(B+) 77% | Good Notes: Wherein love is blind, undefined, limitless potential, but also illusion, addiction, delusion and capriciously torrential.
*Check(B+) 77% | Good Notes: Wherein love is blind, undefined, limitless potential, but also illusion, addiction, delusion and capriciously torrential.
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02/13/2025 - Preamble (1) I read this book a really long time ago. It's one of the very first books I read when I started reading recreationally. - I chose it because I'd read "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" for a university English class and always had Gabriel García Márquez down as an author whose work I wanted to explore more of. - Incidentally, it's still the only García Márquez book I've read, and now for the second time.
02/14/2025 - Chapter One (1) "Oh, Señor, she said, with a mournful lament, that wasn't made for coming in but for going out." - At the risk of sounding juvenile or crass, there's been an awful lot of butt talk so far—butt talk in seemingly every way conceivable. - I guess this is meant to underscore the unnamed narrator's gross and profane morality and mindset, and to draw stark contrast with the 14-year-old virgin he seeks to defile.
02/16/2025 - Chapter Two (1) "For the first time in my long life I felt capable of killing someone." - All because someone publicly cast into doubt his knowledge of classical music. - It's a window into what he values. (2) "Poor thing, she's right here in front of me. Do you want to talk to her? No, for God's sake, I said." - Of course, because then she'd be an imperfect human being instead of an uncorrupted ideal of youth and beauty.
02/20/2025 - Chapter Three (1) The girl is both explicitly and implicitly compared with the old man's cat. - They're both beautiful and rescues of a sort. - The girl is his imaginary housemate, while the cat is his actual housemate. - He knows the cat too intimately: "The stink of his rancid urine and warm shit contaminated everything." - He knows the girl not at all, remaking their brothel love nest into an oasis of ersatz domesticity.
02/25/2025 - Chapter Four (1) We finally get to the point where the virgin speaks, which initially excites the narrator, though upon hearing her "plebian" voice he laments: "I preferred her asleep." - As long as she's a blank slate, bereft of idiosyncrasies, he can project upon her whatever he desires. - This absence of individuality backfires later when she disappears, and he sees her in every young girl he encounters and hears about.
03/03/2025 - Chapter Five (1) The narrator attempts to pawn his mother's jewels to continue financing his brothel habit. The jewels, it turns out, are fake, which he ends up keeping for sentimental reasons. - Ultimately, the only value that matters here is sentimental value. His love affair with Delgadina is as artificial as his treasured family jewels. (2) Love here inflames many things: illusion, addiction, delusion, affliction, etc. (hide spoiler)]...more
(C+) 66% | Almost Satisfactory Notes: Wherein clarity's a rarity and story's not the focus: the point's to preen, wax byzantine, flaunt rhetorical hocu(C+) 66% | Almost Satisfactory Notes: Wherein clarity's a rarity and story's not the focus: the point's to preen, wax byzantine, flaunt rhetorical hocus pocus.
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01/02/2025 - Preamble [image] (1) I hated this the first time around, and I don't like to reread books I know I won't like, but it's fairly short, available right now at my library, and I need something to listen to. - Since you can never give 100% attention to audiobooks while doing other things, mine must all be rereads so I'm familiar with them and won't have to concentrate too hard on the go.
01/09/2025 - Chapters 1–4 [image] (1) "If I am mistaken as to the actual nature of your lower extremities, I beg you to join me in the courtyard of this house, at your leisure but preferably soon, so that, with the pedagogical instrument of your choice, you may educate me." - Ugh... if I had to translate this, I'd guess: "If you have the balls to teach me a lesson, pick your weapon and step outside."
01/12/2025 - Chapters 5–8 [image] (1) If I may coin a term, this novel is the foremost example I know of "unliterature." - The purpose of literature, as Stephen King put it, is telepathy: to convey information nonverbally, through written words. - Chabon does not do this. His primary intention is not to be clearly understood, but to hot-dog byzantine vocabulary. - Escapist pulp adventure this is not.
01/13/2025 - Chapters 9–12 [image] (1) "'The offer to join us was a simple one, really,' Joseph Hirkanos said ... 'But I divine that you find a way to complicate everything.'" - Chabon writing about himself, apparently. (2) Listening to this audiobook is like trying to transcribe a phone tap. - Lots of rewinding to catch whether sounds are phrases or names or jargon or just needless baroque verbosity.
01/16/2025 - Chapters 13–Afterword [image] (1) The main takeaway from Chabon's afterword is how the book was originally titled "Jews With Swords." - Ironic, since neither protagonist, the Jews in question, actually carries a sword. (2) It wasn't my intention, but I haven't touched on plot or characters at all in these updates. - Though, to be fair, story wasn't Chabon's priority or object of attention either. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A) 85% | Extraordinary Notes: Sight supplied through child's eyes, a real work of art, on being tamed, views reframed, and looking with your heart.
*Ch(A) 85% | Extraordinary Notes: Sight supplied through child's eyes, a real work of art, on being tamed, views reframed, and looking with your heart.
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12/21/2024 - Preamble [image] (1) 2024 is nearly in the books and I feel like squeezing in one more audiobook before it's all over. - I prefer to start new years with as clean a slate as possible, and this book's short enough that I'll almost certainly be able to count it among this year's total. (2) I also like to finish off each year with a super-popular book, and this one nicely fits the bill.
12/28/2024 - Chapters 1–15 [image] (1) Bower is an interesting choice of narrator. Australian accents don't exactly scream Continental Europe, as this book does expressly. (2) This begins both odd and bland, but then starts to build up layers of meaning. - You realize that the tales recounted aren't trivial but symbolic. - Like any piece of art, it's about being able to see and appreciate the symbols.
12/31/2024 - Chapters 16–27 [image] (1) This is all about why stars are magical and can make you cry. - Initially, it almost seems like a book of individual parables, each with hints of philosophy and poetry, and could have come off as throwaway if the meaning didn't continue to build throughout. (2) Listening to an audiobook that regularly refers to absent illustrations does take some getting used to. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: A murder-bungled, gothic jungle, weave of many threads, it's a cozy, perky, small-town quirky, life among the dead.
*Check o(A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: A murder-bungled, gothic jungle, weave of many threads, it's a cozy, perky, small-town quirky, life among the dead.
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10/24/2024 - Preamble (1) This is the last Neil Gaiman audiobook I have left to listen to. - That's every one of his novels and novellas. - I've not read his non-fiction and short story collections yet, though I do own all of them. So, I'll be reading those in prose first. (2) I decided to go for the original audio version with Gaiman voicing narration over the full-cast production. - I always prefer single narrators when possible.
10/26/2024 - Chapter One [image] (1) Quite lengthy string and mandolin music kick off each chapter. - Reminds me of "Coraline," which featured songs composed for the audiobook. (2)"'It is going to take more than just a couple of good-hearted souls to raise this child. It will,' said Silas, 'take a graveyard.'" - I get the "it takes a village" allusion. Though graveyards seem more hamlet-sized to me.
11/04/2024 - Chapter Two [image] (1) "[Scarlett] was dressed in bright colors, yellow and pink and orange." - Ironic how Scarlett never wears red. (2) "Sebastian Reeder [d. 1583] had been to London Town and had seen the Queen, who had been a fat woman ... he did not think she had been queen for very long." - This can only be Mary I. Elizabeth's reign was long and Jane Grey was only proclaimed Queen.
