Endless Ends

[JennyNo1]

*boom*

And there ya go, people. Free.


Aaaaaaaaand, my book came in this evening. I will meet you in 5 chapters, Missy.

see the edit to my post. I took a peek at it.

Woohoo! Okie dokie. I'm on Chapter III but going a little slow right now. In a couple of days maybe.....

 

[JennyNo1]

I'm here! Reporting for the first ever EnnyJenny book club meeting!

 

[Endless_Night]

I'm here! Reporting for the first ever EnnyJenny book club meeting!

Hahahaha!

So, I'm curious. Seeing as this is a re-read for you, is it as you remember?


Edit: Book in question is The Darkness And The Dawn, Thomas Costain (1959).

 

[JennyNo1]

Hahahaha!

So, I'm curious. Seeing as this is a re-read for you, is it as you remember?

It's a little slower than I expected, but I probably have it mingled in my mind with a lot of his other books. I do know it picks up later. I think these first chapters are laying the groundwork.

 

[Endless_Night]

It's a little slower than I expected, but I probably have it mingled in my mind with a lot of his other books. I do know it picks up later. I think these first chapters are laying the groundwork.

I saw where the character conflict and plot was headed about 3 pages in. Oddly, that has been happening a lot lately, since getting back into the reading groove. I think I’m jaded from too many years of reading.

This has been interesting. I’ve read a fair amount of historical fiction, even if very little in the last decade. Most of my reads gravitated towards American or British 19th/20th century, so this has been an interesting change.

 

[JennyNo1]

I saw where the character conflict and plot was headed about 3 pages in. Oddly, that has been happening a lot lately, since getting back into the reading groove. I think I’m jaded from too many years of reading.

Well, there's only so many ways things can go.

What do you think of his writing style?

(I have no idea how a book club discussion goes, btw)

 

[Endless_Night]

Well, there's only so many ways things can go.

What do you think of his writing style?

(I have no idea how a book club discussion goes, btw)

Me neither. I think we just talk about what we wanna. (I've never done this before. )


His prose is not as dense as some of the authors I favor. A well laid out story, certainly, done from multiple points of view, but his writing - at least so far - lacks a certain richness. It’s third POV, but a reserved third.

Even the violence is sanitized - like that killing scene in Attila’s court. (Kinda grateful for that last part. )

Still, I find the characters engaging, even if not deeply developed. Just getting ready to start on the hero’s experiences as a slave in Rome, which should have some bite.

How are you finding it? I know you find some of his stuff to be dry.

 

[JennyNo1]

Me neither. I think we just talk about what we wanna. (I've never done this before. )


His prose is not as dense as some of the authors I favor. A well laid out story, certainly, done from multiple points of view, but his writing - at least so far - lacks a certain richness. It’s third POV, but a reserved third.

Even the violence is sanitized - like that killing scene in Attila’s court. (Kinda grateful for that last part. )

Still, I find the characters engaging, even if not deeply developed. Just getting ready to start on the hero’s experiences as a slave in Rome, which should have some bite.

How are you finding it? I know you find some of his stuff to be dry.

That's true, it's not as dense, as you put it. Maybe a characteristic of the times when he wrote it, in 1959. That would explain the un-gory violence too. I think the ultra gory stuff is increasing as authors have to pull out the stops to get attention and as we lose our inhibitions about such things. Like, the killing you reference - that was all I needed to know about it and it showed how little concern Atilla had for human life. Further blood and guts would've just been gratuitous, in my opinion.

This is not one of the dry, strictly history books I had referred to - those (like the Plantagenet ones) are no more than recitations of fact.

Back to your first comments, I do enjoy how in each of his books he takes a lesser known time period or event period and delves into it. You can see how much research he puts into each one.

 

[Endless_Night]

That's true, it's not as dense, as you put it. Maybe a characteristic of the times when he wrote it, in 1959. That would explain the un-gory violence too. I think the ultra gory stuff is increasing as authors have to pull out the stops to get attention and as we lose our inhibitions about such things. Like, the killing you reference - that was all I needed to know about it and it showed how little concern Atilla had for human life. Further blood and guts would've just been gratuitous, in my opinion.

