Shadow of Empire / Jay Allan

Shadow of Empire
(Far Stars #1)
by Jay Allan

military science fiction

copyright 2015
read in November 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

My rating for books is based largely on my own enjoyment of each book. For this book, an initial thought that it is a seven is tempered by my reading enjoyment... Sure, there are faults. But I enjoy reading this book.

Every character is larger than life. Much, much larger ! And when it comes to the hero... well: Some characters are the best in their particular area of expertise... the hero admits that he is only second-best. Other characters are the best... except, of course, for the hero. Wow !

Amongst all of these superlative characters there is not one who would not lay down their life for the hero. Each has been rescued -- personally, by the hero -- from some pestilential hell-hole. At least one character immediately returned the favour, by saving the life of the hero.

There's so much back-story -- I wonder if this "book one" is really a continuation of an earlier series ?! Not as far as I can tell. It's just a crowd of people, each with a briefly described history with the hero.

The hero, of course, is willing to sacrifice his own life to save his crew. And he does it, twice, just in this book.

And if a villain does not become a loyal supporter of the hero -- it must be because that villain has been killed...

And there is a lot of killing. Killing of villains, occasional killing of good guys, lots of killing of almost-innocent bystanders. By which I mean, there is much slaughter of people who have been drafted -- willing or unwilling -- to be cannon fodder for the major battles.

No punches are pulled in the battles. Blood and death aplenty. But the author does not glorify the fighting, nor dwell on it. Death happens, the hero doesn't like it, he is one of the few who will not slaughter opponents who surrender.

War happens. This book does not support war. But -- to me -- there is still too much death of everyone else in support of a greater cause.

At a technical level, this book is quite simple but believable. There is a lot of just-in-time rescue -- but it is well signposted. There is no deus ex machina, you clearly see the preparations for the just-in-time rescues. The suspense is with the characters, who are often surprised by their rescue. The reader can see it coming. (By the way: I like that. I prefer excitement to artificial suspense.)

The writing is repetitious. Some phrases are repeated, some minor actions are described more than necessary. It's not distracting. I just smile when I read some repeated phrases.

The plot is essentially straight line. It's a military book, not a mystery. Back to the just-in-time rescues: they are not forced. There is a strong flow to the plot. It is a natural progression of events, nothing based on unexpected coincidences.

I would guess that this book is written in a hurry... Well, the next two in the series are due out within months. I worried that book one would be incomplete -- but it is not. There is a satisfying conclusion -- with plenty more in the bigger-picture plot.

I enjoyed this book. Perhaps a rating of seven would be more realistic... But I did enjoy the reading. Perhaps it is just a book that I was in the right mood for :-)

====
"Not sure if I should really be reading 'Self Esteem for Dummies'"... adapted from Ginger Meggs

07July 2016: I have just re-read this book, and re-read my review. Hmmm...

This second reading, I notice a lot more explanation. This character is the best pilot, this character is deadly with a knife, this character is quiet but dangerous... It would be better to show all this through the story.

Ah well, not to worry. I enjoyed the re-read. And this time, I have the second book in the series ready to be read... I wonder what I will think of book two?

04mar19: And a third reading -- still an enjoyable book :-)

I think that what I was seeing in the 2016 review is the author's failure to "show not tell".

Oh, and I've decided that later thoughts should be added into the original post. I was posting later thoughts as a "comment", that separates it too far from the original. That 2016 comment, above, is a straight copy of the separate comment. Which will probably also stay there... unless I get round to deleting it.

.

   

Fresh Meat / Alice Henderson

Fresh Meat
(Supernatural)
Alice Henderson

horror

copyright 2012
read in November 2015

rated 7/10: well worth reading

That is, well worth reading if you enjoy monsters and violence !

This book is set, we're told, in series seven of the TV show Supernatural. I've not watched the show -- but I'm somewhat impressed... Sure, the heroes survive against incredible odds. They keep fighting, despite injuries that would stop a real person. The monsters are... well... monstrous !

But the story ticks along quite nicely. Some of the lesser characters are interesting, even sympathetic. The main characters have six TV series of back-story -- that I have missed -- yet they are drawn well enough to be likeable, within this one novel.

Although... This novel is far-fetched and over-the-top. (Part of its attraction.) Judging by the light hints of earlier action from the TV episodes -- this book is just one very mild adventure in a rather adventurous life ! Exploding angels ?! Caged for a year with Lucifer ?! A TV series with lots of over-the-top action ! Unbelievable ! Perhaps I should watch it :-)

And then, having quite enjoyed the book, I'm ready to rate it as a six, read to pass the time. But, out of interest, I check Wikipedia for information on the main monsters. And they exist !

Well, you know what I mean... The monsters exist in folklore. They are not just ridiculous authorial imaginings. I am impressed.

I am impressed that the author has used "real" monsters. That one monster, at least, has been fitted into a famous historical incident. That a modern story had been built around "real" but not well known monsters.

Is this the standard of the TV series ? Real monsters fitted into a modern setting ? Sounds like fun. And sounds like a better than average concept for a TV horror series.

Must ask someone who watches the show...

====
"Not sure if I should really be reading 'Self Esteem for Dummies'"... adapted from Ginger Meggs

   

Ben-Hur / Lew Wallace

Ben-Hur
by Lew Wallace

fiction

copyright 1880
read in November 2015

rated 7/10: well worth reading

First up: Is Ben-Hur -- the book -- a "classic" ? I had typed "fiction, classic" up above. Then thought again. No... The movie Ben-Hur is the movie equivalent of a classic. The book... has faded with time.