11/16/2024 - Chapter Three [image] (1) Miss Lupescu is marked as a werewolf from the moment she's introduced. - "Lupus" being Latin for wolf and "-escu" being a Romanian surname suffix. I mean, once you get to "Romanian wolf," the implication is pretty obvious. (2) Ghouls names are taken from the first corpse they eat. - The ghoul the 33rd President of the United States apparently ate Harry S. Truman.
11/23/2024 - Chapter Four [image] (1) We're introduced to two graveyard characters, Mr. Pennyworth and Liza Hempstock. - Pennyworth is likely after Batman's butler. Gaiman's a noted Batman fan. - Hempstock women/witches feature in several Gaiman novels. (2) Being buried in unconsecrated ground means you can leave the graveyard. - Makes you wonder why sacred ground is preferable... afterlife, I guess.
11/28/2024 - Chapter Five and Interlude [image] (1) Silas: "You must be alive or you must be dead to dance [the Macabray]—and I am neither." - Huh, I thought vampires counted as dead? I guess still being corporeal is some kind of alive. (2) "Macabre" here is spelled "Macabray" when spoken and pronounced like "macca-bray." - It's as if someone who didn't speak French sounded out the word and everyone followed suit.
12/02/2024 - Chapter Six [image] (1) "Bod thought, He's lying! and They're doing this on purpose, the friendly one and the tough one…" - Ah, yes, the old "good cop bad cop" routine. (2) It's interesting, but for Bod and Silas, there doesn't seem to be any established same-sex pairings/friendships. - Bod and Scarlett, Bod and Liza, Silas and Miss Lupescu, Nick and Mo, Mr. and Ms. Owens.
12/06/2024 - Chapter Seven (1) [image] (1) One thing Gaiman does a lot, and with great skill, is imply things so clearly that they can remain unsaid yet you know exactly what they are. - With Mr. J. Frost, his first name is obviously Jack, and therefore quite probably the murderer whose name we know is Jack. - It's almost a running joke that Silas, "who had no problems with mirrors," is clearly a vampire.
12/07/2024 - Chapter Seven (2) and Eight [image] (1) "It was a jungle here, of fallen headstones and headless statues, of trees and holly bushes, of slippery piles of half-rotted fallen leaves, but it was a jungle that Bod had explored since he had been old enough to walk and to wander." - I guess he had to throw in at least one jungle reference, given "The Graveyard Book" is directly inspired by "The Jungle Book." (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: On pyrrhic wins, quick-cobbled kin (remarriages and strays), royal brawls, disguised cabals, and loves that got away.
*Check(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: On pyrrhic wins, quick-cobbled kin (remarriages and strays), royal brawls, disguised cabals, and loves that got away.
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09/14/2024 - Preamble [image] (1) So, I originally planned to listen to this back during my big "A Song of Ice and Fire" audiobook reread of 2019/2020, but never followed through. - The whole point being that the sixth book was slated to come out by the end of the year and rereading the series was about getting back up to speed. Of course, it didn't come out, and I guess I just wanted to move on.
09/17/2024 - The Hedge Knight (1) [image] (1) Dunk's sixteen or seventeen years old. - I forgot how disgustingly young everyone in this world is! (2) Innkeeper: "Is it ale you want, or food?" Dunk: "Both." Innkeeper: "There's good lamb, roasted with a crust of herbs, and some ducks my son shot down. Which will you have?" Dunk: "Both." - I forgot about the food lists! Only a short one here, but I expect more.
09/19/2024 - The Hedge Knight (2) [image] (1) Puppeteer: "Tanselle Too-Tall, the boys used to call me." Dunk: "You're not too tall ... You're just right for…" Puppeteer: "For?" Dunk: "Puppets." - Reminds me of "From Russia With Love," when Tatiana Romanova says her mouth is too big. James Bond replies, "No, it’s the right size… for me that is." - Though, obviously, Dunk's not making any sexual innuendo here.
09/21/2024 - The Hedge Knight (3) [image] (1) Egg: "I remember, when I was little, [Aerion] used to come into my bedchamber at night and put his knife between my legs. He had too many brothers, he'd say, maybe one night he'd make me his sister, then he could marry me." - I forgot how Targaryens go all Ptolemaic and practice incest. - I doubt castrating and marrying Egg would preserve the blood of the dragon.
09/26/2024 - The Sworn Sword (1) [image] (1) "'Nasty stuff, water,' Bennis said. 'Drank some once, and it made me sick as a dog. Wine's better.'" - True enough! Whenever I go back to the Philippines, my relatives always warn me against drinking local water. I'll have either distilled water or beer. (2) Dunk's always threatening Egg with "a clout in the ear." - An empty threat. It's his "To the moon, Alice!"
10/02/2024 - The Sworn Sword (2) [image] (1) "Dunk gave Egg a clout in the ear." - I guess it's not an empty threat. (2) "There had been days when Dunk had set Egg to chasing chickens. It helps make him quicker, he thought, but he knew that if he said it, [Lady Webber] would laugh." - I'm pretty sure Martin got the idea from Rocky II: "If you can catch this [chicken] you can catch greased lightning!"
10/10/2024 - The Sworn Sword (3) [image] (1) Rohanne: "You have large feet ... Large hands as well. I think you must be large all over." - Suddenly it's all subtext and sexual innuendo. - "Large all over" mirrors Dunk's repeated thought "I'll bet she's freckled all over." (2) Rohanne offers Dunk a horse with "a long fiery mane." He declines. - The horse symbolizes her, of course. She has a "long red braid."
10/16/2024 - The Mystery Knight (1) [image] (1) "Suckling pig ... a peacock roasted in its plumage; a great pike crusted with crushed almonds ... salt pork, soaked in almond milk and peppered pleasantly ... capons, crisped up nice and brown and stuffed with onions, herbs, mushrooms, and roasted chestnuts..." - Three separate food lists in just the first third of this story! - I had to cut this one off halfway.
10/18/2024 - The Mystery Knight (2) [image] (1) "They woke Dunk from a pleasant dream involving Tanselle Too-Tall and the Red Widow." - I can only imagine what "pleasant" is a euphemism for. (2) Dunk: "You'll do better with a proper master-at-arms to see to your training." Egg: "I don't want a proper master-at-arms. I want you." - Quite a backhanded compliment; a backhand to Dunk for all the clouts in the ear.
10/22/2024 - The Mystery Knight (3) [image] (1) This one really picked up at the end, not enough to make it my favorite of the bunch, but a solid tie for number two. (2) Imagine my amusement when I heard stated in the book's afterword to expect more tales of "our hedge knight and his squire in the years to come." - What's it been, a decade since this book was published? and still not a single additional story. (hide spoiler)]...more
(B+) 77% | Good Notes: Smart introspective/invective perspective, an objective-excelling, if not-so-compelling, inventive, reflective corrective.
*Check(B+) 77% | Good Notes: Smart introspective/invective perspective, an objective-excelling, if not-so-compelling, inventive, reflective corrective.
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09/08/2024 - Preamble (1) As with my last audiobook, this is a re-read of one of the very first novels I read when I began reading recreationally. - I only read it because it's book two in the Canongate Myth Series. I never continued the series past it. (2) I'm always surprised how popular my original review continues to be. - This doesn't strike me as any sort of household name novel, yet I get notifications about it all the time.
09/09/2024 - Introduction–Chapter 6 (1) The chorus of handmaidens sounds less like a group of women than the Lollipop Guild from "The Wizard of Oz." - You know, the ones that "wish to welcome you to Munchkinland." (2) "Telling her side of the story" has so far been tantamount to airing out grievances. - And not limited to the patriarchy nor men in her life, as one might expect, but also against Helen of Troy, of whom she seems eternally envious.
09/11/2024 - Chapters 7–13 (1) "'Helen hasn't borne a son yet,' [Odysseus] said, which ought to have made me glad. And it did. But on the other hand, why was he still—and possibly always—thinking about Helen?" - I don't know, maybe because Penelope talks about Helen ad nauseam. (2) I'm somewhat surprised by all the sex puns. - Penelope says Odysseus is proud of "his big [bed]post" and chorus maids call him "the saltiest seaman."
09/12/2024 - Chapters 14–21 (1) "I had bought [maidservants] or acquired them when they were small children, brought them up as playmates for Telemachus." - Hmm, bought him a harem more like. I mean, having sex with noblemen is literally in the job description. (2) Penelope comes off as extremely needy, especially where Helen of Troy's concerned. - She needs her son Telemachus to insult Helen's looks so she can feel better about herself.
09/13/2024 - Chapters 22–29 (1) I've sat through many an anthropology lecture and I'm unsure if Chapter 24's fictional one is a genuine feminist semiotic interpretation, a parody, or a deliberate exaggeration. - It's so spot-on it could be any of those. (2) I look back at my first review of this book and can't say that I disagree at all. - This is an excellent pastiche and very clever, but that's it. To me, it never resonated any deeper. (hide spoiler)]...more
(B+) 77% | Good Notes: Verbosity monstrosity, pomposity-projecting, sterling creativity, but glitchy as a mystery: no care for dot-connecting.
*Check ou(B+) 77% | Good Notes: Verbosity monstrosity, pomposity-projecting, sterling creativity, but glitchy as a mystery: no care for dot-connecting.
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07/08/2024 - Preamble (1) I always say that I really want to like Michael Chabon books, it's just he makes it exceedingly difficult. Clarity, please! - Foremost among authors, at least ones I've read, he loves showing off his vocabulary. So, a dictionary must always be at the ready. - It was a struggle to get through this in text, I don't know that the audiobook would be any easier. I predict a lot of pausing to google definitions.
07/15/2024 - Chapters 1–5 (1) One word I don't need a dictionary to understand is "lumpia." Of course, I'm from the Philippines and know it as a natural consequence of birth. - Though I'm certain most every non-Filipino reader wouldn't have any idea, nor any clue, what "lumpia" is beyond the fact it fits in a bag. - This exemplifies my frustration with Chabon in general: the assumption everyone's lived his life and knows what he knows.
07/19/2024 - Chapters 6–9 (1) A fifth of the way into this thing and I only have a vague idea of what's going on. This despite the fact I've read the book before and this should all just be a refresher. - It's the whole reason why all my audiobooks are rereads, so I don't have to pay too much attention. (2) The ubiquity of Yiddish only adds to the difficulty because it's hard to tell if I've misheard an English word or if it's Yiddish.
07/23/2024 - Chapters 10–12 (1) In what world does this pass for a pulp novel? (2) Just a sampling of Chabon's maddening prose, spanning just three pages: "...in a way that is meant to signify deep ratiocination..." "...burning Conestogas have their effect on people's minds." "He smells the sudden fear ... like caries of the teeth." - It's this sort of arcane priggish locution that rankles my inured imperturbability!
07/28/2024 - Chapters 13–16 (1) Despite how much I find reading Chabon infuriating, there are things to like. The whole idea of a Hasidic sect being a kind of Jewish mafia is very interesting. - It's one of those concepts that, on the surface, you wouldn't think would work but does. - Its rebbe being a spiritual and community authority very much fits into an archetypical mob boss paradigm. Innate respect within a closed society and such.
08/03/2024 - Chapters 17–20 (1) First of all, I'm not a person who kicks up a fuss when Westerners attempt ethnic accents. I appreciate they have the nerve to try, especially in times of increased social sensitivities. - Having said that, Peter Reigert's Filipino accent is awful. It might pass for Chinese or Vietnamese or Thai, but Filipino sounds totally different. (2) Secondly, Tagalog isn't pronounced like tag-along: it's tuh-GAH-lug.
08/09/2024 - Chapters 21–24 (1) In this alternate reality, JFK married Marilyn Monroe. - It's unclear whether he ever married Jackie. (2) There's a big focus on marriages and how they differ. - Berko and Ester-Malka, for example, have a loving marriage, albeit encumbered by ceaseless pregnancies. They're poor but happy. - The Shpilmans have an entirely religious marriage of non-communication and marital duty. They're wealthy but distant.
08/14/2024 - Chapters 25–28 (1) "'The Yiddish Policemen’s Union,' says the pie man." - We finally get the titular line. The significance of which is that, with his badge taken away, his union card is the only way Meyer can prove he's a cop—a plot point that could have been stated more clearly at the outset. (2) "Kitka has on black leather jeans and a matching vest worn over his bare skin..." - Wait, so are they leather or are they jeans?
08/16/2024 - Chapters 29–32 (1) In this alternate reality, Sitka Jews call American English "American." - To "speak American," apparently, isn’t just some sarcastic remark or mock hillbilly affect, as it is in our world. - Alternatively, it could be American English diverged so much post-WW2 as to be recognized as a language. (2) "Landsman has heard different stories about Inspector Willie Dick and his motorcycle." - Willie Dick, eh? SMH
08/21/2024 - Chapters 33–35 (1) "They wait for the question, and it comes, and Dick's manner hardens." - If only Chabon's usual prose was as clear and succinct as his Dick jokes. (2) Another problem I have with Chabon is how unconcerned he is with plot clarity. - I'm always having to retrace my steps when I resume reading. - Chabon gets so distracted demonstrating linguistic gymnastics that connecting the dots ends up as an afterthought.
08/27/2024 - Chapters 36–38 (1) A frustrating effect of this book is reading it makes you feel stupid. Not just the esoteric vocab, but you always feel like you missed something. - Like, why are we visiting this dentist? What chain of clues led here? - Recaps, please! (2) In this alternate history, Manchuria is a country. - While this book's strongest aspect is worldbuilding, I wish Chabon would throw in more divergent tidbits like this.
08/30/2024 - Chapters 39–41 (1) There are two featured homosexual characters, Meyer's dead sister Naomi and Mendel Shpilman, the murder victim at the center of the mystery. - They're both dead (their deaths are tied) and they both only appear in flashbacks. - There's an immediate affinity between them. Despite only just meeting, they form a kind of alliance. - I wonder if Chabon's implying some kind of natural/instinctual gay solidarity?
09/01/2024 (1) - Chapters 42–46 (1) I'm finished with the novel, but there's an author interview I'll listen to before marking this complete. (2) Peter Riegert's fairly good at making voices distinct, but the dialogue at the very end between Meyer and Bina left me totally confused. - They sound exactly the same and I had to break out my hardcover to figure out who's saying what. - A suitably frustrating note to end this frustrating novel on.
09/01/2024 (2) - Interview (1) Well, it's unsurprising the author interview is a lot better than the book. - Funny how two people talking in colloquial speech can be enjoyable and easy to follow. No dictionary needed! (2) Probably the most interesting tidbit from this is that the first draft was written in first-person, but was change to third-person. - Chabon says it worked much better for him. Though, I can attest, not for the reader. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 84% | Very Good Notes: On memories lost, desires and cost, juvenile ordeals, adult concerns that children discern, women who hurt and heal.
