The Eyes of Dumbness

The Eyes of Darkness is much like other recently reviewed Dean Koontz novels--an unmitigated bomb. I know it's a cliche to say that you are rooting for the bad guys in a bad movie or book, but, man, I was really rooting for the bad guys. The Koontz formula has worn completely thin, and I feel nothing but revulsion for his characters. There is a character named Eliot Stryker in this book.

One quick point about the plot: it revolves around a child being held in a government detention center that has amazing psychic and telekinetic powers. He can move thousands of pounds with his mind, make guns not work, and communicate over thousands of miles. And he needs his mom to come and rescue him from the armed guards that keep an eye on him. The whole book is moot because he could obviously just leave any time he wanted. God I hated this book.

And the Tower is Closer

The Dark Tower series continues moving forward with a very different fourth volume, Wizard and Glass. I was somewhat put off by the telling of this story; almost this entire book is a flashback to Roland's youth. Though the Tower is closer, it's not much closer by the time this one is over. I understand the compulsion to fill out some of Roland's backstory, but I wonder if knowing this level of detail is truly necessary and useful. I think it has worked to the series advantage to have Roland be mysterious and unfathomable--he is after all from a world that is very different from Earth, and it makes sense that he would be emotionally alien.

To a lesser extent, I was annoyed that the book is so filled with 'thou' and 'ye' and 'aye'. Supposedly this represents part of dialect that is commonly used out in the hinterlands where the action takes place, but it just brought to mind bad period fiction to me. Still, if you've read this far, you're committed to the series, and I don't want to make it sound like I hated Wizard and Glass. There is plenty to enjoy, and it's strengths are some of the same as earlier volumes in the series. But I hope we can put this episode behind us now, and that King will move toward the climax without more tangential stories.

Dostoevsky Redux

I read Notes from the Underground when I was in high school and it was a real touchstone for me. It spoke to me directly, and recognized the peculiar pleasure we take in misery in a truthful way. I would still put it on the shortlist of novels that are essential reading. So for a long time I've been meaning to work back around to Dostoevsky's other works, particularly the long books that he is known for. And I'm happy to report that I am finally doing that. Of course, the book I'm talking about here is not one of his more famous long books, though it is a rewarding and fascinating read. Dostoevsky's characters, even in these shorter works (in a relative sense; these are closer to novellas than short stories) have a wonderful sense of urgency and are driven toward their inexplicable but emphatic actions by feelings over which they have no mastery, and often very little comprehension. The Double and White Nights are highlights, but there really are no low-lights in this volume. Dostoevsky's literature is probably the most cogent argument for conservatism around, emphasizing that people often intentionally act against their own interests and that reason holds little sway. In a world populated with these characters, it is impossible to see an enlightened society develop. But Dosoevsky also has a sly sense of humor and absurdity, and it's not uncommon to find yourself smiling as you read.

Reading the classic Russian writers always makes me think of dark spicy beer or strong black coffee. It's thick and should be consumed slowly and is best in the winter. Not something you'd enjoy on the beach, but at the right time, deeply satisfying.