An Interesting Perspective

[vivien_sivvus]

Pip pip and how do ye do, chaps!

I've recently been reading a book called "The Dress Lodger" by Sheri Holman. To be honest I can't really get into the story, because the perspective is odd... but it's amazingly interesting to read. I'll quote a few paragraphs here:

(the writer refers to the readers/perspective as "matchstick painter.")

"Before you

Comments

[anait]

So if the choice is between frogs outside a cheap theatre in dirty Sunderland and emeralds in Zanibar, I choose...

Neither. What I like best in reading and writing fiction is frogs in Zanzibar. Or some emeralds in dirty Sunderland for variety.

This could be why I don't often find new novels I really love.

[vivien_sivvus]

Pearls before swine, ne? :)

[lyredenfers]

I should hope so! :D

Frogs in Zanzibar sounds suspiciously like a Diana Wynne Jones story. And Emeralds in dirty Sunderland has a suggestive Pullman tone.

I like when people try cool things with their writing, but only if they still manage to tell a good story. Otherwise, it's like Stockhausen's music. Just:Why?

[anait]

Frogs in Zanzibar = any/all of realism, naturalism or grittiness in characters in a fantastical setting. ie. Sean Stewart, Elizabeth Lynn's 'The Sardonyx Net,' Megan Whalen Turner, Cynthia Voight's fantasy, Caroline Stevermer's 'River Rats,' Karin Lowachee, Kate Elliott, Orson Scott Card's 'Ender's Game,' Frederick Pohl's 'Gateway,' Mary Stewart, Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Grey,' Firefly, Battlestar Galactica. My favourite

[vivien_sivvus]

Off-topic, but have you seen the Studio Ghibli version of Howl's Moving Castle? It's not very close to the book plot-wise, but it captures the essence and atmosphere of her books really well!

(Ghibli are the company that made "Spirited Away", and they also did a not-so-good version of "Tales from Earthsea")