*Check (A-) 84% | Very Good Notes: On memories lost, desires and cost, juvenile ordeals, adult concerns that children discern, women who hurt and heal.
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06/15/2024 - Preamble (1) I'm in between audiobooks at the moment. I recently finished an eight-book series and the book I chose next finished much sooner than expected. - So, when in doubt go with Neil Gaiman. (2) I have two more Neil Gaiman audiobooks left to listen to, this and "The Graveyard Book." - I chose this one simply because it's shorter. I have some audiobooks on hold at my library and I want to be free to receive them.
06/17/2024 - Prologue–Chapter 3 (1) Regular readers of Neil Gaiman will recognize the Hempstock surname from several of his other novels. - This suggests they're all connected and part of the same world. - Lettie says she came over as a baby from the old country. Could be she's kin to the "Stardust" Hempstocks and the old country is Faerie. - The Hempstocks here are three generations of women. Similar to the Zorya sisters in "American Gods."
06/20/2024 - Chapters 4–6 (1) The prevalence of pre-decimalized coins is interesting. - They're mundane items yet symbolic of a bygone age and links to a medieval world. (2) Since Ursula wears a pink and grey skirt, we assume she's the same creature as the foot worm and the canvas monster. - All three are striped pink and grey. - Being a shape-shifter, she's akin to the Other Mother in "Coraline." As a nanny, she'd be "another mother."
06/23/2024 - Chapters 7–8 (1) Ursula Monkton reveals herself as a monster in more ways than one. She seduces the father, thus corrupting familial integrity. - Once again, she's creeping into substitute mother territory. (2) "He was hugging her from behind. Her midi skirt was hiked around her waist." - That's quite the euphemism. Despite having a child protagonist, this is most certainly Gaiman's most "adult" book since "American Gods."
06/25/2024 - Chapters 9–10 (1) Lettie says her family can use spells but they don't. The closest thing we get to a spell is Old Mrs. Hempstock snipping memories out of cloth. - Likely a direct allusion to the Fates of Greek myth, in both cases the eldest one does the cutting. (2) Ursula seems to represent a child's first (unsexual) awareness of sexual things. - The narrator sees her in her bra, completely naked, and actually having sex.
07/03/2024 - Chapters 11–13 (1) It's interesting how the true form of these supernatural characters are described in terms of fabric. - Ursula is "made of gray and pink canvas that flapped in the gusts of storm wind." - "Lettie Hempstock was made of silken sheets the color of ice, filled with tiny flickering candle flames." - Flapping versus flickering and canvas versus silk are interesting contrasts. They're both coarse versus delicate.
07/07/2024 - Chapters 14–Epilogue (1) It's revealed this isn't the first time the narrator's revisits the Hempstock farm. He returns at times of personal crisis. - This makes me think that going back is actually an anti-suicide pilgrimage, a periodic reminder of Lettie's sacrifice. - After all, the story begins with a funeral, suicide and the line "the end of the road." "The end of the lane" isn't mentioned until the epilogue, as if a bookend.
07/08/2024 - Back Matter (1) The only notable bonus material is Gaiman's interview with the Bookclub Girl Podcast. - Included, I assume, because it's about the book specifically. (2) My main takeaway from the interview is that the unnamed narrator is Neil Gaiman himself, though the family is fictional. - That's surprising, although I'd assumed it was somewhat autobiographical. - The house described in the book is Gaiman's family home. (hide spoiler)]...more
(B+) 78% | Good Notes: On chasing dreams, don't settle themes, enjoying silver linings, but too cliché and child's play, relies on stars aligning.
*Chec(B+) 78% | Good Notes: On chasing dreams, don't settle themes, enjoying silver linings, but too cliché and child's play, relies on stars aligning.
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06/08/2024 - Preamble (1) It's been a very long time since I first read this. Really, this is one of the earliest novels I read when I began reading recreationally. - I remember at the time not getting what all the hype was about and thought it, while quite well done, was fairly ordinary. - It'll be interesting to see if I'll change my tune at all after so many years. (2) No real chapter breaks, which is a shame. I like boundaries.
06/09/2024 - Prologue (1) You know, I'd just been wondering why the original cover art was "Narcissus" by Caravaggio. I couldn't understand why. Well, the prologue answered that question immediately albeit not directly. - My first thought is it's symbolic of this book in concept. The prologue tells the story of Narcissus, but then adds to it. Which is to say this book might use existing folklore as a base to build its fiction upon.
06/12/2024 - Andalusia (1) Melchizedek's interesting. He says he's the Biblical King of Salem, who dealt with Abraham. So, he's either a liar/conman or in some way divine. - You'd think Santiago, who attended seminary, would be either awed or skeptical. He seems neither. - Presuming he's divine, the way he disrupts Santiago's life, overturning the status quo, makes him an archetypical trickster. - This is magical realism, I suppose.
06/13/2024 - Tangier (1) "The boy knew that in money there was magic; whoever has money is never really alone." - True, albeit cynical. You're never alone because people want your money. - Of course, it implies the inverse is also true. Losing all his money means he's now really alone and has no ability to make things magically happen. (2) This whole Tangier section is about blessings in disguise and not settling for the familiar.
06/14/2024 (1) - The Caravan and Oasis (1) "Once you get into the desert, there's no going back, and, when you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward." - That's the difference between the Crystal Merchant, who looks back and never sees Mecca, and the Englishman, who builds a forge in the desert. - This whole section is like one big Nike ad. So many metaphors all amounting to the same "Just Do It!" call to action.
06/14/2024 (2) - The Desert (1) It's interesting how figures here tie themselves into a Biblical lineage, as if to imply this story is Biblical as well. - We saw this previously with the old man who insisted he was the Biblical Melchizedek. - At the oasis, the tribal elder says they were the very people who purchased Joseph and brought him to Egypt. - Like Joseph, Santiago is a foreigner who saves the locals and is made a court official.
06/15/2024 (1) - The Military Camp (1) It's around this point in the book that you realize the titular "Alchemist" isn't the alchemist character, but Santiago. - Because turning lead into gold is a metaphor for leaving a mundane life to pursue treasure. (2) "Usually the threat of death makes people a lot more aware of their lives." - Hitting rock bottom usually spurs people into action. - That's why the boy was robbed of everything three times.
06/15/2024 (2) - Epilogue (1) Ultimately, this is one of those "it's not you it's me" books. - I can understand why it inspires so many people and why it's one of the most popular books on this site. - But (call me jaded, cynical or a grump) the book-long refrain that the universe conspires to make your dreams come true just seems quixotic and trite. (2) Overall, a better experience than before, but nothing to make me change my rating. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 84% | Very Good Notes: Wherein tech gives way à la Y2K (most everything explodes), spirits tarry, kisses carry, it's flippin' callback overload!
*C(A-) 84% | Very Good Notes: Wherein tech gives way à la Y2K (most everything explodes), spirits tarry, kisses carry, it's flippin' callback overload!
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04/30/2024 - Preamble (1) Well, I've come to the final book in the series! Now I've got to start deciding what audiobook(s) to listen to next. (2) The first time I read this, the song "Royals" by Lorde was omnipresent on the radio, and so the tune always comes to mind whenever I think of this book. - I think it's the last scene that inextricably links them in my brain. It felt like the perfect song to play over the closing credits.