As a child, I read the book. Then I watched the movie -- several times. For years, Ben-Hur would be shown on TV at Easter. Strangely enough, it was more years before I realised why ! I can remember a lot about the movie. Now, the book is fresh in my mind.

It's interesting, the way the book was adapted to the movie...

Take the chariot race:

Remember the movie ? (If not, watch it ! It's an old movie but still spectacular.) In the movie, Messala the Roman is evil. He has the blades on his wheels and he runs down any other charioteer in his way.

In the book, Messala does cause one crash. But then it is Ben-Hur who follows a deliberate plan, to crash Messala's chariot ! Ben-Hur begins the race with the deliberate intention of causing Messala to crash. Ben-Hur wants to win the race -- and to injure his enemy. Not as snow white heroic as in the movie !

The movie, in fact, loses a lot of the character development of its hero. The sub-title of the book is, A Tale of the Christ. In the movie, the hero wins the chariot race, suffers a bit more, saves his mother and sister -- a very moving scene ! -- and that's about it.

In the book, Ben-Hur wins the race -- and then spends quite a few chapters raising an army with which to overthrow Rome. The grand finale of the book is not that his family is cured, it's that Ben-Hur finally realises that Christ is preaching peace and not war. Ben-Hur gains religious insight and is able to live happily with himself.

The book is indeed A Tale of the Christ. It is a story of religion and belief and redemption and all those other religious motifs... The ones that sound good before the call to slaughter the infidels. The movie has a similar theme -- but glosses over the hero's own shift in understanding.

And speaking of the religious themes... Various characters spend a lot of time explaining their religious (and other) beliefs. Why is this not as boring as the political equivalent in 1984 ?

In 1984, the political explanations are the author, Orwell, presenting his views. They do nothing for the characters... Except, perhaps, explain why Smith is both helpless and doomed. In Ben-Hur, the explanations are an essential part of Ben-Hur himself developing his understanding. As he learns from the long-winded discussions, he shifts his internal point of view.

The religious discussions are long-winded. But they are an essential support for the development of the main character. And that development is the essential theme of this "tale of the Christ".

And finally...

As Ben-Hur is gathering his army, he looks forward to the overthrow of Rome, to the new world order under the rule of Israel. So what, I wonder, will be the advantage of rule by Israel rather than by Rome ? There is no answer, not in this book...

Plenty of people, plenty of races, want to conquer and rule the world. The usual reason is stated, that their way is best for everyone. Best for the ruler, says the more honest politician in 1984. Ben-Hur gives no reason at all, there is no statement that Israeli rule will be better... for anyone.

Perhaps... Perhaps this is due to simple religious prejudice by the author...?

Lew Wallace has written a tale of the Christ. The hero is (until the very last chapter) Jewish. So, naturally enough, the hero wants world domination by the Jewish state of Israel... The author is a Christian, so can offer no good reason why the world should be ruled by Israel. He just makes the statement, on behalf of his not-yet-Christianised Jewish hero.

This book is a strong supporter of Christianity. It is also a ripping yarn -- interspersed with passages of sweetness and light. No matter what your religious preferences, this book is well worth reading. I read it and find my religious views are safely unaltered...

Though it does make me wonder -- yet again -- at the unbelievable nature of human nature.

====
"Not sure if I should really be reading 'Self Esteem for Dummies'"... adapted from Ginger Meggs

Animal Farm / George Orwell

Animal Farm
by George Orwell

fantasy, classic

copyright 1945
read in November 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

The theme is much the same as for 1984, that socialism leads to despotism and that absolute control of "the masses" is aided by violence and the rewriting of history. Yet Animal Farm is a far better book than 1984...

Animal Farm has sympathetic characters. Poor Boxer :-(  The characters are animals, so they have clearly defined characteristics. Animals are seen to have less innate cruelty than humans, so we give them more sympathy... There is no feeling that the "lower" animals simply get what they deserve !

I've read Animal Farm before, years ago. I hesitated to read it again. Within a couple of chapters, I knew why: it is such a sad story :-( You just know that there will be no happy ending.

In fact -- again, like 1984 -- there is absolutely nothing that the story's characters can do to avert their fate. In 1984 the control is absolute. On the Farm there is control -- and the very nature of the lower animals acts against them. The situation is hopeless. The story is so sad.

The story is also a lesson against... Well, a lesson against trusting those who offer to help you overthrow the oppressors. Animal Farm offers a simple story to show us what could (or what will) happen. 1984 offers less story... and descends into a detailed and rather boring manifesto.

In their intent, the two books are similar. Orwell is remembered for these two books... more for 1984 than the other. Perhaps Animal Farm is seen as too simple, too easy to read... To me, 1984 is a misery, a difficult book to read, with too much non-plot message from the author.

Animal Farm is -- as per the full title -- A Fairy Story. It is easy to read. It draws me in, I suffer with the characters.

Animal Farm is -- deservedly -- a classic. It is really quite good.

Read it.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

And Another Thing... / Eoin Colfer

And Another Thing...
(Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, part six of three)
by Eoin Colfer

humour, science fiction

copyright 2009
partly read in November 2015

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Colfer has done a brilliant job of capturing and continuing the work of Douglas Adams. Unfortunately, I don't like the direction that Adams took the books.

