Tag: From the Archives Page 26 of 28

Dusted Off: Permanently Suspended

On May 24, 2006

Seventeen days later, and I’m finished. In my defense, I also had to prepare for a sermon, some bible study lessons, some Sunday School lessons, and 5 tests. No way should this have taken that long. As Chandler Bing once said, “I feel violated. And not in a good way.”

There’s this thing in literature, sort of a social contract between readers and writers, called the “suspension of disbelief.” It’s a willingness of a reader or viewer to suspend his or her critical faculties to the extent of ignoring minor inconsistencies so as to enjoy a work of fiction. For example we all agree to accept that a geek who was bitten by a radioactive spider, becomes a super-strong man who can stick to walls and things so we can enjoy the movie/comic. Or we all agree to accept that a mouse making motor noises could propel a toy vehicle. Or that Amber Valletta could be attracted to Kevin James. Or that William Shakespeare was literate. I could go on.

But this book pushes things too far. Just cannot accept pretty much any of it. It’s easier to believe that the Red Sox won the World Series within the last decade than it is to accept this plot. I won’t go into details…hate spoilers…but this is a mare’s nest of a story line.

And the writing, it has all of the panache and creativity of an episode of Hunter during its last year. From the torturous murder at the beginning to the “sexy” and “funny” scene at the end (if it’s ever filmed, Stephen J. Cannell’s name has to show up on the screen), it was enough to make me pull my hair out.

Here’s a sample of the genius that is Dan Brown:

The Vatican switchboard is located in the Ufficio di Communicazione behind the Vatican post office. It is a relatively small room containing an eight-line Corelco 141 switchboard. The office handles over 2,000 calls a day, most routed automatically to the recording information system.

Tonight, the sole communications operator on duty sat quietly sipping a cup of caffeinated tea. He felt proud to be one of only a handful of employees still allowed inside Vatican City tonight.

Do we need any of those things I underlined? This is a throw-away character. Nothing about him matters and he’ll not be seen again after the next page.

Towards the end of page 4 thru the top of page 6, we’re treated with a large “info drop” telling us everything we’re going to need to know about the protagonist. It’s like one of those scenes in Asimov where the newbie to the culture is told by a veteran everything about how a spaceship (or whatever) works. Now that’s kind of annoying, but at least there are characters interacting…maybe a little development or something. Here, nothing like that. Just the narrator telling us all sorts of nifty things about Langdon. Maddening.

Oh, and my question from day 1? “How did Dan Brown ever convince someone to publish this trite, tripe-filled, self-indulgent, first draft?” Still no idea. None at all.

And yet again contempt has driven me to a rant, not the review I set out to do. Sorry.

On to The Da Vinci Code–maybe you’ve heard of it.

oh yeah…SOUL PATROL! SOUL PATROL! SOUL PATROL!

Dusted Off: Started it for the 2nd Time

By HCNewton

On May 8, 2006

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

Gonna finish it, too. Good distraction from studies–and pretty good motivation to get back to work, ‘cuz I sure don’t want to spend too long in this thing. Here’s what I want to know: How did Dan Brown ever convince someone to publish this trite, tripe-filled, self-indulgent, first draft? Much less a sequel? Angels and Demons is just…bad.

I know, I know, I’m in the minority here. H. C. Contra Mundum, etc. Or people are just going to accuse me of not liking Brown ‘cuz I’m religious and therefore am against anyone who’s next book is going to be full of pot-shots at Christianity. Sorry, no. I assure you, on my Lolita-loving, Tarantino-adoring, Mark Leyner-relishing, Kevin Smith fan-boy honor–this is just poor writing. Ed Wood wouldn’t shoot this stuff.

I had a point when I started this…seem to have lost track of it. So pure is my hatred for this. Guess we’ll just chalk this one up to a random venting and move along.

