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PaperclipPerfector  3d ago (text post)   1843 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for May 10, 2026

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So, what are you reading?

I've finished The Handmaid's Tale. It's a book I'll have to read again sometime, since there's clearly a lot which I haven't noticed. Can't say it ever came together for me, but maybe that's because I didn't really understand its thrust. The tone throughout was sterile, which was probably intentional, given the motifs of waiting and idleness. The world itself never made a convincing dystopia; it was way too lax in just about everything, and the sense of fear of reprisals or of other people never became more than a literary suggestion. The writing was quite good.

It proved as curious as Atwood, who has not been a predictable simpleton when it comes to politics. On the one hand, it could be read as a screed against the religious right, but the picture is always muddled by something, like the quoting of the communist from each according to his ability. The last chapter muddies the picture even further, making us wonder to what extent this is to be taken as history or myth. As a myth, it may be something of value, something worth a closer look. As a history, it is laced with what seems like old arguments among old activists which seems to limp on eternally, even up to paranoia over viruses.

Going to try some Agatha Christie next, which perennialy seems to be collecting dust on my shelf.

The Lies of Locke Lamora. The writing smacks of the fedora, if you catch my drift - but the plot is engaging enough to keep me interested.

Although I can't help but wonder why the Thiefmaster needed dispensation from Capa Barsavi to whack Locke, but apparently didn't need it for Viselin and just killed him and his buddy on the spot.

The first is the best of the series, sequels are just less coherent retreads.

Oh thanks for letting me know. I'd been vaguely meaning to read past the first one for like the last ten years so it's nice to be relieved of that.

As with nearly all heist novels, the books have a chronic lack of actual heisting. Why would you take an awesome premise like "Ocean's 11 set among the villas and back alleys of fantasy Renaissance Venice" and immediately throw it away to write a half-baked pirate adventure and a nonsensical political thriller?

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