Sunday, March 31, 2013

The Rum Diary

 
Johnny Depp discovered the long lost novel, so it only makes sense that he plays a part in the film. Also, let's not forget his stunning performance as the author, Hunter S. Thompson in the film adaptation for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. However, his portrayal as journalist/writer/novelist/rum drinker, is Hunter S. Thompson lite.

The film does the novel an injustice that no act of contrition can mend. Adding elements and removing characters and shifting ideas around doesn't make an interesting story. It creates a little more conflict that puts Paul Kemp on a different banal adventure, but there isn't a thing about this movie that captures this reader's attention.

When I asked my coworker what he thought of the movie, he said he couldn't keep his eyes open. He expected a Fear and Loathing in Puerto Rico, but received a hack job love story instead. Love story? There wasn't one in the book. Sure, there was an attraction between Kemp and Chenault, but it was all sexual. Yeamon? Well, he's been ripped in two and mend with Sanderson and Moberg.

And it's not surprising. Several adaptations take liberties with a story, but this doesn't do anything for it. I'm glad I only watched this on Netflix than spent money on it.

The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson

It's almost a crime, how little I've been focusing on reading anything. I lost motivation and interest in books. And this blog, which is focused on books and book related subjects, is suffering severely.

I picked up Hunter S. Thompson's long lost novel, The Rum Diary, at The Book Stop located in McAllen, Texas. The store, which deals in mostly thrift books wrapped in plastic to protect their aging pages, normally charges out of my price line, but every now and again, I find a used book worth the extra couple of dollars. This book, the first edition published in 1998, cost me ten bones. It was worth it.

Gonzo writer, Hunter S. Thompson sends us on a banal adventure of journalist Paul Kemp. There's nothing beautiful in this book, there is no deeper love story, and none of the characters learn much of anything except how to appreciate rum and drink rum and get drunk on rum and travel to drink more rum and get shitfaced on rum and appreciate pubic hair on a girl high off her mind while they sip down paper cups filled with–you got it!–rum. And despite that I don't appreciate the marvels that alcohol brings, I want to visit Puerto Rico regardless.

Thompson has a way with words, even with his dry prose. Any true reader will find something to love about this book. I have to assume the rest of you only wanted to read the book after watching the Johnny Depp flick.

You can pick up a copy of the long lost novel at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is also available for Kindle and Nook.

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Friday, March 15, 2013

The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V.S. Redick

The fates kept me from finishing this novel in a timely matter and writer's block has kept me from writing this review. What curse follows your literary works, Robert V.S. Redick? More importantly, are all your readers afflicted with it?

Fading words on page 188 and a doubt of self doubt about my writing abilities later, I'm sitting here at my laptop writing this "review." I'm still finding myself at a loss for words because it's been a long while since I've read anything in the fantasy genre. The last thing I read was The Lord of the Rings and that was ages ago. My coworker turned me onto this book when he was searching for something to read. He mentioned talking animals and miniature warriors and I never looked back. I ordered my copy from Barnes & Noble--membership FTW!--and later returned that order and received another copy with the same flaw.

This book is jammed packed with fantasy fodder. Aside from the two mentioned, there's pirates, glowing child-snatchers, warlocks (called mages), a wizard that appears as a mink, a kick-ass warrior, a hero-destined lowly boy, a beautiful girl being traded into a marriage for peace, war conspiracy, mermaid-like creatures, and betrayal. With an air of a who-dunnit, Robert V.S. Redick captures the reader's imagination and holds onto it. He plunges us through every situation possible without making it feel overly packed. It's a book well worth the read, even if you're not that into the genre.

You can buy The Red Wolf Conspiracy at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, for Kindle and Nook respectively.

Barnes & Noble

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Sol by Lana Fox

I want to start off this post by thanking Go Deeper Press for mentioning my little old blog on theirs. While visiting their link, I learned that they were giving a free read when you subscribed to their newsletter. It's book hunter etiquette 101 to never pass up a free read.

I'm going to go off on a limb here and say I've never heard of Lana Fox before reading her short story (flash fiction, almost), "Sol." In those six short pages (according to my Nook app), the reader receives a rather steamy forbidden love affair. Oh. And coffee. Erotica and coffee. It's a wonder why I never thought about putting my two favorite subjects together into one idea. Thank you, Lana Fox. I've made a mental note of this for a later affair.

There's no way to go into detail about a short story, so I won't. I'll just link the page where you can subscribe to Go Deeper Press's newsletter and receive your free copy.

In unrelated-to-review news, I'm currently gathering my thoughts on book piracy and my stance on the whole DRM mess. I'm also planning on compiling a list of my all time favorite books and perhaps do one of them 30-day challenges. I need to make this blog equal parts book-related posts and reviews, not just the latter.

Until next time, happy huntin'.

P.S. I'm also thinking of replacing my Kindle with a Nook, or just going the tablet route. This has a lot to do with my hypothetical post on book piracy and DRM. I'm still on the fence, though. However, Barnes & Noble is giving you $50 dollars to use when you purchase a Nook HD. That's fifty bucks you can use for your Nook, buying movies and e-books! What a deal! Those of you not on the fence about purchasing a new e-reader/tablet, I highly consider taking them on this deal. Just click the banner below.

Barnes & Noble