When we Cease to Understand the World, Benjamin Batut

When we Cease to Understand the World

byBenjamin Batut

fantasy

copyright 2019

not read in 2022

rated 2/10: unreadably bad

Name a lot of famous scientists. Preferably dead so that they won't sue for libel.

Invent a lot of stupid rubbish. All bad. Pretend that this is about the scientists.

Make sure that every stupid claim is demeaning or insulting.

There may be an underlying statement that humans are destroying the world. This book, with no justification, places the blame on mad scientists.

It smells of idiot author, jealous because he is unable to understand science. What he fails to understand, he fears and so attacks.

Supported by the idiots who give an "English Pen Award" to a fellow conspiracy nutter.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Yesterday I knew nothing. Today I know that." ... per Ginger Meggs

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

House of Sky and Breath / Sarah J Maas

House of Sky and Breath

(Crescent City #2)

by Sarah J Maas

fantasy, chicklit, porn

copyright 2022

read in Dec 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time.

Maas has written for "young adults". This series is for the growing market of "new adult": Those who are old enough to have invented and practised sex. To target this market, this book is porn. Not soft, either.

I'm sure that book one had romance. The sort where the hero and heroine hold hands... and the sun shines more brightly, the birds all sing.

In this book the hero and heroine hold hands and his cock juts out against his shorts, while her knickers are suddenly soaking wet.

It's not subtle. It's just sex.

There is also some violence and a lot more promise of violence.

Every other character is being forced into violence, or into violent sex, against their will. Quite unpleasant really.

Yes there is excitement. There is also the strong feeling that the book was written as in stream-of-consciousness: a vague idea of direction and any old nonsense to get there. New characters appear, new threats arise, every new character turns out to have some secret relationship, usually bad, to every other character.

I was nearing the end of the book -- and it was obvious that there would be no clear end.

Sure enough, no threads are tied off. No subplots are resolved. But by that stage it does not matter. The characters have lost their appeal, it no longer matters that they are all facing imminent and separate deaths. It's a soap opera in at least three books, of which only two have so far been written.

Yes, the violence -- and the sex -- is enjoyable. It is also meaningless.

The last few chapters open up new worlds of, probably, sex and violence. With, potentially, dozens of new characters.

I may never read the next books in the series. It won't matter. More books will continue the excitement. It is unlikely that more books will ever reach a satisfying conclusion.

An enjoyable book. But ultimately pointless.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Yesterday I knew nothing. Today I know that." ... per Ginger Meggs

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Threadneedle, Cari Thomas

Threadneedle

by Cari Thomas

fantasy, chicklit, subadult

copyright 2021

read in December 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

... but add an extra point if you are a fan of witchcraft :-)

The book is about -- and aimed at -- sixteen year old girls.

There's a lot of angst over gossip, boyfriends, who is dating who.

Though, as a modern book, no-one is judged for whether or not they are having sex.

There's also a strong flavour of "witch-fulfilment" -- that's where you are told how fantastic life could be if only you were a witch.

It's all verging on nonsense --- but despite that it is surprising good.

On the con side, the end is a bit rushed and rather deus ex machina.

On the pro side: the mysterious curse is both dealt with quite well -- and it is truly horrible.

Empire of the Vampire

Empire of the Vampire (#1)

horror

copyright 2021

not read in November 2022

rated 2/10: unreadably bad

... though I really do need a rating for, "Not going to waste my time"

The book begins with a character, presumably the hero, in a cell, due to be killed by vampires.

instead of immediate death he begins to tell his life story.

I skip to the end of the book.

Sure enough, the same character is about to continue, telling his life story.

in between are 700 pages of, I guess, nastiness which goes nowhere.

Detailing the inevitable destruction of a person who is of no interest.

Not interested.

I don't bother.

Age of Ash, Daniel Abraham

Age of Ash, 

(Kithamar #1)

by Daniel Abraham (aka James SA Corey)

fantasy

copyright 2022

read in November 2022

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

Solid world-building and not much else.

An immense number of words spent describing a city-state, its citizens and their day-by-day lives.

Hordes of characters. None of them worth knowing.

Okay, one sympathetic character. Surrounded by creeps, nasties and low-lifes. Yes, an overall hint of community support but it doesn't help, everyone is so grindingly poor that good will is pointless.

Finally, the evil centre of the city is explained -- I almost missed it, I was so sick and tired of the tedious prose that I was skimming. Clearly, the author was paid by the word.

Then... finally... the book ends. The story, unfortunately, does not end. Some characters have moved on, others just disappeared. Overall, the city is unchanged.

