The books that I read in the month August 2022
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| August 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Cliff's Notes
"Earth"
This is one of the most interesting science fiction novels that I have read. Though written in 1949, it speaks to our times as a lethal pandemic ravishes civilization and people have to adapt to the changes that has wrought. The author notes,“All the best-laid plans could not prevent the disaster against which no plans have laid.”. That is as true now as it was then.
And, on a very personal and silly note, I was amused that the opening of the story unfolds near the town of "Hutsonville". Not that such a community actually exists nor that it would have been named after a relative of mine.
"Bark"
Another amusing addition to the Chet and Bernie series. Perhaps not quite as good as those written at the beginning it is still a fun read.
"Matthew Henson"
This is a novel that I find difficult to classify. The title character was a real person. Other people people who appear in the story, e.g, Bessie Coleman, or Nikola Tesla, are historical figures as well. And, its depictions of American culture and race relations during the Harlem Renaissance are well grounded. But, clearly, the story is cut from whole cloth. I guess that its genre could best be described as historical fantasy, with an overlay of science fiction.
While very entertaining, I feel that this book falls short of the author's outing in "One-Shot Harry". Also, I am appalled at the egregious lack of editing and proofreading. Lastly, there is no Ice Temple, unless I dozed off for a couple of chapters as I sometimes do when watching television.
"Gentleman"
This book is the best of the month, though at first I did not think it all that promising.
Starting in the year 1922, the describes the life of a Russian man sentenced to house arrest in a Moscow hotel though 1954. How interesting could life be in such a confined environment? It turns out that it is very compelling. And, we should admire any course of study no matter how arcane if it is pursued with curiosity and devotion.
Notably, it is also set against real history that many of us are familiar with on some level and offers some comment on actual sociopolitical events while the author develops a delightful cast of fictional characters.
I would suggest that, at heart, its moral is that being a good person is more important than having good taste.
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