Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post

Oxman · 11th January 2006, 04:46 PM

Well, here's my brief opinions on the stories I've read.

Looking for Jake
My very first experience of this writer, so I was unsure what to expect. The lack of quotation marks immediately irked me, but the storytelling won me over. I was curious about the situation and what had caused it (which never became apparent). I wanted the narrator to feel more afraid, and to share this with the reader, but his loneliness and inquisitive nature were the predominant emotions. A good opener, from which you can invent a thousand different conclusions of your own imaginination.

Foundation
Fantastic. I've loved the idea of "eternal punishment" ever since I read some of the Greek myths as a child. Sinister and desperate, I literally couldn't tear my eyes away from this.

The Ball Room
Solid for its conveying of the human character and personal feelings. The events take a back seat, but remain ever present in a mystifying and slightly chilling way. I've been to IKEA recently too and don't think I'll look ath the children's area in quite the same way again.

Reports of certain events in London
Totally original. Takes some getting into, but worth it. As Knivesout has previously mentioned, Mieville incorporates himself into the story very cleverly and, while the subject matter is probably too bizarre to find uncomfortable, the authour does a very good job.

Familiar
I like the POV and the development, but the concept itself is a little bland. At least it's concise

Entry taken from a medical encyclopædia
Intersting, once you remove this piece of work away from it's surrounding story. I liked it, but found my self scanning through bits of it, rather than actually reading it.

Details
I liked this. A lot. Horror concealed amongst normality, showing how people can be desperate for things and how far they will go to get them. The direction of this tale didn't quite go as I expected either, so I was pleasantly (or should I say unpleasantly) surprised by the outcome.

Go Between
This has an Intriguing premise. The should he/shouldn't he aspect is very well done, prompting a would you/wouldn't you discussion inside your own head. the justification that the central character gives for whatever action he takes is always counterbalanced by a niggling doubt, which is a great for the reader. Kept me hooked and the open ending once again leaves you to draw your own conclusions.

I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the book.

11th January 2006, 04:46 PM	#16 (permalink)
Oxman Thread Killer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Midlands Posts: 50	Re: Looking for Jake (with spoliers) Well, here's my brief opinions on the stories I've read. Looking for Jake My very first experience of this writer, so I was unsure what to expect. The lack of quotation marks immediately irked me, but the storytelling won me over. I was curious about the situation and what had caused it (which never became apparent). I wanted the narrator to feel more afraid, and to share this with the reader, but his loneliness and inquisitive nature were the predominant emotions. A good opener, from which you can invent a thousand different conclusions of your own imaginination. Foundation Fantastic. I've loved the idea of "eternal punishment" ever since I read some of the Greek myths as a child. Sinister and desperate, I literally couldn't tear my eyes away from this. The Ball Room Solid for its conveying of the human character and personal feelings. The events take a back seat, but remain ever present in a mystifying and slightly chilling way. I've been to IKEA recently too and don't think I'll look ath the children's area in quite the same way again. Reports of certain events in London Totally original. Takes some getting into, but worth it. As Knivesout has previously mentioned, Mieville incorporates himself into the story very cleverly and, while the subject matter is probably too bizarre to find uncomfortable, the authour does a very good job. Familiar I like the POV and the development, but the concept itself is a little bland. At least it's concise Entry taken from a medical encyclopædia Intersting, once you remove this piece of work away from it's surrounding story. I liked it, but found my self scanning through bits of it, rather than actually reading it. Details I liked this. A lot. Horror concealed amongst normality, showing how people can be desperate for things and how far they will go to get them. The direction of this tale didn't quite go as I expected either, so I was pleasantly (or should I say unpleasantly) surprised by the outcome. Go Between This has an Intriguing premise. The should he/shouldn't he aspect is very well done, prompting a would you/wouldn't you discussion inside your own head. the justification that the central character gives for whatever action he takes is always counterbalanced by a niggling doubt, which is a great for the reader. Kept me hooked and the open ending once again leaves you to draw your own conclusions. I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the book.