And the evil villain is waiting round the corner, waiting for the author to bore us with two more volumes. Supposedly a trilogy but I doubt it. I suspect that the author will not be content with a mere three books of incredible tedium. I won't hold my breath. But I will remember the author's name -- and his pseudonym -- and hope to avoid his future boring nonsense.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Yesterday I knew nothing. Today I know that." ... per Ginger Meggs

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

The Desert Prince / Peter V Brett

The Desert Prince / Peter V Brett

(Nightfall Saga -- restarted)

fantasy

copyright 2021

read in October 2022

rated 7/10: well worth reading

Plenty of fantasy (and science fiction) books follow social trends and provide a strong heroine. Sometimes more than strong, heroines may be as violent and as bloodthirsty as Conan. Equal opportunity regardless of gender.

This book goes a step further.

Princess Olive is a pampered flower, dressed in frills, powdered perfumed and painted. Oh, and learning to fight.

Then she becomes Prince Olive and learns even more about fighting -- and killing. Yet the killing is, mostly, of demons, so not as nasty.

One character. Hero and heroine... extreme equal opportunity.

And it works. Olive -- in both aspects -- is a likeable and sympathetic character.

The action takes place in two main arenas: a benevolent democracy and a macho city of strong men and veiled subservient women. With Olive introducing a small amount of benevolence. Of course :-)

At the start of the book I thought, the world and characters are well introduced. With a few words, new setting and characters are quickly familiar.

As I read on I began to think... Have I missed a book one? There is a lot of back-story. A host of historic characters. Well introduced but... did they have a book of their own?

=== later: okay, this book is a continuation... fifteen years later. Thought so:-)

And then the book ended... with characters lost, needing to be rescued. Villains defeated but ready to return. There is a lot of to be continued... But it doesn't matter. The ending is satisfactory. The main characters are mostly safe (or dead).

An enjoyable book. With a unique main character.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

Politicians are like nappies -- just because you've changed the old one doesn't mean the new one's not going to end up being full of crap, too. (adapted from Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy/Douglas Adams

Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy/Douglas Adams

humour, science fiction

copyright 1979 read (again) October 2022

rated 7/10: well worth reading

My wife was watching the TV version, I was inspired to re-read the book. A good decision :-)

An absolute highlight on TV is the voice of Marvin. As I read, I read in that voice, it made the book even better.

And yet...

Rated seven. Surely it's worth more?

No. Because the humour is cruel.

There is a nasty, cutting... insulting... edge to it. Irony has turned to sarcasm.

And Arthur always loses.

This is a constant theme of almost all the books in the series: Arthur loses.

This takes the edge off my enjoyment.

Yes, this book is a classic of humour.

Yes, I enjoyed reading it.

But no, it is *not* "really good. Because it is rather unpleasant.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you always see your glass as half empty, try getting a smaller glass. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

The Andromeda Evolution / Daniel H Wilson

The Andromeda Evolution

by Daniel H Wilson

thriller

copyright 2019

part read in October 2022

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

The front cover clearly indicates that this book is rubbish. In big bold letters the cover says, Michael Crichton.

yet Crichton had absolutely nothing to do with this book. he's dead.

what we have is a follow-up, trying to be a techno thriller. Managing to be a weak farce.

A century ago the city scientists would have crashed into deepest darkest Africa, to be guided and saved by Tarzan.

today they are thrown into deepest darkest South America. to be met by a native boy... I've given up reading but I'm guessing that he will guide them and save them.

meanwhile, the Andromeda Strain has mutated. in a ludicrous fashion.

and at last, one good point from this book. An interesting explanation of Andromeda's possible origins.

that's one point. there are many more points of arrant stupidity. including the inclusion in the top secret US team of a Chinese communist soldier. or spy. Good grief.

The overweight unfit computer expert carries drones. in his backpack he also carries a drone recharging station. what, a tonne of batteries? perhaps a diesel generator? no way.

the original book determined that Andromeda eats energy and creates matter. so a nuclear blast will only feed it. yet we are told that all traces were destroyed by incineration... and a gas fire is not energy?

now the military is once again considering nuclear cleansing. will they ever learn? Will it work? definitely not.

regardless, the military genius goes for advice. to a woman with a degenerative disease so why would she care about a new threat to her life. she is in a space station so there is little chance that she will be affected. I can't remember whether she had any expertise. perhaps she read the first book? 

It doesn't matter. her advice is... oh, just leave it alone.

at this point I can't stand any more.

cliche and stereotype are no substitute for plot.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you always see your glass as half empty, try getting a smaller glass. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Garmin Forerunner 55

Garmin Forerunner 55

Rated 3/10: so bad it's embarrassing

This may be great technology. It's hard to tell. Weeks on, we're still trying to convince it to work.

