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kaizokuou-ni-naru · 3 years

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The Voyage So Far: Enies Lobby

east blue (1 | 2) || alabasta (1 | 2) || skypiea || water 7 || enies lobby || thriller bark || paramount war (1 | 2) || fishman island || punk hazard || dressrosa (1 | 2) || whole cake island || wano (1 | 2)

this is still one of my very favorite nami panels. i think she’s really great through all of water 7 and enies lobby in general, actually, even though she isn’t really one of the characters in focus for a lot of it- like zoro and sanji, she stays pretty steadfast and very badass even though everything that happens, and never gives up on robin for a moment despite being one of the ‘weaker’ members of the crew. and it’s always fun to see her playing with lightning.

one of my favorite jokes from the first half or so of enies lobby is the strawhats both being completely unsurprised that luffy charges in ahead of them as soon as they arrive AND being able to find him immediately by following the explosions. they know him so well.

luffy’s never been scared of dying, going all the way back to when he told coby he was fine with dying for his dream back in chapter two or three. that conversation is what his exchange with blueno here reminds me of- blueno asks him how long he intends to keep fighting, and luffy says until he dies, like there’s nothing to it.

it’s always been a trait of his to face death unflinching with a grin, so long as it’s for the sake of something he cares about, be it his crew or his brother or his dream, and i just really like that about him.

i’ll go into it in the dressrosa post too, but i think it’s really impressive just how long oda held off on giving luffy any sort of significant power-up. he gets his first big power boost in the whole series here, forty volumes in. i’ve always liked that oda is very conservative with power boosts like this, because it both keeps the series’ powerscaling in check and makes the times it does happen much weightier. this is a monumental moment, and it feels like it.

also, i love the way gear two is drawn pre-timeskip, especially with the steam. it looks very cool and atmospheric.

i really like how united the strawhat crew feels throughout enies lobby, after all the internal turmoil and discord of water seven. even though the matter of usopp leaving the crew is still unresolved, they’ll all together once more, on the same page, and fully united in the goal of saving robin, whatever consequences it might bring.

the tree of knowledge has such a cool design- it looks massive, and even more than that, it looks old. you look at that tree and you know its been there for easily thousands of years. its seen entire eras of history, and it would be priceless even without the countless books stored inside it.

and then it burns.

i’m so endlessly sad about the tragedy that is robin’s relationship with her mother. they never even got to see each other until their world was ending, and even then only for a couple minutes.

olvia is a very interesting character, because she’s someone who chose her dream over the people she loved. that’s not an inherently good or bad choice, but it is a choice she made, and it’s what led to the ending she and robin had to have. i’ve wondered a lot what might have happened if she chose the other way, if she never left or if she came back sooner or if she chose to flee the buster call with robin, and how different (and almost certainly better) robin’s life would have been if she had.

in a way, olvia reminds me a lot of kouzuki toki. they both die in order to fling a light of knowledge and hope into the future, and they both send their children away and choose to stay behind to choke on ash for the sake of a better tomorrow.

i didn’t really notice until putting these panels together, but a lot of things burn in enies lobby. ohara burns, and the pluton plans and the world government flag, and enies lobby itself, and at the end, the going merry burns, too. if you extend it back to water seven, there’s the galley-la headquarters, too. in an arc that deals so much with the preservation and destruction of history and knowledge, it’s a fitting motif.

the world government flag burning is still to this day one of the most striking panels out of a series full of them, in my opinion. in one act, the strawhats proclaim their absolute defiance against the world government, and their willingness to make enemies of the greatest power in the world for the sake of their friend.

it’s also another one of those moments that’s interesting to think about in the context of luffy’s past. it was a ship flying that same flag that shot sabo down, and while luffy wasn’t there to see it, i don’t think he’s oblivious to that fact, especially given how he says just before this he understands robin’s enemies perfectly.

dadan told him and ace that there was nothing they could do against the whole world, and luffy went and did it anyways.

sometimes i just think about how scary it must have been for robin, someone who’s been weighed down by the shackles of her past with no escape in sight for so very long, to open herself up and let herself hope, for life and freedom and a dream that’s always been out of reach.

franky has a lot of really great moments between this arc and water seven- his conversation with usopp as usopp is working on merry and his talk with robin on the sea train are two others. it’s almost impressive how quickly he becomes an immensely likable character once we start getting to know him, given how he’s first introduced as an absolute piece of shit.

his burning of the pluton plans is a favorite of mine, and i think it might be because, like so many people before and after him, he’s choosing here to stake all his hopes on the strawhats, on luffy’s ability to pull off the impossible and on robin’s goodness. when robin’s only ever been chased and hated and called a demon by the world, franky chooses to trust her and luffy with the legacy his dad died for, and neither of them let him down.

monster point looks SO FUCKING TERRIFYING in enies lobby, and i LOVE it. look at that. franky is seven and half feet tall, and in front of monster point he’s tiny. monster point is huge, and dead-eyed, and a force of absolute destruction. i do kind of wish we got to see chopper go completely feral like this more often. he deserves to be terrifying!

i love how much FAITH all the rest of the strawhats continue to have in usopp throughout enies lobby. he left the crew and they really would have a right to be angry at him if they chose to, but it doesn’t even seem to cross any of their minds. they’re just happy he’s okay, and they include him again without missing a beat, because he’s still their friend and they know down to their bones they can trust him, even after everything.

i’ve always really loved zoro and kaku’s little moment of post-battle banter here- zoro relays paulie’s message about cp9 being fired, kaku says he’s out of a job, zoro tells him to try the zoo, and kaku cracks up.

it feels very real to me for whatever reason, and i think part of it ties back into how well one piece handles morality with its characters- zoro and kaku are genuinely pretty similar people who get along decently, it just happens that they wound up on opposite sides. there are series where you’d never see moments like this due to the lines between good and bad being so firmly drawn, and i love how one piece blurs those lines so much they may as well not exist a lot of the time.

this is the other sequence, along with luffy climbing the drum rockies barehanded, that always makes me physically cringe to look at. it looks so painful. robin is so nearly powerless here, but not quite- she can still buy time for her crew to catch up, even if it’s only seconds, even if she risks shattering her teeth or even her jaw in the process. she’s spent so long giving up and has only just started daring to hope- she’s not about to go gentle.

there aren’t many panels that give me catharsis like this one. there really aren’t.

oda’s villains are usually complicated and awful and often a little admirable, if only for how clever or how terrifyingly powerful they are, but every now and then he comes up with someone who’s just pathetic and cowardly and pointlessly cruel. spandam is like this, obviously, and so is orochi, and the celestial dragons, and i’d argue flampe from whole cake island as well. and there’s nothing like seeing characters like them- weak, cruel people so assured in their own power and rightness- get obliterated.

one of the things i really like about enies lobby is that nobody really gets sidelined- everybody gets multiple chances to shine. luffy, usopp, and obviously robin are the most in focus, obviously, but zoro, sanji, nami, chopper, and even franky all get a bunch of individual awesome moments. oda’s ability to handle his cast satisfyingly is consistently really impressive (if sometimes strained in huge ensemble arcs like dressrosa or wano) and it really shows here, i think.

i just really love the entire climax of enies lobby. much like the arc as a whole, it just feels triumphant, even though the situation is extremely dire. luffy unlocking gear three, robin’s cuffs getting unlocked, usopp shooting spandam and the marines all the way from the tower of justice- it’s all just good, a long chain of much-needed victories and catharses, and it feels very good to read.

i’ll always be impressed by just how much characterization oda manages to give merry, a boat. she’s only really a character in water seven and the end of enies lobby, only about two chapters of which she actually speaks in. and yet i don’t think you’d find a single one piece fan who disagrees that merry’s death is easily one of the most heartwrenching in the entire series.

i love the reactions of the strawhats to robin’s thanks. they’ve just gone through hell to save her, most of them are beat to shit and they all risked their lives, and yet they all just smile, or brush it off, because to them there’s nothing else they could have done. it’s all worth it, so long as they got her back, so long as she’s safe and happy.

merry’s funeral just hits me in the chest every single time i read it. it’s tragic, of course, but there’s also something almost lovely about it, something peaceful about her getting to go out on her own terms, carrying her crew to safety one last time, defying every rule of the universe to do it. just like a strawhat pirate.

oda’s ability to communicate emotion through expressions really comes through here, too. merry has the only lines in this scene, fitting for her death in the limelight, but the shots of every other crewmate’s face let us know at a glance just what they’re all feeling and just how strongly they’re feeling it.

you know, i’d forgotten we only learn the name of the new world after enies lobby. we only get proper exposition about the revolutionary army and the yonkou here, too, despite them being set up since loguetown and jaya (or alabasta, or even chapter one if you count from shanks’s introduction) respectively. oda’s ability to parse out exposition and explanation so we always have just the right amount of information is really impressive- we always have more questions, but we also always have the feeling that those questions have answers, and that sooner or later they’ll be revealed.

points at shanks. i just think he’s neat.

it’s my opinion that one of the great joys of one piece is seeing luffy and the crew rise up in the world, and seeing them gain more and more notoriety. i love nothing they do ever happens in a vacuum- everything has impacts, and there are always outside eyes watching, and often those impacts are things that they never could have predicted.

ace and blackbeard is still, i think, definitely one of the coolest looking fights in the whole series. it’s not all that often we get to see two people with extremely flashy and showy abilities go all-out against each other, and the resulting fireworks are still really something to behold, despite how badly it all ends.

#the voyage so far #one piece #opmeta #long post #arc: enies lobby #arc: post enies lobby #not japanese

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ag3ntl3vi · 3 years

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Soulmate AU |Tsukishima Kei X M! Reader| ☁️

Im writing these at random until I can figure out how to make a request section on my page.

Trigger Warning: Cursing

Word Count: 1,306

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Soulmates.

You didn't understand the concept of a soulmate. Sure, you understood what it was, but not why it existed. Soulmates are supposed to be your destined partner or something cheesy like that. At a young age, you were overflowing with excitement when your words first appeared. You were four and grasped what a soulmate was quick. Your parents gushed about it almost daily, saying how beautiful the experience was for them and how they just knew your destined one would be the perfect match for their baby.

16 long years later you stood at the entrance of Karasuno High. You awed at the two-story building and high gates before you were tackled by an orange blur.

"(Y/n)! You beat me here!" Shoyo screamed, hugging your body tightly. Hinata Shoyo had been your best friend for as long as you could remember. You had helped him train for volleyball when his other friends declined to, mostly out of pity. But soon, you came to enjoy the sport, though you never joined the middle school team, to Shoyo's dismay. You still played with him (And alone) in your free time.

"Where else would I be? Nekoma?" You chuckled, ruffling his curly mane.

"Isn't that in Hiroshima?" He tilted his head like a confused puppy. You facepalmed at your friends' stupidity.

"Tokyo, Shoyo. It's in Tokyo." You sighed, looking up at him slightly. You were only an inch or so shorter than the hyperactive ball, so you were both often confused for middle, or elementary, schoolers, to your frustration.

"Hey, (Y/n), are you going to join the volleyball team?" He asked as he picked up his fallen bike from the dirt. You shrugged carelessly.

"I mean, I'll see what type of people are in it, but I make no promises." You said. Shoyo was bouncing excitedly, a wide grin on his childish features.

"I hope you join," He said, looking ahead. "Why's that?" You curiously muttered. Shoyo took a second to answer.

"Because it'll be nice having a friendly face on the court," He looked at you hopefully. You were taken back for a moment before a soft, content smile spread across your face.

"I bet.."

"Plus, you're like, super cool playing."

You raised your eyebrows. He continued.

"Your sets and receives are amazing! And your spikes are like 'Woosh!' then 'Blam!' It's so cool!" He bounced on the balls of his feet, his contagious grin stretching ear to ear.

"You're incredible too, Shoyo," You chuckled. "You're super fast and you go like, uh.." You paused. "'Zoom'?" You nodded. "Your jump is breathtaking! You can jump higher than me!" You remembered his last match of his middle school career. You were dragged to the game, though you would've gone willingly, and witnessed Shoyo's remarkable speed and jump first hand in a serious match.

It stunned you into an awed state of admiration for the boy. Although he had lost, he seemed to have another troubling thought on his mind. As you rode back to your school he kept rubbing his wrist, staring blankly out the window. After a while of dreadful silence, he told you that the guy he lost to, the King of the Court, was his soulmate.

Eventually, you both had to part at the school bell. You promised the ball of sunshine you'd go to the gym that the Volleyball team occupied after school. You were also very positive he had memorized your final class to pick you up in case you decided to run.

While Shoyo was athletically skilled, his brain was far behind. His grades have only gone down (or up if he knew the topic for once) since you've known him. You ended up learning twice the amount of classes you were assigned that year to help Shoyo pass with at least a D.

You even started carrying around candy rewards for a passing grade. It motivated the boy, so you never minded totting them around.

The day was painfully boring, each class doing an introduction that took up a majority of the period. The teachers did a huge slideshow and pretty much gave their life story and gave the students a total of ten minutes to say their name and an interesting fact about themselves. You didn't mind. You hated public speaking anyway.

Your final class came to an end as you internally leaped for the skies. You reminded yourself to treat Shoyo for getting through the long day.

"(Y/n)!"

Speak of the devil, you giggled. You turned to see Shoyo sprinting at you, full speed. You stepped back, avoiding his deadly collision, and gripped the white hoodie he wore under his uniform.

"Walk," You reminded him. "The gym won't run away, I promise."

Shoyo pouted. "But! Let's go! We're wasting precious time!" He begged pitifully. Sighing, you caved.

"Here," You held out an orange-flavored lollipop. "For surviving."

The ginger looked into your eyes gravely.

"It was a long and difficult battle. I barely made it out alive."

You snorted. "Good job, soldier."

You finally made it to the gym and Shoyo wasted no time in leaping into the empty space. Well Almost... empty. He froze, staring at someone.

"Shoyo?" you peeked in and quickly understood.

Kageyama Tobio.

You honestly zoned out during a majority of their childish banter, only snapping back when Shoyo and Kageyama were tossed out the gym like strays then all eyes fell on you.

You pushed yourself off the wall, nervously waving at the group.

A tanned guy spoke first. "I'm Sawamura Daichi, a third-year and captain. A pleasure to meet you...?" He trailed.

"Oh, uh, I'm (L/n) (Y/n), first-year. Pleasures mine," You bowed respectfully. "Just call me (Y/n)," You smiled softly.

A pale-haired male popped up, grinning. He had a cute mole under one of his honey eyes. "I'm Sugawara Koushi! Vice-Captain and third year." He gave a small bow that you returned.

Gradually everyone introduced themselves with a pause from two more characters entering the gym.

An adorable boy with green-tinted hair and freckles cheeks caught your attention first, then your eyes trailed up the tall figure beside him. You swallowed quietly as you took in his appearance. Short, blonde hair fell above his taunting, golden eyes. A white pair of headphones were wrapped around his neck. He gave you a pointed look before giving a short introduction.

Yamaguchi Tadashi and Tsukishima Kei.

Somehow Kageyama and Shoyo ended up in a 3v3 volleyball match set for a later date. You were easily confused and frankly, too many people made you anxious, and your stomach to act up. You reminded yourself of Shoyo before matches.

You made a quick escape to the other set of doors across the gym, sitting on the cold stairs and allowing the wind to brush your hair aside. The sun was starting to dip below the horizon, casting a colorful pattern to paint the sky. You adored sunsets. You loved the colors, the gradual change from day to night as the stars peeked out while the sun was changed to the bright, white moon.

"Are you okay?" Yamaguchi asked worriedly, sliding next to you. You nodded, smiling.

"Yeah, lots of sound and people make me feel sick," You sounded pathetic, but you didn't want to lie either.

"Aw, the shrimp can't handle a few people? How unfortunate." A low, taunting voice said behind you. Your eyes shot open, taking a slow breath in. You whipped your head around to the Tsukishima smirking down at your hunched figure. You froze, recognizing those words from anywhere. You've read them over a thousand times, after all. You forced back a deep blush, instead deciding to lift your middle finger and grinned mockingly at him, saying the series of words you knew were inked into his flesh.

"Suck my dick, you crusty, dusty dinosaur."

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#haikyuu tsukishima #tsukishima kei #oneshot #soulmate au #tsukishima x reader #tsukishima kei x reader #tsukishima soulmate au #haikyuu!!

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cecilspeaks · 4 years

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173 - The Hundred Year Play

Quoth the raven: [bird noises] Welcome to Night Vale.

Listeners, some exciting news from the world of theatre! The 100 year play is about to reach its final scene. Yes, this is the play that has been running continuously since 1920. Written by a brilliant playwright Hannah Hershman, designed to take exactly 100 years to perform. And the tireless volunteer of the Night Vale Players Playhouse have been going through those scenes, one after another, for decade upon decade. There’s little time to rehearse, for each hour brings new scenes and each scene will only be performed once the play moves on, in order to keep up with the tight schedule needed to execute the entire script before a century elapses.

It is a monumental work of theatre, but like all work, it must some day cease. Today, specifically. I will be in attendance at that historic moment, when the final scene is performed and the curtain closes on the 100 year play. More soon, but first the news.

