OYENTE

David C.

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  • 188
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Always bet on Slow Horses

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-17-25

Always bet on Slow Horses

Look, after having watched the first season of #slowhorses on #apple+ , I knew I couldn't help but enjoy the book. And while some television and film adaptations veer from the novel, the series stayed very true to the novel.

The basic premise is pretty amusing. When MI5 intelligence officers blunder, the service is on a bit of a conundrum because you can't just fire the people who keep the nation's secrets. Thus, the onetime thoroughbreds of British Intelligence are relegated to the paddocks to finish out their time among their fellow Slow Horses where they are tasked with the most inimportant and mundane tasks that hopefully compels them to quit. Officially known as Slough House, ran by the slovenly #jacksonlamb who doesn't give a fig about his staff of misfits. And, while the run down, decrepit office was designed to demotivate down and out agents, circumstances has unexpectedly dragged these Slow Horses back into the race.

It's a fun and great book and I look forward to more of the novels and more seasons of the series.

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Is Joe Pickett reaching a "boiling point" with his readers?

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
1 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-31-25

Is Joe Pickett reaching a "boiling point" with his readers?

I feel that, at this point, every criticism I have with the #joepickettseries is a rehash of previous reviews. The settings are great and it was nice to return to Savage Run and explore this canyon somewhat differently. #cjbox always has done a great job with settings and locations that make the reader or, in the case of #audible "readers" , enjoy the descriptions of fictional #twelvesleepcounty and the town of #saddlestring , #wyoming . The problem with every Pickett novel is the thin plot, the one dimensional characters, the inability to create a plausible circumstance for the mystery's reveal and the absolute lack of growth in every character save the blossoming teenage girls who've grown beyond the young children of the first novels.

C.J. Box has crafted a world where all of the Federal agents are murderous, calculating and corrupt and the local police are stupid because they never seem to solve any crimes. That being said, when two federal agents end up murdered and buried by a seemingly distraught local land owner, Joe goes out of his way to steer the case to the three person local county Sheriff who lacks any forensics tools and the resources to solve such a high profile double murder. Joe's new boss tasks him to assist the Feds in their search of the suspect who is making a getaway in the mountainous wilds. Likewise, because the inept Feds put a bounty on the fugitive, a team of hunters headed up by the inept ex-sheriff are competing to find him first leading to the much expected mayhem that ensues. And , of course, then there's Joe who likes to paint himself as a by-the-book law-abd-order man who has a penchant for letting sympathetic murderers get away because of "circumstances" and has no problem with letting innocent people confess to crimes they didn't commit. And, of course, there's the psychopathic best pal Nate Romanowski who always takes things too far in the torture and menacing department and yet he still doesn't seem to have a problem with the breathless excitement his wife has everytime Nate shows up. And then there's the silly trope where, after, still, after over a decade of law enforcement, Joe still hasn't learned how to competently fire his service weapon and depends on the kindness of a pistol range instructor to sign off on his poor firearms performance.

At least it appears that he no longer insists on the weekly family gathering at church to add to the contradiction but is Joe ever going to learn how not to throw up everytime he stumbles across a dead body?

At this point, I don't think so.

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A picturesque word tour through the Granite State

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-17-25

A picturesque word tour through the Granite State

As a rule, I don't seek out poetry but, as #newhampshire by #robertfrost won the #1924 #pulitzerprizeforpoetry , it falls under my #pulitzerprizereadingchallenge and, in all honestly, it was lovely. Downloading the work onto #audible as well as having an ebook version in which to read along on my walks,

I found his descriptions of the people and places of that lovely and sparsely populated founding state a delight. While the collection includes "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," arguably his most famous poem, I was particularly moved by, "For ET", written in honor of fellow poet #edwardthomas , who was killed at the #battleofarras in #worldwari . I also enjoyed the longer piece #twowitches as well as #thekitchenchimney which was a.simple but elegant piece with a subtle tribute to #henrydavidthoreau . Overall, it is a wonderful and completely accessible book of poetry dedicated to a beautiful place that captured Frost's heart.

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A dark foray into hedonism

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-15-25

A dark foray into hedonism

Throughout the decades, I have read countless books which made reference to #thepictureofdoriangrey , the controversial and only novel by #oscarwilde . Though I had a general understanding of the subject matter, having a chance to finally dive into this classic really caught me by surprise with its boldness. Artist #basilhallward becomes obsessed with his latest artistic muse, the foppish #doriangray whose physical beauty captures the imagination of all who behold him, especially #lordhenrywotten , a wealthy and hedonistic dilettante whose own peacockish persuasiveness, manifests Dorian's vanity to new levels that inspires Basil Hallward to paint his masterpiece with a portrait of Dorian. While obsessed over by the artist and coveted by Lord Henry, Dorian is gifted the work by the artist which prominently shines like a mirror in Dorian's residence. In time, Dorian takes in aspects of the painting that compels him to secret away the work.

