Cloud Atlas

So, Cloud Atlas. Undoubtedly a daunting book when you first pick it up, mostly due to it's immense size, though that doesn't usually tend to put me off a book. This novel is divided into sections of narrative, each intelligently woven into the other to create a book which is both argued to be and not to be a dystopia at heart. It is difficult to read this text without receiving a sense of forewarning, as the novel moves from the 19th century through to the far future, after the 'Fall'. Personally, I found this to be one of my favourites out of a year of dystopias, as Cloud Atlas carries a subtlety in it's pages, as well as a sense of hope that humans are not entirely doomed, as Orwell and Huxley would have you believe. Despite being relatively difficult to read in the central section, due to being written in a similar fashion to Riddley Walker, Mitchell's work made for an interesting read, and an even more interesting subject for my essay. Therefore I would thoroughly recommend this novel to those who have the time and patience to read it, especially if you are exploring different dystopia novels, as it contrasts greatly to the bleakness of many of those traditionally classed within that genre.

Apologies for the neglection

Woah, so this blog has become somewhat neglected, and though I will attempt to make excuses through studying etc, I've still had time to read, and therefore should really have made the time to write. This past year I have read mostly books from the dystopia genre, due to essay-based reading, and so I can include reviews on Cloud Atlas, Riddley Walker, The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx and Crake, Nineteen Eighty-Four and Brave New World. At least, I think that's all of them. Not to mention I finished the A Song of Ice and Fire books to date, though that was rather a while ago and therefore I won't review them as I can't recall them in enough detail to write both a review worth reading and one that does them justice. All I can say is that I'm eagerly awaiting The Winds of Winter. I've also read a smattering of other books, though rather than trawl through them all, I shall stick to those named above, and try to keep up with myself in future.

So what are we waiting for?

Progress

Ok, so I haven't been able to write for a while, which evidently isn't great, however...

I AM ON THE SIXTH GAME OF THRONES BOOK.

So getting to this point has taken some time, as I've had other work to do as well, which somewhat delayed my progression. But I'm finally there, and, people, it is wonderful. I have still avoided watching the actual programme, mainly because I've seen who plays who and I'm not overly keen on the casting choices - I prefer my image of the characters. But the main point is, they are fantastic, they are everything GofT lovers want them to be. I'm not looking forward to the point where I finish the seventh and the eighth isn't out yet, I may have I may have withdrawal symptoms. But that is merely the sign of an awesome book, and it must be accepted. So, if you are reading them, keep going, it just gets better. If you're not reading them, you really should.

A Game Of Thrones

Lastly for now, but not least, I think it was nigh on impossible for me to not get caught up in the A Game Of Thrones wave, however rather than watch the TV series like most people, I decided that the books were the way to go. I'm glad I did. Although there is incest, fratricide and much treachery going on, I have found myself completely wrapped up in the plot line, and even if it pains me to say it, I'm glad that George RR Martin doesn't hesitate to kill off characters, as it just makes it seem so much more believable. The slow introduction of some characters and their purposes is also very gripping as you can't help but keep reading to see what's going to happen. As long as the rest of the books are as incredible as the first, which they are so far proving to be, then this series is going to be a masterpiece.

Skulduggery Pleasant: The Dying Of The Light

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IT WAS AWESOME!!!! I may generally not be one for the over-use of exclamation marks, however, they are necessary here. In this post I will not include spoilers, and I will insist upon being very over-excited.
The Dying Of The Light is the last Skulduggery Pleasant book, and it was definitely worth the pain and trauma of waiting, as Derek Landy fills it with sarcasm, fantastic dialogue and an amazing plot. I started reading the Skullduggery Pleasant series several years ago and quickly caught up (within the space of a year) to book 5, and thus began the waiting. Not only does Derek produce sarcastic humour and plots that wrap you up in them, but his characters are also fantastic, to the point where you cry if anything bad happens to them. Ever. Although I will miss having Skulduggery to read, I'm sure that Derek will come up with some new, awesome, kick-ass books that will also prevent me from doing anything other than reading until they are read.

(If you have not recieved this message from the paragraph above, then I repeat: READ THEM)

Farenheit 451

On the topic of Fahrenheit 451, I don't really have that much to say. I found it odd, and quite worrying that I can imagine a future where people no longer manage to think for themselves. All I can really say is that it seems to me as though it could one day be the future. If it were to happen, then hopefully that would be in a long, long, long, long (you get the idea of how long?) time.

A Clockwork Orange

Hmmmm. I think the first thing you need to know about A Clockwork Orange is that it is definitely, undenaibly weird. Not only does the encoorporation of "Nadsat" (the language used by Alex and his friends) make it a lot more difficult to read, but the extent of dystopian ideas displayed in it are somewhat horrifying. It explores deep philosophies, such as - what makes a person good? If you are forced to make the right choice, does that make you a better person, even though you don't want to make it? Admittedly, I found this book very difficult to read, and had to keep reffering back to my "Nadsat" glossary. I did however, find this book worth reading and would recommend it if you have the patience to read it.