Book Review: Immobility by Brian Evenson

Author: Brian Evenson

Publisher: Tor Books

Publication Date: April 10th 2012 

Pages: 256

Who will read it: Science fiction fans into dystopias

Rating: 2/5

Buy: Amazon: / Barnes&Noble:

Official Synopsis: When you open your eyes things already seem to be happening without you. You don't know who you are and you don't remember where you've been. You know the world has changed, that a catastrophe has destroyed what used to exist before, but you can't remember exactly what did exist before. And you're paralyzed from the waist down apparently, but you don't remember that either.

A man claiming to be your friend tells you your services are required. Something crucial has been stolen, but what he tells you about it doesn't quite add up. You've got to get it back or something bad is going to happen. And you've got to get it back fast, so they can freeze you again before your own time runs out.

Before you know it, you're being carried through a ruined landscape on the backs of two men in hazard suits who don't seem anything like you at all, heading toward something you don't understand that may well end up being the death of you.

Welcome to the life of Josef Horkai….

My Review

Plot:  Mainly, I was curious about the ending and the actual Kollaps, yet the book failed to answer most of my questions. Instead, as Horkai struggled to understand his new society, I struggled to understand the ambiguous text. While some themes seemed to emerge of the dangers of living in hives (communism), acceptance of predetermined roles and paths, the separation of science and faith, or the trust of authority, there was not enough of a driving force behind the characters to keep me fully entertained.

The story was underdeveloped and never truly delivered on the suspense it promised. The unexplained information in the story was highly confusing.

Characters: When dealing with an oppressive situation, Josef Horkai showed few emotions. His self-doubt and rationality were never filled with passion. He seemed to be a big brute with little intellectual capacity, one that only served to carry out tasks. His only undisputable quality was the strangeness of how and why he could survive without protection in the wasteland’s toxic air.

Rasmus, the enigmatic leader of this last-of-humanity shelter, has unfrozen Horkai and tasked him with stealing a mysterious silver cylinder, which he says is essential to their survival. While purposefully vague, the uncertainty of his details did not fascinate me, but frustrate me. Overall, his exchanges with Horkai did allude to the direct fallout of the Kollaps, and make him the more interesting character by default.

Qatik and Qanik are Horkai’s “mules,” people tasked to carry the paraplegic to where he can steal the cylinder, knowing they will not survive the journey. Their objective certainty and acceptance of the roles they must play in Horkai’s journey are disheartening. The conversations along the road are particularly frustrating as Horkai learns little information from them besides their strong desire to fulfill the “purpose” despite their physical weakness.

Relationships/ Romance: There was no romance within this novel. The relationships were all characterized by an imbalance of power either through lack of knowledge or physical strength. The relationship between science and faith was mostly the source of conflict (either letting the human race die out or prolonging their existence).

Writing Style: 

The stumbling writing provided little imagery and the characters’ respective point of views felt fake. The middle provided some interesting characterization but by the end, the writing had reverted back to bland unclear writing.

Best lines/Favorite part: The problem with faith, thought Horkai, is that there’s no arguing with it. Same problem, he admitted to himself, with lack of faith.

(Page 134) 

Ending: This is a standalone book. I was screaming about the wasted time I had spent reading it. The ending cancels out the entire novel and left me unsatisfied and disgruntled. The ending was of very poor quality.

The Star-worthy Aspects: The plot was interesting at times, and my curiosity led me to learn more.

The Deficiencies: The entire novel itself was disappointing from start to finish. I am completely turned off from some of Brian Evenson’s other writing.

Rating and Closing Remarks: The horrendous throw-away ending was a mess, but I did finish the book (while impatiently trying to uncover the answers to my questions). The characters felt either too melodramatic or too stolid. While certain elements were interesting, I felt continuously bewildered. All in all, the book earned a 2/5 from me. I would not recommend it to anyone.

