Loved this! So unexpectedly weird and creepy. I was not expecting to become so enthralled in a story told strictly with pictures and no text. The horrLoved this! So unexpectedly weird and creepy. I was not expecting to become so enthralled in a story told strictly with pictures and no text. The horror of House sneaks up on you and I for one, did not see it coming. Thanks to Jessica for passing this along to me about a year ago, and helping me remember it today!...more
Interesting and fun...I think I've landed firmly in the "Leisurely" personality type...is that just a polite way of saying lazy? Meh...I can live withInteresting and fun...I think I've landed firmly in the "Leisurely" personality type...is that just a polite way of saying lazy? Meh...I can live with that :-)...more
Re-reading this for the third time as I get ready to tackle the final two volumes in the series: Clockworks and Alpha & Omega. I love everything abo Re-reading this for the third time as I get ready to tackle the final two volumes in the series: Clockworks and Alpha & Omega. I love everything about the world and its rules Joe Hill has conjured here, and the characters he has lovingly crafted to live in its pages. Locke & Key has become one of my favorite series ever and I can't wait to see how it's going to end.
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2012 Review: This is my second go around with Joe Hill's phenomenal foray into graphic novel territory (to prepare for Volumes 3 and 4). Welcome to Lovecraft is a stunning debut, and I enjoyed it even more this time, so much so that I've bumped it from four to five stars. Yes, it really is that good.
The premise is a fantastic one and you will be totally swept up in the awesome imagination it shows and the mystery and adventure it promises. The character development in just a few short pages is outstanding -- Hill deftly explores the wonderment of childhood, the searing pain of grief and the love of family.
Little Bode Locke is as sweet and precocious as they come. His boyish, unchecked curiosity is what reignites the mystery of Key House, the sprawling family mansion where the Locke family relocates after the brutal slaying of its patriarch. Left to grieve are big brother Ty, middle sister Kinsey, their mom, and of course Bode.
Each member of the family struggles to come to terms with the gargantuan loss -- Mom is drinking too much, Ty is crushed with guilt and contemplating suicide, Kinsey is withdrawn and tormented by the bloody memories of that fateful day. With his family so distracted, Bode is left to roam the grounds of Key House, and to become entangled in a very old mystery, like the fly unwittingly ensnared by the spider's web.
Key House is what it promises -- a house with many doors and with many keys to unlock them. I won't tell you what's behind the doors because that would ruin the surprise. I will say that it is so goddamn fantastic you are not going to be able to put this story down until you have finished it. Then you are going to want to run out and immediately get your hands on the rest of the series ... at least what Hill has written so far (and thank goodness he isn't done yet!)
This is storytelling at its finest. Can I use the word superlative? Yes? Alright, superlative.
Original review December 2008 It's becoming clear to me that Joe Hill's real strength as a writer lies in the short story (and now graphic novel) format. There is obviously something about the concise, contained prose on a smaller canvas (rather than the sprawling novel) that brings out the best in his storytelling talents. I was not a fan of Hill's debut novel Heart-Shaped Box; however, his short story collection 20th Century Ghosts has amazing depth and texture, and he scores big again with Locke and Key, the first in a graphic novel series that shows real imagination. Calling the town Lovecraft is a nice touch. Let's not ignore the fantastic artistic contribution made by Gabriel Rodriquez. Their collaboration guarantees a memorable reading experience. ...more
So this is the second collection in Marvel's graphic novel adaptation of King's Dark Tower series. While I LOVE reading about Roland again, and the arSo this is the second collection in Marvel's graphic novel adaptation of King's Dark Tower series. While I LOVE reading about Roland again, and the art work is gorgeous, I'm deeply conflicted as well. There's something here that isn't quite working for me, that seems off. I think the problem is that I'm comparing it to the source material too much, when I should be enjoying the work as its own unique experience (like a film adaptation).
It's also very much focused on young Roland. And I guess that's what's troubling me; Roland young is interesting, but Roland old is a literary legend. I long for the mature, wise, mean Roland, merciless and calculating Roland, courageous and flawed, cool and temperamental. Oh how I miss him.
