|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
my rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2930964995
| 9782930964997
| 2930964995
| 5.00
| 1
| unknown
| 2024
|
it was amazing
|
A wonderful, free short story (link) for children, but for adults as well. Grandmother has died, but the casket has disappeared the day before the bur A wonderful, free short story (link) for children, but for adults as well. Grandmother has died, but the casket has disappeared the day before the burial. The entire family - with its imperfect relations - comes together, is in shock, even the police have trouble finding out "whodunit". But the culprit did honour her last wishes. ;-) Not only that, the ending confirms how (un)tight the family ties were. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Oct 19, 2024
|
Oct 19, 2024
|
Oct 19, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 295714235X
| 9782957142354
| 295714235X
| 3.86
| 87
| Apr 16, 2021
| Sep 2024
|
really liked it
|
This is the collector's edition, limited indeed, published via a crowdfunding via Ulule by the organisation Didaskalie. This to correspond to the coll
This is the collector's edition, limited indeed, published via a crowdfunding via Ulule by the organisation Didaskalie. This to correspond to the collector's editions of previous novels: 'Royaume de vent et de colères' and 'Boudicca', both previously published via Éditions ActuSF, but no longer available, unless remaining copies in French libraries. Books in the series thus far (dd September 2024): Publication order of the series, maybe the best order to follow (in my humble opinion): 01) Royaume de vent et de colères (first: 2016) 02) Le Vert est éternel (first: 2017) 03) La Guerre des trois rois (first: 2020) 04) Du Roi je serai l'assassin (first: 2021) 05) Noir est le sceau de l'enfer (first: 2022) 06) Peines de mots perdus (first: 2024) 07) De vent et de colères : l'intégrale (October 2024; omnibus of aforementioned volumes 01 -> 04) (more to come? ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Aug 21, 2024
|
Aug 21, 2024
|
Sep 20, 2024
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 2376862140
| 9782376862147
| B07YCPF5WW
| 3.67
| 6
| unknown
| Oct 15, 2019
|
really liked it
|
This short story is added at the end of 'Je suis fille de rage' (2019, reissue 2022), of which you can find my review here. I'll copy-paste my review
This short story is added at the end of 'Je suis fille de rage' (2019, reissue 2022), of which you can find my review here. I'll copy-paste my review of this short story. You can download the story for free at emaginaire.com (direct link). ---------- Like in 'Royaume de vent et de colères', there is a short story to complement the larger story: 'Le Diable dans la boîte' (transl.: The Devil in the Box). Or rather, it was originally a left-out scene and reworked to become a short story, serving as a sort of prelude to the war. The story is based on a true story: Virginia-based slave Henry "Box" Brown trying to find a way to escape his life as a slave. More information can be found on Wikipedia, PBS.org, Encyclopedia Virginia, National Geographic, Documenting the American South (link 1, link 2), and many other websites. Jean-Laurent Del Socorro's version is quite simple, yet was written to show what Mr Brown (what's in a name?) had to go through to be able to live a life in freedom. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jul 20, 2022
|
Jul 20, 2022
|
Sep 17, 2024
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 2841728544
| 9782841728541
| 2841728544
| 3.75
| 32
| Sep 19, 2013
| Mar 22, 2018
|
liked it
|
'Gigante' was a two-novels series, written respectively by Alain Grousset and Pierre Bordage. The first author would focus on the character of the fat
'Gigante' was a two-novels series, written respectively by Alain Grousset and Pierre Bordage. The first author would focus on the character of the father, while the latter would write the story from the POV of the son, hence the respective titles 'Au nom du fils' and 'Au nom du père'. While the books are connected (and more aimed at younger readers), I think both can be read independently. What's Bordage's story about? A son who seeks revenge for the fact that his father abandoned him and his mother for the sake of pursuing new endeavours as and entholinguist. Zaslo never knew his father, so his upbringing wasn't ideal, especially since his mother couldn't cope with her husband having left them. Hence transmitting a sort of anger onto her son, who took it to heart and vowed to take his father out when they would meet on one giant planet called Gigante (French for gigantic). Oh yes, Zaslo was, like his father, an ethnolinguist. Zaslo travelled to Gigante and would arrive sooner than his father, because technology for space travel had greatly progressed. However, the poor boy didn't have enough money to pay for his travels and stay. Fortunately, he met some people who would help him with that. Zaslo wouldn't even have to repay them, because these people were rich enough. At some point, and as Gigante has its own laws of nature, like fireballs raining down the sky, electricity storms serving as means of (lighting-fast) transportation, ... Zaslo would realise that, in his quest for the Giants (the ancient, huge people being at the origin of colonisation or life on Gigante), he had no choice but to use those electrical storms. However, not everyone would be able to use them. All depended on one's inner self, one's "jid", one's spiritual soul. The use of said storms greatly changed a person, almost scorching them and modifying the colour of their eyes. And yet, the more attuned one became, the easier the travel would be. About the Giants: a myth that is massively denied by the current people on Gigante, for whatever reason. Zaslo would, however, find a partner-in-crime, a woman formerly active as assistant, mercenary, and more. And as you can imagine (or is a bit custom with Bordage), there would be love. Not that it's crucial in the flow of things, because one can mutually understand one another without the need to express it physically. Especially on a not-so-habitable planet, of which most of its surface had yet to be discovered, like Gigante. But anyway, Zaslo's original purpose would evaporate in favour of seeking the origins of the Giants, though it would cost him and his partner a lot. They would meet various wise people, helping them on their way, yet also warning them. One thought that continued to cross Zaslo's mind was that if you don't take the plunge/make a decision/step out of your comfort zone/..., you'll (probably) regret it for the rest of your life. Because the unknown might hide something better, could help you evolve, understand life in a different way, etc. But again, at a cost. Throughout the story, Zaslo would have greatly changed, from scared teenager to someone with a higher self-confidence, a more altruistic/humanistic behaviour, and seeing the bigger picture. Especially when various people, living in remote areas, were in danger of perishing because of Gigante's moods. His quest for the origins of Gigante, or at least the first people (Giants), would not have been in vain. But again, at a cost. ---------- Pierre Bordage can tell a good story and he proved (partially, unfortunately) it with 'Gigante', too. There were several peaks that made it hard to put the book down. The short chapters (10-12 pages, on average) also contributed to this feeling. Good ideas here - typical of Bordage - and there and more than enough to return to Gigante to further explore the planet, its peoples, its fauna and flore, its linguistic side (since Zaslo was an ethnolinguist, like his father), the customs and habits of its peoples, ... However, and that's probably due to certain constraints and like I saw in another review, there's a lot left untold, not shown. Also because Pierre Bordage mainly focuses on characters, less on world-building and exploration. For instance, Gigante is indeed so massive that to travel fast, one must use the electric storms, which only come when circumstances are right. The planet has been colonised and terraformed here and there, as the food and businesses are quite like on Earth. I think there are big cities, but also smaller colonies, but not much is known about their respective governments. The language is not that different from what humans speak on Earth, though the vocabulary varies a wee bit. Since our main character is an ethnolinguist, there should have been more exploration and explanation of the language(s) used on Gigante. It's a huge place, time works differently than on Earth and cities are hundred of thousands, if not millions, of kilometers apart. Why wasn't there more of linguistic exploration in the story? Zaslo could have been a plumber, a teacher, a mailman, ... because his education and forming wasn't ever put to use, I found. Finally, the writing wasn't always superb, even if it was written in quite an accessible style. Sometimes very wordy for little progress. ---------- ---------- Previously read, in chronological order: (not counting his stories published in various anthologies since his last collection) * Chroniques des ombres (my review) * Hier je vous donnerai de mes nouvelles (my review) * Le Jour où la guerre s'arrêta (my review) * Entretiens avec Pierre Bordage (my review) * Contes des sages d'autres mondes et d'autres temps (my review) * Contes des sages pas sages (my review) * Dernières nouvelles de la Terre... (my review) * Les Dames blanches (my review) * Nouvelle Vie™ (my review) * Les Derniers Hommes (my review) * La Désolation (Arkane, #1) (my review) + La Résurrection (Arkane, #2) (my review) Still on my TBR-pile: * La Trilogie des Guerriers du silence (trilogy) * Les Portes d'Occident + Les Aigles d'Orient (Wang duology) * Le Livre des prophéties (omnibus) * La Fraternité du Panca (omnibus) * Les Fables de l'Humpur * Abzalon + Orchéron * Qui vient du bruit + Le Dragon aux plumes de sang (Griots Celestes duology) * L'Enjomineur (trilogy) ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Oct 15, 2024
|
Oct 28, 2024
|
Sep 14, 2024
|
Mass Market Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 2815949628
| 9782815949620
| 2815949628
| 4.00
| 1
| Jun 17, 2022
| Jun 17, 2022
|
really liked it
|
'L'Humain augmenté - Cyborgs, fictions et métavers' is a small, little over 80 pages thin book in which four people of different backgrounds and profe
'L'Humain augmenté - Cyborgs, fictions et métavers' is a small, little over 80 pages thin book in which four people of different backgrounds and professions offer their view on the "augmented human", in the context of cyborgs, fictional stories and metaverses. It starts with a short introduction on the series of these little books by Thierry German, director of this little series at Éditions de l'Aube, who published this little book in collaboration with the foundation Jean-Jaurès. 'L'Humain augmenté - Cyborgs, fictions et métavers' is divided into four little contributions, not really essays, or if you will, micro-essays, each treating a different aspect: Jean-Michel Besnier - Portrait du transhumaniste (Personne: transhumaniste) Jean-Michel Besnier is a philosopher and professor emeritus of Sorbonne University. In his contribution, he looks at the transhumanist, who, in his eyes, fails to agree with historians and anthropologists in that human beings must evolve beyond humanity. The ancient Greek aspired to be close to the gods, but take their place, while until the 18th century, breaking records was considered cause for pathologies. The transhumanist, according to Mr Besnier, sees mankind as a failure, considering the state of the planet, and so technology (smartwatch, bio-sensors, space-colonisation, uploading one's consciousness to a computer, artificial intelligence, etc.) must be applied to create a better kind of human, to prolong life, to live without troubles: perfect health, perfect skin, perfect everything and let's not forget singularity. Why throw away nature in exchange for a life dominated by technology? Is it worth it? Why not try to adapt to a natural life instead of escaping it? In a way, pertinent questions, though the text could have done with a little less judging. Ariel Kyrou - Et si "l'homme-plus" était un "humain-moins"? (Objet: le livre de science-fiction) Up next is Ariel Kyrou, known from several books, but foremost his opus magnum 'Dans les imaginaires du futur'. His contribution deals with what he knows very well: the world of science fiction. His text begins with a fictional character who's a hacker and spends most, if not all, of his time online, in the Metaverse (no, the Facebook one, it didn't exist back then, but it probably influenced Mark Zuckerberg to create his own Metaverse). This refers to Neal Stephenson's 'Snow Crash'. The Metaverse is to be a place where you can do and create