Starship Troopers - Required Reading

Starship troopers is an interesting book. Like many people of my generation, I had seen the movie before reading (or even knowing of) the book... But I think Robert Heinlein's vision of the future (from a 1950s, post war perspective) is a very interesting and challenging one. I didn't exactly enjoy the book like it do the movie, but it definitely got me thinking more than the movie ever could, so it is not something I regret reading. 

I did some more research into the story behind the book and found that it was thought to be fascist propaganda when it originally came out. I am no expert on governments but I know a little and it never seemed to come across as fascist or even like a piece of propoganda (Unlike the movie, which does feel like propoganda), mainly cause it does not a glamorize  the military or what it is like to join and become part of a military (which is what the book is about). However, it does come across as extremely pro military and even pro-war. I don't agree at all with Heinlein's opinion he seems to take but I also cannot help but respect it for the way it is told. I really think Heinlien wants to make you think about how he views the themes of the book, rather than trying to force it upon you without thinking... and I think for that reason it is about as far from a piece of propoganda that you could get. 

That being said, I didn't exactly enjoy the book that much and I think that is my own fault. Realizing the book was science fiction from the 50's, I was expecting something very pulpy and light... Which I like. There are only a few battle in the books and the bugs are not as prevalent in the story compared to the movie... All these aspects take a back seat to the message behind it all. Still, I can't say the book didn't make me think and for that reason it is far more important and respectable than the movie.

Anansi Boys - Required Reading

Neil Gaiman brings African mythology into a modern setting with this book. There are 2 main aspects of the way he tells the story that really captivated me the most.

The first is the characters themselves... This is the first Neil Gaiman book I have read but I can tell he is a great character writer for both human and superhuman (or divine) characters. Charlies reactions to the events of the book feel so real, whether it is when he firsts finds out about his not-so-human father and brother, to his more relatable reactions, like when he finds out his fiancee is cheating on him... it is all told in a way that allows me to put myself in his shoes and experience these absurd events in his life from a first person perspective. Even Spider feels like a real character. His divine powers feel all the more real when you see him using it for his own selfish means or for the occasional selfless act of helping out Charlie... The intentions and emotions that the characters display feel real, no matter how absurd the events taking place are. 

The second thing I really like about this novel is the way that the Neil Gaiman seems to stay true to the actual myths these characters come from (particularly the background characters, like Anansi). I do not know much about African mythology/ folklore but I am pretty sure I learned quite a bit reading this book. The mythological feeling never gets lost in the contemporary settings and characters on display either, which is impressive. 

I think it is the merging of these 2 aspects in this book that make it so interesting to me... It feels like there are old-world, legendary elements at play (especially in the background) yet it also feels like a story that could take place in modern setting with modern characters not unlike myself.