Dusted Off: Happy April 15th

By HCNewton

On April 15, 2006

In Calendar Items, Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin, Quotations

“A man condemning the income tax because of the annoyance it gives him or the expense it puts him to is merely a dog baring its teeth, and he forfeits the privileges of civilized discourse. But it is permissible to criticize it on other and impersonal grounds. A government, like an individual, spends money for any or all of three reasons: because it needs to, because it wants to, or simply because it has it to spend. The last is much the shabbiest. It is arguable, if not manifest, that a substantial proportion of this great spring flood of billions pouring into the Treasury will in effect get spent for that last shabby reason.”

–Nero Wolfe

Dusted Off: Death du Jour

By HCNewton

On December 13, 2005

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Just to get my brain working again after being spent on my term paper and a series of exhortation in which I covered the major portions Philippians (pretty much anyway, one or two more and I’d be completely satisfied), I needed to read a novel. Preferably mystery. Inspired by Bones to try out Kathy Reichs’ mystery novels I wanted to go back to the beginning, Déjá Dead–I hate jumping into a novel series mid-stream. I will do it, but I’ll hate it. Of course, the local library’s copy was out last week, so I settled with book two, Death du Jour–close enough to the beginning.

First thing that hit me–the Temperance Brennan of Reichs’ novels is not Bones‘ Temperance Brennan aside from the name and occupation. That fact kept hitting me over the head for the first 200 +/- pages. And not like RBP’s Spenser isn’t Spenser: For Hire. This woman is older (well, duh, Fox isn’t going to center a new show around a middle-aged woman)–but this woman has a kid in college, not only gets pop culture references, she makes them. The character as a whole is different. (and don’t get me started on Andrew Ryan vs. Seeley Booth)

I was finally able to get that out of my mind (which is part of the reason I’m cutting that previous paragraph short, I had a pretty good list going there). It took me awhile, but I came to sorta like this version of Tempe (from here on out, on the Noise book Brennan=Tempe, TV Brennan=Bones, assuming I remember that, and assuming I ever read another one). Not so sure I liked Tempe’s family (too cliché), her attachment to her cat (makes me yearn for something stable, like Susan Silverman’s attachment to Pearl), the way that everything she did during the course of the novel was directly associated with everything else (sorry, slight spoiler). Her fans might celebrate that as complexity, I call it laziness.

Now, I’m not against writers having similar themes going on in what appear to be unrelated storylines. But if apparently unrelated storylines turn out to be all one huge convoluted storyline–you’d better make me believe it was possible. More coincidences in this book than most Dickens novels. So in Canada we have: the nun that was doing some documentary help on a consultation case, a arson-murder Tempe helps on, a professor she talks to about the first case (oh, and the prof happens to have the nun’s niece working for her). In Texas Tempe’s sister Harry takes some seminar at a junior college. In South Carolina Tempe’s old buddy Sam who runs a wildlife refuge (of sorts) that she takes her daughter to for a paper the kid has to write is in the same county as some others tied into the arson-murder, and some bodies end up being found at the refuge. And every single one of these things is related to every single other in one huge, nation-wide plot.

Thankfully there’s this forensic anthropologist that can put it all together–after fixating on a few red-herrings. But thankfully she has a dream that helps out.

Oh please.

The writing was at times clever, at times it felt like she was trying to hard. Gerald So said that the little of Reichs he’d sampled struck him as “common slightly overwritten thriller.” Slightly overwritten pretty much nails it. The sex-scene, or almost sex-scene was filled with much too much detail. Not writing as a prude, just someone who doesn’t need that much filled out. Robert B. Parker can do more in 3 brief paragraphs on that topic than she did in her 2-3 very detailed pages.

That level of detail was also there in describing the bodies, in describing what insects do to cadavers (this is why I’m glad Gideon Oliver’s bodies are usually skeletons–no insects), etc. Sometimes felt over the top, a little gratuitous. But hey, she’s a scientist (a “squint” as Booth would say), let her strut her stuff.

On the whole, it was a good read–a little longer than I figured it’d take. I’m not rushing out to get number 3 (or number 1 if it happens to be in), definitely not adding her to my “to buy” list. But, satisfying read.

