “Strong Poison” is not a complete failure. The writing is good enough, and Sayers' use of language is undeniably evocative. Fans of classic mysteries may find more to appreciate, but for me, it failed to live up to its potential.Three stars out of five from me; I have read far worse, but I expected much better.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

I really enjoy [a:Lisa Regan's 6443334 Lisa Regan https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1589563239p2/6443334.jpg] Josie Quinn novels. Regan almost always succeeds in crafting intricate plots and compelling characters. After the previous instalment's short departure from Josie's usual haunts, I wondered where “[b:Her Dying Secret 209518760 Her Dying Secret (Detective Josie Quinn, #20) Lisa Regan https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1715633758l/209518760.SY75.jpg 215715964]” would take us. Thankfully, it is firmly set in the familiar world of Josie Quinn and her friends and colleagues in Denton. As for her friends, most of them are absent: Misty and her son, Harris, are mentioned a few times but play no role. The same is true for her parents and her twin sister, which is slightly sad but doesn't detract much from the novel's overall appeal. Regan's prose continues to channel an atmosphere thick with suspense and emotional tension. This is especially the case since the story opens with a car accident, the body of a murdered woman in the car, and a child in danger.A recurring issue in Regan's works, however, is the narrative ending way before the book's actual last page. This time, it's at 88%, and the remainder of the book are advertisements and excerpts. One can't help but feel a bit short-changed, which leads to the subtraction of one star.All in all, if you like Josie Quinn, you'll certainly get your “fix” out of this one. It can also be read standalone but it's certainly not the best starting point for this series.Four out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

[a:Jean-Luc Bannalec 5763576 Jean-Luc Bannalec https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] hat sich mit seinen Romanen um den eigenwilligen Kommissar Dupin eine treue Anhängerschaft erarbeitet. Der neueste Band, “[b:Bretonische Sehnsucht 199430207 Bretonische Sehnsucht Jean-Luc Bannalec https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704883144l/199430207.SY75.jpg 203878083]”, setzt diese Tradition fort, doch leider nicht in der gewohnten Qualität. Als langjähriger Leser der Romane des Autors und Fan der bretonischen Atmosphäre, war meine Vorfreude groß. (Allerdings war ich von meiner Frau schon etwas “vorgewarnt” worden.) Dennoch muss ich gestehen, dass dieses Werk weit hinter meinen Erwartungen zurückblieb.Zu Beginn möchte ich die deutlich gesteigerte Esoterik in diesem Roman ansprechen, die die Sicht auf den Fall und mein Lesevergnügen ungemein trübte. Bannalec hat in seinen früheren Werken stets ein Gefühl für das Lokalkolorit bewiesen, doch diesmal treibt er es zu weit ins Mystische. »Sie haben Seelen, die Leuchttürme. Seelen, Persönlichkeiten und Gefühle. Wie wir Menschen.«Auch die Charaktere bleiben deutlich hinter dem zurück, was ich von Bannalec gewohnt bin: Die Insel-”Druidin”, die abergläubisch bis ins Mark ist und Dupin permanent vor Meerjungfrauen, Nixen und allen möglichen Monstern warnt; die Sängerinnengruppe “Sirenen”, die eine große Rolle zu spielen scheint, aber vollkommen blass und schemenhaft bleibt; ein geradezu absurd unglaubwürdiger Nebenstrang (Osmine...) - es kommt hier einfach kein Lesevergnügen auf.Selbst Kommissar Dupin, dessen Grantigkeit und unorthodoxes Denken ich schätze, scheint sich hier in esoterische und bedeutungsschwangere Gedankengänge zu verlieren. »Eine Insel der Metamorphosen, dachte Dupin. Vielzähliger und vielartiger Metamorphosen. Wer sich hier nicht alles verwandelte! Woraus die Frage resultierte: Wer sah in Wahrheit eigentlich wie aus?«Verglichen mit Bannalecs früheren Werken vermisse ich die Ausgewogenheit zwischen Spannung und Atmosphäre. Die Geschichte verliert sich zuweilen in unnötigen Ausschweifungen und hinterlässt dabei wichtige Plotpunkte vernachlässigt oder oberflächlich behandelt. Ein weiteres Ärgernis sind kleine Nachlässigkeiten im Text, die nicht dem Niveau eines stilistisch so versierten Autors entsprechen:»Die Verabredungen war bereits getroffen.«Ein simpler Tippfehler wie dieser mag unerheblich erscheinen, doch trägt er zum Gesamteindruck bei, dass hier nicht die nötige Sorgfalt aufgewandt wurde.All dies wäre noch verzeihlicher, wenn der Kriminalfall selbst mitreißend und glaubwürdig präsentiert worden wäre. Doch auch hier hapert es an der Ausführung, insbesondere was die Nebenhandlung um Meerjungfrauen betrifft. Bannalecs Versuch, das Lokale mit dem Mystischen zu verweben, wirkt hier besonders bemüht und hinterlässt den Leser kopfschüttelnd:»Meerjungfrauen dagegen sind gewöhnliche Frauen, die das Pech hatten, von einem bösen Geist verdammt zu werden. Unschuldig. Eine fatale Metamorphose.«Dieser Versuch eines tieferen, vielleicht poetischen Untertons wirkt in der Realität plump und unglaubwürdig.Doch selbst damit nicht genug: War Riwal schon in früheren Büchern gern mal etwas geschwätzig, wirkt er hier häufig überaus und langanhaltend belehrend:»»Als der allgemeine Wohlstand und Fortschritt in der Nachkriegszeit erheblich wuchsen und die Insel das erste Mal einen regelmäßigen Fährbetrieb erhielt, dachte man, die Landwirtschaft wäre nun überflüssig – ein fataler Fehler, wie sich herausstellte. Bis dahin hatten die Ouessantins sehr intensiv Landwirtschaft betrieben, seit Menschengedenken, genauer gesagt die Frauen, wie Sie ja wissen.«Riwal holte Luft. Dupin machte sich auf einen längeren Vortrag gefasst.«Ein bisschen Schwung und Handlungstempo hätte der Geschichte sicherlich gut getan. So erinnert “Bretonische Sehnsucht” eher an einen langen Spaziergang durch wunderschöne, aber zu oft gesehene Landschaften ohne nennenswerte Höhepunkte.Die im Übermaß vorhandenen esoterischen Einschläge sowie die vernachlässigten Plotpunkte bringen dieses Buch um den Charme und die Spannung der früheren Werke des Autors.Da reicht es leider nur für einen von fünf Sternen.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“[b:The Perfect Couple 34840184 The Perfect Couple (Nantucket, #3) Elin Hilderbrand https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1520361784l/34840184.SY75.jpg 56071748]” by [a:Elin Hilderbrand 88301 Elin Hilderbrand https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1365687944p2/88301.jpg] had all the makings of a gripping narrative—a murder mystery combined with romance, set against the picturesque backdrop of Nantucket. The story follows the wedding of Benji and Celeste, a supposedly perfect couple, but things take a darker turn when the maid of honour is found dead on the morning of the wedding. As the “mystery” unfolds, it's clear that Hilderbrand is more interested in exploring the petty dramas and secrets of the wealthy elite than crafting a compelling whodunit. The revelations, when they come, are bog-standard and boring, lacking any real tension or surprises.The romance was basically nonexistent as Celeste and her love interest simply fall in love at first glance. Yes, it happens, but as a story element, it's just lazy.Another problem were the characters themselves: Benji, for instance, emerged as an exceedingly annoying and shallow character. His emotional turmoil following the death on his wedding day only served to accentuate his self-centredness.»Benji is experiencing a host of very confusing emotions. He is upset, shocked, and horrified just like everyone else. And yet also mixed in there are anger and resentment. It's his wedding day! His parents have gone to enormous effort and expense to make this wedding unforgettable and now it's all for naught.