dignan17
11-29-2007, 07:52 AM
Let me start this post by stating that I am not a reader. For some reason, whether it be ADD or lack of interest in the subject matters, books I've read just have never made me love to read. Most of that is likely due to books being forced on me throughout school (I wish I could save all school children from the horrors of Ethan Frome).
For some reason, Jeff's extremely concise summation of Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman got me really interested in it, and I went and bought and read my first book in years. I'm not sure why, though. Jeff only briefly mentioned it, and I can't even remember if he gave his opinion. I think the subject intrigued me, so I checked it out.
I have a lot I could say about the book, but the number one thing I'd say is that I had a lot of fun reading it. It's an easy read, and if I'm able to read it in about 10 total hours, I think the average avid reader should have no trouble. Still, I tore through it at my slow reading pace, and hated to put it down. I don't think it's the best written work ever, and thinking back on it now, there are some plot holes that I have questions about and some resolutions that seem a little forced or rushed, but I still had a great time reading it.
The book is about superheroes, but to me it definitely didn't read like a comic book or superhero movie. I think my favorite aspect of it was the way Grossman liked to analyze the details of life from a hero or villain's point of view. What would it be like to have these powers? What is a villain thinking when he fights the heroes? I liked how Doctor Impossible describes a fight with a super-powered person as feeling like being in a series of car accidents. I liked how Fatale has to deal with the everyday problems that come with being a cyborg.
I especially like how Grossman writes Doctor Impossible. It could be that villains are often more interesting than heroes, but the way he writes the character makes you see how he can go from a logical genius and slowly and gradually shift his logic to get to the point where yeah, you could totally see why he'd release an army of killer bees.
It's late and my tired mind is running out of things to say. I'd definitely recommend the book, particularly to TRS fans, and especially to superhero fans. I think that was the reason I picked the book up.
----
For those of you who read it (Jeff?), do you have any more recommendations along the same lines? I'm not a Sci-Fi geek, but I do like fantasy and superheroes in particular. Loooong ago (maybe 17 years? sheesh!), I got through the Tolkien stuff, I read all the CS Lewis books (I think I was too young to grasp any religious metaphors - I just liked the fantasy), and my favorite series was probably the Lloyd Alexander books (which seems weird to me now because I've never heard of anybody else reading those). **EDIT** Holy cow! I was curious about Alexander, so I looked him up on Wikipedia and found out that he just died this past May! Well, that's sad... **/EDIT*
Like I said, I haven't read in years, but I only just now remember reading those like crazy when I was little. Wow. Weird.
So...yeah...any suggestions?
Oh, and another thanks to you guys getting me into comics for the first time. Yep, a first-timer here. I always loved superheroes, but never read the books. Based on your recommendations (and some of Blair Butler's, actually), I've now finished all the available issues of Powers, Invincible, Fables, and Ultimates. I'm starting Preacher but not really into it yet (I don't like the art much). Powers is absolutely incredible, though. Parts of it remind me of Grossman's book, particularly when Walker is instructing Calista on how to be a superhero, even if you're indestructible.
For some reason, Jeff's extremely concise summation of Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman got me really interested in it, and I went and bought and read my first book in years. I'm not sure why, though. Jeff only briefly mentioned it, and I can't even remember if he gave his opinion. I think the subject intrigued me, so I checked it out.
I have a lot I could say about the book, but the number one thing I'd say is that I had a lot of fun reading it. It's an easy read, and if I'm able to read it in about 10 total hours, I think the average avid reader should have no trouble. Still, I tore through it at my slow reading pace, and hated to put it down. I don't think it's the best written work ever, and thinking back on it now, there are some plot holes that I have questions about and some resolutions that seem a little forced or rushed, but I still had a great time reading it.
The book is about superheroes, but to me it definitely didn't read like a comic book or superhero movie. I think my favorite aspect of it was the way Grossman liked to analyze the details of life from a hero or villain's point of view. What would it be like to have these powers? What is a villain thinking when he fights the heroes? I liked how Doctor Impossible describes a fight with a super-powered person as feeling like being in a series of car accidents. I liked how Fatale has to deal with the everyday problems that come with being a cyborg.
I especially like how Grossman writes Doctor Impossible. It could be that villains are often more interesting than heroes, but the way he writes the character makes you see how he can go from a logical genius and slowly and gradually shift his logic to get to the point where yeah, you could totally see why he'd release an army of killer bees.
It's late and my tired mind is running out of things to say. I'd definitely recommend the book, particularly to TRS fans, and especially to superhero fans. I think that was the reason I picked the book up.
----
For those of you who read it (Jeff?), do you have any more recommendations along the same lines? I'm not a Sci-Fi geek, but I do like fantasy and superheroes in particular. Loooong ago (maybe 17 years? sheesh!), I got through the Tolkien stuff, I read all the CS Lewis books (I think I was too young to grasp any religious metaphors - I just liked the fantasy), and my favorite series was probably the Lloyd Alexander books (which seems weird to me now because I've never heard of anybody else reading those). **EDIT** Holy cow! I was curious about Alexander, so I looked him up on Wikipedia and found out that he just died this past May! Well, that's sad... **/EDIT*
Like I said, I haven't read in years, but I only just now remember reading those like crazy when I was little. Wow. Weird.
So...yeah...any suggestions?
Oh, and another thanks to you guys getting me into comics for the first time. Yep, a first-timer here. I always loved superheroes, but never read the books. Based on your recommendations (and some of Blair Butler's, actually), I've now finished all the available issues of Powers, Invincible, Fables, and Ultimates. I'm starting Preacher but not really into it yet (I don't like the art much). Powers is absolutely incredible, though. Parts of it remind me of Grossman's book, particularly when Walker is instructing Calista on how to be a superhero, even if you're indestructible.