Category: Fiction (Page 1 of 2)

Who needs a new start? – The Uncommon Reader

November 29, 2022 /

I am trying to figure out where to start.  I have the feeling that these first entries are going to feel disjointed and unaligned, especially considering my prior content.  Time has passed since I uploaded a post. My life has changed immeasurably, and while that is material, this is not the time to discuss it. I am however sure that I want to restart this project. 

Why have I not written in over a year? Let’s approach this from a purely emotional or mental health perspective. Mired is the best descriptor I can use. Progress has been deliberate, but slow. My actions feel weighted. I  am getting by, but I can only focus on certain things: my wife, my daughter, and our family.

To say I had forgotten about this blog would be a lie.  I receive emails constantly reminding me that I have not uploaded or that a broken link needs fixing. Those messages have gone ignored.  I could also say that I could not find the time or that life was too busy.  This would also be difficult to justify with the amount of time I spent endlessly binging streaming services or scrolling TikToks. I have done very little that would be considered traditionally productive, other than the things necessary to maintain family and household. That needed to change. 

I started reading The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett last night. Did I purposefully and artfully choose this title due to its plot and relatability? Did I want to examine a satire on the monarchy? Had something suddenly spurred an interest in Bennett?  Nope. It was less than 100 pages, and I was feeling particularly unmotivated. I needed dessert, not dinner. 

After scarcely reading anything for the past year, the humor caught me by surprise.  I forgot how much I could enjoy the medium. I was pleased with the play between duty and pleasure while laughing aloud at the absurdity of the entire scenario. While I cannot relate to a monarch meaningfully, I found myself rooting for her.  But I also felt something more meaningful behind the playfulness.  What is this incessant urge to catch up? What are we catching up to?  More importantly, can we ever?  Maybe I am thinking too seriously, and I am not sure there are answers here, but she made me think. 

If you are wondering, I did not finish it in a single sitting, and that is on the agenda for tonight. And yes, I find that slightly embarrassing, but I wanted to take my time.  I wanted to enjoy The Uncommon Reader and not read it simply to finish. Maybe more answers are waiting.  

If you have not noticed, or never visited before, I am going with a new format as we move forward.  Reviewing the past posts, they were too formal. I was bored writing them, and what I really want is to have a conversation about books and life. Let’s do that.  

If you like what you see here, expect more of the same. Thanks for joining me.

A Review – The Witch Hunter by Max Seeck

May 2, 2021 /

A woman has died under strange circumstances, and Sergeant Jessica Niemi is investigating.  The victim’s husband is the best-selling author of The Witch Hunt series, which only complicates the situation. Battling her past and a mounting body count, Jessica struggles to keep control. 

Writing Style

Seeck’s style is clinical and plot-driven in the best possible way. I would be hard-pressed to find unnecessary prose in this novel.  I would also describe it as evocative. Through his style, I found a female Finnish police sergeant relatable.

Did I put The Witch Hunter down?

I only stopped reading this one when I needed to sleep.  The material stuck with me even when I was not reading.

Who should be reading this?

This book contains violence, language, torture, sexual content, and depictions of rape. The scenes were explicit but not superfluous.

Would I recommend The Witch Hunter?

Without spoiling anything, I am going to have difficulty describing the ride that is this novel.  I was genuinely excited to turn every page.  The book evoked a range of emotions in me, namely intrigue, excitement, and terror. I cannot often say that a book genuinely creeped me out, but Seeck’s imagery did just that.  

If I had one criticism, I would point to the final chapters.  The excitement that built leading to these events was palpable, but my investment in the story fell apart at this point.  This disappointment was purely due to opinion and expectation.  I would not classify this as a “whodunit,” but elements of this book reflect that genre. I often finish these books feeling deflated.

Don’t let that stop you from checking out Max Seeck’s The Witch Hunter here.

A Review – Trinity Vol. 1: Better Together by Francis Manapul et al.

March 21, 2021 /

Diana and Bruce have come to break bread with Superman, but not the Superman they once knew. An unknown enemy derails these plans by laying a trap for the heroes. Each hero must confront their past.  Will this trio be able to work together enough to overcome the challenge?

Art Style

We see multiple styles through these issues, but I enjoyed the art. Manapul’s angular penciling and varied coloring create a welcome tone. Emanuela Lupacchino’s Wonder Woman is excellent, but the other characters feel cartoonish. 

Did I put it down?

Yes, the plot did not immediately grab me. I wanted something that picked up where the exciting story from Son of Superman ended.

Content

The novel is light on heavy content. We see comic violence.

Would I recommend Better Together?

I was excited about this one.  Some of my favorite stories have included team-ups.  These are DC’s feature characters, and I expected them to go all out. 