«His response to Celeste the murder of Celeste's supposedly-best friend was selfish and shallow, and his treatment of Celeste was appalling.»She was lucky to be here, lucky she had a friend like you, she didn't deserve you, wasn't worthy of you, Celeste. And furthermore, she probably did this to herself! You told me once that she stockpiled pills and considered suicide, so what's to say that's not what this is? She orchestrated this to ruin our big day!«What a champ, right?His fiancée and soon-to-be wife, Celeste, is, to him, like an exotic creature Benji feels compelled to possess. And they first met at the zoo. »Celeste is like a rare butterfly that Benji was somehow able to capture. That comparison is, no doubt, inappropriate on many different levels, but that's how he thinks of her in his private mind where no one can judge him, that she's like an exotic bird or butterfly.«The portrayal of other characters, too, left much to be desired. Tag, the playboy, and Greer, the snobby housewife, were reductionist caricatures that failed to elicit any emotional engagement.Celeste herself is a calculating, opportunistic person who is more concerned with money and security than actual emotions.Merritt, her friend, is little more than a sounding board for Celeste's problems, and even that relationship feels strained and inauthentic.Celeste's inner monologue often revolved around whether a particular luxury item or location would be enough to replace love, and her dialogue was peppered with infantile statements about her own insecurities.»How will it work? Celeste asked Benji. M-M-Money, I m-m-mean. Once we're m-m-married? I'll put your name on my accounts, Benji said. We'll get you an ATM card, a checkbook. Once I turn thirty-five, I'll have access to the trust from my Garrison grandparents, so there will be that money as well. Celeste has wondered since then how much money is in the Garrison trust. A million dollars? Five million? Twenty million? What is the amount that takes the place of love? What about m-my salary? Celeste had asked. Keep it for yourself, Benji said.«One might argue that these character flaws are intentional and serve the broader purpose of Hilderbrand's social commentary. However, even if this were her intent, the execution falls woefully short of crafting a compelling and nuanced narrative. The incessant, somewhat trite observations and paper-thin plot developments were monotonous, testing my patience with each page.As if to punctuate the already dire state of the narrative, the denouement lacked any semblance of satisfaction, providing neither closure nor contemplation. The novel just falls over and silently dies.I'm left feeling like I've wasted precious reading time on a narrative that fails to engage on any level. Reading this novel felt like an exercise in endurance rather than enjoyment.One star out of five.Update Oct. 2024: Surprisingly, the Netflix mini series is a whole damn lot more entertaining. Avoid the book, do watch the series!Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“[b:City of Stairs 20174424 City of Stairs (The Divine Cities, #1) Robert Jackson Bennett https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394545220l/20174424.SY75.jpg 28030792]” came highly recommended by many friends and I was so looking forward to a murder mystery, an espionage story, a post-war drama, a piece of fantasy, and alternative history. Yes, maybe the sheer breadth of this should have forewarned me but what can I say...The story was... mediocre: A lot of divinity-this, divinity-that, people who want to bring back the “golden days”, profiteers, evil brothers, evil aunts, and other relatives. In short: lots of bullshit.Also, the characters: Shara, the granddaughter of the Kaj, the saviour of his people, and the killer of gods, faultless master spy, genius, is our heroine and she's... boring. Absolutely, breathtakingly boring. She keeps being lucky and only in the end do we see her dealing with her evil scheming aunty. In between, she mostly lurches from one disaster to the next.Part of her luck is called Sigrud. An almost excessively inventive name for what amounts to a Viking. Huge, strong, pragmatic, silent, world-wise, a perfect companion and bodyguard who fights his way into and out of hell. Also: Steampunk. I hate steampunk; steampunk's illogical and impractical approach to technology is so annoying: They have cars but the term “battle-axe” is still present. They have “common firearms” but shoot bolts from crossbows. They have gunpowder and combustion, they work many kinds of metal and into huge projects to boot but they use traditional sailing ships.As so often, steampunk here, too, feels more like a superficial exercise in aesthetics than a thoughtful exploration of science fiction or social commentary. And yet there's a lot of heavy-handed kitchen philosophy to be found in this. Worst of all, though: This novel is so boring! Nobody is relatable and I didn't give a rat's ass about anybody. Despite featuring quite a few characters, most of them essentially “sound” and “feel” alike. For example, Shara and Mulaghesh sound exactly the same from what they say and do.The writing is nothing special either: There are absolutely no highlights but no crimes against language either. In its mediocrity, it feels very fitting.Since the ending was at least somewhat amusing, this garners it two stars instead of the one I originally intended. Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

[a:Saša Stanišić 877513 Saša Stanišić https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1640075911p2/877513.jpg] macht es mir nie leicht: Sein “[b:Herkunft 44429051 Herkunft Saša Stanišić https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552569522l/44429051.SY75.jpg 68990636]” hat mich erst wenig gereizt und am Ende “gepackt”, wie es nur seltene Ausnahmeerscheinungen schaffen. Nun sitze ich an meinem Schreibtisch unmittelbar nach Abschluss der Lektüre seines neuesten Werkes mit dem leicht sperrigen (und doch vollkommen passenden!) Titel “[b:Möchte die Witwe angesprochen werden, platziert sie auf dem Grab die Gießkanne mit dem Ausguss nach vorne 201467483 Möchte die Witwe angesprochen werden, platziert sie auf dem Grab die Gießkanne mit dem Ausguss nach vorne Saša Stanišić https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1716809581l/201467483.SY75.jpg 206354310]” geht es mir ähnlich...»Was das genau soll, wird nicht klar.«Genau so ging es mir als Leser an jener Stelle auch. Und wie schon bei “Herkunft” habe ich die Gelegenheit genutzt, die Skepsis, die Verwirrung und die Irritation bewusst zu verdrängen und mich auf die Geschichten einzulassen, die Stanišić hier einmal mehr meisterhaft erzählt. Lose verbunden durch den roten Faden der Grundidee - Leben probehalber “anzuprobieren” und sich für deren Annahme oder Ablehnung zu entscheiden - erzählt Stanišić von wirklichen und “anprobierten” Leben. Umfassend, empathisch und meist mit einem Augenzwinkern...»Wir vier zum Beispiel. Ausländer in Deutschland. Ja, auch du, Nico, deine Mutter ist DDR, das zählt.