The Hole

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I recently visited an exhibit on Kafka at the Morgan library in NYC. It was there I determined that I didn’t really care much for his work or most of its derivatives.

The hole falls in line with this tradition, finding absurdity in the mundane and leading the reader to question occurrences that have no answer. There are interesting themes involving losing one’s self to changing circumstances—hinted at frequently by the oft-referenced cicadas and extreme deviations to weather patterns.

The titular hole that drew me in, its unnamed inhabitant, and the mysteries of those living in our narrator’s rural neighborhood had no explanation. That left me wanting.

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a year ago

The Hole

Wrote a review for

I recently visited an exhibit on Kafka at the Morgan library in NYC. It was there I determined that I didn’t really care much for its work and many of its derivatives.

The hole falls in line with this tradition, finding absurdity in the mundane and leading the reader to question occurrences that have no answer. There are interesting themes involving losing one’s self to changing circumstances—hinted at frequently by the oft-referenced cicadas and extreme deviations to weather patterns.

The titular hole that drew me in, its unnamed inhabitant, and the mysteries of those living in our narrator’s rural neighborhood had no explanation. That left me wanting.

Read full review

a year ago

All Systems Red

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It seems to me that the trick to a successful novella is making up for time with personality. Murderbot’s quirks align closely enough to my own neurodivergences that I can look past this book’s shortcomings.

In many ways the first half of All Systems Red feels like a paraphrasing of a book. So much is glossed over or taken as read. Things start to click after everyone involved is on the same page. Even with just a few dozen pages left to go, I found myself tripping on awkward sentences that would have benefited from more words and different punctuation.

This was a funny read in such close proximity to Becky Chambers’ Monk + Robot duology. Brief reads about quirky robots trying to find ways to help humans while also prioritizing their own interests.

I think I can visualize how this show would play out enough that I’m not convinced I’ll watch it. At least not until I finish the next installment.

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a year ago

Dune

Added to listOwnedwith 68 books.

Dune
Concrete Inspection: A Family Story Where a Mother is Looking for Something and Finds It
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Martian
The Wings of Merlin
The Mirror of Merlin
The Fires of Merlin
All Systems Red

Wrote a review for

It seems to me that the trick to a successful novella is making up for time with personality. Murderbot’s quirks align close enough to my own neurodivergences that I’m fond enough of them to forgive this book’s shortcomings.

In many ways the first half of All Systems Red feels like a paraphrasing of a book. So much is glossed over or taken as read. Things start to click after everyone involved is on the same page. Even with just a few dozen pages left to go, I found myself tripping on awkward sentences that would have benefited from more words and different punctuation.

This was a funny read in such close proximity to Becky Chambers’ Monk + Robot duology. Brief reads about quirky robots trying to find ways to help humans while also prioritizing their own interests.

I think I can visualize how this show would play out enough that I’m not convinced I’ll watch it. At least not until I finish the next installment.

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a year ago

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

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I wasn’t immediately sold on Psalm for the Wild-Built but grew to really appreciate it for what it is—a thoughtful meditation on consciousness, purpose, and the meaning of things.

I can tell that Becky Chambers put a lot of thought into questioning the tropes that accompany most stories in settings like these. Resulting are scattered subversions of convention that give me pause to think deeper about the limitations science fiction applies to droids or how much reality we obscure in mundane things to make them more “welcoming” to a reader looking to escape.

And I suppose that’s what sets this book apart. As short as it is, it’s chock-full of reminders about life outside of it. It’s sweet, funny, and instructive. Moderately challenging to start but, once our protagonists meet, it’s a wildly engrossing read.

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a year ago

The Well of Ascension

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I found some of this written with a heavy-hand. Particularly Vin’s insecurities, some of the romantic intrigue, and everything said by Zane. I also started picking up on some of Sanderson’s writing crutches—most notably during long stretches of political discussion and strategy.

The word “frowned” is used 147 times in this book.

Otherwise, another great read. I ripped through this one so fast! Storytelling from the point of view of more characters was a good choice. I felt closer to some of Kelsier’s crew as a result, allowing certain actions to hit harder than they would have otherwise

The final act felt too short for the journey leading up to it, but even in its brevity… *mwuah*. Stunning. What’s left beyond the epilogue is an air full of questions that has me anxious to continue.

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a year ago