Just to start: there are five buttons. Each seems to have at least two functions, depending on whether it's pressed or held. Apparently.

The various functions are described in a user manual -- in jargon. Meaningless jargon.

Then there's garmin connect. An hour or two to define a workout. Add it to the "calendar" -- and... nothing.

We may have copied it to the device, no way to tell. The day came -- and no workout. So we went back to old tech: Training Centre -- which works simply and well. The day comes, the workout appears

Though the FR55 can't follow it. It wants to "rest". It refuses to move to the next step -- probably those five buttons with ten secret functions. Who knows.

My wife -- who has far more patience than me -- will be running with her old FR220, we know that it works.

Is there a market for new but crappy FR55s?

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

apple air tablet pc

Spple Air tablet PC

rated 3/10: so bad it's embarrassing

I bought a new tablet PC. It's an Apple "Air" or some such. I'm not interested in the make and model. Just believe that, at July 2022, it is the latest model Apple tablet.

And it's a real bugger.

First: every so often it stops and restarts. No reason. It seems that it's a known problem. (Though, a couple of months later the problem does seem to have been fixed.

====

10oct22: Not fixed. Today -- once again -- restart for no reason.

What a load of rubbish.

Second: It can't be used resting on my lap.

Sit comfortably. Rest the tablet conveniently on my lap -- and it stops. Claims a temperature emergency And restarts. My best guess is that there is an air gap, for cooling, at the bottom -- just where it rests on my lap. So no air, no cooling.

Then there are its limitations.

I have a few dozen epub books, gathered for a rainy day. All are readable on my ancient Android tablet. The Apple refuses to read half of them. Which is a pity because the screen is nice and clear, easy-reading. But I'll take my old Android on holiday, it reads all of those epubs.

Plus, I know how to connect the old tablet to holiday wifi services. The Apple is a mystery... which brings me to the final -- major -- problem:

Okay, this probably applies equally to current model Android tablets: This device wants to control me.

I had dreams of sitting comfortably. Tablet on my lap. Doing my work (or pleasure) Perhaps writing the great Australian novel. with the help of a modern tablet PC. Fat chance :-(

I open a doc to edit. Three taps -- and the entire document is wiped! What?! Bugger.

Try again.

Weird. There is no way to tap the screen where I want to type. I have to tap and slide backwards and forwards. Whatever happened to the very useful arrows on a keyboard? And selecting text to change? Awkward. I think I can copy selected text. I have yet to discover the secret to pasting.

Whatever this thing does it must do it its way.

How do I like to work? Forget it :-( Do it the Apple way. Follow the program. Or forget it.

Something simple: I get a new epub to read on holiday. Okay, says the device, added to your library... but it's not.

In fact, it's added to a cloud storage space. So what? Well... the holiday is 100km from home -- with no internet. So no book to read.

Software for New York city. With high-speed always-available internet access. What a load of crap.

Oh, and it's impossible to turn the thing off. Is that a "feature"? Are users so incompetent that they can't turn a device on or off? This bugger is always on... except... it still takes three steps to wake it up. Bloody hell :-(

Here's a good point:

Email notification is a pleasant soft ping, just enough to let me know without interfering with whatever I'm doing.

On the other hand... If I am sitting with the tablet when an email arrives,

if I want to read then type a reply -- it is quicker and easier to walk across the room... to the desktop PC (which has a mouse and keyboard)... switch on, start mail... and reply from the PC. All that -- because tablet typing is such a difficult process.

Great technology. Absolute rubbish software.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

shards of earth, adrian tchaikovsky

shards of earth

(Final Architecture #1)

by

adrian tchaikovsky

space opera

copyright 2021

read in September 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Yes, it's a lot of fun. Yes, the world (worlds) and characters are many, varied and imaginative.

Unfortunately -- it is "to be continued".

There is a solid ending -- but no conclusion.

This book is setting the scene. The major "villains" are undefeated -- and coming back. Best we can say -- for a "conclusion" -- is that we are given an insight into their "motivation".

It's non-stop action adventure and violence. Very enjoyable. But it's still just book one of a series.

I enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading the next. But I would enjoy it more if I believed that it would ever end.

The Life of Elves / Muriel Barbery

The Life of Elves

by Muriel Barbery

fantasy

copyright 2015

not read in September 2022

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

The author is away with the fairies.

Poetic? mystical?

Or just nonsense. I gave up, quite early.

Then noticed a bookmark, left by the last reader -- who survived only a few more pages that me.

