Wed Reading Meme

1. What I just finished reading?

The Light Between the Oceans by M.L Steadman - this is a popular novel for book clubs. I read it for one, and must admit if it hadn't been for the book club, I'd have given up half-way through.
It is beautifully written, however. Poetic prose. But the characters I felt were a bit two dimensional and not quite fully developed, more serving the plot and theme of the piece than the other way around. In particular, the Lighthouse Keeper's Wife, the character of Isabel, bothered me.
But that may just be because the writer chose to put us in her point of view sparingly. On the surface she is developed, or has a lot happen to her that causes a mental break. But, if just didn't work for me - it felt manipulative and I was frustrated.

At any rate, I loved the ending, and gave it four stars on Good Reads, because it is well written and well, I'm conflicted over my quibbles.

2. What I'm reading now?

Despite my better judgement, I have fallen down the X-men comic book rabbit hole. After close to 10 years, not looking at a comic book, not to mention getting rid of the bulk of my collection, I went on a mad buying spree. Purchasing basically a comic book arc that starts with a character, who is an upstanding hero, who has repeatedly sacrificed himself for his cause, who is happily married to the love of his life, has devoted friends and family -- and ends with him being a hunted fugitive, who is hated by practically everyone, and lost everyone he loved.

He goes from being the hero, a sort of pseudo Superman or Classic hero type to a dark vigilante, revolutionary. It's a bit like Magneto's arc but oh so much better written. Also, this was a guy who fought Magneto as a teen and has sort of become him. The irony!! And the way they are writing it -- you find yourself rooting for him, and thinking, you know, this isn't quite as simple as I'd thought.
While Magneto's arc was written as pretty black and white, Cyclops' arc is rather gray. Best arc that I've read of a hero going dark in a comic book series or any series for that matter.

But it's actually more complicated than that -- I've grossly oversimplified it. It discusses various themes, and political philosophies...what it means to uphold human rights? what are we willing to do to fight for them? can violence solve problems? what are the consequences of training children as warriors, inducting them to a world of violence? what changes a person? can we change? should we punish people with violence? Does that solve the problem? Do we just kill the threat? How does privilege play a role? How do looks or attractiveness play a role?

And how does a good man, who once believed that the way to fight for the rights of his people and for peace, was to do good deeds, save lives, and promote awareness, decide to become a revolutionary, a potential terrorist, and an isolationist - basically fuck the world, we take care of our own?

( spoiler laden synopsis of the arc )

I haven't read it all yet or in detail. Apparently there's a lot of subplots. And about 1000 characters. This is an epic story in line with George RR Martin's Game of Thrones, except with more likable characters, and ahem, less gore. It also ends happier. But that's the gist of the arc. We basically take a character who fought against revolutionaries, extremists, and power hungry villains -- or due to a series of set-backs and losses, becomes one himself, and then has to somehow live with the consequences and find a way out of it. It's a bit similar to Magneto's arc, but far more satisfying, with less retcons and missteps. Also the character is a bit more conflicted.

I think what intrigues me is how ego can pull us away from who we are. And we can get lost in it. I don't know, but I got obsessed enough that I felt the need to grab all the issues that related directly to the arc. Which...is a lot and I do mean a lot of issues. But oh well. If you have done anything similar, perhaps you can relate? Or if you've ever gotten really obsessed with a story or cultural medium? (ie. FANNISH.)

The X-men was my first long-term fannish obsession. Although, I never really interacted with the fandom. Is there one? Is it worth interacting? Hmmm...

Any fans of the X-men reading this? Or I am basically talking to myself?

Speaking of cultural obsessions, people are weirdly judgmental of them. I always kept this one hidden as a result of that. ( Read more... )

At any rate, I admit, I still love the X-men comics.

My favorite characters? (I actually like all of them, which helped a great deal.)
( Read more... )

What I should be reading and am not doing a good job of, and it may hit me in the butt when October 28th rolls along:

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson and The Boys in the Boat - a nonfiction novel.
I'm sure both are really good, but I'm in an odd mood. I want something specific. So am re-reading a Kate Daniels book on the way to work. But, there is hope on the horizon, I'm growing bored of it.
So back to Life After Life tomorrow, I think.

I am not permitted to buy any more books on Amazon or Marvel (Apple Itunes) for the duration. (It's far too easy to do this, just point and click. I feel like a little kid in a candy store, and we've already discussed why I should not be permitted to purchase books online without supervision. Oh well, one of the nice things about being single, is no one cares.)

Off to take a bath, and maybe read more comics. Or just sleep and save them for tomorrow night, while I'm doing laundry.