Book Review: The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas November 28, 2009
Posted by pacejmiller in Book Reviews, Religion.Tags: agnostic, Ariane Sherine, atheist, Atheist Bus Campaign, Atheists Guide to Christmas, Catholic, Christian, Richard Dawkins, Terrence Higgins Trust
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Fear not, religious nuts. Atheists have not yet taken over the world. Not yet, anyway.
Remember the infamous Atheist Bus Campaign that stirred up all that controversy at the end of 2008? You know, the posters on the side of UK buses that said: ‘There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”? Well, Ariane Sherine, the creator of that campaign, has come up with yet another brilliant idea.
The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas is a clever collection of 42 mini-essays about the birth date of Jesus Christ contributed by an assortment of well-known people from all walks of life. Stand-up comedians, scientists, writers, journalists, filmmakers, cartoonists and bloggers. And the one thing all of them have in common? None of them believe in God. Any God.
Now, I use the term ‘well-known’ loosely, as there are many names in the list that I’m sure many are not familiar with. The ones people should at least recognise include Derren Brown (the illusionist who does all that freaky mind control stuff), Zoe Margolis (blog author of Girl with a One-Track Mind), Brian Cox (the physicist – though I erroneously thought it was the Scottish actor from X-Men 2), and of course, the most famous atheist of them all, Mr God Delusion himself, Richard Dawkins.
As for the names you don’t recognise, there is a helpful biographies section at the end. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about this section until I got there. A shame, because if I had read about who the authors are and what they do before reading their respective essays it would have put their words in the proper perspective (potential readers take note).
The various essays are separated into categories: Stories, Science, How To, Philosophy, Arts and Events. However, I think this was just to make things more manageable for the reader, as each essay is written so differently and touch on such a wide array of issues and themes that it would have been impossible to classify them with any degree of specificity. The essays range from personal stories and experiences about how they lost their faith, to opinions on what Christmas means to them as an atheist; from complex scientific explanations to discussions on Christmas shopping, gifts, parties, music, film and literature. You really do get a broad spectrum of views, as some authors were brought up as Catholics, some are Jews, while others were raised by atheist or agnostic parents.
While you may not find all the essays appealing or interesting, the good thing with having 42 different entries is that you can pick and choose what you want to read, and skip, skim or come back (or not) to the others. The entries range from just a couple of pages up to 10 pages at the very most, so even if you skip a few completely, you won’t feel as though you’re wasting the book.
My favourite essay of the lot is by comedian Catie Wilkins, who wrote a hilarious yet heart-felt little piece called ‘110 Love Street’. As a film lover, I also liked ‘An Atheist at the Movies’ by David Baddiel and Arvind Ethan David, who discuss everything from The Golden Compass to The Passion of the Christ to Contact. Of course, the big names don’t disappoint either. Derren Brown’s piece ‘On Kindness’ and Richard Dawkins’ original Christmas story ‘The Great Bus Mystery’ are both fabulously written and exceptionally well thought out. Even if you don’t agree with where they are coming from you can at least marvel at their intellect.
I know many religious people will scoff at such a book (especially one with this title), but it is honestly quite harmless. There is nothing grossly offensive to be found between the covers (unless you are a nutjob). It can definitely be enjoyed by agnostics (referred to by Sherine as ‘eggnostics’) and non-self-righteous, open-minded religious folk (who aren’t crazy). At the end of the day, The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas is a funny, eye-opening read that turned out to be more educational than I could have imagined. It would make a great gift for Christmas, especially since 50% of the overall total profit from the book goes to the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. For religious fanatics who ‘refuse to read such nonsense’ (or are just too lazy to turn the page), the book is also available in audio format on iTunes.
4 out of 5 stars!
Book Review: ‘The Shadow of the Wind’ by Carlos Ruiz Zafón October 24, 2009
Posted by pacejmiller in Book Reviews.Tags: Barcelona, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Fermin Romero de Torres, Lucia Graves, Shadow of the Wind, The Angel's Game, The Shadow of the Wind, Zafon
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When I first saw Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s popular masterpiece, The Shadow of the Wind, at the local bookstore, I was immediately drawn by the book’s unique title and its plain but intriguing cover illustration. However, it wasn’t until my fellow blogger at theninthdragonking recommended it that I decided to give it a go.
I just finished it today and all I can say is ‘wow’. This guy, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, can really write, and the translator Lucia Graves (who converted the book from its original Spanish), can really translate.
The Shadow of the Wind is regarded as a tribute to 19th century gothic novels, something I admit I have never read before. It tells the story of a young boy in post-Civil War Barcelona, whose life is changed forever when he comes across a rare book written by an obscure author who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. It is a coming-of-age story about books, love, friendship and fate, with just a hint of the supernatural. At times it is frightening, and other times it can be heartwarming, shocking, gut-wrenching – sometimes all at once. It is the type of book that makes you want to read it again immediately after you finish it. It is the kind of novel that gives you goosebumps.
