Ah, Stephen King, my man, you always catch me every time with your books, and you always add something new to every story of yours. I’ve been meaning to get to The Dead Zone for a while but other books kept getting thrown to the top of my reading list since I never follow the order of the list I make, but I got to it and my god…
So the story starts off with Johnny Smith, a school teacher with psychic-like abilities, he acquired mysteriously from a head injury when he was a child. Years later, just after he graduated college, he gets into a near fatal car accident which leaves him in a coma for five years. Five years later, he wakes up to find; his girlfriend, Sarah had left him, his religious mother had gone crazy, and a part of his brain is damaged, which creates a “dead zone” in his psychic abilities. This “dead zone” means that there are certain details he can never see within has flashes or visions. The story follows his recovery, and his efforts to continue living despite having such a supernatural ability. Giving a few spoilers, he helps solve a murder in his hometown, and he later moves on to tutor a boy of a rich family and then attempt's to stop the campaign of a political figure, Donald Trump…I’m sorry I mean Greg Stillson. Okay, apparently I am not the only person out there comparing the two, but come on, they are pretty similar. I would into further details on these plotlines but that would cause spoilers.
Greg Stillson was one of those villains we don’t see a lot in stories. The only other literary villain I can compare him to is Iago from Othello. He has a grand reputation in the public eye, as he is a working class type guy running for president, so for most of the people, he is a person who knows what the people want. But behind closed doors, he is malicious, he is merciless and he is a massive, massive asshole, with no redeeming features. Most villains these days tend to have redeeming features, such as a tragic past, which fuels their motives, and makes us feel sorry for them. But with Stillson, there is nothing redeeming about him, he knows what he wants and is willing to do any dirty trick in the book to get his way.
This story was more of a character study then a plot driven story. We follow the life of a man trying to live a normal life despite having a special ability. It is made very clear that Johnny sees his psychic abilities as more of a curse then a blessing, making his existential crisis more interesting. This power he possess really interferes with Johnny’s life, and it makes his character more complex.
I was originally going to say that I thought the book was a little underwhelming because of how slowly paced the narrative was. I like a slow story because it can make the build-up to the climax more intense, but I did find myself forcing myself to read in certain places. But that all changed when I caught something clever in the way the book was written. For starters, the concept of the dead zone is never explained. But like in most Stephen King stories, the supernatural never has an explanation, defined by its own term. There is a small plothole through-out the story, almost like there is a “dead zone” in the narrative. What did Johnny see when he touched Stilson’s hand? What made Johnny realize he was “running out of time”? And what could be the cause of the dead zone? Well near the end of the book, those questions seemed to be answered, but not straight forward. It was so clever, because until you get near the end, you never notice the hole in the story because of how subtle it is.
This story was worth the read. It is a perfect example of a character driven story. If you want a story about a man discovering more about who he is, then I recommend this book.
But these are just my opinions. Have you read the book? Comment Below. And let me know if you spotted the reference to another Stephen King book in this book, because I came across it and I thought it was hilarious!!!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Friday, February 17, 2017
Book Review: Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo
Hello my lovely bookworms! I had quite an expreience reading this book.
I am not the biggest propaganda book fan, so it really says something when I picked up to read Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo and loved it. Published in 1939, Johnny Got His Gun was the book that got Trumbo blacklisted by the government during the Mcarthy Era, as it was considered a piece of communist propaganda. And yes, it does show, but it goes further than that, actually criticizing the nature of democracy when it comes to war. Finally a book that I can agree on!!
Johnny Got His Gun is an anti-war novel set in the aftermath of the first world war. The main character is Joe Bonham, a 20 year old serving in the army at the time. When a morter shell hits him, he looses all his limbs and his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. He basically reduced to a living piece of meat with a perfectly functioning brain. But the horror of it is, he is a prisoner of his own body, being unable to interact with the world around him. Throughout the book, which takes place all in Joe's head by the way, we see Joe reflect on his life before the war, such as his night job at a local bakery, his close relationship with his father and his girlfriend Kareen, and some of the dreams and ideas he has. He starts by trying to feel like he is a human again, attempting to regain his sense of time, and sense of communication. He actually is able to reach out to the people taking care of him, by tapping his head against the pillow in morse code. How it ends, well you'll just have to read the book.
When reading the book, I really felt like I was getting a glimpse into Joe's psyche. Seeing how he processes his thoughts. While the way he processes them, and how one thought leads to another, seems very bizarre, but at the same time, it's very realistic. We see what drives him, what made him happy, sad, angry and how he interacted with others. The way he drifts between reality and fantasy is confusing, but for a reason. He isn't aware of his own conciousness. Since he has no senses, he doesn't know when he's awake or asleep, making it hard to distiguish a dream from real life. To watch
Joe making the effort to regain basic human awareness, such as time, is such an obstacle for him, which for us is so simple. This makes his situation greater than we see it. But with every small accomplishment he makes, it makes the horror of his condition greater. He will always be a living piece of meat, and can never be human down to his pure existence.
Now, this book is a product of its time. The casual racism and sexism appear within the pages of the book. Thankfully, its nothing more than a reflection of the fundamental ways of thinking of the time, and doesn't aim to bash either race or gender. Considering this book is a propaganda piece really shows as well. There are many points in the novel where Joe goes into passionate tirades about what it really means to fight for democracy. Does democracy have a meaning at all? It goes beyond the classic message of war being all hell. In fact it goes deeper than that. The deepest and probably most powerful statement in the book was when Joe thought about all the men who died in the war. They didn't die thinking of honor. Their last dying thought was fear. When it comes down to it, we are all human with human desires and fears. We desire freedom, we fear death, and why should we die for something we can't gain since we are dead for it. Now these rants made in the book are obviously statements being made from the author through his character, and it gets very in your face. While some may find it distracting, I found it facinating. At the end of the day, it really comes down to your personal political views and whether you agree with Trumbo or not.
Now one of the flaws many people might find with this book is the way it was written. I don't know if Trumbo was going for a stream-of-consciousness narrative or not, since the book alternates between the third and first person perspective. The first person perspective is really Joe's thoughts and feelings, which are mimicked by the narrater as well. Also in sentences where there are supposed to be quotation marks and commas, there isn't any. The only puncuation marks that appear are periods. However, this wasn't a product of poor editing or even poor writing, this was intentional. Trumbo was trying to mimick the constant process of thinking humans possess.
I would call this book and instant classic. The ideas presented are interesting, and the book goes into subjects not many people like to talk about and its a good look into a dark aspect of America's past. But I would hesitate to read this book. My initial reaction to the book was upsetting, but that's what made it so good. It gets you thinking about your own views of the world, as well as make you thankful for the basic thinks in life you have, such as limbs and senses. It's amazing how a message so basic can be so powerful. If you're looking for a book that can make you think, and challenge your beliefs, check it out!!
But these are just my opinions. Have you read the book? If so, how was it? Comment below and stay tuned for more!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Book Review: First Love by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
So since Valentine's Day just went by I decided I am going to review a romance novel as my first review. Now I should warn you I am very cynical when if comes to romances since having been single for too long makes Valentine's Day to me as Ebenezer Scrooge is to Christmas. But that doesn't mean that romances all suck, there are a few that I love and I am... still questioning if this is one of them. Also forgive me for all the typos.
James Patterson is probably the most widely read author out there. He has sold over 300 million books world wide and the number continues to grow. He is widely known for many of the books series he writes. From the crime dramas of the Alex Cross series to the YA fantasy of Maximum Ride, Patterson has written a name for himself for all ages. Not even joking, I've found his books in the graphic novel section, the kids section, the young adult section and he takes up TWO whole book shelves in the fiction section.
I'll be honest. I don't like James Patterson. His writing style comes off as too simplistic, and I don't believe he deserves his title as the World Guinness top selling author, especially since nowadays he has a SECOND AUTHORS NAME ATTACHED TO HIS.
