As I sit here waiting for my turn to use the kitchen (I'm going to make fancy pancakes), I felt that I should display my thoughts on the book Atonement which I finished last Saturday night, and I'd just like to say that it was a very enjoyable experience.
In my own words I want to say that it felt like I was reading art. Strange one might think, and it may be impossible to read art... but who cares. Last year I saw the movie on DVD and enjoyed it very much, but the book was so much better. The plot hit all the right spots, the characters were intriguing and I felt as if I could see it happening at the same time, so two thumbs up. Dialogue, which was mostly scarce for several pages at a time was a kind treat as well.
However, I did have a few minor problems with it. One, the second and third parts of the book were primarily focused on Robbie Turner and Briony Tallis, who are two of the three main characters. The third, Cecilia, is featured heavily in both parts... but why isn't there a part devoted to her? I found that a little odd at times.
Something else that caught my eye was that several chapters in part one were focused on Briony and Cecilia's mother, Emily with the migraines. It became obvious in parts 2 and 3 that Emily held a great resentment towards Robbie and was somewhat of a domineering bitch, but I don't think those additional chapters about her were really needed.
Also, the character of Paul Marshall (who is easily one of the three most hated in the book- along with Emily and Lola Quincey) doesn't seem to get anything thrown at him by the books heroes. The moment he rapes Lola (who becomes his wife) and concurs with everyone's suspicions that Robbie did the naughty, he goes on and lives the life of luxury.
What I'm wondering is that why didn't Cecilia or someone else confront him or condemn him? I'm reminded of the character Joe Pritchard from Shameless who is somewhat similar. He goes about beating his girlfriend Mandy Maguire and abusing her sister-in-law Karen, and finally gets beaten unconscious by Karen's husband Jamie. Not only that, when he comes to, Mandy's family all threaten to kill him. That's what I wanted to see happen to Paul. It felt right, damn it!
So that's all I've got to say. Atonement will be one of my most favourite books from now on, and it helped my put my horrid memories of reading Twilight to rest. Also, I want to thank little Sophie and Alice for giving me the piece on Saturday night to finish the book. Good girls. Now I plan to read Tim Winton's latest book Breath. Here goes.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
I'm Not Getting Those Precious Reading Hours Back
So I did it, I read that horrid abomination that is Twilight, and if any of you good readers have read my other postings you'll realise that I don't really care for it at all, and upon reading the excess of shite arse, my view hasn't changed. IT WAS COMPLETE SHITE PEOPLE!
Every single page was all about Bella thinking that Edward is nothing more than a god and crap, like he's the real deal. In my opinion he was nothing more than a stony-faced, sexist narcasist who thinks women can't do anything. And he collects classic cars and wears bague! I'm thinking how many girls is he pimping to afford all of this shit!
What makes me more curious is to why billions of girls around the world love this prick! Chappi-Clementina agrees with me, and she tells that teenage girls are a strange breed. NUFF SAID.
Another problem is how the villains were portrayed in it. James, Laurent and Victoria were so unjustedly under-used. Like 50 pages were given to them, and its all about James getting the chop. I actually didn't mind them. Sure, they weren't big bads like Voldemort, but they were a whole lot better than Ed and Bella.
Also, a small subplot about Alice (another vampire with visions) was included, but nothing big either. My opinion is that if the book had been about Alice and James, I think it would've been a whole lot better. STUPENDOUS! Putting it like Ian McEwan whose book Atonement I'm enjoying very much- my reward for putting up with the pre-mentioned knife in my neck.
When going through those painful 400+ pages, I kept thinking to myself "Yep, she didn't even workshop this" and "What publisher would bestow this on the writing community". My theory is that Meyer never got a teenager to critique it. Stupid woman.
However, I will end this posting with a positive remark, and that is I COULD ACTUALLY STAND BELLA SWAN. I don't love her. I won't cry if she dies (unlikely). But I can stand her. That is all ladies and gents!
Every single page was all about Bella thinking that Edward is nothing more than a god and crap, like he's the real deal. In my opinion he was nothing more than a stony-faced, sexist narcasist who thinks women can't do anything. And he collects classic cars and wears bague! I'm thinking how many girls is he pimping to afford all of this shit!