This novel did not live up to that hype.  That is not to say it is without merit. The writers develop and guide well-known characters through a clear narrative. I was confused initially as it progressed, but this resolved over time. 

Check out the title here. 

A Review – New Super-Man, Vol. 1: Made in China by Gene Luen Yang et al.

March 7, 2021 /

The Ministry of Self-Reliance has recruited Kong Kenan, a teenager from Shanghai. Imbued with the powers of a Kryptonian, he declares himself the New Super-Man.  Fighting alongside Bat-Man and Wonder-Woman, can he protect China from a rash of new “super villains”? 

Art Style

Overall, I enjoyed this aspect of the work. I loved the action and bright colors, although the art felt more muted as the story progressed.  Bogdanovic’s faces looked off to me in certain panels. A character can look completely different from one panel to the next.  I find myself distracted. 

This really competed with the artwork from Son of Superman.

Did I put it down?

Yes, and I almost did not pick it back up.  I could not find a reason.

Content

The main character bullies others throughout the story. Beyond this, we see comic violence.

Would I recommend Made in China?

No, I would not.  I wanted more ties to the Superman title. I suppose that is a personal preference, but the story did not know where it was going.  The arc was too short for what they tried to include.  Is this a political piece? Are we focusing on Kong Kenan’s family or his new allies?  Why is everything so derivative of the American Justice League?  Nothing felt developed enough. 

I am going to give the second volume a try. Even with everything I said above, this was an ambitious title, and I know that Gene Luen Yang is a talented storyteller.  I am looking forward to seeing what he can do with the title moving forward. 

Check out the title here. 

A Review- The Price of Time by Tim Tigner

February 28, 2021 /

A group of researchers has discovered the modern “Fountain of Youth.” The decisions they make could change both their lives and the landscape of the world.

Writing Style

The continuity felt a bit jumbled near the start of the book.  Beyond this, Tigner’s writing was tight and visual. His prose is not wasteful.

Did I put it down?

Tigner’s book felt like dessert.  I enjoyed it, but only in small portions.

Content

Tigner has some extremely violent scenes in this book, and descriptions of torture would top this list.  We also see some brief sexuality.

Would I recommend The Price of Time?

Yes, I would, but with a caveat.  Tigner’s book asks the question,” Would anyone know if someone discovered the Fountain of Youth?” The series of events that answer this question border on ludicrous in the most enjoyable way.  A suspension of disbelief is required. To say much more would ruin the plot. I cannot imagine a world where these events could happen, but I suppose a person who worked in Soviet Counterintelligence knows better than me anyway. 

Check the book out here.

Superman: Action Comics, Volume 1: Path of Doom by Dan Jurgens et al.

February 21, 2021 /

Clark did not expect to reveal himself to the world this soon, but when Lex Luthor dons the shield of the House of El, it is time to suit up. He also didn’t expect to team up with Luthor against one of his most fearsome enemies – Doomsday.  We have a battle to the death on our hands with the Kryptonian hunting, killing machine.  Who will come out on top?

Art Style

The panels told the story, but they felt a bit static and lifeless. I was looking for a bit more here.

Did I put it down?

No, but I wanted to be done with the story earlier than expected.  Doomsday has had enough stories that this one did not even interest me sentimentally.

Content

Doomsday is no walk in the park for the Man of Steel. We see references to his prior “death,” and there is plenty of comics-style violence here.

Would I recommend Path of Doom?

I was not as impressed here as I was with Son of Superman. The art and dialogue were stiff, and the experience never came to life. I still like this as a prelude to future stories, and it sets the table for some exciting arcs. I will continue reading the series, but I am looking forward to the Tomasi work more. 

Check the title out here.

A Review – The Dirty South by John Connolly

February 14, 2021 /

Rural Arkansas is limping through the 1990s.  A thin veneer of normalcy covers Cargill.  Chief Evander Griffin is investigating three murders that appear to be connected. The crimes threaten planned improvements from outside investment. On the heels of the second murder, Charles Parker, a former police officer from New York, arrives in town searching for the man that murdered his family.  What will he find?

Writing Style

Connolly’s writing felt slow and methodical. The mix created suspense and anticipation. The Dirty South is darker than a book like Moonflower Murders and less like a “whodunit.”

Did I put it down?

Not really.  Once I saw the path, the story was gripping.

Who should be reading this?

The images presented are unsettling.  As with most thrillers of the sort, there is some violence mixed perversely with sexuality. The language is tame comparably.    

Would I recommend The Dirty South?

Yes, without question.  The first chapter or so of this book did not impress me.  I felt that the language and atmosphere were slightly pretentious, or at the very least long-winded.  Sometimes I forget to meet the author on their ground.  I put the book down, came back the next day, and could not have been more impressed.  

