The Da Vinci Code
By: Dan Brown
From: Corgi
A cracking good read - not a total stretch or something that will go down as a future classic, just a good solid read. Mainly based on assertations made in several books, this story is the lumping together of all of these stories into one cohesive conspiracy.
This is a cliffhanger book, not fact or accuracy. There is literary licence taken, forgiveable in this case, to keep the story moving. Each chapter is designed to draw you deeper into the story making it un-put-downable.
The characters are somewhat poster-like in their two-dimensionality. The baddies are, well especially bad and you root solidly for the good guys.
The film of the same name based on this book does not do the story justice - it is accurate - it just lacks the character, if it is possible, that the book has.
Monday 20 July 2009
Thursday 9 July 2009
1633
1633
By: David Weber & Eric Flint
From: Baen
This is one for the die hard fans of alternate-history-time-travel type stories. The story (1633) focusses on events in and around the thirty years war in central Europe. THe first book 1632 was an introduction to the characters and their history and a lead in to this story. What Weber and Flint have done here is ground the story in some fairly brutal history. Obviously, as with all time travel stories, as soon as you change history all kinds of possibilities are opened up.
It is still grating that a union official can out-think some of the most devious, cruel and merciless minds in history, and still have time for romance. The casual acceptance of twentieth century morals, practises and norms by the 'native' population is an area that could have been handled better. Yes, I know the 'modern' age was kicking off then, but most peasants of the time would have been deeply suspicious and / or religious and I don't see them casually throwing all their upbringing away over the space of a few pages to be replaced with the new and improved model of democracy and casual acceptance of other religions used here.
But, to give credit, 1633 is a cracking read and will not disappoint fans of David Weber or Eric Flint.
By: David Weber & Eric Flint
From: Baen
This is one for the die hard fans of alternate-history-time-travel type stories. The story (1633) focusses on events in and around the thirty years war in central Europe. THe first book 1632 was an introduction to the characters and their history and a lead in to this story. What Weber and Flint have done here is ground the story in some fairly brutal history. Obviously, as with all time travel stories, as soon as you change history all kinds of possibilities are opened up.
It is still grating that a union official can out-think some of the most devious, cruel and merciless minds in history, and still have time for romance. The casual acceptance of twentieth century morals, practises and norms by the 'native' population is an area that could have been handled better. Yes, I know the 'modern' age was kicking off then, but most peasants of the time would have been deeply suspicious and / or religious and I don't see them casually throwing all their upbringing away over the space of a few pages to be replaced with the new and improved model of democracy and casual acceptance of other religions used here.
But, to give credit, 1633 is a cracking read and will not disappoint fans of David Weber or Eric Flint.
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