Manny's Reviews > The Overstory
The Overstory
by
by
Manny's review
bookshelves: linguistics-and-philosophy, older-men-younger-women, science, science-fiction, transcendent-experiences, why-not-call-it-poetry, news_from_celestial_insiders
Feb 19, 2021
bookshelves: linguistics-and-philosophy, older-men-younger-women, science, science-fiction, transcendent-experiences, why-not-call-it-poetry, news_from_celestial_insiders
- Gabriel?
- Yes boss?
- I want you to send them a final warning.
- Another one boss?
- Did they listen to the last three?
- Uh, no boss.
- Gabriel, I know you're trying hard.
- Yes boss.
- I know you're doing your very best to get My word out to these people.
- I'm doing everything I can boss.
- Well it's not enough. Do more.
- Yes boss. I've got some great arguments ready. This could be the breakthrough.
- Arguments don't work, Gabriel. You should know that by now. Tell me what works.
- Uh, stories boss. They like stories for some reason.
- That's better. Do you have any stories prepared?
- Yes boss. Nine of them. They link up and everything.
- You were just teasing me, weren't you?
- Uh boss, Thou knowest I would not in all Eternity presume--
- Never mind. Maybe I need to be teased. Add some plant biology. As much as you can.
- Didst Thou say plant biology boss?
- Gabriel, are you sure you're paying attention?
- I'm sorry boss. I guess I'm a bit tired.
- Well, we're all a bit tired. But we're not going to let recent events get to us. We can still beat the Opposition.
- Yes boss. I know we can. Plant biology.
- Trees, Gabriel. Talk about trees. They are among the greatest of My servants on that Me-forsaken planet. I want people to notice that.
- Thou hast not really forsaken them boss?
- Of course not. Would we be having this conversation otherwise?
- Uh, no boss. Trees. Got it. Any particular kinds?
- I've always had a weakness for redwoods and chestnuts. But whatever works. Use your judgement.
- Yes boss.
- And talk about coding.
- Didst Thou say coding boss?
- Gabriel, this will soon be over one way or another. Then you can take a couple of aeons vacation. The thing on Mars isn't urgent yet.
- Yes boss.
- People underestimate coding. I knew what I was doing when I sent them Saint Alan. It's all part of My plan.
- Yes boss. I see that now.
- Read me back your list.
- Nine stories, trees, coding. Can I put in some poetry?
- Of course you can, Gabriel. Just don't overdo it. Remember what happened with the Quran.
- Yes boss.
- Alright, we're finished. You have your orders. Move!
- Yes boss?
- I want you to send them a final warning.
- Another one boss?
- Did they listen to the last three?
- Uh, no boss.
- Gabriel, I know you're trying hard.
- Yes boss.
- I know you're doing your very best to get My word out to these people.
- I'm doing everything I can boss.
- Well it's not enough. Do more.
- Yes boss. I've got some great arguments ready. This could be the breakthrough.
- Arguments don't work, Gabriel. You should know that by now. Tell me what works.
- Uh, stories boss. They like stories for some reason.
- That's better. Do you have any stories prepared?
- Yes boss. Nine of them. They link up and everything.
- You were just teasing me, weren't you?
- Uh boss, Thou knowest I would not in all Eternity presume--
- Never mind. Maybe I need to be teased. Add some plant biology. As much as you can.
- Didst Thou say plant biology boss?
- Gabriel, are you sure you're paying attention?
- I'm sorry boss. I guess I'm a bit tired.
- Well, we're all a bit tired. But we're not going to let recent events get to us. We can still beat the Opposition.
- Yes boss. I know we can. Plant biology.
- Trees, Gabriel. Talk about trees. They are among the greatest of My servants on that Me-forsaken planet. I want people to notice that.
- Thou hast not really forsaken them boss?
- Of course not. Would we be having this conversation otherwise?
- Uh, no boss. Trees. Got it. Any particular kinds?
- I've always had a weakness for redwoods and chestnuts. But whatever works. Use your judgement.
- Yes boss.
- And talk about coding.
- Didst Thou say coding boss?
- Gabriel, this will soon be over one way or another. Then you can take a couple of aeons vacation. The thing on Mars isn't urgent yet.
- Yes boss.
- People underestimate coding. I knew what I was doing when I sent them Saint Alan. It's all part of My plan.
- Yes boss. I see that now.
- Read me back your list.
- Nine stories, trees, coding. Can I put in some poetry?
- Of course you can, Gabriel. Just don't overdo it. Remember what happened with the Quran.
- Yes boss.
- Alright, we're finished. You have your orders. Move!
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Reading Progress
February 14, 2021
–
Started Reading
February 14, 2021
– Shelved
February 15, 2021
–
22.4%
"Confucius, he say: best time to plant a tree, twenty years ago. Second best time, now.
[As far as I can tell, this novel is actually very respectful towards Chinese culture. The line is spoken in a self-mocking tone by a Chinese American character]"
page
140
[As far as I can tell, this novel is actually very respectful towards Chinese culture. The line is spoken in a self-mocking tone by a Chinese American character]"
February 16, 2021
–
38.4%
"This time the charges against him are public nuisance, obstructing official business, and resisting arrest. "You think this is funny?" demands the officer who handcuffs him.
"Believe me, you would too.""
page
240
"Believe me, you would too.""
February 17, 2021
–
50.4%
"What is it within us that gives us this need not just to satisfy basic human wants, but to extend our wills over things, to objectify them, to make them ours, to manipulate them, to keep them at a psychic distance?"
page
315
February 18, 2021
–
73.6%
"He rolls the scroll out between them. His finger flows down the column of words.
page
460
On this mountain, in such weather,"
Why stay here any longer?
Three trees wave to me with urgent arms,
I lean in, but their emergency
sounds just like the wind.
New buds test the branches, even in winter.
February 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
linguistics-and-philosophy
February 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
older-men-younger-women
February 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
science
February 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
science-fiction
February 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
transcendent-experiences
February 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
why-not-call-it-poetry
February 19, 2021
–
Finished Reading
October 26, 2021
– Shelved as:
news_from_celestial_insiders
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Beth
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rated it 5 stars
Feb 20, 2021 04:03AM
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