Title: Snuff
Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Published: 2008(?) by Anchor Books (or something like that)
Genre: ...
Pages: 197
The Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Finland rocks, since they seem to carry Palahniuk's new books. Last year when I was going to the UK for the second time, I found Rant there, and now, going to Italy, I found Snuff. It's the story of making the porn movie to end all porn movies: one woman, 600 men.
Yeah. Palahniuk has the most original ideas ever. In the world.
The story is told from the point of views of three of the men, #72, #137 and #600, and Sheila, the talent wrangler who has to keep everything running smoothly. Also, there's a rumour going 'round that one of those 600 is out to kill Cassie, the famous porn star who is trying to revive her career.
Of course, since this is Chuck Palahniuk's book, not all is what it seems. I guessed one plot point correctly and figured I knew how the book ends (20 pages before it ended) but boy, was I wrong. Also, since this is Chuck Palahniuk, the book is full of random bits of information which sound just crazy enough to be true. I don't know.
I spent the whole 3 hour flight reading this, and almost finished it in one sitting. With only 197 pages and short chapters, it's a very quick read, but will stay and haunt you. True fact.
No quote for now, since the book is still in Italy while I'm back in Finland.
lauantai 30. toukokuuta 2009
perjantai 15. toukokuuta 2009
Poison Elves
Title: Poison Elves
Creators: Drew Hayes
Published: 1991-2007
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 100 issues of some 25-30 pages each.
Ever since I picked up the first Mulehide trade paperback on 9th January 1999, I've loved Poison Elves pretty much unconditionally. Drew Hayes is one of my idols, a man who had the balls and the passion to do what he wanted to do: to tell a story, and to tell it well. He wrote, drew, and in the beginning, also printed his comic book of a world of his own creation, centering on one outcast elf, Lusiphur Malache.
The latest (last?) trade paperback came out last year, and I finally got to read it, after going through all the previous ones, for how manyeth time I've no clue anymore. It doesn't include issues 76-80, so perhaps there'll be one last collection. The story itself doesn't end there, but unfortunately Drew Hayes died a little over two years ago, at the age of 37, before he could finish his saga.
So what's it about then? There's elves, magic, wizards, witches, thieves, assassins, magic swords, all those things you'd expect in a fantasy comic or book. But there's also much ass-kicking, graphic violence, sex, attitude, nods towards notorious serial killers in our world, and a whole lot of humour. Oh, and boobs. Lots of boobs. And some very nice bras covering them. It's not for everyone, but what in this world really is? (Suggest Garfield and I'm ripping out your colon and strangling you with it.) Poison Elves is highly quotable, funny, highly addictive, and, perhaps most importantly, completely unique. I don't think it ever got as many fans it deserves, but those that have become fans tend to stay that way. I know I will.
Like said, Poison Elves is highly quotable, and I could write up a long list of favourites without having to pick up any of the comics. But to choose one, here's one of the unforgettables from Lusiphur's nemesis, the Purple Marauder:
"TO THE SKIES, FORNICATORS, TO GAZE UPON THE FACE OF TRUE REDEMPTION! IT IS I - THE WHISPER OF FEAR IN THE NIGHT! YEESSS! THE PURPLE MARAUDER IS UPON YOU AND THE ACTION IS RAW! NYAR! THOUGH MY TRADEMARK HAT WAS LOST TO THE WIND LAST TUESDAY, I HAVE THESE!
"GUNS! NYAR!
"AND AFTER HE UTTERLY DESTROYS YOU FOUR, THE MARAUDER WILL BE ABLE TO BUY... BULLETS!"
Then he gets his ass kicked, as he should.
Rest in peace, Drew, and thanks.
Creators: Drew Hayes
Published: 1991-2007
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 100 issues of some 25-30 pages each.
Ever since I picked up the first Mulehide trade paperback on 9th January 1999, I've loved Poison Elves pretty much unconditionally. Drew Hayes is one of my idols, a man who had the balls and the passion to do what he wanted to do: to tell a story, and to tell it well. He wrote, drew, and in the beginning, also printed his comic book of a world of his own creation, centering on one outcast elf, Lusiphur Malache.
The latest (last?) trade paperback came out last year, and I finally got to read it, after going through all the previous ones, for how manyeth time I've no clue anymore. It doesn't include issues 76-80, so perhaps there'll be one last collection. The story itself doesn't end there, but unfortunately Drew Hayes died a little over two years ago, at the age of 37, before he could finish his saga.
