Parable Of The Talens written by Octavia E. Butler is a fascinating fictional tale of a future Christian America. A world where corrupt Christian America is starting more and more unnecessary war,and even more unnecessary "crusades" on their own people, Olamania tries to start her own community, her own religion, and her own way of life. Just as she gets her little compound progressing at a good pace the radical Christian Americans take it away, how will she survive the Nazi like behavior of her captors? With her super sensitive ability how will Olamania survive a world filled with such chaos and horror? The sequel of a trio trilogy this book will not allow you to put it down for even a second. If you are expecting to read this book prepare to be engrossed with it's contents. If you have an open mind and like to challenge your own beliefs then this book is a must read. You will be questioning your religion, your own being, and humanity in itself!
What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?
Octavia Butler created this book as a reflection towards the human behavior. The way the Christian Americans see any other people that have a different religion or even a different variation of Christianity is immediately deemed as a heathen and sent to a correctional facility. Of course these facilities are not actually meant to correct you, but more as an imprisonment camp. Everyone inside the camp is forced to wear a shock collar, the perfect tool since it never leaves a mark AND creates so much pain when activated, the most efficient tool in the time. People are forced to destroy their own religious symbols in public and dig their friend's graves. Forced to memorize bible verses in conditions identical possibly worse then the Nazi camps. They hypocritical Christians who say sex is horrible before marriage go about raping girls and men as they please. I believe Octavia is trying to explain to us how it's not going to take much at all to revert back to times similar to the Nazis. Only this time noone is for certain what side of conflict you will be on. Anyone could be the oppressor and anyone could be the oppressed. Octavia is telling us without a complete acceptance of all religions, "races", and sexes average day life could turn out to be world full of chaos. Octavia brings up the idea of modern day slavery and how it is so much easier to accomplish with newly designed shock collars. While some people might think this is too horrid or grotesque to be true, it is already possible. A simple slip of a dog collar around a unknowing human can have the same effects. Above all I believe Ocatavia's main idea to try to get into people's minds is that your life's results depends on what you do. If you want something to thrive you have to put the effort, time, and wise planning to get the deed accomplished. The main character Olamania was constantly being told to give up on Earthseed. No matter what she paid them no mind and kept the belief and spread the word to as many people as possible. Having been through severe pain, rape, mugged, homeless, and all the terrible things you could think of Olmania does what ever is in her power to keep Earthseed's vision alive.
For what audience(s) is this book intended, and how can you tell? (In other words, for whom would you recommend this book?)
This book is intended for people of young adults or people in search of finding out what they truly believe deep down. If you ever find yourself thinking, "Wow I'm not all to certain the religion i follow is that of a good one" then this book will make you really think WOW could this really happen? Could blind faith push people to do such disgusting things to their fellow human? For me i kind of found this books religious stand points amazing. I already have a biased towards the Christian religion and found the Earth Seed was a very nice change of pace then the normal teachings i hear from other religions. "God is change and change is God. You can influence God and therefore you have the power to change anything." I think that is a very solid way of thinking. People who would like to lose themselves in a good fiction book will get into this. This book will pull you inside and won't spit you back out until your eyes have poured over every single word. This book actually has quite a dark atmosphere. With the happy events occuring mainly in the beginning and sparse it's not a feel good book for those looking for one. This book is directed to people who have a knack for looking deeper into things. Not everything is as it seems in this book. Almost everything has a deeper meaning and reflects back on the mistakes we are making in the present that add up to the post apocalyptic world the Olmania lives in. Global warming is destroying crops and causing massive floods, the US is fighting countries (and states) that you would think would never be necessary and are still questionable, US has sold their space program to the Japanese even after they found life on Mars!, and other such things as gangs raiding each other. If you like knitty gritty survival books pick this up in a heart beat. You will be able to witness how people survive through these times of disorder and how other don't survive.
Although there are a few typos i have caught this book is very professional and intriguing. If anyone asks me about the book i would instantly tell them to just read a random page and dare them to stop reading. What really made me attracted to the book is the post apocalyptic setting. Parable of The Talents did a wonderful job capturing the whole roughness and realism. The fact that EVERYTHING in the book sounds actually quite plausible if applicated to real world settings, is what gives this book a position in my top 10 books.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Steam Part 2 chapter 1
You will not understand what is happening unless you read the earlier parts to "Steam"
Taking note of the sun and its low position she knew she would be cutting it close. The House had a strict policy to not let anyone inside after the sun was down. Caution was of the utmost importance. They recently have had several raids and were not about to let it happen again. The House was not actually a house but a rundown shed where small group of people lived. Full of thieves and the poor it was not a place you would go for vacation. A small close gorup of 10 lived snugly inside. Hoarding and crafts was their income. One persons income was shared to everybody.
