Jay R

• Rated 3 stars

“It took me a while to get through this one. The project is a worthy one: write up a short, pithy scientific biography of Richard Feynman. I can tell the author's heart is in the right place, and that he knows his stuff also. I'm just not sure it is communicated the most clearly. I got bogged down in the science, and having read Feynman's "QED" and other books on quantum mechanics helped me get to the end of this one.

But I must say I did still learn a few things, and any honest effort to bring the man and his work to the forefront is okay in my book.”

Jay R wrote this review Sunday, July 1, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I remember this novel for its insights on life within the British civil service. Stiff upper lip and all that, personified. A fine character study and intricately developing plot.
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Jay R wrote this review Friday, June 29, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“A fun little read, not his best, but who cares? Mr Frayn is better than most.”

Jay R wrote this review Friday, June 29, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Nice to find this little collection of shorts by UK LeGuin. Missed them on the first time around, as it is thirty-years-old. But still a goodie. I especially liked her final story here, "Sur." There were only one or two stories that didn't grab me. That's the thing with her writing: it is chokka with ideas and always well-crafted.”

Jay R wrote this review Friday, June 29, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Hey, this new one is another little epic by the master of terraforming sci-fi, KS Robinson. If you haven't read his Mars series, do so, then have a look at this, set a bit further into the future when we are inhabiting throughout the solar system. Chunky hard sci-fi at its best. With an interesting take also on quantum computing.

And I like his nomenclature for the current phase of the anthropocene era: The Dithering. For more on that, see also his Capital series on climate change, also recommended.”

Jay R wrote this review Sunday, June 17, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 3 stars

“This book had moments of sheer brilliance. Such as bringing the 11 dimensions "down to earth," in how that might be applied, if it ever could. Moving out of space-time dimensions into the Air was a cool concept. Also the depictions of life in the Karzistani mountains, and the struggles of remote peoples being thrust into the 21st century, were also very compelling.
I just couldn't get into the whole baby narrative though, I am afraid. And it just made the book end in a truly bizarre way. Not sure entirely what Mr Ryman was trying to get at, with all that. I just know it left a bad taste in the mouth.
”

Jay R wrote this review Thursday, June 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This is a very good book, with excellent storytelling. I was a wee bit sceptical of the style at the first two chapters or so, but when I accepted the multiple-points-of-view and the "everything is connected" nature of its flow, it all clicked for me.

I enjoyed especially the "graphic" storytelling of a twelve-year-old, about her family. I am not sure I was convinced with the ending (I won't give it away here), but all-in-all it is an excellent read. Proof is in the pudding: I whipped though this just on Saturday and Sunday; it was hard to put down. I can't say I do that particularly often with books.

Well done, Ms Egan!”

Jay R wrote this review Monday, May 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“It's a harmless little romp, full of wry humour. Not Mr Frayn's best, though, but never mind.
I did find the ending less than satifying, but the rollicking trip along the way was entertaining.”

Jay R wrote this review Thursday, May 17, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Overall, a good review of New Zealand history. Thanks, I needed that.
I especially appreciated the social and cultural history as well as the political. It had good background on Maori and women's concerns over the years.
Two criticisms would be zero mention of the local Nuclear Free Zone movement that fed so powerfully into the overall NZ Nuclear Free Zone in the 80's, and no mention of the Greens in the text, let alone that they are by now the third way in NZ politics.
Other than than, good though, a worthwhile read.”

Jay R wrote this review Tuesday, May 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“This book was particularly good for the storytelling about Maori warriors of the early nineteenth century, particularly The Wolf, of the title. It evoked the feeling of the place and its people.
I felt it sort of petered out at the end, though, so I was mildly disappointed. This however was a good first effort by a New Zealand author to watch out for.
”

Jay R wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )