Huh. None of those things that annoyed you about Doomsday Book annoyed me. I did find Kivrin's character to be pretty much a blank, and actually was much more amused by the "present" story than the past. Which is why I liked To Say Nothing Of The Dog so much.
It's all about the coat.
Host ,'Conviction (1)'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
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."
flea - Aug 03, 2004 6:29:26 am PDT #5487 of 10002
information libertarian
Nutty - Aug 03, 2004 6:34:14 am PDT #5488 of 10002
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
Well, I do think Willis tends to rely on communication difficulties to make her plots move -- in Passage the entire last 1/3 of the novel has to happen because X person didn't tell Y person the Important Information. Then again, in that case, it was perfectly reasonable that X and Y person did not get the chance to exchange information, and the whole point was each individual journey, with major sidetracks and garden paths, towards the lightbulb moment.
Then again again, that whole novel suffered from geographic and interpersonal adventures in avoidance -- I got really tired of "you have to go up to 12, take the walkway over to 11.5, and then take the service elevator down to..." Oy.
A lot of Willis's farces rely on faulty information exchange, too, with comedic frustration as the chief result (see "At the Rialto"). A key point in To Say Nothing of the Dog works on the basis of faulty information, but it was the sort of point that even the narrator had forgotten was at issue, till it became at issue again.
lisah - Aug 03, 2004 6:55:05 am PDT #5489 of 10002
Punishingly Intricate
faulty information exchange
I think this is something that makes me so crazy in Real Life that it's hard for me to find it bearable in a book. At least when it is overused to the extent I think it was in Doomsday Book. I don't think I would have minded if a communication problem caused difficulties for the protagonists a few times but it happened over and over and over and over. And I felt like there were so many more interesting ideas for her to explore while telling this story.
Also I wanted Colin to go back with Dunworthy and get the plague and DIE DIE DIE horribly.
Consuela - Aug 03, 2004 7:39:48 am PDT #5490 of 10002
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
lisah, if the plot element of faulty communication annoys you, under no circumstances should you rerad Passage. At least not soon.
I found the issue believable and realistic, especially given the voice-mail hell I'm currently experiencing in dealing with my credit card company and bank. But that's my issue.
lisah - Aug 03, 2004 7:44:21 am PDT #5491 of 10002
Punishingly Intricate
Oh it's definitely realistic. Also, the kind of thing I have nightmares about.
Matt the Bruins fan - Aug 03, 2004 7:59:08 am PDT #5492 of 10002
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
The King in Yellow is here.
DavidS - Aug 03, 2004 8:11:25 am PDT #5493 of 10002
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
The King in Yellow is here.
Does he hate Green Lantern as much as Allyson does?
Betsy HP - Aug 03, 2004 8:13:47 am PDT #5494 of 10002
If I only had a brain...
So, Matt, is this a modern backfill or does it actually predate Chambers?
juliana - Aug 03, 2004 8:17:34 am PDT #5495 of 10002
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I miss them all tonight…
The King in Yellow is here.
bouncebounce
Details! Please?
Consuela - Aug 03, 2004 8:22:13 am PDT #5496 of 10002
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
Okay, I'm utterly lost.
Is The King in Yellow a legendary book that nobody thought existed? What's it about? Backstory, please?