The Domino Men, Jonathan Barnes
At first glance, The Domino Men seems to be yet another of those dark urban fantasy tales set in Victorian London that seem to have become very popular since Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. However, Jonathan Barnes' twisted sensibility keeps it from falling into the abyss of predictability.
Although it is the follow-up to Barnes' previous novel, The Somnambulist, this newest release can stand on its own. It has all the verve and panache of its predecessor. I found it to be both a delirious and compelling read. As far as labeling it within a specific genre, well, that comes a little difficult. I would call it Gothic Urban Satire; an unsettling mix of fantasy and dark comedy.
While reading it, I felt it could have been the collaboration of Poe, Lovecraft and Salvador Dali. As with his previous work, Barnes' writing style is thoroughly enjoyable, very British with its dry wit, impeccable grammar, and impressive vocabulary.
Barnes gives us a unique cast of characters such as a public servant named Henry Lamb, a trio of immortal lawyers, Queen Victoria, Prince Arthur and a set of serial-killer twins who dress as schoolboys and torture people in their basement. Oh, I forgot to mention the giant beast bent on destroying the city.
The book was written as a memoir from our main protagonist as he expects his end is near. There is a sinister occult conspiracy afoot; the result of a deal which Queen Victoria made with some sort of pan-dimensional horror known as the “Leviathan”. A secret government organization, "the Directorate" was formed 150 years ago to combat this threat, and since then, there has been a secret war raging between the Government and the Royal Family. Amidst the evident danger to the general population, we also find ourselves immersed in the nefarious doings of two evil superhuman twins called The Domino Men.
The first half of the book sparkles with tantalizing mysteries, strange, sinister characters who may or may not be the good guys, romance, sudden dangers, droll satire and wonder. The second half is where the reader is thrust into an uncompromisingly chaotic world. The story becomes bleak, pulling together the worst aspects of society since the mid-nineteenth century.
Although the pace does slow down in the middle of the story, I still found this to be a very enjoyable read. I suggest you get a copy and join the weirdness.
Although it is the follow-up to Barnes' previous novel, The Somnambulist, this newest release can stand on its own. It has all the verve and panache of its predecessor. I found it to be both a delirious and compelling read. As far as labeling it within a specific genre, well, that comes a little difficult. I would call it Gothic Urban Satire; an unsettling mix of fantasy and dark comedy.
While reading it, I felt it could have been the collaboration of Poe, Lovecraft and Salvador Dali. As with his previous work, Barnes' writing style is thoroughly enjoyable, very British with its dry wit, impeccable grammar, and impressive vocabulary.
Barnes gives us a unique cast of characters such as a public servant named Henry Lamb, a trio of immortal lawyers, Queen Victoria, Prince Arthur and a set of serial-killer twins who dress as schoolboys and torture people in their basement. Oh, I forgot to mention the giant beast bent on destroying the city.
The book was written as a memoir from our main protagonist as he expects his end is near. There is a sinister occult conspiracy afoot; the result of a deal which Queen Victoria made with some sort of pan-dimensional horror known as the “Leviathan”. A secret government organization, "the Directorate" was formed 150 years ago to combat this threat, and since then, there has been a secret war raging between the Government and the Royal Family. Amidst the evident danger to the general population, we also find ourselves immersed in the nefarious doings of two evil superhuman twins called The Domino Men.
The first half of the book sparkles with tantalizing mysteries, strange, sinister characters who may or may not be the good guys, romance, sudden dangers, droll satire and wonder. The second half is where the reader is thrust into an uncompromisingly chaotic world. The story becomes bleak, pulling together the worst aspects of society since the mid-nineteenth century.
Although the pace does slow down in the middle of the story, I still found this to be a very enjoyable read. I suggest you get a copy and join the weirdness.
Farnham's Freehold, Robert A. Heinlein
Once again, following my affinity for dystopian literature, I found myself with a copy of Robert A. Heinlein's Farnham's Freehold. As far as I know, most of you would have to order a copy online. Why? Because for a while this book was actually out of print due to the controversy surrounding it. At first, the book was considered extremely racist, sexist, profane and anti-Muslim. It has been dubbed by the literary community as "science fiction's most controversial novel". Needless to say, I was both shocked and delighted to when I stumbled upon a copy while perusing a table of used books. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
The book was written in 1964, shortly after Malcom X was killed. The U.S. was in a state of social flux. The Vietnam War was in full bloom, racial tensions were very high and congress just passed the Economic Opportunity Act to fight the "War on Poverty". As most science fiction writers do, Heinlein began writing a story that would mirror what he saw in the world around him.
