Bad Business...

Every time I read a new Robert B. Parker novel, I find myself musing over it and wanting to discuss it.

Many Robert B. Parker fans think the books aren't as good as they used to be - as if they had become parodies of his own writing. While I can see some truth to that, I enjoyed the last two, Widows's Walk and Back Story very much indeed, and thought they were not so much parodies of the Spenser formula as a certain style of writing pared closer and closer to its essence.

Maybe that was true of Bad Business too. For the record, I enjoyed it, but I noticed that this time I wasn't laughing out loud at the witticisms or grinning over Hawk's scenes. Perhaps because there was nothing new here? In fact, for the first time ever, I came to a scene where Spenser is making jokes at the expense of a rich, stupid and snobbish floozie, who says to him, "You aren't so funny," and I almost agreed with her. What makes Spenser less funny than he used to be? ( I'll cut here so I don't have to worry about spoilers. )

Orbiter review....

I wrote this today for the Ottawa Science Fiction Society Statement:

Orbiter by Warren Ellis and Colleen Doran (DC Comics, 2003)

This hardcover SF graphic novel is by two of the finest talents in comics. Warren Ellis is a generally cynical bad boy writer; Colleen Doran is known for her intricate gentle art on "A Distant Soil".

Together they have produced a work that is atypical of both, and more like mainstream science fiction than anything in comics today. Both inspired by and dedicated to the Columbia, the work begins with an introduction by Warren Ellis: "This is a book about going back into space. Because it's waiting for us and it's where we're meant to be... Human spaceflight remains experimental. It is very dangerous. It demands great ingenuity. But we are old enough, now, to do these things. Growing up is hard. But we cannot remain children, standing on the shore or in front of the TV set."

The story is set ten years after the last shuttle took off from Kennedy Space Centre, and reappeared. It reappears with one survivor - who has not aged ten years, but who appears to be insane. The rest of the crew are missing and the shuttle is covered with a strange menbrane, and dust from Mars. A team of experts is assembled to find out what happened.

The ending is downright inspirational. The message of the story: believe in dreams and ambitions, don't think conventionally, there is more in heaven and earth than we have dreamt of.

Sunday

Went for a walk today - returned a library book, then browsed in the Glebe with Marcelle and maboroshimaki. Had coffee and a date square at Bridgehead - it's a long time since I've done that. At Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle's, I was sorely tempted by a fully posable Gambit action figure that looked terrific - he has a stand that's a Sentinel hand and a gorgeous long trench coat and a bit of stubble.

It was a cool. sunny day with no rain till late evening - and then it sounded refreshing and rhythmic. What did we do to deserve a day like this?

In the evening we watched Shrek over Chinese food, then strawberry shortcake for dessert.

(no subject)

This is for svdodecals challenge #20, posted by acampbell: "A Smallville character has regrets. Describe." I took the liberty of making it a sequel to her dodecal, Welcome, Oblivion. Clex, PG-13, Spoilers for Covenant.

~ ~ ~ ( Flight )