Jayne ,'Out Of Gas'
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
I think snobbery is the difference between the statement "X is a shitty author" and "X's style doesn't work for me."
Well, I get paid to make critical judgments like that all the time. I don't think asserting something is good or bad is snobby. I think judging an individual based on their taste is snobby.
I was in the kitchen making cookies with some neighborhood kids at my parents' church (long story), and a couple of them asked if I believe in Santa. After considering for a moment, I said that I believe in the Hogfather. They decided that that must mean I'm Jewish (you know, because it's like Santa, only not. Just like Channakah!)
Personally, I thought A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius was really great(am jealous he got to the title, first.) I don't think it was as brilliant as the narrative voice thought it would be, because nothing could be, in a way, but at the same time, I thought the mix of styles worked well. Maybe I was sort of the perfect audience for it...TV freak, sick sense of humor, fresh out of college when it came out... But I felt like I should stand up(so to speak) for ironic Gen X-itude(although that book itself annoyed me bunches, parts of it have also stuck with me...what the hell is that?)
I loved the crap out of it too, erika.
I'm almost enjoying I, Robot so far! From the conversation, I expected Asimov to be dull as dirt or something, but the stories are good, if straightforward.
I really like "Liar," of the stories in I, Robot.
Liar is a good story, but also evidence of a very period specific view of women.
I really like "Liar," of the stories in I, Robot.
"Robbie" was kind of adorable. I'm in the middle of "Runaway," and it's amusing.
Liar is a good story, but also evidence of a very period specific view of women.
Oh, very much so. Asimov wasn't as awful as most people at the time, but he wasn't a particularly successful feminist, either. I just think that Calvin's anger comes across so brilliantly at the end, it really sticks with me.
Personally, I thought A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius was really great
Once I got though the first 50 pages or so, I really loved it.
Me, too.