The humour is non-stop. It's ridiculous, over-the-top stuff. There's a lot to laugh at -- though with very little relevance to the story. There are regular excerpts from the Guide... random association rather than support for the plot.

I enjoy the random jokes. Or, rather, ridiculous "facts". Lots of laughs but a novel is supposed to have a plot.

So far (page 93) the plot is weak.

Here we are, about to die... What could possibly save us ? Oh, look, here's the only -- extremely unlikely -- thing that can save us ! Less a plot, more of a series of set scenes held together by very weak threads.

So far, it's all just fun and funny. Nothing wrong with that !

Unfortunately Colfer had continued Adams' approach: Arthur Dent will suffer. Worse, he knows he will suffer. Every other character treats him badly. There is no enjoyment whatsoever for Arthur Dent.

Where's the fun in that ?! It's just miserable. A form of literary bullying.

I've stopped reading.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

VW Volkswagen Polo

VW Volkswagen Polo
... car

bought new, in June 2011

rated 4/10: lots of faults, no major problems

We bought our brand new VW Polo in June 2011. Right from new, it has been the worst car we have ever owned. There are only two bright spots: it runs well along the freeway; it's not the diesel.

We wanted a "safer" car, one with lots of airbags. The Polo was rated high in safety; it had plenty of airbags. The RAC ranked it high in its category, though also the most expensive. Final test, there was room for my legs, with the seat adjusted to where I wanted it. (At least one other car totally failed this test.)

So, in June 2011, we bought a VW Polo.

Okay, I knew that the indicator controls are on the wrong side of the steering wheel. I owned another car with this same problem, twenty years ago. I had forgotten how very annoying that can be.

We also drive a car with the indicators on the correct -- standard for Australia -- side. In that car there's no need to think when indicating... so of course that's where we hit the wrong control. In the Polo we know we have to think about it -- to think, because it takes conscious thought to overcome years of standardised action. So using the Polo indicator is seldom wrong... just slower.

Why would VW do this ? Cheap, I guess. Use the standard European design. Why spend money on design changes, when marketing can simply gloss over the problem.

Speaking of cheap design... The control knob for the external wing mirrors is terrible. One knob to rule them all. One knob that cannot be used without serious concentration...

Turn the knob to the pointer that says R, for right. You have to watch while you do this -- because it won't stop turning. There are four positions on the knob and no way to tell which is which -- not without looking, anyway. If you're driving, you realise the right hand mirror needs a minor adjustment... you have to take your eyes off the road while you get the control knob to the correct position.

To move the right hand mirror up, push the knob up and slightly away from you. Nothing as simple as up and down, it's up and away, or down and towards...

... Until you want to adjust the left hand mirror. Turn the one knob. About 90 degrees. Then adjust the mirror: up and *towards* or down and *away* ! Yes, the knob has turned. So the directions to move the mirrors up and down -- are different for each mirror !

It seems obvious that the designers never drove their own cars. They just said, Ooh,Ooh ! One knob is so cheap ! And built in a system which is very difficult to use.

Speaking of difficult... There's a small display area which can show all sorts of exciting measurements. Distance till out of fuel, rate of fuel consumption, temperature... There are ten or more options, only one can be seen at a time. Since each display is identified with a universal icon -- I have no idea what most of them are.

You select which one to display by pushing a small switch on the end of one of the control stalks. It's nowhere near the display. Just a matter of luck if you find the appropriate switch.

Somewhere else on the multiple control stalks, is the cruise control. At least, I think that's where it is... Amongst all the choices, I've never managed to learn how to use the cruise control. (Two years ago we rented a Suzuki. Took me two minutes to understand the cruise control. It was so simple that I never had any trouble remembering what to do.)

Moving around the car...

There's an arm rest / small item container, between driver and passenger. When it's down, it is too high -- it hits my elbow. So I can either rest my elbow -- and lose some control of steering -- or hunch my shoulder up and put up with an aching shoulder.

In fact... If the arm rest is down -- you can't use the park brake ! So the arm rest is permanently up... Out of the way, absolutely useless.

We did use the arm rest / container to hold things. But the catch broke. Just fell apart. So now it hangs open. And is extra useless.

Back to the dashboard display... The speedo needle glows in the dark. Very useful when driving through Perth's one tunnel... In the middle, where the lights are dim, you can still see the speedo needle. Only one problem -- you can't see the dial !!

So, when the light is dim but not dim enough to turn on headlights... (We are advised to *not* use headlights in the tunnel.) You can see the bright glow of the speed dial needle. But have no idea what speed it is indicating ! Good grief.

Outside the car... There is just *one* reversing light. The salesman went to great lengths to point this out. Too many people were complaining that their second reversing light was not working, he explained.

So why would an idiot designer design a car with only one reversing light ? Cheap, is the most likely explanation. Stupid design. Cheap manufacture.

Then there's the obvious design fault. The windscreen wipers...

You know how you move the wipers out of the way when you clean the windscreen ? Pull the wipers clear, they start out of the way so you can wash the glass ? Well, not on the Polo ! One wiper goes up, stays up, fine. The other wiper -- hits the bonnet !

It is impossible to lift the wiper clear of the windscreen ! Good grief.

And finally, the engine...

When the car was new, it shuddered as I accelerated from a standing start. Remember when VW had to update the automatic transmission software ? Something to do with preventing their cars from suddenly stopping on the freeway... Our Polo was subject to that software update. (No official explanation for the mandatory update. Not even when I asked.)

After the update, gear changes were definitely improved. But the car still regularly shudders when starting to move.

