(no subject)

[rogerdoger]

I finished Dune sometime ago. I didn't think much of it. If that is billed as the best si fi book ever written, then at least I know I don't need to bother with any others. The plot is dated in that he tries to make up materials such as plastics which are now common place and not used in anyway he describes. Ok its si fi and he was trying to look into the future and paint a picture, so I can give him some lee way on that. But the dialog and plot in some places was just crap. "oh I can see in the future because I am the special one" then some guys sneaks up on him, "oh I didn't see that because my special powers were a bit low at the time" I mean the story was just shot to bits in so many places. ugg glad im done with it.

So what next next. When I was in Auckland I wandered into a used book shop. They had a dollar book bin and I found a John Grisham novel. Never read anything by him, but heard his name plenty of times. The book I picked up is The Last Juror. Turns out its one of his worst! according to reviews on Amazon. The first chapter is absolutely immaculate. Its story telling at its best. fast, tight, punchy. He does describe court procedures well, which he should, he was a lawyer after all. But after that it does seem to have drifted a bit. Its still good story telling though, and a good book to read to see just how a best seller should be written. I watched a youtube interview with him and he is first to admit, he doesn't write literature, he writes story's. I was thinking I guess people like this stuff because its mindless entertainment. Something like watching sit coms on tv. I want to read one of his better known books next, just to see if I'm missing something, but I have the feeling it will be much the same.

Did I nice run yesterday. It wasn't too long, but from where I am I have to run all up hill to start, so it was hard going. Once a week runs isnt going to cut it, but I don't have the enthusiasm for much more, yikes I haven't been on the bike in weeks.

Comments

[sammystudio.livejournal.com]

you either love it or hate it...there is no middle ground with dune...if you hated the first book i wont tell ya to try the other 5!...his son did 6 prequels to it that might be better for you...but...most folk who hated dune also hated his sons work to explain the story...try some robert ludlum?