Extra Reading: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Extra Reading: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

            A grim book, All Quite on the Western Front was banned by Adolf Hitler in 1933. It was declared “degenerate” and burned at Nazi rally’s. The reason it was burned was because it is a tragically accurate depiction of the horrors of trench warfare, during World War I. It was an excellent anti-war book cataloging the death of a generation of young men when the Nazis were gearing their nation up for war. I cannot recommend it more highly.

            The story follows Paul Bäumer as he and his friends fight in one of the most futile and soul crushing wars ever fought. What sets this book apart from other war books of along the same vein is its accuracy, (Erich Maria Remarque was a veteran) and its universality. While Paul Bäumer might be German, the impact of loss upon the psyche of anyone fighting in the most idiotic conflicts ever fought could apply to any soldier, fighting on any side of the conflict. The book starts with Bäumer and his friends already grim veterans. By the time it ends and (*spoiler*) Bäumer is the only one left, he hasn’t a care in the world an almost welcomes death. The story, therefore, catalogue’s the series of events that strip his humanity from him one slice at a time. The only pleasures him and his fellows find are good food, card games, cigarettes, and women. The only happy scenes are when they have had a feast and aren’t being shot at.

            Being a war story of the saddest proportions, there is of course very graphic violence and gore. But it is handled very matter-of-factly. It isn’t over done but it also isn’t pulled back to ease your stomach either. The fights are brutal and dirty. Murphies military law states “if its worth fighting for, its worth fighting dirty for.” Paul Bäumer and his comrades do everything to fight and win as winning means survival. There is no glory or rallying speeches or even a satisfactory (Happy) ending. The men portrayed simply fight for each other.

            It is this sense of mindless slaughter for reasons the soldiers don’t understand that makes the story powerful. This book is fantastic and should be read by anyone who likes war or thinks its “cool.” I hope this book disgusts you. I hope you are uncomfortable or horrified. If that is the case, the message worked and you have gained a new appreciation for war in all its “glory.”

Extra Reading: World War Z by Max Brooks

Extra Reading: World War Z by Max Brooks

            I can only speak as a casual book reader and as someone who loves zombies and political intrigue. That said you need to get a copy and read World War Z. It is one of the grimmest looks at the zombie uprising and should definitely be on any readers list of things to read.

            First of all, in this day and age where the zombie apocalypse dominates horror media, this is the pinnacle of zombie literature. If you are going to read any book with the undead in it, let it be World War Z.

            World War Z is presented as an alternate history where in a series of interviews (short stories) are linked together to tell the story of  the war against the undead. What make it so excellent is that every story is from a different perspective with a different tone and tale to tell. You have the badass female fighter pilot who may be slightly crazy, the mentally damaged survivor who had to learn to survive by herself after losing her family and friends, to the arrogant CEO who made millions selling a fake Zombie vaccine. You hear how the cultures of the world responded and barely held off the undead. It really does seem more like a historical fiction instead of a Zombie apocalypse story. In addition to this rich cast of characters you have a hypothetical example of how such a pandemic might affect the world. No culture felt stereotyped or overdone. They all had villains and heroes. Most of all, they had normal people doing exceptional things.

            This is a war book at its heart and you will need to enjoy history or large military conflict to appreciate it fully. If neither of those are your cup of tea, then you should still read it for the human folly presented by every group; From the leaders of the New Russian nation to the Israelis who quarantine themselves. Again I cannot tell you how different and unique the voice of each character is. They all have their own problems to deal with and they handle them in different ways.

            I feel I can only weaken my cause by gushing over this book anymore but I simple cannot help it. It is fantastic and deserves to be read, especially by the millennials who are now experiencing the end of the Zombie craze. Max Brooks recognized that zombies would be big and he did them better than anyone else I have ever read. A+++

(only watch the movie knowing that it is nothing like the book. It is still an okay movie in its own right but it really shouldn’t ne called World War Z)

Satire and Sci-Fi: The Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brookes

Satire and Sci-Fi: The Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brookes

           

            In a shocking turn of events, a book written by the son of a renown comedy film director (and actor) makes for a  pretty funny read. The best part however is not the casual remarks about the undead, but the absolutely straight faced and utterly earnest tone provided by instruction held within the book. Never once has to look at the camera and wink in a “just go with it” way. You are reading this book to survive the Zombie Apocalypse and damnit, that’s what it’s going to teach you to do. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous the possibility of this actually happening is.

            The book really is a survival guide. It covers just about every major topic from which weapons to use for different tasks, to which vehicles to take in different conditions, to how to survive and fight in different environments. This book is a survival guide. It is well laid out and easy to navigate. Also you can get a small format, which can easily fit in your backpack with your baked beans and shotgun shells.