«Gerade die frühen Helgoland-Sequenzen waren für mich zunächst weitgehend undurchdringlich und nur mäßig verständlich. Mit den späteren Erzählungen werden aber Mosaiksteinchen hinzugefügt, so dass sich letztlich auch hier ein klareres Bild einstellt.Bei aller Fantasie und aller literarischer Verspieltheit ist Stanišić doch klar und unzweideutig positioniert...»Er war diesmal in Uniform gekleidet, Mo, ganz in Schwarz. Auch die Mütze war schwarz, und darauf, sowie auf der Brusttasche, steckte dieser Hakenkreuzadler. Hundertpro verboten, heute aber wieder mehr im Gebrauch.Wo dieser Tage solch eine Uniform zu finden ist, da ist normalerweise auch entweder ein thüringischer Politiker auf einer von einem CDU-Mann gesponserten Feier im kleinen Kreise, eine kontroverse Ausstellung oder ein Theaterstück. Mo konnte zwar vieles sein, aber ein Nazi war er nicht, noch war er Museum oder Schauspieler, wobei Schauspieler noch am meisten.Mo breitete die Arme aus!Ich umarmte Mo.«Unglaublich sympathisch und für mich der Höhepunkt des Buches: Die Geschichte um titelgebende Witwe Gisel, deren Hermann schon vor Jahren verstorben ist, der aber immer noch höchst präsent ist...»Mit Hermann war nicht alles leicht gewesen, aber das meiste. Und darauf kommt es im gemeinsamen Leben an, dass man es miteinander meistens leicht hat.Mit Hermann war immer jemand da: Hermann.Mit Hermann brauchte sie nicht zaudern. Oder Hermann zauderte mit, das war auch schön.«(Mit Dir, C., auch!)Nun ist dies aber keine bittersüße Liebesschnulze aus der schlechten alten Zeit, und obschon sie sich dabei manchmal selbst überrascht, ist Gisel alles andere als ein trauerndes Mauerblümchen, das durch den nächsten Mann “errettet” werden muss...»In Büchern ging es meistens um Liebe: Kam eine Frau vor, kam auch die Liebe vor. Gisel mochte solche Bücher nicht. Sie mochte Bücher, in denen eine Frau vorkam, und ein Flugzeug stürzte ab, und die Frau war die einzige Überlebende und schlug sich, bewaffnet mit einer Zahnbürste, fortan durch die Wildnis. Sie zähmte einen Bären, der ihr treuer Begleiter wurde.«Gerade zum Thema Helgoland lässt Stanišić Heinrich Heine direkt und indirekt zu Wort kommen. Ganz im Gegensatz zum selbstgefälligen Bildungsprotz [a:Umberto Eco 1730 Umberto Eco https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588941738p2/1730.jpg], der damit seine intellektuelle Dominanz demonstrieren wollte, gelingt es Stanišić mit geradezu spielerischer Leichtigkeit durch Anknüpfen an Erfahrungen und Emotionen eine “tragfähige” (glaubwürdige) Brücke durch die Zeiten zu schlagen und so ist es nur folgerichtig, dass im Rahmen der “Anproben” möglicher Leben auch ein gewisser “Harry Heine” mit dabei ist.Überhaupt gehören die Geschichten um die “Anproben” zu den weiteren Höhepunkten des Buches. Ein paar Allgemeinplätze und geradezu naturgesetzliche Selbstverständlichkeiten...»Früher mit Kinobesuchen, lang ist der letzte her, eine deutsche Komödie, wie hieß die noch, war nicht komisch.«... muß man schon über sich ergehen lassen, und Höhepunkte wie der “multikulturelle Faustdialog” (Herkunft: [b:Herkunft 44429051 Herkunft Saša Stanišić https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552569522l/44429051.SY75.jpg 68990636]) fehlen hier, aber die erzählerische und sprachliche Souveränität des Saša Stanišić suchen auch in diesem Buch in der deutschsprachigen Literatur des 21. Jahrhunderts ihresgleichen.»Dann mach es, mach dieses Einloggen. Ich will, dass du dieses Leben hast und kein anderes.«Fatih seufzt. »Mama, wir hatten und haben dieses Leben. Wir hätten unzählige andere haben können, weil wir unzählige andere Entscheidungen hätten treffen können, aber wir haben – zum Glück – solche getroffen, die dich zu meiner Mutter gemacht haben, und mich zu diesem heute ein bisschen gestressten Typen, der wieder Überstunden schieben wird, um den Fehler im System zu finden. Und der aber darüber total froh ist, weil er wahnsinnig gern Fehler sucht. Das kann nicht verschwinden, wir haben die Vergangenheit hinter uns und auch in uns, Mama.««Für diese neuerliche Bereicherung der deutschen Literatur durch den auch noch ungeheuerlich sympathisch wirkenden Saša Stanišić habe ich nur noch eines übrig: Fünf von fünf Sternen (und zwei feuchte Augen wegen des Schlusses).»Gräßlicher als der Patriotismus mit all seinen Geschwüren sind nicht einmal Zahnschmerzen.«Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Ich erinnere mich noch genau, wie ich Gaston zum ersten Mal durch meinen Bruder kennenlernte, der eine beachtliche Sammlung der Comicbände besaß. Diese szenischen und oft anarchischen Abenteuer waren eine willkommene Abwechslung zu den eher konventionellen Geschichten, die meine Eltern bevorzugten. Als ich also “[b:Der ganze Gaston 25447961 Der ganze Gaston André Franquin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677811802l/25447961.SY75.jpg 45212750]” von [a:André Franquin 261269 André Franquin https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1266299031p2/261269.jpg] in die Hände bekam, fühlte es sich an wie eine Reise zurück in diese Zeit.Gaston, diese chaotische, liebenswerte Figur, hat nichts an seinem Charme und geradezu unglaublichem Unterhaltungswert eingebüßt. Er bleibt der unorganisierte Erfinder und “Schlaffi” mit dem Herz am rechten Fleck, der ständig im Zentrum von Turbulenzen steht (die er zudem zumeist selbst verursacht hat). In vielen Momenten treibt Gaston seine Kolleg_innen, allen voran anfangs den völlig überforderten Redakteur Fantasio, später dann den beförderten Demel, in den Wahnsinn.Auch wenn Gastons Abenteuer oftmals in unvorhersehbaren Katastrophen münden, prägt ihn eine bemerkenswerte Kreativität und Innovationsfreude. Wie könnte ich die legendären „Eierkuchen à la Zeppelin” vergessen? Gastons Unschuld und sein Drang zu helfen, auch wenn er oft mehr Schaden als Gutes anrichtet, machen ihn so menschlich und liebenswürdig. Dies umso mehr, als seine Erfindungen nie bösartig (manchmal allerdings überaus schelmisch!) sind, sondern immer ein Zeichen seines unbeirrbaren Optimismus und seines Glaubens daran, die Welt zu verbessern.André Franquin verfolgt mit Gaston einen überaus menschlichen Ansatz mit viel anarchischem Humor, aber auch einer breiten Palette an Ideen - bis hin zu seinen auf den jeweiligen Strip abgestimmten Signaturen.“Gaston” war der Comic, den Franquin auch noch fortsetzte, als er den Comic “Spirou” aus Gründen seiner Depression abgeben musste. Gaston war für Franquin so wichtig, dass er verfügte, Gaston dürfe nach seinem Tod nicht fortgeführt werden. (Leider hat seine Tochter dies im Rahmen eines Vergleichs mit dem Verlag Dupuis aufgehoben.) Der Inbegriff der chaotischen (und trotzdem gewissermaßen systematischen) Kreativität, der Faulheit und Bequemlichkeit, seiner Erfindungsgabe und nicht zuletzt unerschütterlicher Tierliebe Gastons ist jedoch jenes zumindest für mich legendäre (und höchst erstrebenswerte!) Bild, das zudem gleichzeitig die Einstellung seiner Kolleg_innen zu Gaston beinahe perfekt widerspiegelt...Die vorliegende Sammlung umfasst nunmehr endlich alle jemals erschienenen Gaston-Strips in fünf Bänden auf 1200 denkwürdigen Seiten, die ich über die letzten Tage nach vielen Jahren “Abstinenz” im Sinne des Erwerbs höherer Weisheit rezipiert habe... ;-)Einzig weniger interessant in dieser Ausgabe fand ich die in jedem Band am Ende anzutreffenden Abschnitte “Auf den Spuren von Gaston”. Sie enthalten viel Text zur Entstehungsgeschichte, der bestimmt reizvoll und großartig ist, für mich aber nur den Fluss der rasanten Geschichten unterbricht. Doch die ebenfalls darin enthaltenen historischen Skizzen und Illustrationen sind ein wunderschöner Zusatz, der das Werk abrundet.Insgesamt ist “Der ganze Gaston” eine wunderbare Zeitkapsel voll (anarchischem) Humor und Wärme. Der zeit- und verschleißlose Charme Franquins einmaligen Werks hat die Jahrzehnte (erfunden bereits 1957!) tadellos überstanden und auf den rassistischen Charakter einer einzigen spezifischen Darstellung wird explizit hingewiesen und dieser eingeordnet. Außerdem war André Franquin auch als Comic-Zeichner immer engagiert - mit Greenpeace gegen den Walfang (Band 5, Seite 88) oder mit Amnesty International für die Menschenrechte (Band 5, Seite 151) und viele mehr.Wie also könnte ich diesem grandiosen Meisterwerk weniger als fünf von fünf Sternen verleihen? Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Ich muss gestehen, dass “[b:Der geheimnisvolle Stern 15764351 Der geheimnisvolle Stern (Tim und Struppi, #10) Hergé https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1342946442l/15764351.SX50.jpg 173095]” für mich einer der langweiligeren Bände in [a:Hergés 2802356 Hergé https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1595847562p2/2802356.jpg] Tim-und-Struppi-Reihe ist. Die Geschichte beginnt mit Tims Entdeckung eines neuen, bedrohlichen Sterns, der scheinbar die Zerstörung der Erde bedeutet. Diese Katastrophe bleibt jedoch aus, und das drohende Unheil reduziert sich auf ein großes Bruchstück, das ins Polarmeer stürzt. Hergé versucht, mit einem Wettrennen zwischen einer von einer Bank finanzierten Expedition und Tim, der für die Europäische Forschungsgemeinschaft antritt, die Spannung aufrechtzuerhalten. Leider bleibt die Handlung relativ flach und repetitiv. Der Lichtblick des Bandes ist jedoch der erste Auftritt des grundsätzlich (hier allerdings weniger) unterhaltsamen Kapitän Haddocks, der in zukünftigen Abenteuern eine wichtige Rolle spielen wird.Auch für diesen Band ist es wichtig, die historischen Hintergründe zu kennen: Das Album erschien 1942 nach bereits zweijähriger Besetzung Belgiens durch Nazi-Deutschland. Hergé blieb davon nicht unbeeinflusst: Im Original heißt der dort amerikanische Bankier “Blumenstein” und ist unverkennbar antisemitisch dargestellt. In späteren Ausgaben wurde daraus “Bohlwinkel” aus dem fiktiven “Sao Rico” - die Darstellung blieb unverändert...Alles in allem: Ein unterdurchschnittlicher Band, der aber zumindest mit einigen netten Ideen (z. B. explodierende Riesenpilze) aufwarten kann. Sollte der Verlag jemals eine Neuauflage in Betracht ziehen, würde ich mir ein erklärendes Vorwort wünschen, um jüngeren Lesern die nötige historische Einbettung zu geben.Drei von fünf Sternen - trotz besonderer Sympathien mit Struppi...Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“[b:Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone 60879779 Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham, #1) Benjamin Stevenson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663127884l/60879779.SY75.jpg 94183542]” by [a:Benjamin Stevenson 18206333 Benjamin Stevenson https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] is a novel that, much like an overwrought comedian who never quite finds his audience, fails to strike the right chord with me. It promises a thrilling blend of mystery and dark humour but ultimately falls flat in both realms.From the outset, Stevenson's attempts to break the fourth wall are incessant and intrusive. The protagonist, Ernest, a novelist writing his own story, constantly reminds us of his authorial presence. This technique, rather than being clever or engaging, becomes a regular source of annoyance. For instance, at one point, he states:»I'll hold it here to mention that I know some authors are incapable of having a woman throw up without it being a clue to a pregnancy. These same authors seem to think nausea is the only indication of childbearing, not to mention their belief that vomit shoots out the woman's mouth within hours of plot-convenient fertilization. By some authors, I mean male ones. Far be it from me to tell you which clues to pay close attention to, but Sofia's not pregnant, okay? She's allowed to throw up of her own volition.«The author tries too hard to be funny, and the humour rarely lands. Ernest's self-aware commentary and sardonic wit are overplayed and fail to elicit the intended amusement.The book's primary claim to fame is its meta-narrative approach — a novelist writing his tale while being a character within it — but this ends up being a double-edged sword. While it might appeal to those who enjoy a postmodern twist, it did not work for me at all. The narrative remains disappointingly flat, with frequent self-reflections that add little to the story's depth or allure. Ernest's humour, rather than endearing, feels forced and sleazy, like a jaded comedian overstaying his welcome at the microphone.»I have to be aware that you're aware I'm writing this all down, is what I'm trying to say.«Stevenson's style largely fails to capture the spirit of the classic “Golden Age of Mystery” stories he so evidently seeks to emulate. The mystery itself drags aimlessly, with the plot unravelling at a snail's pace. One of the most telling examples of this tedious pacing can be found in the way crucial revelations are handled: The “big reveal” scene in the library of all places significantly lacks the flair of great detectives like Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes. Instead, it feels anticlimactic, leaving me yearning for the sharp wit and keen intellect of those classic sleuths.The second half of the book does pick up somewhat in terms of plot movement, but by then, the damage has been done. The long-winded setup means that what should be thrilling climactic moments feel disjointed and lacklustre. Even the most intriguing parts of the mystery fail to compensate for the overall tedium.Ultimately, I found the novel's attempt to blend humour and mystery underwhelming. The story lacks the urgency and tension that make a great mystery compelling, and the humour comes across as lacklustre rather than engaging. As much as this novel tried to wrap itself in the veneer of old-world charm and intellectual wit, it ultimately felt lazy and unconvincing. I'll be returning to more engaging and less self-indulgent reads. Two out of five stars. Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

A funny story, literally, was promised but what I actually got was a(nother) luke-warm novel by the [a:Emily Henry 13905555 Emily Henry https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1573928938p2/13905555.jpg] of “[b:Beach Read 52867387 Beach Read Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387.SX50.jpg 67832247]” or “[b:Book Lovers 58690308 Book Lovers Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638867089l/58690308.SY75.jpg 92341790]” which were similarly uninspired.After having read “[b:Happy Place 61718053 Happy Place Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660145160l/61718053.SY75.jpg 97321939]” and “[b:People We Meet on Vacation 54985743 People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618913179l/54985743.SX50.jpg 67832306]” before, I approached this one with a sense of anticipation, although perhaps with a slight hint of trepidation, given the mixed experiences I've had with her writing.“[b:Funny Story's 194802722 Funny Story Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691777485l/194802722.SY75.jpg 196167481]” plot is not without its merits; there are moments of genuine wit and insight that had me smiling in recognition. However, I found the overall experience to be somewhat lacking in substance.The characters are a mixed bag: They're not unlikable, by any means, but they lack the depth and complexity that would make them truly compelling. Their interactions are often predictable, and their motivations often feel muddled and unclear. This is particularly true of the main character (whose name I've already forgotten), whose internal struggles and conflicting emotions are a central focus of the story.The plot itself is engaging enough, although it does suffer from some pacing issues. There are moments when the story drags, and others where it feels rushed and overwhelmed. This inconsistency made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative.Henry's writing style is, as always, pleasant and easy to read. Her prose is clear and concise, and she has a knack for creating vivid, evocative images. However, her writing often feels surface-level, lacking subtlety and nuance.In comparison to Henry's previous works, “Funny Story” falls somewhere in the middle. It's not as strong as “People We Meet on Vacation”, which I found to be a compelling exploration of home, love and friendship, but it's not as disappointing as “Beach Read”, which felt like a missed opportunity. It's a solid, if unremarkable, addition to her oeuvre.In conclusion, “Funny Story” is a decent read, but not more. It's a shame, actually, as there are moments of genuine brilliance in this novel, moments that hint at the potential that Henry has as a writer. It's a perfectly fine way to pass the time, but it's not a book that will linger in your memory long after you've turned the final page.Three out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