05/04/2024 - Prologue–Chapter 2 (1) This series is all about callbacks: Chekhov's Gun situations, variations on repeated scenes, etc. - This opens the same way as "The Arctic Incident," with Artemis talking with a psychiatrist and toying with him intellectually. The variation being that it's a fairy psychiatrist this time. - I totally forgot there are two Opal Kobois running around! We finally see the payoff for a seed planted two books ago.
05/09/2024 - Chapters 3–5 (1) Foaly: "Here we go. Captain Short goes rogue once more. Hands up who’s surprised. Anyone?" - Hmm, is it still "go[ing] rogue" if people expect it? (2) Opal goes nuclear, literally. - Reminds me of Dr. Manhattan from Alan Moore's "Watchmen." (3) We get the series bookended with a second battle at Fowl Manor. - Which, of course, keeps with the series theme of having variations on prior scenes and situations.
05/20/2024 - Chapters 6–7 (1) Apparently, Holly had "three disastrous dates with Commander Kelp." - Three? I thought they only had one? - Could be they went for another try later on? (2) Trouble Kelp hooks up with Lily Frond, the other female on the force. - I always like how jealous Holly is of Lily, it humanizes her. (3) The name of the evil warlock Shayden Fruid is pronounced like "schadenfreude." - A bit on the nose, if you ask me.
05/23/2024 - Chapters 8–10 (1) There's this warrior named Bellico, who's seemingly the only female among the Berserkers. Probably based on Boudica and/or Bellona (Roman goddess of war), but the name immediately makes me think of Bellatrix Lestrange. - I mean, they're both the only prominent female in their respective magical cohorts. - You'd think Colfer would choose a different name if he wanted to avoid the "Harry Potter" comparisons.
06/04/2024 - Chapters 11–13 (1) Foaly: "Immediate deployment to downtown Haven. Scenario three. All sections. Citywide disaster. Fly, my pretties, fly." Mayne: "'Fly, my pretties, fly.' Cool. Did you make that up yourself?" Foaly: "Absolutely. Every word a Foaly original." - Likely not so much ignorance of human culture than a generation gap between Foaly and his nephew. - I mean, who below a certain age has even seen "The Wizard of Oz"?
06/08/2024 (1) - Chapters 14–16 (1) We get a scene straight out of "Back to the Future Part III." - Well, except a plane instead of a time machine, a troll instead of a train, and instead of colored fuel logs... a massive fart/poop. - It wouldn't be an Artemis Fowl book without some bowel-assisted action. (2) There's a bulimia joke, which you can add to the pile of things about this series that just wouldn't fly in a middle-grade book today.
06/08/2024 (2) - Chapters 17–19 (1) I've always said this series is all about Chekhov's Gun. The last two chapters were like nonstop callbacks. - The final showdown alone had at least three at the same time! (2) Also being about mirroring and bookending, the final lines here reference the very first lines of the series. - The same as the "Sailor Moon" anime... or so I hear. (3) Having refreshed my memory, I can finally read "The Fowl Twins." (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: Wherein brains are addled (sense skedaddles), many people die, gallantry fests are sanity tests, and gadgets go awry.
*Check(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: Wherein brains are addled (sense skedaddles), many people die, gallantry fests are sanity tests, and gadgets go awry.
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04/06/2024 - Preamble (1) This being strictly an audiobook reread of the series, I've skipped over "The Artemis Fowl Files," of which no audiobook was recorded. - I mention this because, as I recall, it introduces this book's villain. - A refresher would have been nice, though I'm not too fussed about it since reading the supplementary stories isn't required to understand this or any book in the series, which are fairly standalone.
04/10/2024 - Prologue–Chapter 1 (1) The prologue is just a summary of the first two books, which I guess are the only books with necessary background info. - Book 1 is the origin story and book 2 is how Artemis and Holly/LEP became friends. Everything else are just standalone adventures. (2) Nothing subtle about Chapter 1. Artemis has severe OCD, which is drilled into your brain over and over again. (3) Fairy Wikipedia is called Wicca-pedia.
04/13/2024 - Chapters 2–3 (1) Parker's Mexican accent sounds decidedly Greek to me. - I don't mean "Greek to me" the idiom, I mean it sounds like a Greek accent. (2) Artemis gets concussed and develops a split personality named Orion. - It's like something out of "Gilligan's Island," except instead of getting conked on the head with a coconut he gets blasted by a ray gun. - Like Artemis, Orion's the name of a Greek mythological hunter.
04/17/2024 - Chapters 4–6 (1) One of the themes here is characters having alter egos. We see this most directly in Orion, Artemis' alternate personality. - Turnball Root, Julius Root's brother, while not exactly an alter ego is very much an "evil twin." - There's also Juliet, who's wrestling persona is "The Jade Princess," and Mulch, who goes by the nom de guerre "Tombstone." (2) We get the requisite fart humor: not Mulch for a change.
04/21/2024 - Chapter 7 (1) For some reason, the back half of this book features really long chapters. "Long" comparative to the rest of the series. - From Chapter 7 onward, they're all around an hour or more (this being an audiobook). (2) This was written before smart phones became ubiquitous, so hitherto unheard-of programs for your phone are called "mini-programs" or "mi-p" for short. - Of course, nowadays they're known as "apps."
04/23/2024 - Chapter 8 (1) Foaly: "It seemed to me that Commander Trouble Kelp, aka your boyfriend, gave us the green light to investigate." Holly: "First of all, he’s not my boyfriend—we went on one date." - It's nice to know that Holly has a social life, though it seems her social circle is limited to her co-workers... and Artemis Fowl, of course. - It's left ambiguous whether this date happened before or after he became her boss.
04/29/2024 - Chapter 9 (1) The biggest difficulty I've had with this book, and series in general, is wrapping my head around all the tech talk. - As an audiobook, it's not as if I can linger on a line of text or stop for a second to connect the dots. - Chapter 9 especially, I've done so much rewinding to hear things over. - I usually listen to audiobooks at 1.50x speed or higher, but I've had to go at normal speed this whole series.
04/30/2024 - Epilogue (1) Is Eoin Colfer's name pronounced "Ian" or "Owen"? I've heard it both ways in these audiobooks. - I always thought it was the latter. Though, it probably varies by region and accent. (2) Not in my top tier of books in the series. Still fun, but there's nothing that really elevates it past just being fun. - Seems mostly an excuse to get all the surviving heroes together, for the first time, in the same book. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 84% | Very Good Notes: Wherein logic pains (aches your brain), a hero's hormone-drunk, and sense begets kiss-regret: a fandom ship is sunk.
*Check (A-) 84% | Very Good Notes: Wherein logic pains (aches your brain), a hero's hormone-drunk, and sense begets kiss-regret: a fandom ship is sunk.
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03/26/2024 (1) - Preamble (1) Most of my memories about this, from the first time I read it, was that all the time travel complexities hurt my brain, but in a good way—in an exercise no-pain-no-gain sort of way. There's a lot of mental heavy-lifting. - I felt the same about Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose." (2) This is the first audiobook without the new jack swing theme tune at the start. - It was an odd fit, but I really miss it.
03/26/2023 (2) - Prologue–Chapter 2 (1) "Foaly had got married, or hitched, as centaurs called the ceremony, while Holly had been away with Artemis Fowl..." - Of course it'd be called that. I do love a good pun! (2) Barely two chapters in and we already have our first deadly fart, and an earth-shaking one at that. - It wouldn't be "Artemis Fowl" without plenty of farting. (3) This is book #6. Even-numbered, ergo, Opal's the villain again.