The young, impetuous, impulsive, rebellious Roland is starting to be kind of a letdown by comparison. I remember feeling this way when I got to Book 4 Wizard and Glass; I enjoyed it immensely once I reconciled myself to the fact that we were going way back in the story to young Roland, but that doesn't mean I wasn't chomping at the bit to return to the "real" Roland. So the creators have decided to tell young Roland's story instead of mature, grizzled Roland. I would never have thought this could matter so much, but it does, it really does.
One more thing: when you read the novels, there is so much you DON'T know for a long time. It's like a puzzle, a really addictive puzzle. King metes out answers morsel by morsel and it's not until the last book and thousands of pages on that the full picture emerges (likely because King himself didn't know how it was all going to finally come together). But here's the thing: the graphic novels have already let so much out of the bag already...about Roland's origins, his destiny, even the Crimson King and his intentions, and what the Dark Tower is and why it's so important. It's too much too soon. I realize that the authors are working on a smaller canvas but where's the mystery? So far the story is very straightforward with uber-heroes vs. uber-villains.
My advice: Read the books first!!! There's a method to King's madness in how the Dark Tower plot unfolded over the course of three decades and thousands of pages. The reward at the end is indescribable. The graphic novels will steal that experience from you even though that is not the authors' intent. It's clear that the graphic novels are a labour of love and Peter David and Robin Furth have my utmost respect and gratitude for keeping Roland's story going. ...more
Liked this, it was okay, didn't love it. The Host has been marketed as Meyer's first "adult" novel as opposed to her YA series, Twilight, but I found Liked this, it was okay, didn't love it. The Host has been marketed as Meyer's first "adult" novel as opposed to her YA series, Twilight, but I found this one to be a little on the fluffy, adolescent side anyway. A lot of her descriptions are over-the-top dramatic, swept away, first love, I-will-die-without-this-person kind of thing. And the furthest any couple gets is a few smooches PG-style; there's no sex AT ALL and not even a hint at getting there and for an adult romance novel that's really disappointing....more
My generation's Love Story. Really enjoyed this one, and despite the fact that more than half of Sheffield's musical references were over my head, theMy generation's Love Story. Really enjoyed this one, and despite the fact that more than half of Sheffield's musical references were over my head, the book still moved me. Sheffield has written a manifesto for all us mix tape geeks and I thank him for it....more
Very sentimental, sweet engaging story combining two of my favourite things: the public library and cats. The writing is a little schmaltzy and melodrVery sentimental, sweet engaging story combining two of my favourite things: the public library and cats. The writing is a little schmaltzy and melodramatic, and Myron imbues Dewey with an almost saintly, omniscient presence, but cut her a break because she is blinded by love. The ending broke my heart, which I knew it would. ...more
Disturbing and very upsetting, but ultimately compelling. It gets four stars for that, not because I enjoyed it in any way. The reading experience remDisturbing and very upsetting, but ultimately compelling. It gets four stars for that, not because I enjoyed it in any way. The reading experience reminded me of Tobacco Road. Can people really be that cruel and savage towards one another? Of course they can, I just don't like to be reminded of it especially by a writer with such obvious talents. ...more
Interesting and weird but I did not love it. Great historical detail -- the real writing achievement here is Suskind's meticulous recreation of 18th cInteresting and weird but I did not love it. Great historical detail -- the real writing achievement here is Suskind's meticulous recreation of 18th century France, and not just the social and political conditions, but how it smelled. From a historian's point of view, this is an aspect of the past that too often gets ignored, and the fact that Suskind mines it so completely to provide this rich novel fairly dripping with some marvelous passages, is impressive. ...more
Just a little too weird for me, and I know he has a HUGE loyal following, but I find Palahniuk's writing too inaccessible *koff*pretentious*koff*crap.Just a little too weird for me, and I know he has a HUGE loyal following, but I find Palahniuk's writing too inaccessible *koff*pretentious*koff*crap....more
This is a tough book to "enjoy"; it's incredibly violent and none of the characters are very likable. But it is scary; no matter what you may think ofThis is a tough book to "enjoy"; it's incredibly violent and none of the characters are very likable. But it is scary; no matter what you may think of Laymon's abilities as a writer, his stories always manage to scare the living bejesus out of me. Trapped in the woods with a bunch of cannibalistic lunatics hunting me down has got to rank up there with one of the WORST ways to buy the farm. I can definitely see this one getting made into a movie. Pretty intense, but Laymon has written better....more
Great story! I was completely engaged the entire time. For an end-of-the-world scenario, this was believable and frightening. I will never look at theGreat story! I was completely engaged the entire time. For an end-of-the-world scenario, this was believable and frightening. I will never look at the moon the same way again. I loved that Pfeffer did not let the story run away from her or get too big, but rather, she gives us the story from the point of view of a 16 year old girl and her diary descriptions of her family's struggle. It's easy to let your imagination run wild by extrapolating for the whole world... and that's where the real horror lies! ...more
Neil Gaiman weaves a tale in such a way that he transports me back to a state of childhood wonderment when being transfixed by a story seemed so much Neil Gaiman weaves a tale in such a way that he transports me back to a state of childhood wonderment when being transfixed by a story seemed so much easier and so much more pleasurable. Gaiman reminds me of why I love to read and I love him for that.