But granted he has a fan base, and if really comes down to my personal taste.
When I picked up this book at Barnes and Nobles, I was really just doing it cause I had just finished reading The Stand by Stephen King and I needed an easy read, and I'll be honest... I don't regret buying it. There are still problems I have with it, but I'll get to those later.
So to the book...
Axi Moore is a 16 year old girl who decides OUT OF NOWHERE to run away from home with her friend and crush Robinson and go on a road trip around the country. Robinson is very charismatic and has a very energetic vibe and isn't afraid to take risks where Axi is.....at least supposed to be reluctant. I'll get to that later. Anyway, the pair goes around the country, usually by stealing cars and visit many cities like Hollywood, New York City and even Las Vegas. All the while they grow closer to the point.....they build a romantic relationship. But there is a problem. You see, Axi Moore is a cancer survivor, and she met Robinson at the hospital she was getting treatment, Robinson on the other hand isn’t so lucky. He’s dying of cancer and doesn’t have long to live. And this becomes the road trip version of The Fault in Our Stars… and A Walk to Remember… and any other Nicholas Sparks novel in existence.
(Look I know I basically gave away most of the book at this point but come on!! Killing off one of the lovers has become such a cliched plot point it just ANNOYS me!! Look I understand that authors don’t owe us happy endings, and in real life not everything is what its cracked up to be but I think I can speak for everyone when I say to authors like Nicholas Sparks and John Green that WE ARE ENTITLED TO AT LEAST ONE HAPPY ENDING THAT’S THE POINT OF CHEERING FOR A ROMANTIC COUPLE!!!)
Anyway side comment aside lol... Now to get the negative stuff out of the way.
There are a lot of problems I have with this book. The first problem is the fact that there are moments when a chapter is so rushed that in the next transition they are in a different part of the country already. Many moments are glossed over, like when the couple stop off in Beverly Hills to visit Axi’s favorite author. I swear to God the visit is literally ONE PARAGRAPH! We never know what Axi and this author talk about, we don’t know why this is her favorite author, nor does it have any significance to the plot! Axi’s character. Axi presents herself as a good girl turning into a bad girl but we only have her word that she was a good girl to begin with. We never get an example of how she was a good girl, all we know is she is breaking her nice girl charm, to go on this road trip. It’s literally revealed in the first chapter. Also, there is a poor level of depth given to her. In her back story we learn that she had lost a little sister to the same cancer she developed and as a result of that, her mother left her and her father, and her father turned to alcohol to cope with the loss. Interesting background but it doesn’t have much effect on Axi as a person. I would’ve liked to have seen a memory or an embellishment of what Axi’s family were like when they were still a solid unit. Another problem is: I mentioned that they stole a few cars in order to get around, and they almost never get caught! Oh wait, they do get caught once in Arizona but they manage to fight out of that the dumbest way possible. I won’t tell you how because I want you to read it yourself. And finally, there is Robinson. Robinson’s background is deliberately kept in the dark throughout the book, until the very end when the road trip ends at his family’s house in North Carolina. Robinson reveals to Axi he was sent to her home town of Seattle to live with his uncle while he received cancer treatment at the local hospital, well it turns out he fell in love with Axi first and decided to STAY IN SEATTLE because of her. IF THAT’S NOT OBSESSION I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS!!
Now you can all say I am just a cynical jerk who has been nit picky all the way through and you could be right. This is just a cute tear-jerking love story… which is why I still don’t regret buying it and reading it. That’s right, this book has so many flaws and yet I still ended up loving it!! Why?