03/28/2023 - Chapters 3–4 (1) "[The nature reserve] would be a real treat for me, and Butler too. You know how he likes small furry creatures." - I can only assume this is a sly reference to Mulch Diggums. (2) "We can only change the future, not the past or present. If I go back [in time], then I have already been back." - Ah, yes, "Bill and Ted" logic. Except future-Artemis didn't leave him anything, he actually has to get it himself.
03/29/2023 - Chapters 5–6 (1) This book's a prime example of "ship sinking." That is problematic fan shipping that's gotten so popular that the author must bring it up in order to kill it. - Different species aside, Artemis is fourteen and Holly's an adult. They're made the same age here. (2) "Artemis and Holly stood there in their underwear, gingerly locking fingers." - A surprisingly intimate/risqué situation for a middle-grade book.
03/31/2023 - Chapter 7 (1) "... because she was happy and flushed with magic Holly leaned down and kissed Artemis, magic sparking around the contact like tiny fireworks." - Colfer really is laying it on thick with the fan service! I suppose it's better to get it all out of the way now than have fans speculate about future books. (2) Like the last book, Artemis is pitted against a version of himself. - In this case, his younger self.
04/02/2023 (1) - Chapters 8–11 (1) Holly: "...your elf-kissing days are over." Artemis: "I see." Holly: "It’s not a challenge, Artemis. Over is over." Artemis: "I know." - Well, mission accomplished. Fan ship effectively sunk. (2) Parker's New Orleans accent sounds decidedly Old West cowboy. (3) Interestingly, Artemis makes unethical deals attempting to save his father in the past and his mother in the present. - Ergo, family trumps ethics.
04/02/2023 (2) - Chapter 12 (1) Fish is served at the Extinctionists' banquet... naturally, a presumed-extinct fish. An interesting choice, since fish is as inoffensive a meat as it gets. - They aren't cute and it's not like anyone cares too much when their goldfish dies. (2) Even though we're well past the relation-ship sinking part of this book, Colfer still brings up their kiss from earlier. - I mean, are we putting it to rest or not?
04/04/2023 - Chapter 13 (1) Holly: "It looks like you’ve found an intellectual equal, Mulch. It’s a pity [the lemur] isn’t a girl; then you could marry him." Mulch: "Romance outside your species. Now that’s disgusting. What kind of weirdo would kiss someone when they weren’t even part of the same species?" - Probably couldn't get away with making that gay joke today, mild and tenuous as it is. - Mulch's clearly not a "Star Trek" fan.
04/05/2023 (1) - Chapter 14 (1) The last thing I expected was for this to turn into the plot of "Little Red Riding Hood." - Though, I suppose it is a "fairy" tale. (2) "It was confusing even for Artemis. Opal wouldn’t even be in his present if he hadn’t gone back in time. And he had only gone back in time because of a situation she had created." - Yes, confusing for me too! What's the butterfly effect that started the whole thing?
04/05/2023 (2) - Chapters 15–Epilogue (1) Holly: "Maybe you made the wrong decision; maybe I would have made that decision myself. We’re from different worlds, Artemis. We will always have doubts about each other. Let’s just carry on and leave the past in the past, where it should be." - Ostensibly, this is about Artemis lying to Holly to fool her into going back in time. Though, implicitly, this is a fairly typical "let's just be friends" speech. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: Wherein fading spells and hormone hell are looming cataclysms, and omnipresent adolescence steers the symbolism.
*Check out (A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: Wherein fading spells and hormone hell are looming cataclysms, and omnipresent adolescence steers the symbolism.
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02/27/2024 - Preamble (1) So, I guess this is where Disney stopped reissuing the audiobooks with new promotional cover art. Or perhaps they thought half the books were enough to advertise their ill-fated Disney+ film. - I've mentioned it before, but the American editions have never had consistent covers. (2) I mostly remember this book as the one where Artemis finally has a love interest, but she never shows up again in the series.
03/06/2024 - Chapters 1–2 (1) Artemis: "It's this blasted puberty, Butler. Every time I see a pretty girl, I waste valuable mind space thinking about her. The girl at that restaurant, for instance. I’ve glanced in her direction a dozen times in the past few minutes." - The girl at the restaurant is only described as having blond curls. To me it's reminiscent of Charlie Brown's Little Red-Haired Girl. - All signs point to love-interest.
03/09/2024 - Chapter 3 (1) This book is very clearly about puberty. It's the subject, theme and basis for every metaphor and allusion. - The demons and imps, for example, live in literal Limbo, forever unfixed to any plane of existence. - Ironically, demons don't experience puberty. They sort of Pokémon rapid-evolve from imps to demons. Warlocks, on the other hand, are sort of a permanent state of puberty, which makes them magical.
03/11/2024 - Chapters 4–5 (1) Demons and imps are affected by silver and the moon, the same as werewolves. Interesting, as fairies in general must be invited into human homes, the same as vampires. - I wonder if Colfer is just recycling aspects of well-known monster folklore, or if this has historically also been applied to fairies? (2) Minerva is French, but has an Italian surname and Brazilian ancestry. - Well and truly cosmopolitan.
03/14/2024 - Chapters 6–7 (1) Holly: "Just entertain him for a minute." Mulch: "Entertain him? How am I supposed to do that?" Artemis: "Use your dwarf talents ... Young children are inquisitive. Eat some rocks. Pass wind." - How very meta! Colfer's saying the quiet part out loud, that all the fart and gross-out humor is to entertain kids. - It's ironic, as the sole purveyor of fart and gross-out humor, Mulch opposes his very existence.
03/15/2024 - Chapters 8–9 (1) I mentioned in my first review of this book that it's pretty much a beat-for-beat retread of the first book's kidnap/rescue plot. This time, however, Artemis is on the fairy side, against a female version of himself. - The idea that opposites attract apparently doesn't apply here. - It's entirely consistent with Artemis' ego and intellectual narcissism to be romantically attracted to (essentially) himself.
03/22/2024 - Chapters 10–11 (1) "Billy Kong understood, all right. He understood that [Minerva] was trying to blind him with science." - Well, somebody's a Thomas Dolby fan. (2) Minerva: "Why is [Artemis] helping me? Do you know?" N°1: "I'm not sure. Holly, our friend, said it was something about puberty. Apparently you’re pretty, though to be honest, I can’t see it myself." - Dude, not cool! At least make his intentions sound honorable!
03/25/2024 - Chapters 12–14 (1) As a side effect of interdimensional travel, Artemis' index and middle fingers switch places on his hand. I bring this up now because it finally comes into play—this series uses Chekhov's Gun a lot! Now when Artemis points at the villain to make a big reveal, he's giving him the middle finger. - That's quite a story investment for what amounts to a rude joke. - Well, at least it's not more fart/poop humor.
03/26/2024 - Chapters 15–16 (1) "Then Holly kissed [Artemis] on the cheek. 'That was probably dangerous. You being a pubescent volcano.' 'I’ve got it under control, just about.'" - If Colfer's genuine about never intending to spark any Artemis/Holly shipping, he's blind to his own work. - That's a rather risqué innuendo for a middle-grade book. (2) Seeds are planted for an Artemis/Minerva relationship. - Shame it never comes to fruition. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: Wherein shifts are felt, convictions melt, dormancies awaken, evil aims go Hunger Games, and leaps of faith are taken.
