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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated The Blessing Way (Leaphorn & Chee, #1) in Books
Nov 22, 2023
Interesting Debut
Anthropology professor Bergen McKee is going to spend the summer on the Navajo Reservation working on his book on witches in the Navajo culture. That means reconnecting with his college friend Joe Leaphorn, who is a Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant. Leaphorn is trying to track down a young man who is hiding on the reservation, and he uses taking McKee around to try to learn the man’s location. Then the young man turns up dead miles from here Leaphorn thought he was. Meanwhile, McKee finds danger he never imagined while conducting his research. Is everything connected?
I’d been interested in starting this series for a while, and I’m glad I finally did. It took a bit to get fully immersed in the book, especially since it didn’t unfold like I thought it would. McKee is more of the main character and the better developed of the two, although I did like Leaphorn and want to learn more about him. The plot also seemed a little disjointed at first, although it came into focus before too much time had passed. Once I did get invested, I was truly hooked with plenty of suspense to keep me interested. I enjoyed learning a bit more about Navajo culture. While definitely a cross between a police procedural and a thriller, it still doesn’t have much of the content I would associate with the genres. The book came out in 1970, so keep that in mind when you go to start it. I’m glad I finally started the series, and I’m looking forward to getting to know Leaphorn better as the series goes along.
I’d been interested in starting this series for a while, and I’m glad I finally did. It took a bit to get fully immersed in the book, especially since it didn’t unfold like I thought it would. McKee is more of the main character and the better developed of the two, although I did like Leaphorn and want to learn more about him. The plot also seemed a little disjointed at first, although it came into focus before too much time had passed. Once I did get invested, I was truly hooked with plenty of suspense to keep me interested. I enjoyed learning a bit more about Navajo culture. While definitely a cross between a police procedural and a thriller, it still doesn’t have much of the content I would associate with the genres. The book came out in 1970, so keep that in mind when you go to start it. I’m glad I finally started the series, and I’m looking forward to getting to know Leaphorn better as the series goes along.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses (2015) in Movies
Oct 25, 2017 (Updated Oct 25, 2017)
How mass hysteria and inverted cultural beliefs become fatal
Once more, Netflix has showcased another harrowing documentary, this time set in New Zealand.
In the heart of Maori culture, lies the belief of Makatu, a curse or demon, that can allegedly be 'exorcised'. A poor young mother, Janet Moses, who either had mental health issues or was seemingly depressed, was confronted by her large family attempting to help her. Unfortunately their misguided deeply held beliefs included holding her down and plying water into her for days on end in a bid to rid her of a demon. And while they believed they they were assisting her, she eventually died after five days.
And of course a court case ensued about culpability. A truly terrible instance of dogmatic beliefs, cabin fever, and hysteria.
In the heart of Maori culture, lies the belief of Makatu, a curse or demon, that can allegedly be 'exorcised'. A poor young mother, Janet Moses, who either had mental health issues or was seemingly depressed, was confronted by her large family attempting to help her. Unfortunately their misguided deeply held beliefs included holding her down and plying water into her for days on end in a bid to rid her of a demon. And while they believed they they were assisting her, she eventually died after five days.
And of course a court case ensued about culpability. A truly terrible instance of dogmatic beliefs, cabin fever, and hysteria.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Come In and Cover Me in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This book tells the story of Ren an archeologist who can see ghosts. Her first experience is with her older brother who was killed in a car accident when she was 12. It carries over into her work in the field years later when she sees a young, Native American girl chopping off her hair in a creek. Lynay as the ghost comes to be known leads Ren to various discoveries, both about herself & ancient culture.
The story had absolutely no action to it. It was well written, but I unfortunately found myself getting bored with at multiple points in the plot. The summaries I read prior to reading the book sounded good... an interesting idea, intriguing characters, but the execution was poor. Not worth the time really.
