I read up to page 84 last night. I'm really not having a strong emotional reaction to it either way. I don't think it's boring; Junction is a pretty interesting town (and the way religion has evolved on the edge of hell is intriguing). Ned's an unlikeable asshole, though. I'm really hoping Ned and the bird-beast from hell that is currently residing in his brain become friends.
Jack Dann seems to be taking his sweet time setting up Junction, which is odd, seeing as Ned's New York-bound (according to the back cover). We're getting the social, political, geographical, and religious background for a town we're not even going to be spending much more time in. I guess it's so we get a better understanding of why Ned is such a dirtbag?
Also: whores. I cannot believe how many times this book mentions whores. It's almost comical; at certain points it seems like Dann just hasn't reached his whore-quota for the page and haphazardly tosses them in at the end of unsuspecting paragraphs.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
This book feels like purgatory.
I'm writing this now in an effort to not fall asleep. Curse that coffee drink that made me so tired.
I have read up to page 65, though I read a bit more at the Mug.
Ok, so I've already complained about how lame this book is. Which is really disappointing, because as Nate says, it certainly has potential to be cool. Or at least interesting. But I just don't freaking care. The protagonist is unappealing, to say the least; the plot meanders and twitches around without any real sense of direction; and despite the fact that we're in a town on the outskirts of Hell, it's still EXTREMELY BORING. This is, to me, the worst flaw any story can have.
It's weird... if you look at the front/back covers, and the page before the title page, there are all these quotes from various writers. I dunno how familiar you are with sci-fi people, but these are all extremely famous, highly regarded authors. Like, seriously big-time guys. (I dunno what the Library Journal is, but whatever.) So - did all these people actually like the book? And why do they keep raving about this Jack Dann when I've never EVER heard of him? I kinda wonder if they were all bribed or blackmailed into saying these things.
Urgh. I don't like any of the characters, I don't care about anything that's happening. It's confusing and vague and makes me feel like I'm pouring mud into my head, or something. Honestly, I really don't want to waste any more time reading this thing.
I have read up to page 65, though I read a bit more at the Mug.
Ok, so I've already complained about how lame this book is. Which is really disappointing, because as Nate says, it certainly has potential to be cool. Or at least interesting. But I just don't freaking care. The protagonist is unappealing, to say the least; the plot meanders and twitches around without any real sense of direction; and despite the fact that we're in a town on the outskirts of Hell, it's still EXTREMELY BORING. This is, to me, the worst flaw any story can have.
It's weird... if you look at the front/back covers, and the page before the title page, there are all these quotes from various writers. I dunno how familiar you are with sci-fi people, but these are all extremely famous, highly regarded authors. Like, seriously big-time guys. (I dunno what the Library Journal is, but whatever.) So - did all these people actually like the book? And why do they keep raving about this Jack Dann when I've never EVER heard of him? I kinda wonder if they were all bribed or blackmailed into saying these things.
Urgh. I don't like any of the characters, I don't care about anything that's happening. It's confusing and vague and makes me feel like I'm pouring mud into my head, or something. Honestly, I really don't want to waste any more time reading this thing.
I DON'T WANNA GO TO HELL TODAY!
Man, this book is not very good.
There's really a lot of whores in it though. But not really in a good way. No prostitutes or harlots. Just whores. I was speaking with Lani about this in church yesterday (surely we worried some people around us). It actually has a pretty neat premise. I like some of the ideas the guy is going for, but he kinda sucks at writing and making a character that I care about.
So far the main character "Ned," is overweight, has gross hair, and spends all of his time "whoring." And all the ladies scratch their crotch. It's weird. But the writer doesn't even go out of his way to make the whores attractive. One is really overweight, the other has hairy nipples. "A ring of fuzz around them."
I have just finished Part one, and it reminded me how there can be so many children that dislike reading. Seriously. Each paragraph drains me of a little bit of my life force and youthful vigor. It will be good when this book is done and we can move onto another.
Also, Ned suffers from terrible visions and will spontaneously drop to his knees and scream. Like, he does this a lot. On the plus side, it gave me a wonderful idea for a short story. It's gonna be sweet.
There's really a lot of whores in it though. But not really in a good way. No prostitutes or harlots. Just whores. I was speaking with Lani about this in church yesterday (surely we worried some people around us). It actually has a pretty neat premise. I like some of the ideas the guy is going for, but he kinda sucks at writing and making a character that I care about.
So far the main character "Ned," is overweight, has gross hair, and spends all of his time "whoring." And all the ladies scratch their crotch. It's weird. But the writer doesn't even go out of his way to make the whores attractive. One is really overweight, the other has hairy nipples. "A ring of fuzz around them."
I have just finished Part one, and it reminded me how there can be so many children that dislike reading. Seriously. Each paragraph drains me of a little bit of my life force and youthful vigor. It will be good when this book is done and we can move onto another.
Also, Ned suffers from terrible visions and will spontaneously drop to his knees and scream. Like, he does this a lot. On the plus side, it gave me a wonderful idea for a short story. It's gonna be sweet.
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