Quatermass' Novel Reading Blog

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Do you think you might want to post a few of your books onto my "Bookworm's Alphabet Game" thread....
It has been languishing now that lau and a few others are making themselves a bit scarce as of late..

Thanks for the thread, it was interesting but it's probably long enough at 47 pages. In any case, the thread has some things I don't personally like...

1. Just a list of words.
Some of the early entries had a short paragraph about the book... That's nice but when it comes down to a single word, the thread stops being all that interesting.

2. No summaries
It's up to Q. I'd have considered adding Queen of the Damned but it might be in there already - it would be good to have a summary of what is already in the list...

3. Random Data
It's supposed to be a list of books but some alpha entries are people's names (authors) but not the book title... as a perfectionist (anal?) aspie that frustrates me.


I'd be more inclined to propose that you start a NEW thread. Heck, I'd be quite interested in it, if it was a case of "alphabetical reviews". Same goes for films, authors, actors, directors whatever...

Anyway - I hope I haven't offended but I probably have.

I won't bother, Richie.

A bit of a news flash: reading I, Claudius and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress are both proving to not grab my interest, so I'll probably make the next book I finish be Wild Cards, or maybe The Sign of Four, or Captain Blood, depending.

I Claudius is no good?

I'd been thinking about reading it since listening to the excellent I, Davros...

I was in my early thirties and still hadn't gotten around to reading further in Tolkien than the Hobbit.

When I realised that it was going to be filmed, I rushed out and read the books rather than let some movie be my introduction. I'm glad I did.

I first read The Lord of the Rings in high school, but I only managed to read it all the way through again during my trip to the UK.

Oh, and a bit of an update. I probably won't be able to finish I, Claudius in time, and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress just isn't grabbing me. So the next book will probably be either Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, or Wild Cards. Probably the latter.

The fifth book is down

REVIEW: Wild Cards edited by George RR Martin




One of the things that I loved about Watchmen is that it portrayed superheroes (although there was really only one superhero with powers, the rest being absurdly fit or technogeeks) in a realistic manner. It explored how costumed vigilantes and beings with superpowers would impact the world, and change history as we know it, for the worse.

Wild Cards, the original anthology novel edited by George RR Martin, was published only a couple of years after Watchmen. Is it as good as Watchmen? Not really, given the rich layers of complexity and visual easter eggs that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons put into their work. But Wild Cards, even given the fact that it is not as good as Watchmen, is still a great book that tries to realistically answer the question of how superheroes (in this world, hundreds of people have superpowers) would act in a real world.

The Wild Cards story begins in 1946, when a human-like alien prince later nicknamed Dr Tachyon arrives, warning that a device containing an experimental gene-altering virus (developed by his own people, and was going to be used on humans as guinea pigs) has landed on Earth. However, an ex-Nazi scientist obtains the virus, and, despite the efforts of heroic pilot Jetboy, manages to release it, high above New York. The results of the virus (later called the Wild Card Virus) are horrific. 90% of those who contract it die (drawing the 'Black Queen', as the in-universe lingo puts it), 90% of the survivors get horrific deformities (and these are known as 'Jokers'), but the lucky 10% of survivors, every one person in a hundred who gets infected with the Wild Card Virus, gains superpowers, ranging from transformation, to telekinesis.

Stories range from a mystery thriller with an erotic twist (The Long Dark Night of Fortunato), to a tale detailing the rise and fall of an Ace during the HUAC (Witness), a tragic love story that occurs concurrently to the above (Degradation Rites), a bizarre coming of age story involving an Ace with a rather strange mutation (The Sleeper), a mob war intersecting with the Joker community (Down Deep), and a political thriller with disturbing implications (Strings). And these are only half the stories, not to mention the supplementary material that expand on the universe of the novel. The stories have been written by a variety of American science-fiction and fantasy authors, including George RR Martin, Roger Zelazny, and Melinda Snodgrass. And they all do their job well.