If you would like to find out more about Brian Evenson and his other books, please read his Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Evenson or visit his research faculty page at Brown: http://brown.edu/academics/literary-arts/faculty/brian-evenson/brian-evenson

-S

Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, art by Ellen Forney

Author: Sherman Alexie, Ellen Forney (Illustrator)

Publication date: September 12, 2007

Pages: 230

Who will read it: Pre-teens who may not be too rebellious, but yearn to leave home and explore

Rating: 4/5

Buy: Amazon/ Barnes & Noble

Official synopsis: In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

My Review

Plot: Junior lives a tough life. He was born with "water on the brain," and lives on an Indian Reservation with his alcoholic father and an unemployed older sister. Junior is smaller than his classmates, and there are times when Junior simply doesn’t leave home in fear of being beat up by the jocks in his community. Luckily, he has the companionship of his best friend, Rowdy. After Junior realizes his geometry textbook is the same one his mother used nearly thirty years ago, he tosses the book… right into his teacher’s face. After being suspended from school, Mr. P, his geometry teacher, tells him to leave the reservation. He has seen too many Native American students lose their optimistic outlook and become trapped by poverty. Feeling inspired, Junior transfers into Reardan High, a school in a white town 22 miles from the reservation where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

The plot was fast-paced, especially the basketball scenes! Some of the language and sexual references may not be entirely appropriate for younger readers. Overall, the refusal to accept one’s pre-determined path was overwhelmingly supported. Essentially, the Reservation community represents the feelings of resentment that some Indians felt when others started to climb the socio-economic ladder. Junior is looked at with a dose of skepticism and misgiving combined with a certain level of envy and resentment. As Junior still lives on the rez, he becomes a target for taunts and physical attacks. Though Junior’s new life has a whole set of new problems, from how to keep Penelope, his new white girlfriend, from learning how poor he is to succeeding on the Reardan basketball team, he remains hopeful that Rowdy will reach out to him. Junior continues to miss his old friend, who considers Junior’s transfer a betrayal. Junior’s realistic teenage problems brought an entirely new light to rez life, one that I was not familiar with before.

Characters: Junior’s unwavering optimism was inspirational considering the many challenges he faced. I felt sympathetic Rowdy’s acceptance of his family situation, an attitude many people have towards education. The physical fights he gets into are the only way Rowdy has learned to deal with his problems. In a way, his refusal to take initiative and care for others is the typical maturity that occurs when one is fourteen. Knowing how well the two characters foil each other, Alexie’s first young-adult novel is even more remarkable.

The book is first-person, but I would have liked more insight into Mary Runs Away, Junior’s sister. Her death was entirely natural and expected, yet despite the impact she left behind, I did not feel a strong connection to her character. I did genuinely like Penelope, with her big dreams and mysterious nature. She was not entirely “manic pixie dream girl” and struggled with bulimia and with her father.

Relationships/ Romance: Penelope and Junior shared a rather irrational relationship stemming from his discovery of her puking into a toilet. They return each other’s love in a simple way, one with sweet moments sprinkled throughout as they discuss their dreams. Even after Penelope learns of Junior’s poverty, she remains by his side and his dorkiness continues to win her heart. Gordy, a wise-cracking science enthusiast, is Junior’s best friend at Reardan. Junior’s family relationships were promising, and Junior’s interactions revealed a wealth of information. His father is an alcoholic musician, and his intelligent mother loves to read. Mary is the tough, pretty older sister of Junior who dreams of becoming a romance writer.

Writing Style: Alexie’s conversational style reflects Junior’s thoughts well. I was invested in Junior’s future and interested throughout the novel. I do wish there was more figurative language, however. Parts of the novel should have shown rather than told.

Best lines/Favorite part: 

“Do you understand how amazing it is to hear that from an adult? Do you know how amazing it is to hear that from anybody? It's one of the simplest sentences in the world, just four words, but they're the four hugest words in the world when they're put together.

You can do it.” 

