Mark W. Bohrer

Good performance - tedious story

Revisado: 08-29-15

R. C. Bray's performance of Sixth Cycle is good, though not up to his incredible reading of The Martian.

The book may have something to do with it. Sixth Cycle's post-apocalyptic future is believable enough, but it takes a long time getting there. The main foe - radiation-addled humans lumped together as wastelanders - are one-dimensionally crazed and murderous. They're all subhuman and indistinct from each other.

The main villain's campaign to rouse them in attack on normal humans is reminiscent of Germany blindly following Hitler's leadership into war. The villain is not nearly as convincing. Again, his delusions and behavior are one-dimensional - brain damage seems like a universal cause for everything bad.

The heroic characters reveal very little of their inner life or any subtlety in their motivations. Their story is very much one of good versus evil.

There are a few surprises, but overall Sixth Cycle is a tedious slog through wastelander territory.

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If the movie is half as excellent, they did their job

Revisado: 05-26-15

Assumed dead in a freak accident, Mark Watney gets left behind on Mars by 5 crew mates, who start flying home without him.

He heals from his wounds, avoids decompression, and manages many other challenges.

He is on Mars for a year and a half. Could any of us have survived that long with just the materials on hand, figuring how to stretch supplies and make more?

I don't think so.

For the movie, I find myself wishing R. C. Bray was cast as Mark Watney. Bray is that good.

Anyway, you've got to read or listen to this thing. Now.

It goes very well with exploring ruins in the U.S. Southwest.

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Great dialogue, good plot

Revisado: 05-16-15

Characters in Craig Johnson's latest will make you laugh. Plot is satisfying if a bit predictable at times. Recommended for great characters in beautiful settings - northern Wyoming / eastern Montana. Will still carry you along through the end.

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Modern classic - but prepare to think

Revisado: 02-28-15

Rudolfo Anaya's "Bless Me, Ultima" can't seem to decide if it's a childhood coming of age story, almost Shakespearian tragedy, or good vs evil morality tale.

It is a good portrayal of what it's like to grow up Chicano in the 20th Century, with parental ambitions, pressures and conflict in the local village shaping young thought. It will make you think about what is good, what is evil, and how everyone else's perceptions shape your own.

If you're looking for easy entertainment, go elsewhere. If you want to think a bit, this one could be for you.

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Twisty Alaska Mystery Expertly Acted

Revisado: 02-04-13

What made the experience of listening to Restless in the Grave the most enjoyable?

Marguerite Gavin should star in the movie version of Restless in the Grave. Her audio performance shows how tough it would be to cast her in any one role, though. She plays wise-ass, gruff or sweet when the story calls for it. Her reading flashes pictures in your head as the story unfolds, a hallmark of an expert storyteller.

And the story could be direct from the headlines. I grew up in the Chicago area during the 1960s and 1970s, watching enough questionable politics to learn what power and emotions do to people. Dana Stabenow's story leads a tour through a small town's pride, greed, anger and larceny, with a scoop of movie star attraction and realistic police-blotter touches. That it's set in the U.S. state with the last remaining true wilderness and strong native culture is an incredible bonus.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Restless in the Grave?

The climactic scene with an assault weapon wielded by a drunk teenager definitely stands out, in a book filled with vignettes of the real Alaska.

What about Marguerite Gavin’s performance did you like?

Gavin can play anything. She does gruff state troopers, nail-hard tribal chairwomen, and emotionally-damaged detectives trying to raise adopted teenagers equally well. I'm surprised we haven't seen her on the stage or big screen.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The blackmailing bush pilot everyone loves to hate murdered in Alaska.

Any additional comments?

This was a great meeting of four strong characters from Dana Stabenow's two excellent book series. The incredible thing was that it took so long for Kate, Liam, Wy and Jim to share one story.

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