I love McKinley's early work so much, which is why Dragonhaven was such a disappointment. Unless things change radically, I won't be buying any more of her novels. ::sigh::
Early: So is it still her room when it's empty? Does the room, the thing, have purpose? Or do we -- what's the word? Simon: I really can't help you. Early: The plan is to take your sister. Get the reward, which is substantial. 'Imbue.' That's the word.
'Objects In Space'
Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.
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."
Consuela - Mar 16, 2009 8:45:14 pm PDT #8590 of 28431
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
§ ita § - Mar 16, 2009 9:17:00 pm PDT #8591 of 28431
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
Can you go into more details about Dragonhaven, 'Suela? What was so wrong with it? It sounds like you think it was the start of a trend, as opposed to an exception.
Fay - Mar 17, 2009 2:12:25 am PDT #8592 of 28431
"Fuck Western ideologically-motivated gender identification!" Sulu gasped, and came.
I didn't hate Dragonhaven. I thought it was fine, and fairly likeable, but it was no Blue Sword.
Kate P. - Mar 17, 2009 3:35:18 am PDT #8593 of 28431
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
Not Suela, but I also really disliked Dragonhaven, and I've loved what I've read of her earlier books. My biggest problem with Dragonhaven was that the protagonist-narrator's voice was incredibly obnoxious and nearly incoherent. He seemed to be halfway to creating his own new slang, or grammar, such that I could barely understand some of the sentences themselves. And I couldn't really figure out why it had to be that way; his way of speaking didn't seem to be germane to the plot or setting or even an interesting facet of his character. I mean, I'm down with innovative uses of language to illuminate something about the story or the characters or the world they inhabit, but that didn't seem to be the case here. It was just... hard to understand, and made the story draaaaaaaag.
I haven't read her latest, Chalice, so I can't speak to whether or not it's a return to form.
Connie Neil - Mar 17, 2009 10:43:06 am PDT #8594 of 28431
brillig
I'm near the end of The Moonstone, and I'm in the pleasurable delight of seeing an excellent writer at work. The very different characters of the individual narrators, the way the mannerisms and feelings of the other characters are illustrated by the observations of the individual narrators, the sly, sarcastic humor that sidles in--this book has been a joy. The butler's stalwart passive-agressiveness at dealing with instructions he finds abhorrent but which have been given to him by his mistress is wonderful.
I feel sorry for Miss Clack, but her speeches about the duty of a Christian going about the Good Work should be printed out and handed around for insights into whackamole Evangelicals.
Ouise - Mar 17, 2009 10:58:56 am PDT #8595 of 28431
Socks are a running theme throughout the series. They are used as symbols of freedom, redemption and love.
I had the impression that Dragonhaven was meant to be in the same world as Sunshine - the slang style was similar. I'm not sure if there were other reasons for me to think that.
Chalice seemed to me to be very much in the vein of her fairy-tale books.
Atropa - Mar 17, 2009 11:08:16 am PDT #8596 of 28431
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.
I had the impression that Dragonhaven was meant to be in the same world as Sunshine - the slang style was similar. I'm not sure if there were other reasons for me to think that.
!!!
Because I luuuurved Sunshine, and want more stories in that world.
Ouise - Mar 17, 2009 11:13:54 am PDT #8597 of 28431
Socks are a running theme throughout the series. They are used as symbols of freedom, redemption and love.
Because I luuuurved Sunshine, and want more stories in that world.
I'd like that too! Not that I don't love her other books, but I'm a little bit tired of them. Sorry!
Toddson - Mar 17, 2009 12:10:44 pm PDT #8598 of 28431
Friends don't let friends read "Atlas Shrugged"
- I* want a Sunshine cookbook.
Fay - Mar 17, 2009 2:42:49 pm PDT #8599 of 28431
"Fuck Western ideologically-motivated gender identification!" Sulu gasped, and came.
Oh, yes - I did love Sunshine.
Meanwhile: OMG WTF???
I just came back from my local thrift store with tears in my eyes! I watched as boxes and boxes of children’s books were thrown into the garbage! Today was the deadline and I just can’t believe it! Every book they had on the shelves prior to 1985 was destroyed! I managed to grab a 1967 edition of “The Outsiders” from the top of the box, but so many!