Sunday Morning Book Thread - 08-18-2024 ["Perfessor" Squirrel]

Welcome to the prestigious, internationally acclaimed, stately, and illustrious Sunday Morning Book Thread! The place where all readers are welcome, regardless of whatever guilty pleasure we feel like reading (you know what you did!). Here is where we can discuss, argue, bicker, quibble, consider, debate, confabulate, converse, and jaw about our latest fancy in reading material. As always, pants are required, unless you are wearing these pants...(the zipper sometimes gets stuck in the eighth dimension...)

So relax, find yourself a warm kitty (or warm puppy--I won't judge) to curl up in your lap, write that summer reading book report, and dive into a new book. What are YOU reading this fine morning?

PIC NOTE

This is a slightly different view of my library. I use this picture in my class when I lecture on some of the ways in which images can be edited to ensure that the reader focuses in on the important details.

CENTRAL THEMES - "KNOW THYSELF"

According to Wikipedia (always reliable!), the phrase "Know Thyself" is "a philosophical maxim which was inscribed upon the Temple of Apollo in the ancient Greek precinct of Delphi." It shows up verbatim in numerous media, including the Oracle's kitchen in the movie The Matrix.

Last week I was reading Terry Brooks' A Knight of the Word and I had a sudden epiphany. Every single book of his I have read features this idea as the central theme to the story. The protagonists are invariably plagued with doubts about who they are, where they came from, and what they are meant to do with their lives. Through their adventures and through the relationships they form along the way, they discover--or re-discover in some cases--their real selves. Unlocking this mystery is key to defeating the antagonists in the story.

Brooks has used this trope from his very first stories, The Sword of Shannara and Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold!. In Sword, the titular artifact's power is to reveal the true self of the wielder to himself as well as the foe it strikes. Few people can withstand knowing themselves that intimately, which is why it's such a dangerous power. Shea Ohmsford discovers his past and the truth that he was keeping from himself when he confronts the awesome power of the evil Warlock Lord.

In the sequel to Sword, The Elfstones of Shannara, the young woman Amberle flees the dying Ellcrys, a magic tree that powers a barrier preventing Demons from entering our realm. She's been Chosen by the tree for a very special destiny, but the truth is so awful to her that she cannot abide it. Only when it's made clear at the end of her adventure that she is the last hope of all living creatures does she acknowledge her role in the future of the Four Lands.

Brooks' villains and antagonists are well-aware of the power of self-truth and often go to great lengths to hide the truth from the heroes, or obfuscate it some way. The Shadowen leader Rimmer Dall nearly drives most of the protagonists literally mad with grief by twisting the truth of his nature for his own demented ends. Lies and deception are his tools and weapons (sound familiar?).

In A Knight of the Word, fallen Knight John Ross is easy pickings for a demon who seeks to subvert John to its will. It believes that the Knight would better serve the Void than the Word. John must confront the decisions he's made that led him down a dark path and exorcise his internal demons before he is capable of facing a powerful agent of the Void.

Are there any other authors that include a central theme in all of their works? If so, what is the central theme and how do they work it into their stories?

(HT: Wingnutt)

HOW TO CREATE A TERRIFYING PROTAGONIST

I came across this video recently, describing how the movie John Wick sets up the titular protagonist as the "boogeyman" for the bad guys in the movie. It occurred to me that this idea plays itself out in interesting ways in literature as well. To me, the most important characteristic of the terrifying protagonist is that he (it's usually a dude, but not always) has established a reputation which is what terrifies the other characters in the story. The bad guys are afraid of him because he tears through their defenses like tissue paper. Other characters may deal with him warily because they don't want to get on his bad side. He may have friends and associates that he can call upon to aid him, which is part of his established terrifying reputation. Oftentimes, he'll have a reputation for extreme, ruthless violence, leaving a host of dead bodies in his wake as he pursues his goal. John Wick is a perfect example of this type of character, though he's by no means the only one. Remo Williams from The Destroyer novels is another such character, as is Mack Bolan from The Executioner line of books.

However, a capacity for lethal violence is not the only way to create a terrifying protagonist. Terry Pratchett's Discworld series features two very interesting examples: Granny Weatherwax and Sam Vimes.

Esmerelda "Granny" Weatherwax is widely regarded as the most powerful witch in the world. Not because she can cast the most powerful spells--though don't ever underestimate her in that regard. No, it's because she uses what she calls "headology" to get into the minds of her opponents and use their own psychological strengths and weaknesses against them. She has an absolute iron determination and a very strong moral center. She does what is right and necessary, and will gladly accept the consequences of her actions. Both the dwarves and trolls who live in the region of the Ramtop mountains she calls home have nicknames for her. The trolls--large, stony creatures that ignore most physical damage--call her "She Who Must Be Avoided." The dwarves, stubborn miners whose brains are nearly as tough to get through as a troll's hide, call her "Go Around the Other Side of the Mountain." When we first meet her, she has already been established as a fearsome woman against whom few can prevail. Her best friend Nanny Ogg (who is a terrifying protagonist for very different reasons) is one of the few who can convince Granny to change her mind when Granny is dead set on a particular goal. Granny has faced down Death himself (also a terrifying protagonist) when he comes to call.