I don’t think the The Shadow of the Wind falls within any specific genre. I guess I would simply call it good, old fashioned story-telling. The narrative just blew my mind. The words spilled off the page and into my imagination. The pacing was superb, the mysterious plot unfolding with atmospheric tension and suspense. Zafon makes you believe in his characters, and each one of them has a story to tell. The clear standout for me would have to be the charming, hilarious and loyal friend of the narrator, Fermin Romero de Torres, one of the most memorable characters I’ve ever come across on page.
If I have anything negative to say about the book, it’s that sometimes it gets just a little too melodramatic. A bit too over the top. If a lesser author attempted the same thing, it would probably be a disaster, but Zafon, for the most part, manages to pull it off. Another minor complaint is that some of the subplots were a tad too long and unnecessarily complicated. I guess you could say it’s a part of the book’s charm but because of that I felt the story dragged on a bit, especially in the first half of the book. For me, the second half of the novel was utterly unputdownable, so by contrast the first half was slightly weaker.
Ultimately, a great read, and from a writer’s perspective, terrific to learn from, in particular for characterization and building suspense. I am already looking forward to picking up the ‘prequel’ to The Shadow of the Wind, the recently released The Angel’s Game.
4.5 stars out of 5
Book Review: ‘The Lost Symbol’ by Dan Brown September 23, 2009
Posted by pacejmiller in Book Reviews.Tags: Angels and Demons, Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown, Freemasonry, Lost Symbol, Mason, new novel, Noetic Science, Robert Langdon, The Lost Symbol
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I just finished reading the most eagerly anticipated, non-Harry Potter book in history, Dan Brown’s latest, The Lost Symbol. So what did I think of it? Very interesting, very exciting and very Dan Brown. But at the end of the day, it was no Da Vinci Code.
That said, it would be pretty unreasonable to expect Brown to write a better follow-up to one of the most read novels of all time (as stated in his bio on the book jacket!). The pressure he felt must have been mind-boggling, which may explain why the book took so bloody long to finish!
What’s it about?
The Lost Symbol is the third adventure featuring Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (in movie terms that’s Tom Hanks), and takes place over the course of an evening in the US capital of Washington DC. As correctly predicted, it involves a mysterious figure, lots of problems to solve involving codes and symbols, a fascinating blend of fact and fiction, and of course, a race against time. Oh, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
What’s good about it?
One thing you can’t deny about The Lost Symbol is that it’s highly addictive. Brown knows how to push his readers’ buttons, using a compulsive blend of interesting factoids, short chapters, hooks and multiple interchanging subplots to keep readers flicking the pages. Just about every chapter ends in a cliffhanger, though the resolution usually doesn’t come until a couple of chapters later (if that). As a result, you’ll find yourself in a perpetual state of wanting to find out what happens next! It’s a formula Dan Brown has used in just about all his novels, and he’s clearly getting very good at it.
The Lost Symbol is the type of book you can get, well, lost in. It’s advisable to read long chunks in one sitting because there are so many layers of mysteries and subplots stacked on top of each other that it’s easy to forget or get confused unless it’s all fresh in your mind.
What’s not so good about it?
The story itself – to be honest, is nothing special. There is this overarching conspiracy theory regarding Freemasonry and the link between the human mind and the universe (I know, I know), and while it does traverse issues regarding religion, I don’t quite think it has the same ‘pop’ as The Da Vinci Code (or even Angels & Demons) when it comes to causing controversy. It’s just too easy to laugh off. That said, I do like the theory that Brown puts forward in the novel. Yes it’s out there and it probably risks incurring the wrath of every religion around the world, but strangely, it kind of rings true.
Notwithstanding all of that, some parts of the novel do feel somewhat contrived. When Brown wants to make a big deal out of something (or nothing), he really goes all out, regardless of whether it warrants such a fuss. It’s like he feels he needs to convince you of its magnitude through exaggerated overreaction from his characters and an ample dose of italics. Those who have read the book know what I mean. There’s so much hype and so much build up running throughout the novel, and at the end of the day when all is revealed, you can’t help but go ‘meh’.
Furthermore, while I know it is a Dan Brown novel, I must point out that a lot of stuff in the book doesn’t really make sense if you apply some thought to it.
The characters are also not particularly inspiring. Langdon is your typical cardboard protagonist, the archetypal reluctant hero with a big brain and a solid helping of skepticism (even when you just know he’s wrong!) but unfortunately, zero personality. However, we all know that about Langdon already, so it’s no surprise. With all the stuff poor Langdon’s been going through over the last few years I like to think of him as the intellectual Jack Bauer with no combat skills. Of course, there’s also the strong-minded semi-love interest, the mentor, the mysterious helper, the decoy and the tortured-soul villain with a hidden motive. Typical Dan Brown stuff really.
As for Brown’s writing, I won’t go into that too much because I don’t feel I’m qualified to critique it, even if that writer has been panned a lot by critics. Though I will say that I honestly think Dan Brown has improved as a writer since The Da Vinci Code.
Dan Brown doing the pose that says 'I'm a douche' more than any other pose
However…
The appeal of Dan Brown’s books has never been his writing prowess. It’s always been Brown’s ability to churn out a believable mixture of fact and fiction using obscure pieces of information – information that ordinary people find interesting but can’t be bothered expending the effort to research. Inserting this information into a fast-paced action story, however, gives it a whole new perspective. People may scoff at this suggestion, but I guess you can say that Dan Brown’s books, apart from providing entertainment, also have some educational value. It’s just that sometimes the readers aren’t smart enough to figure out which is which.
To me, what is most impressive about The Lost Symbol is Brown’s ability to create complex labyrinths of puzzles and codes by linking them to something based in reality. The amount of time, research, thought and effort in creating them must be astounding. Like Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol is fantastic at utilising the landmarks of the place in which the story takes place. We’ve had Rome and we’ve had Paris – now add Washington DC to the list. I wonder where Dan Brown will take us next?
A final point worth noting is that Brown has ensured that The Lost Symbol is a book relevant to its time, with numerous references to popular culture and the latest fads. It fits in well with the book’s ultimate message about our world today.
In conclusion…
As I said in my First Impressions post, the timing of my review is a good yardstick for what I thought of the novel. I bought the book on the day of its release (15 September) and it took me around 9 days to complete (I probably would have taken longer had it not been for the 2-hour traffic jam I experienced on Sunday thanks to the Sydney Marathon).
For a slightly overlong 509-page book with reasonably small font, I’d say that puts ‘The Lost Symbol’ in the middle of the pack. In the Dan Brown hierarchy, I’d place The Lost Symbol firmly after The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. It’s not quite as good as those two in my opinion, but it’s significantly better than Digital Fortress and Deception Point.
3.5 out of 5 stars!
[PS: I’d be very interested to know whether the slew of ‘prediction books’ that came out around the time ‘The Lost Symbol’ was announced (back then as ‘The Solomon Key’) came close to guessing what the book was about. My guess is a firm NO.]
[PPS: What's the bet there will be a huge upsurge in searches on 'Noetic science'?]
First Impressions: Dan Brown’s ‘The Lost Symbol’! September 16, 2009
Posted by pacejmiller in Book Reviews.Tags: Dan Brown, first impressions, new book, review, Robert Langdon, The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol
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The Lost Symbol is out!
I’m not going to lie. I went out and bought Dan Brown’s latest novel ‘The Lost Symbol‘ on the first day of its release today.
There was surprisingly little buzz surrounding the release. I had expected Harry Potter-esque queues and people dressed up as Robert Langdon rubbing their hands outside bookstores from midnight – but alas, no such scenes were to be seen. Just stacks of copies piled behind a sign in every book store and retail outlet with no one around them.
Maybe Dan Brown waited too long since ‘The Da Vinci Code’ to release this one and fickle readers have moved on. Since that infamous book, the market has been saturated with ‘Dan Brown specials’ – books that weave together fact and fiction into high speed thrillers. Some of them were probably even better written. My guess is that it’ll still be a colossal bestseller, but just how colossal depends on word-of-mouth and early reviews.
First Impressions
When the book was initially announced for release, I wrote a post pondering what the book would be like and about. Well, I’m about 4 chapters in and it’s panning out to be a typical Dan Brown book. My hard-cover version is a solid 509 pages with smaller-than-expected font, and begins with the usual ‘Fact’ page followed by a ‘what the heck was that?’ Prologue. So far, so good. I’m not sure if I am imagining this, but has Dan Brown become a better writer in the last few years?
Anyway, check this space for a review of the book. I suppose if the book is good, you’ll see the review soon, but if there’s a long wait, you’ll know why. However, unlike those literary snobs who look down at Dan Brown books because they think his writing is beneath them, I’m going to actually read the book before commenting.
Book Review: ‘The Pin Striped Prison’ by Lisa Pryor September 1, 2009
Posted by pacejmiller in Book Reviews.Tags: bankers, Julian Morrow, Law, lawyers, Lisa Pryor, management consultants, Pin Striped Prison, stress, The Chaser, writers, Writing
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The Pin Striped Prison: How overachievers get trapped incorporate jobs they hate by Lisa Pryor was given to me by a mate, a fellow lawyer, just before he was about to leave to work in Singapore (right after working in New York). I thought, if you take out the ‘overachievers’ bit, this book could be describing my life!