This is not one of the dry, strictly history books I had referred to - those (like the Plantagenet ones) are no more than recitations of fact.

Back to your first comments, I do enjoy how in each of his books he takes a lesser known time period or event period and delves into it. You can see how much research he puts into each one.

Deep third POV is all the rage (practically a requirement) these days, but I don't even think it was a thing back in the 50s. Still, people like Howatch and Caldwell did a better job of making their prose come alive in that era. At least….I think? Maybe they wrote later? I should check.

An historian, though, yeah. I did a quick google, as my Attila knowledge is…woeful, and I was impressed with how he is managing to weave the fictional narrative into known facts. Impressive.

It’s a curious things reading older fiction in the light of current norms of political correctness. Oh, man. Attila looking for his sun goddess (i.e. blond) wife to be. I can the PC hordes screaming.

 

[Endless_Night]

Looks like Costain and Caldwell were contemporaries, but Howatch wrote a decade later. You know, just for clarity.

 

[JennyNo1]

Deep third POV is all the rage (practically a requirement) these days, but I don't even think it was a thing back in the 50s. Still, people like Howatch and Caldwell did a better job of making their prose come alive in that era. At least….I think? Maybe they wrote later? I should check.

An historian, though, yeah. I did a quick google, as my Attila knowledge is…woeful, and I was impressed with how he is managing to weave the fictional narrative into known facts. Impressive.

It’s a curious things reading older fiction in the light of current norms of political correctness. Oh, man. Attila looking for his sun goddess (i.e. blond) wife to be. I can the PC hordes screaming.

I'm going to reveal my sheer ignorance here - what is deep third POV?

I wonder as I read this if he may not have been writing with making movie screen plays in mind. It reads like one of the movie of the 50's and 60's to me.

I was probably in my 20's when I first read these, and I read them because my mom had them and loaned them to me. She didn't have Howatch or Caldwell, I suppose, or I'd probably have read them too.

It is a fairly painless way to learn a little history, no? The sun goddess thing....just shows how exotic things are attractive to many people - exotic being someone the opposite of what they normally see.

 

[Endless_Night]

I'm going to reveal my sheer ignorance here - what is deep third POV?

I wonder as I read this if he may not have been writing with making movie screen plays in mind. It reads like one of the movie of the 50's and 60's to me.

I was probably in my 20's when I first read these, and I read them because my mom had them and loaned them to me. She didn't have Howatch or Caldwell, I suppose, or I'd probably have read them too.

It is a fairly painless way to learn a little history, no? The sun goddess thing....just shows how exotic things are attractive to many people - exotic being someone the opposite of what they normally see.

Ooooh! I bet you're right. Written with adaption to the screen in mind. I feel like I need to track down and watch one of his movies...

Deep third is where writers tries to make third POV like first POV. It's…odd, and I don't get the fascination. Why not just write in first? It's also hard to do, at least, in my opinion. I've done a little and the writing just feels so awkward.

It is an extreme painless way to learn a little history! I like it. I, too was grateful for the lack of detail in the violence. I'll admit I was a teensy bit worried going in, given the subject matter. I am not a violence kind of girl. Nope.

At least not when there is an actual *real* people element. Ack.

I don't know that this will be one of my favorite books, but it's certainly worth the read. It picks up, you say? Now I am curious.

How so?

 

[JennyNo1]

Ooooh! I bet you're right. Written with adaption to the screen in mind. I feel like I need to track down and watch one of his movies...

Deep third is where writers tries to make third POV like first POV. It's…odd, and I don't get the fascination. Why not just write in first? It's also hard to do, at least, in my opinion. I've done a little and the writing just feels so awkward.

It is an extreme painless way to learn a little history! I like it. I, too was grateful for the lack of detail in the violence. I'll admit I was a teensy bit worried going in, given the subject matter. I am not a violence kind of girl. Nope.

At least not when there is an actual *real* people element. Ack.

I don't know that this will be one of my favorite books, but it's certainly worth the read. It picks up, you say? Now I am curious.

How so?

Hmm, I don't get it. Do you have an example of a book like that?

The Silver Chalice is one movie - Paul Newman's debut, with Virginia Mayo etc.

