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Animal Farm and 1984 |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 17:00 |
zen - books |
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Animal Farm and 1984, is written by George Orwell, was released on 2003-06-01, is made by Harcourt, Usually ships in 24 hours. The list price is around US$24.00. (*The prices are subject to change) Street price is around $16.32.
Animal Farm and 1984 are classic literature. You've probably already read them.
This edition presents them in a classic manner -- it is a lovely book, lovely dust jacket, and Christopher Hitchens does the intro. I usually find him funny and a little snarky, but in this intro, he is serious, high-minded, informative, and respectful.
I wanted to read 1984 again, since so many people are kicking around the terms "Orwellian" and "Big Brother" regarding current politics. I'm so glad this is the volume I bought. I know I would have gotten the same *words* in a flimsy paperback, but this was a really nice read.
I read both novels again. It has been... 20 years? Maybe longer since my first read-through. I'm a different reader than I was before.
Now it seems to me that the people who shout "Orwellian" the loudest, the people that warn of "Big Brother" most fiercely, are the ones who really want to be Orwellain Big Brothers. Interesting.
I've got...
And it's available in Amazon UK, but I'm not sure about the price. |
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The Sword of Shannara Trilogy |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 17:00 |
our favorites |
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The Sword of Shannara Trilogy, is written by Terry Brooks, was released on 2002-08-27, is made by Del Rey, Usually ships in 24 hours. The list price is around US$35.00. (*The prices are subject to change) Street price is around $23.10.
If you have no choice, buy this collection, but frankly it's heavy and the binding isn't going to hold up... BUT... here's the thing... I love this trilogy and I bought it because my old paperbacks had fallen apart (ironic, yes?). Sinful pleasures. This isn't literature, and it isn't Tolkien, and I remember waaaaaay back when (I'll never say when), how everyone called it the "rip off of Tolkien" but you know what? Get over it! It's a fun ride, the characters while clone-like, and the epic journey while recognizable, are all still a LOT of fun. I don't know why it's not a movie, really. In some ways, the two brothers are more charming than Frodo and Sam. There, I said it. So shoot me. What's not to love? Wizards. Epic quests? Ghosts. Magic swords. Elfstones. Elves, for that matter. A clean prose style that doesn't draw attention to itself. You know you're reading a fun fantasy here, not a great masterpiece, but that's the fun isn't it? Get lost in this world. It's most rewarding.
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The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 17:00 |
zen - books |
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The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is written by Douglas Adams, was released on 2002-04-30, is made by Del Rey, Usually ships in 24 hours. The list price is around US$20.00. (*The prices are subject to change) Street price is around $13.60.
All the books plus a separate story together in one volume! What else could I wish for? If you enjoyed the movie, (okay, okay, there are always some differences between movie and book) you are going to love the books. It's that kind of ironic humour that makes you laugh through intelligent remarks, not silly statements.
And it's available in Amazon UK, but I'm not sure about the price. |
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His Dark Materials Trilogy 'Northern Lights', 'the Subtle Knife', 'the Amber Spyglass |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Saturday, October 8, 2005 - 16:02 |
zen - books |
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Northern Lights (His Dark Materials), is written by Philip Pullman, was released on 2001-11-16, is made by Scholastic Press. The list price is around US$51.65.
I found this triolgy to be very good, well written, and good characters. But at times, the story was long drawn out, pullman tried to gain suspense through complex details, but by the time he finishes a scene, its been stretched to the point that all the action leaks out. Overall, a very good book, but not excellent.
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My Neighbor Totoro (Full Screen Edition) |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 19:02 |
our favorites |
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My Neighbor Totoro (Full Screen Edition), was released on 2002-12-03, was directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is made by 20th Century Fox. The list price is around US$9.98.
What a disappointment this DVD was when I shoved itin my player. The facade of this movie was a favourite from my childhood, but what a rude awakening I received. They may have remastered the animation, but they also had the gall to redo the voices which was an absolutely horrific choice. Not only was it a major disappointment because it's not what I expected to hear, but I felt the voices failed to capture the intent of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki or connect to the characters themselves in their American ways. Do not be fooled by the cover and think this is the original. It's not. That was my mistake. Don't let it be yours.
