sign in| help
Search advanced search
 
Books
Search:

Follows you (block)

Requested to follow you (accept | block)

Blocked (unblock)

ajzeigert

ajzeigert

has 8 followers and is following 8 people

I'm a graphic artist at a newspaper in Central Oregon. I enjoy genre fiction (crime, sci-fi, horror, etc.) and the occasional classic or contemporary work, as well as a healthy assortment of nonfiction.

I don't read as fast as my short life should dictate, but I try.
  • Bend, OR, USA
  • member since February 17, 2007

Reviews

  • Sort by:
 
1 2  | Next »
Displaying 1-10 of 14 reviews
  • Dream Story
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Having seen "Eyes Wide Shut" several times, I already know this story by heart. But so much goes unsaid in Stanley Kubrick's film, while the main character's thought and feelings in "Dream Story" are plainly presented and constantly shifting. The dreamlike nature of Fridolin's adventures comes across in an achingly effective manner. It that even makes sense. ”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Sunday, February 21, 2010. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Great Gatsby
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Always a classic. Everyone should read this once a year.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Tuesday, February 2, 2010. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Wake
    • Rated 3 stars

    “This final installment of theSandman series feels very much like what it is: an epilogue. The main plot of the series was resolved in high fashion in the previous volume, and several of the stories in The Wake feel like afterthoughts, or leftover ideas that the author felt needed to be shared nevertheless. That being said, the final tale about Shakespear's bargain with Dream must rank among the very best "side" stories in the series, and serves as a fantastic punctuation mark on the series as a whole.
    This completes my goal of reading the main, 10-volume Sandman series. I may pick up a few of the odd bits and spinoffs, but for now I think I'll pick up some prose.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Sunday, November 29, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Kindly Ones
    • Rated 5 stars

    “After reading this introduction, which gives away a crucial plot point, I kept putting this book down and pushing it away. Not because I didn't want to keep reading, although I've had many distractions as of late. But because I didn't want the story to end the way I knew it was going to.

    With the Sandman series, Neil Gaiman has reaffirmed my belief that any story can transcend its medium and become something that can't be shrugged off as "comic book" fiction. His careful pulling together of all the loose threads introduced in the series so far is nothing short of remarkable. The art in this volume was particularly stylish and perfect for the mood.

    All in all, this is my favorite Sandman book so far.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Thursday, October 29, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Worlds' End
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Not much to say other than more great writing in a great series. The art was hit or miss in this series, though. In one chapter (I won't say which), the art was... awkward enough that it actually interrupted my concentration on the story.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Thursday, September 10, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Lark and Termite
    • Rated 4 stars

    “This book has a jacket blurb from Tim O'Brien, and I can't help invoking his name when describing the style. Phillips shares his ability to combine realism and dreamlike sequences into a totally believable yet remarkable narrative.

    My only complaint would be that the story is told from several perspectives, and often the same event is retold from multiple people's points of view. This sometimes makes the plot drag, but never enough to make me want to put the book down.

    I'll definitely add some more Phillips to my reading list.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Friday, September 4, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Sorrows of Young Werther
    • Rated 5 stars

    “My edition is called "The Sufferings of Young Werther," but I could see how either title would be appropriate. I initially thought this book would be depressing (I already knew how it ended), but found myself instead fascinated by the downward spiral of a young man in his prime, finding myself both in agreement with his reasoning and at other times surprised by his immaturity. In any case, it exceeded my expectations, and is also one of the better translated novels I've read in a while.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Friday, September 4, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Old Boy Volume 1
    • Rated 3 stars

    “My initial interest in this series came after watching the film adaptation. I enjoyed this first volume, and will probably keep reading, but I can't help but feel there is much lost in the translation. Much of the dialog feels stilted, and transitions are sometimes noticeably absent. Still, reading a manga-style book for the first time has been eye-opening, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Friday, September 4, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Half the Blood of Brooklyn
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Probably the weirdest out of the series that I've read so far, but also enthralling. I might not wait as long between volumes after this one.

    Joe Pitt is probably one of my favorite characters in contemporary fiction at the moment. But take that with a grain of salt: I keep mostly to genre fiction.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Friday, September 4, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Old Boy Volume 2

    Old Boy Volume 2

    by Garon Tsuchiya, Nobuaki Minegishi
    • Rated 3 stars

    “This second installment advances the plot significantly, adding a background story to our hero and giving us a little more info about the villain. I can't help feel, however, that the pacing is at foot-dragging speed for this series. Not slow enough to stop me, though.”

    ajzeigert wrote this review Friday, September 4, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
1 2  | Next »
Displaying 1-10 of 14 reviews

© 2006-2012 Shelfari | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy

Close