What makes me more curious is to why billions of girls around the world love this prick! Chappi-Clementina agrees with me, and she tells that teenage girls are a strange breed. NUFF SAID.
Another problem is how the villains were portrayed in it. James, Laurent and Victoria were so unjustedly under-used. Like 50 pages were given to them, and its all about James getting the chop. I actually didn't mind them. Sure, they weren't big bads like Voldemort, but they were a whole lot better than Ed and Bella.
Also, a small subplot about Alice (another vampire with visions) was included, but nothing big either. My opinion is that if the book had been about Alice and James, I think it would've been a whole lot better. STUPENDOUS! Putting it like Ian McEwan whose book Atonement I'm enjoying very much- my reward for putting up with the pre-mentioned knife in my neck.
When going through those painful 400+ pages, I kept thinking to myself "Yep, she didn't even workshop this" and "What publisher would bestow this on the writing community". My theory is that Meyer never got a teenager to critique it. Stupid woman.
However, I will end this posting with a positive remark, and that is I COULD ACTUALLY STAND BELLA SWAN. I don't love her. I won't cry if she dies (unlikely). But I can stand her. That is all ladies and gents!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Oh It's The Dollhouse
As of late I've been sick of my arse, and so far it hasn't been enjoyable. Last Monday night I couldn't sleep at all, but fortunately Tuesday was a good night. Sure, my cold did lilghten up an insignificant little and the following morning I had a vicious nosebleed, but there was one thing that saved it for me. I am of course talking about... Dollhouse.
If one wonders what the hell I'm talking about, Dollhouse is the new series from the creative mind of my idol Joss Whedon which stars Eliza Dushku and Olivia Williams. I was very impressed with what I saw and as per usual I enjoyed Whedon's dialogue and his use of names- and because of that I named a character in my series after him.
Moving on, I just wanted to bring up my relief that good television has returned to the screen. Sure, I have Lost which ends next year and Battlestar Galactica which ended this year with that bang the creators promised us, but what am I gonna drown my mind with when that's all gone, hmm. So I just wanted to proclaim how grateful I am that Dushku brought Whedon back to the giggle box.
Hoorah... and I also wanted to mention the fact that Whedon is going to milk his characters, which is a good thing. I took a peak at the end of season 1 and learnt that no one big had been killed off. GREATNESS!
If one wonders what the hell I'm talking about, Dollhouse is the new series from the creative mind of my idol Joss Whedon which stars Eliza Dushku and Olivia Williams. I was very impressed with what I saw and as per usual I enjoyed Whedon's dialogue and his use of names- and because of that I named a character in my series after him.
Moving on, I just wanted to bring up my relief that good television has returned to the screen. Sure, I have Lost which ends next year and Battlestar Galactica which ended this year with that bang the creators promised us, but what am I gonna drown my mind with when that's all gone, hmm. So I just wanted to proclaim how grateful I am that Dushku brought Whedon back to the giggle box.
Hoorah... and I also wanted to mention the fact that Whedon is going to milk his characters, which is a good thing. I took a peak at the end of season 1 and learnt that no one big had been killed off. GREATNESS!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mum's The Reason As It Turns Out
Greetinkos rare reader... I have a shocking revelation to share with you all. For me to explain this new story will require a set-up, which involves the new Star Trek movie. So, here it goes.
For a while I was a bit sceptical about the new ST movie, mainly because I was never a real big Trekkie and I like my sci-fi simplified... but the moment I heard that JJ Abrams for directing, I knew it would be good because anything he touches turns to gold... most of the time. So I was persuaded to go see it, and tagging along with me was someone whom wasn't a friend or sibling. Mum.
I asked her to go with me, and in return I have to go see Angels and Demons with her next week, which I'm not against. My reason for this is because Svnof has already been- she gave me the recommendation also, and Chappi-Clementina was against it to begin with. Sometimes I think that girl is hiding her secret sanity. Nontheless, I went to see it with Ma, and we enjoyed it very much.