You can also buy this in Canada, but I don't know the price. And it's available in Amazon UK, but I'm not sure about the price. |
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Castle in the Sky |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 00:25 |
zen - movies |
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Castle in the Sky, was released on 2003-04-15, was directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is made by Walt Disney Video, Usually ships in 24 hours. The list price is around US$29.99. (*The prices are subject to change) Street price is around $23.99.
Laputa, also known as "Castle in the Sky," is yet another Miyazaki masterpiece. However, the messages and themes are not quite up to his standards, which is why I can't give it my highest ranking.
The film opens with a group of bandits raiding a zeppelin to get a valuable necklace from a young girl, named Sheeta. She falls while trying to escape the bandits. The necklace, however, gives her floating powers. Pasu, a miner orphan, finds the girl and lays her to rest in his home, not too far from the mine where he works.
After the girl wakes up, Pasu and Sheeta become good friends. When Sheeta finds a picture of a floating castle, however, Pasu tells her about the legend of Laputa, based on the castle in "Gilligan's Island." His father took the picture of the floating castle.
However, he soon discovers that bandits and the army are after Sheeta and her necklace. In fact, Sheeta's last name is Laputa. And she knows quite a few spells, some of which could destroy the world. And ...
And it's available in Amazon UK, but I'm not sure about the price. |
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Kiki's Delivery Service |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 00:25 |
zen - movies |
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Kiki's Delivery Service, was released on 2003-04-15, is made by Walt Disney Video, Usually ships in 24 hours. The list price is around US$29.99. (*The prices are subject to change) Street price is around $23.99.
I don't consider this to be up to Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli standards, but it's also not the worst thing they've produced. Just so you know where I stand, it's better than Castle in The Sky, but not as good as Mononoke, Nausicaa, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, or Totoro. That being said, it's still a good movie that's fun to watch. It can move kind of slow and some of the English voice work is poorly done, but it still has the fantastic art and that feeling that something special was put into the film's development that you get when you watch a Miyazaki film. If you haven't seen it yet, I'd recommend checking it out.
And it's available in Amazon UK, but I'm not sure about the price. |
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Princess Mononoke |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 00:13 |
zen - movies |
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Princess Mononoke, was released on 2000-12-19, is made by Miramax, Usually ships in 24 hours. The list price is around US$32.99. (*The prices are subject to change) Street price is around $17.99.
As a huge fan of Miyazaki's work, this was far from disappointing but truly worthy of praise. It excites the mind and the imagination with the story and captures a truly fascinating world unlike any other I've ever encountered in fantasy. It is beautifully animated even if in only 2-D, it is fluid and fanciful all the way through. However, concerning Miyazaki's other pieces, this one is more graffic and includes some more vicious demon work than other so-called demons in other pieces. Creatures and people are slaughtered or wounded and although blood doesn't gush, some might squirm. I felt a tad of revulsion, but not at the story itself. It thrills. It inspires. It's worth watching again and worth every penny. The dubbing is well done and I love it all.
And it's available in Amazon UK, but I'm not sure about the price. |
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The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2) |
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Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 - 23:24 |
our favorites |
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The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2), is written by Philip Pullman, was released on 2002-09-10, is made by Knopf Books for Young Readers, Usually ships in 24 hours. The list price is around US$11.95. (*The prices are subject to change) Street price is around $9.56.
I could not stop reading the Golden Compass; I read it at one sitting, fascinated by the plot twists and fantasy environment. Although it had a satisfying ending, the promise of a sequel was strong. I couldn't wait to read the next book. I advise having the entire series in hand before you begin the Golden Compass.
Warning: this does not let the reader stop at the final page. You definitely need book 3 before you settle into book 2 or you won't sleep till you have it!
Like the fantasy worlds of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, Philip Pullman creates a world both modern and antique, a alternative to our known history. It is an appropriate fantasy for younger readers, but the blurring lines between fact and fiction will appeal to older readers as well.
Remember: THIS IS A FANTASY SERIES. Don't let some blinkered bigot intrude on your enjoyment of these great books. To say more would reveal one of many twists in a tale that will not unravel.
Book 3: The Amber Sp...
And it's available in Amazon UK, but I'm not sure about the price. |
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