After the delight that “[b:Angels Flight 32502 Angels Flight (Harry Bosch, #6; Harry Bosch Universe, #8) Michael Connelly https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440615586l/32502.SY75.jpg 2449470]” was, I was eager to delve into [a:Michael Connelly's 12470 Michael Connelly https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1539114448p2/12470.jpg] “[b:City of Bones 84777 City of Bones (Harry Bosch, #8; Harry Bosch Universe, #11) Michael Connelly https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441057369l/84777.SY75.jpg 1128039]”, the eighth instalment in the Harry Bosch series. Although it did not quite live up to the intensely riveting and thrilling standards set by some of its predecessors, it still proved to be a very enjoyable read.»The point is, this doctor says it was just a kid, Harry. So could you humor us and go check out this humerus?”«From the onset, Connelly's writing style was as engaging as ever; as a result, the story was well-paced, providing a steady flow of intrigue and suspense that kept me turning the pages. However, I did find certain sections to be a bit lagging, lacking the heart-pounding intensity that I've come to expect from a Bosch novel.»Bosch almost laughed.“The department doesn't care about it. The department cares about the image, not the truth. And when the truth endangers the image, then fuck the truth.”“Well, I care, Harry. And so do you.”Bosch looked down at the card and nodded and put it in his pocket.“Okay, I'll call you.”«Harry remains a compelling character. Connelly continues to explore Bosch's complex personality, delving into his psychological makeup and personal life, which adds depth to the narrative. Bosch's unyielding determination and relentless pursuit of justice are admirable, making him a true master of his craft. However, I found his character development in this book to be somewhat stagnant compared to earlier instalments.»Don't go existential on me, Harry. The important thing is that it means something to you. And if it means something to you, then it is important to do what you can.«The supporting characters were well-developed and added colour to the story. Connelly does a fantastic job of creating multi-dimensional characters that feel real and authentic. However, some of the secondary characters felt underutilised, and I would have liked to see them play a more significant role in the plot, e. g. Julia whose storyline felt unfinished... »“By the way, I'm Julia Brasher. I'm new in the division.”- “Harry Bosch.”“I know. I've heard of you.”- “I deny everything.”«Ultimately, if you're a fan of the Harry Bosch series, this book is definitely worth a read. If you're new to Bosch, consider “[b:Angels Flight 32502 Angels Flight (Harry Bosch, #6; Harry Bosch Universe, #8) Michael Connelly https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440615586l/32502.SY75.jpg 2449470]” instead.Four stars out of five.»“Somebody once told me that life was the pursuit of one thing. Redemption. The search for redemption.”“For what?”“For everything. Anything. We all want to be forgiven.”Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Let's get this review started with the best aspect of this novella: It's short! And that's a mercy because it tries to put a romance story into a post-apocalyptic world - and neither of these ideas actually works.The entire story felt forced, probably due to the length of this novella: the story never had a chance to develop and I feel very strongly that romance and apocalypse don't really fit well together. Especially not when the author, who “has been writing romance novels since she was twelve years old”, never progressed beyond that age writing-wise: Our heroine, Faith, shows her maturity by gratuitous use of the word “fuck”. All over the place.I don't mind vulgarity, but if it's just introduced for its real or perceived “shock value”, it quickly becomes annoying. Especially if, as is the case here, the writing is on an extremely “plain” level. Simple sentences, driving the mediocre story forward without any linguistic or semantic appeal - there are no redeeming qualities to the writing.Jackson, Faith's love interest, is a stereotypical grumpy, brooding young man without any other discernible character traits. He's basically just around to have sex with Faith. The resulting sex scenes are supposed to be steamy, but feel rather mechanical and sterile. There's lust but no passion. Nevertheless, after some sex and one kiss, they're in a relationship. Just like that. Oops.The apocalyptic parts are also rather bland. We're just being told about the death of billions and how devastated Earth now is but there's nothing to show for it. I know teenagers who have absorbed lots of “Walking Dead”, who, as a result, can evoke images of a devastated world more convincingly.When I started writing this review, I was going to award three stars. Two paragraphs earlier, I was down to two stars, and now this turd actually gets the one star out of five it deserves. Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

While I'm writing this, it's the 4th of May 2024. It still feels weird to live in a world without Paul Auster in it. When I went to bed on the 30th of April, he was still there. On the morning of the 1st of May, when I opened the New York Times app on my phone, a black-and-white picture of Paul Auster gave it away. I had known he was fighting cancer but I thought he had time... Time for more novels - after all, his novels have been present in my life for decades, most of my life. Auster's novels were never easy to read but they were worth the effort. Why am I prefacing a review of “[b:Angels Flight 32502 Angels Flight (Harry Bosch, #6; Harry Bosch Universe, #8) Michael Connelly https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440615586l/32502.SY75.jpg 2449470]” with that? First and foremost, I'm writing these reviews for myself. They add to my enjoyment of the novel discussed and they also serve as a reminder of them, and who I was when I read them. Of course, I'm also writing them for you, dear reader, and I love it when you like them (so, hit that button right now, what are you waiting for?) but that's a bonus.When looking for my next read, I first reached for a novel by Auster but I quickly realised, in my state of mind, I couldn't enjoy it. So I decided to continue my Harry Bosch binge-reading and that turned out to be an excellent idea because it put me into a reading frenzy!This time, Harry is called in to investigate the murder of a hotshot civil rights lawyer who was suing the LAPD for extreme police brutality against his client. Harry quickly discovers that the lawyer was right and his client completely innocent. Harry's own colleagues, though, among them his former partner and old friend, Frankie Sheehan, as well as his nemesis, John Chastain of the Internal Affairs Division (IAD), feature prominently among the cast of this absolute page turner.»