Finished Soliders of Paradise by Paul Park.
It just kind of fell apart. Once we left the antinomials POV it was downhill. Abu and the doctor, one never felt close at all to them. They were emotionless. It became increasingly random and everything just falling apart. The whole society collapsing and who cares? Just blah. Pointless and meaningless story ultimately.
Showing posts with label Park (Paul). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Park (Paul). Show all posts
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Solider of Paradise by Paul Park
73% in and like in a review, it is hard to care at all about any of the characters. They're too distant. And the way withholding some details at the beginning made the story more interesting is ultimately just making the book feel a bit vague/not very rich. Not a rich detailed world. So unfortunately I just don't care about this story. Anyway the prince Abu cares about the 'antinomials' who are being decimated. The antinomials are not too impressive in a lot of ways. Meat eaters and very stupid in most ways. At the same time the "civilized" people are highly unimpressive also. Extreme theocracy, highly dogmatic, highly hierarchial, great inequality. Slavery, racism, etc. Meanwhile thinking it called 'biting' by the antinomials. Their main worthwhile quality seems to be that they're excellent at music. I suppose everyone is awful really, in this book. And there's got to be some people that you really like in a book. I guess Abu and the doctor, but both just barely.
And no ace's up anybody's sleeve. And it doesn't appear the injustice is ever going to be overcome. And again, inadequate setting detail.
73% in and like in a review, it is hard to care at all about any of the characters. They're too distant. And the way withholding some details at the beginning made the story more interesting is ultimately just making the book feel a bit vague/not very rich. Not a rich detailed world. So unfortunately I just don't care about this story. Anyway the prince Abu cares about the 'antinomials' who are being decimated. The antinomials are not too impressive in a lot of ways. Meat eaters and very stupid in most ways. At the same time the "civilized" people are highly unimpressive also. Extreme theocracy, highly dogmatic, highly hierarchial, great inequality. Slavery, racism, etc. Meanwhile thinking it called 'biting' by the antinomials. Their main worthwhile quality seems to be that they're excellent at music. I suppose everyone is awful really, in this book. And there's got to be some people that you really like in a book. I guess Abu and the doctor, but both just barely.
And no ace's up anybody's sleeve. And it doesn't appear the injustice is ever going to be overcome. And again, inadequate setting detail.
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Etched City by KJ Bishop
Finished this now. Afterwards read a review that also did call it 'decadent'. For about 25% or so near the end it turned into an actual story. Not enough of a story though. Bishop's first novel. I would move onto others even if it wasn't though.
Now reading Paul Park. His depiction of the antinomials is the best I think I've ever seen of an alternate sentient species. One wonders if they're neanderthals, or some alternate universe where neanderthals didn't die out, but we don't know, and it's good not to. Are vegetarians a sort of just normal man? Or are they like dwarves? Not enough info to know and that's good. But extreme depth of antinomials different way of thinking/perceiving.
Finished this now. Afterwards read a review that also did call it 'decadent'. For about 25% or so near the end it turned into an actual story. Not enough of a story though. Bishop's first novel. I would move onto others even if it wasn't though.
Now reading Paul Park. His depiction of the antinomials is the best I think I've ever seen of an alternate sentient species. One wonders if they're neanderthals, or some alternate universe where neanderthals didn't die out, but we don't know, and it's good not to. Are vegetarians a sort of just normal man? Or are they like dwarves? Not enough info to know and that's good. But extreme depth of antinomials different way of thinking/perceiving.
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