The Collected Writings of Sardonicus

Book Review - Fiction
The Alchemist : A Fable about Following Your Dream (1993)
by Paulo Coelho

" 'Don't think about what you've left behind," the alchemist said to the boy as they begun to ride across the sands of the desert. "Everything is written in the Soul of the World, and there it will stay forever.'
'Men dream more about coming home than about leaving,' the boy said. He was already accustomed to the desert's silence.
'If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return.'
The man was speaking the language of alchemy. But the boy knew that he was referring to Fatima." p. 130

A short, inspiring, romantic little fable, The Alchemist gets its charm from its unapologetic idealism. The story is about a young shepard that has a dream about discovering a treasure in Egypt, and about his subsequent journey to actualize it. Of course, he is often tempted to end his quest for the treasure, whether it is because he has made a good living as a shepard, has become wealthy as a crystal salesman, found the girl of his dreams, or becomes an important person within the caravan and tribes of the desert, but in each instance he decides to continue forward, trusting that he those things that are pure and true will wait until he returns. Why? Because the world conspires to help people realize their dreams as long as you look for the omens.

Despite initials impression, this isn't a story about "destiny" or "fate." These, according to a wise king the boy encounters, are simply myths constructed to undermine people and their goals. The boy had free will in his decision to either pursue his dream or abandon it, as most people tend to do. A very sweet tale, and recommended for those who want a really quick read. And if you can, pick up the latest edition of the novel, because included in it is a short prologue that I enjoyed very much. B


Movie Review - Fiction
You, Me and Dupree (2006)
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo

A nice romantic comedy that could've been better. It, of course, had it's moments, but it wasn't that smart, wasn't that funny, and it certainly wasn't that romantic. Owen Wilson, naturally had his comedic moments, and Kate Hudson looked cute as always, but watching this was a waste of time and money. Not recommended, not even for renting. Still, it wouldn't be TOO bad knowing a guy like Dupree, as long as he comes it small doses. C

Book Review - Fiction
American Gods (2001)
by Neil Gaiman

The day Shadow is released from prison after serving three years for assault, he learns that his wife and best friend were killed in an unusual car accident earlier that morning while preparing his welcome home party. Now with no wife, and no job prospects, he comes under the employment (decided by coin-flip) as a bodyguard for a mysterious, yet flambouyant old grifter who introduces himself simply as Mr. Wednesday.

Suddenly, Shadow is thrown into a strange world of old gods, new gods, culture heroes, magical creatures, etc., that have been brought over to the New World in the minds of immigrants, or have arisen in America's own unique culture. Very soon, he finds himself in the middle of a fast-approaching war between the old and the new, and must decide what his part in all of it will be.

Who are these strange people Shadow must meet? Who is Shadow, and why are people after him? Who is Mr. Wednesday, and why is Shadow so important to him? Why must he be hidden for months in Lakeside, Michigan? How has Shadow's wife, Laura, arisen in a state of undead? Can Shadow fulfill his promise to bring her back to life?

American Gods is a very quick, very smooth read; one that I could hardly manage to put down for long. Many parts of it are fun and light-hearted, and others dark and disturbing. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone, although it certainly could have been much better. I particularly found the resolution lacking. But it is an interesting tale, and it was enjoyable reading about the variety of beliefs in American history, and how "gods" reluctantly come and go. This book certainly isn't in the "essential" category, but it was close. Give it a try. B+

Past Book Reviews:
9. Apathy and Other Small Victories (2006) by Paul Neilan 7/10/2006
8. Gotham Central Vol. 1: In The Line of Duty (2004) by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka & Michael Lark 7/8/2006
7. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002) by Joseph J. Ellis 7/4/2006
6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2003) by Mark Haddon 6/27/2006
5. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon 6/25/2006
4. State of Fear (2004) by Michael Crichton 6/15/2006
3. Interpreter of Maladies (1999) by Jhumpa Lahiri 6/12/2006
2. Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole 6/1/2006
1. Novel Without A Name (1995) Duong Thu Huong 4/22/2006

Book Review - Fiction
Apathy And Other Small Victories (2006)
by Paul Neilan

Enter Shane: a directionless slacker who somehow found himself temping as an alphabetizer for the insurance firm Panoptican, a restaurant salt-shaker kleptomaniac, a vampire phobic... murderer? Of course not: he is incapable of caring about anything enough to take any action against it, much less kill. So who murdered Marlene, the deaf dental assistant, and, quite possibly, Shane's only friend? Will he be able to fit proving his innocence into his busy schedule of sleeping, passing out at his workplace bathroom, binge-drinking, stealing salt-shakers, fulfilling his obligation to his landlord by having sex with the latter's wife in lieu of rent, or being sexually-pulverized by Gwen, the girl who seems to assume she's his girlfriend (he doesn't bother to correct her)?