The story had absolutely no action to it. It was well written, but I unfortunately found myself getting bored with at multiple points in the plot. The summaries I read prior to reading the book sounded good... an interesting idea, intriguing characters, but the execution was poor. Not worth the time really.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2018)
Top-tier Marvel superhero movie is essentially diversity wish-fulfilment, revealing the existence of a secret sci-fi African kingdom with technology from Star Wars and soundtrack from The Lion King, but disguises this supremely well with solid script, first class action, and charismatic performances.
New king (and part-time superhero) must come to the throne, cope with parental issues, deal with old enemy and malevolent would-be usurper. Contains some very interesting and subversive ideas about culture and colonialism; doesn't overdo this, of course. Chadwick Boseman radiates nobility and cool as BP, Andy Serkis has too much fun as ridiculously evil villain Klaw, nice support from Martin Freeman as token white sidekick/comic relief (nice to see a bit of diversity in the casting, guys). Marvel continue to do very little wrong.
New king (and part-time superhero) must come to the throne, cope with parental issues, deal with old enemy and malevolent would-be usurper. Contains some very interesting and subversive ideas about culture and colonialism; doesn't overdo this, of course. Chadwick Boseman radiates nobility and cool as BP, Andy Serkis has too much fun as ridiculously evil villain Klaw, nice support from Martin Freeman as token white sidekick/comic relief (nice to see a bit of diversity in the casting, guys). Marvel continue to do very little wrong.
Flynn (6 KP) rated Uhura's Song in Books
Sep 18, 2018
I've noticed there aren't many places where feline characters have background and depth in the Star Trek universe, but this book did a wonderful job of giving insight into a different culture. There was quite a lot of detail in the body language cues of the Sivoans; I especially enjoyed the fact that their tails were the main outlet of most emotions. I've also enjoyed when Uhura has her moments, when she is vital to the plot as in this book and [b:The Tears of the Singers|1560530|The Tears of the Singers|Melinda M. Snodgrass|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1185232470s/1560530.jpg|1553068] because of her voice. I also thoroughly enjoyed the character Tail-Kinker to-Ennien, for who doesn't enjoy that character that constantly baffles and confuses Spock?
Dominique Marie (7 KP) rated The Hunger Games in Books
Nov 28, 2018
So, here is what I thought. This was a very entertaining story. I think that the romance was too contrived. It is a young adult fiction, so I sort of expect that, but it doesn't mean that I should expect that. Collins could have done a better job on that. Also, I was hoping for a bit more development in certain areas, and a more "in your face" to the Capitol ending, but there are two more books, so I'm sure that will come later. The writing could have been more polished as well. Other than that, I really enjoyed it. It has themes of redemption, loyalty, and forgiveness, and being set in a culture of death, I think that this book is very relevant to today's society.
David McK (3377 KP) rated The Last of Us Remastered in Video Games
Feb 13, 2020
I must be one of the few people who hadn't actually played this the first time around (in the PS3 era): truth be told, I've never really got the pop culture love for Zombies.
However, I knew it was by the team behind the Uncharted games, and so picked it up when it was part of the PSN free games package, and thought I would give it a whirl. Now I've finished it, I have to say: I still prefer the Uncharted games.
Detailing the trials and travails of pottie-mouthed Ellie and Joel in a post-apocalyptic (pandemic?) world, there's no denying the skill and attention to detail put into the plot"; it's just a pity I found the game to be very 'samey' after a while.
However, I knew it was by the team behind the Uncharted games, and so picked it up when it was part of the PSN free games package, and thought I would give it a whirl. Now I've finished it, I have to say: I still prefer the Uncharted games.
Detailing the trials and travails of pottie-mouthed Ellie and Joel in a post-apocalyptic (pandemic?) world, there's no denying the skill and attention to detail put into the plot"; it's just a pity I found the game to be very 'samey' after a while.
Treasures of Bob Dylan
Book
Treasures of Bob Dylan tells the story of one of counter culture's biggest heroes, as never before....