DroodDan Simmons
That's it. I need a Kindle. Like, now. I suddenly feel a need to read everything ever written by Dan Simmons -- and, considering his propensity for the lengthy novel, I'm thinking the Kindle is the way to go.
My introduction to Dan Simmons came with The Terror, a book I fully expected to dislike, seeing as how it involved, of all things, boats. Mention boats and I simply cannot...stay...awa -- zzzzzzzzz. See? It happened again. Except that Dan Simmons makes boats interesting. Compelling, even.
As soon as I learned of his latest novel, Drood, I knew I was in for a similar treat. This time, Simmons turns his well-researched eye to those famous frenemies, Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. Mr. Billy Wilkie Collins is our esteemed narrator, and a more entertaining narrator -- if not a more reliable one -- couldn't be found. Wilkie's tale will force readers to consider what is real, and what is illusion. While posing that question, however, thrills and chills are encountered in droves.
Just as in The Terror, Drood centers on a real-life event that Simmons then meticulously explores, adding a supernatural twist along the way. The event in question is the Staplehurst rail crash of June 1865, which Dickens survived. On this day, the first seven carriages of the Staplehurst train plunged off a bridge -- only the carriage in which Dickens was riding was safe. Dickens, who aided the wounded and dying immediately after the accident, was never the same after this day.
Simmons uses the Staplehurst accident as the backbone of Drood, injecting the spectral figure of Drood himself into the wreckage of the crash. Who -- or what -- is this Drood? What does he want? I could tell you, Dear Reader, but you'll have much more fun if you find out for yourself.
My introduction to Dan Simmons came with The Terror, a book I fully expected to dislike, seeing as how it involved, of all things, boats. Mention boats and I simply cannot...stay...awa -- zzzzzzzzz. See? It happened again. Except that Dan Simmons makes boats interesting. Compelling, even.
As soon as I learned of his latest novel, Drood, I knew I was in for a similar treat. This time, Simmons turns his well-researched eye to those famous frenemies, Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. Mr. Billy Wilkie Collins is our esteemed narrator, and a more entertaining narrator -- if not a more reliable one -- couldn't be found. Wilkie's tale will force readers to consider what is real, and what is illusion. While posing that question, however, thrills and chills are encountered in droves.
Just as in The Terror, Drood centers on a real-life event that Simmons then meticulously explores, adding a supernatural twist along the way. The event in question is the Staplehurst rail crash of June 1865, which Dickens survived. On this day, the first seven carriages of the Staplehurst train plunged off a bridge -- only the carriage in which Dickens was riding was safe. Dickens, who aided the wounded and dying immediately after the accident, was never the same after this day.Simmons uses the Staplehurst accident as the backbone of Drood, injecting the spectral figure of Drood himself into the wreckage of the crash. Who -- or what -- is this Drood? What does he want? I could tell you, Dear Reader, but you'll have much more fun if you find out for yourself.
Clearly, Drood's a pimp --
beyond that, I'm keeping mum
beyond that, I'm keeping mum
I've heard some claim that Drood is good, but not as good as The Terror. I disagree. I think it's equally as good -- if not better. I loved everything about this big behemoth.
In a nutshell: It's long, yes, but every single page is worth it. Dan Simmons, if we weren't both married, I'd be a' comin for you.
Bibliolatry Scale: 6 out of 6 stars
In a nutshell: It's long, yes, but every single page is worth it. Dan Simmons, if we weren't both married, I'd be a' comin for you.
Bibliolatry Scale: 6 out of 6 stars
10 comments:
I'm pretty sure I'll heart him too. I'm really looking forward to reading this and The Terror.
This book has been on my list since it was first released! Now that I have it, I must wait until summer to read it (just not enough free time before the end of school).
I do have a Kindle - and I must say it is a GREAT way to read the chunksters (only 10 ounces - no matter the size of the book). I also enjoy the Kindle for reading classics, like The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which are available in the public domain for free.
GREAT review!!
LOL @ the pimpin' photo. Love the review and I can't keep away from the book (though I did have to turn away another Dickens book because I've found there *is* such thing as too much Dickens).
Thanks for a wonderful review - I actually just picked this book up from the library and cannot wait. It's such a long and juicy book that I cannot wait to get into.
BTW, Kindles rock the big house.
I've got The Terror, and will move it up farther on the TBR. And I'll look around for Drood.
i want to heart this author too! i better jot down his info and pick up the books pronto! :)
We are selling the hell out of this book, I want to love it but I am totally enthralled with the new Zafon title, The Angels Game, right now another amazing book!
Just to feed your addiction: Dan Simmons also wrote several sci-fi/fantasy books in case you are interested. He also had one or two other general fiction books I believe. Great review. Did you find a need to be familiar with the original Dickens novel?
Erin: No, I didn't feel I had to read the original Dickens novel, but I certainly want to now. At any rate, reading the original wasn't necessary to either understand or enjoy Drood. I want to read it at some point...maybe in a few months, when I have more time.
I'm definitely checking out more Simmons, though!
Read Hyperion...now, one of the greatest science fiction novel of the 20th century.
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