The movie looked great and they did some really good casting. I liked many of the leads, especially Chris Pine and Simon Pegg who got all the good lines. I'm now convinced that James T. Kirk (Pine) is the descendent of my friend the manwhore, since the two are very much alike, especially when he was nailing a green Rachel Nichol (I think I know who I'd like to see play my protagonist Wes in an adaptation).
Other cast members I enjoyed include Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto whom is a whole lot better in this than Heroes. Seriously, Spock saved that mans career. Another cast member I liked was Winona Ryder, whom I never really expected to see in this type of film. Sure, I saw and liked her in Alien Resurrection, but she just surprised me, and she did a good job as Amanda Grayson.
With that all said, I need to move onto the more shocking part of the film, and it wasn't in it. It was sitting next to me in the cinema... Mum. Whilst the movie was running, I kept seeing Mum laugh and smile (since it was so good), but then she starts reciting the characters names once they've been said, and I wonder... is Mum a Trekkie.
I asked her quietly about if she was liking it, and she kept saying it's Sulu and Kirk and everyone... and the moment Leonard Nimoy turned up her mouth dropped. The thoughts in my head were "Oh my god, Mum's the reason I like sci-fi", but she told me after the movie ended that she watched a few episodes when she was young, whilst I'm known for following a good sci-fi from start to finish.
Anyway, she surprised me and the movie must've stuck with her because when I brought it up at Balsamic last night (we went out for dinner) she kept saying good things about the cast and everything. Really, I was shocked.
For a while I was a bit sceptical about the new ST movie, mainly because I was never a real big Trekkie and I like my sci-fi simplified... but the moment I heard that JJ Abrams for directing, I knew it would be good because anything he touches turns to gold... most of the time. So I was persuaded to go see it, and tagging along with me was someone whom wasn't a friend or sibling. Mum.
I asked her to go with me, and in return I have to go see Angels and Demons with her next week, which I'm not against. My reason for this is because Svnof has already been- she gave me the recommendation also, and Chappi-Clementina was against it to begin with. Sometimes I think that girl is hiding her secret sanity. Nontheless, I went to see it with Ma, and we enjoyed it very much.
The movie looked great and they did some really good casting. I liked many of the leads, especially Chris Pine and Simon Pegg who got all the good lines. I'm now convinced that James T. Kirk (Pine) is the descendent of my friend the manwhore, since the two are very much alike, especially when he was nailing a green Rachel Nichol (I think I know who I'd like to see play my protagonist Wes in an adaptation).
Other cast members I enjoyed include Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto whom is a whole lot better in this than Heroes. Seriously, Spock saved that mans career. Another cast member I liked was Winona Ryder, whom I never really expected to see in this type of film. Sure, I saw and liked her in Alien Resurrection, but she just surprised me, and she did a good job as Amanda Grayson.
With that all said, I need to move onto the more shocking part of the film, and it wasn't in it. It was sitting next to me in the cinema... Mum. Whilst the movie was running, I kept seeing Mum laugh and smile (since it was so good), but then she starts reciting the characters names once they've been said, and I wonder... is Mum a Trekkie.
I asked her quietly about if she was liking it, and she kept saying it's Sulu and Kirk and everyone... and the moment Leonard Nimoy turned up her mouth dropped. The thoughts in my head were "Oh my god, Mum's the reason I like sci-fi", but she told me after the movie ended that she watched a few episodes when she was young, whilst I'm known for following a good sci-fi from start to finish.
Anyway, she surprised me and the movie must've stuck with her because when I brought it up at Balsamic last night (we went out for dinner) she kept saying good things about the cast and everything. Really, I was shocked.
Friday, May 8, 2009
FINISHED!
A glorious thing came to occur last night as I watched Grey's Anatomy, I finished my manuscript. Yes, it's happened... again, but it's happened nontheless. I decided as I lay on my bed that I'd finish it there and then and take it over to my friend Margit's the next day because she was critiquing it.