Sam Vimes, Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, is a copper to the bone. When we are first introduced to him, he's a drunk, content to crawl into a bottle and ignore the world around him. Over the course of several novels, we see him achieve his maximum potential as he solves increasingly bizarre crimes in the city. Along the way, he sobers up, rebuilds the City Watch into a capable and effective police force, and establishes his reputation as an incorruptible copper. He's made a lot of enemies along the way, to the point where he's faced numerous assassination attempts. He's survived so many of them that the Assassin's Guild will no longer accept contracts for his death because they keep losing members. He's tamped down crime so much in the city that it's *almost* reasonably safe to walk around in the Shades--Ankh-Morpork's most notorious slum--in the daytime. In one novel, he takes a vacation with his wife and leaves the city. Crime rates go *down* while he's on vacation because the criminals know that if they get too rambunctious, then Mr. Vimes will *not* be a happy camper when he comes back and will spread the misery among the criminal class.

Other terrifying protagonists in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series include Captain Carrot Ironfounderson--who can punch out a troll and stop a gang fight by being nice--and the Librarian--a 300-lb orangutan who is quite friendly and pleasant...until you refer to him as a "monkey." Pratchett is quite fond of this type of character. People (or apes) that are nice...until it's time to not be nice.

What are some other examples of "terrifying protagonists?"

BOOKS BY MORONS

Moron Author Daniel Humphreys has a new entry in his Paxton Locke series:

The long-awaited 7th book in my Paxton Locke series, Toil and Trouble, comes out on September 1. I was hoping you could give the horde a head's up when it's convenient for the book thread.

Paxton Locke Book 7 - Toil and Trouble

The plot threads of the last few books come together with a literal bang ... there is discussion of nuking Utah, and hopefully the NSA doesn't put me on a watch list as a result ...

Thanks as always, my friend!

- Dan

MORON RECOMMENDATIONS

I don't know if this belongs here or in the Food Thread, but I've been having a great time reading a new cookbook, Tasting History by Max Miller. It's a spinoff from his YouTube channel of the same name.

Miller's an appealing young chap, who has made it clear that he does not own a weedwhacker but isn't a bore about it. Before becoming a YouTube food history guru he was a performer aboard one of the Disney cruise ships, but when cast on the beach during COVID he started making videos. Consequently he has good "stage presence" and delivery, even though the videos are mostly static-camera talking head shots.

What I like about his channel -- and the cookbook, which I have not forgotten about -- is that he actually does the research. Lots of primary sources (though of course he has to rely on translations for a lot of them) and loads of context. I get very annoyed by food-history videos (and a few print articles) which are basically little more than "Ew! I can't believe they ate this!"

The cookbook is well-written, nicely laid out, looks as if it will survive some hard use in the kitchen, and I've tried a few of the recipes and they work quite well.

Posted by: Trimegistus at August 11, 2024 09:15 AM (78a2H)

Comment: One of the interesting thing about the Sunday Morning Book Thread is that it can intersect with any of the other specialty threads here (Gardening, Art, Gun, Food, etc.) because you can find a book on any subject. Cookbooks have come a long ways from just being a collection of recipes. Now they are a feast for the eyes with glorious full-color art depicting the culinary treats. They can also be wickedly funny, with lots of little stories and anecdotes for each recipe (**cough**The Deplorable Gourmet**cough**).

Blood is thicker than water, bacon grease is thicker than blood, blood and bacon grease makes a fantastic energy drink.

EpicMealTime: The Collector's Cookbook, p. 19

This week I've been reading The Song of Kali, Dan Simmons's debut novel from 1985. It is fascinating and horrifying all at once. I'm not sure yet if there are to be any supernatural elements to it, but it's scary enough. I'll say only this: If you were contemplating a trip to India, read this book first. You will swiftly change your mind. (And this was written forty years ago. I can only imagine that Calcutta, the scene of the novel, has gotten far worse since then.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 11, 2024 09:30 AM (4COyr)

Comment: India can be a strange place, especially from our Western perspective. It has a long and bloody history, like most ancient civilizations. It's no wonder that it makes a good setting for a horror story. F. Paul Wilson's The Tomb starts out in India and the horror immigrates to the United States...

I've noticed over the last few years that my attention span for reading seems reduced. Too used to information coming in snippets, brief YT videos and giving in to distractions: breaking news, email coming in, sometimes even TV shows. (That last one is especially embarrassing.) I miss those times when I got lost in a story for hours.

I'm getting out my copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, all thousand-plus pages. It is the translation by Robin Buss. Unabridged and considered the closest to the Dumas original text. No abridged versions and especially no softening by Victorian era translations which are an abomination. It won't be a fast read as I want to savor the writing and story. But I don't want to do it in ten minute segments either. I am seriously looking forward to it. I also want to get lost in the book to the extent I can forget the many film versions of the book I've seen over the years.