Rural Arkansas is not much different from where my grandparents lived when I was a child.  Southeast Missouri is very similar. Isolation can be overwhelming in the countryside.  As I got older, I also saw that the social interactions and politics were different than in the city.  The setting and characters resonated with me.  I could tell that Connolly had done his research.  They say to write what you know.  Connolly made sure that he understood the dynamics at play in a small community. 

Beyond this, the story was intricate and unpredictable.  Parker’s character, although flawed and unsettling, plays a foil to the rest of the cast.  When I have the time, I will be visiting the earlier novels in this series.

Check out the book here!

A Review- Superman, Volume 1: Son of Superman by Peter J. Tomasi et al.

February 7, 2021 /

As a displaced Clark lays this universe’s Superman to rest, he looks to the fate of his own family.  His young son Jonathan is struggling with controlling his powers.  As the Kents adapt, a ghost of Krypton detects a member of the House of El and his son. 

Art Style

The colors certainly grab the eye.  The red and blue tend to do this.  They are vibrant, but the tone is appropriate throughout. I especially enjoyed the sections with Jon using his powers.  The portrayal is raw and wild.  Superman has a particular style, and I found that with this first volume.

Did I put it down?

No, but I did pace myself. A reader could devour this book in one sitting. With this genre, returning to admire the artwork enhances the experience.  I almost always find something that I missed.

Content

A couple of moments struck me as particularly brutal for a Superman story. One of these highlights the dangers of Jon using his new powers unchecked.  Beyond these, we are talking about generic comic-book violence.

Would I recommend Son of Superman?

I absolutely would. I had set down Superman during the “New 52” era because I found the early story convoluted and lacking directions.  Other quality titles only highlighted these failures at the time.   I have been looking for any excuse to return to this title, as I have enjoyed Superman since I was a child.  I fully intend to continue delving into this title.

Tomasi and Gleason set an immediate direction for Supes here. This story is not about the baddies. Here, Superman is building a family and finding his role in this world. He isn’t just an alien to our world, but our universe as well.  While filling the previous Superman’s boots, Clark builds trust with Jon, and Lois finds her place surrounded by two superpowered beings.

A Review- Fangs by Sarah Andersen

January 17, 2021 /

Two people fall in love. Well, a vampire and a werewolf fall in love. Andersen’s graphic novel Fangs follows their exploits. 

Art Style

Andersen’s book is in black and white.  Compared to other work she has done, the artwork here is simple.  For the most part, the art tells the story well.  A few panes left me questioning what was happening.  

Did I put it down?

I took my time, and I gave it my full attention. Unfortunately, I still put it down after about 30 pages.  I had been expecting something more narrative, and the book was more like a collection of comic panels from the newspaper.  After resetting those expectations, the book flowed better.

Content

I would consider this comically mature.  Nothing is overly-explicit, but we are still dealing with vampires and werewolves.

Would I recommend Fangs?


I am sure that there is an audience for this. With the story being light-hearted and humorous, I found enjoyable moments. If someone were looking for a comic strip style story, I would recommend this. For those who must read everything supernatural, this is a book for you.  If you are looking for a connected plot, this isn’t what you will find.

A Review- A Time For Mercy by John Grisham

January 10, 2021 /

Five years ago, Jake Brigance won a stunning verdict in the Hailey case.  He is now on the verge of victory in a major civil suit when Drew Gamble murders his mother’s boyfriend, a local police officer.  Officer Kofer was popular with locals, but a drunk and abusive in his private life.  Judge Omar Noose tasks Jake with defending the teenager. Jake’s attempt to keep Drew from the gas chamber will fan the flames of hatred in this small Mississippi town.  

Writing Style

This was everything that I expected from a John Grisham novel.  He is an excellent writer, and his style is easy to read. A Time for Mercy verged on being formulaic, but I must remind myself that the formula works.  That said, this book was not the road less traveled.

Did I put it down?

Yes, but I came back. As soon as I heard that Grisham was releasing this novel, I was excited.  Jake Brigance is alluring and always leaves me wanting more.  Every story has its magic.  I am not sure if it is the southern charm or the small town turmoil, but I needed to find out what happened next. 

Who should be reading this?

Mature content is covered here.  At the risk of spoiling the plot, I will not be specific in my description. 

Would I recommend A Time for Mercy? 

Sure, but let me preface that. For me, the initial scenes felt contrived and unemotional.  One example would be Drew’s rationalizations before the killing.  They were out of place and unrealistic.  Once you wade through the unavoidable references to the Hailey case, Jake’s financial troubles, and some half-hearted posturing over social issues, you may find a message here worth the time. 

The characters are where the story shines.  Grisham has brought this small town to life.   Although I love characters like Lucien and Harry Rex, Grisham’s additions were welcome as well.  

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