Hello, Stranger. Let's talk about Richard Matheson's Bid Time Return. The Short of It Plot: A man travels back in time to meet the dead woman whose picture he fell in love with. Page Count: 288 Award: 1976 World Fantasy Award Worth a read : No Primary Driver: (Plot, World, or Character? ) Bechdel Test : Pass Technobabble: Minimal. Review: This book is just an underwhelming romance novel with a time travel twist. A blend of dull, sappy, and creepy. Enjoyed the actual traveling part of time travel - though easy, it was well executed. Protagonist pushes pathetic and clingy to new levels. No characters act even remotely believable; no chemistry to show actual love. Without that, it's just obsession and stalking. The Medium of It Spoiler Free! The name of this book was changed to Somewhere in Time after a movie based on it was released. I have not seen the movie, many people seem to have enjoyed it. I did not enjoy this book. Richard Collier fi...
Hello, Stranger. Let's talk about Robert R. McCammon's Boy's Life. The Short of It Plot: Twelve year old Cory's quiet life in 1960s Alabama is shaken up when, by chance, he witnesses a murder. Page Count: 625 Award: 1992 World Fantasy Award Worth a read : Absolutely Primary Driver: (Plot, World, or Character ) Bechdel Test : Pass Technobabble: N/A Review: This objectively boring and meandering book is somehow completely and utterly engrossing. Truly exceptional writing captures both the whimsy of childhood and the slow maturation of its characters. Backdrop of 1960s in the South used well: both the idyllic aspects of life in days when the milkman still made his rounds, and the darker aspects of embedded racism. It's a snapshot of life with overlaid story elements - but it just works. Switches from casually humorous to introspective to devastating and back, without warning. A few scenes really punch you right in the gut. The Medium of It Spoi...
Hello, Stranger. Let's talk about Robert Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. The Short of It Plot: The Moon is ready for a revolution, and only a supercomputer with a sense of humor is smart enough to lead it. Page Count: 380 Award: 1967 Hugo Worth a read : Yes Primary Driver: (Plot, World, or Character ) Bechdel Test : Pass Technobabble: Moderate Review: Mike may be a computer, but he is one of Heinlein's most human characters. Snappy dialogue and good characters keep you rooting for Luna every step of the way. Upbeat and fun. The Medium of It Spoiler Free! “Jokes?” he asked. “Let’s hear one.” “Why is a laser beam like a goldfish?” Mike knew about lasers but where would he have seen goldfish? Oh, he had undoubtedly seen flicks of them and, were I foolish enough to ask, could spew forth thousands of words. “I give up.” His lights rippled. “Because neither one can whistle.” Alright, so maybe Mike's sense of humor is not perfect. Le...
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