This book has so much redeeming features I can’t hate it. First of all, Axi and Robinson are just adorable together. You really feel like they’ve known each other for a long time. I was very convinced that these two were in love and for reasons other than “the other one is pretty”. They have their cute moments but they have their moments when they argue. The road trip plays like a metaphor for Axi’s grief over Robinson’s cancer, throughout the book she constantly insists to herself that they will be together forever, despite knowing he won’t. We find ourselves doing the same thing in real life, trying to run away from things we don’t want to face, but knowing deep down we don’t have a choice. This is a lesson we all have to learn in our lives, and Paterson conveyed it in a very relatable way. (He did in fact dedicate this book to a girl he dated back in the 70’s but died of a brain tumor.)
So final thoughts. The book is an easy read. If you want something short, sweet and simple, check out this book. Yeah it’s rushed in a few places where it shouldn’t be and a moment or two where logic is thrown right out the window, but the romance was believable and I was really invested in Axi and Robinson’s relationship. So it’s not the best romance in the world, but I certainly don’t regret buying it.
Which is why I am nice enough to give it 3 stolen cars out of 5. (I don't use stars lol, you'll learn the joke as the blogs go on.)
James Patterson is probably the most widely read author out there. He has sold over 300 million books world wide and the number continues to grow. He is widely known for many of the books series he writes. From the crime dramas of the Alex Cross series to the YA fantasy of Maximum Ride, Patterson has written a name for himself for all ages. Not even joking, I've found his books in the graphic novel section, the kids section, the young adult section and he takes up TWO whole book shelves in the fiction section.
I'll be honest. I don't like James Patterson. His writing style comes off as too simplistic, and I don't believe he deserves his title as the World Guinness top selling author, especially since nowadays he has a SECOND AUTHORS NAME ATTACHED TO HIS.
But granted he has a fan base, and if really comes down to my personal taste.
When I picked up this book at Barnes and Nobles, I was really just doing it cause I had just finished reading The Stand by Stephen King and I needed an easy read, and I'll be honest... I don't regret buying it. There are still problems I have with it, but I'll get to those later.
So to the book...
Axi Moore is a 16 year old girl who decides OUT OF NOWHERE to run away from home with her friend and crush Robinson and go on a road trip around the country. Robinson is very charismatic and has a very energetic vibe and isn't afraid to take risks where Axi is.....at least supposed to be reluctant. I'll get to that later. Anyway, the pair goes around the country, usually by stealing cars and visit many cities like Hollywood, New York City and even Las Vegas. All the while they grow closer to the point.....they build a romantic relationship. But there is a problem. You see, Axi Moore is a cancer survivor, and she met Robinson at the hospital she was getting treatment, Robinson on the other hand isn’t so lucky. He’s dying of cancer and doesn’t have long to live. And this becomes the road trip version of The Fault in Our Stars… and A Walk to Remember… and any other Nicholas Sparks novel in existence.
(Look I know I basically gave away most of the book at this point but come on!! Killing off one of the lovers has become such a cliched plot point it just ANNOYS me!! Look I understand that authors don’t owe us happy endings, and in real life not everything is what its cracked up to be but I think I can speak for everyone when I say to authors like Nicholas Sparks and John Green that WE ARE ENTITLED TO AT LEAST ONE HAPPY ENDING THAT’S THE POINT OF CHEERING FOR A ROMANTIC COUPLE!!!)
Anyway side comment aside lol... Now to get the negative stuff out of the way.
