from this power ...

[aquandrian]

Here's a thought.

Tonight when I leave Sydney for the Southern Highlands, I could leave the laptop behind. A weekend without the Internet and GIMP? Now that would really be taking a break from my life. Well, it won't be that long, really. I'll prolly be back online Sunday arvo. Ari and I are going to birthday drinks of a high school friend

Comments

[boojumlol]

Michael Marshall Smith is a GOD. It's good to be back in the hands of a master.

Nice to know you're enjoying it. That collection was the second MMS work I read, after Only Forward, and I confess I wasn't prepared for how traumatic/depressing some of the stories were going to be. You, having read Spares and The Straw Men aren't quite in the same situation, I guess.

If it does get you down, go read Sunshine. I'm not usually a huge vampire fan, but I loved that book. It left me feeling happy.

[aquandrian]

Yeah, I get what you mean about the trauma/depression ... I'm about halfway through after carefully skipping the first story because of your warning. Just finished Save As ... at the traffic lights this morning and was contemplating how despite the dark content and the disturbing endings, he still makes me feel secure and satisfied. I think it just says so much for the skill of him. Odd, isn't it?

I actually read Sunshine first. Loved the beginning but was sorely disappointed a third into it. Don't know why, I think it's something about Robin McKinley, found the same with her other books actually ... she has great premises, starts off really well, hooks me with her voice (especially with this one) but somewhere along the track she loses me. With this, I didn't like the lectures, the telling but not showing. She built a great world but gah, I got so sick of being told about it. There was something off about this protagonist, I can't figure out what it is but she just left me cold and the ending totally left me dissatisfied. Weird. It'

[boojumlol]

I read a few reviews of Sunshine, and a couple of people said similar things. I also got impatient with being told about the world, and I think at times she lost control of the speech/thought style she was attempting. I mostly liked her voice, though, and I thought the practicality and rambling stream of consciousness stopped the vampire bits from being a little too traditional gothic. I must admit Con is now my second favourite vampire - I don't think Spike will ever be displaced, especially considering I'm not usually a fan of vampire books/films.

[aquandrian]

Oh phew, good. I thought I was overreacting. :p

[boojumlol]

I don't think of you as being someone who over reacts to books. If you don't like something you'll have a considered reason for it.

For some reason I thought of you as someone who would like vampires. Then again, you weren't too fond of Meredith Ann Pierce, were you. I like the vampyire in that, but he becomes overly angsty and whiney once he's human again. Love those books so much! It's a pity not many other people seem to. :(

[aquandrian]

If you don't like something you'll have a considered reason for it.
Well, yeah, this is true. I get very annoyed at myself for not liking something in book/film/music so have to unpack and figure out exactly why. I'm actually quite relieved you notice that about me. *wipes brow*

For some reason I thought of you as someone who would like vampires.
That's the thing, I think the same of myself! But upon some consideration, I don't think I've read enough vampire fiction to qualify. Just the Anne Rice stuff, y'see. Mostly all my vampire stuff comes from the movies and Buffy.

But, er, yes, I didn't take too well to Meredith Ann Pierce's Darkangel. I had issues with Aeriel's transformation from wimp to warrior, mainly the fact that it happened a leetle too late in the book for me and almost in the space of a paragraph. That made me see red. But, yes, the vampyre there like Con was quite fascinating. Spike (or just Joss!vampires in general) and Lestat (from the early books) top my list of favourite vamps. Who knows, maybe once I finally

[boojumlol]

I had issues with Aeriel's transformation from wimp to warrior, mainly the fact that it happened a leetle too late in the book for me and almost in the space of a paragraph.

That's interesting. I saw it more as her finding peace and gaining self confidence - losing the slave mentality that made the Darkangel's hold over her so much stronger. I think she was just as strong at the start of the book, but despised herself. What annoyed me was that she became beautiful in the space of a paragraph. I hate it when characters do that. Those books always make me wish I could paint. One day I will try capturing some of the images they evoke in my mind.

Anyway, it makes me feel better about not liking The Invisibles. ;)

[aquandrian]

Those books always make me wish I could paint. One day I will try capturing some of the images they evoke in my mind.

Ooh, Lauren! That'd be so utterly awesome ... I'd love to see that.

Anyway, it makes me feel better about not liking The Invisibles. ;)
Ha, I get ya. We intersect so well on Marillier, Marshall Smith and Simmons that we have to diverge on some areas. It's all good. :p