Hunter's Run / George R.R. Martin et al

Hunter's Run

category: science fiction, author:

George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois, Daniel Abraham

original copyright 2007,
read in Sep 2011 (and before, in Feb 2009)

Agamedes' opinion: 7 out of 10

In its first 20 or so pages this book would normally have been ringing serious warning bells. Bad book, bad book, bad book. However, I also remembered that I had read this book before -- and enjoyed it. So what was... almost... so bad?

• The hero starts the book with no knowledge of who or where he is. Bad sign. The reader can expect to be confused. Even worse, the hero doesn't know how he got to his current position. Warning: confusing flashbacks dead ahead...
• The hero is Mexican. A "non middle-class white American" sometimes works... but is often just... because. In an author's note Dozois had read, "Where is the space hero who is Mexican?" and thought, "that was a fair question." So, although he "didn't know much about Mexican culture," he decided to make his hero a Mexican. This token Mexicanism should scare the sensitive reader...
• The hero has just killed someone in a knife fight. The reader is lead to wonder, Who will he kill next?
• Final danger sign: there are three authors. The first is George RR Martin. The same author who put his name to Busted Flush -- a comic book which forgot to include the explanatory pictures.

Despite all this... Hunter's Run is not too bad at all.

Sure, the introduction -- called an "Overture", for no good reason; there is no musical theme to the book -- the introduction is set a few solid steps into the plot. We then flash back... and forward... and back... and... Anyway,

Busted Flush / George R.R. Martin

Busted Flush

category: fantasy, author:

not really George R.R. Martin

book 19 of Wild Cards
original copyright 2008,
read in May 2011

Agamedes' opinion: 3 out of 10

Apparently, this is a "mosaic novel". That may mean, "Don't blame me, I only wrote some of it." Or possibly, "Be nice to me and I'll publish some of your work in 'my' next 'novel'."

It's "mosaic" because there are nine separate authors. Each author writes a series of related chapters. The series of related chapters are then interspersed to form a book. Perhaps, by the end of the book, the separate series of chapters somehow link together. Or perhaps not.

btw: None of the authors are George R.R. Martin.

A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. As far as I read, Busted Flush is a series of short stories. Perhaps they do -- eventually -- join up to form "a long narrative". Perhaps not. As far as I read it was a series of short stories and not a novel.

As a book, this is a comic.

Walks of King Island / Ken Martin

Walks of King Island

category: travel, author:

Ken Martin

one of a series of (The) Walks of ...
original copyright 2009,
read in April 2011

Agamedes' opinion: 8 out of 10

Start reading this book and you quickly realise that Martin's interest is not in "King Island"... Sure, he loves the place and he enjoys the King Island walks. Really, though, he's a walker.

Which is reassuring, really.

This book is a book for walkers, hikers, trampers, strollers... Not just a sales pitch for King Island. When you're looking for a holiday with plenty of walks -- as we are -- this is the book for you.

There are plenty of walks on King Island. Each comes with a map, an overview of distance, time, difficulty and a walk description. Better yet, there is a map right at the front of the book which shows the start points for all of the walks on one map. This helps you to get an overview of what is where on the island.

The walk descriptions are quite general. No turn-by-turn detail, just some commentary on points of interest. Enough to provide a feeling for the walk without swamping you with facts. There are occasional recommendations to pick up various local leaflets.

If you are planning a walking holiday, or planning a visit to King Island, this is a good book to read. Skim through the walk descriptions and you get a good taste for the island. (Bear in mind that I have not been to King Island to confirm the impressions that I gained from this book!)

If you are going to visit -- take this book. Then pick up more detailed information when you arrive. This book provides a good overview of where to go to enjoy walking on King Island.

---

To get the book: The publisher is Bas Publishing. Their webpage does not seem to list this book... At least, I can't find it... They do have another Ken Martin walks book which is probably just as good, especially if you are planning to take some Walks of the Mornington Peninsula.

Or contact the publisher and ask about King Island.

..o0o..

These reviews are provided by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your processes, problems or documents, email nickleth at gmail dot com.