Luckily, that was a short book. But it was actually really good.
Holt has crafted quite the tale here, and the story is certainly a tear jerker. I won't spoil too much, because I think you should read it, but the climax is great. One person dies, and the entire city breaks down.
Zachary Beaver is really easy to root for, too, and the final few pages of the book are incredibly descriptive and, strangely, have an "epic" feel to them. I highly recommend the book.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
May Blog #5: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, by Kimberly Willis Holt, published 2001
I hesitate to pick up a book like this, but my mom adored it and insisted (even more reason not to read it, but whatever). It seems like it would be just the kind of book this would be kind of sappy, but whatever.
One good thing is, it is a really easy read! I'm already at around page 100. Also, it is good. Really good, even. I feel bad for Zachary, who lives in a trailer all day because he is reportedly the fattest man in the world. And worse still, now he's been abandoned.
I feel a little strange saying this, but the story has certainly got a cute factor that has won me over. And, the writing is actually pretty good.
One good thing is, it is a really easy read! I'm already at around page 100. Also, it is good. Really good, even. I feel bad for Zachary, who lives in a trailer all day because he is reportedly the fattest man in the world. And worse still, now he's been abandoned.
I feel a little strange saying this, but the story has certainly got a cute factor that has won me over. And, the writing is actually pretty good.
May Blog #4: Jurassic Park: The Lost World, by Michael Chrichton, published 1995
I have just completed the book.
It's been a while, but I don't recall enjoying the original Jurassic Park as much as I enjoyed this one. Perhaps it's because Chrichton got into the action much faster this time around.
Also, things came together as the book progressed. It becomes apparent as the book progresses that the dinosaurs on the island are all failed experiments and for that reason have strange habits and show heightened aggressiveness or the aforementioned chameleon-like color changing abilities.
It's a shame Chrichton is gone, because a third book would've been possible and probably could've been pretty cool.
It's been a while, but I don't recall enjoying the original Jurassic Park as much as I enjoyed this one. Perhaps it's because Chrichton got into the action much faster this time around.
Also, things came together as the book progressed. It becomes apparent as the book progresses that the dinosaurs on the island are all failed experiments and for that reason have strange habits and show heightened aggressiveness or the aforementioned chameleon-like color changing abilities.
It's a shame Chrichton is gone, because a third book would've been possible and probably could've been pretty cool.
May Blog #3: Jurassic Park: The Lost World, by Michael Chrichton, published 1995
I have just hit about the 5/6 part of the story, and a lot of questions are being answered.
I've got to hand it to Chrichton, the man does a decent job of applying fictional science and making something sound plausible. For example, his explanation for the barbaric nature of the velociraptors is interesting, and makes one think about the effects of placing technology in the hands of nature.
Sadly, Chrichton has a habit of putting entirely fictitious "facts" into these Jurassic Park stories. For example, there is no evidence a T-Rex could not see you if you don't move. And the carnosaurs in this story, for whatever reason, have chameleon like color changing abilities.
I've got to hand it to Chrichton, the man does a decent job of applying fictional science and making something sound plausible. For example, his explanation for the barbaric nature of the velociraptors is interesting, and makes one think about the effects of placing technology in the hands of nature.
Sadly, Chrichton has a habit of putting entirely fictitious "facts" into these Jurassic Park stories. For example, there is no evidence a T-Rex could not see you if you don't move. And the carnosaurs in this story, for whatever reason, have chameleon like color changing abilities.
Monday, May 18, 2009
May Blog #2: Jurassic Park: The Lost World, by Micheal Chrichton, published 1995
Uncharacteristic of Chrichton novels, there were only about 50 pages of science heavy talk (probably because this is a sequel), as opposed to the usual 100 pages.
Anyway, the book is moving on nicely, and has a much quicker pace than the last book. Something in the back of my mind tells me that the book is not very good, but I am a sucker for dinosaurs, so I don't really notice.
There are some mysteries around this "second island" that are unsolved as of now, and I'm wondering what kind of crazy ideas Chrichton will pull out this time.
Anyway, the book is moving on nicely, and has a much quicker pace than the last book. Something in the back of my mind tells me that the book is not very good, but I am a sucker for dinosaurs, so I don't really notice.
There are some mysteries around this "second island" that are unsolved as of now, and I'm wondering what kind of crazy ideas Chrichton will pull out this time.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
May Blog #1: Jurassic Park: The Lost World, by Micheal Chrichton, published 1995
I used to be a big fan of Chrichton. I read quite a few of his novels, including Congo, the Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, and a few others. But I never got around to reading the Lost World.
So, here I am, flipping through the opening pages. Chrichton always seems to begin his books in this manner; the man takes his time pulling everything together. I imagine it would be difficult to just throw people on an island full of dinosaurs and expect people to believe it, but I'm on page 50, and the story is dense as it could be.
Fortunately, having been through this sort of thing with Chrichton before, I can safely assume the story will pick up soon, especially since the first Jurassic Park was as good as it was.
So, here I am, flipping through the opening pages. Chrichton always seems to begin his books in this manner; the man takes his time pulling everything together. I imagine it would be difficult to just throw people on an island full of dinosaurs and expect people to believe it, but I'm on page 50, and the story is dense as it could be.
Fortunately, having been through this sort of thing with Chrichton before, I can safely assume the story will pick up soon, especially since the first Jurassic Park was as good as it was.
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