Charles Miller > Recent Status Updates

death motif

I’m finding this much more engaging than when I first tried to read it 2 or so years ago. While yes, there isn’t a lot directly happening, the character relations and environment of Paris combined with Hemingway’s great prose are making for a great read so far (Even if it’s just been a bunch of lost drunks falling to vices in Paris).

Very much enjoying this. I have to really focus in order to practice comprehension or pick up speed, but I imagine I should be doing that with books any way.

The emotions and perspectives of the two main characters: Frankenstein and his monster, are very entrancing and well-written. I foresee the great set-up for conflict and tragedy and look forward to them both.

This book is essentially following dream logic in a setting where dreaming would otherwise be impossible and that’s very ironic and funny.

Super cool so far. Whereas King felt creepy due to the growing sense of discomfort that the novel produced, this seems to put an emphasis on shock factor. The medium of manga really suits this: each page turn is a surprise, and once you make that turn you’re immediately hit with what that surprise is. There’s always a chance that next page presents you with something shocking, uncomfortable, and yet alluring.

Much easier to read than Tolkien and very intriguing! Loving the writing style in this one so far, the thoughts breaking into spoken dialogue and descriptions.

“When I Felt the Buller Enter My Heart” is such a great chapter, a wonderful respite from satire and about as straightforward of a message as Vonnegut will ever give.

“Orange and black”

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still, there is much that is fair, and though when all of the lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” - Haldir

A nice pickle we have landed ourselves in is right Sam. The council of Elrond being (I believe) the longest chapter of the book was quite a journey. While I understand the gist of everything being spoken, it seems to me that the book’s scope just expanded tenfold. Maybe it will all come together soon, but as of right now I’m slightly overwhelmed.

Really good depiction of falling asleep while paying attention to something.

Really weird bit about seeing a shadow when dealing with the ring in front of Bilbo. I’m surprised they brought him back so quickly. Maybe he’s not as 100% good as you would imagine?

“The night was railing against the morning of which it was bereaved, and the cold was cursing the warmth for which it hungered.”

I like how in the book so far, all trouble that comes to Frodo is constructed to make using the ring so enticing.

“They seem a bit above my likes and dislikes, so to speak… so old and young, so gay and sad, as it were”

Sam with the bangers.

“Well, sir, if I could grow apples like that, I would call myself a gardener. But it was the singing that went to my heart, if you know what I mean.”

Love some absolute delirium every now and again. Sam is my favorite character so far.

“To cry is to waste the feeling. He needs to dance with it. Crying is for when there’s nothing else to do.”

Tommy expressing “humanity” by drawing inanimate *mechanical* animals is an interesting note. Something that would normally be very alive and human turned not.

The book’s piece-wise and constructive look at our human nature and tendencies blurs the area between these people being just like us and not. Are their patterns and actions being so deeply highlighted to show their inherent inhumanity, or is it to point out the existence of these in all people?

I think “Never let me go” is in reference to humanity, both in its personal singularity and outward multiplicity. Never lose humanity, neither yourself nor those around you.

Remember - never let me go - song - interpretation by narrator about having a baby despite odds

It’s an interesting choice to have the worth of “non-humans” decided by the art they create.

Pgs 186-188 might be the best transcription of live music I’ve ever consumed

“That’s what Dean was, the HOLY GOOF.”

A good name for something

“We were all delighted, we all realized we were leaving confusion and no sense behind and performing our one and noble function of the time, *move*.

“We were all delighted, we all realized we were leaving confusion and no sense behind and performing our one and noble function of the time, *move*.

🌱

“Just cause you feel it, doesn’t mean it’s there.”

Very powerful so far.

Finally through (practically) this whole book. All in all I enjoyed it more than my initial reaction gave on, and it mostly helped me open my eyes to more ways of culture that both coincide and diverge from ones that I find myself in. More words soonish?