There are a lot of problems I have with this book. The first problem is the fact that there are moments when a chapter is so rushed that in the next transition they are in a different part of the country already. Many moments are glossed over, like when the couple stop off in Beverly Hills to visit Axi’s favorite author. I swear to God the visit is literally ONE PARAGRAPH! We never know what Axi and this author talk about, we don’t know why this is her favorite author, nor does it have any significance to the plot! Axi’s character. Axi presents herself as a good girl turning into a bad girl but we only have her word that she was a good girl to begin with. We never get an example of how she was a good girl, all we know is she is breaking her nice girl charm, to go on this road trip. It’s literally revealed in the first chapter. Also, there is a poor level of depth given to her. In her back story we learn that she had lost a little sister to the same cancer she developed and as a result of that, her mother left her and her father, and her father turned to alcohol to cope with the loss. Interesting background but it doesn’t have much effect on Axi as a person. I would’ve liked to have seen a memory or an embellishment of what Axi’s family were like when they were still a solid unit. Another problem is: I mentioned that they stole a few cars in order to get around, and they almost never get caught! Oh wait, they do get caught once in Arizona but they manage to fight out of that the dumbest way possible. I won’t tell you how because I want you to read it yourself. And finally, there is Robinson. Robinson’s background is deliberately kept in the dark throughout the book, until the very end when the road trip ends at his family’s house in North Carolina. Robinson reveals to Axi he was sent to her home town of Seattle to live with his uncle while he received cancer treatment at the local hospital, well it turns out he fell in love with Axi first and decided to STAY IN SEATTLE because of her. IF THAT’S NOT OBSESSION I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS!!
Now you can all say I am just a cynical jerk who has been nit picky all the way through and you could be right. This is just a cute tear-jerking love story… which is why I still don’t regret buying it and reading it. That’s right, this book has so many flaws and yet I still ended up loving it!! Why?
This book has so much redeeming features I can’t hate it. First of all, Axi and Robinson are just adorable together. You really feel like they’ve known each other for a long time. I was very convinced that these two were in love and for reasons other than “the other one is pretty”. They have their cute moments but they have their moments when they argue. The road trip plays like a metaphor for Axi’s grief over Robinson’s cancer, throughout the book she constantly insists to herself that they will be together forever, despite knowing he won’t. We find ourselves doing the same thing in real life, trying to run away from things we don’t want to face, but knowing deep down we don’t have a choice. This is a lesson we all have to learn in our lives, and Paterson conveyed it in a very relatable way. (He did in fact dedicate this book to a girl he dated back in the 70’s but died of a brain tumor.)
So final thoughts. The book is an easy read. If you want something short, sweet and simple, check out this book. Yeah it’s rushed in a few places where it shouldn’t be and a moment or two where logic is thrown right out the window, but the romance was believable and I was really invested in Axi and Robinson’s relationship. So it’s not the best romance in the world, but I certainly don’t regret buying it.
Which is why I am nice enough to give it 3 stolen cars out of 5. (I don't use stars lol, you'll learn the joke as the blogs go on.)
Introduction to Me
Hello everyone, my name is Michael and I am new to the blogging world so bear with me because this is my first blog. I am 20 years old. I major in Sociology. I hope to become a social worker and hopefully an author. That saying, I am a writer too.
I also writer for the Odyssey Online, and yes I write book reviews there as well. I also written a few film reviews and every once in a while I'll write an article stating my opinion on a topic going on in the media but most of them are book reviews.
So if I already write book reviews for an online newspaper, why form a blog?
We'll I am glad you ask. I like to talk about books and not just by means of reviews. I look to compare books and film adaptations, compile top 10 lists, talk about authors and even ideas that are conveyed through books. It's just I can't get away with non reviews of books on online newspapers so my bookworm friends told me to make a blog so here I am making a blog!
How am I doing so far? Lol
Anyway, there is alot coming you're way, I have alot of books to review, alot of book related things to rant about (mostly involving film adaptations of books that suck) and much more so stay tuned everyone!!
I also writer for the Odyssey Online, and yes I write book reviews there as well. I also written a few film reviews and every once in a while I'll write an article stating my opinion on a topic going on in the media but most of them are book reviews.
So if I already write book reviews for an online newspaper, why form a blog?
We'll I am glad you ask. I like to talk about books and not just by means of reviews. I look to compare books and film adaptations, compile top 10 lists, talk about authors and even ideas that are conveyed through books. It's just I can't get away with non reviews of books on online newspapers so my bookworm friends told me to make a blog so here I am making a blog!
How am I doing so far? Lol
Anyway, there is alot coming you're way, I have alot of books to review, alot of book related things to rant about (mostly involving film adaptations of books that suck) and much more so stay tuned everyone!!
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