It is hard to say much more about the work without venturing into spoilers. Suffice it to say, Wilde's brilliance shines through and it is easy to see what the work was so controversial. Published in the 1890's, one can imagine that, in today's heightened era of sensitivity, libraries are under pressure to remove the work from the.shelves. As one who grows irked by the tediousness of 19th Century British Drawing Room novels, this work shows the idle rich at their absolute worst.

Delightful!

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A Slice of Midwestern Scottish Tradition

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-26-25

A slice of Midwestern Scottish Tradition

As winner of the #1924 #pulitzerprizeforfiction , #theablemclaughlins by #margaretwilson centers on an extended Scottish immigrant family who've settled in #iowa in the #civilwarera . After joining the Union Army and witnessing the loss of his younger brother and being held as a prisoner in a #confederatearmyprison , #wullymclaughlin returns home to his expansive brood to discover his intended is a frightened and terrorized woman. As we discover the reason for her descent and his efforts to build a family with her, the ups and down of Scottish Clan life, though transplanted from the Scottish Highlands to the American Plains, still indelibly affects the religious, business and personal lives of everyone in the community. The novel was particularly notable as it was a debut work for Margaret Wilson, herself raised in an extended Scottish family in a rural Iowa town. It was the first in a series of McLaughlin Family novels over many generations and the Pulitzer was just one of a handful of prizes awarded for the novel.

I had looked for a copy of the novel, now in the public domain, as an option in #audible . Rather than finding the book, I found a 17 part podcast broken down by chapter as part of a non-profit effort to resurrect out of print novels for a new audience. While I would have preferred to pay a fee rather than suffer through the same few obnoxious ads, I do appreciate the effort made to make older celebrated works which won't attract the attention of a major publisher due to the inherent unprofitable nature of the work. Likewise, I downloaded a public domain written copy of the novel to read along wih the narration. I appreciate having the opportunity to read important works less interesting to modern tastes. The Able McLaughlins definitely fits into that category.

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Romanowski takes flight as fellow predators circle

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-17-25

Romanowski takes flight as fellow predators circle

In this twelfth novel in the #joepickett series, the lens focuses on the main character's friend and sometimes overwatch #nateromanowski , Joe's falconer pal who lives off the grid, hates the government he took an oath to serve and feels the need to be dragged into the Game Warden's non-game warden drama that Joe seems to blunder into and out of way too frequently. Once again, I have to pick a bone with author #cjbox who I have come to believe doesn't really read what he writes. While presenting Joe as not especially brilliant, not especially adept at either his #wyoming State job with the #gameandfishdepartment and not bright enough to use his direct pipeline to the Governor's Office where his periodic forays into areas not of his expertise give him and chainsaw to cut through jurisdictional Red tape, Joe keeps playing Charlie Brown to #twelvesleepcounty #sheriffkylemclanahan 's Lucy who always, always yanks the football mid-kick.

I know people who live Nate Romanowski who think I should love this oddball with the shadowy Special Forces background, but I've never been a fan of the "operator-type" who seems to dig torture, worships his "big gun" who speaks in vagueries which the author thinks are profound or mysterious. Likewise, for a guy who has a loner code who prefers his isolated, off the grid existence, he falls easily for pretty, dark haired girls whom he puts on great danger. And, of course, there's Joe Picket who, a decade on the job still hasn't learned how to either proficiently operate a sidearm nor hold down his lunch whenever he encounters a dead body, troublesome characteristics for a guy who seems to pride himself on a super adept man and big game hunter. I so keep hoping the CJ Box will take on a competent editor who will help him grow his characters and maintain story flow so he isn't constantly repeating the obvious or contradicting himself. It still feels as if Box doesn't reread his stories once he writes them and doesn't take editorial suggestions. And yet, his loyal fan base doesn't seem to care.

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Best served chilled in a Cold War context

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
1 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-01-25

Best served chilled in a Cold War context

I have watched all of the various television and film interpretations of the #jamesbond series and, while the #danielcraig reboot was closest to the novel, the book really stands up as a post-war tableau. Having served in World War II in Military Intelligence developing expertise in gambling working for the British Secret Service working with their the French counterparts, Deuxieme Bureau shutting down a gang of Romanian casino cheats in Monte Carlo. This unique skill set for the post War British assassin, denoted in the Double O designation which he cynically dismisses as a dubious distinction for someone willing to kill someone in cold blood, finds him being assigned by MI6 to play the part of a wealthy Jamaican merchant with a gambling penchant in order to destroy a Russian operative with a gambling habit spent fed by Soviet funds at the tables of a fading seaside French Casino.

For the assignment he is partnered and supported by French cohort Rene Mathis, CIA operative Felix Leiter and MI6 agent Vesper Lynd. The outcome of the game, the sexual encounters, the torture and violence are well presented in the Craig version however, in the novel, the story station the Northern French Coast with Bond's smoldering and murderous resolve.

The great advantage of this recently produced #audible was the excellent read by #richardarmitage was well paced save a few narration glitches such as "colt point four five" but that is easily forgiven. Te Fleming Family Estate really should consider a period based series that are rigidly based on the novels. It would be amazing to loyal fans and a new generation of streaming binge watchers.

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Jane Eyre: feminist or paternal enabler?

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-25-25

Jane Eyre: feminist or paternal enabler?

I knew that I would eventually get around to reading #janeeyre by #charlottebronte after putting it off for decades. Having recently read #widesargassosea by #janeryhs which is often seen as a prequel to this novel and having been introduced to and intrigued by a few of those characters and discovering that #audible had a version read by #thandienewton whose voice melts me, I decided to kick off my 2025 daily walks listening to what is often considered a feminist classic.

Now, I understand that, for, 1847, the novel was considered a milestone in books about self determined women. Sadly, Jane's independence is based, no so much on a sense of self worth but, in my view, worthlessness. While standing up to the chiding and bullying of peers and parents figures alike, her frequent deferential asides to the reader come off less as a statement of value but as a sense of worthlessness that doesn't allow her to take or do what she wants when circumstances present an opportunity. While her actions can be commendable, as was the case for her wealth sharing, that she was even considered for reward often finds her musing her own worthiness for recognition.

One of my frequent criticisms of English literature which, particularly 19th and 19th century works, are written by and for the upper crust, everyone accepts that being a self indulgent asshole is an acceptable character trait is made only worse as a result of inherited versus earned wealth. While accepting the clergical calling is acceptable work for less monied gentry, it never seems to cross anyone's mind that actually working is much more commendable than awaiting inheritance. That Jane pines for and ultimately surrenders both career and self to one of the helplessly self important, leaves me feeling that, despite all her qualities, capabilities and independent means, her nature renders her submissive to the unworthy, self absorbed, scheming and overbearing.

And that's a shame.

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Terror and Teeth on Ice

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-26-24

Terror and Teeth on Ice

In this #waltlongmire post-Vietnam flashback novella, author #craigjohnson has sent Walt North to Alaska where he has taken a security job on a North Slope oil platform where, of course lifelong friend #henrystandingbear had to come visit. With the prospect of being cooped up in the cramped quarters of the rig growing tedious, Henry jumps at the chance to accompany Walt onto the ice with a
government survey team as part of the oil company's cooperation with Uncle Sam. Of course, what should have been a routine hop aboard an Arctic Bush Plane and a short jaunt and ice core drill via a Snowcat, goes south quickly as poor weathers, a ravenous otherworldly Polar Bear and odd behavior by Walt's co-workers and the lurking of a ghost ship make for a fast and fun story.

As with the previous release First Frost, Craig Johnson laid down a good number of potential plot breadcrumbs to mine from Longmire's younger days. While the series timeline thus far has only spawned six and a half, Walt is in his late sixties so, mining the past is a smart move. Of course, it was pretty obvious that Johnson had been absorbed by the AMC series The Terror and found a fun way to bring the future Wyoming lawman into the frozen terror of ice choked North. This is definitely a fun tale made more so by the #audible narration by #georgeguidall who so personifies the character of Walt.

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Cold Wind Blows A Lot of Hot Air

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-08-24

Cold Wind Blows A Lot of Hot Air

#cjbox has frequently admonished his readers to not attempt to read his personal politics into his fictional characters. Yet you can't help but come away from #coldwind , the 11th installment in the #joepickettseries , the obviousness of Box's smoldering contempt for alternative energy. In both exposition and in character commentary, it is clear that Box and all of the people who live in #wyoming see #windenergy as just a big con, particularly as so much of the state is under federal control that limits where fossil fuels and uranium are accessible and how preferential wind and solar are treated in comparison. Written in 2011, during the second Obama Administration, Box treats all.of these Federally funded projects as boondoggles, most exemplified in the comments of falconer/ex-Special Forces Operator Nate Romanowski, Joe Pickett's strained best friendship and alliance, and the narrator himself. Yes, because of the lead time, numerous alternative energy projects were going on line faster than the energy companies could run transmission lines but that was as much the fault of profit driven provider than it was progress minded federal officials. But, in Joe Pickett's world everyone is stupid except for the weak stomached, easily embarrassed game warden. And when a body is discovered hanging from the blade of a wind turbine that imcriminated his gold digging mother in law, she was now rich enough to employ the state's most expensive criminal defense lawyer and his army of investigators and paralegals. And yet they are all too slow to grasp the real crime that Joe Pickett sees crystal clear. And yet, when the Dudley Dooright of Wyoming Game and Fish has a chance to fully illuminate his moral superiority, he inevitably shanks it to save his wife and children the painful reality of their despicable family matron.

So much puffed up moral outrage and yet, in the end, so much hot air.

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