We bring you the latest on the lawsuit “The estate of Franklin Chen vs. the city of Night Vale”. As you know, this case has grown so large and complicated that I’ve not had the time to discuss it in my usual community radio broadcasts. But instead, have started a true crime podcast called “Bloody Laws, Bloody Claws: The Murder of Frank Chen”, in which I strive to get to the truth of just what happened on that fateful night when five-headed dragon Hiram McDaniels met Frank Chen, and then later Frank Chen’s body was found covered in burns and claw marks. It’s a confounding mystery. The Sheriff’s Secret Police announce that it seems really complicated and they’re not even gonna try to solve that sucker. “Oh, what?” a Secret Police spokesman muttered at an earthworm he found in his garden. “You want us to fail? You wanna see us fail? That’s why you want us to investigate this case, to see us fail at it?” The family of Frank Chen say they merely want the appropriate parties, in this case the city of Night Vale, Hiram McDaniels and an omniscient conception of God, to take responsibility for their part in this tragedy. The trial is now in its 10th month, and has included spirited re-enactments of the supposed murder by helpful Players Playhouse performers in between their work on the 100 year play. 3 changes of judge and venue due to “some dragon attacks and constant interruptions from a local audio journalist, who hosts a widely respected true crime podcast”. Still, with all this, we near a verdict. Judge Chaplin has indicated she will issue her ruling soon. “Like in the next year or so?” she said. “Certainly within 5 years. Listen, I don’t owe you a verdict, just because you’re paying me to do a job, you can’t rush me to do it. The verdict will be done when. It’s. Done.” Chaplin then huffed out of the courtroom followed by journalists shouting recommendations for episodes of their podcast to listen to.

I was present, you know, on opening night of the 100 year play. Ah, how the theatre buzzed! Of course this was partly the audience, thrilled to be at the start of such an unprecedented work, but mostly – it was the insects. The Night Vale Players Playhouse had quite a pest problem at the time, and still does. It’s difficult to do pest control when there is a 100 year long play being performed on stage at every hour of every day. The curtain opened those many years ago on a simple set of a studio apartment, a kitchen, a cot, a window overlooking a brick wall. A man sits in the corner deep in thought. A doorbell rings. “Come in, it’s open,” the man says. A woman enters, flustered. She is holding a newborn. “There’s been a murder!” she says. “The victim was alone in a room, and all the doors and windows were locked. “My god!” the man says and springs up. “Who could have done this, and how?!” the woman tells him: “It turns out to be the gardener, Mr. Spreckle. He served with the victim in the war and never could forgive him for what happened there. He threw a venomous snake through an air vent.” The man sits back down, nodding. “Aah! So the mystery is solved.” As a playwright, Hannah Hershman did not believe in stringing up mysteries a second longer than was necessary. The baby in the woman’s arm stirs. “Shush, shush little one!” the woman says. The man looks out the window where he cannot see the sky. “It might look like rain,” he says. “Who knows?” Thus began a journey of 100 years.

And now a word from our sponsors. Today’s episode is sponsored by the Night Vale Medical Board, which would like to remind you that it is important to drink enough water throughout the day. Drink more water! Your body cannot function without water. Without water, you are just dust made animate. Water forms the squelching mud of sentience. Try to have at least ten big glasses of water. Not over the entire day, right now. See if you can get all ten of them down. Explore the capacity of your stomach. See if you can make it burst. You will either feel so much better, or an organ will explode and you will day painfully. And either one is more interesting than the mundane now. You should drink even more water than that. Wander out of your door, search the Earth for liquids. Find a lake and drain the entire thing, until the bottom feeders flop helplessly on the flatlands. Laugh slushingly as you look upon the destruction you have wrought. The power that you possess now that you are well hydrated. Move on from the lake and come to the shore of an ocean. All oceans are one ocean that we have arbitrarily categorized by language. The sea knows no separation, and neither will you when you lay belly down on the sand, put your lips against the waves and guzzle the ocean. The ocean is salty. It will not be very hydrating, so you’ll need to drink a lot of it. Keep going until the tower tops of Atlantis see sky again for the first time in centuries, until the strange glowing creatures of the deep-deep are exposed, splayed out from their bodies now that they no longer have the immense pressure of the ocean depths to keep their structure intact. And once you have drunk the oceans, turn your eyes to the stars. For there is water out there too, and you must suck dry the universe. This has been a message from the Night Vale Medical Board.

20 years passed without me thinking about the 100 year play. You know how it is. One day you’re an intern at the local radio station doing all the normal errands like getting coffee and painting pentacles upon Station Management doors as part of the ritual of the slumbering ancients. Then 20 years passes and everything is different for you. Your boss is gone and now you are a host of the community radio station, and there are so many new responsibilities and worries and lucid nightmares in which you explore a broken landscape of colossal ruins. So with all of that, I just kind of forgot the 100 year play was happening. But they were toiling away in there, doing scenes around the clock, building and tearing down sets at a frantic pace, trying to keep up with the script that relentlessly went on, page after page. And sometimes one of the people working on the play would wonder: how does this all end? But before they could flip ahead and look, there would be another scene that had to be performed and they wouldn’t have a chance. So no one knew how it ended. No one except Hannah Hershman, the mysterious author of this centennial play.

Soon after becoming radio host, during the reading of a Community Calendar, I was reminded that the play was still going on, and so decided to check in. I put on my best tux, you know it’s the one with the scales and the confetti canon. And then took myself to a night at the theatre. I can’t say what happened in the plot since that first scene, but certainly much had transpired. We were now in a space colony thousands of years from now, and the set was simple, just some sleek chairs and a black backdrop dotted with white stars of paint. A woman was giving a monologue about the distance she felt between the planet she was born on, which I believe was supposed to be Earth, and the planet she now stood on. I understood from what she was saying that the trip she had taken to this planet was one way, and that she would never return to the place she was born. “We… are… all of us… moved… by time,” she whispered in a cracked, hoarse voice. “Not… one of us dies… in the world… we were born into.” Sitting in my seat in that darkened theatre, I knew two facts with certainty. The first was that this woman had been giving a monologue for several days now. She wavered on her feet, speaking the entire four hours that I was there. And I don’t know how much longer she spoke after I left, but it could have been weeks. She was pale and her voice was barely audible, but there was something transfixing about it, and the audience sat in perfect silence, leaning forward to hear her words. The other fact I understood was that this woman was the newborn from the very first scene. Not just the same character, but the same actor. 20 years later, she was still on that stage, still portraying the life to the child we had been introduced to in the opening lines. She was an extraordinary performer, presumably, having had a literal lifetime of practice. And that was the last time I saw the play, until tonight, when I will go to watch the final scene.

But first, let’s have a look at that Community Calendar. Tonight the school board is meeting to discuss the issues of school lunches. It seems that some in power argue that it isn’t enough that for some reason we charge the kids actual money for these lunches. They argue that the students should also be required to give devotion and worship to a great glowing cloud, whose benevolent power will fill their lives with purpose. Due to new privacy rules, we cannot say which member of the school board made this suggestion. The board will be taking public comment in a small flimsy wooden booth out by the highway. Just enter the damp, dark interior and whisper your comment, and it will be heard. Perhaps not by the school board, but certainly by something.

Tuesday morning, Lee Marvin will be offering free acting classes at the rec center. The class is entitled “Acting is just lying. We’ll teach you how acting is just saying things that aren’t true, with emotions you don’t feel, so that you may fool those watching with these mistruths.” Fortunately, Marvin commented: “Most people don’t want to be told the truth and prefer the quiet comfort of a lie well told.” Classes are pay what you want, starting at 10,000 dollars.

Thursday Josh Crayton will be taking the form of a waterfall in Grove Park, so that neighborhood kids may swim in him. There is not a lot of swimming opportunities in a town as dry as Night Vale, and so this is a generous move on Josh’s part. He has promised that he has been working on the form and has added a water slide and a sunbathing deck. He asks that everyone swim safely and please not leave any trash on him.

Friday, the corn field will appear in the middle of town, right where it does each September, as the air turns cooler and the sky in the west takes on a certain shade of green. The corn field emanates a power electric and awful. Please, do not go into the corn field, as we don’t know what lives in there or what it wants. The City Council would like to remind you that the corn field is perfectly safe. It is perfect and it is safe.

Finally, Saturday never happened. Not if you know what’s good for you. Got it? This has been the Community Calendar.

Oh! Look at the time. Here I am blathering on and the play is about to end. OK, let me grab my new mini recorder that Carlos got me for my birthday. It’s only 35 pounds and the antenna is a highly reasonable 7 feet. And I’ll see you all there.

Ah. What’s the weather like for my commute?

[Shallow Eyes” by Brad Bensko. https://www.bradbenskomusic.com/]

Carlos and I are at the theatre! The audience is a buzz, with excitement yes, but also many of them are the insects that infest this theatre. The bugs became entranced by the story over the years, passing down through brief generation after brief generation, the history of all that happened before. The story of the play became something of a religion to this creepy crawly civilization. And so now the bugs are jittering on the walls, thrilled to be the generation that gets to see the end of this great tale.

The curtain rises on a scene I recognize well. It is the simple set of a studio apartment. A kitchen, a cot, a window overlooking a brick wall. A man sits in the corner deep in thought. A doorbell rings. “Come on, it’s open,” the man calls. A woman enters. She is very old, tottering unsteadily on legs that have carried for her many many years. “Please take my seat,” the man says with genuine concern. “Thank you,” she says, collapsing with relief onto the cushions and then looking out, as if for the first time, noticing the audience. I know this woman. I first saw her as a baby and later as a 20-year-old. It seems she has lived her whole life on this stage, taking part in this play. “My name,” the woman says, “is Hannah Hershman. I was born in this theatre, clutching a script in my arms that was bigger than I was. My twin, in a way. I started acting in that script of mine before I was even aware of the world. I grew up in that script, lived my entire life in the play I had written from infancy to now.” And she rises, and the man reaches out to help, but she waves him away. She speaks, her- her voice is strong, ringing out through the theatre. “The play ends with my death, because the play is my life. It is bounded by the same hours and minutes that I am.” the audience is rapt, many have tears in their eyes. Even the insects weep. “Thank you for these hundred years,” Hannah Hershman says. “This script is complete.” She walks to the window. “It might look like rain,” she says. “Who knows?” The lights dim.

Thunderous applause, cries of acclaim, and Hannah Hershman dies to the best possible sound a person can hear: concrete evidence of the good they have done in the lives of other humans.

Stay tuned next for the second ever Night Vale Players Playhouse production, now that they finally finished this one. They’re going to do “Godspell”. And from the script of a life I have not yet finished performing, Good night, Night Vale, Good night.

Today’s proverb: Many are called, but few are chosen. And fewer still pick up. Because most calls are spam these days.

#welcome to night vale #welcome to night vale transcripts #episode 173 #the hundred year play

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alindae-anne · 3 years

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What Makes a Book?

I want to take a break from my novel and dive into a history lesson of books themselves. Why? Well first of all, I will be honest, this blog is for an assignment. But also because the way books have evolved over the last 5,000+ years is fascinating!

Of course no one ever really thinks about THE book, just the fact that the story within its pages--the mystery, the romance, whatever they happen to be enjoying--is a great read (or maybe not so great), but have they ever wondered what materials the book is made from? Who invented it? How the book has become one of the most common and most used items of all time?

No. Of course they didn't wonder any of those things. And if they did, they probably didn't take the time to research any of these burning questions, either.

How great, then, that I wrote this post?! Today is your lucky day! (Also, it is a good thing that Keith Houston, author of Shady Characters, decided to write a whole book about it (1).) I'm going to use the pages of a classic tale to explain some cool things you probably never noticed while reading a book before.

Gulliver’s Travels was originally published in London in 1726 by Benjamin Motte. The author, Jonathan Swift, used it to satirize London society and culture, poking holes at the social hierarchies and systems, basically making out everyone living in the 18th century to be fools--but mostly the wealthy and those who were obsessed with scientific progression (2). If you have not read it, I highly encourage adding it to your reading list, or at the very least there is a 2010 movie, featuring Jack Black as Gulliver, that you could watch. (It’s Jack Black, okay?)

This 2 page spread of Gulliver's Travels pictured above is actually found in The Franklin Library edition from Franklin Center, Pennsylvania, published in 1979. This is the first printing of this edition, and its pages, the way it is printed, and the way it is bound and presented, are all features of the modern 20-21st century book, plus some extra bells and whistles. The most interesting qualities come from the publishers themselves who specifically design their books to be very snazzy--meant for collectors’ editions! They include different kinds of leather binding, exclusive illustrations, and may be signed or part of a particular series specific to a certain author or genre (3). This makes the books published here very valuable and sought after.

Gulliver’s Travels is hardcover. Specifically, “fine leather in boards.” This means the spine and front and back boards (or cover) of the book are bound in leather. The leather is fine and and delicate and able to be decorated and engraved upon.4 Above you can see how fancy it looks with the gilt gold engravements. Even its pages are gilt!

This picture shows more clearly the binding, and of course the spine, which is “hubbed,” or ridged, for added texture.

At this point you may have notice that this version is much different than the original published in 1726. That is because over time, the materials involved in making books have changed slightly or the processes have become more efficient or cost worthy, etc. Either way, the anatomy of the book has not wavered. Keith Houston has dissected the book into certain components and we can see them in each book we read:

I have attempted to label it as best as I can, so hopefully you can follow along:

Chapter Number

a) this seems to be a description, more or less of the chapter, or the Chapter Title. b) “A Voyage to Lilliput” seems much more title-like to me, although this is technically called the “Recto Running Head.” The recto running head is a condensed or abbreviated chapter title, repeating on every right-side page to the end of the chapter.

Drop Cap. This would be the first letter of the first word of a chapter, which is usually exaggerated or embellished in some way.

Opener Text

Head Margin - the space between the top of the page and text

Foot Margin - the space between the bottom of the page and text

Folio - page number

It has taken quite a while for books to become so sophisticated. Because it was published in 1726, Gulliver's Travels is technically what you could call "modern" in terms of how long ago books began their journey to what they are today, but even between 1726 and 1979 the quality has improved. This edition published by Franklin Library is a perfect model for the modern book of today.

The 2 page spread we analyzed above is made from paper. But books were not always made with paper, or even in the book form, bound with anything at all, and they were not printed either. They were written by hand on papyrus.

Papyrus was the first material used as "paper" beginning in Egypt. The reeds were stripped, strung side by side and pressed together. Papyrus was durable and sturdy, and the water of the Nile was abundant in aluminum sulfate, which brightened it so that writing and scribbles could be seen better. There is no particular origin of when Papyrus had first been invented but it must have been around the end of the 4th millenium BCE (Houston 4).

Parchment is made from animal skin that has been soaked, scrubbed, dried, and stretched for days and days, creating a more flexible, yet still durable, material for writing. It was also thinner and could be made "cleaner" and brighter by chemical means. Religion heavily influenced its distribution; some parchment use was literally banned because the type of animal skin used to make it wasn't considered "holy" or "good." For example, the lamb or a calf was acceptable, but how dare you use parchment made from goat skin? What is wrong with you?

Besides the fact that parchment is kind of gross if you think about it (although to be fair, you can’t be too choosy in times right before the common era), it was also expensive to keep certain cattle only for paper making, and the reliability of having new cattle at the time you may need more paper was not very high.

Paper was first introduced in China. It is made from bits of cloth and rags soaked in water, and after breaking down into pulp, strained through a wire grate and pressed to dry. Fun fact-- the Rhar West Art Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin has held classes showing how to make paper using this exact process.

There is a trend here: the materials used to make paper (and papyrus and parchment before it) become scarce or too expensive, or they are just not “good enough.” People want their paper thin and smooth, but still strong and durable; crisp and bright, but still able to last years and years without crumbling. There have been times that processes used to ensure these preferred qualities of paper included using chemicals that ended up negatively affecting some other quality. For example, the paper would be white as snow, yet the chemical that did this broke down the natural adhesives which kept the paper intact.

Have you heard that paper grows on trees? Well, that is partly true since after rags and cloths were nowhere to be found (unless people were about to start donating the shirts off their backs), wood pulp has now since been used... the higher the demand for paper, the greater demand for those materials used for its creation.

This brings us to printing side of things. The first ways of printing weren’t of how we think of it now. Even before papyrus, people were still writing and making inscriptions on pretty much anything they could get their hands on. The earliest forms of writing were rather indentations or markings on clay tablets. Found across the Middle East, it is a cuneiform script of the Sumerian people from 3300 BCE (Houston 79).

Similarly, the Egyptians were also keen on developing their own writing system which today we recognize as hieroglyphs. A lot of these were found carved on the walls of tombs but also began to be used on papyrus in 2600 BCE (Houston 82-83).

The Egyptians celebrated their scribes and believed those who wrote with brush and ink on papyrus to be channeling power--that it was a gift from the gods--”wielded with respect and humility” (Houston 87). The hieroglyphs not only showed the intention of the writer, visually, but often the picture would be associated with or connected to certain sounds which emerged more formal use of letters as time went on.

The alphabet we use today can be traced back to the Phoenician alphabet (used by the Egyptians) which had evolved into the Greek and then Roman alphabets (Houston 91-92). At this point in time, scribes were using water based ink which was fine for papyrus, but during the transition to parchment they realized that ink smudges quite a bit. This led to the creation of iron gall ink that would darken and adhere to the parchment as it dried due to its chemical makeup in contact with oxygen in the air.

