killing floor, Lee Child

killing floor

(Jack Reacher #1)

by Lee Child

copyright 1998

read in May 2024

thriller

rated 8/10: really quite good

I've only read three Reacher books. So far, they seem to all have the same plot.

But what a very enjoyable plot.

From memory, the violence in this first book is just as brutal but nastier.

Every villain gets his (yes, his) comeuppance. Good people may be threatened, maybe hurt but they will survive.

Great fun and very satisfying. Though not suitable for children or the sensitive.
Characters are sympathetic. Even the weeds have their strong points.

The plot becomes more and more complex... unbelievably complex and somewhat ridiculous, really. But great fun.

I can see why this book was followed by many more.

I started with a rating of seven. Just upped it to eight: if you like any Reacher books then this first book is really quite good.

a bit later: The violence is brutal, nasty. I don't generally enjoy violence. Why do I accept it in this book?

The violence is awful but: it occurs off-screen. There are people who clean up after, and are sick in a corner, but there is no description of the actual occurrence. (I think. Let me know if I'm wrong.)

Second: all the worst violence happens to people who "deserve it". At least, to people who would have happily done it to others. So, karmic violence.

Nasty, brutal violence against people for whom we have little sympathy (mostly). The effects are described -- but second-hand. Well after the violence has occurred. This all makes it much more, for those with not too delicate sensibilities, more acceptable.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

Star's End, Cassandra Rose Clarke

Star's End

by Cassandra Rose Clarke

dystopia, science fiction

copyright 2023

part read May 2024

rated 7/10: well worth reading

... though that may change.

The idea of worlds ruled by a sales oriented corporation is not new. Though the word corpocracy is new, to me.

This book is science fiction. It is also dystopia -- on several levels.

The corpocracy has complete control of its citizen/employees. The control is not benevolent.

Worse, the corporation is owned and controlled by one man. A man who is -- in the words of his own family -- an arsehole.

This brings the second level of dystopia, the family.

The father is a psychotic control freak. There are constant, unexplained, references to the terrible things he has done to his family and to his worlds. I think, in general terms, I can guess.

The story jumps in and out of three or four time periods. Presumably the book will end in the "now" and all will be explained.

I'd like to get the explanation but... I can't be bothered.

Over the years my reading speed has slowed. At my current speed this book is sooo very tedious.. And repetitive.

After 220 pages -- of 400 -- I stop reading.

I've rated it seven. Since it has proven to be unreadable, I may change that rating to a much lower score. I'll think about it.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

Exogenesis / Peco Gaskovski

Exogenesis 

by Peco Gaskovski

dystopia,

copyright 2023

read in May 2024

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

traditional science fiction explores, what-if? What if this advance becomes common, how will it affect society. Exemplified by a small group of affected protagonists.

This book uses that approach.With a double what if leading to a schism: a society based on religion and a society based on science (of the body and of the mind).

the author compares the two. He seems to balance his views. The science society, in particular, is intelligently presented.

I find that both societies are terrible. 

Both societies aim for absolute control of their citizens.

Anyway. the main characters do their thing, with mixed success. The key characters are likeable enough that I hope they survive, if not necessarily succeed.

At the end, all is nicely wrapped up. At the society level the end is satisfying. The end for the individuals, however, is rushed, disjointed and unclear.

what if exogenesis well presented, with good analysis of its effects.

Two, in my view, dystopian societies, with less misery than most.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

Crown of Vengeance, Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory

Crown of Vengeance

( Dragon Prophecy #1)

by Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory

fantasy

copyright 2012

started reading in April 2024

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

I've only started reading. I expect that I'll read to the end. But... it seems a good idea to document my strong first impressions:

Is this "high" fantasy? I think that's right.

The story is set in "the favoured lands" or some such. Favoured by one hundred families who are constantly at war against each other. hmmm

Each family has a name that is complex, unpronounceable and instantly forgettable. Ditto the names of individuals.

Fortunately, the heroine seems to be the only person whose name begins with V and the possible hero has a simple, distinct and memorable name. Apart from that, a cast of dozens who are difficult to distinguish.