A proper translation of a book can make all the difference. When I found the translation of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" published by the Naval Institute press, Jules Verne really came alive for me. The Disney versions suck.

Posted by: JTB at August 11, 2024 10:10 AM (zudum)

Comment: I had a conversation recently with a member of my church who acknowledged that his own attention span has changed in recent years because of his interactions with social media. He agreed that it takes him more time to *focus* when he's reading so that he's not consumed by the constant distractions of social media. And yes, a good translation of a story does make a difference.

Thanks for the book thread, perfessor. I able to participate today because I finished all my pre church chores and no adult study before church. I am reading again after about 20 years Shusako Endo's Silence about persecution of RC's in Japan and priests who try to help the RCs in 17th c.Japan. It was also made into an excellent movie but I couldn't watch the end because it was too intense.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 11, 2024 10:21 AM (4qMZx)

Comment: Since I've joined a church, I am frequently reminded of the dangers that modern day missionaries encounter when they go on mission trips around the world. My pastor's daughter and son-in-law will soon be going on a mission trip to Kenya for an unknown period of time. Sure, they will most likely have great experiences converting Africans to Christianity, but there is also considerable danger, as Kenya is also full of Muslims who don't take kindly to being converted. We've had numerous missionaries who are engaged in spreading the Gospel in Muslim nations visit our church. They are under constant threat.

Weeks ago, I also brought out to reread, The END of America 100 days that shook the world, By J. J. Sefton

Inside the book's jacket, in part: "The Left's 100-year campaign of political and cultural subversion in its quest for absolute power climaxed during a roughly 100-day period from Election Day through early-February of 2021."

I'll continue to recommend this book which I believe has honestly chronicled one of the most important times in our history.

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at August 11, 2024 11:04 AM (NFX2v)

Comment: As the 2024 election season heats up for the fall, I think it's worth remembering all of the shenanigans that went on after the 2020 election, captured in J. J. Sefton's book. No doubt the Dems will try to steal the election using not only their old tricks, but also some new ones...

More Moron-recommended reading material can be found HERE! (1000+ Moron-recommended books!)

WHAT I'VE ACQUIRED THIS PAST WEEK:

A couple more books arrived in my mailbox this week. One of them I pre-purchased some time ago once one of you Morons alerted me to it. The other fills in a key gap in one series of books.

• The Magic Kingdom of Landover Volume 2 - The Tangle Box / Witches' Brew by Terry Brooks -- This fills in books 4 and 5 of the Magic Kingdom of Landover series. I already had books 1-3 and book 6 (A Princess of Landover). It's surprisingly short for an omnibus edition.
• Angel of Vengeance by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child -- Agent Pendergast and his ward Constance Greene have traveled to an alternate New York City to confront Enoch Leng. I will probably have to read the two previous books again to get myself up to speed on what is happening here...

WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THIS PAST WEEK:

After reviewing some of OregonMuse's old Book Threads, I thought I'd try something a bit different. Instead of just listing WHAT I'm reading, I'll include commentary as well. Unless otherwise specified, you can interpret this as an implied recommendation, though as always your mileage may vary.

Sandman Slim Book 6 - The Getaway God by Richard Kadrey

Sandman Slim (a.k.a. James Stark) is back. Unfortunately, so are the Old Gods. Stark and his friends (and a few enemies) must team up to stop a rampaging horde of Cosmic Horrors from storming through rifts in the fabric of reality and unraveling the universe. Before L.A. drowns from a supernatural flood caused in part by a war in Heaven between an insane fragment of God and angels that seek to escape his divine wrath. They also want to seize Heaven for themselves and let the rest of the cosmos burn.

Forgotten Realms - The Harpers Book 16 - Thornhold by Elaine Cunningham

I find it strange that this book is billed as the exciting conclusion to the series when each book is an independent, stand-alone novel. Yes, there are a few books in the series that are loosely tied to one another, but it's not necessary to read them in any particular order. I also found it interesting that Elaine Cunningham wrote the most books in this series (4 out of 16), so her characters get the most page time overall.

This one features a young woman and a young man who were separated in their youth by tragedy. Their lives take radically different paths and when they finally reunite, one has embraced the path of evil, becoming a disciple of the mad god Cyric while the other has become an agent of good by allying with the meddlesome Harpers. They are both on a quest to recover three powerful artifacts that belong to their family.

Agent Pendergast Book 20 - Bloodless by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

The most recent Agent Pendergast book--Angel of Vengeance--arrived in my mailbox this week, so I wanted to re-read the two books prior to that one because they set up the events that will take place in Angel of Vengeance. A "vampire" is stalking the streets of Savannah, Georgia, draining victims of their blood down to the last drop. Pendergast and his ward Constance Greene, along with Pendergast's FBI partner Coldmoon, are called in to investigate, X-Files style. Complicating the murder case are a documentary film crew trying to create a new series on haunted Savannah for Netflix, as well as a mysterious reclusive hotel owner that has a connection to the D.B. Cooper case from 50 years ago. That may also be relevant to the current mystery.

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