Jump ahead to 1400s and we are with Johannes Gutenberg and the printing press! One thing Keith Houston make sure to mention is that although Gutenberg invented the printing press itself, to help moveable type and mass printing, the idea of printing had not been new. Clay pieces used as stamps and similar objects had been excavated and dated back thousands of years before the clay inscribed cuneiform tablets were made. And a primitive version of a sort of printing press is mentioned being made by a man named Bi Sheng during the reign of Qingli from 1041-1048 AD (Houston 110). Obviously nothing great came from it, most likely because he was of unofficial position. Even so, movable type was still possible, although painstakingly slow with wooden blocks used as stamps. This was common for the next few hundred years in China.

Even though Gutenberg's press completely revolutionized the transmission of knowledge, it was still quite slow in comparison to the versions which came after, only being able to print 600 characters a day (Houston 118). From Gutenberg's printing press came other types of presses that improved the speed or efficiency of movable type immensely. These all came after the original publication of Guliver's Travels, starting in the early 1800s with the Columbian press, eventually the Linotype, and then lack of precision called for the Monotype, which could produce 140 wpm (Houston 149).

The 2 page spread above then, could possibly have been printed by the Linotype, but most likely, however, the Monotype, which is the more accurate of the two. Another possibility could be "sophisticated photographic and 'lithographic' techniques" or "'phototypsetting'" (Houston 151). Houston mentions that the printing press age has died and now faces a digital future.

I'm at my 10 image limit which means I better wrap this up with some interesting facts about bookbinding. On BIBLIO.com I was trying to see exactly what "fine leather in boards" meant which is apparently how Gulliver's Travels is bound. I didn't find any phrase that matched, but from my understanding, the leather is very supple and pliable, which is why it was able to be gilt with gold, and it was able to form nicely to the hubbing on the spine.

The website also explains that the first "book binding" was technically just putting the pieces of paper or parchment together and pressing them between two boards. Literally. Like just setting them on a board and putting another board on top of that. Eventually leather was introduced, first as a cord wrapped around the book to keep the boards in place. As time progressed, the practice was improved and perfected so it was less crude. This involved the creation of the "spine" where the pages meet together and can therefore open and close in a v shape without flying away.

This website helped explain some of the other embellishments and extra flair that can be added to a book's binding. It mostly goes over leather binding which is from most animal skin but there is a unique leather bound book that can be bound with seal skin. Some of the books on the website are so expensive because of the materials they are bound with and the effects that have been created in the cover, for example, Benjamin Franklin's observations on electricity, which has had acid added to the page, discoloring it for a lightning strike effect, and includes a key to represent his famous experiment.

Gulliver's Travels, although not quite so fancy, is still a very beautifully bound book with decorated endpapers, meaning the inside cover is laden with designed paper rather than boring white or some other neutral color.

I hope you found this journey of the book as interesting and as exciting as I did while writing this post! You must really love books because even my attention span isn't this long. I will admit I took at least 3 different breaks.

I'm back to my novel for now, thanks for listening😎

Bibliography

Houston, Keith--Author of Shady Characters, which I used extensively in my TikTok “history of punctuation” project--also wrote -> The BOOK - a cover-to-cover exploration of the most powerful object of our time, 2016.

British Library Website -> works -> “Gulliver’s Travels overview”

Masters, Kristin. “Franklin Library Editions: Ideal for Book Collectors?” Books Tell You Why, 2017 (blog).

BIBLIO.com -> “Leather Binding Terminology and Techniques”

#bookbinding #papermaking #printing #book history #keith houston

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fieryanmitsu · 4 years

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Intertwined Roots | ch. 6 - “tic-tac-toe” | A3! AU

This is another chapter that I was really looking forward to writing, since it introduces our last main character! This was also a chapter that I had planned out quite early on as well, so there was definitely a lot of anticipation to writing this!

Also, I realized that I’ve been using the wrong spelling for Tasuku’s nickname this whole time. I’m trying to stick with the localized spellings, and it’s spelled “Tachan” with only one ‘a’. I’ll have to go back and fix it in the previous chapters…!!

“Intertwined Roots” is an A3! alternate universe series where Izumi, Itaru, Tsumugi and Tasuku grow up as childhood friends.

For the summary, background and notes about the “Intertwined Roots” universe, along with more chapters, please refer to the “Intertwined Roots” Masterpost.

Masterpost for my other fanfiction: here

AO3: Link in my Blog Menu!

INTERTWINED ROOTS – ch. 6

“tic-tac-toe” | spring | Itaru (age 5) & Izumi (age 4)

Izumi sighed as she pushed away her picture book and flopped backwards onto the floor, her foot idly kicking at one of the coffee table legs. Though it was her favourite book, she had lost all motivation to turn the page and had been wearily rereading the same words over and over again.

Bored.

It had been four days since she’d last seen Tsumugi and Tasuku. This was the longest she had gone without seeing one of them since they’d first met almost two months ago.

“Mommy, when are Tsumu and Tachan coming back?” Izumi whined from her spot on the floor.

Haruna looked up from the kitchen counter she was cleaning and glanced at her daughter with an amused smile.

“That’s the second time you’ve asked that today, Izumi. They’ll be back at the end of Golden Week – so three more days.”

The young girl let out another miserable sigh.

“You’re going to chase all of your happiness away if you keep sighing, Izumi,” Haruna tutted lightly as she wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m done cleaning the kitchen for now, and there’s still time before I need to start dinner. How about we go to the park? Will that cheer you up?”

Izumi immediately sat up at the mention of the park. It wasn’t quite the same going to play without her best friends, but at least it would be more interesting than sitting at home. With an enthusiastic cheer, the girl scrambled to her feet and got herself ready. Soon, the mother-daughter duo left their two-bedroom apartment and leisurely made their way to the park Izumi often frequented with Tsumugi and Tasuku.

With everyone off work and school for Golden Week, the park was livelier than usual. Many families were spread out across the grass with picnic blankets and the air was filled with the joyful shouts and squeals of countless children. Izumi’s eyes swept across the playground, taking in the swarming play structure and fully occupied swing set, spring toys and sandbox. From what she could tell, most of the other children were several years older than her – about Fuyuki’s age.

“Izumi, after we spread out the blanket, can you help me pick some flowers for the house?” Haruna asked gently, feeling her daughter’s hand tighten around her own.

Perking up, Izumi nodded at her mother before they proceeded to claim an open area of grass with their pink and white blanket.

“Mommy, I’m gonna go this way to find more flowers!” Izumi called to her mother, several dandelions clutched in one hand. The young girl wanted to find some daisies to go with the yellow flowers she had already plucked.

As she walked further from her mother, scouring the grass for a glimpse of white flowers, she suddenly noticed a solitary figure crouched ahead of her on the outskirts of the playground. It was a young boy with fluffy hair and oval glasses. He was holding a stick in one hand and scratching it against the ground.

Maybe it was because he made such a striking sight, playing by himself in stark contrast to the bustling play structure behind him, but Izumi found herself fixated by the boy.

Curious about her new discovery, she scampered closer to the young boy and, before either of them realized, she had come to a stop in front of him. The only thing separating the two children was the drawing of a grid in the dirt between them.

Sensing her presence, the boy looked up from his drawing and glanced wordlessly at Izumi. His magenta eyes locked with her brown ones for just a moment before the boy’s gaze flickered back down to the dirt. Without even acknowledging her, he continued to scratch away at the ground.

Izumi watched as the boy drew an X in one corner of his three-by-three grid before drawing an O next to it. Then, he drew another X in the empty square above his O.

“Are you playing tic-tac-toe?” Izumi blurted out, surprised.

The boy looked up at her again with wide eyes, but didn’t answer her.

“I didn’t know you could play by yourself!” she exclaimed in awe, unperturbed by his silence. She had never thought to try that before.

Crouching down and setting her half-finished bouquet aside, Izumi studied the grid with an intense expression.

“Are you going to put the next O here?” she asked, pointing at an empty square. “Wait, no, put it here!”

Izumi was so caught up in her own excitement that she didn’t even notice that the boy still hadn’t said a word to her. In fact, he was staring at her as if she was speaking a completely different language.

“Can I play, too?!” Izumi asked eagerly, wanting to implement her great tactical plan to win the tic-tac-toe game. “Here, lemme borrow your stick!”

With her hand held out open and expectant in front of him, the boy reflexively placed his twig in her hand. Izumi quickly scratched an O into the dirt, blocking off the potential win.

“Your turn!” Izumi chirped, handing the stick back.

Though the boy still didn’t respond to her, he took the stick and drew an X two squares below her O before wordlessly proffering it to Izumi. Noticing that the boy was ignoring the row closest to her, Izumi drew another O beside her first one. Then, branch back in his hand, the boy scratched out his final X and drew a diagonal line through his three-in-a-row.

“I win,” he murmured quietly, a small smile spreading across his face.

“Ehhhhhh?!” Izumi exclaimed in dismay, more shocked that she had lost than by the fact that the boy had finally spoken. “Again!! Let’s play again! I’ll for sure win this time!”

“HEEEEEY! It’s time to go hoooome!!” a loud voice suddenly interrupted.

Looking up at the unexpected holler, the two children saw an older girl waving in their direction.

“Um, I gotta go,” the boy mumbled, standing up and dusting off his pants.

“Wait!” Izumi exclaimed, shooting upright as well. “Will you be here tomorrow?”

“Umm…”

Brows furrowed, the boy glanced anxiously over his shoulder at the older girl waiting with her hands on her hips, before whipping his head back to look at the bright-eyed child in front of him.

“Uh, I… I don’t…” he stuttered nervously, unsure of how to respond.

“Come back tomorrow, okay? After lunch!” Izumi insisted. “I wanna play tic-tac-toe with you again!”

Without waiting for his answer, Izumi took the boy’s right hand in both of her own and maneuvered his pinky to stick out. Hooking her own pinky around his, she shook their hands up and down furiously.

“There! Now it’s a pinky swear! So, if you don’t come back tomorrow, you’ll have to swallow a thousand needles!”

Dropping his hand, Izumi knelt to pick up her discarded flowers, oblivious to the dazed look on the boy’s face.

“Oh! I forgot! I’m Izumi! What’s your name?”

“… Itaru…”

((I commissioned some artwork for this chapter of the fic, you can check it out HERE!))

Ahhh, I’m so glad I was finally able to introduce Itaru!! Honestly, one of the biggest reasons behind how this series came to life was my desperate need to have a universe where young Itaru is happy and grows up with wonderful friends who appreciate and love him T_T.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please do leave a comment if you have any impressions! As usual, any reblogs are much appreciated! Thank you for stopping by!

There’s also a couple more days before my 100 Followers Milestone Event ends, so if you’re interested in entering a draw for a gift fic or want to submit an A3! Drabble Request, please do check out this post for the rules!

-Anmitsu

#a3!#a3! game #a3! act! addict! actors!#itaru chigasaki #izumi tachibana #chigasaki itaru #tachibana izumi #a3 act addict actors #a3! actor training game #act addict actors #a3! itaru #a3! izumi #a3! intertwined roots #anmitsu writes

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joshuahyslop · 3 years

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BOOKS

The last 10 books I’ve read:

1. Wolf - Jim Harrison I found this book in one of the little neighbourhood book exchanges that are all around Vancouver. They look like little log cabins and it’s a loose “take a book, leave a book” policy. I’ve liked some of Harrison’s other books as well as some of his poetry so I picked it up. It’s fairly well written but it’s one of the most depraved and depressed characters I’ve read in a long time. It’s like a darker more depraved version of “On The Road”. More misogynistic, more obsessed with sex and completely lacking of anything philosophic. One of the reviewers on the back cover said it was (paraphrasing) a poetic depiction of a joyful life. I guess I must have read a different book.

2. The Crying of Lot 49 - Thomas Pynchon The first book of Pynchon’s I’d picked up. This was such an enjoyable read. I’ve steered clear of his books for fear of not being able to understand them. Every time I’ve talked about wanting to read his book “Gravity’s Rainbow”, I’ve been asked if I’ve read anything else by him. As if that’s a requirement. When I bought this book the teller asked me the same question. When I said no, he said “This is a good place to start.” I don’t know why that is, but now I’ve read one of his books and enjoyed it. I’ve eased into the Pynchon. I think I’m allowed to read another one now.

3. Joyland - Stephen King This was incredibly disappointing. I’ve read a lot of King’s books. They’re often hit or miss but they’re almost always enjoyable as brain candy. Books like, “The Shining”, “Carrie” or “Misery” are well written and suspenseful. It makes sense why he’s heralded as the King of Horror. But this one does not measure up. In fact, it falls very short of the rest of his work that I’ve read. I felt myself cringing at some of his dialogue. It was just so cheesy. Even though it was set in the 70′s, no one’s ever spoken like that. There’s very little suspense and the story itself isn’t very engaging. When you finally get to the action it’s only a couple of pages and then it’s done. It’s a very quick read, but definitely skippable.

4. The Truth About Stories - Thomas King A friend of mine who loves to read gave me a bag full of books to check out. This was one of them. It’s one of the CBC Massey Lectures and I love that series. I have a bunch of them already so I was excited to check this out. I also have King’s book, “The Inconvenient Indian” on my bookshelf in my “to read” pile. A pile that does nothing but seem to grow. But it’s still a ways down in the pile. So I thought I’d check out this little book because it’s only 5 essays and it would give me a sample of his writing. I’m very glad that I did. It’s so well written. It’s funny, it’s sad, it makes you think. If you care about stories, politics, religion, and the treatment of First Nations people by the US and Canadian governments, you should give this a read. I can’t wait to get to his book.

5. Deadeye Dick - Kurt Vonnegut In my last post I mentioned liking Vonnegut a lot and being surprised at how few of his books I’d read. It turns out I’m just very bad at using technology. I keep a Word document of all the books I’ve read to avoid reading the same book twice, accidentally. I’d tried using the “find” function and somehow did it wrong, so only a few Vonnegut titles showed up. As it turns out, this was the ninth book by Vonnegut that I’d read. That makes way more sense to me. I enjoyed this one a lot. It’s pretty funny and pretty sad. A good combination, if you ask me.

6. 69 - Ryu Murakami One of my favourite local used bookstores offers store credit if you bring in some books and they decide to buy them from you. You can either take cash or store credit. If you choose credit, you have to spend it all before you go. It’s fun. On this particular visit I had about $60 worth of credit. I’d picked the books I wanted and still had $14 left. They recommended this book. i’d never read anything by this Murakami (no relation to Haruki) so I had no idea what to expect but I was excited to check it out. I loved it. It takes place in 1969 and follows the path of some high school students looking to join or start some kind of counter-cultural movement. The two main characters actually reminded me a lot of my own experience in high school. I’ll be checking out more of his writing for sure.

7. Infinite Jest - David Foster Wallace Good lord. This was a mountain I’d tried to climb once before and failed. To have finally finished this book is no small feat. Standing at the top, looking back down I’m actually amazed I made it all the way through. It’s not that it’s an unenjoyable read. On the contrary. It’s very well written and quite enjoyable. It’s just that it’s over 1100 pages and contains 388 footnotes, many of which are several pages long and some even have footnotes of their own. At times it can feel like you’re reading two or three books at once. Another challenge is that there are at least 3 plots taking place all at once. Each story can jump ahead or backwards in time which can be tricky to track, PLUS there are character’s plot-lines that are introduced in great detail (one that comes to mind takes 11 pages to describe a young man addicted to marijuana anxiously waiting for his dealer to arrive) that are never again revisited. The three main story lines are loosely connected but the book takes its sweet time revealing that fact. All of that, mind you, and we still haven’t even mentioned the deep themes of addiction, suicide and capitalism that run throughout the book. I’m very glad I’ve read it. I usually enjoyed doing so. But if you’re not committed, if you don’t have some serious time to lean in, or if you don’t like his style of writing then perhaps you should steer clear. It’s an uphill climb, for sure.

8. Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things - Lafcadio Hearn This book caught my eye while I was taking my son for a walk. It was in the window of another one of our local bookstores, so I stopped in and checked it out. It’s a book of Japanese ghost stories and myths from hundreds if not thousands of years ago. The stories themselves are sometimes scary, sometimes funny, sometimes very confusing, but always enjoyable. Although the last three chapters completely disregard all things Japanese and consist of the authors philosophical rumination regarding Butterflies and the afterlife, Mosquitoes and the taking of innocent life (even when it seems to serve no purpose), and Ants and their altruistic existence vs our individualistic societies. There are other books in this series and I plan to check out at lease one more. I’ve always wanted to go to Japan so I’ve got a definite bias here, but if you like myths or ghost stories there’s a good chance you’d enjoy this book.

9. Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer I know I’m late to the party on this one, but this is a fantastic book. It’s one that I’ll be recommending for years to come. Its subtitle is: “Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants”. It is all of that and so much more. I truly loved reading this book. I took notes. I underlined. I had to stop to think and reflect. I’d definitely encourage you to do the same.

