Immortality. Is it worth it? That's a question that frequently comes up. If you had a chance to live forever, would you? When I close this book, it isImmortality. Is it worth it? That's a question that frequently comes up. If you had a chance to live forever, would you? When I close this book, it is definitely the question that lingers on my mind. The story is narrated by an immortal dog, a loyal companion to an alchemist that made him that way. They find themselves in Venice and go inside a fabulous cathedral with masses of people. His Master's last words to him are: "if we get separated, wait for me on the cathedral steps." And sure enough it happens and so the dog waits....and waits and waits....finally living out on the streets in view of the cathedral for 127 years. The story meanders from his present day in the early 17thC in Venice and a search farther flung but also goes back and forth through the life he had with his Master and their nemesis. " Tomorrow, we begin again." You may be surprised when you discover the intent of this phrase.
It was fairly easy reading and although I wanted to know what happened to his Master and why; it wasn't enough to bring my rating up. This was a debut novel....more
He stood in the icy cold, surveyed the burned and blackened pine forest, thinking of his first terrifying encounter with himself, knowing that now, w He stood in the icy cold, surveyed the burned and blackened pine forest, thinking of his first terrifying encounter with himself, knowing that now, within that twisted tangle, pulsed the Dolman, come at last to the world of man. Dawn will see them face to face, the culmination of his life, the last burning page of history of this dying age within which they all lived and felt joy and suffered.
2.5 stars and take that rating with a grain of salt. When I requested this from the library I didn't realize it was the third in a series and a fantasy at that! Some of the backstory is inferred, but I think I was lacking enough that I felt I didn't understand all of the characters & their place in the story.
Some of it was a real mismash of different mythologies as Ronin goes in search of a fabled island Ama-No-Mori where he hopes to find one who can interpret a scroll that may save mankind from evil forces in the world and discover his own destiny in that endeavor. There was a section that was reminiscent of Roman & Greek mythology and one that drew from the Aztecs, the latter seemed superfluous. He does reach the island which was the strongest part of the story and reflected Lustbader's affinity for Japan. When Ronin is transformed & returns to battle the evil Dolman, and if you are into blood & gore, there are some spectacular battle scenes between the soldiers & various supernatural creatures....more
I only remember the story of the Lilliputians from childhood & that was obviously edited, now that I have read the entire bizarre novel. It is a satirI only remember the story of the Lilliputians from childhood & that was obviously edited, now that I have read the entire bizarre novel. It is a satire on the political and class structures in England at the time (17th & early 18thC) but without the extensive notes in my edition and the discussion by one of the GR classics groups, I certainly would not have been able to understand the subtext of this work. Although in Swift's contemporary time, this was dubbed a parody of the travelogues of the day, it is a fantastical work with a little science fiction thrown in on top of it. The first two books flow well into one another as mirror images of Gulliver's perspective, the 3rd book was disjointed to me and the 4th book definitely capped off Gulliver's journey both literally & thematically. Now I know where the term Yahoo came from and Gulliver portrays the bestial nature of man in this class of creatures. He is so disgusted by the Yahoos that when Gulliver returns to lands of man, he is unable to reintegrate into his family life and society as he can no longer distinguish between the Yahoos and mankind in general.
As Gulliver interacts with all these different cultures in his travels his outlook on life changes from one of wonder & curiosity to cynicism and finally disillusionment in humanity in the present without potential for improvement....more
"Everywhere in Fairy Land forests are the places where one may most certainly expect adventures."
I loved the vivid descriptions in this fantasy journe"Everywhere in Fairy Land forests are the places where one may most certainly expect adventures."
I loved the vivid descriptions in this fantasy journey of Anodos, but it was so meandering that I got bogged down in this relatively short read. Sometimes I felt I was hearing the same story over and over just in a slightly different light or setting. There were definitely some sections, I found more enchanting than others, but overall it was just OK. Maybe its because the fantasy genre has come so far since this early work. I was reading this as part of a group read, thank goodness. It kept me reading and "hearing" some different takes on what it all could mean.
Can one be enchanted by a novel that has violence including torture in it? I certainly was. Gaiman's debut urban fantasy was magical. Originally writtCan one be enchanted by a novel that has violence including torture in it? I certainly was. Gaiman's debut urban fantasy was magical. Originally written in 1996 as a BBC script, this edition in the author's preferred text as he fleshed out this story. It also includes a short story. Neverwhere is London below where those who have fallen between the cracks of life reside, as opposed to the real world of London Above. It's not just the marginalized that live below but those with special powers and sentient creatures. They have divided themselves into tribes and not all of them want to get along. Sounds like the real world to me! Anyway, Richard from our reality is living a pretty humdrum life (but is engaged to be married) who finds himself in the world of London Below when he acts as a Good Samaritan to an injured young woman, Door. Door is from London Below and is being hunted even as she is on a quest to find out who killed her family. Richard unwillingly becomes part of a small group who accompanies Door on this quest. He just wants to get back to his life, or so he thinks. Many reviewers have likened this to Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz for adults. It is quite the adventure! ...more
Oh my, this is my first read of Moore's and it was a doozy!! This was Moore's 1992 debut & look into his mind. Irreverent, and crude at times but fullOh my, this is my first read of Moore's and it was a doozy!! This was Moore's 1992 debut & look into his mind. Irreverent, and crude at times but full of quirky characters & LOL scenes, just what I needed.
70 years ago Travis unwillingly became the master of a people-eating demon, Catch, and he is desperate to be rid of him and send him back to hell. He has been on a search for the invocation that will do the trick and it has brought him to Pine Cove, CA. There is also a King of the Djinn who has recently been freed from his incarceration in a jar for a millennium who is also looking to send Catch back to where he belongs and he has identified an owner of a bait shop as the "chosen" one who will help him do it. OK, so all kinds of myths and biblical references abound in this relatively short read. Craziness already exists in Pine Cove among the residents and it soon going to run amok in this hilarious read!! ...more