Rin only had one close friend in the House, she was the newest member of the close knit group. Only taking her in after finding her half covered in snow and dirt.Haru who was a genius with his hands, but as sharp as a light bulb made his income through creating weapons and other needs. He was often teased for being able to create such weapons, but being a fool when actually using them. He was friendly and useful, two aspects Rin loved to see in a person. Haru, unlike Rin, had been born into the group. He learned his trade from studying pictures in books and spying on blacksmiths. He was the one who created Rin's prized curved blade. Trying to make it special he added amber and a red dye into the cooling metals and that created a vibrant red scheme. Often boasting how original he was, but rarely anyone saw this side of Haru.
Rin arrived to the tiny shack that was on the outskirts of Kyoto. The ideal place for thieves. To be out of mind, yet close enough to the hectic streets to make a profit. Knocking along the side of the shed then three more times on the door the familiar creaking and hiss of steam ran through the entire building. As the gears creaked the door slowly raised upwards. The handle on the side of the door was for misleading purposes. Slipping inside quickly she quickly pulled a lever inside that made the door fall at an instant with a very loud thump. Inside were 6 people laying around waiting for the next day. Each person had their own little hidden stash that they never shared with the rest of them. Rin didn't really feel like she felt like she fit in with these people. Quickly and without making any eye contact she made a bee line to a closet in the very back of the rusty place. Inside was a staircase, the shed was actually built on top of a underground shelter.
The three kids of the group not including herself stayed down here. The youngest was an American stowaway that was kicked out. He was still 12, yet a master of pickpocketing and begging. His bright blue eyes attracted locals and soon emptied their wallets to help such a cutie. Rin was the oldest. She was 17 years old. In he her mind she was in her prime for stealing and scavenging. Haru was 16 but only behind Rin by three months. The last kid was 15 years old and a fugitive from northern Nippon. Europe's first steam planes were testing out their flight range when an Asian country took them down. Ever since Europe has been trying to invade every suspect-able Asian country for the past 3 years. Unfortunately they were making good progress and colonized half of china and India.
Taking note of the sun and its low position she knew she would be cutting it close. The House had a strict policy to not let anyone inside after the sun was down. Caution was of the utmost importance. They recently have had several raids and were not about to let it happen again. The House was not actually a house but a rundown shed where small group of people lived. Full of thieves and the poor it was not a place you would go for vacation. A small close gorup of 10 lived snugly inside. Hoarding and crafts was their income. One persons income was shared to everybody.
Rin only had one close friend in the House, she was the newest member of the close knit group. Only taking her in after finding her half covered in snow and dirt.Haru who was a genius with his hands, but as sharp as a light bulb made his income through creating weapons and other needs. He was often teased for being able to create such weapons, but being a fool when actually using them. He was friendly and useful, two aspects Rin loved to see in a person. Haru, unlike Rin, had been born into the group. He learned his trade from studying pictures in books and spying on blacksmiths. He was the one who created Rin's prized curved blade. Trying to make it special he added amber and a red dye into the cooling metals and that created a vibrant red scheme. Often boasting how original he was, but rarely anyone saw this side of Haru.
Rin arrived to the tiny shack that was on the outskirts of Kyoto. The ideal place for thieves. To be out of mind, yet close enough to the hectic streets to make a profit. Knocking along the side of the shed then three more times on the door the familiar creaking and hiss of steam ran through the entire building. As the gears creaked the door slowly raised upwards. The handle on the side of the door was for misleading purposes. Slipping inside quickly she quickly pulled a lever inside that made the door fall at an instant with a very loud thump. Inside were 6 people laying around waiting for the next day. Each person had their own little hidden stash that they never shared with the rest of them. Rin didn't really feel like she felt like she fit in with these people. Quickly and without making any eye contact she made a bee line to a closet in the very back of the rusty place. Inside was a staircase, the shed was actually built on top of a underground shelter.
