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PaperclipPerfector  2mo ago (text post)   2874 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for February 16, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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So, what are you reading?

Still on The End of Faith, Menace of the Herd and Non-Computable You.

I'm finished up Different Seasons, four novellas by Stephen King. TL;DR: I very much enjoyed it.

King has a utilitarian style. So much of what I read is really not that. When you're so clear with your communication, there's less room for evoking emotion. He is still able to do that. Breaking the fourth wall a bit, the fact that he can when putting out so much content is undeniably impressive. This is the last time I'll connect the work with his politics, but it's just sad that he created art of this caliber just a handful of years ago, and now he's essentially an NPC.

The first Novella is essentially the Shawshank redemption. There's nothing crazy about the book, even "the twist", but it's a satisfying read that stays largely positive. I've heard critiques on this board that King focuses on the reality of prison with a bit of a sadists eye and would respectfully disagree. It's just well done.

The next is "Apt Pupil". Light psychological horror. One thing I really respected about this was that there was a focus on details and continuity.

Then there was "The Body" which turned into "Stand by Me". There are frankly dozens of important sections, but the one that stuck with me the most was when the boys were discussing precisely why they were taking the journey to see the body described in the title. It reminded me distinctly of how we would walk through the woods as kids, following the creek for hours with air rifles in hand and chips in backpack to make it to a spot minutes away by car. Some things deserve to be hard.

Last but certainly not least was "The Breathing Method" which was purposefully evocative of Lovecraft which I have always enjoyed.

All in all, a diverse set of stories with enough highs and lows to make it an even-keeled read. I very much enjoyed it.

Now starting in on "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", "Conversations with Friends", and "Incurable Graphomania"

Which did you prefer, the movie of Shawshank Redemption or the novella?

I think the Novella. Books have an advantage by default for me though it should be said

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