Modern Masters
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| Todd Ehrenfels |
Modern Masters 11/25/11 Recap by Todd Ehrenfels
Changeless by Gail Carriger
Black Friday, a day that will live in amusement for all eternity...
Why? Because we all enjoyed a great Black Friday at Well Read
Books as we discussed Changeless by Gail Carriger!
The cast of unusual suspects met and were joined by even more
unusual suspects when local poet and author Wayne Fieldhouse
joined in the fun. What? You doubt the statement of Fun?
Seriously? Obviously we are a fun bunch, we had Wayne and the
young lady behind the counter in stitches! Take that naysayers.
All this in spite of the fact that a certain young lady asserts that I
am a bad influence and likely the most disturbed and troublesome
person to ever have his name in a write-up. I call shenanigans...
also, I cite my own lily-white reputation as a sterling member of
society, and I have the bribes to prove it!
At any rate, we started the discussion around 7:30p, even though
Gene, Chris, Liz, and I had been chatting about a wide variety of
weighty and important subjects (like whether anybody else finds
Taylor Lautner creepy in the odious new Twilight movie).
Eventually we got on with the discussion reading a carefully
prepared statement from our friends at Wikipedia (who knew that
Gail Carriger was actually Jane Austen, who changed her identity
after single-handedly kicking the Kaiser out of London and
domesticating the Platypus). Seriously, though, we discussed the
previous book in the series, Soulless, which Aurelia mentioned had
been done at Suspense Central, and then went on to discuss
Changeless.
Chris, Liz, Ann-Marie, Kathleen, Aurelia, and I had read it and
proceeded to tease Gene, Wayne, BJ, and the various other
passers-by for not having read the book. I accepted BJ's
statement that he had read the book by proxy: Tania, who
attended last month's gathering, picked up and enjoyed the book
allowed me to spare him the mockery directed at the remainder of
the gang.
We discussed the various pro's and con's of the book, with Liz and
I weighing in on the idea that the pseudo-science actually
detracted from the Supernatural bits a little too much, and that
there was a lot less levity, nudity, and racy naughty bits in this
book. In fact, in spite of the awesome story and great characters,
this book suffered from a lack of two characters occupying its
main storyline: Lord Akeldama and Professor Lyall.
Yes, Lord Akeldama does appear in a few scenes, but the flowery
and effete Vampire Lord does not grace us with his presence
anywhere near often enough for my tastes (also, a lack of Biffy is
extremely unbecoming). Likewise, Lyall, who is pretty much
instrumental to the plot of the first book and is an awesome
character in all respects, finds himself relegated to background
plot points. There is a pretty good scene where Akeldama and
Lyall meet to discuss Lord Maccon's household and how they can
ensure the
Scotswolf and his wife will remain happy in their marriage, but that
is far too short to make up for the rest.
We all agreed that Madame LeFoux was a rather interesting
character, and a lot of fun in conjunction with Miss Hisselpenny's
addiction to eye-watering headgear, but for such a smart lady she
seemed awfully naive. We also agreed that the betrayal of
Angelique was overly telegraphed, but still led to good drama in
the scene. We had Wayne in stitches over our argument over the
power of James Bond Parasols and the various nekkid creatures of
the night. We also got to see some of Wayne's work first hand
while buying our Black Friday sale books!
Overall, we all liked the book a great deal and will be looking
forward to more from Gail/Tofa as time goes by. Some of us have
already begun reading the rest of the series, and now that
Timeless, the last book in the series, is slated for next year we are
chomping at the bit to see what happens next.
Tune in this December as we discuss Cherie Priest, with the
featured selection of Boneshaker. December 23, 7pm at Well
Read Books!
Changeless by Gail Carriger
Black Friday, a day that will live in amusement for all eternity...
Why? Because we all enjoyed a great Black Friday at Well Read
Books as we discussed Changeless by Gail Carriger!
The cast of unusual suspects met and were joined by even more
unusual suspects when local poet and author Wayne Fieldhouse
joined in the fun. What? You doubt the statement of Fun?
Seriously? Obviously we are a fun bunch, we had Wayne and the
young lady behind the counter in stitches! Take that naysayers.
All this in spite of the fact that a certain young lady asserts that I
am a bad influence and likely the most disturbed and troublesome
person to ever have his name in a write-up. I call shenanigans...
also, I cite my own lily-white reputation as a sterling member of
society, and I have the bribes to prove it!
At any rate, we started the discussion around 7:30p, even though
Gene, Chris, Liz, and I had been chatting about a wide variety of
weighty and important subjects (like whether anybody else finds
Taylor Lautner creepy in the odious new Twilight movie).
