Review: Ghost on the Throne, by James Romm

When reading a book on true history, I find that the notes sections are often what makes the overall quality of the work shine through. If I feel compelled to read through the notes, this tells me a few important things. It usually means that the work is well researched, and allows the notes to present a clear basis for the author's statements, as well as alternative interpretations of the evidence. Well written notes give enough context that I don't feel the need to annoyingly flip back and forth between sections. Most importantly, if I'm spending time reading through the notes, it means I didn't want the story to end.

The best non-fiction works have a strong narrative without sacrificing academic rigour. My favourite work of this kind, Batavia's Graveyard, by Mike Dash, is an excellent example of a book I did not want to put down, even while reading the notes. Ghost on the Throne, by James Romm, also passes this test and is easily the best non-fiction book I've read this year. 

Ideas: Bitter Harvest

So with the return to activity, I'm introducing a new category, called "Ideas". This is a catch-all, really, just to put out a lot of thoughts and things I've learned that have been percolating in my head during the hiatus.I will give this an underlying structure, however, by saying that these are mostly stories I've come across in the world at large that I want to incorporate somehow into my writing.

The Star Wars Prequels = Nickelback

When I heard that JJ Abrams was being handed the reins to the next Star Wars trilogy, I think like many others, I felt encouraged by his previous effort at helming a major sci-fi franchise: Star Trek. Personally, I felt that the first new Star Trek movie (not so much Into Darkness) managed to walk the incredibly fine line between catering to devotees and being accessible to neophytes. It was clear he had respect for the source material without being slavish to it.

A New Day Is Dawning

What's this? A post? Yes, at long last, some output. The accursed day job is finished, probably the worst job since Kiff's. Wait, scratch that, that doesn't happen for another thousand years. OK, it's the worst job since the poor bastard who had to catch Henry VIII's jizz.

Anyway, expect some new/old posts as I catch up.

Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch

It's hard not to be too effusive about this novel, Scott Lynch's debut.  It is a great read that stands out moreso for being the author's first published effort and became an immediate favourite of mine.

The strength of this novel, I think, is based on a very detailed, fully-realized world that Lynch has built, although that worldbuilding, ironically, is also one of this novel's weak points (more on that later).  Through the novel, there are intricately fleshed out details about the economy, art, cuisine and sport and leisure interests of the world's inhabitants.  There is always a sense that the characters live in a real world.  Lynch takes this one step further and imbues even minor characters with personalities and interesting histories.  Different characters take on roles of hero or villain at different times and are driven by rational motivations.

Thomas the Tank Engine and the Really Useful Cult

When you're forced to read the same kids' story, a dozen times daily, day after day after day, the mind starts to wander.  I find myself searching for subtexts and hidden backstories in the most innocuous of places.  Case in point: Thomas and Friends.

Aggravating Fantasy Tropes and Clichés

The Onion AV Club recently ran a piece asking contributors what TV tropes aggravated them the most.  Personally I would have added the moderately unattractive, doofy man with the inexplicably hot wife/girlfriend.  It also made me think about common tropes in fantasy fiction.