            Seeing as it has no story or characters (except for a series of short stories reporting various “outbreaks” throughout history) I’m at a loss for what else to discuss. Really the book is just a fun and goofy read.  It gives good advice and would actually (hilariously) be quite helpful should the undead ever actually rise. The main reason to read it however, is its earnest tone. In spite of how absurd the material is, the tone is always straightforward and honest. It’s amusing simply because it is so serious yet self aware.

            If you ever liked zombies, or apocalypses, or humor, I cannot recommend this book more strongly.

Literary Speculation: Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange

Literary Speculation: Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange

            A Clockwork Orange is a difficult book to review. First of all I disagree with any book that makes up or changes words to drive home the idea that the place is different. If it is something you created that has no name then fine name it, but don’t change the meanings of pre-established words so that your readers are half reading, half deciphering your book. I shouldn’t feel like reading your book is another homework assignment or job. I read for new opinions and views, not as a battle against the English language. Second of all, I enjoy books where the protagonist is everything we find as morally wrong with humanity. I loved the Prince Of Thorns series of books. They let us indulge our desire for reaching for our goals through whatever means necessary. In A Clockwork Orange, the “protagonist” Alex indulges his whims for “ultra violence,” robbing, beating, and raping his way through his teen years. Eventually he is captures and through a physiological process, loses his ability to pursue his desires for ultra-violence. Now abandoned in the world he had mistreated, victims of him and his gang, recognizing him and some realizing he can’t defend himself, assault him in vengeance.  The book ends with his psychological block being lifted. In the British version he loses his hunger for violence and is redeemed.

            Why the book is interesting to me is it performs one of the greatest switches in characterization and sympathy I have ever experienced. Alex is one of the vilest characters ever. The first part of the book is sickening. He equates rape and violence with fun. His only non-violent/”evil” pleasure is Beethoven’s music.

            Then he has this striped from him. He hasn’t changed, he still wants what he did before, but he cannot act on it. He cannot embrace who he is and what he wants. This also makes him extremely vulnerable and leaves him at the mercy of others “justice.” He goes from evil to utterly sympathetic and tragic. Even though I know he has done horrid things and deserves punishment, I think killing him would have been more acceptable then stripping his personality from him. Even His love of Beethoven is taken from him and causes him to try to kill himself. I cannot accurately describe the absolute 180 degree turn taken on this character taken after his “treatment.”

            A Clockwork Orange is not a good or fun book. It can get slow and when it isn’t slow its sickening. It is utterly depraved and raw but that is tempered by the second half where you have to reconsider this tragic character. I think anyone looking for philosophical questions in their books should absolutely read this. If you are squeamish about books and font want to be extremely uncomfortable, do not read.

Diverse Position Science Fiction: Karen Joy Fowler, What I Didn’t See

Diverse Position Science Fiction: Karen Joy Fowler, What I Didn’t See

           

            I would like to start off by saying that I did not understand What I Didn’t See.

The story seemed to be about two couples that go to the African jungle to see animals, specifically gorillas. They spend several nights entertaining each other and relaxing. During this time you come to realize that the narrator is very much in love with her husband(lover) and is watching their fellows love life fail. Then one day she alone sees several gorillas and is tempted to shoot the male to “set the females free,” but decides against it. Upon returning to camp she learns that her fellow female companion has gone missing and that their guides, servants and guards are refusing to go further so the expedition has to return. They never find the friend and the protagonists lover is haunted by the experience.

            I know I am missing some sort of deeper meaning but I really just don’t get the story and what its supposed to do. Its written about women by a woman so I’m sure there is some sort of feminist message (especially considering the gorilla scene) but I don’t get it.

            In the end it is an interesting look and portrayal of the upper class, Anglo-American hunting safaris that took place during the age of the British empire, but in the end it doesn’t really do anything exciting or meaningful. I cant recommend it.

On The other hand Octavia Butlers BloodChild was fantastic! In it a ship full of humans crashes on an inhabited planet and they are promptly colonized by the oversized population of giant bug monster horrors. In exchange for the dangerous process of carrying (and in a way feeding) the aliens young, the humans get continued survival, protection, and an egg that gives off a type of alcoholic/narcotic substance to trip on.

            The story is amazing for several reasons. First: its amusing to see the humans get colonized by an alien race. It kind flips the idea of imperialism and exploration on its head. Second: the author leaves a lot to the imagination. For example she mentions a lot of the aliens having lots of arms and large bodies. They also have large stingers and their young are parasites feasting on the humans insides. But they also cuddle for warmth. The protagonists mother is friends with his “mating partner.” It’s a bizarre mix of giving you enough to be scared, but not enough to complete the picture. And Finally, this story brings the horror of child birth to men as they are the primary candidates for carrying the aliens young inside them. The actual process where the young are removed is described to sound a lot like a C-section for a human birth. As a man it was a rather uncomfortable yet engaging thought. How would I act differently towards women if that could happen to me?

            The story is great. Creepy yet thoughtful, uncomfortable yet engaging. It is well worth reading for anyone who isn’t scared of bugs or births.