everything (virtually of course) and live like you do or would in real life. The "augmented" human is a concept that is very popular in science fiction stories. Implants to connect with a virtual space, cyberspace, makes one think of William Gibson's classic, 'The Neuromancer'. Elon Musk, hugh SF-fan, created Neuralink, a name that comes from 'Excession', the fifth in Iain M. Banks's series 'Culture'. And so, more examples of technology, AI, ... are used to corroborate his discourse. Mr Kyrou also explains how some people really (or only) live for such a second world, or "second life" (link). Also, the technologies (or the products) exist, so why not use them, for better or for worse? SF-stories where such technological products or advances play a vital role can be entertainment, but, indeed, one could examine them and ask the questions Mr Kyrou threw in: why augment? How? Which criteria or societal visions come into play? For whom? Have any consequences been taken into account? Will it improve society or solve the problems of today? Back in the day (+/- mid 20th century), most stories dealt with superheroes, which isn't the case any more today. Today, technology determines our lives and of various products it is said they will improve and make our lives easier, less troublesome. This is of course not always true, as one needs the skills and knowledge to apply said technologies correctly. Furthermore, as Mr Kyrou adds, the SF-novel today serves more as lightning rod for all those erroneous marketing promises, to let us take a step back and look with a critical eye at what is promised. Hence it's best to regard augmentation in a sociopolitical context, as authors like Theodore Sturgeon, Frederik Pohl, and Andreas Eschbach have tried to show: disabled people developing special abilities, people being trained/transformed to live on Mars, or even serve as the perfect soldier, yet very dependent on one's masters for repair and replacements. Or in one of Michael Roch's novels, needing special glasses to "see" what the other person is feeling, instead of just looking at that person and "see" for yourself. Authors like J.G. Ballard, Philip K. Dick, Norman Spinrad, Ursula K. Le Guin, etc. also wrote stories/novels in a similar context. So yes, another critical text regarding augmentation (for the sake of it), yet telling the reader to think for him/herself and look at augmentation with a critical eye... with the help of SF-novels, so as not to lose one's human side. Diana Filippova - Dystopies vs. autofiction: auteur augmenté, roman diminué (Concept: la dystopie) Diana Filippova is a novelist, essayist, and political person. Her text deals with how the future is imagined through stories (incl. dystopic ones) and which kind of literature is the better choice. Or rather, how the situation in France is: General literature versus genre literature (SFFF). There's quite some prejudice about novels marketed as "fantastic", "fantasy", "science fiction", or alike, especially by publishers of general literature. Despite the large audiences these books attract. In the publishing world, however, and if you want your novel to sell well, the aforementioned terms/labels are stained, no matter how well the book's written, no matter how good the story is. Publishers of general literature will treat such a novel differently than those specialised in genre literature. The latter will do the editing so that it will suit the targeted audience, the former will, on the other hand, (want the author to) rework it so that the story is more "realistic", more "contemporary", more "serious". Unless you're Michel Houellebecq or Haruki Murakami, for example. Ms Filippova puts forward that a story about "the augmented human" can only exist in three forms: * a science fiction novel * an essay * an autobiographical story or fictional, but based on the author's experiences, which she refers to as "autofiction". She compares publishing a novel with creating one's own "metaverse", where the reader can enjoy the story. However, in her latest novel ('L'Amour et la Violence', 2021), she turned things around: instead of bringing the virtual world into the real world, it's the real world that the characters have to confront again. Hence the contrast/dichotomy, which she tries to explain in three points: * A novel is a way to refuse the tyranny of what is and make what's real more lively than reality. * It deals with politics while escaping entirely its grip and able to spit it in the face. * It brings to life various truths, inserted into the life and narrative of the novel. By removing the first two and reducing the third, leaving only one truth, one voice, one point-of-view, ... the narrative is undone of its political aspect, its imagination poor and indigestible. And so the novel meets its end. Writing or reading fiction (also) serves to "understand" the other, to gain other insights. Ms Filippova takes Russian literature as comparison a few times, as Russia never knew freedom of expression, its literature wasn't bound by genres, therefore encompassing all genres at once. She was also born in Russia, which explains her making the comparison. Long story short: Ms Filippova aims at tearing down the walls between general literature, which has become "posh" the past few decades, and genre literature, which has not been considered as an equal form of fiction. General literature does not hold the (only) truth about life, about reality. Fiction is fiction, should not always be realistic or about one truth, but allow one to see (and try to understand) reality through a different lens, through different characters, through different eyes, and so try to understand to real world from a different perspective. In France or elsewhere in the world. And yet, just a reflection, wasn't this more about the process she went through to get her novel published than about the actual discord between general literature and genre literature regarding reality? Fanny Parise - Anthropologie de l'humain augmenté en terres virtuelles (Lieu: le métavers) Last but not least, Fanny Parise offers an anthropological take on the "augmented human", here in the context of the metaverse and also Zuckerberg's Metaverse. To illustrate this, she projects herself to the year 2050, when mankind will be living its life online and particularly in the Metaverse. As Rammstein sang in 2004: "We're all living in America." (album: Reise, Reise), this essay is about "We're all living in the Metaverse." By that time (2050), the boundaries between real life and virtual life will (almost) all have crumbled and virtual reality will have merged into real life or even have taken over. Humans will be able to do what they like, go where they like, even create better versions of themselves (in contrast to what they are/look like/... in real life). It will even be possible to to upload your conscience to interact with your beloved, once they go online. See the TV-series Upload and the film Ready Player One, two current examples (of fiction) where virtual life has replaced real life. According to the late Marc Augé, French anthropologist, the three pillars of imagination (dream, reality, fiction) will no longer stand and their distinction will be vague/troubled. Every culture will have to make sure the distinction between the three remains to avoid a crisis of imaginations. As the virtual world will become one "global village", professor Fred Turner of the university of Stanford sees this digital utopia as the convergence of bohemian ideals of the counter-culture of the left and the economic liberalism of the right. His view is that the values and promises of internet are reminiscent of the hippies. It offers a new chance, after the failures of cultural emancipation in the US in the 1970s. Since capitalism will have a big influence, it's likely that "the system" or those with opposing ideas, will hardly be questioned. The conquest of space is another example of the evolution in 2050, thanks to capitalism. The French sociologist Denis Colombi is heavily interested in the closeness of SF and capitalism. They share the same kind of future: Capitalism with investment, credits and so on, leading to profit, despite an uncertain future. On the other hand, SF promising a future where everything is possible, though with its respective risks. Colonising space can help to find new resources... to continue to live the "perfect" life, as resources on Earth get extinct. Ms Parise concludes her very interesting essay with the fact that metaverses are a myth and not real life. One must make the distinction, on the one hand, between physical and virtual life, and, on the other hand, between ordinary humans and augmented humans. The Metaverse promises a better world, an escape from real life. While you can pretend to be what/whom you like to be, real life is still out there with its proper issues to be solved. On a side-note: the added illustrations/diagrams are too small to read (for my eyes). The format of the book is partly at fault here. Note to the editors: keep illustrations/diagrams readable, make the book a bit bigger in size if need be. Not everyone has perfect vision. ---------- Four very different texts all revolving around the augmented human in real life, in fiction, in virtual reality. Today and in the future (possibly). While this little book is barely 80 pages short, its contents certainly are worth reading, as they do not only display the various sides of "augmentation" (in a nutshell, of course), but also warn that one should not blindly follow or trust the current and future developments in this field. ---------- ---------- Other works by Ariel Kyrou or to which he contributed: * Dans les imaginaires du futur (2020): review (2023 edition) * Utopiales 2020: review * ABCDick (2021): not read * Par-delà l'horizon (2021): review * Nos Futurs Solidaires (2022): review * Travailler encore ? (2023): review * Pourquoi lire de la science-fiction et de la fantasy (et aller chez son libraire) (2024): not read (yet?) * Philofictions - Des imaginaires alternatifs pour la planète (2024): TBR ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Sep 13, 2024
|
Sep 13, 2024
|
Sep 10, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 9464341289
| 9789464341287
| 9464341289
| 4.29
| 273
| Oct 13, 2022
| Oct 13, 2022
|
liked it
|
Zonder het televisiequizprogramma 'De Slimste Mens ter Wereld' zou ik nooit geweten hebben wie Elisabeth Lucie Baeten is. Dit heeft haar BV-schap een
Zonder het televisiequizprogramma 'De Slimste Mens ter Wereld' zou ik nooit geweten hebben wie Elisabeth Lucie Baeten is. Dit heeft haar BV-schap een enorme boost gegeven, hoewel haar humoristische filmpjes als "Katrien van Politiek PR" de springplank waren. Ook zou ze meegeschreven hebben aan het tweede seizoen van 'Nonkels', een fantastische reeks! Een andere TV-reeks, 'Loslopend wild', zou ook van haar hand zijn. (Dank u, Google, Wikipedia, ...) Daarnaast schrijft ze boeken, zoals dit hier: 'En ze leefden nog'. Hierin werden 4 bekende sprookjes - die altijd eindigen met "En ze leefden nog lang en gelukkig." - herwerkt in een hedendaagse context, met de nadruk op de vrouwelijke personages die in deze versies zelf hun weg kiezen, doen wat ze willen doen, en bijgevolg van zich laten horen: De Kleine Zeemeermin, Doornroosje, Belle en het Beest, en Rapunzel. Dankzij de recente wedstrijd (juli 2024) van Pelckmans Uitgevers (of eerder Uitgeverij Vrijdag, dat in de groep is opgenomen) heb ik mij weer even kind kunnen voelen, even iets eenvoudigers kunnen lezen. Grote tekeningen, veel kleur, zodat de personages goed uit de verf komen. De tekst is op rijm gezet, korte versjes, een handvol per pagina. Elk verhaaltje in zo'n 12 pagina's lang/kort, waardoor dit boek snel uit is. De rijmpjes zijn eenvoudig, soms wat stuntelig, maar wel knap gevonden. Het boek is immers gemaakt voor kinderen, hoewel niets volwassenen ervan weerhoudt om het ook even ter hand te nemen. Een verhaal moet niet altijd complex geschreven zijn, daar dienen sprookjes niet voor. Groot minpunt dan weer wel, m.i.: witte tekst op lichte achtergrond = moeilijk leesbaar. Voorbeeld: witte letters op gele of roze achtergrond. Zou zwarte/donkerblauwe/... tekst te contrastrijk, te "fel" zijn geweest? ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 9464342501
| 9789464342505
| 9464342501
| 4.18
| 22
| unknown
| Jul 29, 2024
|
liked it
|
Poëzie is nooit mijn dada geweest, niet op school, niet eens de school verlaten. Ik heb het meer voor uitgeschreven teksten waarin de nodige uitweidin