10. Masters of Atlantis - Charles Portis This book is hilarious. Very dry, very droll. It’s a tongue-in-cheek look at the people who organize and who believe in secret societies, cults and religion in general. I didn’t know what to expect when I started it. The only other book by Portis that I’ve read was True Grit. This book is absolutely nothing like that. It’s completely it’s own. The only thing it has in common is Portis’ sense of humour. I don’t know that I’ve ever read anything quite so dry as this before. Maybe something by S.J. Perelman or something like that. This book was recommended to me by M.C. Taylor from Hiss Golden Messenger so I was pretty confident it would be good. It’s safe to say I would never have picked it up without the recommendation but also, I’m glad that I did.

more soon, -joshua

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hogwartsfirebolt · 5 years

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The most heart-warming fic I have read in a thousand years: A FIC REC

Falling for a Golden Boy - @rockmarina - 44k - Explicit

Merlin. Why couldn’t Draco have moved to a forgotten village in the Alps? He could have turned into a shepherd, learned to make his own damn cheese and given up his damn magic. But no, he’d had to come back to his Eighth year, hadn’t he? And this was his life now. Draping himself over Potter to hear words from him that he knew Potter wouldn’t ever mean.

Great. The school year ahead of him looked simply great.

“All I know is—when I’m with you, I…” Potter, the heathen, grunted when he read the rest of his line. “Do I really need to say this?”

“What, scared of believing your own words, Scarhead?” Draco spat.

“Boys,” O’Neill warned them.

“All I—all I know is you’re the most amazing person with weak ankles that I've ever met, Meg.” Potter scowled. He was blushing again. “And when I’m with you, I feel less alone.”

Or where a drama play, a grumpy pompom and a bunch of well-intentioned friends help Draco and Harry find peace—and each other—after the war.

Thoughts under read more

When I read the summary, I was inevitably drawn to this story like a damn bug to a lightbulb, because it sounded cheeky and clever and sweet, and I DAMN LOVE Hercules so, so so much. By the time I found it, I was on the deepest of fic reading slumps of my life, and nothing I did seemed to get me out of it. I took a chance on this, on a story that took two worlds I hold so close to my heart, and I am SO incredibly glad that I did. Marina took both my hands and pulled me out of the slump, got me so excited and charmed me so deeply that I couldn’t help but squeal, at times. Just a little. Just a tiny bit.

This is a story about kids who recently came out of a war and whose mental dust has yet to settle. They are brought back to school to finish up their studies and, hopefully, make some sense of everything that happened to them, and in that process they are introduced to a new Muggle Studies professor and required to participate in a play. Hercules. That’s right. And just like in the movie, we need a lost boy who became a hero with the help of two great friends (in the form of a pegasus and a satyr but OH WELL), and a love interest who is on the wrong side of the war and forced to work against the hero. It DOES sound quite familiar when put like that, don’t you think?

The characterizations are beautiful from the get-go. We enter this story holding Draco’s hand, see him struggling to be better, consciously stopping when he catches himself being an asshole in his head, and just genuinely trying so hard to shed the skin of the person he was before and resurface as a better, kinder version of himself, that it’s impossible not to fall in love with him. On the other side, we have Harry, who has put the past firmly behind closed doors, and to quote the way he’s described in the story, is fresh out of a war, barely of age. A young man who just wants to be done with this and left alone, if you don’t mind?

In this, we find both Harry and Draco slowly, but surely taking control of their own narratives, shaking off the hands that have pushed them around like puppets for their entire lives in a way that lets them be free to try new things and gives them a shot at happiness, lets them just be young and even silly, at times, and it’s so incredibly touching to see them take a chance on that.

At first, they are a mess. Though Draco is pretty good at reining himself in, he just freaking loses it around Harry, and it’s HILARIOUS and done in a way that is SO true to their relationship in canon, I got such a kick out of seeing Draco have this almost oblivious schoolboy fixation on Harry, still, the one that just makes him want to needle him into petty fights that are sprinkled with those little moments that almost tip on the edge of a kind of flirtation that is more like a challenge, and I love, love, love the way the author did this, gave us a starting point to their relationship that already felt so volatile and set up to change as they are forced into the leading roles of the play.

For that reason, their scenes together felt overwhelming not only to them, but also to me as a reader, both from their proximity and the way the characters they’re playing and the dialogue fit their own dynamic, but spun in a way that takes what is being said and makes it their own, and this is so incredibly well done, the scenes of the play seamlessly fitted into the eternal sideshow that is Harry and Draco, that I enjoyed it beyond measure. Seeing them slowly, very, very slowly explore and adapt to new dynamics was absolutely delicious.

The first time they kissed, when it came, took my breath away, and after, the way anticipation built every time their eyes met, the not knowing what was coming next tinged with such a deep shade of want – not even a want of anything specific, just nearness, just the other’s company – reminded me so much of the way crushes felt when I was in high school, the build up to each kiss had me clutching my chest and, when they happened, the intensity had me blushing, and every single time this happened I just marveled at the fact that this was written in a way that all these FEELINGS they had jumped right out of the page with authenticity. We see them change the way they act around each other, after that, Harry becoming charming and confident and shy, all of these simultaneously, and this gives an extra layer to Harry’s character that we learn along with Draco, all the colorful laughs and silly jokes, all the stealing Draco’s hat, how he literally pushes him to adopt a little pet and then attempts to annoy him into naming it something ridiculous.

It almost hurt to see them learning to trust each other, in how lovely and heart-warming it is, how they find in each other someone to talk about things they desperately need to let out but never felt they had the space or the words to, it just felt very organic and magical, how evident it is that they both feel like they’re allowed to be themselves and to be vulnerable when they’re in each other’s company, unveiling new parts of themselves every time they felt ready, and that was so beautifully executed that I could have swooned.

The story unfolds along the school year, but a lot of things happen in the Christmas holidays, and it’s all just so lovely and festive that I felt completely wrapped up in it, I could see the Hogsmeade Christmas Market in my head, I could imagine snow clinging to their coats and cheekbones, I heard the fire crackling and remembered every detail about Home Alone and it was incredible.

Every moment of this fic is dotted with details that make it feel real and alive in a way you don’t often find, all the side characters are complex and deep, so diverse, and the little time we spend with them is enough to care for them and love them deeply. Greg is autistic in this, and Draco’s relationship with him is such a beautiful, beautiful touch, as are his moments with Parvati and even Luna. I loved that there’s an openly transgender character, I loved Draco making sense of his own sexuality and finding that he doesn’t have to fit anyone else’s definition of anything, just his own. I loved O’Neill, because it feels so incredibly important to have an authority figure giving guidance to students who are lost, a teacher who, for a change, treats them with respect, wants to love them and genuinely wants to help. She was one of my favorite characters, because she helped them all, loved them, taught them to be genuine about their feelings, helped them find themselves when they needed her, encouraged them to try out new, hidden talents. I’m tearing up just remembering her. I want someone like her in my life.

I don’t know what else to say. This story is incredibly beautiful, and much deeper than I could ever have imagined, emotional and authentic and human and true, and I wanted to start reading it again as soon as I finished it. If you like post-war stories that feature spot-on, gorgeous characterizations, mistletoes, bowtruckles, hats with pom poms on them, lilies, outings that everyone knows are dates but the people on them, and rather a lot of singing and blushing, this is the fic for you. Which, WHO DOESN’T LIKE THOSE THINGS? So this is the fic for everyone. That’s my hot take.

If you want to feel warm and fuzzy RIGHT THIS SECOND, I’m dropping another link for you right HERE. Let Marina know how beautiful her story is in a comment, and after you’ve done that, come cry about O’Neill with me. Much love ❤️

#drarry #drarry fic #drarry fic rec #drarry fic recs #ficrec #drarry fanfic #harry potter #draco malfoy #marina

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elopez7228 · 4 years

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Scenic route 23/47

Read on AO3 : https://archiveofourown.org/works/18268208/chapters/43229774

Start over : https://elopez7228.tumblr.com/post/620919089893933056/scenic-route-0147

***

Perched on the sidewalk with his elbows on his knees, Ben Solo lit a cigarette.

With his other hand he scrolled through his phone, reading and re-reading Rey's last messages.

He knew exactly where she was and what she was doing: Syed was sending him a brief every hour. Yesterday she had visited the southern reaches of Yellowstone, today she was up north. Syed had even mentioned something about bathing in the river.

He had hoped for a picture that never came. Imagine his reaction if he ever saw Rey in a swimsuit—of course, that would go beyond the strict definition of surveillance—he’d be flirting with the boundaries of stalking. And he had taken enough liberties with his initial mission to know not to venture there.

Was she going to text him?

He had ended their conversation last night...was it pathetic of him to contact her first?

She said she wasn’t ready for a fling and instead wanted to get to know him better. But that evening...her hands and mouth told a different story. He could feel the desire coiling in his abdomen at the very thought of their heated embrace...

He gave in, thumbs gliding across his screen:

Good morning stranger, sleep well?

Should he sign it with a name?

He would have liked her to call him Kylo Ren, like everyone else. Ben Solo was the name of an anxious teenager with voices in his head, abandoned by his parents, misunderstood by the world. Kylo Ren was the name he had given himself to turn the page. It was the emblem of his reincarnation as a critically-acclaimed rockstar and celebrated prodigy, Andrew Snoke’s prodigy, and Armitage Hux’s infamous nemesis.

He felt that she was suspicious of Kylo Ren...but the only person who called him Ben was his mother, and that was one more reason to bury the name. It brought him nothing but bad memories. She would just have to get used to calling him Kylo.

But he couldn’t bring himself to sign it.

The answer was almost instant:

Good afternoon to you. It’s 1400 hours, if you just got up I reckon you had a rough night?

Touché. I’m more of a night owl. Music and inspiration are nocturnal things.

And I’m ever the early bird. It's amazing that our paths crossed, in the end.

The day and the night...

The sun and the moon?

Okay stop.

Rey and Ben looked down at their phones, simultaneously terrified.

What was this? Some heartfelt exchange of poetry? Flirting, both??

They were thousands of miles apart, her sitting on a park bench and him on a patch of asphalt. She was brilliant, shining in the sunlight as the wind swept against her face. He was taciturn, his heart preoccupied and his vision clouded with worry. Yet they found themselves back to back, each contemplating the absence of the other.

So far and yet so close.

In that moment suspended in time, Rey was the first to breath again.

What had changed? Nothing, in a sense. She was still mourning her marriage, drowning in anguish for Finn, and lacking insight on Ben. On the other hand, she was no longer angry, and under the Wyoming sun, on the cusp of happiness. Soothed, to say the least. She was no longer afraid of what the future would hold for her.

But Ben was drowning. It felt like they were at an impasse. Rey carried the weight of her grief like a burden, she lived on another continent and entered his life only by accident. She seemed destined to exit it just as quickly. They had met for the first time only a week ago, and the conviction that she was going to escape him and disappear forever from his life plunged him into an abyss.

Rey got up, stretched, slipping her phone into her back pocket. Maz was still playing fetch with BB8.

“You’re turning red. From the sun, no doubt?” Maz smiled mischievously.

“Of course. It’s only sunburn. Why else would I be turning red?” They smiled; neither fooled by this coded little conversation.

Rey sat down at the wheel of the Millennium Falcon and put both hands firmly on the steering wheel.

“Maz...would you like to attend a concert tomorrow?”

Maz, busy fastening her belt, turned her head to look at the girl before her. “What kind of concert?”

“The rock kind. I would like to introduce you to someone.”

"A rendezvous with the sun himself, I take it?”

"Perhaps," said Rey, who felt the "sunburn" come back to her cheeks, “it's up in Gardiner tomorrow night. That still leaves us this afternoon and most of tomorrow to see the park...if you’re alright with the agenda, that is.”

"Nobody's waiting for tea with me in Anchorage, child. I can bring myself to spare time to meet someone tomorrow night.”

“Okay,” Rey giggled, she couldn’t repress her broad smile. “I hope you'll like him more than BB8...And honestly, I want to know what you think!”

“Ah, so it's BB8’s dear friend Ben Solo, the same man you had to speak to...I see. I don’t know if I'm the best judge of character, you know.”

Rey turned to her, beseeching. “Please. I cannot stand to be left alone with my contradictions, I lose focus. I need an outside opinion, and an objective one at that.”

Maz nodded, but she had stopped smiling. “You know Rey, we have not known each other for a long time, but I feel that sometimes, it feels good to be a little lonely. I think you did well to undertake this trip, and I think you shouldn’t go too fast with this Ben Solo. Concentrate on yourself, your needs. The temptation of meeting someone “new” is great, I understand. But don’t let him lead your heart astray.”

“Well you'll be there to stop me from doing something stupid, right? Please?”

The little woman took off her glasses. Her eyes were tiny, almost lost in the middle of her face. “You must also learn how to cope with what is happening to you, instead of letting your entourage deal with your problems...Take charge, make decisions, learn from your mistakes. It would not help you at all, if I "stop" you from anything. It's time for you to stop letting others decide for you. "

These words, though spoken kindly, pierced Rey like a dozen stab wounds. It was all her fault, in the end.

Her breathing became uneven and she looked away, so that Maz wouldn’t see her glistening tears. But the old woman could guess, all the same. She laid an affectionate hand on the girl's forearm:

“I'm sorry to have hurt you. You are a wonderful, bright girl. You simply lack confidence in yourself. Listen to your heart, it will never lead you astray.”

“My heart led me to marry a man who could never love me the way he was supposed to,” she replied bitterly, “you will forgive me if I'm suspicious of my intuitions, now.”

Ben Solo crushed his cigarette underfoot.

He would have to handle the tour and the mission at the same time. He had to be in Gardiner that very evening, after what was shaping up to be three hours of skirting Yellowstone traffic. The roads were flooded this time of the year. Syed, who was still chasing Rey on her adventures, was ahead of him. The rest of the group was split into three vehicles and a van, all parked in the 4B parking lot for lunch.

His phone vibrated and he grimaced as Hux's name appeared on the screen. Hux calling never meant anything good.

“Kylo Ren.”

“Hello, Kylo. I have Snoke on the other line, let me activate conference mode.”

Hux’s voice was too smooth, overly honeyed and precise in a way that indicated he was plotting something...and there was no telling what trouble was brewing with Hux and Snoke in the same room. Ben ran his fingers through his hair, straightened his shoulders, and took a deep breath. Every conversation with Snoke these days smacked of lawsuits. He wondered what it would be this time.

The sound of Snoke's slow breathing filled his speaker.

“Kylo Ren. How have you progressed?”

“As discussed, I’m tracking the girl, sir.”

“What were the results?”

"For now...her connection to Earth Soldiers is still unascertainable, apart from the fact that she is traveling with BB8 aboard the Millennium Falcon.”

"I’m certain she's walking you across the country when we need to concentrate our forces here at the headquarters. The mission is over, you are to come back.”

Ben Solo's heart skipped a beat. He had expected a reprimand, but not this. He did his best to control the trembling of his voice. “With all due respect, sir, it's too risky. We would have a lot to lose from letting an activist agent go. "

"She's no more an activist agent than you are a musician, Kylo Ren," rasped Snoke. “The party is over.”

Ben was looking for the right words when Hux intervened.

“Don’t forget to keep your receipts, I will ask my assistant to prepare your expense report.”

The bastard was having a ball. He would pay for it dearly when the time came. Ben felt his blood boil with a combination of fury and humiliation. “Every single move Rey Jakku makes is being monitored. Where she's going, who she's talking to. I will make her talk, it's only a matter of time.”

“We are out of time. This conversation is futile, I’m sure Skywalker’s devotees are tired of running around like chickens without heads. It is time to silence them. Get rid of the girl and come home.”

Ben’s blood turned to ice. “Get rid of? What do you mean…?”

It was Hux who replied, his nasal drawl annoyingly triumphant.

“Burn the Millenium Falcon to ashes, kill the dog, steal the girl's papers to scare her. Come tomorrow, she will be back in England and her hitchhiker will find some other pathetic tourist to ride with.”

"What hitchhiker?”

The question came out reflexively and Ben regretted it in an instant. The first rule of the First Order was to never, ever admit failure, even if you were behind. Too late.

“How is it that you didn’t know?” Snoke said, sotto voce. “Am I to understand that you are supposedly monitoring every single one of Rey Jakku's actions, to use your own words, but that you did not know that she had picked up a travelling companion along the way?”

Ben remained speechless as he processes this new information. How did Hux and Snoke unknowingly get such intel?

“Perhaps you owe this failure to a pair of pretty eyes. If you want to keep your job, Ben Solo-Skywalker, you have an interest in getting results. Immediately.”

His full name was uttered with such contempt that Ben got goose bumps. He could feel his throat growing tight with hate as he held his tongue.

“Get rid of this girl, her car and her dog, and come home. I leave you twenty-four hours. If I don’t see results by then, I think you would benefit from a stay in the office. Hux will ensure your field work gets done while you go back to the drawing board.”

So that's what Hux had been up to, Ben thought, he wanted my place. Ben could feel his jaw clenching. Hux would pay for this in blood.

But he had to admit, it was the ideal form of blackmail: Rey or him. Whatever decision he made, it would cost him dearly. He knew he would not be able to recover.

His throat constricted, his eyes began to burn. Everything was falling apart so fast...as a young man, Ben had risen past his childhood trauma to become one of the most powerful men in the United States, respected and feared by all. But Snoke called the shots. He could reduce Ben to misery as easily as he had propelled him to the top.

"Do you hear me, Ren?” Snoke hissed.

“Yes sir. Crystal clear.” He paused. “Have you canceled the concerts?” He added quietly.

“I think your little publicity stunt, once a credible cover to justify your absences and trips with your cohorts, has gone to the head. You will play Gardiner tomorrow. As for Bozeman...we'll see. You know what you have left to do.”

