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duncanshaw's reviews
132 reviews
The Book of Merlin: Magic, Legend and History by John Matthews
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
I feel like this book could have been much more.
It was an enjoyable read, and I gained much from it. The author covers many of the historical sources in some detail and, I am sure, explained the basic basis for the figure of Merlin. At the end of the day, this is what I bought the book for.
However, I had several complaints that potentially led to the book being less than it could have been, and reading it was slightly clunky and unenjoyable at times.
Firstly, and most blatantly, the editing was not great. There were fairly regular mistakes that slipped right past proofreading. It just made it feel a bit sloppy. This was more frequent towards the end.
Speaking of the end, secondly (and this is more specific), I did not care for the last chapter at all. This was whenhe was tediously going through what felt like every modern book, movie, and TV with mention of merlin, even if brief. For each, he would give a description of the plot and give his personal opinion on the piece, sometimes (and fairly often) not even Merlin-related. Stuff like poor acting or bad CGI. It felt so unnecessary and I felt didn't add to the book at all. Fair enough making a brief mention of influential or noteworthy modern adaptations, but this chapter just went on .
Finally, I understand what the author was trying to do by taking the different aspects or "guises" of Merlin as chapters and expanding on each individually. However, I feel that it wasn't done as well as it could have been. I believe it led to the book feeling slightly disjointed and having a lack of cohesion. Some aspects or mentions seemed to pop up and disappear randomly, and some things felt repetitive. I think, also, that, as the author was trying to present such a wide picture of Merlin, he had to stretch things quite thin to make some points to bulk out some of the sections, although I may be being a bit harsh here.
In conclusion, this review takes a very critical and negative view of a book that, to be honest, I did enjoy reading most of the time. I would say to someone interested in Merlin or British mythology that it's worth reading, however, I am sure there are better books on the topic out there. Books that maybe take a more cohesive and scholarly approach. Despite this, I realize it was definitely written for a very popular audience and maybe I personally look for this sort of book to be more strict and scholarly. The author did create an intriguing and powerful image of Merlin and left me feeling not regretful that I had read it at all.
It was an enjoyable read, and I gained much from it. The author covers many of the historical sources in some detail and, I am sure, explained the basic basis for the figure of Merlin. At the end of the day, this is what I bought the book for.
However, I had several complaints that potentially led to the book being less than it could have been, and reading it was slightly clunky and unenjoyable at times.
Firstly, and most blatantly, the editing was not great. There were fairly regular mistakes that slipped right past proofreading. It just made it feel a bit sloppy. This was more frequent towards the end.
Speaking of the end, secondly (and this is more specific), I did not care for the last chapter at all. This was when
Finally, I understand what the author was trying to do by taking the different aspects or "guises" of Merlin as chapters and expanding on each individually. However, I feel that it wasn't done as well as it could have been. I believe it led to the book feeling slightly disjointed and having a lack of cohesion. Some aspects or mentions seemed to pop up and disappear randomly, and some things felt repetitive. I think, also, that, as the author was trying to present such a wide picture of Merlin, he had to stretch things quite thin to make some points to bulk out some of the sections, although I may be being a bit harsh here.
In conclusion, this review takes a very critical and negative view of a book that, to be honest, I did enjoy reading most of the time. I would say to someone interested in Merlin or British mythology that it's worth reading, however, I am sure there are better books on the topic out there. Books that maybe take a more cohesive and scholarly approach. Despite this, I realize it was definitely written for a very popular audience and maybe I personally look for this sort of book to be more strict and scholarly. The author did create an intriguing and powerful image of Merlin and left me feeling not regretful that I had read it at all.
A Time of Gifts: On Foot to Constantinople: From the Hook of Holland to the Middle Danube by Patrick Leigh Fermor
adventurous
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
This book was exactly my sort of book. I really enjoyed the adventurous aspect; the idea of just walking across a huge distance, across countries and landscapes. The descriptions of the landscape allow you to come with the author on his journey. But it wasn't just a travel book.
The cultural, historical, and artistic tangents were really interesting and added a whole new depth to the book that made it stand apart. They were so eloquently and well done. What I will say is that sometimes the descriptions or tangents were really quite technical or specific, so I found myself skimming them and not really taking them in, but I feel that was okay as most were genuinely intriguing and added to the journey and greater book.
I think the journey and book, especially the specific style of the book, was particularly enjoyable as I had little experience with the extremely historic areas he was traveling through. I loved discovering the culture and historical geography of these areas: Bavaria, Bohemia, Moravia, Swabia, etc. I also got to see the specific peoples and their interactions with other cultural and ethnic groups, often with the historical explanation for this provided articulately by the author, or the people he met.