At the other extreme, the engine often fails to change up a gear. The engine will be roaring away, twice as fast as at "cruise". Refusing to change up a gear. This is not as bad as it was before the software update, but it still happens regularly.

The start-up shudder is so bad that I always use "sports" mode. The shudder happens in sports, it is far worse in standard drive.

Once you get going -- at freeway speeds -- the engine runs well. Pity the world is not all freeways.

There's another bit of stupid design... When you start, take your foot off the brake pedal -- the brake does not release ! It hangs on for just a little while, then gradually releases. No information on how long it grips... Just put your faith in the supreme being who designed that particular piece of intrusive software...

What it means is, if you want to break into traffic you need to adjust your driving style. Don't just release the brake and press the accelerator -- the car will start slower than you expect. In fact, the case will not move at all, for an unknown fraction of a second.

The obvious response is to press the accelerator: I'm not moving, traffic is flowing fast, have to get moving, accelerate ! The car suddenly leaps forward, squeals the tyres... To be safe, it's best to use the handbrake...

On the bright side, the Polo runs well on the freeway. Pity it's a small city car.

And at least we did not buy the diesel.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

White Tiger / Kylie Chan

White Tiger
(Dark Heavens #1)
by Kylie Chan

fantasy, chick lit

copyright 2006
read in November 2015

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

This is a book about love. And friendship. And family.

Oh, and it's also a fantasy, with super-powerful characters -- good and bad, of course -- from the Chinese pantheon. Plus the girl next door, you know, the one who learns to fight, who probably has her own super-powers, the girl who will marry the king... But not in this first book.

The story is set in Hong Kong. There is a brief visit to Australia, because the heroine is Australian. You get the distinct impression that the author likes both places -- and also likes the people in both places. It makes for pleasant reading.

In fact, the entire book -- almost 600 pages -- makes for pleasant reading. Sure, there's violence and death. But the dead characters are demons or gods and will come back to life, eventually. More central characters may be severely injured but they will soon be healed.

Threats and violence and sudden, reversible, death. These are just the occasional interludes amongst the romance, the good life, the exploration of this fantasy world.

The characters are likeable... Saccharine sweet, but likeable. A central character is the little girl... Everyone protects the little girl... It could be because she will grow up to be the most powerful person in this pantheon. Or it could be that everyone protects her because she is such an absolutely sweet little girl...

There are several characters who are, I guess, like Chekov's gun. (I think that's the correct trope... I hope that's the right word :-)  What I mean is, if someone mentions that there is a gun in the top d drawer, then that gun must eventually be used. There are several characters who occasionally appear. Are they just a social interlude ? People whose purpose is to gasp in surprise at the heroine's situation ? I just hope that, like Chekov's gun, they eventually play some significant role... But it's not in this first book of the series.

And that's why I've rated White Tiger as just "read to pass the time". It's never boring... but nothing much happens. The scene is set but there is very little action. Unless you count the drawn out romance as "action" !

And why not ?!

Book one sets the scene, develops the heroine, introduces both the romance and its difficulties. There is, of course, some clothes shopping and wearing. Goodness, it turns out that the heroine really is quite attractive ! :-)

It's easy to read. Quite enjoyable. But very definitely book one of a series.

Read White Tiger to pass the time. Or commit yourself to reading several books in the series... Book one is enjoyable. I suspect that books one to N would be more satisfying. Unless it becomes a never-ending saga... Which is quite possible.

I enjoyed the book. I would have enjoyed it more of there were some sort of (even minor) conclusion.

====

Oh, wait ! The author if Australian ! (Well, okay, I knew that all along.) And she presents a positive view of one small part of Australia ! (As well as an obvious liking for Hong Kong.)

If, like me, you are biassed... Give this book a bonus mark !

Rated 7/10: well worth reading. Especially if -- like me -- you like to support good "local" authors :-)

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

The Lion King, Burswood, WA

The Lion King
stage musical

at Burswood, WA

rated 5/10: not very exciting

Put it this way: We sat in row Z, right at the back. To clearly see all the action on stage, I wore my distance glasses. After the interval I didn't bother.

The story was simplistic. Why should the hereditary ruler bring the rains ? Is this some anointed monarch myth ? Does anyone really believe that lions -- or the equivalent human killers -- really care about preserving "the circle of life" ?

Putting aside all thoughts of reality... The story was simple but not objectionable. If I read it as a book I would say, Pull the other one ! As a musical, story is just a means of linking the songs...

Remember Queen, the Musical ? The story was rubbish but the music was brilliant. Which meant that the overall show was also brilliant ! If you liked the music...

The Lion King music is forgettable.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight... Yes, I can remember that one ! But it's a ring-in, not written specifically for the show. Of the other songs -- none stick in my memory. Neither words not music. Worse yet... While listening, my feet were not tapping, I had no urge to hum along. Boring and forgettable tunes.

Ooooo... a significant moment... How will we indicate that with the music ? I know ! We'll hit the drums, very hard ! Ooh, and flash the lights... No, sorry, that just doesn't work for me.

The costumes... are very complex. Some are even good. The warthog costume is excellent ! The giraffe costumes are very clever. The lions... are stupid.

The lion costumes are vaguely lion-coloured outfits with lion faces on top. Like, hats with a lion face. When I look at a person I focus on the face. That's standard human behaviour. To be specific: when a human looks at another human they spend most of the time looking at the eyes, with occasional glances down towards the mouth.

The lion-face hats -- above the eyes, even above the face -- are as good as invisible. So you have a group of actors in loose brown onesies. Wearing hats that -- on the rare occasions that you notice them -- look a bit like lion faces.

And why do only two of the lions have tails ?!

The hyaenas are even worse. They each have a head on a spring. The head can be lifted up, down, around... but it still looks like a head on a spring. (Except from the front three-quarter view, where it does look quite effective.) And because the head is on a spring -- rather than solidly connected to the body -- what I see is a person in a costume. With a head (on a spring) held in front of the chest.

The costumes are complex. Puppet-style, apparently. The warthog, the wildebeest, the giraffes and perhaps the meerkat, are excellent. The rest are just people dressed up -- poorly -- as animals.

Still, we were there for the experience. As a celebratory outing: dinner and a show. As an experience, we enjoyed it. Not as good as Les Miserables, said my partner. Not as good as reading a book at home, I thought. But an enjoyable outing.

Somewhat spoilt by what we read in the next day's paper...

Apparently, the show has not yet opened... What we saw, apparently, was a preview... So why did we pay full price ?!

We saw a preview. Does that explain the boring songs ? The singers are still learning how to involve an audience ? Will the experience improve, once the show has "opened" ?!

Were we an audience of fools who paid for the privilege of helping the cast prepare for the less gullible audiences ?

It was a disappointing show, but enjoyable.

Now we feel that, in fact, we were cheated.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

Bistro Guillaume, Burswood, WA

Bistro Guillaume, Burswood, WA

restaurant

rated 6/10: good on experience, weak on food

We were out for a show and added dinner to the experience. We booked at Bistro Guillaume, at the casino.

First up, the online booking system said that we could not book. Wrong date ? Wrong time ? No idea. Just that our requested booking could not be done. I phoned, made the booking with a pleasant and helpful person.

The day of the dinner I received a text message. I needed to respond with "confirm" -- or our booking would be cancelled. I was lucky to notice the message... I see my phone as a nuisance rather than as a necessity. I had not been given (while booking) any option to confirm via email.

The Bistro is at the casino. Parking is always a pain at the casino, so I had pre-paid for valet parking. That was an excellent idea ! Sure, there were no signs, no "valet parking here". But the service was excellent.

And so, to the restaurant...

The young woman at the front desk had trouble finding my name on the booking system... The older woman had no trouble, possibly because English was her first language. Wow ! You should have seen the smarm level rise when she saw "Dr" on the booking !

Service was good. Friendly, polite, sufficient. Various people turned up when required, not too often.

The room-- and our location in it -- were very pleasant. The noise of our fellow diners was remarkably loud, there really should be some acoustic material to dampen the sound. The noise was loud, but not so loud that we had trouble talking to each other.

And then, the food...

We ordered Duck Parmentier, to share. Parmentier is the French equivalent of cottage pie: mashed potato on top of meat.

There was too much salt. Too much tarragon. Not enough meat. Though my partner believes that there was enough meat. Did not notice the tarragon. Commented on the saltiness but did not object to it.

The mash on top was light and fluffy -- very little body. Air, fat, a little bit of potato... so it seemed to me. I believe that the carbohydrate (potato, rice, pasta) provides bland substance: it allows the diner to chose the level of taste for each mouthful, it fills the stomach while the meat satisfies the taste buds.

But then, when a dish is called "Parmentier", I accept that it will be French style. And French food is famous for richness, European food tends to be very heavy on the salt. So I am happy with the Bistro interpretation but -- from personal preference --would not choose it again.

For dessert my partner had chocolate soufflé, I chose the profiteroles.

The soufflé was delicious. But what to do with the spoonful of icecream ?! A single spoonful -- delicious but too little. And it was already melting off the spoon ! Worse yet, it was melting off the spoon onto the plate -- which had a paper serviette on it. If the icecream melted onto the paper, it was gone... My partner quickly dropped the single blob of icecream into the soufflé, where it could do some good.

My profiteroles were also delicious. But...

The difficulty of making a profiterole is to get the pastry "just right". It's too easy to let the pastry go stale... or leathery, which is worse. Guillaume "solves" this problem... by not using pastry.

The profiteroles were made as a biscuit. Firm, crunchy biscuit. Not pastry. Easier to mass produce, less chance that it will go wrong. A reminder that this is a franchise rather than a restaurant with a dedicated and expert chef.

My profiteroles were absolutely delicious. There was enough icecream. The chocolate sauce was not too sweet, a good balance with the icecream. It was just a bit disappointing to find that the pastry was not really pastry.

The cost was, as expected, exorbitant. The food was average, the experience was excellent. The experience -- as an occasional treat -- was value for money. A very enjoyable meal, with a favourite partner.

We had our coffee in the foyer of the casino hotel. Comfortable seats, fascinating crowds, good coffee. A very pleasant break between dinner and the show.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

Talon / Julie Kagawa

Talon
(Talon Saga #1)
by Julie Kagawa

young adult, romance, fantasy

copyright 2014
read in November 2015

rated 7/10: well worth reading

The publishers categorise this as "teen", I'm happy to extend that to "young adult". At first pass I put it under "chick lit" but really, there is not enough emphasis on what the characters are wearing. (Which is mostly shirts and top over bikini.) It's romance but not as soppy as Twilight.

Like Twilight, there are two heroes in love with the heroine. Unlike Twilight, the Talon heroine loves both of the heroes... I've noticed this in other books, an active version of the romantic triangle. Interesting ! If she does choose one over the other, no matter which boy she chooses, we will be sad for the other. Oh ! the torment !

Now I think about it... It's a rather lightweight book. Sure, the villains will kill you if they catch you. But really, as far as the heroine is concerned, fear is at the level of being told off by parents for arriving home late... In fact, that is one aspect of the plot : the heroine finally realises that her punishment could be worse than a telling off.

The book is an extended beach party, with a muted background of war between humans and dragons.

The book is also a pleasant and exciting story with a good variety of likeable characters. The only disappointment -- since I was correctly expecting a light romance -- is the ending. It is just a little bit too inconclusive. Too much of a "here comes the next book" cliff-hanger.

Nevertheless... If you want young adult romance and fantasy -- with dragons ! -- this book is a very enjoyable choice. For what it offers, it is well worth reading.

I enjoyed it. And hope to be able to read some more in the Talon Saga.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

At the Earth's Core / Edgar Rice Burroughs

At the Earth's Core
(Pellucidar #1)
by Edgar Rice Burroughs

fantasy

copyright 1914
read in November 2015

rated 7/10: well worth reading

This story is just over 100 years old. It is still enjoyable, exciting, well worth reading.

Not great, not by a long shot ! You have to appreciate the simplistic, two-fisted style of Burroughs' stories, to enjoy this book. I enjoyed this book :-)

There's a very old-style simplicity to the story. The sexist chauvinism would be unacceptable in a modern book. The series of wild adventures is, well, ludicrous ! The casual slaughter of anything not strictly human is awful.

The hero plans to escape by killing several of the reptilian but intelligent captors. That would be murder, says his friend. Murder but necessary, therefore acceptable, they agree. Okay, so far the only unusual aspect of this is that they even considered that killing an intelligent reptile is murder.

Part of the escape will be, to steal a certain book. Loss of this book will result in the eventual extinction of the entire reptilian race... To hasten this extinction, the hero will teach the more human races how to make swords and gunpowder and guns... These plans to exterminate an entire race are made with not the slightest of moral qualms...

Ah ! The old-fashioned simplicity ! Human equals good. The rose-tinted morality of an idealised American frontier equals better. Handsome and beautiful in the style of white, middle America, is best ! I can enjoy it... but I'm glad that attitudes have broadened.

And finally, the humour... There are some distinctly funny lines...

The action is entirely serious. Every monster is vicious and deadly, every humanoid opponent is there to kill or be killed. The dialogue is serious. At times laughable... but intended to be serious. The narrator's comments -- are occasionally very funny.

This story is Tarzan without the animal friends. John Carter if his cave had been very deep rather than a very magical transporter. Carson Napier... Well, you get the idea... It's a very standard Burroughs adventure.

A very standard adventure. Attitudes that are extremely dated. A series of predictable battles -- in a highly imaginative world.

Edgar Rice Burroughs. A writer of his time, probably unpublishable today. An enjoyable book, a lot of simplistic fun, well worth reading !

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

The Devils of D-Day / Graham Masterton

The Devils of D-Day
by Graham Masterton

horror

copyright 1979
read in November 2015

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

The story begins with an American in rural France. Remember the expression, "the ugly American" ? Well, this American is ugly.

He meets the farmer's daughter. Forces her to invite him to lunch. Thinks that he will enjoy sex with her. He smokes without asking permission -- perhaps just a sign of the times. He doesn't wait for his host to offer a drink, simply says that he would like a brandy. He pressures people into risking their lives to help him.

The stereotypical ugly American.

The story itself is simple but stupid. Do you believe in angels and demons ? Here's a whole pack of them. Are they destroyed at the end ? Of course. Are they destroyed -- just as all hope is lost -- by divine intervention ? Definitely. Will the demons be able to return for another book ? Of course.

This is rote horror by the numbers.

The key skill of the author is to find more synonyms for "disgusting". The demons are ugly. They stink. The atmosphere is full of evil, though there's no explanation of how you can tell when an atmosphere is full of evil. The demon speaks as though his throat were full of black hair... What ?! No, I have no idea how that would sound... Like the atmosphere, I guess... full of evil.

It's rubbish but it's readable.

Are you upset by stories of violent death ? Disgusted by promises (unfulfilled) of violent sex ? Offended by over-the-top stories of demons who are resistant to the standard religious defences ? Avoid this book !

If you see all of the above as harmless cartoon-style special effects, then this book is readable. One violent encounter after another, one stupid demon after another...

It's nasty. It's stupid. Read it to pass the time.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

1984 / George Orwell

1984
by George Orwell

science fiction, classic

copyright 1949
read in November 2015

rated 7... or 5 out of 10:
well worth reading or... readable, but only if there's nothing else
Let's say... 5.

Is 1984 well worth reading ? Or not...

As a "classic", it's well worth reading. Big Brother, doublethink, newspeak, Thought Police... ideas which have stayed in our consciousness for over sixty years. What sort of book has introduced the world to so many powerful and enduring ideas ?

What sort of book ? A long-winded, preachy, miserable book.

Many long pages are spent explaining Orwell's views. Characters explain how the world of 1984 is controlled. The author explains the world and its history. Half a chapter is an "excerpt" from the rebels' handbook, giving a miserable view of the political history of the world.

The chief protagonist reads aloud from the book. His girlfriend falls asleep while he's reading. She reflects this reader's opinions...

