Alex Piffle

Go For It

Revisado: 01-30-23

This is a delightful speculative novel based around the Nobel selection process and awards at the turn of the 20th century. It a little like listening to a fascinating lecture series by a doctoral candidate. In several cases it's difficult to isolate the point of divergence from actual history (minus one point, Karlinsky), which might send you off to do the research yourself, But this really isn''t a book for people who don't evaluate their sources.
Minor Spoiler:
There are happy little surprises throughout the second part of the book and following sections, as Nobel Laureates expound their hypotheses ranging from Kon-Tiki-like expeditions to the projected use of Carbon-14 dating.
I loved it.

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Bugs, Mr Rico! By Toutatis!

Revisado: 01-27-23

Once again, Terry Mancour displays his awesome geek cred in this installment of his science-fantasy Spellmonger series. Unlike de Camp’s and Lewis’ stable science-based works where fantasy worms its way into the known and realistic universes of Shea and Ransom, Mancour starts this excellent series with the fantastic and only gradually do we come to understand that it’s not all swords and sorcery.

This short(ish) novel hammers home the science aspect and explores some of the personal consequences of Minalan's previous journey in Footwizard. Mancour could have left these issues unaddressed, but they significantly strengthen the narrative. The style is a minor variation from previous books, which is surprising but appropriate, and the Mancour touch is easily recognizable. As usual, John Lee's dry narration is completely perfect for this series.

If this is your first essay into the world of the Spellmonger, do yourself a solid: go back and start from the beginning. You'll thank me.

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6 hours in, I quit

Revisado: 07-15-22

Dreary, dark, plodding, uneven.

The Francis novels have shown a heavier, darker quality since Felix assumed the helm, and while a number of his books are decent reads/listens, this doesn't seem to be one of them. It may be that I just hadn't got to the interesting part yet, I wondered about that around hour 4, and soldiered on. Francis' protagonists are imperfect creatures, often doubt-riddled, with palpable character flaws, but there's generally an engaging appeal - which In 6 hours of listening to Iced I was unable to identify.

Skip this one.

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Sadly Walk Away

Revisado: 04-17-20

I grew up with Heinlein. Tracked down everything he wrote. Skipped my own house warming when someone showed up carrying a pre-release copy of Friday. But I never could quite get on with his crafting of female characters. Sorry, Spider.

Unhappily, I couldn't finish this book - and I wanted to. As a trufan I wanted to spend just one more time with the Meister. From the opening dialogue which displays the dated ruffles and flourishes of 1940s social interaction (check out a Cary Grant film - you'll see what I mean) to the intellectualized discussion which follows, it was clear that what was just painful in 1980 had become unbearable now.

There was a time (about 40 years ago) when this would have been a neat addition to Heinleiniana.

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Excellent high fantasy; superb narration

Revisado: 04-09-18

The 5th book in Terry Mancour's Spellmonger series is written in the first person, from the perspective of Minalan the Magelord, starting concurrent with Knights Magi and, even at 21.5 hours, ending far too soon. John Lee's precise narration combines the book's subtle dry flavour with humour and passion. This series improves with every new story.

Currently there are 10 novels, 2 spin-off novels, and a number of novellas and short stories, which Audible is releasing at a glacial rate.

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Caveat Emptor

Revisado: 05-04-17

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This book is about a spiritual journey in horrific circumstances, NOT the papal process. I probably wouldn't recommend it instead of other spiritual journey accounts.

Have you listened to any of Therese Plummer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Woman of God was my first experience of Therese Plummer's work. She has a mature and engaging voice and I'm looking for other books she has performed.

Did Woman of God inspire you to do anything?

I couldn't finish the book. Early on, the gore got to be too much for me. Skipping through it was less satisfactory than it might have been with a print medium book. Sadly, the only thing it inspired me to do was to return it.

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