Poëzie is nooit mijn dada geweest, niet op school, niet eens de school verlaten. Ik heb het meer voor uitgeschreven teksten waarin de nodige uitweidingen en contexten beschreven worden, zij het dan met een poëtische invloed, geen probleem. Hoewel poëzie in verschillende vormen beschikbaar is en zelfs eeuwenoud, spreekt de versstructuur me helemaal niet aan. Ook niet het soort van Michael Williams in verschillende kortverhalen in de Dragonlancereeks, om maar een tegenvoorbeeld te geven. Of zelfs dat van de Canadese schrijver Guy Gavriel Kay, wiens (historische) romans echter meer dan de moeite waard zijn: Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan, The Last Light of the Sun, ... Nu heb ik dit kleinnood, 'Hier ligt de waarheid in overdaad', het debuut van Myriem El-Kaddouri (stadsdichter van Kortrijk voor de komende 2 jaar), via een recente wedstrijd van Uitgeverij Vrijdag - opgegaan in Pelckmans Uitgevers - gewonnen, het maakte deel uit van een boekenpakket. 'Hier ligt de waarheid in overdaad' springt er niet alleen uit qua dikte (slechts 54 pagina's), maar ook qua taal en soort "boek"/"verhaal" dat ik gewoonlijk lees. Ik lees amper in het Nederlands (of Vlaams), behalve als het om non-fictie gaat en de occasionele vertaling van een roman. Qua fictie, origineel of vertaald, vind ik helaas amper mijn gading; vandaar de voorkeur om vooral in het Engels en het Frans te lezen, met af en toe wat Duits. Maar terug naar het debuut van mevrouw El-Kaddouri. Het werk is ingedeeld in 3 delen: * Oorsprong * Tussenruimte (of Tussen ruimte) * Verzet Onder elke titel zijn een aantal gedichten opgelijst die ermee verband houden. Eigenlijk is het bijna (?) autobiografisch qua opzet en inhoud. De gedichten hebben betrekking op afkomst, op familie, op gezin, op een partner hebben/vinden, op vrouw-zijn, op vriendschappen, op verlies, op het leven, op prettige of onprettige gebeurtenissen, enz. Mevrouw El-Kaddouri weet met de Nederlandse taal zeer goed om te springen en dergelijke situaties, gevoelens, ... neer te pennen. Qua taalgebruik is dit zeker zeer mooi geschreven, hoed af voor het talent. Maar zoals eerder geschreven, heb ik weinig voeling met poëzie, kan ik dus niet inschatten in hoeverre dit werk evenwaardig is aan andere poëtische werken. Of werkt het zo niet, een dergelijke vergelijking? Sommige gedichten, een kleine meerderheid, spraken me echter wel aan, anderen vond ik dan weer te vaag of beperkt in beschrijving. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Aug 08, 2024
|
Aug 08, 2024
|
Aug 08, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0140001115
| 9780140001112
| B007C31MVY
| 4.13
| 359,086
| Mar 25, 1902
| Sep 24, 1981
|
really liked it
|
I've only read two books by the late Arthur Conan Doyle: 'The Adventure of the Six Napoleons and Other Cases' (review), a collection of short-stories,
I've only read two books by the late Arthur Conan Doyle: 'The Adventure of the Six Napoleons and Other Cases' (review), a collection of short-stories, and 'The White Company' (review). Both very much recommended, even if they're all out in the public domain, where you can read/download them from Gutenberg, Internet Archive, etc. But it's often more convenient to have them in book-form. Costs a little more, but then you don't have to print them yourself. Anyway, after a few short stories about Sherlock Holmes and his right-hand Dr Watson, I found this classic novel, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' (Wikipedia for background information, which enhances the reading experience, in my opinion), for almost nothing. Not that I actively look for such stories, but when you stumble upon a classic and almost for free - even if, again, it's freely downloadable -, you just go for it. What stands out is of course the classic detective story for which A. C. Doyle was famous. A dark story about legend, about heritage, about power. Apparently set in Devonshire, more precisely Dartmoor, in the late 19th century. How jealousy and power can make a man become a monster to one's nearest and dearest, despite himself not leading such a bad life, all things considered. Women were then also seduced and stuff promised, but those were only means to an end, as was the dog. It's fiction, of course, but communication went quite rapidly in Holmes's time (wire). Almost as fast, if not faster, than today. Sending out a report, a telegram, ...? No problem, it'll be delivered before your potatoes are pealed. It wouldn't be a good story if it didn't end well, at least for the characters whose lives were at stake of being used to (try to) bring to fruition the plan of the jealous family member, who never exposed himself as such. Strangely enough, too, how he wasn't recognised sooner, despite his painting hanging in the Baskerville Hall. In about 170 pages, Arthur Conan Doyle once more demonstrated his mastery of the English language. This alone is one of the, if not thé, element that makes his stories so attractive and a lust for the eye and mind. Quite refreshing - despite its age - compared to modern (British) English, although there are various authors who still maintain a distinguished writing style. Anyway, Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes = keep it coming. Of course, in moderation, to maintain interest and entertainment. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
Aug 14, 2024
|
Jul 14, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 2376866545
| 9782376866541
| 2376866545
| 4.00
| 3
| unknown
| Jun 06, 2024
|
really liked it
|
French authors Yannick Chazareng (knwon from Le Guide Stephen King, Le Guide Tolkien, and more) and Stéphanie Chaptal (translator, author, journalist)
French authors Yannick Chazareng (knwon from Le Guide Stephen King, Le Guide Tolkien, and more) and Stéphanie Chaptal (translator, author, journalist) have put their minds together to create a guide about the late Terry Pratchett and his enormous writing career. The guide, aptly titled 'Le Guide Pratchett', was to see the light of day in the autumn of 2023, but the publisher's situation prevented that. Fortunately, the situation improved again and the guide was made available to the public, albeit under a new title: Tout Terry Pratchett (roughly translated: Complete/Everything Terry Pratchett). What does this guide have to offer? First of all, it's a guide for every type of Pratchett-reader: the n00b, the expert and everyone between. Pratchett's bibliography is huge and many books about him and mainly his works, in particular 'Discworld', have been published over the years, via various publishers. In 'Tout Terry Pratchett', the authors have tried to compile an as complete overview as possible, at least when it comes to the Francophone market, in order to provide a clear view for all who wish to dive into or explore Pratchett's world(s) and works. It all starts with a preface by Benjamin Roche, who has a blog where he writes about the books he's read and more, but also about Pratchett's Discworld. He's been following the man and his writings for 2 decades, hence becoming an expert on the subject. Both authors of this guide follow with bidding you welcome to the world of Terence David John Pratchett, aka Terry Pratchett as he later came to known as. Before diving into the man's extensive writing career, it is important to go back in time and see him grown up from a young boy, living a rather simple life, moving a few times across England, occupying some positions back-and-forth as a journalist, which also allowed him to develop his writing skills. And then how his career as an author really took off... and how it came to an sad end in 2015. Pratchett was a defender of nature, also donated heavily to the Organutan Foundation. More information on the man's life can be found in the biography A Life with Footnotes by Rob Wilkins. The 'Discworld' series is Pratchett's best-known series. With over 40 novels published and reissued regularly, you can't miss it. Not to mention the separate books on the world itself, its science, its customs, culture, ... But what is Discworld actually? This part explains it all, the foundations, the (most important) characters, the lie of the land, and more. A bit like a touristic guide, if you will. Of course, further on, an extensive reading guide takes you through the various novels, the order in which to read them, how certain novels are grouped together as they deal with the same characters, the themes discussed in the books, and so on. If you need a clear-cut list, this does the job, in my opinion, as I found it quite fascinating to see it presented like this, how Pratchett sort of created an entire evolution of this world, inspired by human history. Somehow, I never saw the series in that way. The 'Discworld' series was also adapted for television and film back in 1997, 2007, 2008, 2010 and later. And there's more in the pipeline. Next to the screen, there were also video games and board games created a few decades ago. 'Good Omens' is one of his other famous works, which was transcribed into a TV-series. Because of its importance, also because of the collaboration with Neil Gaiman, it deserves its own chapter. Speaking of his non-Discworld works: next to 'Good Omens', the list is also quite long for those interested in reading a different kind of Pratchett, without having to worry about series or sequels, although among his last works is the 5-part series 'The Long Earth', which he wrote with Stephen Baxter. Stephen Baxter also concluded the series, as Terry Pratchett left the world of mortals too soon. But in this part, you can find out about each of his other books. For a list of (almost) everything Pratchett has written or contributed to, or even adapted works (multimedia and other), see the end of the guide; for a proper full list, see ISFDB.org or TerryPratchettBooks.com. As there is an extensive list about 'Discworld' and its (principal) characters, a list of the (principal) non-Discworld characters should also be added. That one is also set at the end of this guide. Terry Pratchett's works have been translated in various languages, including French. Hence the need, in a guide like this one, to include interviews with the various people involved, at least for the French market. Terry Pratchett came to the Utopiales festival in 2003, you can find the interview (by Nathalie Ruas) with him from that time among the other interviews. The original, English version can be found on ActuSF.com. And so can the French version, see here. Those other interviews - regarding the man himself, his works, and more - are with... * Patrick Couton (translator) * Stephen Briggs (comedian, audio narrator, illustrator, ... and close friend of Terry Pratchett) * Denis Colombi (sociologist, professor in Economic and Social Sciences, author, ...) * Patrick Marcel (translator) * Dominique Haas (translator) * Mikael Cabon (translator of 'La Longue Terre', the series co-written with Stephen Baxter) * Denis Detraz (editor at Éditions L'Atalante, who've published most of Terry Pratchett's works in France) The answers were quite interesting, as the respective interviewees explained what Terry Pratchett and his works meant for them, what it entails/ed to translate Pratchett's works ('Discworld' or others), the science behind the 'Discworld' stories/events, the comparison with translating other SFFF-authors, and last but not least, a short explanation of Éditions L'Atalante and publishing Pratchett's works. Was Pratchett a feminist author? In several of his works, female characters play a leading and important role. Something also worth mentioning, as it will make you read the respective stories with renewed insight. In the 'Conclusion', both guides look back at what made Pratchett's works so popular and meaningful. Not just the content, which spoke to young as well as old(er) readers, with a good touch of humour, but also everything around Pratchett's writing and certainly the illustrations by Josh Kirby and Paul Kidby. One can't deny the importance and impact of Terry Pratchett's stories, 'Discworld' or otherwise. His versatility to write about almost anything, to create various world and many more characters, is simply mind-blowing and deserves tons of respect. Where to start or what to read next? Compiling a guide will always come with compromises, especially when aimed at a large audience. 'Tout Terry Pratchett' is a guide that can show you the way and make you see the forest for the trees. ---------- ---------- Terry Pratchett is one of the several authors whose works I started checking out when he was already on the height of his career. The 'Discworld' series was massively popular, yet I didn't know if the stories would suit my taste, let alone know where to start, as there were already many volumes available. It was thus only ten years ago that I took the plunge... with 'The Light Fantastic', the second half of the combo 'The Colour of Magic'/'The Light Fantastic'. However, I did not have too many problems starting with the other half. I did not wait too long to read the first half, which I found a little less good. As I read in other reviews, many wrote that 'The Colour of Magic' is not the best book to start one's journey into the series, as Pratchett's writing improved a lot as he wrote more and more books in the series. And so it did. The ones I read afterwards were all either 4 or 5 stars. Except 'Small Gods', whose humour and story didn't work as well for me as the other Discworld-novels I've read. I still have one Discworld-novel on my TBR-pile, but don't know if or when I'll come round to reading it: 'Raising Steam'. Some of his other works I've read: 'Good Omens', 'Strata' (a precursor of 'Discworld'), 'The Dark Side of the Sun' (for completion reasons, but I didn't like it that much either), 'The Carpet People' (wonderful story!), 'Dragons at Crumbling Castle' (children's stories, pretty good, I must say), the collection 'A Blink of the Screen: Collected Shorter Fiction', and last but certainly not least: 'The Bromeliad'. All in all, my experience with Terry Pratchett's works has been very positive, indeed. Then again, maybe I should check out some more of it. After having read Stephen Baxter's 'Proxima'-'Ultima ' duology, with the short story collection 'Obelisk', I have to admit that 'The Long Earth' series interests me quite a bit more now. What I've read (so far) by Terry Pratchett Discworld (numbered according to their order in the series): 01) The Colour of Magic (review) 02) The Light Fantastic (review) 04) Mort (review) 05) Sourcery (review) 08) Guards! Guards! (review) 11) Reaper Man (review) 12) Witches Abroad (review) 13) Small Gods (review) 20) Hogfather (review) 26) Thief of Time (review) Non-Discworld: * Dragons at Crumbling Castle (review) * The Carpet People (review) * The Bromeliad (review) * The Dark Side of the Sun (review) * Strata (review) * Good Omens (review) * A Blink of the Screen: Collected Shorter Fiction (review) ---------- ---------- I was sent this book by Éditions ActuSF for review. Many thanks to them for the trust. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Aug 05, 2024