One idea does, however, stick in my mind: people are always grouped as High, Middle and Low. The High are the always evil rulers. The Middle plot to and eventually overthrow the High; the Middle then *become* the High. The Low are convinced to support the Middle -- until after the revolution, when they are relegated back to being the Low. Another miserable view of the world, one which seems to be quite reasonable.

Oh, and the end of the book is also miserable. No happy ending. Just the certainty that the world is doomed to a miserable future.

So... We've managed to get through the actual year of 1984. How are we traveling ?

We read books stored in the cloud. Books which have been known to change -- at the whim of the publisher -- with no notification to the reader. Is this the worst of it ?

Are governments changing history ? Are ebooks -- and newspapers, and stored data -- being changed to suit requirements of today's administration ?

All I can say with certainty is, changing the past would be a lot simpler now than it is in George Orwell's 1984.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

The Pilo Family Circus / Will Elliott

The Pilo Family Circus
by Will Elliott

fantasy, horror

copyright 2006
read in November 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

I've just started reading Orwell's 1984. A very minor character says, "They shouldn't oughta done that!" A Pilo Circus clown speaks the same way. Is there some deep significance in this similarity ?!

I don't know. And that's typical of the problem I have as I start to read Pilo...

I'm looking for meaning. For significance. For an allegorical reference, perhaps, to the real world. There are some snide comments on contemporary Australia. But no allegory. As far as I can tell.

Then I treat the Circus as a fantasy world. An exaggeration of some aspects of our own world but with no deeper -- no overall -- significance. That's better ! I settle back and enjoy the book.

What is the cause of my confusion ?

Elliott's Circus world is so very brand new. Sure, it's a circus. Surface familiarity, exaggerated for effect. This world is so familiar -- that I expect to find an obvious message for our own world... And I don't find that message. No wonder I'm confused :-)

As a pure fantasy, I enjoy reading this book. It's cleverly done, with slapstick clown humour taking the very short step into physical violence. Yes, the "horror" elements are very strong ! An especially enjoyable book of you never really did trust what is claimed to be entertainment in a circus...

Towards the end, there is a deeper explanation of the... reason? ... for the existence of the circus. Essential, interesting, reasonable, unusual. I like it !

And then... the standardised ending for a horror story: Massive destruction, the few survivors are happy, there is a hint that the evil will return. Pity about that final point... I don't blame the author, it's an ending that seems to be compulsory in horror stories.

I began by thinking, I'll need to give this book a bonus point for being Australian. At the end, that is not necessary.

This is an unusual, exciting, occasionally funny -- and overall good -- book.

No need for a bonus point. I'm just glad that this quite good book, is Australian.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

Rebecca / Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca
by Daphne du Maurier

classic, fiction

copyright 1938
read in November 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

I enjoyed reading this book. And then I found that the afterword (by Sally Beauman) adds another level of enjoyment. Really quite good !

First, the start of the book. The very first sentence... This is the first time that I have read Rebecca -- yet that opening sentence is so familiar ! Is this a "classic" opening line ?!

Later, the arrival at Manderley, the servants lined up to welcome the new mistress of the house. This scene is definitely familiar... from the movie, The Man with Two Brains... Though I think that Two Brains was funnier :-)

And all the time I'm thinking, as I'm reading, that I know the ending... from references in a book by Jasper Fforde. This time I'm wrong. That was referencing Jane Eyre... Which makes some sense because, as the afterword tells me, Rebecca owes much of its plot to Jane Eyre.

And then there's P.G. Wodehouse... Rebecca is set in the Wodehouse world, with many Wodehouse characters. Except that each Wodehouse character is funny -- and likeable. Du Maurier characters are -- all except for two -- either likeable or sympathetic or both... but not funny.

But enough of the comparisons !

I enjoyed reading this book ! The characters and their lifestyles are fascinating and enjoyable. The house and countryside descriptions would suit the glossiest of tourist brochures. The plot -- the mystery -- is gripping.

Okay, there are lots of words... It's easy to read, but wordy.

Many of the words are the narrator, daydreaming. "I could imagine this happening, and that..." Many of these daydreams are descriptive, or setting the mood. Quite a few are -- as I understand it -- telling us of events where the narrator was not present. Clever ! A change from the usual, "I spoke with X and he told me that what had happened was..."

So I reach the end of the book... and it ends. Very suddenly... That's partly because I still have expectations based on my second-hand knowledge of Jane Eyre ! Even so, I think, What about those various loose ends ?!

Then I think again.

Sure there are loose ends. Unfinished threads of plot. Unanswered questions. Yet... The main story has concluded. I would love to have every incident explained. But the answers are simply, not relevant.

I take a breath. Accept and understand that not all questions will be answered. And think, Wow ! That was a great story !

Then I read the afterword. And think, Interesting !

I see the afterword as a feminist perspective on the story. And I think yes, interesting, good point. But...

The afterword gives me a new perspective. It opens my mind to aspects of the book which I had simply skipped over. Or seen differently and, I now believe, wrongly...

Not that I agree with all of the ideas of the afterword ! Most of it is valid and worth noting. Some of it is just a bit one-eyed... in my opinion :-)

The book is really quite good. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. And the afterword gave me a new perspective on the book that I had just read.

A very interesting and enjoyable reading experience.

====
"Let not the sands of time get in your lunch" ... per Ginger Meggs

   

Astra / Naomi Foyle

Astra
(Gaia Chronicles #1)
by Naomi Foyle

science fiction

copyright 2014
read in November 2015

rated 6... make that 7/10: well worth reading

I'm not quite certain about that rating. Read to pass the time ? Or, Well worth reading ? Oddly enough, it depends on the next book in the series...