The plot is driven by a curse on the heroine. At the pace at which secrets are being revealed, I guess that the reader will need to read several books before the curse is revealed.

( Though one major surprise seems to be revealed in the back cover blurb).

The heroine grows up as a well-treated orphan servant. As soon as she discovers her family name, her sense of self-entitlement kicks in; she swears vengeance and a return to personal power. Very much like people in real life.

Then she has a few years being trained as a servant and being told that she can never enter her "rightful" Life as a princess. So, standard fantasy.

I may sound cynical (I am) but the book is still good fun. A complex world, revealed ever so slowly but promising lots of future blood and thunder and magic.

I fully expect to enjoy the rest of the book. Even if I never know who all those people are. Who knows, I may even get to like the power-obsessed heroine.

And now, back to the book....

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

world shuffler, Keith laumer

world shuffler

by Keith laumer

(lafayette o'leary #2)

fantasy

copyright 1970

not read in April 2024

rated 3/10: so bad it's embarrassing

It's possible that this book is meant to be funny. it's not.

the hero is an idiot. the sexpot is a fool. everyone else, as far as i can be bothered reading, is both stupid and ugly.

the plot is a string of nonsensical ridiculous incidents with, so far, neither logic nor point.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

Fwd: Dumas, Alexandre, The Three Musketeers

Subject: Dumas, Alexandre, The Three Musketeers

The Three Musketeers

by Alexandre Dumas pere

historical action,

first published (in French) 1844

read (in English) March 2024

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

... but 7/10 (well worth reading) if you believe that a classic should actually be read.
This book is a "swashbuckler": with heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight for justice. That's according to wikipedia.

The story is well-known... until I start reading.
Yes, the heroes are heroic. They are also brave and clever. And broke.
They fight for honour, fame and... fortune. They have no money. they convince other people to invite them all to meals.
They are scrupulous in the fairness of their duels against other gentlemen. They beat their lackeys. Other peasants are ignored.
Women are seduced. Yes, for sex but mainly so that the woman will use her husband's money to pay the musketeer's expenses.

There are four key villains. The Cardinal, who threatens, admires and rewards the heroes. There is Milady, the only truly evil villain.
And the shadowy Rochefort who eventually, well, read it for yourself. His end is surprising but entirely suitable.
I was expecting a book of slashing swords and altruistic heroism. The swords are there but very little altruism. Dumas himself, writing 200 years after the time of the story, notes that attitudes had changed. In another near 200 years, attitudes have (perhaps) changed even more.

If you want a book with a similar story, similar characters -- but all a lot more fun -- try The Phoenix Guards.

02apr24: Although... I do prefer my heroes to be honest, upright and, well... heroic. The Disney version perhaps. I do not like the Dumas Musketeers.

Perhaps they are more acceptable for other readers... or to the modern-day French. It's their classic after all.

Still, Phoenix Guards is more fun :-)





Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper

Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===


Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood
   

The Art Thief, Michael Frinkel

The Art Thief, Michael Frinkel

copyright 2023

part-read in March 2024

fantasy

rated 3/10: so bad it's embarrassing

To be fair, the writing is not bad. It's easy to read. It's the subject and style which are embarrassing.

There was a real art thief, this claims to be his story.

The thief is a snob, a psychopath and a criminal. He had an obnoxious family but so what. He was (is) a criminal.

The author glorifies the crimes. He claims that the thief was horrified at the thought of stolen paintings being damaged... In reality the thief destroyed -- or caused to be destroyed -- dozens of irreplaceable "Old Masters".

The book attempts to impress the reader with knowledge of art -- and of a syndrome which the thief may have. Knowledge straight from Wikipedia.

I read 20% with the only pleasure being the clear indications that the thief would be caught.

So I checked Wikipedia. Which lead to the article on the author: Frinkel

He writes fiction which he claims is true.

He was sacked as a journalist for "lying in print". I imagine that this book is also a thin smear of fact overlaid with fiction... lies.

The author's style is, up himself. The thief is similarly dislikeable. He is not an antihero, just a criminal.

The book is embarrassing. There is no pleasure. I stop reading.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

===

A good pun is its own reword.

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