Ben hung up and screamed. In his rage, he snatched a metal trash and hurled it to the ground, before kicking it violently against the wall.

It was Syed. That fucking bitch. She had doubled crossed him and sold him out to Hux. Oh, that she was going to pay for, very, very dearly.

It took him a long time to catch his breath and find a semblance of sangfroid. A few yards away, Shakti, Skylar, and his other knights watched the scene in terrified amazement.

They heard nothing of the conversation but knew that only Snoke and Hux could ever make Kylo feel this way.

And Shakti, though she would never tell anyone, could have sworn she saw him cry.

#Reylo #fanfiction #Modern AU #Scenic Route

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brightbeautifulthings · 5 years

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Thirst 3: The Eternal Dawn by Christopher Pike

"But the simplest answer is best. A killer knows another killer, and I have killed thousands."

Year Read: 2013, 2019

Rating: 4/5

Context: Another lovely buddy read with Roberta from Offbeat YA (read her fabulous review here). I don't remember how I felt when I learned that Pike had decided to continue Sita's story nearly fifteen years after the end of the series. He's written that it never felt like her story was over, and fans of the series will have to agree. As proven by some of the more ridiculous things I love, I will continue to read a series (or watch a TV show) long after it has devolved into silliness for love of the characters. (Fortunately, that's not the case here.) There are spoilers ahead for The Last Vampire 1-6 (or Thirst 1-2, as they've been repackaged). Trigger warnings: death, violence, blood, torture, gore, body horror.

About: Fifteen years after the events of Creatures of Forever, Sita is still alive and well. She's on the verge of introducing herself to a descendant of her five-thousand-year lineage, a college student named Teri with Olympic aspirations. But Sita's life has always been dangerous, and bringing Teri and Teri's boyfriend, Matt, into her life will put them at risk. Almost at the same time, two terrifying new threats enter into her life. One has a long, secretive, and bloody history, and the other is one of the most quietly wealthy companies in the world with a horrifying power at their disposal. Both want Sita's unique talents for their own--or they want her dead, along with everyone she loves.

Thoughts: The struggle is real to write a description of this book, much less gather my thoughts into something coherent on it. Given that it's more than twice the size of The Last Vampire novels, it has a lot more going on. The plot is more sophisticated and less straightforward than any TLV novel yet, and it doesn't come anywhere close to resolving in this book. There are many, many questions left unanswered at the end, even without the major cliffhanger. As Roberta pointed out, it's more like Thirst 3 and 4 are one long, consecutive novel, and I'm having difficulty not critiquing it from what I know happens later. But here we go.

People who have read Creatures of Forever are probably wondering how he managed to go back on that ending. Sita erases vampires from history and lives out her human life, and Pike has a lot of work to do to unravel that conclusion. We know from the epilogue that it was Seymour narrating those stories, not Sita herself, so in the context of the Thirst-verse (I'm calling it that), the TLV-verse was the novels he wrote and not what actually happened. To Roberta's dismay and mine, this erases Seymour from the first six books, as he's never met Sita until now. It's far from elegant, and any inconsistencies between Thirst 3 and the TLV-verse are frustratingly explained away as Seymour's artistic license. You could make yourself crazy trying to fill in all those gaps (we know because we tried), so it's probably best to blue-pencil that from awareness as you're reading. It's not a strategy I care for, but I'm willing to overlook it in the interest of continuing her story.

Sita is still a strong, flawed, and lovable heroine. Her arrogance and impatience continue to get her into trouble, both with her adversaries and her friends, but it's nice to see that she's mostly consistent from the previous books. Seymour is older, a reclusive published novelist in his twenties, which only reinforces the feeling that Seymour is a mix of Sita's fans and Pike himself. Their meeting scene is both funny and heart-warming. I love this version of Seymour even more because he never fails to call Sita on her bullshit. We're also granted some insight into Yaksha's past, and that's a character I've been eager to return to since the first book. Shanti is sweet and loving; she's probably my favorite of the new characters. Teri and Sita don't share enough page time to really develop their relationship, and I'm far from Matt's biggest fan. He's brooding, overbearing, and sometimes childish, and I'd be just as happy if he weren't in the novel at all for a number of reasons.

The plot is complex, since Pike is introducing two new threats. They're both major organizations, albeit on different levels, and they're more formidable than anything Sita has faced in the past. I typically don’t go in for conspiracy-type plots, but as usual, it feels totally plausible in Pike’s capable hands. The stakes are so high that the plot relies on several dei ex machina to get Sita out of various fixes, which isn't entirely inconsistent with the rest of the series. It's always had a strong note of Eastern mythology, and Krishna has played a vital role from the beginning; however, it's a little more direct interference than we're used to.

More difficult to accept is the fact that Sita needs legitimate saving at one point in the novel for the first time ever. This would be fine--she’s always had help in the past, even if she had to do most of the actual saving herself--except that her savior is a mysterious male character who proceeds to overshadow her for the rest of the book. Sita's always been one of the strongest heroines I've ever read, yet she's here deferring authority to this random dude (okay, maybe not entirely random) in her own book. Pike is usually great about writing awesome female characters, but combining this with some of Seymour's comments in the epilogue (however joking they may be), there's a thread of underlying sexism. Thirst 3 is enjoyable, action-packed, and bloody, and it has probably the most ambitious plot so far in the series. It's also messy and flawed, and I can't entirely reconcile my feelings about it. It doesn't quite live up to the original books, but fingers crossed that things come together better in the next installment.

#book review #thirst 3: the eternal dawn #thirst 3 #the eternal dawn #christopher pike #thirst #thirst series #the last vampire #ya horror #ya paranormal #4/5 #rating: 4/5 #2019

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bookishreviewsblog · 5 years

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Sarah J. Maas: Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) | Lara

Years in the making, Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world. . . Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day… With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world. And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever. As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.

4,5 STARS

“Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom …” After eight books of this amazing story I still can’t believe it is over. Although I started Throne of Glass series in May, I still find these books very dear to me and Celaena’s journey will stay with me for a while. I will most likely put a lot of spoilers in this review, because I am not sure I will be able to write it without some references, so be careful (there will be warnings of course). Even though this book was almost a thousand pages long, it wasn’t anything near boring. It was filled with action and twist from the beginning to the very end. Story and Celaena/Aelin herself have changed so much, that it seems so painfully far to look at the beginning of Throne of Glass. Maas introduced many more characters and storylines, that the length of the book seems quite fair since there was a lot of questions unanswered and stories unfinished. I like world-building and concept of Sarah’s worlds. In fact, if there is a map I can follow through the book while reading about war tactics there is 90% chance I will like the book. By now I can say I know the whole continent by heart since I used to check every city, river or mountain that was mentioned. Something about Sarah’s world-building that bothers me since A Court of Thorns and Roses is that there is no magic system. There are no rules of inheriting power or knowing how powerful one can be. Characters are just born with enormous power and every one of them has some different magic. Book was easy to read, chapters were short, each from different perspective. Descriptions were thorough and beautifully written as well as dialogues. I always admired Maas’s writing, but in this book, I was amazed by all those remarkable descriptions of places, battles and of course characters and their feelings in this amazing world she created. I could picture every scene and even empathize with characters I don’t like. Maas certainly knew how to make this one last story epic and unforgettable, while still pleasing us readers and fangirls. I still feel like there isn’t anything I can write that will put my feelings about this book in one place, but I will try with the characters. As I said before, long way since that lonely assassin in castle, hating the king and struggling to choose between crown prince and head of the guard. Story, characters, even villains have changed, completely. Perhaps I should start with Aelin, because she was character, I was most pleasantly surprised with in Kingdom of Ash. My perspective of her character changed a lot through the series. I loved her character from the beginning. She won my heart in The Assassin’s blade and I loved her strength and determination as well as the idea of 16-year-old assassin. Somewhere in Queen of Shadows, after she took her role as a Queen of Terrasen, she became annoying and I started to dislike her character. She kept her plans to herself and everyone praised her a bit too much, to the point where it felt like she was supposed to be the only important character in the story (where there are dozen main characters). I guess author was trying to make an impression of her being a good queen, still learning to rule, but it was rather annoying more than convincing. But I must say from the beginning of Kingdom of Ash, I started liking Aelin immediately. Maas did a really good job in writing her in state of torture, recovering and finally, continuing fight she started. *spoilers about Aelin’s character development ahead*Aelin showed her strength once again, during two months of brutal torture, by Maeve who wanted her to tell her where are the keys. She never once broke thinking about her country and how she must save it. During that period, I started to understand Aelin more, her motives and personality: how ashamed she was that she left Terrasen for 10 years and now she suffered so her people could stop suffering. From her recovery (which was very realistically described!) to her return to Erilea I forgot all about how she annoyed me. She has changed, started trusting her friends and allies, but those traits that made her one of my favorite character of all times still remained. Brave, willing to sacrifice herself for her friends and her country. She fought through all her pain and loss to glory and love. That scene where she ran out in golden armor in battle and when she stopped the river from destroying entire army were one of my favorite scenes in whole book. Maas did really good job with Aelin in this book, putting her a little bit on the side and creating some space for other characters, but still keeping Aelin as the initiator of everything and never letting her loose her value. There is nothing much to say about Rowan, my opinion on him remained the same as in the past two books – I feel like he is there only to play the role of love interest. Yes, I love him and Aelin together, but I could never connect with his character on a level I could with others and I haven’t seen much development of his. My favorites and the best power couple ever are Manon and Dorian. They were my OTP from the moment Manon was introduces to the series. I love them both so much and hey are my favorite characters from these books. Lots of angst and feelings, but I was disappointed *spoiler* they got separated at the end. I love cruel Chrochan Queen who was raised to kill and torture, but still finds her way and believes in herself. Her character was one of the best developed and most interesting character of the entire series. I loved her from the very beginning, but in Kingdom of Ash she showed not only her brutal side of a warrior and Ironteeth, but merciful and brave side of a queen who will unite and bring her people home. Her relationship with Abraxos and The Thirteen were one of my favorite friendships, **BIG spoiler* the scene of The Thirteen’s sacrifice was really painful. “The choice of how our people's future shall be shaped is yours," Manon told each of the witches assembled, all the Blackbeaks who might fly off to war and never return. "But I will tell you this." Her hands shook, and she fisted them on her thighs. "There is a better world out there. And I have seen it.” I wasn’t particularly fond of other characters, except Dorian and Chaol because they are part of the original trio. There was a whole lot of new and old characters and I couldn’t make myself care for all of them. I literally see no purpose of creating Elide or Lorcan than to add another perspective. Elide wasn’t even that interesting and her so called powers were brought up twice (I even forgot what were they). Sure, I started to like Fenrys, Lysandra was inspiring and I loved Aedion from time to time (although I find his character annoying and poorly developed). *SPOILER* When they are all summed up, we end with a big specter of main characters and, surprisingly, not single one of them died. I mean, I get it, it was a lot of pain and sacrifice throughout the book, but there was so many characters and I guess I even expected to be some painful deaths (that were not sideline characters). *following paragraph contains major spoilers for ending of Kingdom of Ash* “Let’s make this a fight worthy of a song.” I have a desperate need to comment on the ending of Throne of Glass series. As I said before, I was disappointed in lacking of deaths. It is not that I enjoy watching my favorite characters die, it is more about the impression certain ending leaves. I think ending should be emotional, especially after such a big finale. After finishing Kingdom of Ash, I was in state of “book hungover” for two hours (which is negligee compared to few-weeked depressions I endured after really emotional endings). Actually, the only things I was sad about was Aelin’s loss of power and separation of characters. Another thing that slightly bothered me, although I can’t say I am entirely unhappy with the outcome, is how forging of the lock turned out. I expected it would kill Aelin in some very emotional way, or at least it will take an enormous toll on her or Dorian, but at the same time I am glad they survived since they are my favorite characters after all. The whole ending just leaves the huge expression Maas didn’t want to kill of any important character and tbh I find that quite unrealistic and disappointing. Final battle was really tense, well written and I enjoyed reading it. I loved how it was all untangled between Erawan and Maeve. It would be pretty predictable and boring if it ended by them being destroyed with the keys, so this final battle gave the ending an epic note. “Aelin looked at Chaol and Dorian and sobbed. Opened her arms to them, and wept as they held each other. “I love you both,” she whispered. “And no matter what may happen, no matter how far we may be, that will never change.” All in all, I can say I am quite satisfied with this book since I have waited it for a few months and have been dying to see how will it all turn out. Throne of Glass series are really good work and I recommend it to any fantasy lover. The journey of young assassin has come to an end, but I can’t say I regret one moment of it.

#books #bookreviews #sarahjmaas #kingdomofash #throneofglass #youngadult #fantasy

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themildestofwriters · 6 years

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Meet the Writer Tag

Thank you @gottaenjoythelittlethingzz for tagging me in this post! It brought a smile to my face and was a great way to start the day! I love the interaction and hope it only continues.

Now, onto the questions asked.

1. What’s your favourite Fandom/media source to write for? If not an FF writer, what Fandom would you like to write for? What would you write for if you had no other choice to get out of writers block?

I don’t have a preference. Though I have written for The Familiar of Zero, “Star Wars: The Old Republic”, “Dragon Age”, and “Avatar: The Legends of Korra”. Speaking of which, I should probably work on those, but my WIP calls!

2. Is quantity of words or pages important to you?

As implied above, I come from a fanfiction writing background where the rules don’t really matter, a thirteen thousand-word chapter is normal and a prologue that’s long enough to be its own novella is expected. I am trying to make my chapters a wee bit smaller in my WIP. If chapter 2 is any indication, it’s going to bee a bit difficult.

Pages are of no use to me; when someone asks how many pages a chapter is I don’t really care and instead prefer to mention word count.

3. What’s the last book you read?

The last book I read was a lovely romance novel by the name of The Dark Wife written by Sarah Diemer. It’s an LGBT+ ‘re-imagining’ of the Persephone and Hades tale from Greek Mythology with the twist being that Hades is a woman. Now, I’m not normally interested in romance but it was quite inspiring and interesting to read. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good read I recommend. I should probably write a review of it later...

Either way, you can thank the magnificent artist @almondmilkgirl for introducing me to the novel via fanart which looks an awful lot like two characters of mine. I had been looking for art of a gender-bent Hades for my WIP (Greek dress up party) only to find some done by the aforementioned artist.

4. Who’s your favourite author?

I don’t have one. I see a book, I read the book, I don’t really care who wrote it. There are some authors that I do have an interest in, but I can’t really pick and chose which author is my favourite.

5. What’s the last TV show you watched?

The last show I watched was Altered Carbon, if Netflix counts. In fact, my most famous post on Tumblr happens to be about Altered Carbon. Good show; recommend. 10/10 would guillotine the rich again.

6. What’s the last movie you watched?

I watched it a third time with my parents—first time for them—and it was good. It wasn’t perfect, had its ups and downs, but it’s certainly a highlight movie. Mother didn’t seem impressed as I may have blown the ending out of proportion upon returning from my first visit. Okay, not everyone died, but a lot of people did!

7. Who’s your favourite tv show/movie writer/director?

Same with authors, I don’t really care for who writes, who directs, it’s the content itself that matters. There are some writers and directors that I do have an interest in, but ultimately, it’s only a passing interest and not something I care too much about.

8. Where’s your favourite place to write? If you don’t have one where would you like to travel/visit to write?

My bedroom. It’s comfortable, it’s quiet, it’s the furthest room from everything else. It’s small, it’s cramped, my desk is an old organ I gutted and my chair is a dining room table chair. It’s convenient.

9. What’s your dream career that involves writing?

Author. That’s what I want to be, a published author.

10. Do you use outlines when planning for a project? If so, at what part of the story do you start (characters, plot, beginning, middle, end)? What’s your process?

There are three main stories of mine which I’ll discuss because I’m pretty sure I did a bit different for each of them.

The first I’ll discuss is A God Among Us, a WIP about the primordial goddess of night coming down to Earth to learn about the mortals and why her brothers and sisters destroyed each other for them. I started with a concept, the basic plot of a slice of life tale about a goddess out of her element trying to learn about humans. After the concept came the Goddess and from there the rest of the characters. The plot, the actual plot came last.

Then there’s Star Wars: The Sith, Zero, a fanfiction I’m writing and the longest thing I’ve written... ever. I chose the character first, the fan-favourite Lousie de La Valliere (accent not included), and then built the concept of it around the character and the two fandoms I had chosen (Familiar of Zero and Swtor). After the concept came the plot and from the plot came an endless stream of rewrites.

Finally, there is my current WIP, Divine Intervention or: What Comes After Immortality. For this, the characters and general plot had already been crafted way before I decided to write anything. Babette is my oldest character, someone who has been with me before I even started writing. Her love interest, Josephine, is a new addition but still at least a year or so old. I never really planned to write these characters. I was just going to day dream and add to the characters that way. Then a friend of mine and I began talking and talking and he was very interested in these characters. Eventually, we reached a point where I decided to throw out some small snips of their meeting about how much of an utter dork Babette was, and ding-ding, I started writing the story itself not too long after.

I tag: @fluffynexu, @inquisitorhotpants, @jenniferrpovey, @rose-writes-and-drinks-tea, @cometworks, @ariellaskylark, @focusdumbass. If you want to answer the questions, go ahead and consider yourself tagged.

My questions are:

What character has proven difficult to write?