Well, I just finished reading it. You would have thought such a book would be somewhat dry, but it’s actually very funny, frightening, and for the most part, a brutally accurate description of how many high flying corporate workers of this generation feel about their jobs. Of course, those that are currently in the unfortunate position she details in the book will be able to relate the most.
The book focuses on three types of jobs – lawyers, bankers and management consultants, though Pryor focuses more on lawyers than the other two because of her background in law. She may or may not have even provided quotes from the staff at one of the places I worked at (and will be returning to shortly)!
You’re probably thinking – what do these lucky people have to whinge about? They’ve always been at the top of the food chain academically or athletically or socially (and in some cases all three) at school and are now working in jobs millions can only dream of getting into. Pryor, a former law student who topped the state during high school, says that it’s not as glorious as outsiders like to think. The top high school students tend to be siphoned into the ‘prestigious’ courses at university, choosing a path based on what their mark allows them to get into rather than where their interest lies. These students are then targeted by the big bad firms who wine and dine them with promises of big bucks and glorious, exciting work. By the time they realise it’s all been a huge mistake and that they hate what they do, can’t stand the ridiculous hours or the stress, they find it difficult to get out – because of mortgages and lifestyles to maintain, expectations of parents and friends, pride, and fear of failure.
Pryor calls this a kind of ‘brain drain’ that is affecting our culture by pushing the nation’s best minds into the same few professions in the private sector. She draws upon many real life examples, including the astronomical number of Rhodes scholars that end up working for major consulting firms. There are also plenty of comments from those who have managed to escape the vicious cycle, or those that are still trapped in it. Some aren’t afraid to give their real names, while others prefer to to use pseudonyms.
However, The Pin Striped Prison is not without problems. Because I make the same mistake, I’ve noticed that Pryor has a tendency to want to put in every piece of information she has. Sometimes it only takes one example, two at the most, to demonstrate a point, but Pryor may use five or six. It gets to a point where you want to say ‘okay, I get the point, move on!’
Further, I didn’t agree with everything she said, in particular some views she expressed in the section on sexism. For instance, Pryor suggests that sexism is the reason why female lawyers who work part-time don’t get promoted to partnership as easily or quickly as those that work full-time. But is sexism really the problem here? Isn’t it more attributable to the fact that the lawyer who only works 3 days a week may not be able to service the client as well as one that works 5, or that if they worked for 5 years they have in reality only worked 3 (compared to full-timers)? If I took 2 days off a week to work on my novel, I certainly wouldn’t expect to be promoted to partnership (or at least as quickly as someone who worked full-time), no matter how hard I think I may have worked.
Most of all, while I enjoyed the book’s tone, Pryor does come across as too cynical at times. She does give the professions some credit, but some of the criticisms felt unjustifiably scathing, as though these large multinationals are truly the devil in disguise, plotting and scheming their way towards ruining more lives. Perhaps most significantly, Pryor was too smart to be dragged into this world in the first place, as she left her career in law before it even began. Though she worked as a paralegal and law clerk at major law firms (and her husband, Julian Morrow from comedy group The Chaser, worked as a proper lawyer for a while), she never actually worked the type of hours or endured the type of lifestyle she so vehemently rips into. As a result, there’s a credibility issue here. How can she say all these things if she never experienced it for herself? Sure, she recognises that some people ARE born to be lawyers, bankers or consultants (as tiny as that percentage is). However, there are also plenty of people who may not be born lawyers/bankers/consultants – BUT – are perfectly happy to work as one for the rest of their careers to reap the financial or social rewards. Needless to say, I’m not one of them, but I have met such people.
All that said, so much of The Pin Striped Prison rang true to me. I never got into law because I was seduced by the money or the lifestyle (and certainly not because I was interested in it!) – I was just one of those lost cases that got the marks but didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life and kind of stumbled into it by mistake when the other options fizzled out one by one. But I do feel the pain that is described in this book. Ahhh, if only I had the chance to do it all again. There are many passages that were so spot on that made me want to write them down. Here are two that I did.
‘For many lawyers, the pessimism they display is not inherent. They are pessimistic because they are not naturally lawyers. They are simply smart kids who have been shoehorned into the legal profession because we live in a culture which says that law is what smart kids study at university.”
“When you’re working as a lawyer and you’re unhappy as a lawyer, you spend a lot of time dreaming of other options. Although the law is an intellectually challenging profession it’s not a particularly creative one. I think that is why so many lawyers yearn to be writers.”
What? And I thought I was special.
Stumble It!
