William Nesdale > Recent Status Updates

Finished Chapter 6, where Doc meets up with a lawyer, goes to the FBI files room with some Agents, and goes out to a nightly dinner with Motella & Lourdes.

I kind of get the vibe that the book is going with, like an average stoner, it usually wanders around aimlessly, but the mystery element of the book is pretty intriguing. Add on a mystery involving “The Golden Fang” and it’s a packed mystery with style.

Finished Chapter 5, where Doc, in disguise as a professional psychologist, goes to the house of Mickey Wolfmann’a wife, Sloane, to investigate.

Ok, so we are getting deeper into the mystery, plus there is a backstory on why a cop named “Bigfoot” became a police officer who worked alone. It’s going to be a wild ride Doc, but there will be a conclusion to the mystery in your midst.

Finished Chapter 4, where Doc goes to his old friend Fritz and is shown the latest in 60s software.

Looks like we got some backstory into Doc’s life, some world building for the sandy shores of Santa Monica, and some new technology that Doc finds in the back room of Fritz’s office. I’m not sure if the book is dazed, since it may be stalling the overall plot, but a few breezy short chapters can take a load off.

Finished Chapter 3, where Doc goes to meet up with another cop buddy, this time it’s the cynical Pat.

Well, this is a nice short chapter compared to the other long ones where we get to learn more about the world of Inherent Vice and notice how Pat is much different than Bigfoot. He’s more cynical, has an “Art Fleming” look, and is less famous than the big shot cop. Will this come into play? Who knows.

Finished Chapter 2, where Doc’s investigation takes him to an up and coming suburban town, a single mother, and his cop frenemy, Bigfoot.

Well, I can feel the disjointed energy of the story, yet the vibe that the book brings out, as well as the interesting character actions of the colourful characters, makes me invested in Doc’s dizzying adventures in the late 60’s. It’s a hippie-noir-thriller for the ages.

I’m starting to read this psychedelic detective story from the mind of Thomas Pynchon.

Our story begins when Doc gets a mission from Shasta about a billionaire with a racist background.

While the story is a bit dazed and confused at the start, I’m liking the vibe of the story, complete with hits of late 60’s psychedelics and a dash of themes of racism, I feel like I can get used to this book’s vibe.

Finished Chapter 11, where the day of the Sheep-Dog trails is upon our titular pig, as Babe, Fly & Farmer Hogget goes to the competition.

Looks like we have come to the final step of Farmer Hoggat’s plan which is so crazy, yet it just might work… as long as he doesn’t get disqualified on the spot.

Finished Chapter 10, where Babe trains for the big day, while fly checks on some sheep.

We have got ourselves a bit of a breather episode, after the dramatic nature of the previous two chapters, and the final part of the story where the Dog trails take place. It all comes down to this, as Babe trains himself up to achieve an impossible dream, and Farmer Hoggert devises a plan to let Babe enter the Dog Trails.

Finished Chapter 9, where Babe is nearly sent out to pasture, but is saved by a bunch of good news.

Well, this is one way to bring a glimmer of hope for not only Babe, but also for Farmer Hoggert, Fly, and the flock of sheep near the Hoggert’s farm. If this pig can do good things, he will be handsomely rewarded.

Finished Chapter 8, where a sheep-dog corse is set up for Babe, and when he visits the sheep, he comes across a terrible sight.

Looks like Babe is learning to train for the big leagues, but not before the most heart-rending scene in the book. I’m not going to spoil what happens, but it involves a pig’s old friend.

Finished chapters 6 & 7, where Babe gets his first herding job from Farmer Haggert, and experiences what the sheep dog “trials” are like.

I just want to note something, there is a bit of hidden character development with Farmer Hoggert that I enjoy, at the beginning, he gets the pig to hopefully fatten it up for a meal, but when he sees that Babe has an interest in herding sheep, he decides to let him do it.

Finished Chapter 5, where the old sheep, Ma, has been cured. A few days later, when Fly & Farmer Hoggat goes away for a while, Babe decides to pay Ma a visit, but comes across a threatening sight.

Well, looks like Babe will be our unexpected hero of the evening. He learns from the best, like Fly, and hears other people’s opinions, like Ma. It goes to show that a little pig can make a big difference.

Finished Chapter 4, where, after a failed attempt at herding ducks, Babe continues to learn a bit more from Fly. Then, he meets an old sheep and strikes up a very interesting conversation.

Look what we have here, it appears that this is a book about learning each animal is more than their stereotypes & fates. Babe’s dream of becoming a sheep-pig is a long road, but he learns more about the Sheep’s point of view.

Finished Chapters 2 & 3, where Babe is Carrie’s to the farm where Fly, the collie mother, and her pups comes across him and takes a liking to the swine, even if she withholds the details about the pigs usual fate.

I see where this story is going now. I think this book has themes about adoption, foster parenting, and big dreams. I do like how vibrant the story is, focusing on light drama then animal shenanigans.

Started reading Babe, the children’s book that was adapted into a movie from Chris Noonan. In the first chapter, Farmer Hogget goes to a fair and guesses a pigs weight.

Well, this is a small start. While I do appreciate the small introduction to our human characters, there is a sense that Babe could or could not be the main star of the show. I’m not sure, but I’ll give this book a few pages.

