reading (Asimov's Oct 2007)

This month's Asimov's was a hugely thick issue. It had one quarter of a serialized novel, four novelettes, six short stories, plus poetry and the usual departments.

"Galaxy Blues" is Allen M. Steele's serialized novel. Once again I find the ideas for the story interesting enough, but the method of telling seems flat. Where there could be a ripping good yarn, it just seems flat.

There was a pretty good variety in the stories this time, with some neat ideas here and there, but nothing that shook my world or left me breathless on the floor with laughter. I think my favorites were the sweet, albeit well telegraphed, "Leonid Skies" and the construction of "Dark Integers". I'm not counting Isaac's "Nightfall" here because it's a classic that I've read several times and was a pleasant refresher for me, not a new discovery.

Of note: "Endangered", along with it's illustration, made me smile unusually broadly. I'm not often moved by the poetry.

59. Asimov's October/November 2007

reading (Maus I)

I finished Art Spiegelman's "Maus I" last night. It is a graphic novel originally published in serial.

One of the main tactics of the book is the use of different animals to represent different groups of people, hence "Maus". This is an acceptable bit of heavy handed symbolism, but it has drawbacks. The faces aren't very expressive. No, really they aren't expressive at all. The text and the setting have to carry the emotional content entirely. In some places Spiegelman excels at this, but often the background is busy and the words are left to stand on their own. Where he really shines is in buildings and straight line stuff.

The bits of modern at the beginning and end of each chapter probably served well when the story originally appeared in serial form, providing an introduction and catch up for those who may have missed the previous part or forgotten. I think the story may have lost some of its punch in book form by allowing the reader a breather. I enjoyed the present day story, but I'm not sure the relief it gave from the main story line was appropriate.

To try to tell a story such as this is graphic novel form is a brave endeavor. I think Spiegelman pulled it off amazingly well. Though his drawing style is not my favorite, I think he gave a pretty good view of an unsightly part of history.

60. Art Spiegelman "Maus I"