If you enjoy saccharine ramblings, give it a go.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Rachael's Jaunt, Joanne Austen Brown

Rachael's Jaunt

(Come with Me #1) by Joanne Austen Brown

fantasy, romance

copyright 2020

read in September 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

In 1822 King George IV visited Scotland. The visit was documented in a book, The King's Jaunt. Which has been used as the basis for this (Rachel's) book.

Interesting... I thought that the older book would be "historic" but no, it's from 2000. Which is disappointing. It's a case of, read a book and rewrite it with your own characters.

A much better approach is when a "real" historian bases a novel on "historic" documents and knowledge. The books by Jodi Taylor for example.

Still, it is fun to be told about interesting bits of history. As with Taylor's books I was inspired to read round the topic. Which was enjoyable.

The book itself... is enjoyable though lightweight. Time travel, hints of fairies, deep romantic love, nice characters. With an ending which is satisfying while wide open for related novels. There are some hiccups where you wonder who's speaking, or what just happened. Occasional bits of awkward phrasing. These are minor interruptions to the flow; the book could do with a detailed proofread. The characters occasionally, especially towards the end, make wild leaps in logic. Or the author skips over the logic. This is not a great worry, romance does not require tight logic.

It's easy-reading romance. Bringing history to heavy breathing, highly romanticised life.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

What Abigail did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch

What Abigail did that Summer

(Peter Grant #9

by Ben Aaronovitch

fantasy, subadult

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Peter Grant is mentioned but only as an aside.

Really... the author is starting a new series. Action, adventure and magic. Starring a young girl and aimed squarely at the young-teenage market. No sex and no overt violence.

The book is also written to break into the American market.

I'm not sure which is more embarrassing: the attempt to write from the young girl's perspective, or the footnote explanations for American readers. I mean, surely even an American can Google the meaning of hooley bar, fem-dem and so on. Cringeworthy. Both problems.

That said, it's an enjoyable story. Softer and sweeter than previous books. Still more unpleasant sarcasm rather than pleasant irony.

A simplistic plot with a simplistic solution, a villain driven by niceness ... and a heroine who is ... well... rather annoying.

Six. Read to pass the time. Do not believe that this book is typical of the series so far.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

The Justice of Kings, Richard Swan

The Justice of Kings

by Richard Swan

fantasy

copyright 2022

part read in August 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

I'm reading and thinking, nothing much is happening. And yet... there is the promise of disaster.

Certainly the Empire is about to suffer violent chaos, we've been told that since page one. The first-person hero also seems to heading for disaster, just some hints of future bad decisions, not death.

And you know what? I don't want to read about it.

The Empire should fall. It's not evil but it conquered and rules by force. I won't miss it. And the heroine (and her companions), well I don't care. I care enough that I don't want to watch them suffer but not enough to follow the coming troubles.

I stop reading. Do not want to read any more. Not unpleasant just not appealing.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

What Could Possibly go Wrong, Jodi Taylor

What Could Possibly go Wrong

(St Mary's #6

by Jodi Taylor

fantasy, humour

copyright 2015

read in July 2022

rated 7/10: well worth reading

Another change of pace. Max takes trainees round time. The results are typically chaotic, occasionally disastrous, mostly comic. A solid mix of enjoyment. With further exploration of the history of St Mary's itself.

Plus the usual fascination of history seen from close-up.

Prehistoric, okay, catching a "fortunate" episode. Richard III based on, I guess, better documentation... I must read up on it.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Future Perfect, Felicia Yap

Future Perfect

by Felicia Yap

science fiction

copyright 2021

started reading in July 2022

rated 5/10: readable but only if there's nothing else

In fact I suspect that it's ell worth reading -- but I stopped reading. Very early. Why?

I enjoyed the near-future world. Drones everywhere, doing all sorts of things (walk with your head ducked in case of low-flying drones). Intelligent devices acting as personal life managers. I particularly liked the car which ignored instructions and instead drove the character to his appointment. A believable world, tending to dystopia.

Okay, I did not like to meet someone only to have her blown up.

But then... I just did not get involved with the book. I like *science* fiction, so far so good. But I had no interest in the characters. Nor in their actions.

I put the book down. Could not be bothered picking it up again.

It seemed like a good book. But not for me.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Better off Dead, Lee Child, Andrew Child

Better off Dead, 

(Jack Reacher #27)

by Lee Child, Andrew Child

thriller

copyright 2021

read in august 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

That is: read to pass the time *and* if you enjoy the Jack Reacher style then yes, you will enjoy this book. Hmm. What I mean is, It's cartoonishly violent it's moral I enjoyed it.

a few chapters in and I thought, this book is the same as the other JR novel. and of course it's not. it's the style which is so very familiar.

a new co author, a switch to first person, the same style of, evil villains. the same super confident and competent (and good) hero. a new supporting cast of tough but nice people who need help.

the same level of threat and violence. I hope that I never meet anyone as nasty as the villains. if I do I will cheer if Reacher appears and metes out violence in my defence.

realistic? I hope not. enjoyable as fiction? definitely yes.