Dusted Off: Narnia Controversy

By HCNewton

On October 31, 2005

In Books, Fantasy, Fiction, News/Misc., YA/MG/Children's Books

I’ve long thought that the idea of reading The Chronicles of Narnia in chronological order is plain silly. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first, and needs to be read first. Prequels, like The Magician’s Nephew, demand a knowledge of the “quels” they’re “pre-” to. As I’ve been reading the series with my kids over the last few months (we step into The Last Battle today), I’ve become even more convinced that Lewis told them in the right order when he wrote them, not when he talked about it later.

John Miller over at National Review Online makes the case wonderfully. Mostly by quoting the two books vying for first read. He’s right, it’s Wardrobe all the way.

Lewis put the matter more succinctly in a letter toward the end of his life: “An author doesn’t necessarily understand the meaning of his own story better than anyone else.”

Lewis of course understood the meaning of Narnia. But a wise expert is not the same thing as a final authority — and on the question of which Narnia book should come first, Lewis was utterly wrong.

Dusted Off: Ahhhh….

By HCNewton

On July 18, 2005

In Authors, Fantasy, Fiction, Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling, YA/MG/Children's Books

Great read. Better pacing than Rowling’s done in awhile. That’s all I can say for now.

Thanks for the idea Ransom, hope this isn’t too much of a rip off….

Dusted Off: Potter-time (You can’t touch this)

By HCNewton

On July 15, 2005

In Authors, Fantasy, Fiction, Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling, YA/MG/Children's Books

at least ’til 12:01 am tomorrow.

In honor of the Potter-mania, I’d like to post a few links:

Doug Jones’ “Most Real Fantasy”, best line:”Harry Potter can’t be a threat. Wizardry doesn’t really work. And if your kids are really tempted to join a coven then it’s not a giant leap to say that you’ve failed miserably as a parent. Where is the ballast in your childrearing?”

Go watch “Welcome Back Potter” from last night’s The Daily Show (you have to sit through a little bit of other hilarious stuff first). Stewart brings up the oft-quoted Cardinal Ratzinger interview where he talked about the books containing, ““subtle seductions that work imperceptibly, and because of that deeply, and erode Christianity in the soul before it can even grow properly.” Stewart replies “yes, and really who knows better how children can be subtely seduced…”

While you’re there, see “Harry Potter Terror” also from the Daily Show

I think this photo shows the greatest threat posed by Rowling’s books: those hats catching on.

Meghan Cox’ A Classic for the Ages?is worth a read

Lastly, sure the themes get a little old, but most of the 11 pages here are worth a read.

Dusted Off: Goblet of Fire

By HCNewton

On July 14, 2005

In Authors, Fantasy, Fiction, Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling, YA/MG/Children's Books

Down to hours before Half-Blood Prince and we’re starting to get noise about The Goblet of Fire movie. A handful of early reviews at aintitcool already, and now one from a regular.

Can’t wait for this one!

Dusted Off: Quick Shot: When Grace Comes Home

By HCNewton

On July 11, 2005

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

No energy to do a bigger review. But this is a book to get. Basically, it’s purpose is to answer the big “So What?” question regarding the Doctrines of Grace. What difference does Calvinism make to the way you live? How does it effect your prayer, your assurance, your sanctification, the way you look at evangelism or adversity? The chapter on “Law & Liberty” is better than many books written on either subject. Good read. Easy read. Powerful read. Haven’t seen my wife this into a book not written by J. K. Rowling in years.

My pal, Mark Gibson (or whoever writes the “Book of the Month” blurb for his church says:

If anyone is foolish enough to think that theology, particularly Calvinistic theology, is impractical, he needs to read this book. And even if you don’t, read it anyway. Terry Johnson has provided a splendid work on how right theology bears upon our worship, character, suffering, witness and growth in the Christian life. This is exactly what the evangelical church needs because, whether evangelicals know it or not, their future as a viable movement depends upon the rediscovery of such God-honoring theology.

