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Monday, May 4, 2009

Jim Butcher's Dresden Files



Another quest of mine in searching more paranormal novels brought me to the series of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. I just learned about this series a year ago and that time the book already had a TV series under Sci-fi channel and right now already have graphic novel under Marvel same as Anita Blake with LKH. I first learned about this in shelfari.com its an online social networking of book worms like me. It brought me to the book Death Mask, little did I know its the 5th book of the series.

Oh yes, he is for real, well atleast in the book that is. This is not a vampire novel. Its more like a wizard novel. Harry Dreden, wizard for hire in chicago and also a consultant in chicago PD when things go wrong or unsolved with normal police investigations. At first the book started with a typical wizard who has gone wild and corrupted in his power. Harry's mother died in his birth and his father died when he was i think 7. Since then he has been taken cared for his uncle whom he killed with dark magic for self defence but still the White councel of wizards placed him in a hot seat with that act. As the story goes, his life begins to be complicated, he has dealt with fairies and ogres and even caused "as the white council claimed" the war between the vampires and the council. Unlike LKH's world with AB. JB's HD world is set in our world where the supernatural or paranormal only exists in the minds of the people and that if you claim you saw the boogyman, you will find yourself straped to a white leather jacket and thrown into an asylum.

One thing why I started collecting this series coz its different from other paranormal series and I just love the witty smart ass Harry even in the brink of danger. Also I love his perverted skull friend Bob. Bob is a hundreds year old skull, he is like a talking gremoir. He was a powerful wizard in his time and his soul was forever cursed trapped in his skull. And besides Jim Butcher actually mentioned LKH in his own website for her help in making his novels into bestsellers as well. Yah i know i am baised whenever LKH is involve. But I mean if LKH seems to like this author I would try to read him, and it just so happens I liked the way he writes.

Besides, Harry Dresden isn't your cliche wizard, his somewhat a modern day wizard.

HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties or Other Entertainment

Invitation to a Beheading



Vladimir Nabokov, author of the novel LOLITA, where the lolita complex has originated. In my search for the book lolita i have stumbled to this book. I have to admit I bought the book because it is written by VN and the reason that the book intrigue me when i read the back sumary is just secondary.

In some books that I read, the first 2 - 3 chapters already gives me the insight on what the book really is. But for this one, it took me to the half of the book until I realize what the book is trying to tell its reader. It was not until M'sieur Pierre's appearance in the book that I started to realize that the book in a whole is an irony or a parable of our human sociaty.

Here is Cincinnatus C. put to jail and sentence to death of dicapitation because he doesn't blend well in his sociaty. Sounds familiar doesn't it? Reading further into the book, you would realize that the annoying director of the jail Rodrig, projects the ruling government of a sociaty where they strive to put on a positive face to the public but in reality they only have some selfish aganda brewing in thier minds. Rodion the jailer on the other hand is the type of people where we call them "kiss asses people". People who suck up to superiors in able to get high enough to the corporate world and gain fame and fortune. Emmie the daugther of Rodrig, which VN actually called the cousin of lolita, projects the infidelities, lust and playfulness of humans. Here she acts as a carefree girl playing in the jail cells and visiting Cincinnatus in his jail cell. Later on in the book, she throws herself to him and asking him for marrage. However, in the appearance of M'sieur Pierre who is really the executioner of Cincinnatus who poses as his fellow jail mate and friend, this is where everything made sense to me. M'sieur Pierre visits him everyday bringing all kinds of family pictures of his, playing chess with him or simply just having a cup of tea of Cincinnatus. MP is the very epotime of a person in our lives who claims to be our friend but then will betray us, or for this matter the ones who beheaded us without us knowing. He talks about certain things in life. One thing is when he talked about death. That Death itself should not be feared or something like that. That he even finds it an honor to be the one to beheaded Cincinnatus. There are alot of things that M'sieur Pierre talks about with Cincinnatus which I find it appealing couse he actually makes sense in terms of how he see/persive the world entairly.

In the end upon the execution of Cincinnatus in the court yard everyone is present. When the axe finally falls down his neck, everything vanishes. Its as if Cincinnatus just dreamed about the whole thing. I have to admit if it weren't for lines of wisdom and truth within the context of the book I would brand the book a complete nonsence and a complete waste of time.