michael runner

Epic Classic Fantasy. I loved it!

Revisado: 02-24-24

Old school fantasy in the best possible way. Great characters and development. Dread & tragedy, hope and redemption, it's all there. Loved it. Unfortunately... or fortunately... there is no way to read this book without going on to the next book so be prepared for more than a single book journey.

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Devastatingly dark, not for the faint of heart

Revisado: 02-24-24

If you are sensitive, don't read this. Gruesome, dark, graphic, but also brilliant. I think reviewers who call it racist and other things are missing the point. It's horror fiction that was written around 80 and takes place in Calcutta in 1977. We have a bit of a jaded character in a horrible place going through horrible things while encountering a lot of horrible people and worse. There is nothing here that's meant to be appropriate and if you want appropriate, look elsewhere. It's amazing in prose and description, It pulls you in emotionally and leaves you unsettled. Parts are so grim that you will want to take a shower. It's brilliant but understand a bit about what you are going to read/listen to before you start.

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Excellent coming of age horror

Revisado: 02-20-24

Great book in one of my favorite genres. A Catholic boys home, terror, kids turned evil...some that have not. Gruesome horror with choices being made between good and evil, sometimes for survival. through it all there are moments of hope and chances for redemption. I loved this one, Fracassi nailed the genre.

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Classic Coming of Age Horror

Revisado: 02-11-24

Lovved this and had been meaning to read/listen to for years. Great characters, bonding, temporary loss of innocence & an ancient evil. Simmons at his brilliant best!

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Good ol' Fashioned Dark Fantasy

Revisado: 10-27-23

Recommended to me because of it's influence on a number of modern writers who I really like. Dark fantasy at it's finest. Gritty characters (some who very rarely show soft sides) with good development and a story filled with gore, the supernatural & an old school fantasy world with division and war. It's not always PC which is something that I like, the dark realism and people talking without even trying to have redeeming qualities. Something interests me about picking a side here and being loyal to it while questioning if you are on the good or bad side or even if there is such a thing as a good or bad side. I enjoyed it, good flow. I did not however know that there are a ton of books in the series which I will someday have to read. That said, it works as a stand alone book that doesn't leave the reader on a complete cliff hanger as many newer books in planned series do.

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Scary, fun, horror, hope and redemption

Revisado: 10-27-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I wasn't familiar with Tyler Jones before this but he came recommended. I really enjoyed this short listen. Per the picture, yes there is a crazy possessed bike, fire & horror. Yet this is really a coming of age book filled with despair after loss, bad decisions in losing yourself, with eventual hope of redemption before it's too late. Nice surprise as I wasn't sure what to expect.

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Amazing Historical Fiction with a bit of Horror

Revisado: 10-27-23

I've never read a book quite like this. Based on the historical event of the disappearance of two British boats in the arctic with the actually researched characters but the rest is from the amazing mind of Dan Simmons. Exceptional character development and I can't imagine how much research Simmons put in in regard to the artic and all things nautical regarding treacherous ice expeditions during the time period of the 1840s and prior. The book itself will literally give you the shivers. Things are cold, very very cold. Add in folklore, mystery, and a bit of mythical horror and you end up with a read like no other. I would highly recommend it but it isn't a light read nor should it be. There is some hope but mostly despair.

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Fascinating though not exactly as expected

Revisado: 11-01-21

Enjoyable and interesting, I don't regret the purchase. In particular, I learned quite a bit about spiritism in both origin and the movement around it. I didn't expect quite as much historical speculation. In knowing a few of the books and movies discussed, I'm not sure that some of the double meanings apply. As a historian he may be putting too much depth in some places in which people were just trying to tell spooky stories. I would have liked to have seen a sub title of "Through the eyes of a historian" or something like that.

I felt as though there was a bit too much focus on race but some of that may be because I was looking for more of an escapist book at the moment. In other words, race and politics seem to come into almost everything (or it seems like it) these days and sometimes I look for things to get away from the news or issues of the day. Still, I give Prof Jortner credit because he is a very entertaining reader. He kept things from getting too heavy due to his humor and tonality. Overall I recommend it. It's very interesting and I learned quite a bit.

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Not a "Right wing thing"

Revisado: 11-01-21

That's part of the battle of discussing this issue with others. Progressives and even unknowing moderate Democrats tell me (without taking a deep dive) that this is the latest right wing smoke screen and is white supremacy in disguise. Bigots who want to whitewash history. (face palm) People I know who lean fairly far right think that this is an issue that they've recently uncovered. They are displeased when I tell them that the enlightenment left has been fighting this battle for years and the right came late to the party. The truth is that no matter how partisans want to paint it, this is an issue that transcends political ideology. It's a Manichean setup of good vs evil... it's the race essentialism that the civil rights movement tried to move past.

McWhorter is quite correct that as a black man there are things he can say here that would immediately brand a white person as a racist. As he notes, most people don't like to be called racists as it's second only to being called a pedophile so many just keep their heads down and go along with something that deep down they know is nonsense. The word racist is used as a public weapon. The system itself is a trap. On one hand my silence is violence, on the other hand (regardless of intent which doesn't matter) the wrong words in an attempted discussion is also violence. He's also correct in saying that this is a religious structure complete with original sin any never ending guilt ridden penance.

It's a book that should be read by everyone, especially those who have read Kendi, Coates & DiAngelo to give balance. If you've read those, read this along with Cynical Theories and perhaps The Coddling of the American Mind. Use your mind to start unraveling this modern day ball of twine. It's a great book and points out that certain things are nonsensical, others are flat out damaging. Do we really want to go back to race essentialism? What does that say to young black people who are taught that all disparities (Kendi) are that result of either racism that's built into the system or genetic inferiority? What does that say to young white people who really are being brought up by racists who believe that things should be thought of in racial terms?

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Great listen, really has me thinking

Revisado: 08-29-20

This has been on my to read this for a couple of yeas and I'm glad I got around to it and I've now listened to it twice. A lot of fun with a lot of "ouch" as well which is a great combination. It has me thinking of a number of things I need to let go of that I've held onto for no good reason. Death and what it means as one, that I having given way too many F@&#s about certain things that don't matter at all as another. love the the speaker. nicely done. highly suggest listening.

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