[Bosch] “What? What am I doing?”[Chastain] “You're thinning us out. That way you have better control.”He waited for Bosch to reply but only got silence.“But eventually, if we're going to do this thing right, you are going to have to trust us.”After a pause, Bosch said, “I know that.”«Teamed up with Chastain and his entourage at first, later joined by Roy Lindell of the FBI (and the previous novel), Bosch is the same old “hard-boiled” detective he always was, but - also as always - with a spin. Bosch is still willing to learn and to adapt. He's alienated by computers at best but in contrast to many of his colleagues, he's not only willing to learn but he's not shy to ask for help:»Rider came around the desk and looked down at the printout.“It's a web page.”“Right. So how do we get to it and take a look?”“Let me get in there.”«(Kizmin Rider is a female colleague of Harry's.)Sadly, as good as the novel is in almost every aspect, the author's fledgling grasp of the then-emerging web technology is embarrassingly rendered. What Connelly writes about web pages, cookies, and other stuff is probably the worst technobabble I've ever read. Highly annoying if one knows better but good enough for everyone else.As usual, Connelly's other writing is smooth and wonderfully readable. The story itself is very engaging and represents a clear step-up from the previous novel, easily becoming one of the most suspenseful Bosch novels so far.Unfortunately, the ending came unexpectedly quickly: The story was fully wrapped-up but the way it ends is satisfying in its consequences, but it feels rushed with chances to redeem a major character lost, and a few threads not loose, but at least not neatly tied up as in every other Bosch novel so far. Nevertheless, I read till I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and - very uncharacteristically for me - I started reading again almost immediately after waking up without even checking in on my computer.A clear winner that garners 4.5 stars out of five from me, rounded up to five.P.S.: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6eG0lyAgR-/Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

DNF. It's definitely me, not you, book!

»“Still the same old Bosch. Your way or the highway.”«In this instalment, Bosch is back from his involuntary leave and investigates a case of the eponymous “trunk music” - a murdered man in the trunk of his own car. Bosch himself is pretty much as he always was but around him, things changed: His lieutenant, Pounds, is on another kind of involuntary and permanent “leave” and was replaced by Grace Billets.Bosch: »I'd heard that you didn't have any actual time on a homicide table while you were coming up,” he said to her.Billets: “That's true. My only job as an actual detective was working sexual crimes in Valley Bureau.”Bosch: “Well, for what it's worth, I would have assigned things just the way you just did.”Billets: “But did it annoy you that I did it instead of you?”Bosch thought a moment.Bosch: “I'll get over it.”«I liked this exchange - which is indicative of their entire relationship in this book - because, yes, he's still “same old Bosch”: Direct, confrontational, but honest, and willing to move beyond his prejudice.Billets recognises the old-fashioned cop and is equally direct, sparing him no challenges. She also stands up for him repeatedly. I very quickly took to Billets and greatly enjoyed her character. »“It's Bosch.”“Well, the Michelangelo of murder, the Rodin of homicide.”«Alas, not everything is as good as usual: There's a major twist after more than two thirds of the novel that the reader long sees coming. I was impatient with Bosch and colleagues to realise it and that somewhat marred my enjoyment.Nevertheless, the writing is still very good and there are some very suspenseful parts of the narration. I also enjoyed the reappearance of Eleanor Wish and “that one stop” in Vegas...3.5 stars out of five, rounded up to 4 stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

From [a:Sartre 1466 Jean-Paul Sartre https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475567078p2/1466.jpg] to [a:Connelly 12470 Michael Connelly https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1539114448p2/12470.jpg]: Last year, at a meeting, a colleague told me she had found my website and mentioned how diverse my reading was. I guess she was right. (Hi, Barbara!)I came from an exhausting read and needed something to just plain enjoy, to read-wallow in, and to indulge in - and “[b:The Last Coyote 49353 The Last Coyote (Harry Bosch, #4) Michael Connelly https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1170358620l/49353.SY75.jpg 449477]” was pretty much the perfect book for that.Harry, on leave for attacking his superior, Pounds, makes it his mission to finally solve his mother's murder. Most of the people from back then, the 60s, are dead and/or unwilling to talk. The rest are still among the high-and-mighty and Bosch doesn't play nice with the latter kind of person.Harry also attends mandatory counselling sessions with a therapist. I really liked this part of the narration on many levels: In 1997, getting professional help and allowing others to help was still not entirely normalised. Maybe not quite stigmatised anymore, people, especially men, wouldn't (in general) talk about such topics openly.Not only is this therapy positively depicted here, but the old stigma is addressed in constructive ways. It also gives us more of Bosch's personal background, which I immensely enjoyed because Bosch is a complex character. »“These stories, Harry,” she finally said, “these stories that you tell are heartbreaking in their own way. It makes me see the boy who became the man. It makes me see the depth of the hole left by your mother's death. You know, you would have a lot to blame her for and no one would blame you for doing it.”«He's gloriously imperfect and broken but instead of simply going into denial which is Harry's first instinctive reaction, he opens up. He makes the decision to work on himself and it showed.I really liked the psychologist as well: A very down-to-earth person who takes Harry very seriously and who is very transparent for him as well. »You're not understanding what I'm saying. I don't want any guilty person to get away, especially with murder. But what I am talking about here is you. You are my only concern here.«During his investigation, Harry meets a woman, of course, in whom he finds both a lover and his match...»“Something tells me it's a good story.” “What's that?”“Whatever it is you're doing. If you ever feel like telling it, the number's in the paper. But you already know that.” Bosch nodded. He was speechless. He stepped through the door and closed it behind him.«I grinned broadly over their interactions as I liked pretty much everything about those two.»“You want to come home with me, Bosch?”Now he hesitated. Not because there was any deliberation in his answer. But he wanted her to have the chance to withdraw it in case she had spoken too quickly. After a moment of silence from her he smiled and nodded.“Yes, I would like that.”«Of course, Bosch is Bosch and, thus, not everything is as consensual as the previous quotation implies...»IN THE MORNING Bosch awoke first. He took a shower and borrowed Jasmine's toothbrush without asking.«(YIKES!)As always, this novel was wonderfully written: very smooth, readable, intelligent prose that is greatly structured in every possible way. I became so immersed in the story, I didn't even get to think “just one more page!”. I just read on, ignoring everything else.The mystery itself is thrilling and engaging but for me at least, it's the characters who really make or break a story, not just the twists (which are there and done well!) or the suspense (definitely there!). Everything in this novel “just works” extremely well. Within and without its genre, it stands tall and proud among its bookish siblings. Five stars out of five.»There was one story after the traffic report that caught his attention. An octopus on display at a city aquarium in San Pedro had apparently killed itself by pulling a water circulation tube out of its tank fitting with one of its tentacles. The tank emptied and the octopus died. Environmental groups were calling it suicide, a desperate protest by the octopus against its captivity. Only in L.A., Bosch thought as he turned the radio off. A place so desperate even the marine life was killing itself.«Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