*Chec(A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: Wherein shifts are felt, convictions melt, dormancies awaken, evil aims go Hunger Games, and leaps of faith are taken.
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01/31/2024 - Preamble (1) I mentioned before that, despite having already read the series, I couldn't tell you what the early books are about. With this, and subsequently, I can actually recall the plot! - There's one very memorable scene in particular that's a real series turning point. (2) This is the last audiobook with the new Disney cover art advertising the film. - This series has always had inconsistent cover art. I hate it!
02/02/2024 - Prologue–Chapter 2 (1) Opal: "I don’t care about magic. Magic did not help me to escape, science did. Science will be my magic." - It's a very telling line. At least so far, the fairy world isn't especially magical, despite fairies being magical creatures. It's a futuristic, technologically-advanced world. - Whereas with the human world, you'd expect science to be used for medicine at least, but characters rely on magic to heal.
02/06/2024 - Chapter 3 (1) I like when evil characters do actual evil things and are smart about it. - The murder here strikes a perfect balance for a middle-grade book. - It's about as quick and painless a death as you can get. (2) "If Master Fowl is as clever as he is supposed to be, he won’t open the package until he reaches the Kronski Hotel." - In the audiobook the narrator says "Master Foaly." Likely just a flub no one caught.
02/14/2024 - Chapters 4–5 (1) Artemis and Holly, despite being different species, are of comparable height. She's a full-grown elf and he's a human adolescent. - In a way, it's very Superman and Lois Lane. Different species, but similar enough. Plus Holly, like Superman, ages relatively slowly. Artemis being mature for his age means they're also intellectual peers. (2) "Foaly ground his horsey teeth." - A bit on the nose for a centaur.
02/18/2024 - Chapters 6–7 (1) Chapter 7 is pretty much "The Hunger Games," complete with a "Catching Fire" ending. - Though, rather than a purpose-built arena, it's in an abandoned amusement park. - Opal's very much The Joker here. Not just given the setting. She forces her victims through humiliating ordeals for fun. (2) Just when you think the book's reached new levels of sophistication... fart humor, to remind you it's middle-grade.
02/24/2024 - Chapters 8–9 (1) It's interesting to note that the chapter lengths aren't at all consistent. Chapters 3, 7 and 10 are all comparably long, at least two or three times the size of others, and I can't think of any reason why. - They each have multiple scenes and character perspectives, so it's not as if they're long and exciting sequences you can't cut away from. - If this was the case with previous books, I'd never noticed.
02/26/2024 (1) - Chapter 10 (1) In a book where the main hero and villain are both female, it's interesting how much of an insult it is to say that someone's rival is "prettier." - It's one of the main reasons Holly hates Lili Frond in "The Arctic Incident," and it's mentioned here as a "treasonous thought" against Opal (re: Holly). - When thinking of Holly, Opal must reassure herself of her own beauty to get back in the right headspace.
02/26/2024 (2) - Chapter 11–Epilogue (1) The final chapter nicely bookends a couple things that were brought up at the very beginning, both interrupted by the adventure. - Holly has to make a difficult decision about whether or not to accept a promotion. We get an indirect resolution, in a very satisfying and out-of-the-box way. - Artemis steals a painting and his decision about what to do with it is symbolic of his moral and emotional evolution. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: Wherein heroes heist, get truly iced, betray and get betrayed, get up from fails (adapt, prevail), and favors get repaid.
*C(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: Wherein heroes heist, get truly iced, betray and get betrayed, get up from fails (adapt, prevail), and favors get repaid.
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01/11/2024 - Preamble (1) Usually I listen to audiobooks at 1.50x speed, 1.25x if it gets difficult. For some reason, I had to listen to the last one at normal speed. Even then, I was frequently rewinding because I missed words or couldn't follow the plot. - It might have just been a one-off since I didn't have any problems with this narrator on the first book in the series. - I'll start this one at 1.50x speed and see how it goes.
01/17/2024 - Prologue–Chapter 2 (1) Artemis: "A micro TV. But also a verbally controlled computer, a mobile phone, a diagnostic aid. This little box can read any information on absolutely any platform, electronic or organic. It can play videos, laser disks, DVDs, go online, retrieve e-mail, hack any computer." - Can't be very 'micro" if it fits a laser disk. - I don't know about hacking, but he basically describes a smart phone, only boxier.
01/18/2024 - Chapter 3 (1) In returning fire, Butler "clips" his would-be killer in the temple, rendering him unconscious. - This is interesting. It acknowledges guns as real world weapons while at the same time justifies Butler's use as self-defense and carefully crafts a situation (albeit implausible) where the assailant is taken out but not killed. - Good guys don't kill, especially in middle-grade books, regardless of intention.
01/26/2024 - Chapters 4–7 (1) I like how everyone treats the idea Artemis might have feelings for girls, Juliet in this case, like it's a disease. - He's caught a fatal case of adolescence. - I guess it does make sense since hormones are mind-altering chemicals. (2) The whole scene with the Irish assassin in Africa reads like something out of "Good Omens" or Terry Pratchett in general. - I assume Colfer would almost certainly be a fan.
01/29/2024 - Chapters 8–9 (1) I really enjoy that Juliet constantly makes mistakes and fails. It makes her relatable and leaves room for character growth. - It's such a contrast from so many modern heroines who, out of the gate, are perfect fighters/intellects and objects of universal praise and affection. (2) Foaly asks Holly if she'll miss Artemis when the mission's over. - The pregnant pause and feigned indifference says everything.
01/30/2024 (1) - Chapter 10 (1) It's a running joke that the two hired goons, Pex and Chips, are really dumb. Though, they aren't so much dumb as they are infantile. - They're fans of Barney the dinosaur, for example. (2) "Sleeping gas. Illegal, by the way, according to Chicago State Law." - Except Chicago's a city, not a state. It should say "Illinois State Law." - I am surprised this was never corrected in over 20 years of publication.
01/30/2024 (2) - Chapter 11–Epilogue (1) As a person who's had their computer die and been forced to recover files from a much earlier save point, I more than empathize with how much of a blow it would be to have your memory wiped such that you're a previous version of yourself. - Minor spoiler: It's quite the dilemma, whether it's better to let a human ally know fairies exist or wipe his memory and bring back a super-criminal who is yet unaware. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: Wherein former foes go quid pro quo—to boot, two villains team—it's a do-or-die trust exercise: misgivings to esteem.
*Check(A-) 82% | Very Good Notes: Wherein former foes go quid pro quo—to boot, two villains team—it's a do-or-die trust exercise: misgivings to esteem.
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12/28/2023 - Preamble (1) It wasn't until I read this book's blurb that I remembered what it was actually about. It's either this book or the next one that I remember the least from the first time I read the series. - The titles are usually enough to jog my memory, though the only effect this one had was to remind me the book takes place in the arctic. (2) Memorable or not, I gave this one a very good rating so I expect a fun time.
12/29/2023 - Prologue(s) (1) This book actually has two prologues, one section officially called the prologue and one brief extract from a fictional book. - Elsewhere in this series, similar fictional extracts are simply prologue and epilogues. - The prologue is a flashback, set in Russia two years before. It's the same story of Artemis' father's disappearance from the first book, but done as a full narrative, not a backstory tidbit.