Up to Part 6 and now nearing the end of the book. Our hero’s have nearly accomplished their mission, but they have border guards and some loose ends to take care of.

Ok, so here’s something you don’t see every chapter, our heroes getting a power boost thanks to a power-up. To be honest, it was a nice final standoff while it lasted, and there are nice heart-to chats to go around.

Finished Chapters 35, 36, 37 & 38. It’s now Eleven Bells and the plan has gone off the rails. Will a bit of last minute improvisation planning save the day?

Well, these are some nail-biting chapters in the senses of ramping up the tension. I also enjoy the fact that the characters will do whatever it takes to obtain their goals, yet plan to be by their sides when things get hectic.

Finished Chapters 32, 33 & 34, where its’s now Ten Bells and a half chime. Unfortunately, the crew’s plans begin to fall apart as their second attempt to get Yul-Bayur goes off the rails in dramatic fashion.

Looks like I won’t be spoiling what happens in this chapter. But here are some keywords for what happens: tension, suspense, backstabbing, threat, Judar Parem, enemies return, a final showdown in the works

Finished Chapters 29, 30 & 31, where its’s already nine bells, 2 bells left until the crew’s time is up. Matthias & Kaz blends in, Jesper & Wayne distracts some guards, and Nina & Inej attend a party.

Looks like there is a bit of intrigue going around, as our crew split up and go on their different paths, with some of them intersecting in different ways. This will lead to a pulse-pounding finale.

Finished chapters 27 & 28, the crew’s time is running out as it is now Eight Bells. After going their own separate ways, the crew reunites on the rooftop, where our crew forms two teams.

Now we’re getting into the intense part of the heist, as our crew forms two teams to infiltrate the Ice Court on different sides. Will they be able to accomplish the mission, or be caught red-handed?

Finished Part 4 & Chapters 25 & 26, where Inej & Kaz has their own missions in the heist, it’s also where we learn their backstories.

Ok, so we have learnt a little bit of their own backstories, where Inej is given a new lease on life & a better working space, while Kaz manages to become the crook we know today & learn the true identity of Pekka Rollins. Looks like the next few chapters are a race against time.

Looks like Chapters 22-24 are done and our crew have finally made it to the Ice Court to start their heist, yet it turns out the job is not as easy as it looks.

The action is heating up and it looks like there will be danger that is heading our protagonists way, including brute-force guards, dangerous cells and a few new additions to the place that would hinder our crew’s progress.

Started Part 4 & Finished Chapter 21, where the crew finally arrives in the beautiful city of Djerholm, and put their plan into action, yet Kaz’s mental state may crack under the seems.

Looks like we have gotten a bit of a hint at Kaz’s greatest fear, and I’m not going to spoil what happens, but it may involve his troubled past. I do like when people who are tough on the outside have a hidden tragic centre.

Finished both Part 3 & chapter 20, where Matthias & Nina’s friendship grew in a flashback, was tainted over the years (I.e. the entirety of the book up until this point) and how an unexpected battle rekindled their partnership.

Looks like we have a potential opposition that wants Bo Yul-Bayer dead as opposed to being taken alive by Kaz. Will this conflict come into play later. Let’s wait and see.

Finished Chapter 19, where our team, called the Six of Crows finally arrive in the frozen wasteland not far off from the Ice Court. From there, they traverse the frozen weather, take a look at a flashback featuring Matthias & Nina, and uncover a disturbing sight.

Looks like we have another chapter of world-building & character backstory. This could be the most informative fantasy novel of all time.

Finished Chapters 17 & 18, where Inej is slowly starting to heel and opens up the backstories of her other crewmates, Jesper & Kaz. The former gets to tell his own backstory, while the other regrets giving out hints of his backstory, segueing into his own backstory.

Well, it looks like we a learning a bit about the mysterious Kaz’s backstory. I won’t be putting my thoughts on it though, that would be spoiling it

Started Part 3 & finished Chapter 17, where Inej & Nina care for each other and sing a sea shanty, while we learn a bit more about Inej’s backstory and how she quit being a hooker & joined Kaz.

Well, looks like it is a bit of a cozy episode & an informative episode all rolled into one, as we learn about Inej’s tragic backstory. Also, looks like Pekka Rollins is gearing up to be a greater-scope villain, I think.

Finished Chapter 18 and therefore Part 2, in this chapter, after a very dangerous shootout, Kaz, Matthias, Nina, Wayne & Jesper go over the plan one more time and revise it accordingly.

Ok, so we have our breather chapter that’s all about looking over their plan. I do admit it’s a pretty breezy chapter with them just talking, after chapters of tragic backstories and violence. Their peace won’t last long though

Finished Chapter 14, where Nina tends to Inej’s wounds and we get a glimpse of her past, and how she eventually has a bad first impression on Matthias.

Well, at least we learned how the rift between Nina & Matthias started now. Before he was a warrior in the Hellshows, he was one of the soldiers for an authoritarian government that sends anyone to the Ice Court. It also ends with a conversation between the two.

Looks like a shootout at the docks has occurred and our band of heroes have gotten themselves into a gunfight with the opposing gangs. We did get to see some backstory on Jesper & Inej’s past and we did get a bit of bloody violence out of the whole ordeal.

Whatever the case, Chapters 11-13 are pretty action packed, with the last one being a slight cool down. Will our heroes succeed in their goals. Let’s find out