Heinlein was always a master, in my opinion, of making strange and foreign worlds so vividly real. He doesn't disappoint here. It is the setting and situation that draws you in and keeps you there. I would have to say that the characters themselves are not very likeable. Farnham is a snob who, along with his spoiled, alcoholic wife, spawned three petulant children. The only character I found to have redeeming qualities was their servant, Joseph. That would change at some point, too. Relax, no
spoilers.
Hugh Farnham is a self-made man of aristocracy who believes that an atomic war with Russia in inevitable and who builds a bomb shelter underneath his estate. As you may have guessed, the bomb eventually does drop and all civilization in the northern hemisphere is destroyed. That is, except for Farnham, his family and his loyal and obedient servant, Joseph. They open the shelter doors only to find themselves thrust into a future where a decadent but technologically advanced African culture keeps either uneducated or castrated whites as slaves.
Readers will find themselves in a culture where the African overlords eat their white slaves, raise them like cattle and rape the women. The "N" word is used a few times. Although the use of it always makes me cringe, Heinlein does justice by using the word to point out that there are times when it is necessary to use certain vocabulary in order to accurately mirror societal prejudices. Many find the idea of rape in the story unpalatable as well. I found it to be a brilliant reflection of what many female African-American slaves had to endure from their white slave owners during the 1800's. Considering the book was written in the 1960's, I also felt it was a feministic statement of how women are often only viewed as objects to be desired.
There is a definite anti-Muslim tone to the book as well. This should not be surprising to the reader when they consider that the author wrote this during a time in U.S. culture when Islam was the adopted religion of radical black extremists. Heinlein has made it evident in his other works such as Stranger In A Strange Land that he is tolerant of all religions. However, I do think he chose Islam because of it's connection to African American culture in the 1960's and how that relates to the racial implications of his book.
In the end, what you have is a brilliantly written tale that warns us of the evils of racism, sexism, class warfare and how power corrupts. Along with myself, there are many who have read this to be a treatise on how easy the transition is from racism to reverse racism.
There is a lot to work with here so if you are indeed brave enough, get your hands on a copy, grab a bottle of aspirin and start getting your head wrapped around this book. It is definitely worth it.
The book was written in 1964, shortly after Malcom X was killed. The U.S. was in a state of social flux. The Vietnam War was in full bloom, racial tensions were very high and congress just passed the Economic Opportunity Act to fight the "War on Poverty". As most science fiction writers do, Heinlein began writing a story that would mirror what he saw in the world around him.
Heinlein was always a master, in my opinion, of making strange and foreign worlds so vividly real. He doesn't disappoint here. It is the setting and situation that draws you in and keeps you there. I would have to say that the characters themselves are not very likeable. Farnham is a snob who, along with his spoiled, alcoholic wife, spawned three petulant children. The only character I found to have redeeming qualities was their servant, Joseph. That would change at some point, too. Relax, no
spoilers.
Hugh Farnham is a self-made man of aristocracy who believes that an atomic war with Russia in inevitable and who builds a bomb shelter underneath his estate. As you may have guessed, the bomb eventually does drop and all civilization in the northern hemisphere is destroyed. That is, except for Farnham, his family and his loyal and obedient servant, Joseph. They open the shelter doors only to find themselves thrust into a future where a decadent but technologically advanced African culture keeps either uneducated or castrated whites as slaves.
Readers will find themselves in a culture where the African overlords eat their white slaves, raise them like cattle and rape the women. The "N" word is used a few times. Although the use of it always makes me cringe, Heinlein does justice by using the word to point out that there are times when it is necessary to use certain vocabulary in order to accurately mirror societal prejudices. Many find the idea of rape in the story unpalatable as well. I found it to be a brilliant reflection of what many female African-American slaves had to endure from their white slave owners during the 1800's. Considering the book was written in the 1960's, I also felt it was a feministic statement of how women are often only viewed as objects to be desired.
There is a definite anti-Muslim tone to the book as well. This should not be surprising to the reader when they consider that the author wrote this during a time in U.S. culture when Islam was the adopted religion of radical black extremists. Heinlein has made it evident in his other works such as Stranger In A Strange Land that he is tolerant of all religions. However, I do think he chose Islam because of it's connection to African American culture in the 1960's and how that relates to the racial implications of his book.
In the end, what you have is a brilliantly written tale that warns us of the evils of racism, sexism, class warfare and how power corrupts. Along with myself, there are many who have read this to be a treatise on how easy the transition is from racism to reverse racism.
There is a lot to work with here so if you are indeed brave enough, get your hands on a copy, grab a bottle of aspirin and start getting your head wrapped around this book. It is definitely worth it.
Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
What is left to be said about a book that is already praised as one of the best science-fiction novels of all time? Written in 1985, Ender's Game is a futuristic Earth story of a young boy named...well...Ender. He is a "third" child born into a culture of childbirth limitations still recovering from a massive war between the "buggers" and humans. Children are given implants in the back of their heads so the government can monitor and evaluate intelligence and determine if the child should be pulled from regular society and sent to "Battle School". There, they will spend the rest of their childhood years being trained to defend the Earth if another alien attack should occur.
Due to his high intellect, Ender is chosen by Colonel Graf to leave his family and attend the academy. A curriculum is created specifically for the boy and the instructors push him as far as he can go without mentally and physically falling apart. At the academy, cadets are required to participate in mock battle exercises, or "games", to determine their leadership ability. Because he is the youngest recruit, Ender must face taunting, bullying and beatings almost on a daily basis from the other boys. Nightmares haunt him at night. Anyone who has ever felt alienated by their peers will definitely connect with Ender. Eventually, Ender proves he is well-equipped to face the challenges and attempt to save mankind. But at what price? His sanity? It is not until the very end that we learn exactly what kind of game Ender is playing.
Card's vision of the human mind is limitless, and that our intellect has no bounds. Ender's Game begs the question, "Should government be allowed to exploit an individual for the common good, or should that be the choice of the individual?" There are other philosophical themes to explore such as the correlation (or lack, thereof) between power, maturity and age. It also explores the concept that there are times when, in the right situations, there is more to be learned from inequality then from equality. This book is a must read for any true science fiction fan. I cannot wait for the movie to come out in November, 2013!
Due to his high intellect, Ender is chosen by Colonel Graf to leave his family and attend the academy. A curriculum is created specifically for the boy and the instructors push him as far as he can go without mentally and physically falling apart. At the academy, cadets are required to participate in mock battle exercises, or "games", to determine their leadership ability. Because he is the youngest recruit, Ender must face taunting, bullying and beatings almost on a daily basis from the other boys. Nightmares haunt him at night. Anyone who has ever felt alienated by their peers will definitely connect with Ender. Eventually, Ender proves he is well-equipped to face the challenges and attempt to save mankind. But at what price? His sanity? It is not until the very end that we learn exactly what kind of game Ender is playing.
Card's vision of the human mind is limitless, and that our intellect has no bounds. Ender's Game begs the question, "Should government be allowed to exploit an individual for the common good, or should that be the choice of the individual?" There are other philosophical themes to explore such as the correlation (or lack, thereof) between power, maturity and age. It also explores the concept that there are times when, in the right situations, there is more to be learned from inequality then from equality. This book is a must read for any true science fiction fan. I cannot wait for the movie to come out in November, 2013!
The White Plague, Frank Herbert
As a big fan of Frank Herbert's Dune series, I was equally excited to begin reading The White Plague. As I expected, Herbert delivered a thrilling and very imaginative tale of pandemic terror.
What if women became an endangered species?
The story centers around a molecular biologist visiting Ireland with his wife and children. Sadly, his wife and kids are killed in a random IRA bombing attack. What follows next is a gripping tale of a renegade scientist turning personal loss into global revenge. Our protagonist creates a virus that sterilizes and kills all human females it comes in contact with. His intent is to make everyone else feel his pain. Gruesome indeed.
Needless to say, there is a scramble to protect uninfected women as government, societal structures, religion and morality are irrevocably transformed by the plague. As the plague becomes a global concern, men are literally running to the hills with multiple "wives" in an effort to maintain and re-populate the Earth.
Just like Herbert's Dune novels, The White Plague veers into various philosophical musings such as revenge, self-pity, remorse and a re-examination of gender roles. I would definitely recommend this book to you whether you are a fan of science fiction or not. It is guaranteed to hold your attention through the entire book.
What if women became an endangered species?
The story centers around a molecular biologist visiting Ireland with his wife and children. Sadly, his wife and kids are killed in a random IRA bombing attack. What follows next is a gripping tale of a renegade scientist turning personal loss into global revenge. Our protagonist creates a virus that sterilizes and kills all human females it comes in contact with. His intent is to make everyone else feel his pain. Gruesome indeed.
Needless to say, there is a scramble to protect uninfected women as government, societal structures, religion and morality are irrevocably transformed by the plague. As the plague becomes a global concern, men are literally running to the hills with multiple "wives" in an effort to maintain and re-populate the Earth.