The three kids of the group not including herself stayed down here. The youngest was an American stowaway that was kicked out. He was still 12, yet a master of pickpocketing and begging. His bright blue eyes attracted locals and soon emptied their wallets to help such a cutie. Rin was the oldest. She was 17 years old. In he her mind she was in her prime for stealing and scavenging. Haru was 16 but only behind Rin by three months. The last kid was 15 years old and a fugitive from northern Nippon. Europe's first steam planes were testing out their flight range when an Asian country took them down. Ever since Europe has been trying to invade every suspect-able Asian country for the past 3 years. Unfortunately they were making good progress and colonized half of china and India.
Friday, March 12, 2010
American Shaolin
So this is one of my first book reviews/ reflection it's martial arts based so yea...
American Shaolin
By Matthew Polly
This book was an amazing read, definitely glad I picked it up. At no moment is the story slow or uneventful. Matthew clearly knows how to tell what happened to him in such a way to draw attention. Matthew is the type of person who has a to do list. The top five that come first in his list are: 1. Stop being Ignorant 2. Stop being a coward 3.Be more of a man 4. Be more attractive 5. Find spirituality.
His first goal he accomplished by getting into Princeton. Matthew was tired of not knowing what other people were talking about that seemed so important. In turn he decided to give his all in school, and create a Spanish club to show his leadership potential. Luckily Princeton ate it up and gladly admitted his attendance. Matthew felt accomplished up until his third year in college. His list started appearing in his mind more often. Going towards one of his most favorite interests, Chinese culture and martial arts, he decided to travel to the Shaolin temple and accomplish more of his list there. Disregarding everything his friends and family said about China, he was set on finding the Shaolin temple and learning the teachings.
Once in China he quickly realizes that it’s not the same place that America has told him it was. It was no longer in severe poverty, but on an economic rise with higher sights in the future. After many dead ends he finally gets good advice on where the Shaolin temple is located. Upon arriving at the temple his excitement crashes down to a disappointment. The place was full of tourists, surely the Shaolin monks were in a more secluded area? After looking through the temple on display and several martial art schools that were erected in the area he finally found the Shaolin monks in a nice looking building. Upon stating his desire to train with the monks the buildings manager’s eyes quickly gleamed with dollar signs. Upon paying 1300 (U.S) a month he was allowed to stay and learn.
Matthews first day of training was intense. He had studied kung fu for about 3 years in high school, but this made all of his work seem like 3 weeks. He learned that kung fu was a form of moving mediation and that there was probably a fighting style for every animal imaginable. Matthew learned about the iron –body part- styles of fighting. In fact he was lucky enough to learn the iron forearm technique in which the ancient Chinese medicine doctor helped him learn. After the first day he was so incredibly soar that he had to use his arms to make his feet walk. Instead of resting the monks encouraged him to keep going through the exercises (which they did two rounds of a day) and sure enough in a week his body was used to the difficult tasks. No one seemed to respect him since he was just another white foreigner who was in over his head, and would eventually end up quitting. In an attempt to prove them wrong he decided to train 7 hours a day instead of the usual amount. The monks began to notice this and a few started to visit him in his hotel despite the elder monks dis-advising them to.
Deqing is Matthews first and best friend in the temple. They first meet each other during an interview of why Matthew came to china. While Matthew was stumbling over his Chinese Diqing winked at him and encouraged him to speak up more. Later in a restaurant Diqing gets challenged to a match, but instead Matthew is sent in to assess the opponents skill. Although nervous Matthew was glad to help out his best friend in the temple.
Coach Chen is one responsible for teaching Matthew while he is in China. Matthew did not know this at the time, but this was a huge task. Most monks don’t mind teaching a foreigner, but that’s when they are there for a few days or weeks. Matthew was there for two years so in that time frame Coach Chen had very little time to work on his own technique. Although immensely burdened by this Coach eventually saw past Matthews foreignness and started to see what he was really like instead of what everyone else expected of him. (Such as knowing famous Americans)
The conclusion of the story has Matthew getting second place in a tournament, and getting his top 5 to do list crossed off. Although now living in America Matthew keeps contact with the monks (via letters) and travels around America giving presentations.
This book is definitely on of my favorite reads. Straight from the beginning I could relate to the author. His great interest in an Asian culture, the need to improve yourself, physically (although he is a lot bigger than I in height we weigh around the same) and a sense of wanting to learn everything and anything that will stick in your mind. I feel as though the author and I would be able to talk for hours and be good friends.