Basically, get it and read it.

Dusted Off: Overcoming the World: A Review

By HCNewton

On July 7, 2005

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Joel Beeke is fast becoming one of my “go-to” guys when it comes to contemporary theology, and this book is a stellar example why I’m turning to him faster than “bigger named” Reformed writers. I’ll start with my complaints and then move into the reasons I think any Christian who is not yet completely sanctified should read this book.

There are two drawbacks to this book. The first is that Part Four is addressed to Ministers. And that’s fine, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not marketed that way, it’s marketed for the general audience, not as an expansion on talks he did at a ministerial conference (so it makes sense that one talk would be focused particularly on ministers). It’s not too difficult for a non-minister to find application for their own life in those chapters, but, there’s some real gold that many probably won’t bother to look for since it’s in a chapter about pastors.

Second problem is bigger. Beeke’s attitude toward entertainment: movies, TV, novels, magazines. Now in the aforementioned Part Four, he talks about being careful with worldly entertainment–I have no problem with that and would echo it. But in Part One, he gets overly-specific, IMO, and ends up wandering into “the doctrines and commandments of men” area, neglecting that “God alone is Lord of the conscience” (WCF XX:2). On the whole, I was able to do a little mental edit around those issues and keep his point intact. I may return to this issue in a later blog.

I guess I should mention that the only problems I had with Parts Two and Three were that they were just too convicting.

So on to the good stuff:
The first paragraph of the Preface gives a better summary of the purpose of the book than I could hope to:

Worldliness is destroying the church of Jesus Christ. Christians and churches that fall prey to it lose their saltiness. The time is thus right for us to biblically expose and condemn worldliness, and to promote the alternatives of genuine piety and holiness.

What follows is practical guidance for living that life–what Beeke elsewhere describes as “Experimental Calvinism.”

In Part One: Overcoming the World by Faith, Beeke lays the groundwork: what is worldliness, why we should overcome it, some basic steps in that direction, and encouragement to the task. My complaints about liberty/entertainment come in here, but on the whole it’s well worth it.

Beeke then moves on to a case study in Part Two: Overcoming the World through Piety: Calvin’s Answer to Worldliness. Here we are treated (and I do mean treated) to a survey of the teaching of, and life of, piety in John Calvin, the great Reformer. What does Experimental Calvinism look like? It looks like Calvin. It’s wrapped up in the Church, it’s found in communion with the Lord, it’s found being lived by the believer. This part of the book will encourage you to greater faithfulness, while showing you just what you’re missing.

Part Three: Overcoming the World through Holiness is the heart of the book. He echoes the Biblical stress on “vital, progressive sanctification.”

concretely, then, what must you cultivate? (1) Imitation of the character of Jehovah; (2) conformity to the image of Christ; and (3) submission to the Holy Spirit.

While this section does mention particular sins the believer needs to beware of, the weight of the material is oriented to the heights we are to scale. It’s here, where we see how far short of the mark we are, that our sins are exposed to a greater degree than they are when he says “watch out for X.” There are many, many wonderful concrete portions counsel here that I want to quote, but I can’t seem to find a decent place to start and stop. Pure gold.

As I said earlier, the weakness of Part Four: Overcoming the World in the Ministry is it’s (stated) focus on Ministers. But the practical advice in private holiness, prayer, communing with God, properly prioritizing your family, dealing with pride and criticism, and motivations to overcome worldliness are worth reading for everyone.

I am in awe of (but not letting myself covet) Beeke’s ability to effortlessly and seamlessly mix quotes/illustrations from Scripture; Puritan/Reformer quotes; contemporary authors; and his own insight and experience into such clean and effective prose. I know it wasn’t effortless gaining that ability, but to see it in action is a pleasure.

Well-written, accessible to a wide range of reader, and addressing a vitally important issue. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Ugh…it took a lot longer to read this thing, and to write the review, than I figured. How does Challies do it? hmmmm, lot less TV posts on his blog. Could that be it?

nahhhhhh