It took me _so long_ to read Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence's own memoir of his role in the Arab Revolt. I came on the book by accident years ago and only now read it. It is... an experience. Lots of sand, rocks and people. It was very different from what I expected. Whether I would 'recommend' it, I'm not sure. It's a very niche read now.
https://write.as/the-casual-critic/seven-pillars-of-wisdom-the-dune-messiah
New #blog ! A #review of Erik Olin Wright's 'How to Be an Anti-capitalist in the 21st Century'. It had been on the shelf for a while, and there is a lot in it for a mere 150 pages. Wright's argument will definitely appeal more to activists thinking in terms of coalitions and systems than in vanguard parties and workers, but it is undeniably the case that Wright's work is deeply considered. I would certainly recommend it.
#socialism #anticapitalism #books
https://write.as/the-casual-critic/how-to-be-an-anti-capitalist-in-the-21st-century-being-like-water
Dredge sat on my wishlist for quite a long time, because I have a soft spot for things with a Lovecraftian aesthetic. And it was... okay when got round to playing it. But compared to expectations raised by the trailer, the horror and resource gathering elements felt oddly mismatched. It was almost like playing two games that didn't get along very well.
It's fun if you're a completionist, but don't play it for the mystery.
https://write.as/the-casual-critic/dredge-they-fished-too-deep
Gave another John Scalzi a go, and enjoyed Redshirts much more than The Interdependency. It's like Pratchett's Guards! Guards! but for the poor schmucks who have to die in Star Trek episodes. Definitely recommend for fans of the genre.
#blog #review #scifi #books #bookstodon
https://write.as/the-casual-critic/redshirts-dying-with-a-difference
My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, and spectacular #horror #books far and wide.
Eerie, mysterious, and riveting, NIGHTJARS is a moody vampire novel unlike any other. It's vibrant, thrumming, filled with dread and danger. Michael Wehunt has crafted a superb tale about the power of our past to shape us, and of the Possibility that exists in every moment after. (St. Martin's Press)
#book #review #bookstodon
@bookstodon #mothersuspiriareview #MSReview @bookstodon@toot.community
https://thoughts.pivic.com/review-boox-picco/
I've reviewed the Boox Picco, which is the latest e-reader from Boox. The Picco is very small.
#review #tech #Boox #Picco #BooxPicco #reading @bookstodon @bookstodon@fedigroups.social
An extra special Gratitoot for my birthday! 😊
For those who haven't seen Dr Alice Violett has written a very good review of my story The Last Philosopher.
And I think you should check out her blog even if you have no interest in my story 😁
https://www.draliceviolett.com/the-last-philosopher-part-1-and-2-by-nick-east/
#Mastodon #Gratitude #Celebration #Indie
#Reading #Readers
#Fiction #Fantasy #Comedy #SFF #Funny #Satire
#Bookstodon #FantasyBooks
#Review #Bookreview #Books
If you were still thinking about watching The Mandalorian and Grogu, then don't bother. Watched it the other day, and it's utter designed-by-committee fanservice to keep merchandise sales going. No plot, no character development, no nothing.
When writing I try to find positive things to say, because writing purely critical reviews is not as interesting. But I struggled this time round.
https://write.as/the-casual-critic/the-mandalorian-and-grogu-this-is-not-the-way
The Mandalorian and Grogu was a disappointment, but Castlevania was the reverse. I picked this as my background show when doing entropy reduction around the house, but there was much more in it than I expected.
It's not existentialist philosophy of course, but for an animated series about slaying vampires, there is a lot going on!
https://write.as/the-casual-critic/castlevania-hell-is-other-people
