Recent reading

[luzula]

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
I am not sure what to say about this book. I admire a lot of what it's doing, but it doesn't quite reach my heart--I feel a bit distant from it. Of course, this could well be because of the nature of the AI narrator. I liked what it's doing with artificial intelligence and the impact this had on the plot, and also the slowly growing relationship in the book (though again, I didn't feel that relationship on a gut level).

Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake
At 500 pages, this was a long book, and it wasn't exactly a page-turner. But I'm glad I stuck with it. Nnnngh, the language alone is worth it: rather convoluted but with startling and vivid images and turns of phrase. It does have a plot, but the main attraction is atmosphere and setting: a castle steeped in ritual and with weird people entrenched in their age-old feudal purposes.

Comments

[jesse_the_k]

Have to agree re Ancillary Justice. Everyone in my circle is gaga about it, but I wasn't feeling even the loneliness of no-longer-being-a-spaceship. Volume two is due out soon, and it could make a hell of a movie (especially if they kept the colonialism and gender bending).

[noeon]

Ohhhh Gormenghast! I have such a kind for this world. And it's very strange.

PS I added you on DW - I'm crossing over from LJ more often these days.

[luzula]

Yeah, that's my problem, too: I just wasn't feeling it enough. Not sure I'll read the second one--there are so many books on my to-read list already, and I'm not prioritizing this one.

[luzula]

Yeah, I do want to read the next Gormenghast book, though not right away--I think I need a break from it first. Very strange, but compelling.

*adds in return*

[noeon]

Ty for the add! And yes, breaks between the Gorm world sounds good.

I meant I have such a *kink* for the world. Not kind. Ah, typing!

[exeterlinden]

Titus Groan is such an odd book - but fascinating. I think it's something like ten years since I read it and some scenes I can still see clear as day in my mind although I can't even remember the context.

[luzula]

Yeah, I can see that some scenes would stay with you. I think much of that is because of the language he uses? I mean, without that it would just be an odd book, but not nearly as fascinating or vivid.