tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post644549683150989958..comments2023-11-24T03:48:54.813-05:00Comments on No More Hornets: The Sparrow and the Large Steel PipeThe Exterminatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-81009031582539298142012-11-23T00:50:04.531-05:002012-11-23T00:50:04.531-05:00Hello,
Nice Posting About the Steel Pipes.
http:/...Hello,<br /><br />Nice Posting About the Steel Pipes.<br />http://www.starautosolutions.com/Sunilhttp://www.starautosolutions.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-10116529906477004422007-12-25T12:23:00.000-05:002007-12-25T12:23:00.000-05:00Eno:Yeah, I have to order The Plague from Amazon; ...Eno:<BR/><BR/>Yeah, I have to order <I>The Plague</I> from Amazon; better get on that.<BR/><BR/>I think <I>The Master and Margarita</I> would make an excellent choice for NL. I read it and loved it ages ago, twice, but I remember very little about it. Please keep it in mind.<BR/><BR/>The way books get on the list is: About a week before the target date for the current book, I tap someone on the e-shoulder to make the next selection. Your turn will come very soon. I'm tempted to tell you that you'll be <I>next</I>, but now that I've expressed so much excitement about the book you might choose, it probably wouldn't be fair to un-"randomize" my process. You never know, though.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-75455895807849960822007-12-25T09:36:00.000-05:002007-12-25T09:36:00.000-05:00Well I do go to the library quite a bit...How do w...Well I <I>do</I> go to the library quite a bit...<BR/><BR/>How do we get books in for the Literati reading list? As I wait for the library to deliver The Plague (ha!), I've started on The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (because Neil Gaiman said he was reading it in his blog a long while back) but after reading the first chapter I think it'd make a good addition to our group.EnoNomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07315334083410624780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-25535685067160605672007-12-21T23:40:00.000-05:002007-12-21T23:40:00.000-05:00Eno & Evo:You guys weren't meeting clandestinely i...<B>Eno & Evo</B>:<BR/>You guys weren't meeting clandestinely in the library, were you?<BR/><BR/><B>Evo</B>:<BR/>You're right, of course, about an essay vs. a review. I plead "no contest." Hell, I didn't even <I>remember</I> to try to stick to the Nonbelieving Literati "rules." I guess the book just didn't make me think about anything other than how much I hated it.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-7110255312579149952007-12-21T23:17:00.000-05:002007-12-21T23:17:00.000-05:00Looks like Enonomi and I were reading partners. M...Looks like Enonomi and I were reading partners. Mine is up too. Hey, at least I beat SI... I think? I'm going through reading everyone's now. This was (typically) stop 1. <BR/><BR/>Have to say, your review was better than anything I could have written. Then again, I was TRYING to stick to the NBL format and write an essay about what it made me think about. <BR/><BR/>I guess I'll continue my Friday reading quest by clicking on Eno's conveniently provided link. I won't leave mine. You have to work for good stuff! :)John Evohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868904051881865159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-77077659326392028222007-12-21T17:09:00.000-05:002007-12-21T17:09:00.000-05:00I got mine done! Yipee! Late as usual.Rakhat Ris...I got mine done! Yipee! Late as usual.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://enonomi.blogspot.com/2007/12/rakhat-rising.html" REL="nofollow">Rakhat Rising</A>EnoNomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07315334083410624780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-47290787195814513172007-12-20T23:13:00.000-05:002007-12-20T23:13:00.000-05:00slut:I had a writing teacher once who said (this i...slut:<BR/><BR/>I had a writing teacher once who said (this is <I>my</I> very loose paraphrase): <BR/><BR/>Dialogue should just be "he said," "she said," unless you have something urgently important to add about the characters' actions while they speak. If the dialogue rings "true," you want to give the reader a chance to listen to it. So don't be interrupting it constantly with authorial asides and observations. If the dialogue <I>doesn't</I> ring <BR/>"true," you can't save it by throwing in the kitchen sink.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-71986690274270974262007-12-20T22:55:00.000-05:002007-12-20T22:55:00.000-05:00Oh, your review was laugh-out-loud funny. And I'm ...Oh, your review was laugh-out-loud funny. And I'm a gal who's a tough audience. <BR/><BR/>I love how you named the "reaction shot" - I have never heard it pointed out like that before, although I have noticed other bad writers do exactly that. I'm really, really glad to see that someone who I consider an excellent writer loathes this kind of thing as much as I do.<BR/><BR/>The book I just threw aside in disgust was called "Free Food For Millionaires," which I thought a great title. Author of which had received many awards for her writing. I have the impression that modern authors are becoming a bunch of inbred fuckwits.Reason's Whorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09386477323714963087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-71778134327425037402007-12-20T18:19:00.000-05:002007-12-20T18:19:00.000-05:00Slut:Thanks for the glowing review of my review. I...Slut:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the glowing review of my review. I hope it was more entertaining than the book was.<BR/><BR/>I've read a lot of Davies, although not in the last 15 years or so. Great writer.<BR/><BR/>When it's your turn to select a book, you could definitely consider one of his novels. (If you pick from one of the trilogies -- Salterton, Deptford, or Cornish -- you should probably select the first book of the trio, although I think each one of his novels stands on its own.)The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-48110791294251970312007-12-20T17:48:00.000-05:002007-12-20T17:48:00.000-05:00That's the best book review I've ever read. I'm so...That's the best book review I've ever read. I'm so glad I didn't read the book itself; it would have spoiled the fun.<BR/><BR/>I think they must teach authors to write this way in school now. I just tossed aside another book with the same exact flaws. Didn't anyone ever tell these writers what you're supposed to learn in Comp 101: SHOW IT, DON'T TELL IT. Wad after chunky, verbose wad of exposition, cardboard characters moved lifelessly through scenarios even the author can't summon up interest in....urk. <BR/><BR/>I see we're supposed to read Camus now. Tried that one and it's probably here somewhere so I may try again. Not much joy, there, though.<BR/><BR/>For one of the next books, can I suggest something by Robertson Davies? At least he could write even if he did think atheists were humorless know-it-alls.Reason's Whorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09386477323714963087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-53809405195018884872007-12-18T10:10:00.000-05:002007-12-18T10:10:00.000-05:00I didn't mind that the characters spent the entire...I didn't mind that the characters spent the entire book debating whether or not there is a god. There are people that spend their entire lives trying to work that out.<BR/><BR/>But I do agree that the author had a heavy hand on trying to bring her own point of view on it to the forefront. But I think in the end she failed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429263099197981481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-48934603486856708992007-12-17T21:48:00.000-05:002007-12-17T21:48:00.000-05:00I'm thrilled you read this book, because now I can...I'm thrilled you read this book, because now I can insult people by telling them that their eyes are too close together and set deep as a monkey's. <BR/><BR/>That's funny stuff.Babs Gladhandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05120612577936100239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-89986117782759432402007-12-16T15:29:00.000-05:002007-12-16T15:29:00.000-05:00C.L.:Why don't you send me a private email from yo...C.L.:<BR/><BR/>Why don't you send me a private email from your own address, and we'll discuss whether or not you <I>really</I> want me to read and critique one of your novels. If you still do, I'll be happy to oblige -- although it may take me a while to get to it.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-78566207957681226802007-12-16T15:03:00.000-05:002007-12-16T15:03:00.000-05:00lol, it's very easy to criticize the work of frien...lol, it's very easy to criticize the work of friends if you know how to do it. The trick is that the lion's share of the critical stuff (constructive or not) goes in a private email. Then all the positive stuff you have to say about the book goes in the public review (with a taste of the critical part, for completeness).<BR/><BR/>I know that sounds bad, but seriously I don't like to pan a work that hasn't had wide distribution because what's the point? To steer them away from a work they probably wouldn't have thought to pick up in the first place? Not worth my bother. If the work has something to recommend it, then a good reviewer's task (IMHO) is to make it very clear what's good about it so that those who might be interested in it will find it. I'm more willing to let loose the dogs on a work that is on the best-seller list or accepted as a classic because those who read the review are more likely to have access to the original work, hence the work has more opportunity to defend itself.<BR/><BR/>That said, if your integrity prevents you from putting <I>Exmormon</I> and/or my new novel in the list, I'd still be interested in your private critique, if you have the time... ;^)C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-44987007785873058372007-12-16T14:10:00.000-05:002007-12-16T14:10:00.000-05:00C.L.:OK, you're in. I've added your name to the me...C.L.:<BR/><BR/>OK, you're in. I've added your name to the members list at left. Originally, I thought we'd write essays suggested by the book, not reviews -- although what I wrote about <I>The Sparrow</I> was certainly just a review. But click on the link and read my original idea.<BR/><BR/>As far as our reading <I>Exmormon</I> as a group exercise: I've always made it a point never to review work by a friend. I'm more than happy to offer my friends constructive criticism -- which can still be pretty harsh at times -- but I've never, ever written a review of a friend's work. Reviews are not intended to be constructive; they're little "star turns" by the reviewer. A negative review, particularly if it's well-written and perceptive, can break up a friendship in an instant; this has happened in the literary world countless times. On the other hand, if a friend gives a positive review, does the author really believe it? <BR/><BR/>Uh-uh. Sorry. No books written by one another. Good salesmanship, though!The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-37360371076230210802007-12-16T10:16:00.000-05:002007-12-16T10:16:00.000-05:00Too funny!!!Even though I haven't read this book, ...Too funny!!!<BR/><BR/>Even though I haven't read this book, it's fun seeing all of the different reactions!!! I ought to join your club since I like to write book reviews. I looked on my bookshelf and found that I actually have a copy of <I>La Peste</I> (which is the next book you guys are reading, right?) so I hardly have an excuse not to join in the fun...<BR/><BR/>The only thing is I think you guys should have <A HREF="http://ex-mormon.net/supplement/foreword.php" REL="nofollow">this novel</A> on your list. Even after seeing how you savaged this one, I'm not afraid... ;^)C. L. Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698855413639518095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-58661687699905438442007-12-15T14:57:00.000-05:002007-12-15T14:57:00.000-05:00Ridger:I love that we all have different reactions...Ridger:<BR/><BR/>I love that we all have different reactions. That's what Nonbelieving Literati is about.<BR/><BR/>You said, <I>A straight linear recounting of the story would have destroyed it.</I> I agree 100% -- because the story was worth only about ten pages. The other 395 were all description, discussion, and digression.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-77982211544163313592007-12-15T14:14:00.000-05:002007-12-15T14:14:00.000-05:00Wow. Again, we have totally different - well, not ...Wow. Again, we have totally different - well, not totally - reactions.<BR/><BR/>But I thought the narrative device was her best choice. A straight linear recounting of the story would have destroyed it.The Ridger, FCDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01538111197270563075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-26013473850746022802007-12-15T13:50:00.000-05:002007-12-15T13:50:00.000-05:00Ex. Just to let you know, I'm not reading this pos...Ex. Just to let you know, I'm not reading this post, or anyone else's, or any comments, until I finish the book (Which at this rate may be sometime after Xmas). I don't want to have what I wrote affected by everyone else's opinion.<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the delay.Spanish Inquisitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05261181794832002207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-53244085721991417372007-12-15T13:09:00.000-05:002007-12-15T13:09:00.000-05:00chappy:Actually, no read is completely disappointi...<B>chappy</B>:<BR/><BR/>Actually, no read is completely disappointing, particularly if you're a writer. There's quite a bit to be gained from reading piss-poor writing, <I>if</I> you make the mental effort to think about what turns you off so much. Sometimes we writers have to be reminded of what <I>not</I> to do.<BR/><BR/>So when I start throwing any purposeless descriptions into these posts, feel free to admonish me.The Exterminatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452054124550486048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-92104064238303416192007-12-15T12:16:00.000-05:002007-12-15T12:16:00.000-05:00Sure, sure, but what do you really think? :)Sure, sure, but what do you really think? :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-77755324340175977712007-12-15T10:23:00.000-05:002007-12-15T10:23:00.000-05:00Sorry this was such a disappointing read for you. ...Sorry this was such a disappointing read for you. Maybe the next one will be better.<BR/><BR/>(BTW - I'm signing in using my Google ID, because I can't use the Wordpress option unless I've already signed in at the Wordpress home page. Like nearly everything else that's designated "new and improved," the current sign-in features are nearly useless.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36453833.post-30012866915308840852007-12-15T06:32:00.000-05:002007-12-15T06:32:00.000-05:00Sounds like it's not one to put on my Christmas li...Sounds like it's not one to put on my Christmas list then.<BR/><BR/>I quite like a bit of description to set the scene, but it's definitely a case where less is moreAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com