Overall this was a gripping read. I enjoyed almost all of it and had a genuine sense of adventure while reading it. This adventure was accompanied by interest and intrigue in the places the author was passing through, just as the author did: he made it infectious. The descriptions were vivid and unique; the language and tone was eloquent and engaging... most of the time. There were occasions where it bordered on pretentiousness and I felt he would go on a little too long about something slightly too specific, to the point where I lost interest, and then he would just keep going! It sometimes felt like, as he lingered on something too long, it would break up the pace or excitement of the narrative, making me lose interest in the adventure slightly. In these instances, there was relief when he got going again. Despite this though (which is preventing it from getting 5 stars), the vast majority of the book was really amazing: would reccomend!
The cultural, historical, and artistic tangents were really interesting and added a whole new depth to the book that made it stand apart. They were so eloquently and well done. What I will say is that sometimes the descriptions or tangents were really quite technical or specific, so I found myself skimming them and not really taking them in, but I feel that was okay as most were genuinely intriguing and added to the journey and greater book.
I think the journey and book, especially the specific style of the book, was particularly enjoyable as I had little experience with the extremely historic areas he was traveling through. I loved discovering the culture and historical geography of these areas: Bavaria, Bohemia, Moravia, Swabia, etc. I also got to see the specific peoples and their interactions with other cultural and ethnic groups, often with the historical explanation for this provided articulately by the author, or the people he met.
Overall this was a gripping read. I enjoyed almost all of it and had a genuine sense of adventure while reading it. This adventure was accompanied by interest and intrigue in the places the author was passing through, just as the author did: he made it infectious. The descriptions were vivid and unique; the language and tone was eloquent and engaging... most of the time. There were occasions where it bordered on pretentiousness and I felt he would go on a little too long about something slightly too specific, to the point where I lost interest, and then he would just keep going! It sometimes felt like, as he lingered on something too long, it would break up the pace or excitement of the narrative, making me lose interest in the adventure slightly. In these instances, there was relief when he got going again. Despite this though (which is preventing it from getting 5 stars), the vast majority of the book was really amazing: would reccomend!
The Unexpected Universe by Loren Eiseley
A very enjoyable and interesting set of essays. I particularly enjoyed The Angry Winter.
The underlying theme of these philosophical essays is scientific, so it is an intersection of two subjects that are interesting to me. I enjoyed the blend between anecdotal writing and philosophical explanation and discussion. Many of the points made by Eiseley I think I resonate with, especially the high and important placement of nature. Eiseley has clearly gained much influence from Transcendentalists such as Thoreau and Emerson, along with scientists and biologists such as Darwin, all of whom I would like to read to get a first-hand view of these people and their specific lives, circumstances, and views.
However, the essays were often very challenging for me. The expression and words used were often, though purposeful I'm sure, difficult to truly interpret from a first read. Therefore, I believe I will gain a fuller understanding and awe for this book upon further reading.
Overall, I do think this book has opened my mind slightly and I will use it as a starting block to kickstart my thinking along this certain path, along with my own thoughts and interpretations of the world and nature, and other books of the similar vein I hope to read in the near future.
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A very enjoyable and interesting set of essays. I particularly enjoyed The Angry Winter.
The underlying theme of these philosophical essays is scientific, so it is an intersection of two subjects that are interesting to me. I enjoyed the blend between anecdotal writing and philosophical explanation and discussion. Many of the points made by Eiseley I think I resonate with, especially the high and important placement of nature. Eiseley has clearly gained much influence from Transcendentalists such as Thoreau and Emerson, along with scientists and biologists such as Darwin, all of whom I would like to read to get a first-hand view of these people and their specific lives, circumstances, and views.
However, the essays were often very challenging for me. The expression and words used were often, though purposeful I'm sure, difficult to truly interpret from a first read. Therefore, I believe I will gain a fuller understanding and awe for this book upon further reading.
Overall, I do think this book has opened my mind slightly and I will use it as a starting block to kickstart my thinking along this certain path, along with my own thoughts and interpretations of the world and nature, and other books of the similar vein I hope to read in the near future.
Cicero: In Catilinam I and II by Marcus Tullius Cicero, Marcus Tullius Cicero
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
11 Explorations into Life on Earth: Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution by Helen Scales, David Attenborough
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
Interesting introduction to several fields in zoology, botany, and ecology. Whetted my appetite to learn more about the several fields discussed.
Mostellaria Or The Haunted House by Plautus
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0