Is there are story in your head that you’ve always wanted to write but never felt skilled enough to write? If yes, tell us about it! If no, tell me about your current WIP, if you’re willing.

Is there any theme or genre you find yourself unable to write?

Is there any theme or genre you find easy/fun to write?

What do you feel as if you’ve got to work on the most in your writing?

Which works have inspired you over the years?

Has there ever been something you’ve written where you’ve just stopped and marvelled at its existence?

How often is writing on your mind? Are you constantly daydreaming about characters/worldbuilding/plots or something else?

What is the one thing you want your readers to take away from your writing? It could be a feeling or a message or anything, whether it be from a single work or something overarching a collection of things you’ve written.

Why do you write?

Please tag if you’re going to answer, I’ll love to hear your replies! Good luck.

#writeblr #writers on tumblr #writing #tag game #my writing #fandoms #questions #ask game #blarg

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twilight-adamo · 6 years

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As Dreams Are Made On: The Mixtape - Liner Notes

Hello everyone! I am currently in the process of gathering my thoughts on Brave New World and trying to get the next installment of These Our Actors (which will focus on Rosalie) just right, in addition to trying to find my thread on Out of the Blue and other non-Twilight projects. This has been complicated by the fact that I’ve been fighting a couple rather nasty nose and throat bugs of late, and so this weekend I’m doing my best to relax and recover.

In the meantime, I thought I’d start offering up my notes on the Spotify playlist I posted a while ago and why I chose the songs I did. For anyone who didn’t see the link, here it is:

https://open.spotify.com/user/12153099402/playlist/5IYjYDbcM6qvQ2hgGnOCGF?si=orkjWU50SjKm7xbPSF_r5w

Since many of my choices do relate directly to specific plot points, there are potential spoilers ahead, so I’m putting this behind a cut. I won’t get through every song in this post, but I’ll add additional notes in subsequent posts as time allows.

As I think I mentioned before, I find playlists to be a very useful tool in my writing. It’s possible to spend too much time tinkering with playlists, of course, so I try not to do it in place of writing or outlining - this is just something I work on when I’m occupied with non-writing tasks that allow for a certain amount of downtime. Each song tends to relate to a plot point or an emotion I’m trying to evoke in a certain part of the story, and the sequence generally follows my outline of the plot, though I’ll sometimes put the playlist on shuffle if I’m feeling stuck and want to try and shake things up, and I sometimes end up adding, removing, or resorting various songs as my understanding of the plot evolves. Since As Dreams Are Made On is done, the current version of the mixtape - all 49 songs - is now pretty much in its final form, but when I’m working on a story, the associated playlist is very much a living document and subject to change.

Music has always been a hugely important part of my life, thanks in large part to my mother, who was an influence on much of my creative output. I tend to think of myself as a visual and verbal person first and foremost, but music has the power to set my mood, to reawaken old memories, to align my thoughts, and to soothe my emotional turmoil. My personal tastes are fairly eclectic - my mother favored country, and I’m still fond of the genre, but I also listen to a lot of pop, classical pieces, musical theatre, folk music, movie scores, and so on. Spotify has been kind of a godsend when it comes to building playlists, though there are unfortunately a few pieces which should be on the mixtape but aren’t simply because they’re unavailable on Spotify. I’ll try to make a note of those missing pieces in the appropriate sections.

Right, well, without further ado, let’s get to the songs.

Pieces and Pieces - The Rough and Tumble This song’s sort of a thesis statement for the whole story, in a way. The refrain, in particular, speaks to me of where I was going: Nothing is lost when it’s been found again / Everything’s found where it was lost. Cass/Bella (or CB, as I refer to her, when I’m not simply calling her Bella) has seemingly lost a great deal, but she comes to gain a great deal as well, and to recover things she thought lost to her forever. The line “I will make you mine again, pieces by pieces” also speaks to me of the story’s dramatic climax, where the nature of CB’s relationship with Alice becomes clearer.

Where Is My Mind? - Pixies Here’s where we’re getting into the actual sequence of events. This one might be a little bit of a cliché, but it reflects CB’s confusion when she wakes in the world of Twilight. It’s also just generally one of my favorite songs.

Turning Page - Sleeping At Last This is the first of many pieces pulled directly from the soundtrack of the Twilight films, and the first song that centers a character other than CB, as it reflects Alice getting hit by the mating bond full-force. It’s a lovely piece, but I think there’s an undercurrent of anxiety and some slightly ominous elements that suit Alice’s mood well. Love at first sight sounds like a pleasant prospect, but it’s also a frightening one, and neither Alice nor CB would have chosen it, given the chance to choose.

Iowa (Traveling, Pt. 3) - Dar Williams Another of my favorite songs. I listened to a lot of Dar Williams in college, and listen to her fairly often still, but I keep coming back to this one in particular. As a lifelong New Englander, famed for what my great-grandmother called ‘the Yankee reserve’ (which means we don’t tend to wear our emotions on our sleeves and generally we keep to ourselves), these lyrics in particular speak to me:

But way back where I come from We never mean to bother We don’t like to make our passions other people’s concern And we walk in the world of safe people And at night we walk into our houses and burn

So, to me, this song speaks of CB’s struggle with her own emotions as her life in Forks begins and she grapples with the mating bond and all it implies. And it also speaks to her background as a lifelong Bostonian, who doesn’t like to be a bother but nevertheless finds herself in a whole new social context and a position where she needs to reach out to others to survive.

Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs This is Rosalie’s introduction to the story. I don’t really know why, it just seems to suit her, somehow.

Bela Lugosi’s Dead - CHVRCHES It may be physically impossible for me to write about vampires WITHOUT using this song. I just felt like I had to fit it in somewhere, and the first meeting with the rest of the Cullens (sans Carlisle and Esme, of course) seemed like a good spot.

Looking for a Place to Shine - Deidre Thornell Hear the Bells - Naomi Scott I’ll be honest, I don’t have a lot of compelling reasons for these two. They just seemed to fit the sort of transitional period between the first meeting with the Cullens and Leah’s introduction a little later on.

Red Eyes and Tears - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Leah’s introduction to the story. Again, it just seemed to suit her.

New For You - Reeve Carney We’re back to Alice with this one. It sort of reflects her own emotional turmoil in dealing with the mating bond and having to accept that CB doesn’t necessarily reciprocate all her feelings just yet.

Fearless - Taylor Swift Well, this one actually comes up in the story, so you can pretty much guess where it fits in. Again, though, it’s one of my favorite songs, and speaks to the joy that I think love should carry with it, and the idea that love should drive us forward and make us better. It’s been a serious contender for the first dance at my hypothetical wedding for a long time (though “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri may be beating it out now).

The Mercy of the Fallen - Dar Williams More Dar Williams! This one...I don’t know. Somehow, it speaks to me of love and acceptance, of individuals who are all burdened and broken in their own ways reaching out and comforting one another. And that, in turn, makes me think of CB’s first visit to the Cullen house: her first real conversation with Rosalie, her introduction to Carlisle and Esme, all of that. This is where she really starts to build bridges, I think, and where she and some of the others begin to open up to one another.

Bella’s Lullaby - Carter Burwell, Dan Redfeld and Elizabeth Hedman This is of course one of my favorite pieces from the Twilight movie score, and includes a leitmotif that comes up more than once in both the films and in my playlist. I couldn’t find the original version from the score itself on Spotify, but this cover works. Of course Edward plays it on the piano at this point in the story, reading it out of CB’s thoughts, and I think she adopts it in a sense as a sort of personal theme. Every time I listen to it, it makes me think of soaring pine trees and crisp, cold air, and I find the melody very soothing.

Missing Piece: Star by Star - Cassandra Lease and Melissa Carubia Someday I’m actually going to get together with the friend who helped me with the arrangement on this one and record it. It probably won’t go up on Spotify, but I’ll likely post it somewhere. This is the song I wrote for my mother’s memorial service; the lyrics are of course reprinted in the story in their entirety. This is probably one of the most personal elements of the story, the point where I really started to spill my guts across the page. I obviously backed off a little from my own life once I introduced Callie to the story, but there’s still a lot of my soul buried in the text; sometimes, I think, too much.

Bella’s Lullaby (Extended Mix) - The Twilight Orchestra I’m not really sure why this shares the name Bella’s Lullaby when it doesn’t seem to have much to do with the shorter piece, but whatever. This is just a lovely piece that sets the mood for Alice and CB on the rooftop and the events that follow.

Possibility - Lykke Li Similarly, this is more of a ‘setting the mood’ song. I don’t think the lyrics quite fit, in their entirety, but this basically represents CB awakening to the possibility of forming a real attachment to Alice, despite her qualms.

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift Another (highly anachronistic) Taylor Swift song that shows up in the story itself. I can be an extremely basic white girl at times.

Bad Reputation - Avril Lavigne The Joan Jett version isn’t on Spotify! I don’t know what to tell you! This cover’s pretty good, though. Another Leah song, and something I imagine might be playing in the dive where CB introduces Leah to fried pickles.

Nothing to Lose - Minusworld My friend Melissa’s band! Get their EP, Giant Blazing Sword, wherever you buy digital music! Listen to them on Spotify and Bandcamp! Anyway, I think this is the track playing during Leah and CB’s encounter with the scary assholes in the alley, and when Emmett and the others get their big damn hero moment.

In Place Of Someone You Love - Carter Burwell, Dan Redfeld and Elizabeth Hedman We’re skipping ahead a bit here. This piece comes after the shopping scene and CB’s attempt to analyze Rosalie’s abilities, when she’s in the dream of the burning house, trying to save her memories.

The Forgotten - Green Day This piece represents CB’s emotions after she wakes from her brief coma, as she struggles with losing her memories and burning away parts of the world she left behind.

Black Is The Colour - Cara Dillon And this piece represents CB’s acceptance of her feelings toward Alice, her confession of love despite her reservations. It took me a while to find a cover I liked, as I very much wanted to use a version that had a woman singing about another woman, for obvious reasons.

Okay, I think that’s pretty much all I can handle for now. More to come soon!

#twilight fanfiction #twilight fanfic #twilight au #adamo #as dreams are made on #adamo spoilers #the mixtape #bellice #alice/bella

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sebbybooks · 6 years

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The Piano Scene

Sebastian Stan x One Shot

Warnings: Language, Smut

🎼 Tagged for Updates 🎼 @multifandomluv7 @buckyappreciationsociety @crystallimythium @bunchofandoms @deanmonslittleangel @learisa @seargantbcky @mjuikoli @ophcelia @sleepdeprivedchildren @aesthetic-bbygoats

Earlier today I asked him to play me a song that I would remember long after my night was over. I told Sebastian I wanted to hear his heartbeat in every single note that he played. It was very important to me that I be there and listen to how he played our love song. Sebastian looked longly into my eyes, and I carefully studied his lips while he spoke to me. As always he told me that if I listened I would be able to. I was standing in front of him, closing in the gap between us that not even air could travel through. I raised my hands to him so that I could adjust his burgundy bow tie that felt like velvet material under my touch. I meticulously straightened it until it pleased my eyes. My movements happened like clockwork. Nothing less and nothing more, every night it was always the same.

Standing in the center of his dressing room with lights that dimly burned like a dying orange bulb. That strongly illuminated the four white walls vibrantly. It was a very ordinary room. Not a trace of his soul appeared anywhere. He gazed down at me, causing his eyes to cautiously follow my every move. I pulled the corners of the fabric of his bowtie tightly, it made Sebastian involuntarily release a small grunt. In which I smiled to his dismay.

“Don’t.” He breathed.

My eyes looked up into his in question. “Why not?” I asked. Sebastian stared back with inquiry daring not to say more than what was truly on his mind. “I know all of your tricks therefore I can not be fooled by them.” His voice was soft, but his tone remained stoic. He pulled away only to better hold either sides of my face into the palm of his hands. My cheeks formed into them perfectly.

“Well then I am the fool.” I sighed heavily. I could feel both of his thumbs gently rub my face in small circular motions. I held onto both of his wrist to keep me still. He raised his eyebrow, confused by what I just said. “Because I am foolishly and madly in love with you.” I said, emphasizing my words as if they were to have a new meaning.

The corners of his mouth slowly twitched upwards into a smile. He blinked slightly before carefully bringing my face to his. He kissed me on the mouth and for some reason I always started to get the feeling of nervousness. Like our lips were meeting for the first time. It was a passionate kiss, yet managed to remain sweet. I relaxed my body closer to him, dropping my hands from around his arms. He released his hold of my face and pressed my lower half closer to him. I let let myself cling to his embrace like a damsel. Even though they called him a devil in disguise and I was known as hell in high heels. He was mine and I was his. Our bond could never break.

Our mouths separated and collided with great togetherness.I could feel his teeth tugging on my bottom lip, before introducing his tongue to mine. His mouth was soft and I kissed him back harder as if I were to say a long goodbye. I didn’t want to let go of him, I wanted to hold onto him longer. If only I could’ve locked the door to his dressing room and do to him what lovers do best. Though at last I knew he would he give me his signature final kiss on the nape of my neck, before moving away. I could still feel the sensation of his lips lingering on my skin long after he pulled away. That feeling was nothing shy of torture. Though I should be use to that yearning feeling by now. Nothing less, and nothing more, every night it was always the same.

He looked me in the eyes and his face mirrored the sorrow I felt in mine. I didn’t want his pity so I turned my head from his and took a few paces backwards. Right as we both heard a knock on the door I straightened the sides of my evening gown and wiped the corners of my mouth. My fingers became stained with the shade of dark brown lipstick.

“We are ready for you Sebastian.” A young woman peeked only her head in from the neck up into the room. Sebastian looked from her to me only half smiling, because that was his queue to leave.

“Wish me luck out there.” His voice was low and a bit solemn. I could tell by looking at him he was tired of the same routine as well.

“You don’t need it.” I reminded him. I wanted to find a reason to reach out and touch the sleeve on his black tuxedo or grab his hand to squeeze it. Instead, I just remained still and watched as he left the room. Moments after he was gone I found myself standing in the same spot. My movements hadn’t changed an inch. I wanted to scream, cry, and throw something out of frustration. However, I knew I couldn’t do any of those things. Except walk out of the room and so I did.

When I entered the grand hall my reaction was always the same. In the beginning I was always so in awe by how opulent the view was, but now I had become unamused . Though I will say one thing I liked that never changed. If you were to look to the ceiling at first it would appear to be nothing but ordinary, once the lights dimmed down to almost complete darkness, if you were to look up again it would be filled with thousands of twinkling lights that could pass for stars. The stage where Sebastian performed on was carved in the center of the room. It was low level and no one could miss him if they tried. Though who would want to? Every night around this hour hundreds of people would fill the room to hear him play.

I stood in the farthest corner I could find with my back against the wall while everyone one else sat at round dining tables chattering amongst themselves. I remained in my hiding place where I could see everything and everyone take place. I was an onlooker from the distance that no one barely noticed was there. They all were dressed up like they were competing with one another to see who had better taste or more money. Sometimes I would catch their attention and it almost seemed like it bothered a few that I wasn’t apart of the masses. Their conversations never amused me anyway.

Applauses erupted and everyone rose up from their seats when Sebastian walked up to the grand piano. He was a natural when it came to his stage presence. And he gives the best damn performance every time. I feel lighter and yet filled with so much bliss when I hear him play. Something I could never grow tired of hearing. For a brief moment in time he makes me forget about this hell that I am living in. In fact watching him play the way he does makes me want to stay here forever. Until I am remind unfortunately that I am.

After a while, Sebastian stops playing. I look around the room and he evoked an emotion in others you have to see to understand. I see some are so moved by him they are brought to tears. I find him through the crowd and I just look to him an smile. I’ve heard this melody a thousand times and more. His performance was nothing less and nothing more. Every night it was always the same.

I walked out the room and waited for him in his dressing room. It felt like hours till he finally returned. “How was I?” He asked me.

I turned my head from my reflection in the mirror from where I sat. “Well I certainly will not forget it.” I replied. Sebastian walked around me tracing my leg gently with his finger tips as he walked by. He stood behind me and I met his face in the mirror.

“You’re upset.” He said into my hair.

“Oh really what ever gave me away?” I say to him with a sarcastic undertone. Sebastian stepped away from me with my hands in his as he twisted my body around while still sitting on the vanity stool.

“This isn’t easy for me either.” When he said that I couldn’t help but not believe him. He seemed perfectly fine with the situation. He had convinced me he was.

“Don’t you ever get sick of it? Doing everything without being able to change anything. Always being on a schedule you have no control over.” I asked Sebastian as I stood up from my seat. He looked at me for a moment without saying anything.

“What do you want me to say? I hate this as much as you do I just don’t complain about it every fucking second!” His temper and frustrations were starting to boil over and I hadn’t noticed it before until now. “I didn’t mean to say it like that.” His icy words started to dissolve into endearment.

“Yes you did. I means it’s harsh but true.” I said with my back to him. By the sound of his footsteps I could tell he was easing closer to me.

“There is nothing that I can say or do to make things better. It kills me that I can’t give you more.” He confessed. I still stared straight ahead to the door, but Sebastian had turned to give me all of this attention.

“Nothing less and nothing more right?” I said with a tear rolling down my cheek as I turned to face him. Sebastian brought his hand to my face taking his thumb to wipe it away. It was useless , because the more I could feel his touch the more I started to weep.