So, there I went, writing away as Izzie went crazy and Derek continued to exist... and Lexie broke the manwhore's little friend on the fornication break. I was on the last chapter, which I must admit was possibly the most saddest part in the story. I wanted to build the tension and sympathy for the characters, and I think that was achieved when I wrote along to Eric Stoltz's execution.
After handwriting the final page, I ran out to the computer... to which Mum had turned off. So I waited for it to start up, I plug my memory stick in and went away, typing. Telling the story and bringing this part of it to an end. 306 pages I got, which is like a hundred pages better than the last draft which I try not to think about as a positive.
It was incredible, and I'm going to say that Shonda Rhimes- Grey's creater, had a lot to do with it, so thanks brilliant Yankee woman whom I've never met. Now all that has to happen is for Margit to finish reading it and then I'm sending it off to Svnof and Chappi-Clementina.
IT'S ALL HAPPENING!
So, there I went, writing away as Izzie went crazy and Derek continued to exist... and Lexie broke the manwhore's little friend on the fornication break. I was on the last chapter, which I must admit was possibly the most saddest part in the story. I wanted to build the tension and sympathy for the characters, and I think that was achieved when I wrote along to Eric Stoltz's execution.
After handwriting the final page, I ran out to the computer... to which Mum had turned off. So I waited for it to start up, I plug my memory stick in and went away, typing. Telling the story and bringing this part of it to an end. 306 pages I got, which is like a hundred pages better than the last draft which I try not to think about as a positive.
It was incredible, and I'm going to say that Shonda Rhimes- Grey's creater, had a lot to do with it, so thanks brilliant Yankee woman whom I've never met. Now all that has to happen is for Margit to finish reading it and then I'm sending it off to Svnof and Chappi-Clementina.
IT'S ALL HAPPENING!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
My Space Opera
I was in the new Collins bookshop on Main St the other day- PS It looks very nice and blue. Anyway, I'm looking at the sci-fi section and I discover this book by this Scottish writer. I can't for the life of me remember the title or writer's name (me quoting my queen Stevie Nicks) but I do remember the book review on the back, which names it one of the best "space operas" ever created.
The term space opera stuck with me all the way home, and that was when I looked the term up on the Wikipedia. Apparently a space opera is defined by all of the dramatic and romantic elements in it... all of which are incorporated into an outer space setting. I immediately thought of my beloved Battlestar Galactica and its soon to begin spin off Caprica, which I'm hoping the Sci-Fi Channel will air down here straight away.
Anyway, I thought to myself... could the Lightstream Sheep write a space opera of his own. My thoughts following those were yes, I could. In fact I've already got "something" in the works about a race of humans looking for a home on the other side of the galaxy, and all the crap they've got to endure.
Of course there's got to be something speculative in it, apart from space travel. That's already been established and I don't want people to yawn, so there's got to be some element of power to use, and yes, I've already thought of that. Something that I don't think has been really used so much, except by Joss Whedon (greatest man ever) and Russell T. Davies and the crew of Doctor Who.
That's all for now...
The term space opera stuck with me all the way home, and that was when I looked the term up on the Wikipedia. Apparently a space opera is defined by all of the dramatic and romantic elements in it... all of which are incorporated into an outer space setting. I immediately thought of my beloved Battlestar Galactica and its soon to begin spin off Caprica, which I'm hoping the Sci-Fi Channel will air down here straight away.
Anyway, I thought to myself... could the Lightstream Sheep write a space opera of his own. My thoughts following those were yes, I could. In fact I've already got "something" in the works about a race of humans looking for a home on the other side of the galaxy, and all the crap they've got to endure.
Of course there's got to be something speculative in it, apart from space travel. That's already been established and I don't want people to yawn, so there's got to be some element of power to use, and yes, I've already thought of that. Something that I don't think has been really used so much, except by Joss Whedon (greatest man ever) and Russell T. Davies and the crew of Doctor Who.
That's all for now...
What I Did Today
At the current moment of moments, I'm covered in sweat. That's right, sweat. Why you ask... well that's easy to answer. It's all because of Wii, the Wii fitness board thing to be exact. The mother got it a few weeks ago, and it is really helping us with the weight issues, but when I weigh myself it keeps saying that I'm putting on instead of losing. Bastard. But it's all in good fun.