The first sense of wonderment once you finally start getting in deeper into a martial art is shared between us. Although I’m not as dedicated as Mat, I still try my best and try to improve myself. Although at time seems very difficult as I have some habits that are hard to break, such as keeping my head down. My first impression of martial arts was like something as a show or performance. I’m really just beginning to see all of the different aspects of martial arts of all kinds not just Shaolin or Judo. The kazushi (spelling?) and balance is so important. I never really noticed, but during a match I find myself more focused on trying to keep myself balanced. Kazushi is rather difficult for me to do fast, and still relatively difficult to do even at a slower pace. So much goes on that you have to be really focused. From reading this book and reflecting on what I do in class really makes me want to meditate more.
I really like how the author was a 98lb scrawny guy. He proved that with dedication it doesn’t matter what your build is. I love how he advanced so much in 2 years, a short time for a Shaolin monk. Although Mat is considered at a really low class, he has improved in so many ways. American Shaolin also touches upon spirituality. To mediate while in motion, it seems inconceivable to me how you can be moving in such ways while trying to keep my mind blank. Heck, its hard enough keeping your mind blank.
This book also made me think about all the different kinds of fighting styles. Its amazing how with one body and several different minds can make the body intricate and distinct movements that are so easy for some and impossible for others. Definitely in top 10 favorite books.
American Shaolin
By Matthew Polly
This book was an amazing read, definitely glad I picked it up. At no moment is the story slow or uneventful. Matthew clearly knows how to tell what happened to him in such a way to draw attention. Matthew is the type of person who has a to do list. The top five that come first in his list are: 1. Stop being Ignorant 2. Stop being a coward 3.Be more of a man 4. Be more attractive 5. Find spirituality.
His first goal he accomplished by getting into Princeton. Matthew was tired of not knowing what other people were talking about that seemed so important. In turn he decided to give his all in school, and create a Spanish club to show his leadership potential. Luckily Princeton ate it up and gladly admitted his attendance. Matthew felt accomplished up until his third year in college. His list started appearing in his mind more often. Going towards one of his most favorite interests, Chinese culture and martial arts, he decided to travel to the Shaolin temple and accomplish more of his list there. Disregarding everything his friends and family said about China, he was set on finding the Shaolin temple and learning the teachings.
Once in China he quickly realizes that it’s not the same place that America has told him it was. It was no longer in severe poverty, but on an economic rise with higher sights in the future. After many dead ends he finally gets good advice on where the Shaolin temple is located. Upon arriving at the temple his excitement crashes down to a disappointment. The place was full of tourists, surely the Shaolin monks were in a more secluded area? After looking through the temple on display and several martial art schools that were erected in the area he finally found the Shaolin monks in a nice looking building. Upon stating his desire to train with the monks the buildings manager’s eyes quickly gleamed with dollar signs. Upon paying 1300 (U.S) a month he was allowed to stay and learn.
Matthews first day of training was intense. He had studied kung fu for about 3 years in high school, but this made all of his work seem like 3 weeks. He learned that kung fu was a form of moving mediation and that there was probably a fighting style for every animal imaginable. Matthew learned about the iron –body part- styles of fighting. In fact he was lucky enough to learn the iron forearm technique in which the ancient Chinese medicine doctor helped him learn. After the first day he was so incredibly soar that he had to use his arms to make his feet walk. Instead of resting the monks encouraged him to keep going through the exercises (which they did two rounds of a day) and sure enough in a week his body was used to the difficult tasks. No one seemed to respect him since he was just another white foreigner who was in over his head, and would eventually end up quitting. In an attempt to prove them wrong he decided to train 7 hours a day instead of the usual amount. The monks began to notice this and a few started to visit him in his hotel despite the elder monks dis-advising them to.
Deqing is Matthews first and best friend in the temple. They first meet each other during an interview of why Matthew came to china. While Matthew was stumbling over his Chinese Diqing winked at him and encouraged him to speak up more. Later in a restaurant Diqing gets challenged to a match, but instead Matthew is sent in to assess the opponents skill. Although nervous Matthew was glad to help out his best friend in the temple.
Coach Chen is one responsible for teaching Matthew while he is in China. Matthew did not know this at the time, but this was a huge task. Most monks don’t mind teaching a foreigner, but that’s when they are there for a few days or weeks. Matthew was there for two years so in that time frame Coach Chen had very little time to work on his own technique. Although immensely burdened by this Coach eventually saw past Matthews foreignness and started to see what he was really like instead of what everyone else expected of him. (Such as knowing famous Americans)
The conclusion of the story has Matthew getting second place in a tournament, and getting his top 5 to do list crossed off. Although now living in America Matthew keeps contact with the monks (via letters) and travels around America giving presentations.