“We are just characters my love. We could never exist outside of these bindings.” Sebastian’s words were earnest and all the more true. I complained and wept for a life I could never have, because I was not real.

We were poetry written for someone else’s pleasure.

I’m always too afraid to except my truths, because if I do I will just end up stuck on a stranger’s bookshelf. Once they turn the page I will eventually become an old story. I am nothing but ink printed on paper. FICTION. Forever trapped in this fucking piano scene.

{Part 1 out of 1}

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casualarsonist · 6 years

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Dune (novel) review and analysis

In commemoration to Frank Herbert’s epic novel, I’ve decided to make this review 10,000 words long.

Frank Herbert’s Dune has long stood as one of science fiction’s towering giants - a monolithic feat of imagination and a landmark science fiction novel. And as a work of fiction, this it true. Over the greater part of a thousand pages lay stories of sprawling civilisations, with dozens of unique characters engaging in complex power-plays whilst battling the brutality of the ecology of the sand-planet Arrakis. Following it’s release in 1965, it was (and still is) regarded as a masterwork in world-building - a milestone for the genre, and the Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones of its time. As a work of fiction, it’s a triumph. As a piece of literature…well…

Frank Herbert was great at many things in his life. Writing was not one of them. And while Dune is a standout novel that, all things considered, has aged better than many novels (particularly of the sci-fi genre) of a similar time, it is, at least in my humble opinion, a spectacularly average work of prose. But I say this with the works of Cormac McCarthy, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Kurt Vonnegut, and others in mind, so I am probably doing him a disservice in comparing his work to what I believe to be the cream of the crop. But if you’re going to tout a novel as ‘one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time’, I think you have to allow it to undergo rigourous scrutiny from all angles. So with that in mind, let’s scrutinise this motherfucker.

Spoilers abound, including a spoiler for Metro 2033.

It is thousands of years in the future, and mankind has conquered the stars. Dune centres around the Atreides family - one of a number of Great Houses united under the pseudo-feudal collective ‘Lansraad’, owing allegiance to the Emperor Shaddam IV. Duke Leto Atreides - a hard but compassionate man and a competent leader - has been given charge over the desert planet Arrakis, displacing House Harkonnen - the Atreides’ mortal enemies. Leto senses correctly that this dangerous exchange of power is an intentional move by the Emperor to set his family up on the losing side of an inter-House rivalry, and with the help of the traitorous Yueh - the Atreides doctor - and the armies of the Emperor, the Harkonnen’s capture and kill Leto, whilst his son Paul and pregnant concubine Jessica disappear into the desert. There they encounter Arrakis’ indigenous inhabitants - the Fremen - and are accepted amongst them after proving their worth through combat and their uncanny abilities of deduction and prescience, abilities taught to Jessica and Paul by the Bene Gesserit, a powerful sisterhood who wield abilities of superhuman physical and mental conditioning to influence and manipulate society.

Paul, for his part, has been prophesied to be the ‘Kwisatz Haderach’ - the name for a messianic male Bene Gesserit, a child born of generations of genetic manipulation with the power to see through time and space. And when I say he is ‘prophesied’ to be the Kwisatz Haderach, I mean that he is the Kwisatz Haderach, and this, like most questions and mysteries the novel establishes, are answered immediately and conclusively without exception.

But anyway, after their escape the book jumps a number of years ahead, and Paul has had a son with a Fremen woman, while Jessica has given birth to Paul’s sister, Alia, a child imbued with all of Jessica’s Bene Gesserit powers in the womb, who speaks and acts like a grown adult despite looking and sounding like an infant.

Under Paul’s command, the Fremen tribes have been performing successful raids against the Harkonnen forces and reducing the flow of the addictive spice Melange - the galaxy’s most valuable trade commodity, and one that occurs only on Arrakis. This brings the Emperor to the planet, followed by the armies of every house in the Lansraad, and with the Fremen tribes at his back, Paul drives over them like a steamroller, taking back control of Arrakis with little to no complications because he’s the Kwisatz fucking Haderach, as we were told in the first chapter. His infant sister knifes the Baron Harkonnen to death, and Paul forces the daughter of the Emperor - Princess Irulan - to marry him while promising that he will never love her or otherwise show her affection. Jessica celebrates this. The end. So, I hope you could keep up with all the terms; my spellcheck was going absolutely mental as I was writing that.

But where to begin? Firstly, despite some of the criticisms I’ve read (as well as some of the criticisms I will make), I should note that I didn’t find Dune to be a particularly laborious read. Its length is obscene, yes, but my Tube rides would pass by in a flash when I was buried in the text. And although I personally don’t understand the decades-long literary trend of putting fake songs into a text (I’m looking at you, Lord of the Rings), I never found the numerous pages of songs in Dune to be as big an impediment to my interest as I did in, say, Lord of the fucking Rings (and skipping over reading them sped the whole process up considerably). I understand that saying that Dune ‘isn’t unreadable’ isn’t exactly high praise, but I think it’s worth at least outlining the extent of my criticisms of the text, because I’m going to tear into Herbert’s writing as we go on, but I don’t want you to think that sub-par prose necessarily translates into an odious reading experience. And in any case, Dune didn’t become one of the biggest selling sci-fi novels entirely without reason. The one thing that it does unquestionably well is exercise Herbert’s imagination.

Rarely has a imagined universe been so clearly realised before or since Frank Herbert’s seminal series, and this can be ascribed chiefly to one particular detail: his research and preparation. In reading George Arr-Arr Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, for example, one can detect in the convoluted and meandering text the fact that he doesn’t actually know where his novels are going when he starts writing them. The swelling word count of each successive entry in the series also bears testament to an increasingly relaxed editorial oversight, and this has resulted in each book becoming more bloated and complicated than the last. And while Dune itself is bloated terms of its length and complicated in terms of the language it introduces to the reader, there is a specific and unerring clarity in Herbert’s vision of the Dune universe that one would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, and this is because the world itself was layed out by Herbert in detail, and years in advance, of the final writing and publishing of the novel. One can get a taste of this preparation and backstory in the supplementary appendices in the back of the book, as well as the accompanying glossary, which offers a definition of every single alien term that appears in the course of the preceding nine-hundred pages, and whilst not every creature or machine is described in minute detail, all the pieces of this puzzle fit together in the greater context of the novel.

There is also a sense of uncanny timelessness in the world of Dune, and Herbert has achieved this via a number of paths - the first being that he drew from real-world sciences as a foundation upon which the ecology and engineering of his universe is built. Rooting his fantasy work in a bed of modern fact (and remaining restrained enough in his vision to avoid sending his characters to absurd destinations such as planets made of cheese, or inhabited by talking animals, for instance) bestows a tangibility in one’s mind’s eye to the people, places, and things, and interestingly leaves Dune feeling relevant even to an audience for whom the technologies of the Sixties seem archaic and obsolete. The second factor that gives the novel life is its appropriation of Middle Eastern cultures as inspiration for that of the Fremen. This is obviously an accidental boon, but as with the surge of Middle Eastern cultural influences spreading throughout the Western world in the Sixties, so too has the region, its people, and its customs come to the forefront of Western attention in the last few decades. People are far more common with the word ‘jihad’ now than they would likely have been at the turn of the millenium, and this coincidental familiarity left me feeling a greater understanding of the desert-dwelling Fremen than I might otherwise have had, had I read the book as a teenager, for instance.

So before I launch into a diatribe, it’s worth pointing out that Dune IS a genuine landmark work, and with good reason, but it has its limits. And now that I’ve got that disclaimer out of the way, I can begin the fun part: talking about all the reasons Dune shits me off.

1: It starts each chapter with a spoiler for the rest of the novel.

Now I don’t know how you feel, but if I had to guess, I’d say that one of the main things that keeps an audience engaged in the plot of a piece of fiction is the fact that they don’t know what’s going to come next. Hell - this is why we engage in fictional stories at all, and why every series of Game of Thrones is preceded by an onslaught of social media statuses proclaiming that someone is going to get their eyes gouged out if they reveal whether the Immodium cures Daeneryus’ chronic diarrhea at the end of S03E05.

Frank Herbert has other things in mind, though, for every chapter in the novel begins with an excerpt from a piece of in-universe fiction - usually written by the Emperor’s daughter, and almost always regarding Paul’s actions in the future. Through these excerpts we get a glimpse into the world beyond the novel, specifically, into a world in which Paul is both a god, and not dead. This didn’t seem to perturb Herbert though, and he soldiers on admirably in his endeavor to supply multitudes of cliffhangers, the outcome of which have either already been revealed to us, or are revealed in the paragraph following the incident itself. Tracts of text are rendered wasted and pointless by Herbert’s own premature narrative ejaculation, and the trials that Paul undergoes on his journey towards godliness hold no weight because we know the outcome of his character from the opening of the very first chapter. In the most egregious instance, one chapter ends with Paul near death after poisoning himself. 'Will he survive?' I asked myself, 'Maybe the prophecy is wrong! Maybe something, anything, that hasn't already been revealed to us is about to happen!' In the very first sentence of the next chapter, an excerpt written far in the future that tells us specifically that Paul lives and gains the powers of the Kwisatz Haderach, like a time-travelling dickhead who has come back to the past to spoil your good time. Herbert then decides that blowing his load is no impediment to making the reader sit through six pages in the eyes of a character that doesn’t know of Paul’s situation, and we watch them trip clumsily over their own emotions and agonise over a question of his survival that was answered for us literally as soon as it was posed.This moment is so utterly confounding in its dramatic ineptitude that I was agape, staring at the page in disbelief. It’s as if The Usual Suspects began with a Kevin Spacey monologue directly to the camera talking about how he is Kaiser Soze, and then the rest of the film conducted itself as if it were still a mystery. It’s as if the opening crawl of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ told the audience that Darth Vader was Luke’s father, and then still tried to pull off the reveal. And this pattern is repeated from start to finish - every time you reach a point in which you wonder ‘will they make it out of this?’ Herbert comes back from the dead, strips the book from your hand, smacks you in the face with it, and emphatically replies ‘YES’.

2: Its inner monologues are prolific, and terrible.

No-one thinks to themselves like the characters in Dune think to themselves. If you are at McDonalds and you want to buy a burger, you don’t stand in line thinking to yourself ‘I am at McDonalds, and I am hungry. I wish to buy a burger, and I can see the burger menu in front of me, but I don’t know which to choose. I must hurry because I am almost at the front of the line - if I cannot choose in time, I will end up at the front of the line having not made a choice, and everyone around me will be inconvenienced!’

But Frank Herbert thinks people think like that.

He uses the character’s inner monologues as a medium for clumsy exposition, and eradicates any sense of realism or immersion they may hold. Now that’s not to say that one can’t use an inner monologue for that purpose, but the characters of Dune project a constant and unfiltered analysis of even the most basic social interactions, redundantly vocalising things made obvious in the text. Paul will do a thing, and Jessica will think that ‘Paul is doing that thing!’, and it will all be presented so dramatically that it makes you want to hurl the book into traffic. Herbert takes swathes of description that most writers would simply frame from a third person perspective about the characters and the world, and presents them instead as unedited, actual thoughts that the characters think in real time. In the midst of action and a threat to his mother’s life, Paul stops and takes a minute to recite this in his head: ‘They will concentrate on my mother and that Stilgar fellow. She can handle them. I must get to a safe vantage point where I can threaten them and give her time to escape.’ No-one alive has ever had a thought that forms itself like that, and this actually ends up having a tangible discriminatory effect on the reader, for whom all of the characters whose thoughts we don’t hear seem like pretty normal people, and all the central characters end up coming across as fucking weirdos, and one finds oneself subconsciously disliking them. Which brings me to my next point…

3: The Atreides are fools, assholes, or both, and the writing doesn’t help.

Now to be fair, it’s important to note that one of the key themes of Dune, according to Frank Herbert, is the danger of the ‘superhero’ myth. Through his genetic talents, his lifetime of training, and the legends and prophecies sewn into the Fremen culture, Paul takes a straight-line trajectory towards becoming the foretold Kwisatz Haderach, but despite his triumph over every challenge and his ultimate and all-encompassing victory over his enemies, he is not a character to be envied - he seemingly loses his attachment to the people around him and is consumed by his own myth, becoming more of a dictator than anything else. However, there are two problems with the portrayal of Paul et al. that confuses the intended message. The first is that a large proportion of the Atreides’ characterisation goes into establishing their constant control over their emotions, reactions, and decision-making processes; the effect being that from the very beginning of the novel the Atreides’ all seem to exist in their own little bubble, separated from the world at large as well as those around them by their own singular brilliance - Leto is a ‘great’ commander bearing the burden of the his people on his shoulders; Jessica is a Bene Gesserit and a concubine, viewed with suspicion by many around her due to her powers and her unofficial place within the family; and Paul is a demi-god in training. And since the tone of Herbert’s prose is so lacking in emotional nuance and resonance, it becomes difficult to discern whether he is intending to convey that, in any given situation, a character is displaying an intentional control over his or her reactions, or whether they are actually supposed to be displaying an unhealthy emotional disconnect. Within the text both instances appear the same, and it is only whether the control or the disconnect are explicitly stated that I, for one, could decipher the points in which it was intentional. Such as it is, the off-screen death of Paul’s son reads like a footnote for all the pause it gives him, and I still can’t figure out whether that’s because Herbert is trying to indicate the depth of Paul’s depravity, or whether he’s just a shitty writer who failed to properly demonstrate his character’s emotions, because honestly, it could be either.

And this brings me to the second problem, which is that the prose itself is complicit in the confusion. As stated, Herbert’s grasp of dramatic tension is so feeble, his demonstrated understanding of interpersonal emotions so poor, and his writing so matter-of-fact and lacking in colour, that it buries whatever philosophical subtext it may have and confuses speculation on its themes by virtue of the simple fact that any supposed ‘mystique’ could just as easily be chalked up to the author’s failed hold over his own material. The way Herbert fumbles with the tension he tries to invoke and the clumsiness of his writing when he gets inside his characters heads leaves it equally possible in my mind that his characters are complex as it is that they are simple - a situation I’ve never witnessed before - and in any other circumstance I’d admit that there was a kind of brilliance to this, if it wasn’t for the fact that the general tone of his writing clearly conveys the infancy of his talents as an author. My inclination, then, was simply to take everything at face value because the novel is written so explicitly. Which finally brings me to my actual point here:

If the novel is to be taken as it is written, then all of the main characters are giant idiot dickheads.

Let’s begin with Duke Leto. It’s kind of strange that everyone in Leto’s shadow exhibits an explicit and almost unfathomable loyalty to someone who’s temperament is almost exclusively characterised by flushes of anger, harsh words, and a deep belief in the feudal hierarchy - the idea of ‘right by birth’ being an absurd inflation of self-importance that Paul himself adopts as an awful character trait later on. Most of Leto’s subordinates seem to display symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome, seeing brief moments of kindness following a rebuke or an outburst as a sign of his famed benevolence and compassion. ‘Show, don’t tell’ is an adage that comes to mind when pondering the writing of this character, and for all the tales of a 'great leader' that surround him, we see little of this in the timeline of the novel itself. A man whose idea of ‘strong leadership’ is a calm word after an outburst isn’t a figure of worship, he’s a cunt. And I can see the typing fingers of fans a-flurry as they rush to point out that Leto is supposedly uncharacteristically stressed by the danger his family has been put in - an excuse that would hold far more weight if Herbert had found time to actually demonstrate this somewhere within his novel’s nine-hundred pages, but he didn’t. Instead, we’re simply told that he’s not usually like that, which has as much meaning to a reader as being told your neighbour’s shithead Chihuahua ‘isn’t usually like that’, right after it bites the tip of your dick (true story, don’t ask). And after all this - after all his bluster and bullshit, and after spending a good deal of his story ostracizing the mother of his child in an effort to supposedly fake out the true traitor in his family’s midst - he succeeds in exactly none of his efforts, and the Harkonnen plot plays out without a hitch. To make matters worse, his final living act is to activate a poison gas capsule hidden in his tooth in an attempt to kill the Baron Harkonnen, and he even fucks this up, killing only himself and one of the Baron’s disposable offsiders. His capabilities as a leader are nil, and his compassion limited, at best.