01/02/2024 - Chapters 1–3 (1) There's a lot of casual sexism here, which is more notable since this is a middle-grade book. - For example, Chix flirts with Holly, his superior officer, while on duty. She puts up with it as part of the job. (2) Holly hates Lili Frond, who she calls a bimbo and insists only has her job because she's attractive and a royal. - Though here being a woman's to her benefit, so it's more nepotism or favoritism.
01/05/2024 - Chapters 4–6 (1) Nathaniel Parker performs Opal Koboi with what appears to be a thick Chinese accent. - Nothing authentic-sounding, but decent enough. - Fairy accents here are only really for aural diversity, since they don't speak human languages nor live among them. (2) Speaking of accents, Parker's American accent has a definite British bent to it. - The TV reporter pronounces laboratories as la-bora-trees, for example.
01/07/2024 - Chapters 7–9 (1) '"There are two hundred and eighty-four thousand land lines on that network." Foaly had to stop for a laugh. "Land lines. Barbarians."' - Apparently, in 2002, going wireless was fantastical technology. (2) It's interesting to see the development of Holly and Artemis' relationship. The first book is literally about him kidnapping her. - He saves her life here, but earns a punch in the face. - So, baby-steps.
01/08/2024 - Chapters 10–12 (1) "Artemis was expecting puberty to hit in approximately eight months, and he suspected that at that point he would look at Holly in a different light." - Interestingly, this isn't in my American edition. Must have thought it too spicy for middle-grade. (2) The book mentions an actress winning an Academy Award for playing a character named "Precious." - This was seven years before the actual film "Precious."
01/11/2024 - Chapter 13–Epilogue (1) The villains here are defeated by the old "Batman Returns" trick. That is, to secretly record a villain trash talking and/or explaining their evil schemes, then play it aloud to potentially offended parties. - This is actually done twice... someone missed the first viewing. (2) Of all the euphemisms for poop, "recyclings" must have the most positive spin. - I mean, it suggests environmental responsibility. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 81% | Very Good Notes: Wherein worlds collide, a raucous ride, droll distinctive players, quite juvenile but reconciled: a farce of many layers.
*C(A-) 81% | Very Good Notes: Wherein worlds collide, a raucous ride, droll distinctive players, quite juvenile but reconciled: a farce of many layers.
*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)[
Progress updates:
12/18/2023 (1) - Preamble (1) I have two reasons for wanting to read this book right now. - First of all, I own all three of "The Fowl Twins" books in hardcover (and for a while now) but I've yet to read them. So, binging this series is meant to refresh my memory in preparation to the start the spin-offs. - Secondly, whenever I read books concurrently, I like to them to be entirely different genres so I don't inadvertently mix them up.
12/18/2023 (2) - Prologue–Chapter 2 (1) I always appreciate when audiobooks incorporate music. Here it starts off with a sort of theme tune. Though, why is it new jack swing? What is this? 1989? - Not exactly my pick to be the soundtrack for an adolescent Irish millennial. (2) Though I've read the series before, it's only just occurred to me that the name "Fowl" may be a homonym for the word "foul." - The Fowls being a family of super criminals.
12/20/2023 - Chapters 3–5 (1) Butler: "Sunglasses? At night?" - Somebody's a Corey Hart fan. (2) "For reasons that he couldn’t quite fathom, [Artemis] didn’t mind terribly when Juliet called him by the pet name his mother had for him." - I do love the trope of super-smart people being oblivious to their own feelings of attraction. (3) "It was obviously pointless playing mind games with this human." - I do enjoy a good dumb-blonde joke.
12/23/2023 - Chapter 6 (1) I appreciate when narrators take a leap of faith and try foreign accents. Though, when I first read this series the accents in my head were all Irish/British, given the author, characters and setting. - But I suppose since fairy characters don't speak human languages, accents can be whatever. - Root having a heavy New York accent bothers me. Pronouncing "certainly" as soitenly sounds awfully Three Stooges.
12/26/2023 - Chapters 7–8 (1) In Chapter 7 we get introduced to Mulch Diggums, who, notwithstanding his unique role in the narrative, was I'm sure designed to appeal to this book's youngest readers. - In short, he's a dwarf tunneller that moves through earth by instantaneous material displacement. - That's a euphemistic way of saying he eats dirt and immediately poops it out. - The propulsion of said poop upon exit rockets him forward.
12/27/2023 - Chapter 9–Epilogue (1) A lot of gross-out humor, especially near the end. All sorts of unpleasant wetness: drool being the least disgusting. - Certainly elements aimed at the youngest novel-readers, but the story itself is clever enough that readers with more refined sensibilities will put up with it. (2) Ultimately, this is a standard comic book crossover plot. - Initial battle, leading to mutual respect, leading to teaming up. (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 81% | Very Good Notes: Comfort food, a throwback mood, an outcast that outwits, bit pasteurized for younger eyes, new myth but feels legit.
*Check (A-) 81% | Very Good Notes: Comfort food, a throwback mood, an outcast that outwits, bit pasteurized for younger eyes, new myth but feels legit.
*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)[
Progress updates:
12/15/2023 (1) - Preamble [image] (1) Another holiday read for me. Not that this book's holiday-specific, but it sufficiently evokes the season, being all snowy and Nordic. (2) I'd said previously that "Fortunately, the Milk" suffered as an audiobook because that story kind of needed illustrations. I don't see that problem here. - You don't need to stretch your imagination too much to visualize this.
12/15/2023 (2) - Chapters 1–4 [image] (1) "Sea raiding was something the men did for fun or to get things they couldn't find in their village. They even got their wives that way." - It's interesting how kidnapping women on Viking raids is portrayed here as akin to going to the mall. - I'm no expert, but I doubt women would wait by the shore, hoping to be carried off into the cold by gangs of foreign men.
12/15/2023 (3) - Chapters 5–8 [image] (1) This felt oddly restrained, considering the author's other work, but that may be by design. - If you told me this was an actual Norse myth, I'd believe you. It fits the milieu, where characters win by cunning and trickery. - At the same time, it's not as grisly and strange as ancient myths tend to seem through modern eyes. (2) Couples here don't fare well at all! (hide spoiler)]...more
(A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: Audacious artistry, an awfully amusing, animated all-ages adventure and adeptly-arranged absurdity accumulation.
*Check out (A-) 83% | Very Good Notes: Audacious artistry, an awfully amusing, animated all-ages adventure and adeptly-arranged absurdity accumulation.
*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary: (view spoiler)[
Progress updates:
12/14/2023 (1) - Preamble [image] (1) I'm curious how this will come off as an audiobook. - It's very much a children's book, and therefore I believe was written with illustrations in mind. Certainly every print edition's been fully illustrated. - Even the cover art for this Audible edition prominently states "Cover Illustration by Skottie Young." - I'm confident Gaiman's prose will stand on its own.
12/14/2023 (2) - First Half [image] (1) '[Dad] looked like he remembered that, without milk, he couldn’t have his tea. He had his "no tea" face.' - The premise/inciting incident is that kids can't eat their cereal without milk. It always surprises me how milk is seen as absolutely necessary for tea and cereal. - In both cases, milk's always been a novelty for me. But then, I grew up lactose intolerant.
12/14/2023 (3) - Second Half [image] (1) '"I think that there should have been some nice wumpires," said my sister, wistfully. "Nice, handsome, misunderstood wumpires."' - I never expected Neil Gaiman to make a "Twilight" reference. (2) I have to say, this does lose something as an audio-only experience. Its colorful absurdity seems written for wacky visuals, and my imagination isn't nearly up the task. (hide spoiler)]...more
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