Recent reading

[luzula]

Lent by Jo Walton (2019)
I enjoyed this a lot, and stayed up past my bedtime to finish it! It is historical fantasy with worldbuilding based on Christianity, set in Renaissance Italy. I would have enjoyed it just as historical fiction, but when the fantasy elements kicked in, I was delighted. I had no idea where it was going, so the twist took me by surprise. I guess I shouldn't say anymore in case I spoil anyone else’s reading experience, but talk to me in comments if you want. I was a little bit frustrated at the ending, not that it hadn't been set up well, but that I just wanted to see more of how it played out. But I guess I can see why she did it that way.

What If? by Randall Munroe (2014)
Fun science entertainment, like a cross between xkcd and reading a popular science book.

Comments

[snickfic]

Oh hey, I read Lent! It's been several years now, so I don't remember the specifics, but I was very frustrated by it, especially the worldbuilding and the reveals. The ending in particular really did not work for me (but again, I have no memory of why.../o\). Overall I felt like all the most interesting worldbuilding questions were left unanswered, and I really wanted much more focus on the relationship between our main guy and Crookback.

[luzula]

I really wanted much more focus on the relationship between our main guy and Crookback.

Well, yes, that's what I wanted more of as well, at the end! I mean, it's not like I wanted less of the other relationships, but given how the book was resolved, I did want more of him and Crookback...

[chestnut_pod]

I'm very excited for Lent, as well. Walton is either a home-run hit or a complete miss for me, and I would love it if this one could be another hit.

[luzula]

Oh, which ones have been misses for you?

[chestnut_pod]

I really disliked the Thessaly books, though admittedly I did read all of them. Did not like the allegory utopia, the distant tone, the patchy and often samey characterization, or the sudden switch of genre at the end of book two.

[luzula]

I have appreciated, more or less, all her books! I like how different they often are, and I guess I just find her writing very readable. Which doesn't mean I always agree with everything, of course.

[snickfic]

Haha yeah, exactly. It's not something I needed earlier in the book, but since it turned out Crookback was fundamental to all the central plot and worldbuilding questions... I would like us to have spent a little more time with him!

[luzula]

In a way, I see why she did it that way, since the very problem is that they can't communicate! But it was a bit frustrating, and I think more could have been done with their relationship…