(Please note that Sartre consistently speaks of “man”. Ironically, [a:Simone de Beauvoir's 5548 Simone de Beauvoir https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1555042345p2/5548.jpg] partner of 51 years is unable or unwilling to include women in his language at least. Nevertheless, the essence of his will includes any gender.)»Man is nothing other than his own project. He exists only to the extent that he realizes himself, therefore he is nothing more than the sum of his actions, nothing more than his life.”«“[b:Existentialism is a Humanism 51985 Existentialism is a Humanism Jean-Paul Sartre https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328870158l/51985.SY75.jpg 2376452]” is originally a lecture by [a:Jean-Paul Sartre 1466 Jean-Paul Sartre https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475567078p2/1466.jpg], first delivered in 1945, aimed to clarify misunderstandings about existentialism. He adeptly defends the philosophy against critiques of it promoting despair, amorality, and nihilism. The book is built on the existentialist premise that “existence precedes essence”.Or, in Sartre's own words:»We mean that man first exists: he materializes in the world, encounters himself, and only afterward defines himself. If man as existentialists conceive of him cannot be defined, it is because to begin with he is nothing. He will not be anything until later, and then he will be what he makes of himself. Thus, there is no human nature since there is no God to conceive of it. Man is not only that which he conceives himself to be, but that which he wills himself to be, and since he conceives of himself only after he exists, just as he wills himself to be after being thrown into existence, man is nothing other than what he makes of himself. This is the first principle of existentialism.«I've long wanted to read about existentialism since what little grasp of it I had (and still only have) appealed to me and interested me. (For those who are in the same position as I found myself, in a nutshell: Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasises individual freedom, choice, and existence, asserting that individuals are responsible for giving meaning to their lives through their actions and decisions. It contends that people must navigate the absurdities of life without reliance on predetermined norms, thereby creating their own values and defining their own essence. Thus: existence precedes essence)What makes this work particularly interesting is how Sartre uncomplicates (in very non-uncomplicated words and ideas, though) the existentialist stance that individuals are entirely responsible for their own actions. This notion initially appears daunting – suggesting isolation in our freedom and decisions. Yet, as Sartre explains, it is incredibly empowering. It posits that we are the architects of our own values and the authors of our lives. His assertion that “man is condemned to be free” resonated deeply with me, underscoring the weight of personal responsibility that accompanies our freedom.»man is free and there is no human nature in which I can place my trust.«And, yet, that freedom is not without reason: Sartre illustrates how our personal choices ripple across humanity, arguing that in choosing for ourselves, we also choose for all mankind. »What is more, to say that we invent values means neither more nor less than this: life has no meaning a priori. Life itself is nothing until it is lived, it is we who give it meaning, and value is nothing more than the meaning that we give it. You can see, then, that it is possible to create a human community.«“Existentialism Is a Humanism” also delves into the subject of despair, which Sartre describes as the acknowledgment that we rely only on ourselves and our will for action. This was an eye-opener to the liberating potential within existentialism, as it encourages one to act without hope – encouraging a direct confrontation with reality.»“No hope is necessary to undertake anything.”«The eloquence and intellectual clarity of Sartre's prose are undeniable. I, with little understanding of existentialism, found this book taxing to read. It's well-written, presents great ideas and dispels misunderstandings and accusations, and is thought-provoking. It does feel like a lecture, though, and it's not something one would read for pleasure.I think I will move on to Sartre's “[b:Nausea 298275 Nausea Jean-Paul Sartre https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377674928l/298275.SY75.jpg 1319935]” and, sooner or later, to his “[b:Being and Nothingness 10033 Being and Nothingness Jean-Paul Sartre https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329978583l/10033.SX50.jpg 973089]”.I don't feel “qualified” to star-rate this book but would recommend reading it to anyone with an open mind.»Existentialism is not so much an atheism in the sense that it would exhaust itself attempting to demonstrate the nonexistence of God; rather, it affirms that even if God were to exist, it would make no difference—that is our point of view. It is not that we believe that God exists, but we think that the real problem is not one of his existence; what man needs is to rediscover himself and to comprehend that nothing can save him from himself, not even valid proof of the existence of God. In this sense, existentialism is optimistic. It is a doctrine of action, and it is only in bad faith—in confusing their own despair with ours—that Christians are able to assert that we are “without hope.”«Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Isabel Allende - I've been in love with her work since I first encountered her “[b:House of the Spirits 9328 The House of the Spirits Isabel Allende https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1621672028l/9328.SY75.jpg 3374404]” decades ago. I still feel its echoes in my soul.At a mere 5414 words, this is the shortest story of hers I've read but it is quintessential Allende: Charming, magical, life-affirming, and just plain fun!Go on and read it - if you're an Amazon Prime subscriber, you get it for free. Everyone else gets it for a fair EUR 1,99.Five stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Die Protagonistin dieses Romans hat einen “Bullshit-Job”, lese ich im Klappentext und so mancher Rezension. Welcher Job das genau ist, bleibt allerdings unklar, denn die Protagonistin, die gleichzeitig Erzählerin ihrer eigenen Geschichte ist, bleibt vage, weitgehend desinteressiert und ihre Glaubwürdigkeit überaus fragwürdig.Obschon sie mit Ende 20 nicht mehr ganz jung ist, ist ihre wichtigste und intimste Beziehung diejenige zu “ihrem” Drucker in ihrem Büro. Mit ihm spricht sie permanent und so ausdauernd, dass es selbst ihren Kolleg_innen im Büro auffällt. Sie schmiegt sich auch gern mal an ihn, putzt und streichelt ihn... »Ich setze mich neben meinen Drucker. Das Gerät steht auf dem Tisch, an dem ich arbeite. Es ist ein typischer Büroapparat, eine sperrige und würfelförmige Maschine. Ich schmiege meine Wange an seine rechte Seite. Glatter, beruhigender Kunststoff. Er steht auf Stand-by. Meine Energie wird von dem Gerät absorbiert, die elektrischen Signale meines Nervensystems werden von ihm verstanden.