Neilen's comedic style is reminiscent of a number of my favorite works: with the foul-mouthed Holden Caulfieldesque narration, the humorously senseless trains of thought that reminds me of essayist David Sedaris, and the awe-inspiring air of Yossarian-like fatalism and indifference. The result is an absolutely hilarious story with a cast of wildly outrageous characters. Who cares that we never learn why Shane acts the way he does? This book is about laughing aloud to yourself, and wishing you cared as little about all the important things in life as he does. Highly recommended, although you might as well wait for it on paperback or for it to come to your local library. It's a fun book, but there's no need to invest in a hardcover. B+

Past Book Reviews:
8. Gotham Central Vol. 1: In The Line of Duty (2004) by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka & Michael Lark 7/8/2006
7. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002) by Joseph J. Ellis 7/4/2006
6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2003) by Mark Haddon 6/27/2006
5. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon 6/25/2006
4. State of Fear (2004) by Michael Crichton 6/15/2006
3. Interpreter of Maladies (1999) by Jhumpa Lahiri 6/12/2006
2. Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole 6/1/2006
1. Novel Without A Name (1995) Duong Thu Huong 4/22/2006

Movie Review - Non-fiction
Anytown USA: All Politics is Local
Directed by Kristian Fraga
Winner - "Best Documentary" at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Int'l Film Festival

Director Kristian Fraga follows the 2003 (I think) Bogota, New Jersey mayoral race among Republican incumbant Steve Lonegan, Democrat Fred Pesce, and Write-in Independent candidate Dave Musikant. The purpose of the documentary, I suspect, is to give the viewer a closer look into local, small-town politics. If the film achieves this - and I have no reason to doubt that it does - I can therefore only conclude, after careful consideration, that going into small-town politics is possibly the dullest, most monotone, and tedious endeavor regularly undertaken by carbon-based life-forms.

I really don't have much to say about this film, so this review will be shorter than the ones I have been writing lately. My only recommendation is that you stay as far away from it as humanly feasible without resorting to violating the laws of physics. Documentaries much more entertaining and intelligent are regularly broadcasted on PBS (I believe the new season of Wide Angle premeires this Tuesday), as well as the History Channel, so for all of you who are in the mood for a sexy documentary, I suggest you look eslewhere. If this movie approaches you and asks if you have spare change, don't make eye contact and don't answer him, just keep on walking. C-

Past Movie Reviews:
8. Superman Returns (2006)
7. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
6. King Kong (2005)
5. X-Men III: The Last Stand (2006)
4. Missing Impossible III (2006)
3. Apocalypse Now (1979)
2. V for Vendetta (2006)
1. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

Book Review - Graphic Novel
Gotham Central Vol. 1: In The Line of Duty
Written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka
Pencils by Michael Lark; Colors by Noelle Giddings

The Gotham City Police Department simply gets no respect. Aside from operating in the long-time dreariest, most crime-ridden city in the United States, the police force of Gotham Central must also contend with a new challenge: the rise of the super-criminal.

If the name "Gotham City" rings any bells, it should. It is the base of operations for the superhero "caped crusader" known as the Batman. But Police Commissioner Atkins and the detectives of the Major Crimes Unit - headed by commander Maggie Sawyer - are deeply ambivalent by the presence of the "Dark Knight" on their streets. The Major Crimes Unit is a proud lot, and therefore they can sometimes be deeply resentful towards their hometown superhero for doing their jobs for them and making them feel incompetent. But... on the other hand, sometimes police detectives need all they help they can get... especially when they operate in a city littered with frighteningly-demented serial killers like the Joker, Poison Ivy, the Penguin, and Killer Croc, just to name a few.

The story begins early in the day with detectives Marcus Driver and Charlie Fields following a lead in a case regarding the suspected kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl to a hotel room. Unfortunately, the occupant of the room was none other than Mr. Freeze, who was only too happy for the opportunity to murder someone. After a short firefight, Detective Fields was killed by Freeze's freeze-ray, but the supervillain allowed Detective Driver to live, in order to 1) have the detective's story serve as a warning to anyone else that is looking for him, and 2) simply because he enjoys causing others live as he does: in a constant state of suffering.

Naturally, cop-killers are given a special priority among those on the police force, and finding Mr. Freeze moves to the top of the to-do list for a number of detectives. On the case are partners Renee Montoya and Crispis Allen, as well as a recovering Detective Driver and his temporary partner (as well as new love-interest) for the assignment, Romy Chandler. Of course, to Driver, this case is an extremely personal one, and he is determined - as a matter of honor and pride - that the Major Crimes Unit apprehend Freeze without any outside help. But can they do it? Or is taking on Mr. Freeze without the aid of the Batman a virtual guarantee for an "early retirement"?

