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Robin McKinley - Spindle’s End Genre: Basics: It’s the story of Sleeping Beauty. But not, you know, lame like Sleeping Beauty kind of is. It’s also about gossip, and community, relationships, life … all that silly stuff. Why I like it: I think mostly because I can absolutely believe in the things she adds into the story - like the uneasy relationship between fairies and non-fairies, the unity and awareness (and unspoken codes of behavior) in the animal kingdom that are inaccessible to the human world, and most especially the personal motivations behind the characters’ decisions, especially inherent illogic of, oh, every decision the royal family makes about their daughter. The mythic world McKinley creates around the familiar details of the story is both realistic and engaging. Favorite Part: Rosie confronting Fast in his stall and telling him off for being such a spoiled and histrionic whiner. Oh my goodness that was funny. Weakest Part: Pernicia. I didn’t think she was as clearly-drawn as the other characters. I know they’re very different, but I couldn’t help comparing her to Meleficent in the Disney version (one of my favorite Disney characters of all time, corny as that is), and I think I liked being able to watch Meleficent being treacherous and scheming, whereas Pernicia mainly freaks people out by being uncannily purple and grouchy when she shows up, and then just relies on the people’s own fear to do the job when she skulks off elsewhere. Yes, I know, it’s a fascinating social commentary and all that, but … and she doesn’t turn into a dragon like Meleficent did. Talk about disappointing. H. Beam Piper - Little Fuzzy Genre: Basics: What does it mean, really, to be human? Well, since this is the basic question of every science fiction novel I’ve ever read, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s the case here, too, but the surprising part for me is that in some ways this book provides a good answer. I’m still scratching my head over how that happens. In some ways, though, I think the book (and those which follow) is also about the intellectual and emotional journey of becoming a parent, which is rather funny, because there are no human children in the story. Why I like it: The fuzzies are delightful, of course, but what I really love is the human characters and the conversations they have. Favorite Part: Ruth Ortheris’s courtroom scene. Well, that and any time Justice Pendarvis is around. Weakest Part: There’s a lot of talk in this book. I like it, but … not everyone might. Also, it sets up a world in which science - scientific reasoning, methods, conclusions, the community as a group, the whole shebang - is ultimately dependable. Not infallible, but at least consistently reliable. This viewpoint makes the book seem a little dated or naïve. Not that that isn’t a valid opinion; it just isn’t my opinion. Adam Rex - Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich Genre: Basics: A funny writer makes up funny poems about funny monsters doing funny things. All illustrated brilliantly. Why I like it: Because it’s funny. Obviously. Not only is it funny, but it’s not … stupid, the way some “trying to be funny for kids” books are. Well-crafted and absurd. Honestly, I have no idea how to “review” this book except to say that I loved reading it. You should read it. It will make you laugh. You could stand to laugh a little more, right? Favorite Part: The Zombies at the Zoo, because it’s so illustration driven. Or maybe the Phantom parts written to easily singable tunes. Weakest Part: Godzilla Pooped on my Honda. Not because it’s bad - it’s quite good - it just seems out of place to me. Religious Objectors Might Object To: Mm … I don’t know. The use of the word “turd”? The Witch Watchers? Really, this is a pretty unobjectionable book as not-stupid kids’ books go. Sheri Tepper - The Companions Genre: Basics: This book is about all the same things that Sherri Tepper’s other books are about - the subjugation and exploitation of women, the destruction of the natural environment, the unpardonable selfishness of humanity in general and fanatical religious extremists in particular, etc., etc., etc. (Read: if you are, or listen to, Rush Limbaugh, you’ll probably burst into flames if you touch it.) It’s also awesome and funny and smart and fun. Why I like it: A few reasons, really - first of all, her main Bad Guys are part of a movement based on one of my favorite ideas in the Bible, that humans were made in God’s image. Rather than pissing me off, this book reminds me of the danger or downside in that belief: that when I consider myself to be made to be like God - in whatever aspect - it is far too easy to become arrogant and mean unless I remember that God is, in addition to powerful and awesome, also loving and compassionate. The book also raises interesting questions about what it means to serve a jealous God. Then, of course, the story is incredibly gripping, the characters are fascinating, etc. Also, I love the Derac. They are so … stupid. They’re the comic relief here, but they’re also quite frighteningly human. Favorite Part: The parade of Orskimi, Derac, and Zhaar past the bound main characters, and ensuing comic genius. Also, any part including Walking Sunshine, and the use of the term “moronopause”. And one more: the description of liaison contracts. I think this is an ideal solution to the questions of state-sanctioned marriage that are currently being debated. Weakest Part: There isn’t one. I love it all. :o) Religious Objectors Might Object To: Oh, where to begin? Go back and read why I liked it and what it was about. The IGGI-HFOs, the concs, the dogs, Splendor, the gods and practices of other races like the Quondans and Orskimi … basically any or all of it has the potential to piss someone off. Patricia Wrede - The Grand Tour Genre: Basics: Cecy and Kate, with husbands in tow, do Europe. Well, France & Italy, anyway. And, not satisfied with just thwarting a small family crisis this time, they save the world. Like the previous book, there’s not a lot of substance, but it’s enjoyable enough. Kate’s passages are from her diary, while Cecy’s are from her deposition, so there’s a lot more “personal” information about Kate - and, as in the last book, Kate is the character who grows the most through the story. Cecy just forges ahead through whatever happens with unabated awesomeness. Why I like it: Because I like Cecy, and adore Lady Sylvia, and it’s fun to see them again. That’s it, really. Favorite Part: “Contessa, release that goat!” Weakest Part: The unexpectedly high level of sexual tension between Cecy and Thomas. That bugged me. A lot. Why, exactly, must every strong, interesting, and self-confident female character be at odds with every strong, interesting, self-confident male character? Is there no other model for their interaction than this flirtatious antagonism? |
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