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
Jul 08, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 2382671343
| 9782382671344
| 2382671343
| 3.85
| 40
| Aug 2015
| May 15, 2024
|
really liked it
|
Christian's magnum opus, 'Les Nef de Pangée', was originally published back in 2015, reissued in pocket format in 2017, and has been on my radar since
Christian's magnum opus, 'Les Nef de Pangée', was originally published back in 2015, reissued in pocket format in 2017, and has been on my radar since 2016. As every reader knows, too many books, never enough time. A few years ago, the small publisher Mu Éditions was taken over/incorporated into the world of Les Éditions Mnémos, where it has been a separate label for particular kinds of stories. Mnémos thought 'Les Nefs...' fit that bill and reissued it a few months ago (in May 2024) under the Label Mu and with a new cover. I don't know if the text was revised, though, it's probably the same as the previous editions. Preceding this reissue was the novella 'Je suis le rêve des autres' (2022), which I read last year and enjoyed a lot. It's also set in the same world as 'Les Nefs de Pangée', but takes place many years after the events in the novel. Following my review, Mnémos was so kind as to send me a copy of the newest edition of the novel. Of course, the novel being 3 times as thick and being written in quite an eloquent style, combined with commuting to and from work and finding enough time to read, it took me a while longer to come back from Pangea. To be honest, at some point I had to recommence from page 1, because I had lost sight of what had happened in the first +100 pages. In case you wondered, Pangée is - at least, that's my impression - based on the continent Pangea, though in a smaller version. There is a black-and-white map, but unfortunately it's too small and several names of places are very hard to see or read. 'Pangea' is also the title of an album (released in 2016) of the German Thrash band Paradox (YouTube). Like on the supercontinent, there are various tribes/peoples, Pangeans and non-Pangeans. The non-Pangeans are of human origin and lived previously on the mainland, but they were chased away several generations ago, and have since been living on artificial islands. The current peoples of Pangée are mostly of non-human origin, though they have human characteristics. They are lead by women - Venerable, as their title is - and are as diverse as the many kinds of people on Earth. However, they trade with each other and will cooperate if there's a common goal. To provide insight into the peoples (of varying origins/characteristics, poor or rich, noble or common), the fauna and flora, the language(s), the geography (from the icy north to the warm south), ... there's an extensive guide at the end. I heavily recommend you to keep this guide near, because it's easy to lose track of who's who, for example. Even if Mr Chavassieux "recommends" to not consult the guide until after having the novel so as not to "spoil" anything, I insist you do consult it now and then to obtain a better understanding of what's happening. Pangeans reproduce, procreate of course, but have their own, particular way of doing so. It occurs not via one female and one male, but various males who are chosen for their sperm. No, for their intrinsic qualities, of course. And so, a child can have several fathers and even choose a "favourite" to whom they can turn for advice, for help of any kind. The Pangeans have a common enemy that has been posing a threat for many generations: the Odelim or sea-dragon. As you can see in the guide at the end, there have been several hunts or chases, as each generation has had to fight off its own Odelim. Each sea-dragon was of a different kind and strength, and was given a name. The peoples of Pangea (or Pangée, as it's a French tale) would band together, organise themselves for the construction of the fleet, take care of provisions and divide the tasks of who would go with whom and who would represent his people in the fleet. Such a large fleet would need an admiral, someone overseeing it all, determining the strategy. That man would be Bhaca (from Memphée), chosen by the oracles of Pangée. These oracles have to congregate to "see" what the future will (might) bring and their guidance is also needed for the future hunt. However, this admiral was yet to be born, as preparing for a hunt takes at least a decade or two. This would lead to political jealousy and struggle, as the rulers of Basal would want their own "chosen one" to lead the future fleet. Next to the oracles, there are chroniclers, who write accounts of important events: the hunt, political or economic changes, etc. The chroniclers and oracles would also be aboard the ships to keep notes of any important events and offer guidance for an appropriate strategy to take out the Odelim/sea-dragon. One of those chroniclers is Hammasi, who would come to have a relationship with the main admiral, Bhaca, who was chosen by the oracles. She would also play a key role in this story. Speaking of political struggles, the Venerable of Basal had two sons, both differing in character: one peace-seeker and loved by most tribes (Logal), the other politically dominant (Plairil). As their mother would near the end of her life, the elder one - Plairil (Remet) - would remain by her side and take control of the situation. For a rough comparison, a bit like Wormtongue and Théoden in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings'. Even his own brother, Logal, would not be allowed to come near his mother, to ask her advice. Once his younger brother was out for the hunt, Plairil would set everything in place to subjugate the other peoples of Pangée, though not everyone would blindly accept this. Considering himself like the Messiah, you could compare his behaviour and actions to those of the Kingpriest in 'The Kingpriest Trilogy' (by Chris Pierson) in the 'Dragonlance' series, to mention one example. Plairil's attempt to dominate the rest of the population of Pangée, while expecting the 10th hunt to have a positive outcome for his plans ((view spoiler)[relying heavily on his commander R'm O R'm for the victory of the fleet of Basal, and hoping his brother Logal would perish (hide spoiler)]), would set something in motion that would forever change the future of Pangée. (view spoiler)[The human floaters would see a perfect chance to reclaim their lost land and remember their past. (hide spoiler)] The story is spread over a good two decades, if not a quarter of a century, as each hunt takes up that much to prepare, organise and execute. However, you don't really see it in the chapters that it takes that long, as there's no time indicator, no dates mentioned. It's the events and the time spent hunting the Odelim that show the warriors won't finish the undertaking a fortnight, in a manner of speaking. While the prose, the size of the world, the original premise make this a must-read, there are a few aspects that made me frown a little: * Pangée's history and particularly how the floaters came to be ousted, and consequently, how the current Pangeans came to occupy the continent. * the peace process that occurred a little too hastily, as if there weren't any proper negotiations... which brings us to an Asterix kind of ending. A little "wink" to Uderzo and Goscinny? 'Les Nefs de Pangée' only showed a particular, historical event, while trying to paint a picture of what Pangée looks like, who lives there and how. Like human beings on Earth, the peoples/tribes/nations of Pangée differ from each other, yet have similar desires, needs and wishes. It's an eloquently written allegory of how mankind lives on Earth, treats its fellow beings (fauna and flora), cooperates (trade, common enemy, ...) or fights anyone different (beliefs, cultures, ...). It might not be as accessible or as action-packed as a lot of other fantasy-novels, but that wasn't the idea, I believe. Like the preparation for the hunt takes takes time, one should also not rush through this book, but let the tides be the guide. Nothing less than recommended reading, this book. While awaiting new tales set on Pangée. ---------- A selection of what I thought are similar works, in themes or setting or else: * Claire Duvivier - Un long voyage (review) * Guillaume Chamanadjian & Claire Duvivier - Cycle de la Tour de Garde (2 trilogies: Capitale du Sud and Capitale du Nord) * Thomas Spok - Uter Pandragon (review) * Pierre Bordage - Arkane (review) * Chris Pierson - The Kingpriest Trilogy (review) * Olaf Stapeldon - First and Last Men (review) ---------- I was sent this book by Les Éditions Mnémos for review. Many thanks to them for the trust. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
May 21, 2024
|
Jul 25, 2024
|
May 09, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 2253249289
| 9782253249283
| 2253249289
| 3.43
| 30
| unknown
| Mar 27, 2024
|
liked it
|
In this day and age where Artificial Intelligence is on the rise, especially ChatGPT, and there are regular updates regarding (mainly?) LLM (Language
In this day and age where Artificial Intelligence is on the rise, especially ChatGPT, and there are regular updates regarding (mainly?) LLM (Language Learning Machine), a book that offers a view on the current state of affairs should help to see more clearly, comprehend better what's going on. I found this book at the Foire du livre in Brussels in April. The blurb looked interesting, the first pages and table of contents as well. And the author's name instilled confidence. But... after some researching, I regret my purchase, in a way. Dr Laurent Alexandre (Wikipedia) is a doctor... in urology. He's also author, political activist, and more. And (self-proclaimed) specialist in artificial intelligence, transhumanism and alike, especially since his founding of the website Doctissimo. He's a profound believer in eugenics (Wikipedia). Last, but not least and not last at all, he's very much opposed to climate change, ecologists, and alike. In a way, nature is part of the problem and mankind can only be saved and progress through transhumanism. ---------- In this book, Laurent Alexandre tried to explain, in a rather accessible manner, how artificial intelligence will become more and more a dominant and determining factor in our daily lives. ChatGPT has evolved quite rapidly over the years and will continue to do so in the years to come. The forecasts aren't respected any more, developments are going faster than foreseen. To keep up with AI, schools and education will have to step up its game and shift into 6th gear very soon, if not yesterday rather than tomorrow. Education is a key domain in his opinion, yet archaic for many decades and if nothing is done about it, it will be too late. Especially when China is focusing heavily on AI, while the West seems to be running behind, also because there's not much being written or said about it in the (mainstream) press. Education will no longer provide jobs for teachers, no, teachers will be replaced or have to fulfill