L Smith

A classic journey

Revisado: 11-22-23

It has been many years since I actually read Verne's book, and I had little memory of it. I think I had more memory of movie versions I've seen, which were not very faithful to the original text. I was therefore surprised at how long it took for the action to develop. Another surprise was the sheer amount of scientific theory, mostly geology, but also some physics and chemistry, that was expounded throughout. Much of it terribly wrong, but Verne clearly had a mastery of the contemporary understanding and controversies. Most of the science is wisely left out of the film adaptations, which benefit from more action and fewer lectures.
Stiil, it's a classic tale, well told by Tim Curry.

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Dated, but Timeless

Revisado: 10-27-23

Excellent story. If you ignore the completely bogus science, of course. In 1938, they didn't know much about Mars or space travel. But the book isn't really about that. It is, as with the Narnia books, a religious alegory and moral lesson wrapped in a sci-fi package.

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A Fine Reminiscence

Revisado: 08-03-22

I think this book will be enjoyed thoroughly by anyone who had the great fortune of spending vacations in a cottage in Muskoka, or perhaps a similar location. Others may have trouble relating. Having been a cottage renter since childhood, some of the joys and trials of ownership did not strike a personal note for me, but many of the memories and experiences of the area hit very close to home, and brought up my own memories of cottage days. But the effect of the whole was thoroughly enjoyable!
The narration was less so, and I'd wager the narrator had no personal experience of cottage life, for, if he had, there would certainly have been some trace of emotion in his performance. Reminded me of a high school senior reading an essay in English class. The occasional mispronunciations added to the effect. But the material, for me, overcame any flaws in the presentation.

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Good, but not what I expected

Revisado: 03-15-22

I'm a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, that is, Alice's Adventures Underground and Through the Looking Glass, so when I saw this collection, I thought it would be worth a try. And it was. The stories are good, but they were not what I expected from an anthology of Wonderland-inspired stories. The original Wonderland is a safe and benign place, no matter how many jabberwocks and assorted monsters. Though the Queen of Hearts is merciless and bloodthirsty, none of the executions ever quite come to fruition. It is a place where humor and nonsense reign. Most of the stories in this collection are quite serious. And dark. And often violent. With far too many allusions to the Reverend Dodgson's personal sins, which are quite separate from the world he created. The wit and whimsy of Wonderland are in scarce supply in these stories.

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Worth a listen... or two

Revisado: 03-04-22

Brilliant, absurd, and occasionally helpfull insights from Elvis. Recommended for anyone embarking on a musical journey.

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I want to move to Mitford

Revisado: 09-16-21

It was everything I heard about and more. Thanks to a good friend who introduced me to the town of Mitford, to NC, and to people who already feel like lifelong friends. I'm glad to know, and blessed, that I have much good reading ahead.

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A small cat finds her home

Revisado: 06-01-21

Violet Comes to Stay shows how God has a plan for us all, even the smallest of creatures. Violet the smallest cat finds her true home🐾💞

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Excellent Commentary on Science and Spirituality

Revisado: 01-29-21

Though raised without technology, the Dalai Llama shows great understanding of science and its implications.

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Mostly good

Revisado: 12-07-19

Cute and often amusing. And interesting to think about the times in which the letters were written, and the fact that "The Hobbit" was germinating at the same time (can definitely see a few connections). Unfortunate that we can't see the illustrations. The music was particularly annoying. not that it was bad, but it was always the same tune between each letter. It just got monotonous after a while.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 10-26-19

Slow start. Ridiculous finish. Many unanswered questions. The first half of the book dragged. The main character, a medieval princess who somehow had developed the ideas of a modern liberal, seemed out of place. Despite her feminist ideals and training in swordplay and knife fighting, she nevertheless repeatedly fell back into the damsel in distress trope. Things picked up later, when wierd and woderful things started happening, most of which were never adequately explained, nor explained at all, for that matter. I confess they did manage to surprise me with the ending, which I thought I had figured out. But I was expecting some semblance of a logical conclusion to tie up the loose ends. Instead they threw all logic to the wind, producing a deus ex machina ending that left all the loose threads dangling.

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