First-line-fever: There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife....more
I just couldn't wait for my public library to add this book to its collection so I went out today and dropped the 20 bucks to own a copy. Very intriguI just couldn't wait for my public library to add this book to its collection so I went out today and dropped the 20 bucks to own a copy. Very intriguing premise that immediately reminded me of Stephen King's Bachman novels The Running Man and The Long Walk. Speaking of the man, Stevie gives this a rave review in Entertainment Weekly available on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Su...
So this book does not disappoint. It's high octane energy from start to finish. The writing is a bit sophomoric at times, but that's reasonable to expect given the age of the protagonist (16)and the book's intended adolescent audience. Bottom line: great story idea executed with finesse. Suzanne Collins isn't inventing anything new here, but she is obviously comfortable trodding such familiar, dystopian territory and making it her own. There's definitely strong hints of King's early Bachman work, and I couldn't help be reminded of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery". How could I not?
Is The Hunger Games classic dystopian literature then?...a Lord of the Flies or Long Walk? Absolutely not, but I still had a helluva good time reading it. With reality TV everywhere we look these days, and the UFC a mainstream pastime, it's easy to imagine a Survivor where tribe members voted out don't go home, but are executed instead. I figure society's perpetual bloodlust is never as deeply buried as we think. ...more
Douglas has a cheeky (if somewhat cynical and over-bearing) sense of humour; the kinda guy you might wanna go for a beer with. He's also incredibly hoDouglas has a cheeky (if somewhat cynical and over-bearing) sense of humour; the kinda guy you might wanna go for a beer with. He's also incredibly honest about his flaws and the unkind thoughts he has on the job (which we all have working at the public library, no question). He's also insightful and sensitive, attempting to recognize and respect people's humanity and dignity. Where he succeeds he manages to do so without being too preachy or coming off like a self-appointed saint.
His anecdotes are enlightening and hilarious (sometimes a little depressing), but reminded me in a good way why I love to do this job; because it isn't always easy or fun. People can be rude, scary, or downright bewildering. There are days you just want to pack it all in; Douglas shows us why we don't and why being a librarian isn't such a stupid thing after all, it's actually pretty cool.
I don't agree with many of his observations and generalizations about librarians (especially that none of us read)! For the record, I work in an environment surrounded by library staff who are dedicated readers. And they're reading by choice and for pleasure, not because they think they should. I also know that the people who suffered through the trenches of library school with me and have now gone on to work at libraries scattered all across Canada, are dedicated readers.
I could definitely appreciate his unique point of view though. Working in an underfunded American public library in a city with social and economic problems really has to impact on the job and your co-workers. I'm only thankful that I work in a downtown public library in Western Canada in a city with a population of less than 300,000. I face problem patrons everyday, but at least homelessness, mental illness, and youth violence are at a minimum. Most patrons are wonderful and appreciative of our help. My co-workers are wonderful and people I feel blessed to know.
A generalization I would make about library staff is that the majority of them are dedicated, love their job, and 90% of the time are trying their best.
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