J > Recent Status Updates

Theocracy is pretty dull.

If Genghis' children could have followed his lead more closely, we might all be speaking Mongolian.

We missed real life. It was dangerous, but real. Now we make up our problems

Ever feel like Tatars, the Merkits, and the Mongol aristocracy really blew it and could have been a little more resistant to Temujin?

Many say the author is hyperbolic in his praise of Genghis Khan and of the positive influence the Mongolian Empire had on the world. This may come true, but the beginning is a well written account of a powerful man's early years.

Myths are narrative patterns that give significance to our existence--(Rollo May).

The rise and fall of civilizations in the long, broad course of history can be seen to have been largely a function of the integrity and cogency of their supporting canons of myth; for not authority but aspiration is the motivator, builder, and transformer of civilization.

- Joseph Campbell

Joseph Campbell:

Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths.

Myth is much more important and true than history.

Mythology is the homeland of the muses, the inspirers of art.

Nearly as good as Aubrey-Maturin so far, and certainly a great example for O'Brien.

Almost done. The library wants their book back.

I commend myself for perseverance with this one. The 2nd half of the book may well prove the whole thing worth it.

Yes, it's taking me ages to finish this; but Jim is a romantic sort of fellow, you see...

Marlow is really obsessed with Jim. I wonder if Freud read Conrad. There is no direct evidence that he did, but parallel themes can easily be found.

Strange form of narration. Great writing. Inventive at the time, no doubt.

The narrative structure was considered inventive in its day. Now it's merely irritating; but I am beginning to see some light. The writing is stellar.

A bad start. I'll give it to page 100.

Is Anne Rice an energy vampire?

There is nothing more annoying than a lugubrious blood sucker.

I'm wearing button-down jeans by Levi's, a Frank Zappa shirt from TeePublic, and Crevo wingtips in oxblood. I've killed 20, maybe 40 people... in my imagination.

One of the best combinations of literary and entertaining fiction in novel form, at least so far along in the book. Enough references to medieval and Renaissance art and history to make Humberto Eco proud while retaining the page-turning thrill to satisfy Stephen King fans. Very rarefied air for Thomas Harris. His writing is not lauded enough.

Uneven, episodic, but well written.

A whole chapter read in an Indian accent? Can't blame the author for that annoyance. The enjoyment of an audio book is half reliant on the person reading it. Patrick Tull and Grove Gardner are hard to beat.

If trees could talk, we wouldn't listen.