octavia_cade's Reviews (2.64k)

Weird, ambiguous and strangely compelling, this graphic novel consists of several interlinking stories of disappearing people and a stalled, creepy train. Don't expect any closure, though. It's never made fully clear what happens, or what's behind it all. In some ways that makes it more interesting, although it can be frustrating as well... a little too abstract and disconnected, as if the story hasn't been quite fleshed out.

Mostly known for his wonderful children's books, Roald Dahl also wrote a number of short stories - including one of my all time favourites, in which a leg of lamb is used as a murder weapon. That story's not in this collection, however. The ten stories here are all themed around the experiences of British airmen in WW2. Dahl himself was one of these pilots, I believe, and it's hard not to think that his experiences (and those of his colleagues) haven't been an inspiration for these stories.

I think the best one is "Katina", about a small Greek girl who survives the bombing of her home and briefly becomes a beloved mascot of the local RAF group. The rest I like quite a lot. I'm not sure they're the best of Dahl's short stories, but they are effective and the collection's definitely worth reading.

Discworld for kids, although this book is so enjoyable that I can't imagine any sensible adult disdaining it for that reason. And like the better Discworld novels, there's something so angry and human and compassionate about it, something so aware of failings. Of the capacity for failure, and for other things as well...

Maurice, who was forced out of cat-hood, who tries so hard not to be a cat (to check if his dinner has language skills and a personality), and is still at heart a cat regardless. He's wonderful. So much more enjoyable than Gaspode (another Discword animal, and one I'm almost wholly indifferent to). Maybe it's just the cats. I love Maurice and Greebo and Meep...

I like Darktan too, the trap disposal rat who learns to see more than gears and iron bars, the possibility of fire...

I wish I'd read this as a kid.

A quick, easy read, though I'm not sure I'm the target audience. I found the tonal shifts jarring, Elsie's narration frequently irritating, and the Dad jokes absolutely relentless. That being said, I've a feeling kids would like it.

I picked it up because I remember an episode Duchovny wrote for The X-Files - "The Unnatural" - which was wonderful in nearly every respect. This is a different style and genre, but it in no way matches up.

I've never read a James Bond book before, so this is new territory for me! I was surprised at how enjoyable it was, in a popcorn sort of way. A very easy read, if dated - it scooted along well and the characterisation was pretty good. It does lose points for Dr. No's bragging infodump and the sheer ridiculousness of the giant squid interlude, though.

There were some stories in here that I enjoyed - primarily "The Doll's House" and "The Great Journey", which were incisive and quietly brutal studies of relationships - but for the most part I thought they were pretty average. Well-written, yes, but often alienating and I found it hard to connect with them emotionally. And the one about the trains, I'm sorry, was interminable.

A fast-paced popcorn read. Competently written, but I did find it a little formulaic: the hero is in danger, gets (apparent) help from someone he doesn't trust who promptly dies, rinse and repeat. And it must be said, I didn't find the protagonist remotely convincing - a fairly intelligent bloke, sure, but with no preparation he manages to outwit any number of spy agencies and operatives with decades of training and experience? I don't think so.

It doesn't help that the whole underlying drama was set in motion on the basis of that horribly trite device of people who could clear everything up if they'd only talk to each other, but don't. Granted, trust doesn't come easily to spies but they were married for heaven's sake, and genuinely so.

Granny Weatherwax is really coming into her own here as one of Discworld's finest characters - complex and frighteningly capable. It's a nearly perfect Discworld installment, actually - bar the tired philosophical opening and the too-clever references to other worlds. My favourite in the Pratchett reread so far.

Horse! Poor Horse, my favourite FF character...

I thought this was quite fascinating, if a little repetitive in parts. (Probably could have cut 50 or so pages, I reckon...) It's sort of a feminist deconstruction of fairy tales, very geared to women readers, and I have to admit it got me looking at some of the stories in a whole new light.

I've always liked fairy tales, but never looked too deeply into them before... I think I might have to search out a few more books like this. I don't know that I was always convinced, reading this, but I was very interested, so four stars from me.