I was working on my novel yesterday and a wonderful thing happened. I'm currently at the 290 mark, which means that my dream of writing a 300+ page manuscript will be coming true soon. Just one chapter to go... and I'm hoping that readers will come to see it as the saddest chapter in the whole thing.
Another wish that I want to come true is whether people will want to live in the universe I've created. What madness do you mean by that you might ask, well, allow me to explain. A while ago I was reading this review about Twilight (PS. I saw the movie and I enjoyed it, except for the parts with Edward and Bella- dull, but at least Robert Pattinson knows how to brush his hair).
Moving on, the review says that despite the many flaws in the series, the whole universe that it's set in sucks you in- ie, makes you want to live there and take up real estate. Well I thought that this review might have some good in it, so I picked up a copy at Borders, read the first few pages... and the guy was right. The story, Bella and Ed may be crap but the book (yes, I know it was a few pages) had that real estate affect. The review compared it with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and I'm in agreement.
That's what I want to achieve with my series, which I'm still sure I'll call "Open Hands", I want the reader to want to be in it. Live there. Have powers and be apart of the adventure. Hopefully my dear narrator The Teacher will take care of that for me, and if I'm lucky I'll have the draft finished by the end of the week. WHOO!
As for everything else that's happened... I decided that that job in Hawthorne was not for me. Seriously, I don't know why I even submitted and marketing sounds just so boring, and the guy there wanted me to come back for a half day (12:45 to 8:30) info session... in a suit. The Lightstream Sheep wears not those things called neckties- abominations more like it! Hmpf.
In addition I also went swimming, ate Doritos and called up my dear friend Degwyn to wish him a happy 21st. He was most impressed that I remembered the date (I wasn't so sure to be honest) but I informed him that I narrowed the date down using my greatest of foes- mathematics... oh, and my buddy Little One's bday. She celebrates hers a few days before Degwyn.
He was good also, and I recently learnt that he thinks that Brangelina is having sex in this new jacket he brought the other day. FREAKY.
I was working on my novel yesterday and a wonderful thing happened. I'm currently at the 290 mark, which means that my dream of writing a 300+ page manuscript will be coming true soon. Just one chapter to go... and I'm hoping that readers will come to see it as the saddest chapter in the whole thing.
Another wish that I want to come true is whether people will want to live in the universe I've created. What madness do you mean by that you might ask, well, allow me to explain. A while ago I was reading this review about Twilight (PS. I saw the movie and I enjoyed it, except for the parts with Edward and Bella- dull, but at least Robert Pattinson knows how to brush his hair).
Moving on, the review says that despite the many flaws in the series, the whole universe that it's set in sucks you in- ie, makes you want to live there and take up real estate. Well I thought that this review might have some good in it, so I picked up a copy at Borders, read the first few pages... and the guy was right. The story, Bella and Ed may be crap but the book (yes, I know it was a few pages) had that real estate affect. The review compared it with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and I'm in agreement.
That's what I want to achieve with my series, which I'm still sure I'll call "Open Hands", I want the reader to want to be in it. Live there. Have powers and be apart of the adventure. Hopefully my dear narrator The Teacher will take care of that for me, and if I'm lucky I'll have the draft finished by the end of the week. WHOO!
As for everything else that's happened... I decided that that job in Hawthorne was not for me. Seriously, I don't know why I even submitted and marketing sounds just so boring, and the guy there wanted me to come back for a half day (12:45 to 8:30) info session... in a suit. The Lightstream Sheep wears not those things called neckties- abominations more like it! Hmpf.
In addition I also went swimming, ate Doritos and called up my dear friend Degwyn to wish him a happy 21st. He was most impressed that I remembered the date (I wasn't so sure to be honest) but I informed him that I narrowed the date down using my greatest of foes- mathematics... oh, and my buddy Little One's bday. She celebrates hers a few days before Degwyn.
He was good also, and I recently learnt that he thinks that Brangelina is having sex in this new jacket he brought the other day. FREAKY.
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