Daily Archives: May 14, 2007
Protected: Fiction(al philosophy): “The End of Mr. Y” by Scarlett Thomas
Fantasy: “Wizard’s First Rule” by Terry Goodkind
Book 1 of the Sword of Truth series that I earlier read Book 10 of (doh!). Also the debut novel by the author.
Really like some of the characters, but felt some, Richard in particular, were a bit stiff at the beginning. Having read Book 10 already, I think it’s stiffness on the part of a first-time author, and he will loosen up as the series goes on.
Loved learning more about the Mord-Sith (awesome!) Samuel creeps me out and totally reminds me of Golom or whatever his name is in lord of the rings (precious! my precious!). Looking forward to more.
A testimony for doubt…
by one who is proven wrong in other aspects in the end. So is he wrong about this?
Faith is a device of self-delusion, a sleight of hand done with words and emotions founded on any irrational notion that can be dreamed up. Faith is the attempt to coerce truth to surrender to whim. In simple terms, it is trying to breathe life into a lie by trying to outshine reality with the beauty of wishes. Faith is the refuge of fools, the ignorant, and the deluded, not of thinking, rational men.
–“Chainfire” by Terry Goodkind
Fantasy: “Chainfire” by Terry Goodkind
You’ve got to love how I am always picking up series mid-way (or more than mid-) through. But I swear to you, I bought this in the airport, and there was NOTHING on it to indicate that it was…Book TEN of a series (and Book 1 of a within-series trilogy). Um Hello Publishers, thanks a bunch!
However, due to a wicked spell, everyone but Richard has completely forgotten Kahlan’s existence…so not having read any of the previous books really put me right in the same boat with most of the characters! Lots of great magic and spells, and vast expanses going on here. Warriors and fighting and mysteries and betrayals. Wow!
Loved this and it’s been awhile since I found a new fantasy series to get involved in. Time to get Book 1 and find out who these people really are.
Boys will be boys.
Wright kept talking. “For me [Stephen] King is Emily Dickinson with balls, Emily Dickinson if she got the hell out of her house and lived in the real world.”
Horowitz leaned toward Adi. “I think the philosophers of old got it wrong. The big question in life is not how much pain and suffering can we endure, but how much happiness can we bear. That’s the real existential question for post-industrial, agnostic man. Things are going to get better for us. How many cruises can you take in retirement? How many all-you-can-eat buffets can you visit? These are the real issues facing us!”
–both from “Death of a Writer” by Michael Collins.
Fiction: “Death of a Writer” by Michael Collins
Bought because I enjoyed an earlier book of his, “The Keepers of Truth.”
As to this one: A novel set in academia, involving a lost manuscript, an unsolved murder, suicide, jealousy, ambition, and the lack of it. A side story with the lead detective’s messed up life.
I thought the beginning with Pendleton was dragging on a bit…but once he became incapacitated things really took off. The backstory on the detective however seemed dragged in a bit. Eventually it found its place, but I was never sure it was really necessary that it be there.