Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Red Lotus in Books
May 28, 2020
This is a timely novel and rather scary, as it dips into medical research--particularly rats--and the plague. There's something slightly uncomfortable about reading about the spread of mass disease during a pandemic. It was, however, fascinating, too. Bohjalian tells his story from a variety of points of view--Alexis; Austin and his acquaintance Douglas; investigators in Vietnam who work Austin's case; a private investigator named Ken whom Alexis hires and more. Somehow it all works, with the careful unfolding of facts. We learn about Austin's real reason for being in Vietnam and it all builds up to a dangerous crescendo.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. Bohjalian has a way of embodying his characters, and I particularly loved Ken, the crusty yet kind P.I. The story was quite interesting; oddly well-timed; and the ending especially horrifying. Definitely worth a read. 4 stars.
Lessons in Disaster
Book
'I had a part in a great failure. I made mistakes of perception, recommendation and execution. If I...
Taxi Driver (1976)
8.5
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An unstable Vietnam veteran named Travis Bickle works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City....
Neo-noir Psychological thriller Vigilante
This is a fascinating look at the shadow war in Laos, staged by the CIA, during the Vietnam War. It's an extremely interesting history of the how that war came to be, some of the main people involved in that war, and the rise of the CIA as an organization conducting paramilitary operations, not just spy missions. It also relates the political intrigues of the time, and the fate of Hmong who fought for Laos, and with and for America.
I learned a lot about the history of the conflict itself, and the characters on both sides of the war. This war which has been hidden in the shadows, and the author has given the people involved a chance to have their deeds, or misdeeds aired in the light of day. As with most of the little wars that occurred during the Cold War period, there is a lot of political manoeuvring which occurs in the background.
The Red Lotus
9.0
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Book
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Midwives and The Flight Attendant comes a twisting...
Andy K (10821 KP) rated More American Graffiti (1979) in Movies
Dec 23, 2018
Instead of cruising having a good time with your friends before you are off to college, the main characters deal with issues like the Vietnam war, protests and the peace movement.
The music is still great and there is a very funny cameo scene; however, it is not enough to save this film which just gets the tone completely wrong.
Perfect Little Stitches and Other Stories
10.0
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Book
A collection of twenty-one dark fantasy and horror stories by Deborah Sheldon. Mysterious....
Horror Short Stories Deborah Australian
Kevin Phillipson (10021 KP) rated JFK (1991) in Movies
Nov 29, 2021
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The Republic of Rock: Music and Citizenship in the Sixties Counterculture
Book
In his 1967 megahit "San Francisco," Scott McKenzie sang of "people in motion" coming from all...