The Left Hand of Darkness

Written in 1969, and awarded both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, this novel was one that I eagerly looked forward to reading.  The story is deceptively simple.  An envoy arrives at a world whose inhabitants are essentially sexless, and offers them the chance to join with the rest of humanity.  The envoy is embraced by some, and feared by others.  The story has no action to speak of, and at times it was deathly boring.

Having said that the story is worth the effort.  The journey across the ice is riveting in its own way, and really fleshed out the differences between the two cultures.  I'm not sure if this particular novel will stand the test of time, but in reading it, you can see how much of today's SF owes a debt to this type of work.  I know people who have read this book and think it is the finest novel of its kind, while others found it a boring, senseless, meandering read. The story has remained with me, and has settled in the back of my little brain. If this makes it a great story then it is.  But based purely on the enjoyment I received while reading it, I have to rate it in the middle.

The Earthsea Trilogy (©2005)
A Wizard of Earthsea (©1968) The Tombs of Atuan (©1970) The Farthest Shore (©1972)

Considered a classic, The Earthsea Trilogy is indeed a very interesting work. Although for whatever reason, my reaction to the series was much like how I felt after finishing The Left Hand of Darkness. Now before those of you who love this series start thinking I'm a total wanker let me state that Ursula Le Guin is a very good writer. She is an author who works best with emotions rather than action and there are times through the series when the results are beautifully executed. For those who live for the adrenaline rush of swords and sorcery this series will have flashes of brilliance, but will be too far apart to be satisfying. But if you can work through the narrative and stick around for the pay off, this is a journey worth taking.

This is the story Sparrowhawk, from a young man to his days as archmage. There are quests, dragons, mystery and all the ingredients necessary to create a classic. Despite my tendency to be overly critical of the series, the more I think back on it as I write this, the more I realize that there was a lot going on that I found quite appealing.

One of the things that's interesting in reading this work now, after reading so much contemporary fantasy, is how far reaching her ideas were, and how much they've been incorporated into the modern conventions of fantasy. The books really work best read in succession, but they can stand alone as each tale stands alone.

There are three other books in the series written almost twenty years after The Farthest Shore. Who knows one day I may seek them out.

Reviewed January 8, 2007

Three Complete Novels
La Brava (©1983) / Cat Chaser (©1982) / Split Images (©1981)

I wish the folks at Wings Books would put the books in order of publication. That was the one annoying thing about this omnibus.

Well, here we have three, count 'em three works by famed funkmeister Elmore Leonard. The guy is a master storyteller. Okay, after three stories in a row they all sort of run together, and I forget who did what. The characters are all pretty interchangable. In that regard Mister Leonard is an author you don't want to gorge yourself on, but in small doses he offers a hell of an escape.

What you want more details, and a story synopsis? Not today kids, I'm tired.

Reviewed March 8, 2004

Be Cool (©1999)

The follow up to Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard.  A right solid fluffy bit of entertainment.  Features Leonard's usual bunch of wicked creations, and neatly packaged twists.  Chili Palmer is back, and as much fun as ever.  The big gay Samoan bodyguard is pretty funny too.  All in all a fun read, and good for a quick escape.  Not the best Leonard book I've read, but if you want to read something silly and overblown this is a pretty safe bet.

Pagan Babies (©2000)

Elmore Leonard is a writer who has in the past pushed all the right buttons in the right order for me. Pagan Babies is one of those odd ducks that felt strained and thin. It's not that it wasn't witty and clever, it's just that I've read enough of Mr. Leonard's past work to know he's done better. There is still the bevy of weird characters and quirky situations - but even a tried and true formula misses on occasion.

It's not like it's a fun premise to work with. A priest who spent time in Rwanda during the genocide comes back to America and along the way we meet Debbie who is supposed to be comedienne, but isn't funny in the book. Then there's a hick hitman, some mob guys, a charity that may or may not be real for the pagan babies and some more little twists and turns.

For those of you who were able to read Be Cool and be impressed, this book will no doubt please you. However, for me it was just another disposable read. It was okay while it lasted, better than some, worse than most.

Reviewed May 25, 2008