Eventually we got on with the discussion reading a carefully
prepared statement from our friends at Wikipedia (who knew that
Gail Carriger was actually Jane Austen, who changed her identity
after single-handedly kicking the Kaiser out of London and
domesticating the Platypus). Seriously, though, we discussed the
previous book in the series, Soulless, which Aurelia mentioned had
been done at Suspense Central, and then went on to discuss
Changeless.
Chris, Liz, Ann-Marie, Kathleen, Aurelia, and I had read it and
proceeded to tease Gene, Wayne, BJ, and the various other
passers-by for not having read the book. I accepted BJ's
statement that he had read the book by proxy: Tania, who
attended last month's gathering, picked up and enjoyed the book
allowed me to spare him the mockery directed at the remainder of
the gang.
We discussed the various pro's and con's of the book, with Liz and
I weighing in on the idea that the pseudo-science actually
detracted from the Supernatural bits a little too much, and that
there was a lot less levity, nudity, and racy naughty bits in this
book. In fact, in spite of the awesome story and great characters,
this book suffered from a lack of two characters occupying its
main storyline: Lord Akeldama and Professor Lyall.
Yes, Lord Akeldama does appear in a few scenes, but the flowery
and effete Vampire Lord does not grace us with his presence
anywhere near often enough for my tastes (also, a lack of Biffy is
extremely unbecoming). Likewise, Lyall, who is pretty much
instrumental to the plot of the first book and is an awesome
character in all respects, finds himself relegated to background
plot points. There is a pretty good scene where Akeldama and
Lyall meet to discuss Lord Maccon's household and how they can
ensure the
Scotswolf and his wife will remain happy in their marriage, but that
is far too short to make up for the rest.
We all agreed that Madame LeFoux was a rather interesting
character, and a lot of fun in conjunction with Miss Hisselpenny's
addiction to eye-watering headgear, but for such a smart lady she
seemed awfully naive. We also agreed that the betrayal of
Angelique was overly telegraphed, but still led to good drama in
the scene. We had Wayne in stitches over our argument over the
power of James Bond Parasols and the various nekkid creatures of
the night. We also got to see some of Wayne's work first hand
while buying our Black Friday sale books!
Overall, we all liked the book a great deal and will be looking
forward to more from Gail/Tofa as time goes by. Some of us have
already begun reading the rest of the series, and now that
Timeless, the last book in the series, is slated for next year we are
chomping at the bit to see what happens next.
Tune in this December as we discuss Cherie Priest, with the
featured selection of Boneshaker. December 23, 7pm at Well
Read Books!
Next Modern Masters:
Communion by Whitley Streiber
Friday February 24, 2012 7p - 9p
Well Read Books
425 Lafayette Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
(973) 949-3440
www.thewellreadbookstore.com
This group usually meets on the 4th Friday of each month to
discuss various works of "modern" masters or upcoming talent
in SF, fantasy, paranormal, horror and related genres. It also
occasionally explores classics and the 'masters' of the classics.
*For the complete list of titles for 2012 scroll below event
recap. You will find all 12 bookcovers/titles.
This month, Communion by Whitley Streiber. On December 26,
1985, at a secluded cabin in upstate New York, Whitley
Strieber went sledding with his wife and son, ate Christmas
dinner leftovers, and went to bed early.
Six hours later, he found himself suddenly awake...and forever
changed.
Thus begins the most astonishing true-life odyssey ever
recorded -- one man's riveting account of his extraordinary
experiences with visitors from"elsewhere"... how they found
him, where they took him, what they did to him and why...
Believe it. Or don't believe it. But read it -- for this gripping
story will move you like no other... will fascinate you, terrify
you, and alter the way you experience your world.
www.thewellreadbookstore.com for details and to purchase.
Communion by Whitley Streiber
Friday February 24, 2012 7p - 9p
Well Read Books
425 Lafayette Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
(973) 949-3440
www.thewellreadbookstore.com
This group usually meets on the 4th Friday of each month to
discuss various works of "modern" masters or upcoming talent
in SF, fantasy, paranormal, horror and related genres. It also
occasionally explores classics and the 'masters' of the classics.
*For the complete list of titles for 2012 scroll below event
recap. You will find all 12 bookcovers/titles.
This month, Communion by Whitley Streiber. On December 26,
1985, at a secluded cabin in upstate New York, Whitley
Strieber went sledding with his wife and son, ate Christmas
dinner leftovers, and went to bed early.
Six hours later, he found himself suddenly awake...and forever
changed.
Thus begins the most astonishing true-life odyssey ever
recorded -- one man's riveting account of his extraordinary
experiences with visitors from"elsewhere"... how they found
him, where they took him, what they did to him and why...
Believe it. Or don't believe it. But read it -- for this gripping
story will move you like no other... will fascinate you, terrify
you, and alter the way you experience your world.
www.thewellreadbookstore.com for details and to purchase.
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| Modern Masters Line-up 2012 Click on each book cover for a description and link to Well Read |