Star-Worthy Aspects: I loved how after all of his experiences, Junior became a stronger character. Particularly, I’m glad that his relationship with Rowdy was eventually resolved. Grandmother Spirit and Gordy have some of the most poignant and hilarious dialogue of the book. As Junior is a budding cartoonist, Forney’s cartoons added a whole new dimension.

The Deficiencies: While I entirely enjoyed the book, I would have liked Junior to be more in-depth about his new life at Reardan. Yet, I recognize that Junior chose to narrate the most important aspects.

Rating and Closing Remarks: A great read! Entertaining and funny, but not something I would recommend widely to everyone.

Bonus Points: Sherman Alexie actually was born with hydrocephalus, like Junior and did grow up on the Spokane Indian Reservation with an alcoholic father. In high school, he transferred to Reardan and became a star player on the basketball team. The scene where Junior finds out his geometry textbook was his mother’s was drawn from Alexie’s experience, though he threw the book against a wall.

You can visit Sherman Alexie’s website at http://www.fallsapart.com/. Ellen Forney’s website is at http://ellenforney.com/ and her most recent book, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me: A Graphic Memoir, was published last year. I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Have you read this book yet? What did you think? 

 -S

Music: For a night of dancing and pleasant reading

I have not yet finished my review for The Secret Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie, but I did attend a wonderfully romantic wedding yesterday and thought I’d share some of the fun and upbeat songs played!

"Hey Ya" by Outkast

"Take on Me" by A-Ha

"Maniac" by Michael Sembello

"Footloose" by Kenny Loggins

"Apache (Jump On It)" by The Sugarhill Gang

"Yeah" by Usher

What did you do this weekend? Read any good books? Tell me what you think of these songs!

-S

Music: "Suddenly, a Knock on the Door" by Edgar Keret

I was feeling inspired after reading "Suddenly, a Knock on the Door" by Edgar Keret. So I made a playlist for my favorite stories! (embedded youtube videos~ we're fancy here) 

Lieland: “Rebellion (Lies)” by Arcade Fire

Creative Writing: “Don’t Wanna Go Home” by Val Emmich

Pick a Color: “’81” Joanna Newsom

What do we have in our pockets?: “Wildfires” Ohbijou

Bad Karma: “Bad Karma” Ida Maria

Joesph: “Just One Yesterday” by Fall Out Boy feat. Fleet Foxes

Upgrade: “(If You Are Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” by Weezer

Guava: “Mirror Song” by Luke Conard

-S

Book Review: Suddenly, a Knock on the Door by Etgar Keret

Author: Etgar Keret

Publisher: FSG Originals

Publication Date: English translation March 27, 2012

Pages: 208

Who will read it: (young adults and up) Quirky people; people interested in everyday Israeli life with a hint of surrealism

Rating: 4.5/5

Buy: Amazon / Barnes&Noble

Official Synopsis: Bringing up a child, lying to the boss, placing an order in a fast-food restaurant: in Etgar Keret’s new collection, daily life is complicated, dangerous, and full of yearning. In his most playful and most mature work yet, the living and the dead, silent children and talking animals, dreams and waking life coexist in an uneasy world. Overflowing with absurdity, humor, sadness, and compassion, the tales in Suddenly, a Knock on the Door establish Etgar Keret—declared a “genius” by The New York Times—as one of the most original writers of his generation.

My Review

Plot: The first pages immediately stand out as a writer is held to the barrel of a gun and forced to tell his captors a story lest he be shot and killed. It’s really readable for a book that’s about one of the most confusing topics known to humankind: the desires and wishes of those around us. As the characters manipulate their own feelings and those of others, the reader begins to really understand how engrossed people become when so close to achieving their dreams.

When each character struggled with his/her daily responsibilities and oppressive circumstances, the characters came alive. It’s not the typical magic I like to read about, where the characters get powers and save the world, but rather the magic of chance and hope that brings people together at just the moment they might need each other the most. Each story had enough of a driving force behind it to keep me reading and wanting to see what would happen next.