Gotham Central: In the Line of Duty is a serious and compelling, adult police drama, the type of which the average person would be surprised to learn is published in comic books. But although the events in the story is occasionally suspenseful, there were a number of times I felt that things were turning rather dull, and my attention began to drift. Part of this I blame on the lack of characterization. The characters, at least in this first collected volume of the series, remain as one-dimensional figures, none of whom have forced me to become emotionally invested in them. Also missing, unfortunately, were any instances of smart detective work. Perhaps this will be addressed in subsequent volumes. As for the art... one word: amazing. Michael Lark has an extraordinary understanding of shadows, one that is so difficult to fully understand, yet so easy to appreciate. Admittedly, it can be a bit tiresome to see panel after panel of dark, dull colors, but it seems to capture the essence of Gotham City rather well. Anyway, I don't really see the point of recommending this book, or at least this volume of the series. Although it had its moments, ultimately, I think my time could've been better spent elsewhere. Still, the art is phenomenal and I will undoubtedly make it a priority to keep an eye out for Lark's work in the future. B-

Past Book Reviews:
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002) by Joseph J. Ellis
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2003) by Mark Haddon
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon
State of Fear (2004) by Michael Crichton
Interpreter of Maladies (1999) by Jhumpa Lahiri
Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole
Novel Without A Name (1995) Duong Thu Huong

Book Review - Non-fiction
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002)
by Joseph J. Ellis
2001 Pulitzer Prize for History

"This does not mean that the political history of the early republic can be understood as a polite forensic exercise conducted by a marvelous well-behaved collection of demigods. Nor is the proper image a symphony orchestra; or, given the limited numbers involved at the highest level of national politics, perhaps a chamber music ensemble, each Founding Father playing a particular instrument that blends itself harmoniously into the common score. The whole point is that there was no common score, no assigned instruments, no blended harmonies. The politics of the 1790s was a truly cacophonous affair. Previous historians have labeled it "the Age of Passion" for good reason, for in terms of shrill accusatory rhetoric, flamboyant displays of ideological intransigence, intense personal rivalries, and hyperbolic clais of imminent catastrophe, it has no equal in American history. The political dialogue within the highest echelon of the revolutionary generation was a decade-long shouting match." pg. 16

Founding Brothers focuses on the great collaborations, partnerships, and rivalries of the American Revolutionary generation. The Hamilton-Burr duel; the epic Adams-Jefferson friendship, then explosive rivalry, then friendship once again; the Hamilton-Madison collaboration, then the separation of American political factions; Jefferson's mentorship of Madison; Washington's reliance on trusted aide, Hamilton... But despite the majestic carriage of George Washington, the unrivaled wit of Benjamin Franklin, and the astounding genius of Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams run away as the stars of the Joseph Ellis-penned book.

Ironically, we can only know what they were saying to each other while together from the letters they wrote when apart. During the months Congress was in session they wrote each other two ro three times every week. Much of the correspondence was playfully personal: "No man even if he is sixty years of age ought to have more than three months at a time from his family," Abigail complained soon after he departed for Philadelphia. "Oh that I had a bosom to lean my head upon," Adams replied. "But how dare you hint or lisp a word about 'sixty years of age.' If I were near I would soon convince you that I am not above forty" p. 174

Aside from Franklin, Adams may have been the only member of the American pantheon that had a sense of humor at all. Washington was too concerned with holding up appearances as the Father of the country, Jefferson was too gentlemanly to betray his emotions, and Hamilton and Madison were far too deep in their political battles to appreciate the humor of the circumstances. Instead, it was the brash, honest, passionate Bostonian, John Adams, that appeared to be the motivating force and brains of the Revolution.

But what about after the war? Washington's Army may have won us our independence, but who built our nation? What was the role of Hamilton, the pen behind Washington's words, the leader of the Federalists, and the first Secretary of the Treasury? Or what about Madison, the soft-spoken, but brilliant tactician widely acknowledged as the key framer of the United States Constitution? Ellis attempts to focus on the intimacy of our founding fathers, and the many political compromises they had to make in order to form our more perfect union. Founding Brothers serves as an introduction to our American founders, and it's easy, anecdotal style is wonderfully appealing for an amatuer historian.

But don't expect too much from this book. As I said, it's an exceptional introduction to the early years of the United States' nationhood, and should serve primarily as a gate-way book to the time period. It benefits from its comfortable style (one I desperately wish to emulate), but it fails to satiate one's curiosity. A wonderful book, with wonderful stories, and I doubt anyone would suffer by reading it, but there was very little in it that couldn't be found elsewhere in much greater detail. Ultimately, it's a very skippable book, but as good a place as any to start your education of the generation. B+

Past Book Reviews:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2003) by Mark Haddon
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon
State of Fear (2004) by Michael Crichton
Interpreter of Maladies (1999) by Jhumpa Lahiri
Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole
Novel Without A Name (1995) Duong Thu Huong