Three Rivers Press -- tpb
New York -- ©2008 -- 377pp
ISBN: 978-0-307-39440-8
Five college students at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, wake up one morning after a party to discover they have super powers. They begin a journey, at first alone, and then together, to discover what their powers mean for themselves.
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I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked this up in a little independent book store, but, as I like comics and I enjoy literary and genre fiction, this seemed like a good book for me.
I'm still intrigued with the premise ... five students in Madison, WI wake up one morning to discover that they've inherited/developed/been gifted with some extraordinary super powers. What happens next?
I like that Schwartz has attempted to keep it real. Grounded (no pun intended). Unfortunately, it gets so grounded that it becomes tedious and boring in spots. The personal/sexual relationships that are developed don't seem interesting, and frankly, I never fully understand how close these friends really are. Are they all friends? Are some outsiders among their groups? Does it matter? Well, yes it does if you're telling a story about people. And their actions as super-powered individuals isn't played up too much ... mostly second reports about what they've done. Again, this is fine as this is a story about people and not a comic about a superhero, but what is the focus of this story?
There are some really nice moments here ... specifically (without giving anything away), a scene in a nursing home that I really wanted to read more about, and the effects that the powers have on some of the students (physical as well as psychological), but in the long-run, this book lagged a bit.
I give it 3-1/2 stars.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
ALBUM -- David Rimmer
Nelson Doubleday -- hc
New York -- ©1980 -- 105pp
book club edition
A two act play about youth growing up in the 60's, with music as a focus of their lives and a device for the playwright.
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As I read this, my first thought is: "Wow, this play is dated."
I really liked the idea of incorporating popular music into the life of these youngsters. It reminds me greatly of my youth -- the days when we'd sit around and talk about the new songs, or the latest album by a favorite musician, and even the arguments about when band is better. In this sense, I was pulled in to the play. But as the characters got older, I cared about them less.
Again, I believe that this is more a result of the period of the play. This play is very characteristic of plays from this era, with lives changing for the worse at every turn. But dropouts and runaways don't pull at the heart strings the way they used to.
There are some great acting scenes and monologues here, but if I saw this on the season subscription for a local theatre, I wouldn't be running out to get tickets.
New York -- ©1980 -- 105pp
book club edition
A two act play about youth growing up in the 60's, with music as a focus of their lives and a device for the playwright.
#####
As I read this, my first thought is: "Wow, this play is dated."
I really liked the idea of incorporating popular music into the life of these youngsters. It reminds me greatly of my youth -- the days when we'd sit around and talk about the new songs, or the latest album by a favorite musician, and even the arguments about when band is better. In this sense, I was pulled in to the play. But as the characters got older, I cared about them less.
Again, I believe that this is more a result of the period of the play. This play is very characteristic of plays from this era, with lives changing for the worse at every turn. But dropouts and runaways don't pull at the heart strings the way they used to.
There are some great acting scenes and monologues here, but if I saw this on the season subscription for a local theatre, I wouldn't be running out to get tickets.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
BROKEN MUSIC -- Sting
A memoir
Dial Press -- hc
New York -- ©2003 -- 337pp
ISBN: 0-385-33678-0
An autobiography of Gordon Sumner (aka Sting).
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I first thought maybe I'd try to write a review without commenting on Sting's music, but frankly, it would be stupid to even try. You're unlikely to read this memoir if you don't know who Sting is, and unless you've lived in a movie theatre and think he's only a bit player in a few flicks, you're likely to read this book (or not) based on his music.
What I found most interesting, though, is that this book is a lot like his music ... occasionally brilliant, mostly just okay, and sometimes downright hard to follow.
The book rambled some, and at one point I paged backward to see if I had skipped something, because I didn't understand why we'd just spent a dozen pages or more on an off-topic. But then, when he wrote about music, and his music in particular, I was interested.
Lots of artists suffer and starve before they make it 'big' and it's good to be reminded that some of these artists had tough times. Sting had a somewhat unique situation where he was in the starving/struggling camp, while working with the Police.
What I liked learning about him was that he was smart enough to hedge his bets ... joining with other musicians even while playing with a group.
All in all, it's not a book that will live with me forever, nor did it offer any great perspective on the world or even Sting's music, but it was a pleasant way to spend a weekend reading.
Dial Press -- hc
New York -- ©2003 -- 337pp
ISBN: 0-385-33678-0
An autobiography of Gordon Sumner (aka Sting).
#####
I first thought maybe I'd try to write a review without commenting on Sting's music, but frankly, it would be stupid to even try. You're unlikely to read this memoir if you don't know who Sting is, and unless you've lived in a movie theatre and think he's only a bit player in a few flicks, you're likely to read this book (or not) based on his music.
What I found most interesting, though, is that this book is a lot like his music ... occasionally brilliant, mostly just okay, and sometimes downright hard to follow.
The book rambled some, and at one point I paged backward to see if I had skipped something, because I didn't understand why we'd just spent a dozen pages or more on an off-topic. But then, when he wrote about music, and his music in particular, I was interested.
Lots of artists suffer and starve before they make it 'big' and it's good to be reminded that some of these artists had tough times. Sting had a somewhat unique situation where he was in the starving/struggling camp, while working with the Police.
What I liked learning about him was that he was smart enough to hedge his bets ... joining with other musicians even while playing with a group.
All in all, it's not a book that will live with me forever, nor did it offer any great perspective on the world or even Sting's music, but it was a pleasant way to spend a weekend reading.
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