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House of Chains

Steven Erikson

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Book

In Northern Genabackis, just before the events recounted in GARDENS OF THE MOON, a raiding party of...

The Counsel of the Cunning (Roger Viceroy #2)

Steven C. Harms

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Book

Author of Give Place to Wrath—Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Finalist & American Book Fest...

Mystery

Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Vox in Books

Dec 13, 2018

Vox

Christina Dalcher | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller

8.8

(13 Ratings)

Book Rating

Thought provoking

There are many words that come to mind at the close of this book alongside a host of emotions. For one, I feel both unsettled and angry. This is a profound and scary read with a potential realism that should make any woman or man, for that matter, look over their political shoulder. I am a political animal so this book took my worries about misogyny and ran them to worse-case scenario.

Imagine a world where a misogynistic man is voted into power in the US (hold on, that sounds familiar) and over a relatively short period of time women are silenced. That is all I am going to say to the context of the story because it makes great, chilling reading.

The heroine, Dr Jean McClellan, a neurolinguist finds herself at home, running the house and so damn angry. Angry at her husband, her son and most of all at the powers that be. It is an utterly fascinating tale, somewhat imperfect at wrap-up but nonetheless absorbing. The parallel story of Jean's son, Steven was one of the most powerful elements of this story for me about how impressionable children/young people could potentially be brainwashed. I really liked where this particular element ended up.

There are some strong male characters in the book, some good, some bad and some weak but trying to be better. I appreciated the mixture and it felt real.

So, if you want to be challenged, if you like a story that mirrors contemporary times and moves it on fantastically, then this might be a read for you. In the meantime, I'll be creating a new genre over here called dystopian-realism.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Kudos

Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) in Movies

Nov 18, 2019

A True Classic

Not that we don’t already know what E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is about but: A young boy finds himself in trouble with special agents when he befriends a stranded alien.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 10

Characters: 10

Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Steven Spielberg does a wonderful job with achieving more with less. He doesn’t shoot for break-your-neck special effects, rather he gives it to you in glimpses. We see the lights from E.T.’s spaceship, but we only see the actual spaceship flying for a second or two. E.T.’s ability to make things take flight is never overdone and always used in necessary circumstances. Outside of the special effects, there are a number of touches here and there, again small nuances, that make this film great. One of my favorites occurs when E.T. sees a kid in Yoda costume and starts following him.

Conflict: 10

Entertainment Value: 10

Memorability: 10
These scenes have been recounted and retold in a number of different ways. This movie set the precedent on how we see and interact with life outside of Earth. The relationship between Elliott and E.T. is unforgettable.

Pace: 10
Spielberg is a true master of storytelling as he aces pacing yet again. There are no dull moments and the few lulls are there for a reason. Exposition and character development are handled within the context of the moving story itself as it should be.

Plot: 10

Resolution: 10

Overall: 100
I had someone tell me once that not only was E.T. not that great, but it was pretty terrible in retrospect. My reply: What crack are you smoking? This movie is not only great, but it’s one of the all-time greats. Believe it.