While not without faults, Wild Cards is highly entertaining and interesting, and would certainly be of interest to fans of Watchmen. And this is merely the first book in the series. I look forward to the next book in the Wild Cards series, Aces High.


9/10

First words: (From the Prologue) Years later, when I saw Michael Rennie come out of that flying Saucer in The Day the Earth Stood Still, I leaned over to the wife and said "Now that's the way an alien emissary ought to look." I've always suspected that it was Tachyon's arrival that gave them the idea for that picture, but you know how Hollywood changes things around. I was there, so I know how it really was. For starts, he came down in White Sands, not in Washington. He didn't have a robot, and we didn't shoot him. Considering what happened, maybe we should have, eh?

Last words:(From the Epilogue: Third Generation) And deep in his brain, inflamed by the rich, yeasty endocrine soup in which it floated, the wild card virus hovered over a cell, paused, then pumped out its alien message and died. And so, on and on it went, spiraling down the years in a double helix of fear and ecstasy, mutilation and miraculous change...

Okay. Hopefully, the next book will be I, Claudius. Just don't hold your breath...

Against all odds, the sixth book to be reviewed here is...

REVIEW: I, Claudius by Robert Graves



I haven't read that many historical novels, unless you count novelisations of historically based Doctor Who stories, but my interest in Ancient Rome was sparked from a young age by, of all things, Goscinny and Uderzo's Asterix graphic novels. The film Gladiator, the TV series Rome, and various books like The Way of the Gladiator by Daniel P Mannix, also kept stoking the fires of interest in Rome. So, eventually, I would have to look at a historical novel that talked about Rome, sooner or later. For some time, I had been meaning to read one particular book, but boredom and time commitments shooed me away. Eventually, as of fifteen minutes ago (as I write this), I have finished it. This book is I, Claudius.

I, Claudius, tells the story of the life of later Julio-Claudian Roman Emperor Claudius, known for his stammer and disabilities. In fact, Robert Graves purports that this story is a hitherto recently found autobiography of Claudius, who had been told by a Sibyl prophet that in 1900 years, 'Claudius will speak clear', inspiring him in later life, when he became emperor, to write the account of his life, and that of those around him, starting with the latter parts of Augustus' life, and ending the novel with the insane Caligula's assassination and Claudius' unexpected ascension to the Imperial Throne.

As long as a historical novel is not blatantly inaccurate (and still claims to be a historical novel, and not, say, an alternative history or a fantasy novel), I don't care what liberties are taken, as long as the story is enjoyable, and the characters feel alive (Rome did this quite well). Although Robert Graves stumbles with the former, getting bogged down in trivia and (perhaps inevitably) entangled in complex interpersonal relationships, he more than makes up with it in the latter, bringing these historical figures to life in a variety of interesting ways.

Despite the ways that Roman Emperors have been portrayed before, you have to feel sorry for at least three of the four portrayed here. Augustus, although a brilliant leader, is also shown as being flawed, and too readily influenced by wife Livia. Tiberius, though mostly unlikeable, has a number of redeeming features that get burnt away during his reign as Emperor. And Claudius himself, the narrator, one must feel the most sympathy for. In fact, he is almost Aspie-like in the way that he is derided by his peers and family for his outward appearance, when an intelligent soul lies within. Of course, as things get dangerous, he exaggerates these tendencies in order to save his life (it is perhaps worth noting that he was probably not an Aspie or autistic, and probably did not suffer from polio as Graves suggests, but may have suffered cerebral palsy instead).

It is, frankly, hard to keep up with all of the relationships each and every character has with each other, and you need more than the Julio-Claudian pedigree in the back to keep it in mind. But if one just concentrates on the events at hand, it is a better read. Besides the aforementioned emperors, one of my favourite characters (ironically, considering she is one of the most repulsive) is Augustus' wife, Livia, a most dreadful woman who, nonetheless, honestly and frankly tells Claudius about her crimes, although she does so in return for godhood, and does so shortly before she would die.

