Reviews
The following is my opinion, obviously. If you disagree, feel free to mail me at legendmf@lycos.com
And noooo, of course that wasn't a cheap attempt to get more email!
No real spoilers on this page; but there are if you follow the links.
Movies
Wow, what a movie. I've read varying reviews, but I loved it.
Synopsis: Helen Hunt is a single mother, who is also an alcoholic. Her son, played by Haley Joel Osment (and once again, damn I love that kid) has an ambivalent relationship with her. They love each other desperately, but he no longer trusts her.
Kevin Spacey is a teacher, scarred both physically and mentally. He sets his Social Studies class an assignment -- to do something to change the world. Most of the kids come up with good but uninspired ideas such as recycling, or cleaning graffiti. Haley comes up with Pay It Forward. He does one good deed for three people. Instead of repaying him, they must do one good deed for a further three people. Some of these favours work; some don't.
Books
Diana Wynne Jones
I heartily recommend every single one of Jones's books that I've ever read, but I have a few favourites. She writes for adults, older children, and younger children, but while the children's books are written more simply, I recommend them just as much as the adults' books.
This is one damn cool book. There are all sorts of bizarre scenes in the first few chapters; enough to make you sit up and go "Huh?!" Jones is very good at making you want to read more; to find out what the hell is going on.
Synopsis: The galaxy is run by the Reigners, an organization with chapters on every world. Not every world is aware of their influence, however. The Reigner homeworld gets a message that something has gone wrong on Earth...
On Earth, a girl named Anne is sick. She's stuck in bed. She watches all sorts of strange things through her window.
Robin Hobb, aka Megan Lindholm
This lady is amazing. I loved her Assassin's Apprentice series. It's one of the few trilogies I've read where it's all in 1st person; yet a huge story is told. It's bleak, sometimes funny, painful, and gripping.
I just finished reading the Reindeer books. The titles escape me... aargh... brain overload...
They're set in a pre-feudal society (man, that sounds good, I hope I'm using it correctly) where people live mostly in tribes, and mostly hand-to-mouth. There is very little wealth, and very little leisure.
Tillu, a healer, has a son (by rape), Kerlew. He's not quite right in the head. She has to protect him and herself from the others in her tribe. The shaman wants Tillu (as a mate) and Kerlew (as an apprentice) for himself. Tillu has to run away, with Kerlew, and try to provide for them both in the harsh winter.
She meets up with the reindeer people, and is amazed by their standards. Women are allowed property, and reindeer, and to speak for themselves. They have finer instruments and clothing than she is used to. She strikes up a cautious relationship with them -- she is not naturally trusting, and she has Kerlew to protect -- and prospers, but then it starts to go wrong. The shaman finds her, there are deaths, and other problems.
One thing that always strikes me about Lindholm's books is that she does her research. Reading these books, I really feel like I know how the people live; what they do minute to minute, to eat, to clothe themselves, to deal with problems. How they use every part of an animal. How they treat wounds and illnesses. She sketches out every detail of her worlds, and it pays off.
Fascinating information about me