So what's it about then? There's elves, magic, wizards, witches, thieves, assassins, magic swords, all those things you'd expect in a fantasy comic or book. But there's also much ass-kicking, graphic violence, sex, attitude, nods towards notorious serial killers in our world, and a whole lot of humour. Oh, and boobs. Lots of boobs. And some very nice bras covering them. It's not for everyone, but what in this world really is? (Suggest Garfield and I'm ripping out your colon and strangling you with it.) Poison Elves is highly quotable, funny, highly addictive, and, perhaps most importantly, completely unique. I don't think it ever got as many fans it deserves, but those that have become fans tend to stay that way. I know I will.
Like said, Poison Elves is highly quotable, and I could write up a long list of favourites without having to pick up any of the comics. But to choose one, here's one of the unforgettables from Lusiphur's nemesis, the Purple Marauder:
"TO THE SKIES, FORNICATORS, TO GAZE UPON THE FACE OF TRUE REDEMPTION! IT IS I - THE WHISPER OF FEAR IN THE NIGHT! YEESSS! THE PURPLE MARAUDER IS UPON YOU AND THE ACTION IS RAW! NYAR! THOUGH MY TRADEMARK HAT WAS LOST TO THE WIND LAST TUESDAY, I HAVE THESE!
"GUNS! NYAR!
"AND AFTER HE UTTERLY DESTROYS YOU FOUR, THE MARAUDER WILL BE ABLE TO BUY... BULLETS!"
Then he gets his ass kicked, as he should.
Rest in peace, Drew, and thanks.
maanantai 11. toukokuuta 2009
Janitsaaripuu
Nimi: Janitsaaripuu
Alkuperäinen nimi: The Janissary Tree
Kirjoittaja: Jason Goodwin
Julkaistu: 2008, Karisto
Genre: Dekkaripokkari
Sivuluku: 358
Tämän löysin Prisman kirjaosastolta muutamalla eurolla pari viikkoa sitten. Ajatus murhia ratkovasta eunukista vuoden 1836 Istanbulissa oli sen verran kiinnostava että tuli ostettua, ja kyllä kannatti.
Pieniä vaikeuksia tuotti se, että vuoden 1836 Istanbul oli uusi tuttavuus; en tuohon maailmankolkkaan sijoittuvia kirjoja ole ennen lukenut, parista sarjakuvasta tosin tullut hiukan esimakua. (Pat McGrealin ja kumppaneiden Veils ja Ralf Königin Itämaiden taikuri) Tällaisen havupään sai myös sekaisin monien sivuosissa pyörivien ihmisten ...pyöriminen. Tosin heidän esittelynsä ja puuhansa valaisivat kyseessä olevaa maailmaa ja maailmanaikaa varsin hyvin.
Janitsaaripuu kertoo siis Yashim Togalusta, joka huomaamattomana mutta älykkäänä miehenä palkataan tutkimaan sekä sulttaanin jalkavaimon että nuoren kadetin murhia. Sulttaani on aikeissa tehdä suuria muutoksia valtakunnassaan, ja kaikki eivät tietenkään asiasta ole kovin innoissaan.
Englannin kielellä kirja on ilmestynyt jo 2006, ja kuulemma Yashimin seuraan saa liittyä jo toisenkin kirjan sivuilla. Pitänee etsiä käsiinsä, sen verran kiehtova kirja kuitenkin. Suomenkieliseen laitokseen oli päässyt lipsahtamaan mukaan typo jos toinenkin, ja välillä ärsytti tekstin outo latominen, mutta mitä pienistä kun paketti oli muuten tyydyttävä.
"Yashimilla oli monia hyviä ominaisuuksia - synnynnäistä viehätysvoimaa, kielipäätä ja taito avata harmaat silmänsä äkkiä selkoselleen. Hänen äänensä oli oudoti hypnotisoinut sekä miehiä että naisia ennen kuin he olivat edes huomanneet, kuka heille puhui. Mutta hänessä ei ollut tarpeeksi miestä.
"Kyse ei ollut luonteen heikkoudesta. Yashim oli melko rohkea.
"Mutta hän oli harvinainen olento jopa 1800-luvun Istanbulissa.
"Yashimilta puuttuivat kivekset. Hän oli eunukki."
Alkuperäinen nimi: The Janissary Tree
Kirjoittaja: Jason Goodwin
Julkaistu: 2008, Karisto
Genre: Dekkaripokkari
Sivuluku: 358
Tämän löysin Prisman kirjaosastolta muutamalla eurolla pari viikkoa sitten. Ajatus murhia ratkovasta eunukista vuoden 1836 Istanbulissa oli sen verran kiinnostava että tuli ostettua, ja kyllä kannatti.