The start, unfortunately, is very slow, but picks up a while into the book. The chapters involving Caligula as Emperor, in particular had me alternating between disbelieving laughter and horrified gasps, sometimes at the same time.

I, Claudius isn't for everyone. It is, at times, fairly tedious. But for history buffs, I would certainly recommend it, and it is still, nonetheless, a decent story that sheds some light on a dark history.


7.25/10

First words: I, Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus This-that-and-the-other (for I shall not trouble you yet with all my titles), who was once, and not so long ago either, known to my friends and relatives and associates as 'Claudius the Idiot', or 'That Claudius', or 'Claudius the Stammerer', or 'Clau-Clau-Claudius', or at best as 'Poor Uncle Claudius', am now about to write this strange history of my life; starting from my earliest childhood and continuing year by year until I reach the fateful point of change where, some eight years ago, at the age of fifty-one, I suddenly found myself caught in what I may call the 'golden predicament from which I have never since become disentangled.

Last words: That was what I was thinking. I was thinking, too, what opportunities I should have, as Emperor, for consulting the secret archives and finding out just what happened on this occasion or on that. How many twisted stories still remained to be straightened out! What a miraculous fate for an historian! And as you will have seen, I took full advantage of my opportunities. Even the mature historian's privilege of setting forth conversations of which he knows only the gist is one that I have availed myself of hardly at all.

Next...possibly Captain Blood, A Lion Amongst Men, Aces High (the second Wild Cards book), Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, or The Sign of Four.

Wow.. I'm impressed that you made it through the book.

I'd been thinking about reading it, though your first lines put me off a bit.

I liked your crediting the origins of a Rome fascination with Asterix... I leaned more towards Tintin myself. (Asterix vs Tintin is a bit like the Warner Bros vs Disney Quizzes).

I might get the audio book, or watch the BBC TV Series... It might be easier.

The seventh book is quite elementary...

REVIEW: The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle




Ashes to ashes,
Funk to funky,
We know Sherlock Holmes' a junky

To this point, the only Sherlock Holmes stories I have read was the original A Study in Scarlet, and the Doctor Who crossover All-Consuming Fire, though it hasn't stopped me from anticipating the Sherlock Holmes movie. The archetypal detective has inspired many characters over the years, and Doyle's stories have provided the bedrock of many a mystery thriller since. I have even been to the Sherlock Holmes museum at 221B Baker Street, and bought a pen that I use for any notes I need to make.

So I came to read The Sign of Four (originally called The Sign of the Four), the second novel. A Study in Scarlet was admittedly rather boring, except, ironically, in the lengthy sequence that explained the motives of the killer. The Sign of Four, however, is almost like the action movie of its era, not only involving a murder, but two chases that would have sent Victorian pulses pounding, and drug abuse.

The plot is relatively simple. A young woman by the name of Mary Morstan has been receiving anonymous gifts of precious pearls through the mail, after her father disappeared, presumed murdered. Having been asked to meet with her mysterious benefactor, she asks Holmes and Watson, the former bored and taking morphine and cocaine, the latter admonishing Holmes for it, to accompany her in case the meeting is a trap. Although it is far from it, the meeting begins a whirlwind series of events that ends in a declaration of love, a web of hate, deceit, and revenge, and Holmes going back to his drug use.

The Sign of Four is an interesting enough book, but I tend to have a problem with some books written before about 1950. The old-fashioned language and grammar doesn't exactly grab me. And the narrative is quite fanciful. Not to mention a small degree of racism.

That being said, there is enough in The Sign of Four to recommend it for people curious about the Sherlock Holmes mythos. We see love developing between two characters, we have a high-speed footchase through London involving a tracking dog, as well as a chase between steamboats at the climax of the novel, and we have Holmes showing a nice little character flaw in the form of drug abuse. Nonetheless, although rather dry by today's standards, as well as having a small taint of racism about it, The Sign of Four is still quite good.


