February 2003 Archives

Still haven't taken the chance to go to the library, so I'm digging for re-reads . Guess I was in the mood for a humans beat back an alien invasion story, and it was either Gordon Dickson's The Way of the Pilgrim or Battlefield Earth... I'm glad I picked this one.

Since I recently re-read some of the later Dorsai books at the end of last year, I was struck by the similarity in themes with this book. The protagonists, in particular, seemed to have similar thought processes when they were working out their relationship with the rest of humanity.

Finished Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Enjoyable book. I will definitely seek out more writing by Chabon.

The Christening Quest by Elizabeth Scarborough. As long as I had the book out, I read the other one, too.

Bronwyn's Bane, by Elizabeth Scarborough. Wanted a comfortable, light fantasy. Read this in volume two of the "Songs From the Seashell Archives" collection.

I don't remember where I bought this; it's the only volume I have. I know I read the first two books from the library at some point.

She doesn't seem to have a web page.

Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett. A collection of eight stories about naturalists. I read this one for an online book group (discussion).

Interesting stories, but this is not a pick-me-up collection. Everything was rather melancholy -- scientists unsuccessful and confused at the end of their life, specemin collectors who realize that all they're doing is *collecting*, but can't formulate a theory about what they're collecting; awful fevers and death on ships full of Irish immigrants.

Of the stories, I liked "The Marburg Sisters" the best, both for the interesting narrative voice (first person plural), and the descriptions of a vineyard on Keuka Lake. The author lives here in Rochester.