Pieniä vaikeuksia tuotti se, että vuoden 1836 Istanbul oli uusi tuttavuus; en tuohon maailmankolkkaan sijoittuvia kirjoja ole ennen lukenut, parista sarjakuvasta tosin tullut hiukan esimakua. (Pat McGrealin ja kumppaneiden Veils ja Ralf Königin Itämaiden taikuri) Tällaisen havupään sai myös sekaisin monien sivuosissa pyörivien ihmisten ...pyöriminen. Tosin heidän esittelynsä ja puuhansa valaisivat kyseessä olevaa maailmaa ja maailmanaikaa varsin hyvin.
Janitsaaripuu kertoo siis Yashim Togalusta, joka huomaamattomana mutta älykkäänä miehenä palkataan tutkimaan sekä sulttaanin jalkavaimon että nuoren kadetin murhia. Sulttaani on aikeissa tehdä suuria muutoksia valtakunnassaan, ja kaikki eivät tietenkään asiasta ole kovin innoissaan.
Englannin kielellä kirja on ilmestynyt jo 2006, ja kuulemma Yashimin seuraan saa liittyä jo toisenkin kirjan sivuilla. Pitänee etsiä käsiinsä, sen verran kiehtova kirja kuitenkin. Suomenkieliseen laitokseen oli päässyt lipsahtamaan mukaan typo jos toinenkin, ja välillä ärsytti tekstin outo latominen, mutta mitä pienistä kun paketti oli muuten tyydyttävä.
"Yashimilla oli monia hyviä ominaisuuksia - synnynnäistä viehätysvoimaa, kielipäätä ja taito avata harmaat silmänsä äkkiä selkoselleen. Hänen äänensä oli oudoti hypnotisoinut sekä miehiä että naisia ennen kuin he olivat edes huomanneet, kuka heille puhui. Mutta hänessä ei ollut tarpeeksi miestä.
"Kyse ei ollut luonteen heikkoudesta. Yashim oli melko rohkea.
"Mutta hän oli harvinainen olento jopa 1800-luvun Istanbulissa.
"Yashimilta puuttuivat kivekset. Hän oli eunukki."
tiistai 5. toukokuuta 2009
Milk, sulphate and Alby Starvation
Title: Milk, sulphate and Alby Starvation
Author: Martin Millar
Published: 1987 by Fourth Estate (this edition from 1994)
Genre: Humorous fiction
Pages: 152
I don't know how many times I've read this book (in Finnish, though) since the first time I found it in the library about half my lifetime ago. Obviously I liked it since I've gone back to it so many times. (I always thought Stacey was a girl since it's a girly name to me and Finnish doesn't differentiate between he and she, we only have one word that applies for both genders. Live and learn.)
It's a fast book to read, it being so relatively short and written in shortish bits which tell the story from the point of view of many people: Alby himself, a small-time drug dealer and comic enthusiast, the assassin sent after him by the Milk Marketing Board, the Chinese man also after him, and several other people. And everyone seems to want something from Alby, be it money, speed, his Silver Surfers or his life. Poor Alby.
I like this book.
"There is some deep relationship between the unpleasantness of food and its nuritional value but I'm afraid it's beyond my mental capacity to work it out. It seems like someone's trying to teach me a lesson, if you're going to get through life Alby, you just got to eat the odd bit of spinach now and then."
Author: Martin Millar
Published: 1987 by Fourth Estate (this edition from 1994)
Genre: Humorous fiction
Pages: 152
I don't know how many times I've read this book (in Finnish, though) since the first time I found it in the library about half my lifetime ago. Obviously I liked it since I've gone back to it so many times. (I always thought Stacey was a girl since it's a girly name to me and Finnish doesn't differentiate between he and she, we only have one word that applies for both genders. Live and learn.)
It's a fast book to read, it being so relatively short and written in shortish bits which tell the story from the point of view of many people: Alby himself, a small-time drug dealer and comic enthusiast, the assassin sent after him by the Milk Marketing Board, the Chinese man also after him, and several other people. And everyone seems to want something from Alby, be it money, speed, his Silver Surfers or his life. Poor Alby.
I like this book.
"There is some deep relationship between the unpleasantness of food and its nuritional value but I'm afraid it's beyond my mental capacity to work it out. It seems like someone's trying to teach me a lesson, if you're going to get through life Alby, you just got to eat the odd bit of spinach now and then."
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