What a great idea for a book. This novel turns the tables on ideas of exploration and colonialism by imagining that the Inca Empire sailed to Europe dWhat a great idea for a book. This novel turns the tables on ideas of exploration and colonialism by imagining that the Inca Empire sailed to Europe during the tumultuous 16th century and took over a "new world." Told in the form of sagas, chronicles and letters, it follows the Emperor Atahualpa as he uses religious and political turmoil to gain power over most of Europe.
I enjoyed the first parts of this book. The final part, which imagines Miguel de Cervantes' travels through this changed Europe, was much less engaging to me. ...more
I started watching the HBO series and after one episode realized that I needed to do some homework. Luckily, this compendium was instantly available tI started watching the HBO series and after one episode realized that I needed to do some homework. Luckily, this compendium was instantly available through my public library's Hoopla service.
So now I know (sort of) what's going on. And I'm really enjoying the show, so I'll probably keep watching it. But I just can't figure out why this story has such a grip on everyone's imagination and why this series ends up on so many best-books-of-the-20th-century lists.
I'm sure it's me and not the material itself. Something I know about myself is that I don't read graphic novels easily. I come at them from a very defensive position to start with, not trusting myself to truly "get" what the author and/or artists are trying to convey with the mix of words and images. Sometimes I do, but more often than not, I don't. In this case, I found the artwork super distracting.
I did like how the comic-within-the-comic had the old school Ben-Day dots (I learned something!) -- that was a nice touch. But I found that whole two-things-going-on-at-the-same-time thing distracting. I'm sure it had some connection with the main story, but I just felt like I was being pulled in and out of the story. And there were points where I felt the authors thought, "hey - this would be a cool thing to draw and for the readers to see" (I'm talking to you, Dr. Manhattan's flying Martian palace). But is a flying palace necessary for someone who can just go wherever he wants? Why? Sooooo many panels taken up with this thing. And the way Sally Jupiter was drawn kept reminding me of Aunt Fritzi from the Nancy comic strip. There was something about every character that made me not like them and it was a real chore to drum up sympathy and care about any of them.
Also noted: for having so many (marginal and undeveloped) LGBT characters, there sure was a lot of homophobic language tossed around. Ah, the 80s.
I just couldn't stop asking myself questions like this, and it took me out of the story too often. I'm glad I read it, but I can't say I liked it. Maybe it will grow on me? ...more
**spoiler alert** The horrors of the Republic of Gilead and the heroes that arise from it have captured my imagination since I read The Handmaid's Tal**spoiler alert** The horrors of the Republic of Gilead and the heroes that arise from it have captured my imagination since I read The Handmaid's Tale right after it came out. I've loved the Hulu series. Somehow, I never clued in that Margaret Atwood was working on this sequel, and by the time I was aware of it, I was 172nd in line at my public library for a copy. My number finally came up last week! And despite a crazy week with my evenings completely full, I devoured this. So, so good!
The three different narrators worked for me -- I enjoyed hearing the story from their different voices. I always kind of figured that Aunt Lydia was biding her time and not really with the program. I'm grateful that Atwood made her a kind of hero, her thankfulness for never having learned to knit notwithstanding.
As a reader, I kind of wished that things hadn't wrapped up so quickly. There was so much build-up, and once the final plan was hatched, it seemed to go by so quickly. Also, although there was a brief mention of Commander Fred and Serena, I kind of wanted to know more about what happened to them. Probably best avoided, though, since their story has taken a dramatic turn on the show.
I liked the ending of the original book that involved an academic conference where the handmaid's tale was presented, and happily Atwood ended this one similarly. The tone of the presentation is so spot on. And it highlights how ephemeral information and history can be, with the details melting away almost immediately.
Thank you, Margaret Atwood - -it was worth the wait!
I was talking with friends about favorite science fiction / fantasy / alternative history books and I mentioned the Alchemy Wars series by Ian TregillI was talking with friends about favorite science fiction / fantasy / alternative history books and I mentioned the Alchemy Wars series by Ian Tregillis. And then I realized that I had never read the third book! So I got an e-book copy from the local public library right away.
This is really quite a feat of imagination. As with a lot of series of this type, as the plot thickens and progresses, it can be harder to keep track of what's going on. And I didn't to myself any favors by waiting five years to finish out the series. But I caught up quickly and really enjoyed it.
This series is so hard to describe. It's alternate history meets espionage meets steampunk (but not the stupid kind). Lots of action and not a little violence. It would make a great series, I think.
This book is so good, but so hard to describe. I just love Jo Walton's writing, but this so different.
It starts out describing the final years of actThis book is so good, but so hard to describe. I just love Jo Walton's writing, but this so different.
It starts out describing the final years of actual historical figure Girolamo Savonarola, Florentine priest and instigator of the famous Bonfire of the Vanities. In this book, he can see and banish demons. During one such house call at a convent, he discovers something that ultimately changes the way he thinks about himself and the world. Arghhh. I can't really go into this without getting really spoilery.
The book is filled with late medieval and early Renaissance ideas about theology, humanism and what it means to be, well, human. It's a slow burn at first. But toward the middle of the book, things get really weird. It's about religion without really being about religion. It's more about mindsets, and how they shift.
This was very different from other books by Walton that I've ready, but I still really enjoyed it. I also appreciated the way the used the chapter titles -- very clever....more
Every bit as good as the first one in the series. Except darker and creepier. I keep thinking how well this series would translate to either a graphicEvery bit as good as the first one in the series. Except darker and creepier. I keep thinking how well this series would translate to either a graphic novel series or even to film. Really good story telling -- and a fun exploration of alternative history, what it means to be human, and the concept of free will. Plus robots. What's not to love?
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