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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated As I Lay Dying in Books
Oct 25, 2017 (Updated Oct 25, 2017)
A timeless American classic
This is a classic among American literature - as with most of William Faulkner's novels, it can be hard work at times, but it is tragic, darkly funny and full of compelling characters.
It begins with the death and burial of Addie Bundren, the matriarch of the family. Members of the family narrate the story of carting the coffin to Jefferson, Mississippi, to bury her among her relatives. And as the intense desires, fears and rivalries of the family are revealed in the vernacular of the Deep South, Faulkner presents a portrait of extraordinary power.
The narrative, told from each character's perspective, yet often about the same event, left the reader to interpret the underlying motive or conflict of feelings within the Bundren family. It is intriguing but requires careful reading of the dense prose.
It begins with the death and burial of Addie Bundren, the matriarch of the family. Members of the family narrate the story of carting the coffin to Jefferson, Mississippi, to bury her among her relatives. And as the intense desires, fears and rivalries of the family are revealed in the vernacular of the Deep South, Faulkner presents a portrait of extraordinary power.
The narrative, told from each character's perspective, yet often about the same event, left the reader to interpret the underlying motive or conflict of feelings within the Bundren family. It is intriguing but requires careful reading of the dense prose.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress, #4) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book throws some new twists into the series with the introduction of Gregor, Cat's almost-first husband, whom has been conveniently erased from her memory by Mencheres. Mind-boggling, I know. This book kind of revived the series for me, as it answered a few questions and finally forced Cat to make a monumental decision about her future. It's hard for me not to say that I loved everything about this book, but it comes pretty darn close. I especially liked Vlad's role in this as Cat's platonic support system, despite how it ticks off Bones. Of course, the big lesson for the book is how important communication is - if Cat and Bones had just bothered to talk to each other, much of the conflict could have been avoided. I'm all ready to read the next book, This Side of the Grave.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Viking Queen (1967) in Movies
Mar 1, 2018 (Updated Mar 2, 2018)
Wildly historically inaccurate, wholly absurd Hammer exploitation movie based on the events of the Iceni revolt led by Boudicca in 1st-century Britain. Roman governor (American) falls unconvincingly for Briton queen (Finnish); their imminent marriage promises to be bad for the business of the local merchants and their corrupt ally, a Roman general (Scottish), so a conflict is provoked, leading to rebellion...
Problems are mostly with the script, which appears to be only vaguely familiar with the concept of historical research, although a lot of the acting and staging is also pretty poor. Some usually reliable actors (Andrew Keir, Patrick Troughton) do the best they can with the material they're given. Probably best viewed as a high-camp piece of unintentional comedy. The widely-circulated story that one of the Roman actors can be seen wearing a wristwatch appears to be apocryphal.
Problems are mostly with the script, which appears to be only vaguely familiar with the concept of historical research, although a lot of the acting and staging is also pretty poor. Some usually reliable actors (Andrew Keir, Patrick Troughton) do the best they can with the material they're given. Probably best viewed as a high-camp piece of unintentional comedy. The widely-circulated story that one of the Roman actors can be seen wearing a wristwatch appears to be apocryphal.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Trek: Discovery - Season 1 in TV
Feb 16, 2018 (Updated Feb 16, 2018)
Not as we have known it
Knockabout SF action series that's strong on bonkers pulp fiction ideas - mushroom-powered star drives, evil duplicates, 'species reassignment surgery', and so on - but less impressive when it comes to narrative cohesion or actually resembling anything previously released under the Star Trek banner.
Theses could and probably have been written about the myriad ways in which Discovery cheerfully ignores or rewrites continuity from previous series and movies; a more serious problem is the generally dark tone, emphasis on military conflict, and absence of humanistic optimism. Effects are okay; Doug Jones is the best thing in it as peril-averse first officer, though pushed hard by Jason Isaacs as loose-cannon captain of the ship. Not actively bad on its own terms, I expect, but very disappointing as an actual piece of Star Trek.
Theses could and probably have been written about the myriad ways in which Discovery cheerfully ignores or rewrites continuity from previous series and movies; a more serious problem is the generally dark tone, emphasis on military conflict, and absence of humanistic optimism. Effects are okay; Doug Jones is the best thing in it as peril-averse first officer, though pushed hard by Jason Isaacs as loose-cannon captain of the ship. Not actively bad on its own terms, I expect, but very disappointing as an actual piece of Star Trek.
Dominique Marie (7 KP) rated The Karamazov Brothers in Books
Nov 28, 2018
Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2017
Category: Russian Classic
This book took me a little while to get into, but once I got through the first few chapters, I was hooked! This is a long, philosophically dense book, but do not let that deter you. It is anything, but boring, and it will make you think. The main conflict in the novel is Faith vs Doubt. The characters are so dynamic that I believed they were real people. Definitely take your time reading this one. I read it in two months, and there is so much to it that I want to read it again. I think I will read a different translation every time. I actually regret that I can't read it in Russian. I would love to experience this novel in it's original glory.
Category: Russian Classic
This book took me a little while to get into, but once I got through the first few chapters, I was hooked! This is a long, philosophically dense book, but do not let that deter you. It is anything, but boring, and it will make you think. The main conflict in the novel is Faith vs Doubt. The characters are so dynamic that I believed they were real people. Definitely take your time reading this one. I read it in two months, and there is so much to it that I want to read it again. I think I will read a different translation every time. I actually regret that I can't read it in Russian. I would love to experience this novel in it's original glory.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Brightburn (2019) in Movies
Jul 8, 2019
What if Superman was evil?
Being born and raised a diehard Superman fan, this trailer piqued my interest. It's a worn premise: What if Superman was evil instead of good? The answered has intrigued storytellers, comic writers, and moviegoers for years. And I feel that this movie answers it well. The best part of the film is that it doesn't shy away from the gruesome violence and gore that would ensue when one with these powers decided to use them for evil. Each member of the main family plays their role well, their internal conflict over the happenings constantly evident on their faces. Also, a great job of setting up an ending you expect and then delivering a shocking finale. Wouldn't mind seeing more into this alternate universe.
Children's Voices of the Second World War: Doodlebugs, Gas Masks & Gum
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Throughout the six years of conflict which began on 3 September 1939, military manoeuvres, bombs and...
Confederate Cavalryman vs Union Cavalryman: Eastern Theater, 1861-65
Book
During the intense, sprawling conflict that was the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate...
Political and Legal Perspectives of the EU Eastern Partnership Policy: 2016
Tanel Kerikmae and Archil Chocia
Book
This book examines EU Eastern Partnership taking into account geopolitical challenges of EU...
The Screwtape Letters: Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil
8.4
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Book
A milestone in the history of popular theology, 'The Screwtape Letters' is an iconic classic on...