This book is definitely on of my favorite reads. Straight from the beginning I could relate to the author. His great interest in an Asian culture, the need to improve yourself, physically (although he is a lot bigger than I in height we weigh around the same) and a sense of wanting to learn everything and anything that will stick in your mind. I feel as though the author and I would be able to talk for hours and be good friends.
The first sense of wonderment once you finally start getting in deeper into a martial art is shared between us. Although I’m not as dedicated as Mat, I still try my best and try to improve myself. Although at time seems very difficult as I have some habits that are hard to break, such as keeping my head down. My first impression of martial arts was like something as a show or performance. I’m really just beginning to see all of the different aspects of martial arts of all kinds not just Shaolin or Judo. The kazushi (spelling?) and balance is so important. I never really noticed, but during a match I find myself more focused on trying to keep myself balanced. Kazushi is rather difficult for me to do fast, and still relatively difficult to do even at a slower pace. So much goes on that you have to be really focused. From reading this book and reflecting on what I do in class really makes me want to meditate more.
I really like how the author was a 98lb scrawny guy. He proved that with dedication it doesn’t matter what your build is. I love how he advanced so much in 2 years, a short time for a Shaolin monk. Although Mat is considered at a really low class, he has improved in so many ways. American Shaolin also touches upon spirituality. To mediate while in motion, it seems inconceivable to me how you can be moving in such ways while trying to keep my mind blank. Heck, its hard enough keeping your mind blank.
This book also made me think about all the different kinds of fighting styles. Its amazing how with one body and several different minds can make the body intricate and distinct movements that are so easy for some and impossible for others. Definitely in top 10 favorite books.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sneek peek and books
I was always fascinated by alternate realities in novels and stories in general. Where the author obliterated history as we know it and wrote in what he thought would be a much more interesting or suitable history for the planet, or even universe. Well i guess there is an official word on this that i must have blanked on, Fantasy. The mind can roam and you can let out your originality. The very few free writing or "fun" writing i do on my spare time is 99% fantasy. I feel as though writing about the world as we know it a bit restricting. This time around I am trying my best to mix actual facts with uhm overly fantastical fantasy. Say that 50 times fast,tiring huh?
The setting will be in Japan (mainly) and probably later on in the story our main character Rin (girl) will have to travel to get certain tasks done. Japan just has such beautiful scenery and i can of course artistically blend certain elements together to make it so much more alluring. My all time favorite genres are action/adventure/romance/fantasy, actually not all that hard to find, but I find most bland. In a simple way i really enjoy reading good writing, and have a immense disdain for crappy writing. Very recently i have grown fond of reading about zombies and post-apocalyptic settings. Although i highly doubt there will be any zombies inside this story, there will be plenty of action and i am going to try to do my best a writing a love angle.
Another thing i am trying new is to have the quick writes as a direct influence on they story. From the very first line to the second scenery change have all been taken from a quick write we have done in class. Unlike my first story this one will not be written in a first person view. I found that it was rather difficult to explain and describe from a single persons eyes. This story will be a third person view just for the easier way of expressing what i see in my head onto the paper/computer.
One of my ambitions is to become a manga author. I have so many friends who draw in the manga art style and i would love to join something i already dedicate so much time into reading. I hope anyone reading this will check up next week on maybe the first chapter or half of the first chapter of this story that is developing as your eyes scan these words. Toodles~
The setting will be in Japan (mainly) and probably later on in the story our main character Rin (girl) will have to travel to get certain tasks done. Japan just has such beautiful scenery and i can of course artistically blend certain elements together to make it so much more alluring. My all time favorite genres are action/adventure/romance/fantasy, actually not all that hard to find, but I find most bland. In a simple way i really enjoy reading good writing, and have a immense disdain for crappy writing. Very recently i have grown fond of reading about zombies and post-apocalyptic settings. Although i highly doubt there will be any zombies inside this story, there will be plenty of action and i am going to try to do my best a writing a love angle.
Another thing i am trying new is to have the quick writes as a direct influence on they story. From the very first line to the second scenery change have all been taken from a quick write we have done in class. Unlike my first story this one will not be written in a first person view. I found that it was rather difficult to explain and describe from a single persons eyes. This story will be a third person view just for the easier way of expressing what i see in my head onto the paper/computer.
One of my ambitions is to become a manga author. I have so many friends who draw in the manga art style and i would love to join something i already dedicate so much time into reading. I hope anyone reading this will check up next week on maybe the first chapter or half of the first chapter of this story that is developing as your eyes scan these words. Toodles~
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