Author: Roger Zelazny
First Publication: 1993
Reissue: October 2014
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Source: Publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Read for the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril IX Challenge.
As readers of this blog know, Roger Zelazny is one of my favorite writers. When the Chicago Review Press offered me a copy of one of his novels that I never read, I could not turn it down. "A Night in Lonesome October" was the last novel he wrote. Later a couple of collaborations appeared but this seems to be the last one he finished before his death. He was revisiting a basic concept (a gate opening to another world) he used in "Madwand" but that is the end of the similarities. Zelazny tells the story in the first-person which is one of his favorite methods. "First person" might be the wrong phrase since the narrator is Snuff, the dog that appears on the cover. This edition also contains 33 illustrations by Gahan Wilson.
Author: Steven Erikson
First Publication: November 2014
Source: NetGalley
Steven Erickson has made a name for himself in the fantasy field in recent years with his “Malazan” series. “Willful Child” is his first attempt at writing a science fiction novel. According to comments the author has made, it is a loving spoof that is his tribute to “Star Trek”. I understand where the author is coming from. You can tell that he is a fan of “Star Trek”. Unfortunately this falls under the category of too much of a good thing for me. I would have enjoyed it more if this was a shorter work. The only author I have read who could write comedy that would keep my attention for a whole novel is Terry Pratchett. If this had been a shorter work, I would have liked it. As it is I can see that it is well written and would appeal to many readers. At some point, I would like to see Erickson tackle a serious science fiction novel.
So if you are a fan of spoofs, I would recommend this one to you. Otherwise, it can be skipped.
Author: Jake Arnott
First Publication: 2014
Source: NetGalley
Summary: The TARDIS is diverted to England in 1572, and the Sixth Doctor and Peri meet John Dee – ‘mathematician, astrologer, alchemist, magician, and the greatest mind of our time’. (‘Only of your time?’, the Doctor asks, unimpressed.) But what brought them here? When the Doctor discovers that Dee and his assistant have come across a ‘great disturbance in the cosmos, in the constellation of Cassiopeia,’ he realizes that they are all in terrible danger.
Jake Arnott is best known for his crime novels. Based on what I could see this is his first time writing science fiction or Doctor Who. Arnott does a good job with this short story. He does an excellent job of capturing the feel of a very good Sixth Doctor episode. The dialogue and characterization was spot on. I especially like the way Arnott incorporates the various morality discussions concerning imperialism and colonization.
Highly recommended.
Doctor Who
Season 8
Episode 4
Story No. 245
“Listen”
Written by Steven Moffat
Watched as part of “the Peril of the Screen” for R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril IX
From Carl’s R.I.P. post: Stories can make us look back over our shoulders and question every creak and groan on a dark, quiet night. Stories can cause our hearts to race with ever-increasing tension as we forgo sleep to rush towards a surprising conclusion. Stories can make us suspicious of every character as we challenge the protagonist to be the first to solve the crime. Stories can make us sleep with the lights on, make us pull the covers just a little bit tighter, and can make every shadow seem menacing.
This is a perfect summary of the Doctor’s story in this episode. He theorizes that we have constant companions that are always just out of our sight. When the hair stands up on the back of your neck? It’s them. The sounds you hear when the lights go out? It’s them. When you are sure you put a cup on the end table but find it somewhere else? They did it. He drags Clara along on a journey from a children’s home, to the end of the universe, to a barn to try and solve the riddle of our invisible companions. And the scene in the barn is a surprise that caught me off guard.
If I had to compare this episode to another, I would say it is similar in mood and atmosphere to the classic “Blink”. The main differences being this one focuses more on the Doctor and the twist ending takes this one in a different direction.
The parallel story being told features another form of scary story. The first date where everything goes wrong. Clara finally goes out with her co-worker Danny and every comment is the wrong thing to say. But that is a different kind of horror story.
Another excellent episode in what is shaping up to be a great season.
I was concerned with Matt Smith leaving Doctor Who. His energy and interactions with the various companions (Amy and Rory then Clara) swept me up and made me a fan of his incarnation of the Doctor. It was obvious that there was an attraction between the Doctor and Clara. With Peter Capaldi taking over, it was announced that those days were gone. Let’s take a look at the first three episodes of the new season and see how the show is doing.