The world of Astra is clearly divided between them and us. The "us" is a happy and loving lot of tree-huggers. Now here's my problem:

Are we being shown a shiny red apple with a nasty worm in the middle ? If that is the author's intent then I say, rubbish ! Will subsequent books allow Astra, the heroine, to remove the nasty worm and live happily ever after amongst the tree-huggers ? If so, then rubbish !

What I see is a shiny red apple skin covering rotten flesh which is full of maggots. Nothing intrinsically wrong with maggots. But the apple skin -- and the nasty worm -- will actively prevent the maggots from changing -- evolving -- into free-flying flies.

Everyone loves everyone else. Everyone supports everyone else. And if they don't, they will be buried alive or lobotomised. Or both.

This is a nasty world of slavery, social control and extreme but hidden hatred.

That's the way that I read it.

Judging by the final few chapters -- and the "bonus" chapter from the start of the next book -- that is also the way that the author sees it.

Or, does the author believe that absolute conformity is good ? That painful mutilation of children is a good thing ? That independent thinking should be prevented by social pressure or removed by lobotomy ? That the only evil worm is the refusal to spread this lifestyle to the rest of the world ?

This "book one" tells of a girl growing up within a society where only happy thoughts are allowed. It takes her most of the book to realise that strictly enforced happiness does not equal a good society.

In book two, Astra will be an adult. I hope that she will realise that the world of her childhood is rotten. If so, I will be happy. Seven out of ten is a suitable rating.

If the adult Astra is still not able to see -- to show to the reader -- that her childhood upbringing was rotten, I will return to this post and downgrade the rating...

Meanwhile... in hope... Astra is well worth reading :-)

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
   

Children of Time / Adrian Tchaikovsky

Children of Time
by Adrian Tchaikovsky

science fiction

copyright 2015
read in November 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

What is it about this man and invertebrates ?!

Whatever it is... it's good :-)

Tchaikovsky takes space travel, terraforming, uplift, cold sleep, the human tendency to destroy -- and weaves a great yarn. Pun intended ? Read the book. There are two threads to the story...

One storyline has characters popping in and out of cold sleep. This allows for continuity by having a small number of key characters continually interacting -- over many, many centuries. Their world changes but we see it from the common perspective of these few characters.

The second storyline follows the development of intelligence and civilisation, over millennia. No character can survive all that... but... key characters use a small set of names. So the "Portia" of each generation is always an explorer / hunter / soldier; the action hero. "Bianca" is always the thinker / leader / priest. It's a clever technique which provides a strong sense of continuity to the ages-long story.

Each storyline is exciting in itself. When they overlap, there is trouble... Trouble for the characters, that is. And the two threads finally converge, to what can only be disaster... Humans, I'm thinking, Are nothing but trouble. I hope they are all destroyed ! Not that I really want that, because there are sympathetic characters on both sides. But if one group has to be destroyed...

The story draws me in. I hope for a satisfactory conclusion -- for everyone. It just seems to be an impossible hope. And that is a sign of what a great book this is !

Good characters, solid science fiction plot, not many unexpected twists but developments enough to keep me interested and reading.

A very satisfactory ending... Slightly saccharine but satisfactory. All round, good.

===

Oh, a side issue: I read this novel as an eBook. I read the first half in small doses. And found that the eBook was not good for stop-start reading.

When I return to a paper book, it takes just a second or two to glance at previous pages, to remind myself where I'm at in my reading. I also have a feeling for plot progression simply by seeing how much of the book is still to be read.

With the eBook it's easy to glance back a page or two. Less easy to jump back a few chapters, to see how it all began. I miss the ability to riffle pages as I search for a vaguely remembered passage...

On the other hand, I have learnt to glance at the bottom of the screen to see "percent read", so I know how close I am to a conclusion.

Books and ebooks: different. But each with their own pluses and minuses.

===

26jan19: Just finished re-reading this book. I've barely read a chapter before I realise that I have read it before. I remember broad themes but not the detail. I very quickly realise that I am enjoying this book. Again.

Everything I wrote (in 2015) after my first reading -- is still true. Plus some comparisons:

I've recently read another episodic book of generation ship crew waking for a short while every few centuries; this book does it so much better. I've recently read a book where humanity is painted in a very negative, destructive style; this book does the same -- but with enough positives to make it far more enjoyable.

This is an excellent book. Well worth the re-reading.

Oh, and it is far easier -- for me -- to read it as a paper book. Perhaps because my wife now uses our shared tablet, so my e-book reading time is severely limited :-)

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
===

05 Feb 2020: I've just read this book -- yet again -- and enjoy it -- yet again :-)

It doesn't take me long to recognise the story. The overall plot is still clear in my mind. The ending still surprises me -- though it is obvious from the story-so-far that it is possible. This time I also recognise the message to our current war-mongering humanity, a message which is presented quietly, without in-your-face shouting. A good message.

Definitely a good book.


   

2BR02B / Kurt Vonnegut

2BR02B
(science fiction)
by Kurt Vonnegut

science fiction

copyright 1962
read in November 2015

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

A gloomy little story of population control.

Euthanasia is public policy. Through a character, the author wonders whether euthanasia is better or worse than the alternatives, of war, famine, plague and so on.

Forty years on, over-population is still a problem. And we still reject euthanasia in preference for war and famine and plague. And so on.

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!