Meanwhile, for her part, Jessica spends the majority of Dune pinballing between disgust and fear of her son because he is turning into the very thing she has been training him to be for the entirety of his existence, and vengeful joy as he rains destruction down upon their mutual enemies. In what you’ll come to see is a pattern amongst the Atreides, any sense of genuineness one may garner from her faint echoes of self-awareness is reversed and erased by the fact that she continually makes the same decisions she spends so much time regretting, and then comes to regret those decisions as well - simply put, she's written to be self-aware, but not written to learn. For instance, as the focus on her dwindling attachment to Paul begins to grow as he gets more powerful, she willingly undergoes a ritual whilst pregnant that bestows all her powers upon her unborn daughter, resulting in the birth of what the Bene Gesserit call an ‘Abomination’ - a child that she once again finds disconcerting. Typically the Bene Gesserit kill these children as they risk being dangerously possessed by the spirits of dead Bene Gesserit, but Jessica doesn’t care about that because she is the mother of Paul Atreides and she can do whatever the fuck she wants. And far be it from me to say that a mother shouldn’t be able to keep her child if she wants to, but there’s a distinct difference between wanting to keep your unborn daughter; and forcing upon her powers that she cannot refuse, making her a target for a powerful order, and then having the audacity to look down upon her as something unnatural simply because she is what you made her to be. The point I’m making is that whilst the character of Jessica constantly reminds the reader that she is disenfranchised or a passive observer amongst the events that take place around her, such claims are a hard pill to swallow coming from a character for whom a core motivation of their order is the pursuit of power, and particularly the desire to manipulate it from behind the scenes. Jessica is demonstrably one of the most influential and powerful people in the universe - she is a master of wits and observation, outsmarting even Leto’s security expert (who, it should be mentioned, is a human computer), and a master of combat, easily besting the chieftan of the first Freman tribe they encounter. She even has the power to force others into doing her bidding by the use of ‘The Voice’ - an ability she uses at least half a dozen times. And yet what is the one thing that gives her solace? The fact that her son plans to marry an innocent girl for political reasons, and then torture her for the rest of her life by withholding any kind of affection in favour of his concubine. These are the last words of Dune:

“Do you know so little of my son?” Jessica whispered. “See that princess standing there, so haughty and confident. They say she has pretensions of a literary nature. Let us hope she finds solace; she’ll have little else.” A bitter laugh escaped Jessica. “Think on it, Chani: that princess will have the name, yet she’ll live as less than a concubine - never to know a moment of tenderness from the man to whom she’s bound. While we, Chani, we who carry the name of concubine - history will call us wives.”

After everything that has happened, to the end, Jessica’s one gripe is that she was never treated with the respect of a Queen all those years ago when Leto was alive. Great. What a wonderful person. And make no mistake - she is talking about the innocent daughter of their enemy here; a girl who only wants to be a writer and scholar and will spend the rest of her life recording the history of this woman’s fucking son. And for some incomprehensible reason, Herbert decided that this, a petty display of spite that boils the most powerful female character in the novel down to the desire to be 'a wife', that this would be the perfect way to end his epic science fiction novel.

So what about Paul? We’ve already discussed in brief his descent into war mongering and self-absorption that makes him one of the most singularly unlikable characters in the book, but what makes it worse is that, once again, every single decision he makes leads him directly to the one point that he swears he never wants to go. His one steadfast moral handhold is his understanding of the fact that encouraging the Fremen to worship him and playing into the prophecy of the Kwisatz Haderach runs the risk of drawing these people to the edge of waging a religious war. But he also knows that their military might united under his leadership is his one way of winning back his seat as the ruler of Arrakis. So what does he decide to do?

We already know the answer to that.

Time and again Paul fans the flames of religious fervour and further asserts his singular command over everyone, ultimately leading his army to the brink of jihad. At various points he sets out to demonstrate that he fulfills the requirements of the prophecy, at others he demands fealty based on his birthright as son of the former Leto Atreides. By the end of the novel he literally says that he lives by two separate moral codes - that of a noble family, and that of the Fremen - and that a course of action illegal for an Atreides (i.e. the murder of the fucking Emperor) is not illegal for a Freman. You understand what this means, right? Paul is making the argument of a crazy person - he genuinely ascribes the blame for an illegal murder at the feet of a different version of himself. And while it’s true that Frank Herbert came out a decade after the release of the novel and talked about how it’s supposed to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of hero worship, it’s also true that Tommy Wiseau asserted that The Room was a drama, right up until he realised that everyone was laughing at it.

Dimitri Glukhovsky’s ‘Metro 2033’, for instance, ends with the protagonist realising at the last moment that the assumption upon which his last mission rests is incorrect, and that the race of beings that he is about to destroy are actually intelligent and benevolent, rather than the violent demons they are thought to be. This climax is a crescendo of swelling emotion and tragedy that leaves the main character broken and disillusioned, and it is one of the few times I’ve cried whilst reading a novel. Glukhovsky devotes the entire final section of the book to the failure of his protagonist, and of humanity at large, to realise what they have done until it’s too late, and the emotional repercussions of this.

Frank Herbert devotes a couple of lines to Paul's awareness of his ultimate failure.

And much like the death of the Paul’s son, this too reads like a footnote. So how are we supposed to understand the intentions of a novel that presents itself so dispassionately? One that portrays enormous and important events in such an off-hand manner? I’m not entirely sure to be honest. For certain, I could delve into a debate about the possible meaning of this and that and dive into the encyclopaedia of interpretations, and again, perhaps a certain amount of merit should be given to Dune for opening itself up to that kind of discussion. But I could also just take it for what it is, rather than what it accidentally might be, and that is a very imaginative but flatly-written tome, with passionless two-dimensional characters, and a storytelling style that constantly undermines its own drama. I bought the sequel - Dune Messiah - because it’s about one fifth of the length, and I was keen to see exactly how Herbert expands on the foundation he has laid here. Perhaps it has all the answers? Perhaps it will confirm that every assertion I have made in this turgid article is incorrect? If so, I’ll be sure to let you know. But for now, I only know what I know, and that is that Dune is a phenomenal work of imagination, a great fiction, and a poor, poor text.

6/10

Just Okay

#dune #novel #frank herbert #literature #review #sci fi #science fiction #fantasty #paul atreides #duke leto #jessica #bene gesserit #arrakis #spice #melange

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gurmanproperties · 4 years

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Knowledge Broker Blueprint Review

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What Is the Knowledge Broker Blueprint?

Why Use The Tony Robbins Mastermind Program?

What This Mastermind Group Does

The History of Mastermind Groups

Why A Mastermind?

What Do I Manage Signing Up With a Mastermind?

What Is Included?

Do I Get a Bonus for Signing Up?

Does This Really Work?

What Is Included In The Knowledge Broker Blueprint?

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Module 4: The Knowledge Broker

The Knowledge Broker Blueprint Incentives

Why The Tony Robbins Mastermind Is Different

Essence It: Module 1 of the Knowledge Broker Blueprint

The Success Tricks of Tony Robbins

Discovering Your Super Power

Storytelling and the Dean Graziosi Mastermind Group

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Naturally, everything comes with a price. Now, the knowledge business blueprint is sold for $1,997 as an one-time payment– or 4 different payments of $597. Right here’s what’s consisted of in the bundle:.

The 4-module kbb course with everything you need to discover to develop and run world-class events like tony as well as dean.

So what is the mindmint software everything about and what is included?. The primary reason this software was created is to make it easier for you to get your masterminds organised. What this software essentially provides for you is that it covers every one of the organising stuff and also paper operate at one location or one place.

This past launch of activate, i complied with the exact actions outlined within kbb. Dean showed precisely what to place on the sales page. What inquiries to ask in the application. He educated me about the importance of having a gatekeeper prior to i got on the phone to qualify them, and included the precise questions for the gatekeeper to ask.

Do I Get a Bonus for Signing Up?

— fast-action bonus: by signing up today. We’ll establish you up with an accredited high performance coach for an online mentoring session ($197 value) to assist you determine your goals for the year and also the fastest way to achieve them.

Screenshots. Dean graziosi– internal circle: video clip, pdf ´ s.

It’s a group of like minded individuals all working together to raise their video game– to make more cash, to obtain more flexibility and also achieve the life they have actually always dreamed of. If you wish to be apart of a group like that without having to pay $7,000– $16,900 or even $25,000 a year to sign up with (that’s just how much my masterminds cost). Then this is the group for you!.

Essence it. In this brief article [i do not write lengthy articles, i want you to take action and go and also see the cost-free training so you can get thrilled regarding the knowledge broker blueprint 2. 0 launching 19th feb] Plus the fantastic benefits i have for those of you who are smart enough ahead and also join the kbb family members with my link i can not wait to share those with you.

Does This Really Work?

He continuously informs you he does not want to charge you. That holds true. What he really wants is your get in touch with details, so he can target you with high pressure sales calls pitching his realty coaching system. This is a normal counterfeit realty deal, with a free talk supplied adhered to by a pitch to register for the mentoring system.

I that moment i already felt things changing. Possibly this kbb blueprint is on to something. Currently, i know i sound like tony robbins most significant fan, but i’m not, a minimum of i wasn’t up until getting the course. Do not get me wrong, i regard him for the work he does, saw the netflix special, as well as paid attention to couple of videos of him speaking, but that’s it.

They have made this program to make sure that you can resolve it also if you’re hard-pressed for time. You can pay attention to the training while driving, on the bus and even at your job with headphones in. It matters not what your schedule resembles if you can allot at least 2 hrs each week you will certainly be able to function your means through it.

What Is Included In The Knowledge Broker Blueprint?

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In this module of the knowledge business blueprint, you’ll find out the concealed tricks behind structure, marketing and also selling your mastermind. Everyone knows you can not have a business without traffic. This module will make it so very easy that you will not understand what to do with all the applications that come in from people wishing to give you money!.

Knowledge broker blueprint is a brand-new winning playbook formula and also online business training program created by mastermind legends tony robbins and dean graziosi and also their exclusive mindmint software. Knowledge broker blueprint is the most recent 2020 version of knowledge business blueprint which launched in april 2019 (which had over 200,000 people watching its launch as well as over 16,000 people joined).

The knowledge broker blueprint launching in february 2020 is the 2. 0 version of their original course. The course exposes just how anyone can get a piece of the growing $129 billion “knowledge” sector. This is for you if you have actually ever wanted to take your knowledge, interest, or knowledge– and share it with the globe.

Module 1: Extract It

The kbb course has four modules. Essence it. Just how to determine your know-how. Defined your excellent client. The structure and the art of storytelling for showing your mastermind. Exactly how to set up your very first mastermind agenda. A toolbox loaded with workout that will help you and your students.

By ideal online course. The knowledge business blueprint course:. Knowledge business blueprint is divided into 4 components of success which will certainly bring you to the end objective:. Module 1: remove it. Tony robbin’s keys to success– what it requires to be successful, tricks to scale & what to expect.

What is kbb & why should you get it?. The very first course & software made to release the novice or range the expert into next level earnings as well as influence. Kbb is a tried and tested and evaluated 4-module, in-depth execution program that teaches exactly how to draw out knowledge, discover those happy to pay for knowledge, as well as create & run extremely effective and impactful tiny teams, workshops, neighborhoods or masterminds (whether face to face or online!).

Module 2: Load It

2. Fill it. It shows you how to end up being a marketer with the marketing framework including the hook, the tale, and also the close. You might not recognize just how to charge for your event. This module will direct you on that. It shows you the ideal systems you can utilize such as facebook, youtube, e-mail, affiliate partners and some secrets to reach their full capacity.

Russell brunson, the co-founder of clickfunnels, supplies a value-packed 47-minute video concerning just how to utilize sales funnels to fill up occasions. He explains concerning using the success story channel as well as study funnel to transform consumers. What’s russell’s secret sauce?. It all boils down to taking advantage of human feeling, and his lesson draws on a great deal of the same core ideas that dean focuses on in module 2.

Fill it. After that, tony robbins will certainly supply you with the specific method you will need to implement the strategies you have actually discovered. You will certainly discover how to market points one of the most efficient means. Tony robbins is brilliant at training marketing to people and you are definitely going to discover a good deal out of this module.

Module 3: Run It

Run it concludes all the lessons and also approaches you need to run an effective mastermind. For your mastermind, whether you are doing virtual, in-person, or a mix of the two, this module will certainly cover the following attributes:. The perfect mastermind formula: you will certainly learn the general psychology of a tiny group, workshop or a mastermind in this module.

The course divided right into four modules that include extract it, fill it, run it, and knowledge broker. Successful conclusion of the course outfits you with the abilities to find up as well as run your mastermind. In this period, self-learning is replacing conventional types of knowing.

It is not unexpected that the knowledge broker blueprint course proved to be the most significant on the internet course launch ever. The 4 modules are packed with a lot material from a few of the sharpest business minds in tony robbins, dean graziosi and also russel brunson. You are taken with the process of self -discovery, to harness your knowledge, ability and also ability.

Module 4: The Knowledge Broker

Knowledge broker blueprint is a course, software, a mentorship and a neighborhood to help you benefit from your passion as well as competence by teaching about it, or by speaking with professionals as a press reporter. Inside the kbb neighborhood, you’ll see a great deal of effective kbb students. One student made an amazing 90k in one day and also half by using kbb.

Right here is what we will be covering in this review:. ⦁ what is the knowledge broker blueprint?. ⦁ that created the kbb?. ⦁ who is the knowledge broker blueprint for?. ⦁ that is it not for?. ⦁ a consider the knowledge broker blueprint. ⦁ the mindmint software.

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Currently i’ll be truthful, the kbb course is successfully certainly worth the home loan, nevertheless with a year of the mindmint software program software, it’s a no brainer. Allow’s get into the knowledge business blueprint introduction immediately. There is a total module specifically for this and also you get a certifications with tony robbins and dean graziosi consent after finishing it.

The Knowledge Broker Blueprint Incentives

Dean is about to release a one-of-its-kind course, entitled knowledge broker blueprint. He has actually worked together with two masterminds- tony robbins and russell brunson. This strong guide is geared towards informing individuals concerning making money from their experience. If you have expertise in a particular area as well as you feel that you can offer the abilities as a solution, this is the course to choose.

They understood things through investing in education and learning. Which’s what the knowledge broker blueprint is all about. Explicitly designed to make you even better, the knowledge broker blueprint is an innovative program that concentrates on aiding you create your absolute mastermind like a pro. You can not make that type of money from anywhere.

⇒ knowledge broker formula: what it means to be a broker, obtaining the yes and also just how to create a business around brokering somebody else’s knowledge. Same concept tony finished with jim rohn!. Currently, utilizing the mindmint software, you can easily start constructing your business/mastermind using what you learn in the knowledge business blueprint! just like tony and dean have been doing for years.

Why The Tony Robbins Mastermind Is Different

This program is presented by dean graziosi and tony robbins. It will lead you through different strategies for the masterminds. It also provides you the strategies that is used by pros. This program will certainly also help you to utilize some of the best strategies and also strategies for a successful business.

Tony robbins charges $1 million to coach an individual and dean is not presently mentoring an individual any longer. You are obtaining remarkable worth out of this uncommon experience through knowledge broker business. Here are why knowledge broker blueprint are various from any kind of other programs on earth:.

Tony robbins partnered with dean graziosi and russell brunson to come up with a various overview that teaches people just how to benefit from their hobbies, interest, ability, and also knowledge. They labelled this course knowledge broker blueprint (kbb). This course is for people that wish to create as well as run impactful masterminds that focus on their skills and also location of expertise.

Essence It: Module 1 of the Knowledge Broker Blueprint

Knowledge broker blueprint is a sophisticated program as well as master mind group created by tony robbins, dean graziosi and also russell brunson, basically the program provides a total software platform to instruct you on exactly how to turn your knowledge (or someone else’s) into a successful worldwide business.

That’s the power of the entire knowledge business blueprint course. Everyone can take advantage of it. Module 4: knowledge broker. After learning about all the approaches provided in the course, you can see how it appears like to be a knowledge broker. The knowledge inside the modules is powerful sufficient to spread out the message across various networks.

The kbb 2. 0 is an improved variation of kbb 1. 0 (which launched in april 2019), and also is a tried and true tried and tested 4-module training course that goes to great lengths to educate members just how to extract your given knowledge, leisure activity, passion as well as skills and also share it with the globe to create influence as well as boost your income.

The Success Tricks of Tony Robbins

I assume success promotes both of them, especially for tony. You can merely google their names and also you will see that success didn’t came as good luck to these 2 fellas. They are experts in marketing and also now they want to move all their tricks as well as methods to you.

At the core, it’s a brainchild of the three most effective people in the self-education area. That can take any person and guide them to amazing success in any kind of field they like, no matter from what profession. Besides, we’re speaking tony robbins; most looked for life trainer and concern solver on the world.

I know it!. Step 1: go grab your copy of millionaire success habits totally free before duplicates are gone (or go to amazon and also pay $19. 95). Step 2: quickly listen your bonus interview i finished with tony robbins on self-confidence. Step 3: make certain to attend the special on-line training i’ll be doing right here in simply a couple of days on the new way to riches and also why this location is exploding and also ideal for a new side income.

Discovering Your Super Power

The essence it module starts out with some high effect training from tony robbins on frame of mind as well as what it takes to prosper. Dean then damages down:. Just how to recognize your expertise– extracting your one-of-a-kind superpower. Defining your perfect customer. The art of storytelling & a framework for training within your mastermind.

I youngster you not, after the initial module, i had my next million dollar suggestion. Like my mind was blown. So allow’s speak about not simply removing knowledge yet removing self-confidence in determining your following concept as well as exactly that it is for. By the end of module one you will certainly: be much more confident, understand your incredibly power, how to utilize it to reach the best people, and also just how you can build an educational program to impact those people and the tools to help you execute.

In the underdog advantage publication, dean reveals you just how to take your very own underdog tale as well as the things you’ve always believed were downsides, and also transform them into your superpowers to reach your full capacity. Whether it’s your earnings, your joy, your success. This publication is the tell-all for how to come to be an underdog success story.

Storytelling and the Dean Graziosi Mastermind Group

There are lots of reasons that many use the couse of dean graziosi & tony robbins with tony robbins and also use these teams for their success. It is the perfect mastermind formula. I have actually directly located that they have the capability to alter exactly how i deal with my business and also what i have the ability to achieve.

Originally posted on Knowledge Broker Blueprint Review via A Business In Box

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