7.5/10

First words: Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantlepiece, and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. With his long, white, nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle and rolled back his left shirtcuff. For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm and wrist, all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks. Finally, he thrust the shapr point home, pressed down the tiny piston, and snak back down into the velvet-lined armchair with a long sigh of satisfaction.

Last words: 'For me,' said Sherlock Holmes, 'there still remains the cocaine-bottle.' And he stretched his long white hand up for it.

And remember kids, don't take drugs.

Last night, I finished two books. The first was The British Monarchy for Dummies, by Philip Wilkinson, and the second was Atomic Robo and the Fightin' Scientists of the Tesladyne by Brian Clevinger et al. For most non-fiction books, I am not sure that I can do justice to them with a review, so, for The British Monarchy for Dummies, I will pass it over for a review (though it still counts in the general tally) and review Atomic Robo.

REVIEW: Atomic Robo (Volume 1) and the Fightin' Scientists of the Tesladyne by Brian Clevinger, Scott Wegener, Ronda Pattison and Jeff Powell

(Image removed)

One of the few webcomics that I enjoy is the bizarre but funny 8-Bit Theatre, a twisted parody of the first Final Fantasy game in particular, with bizarre and off-beat references to pop-culture ranging from Dungeons and Dragons to Doctor Who. 8-Bit Theatre has kept me relatively sane through the darkest years of my life through its sheer hilarity, and when Brian Clevinger created, along with artist Scott Wegener, Atomic Robo, I wondered what it would be like.

Having finally got my copy from the local library, I think I can answer the question. Atomic Robo is a hilarious mix of Indiana Jones, Doctor Who, and Hellboy that keeps the sardonic and playful sense of humour seen in 8-Bit Theatre.

The aforementioned character, Atomic Robo, is a robot created by Nikola Tesla in 1923. Wise-cracking, sardonic, and generally ironic, Atomic Robo is both a genius, and a fightin' man whose quips during a fight (or sometimes lack thereof, in one hilarious sequence) makes Spider-Man's look downright lame. Robo, after a mission to deal with mad Nazi scientist Baron von Helsingard in 1938, gains full American citizenship, human rights, and founds the Tesladyne, which is basically the BRPD (from Hellboy), or UNIT or Torchwood (from the Whoniverse) by any other name, an elite unit of 'action scientists' who go after the paranormal, the fringes of scientific enquiry.

Although primarily an action-comedy that occasionally plays a joke on the reader in the style of 8-Bit Theatre (while making wisecracks about various weapons being used on giant ants, Robo, at a loss for a quip while using a street sign to pummel them, asks his comrades, "Can you guys think of anything for a street sign?" They all say 'no', and he mutters "Shoot"), there is a strong sense of heart.

The reason why I added the reference to Doctor Who is Atomic Robo has a little of the same pathos, being practically immortal (if not invincible). After learning that an old friend has died from cancer, he writes a heart-warming, if offbeat letter to the friend's granddaughter (who notified him of the death), and, having been asked on an earlier panel by an interviewer, "Out of all of it, everything that you've done, what was the hardest part?", Robo, several pages and one adventure (interspersed with flashbacks) later, he replies "The hardest part is that I'm 83 years old. I do a great Jack Benny, but no one really gets it any more."

That being said, for some reason, my local library has classified this with the Junior Graphic Novels, between 6-12 years old. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but a comic book with a brain in a jar, a Japanese pilot getting shot, and a message on Mars proclaiming that Stephen Hawking is a bastard (read it and you'll find out why) sounds more like it'd fit in the Young Adult Graphic Novel section.

That being said, Atomic Robo isn't the smartest of books or graphic novels, but it is sure one of the funniest I have read.


8.75/10

First words: See anything?

Last words: (From the main storyline) Years maybe

9 books down in 17 days.