the job of neurologist. As AI is set up to act like the human brain, where the circuits represent the neurons in the human brain, education will have to be controlled, students taught, ... in the same or similar way. This should also provide a more personal approach for each student, as not everyone learns in the same manner: some are auditive, other rely more visual approaches, for example. For Dr Alexandre, people (and children) will have to be upgraded via a chip in their heads (cf. Elon Musk's Neuralink enterprise) to be able to become more intelligent, learn faster, understand the world better and... be ahead of the competition. The world will need more intelligent people, not those whose jobs can easily be done by AI. Dr Alexandre is quite adamant about transhumanism and postponing death or even discarding the human body - to live on as 0's and 1's. AI will help mankind to live longer, to be more intelligent that ever before, to conquer the galaxy. All this worrying about climate change, ecology, ... only takes us back to the past, in his views. Even the Amish, whom he despises, have apparently embraced electricity, the refrigerator, ... albeit with over a century of delay. The human brain versus artificial intelligence is another battle to fight, and one where education has been failing the past decades. Again, his view on the matter. Education and schools have never succeeded to make sure every student becomes more intelligent, and as intelligent as his/her fellows. Furthermore, the human brain is slow, doesn't learn things fast enough, compared to AI, which learns in a matter of a few days. Dr Alexandre's tone shifts from friendly and sympathetic to angry and aggressive when it comes to his personal stances regarding mankind and the themes that bother him. He doesn't refrain from insulting certain kinds of people, whom he then considers less intelligent than him or who don't believe in the same ideals as he does. There's also some contradiction here and there, like when he writes that the human brain and AI can co-exist, complement each other, while previously he insisted that the human brain must be upgraded, maybe genetically modified, to be able to match the speed and intelligence of AI. Especially if AI continues to grow and improve exponentially. Or when he writes that AI can help solve discrimination, so that even less intelligent people can become more or as intelligent as/than others. Later on, those same less intelligent people are regarded as dumb, who don't help society progress in the future. Towards the end, he presents the reader with a few possible, yet imaginary for the time being, scenarios about the future, several decades from now. Chips for everyone, except for those too ignorant. Education will have drastically changed, as will have the job market. Not to mention a future in which everyone is tracked in everything they do (cf. China today?). Or how about discrimination? That won't have been eradicated: the chipped vs the non-chipped, and even here, some with state-of-the-art chips vs those with less good chips. If you're not chipped, you won't have access to x or y, you won't benefit from certain discounts/care/promotions/... If you're not chipped, will you still exist? ---------- 'La Guerre des intelligences à l'heure de ChatGPT' offers some pertinent points about the future, about AI, about mankind having to learn to work with AI and understand it better. There will be abuse, hacking, etc., just like there has been in the last few decades (phishing, to name one example). Education will indeed have to incorporate AI in their programmes. AI is already being used and taught in schools and businesses. And it will only increase. Learning and teaching is therefore important. So yes, one will have to be more vigilant in the upcoming years to distinguish AI from real things (photos, sounds, texts, ...), because there will be abuse, but also aspects that are put to good use. However, this book could easily have been +/-200 pages less thick, because there is a lot of repetition. Also, not every acronym or abbreviation has been explained. Lazy work on Mr Alexandre's part. The dark future Mr Alexandre describes is also uncalled for, even if times are changing rapidly. Furthermore, even if it was not part of the scope (I guess, as the focus lies on intelligence, on neurons, on cognition), he doesn't really provide domains (or focuses on situations) in which AI can be put to good use, for the benefit of mankind, without everyone needing a chip in their heads, prolonging their lives to live on in a digital body, needing to be more intelligent to keep up with the competition, and fearing the future. And again, his disrespect for those not agreeing with him or see life through a different lens, who prefer to see the natural world preserved instead of further destroying it... is just loathsome. Long story short: some pertinent remarks about the future and consequences of AI in our daily lives, but unfortunately not the guide to follow when it comes to AI, trans-humanism, and alike. Too pedantic, too much fear-mongering. Not enough explanation about how certain forms of AI already exist without us realising it. But it's a good lesson for me to not (always) buy on impulse. Maybe a chip could have prevented this, like in the 'Terminator' films, for example. No, just common sense and some justified vigilance, even if the human brain learns slower than a digital one. Here's a video on AI (thanks to Lionel Davoust, a French author) for putting it on his website: Why AI Works. And otherwise, plenty of other videos on YouTube and elsewhere about AI, genetic modification and more. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Apr 07, 2024
|
May 11, 2024
|
Apr 06, 2024
|
Mass Market Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 2379101361
| 9782379101366
| 2379101361
| 3.86
| 7
| unknown
| May 15, 2023
|
really liked it
|
'Gold Rush' is Sam Cornell's second book or story. His first was the massive 'La Collision des mondes' (2019), which I'm currently reading with great
'Gold Rush' is Sam Cornell's second book or story. His first was the massive 'La Collision des mondes' (2019), which I'm currently reading with great intervals (unfortunately; I may have to start all over for a proper understanding). 'Gold Rush' was The story, told by a person of mixed race who served as translator/interpreter for the US Army, is set more than a decade after the American Civil War (1861-1864), more precisely in Dakota in 1876, after the Battle of Little Bighorn, where the American army (United States Army) was defeated by a coalition of Native American tribes: the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. Especially the Battle of the Slim Buttes would be an excellent opportunity for revenge for General Crook. The gold rush, initiated by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, also hit the US Army, who invaded the Native Americans' territory, despite a treaty recognising the Black Hills belonging to the Sioux. White people would settle in Deadwood. And so, the tribes had to fight once more for their rights and territories. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull (who inspired those tribes) obviously also play a key role in this short story, but are not so prominently present. But the Black Hills hide a dark secret, one that would lead the gold-seeking soldiers to their doom. Or was it their power- and gold-hungry general, George Crook who initiated that journey? His name alone indicated he was up to no good. So desperate for the gold, the soldiers, lead by Crook, wouldn't know what hit them. That's where the horror would be unleashed. Little spoiler: our aforementioned translator, who was trusted by neither the Indians nor the blue shirts, cherished his life more than his job, would be the coward who lived to tell the tale. Crazy Horse knew that a dark force hid underground, was intelligent enough to not intervene as the soldiers ventured forth in the search for the precious gold. It was a terrible time back then, when you read about the various wars, the colonisation, etc. White people and the soldiers in particular would not shy away from asking for food and supplies from a people already having not enough for themselves after years (decades) of war. Discrimination and racism would run rampant, the buffalo population would be severely reduced, while this was one of the main species the Indians/Native Americans hunted for food and more. While this story is set in a historical context and spiced up with a bit of imaginary horror, it also serves as a charge to the real horror the Native Americans had to endure, undergo, as the US Army and colonists pushed onward in their thirst for land and gold. It's an eye-opening tale that should invite every reader to check up on that part of history. Heavily recommended little book, in other words! ---------- Related documents: * Jean-Laurent Del Socorro - Je suis fille de rage (2019, reissued in 2022), set during the American Civil War (1861-1865) (my review) * History of Deadwood * Black Hills Pioneer: First Newspaper of Deadwood, Dakota Territory, 1876-1877 (PDF) * Photo of Deadwood in 1976 ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Aug 05, 2024
|
Aug 05, 2024
|
Apr 05, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 2803104326
| 9782803104321
| 2803104326
| 3.67
| 12
| unknown
| Dec 12, 2014
|
really liked it
|
This little academic work, barely 90 pages thin, dates from 2014, and tackles the question about transhumanism (also) being a kind of humanism? Of cou
This little academic work, barely 90 pages thin, dates from 2014, and tackles the question about transhumanism (also) being a kind of humanism? Of course, the treating is concise and based on a handful of topics about artificial intelligence and mankind, and how mankind can "evolve" in the future towards a closer collaboration with technology, if not evolve into something beyond human. Not to mention a droid or cyborg like in the film 'Terminator' (1984). There are three chapters, sandwiched between an introduction and a concluding little chapter, completed with a list of used abbreviations and a bit of information on the document's author, his works and general works about the presented theme. As written in the introduction (paraphrased): In the first chapter - American and European high-level reports -, transhumanism is introduced and explained and how reports have helped acknowledge the existence and acceptance of this concept in the USA and in Europe. However, and as is still the case today, there's enthusiasm for this development/evolution, but also fear for the unknown or its possible consequences on various levels. In the second chapter - What is transhumanism? -deals with the history of the term, of the concept, of the movement behind transhumanism, and what transhumanism actually means, what it entails, what it stands for, what its principles are, and how it differs from traditional humanism. Furthermore, the professor explains in a schematic way the "transhumanist philosophy" with its various aspects: political, epistemological, anthropological, ontological, and ethical. The third chapter explores/discusses some of the ideas of transhumanism - especially the political, social and ethical questions - by taking a few works on transhumanism (or close to it) as basis. The Conclusion comes back to the basis for this essay and how the ideas about and for transhumanism deserve to be out in the open and taken seriously. ---------- Contrary to the previous work around AI and transhumanism I read - La Guerre des intelligences à l'heure de ChatGPT by Dr Laurent Alexandre -, this little academic work explains in a far more civilised, but not as accessible, way what transhumanism is, how it came about and what it actually means, whereas Dr Alexandre applied a more fear-mongering approach and how the West better step up its game to not be overwhelmed/overtaken/dominated by e.g. China. As the late professor Hottois clearly showed, there's an entire movement, philosophy behind transhumanism. Of course there will always be prejudices, discrimination, and so on, on both sides: "normal" humans vs "transhumans", as there will be open-minded people who will regard "transhumans" as "normal" people and accept the choices the latter made for whatever reason. There is, however, still a lot of work to be done to explain to the public what it entails, despite many work and reports having been written in the past decades. In short: A recommended introduction to transhumanism and how broad it can go, but also its impact on various domains. In the coming decades, even various laws will have to be (re)written or amended, with the practical consequences in daily life. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
May 14, 2024
|
May 17, 2024
|
Apr 05, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 238267072X
| 9782382670729
| 238267072X
| 2.59
| 22
| unknown
| Jun 07, 2023
|
did not like it
|
Little warning: this review, which I mainly intended for myself, is about the draft/uncorrected versions I read in 2022, the definitive version probab
Little warning: this review, which I mainly intended for myself, is about the draft/uncorrected versions I read in 2022, the definitive version probably hasn't changed that much, has it? To cut things short, I didn't really like the story, despite some good ideas, and despite liking Fabien Cerutti's successful series 'Le Bâtard de Kosigan', of which you can find my review at the bottom of this review. Back in April 2022, at the festival Trolls & Légendes (Mons, Belgium), Mr Cerutti talked to me about writing a new kind of story, anticipation or speculative fiction. As I liked his previous works very much, what could go wrong? Surely, the man's pen would be as good as when writing historical fiction? And as the story was to be of the utopian kind... Reading takes time and foremost concentration, something the circumstances last few years have not always permitted me to have. Reading/analysing beta versions takes even more concentration, I'd say, not only because of the time constraints, but also because (at least) I tend to focus on correct writing (spelling, grammar, punctuation) as well - kind of a pet topic of mine -, even if that was never required. 'Terra Humanis' revolves mainly around two students, especially one very intelligent girl (Rebecca Halphen) and her husband (Luc Lavigne). Together with a bunch of fellow students, they would set up a scheme and even political party to fight global warming in particular and whilst doing so, solve some social issues as well to make Earth more liveable again. Create a utopian future. Rebecca has an IQ of a whopping 260, so she could basically do it all herself. For practical reasons, she obviously would need a lot of help. So, solving the ecological problems, and while you're at it, the social ones will consequently be solved as well or as good as. And for once, a woman takes the lead instead of always, or in most cases, having a man lead the way. But in comparison to Rebecca, Luc comes across as the "dumb" one, the contrast is just too big to be believable or even practical. Still, the gang decide to create a political party, Terra Humanis, which would try to take over the world (Pinky and the Brain, anyone?). Rebecca would be its president, take all decisions, until it would be a little too much (or the resistance too strong), and she would have to delegate tasks to other people, so she can focus on the key aspects of the party and its missions. But despite (or because of) her intelligence, she doesn't consider all problems, all aspects, all cause and effects or consequences. Some issues don't get properly dealt with, as they seem out of focus or out of scope. Creating a political party to improve ecology and the life of people means entering the political arena and finding wealthy sponsors/backers. People must be convinced of the goals and what it means for them, what they have to gain. And so, the complex task of lobbying commences, with the (un)expected resistance and competition making it hard to get one's points across. Things get nasty when Russia joins in and sets its own conditions and desires. Not exactly in a cooperative way, to say the least. On a side-note, the war in Ukraine is mentioned, too. When Earth is too limited as a setting, even if Terra Humanis can somehow proceed with its plans and even set up a Pax Aeternam, there are aliens to stir things up a little more. By then, we're many decades later and our two protagonists, Rebecca and Luc, have moved on in another form. ((view spoiler)[Their consciousness has been digitally saved. This reminds me of a video I saw some time ago: see here (hide spoiler)]) 'Terra Humanis' combines fiction and non-fiction, as there are some scientific and political aspects to be explained. Unfortunately, this combination isn't smoothly set up, as the non-fiction parts tend to break the rhythm of the respective chapters. While the story started well, it soon became a slog to read, not mentioning at least one chapter (the students partying) making me cringe. The irregular order of the chapters (going back-and-forth on the timeline) a little too often really makes it tough to stay focused. The characters aren't that likeable, also a little too naive, I thought. Also, as is typical in fiction, not every acronym, if any, is explained. It's up to the reader to look up the acronym of an organisation, a university, and so on. While it's recommended that authors try new things, 'Terra Humanis' is far from a success. Is there anything good about it? Yes, the themes (ecology, migration, universal income, ...), though the propositions and ideas aren't fully worked out or even ignore related political or social aspects. Also, the foreword in which Mr Cerutti explained how the story came to be and why, and the debriefing. Theme-wise, the story reminded me of : * Ausgebrannt, a novel by Andreas Eschbach (my review) * Mermere, a novel by Hugo Verlomme (my review) * Science in the Capital, a trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson (my review: one, two, three) * the anthology Nos Futurs (my review) Anyway, if you're not yet familiar with Fabien Cerutti's works, 'Le Bâtard de Kosigan' is the series to go to. In my humble opinion. ---------- Previous works by Fabien Cerutti and definitely worth checking out: Book 1: L'Ombre du pouvoir Book 2: Le Fou prend le roi Book 3: Le Marteau des sorcières Book 4: Le Testament d'involution Book 5: Les Secrets du premier coffre Warning: Books 3 and 4 are directly linked, like one story cut in two. In any case, it's best to read the books in chronological order, so start with 'L'Ombre du pouvoir' and end with 'Le Testament d'involution'. Keep 'Les Secrets du Premier Coffre' for last. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jun 13, 2022
|
Dec 27, 2022
|
Jan 28, 2024
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 0141984767
| 9780141984766
| 0141984767
| 3.82
| 1,140
| 1987
| 2016
|
Another one to re-read, in its latest version. I read the second edition (1998) back in 2010, as you can see here. It was one of my favourite books on
Another one to re-read, in its latest version. I read the second edition (1998) back in 2010, as you can see here. It was one of my favourite books on the Vikings. Some time ago, and especially as Neil Price's book (Children of Ash and Elm)) received a lot of positive reviews (also some less positive ones, which dissected the work to show that Mr Price missed the ball in fields that aren't his specialty, which makes me very reluctant to read his work), I wondered what people thought of Mrs Roesdahl's work, which has been/is considered one of the must-reads on the Vikings and the Viking age. That's when I saw a new edition had been published. This third edition has been largely reworked/updated, so I "had to" add it to my TBR-list (again). ;-) ...more |
Notes are private!
|
0
|
not set
|
not set
|
Jan 03, 2024
|
Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0575095849
| 9780575095847
| 0575095849
| 4.31
| 56,557
| Oct 18, 2012
| Nov 14, 2013
|
I've recently repurchased the The First Law series in English, at least the first three novels and the larger copy of this one, 'Red Country', whose s
I've recently repurchased the The First Law series in English, at least the first three novels and the larger copy of this one, 'Red Country', whose smaller format I've read back in 2017. I have read the first trilogy in Dutch, the stand-alone novels in English (though 'Best Served Cold' after 'Red Country', even if the events require you to read the books in order), but as I wanted the entire series in the same format... hence adding those to my collection, also in preparation for the follow-up trilogy, 'The Age of Madness'. So, I'll have to re-read the 'The First Law' books again to refresh my memory. Something to be done in 2024, if circumstances allow it. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
0
|
not set
|
not set
|
Jan 02, 2024
|
Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| B0B25RD1T5
| 4.29
| 7,786
| Apr 1946
| 1946
|
it was amazing
|
My only encounter with the works of the late George Orwell is his classic 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' (see my review here). In his little essay, which you c My only encounter with the works of the late George Orwell is his classic 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' (see my review here). In his little essay, which you can read online, on language and politics or how the English language (at the time, but also today, so when it was written doesn't really matter any more; it was in 1946) was used by politicians, he offers a more than critical view on this situation, in particular, as I understood it, the negligence with which politicians use(d) the English language and its various expressions and loanwords to express their views and opinions, often not caring about proper use or even understanding what they truly said. Big words, no clarity. In short: a highly recommended read! This reminds me of various other documents, videos and books: * George Carlin at the National Press Club on 13th May, 1999 (video) * George Carlin on soft language (video) * Extract from a French TV-programme: C’est Pas Sérieux | TF1 | 15/05/1977 (video) * Philippe Breton - La Parole manipulée (my review) * Philippe Breton - L'utopie De La Communication: Le Mythe Du "Village Planétaire" * Steven Pinker - The Stuff of Thought (my review) * Maria Candea / Laélia Véron - Le français est à nous ! (my review) * Pierre Bourdieu - Sur la télévision, suivi de L'emprise du journalisme (my review) On my TBR-pile: * Philippe Breton - Éloge de la parole * Pierre Bourdieu - Langage et pouvoir symbolique ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Dec 03, 2023
|
Dec 03, 2023
|
Dec 03, 2023
|
ebook
| ||||||||||||||||
| 2379101329
| 9782379101328
| 2379101329
| unknown
| 3.00
| 1
| unknown
| 2023
|
liked it
|
'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the University of Mons
'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the University of Mons and its museum, MUMONS. So far, three anthologies have been published: * Les Données (2021) (my review) * Explorations (2022) (my review) * Énergies (2023) The objective is simple: Organise a writing event for students aged 15 years to 20 years, have them write a short story around a certain theme. However, I don't know if each student had total freedom or if they had to follow certain rules or guidelines, stick to certain topics. The best stories are then picked to be published. If the first anthology had fourteen stories, the second one held seven, and this third one contains five. Weren't there enough candidates? Or enough good stories? Or maybe not enough time for all participants to write a story within the set span of time? Like in the second anthology, a few authors - indicated by (*) made their return for this third edition. Table of contents: (*) Eulalie Borsus - Au fil de l'eau A nice story showing the contrast between old school and new school: windmill, vegetable garden, ... vs batteries, though at a high cost and high energy bills/invoices. Us vs them, those following current trends/methods vs those choosing not to and thus not be troubled by the problems of the modern, fast way of living and having to recharge batteries at a high price. Until the modern people sheepishly realise the "hippies" aren't a menace or bad after all, as they are the sole alternative to expensive energy. Then again, the man and woman too are a contrast: while he's more critical of his neighbours, interacts rarely with them, she (mute) rather sees the positive side of aiding the them... within limits. With our current way of living, there's no way back to how it was in e.g. the Middle Ages or even 100 years ago, for obvious reasons, but finding the "right" middle is what is needed, not shifting from one extreme to the next. (*) Léa Dumont - Prismatique Electricity is no longer provided via nuclear plants, cables, ... but via luminescent animals, like various kinds of fish and other water animals. They are protected species, the natural ones. On the other hand, various shops have farmed versions that can be bought, yet don't have the same characteristics as the protected species. There comes a moment when two young children, at least one of them, catches such a fish from the river, to keep it at home as a pet animal, with the excuse that one fish less won't harm, as there are many more. Little does she realise how important each and every fish is in the providing of light for the city. When a malicious bacteria decimates the various species in the river, biodiversity decreases and everything is done to reverse the process, restore the population. Our girl will see the error of her ways, especially after a police announcement, and release the fish after having kept it for several years. Lhéa Mittenaere - Étincelle A story set in Brussels, capital of Belgium. Energy is expensive, should be rationed, especially by the working population. Do not consume more than needed: only two warm meals at home per week, otherwise, always come to the workplace to have lunch. Energy is thus expensive and scarce, or so it is proclaimed. However, the screens announcing it are heavily lit, use more energy than a regular household, which infuriates our main character. At the office, Felix, the main character and working for a federal organisation, is "responsible for harmony at work", has to deal with a colleague who wishes to have another function/job. After a profound discussion (at his place, for "some" reason), and seeing how this colleague experienced a similar situation because of the energy crisis ((view spoiler)[He lost his friend, when they tried to plug in a game console and play a game, with the police catching them in the act; she lost her sister and father, when extra surgeries were no longer possible, precisely because of the energy crisis (hide spoiler)]), they saw no other way out and took drastic measures inside the Palace of the Nation/Federal parliament. a story that shows how political decisions in times of crisis can drive some people mad, can overrule logical reasoning, especially as not everyone is as resilient as the others. Louise Beckers - Les chiens sont-ils liquides ? A thought-provoking story about people living the wealthy, carefree life of living in an enclosure dominated/regulated by digital technology. A sky-high wall full of screens showing your daily dose of videos, like we find on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, ..., yet also serving to protect the enclosure against invaders, floods and other disasters, all thanks to the companies that have been dominating our lives for the past decades: Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, ... whose names were altered for this story. As is told in the story - and also perceived as such in the real world -, the people living outside should be happy to have a "responsible" and "privileged" life. After all, they live close to the factories producing power/electricity for those in the enclosure, they live close to said factories to be able to solve a problem with it emerges, ... even if the air and living conditions on their part of the wall aren't as fantastic as the inhabitants inside the enclosure can enjoy. The dogs in the title? Oh yes, it's a robotic one here, though with the malfunction of drooling heavily. Also, food is not prepared in-house, but delivered by drones. Everything is digital, online. Your typical companies (Apple, Amazon, Deliveroo, Adidas, ...) are of course renamed, but have been used to show our current lives and how dependent we have become on them for news, food, security and more. The story also serves to show how many of us today don't really see any trouble in this any more, how we have been and continue to be brainwashed into believing that going full-digital/electric will solve many if not most of the world's problems. Maëva Decorte - Le ThreEnergy : pas de place pour le changement Ah, the world's good-doers of making the world "greener", more "eco-friendly", yet won't accept any criticism or obstruction or interference, not externally, not internally, as everything is AI-controlled. It's a story that could have fit in the first anthology, which dealt with the theme of 'Data'. While there are true entrepreneurs who contribute to a better world, there are also entrepreneurs "green-washing" their activities. ---------- Whereas the first anthology was about 'data' and questioning its use (smartphones, AI, CCTV, body/dash cams, Big Data, ...), the second one revolved around exploring: space, life, nature, and more. This third one is about energy and how it's used today. Are we responsible enough? Is it better than the fossil fuels of the past decades? What are possible consequences? What role do politics play? Despite only containing five stories, it's interesting to read how these young writers see the situation today, how it influenced them to write their respective stories. I would have liked to see a bit more stories on the matter - if only to expand the scope -, but as I wrote above, maybe circumstances weren't as favourable as before. ---------- Extra links: * podcast about the previous anthology, Les Données: here * round-table of 2022 around the event/competition Encrer l'avenir: YouTube. See also the playlist with more stories, especially those that didn't make it for the anthology/ies. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Oct 07, 2023
|
Oct 07, 2023
|
Sep 30, 2023
|
Paperback
| |||||||||||||
| 2379100969
| 9782379100963
| 2379100969
| 4.00
| 1
| unknown
| Mar 01, 2022
|
really liked it
|
'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the University of Mons
'Encrer l'avenir' is a common title for a series of anthologies, published by the Belgian Livr'S Éditions in collaboration with the University of Mons and its museum, MUMONS. So far, three anthologies have been published: * Les Données (2021) (my review) * Explorations (2022) * Énergies (2023) (my review) The objective is simple: Organise a writing event for students aged 15 years to 20 years, have them write a short story around a certain theme. However, I don't know if each student had total freedom or if they had to follow certain rules or guidelines, stick to certain topics. The best stories are then picked to be published. If the first anthology had fourteen stories, this second one holds seven. Some authors, indicated by (*), also saw their stories published in the first one. Table of contents: Gaylord Culot - Casier 146 A story that has been written man times, in many versions. A man seeks immediate help from a police inspector, has valuable information to share, though his life is at stake. Something involving various crimes, the evidence saved on a USB-stick hidden in a safe. It's well-written, a page-turner, though one little mistake that was probably overlooked in the correction process. ((view spoiler)[The police inspector sends a last message to his spouse, then destroys his SIM-card. However, when arrived at the motel, he received an message from his friend/colleague whom he had informed about the case. Unless he had a second mobile phone or second SIM-card, but that's not clear here. (hide spoiler)]) Marine Florins - La Forêt aux mille Ombres A nuclear catastrophe has ravaged Earth, the outside world is hostile, like in Hugh Howey's 'Silo' series, Philip K. Dick's 'The Penultimate Truth' (my review with links to Howey's books), and many more. Survivors either live in bunkers or near the borders of the continent, where radiation levels aren't as high, yet do exist. One needs protective suits to venture outside. A couple is sent out to investigate, to gather scientific data, has to wear special suits and masks to protect themselves. They also brought their dog along, which they adopted/took over from people who no longer wanted her. And cunning/devious/naughty as a dog can be, she manages to escape, roam the forest, until she comes a little too close to the river. A search party is set up. All's well that ends well, despite on nasty effect from going outside without protection. A cute story, all in all, showing how pet animals too need consideration and care at such times. Auriane Paris Legentil - 60 années Space exploration, a classic subject in science fiction. Here we have a group of colonisers, who take turns at being put asleep (cryogenics) and awakened for several years until a planet far away (Phi 2.3 Centauri) is reached, though not without a stop on Mars to refuel and refill supplies. However, all members have lenses, so-called EYEs. Not really original as a product name, but those EYEs serve several purposes, like taking photos, yet also let one see the world a little differently. Strange how there is no wifi or anything similar, yet photos taken with the EYE lenses are stored in a private folder on the spaceship's server and on the EYE-lens. Due to an update, and as mentioned in the contract all crew members had to sign, all files stored on the server are property of and sent to the Authority, who organised the colonisation project. One member of the crew will suddenly turn against it all - especially after hearing that the private photos were visible to all -, "see" more clearly, against which the AI will of course intervene. Either you abide by the project's rules or you face the consequences. And consequences there would be. ((view spoiler)[She removed her two EYEs, which caused some bleeding, but then she saw her crew mates in their true beauty, differently from how the lenses showed them. However, the EYEs also serve as a ticket to the new colony, as a token of recognition; no EYE, no recognition, no access to anything (hide spoiler)]) A rather dystopian story where politics can or break you, also in space. A story that, in a way, reminded me of Ketty Steward's 'Quantique pour la liberté' in the anthology Par-delà l'horizon (Éditions ActuSF, 2021). Naël Aster - Tout se passera bien A very weird story, consisting of different parts that are not directly linked to one another. Someone's imagination running rampant, as if the character's on drugs, also, depending on the game the mind's playing, our character not feeling connected to the world, not caring much for his fellow human being. And she - eh, he - is, in fact, as later shall be made clear, not fit for society as it is. From start to finish, quite an unexpected flow of events concerning a psychiatric patient... +/-180 years from now. Whether or not it's a foretaste of how society will deal with such people, remains to be seen, of course. (*) Cloé Baiwir - ThinkEnd A very short story, also involving space exploration. A project for which several candidates are tested, somewhat similar to Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card. Only, the process is so demanding that the patient, due to medical causes, didn't manage to get to asteroid B-612 to establish life on it. On the contrary, the procedure involved creating in one's mind the impression of a real voyage in space whilst remaining in bed on Earth. The small reference to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic The Little Prince (which I read in Dutch) is part of the illusion. (*) Victoria Berton - Et soudain je respirai A train of thought about life, about being alive? About the wonder of living? One reference is about 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, where Dr Frankenstein created life, no matter how unnatural the result was. And when at some point breathing becomes hard, it's a pet like dog that comes to the rescue. Or rather, "breathes" back life into you, encouraging you to not give up. To realise once more the splendour of life, even if his (or her) is coming to an end. A touching story, I must add. Lucas Stevenart - Penser ce n'est pas être Last but certainly not least - on the contrary -, a touching story that calls for self-reflection, and which, in a way, reminded me of Hans Bemmann's highly recommended 'Stein und Flöte und das ist noch nicht alles' (my review, in Dutch, though). To think or not to think (about oneself, the world, life, ...), that's the question. A story offering a glimpse of what it's like to be different, in this case diagnosed autistic, in particular Asperger's, and how such people, certainly at a young age, see the world, live in the world, look up to their parents. (On a side-note, and I don't know if it was added on purpose, but there's a reference to one of Hubert Reeves's quotes about man being "poussière d'étoiles" (stardust). Hubert Reeves was a Canadian-French astrophysicist who passed away on the 13th Octobre 2023.) Standing out from the "normal" people/youth, they are often bullied, not taken seriously, ridiculed. At school, at a ball (if ever they go to one). Until that one person comes along, understands them or experiences similar things. What then if a tragic event happens, like the passing of a parent (and the psychological impact of that) and the remaining parent (the father in this case) losing control of himself (especially as the scientific discovery catapulted him into stardom, but he couldn't handle it (view spoiler)[, as alcohol was his "saviour", causing even more trouble (hide spoiler)]), wanting the child to grow up, to adapt to the world's norms and not live in one's "own world"? Or in other words, what's "normal" and why is it expected of everyone to conform to the "norm"? Which norm? Whose norm? Will that improve the lives of the "different"? To give up their dreams, ideals, visions, ...? As is mentioned in the story: 1) If you think you know, you don't know anything. 2) Human nature creates suffering, undeniably. One must thus have a good dose of sympathy for oneself and the others. 3) The ego prevents from being grateful. Therefore, you'll never be satisfied. 4) The will to find a logic is inherent to the psyche, which leads to the creation of stories everyone tells him/herself in order to move forward in a world without any apparent meaning. 5) Relations are fluid. Accept that they come and go. ---------- Whereas the first anthology, 'Les Données', was about 'data' and questioning its use (smartphones, AI, CCTV, body/dash cams, Big Data, ...), this second one revolved around exploring: nature, life, the human mind, nature, and more. Some are pure fiction, offer reading entertainment or maybe even a glimpse of how the respective authors see the future; others remain closer to the Earth, could very well be personal (or second-hand) experiences. The Walloon SFFF-future is bright, however, judging by the quality of these first two anthologies. So yes, another recommended collection of stories. ---------- Extra links: * podcast about the previous anthology, Les Données: here * round-table of 2022 around the event/competition Encrer l'avenir: YouTube. See also the playlist with more stories, especially those that didn't make it for the anthology/ies. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Oct 04, 2023
|
Oct 06, 2023
|
Sep 30, 2023
|
Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 9791028119898
| B08CM1XWY4
| 3.62
| 88
| unknown
| Nov 18, 2020
|
liked it
|
(same review for the two books) I have long hesitated to read this series, 'Arkane', consisting of 'La Désolation' (my review) and 'La Résurrection'. B (same review for the two books) I have long hesitated to read this series, 'Arkane', consisting of 'La Désolation' (my review) and 'La Résurrection'. Back in 2019, Pierre Bordage himself asked me - after I had purchased 'Les Fables de L'Humpur' and 'La Fraternité du Pance' (omnibus) - if I would be interested in his then latest offering. I politely declined, as those two books were not on my mind then. And it took me several years more before I took the plunge, albeit it for the pocket versions. The books have won prizes, and yet the reviews were not exactly super enthusiastic. There were some, of course, but the majority of those I had checked out made me even more reluctant to read this series. But I have now read it and can confirm that some remarks were pertinent In the beginning, I thought the series would revolve around Babel and language, based on how I first understood the construction of the city. It doesn't, unfortunately. I would have found it interesting how Mr Bordage would use language in one of his stories, although I think he's done it before. Though not in a Babel-like construction, if I'm not mistaken. ---------- What's it about, roughly? The river Odivir would overflow and flood the land Arkane. Fortunately, the goddesses of the river would spare the lives of seven peoples - each having their own animal symbol: Dragon, Eagle, Dolphin, Wolf, Corridan (invented term/species), Bear, Orbal (invented term/species, snake-like) -, who, after this miraculous rescue, vow to reconstruct their civilisation and maintain balance between each other. Disrupting the balance would result in their demise. The rebuilt city is indeed like a Tower of Babel, but the top layer never interacts with the lower ones, despite the seven peoples having staff from the lower layers in their respective households. The labyrinths between each layer serve to keep each layer at bay, so the political clans can live their lives undisturbed. The layers are as follows: les Dits (comedians, artists, craftsmen), les Marches (traders), les Labeurs, les Bas et les Fonds (convicts). While the seven rescued clans are generally in charge, each layer has its own rules and beliefs (gods, colours, ...). Again, the top doesn't care about what happens below, as long as they are safe and undisturbed. Similar to the caste system in India (link 1, link 2). Unless they disturb their own tranquil life, which they do. The Drac clan is taken out, the chief's son exiled to the lowest region, where he will lead quite a different life than before, but in a leading position. As the clans are politically and criminally untouchable, there's no one to punish them, to bring them to trial. They hold all power. Matteo, the condemned son, has a sister, and she's determined to find him and bring him back to his rightful place. Next to that, Noy, from one of the conspiring clans, suspects something greater at work here, having caused the assassination and goes out to investigate as well. Far from Arkane, an apprentice in the art of masonry, mainly by mental force, was sent to become a mason (or "stone whisperer") because his parents thought he wouldn't get anywhere in life, so as a last resort... Renn, the boy, would also end up being the last of the Mohicans, eh, "stone whisperers". A stone whisperer can mentally communicate with any kind of stone and so physically manipulate/modify/shape it. This skill would be useful later on and even at the end of the story. Renn, despite being considered a no-good, would play a vital role for all involved. Of course, he would get help from a mighty warrior, Orik, who had fought against a large upcoming army that had destroyed his country. The man hat come to warn the people of Arkane that they too would suffer an untimely death if no defences were erected to stop said army. Next to these characters, there's more than a handful of side-characters who would help or deceive our "fellowship". Not in the least because Oziel, looking for her brother, and Renn would be wanted by the remaining six ruling clans. While people of the lower regions behaved friendly and helpful, corruption was also rampant there, and our fellowship would have to pray to the gods, so to speak, and use whatever means possible to stay out of the clutches of the guards/army/priests... as a high price was put on their heads. Yes, corruption is everywhere, especially when large sums of money are involved. Fortunately, other characters would see to it that Oziel or any of the other protagonists could continue their quests, even if it would cost those secondary characters their lives. Life is tough in Arkane. Two congregations would "help" Oziel achieve her goal: La Désolation and La Résurrection. Each having their own take on how the city should be governed and how the murder should be solved. Oziel would find out soon enough, through a white lie, but one that would touch her for the rest of her life: physical disfigurement. Oziel would become less respected than the most vile people of Arkane. Worse, (especially) men would try to abuse her, kill her, use her as a toy. Both titles also indicate what to expect: desolation (the assassination and the consequences) in the first part, resurrection (investigating and uncovering the truth) in the second part. As always, all's well that ends well (despite the corruption, murders, deceit, ...), and the grand scheme for the execution of the Drac clan is revealed. As mentioned before, Renn and his stone-whispering skill would prove to be vital in the process. If stones could speak... they'd tell Renn what had happened so long ago to the founders of Arkane and how one thing led to another for the other people and creatures. 'Arkane', the series, is not flawless. There's a wee bit too much sex, as much as in 'Les Derniers Hommes'. Not that this is new, Mr Bordage has added this in previous stories, but not - if I recall correctly - in this quantity. Even if Mr Bordage himself has explained in an interview (like this one from 2008) that he's always incorporated it in his books. Noy is the chosen one here, but if you read carefully, he's got a huge drive because it was used as a means of manipulation, to use him as a tool for the larger scheme set up behind the scenes. Noy wasn't the brightest of his family, but honestly thought and felt that he was respected as a potential leader. Even as a leader of wild creatures who had been living underground for several decades, but that too had a reason and was part of the original plan of the six clans who took out the Drac clan. And Noy was fooled in this, through subtle manipulation. Second flaw, even if Bordage is not such a writer: not enough explanation of the setting, of the world, or even which role each clan played. I understand that the focus is always the characters and how they go through various experiences to find out who they are, what drives them, what skills they have and how they can overcome hurdles, despite their origins. He's good at that, no question about it - well, I did find it strange how our (incomplete) fellowship (without proper military training or tactics) managed to fight off the invading army that previously eradicated an entire people. But one must not neglect the world in which the story takes place, especially in Fantasy. Third problem: Show, don't tell, or, more showing instead of telling. This also links up with "more explaining of the world/context", so that one doesn't have to wonder if something was overlooked. Fourth little problem: battle scenes are not Bordage's thing, not when one is used to e.g. Bernard Cornwell's writing in that regard. ---------- 'Arkane' is not a story of Babel from a linguistic point-of-view, it is one from a socio-political one. A classic tale, of course, in the world of fantasy, but one that shows there is hope for a better world or outcome, despite all the corruption, deceit, manipulation, greed, etc. Each character evolved, discovered skills and characteristics they didn't think they had, despite their flaws. Bordage's style makes it a page-turner, most definitely. All things considered, however, I can't really recommend this series as it is, unless you're familiar with Bordage's works and want something lighter, entertaining, notwithstanding its imperfections. If you're new to Bordage's works, better start with his older stuff, followed by his short stories, which - in general - are better (and more civilised ;-)) than 'Arkane'. ---------- ---------- Previously read, in chronological order: (not counting his stories published in various anthologies since his last collection) * Chroniques des ombres (my review) * Hier je vous donnerai de mes nouvelles (my review) * Le Jour où la guerre s'arrêta (my review) * Entretiens avec Pierre Bordage (my review) * Contes des sages d'autres mondes et d'autres temps (my review) * Contes des sages pas sages (my review) * Dernières nouvelles de la Terre... (my review) * Les Dames blanches (my review) * Nouvelle Vie™ (my review) * Les Derniers Hommes (my review) Still on my TBR-pile: * La Trilogie des Guerriers du silence (trilogy) * Les Portes d'Occident + Les Aigles d'Orient (Wang duology) * Le Livre des prophéties (omnibus) * La Fraternité du Panca (omnibus) * Les Fables de l'Humpur * Abzalon + Orchéron * Qui vient du bruit + Le Dragon aux plumes de sang (Griots Celestes duology) * L'Enjomineur (trilogy) ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Mar 31, 2024
|
Apr 24, 2024
|
Sep 30, 2023
|
Mass Market Paperback
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
my rating |
|
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| 5.00
|
it was amazing
|
Oct 19, 2024
|
Oct 19, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.86
|
really liked it
|
Aug 21, 2024
|
Sep 20, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.67
|
really liked it
|
Jul 20, 2022
|
Sep 17, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.75
|
liked it
|
Oct 28, 2024
|
Sep 14, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 4.00
|
really liked it
|
Sep 13, 2024
|
Sep 10, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 4.29
|
liked it
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 4.18
|
liked it
|
Aug 08, 2024
|
Aug 08, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 4.13
|
really liked it
|
Aug 14, 2024
|
Jul 14, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 4.00
|
really liked it
|
Aug 09, 2024
|
Jul 08, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.85
|
really liked it
|
Jul 25, 2024
|
May 09, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.43
|
liked it
|
May 11, 2024
|
Apr 06, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.86
|
really liked it
|
Aug 05, 2024
|
Apr 05, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.67
|
really liked it
|
May 17, 2024
|
Apr 05, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 2.59
|
did not like it
|
Dec 27, 2022
|
Jan 28, 2024
|
|||||
|
| 3.82
|
not set
|
Jan 03, 2024
|
||||||
|
| 4.31
|
not set
|
Jan 02, 2024
|
||||||
|
| 4.29
|
it was amazing
|
Dec 03, 2023
|
Dec 03, 2023
|
|||||
|
| 3.00
|
liked it
|
Oct 07, 2023
|
Sep 30, 2023
|
|||||
|
| 4.00
|
really liked it
|
Oct 06, 2023
|
Sep 30, 2023
|
|||||
|
| 3.62
|
liked it
|
Apr 24, 2024
|
Sep 30, 2023
|
Loading...