Using one of River Song’s favorite phrases…SPOILERS
Episode 1 (or overall story #242): “Deep Breath” by Steven Moffat.
Some have complained about the fantasy element Moffat has used in this series but I do not have a problem with it. In my mind when you are dealing with a main character that is this old some of the adventures would seem more like fantasy. I always think of the show as more of a science fantasy than a straight science fiction series. “Deep Breath” started out as a somewhat disjointed, confusing episode to reflect the Doctor’s state of mind. He has just regenerated and is still recovering. Moffat made a good choice of giving us some popular familiar characters to help Clara this time around. Clara also suffers confusion trying to deal with the loss of the man she was in love with. Capaldi turned in an excellent performance in his first full episode. I liked the mix of confusion, humor, and the parts that show this is a darker Doctor. Among my favorite segments are the return of the Paternoster Gang, the Doctor (and others) confusion concerning Clara, the link between the androids and an earlier episode, the hints of a “promised land” and the surprise guest appearance near the end who convinces Clara that the Doctor needs her more than ever.
Episode 2 (Story #243): “Into the Dalek” by Phil Ford & Steven Moffat.
Another example of the new “dark” Doctor. His treatment of the soldiers on the military station in space was something we did not see from the previous doctors. I liked the idea of a damaged Dalek, nicknamed Rusty by the Doctor, becoming good. Things go terribly wrong when the Doctor tries to fix him. One of the high points of the series is when Rusty calls the Doctor “a good Dalek”. Calpaldi nails the expression and makes the viewer feel his pain. Once again we see a short scene tying into the “promised land” subplot from episode one. Danny Pink is introduced as a co-worker/love interest for Clara. Based on the Doctor’s treatment of the soldiers on the station, it should be interesting when he meets Danny. One of the other things that impressed me with “Into the Dalek” was the way it was the thematic connection between this episode and Clara’s first appearance. In that episode, the Doctor tries to rescue a woman who is trapped on a Dalek station. It turns out that she is a damaged Dalek who thinks she is a human woman. In this one the Doctor and Clara physically journey into the mind of a damaged Dalek in an effort to help it. I will be curious if this is connected to Moffat’s arc for Clara.
Episode 3 (Story #244): “Robot of Sherwood” by Mark Gatiss.
Following a very dark episode is one that is more in line with the previous two Doctors. “Robot of Sherwood” is a fun romp that starts when Clara wants to go back in time and meet Robin Hood. The Doctor argues with her that he is a myth. He takes her back to prove it to her and the first person they meet is Robin Hood. An epic sword fight occurs between Robin and the Doctor. The twist is that the Doctor uses a spoon instead of a sword. The conflict between the Doctor and Robin had me cracking up. It was a fun break from the darkness.
Summary
I am enjoying the Peter Capaldi Doctor. It is interesting watching as the Doctor and Clara figure out what their relationship is. Steven Moffat has shown, once again, why he is one of my favorite creators for this series.
Fall is my personal favorite season of the year. In our area we celebrate with a Fall Foliage Festival the first two weekends in October. The mountains are filled with various colored leaves on the trees. The ones I like most are the red and orange leaves. The thing I enjoy most about the festival is the food. Apple cider made on the spot, home-made apple dumplings, maple syrup, funnel cakes, and other local favorites make me hungry just by thinking about them.
Local high school football is back in action with the start of the new school year. In small rural Pennsylvania towns this is almost like a community event on the night of home games. People you don’t see very often during the rest of the year regularly show up for the games. And it is a generational sport. Many of the players are the children of people I went to school with. It gives our town a reason to come together and enjoy spending time at a social event.
The other big event of the fall is Carl (of Stainless Steel Droppings fame)’s annual hosting of the R.I.P. challenges from September 1 through October 31! Congratulations for hosting this for the ninth year in a row. What is the challenge? A reading and viewing event for all things that fall in the following categories: mystery, suspense, thrillers, dark fantasy, gothic tales, horror, supernatural or others with the same moody atmosphere.
This year I am planning on participating in the following Perils:
Peril the Second: read two books
Peril of the Short Story: I am thinking about reading one of Isaac Asimov’s “Black Widowers” collections.
Peril of the Screen: I am starting with an episode of Doctor Who with other shows to follow.
I also plan on reviewing some graphic novels/collections that fit the guidelines.