Just like Herbert's Dune novels, The White Plague veers into various philosophical musings such as revenge, self-pity, remorse and a re-examination of gender roles. I would definitely recommend this book to you whether you are a fan of science fiction or not. It is guaranteed to hold your attention through the entire book.
The Invisible Man, H.G. Wells
I will start out by saying you that I've read this book three times now. I've loved it more and more each time I do. Written in 1897, this fantastic novel is a parable of class structure during the Victorian age. It was a time when people acted differently in public settings than they did in private. Image and social stature meant everything. However, that is just scratching the surface. Wells creates a very compelling protagonist for us. Trust me, you will start out sympathizing with this poor unfortunate fellow named Griffin who, from simply miscalculating in his experimentation, has become literally invisible to the rest of the world. As the story progresses you'll move from sympathy to disgust and then eventual loathing of the man.
Considering the fact that it is a tale about an invisible man, Wells uses very strong visuals such a footprints in the snow, a human shaped bubble moving through the London rain and fog and objects seemingly moving by themselves across rooms. For me, the most visual scene was when Griffin explains his experimentation to fellow scientist Kemp. Here is another moment when we feel sorry for Griffin but not long after this conversation, his behavior resorts back to violence, cruelty and terrorizing.
The overwhelming message of the book is how power corrupts and how deeds may become evil when unobserved by the rest of the world. The question that keeps popping up in my mind every time I read this book is "Are people only good because society compels us to be?". Egotism and selfishness are two words that often came to mind as well.
In an age of cyber-bullying, texting and hate email, I found Well's story very relevant to today. The anonymity of the internet has enabled many of us to become "invisible" men and women. What are YOU doing when nobody else can see your face?
Considering the fact that it is a tale about an invisible man, Wells uses very strong visuals such a footprints in the snow, a human shaped bubble moving through the London rain and fog and objects seemingly moving by themselves across rooms. For me, the most visual scene was when Griffin explains his experimentation to fellow scientist Kemp. Here is another moment when we feel sorry for Griffin but not long after this conversation, his behavior resorts back to violence, cruelty and terrorizing.
The overwhelming message of the book is how power corrupts and how deeds may become evil when unobserved by the rest of the world. The question that keeps popping up in my mind every time I read this book is "Are people only good because society compels us to be?". Egotism and selfishness are two words that often came to mind as well.
In an age of cyber-bullying, texting and hate email, I found Well's story very relevant to today. The anonymity of the internet has enabled many of us to become "invisible" men and women. What are YOU doing when nobody else can see your face?
Pieces for the Left Hand, J. Robert Lennon
"A student’s suicide note is not what it seems. A high school football rivalry turns absurd—and deadly. A much-loved cat seems to have been a different animal all along. A pair of identical twins aren’t identical at all—or even related. A man finds his own yellowed birth announcement inside a bureau bought at auction. Set in a small upstate New York town, told in a conversational style, Pieces for the Left Hand is a stream of a hundred anecdotes, none much longer than a page. At once funny, bizarre, familiar, and disturbing, these deceptively straightforward tales nevertheless shock and amaze through uncanny coincidence, tragic misunderstanding, strange occurrence, or sudden insight. Un-posted letters, unexpected visitors, false memories—in J. Robert Lennon’s vision of America, these are the things that decide our fate. Wry and deadpan, powerful and philosophical, these addictive little tales reveal the everyday world as a strange and eerie place." (Back cover)
I found this book very fun to read. I found most of the stories to be extremely witty. I highly recommend this book for those of you who find themselves on the existential side of life.
I found this book very fun to read. I found most of the stories to be extremely witty. I highly recommend this book for those of you who find themselves on the existential side of life.
50 Great Short Stories
Being a lover of short stories and as an inaugural gesture towards my most recent publication, I have chosen 50 GREAT SHORT STORIES as my Book of the Month pick. Edited by world-renowned literary critic, Milton Crane, this book offers its readers a taste of some of the best short stories ever written. Readers are treated to a broad range of genres ranging from the comical The Standard of Living by Dorothy Parker, the creepy tale A Haunted House by Virginia Wolfe, to the morose reflections of an elderly priest in Guy De Maupassant's Looking Back.
Also among the list of contributing writers are Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway, O. Henry, Anton Chekov, William Faulkner and Rudyard Kipling.
I bought my copy several months ago and pick it up from time to time. This is the perfect book for those of you who may not have the time to commit to a novel but still want to read a great story.
Also among the list of contributing writers are Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway, O. Henry, Anton Chekov, William Faulkner and Rudyard Kipling.
I bought my copy several months ago and pick it up from time to time. This is the perfect book for those of you who may not have the time to commit to a novel but still want to read a great story.