Mark
Stark black and white photographs of residences, commercial interests, and government buildings tell a fascinating and evolving story of post-war but pre "Cool Britannia" London's architecture. Like it or not these buildings are part of that story and this book documents many to great effect. This book also matters because these buildings are at risk of destruction because of disuse, decay, and at times, absolute hostility.
Frank and emotionally honest story of a man who has become one grand old men of our age, but it has been a circuitous route and it is clear that he has had unlearn so many of his early survival skills and overcome many a childhood trauma to become what we know now, a man who so much more than his past. There is real depth to this man and I am glad to have read this.
Setting: Gas giant in space, after humans destroyed earth. University town.
Language: a bit formal and the use of some obscure words, mostly to have fun so not too hard.
Story: It is a cozy yes, but it has murder and a bit of mayhem. Also a love story, a good one but it is a bit secondary?
Character: Holmes and Watson but this time, they are women and in love.
Setting: Contemporary England
Language: Straightforward word choices and enjoyable banter.
Characters: Most of the same crew appears with a new addition, Bob.
Story: Aside from the very enjoyable characters this is what you are here for. Drugs, antiques, murder most foul, and then some very poignant discussions of loneliness, aging, and dementia. Really these last three have Osman maybe doing his best writing yet?
Two quotes from Rebecca Solnit's introduction explain this book so well:
1. The love of place can sustain a life, and we usually talk as though it's an unreciprocated love, a one-way street. These essays show why that is wrong. The places love us back in how they steady and sustain us, teach us, shelter us, guide us, feed us... So, in a sense, in learning to love the Earth and particular places in it, we are learning to love back what loved us all along.
2.‘unhurried... an act of resistance to our hurried, harried, distracted era'.
This is an deep dive into how our information world has had, does have, and sadly will mostly continue to have a women shaped gap. Highlighted here are examples from design of transportation, home building, and many more. This goes a long way to explaining why it happened and explains that it would be a fairly easy gap to fill - just start talking to women.
Setting: Written in 1980's and contemporaneous with that period but could by now I guess.
Language: This is translated from the Japanese. I have no way to evaluate the quality of the translation but the language as presented is conversational and supports the quiet nature of the stories.
Art: Generally most of his figures are simply and clearly drawn, even a little crudely at times. Then there are some truly amazing panels where he sets his characters in landscapes and small towns, these are often based upon photos and they really shine. He choses key moments in the stories to place images with great effect.
Characters: A middle aged man disconnected, lazy, and drifting. His wife who is doesn't understand why he won't do what he is best at and make some money (honestly, she is a very relatable character as you might find yourself asking the same question given that these are autobiographical). A child being child. Then a host supporting characters. These are why you are here. Watching them struggle to sort things.
Story: A collection of short stories that are interconnected and collectively tell the main character's story. He is adrift, trying to find way first some money and also meaning. He has had success in the past but is no longer interested in doing what he was so good at. Bored, ennuie? Who knows but these mature stories not teeny bopper tales or action man staff, no just quiet stories about a man adrift. Worth your time.
Story: Son of shepherd talks about life in the Lake District in the North of England. How the landscape informs and roots his life. Also how the romantic notions of this landscape over the last 100 years or so has impacted how the land is viewed/used. Discusses that the usage has shaped the land, how the landscape is in fact not very natural at all, and how life is lived for those who are of the land. Spoiler alert: it is not walking about in one of the most romantic landscapes possible, not at all. Also much discussion of sheep and sheepdogs, their roles and that is very interesting, integral in fact.
Language: Evocative of the places and moods of the Lake District. Some specialized terms are present but are always explained. Enjoyable and adds much.
Setting: The Lake District in the North of England.
Characters: The author, family, the landscape, neighbors, sheep, and sheep dogs. All are very much more than just local color; they are all loved or at least respected, given true depth, and are truly what this book is about.
Strange, eerie tales. Nostalgic maybe but too dreamlike and with some odd psychosexual elements creeping in, the feeling is more dread. This continues Tsuge's growth away from the youth action orientated comics and towards more adult focused themes. Fantastic essay included. This is the first one I had access to but it is in fact #3 in the series and there will be a 4th upcoming. Still a good starting point
Setting: Space somewhere, it doesn't matter.
Language: Basic language, don't remember any made up “future words” that threw me off.
Characters: The main character has some almost magical powers of observation and no filters at this point in his life. A fair of suspension of belief is required for all the other characters as they are mostly stock characters. Wise mentor, enigmatic older man, street wise best friend and so on. They serve the main characters story and don't distract.
Plot: This is part of an origin story of a character from a larger series. As such we get the smart almost a genius (or maybe on the spectrum?) but socially awkward teenager goes down an wayward trail and ends up with a life altering choice story. It is well done example a space fantasy filled with lots of action and mystery elements.