These are my impressions of the book, and not a full review. I won’t give any book a full review unless I read it all. I just can’t bring myself to read every word on every page of this monstrosity.
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Category Archives: Books
Book Review – “Sir Apropos of Nothing”
Peter David has a knack for comedy that comes across very well in this
fantasy satire.
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Anthology aids Harlan Ellison vs AOL lawsuit
The following submission seemed very much like an ad, but after
deliberation, we decided that we’d have reported on it had we
learned of it through regular channels. Here’s the complete
submission, including the phone numbers that might just push it a
bit over the edge. Anonymous Coward writes, 8/20/2003 –
Aardwolf Publishing will soon release “gods 15 minutes” to
benefit Harlan Ellison’s internet piracy lawsuit with AOL. The
anthology features stories by Clifford Meth with artwork by Alex
Toth, Gene Colan, George Perez, Marie Severin, Dave
Cockrum, Joe Sinnott, Herb Trimpe, Gray Morrow, Bill
Messner-Loebs, Dave DeVries, David Boswell, Nelson, Joe St.
Pierre, Ron Wagner, and others. Wrapped in a painted cover by
Mike Kaluta, the book carries story intros by Al Feldsetin, Steve
Gerber, Tony Isabella, Andy Shernoff (lead guitarist/writer of the
legendary punk band The Dictators), Pat DiNizio (lead
singer/writer of The Smithereens), Peppi Marchello (lead
singer/writer of The Good Rats), and the late Robert Bloch.
Theres also an interview with Harlan (“Ellison on Meth”).
Proceeds from “gods 15 minutes” will benefit Harlan Ellisons
KICK Internet Piracy Fund. The limited-edition bookplate is
signed by Ellison, Meth and Kaluta. The price of the book with the
signed bookplate is $23.95.
For more information, visit www.aardwolfpublishing.com or
www.harlanellison.com or phone Jim Reeber at 973-945-4903.
Perdido Street Station
Imagine science and technology came to Middle-Earth. Now imagine that it’s not Middle-Earth, but Bas-Lag, and in place of hobbits, orcs, elves, and ents, you have remade humans, amphibious vodyanoi, desert-born cactacae, and gargoyle-like wyvern. In place of epic heroism, imagine cross-motivated realpolitik. Mix SF, fantasy, steampunk, and urban drama, people the result with psychologically complex (and complexed) characters, and have an extraordinarily gifted writer tell the tale. The book is China Miéville’s Perdido Street Station, the mind-bending predecessor to this year’s Hugo-nominated The Scar.
Book Review – “Shadow Puppets”
Bean and Petra are back for more wacky, political antics.
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Hugo-Nominated Short Stories
Ah, the lonely life of a Bureau42 book reviewer. Lots of people here have watched the relevant shows and movies and are willing to share their views; not so many have read every novel or short story. I’m skipping the standard review system, dividing 42 points among the five Hugo-nominated stories for 2003, and providing links so you can find and read’em. All of the linked sites have reproduced the stories with permission. Enjoy.
Bones of the Earth
“You asshole. This isn’t the way it’s done. You were supposed to write up a report afterwards, and forward it to me the day before….”
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Book Review – “Protector”
Well, my copy of Harry Potter 5 didn’t come on Saturday (even
though I’d paid for Saturday delivery), so I read this instead.
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Book Review: Hominids (Volume One of The Neanderthal Parallax)
“The Neanderthal is sick, and this place has been quarantined by the order of Health Canada.”
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The Scar
Imagine science and technology came to Middle-Earth. Now imagine that it’s not Middle-Earth, but Bas-Lag, and in place of hobbits, orcs, elves, and ents, you have steam-cyborgs, crays, cactacae, and ab-dead. Instead of epic heroism, imagine people so morally murky that Sauron would walk away from the worst of them in disgust. Mix SF, fantasy, steampunk, and traveller’s tale, people the result with psychologically complex (and complexed) characters, and have an extraordinarily gifted writer tell their stories. The book is The Scar by China Mieville, and I suspect it will receive my vote for best novel at this year’s Hugo Awards.