«Und, na klar, dieser Wunder-Drucker, der übrigens Hobby-Philosoph ist (“rhythmische Arbeit [ist] hochgradig spirituell”), versteht sie auch noch und nennt sie seine “Partnerin” - denn der Drucker kommt im dritten von vier Kapiteln allen Ernstes zu Wort... Dabei stellt sich dann auch noch heraus, dass dieser Drucker auch noch allwissend und allgegenwärtig ist:»Ich spüre, wenn ein Tiefdruckgebiet im Anzug ist, ich erkenne Musik und Schallwellen, ich weiß, wann ein Mensch glücklich ist und wann nicht.«Als wäre dieser Bullshit nicht schon übel genug, so versucht die Protagonistin, ihren Kolleg_innen nach Möglichkeit auszuweichen, sie zu ignorieren. Während die Protagonistin ordentlich behandelt und mit Namen angesprochen wird, nennt sie ihre Mitarbeitenden nach deren jeweiligen Rollen im Unternehmen - Marketing, PR, HR, etc.Wann immer jemand auch nur mit ihr sprechen möchte, fasst sie das als Affront und Kampfansage auf...»Soll das ein Test sein? Ist das seine Rache dafür, dass ich die Zustellung des Pakets nicht gut überwacht habe? Es muss Rache sein. Der Kampf hat begonnen.«... und das liegt nicht am vermeintlichen “Bullshit-Job”, sondern - so meine Interpretation - an ihrer psychischen Gesundheit. Denn unsere Protagonistin will auch gar nicht anders - sie möchte “nur sein”. »Ich sehe mich nirgends in zehn Jahren, ich habe keine Zukunftsträume, ich habe kein Ziel außer der Wiedervereinigung mit meinem Gerät. Ich möchte mich nicht verbessern. Ich möchte nur sein.«Die bloße Existenz, so meint sie, müsse doch wohl reichen. Mit der realen Welt konfrontiert, nimmt sie üblicherweise schlicht reißaus - sei es, nach ihrer Freistellung, vor dem “blauen Zettel” an ihrer Tür (dessen Inhalt auch nie aufgeklärt wird) oder auch das Büro einer Zeitarbeitsfirma.Durch Auslassung verschweigt uns die Protagonistin zudem soviel, dass ich ihr kein Wort glaube und den Wert ihrer Erzählung, ja, den Wert dieses merkwürdigen Debüts in Frage stelle - alles bleibt vage, offen, undefiniert und Veldman, die Autorin, ergeht sich in banaler Schein-Kritik, zu deren Substantiierung sie nicht in der Lage scheint.Dafür wimmelt es geradezu von kruden Theorien... »Auch wenn der Baum zu Stücken, Schnipseln, Zellstoff reduziert wird, steckt irgendwo noch der Geist des Baumes im einzelnen Blatt Papier.«... und daher-fabulierten Selbst-Diagnosen...»Ich bin übrigens die einzige Mitarbeiterin, die freigestellt wurde, dabei bin ich nicht die einzige mit Burn-out.«Grotesk, dümmlich, prätentiös und aufgeblasen wie Luftballon - so ist dieser Roman, den ich nunmehr genussvoll durch Löschung zum Platzen bringe.Ein Stern von fünf.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Oh, wow. This was... bad, really bad. I expected this to be fantasy while in fact this is a young-adult novel that feels like it was written by a teenager.Kissen (I'm sorry but as a German, I'm having a hard time with this name...), our queer, one-legged hero, goes on an adventure with a former knight, childhood friend of the king, a spoilt brat, Inara, from a noble house - a house that was literally burned down, including Inara's beloved servants, and mother. Inara also has a pest problem, manifesting as a god (of white lies).Among that lies naive romance, attempted-coming-of-age, fantasy-lite and a looooong journey that drags and drags and... You get the gist. The writing is also mediocre at best and, even worse, errors abound: »Kissen wasn't going to let him stupid that easily.«Thankfully, that was the most aggravating mistake but, still, a disgrace.I'm abandoning this at 70% to later slumber on my Kissen.One star out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

This was a very easy read: Science Fiction just done, not lengthily discussed or even dissected but a fun ride of merely 10.000 words.Elegant prose, witty dry humour and a fragment of a story that I would have been interested in reading a full-length novel about.Five stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

There's really not much to say about this beyond the fitting blurb. It's a nice little story of little consequence and length. If you like the author's other works, you will neither regret reading this one nor missing out on it. Three stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

After two extremely bad novels, I needed a winner to overcome a severe reading slump - and this one served very well. Amusingly, the one genre I never used to read - romance - led me straight back to reading.Noelle, going on 30, has lost her beloved grandmother Kathleen, her job and her flat; the latter, adding insult to injury, leading to her moving back into her childhood bedroom at her parents'... At that point, still deeply grieving, Noelle finds out that Kathleen had a great love before her eventual husband. Her curiosity piqued and in continuation of an old secret-trading game Noelle and granny played, she finds Paul, her grandmother's old lover, and his grandson - her college “nemesis” Theo.Theo has become a hotshot entrepreneur, a Forbes' 30 Under 30 - you get the gist. There's something rotten in the state of Denmark, though... Together, our three protagonists go on a roadtrip to the core of their respective relationships.This is the basic story and, of course, Noelle and Theo fall for each other in a enemies/rivals-to-lovers situation. What made me basically plough through this novel over the course of two days was the sensitivity with which all three protagonists are portrayed: Scarce are the “cheap shots” and yet “You” exudes an atmosphere of kind, sensible and sensitive lightness without being without substance.The banter between Noelle and Theo is entertaining and funny and their more serious interactions feel heartfelt and honest. Throughout the entire novel, the story and its protagonists never leave the realm of plausibility.Both Theo and Noelle have serious issues in their lives but Noelle slowly opens up to Theo and their mutual trust grows while they get to know each other again. There's attraction early on but no “instant love” but personal growth in vibrantly and lively depicted environments.There's also no third-act breakup: Yes, there's a conflict but it arises completely naturally and believably. It's also dealt with by the author in a very sensible and sensitive manner - I could very much relate to Theo's unfortunate behaviour and in the 25th year of our marriage (haha, C.!) I'm very happy to have found a person who acted (and still sometimes has to act) just like Noelle does at a certain point.Paul is also a well-used asset and I really think the overarching backstory of his relationship with Kathleen really added to the mix. I really, really liked the epilogue as well. A brilliant and very fitting idea that I've actually never read before.Even among its countless siblings in the romance genre, “You” stands strong and tall.The missing fifth star is due to some choices of the author I don't fully approve of but which only marginally diminished my enthusiastic reading of a very nice, charming, and refreshing romance novel.Thus, very easy, very deserved four stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam