misanthrope's reviews
145 reviews

Disturber of the Peace: The Life of H.L. Mencken by William Manchester

Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.

Manchester’s writing style is grating. Too many words to report a series of boring and pointless events, too much padding, not enough detail.

I only started this book to get a better understanding of Mencken, the man, in preparation of reading his book on Nietzsche. Hopefully Manchester is the problem here.

Electric Forest by Tanith Lee

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Well written and engaging. I am not sure about the ending of the book, I will need to think on it. Lee seems to write more fantasy than SF so I will read what I can find.

Earth for Inspiration: And Other Stories by Clifford D. Simak

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Simak is a great and inventive story teller with emotional depth. I will read everything by this author.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Much like Marlen Haasuhofer’s “The Wall” but better. “The Earth Abides” is another corollary.

Orbit 13 by Damon Knight

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

A very mixed bag. Gardner Dozois was the standout.

Science Fiction: An Oral History by D. Scott Apel

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informative fast-paced

1.0

Only Norman Spinrad’s first interview stood out. The rest of the book was dated. It particularly did a disservice to Phillip K Dick, especially considering the book’s publication date. The authors were high on their on supply of Jungian analysis and general 70’s hipsterism. I am certain that Jordan Peterson read this book at some point.

Hermann Hesse: Writers for the Seventies by Edwin F. Casebeer

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

Not relevant to my interest.

Way Station by Clifford D. Simak

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adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced