Monday, August 19, 2013

Review: The Casual Vacancy

The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling
Adult fiction
Four stars


The town of Pagford appears to be a quaint countryside community, but when council member Barry Fairbrother dies suddenly, it becomes a war zone. The now empty council seat is up for grabs in the next election, and the fight to win it leads the town into chaos. Relationships between friends, neighbours, spouses, and children are pushed to breaking as secret motives and dangerous lies are uncovered.

I had heard mixed reviews about this, but after reading a bunch I realized most of the negative ones were just complaining about how it wasn't Harry Potter. Really. So I gave it a go, and the book does start off pretty slow, but around halfway through I couldn't stop reading. I wasn't sure what to expect since this was Rowling's first shot at adult fiction, but she's a strong writer and her characters are fascinating. The novel is very much about the complex relationships and attitudes that the characters have, and you're reading from various perspectives so you get a very comprehensive view of everything that goes on. And all of them are three-dimensional and so different - some you understand, some you hate. I think the best part of the book is its portrayal of humans and their lives and interactions, it's beautifully realistic and broken and messy. It focuses on the ugly bits of life, the hate and the insecurity and pain, and it's just incredibly honest about it all.

“You must accept the reality of other people. You think that reality is up for negotiation, that we think it's whatever you say it is. You must accept that we are as real as you are; you must accept that you are not God.” 

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Some Things About Writing

Writing is what I want to do. I know this in the deepest part of me because I honestly can't picture doing anything else. It's the most incredible experience when you find the right word, the right phrase, when you create something that breathes. Writing is one of the most beautiful ways we connect to each other, and I'm so glad that I know this is what I want to spend my life doing. But it can be bloody hard.
It's so easy to get discouraged when you can't find that word or phrase, when your ideas just seem disconnected or worthless. I've fallen into a bit of a block, and I think it's because I haven't been practicing. Writing, like any other discipline, takes work and constant focus - it's not just something you do when you feel inspired. If you really want to write, I'm learning that you have to work at it every day, play with new ideas, and create your own inspiration. Don't force yourself in one direction, but write whatever comes to you. It may be brilliant or terrible, but taking the time to get something down is better than nothing, and it keeps up your creative flow. You might surprise yourself.

So here is a small list of exercises to inspire you (and myself) to keep writing:

1. Stream-of-consciousness. Just sit down for about 3-5 minutes and write whatever comes to your mind. This one is hard for me because I have a tendency to over-think when I write.

2. Create a small character sketch. Give them a name, a personality, a back story. What motivates them? What do they want?

3. Describe something using a list of adjectives or associated words. You can pick an object in the room (a clock), an occurrence/event (rain), anything that speaks to you.

4. Write a dialogue between two people. Don't worry about characters or descriptions, just focus on the words and conversation. This is usually a tricky part for me in writing, because I find it difficult to come up with something that sounds natural.

5. Read. Reading good books and good writing is the best inspiration you can get. Learn from other writers and immerse yourself in their style, their words. Writing is a relational process, and it's so important to experience it from the other side.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A Small Reflection

Why is it that we are so inclined to destruction?

Why are we so intrigued by danger, accidents, disasters?

Is it because we rejoice at the chance for renewal? For healing?

Or do we simply want to watch the world

collapse

cave

crumble

and fall away until there is nothing left to burn?

Monday, May 13, 2013

Review: A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Epic Fantasy
Four and a half stars


Outside the protective walls of a medieval society, dark forces are at work. In this foreign land, the long summer is coming to an end, and winter is on its way. It is a critical time for the king, whose adviser has suddenly passed away. His power is weakening as a new threat rises in the east and those closest to him plot betrayal. Lord Eddard Stark is called to be the king's new Hand, a position which places him and his family at the center of everything. Secrets are kept, battles are fought, and enemies are made as the characters strive to win the throne.

So I was confused for about the first 100 pages - there's like, a million characters and plot lines, and the novel kind of throws you into all of it. But I also liked the lack of explanations, it made the story feel more natural, more realistic. It's a bit of a longer book, but it really lets you get in touch with the characters and become absorbed in the world. And I think my favourite part was the characters themselves - they're each so beautifully complex with their own relationships, motives, and secrets. You just get so deep into their experiences - I was surprised by how passionate I became about some of them (cough Joffrey). Each chapter gives you a different perspective, which can get a little confusing and frustrating, but the stories are so overlapping that you don't lose the flow of them. And Martin is able to write in such an engaging way; it's clear and descriptive, and it's got that medieval feel to it that fits perfectly with the genre. You can tell he must have done cussloads of research, and that really makes it feel authentic. Everything about the book just comes together so beautifully, and you can't help but fall into this world of manipulation, betrayal, and war.

“When you play a game of thrones you win or you die.” 

Finish the series: A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Third Little Poem

I want to reach and grab the
stars, squeeze them in my fist
and wring them out 

until I hold all the
magic
of the world

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Review: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Dystopian fiction
Four stars


Tris Prior lives in a society divided into five factions: Candor the honest, Abnegation the selfless, Dauntless the brave, Amity the peaceful, and Erudite the intelligent. Turning sixteen means choosing which virtue you will dedicate the rest of your life to. Growing up in Abnegation, Tris has always felt out of place, and the decision she makes at the choosing ceremony shocks those around her. She is soon thrown into an intense initiation period which will push her to the edge and challenge her beliefs. Surrounded by threats, secrets, and betrayal, she manages to find friends and even romance in a society that is not everything it seems.

So the book starts off pretty slow, but believe me, it speeds up. I think I had about seven heart attacks while reading this. I know teen dystopias are getting rather old, but Roth manages to bring some life to the genre - the factions, the characters, and just the focus of the novel are so refreshing. And the writing itself pulls you in. There's no fluff, just raw actions and emotions, which can be really intense at times. We're reading the story from Tris' perspective, so the reader really experiences the events right with her. This is great, except as a character she can often be unpredictable and hard to follow. I felt like I never quite understood her or fully got in her head, which created a bit of a disconnect. But it definitely kept me interested, because I had no idea how she would react to things. What I really enjoyed was her character, the trials she goes through, and her struggle with identity. That is the focus of the novel, and the romance almost becomes secondary. Her relationship is intense and dark and real, but it's not the whole picture. The book isn't about Tris finding herself through love, it's about courage and corruption and how far we can push ourselves before we break.

“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”

Finish the series: Insurgent and Allegiant, the third book coming out this year by Veronica Roth