Characters: N/A

Relationships/ Romance: Romance is infused throughout the story, mostly as family. As much as we refuse to admit it, our families play a huge role in how we think and act. Many of the stories portray an imbalance between husband and wife, leading to chaos with children or simple nostalgia for a life long gone. Although family is mostly the source of conflict, the catharsis that comes with dealing with a problem a character has been facing for a number of years, just adds to the smooth transitions of the story without coming off as too saccharine.

Writing Style: The very blurry line between reality and magic was expressed through stunning imagery. I enjoyed the prose and word-choice over all. While the language was plain, the words flowed in a refined manner. The characters’ respective point of views stood out as genuine and relatable.

Best lines/Favorite part: That’s what I have in my pockets. A chance not to screw up. A slight chance…A tiny chance, let’s say, that when happiness comes along, I can say yes to it, and not, “Sorry, I don’t have a cigarette/toothpick/coin for the soda machine.” That’s what I have there, full and bulging, a tony chance of saying yes and not being sorry.

(“What Do We Have in Our Pockets?” 88)

Ending: This is a standalone collection of short stories, so the ending is the ending of each story. It ends very satisfyingly and was well done. The last story wrapped up without feeling too tidy or unfinished.

The Star-worthy Aspects: Etgar Keret writes a novel that will leave you feeling like dreams might actually be achieved, and weaves a story that feels like magic. The characters are believable and well written and the plot moves at a good pace. Even with only two pages, Keret writes a wealth of information.

The Deficiencies: Each story was a thought process in itself, but certain short stories did not seem as interesting as others or were too short to really ponder or assess critically. However, overall the shorter and longer stories were well-balanced throughout.

Rating and Closing Remarks: I laughed a few times, and my heart was definitely feeling things the entire time. An amazing journey, yet many stories are rather forgettable or throw-away. Some of the language may not be appropriate for younger readers. All in all, the book earned a 4.5/5 from me.

#Bonus Points: Josh Radnor, the actor who plays Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother, read “Upgrade” for the “Suddenly, a Knock on the Door” audiobook, which you can listen to here. “What Do We Have in Our Pockets” was made into a beautiful video that debuted at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival which can be viewed on youtube here.

If you would like to find out more about Etgar Keret and his other books and films, please visit his facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EtgarKeretOfficial

-S

About Me

Books make me wish that I could save the world, dare me to dream big, and inspire the courage to look for adventure. I guess the next best thing to do with my love of literature was to blog about it and share my thoughts with you!

Besides my ardent adoration for fiction and fantasy, I live in a mid-sized town in New Jersey where I pursue the balance between fun and work amidst the craziness of high school. When I’m not reading or doing mountains of school work, I am probably indulging in my mild obsession with “Elementary”, writing a bit of my own work, or looking up useless information on the internet.

I also enjoy eating, dancing, drinking tea, listening to the Jonas Brothers, and obsessing over my latest favorite character from the last book or show I happened to enjoy. You guys know the feeling, right?

Thanks for being interested in learning about me! Don’t forget to follow my blog and feel free to contact me on tumblr at triplespirit.

Favorite book: “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green, “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” by Mary Roach

The last thing that made me cry: Looking at the homework I have for Monday.

The last thing that made me laugh: How James Bond runs in “Skyfall”

Something I always have with me: My watch

Favorite word: I love them all.

Something I always say: “I can’t even”

Two things on my bucket list: Visit all the seven wonders of the world. Also, get into college. That’d be nice.

Celebrity crush: Lucy Liu, Darren Criss

Strangest habit: Pausing TV shows to make mental and verbal commentary…to myself.

Favorite color: Green

Favorite food: Eggplants... or rice cake…or spaghetti.

-S

Welcome to Triple Spirit!

Hi everybody, today I am excited to finally be getting my first blog post under way!

I finally have a nice website to start blogging about one of my favorite things: BOOKS! I have plenty of reviews lined up already to share with you and I’m so psyched to be joining the book blogging community! i'll be posting an about me soon.

Thanks for dropping by, and welcome to Triple Spirit Book Reviews!



-S