Sjambak, Jack Vance

Sjambak

by Jack Vance

science fiction, novella

copyright 1953

read in August 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

science fiction from the pulp age. And definitely pulp.

A planet with a mystery. A yankee reporter who investigates the mystery. Discovers that it is ridiculously prosaic so he goes home.

 Even set in the wild west this would be weak.

An easy-read filler from the days when science fiction held a well deserved position outside mainstream literature.

Time Traders, Andre Norton

Time Traders

by Andre Norton

science fiction

copyright 1958

read in August 2022

rated 6/10 read to pass the time

This is an old book by a good author. Is it any good? Not bad.

It's solid old style science fiction.  Shallow characters, unlikely actions, heaps of scientific guesswork. And that's what SF is all about.

Travel through time and explore our best guess of the past. Travel through space and explore wild imaginings of what could be out there. Putting flesh on the past and saying why not to imaginary alien planets. Stretching the imagination for adventurous entertainment. Solid -- straightforward -- science fiction.

The time travel includes a visit to Folsom people. These people were "discovered" by archaeologists in the 1930s... they would have been current science when the book was written... typical SF : adventures and exploration of the very latest in current science.

Blue Moon, Lee Child

Blue Moon

(Jack Reacher#24

by Lee Child

thriller

copyright 2019

read in August 2022

rated 7/10: well worth reading

The hero just happens to be in town He helps an old couple and ends up fighting two evil gangs. Just protecting the old couple. Lone Ranger style... Who was that masked man :-?

Reacher is tough. He is also violent -- in response to the violence of the gangs. One of him, hundreds of them. They don't stand a chance.

There's a lot of violence and a lot more references to past violence. So over-the-top that, like cartoon violence it is too unreal to upset the reader.

Reacher is a goodie, he fights for right. Especially for the right to an American life free from threats and violence. There is strong support for the strength and value of American military.

The crime gangs are evil and brutish. Also easy to spot. Each gang has its signature suit, signature gun, signature car. They are also rather stupid. Each gang leader spends a lot of time in clever analysis of the situation. All completely wrong.

Ridiculous violence, yes. I'd now be nervous of men in snappy suits and big cars.

It's a lot of fun.

I'm told that Tom cruise bought the rights, made the movies, starred as Jack Reacher. I guess Cruise was trying to build his own tough-guy image. Reacher is plain (possibly ugly), over-height, overweight and dresses like a slob.

Thinking of a short, slender pretty-boy playing the part... well.. It says a lot for the Cruise acting skills :-)

The book has a lot of extreme violence. To me that's fine -- in a book.

In a movie, well, I wonder if there are slo-mo close-ups of blood and gore. I hope I'm wrong. But I shall avoid the movies, just in case.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Body Tourists, Jane Rogers

Body Tourists

by Jane Rogers

science fiction

copyright2019

part read in July 2022

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

A scientist develops a technique for putting old -- dead -- minds into young healthy bodies. What could go wrong? Everything. And it does.

As an exploration of the potential problems, this book is okay. The key problem is that the scientist is an idiot.

There are a few disasters. Denied or covered up. Sure, the old minds make trouble, but the scientist makes no effort -- or has no skill -- to control. Possibly because he is the one selecting old minds for revival. The first old mind just walks all over the scientist. And causes trouble.

Having read a few chapters I put it aside... and could not bear to start reading again.

The problems are realistic. The fool scientist is realistic. Which adds up to a gloomy story on exciting technology.

The cover blurb makes me suspect that there are positive outcomes.

I'm not prepared to wade through the depressing -- no, unhappily realistic -- initial results. Not even for a possible happy ending.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)

Vampyre, Polidori

The Vampyre

by John William Polidori

horror

copyright 1819

read in August 2022

rated 7/10: well worth reading

As a story is is rated six: read to pass the time

For its place as the very first modern vampire story it's worth the seven.

As "horror" -- yes... it is rather nasty. Everyone good was doomed. The nice people were fated to lose. I did not enjoy the story -- but I did appreciate its place in literary history. The book came out of the same wet weekend that inspired Frankenstein.

It's supposed to be a "short story". It's certainly not a novel. Perhaps a novella. Forget that... It's the original vampire story.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the vast majority. (Alfred E. Neuman)

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com/ :-)