I do think some of his other books are better. But there's more danger and suspense as this one goes along, along with romance of course. I remember being surprised at one or two things. You can guess that Nicolan will be at the center of things.

I'm going to have to skedaddle (yes I said that!). I did notice that there are 3 parts to the book, not 2. Book 2 is hiding there in the middle with just 6 chapters. Should we just stick with 5 chapters a week 'til we're done? Also, I'll have to go with another night next time. Monday or Wednesday?

 

[Endless_Night]

Hmm, I don't get it. Do you have an example of a book like that?

I do think some of his other books are better. But there's more danger and suspense as this one goes along, along with romance of course. I remember being surprised at one or two things. You can guess that Nicolan will be at the center of things.

I'm going to have to skedaddle (yes I said that!). I did notice that there are 3 parts to the book, not 2. Book 2 is hiding there in the middle with just 6 chapters. Should we just stick with 5 chapters a week 'til we're done? Also, I'll have to go with another night next time. Monday or Wednesday?

No! I thought there was only 2 parts. As far as chapters, it's up to you. We can stick with the six or increase,

Okey dokey. Whatever weekday works for you, but let's stick with the same time.

Ciao!


I'll look for a deep third POV example.

 

[JennyNo1]

No! I thought there was only 2 parts. As far as chapters, it's up to you. We can stick with the six or increase,

Okey dokey. Whatever weekday works for you, but let's stick with the same time.

Ciao!


I'll look for a deep third POV example.

6 works for me. Monday, then? Same bat time.

 

[Endless_Night]

6 works for me. Monday, then? Same bat time.

Sure! How many chapters?

 

[JennyNo1]

Sure! How many chapters?

Six!!

 

[Endless_Night]

Six!!

Okey dokey! See ya.

 

[Endless_Night]

Oh! Oh! Nearly forgot! While waiting for my book to come in I started reading the Murderbot Diaries. Not your thing, Jenny, as it's sci-fi, but just in case anyone stumbles in who is a fan….


It's about a sulky, cynical, grumpy cyborg who just wants to be left alone to watch entertainment videos.

It calls itself.

Murderbot.

Despite it's best efforts, Murderbot just cannot get out of rescuing clients (people).

It IS CRAZY FUN


Plus, the first four offerings are novellas, which, if you're like me and having a tough time focusing these days, makes these even easier to read. The author has also written a couple of short stories - a prequel, and one that fits between book four and five (the first full length novel).

The reading list in order, by Martha Wells.

*wanders off to start novella four*


Murderbot.

 

[Endless_Night]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!


https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c6/b1/39/c6b13958a2d827b2d6223b5a3bc85616.jpg

(This just seemed appropriate, all things considered. )

 

[hotwords229_A]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/29/56/0a29564d844d77f5810af11cd2874d47.jpg

In the “Spirit” of the day, My Bloody Valentine is a pretty good, cheesy and fun remake of the original much darker movie.

It’s even in 3-D (comes with the glasses and everything).

 

[Endless_Night]

Oooooooooh! I wonder if I can possibly find this on line right now!


(As I am staying up to see if the pipes freeze, there is going to be much late night tv watching. )

 

[Endless_Night]

*ahem*

I want this noted on my permanent record:


I can lift a bail of hay.


That's right. I may look like a frail little thing but I can kick butt if necessary.

*struts*

 

[Endless_Night]

This sectional reading adventure with Jenny seems to be working. I think my ability to read is rebooting!


Murderbot continues to rule.

I have segued to the first full length novel. *fingers crossed*

I Murderbot.

They even have merch with the above. I am going to procure a sweatshirt. Which is the kind of thing you couldn't normally pay me to wear, but it's

MURDERBOT


Aaaaaand, if short stories involving a vampiric judge catches the fancy, this is quite amusing. Cute, fun, and the humor is quite dry.

Judge Dee and the Three Deaths of Count Werdenfels

There's an earlier story as well, titled: Judge Dee and the Limits of the Law

 

[hotwords229_A]

Oooooooooh! I wonder if I can possibly find this on line right now!


(As I am staying up to see if the pipes freeze, there is going to be much late night tv watching. )

Yikes! Don’t let your pipes freeze. That happened to me once—all new plumbing needed, five days without water in Feb. not to mention the expense. Not fun.