The Boy Who Played With Dark Matter (The Count of Monte Cristo), Holy Ghost Writer, 2012, Kindle e-book
Set at the dawn of the 22nd Century, this is about a young boy whose view of the world is turned upside down.
Zeddy lives with his parents, Zane and Zadie. The world is under the control of the fascist International Government. All citizens have to check the computer each morning to see what new laws have been imposed overnight. Instant adherence to all new laws is expected. The penalty for non-adherence is to be taken away by the International Police, and never seen again.
One day, while walking the dog, Zane vanishes. He is a scientist who recently completed several months of work for the IG, so the first thought is that they have kidnapped him for reasons of their own. Zeddy shows great math and science abilities, which the family keeps quiet for the same reason. Any smart children are taken by the IG for their own purposes, and never seen again.
Zeddy asks Zadie if they really are free in this society, and is taken to a secret room in their house, which he never knew existed. It is filled with books, the possession of which is very illegal. Zadie reads Zeddy the story The Count of Monte Cristo. A neighbor, who happens to be a witch, tells them that they must undertake a harrowing journey to be re-united with Zane. Fake travel documents are provided; one wrong move and the International Police will make them disappear, permanently. A local professor is asked to go with them. He is in trouble with the Police because of a previous "accident", from whom they barely escape.
This is a really good Young Adult/dystopian story, akin to "1984." It is worth reading for everyone, young and old.
Showing posts with label writer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writer. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
That Girl Started Her Own Country
That Girl Started Her Own Country, Holy Ghost Writer, 2012, Kindle e-book (B0094IH8HC)
This novel is about a woman who is able to handle herself quite well in federal prison. It is also connected to two very famous pieces of writing, "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas and Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy.
A woman is arrested in present-day Miami on charges of running a very sophisticated money-laundering operation. She refuses to cooperate with the authorities, but does give the impression that she may be actual royalty. At her arraignment, she represents herself. She shows that she knows, and can argue, the relevant law better than even a first-rate lawyer. Later in the book, she shaves her head to prevent the authorities from getting her DNA from a strand of her hair.
While in prison, and as an experienced hacker, she looks for dirt on the pair of FBI agents who arrested her. With access to seemingly unlimited amounts of money, she starts leaking high-level information to crusading journalist Steven Larsen, the only man who ever meant anything to her. Very strong precautions have to be taken, because this is the sort of information that could get any journalist on the assassination list of many governments. The connection between a present-day suspense story and a famous piece of 19th century literature comes near the end of the book.
Here is a first-rate piece of writing. I may be among the few people who have never read any of Mr. Larsson's books (I will have to do something about that). This book is very contemporary, and I look forward to reading the sequel.
This novel is about a woman who is able to handle herself quite well in federal prison. It is also connected to two very famous pieces of writing, "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas and Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy.
A woman is arrested in present-day Miami on charges of running a very sophisticated money-laundering operation. She refuses to cooperate with the authorities, but does give the impression that she may be actual royalty. At her arraignment, she represents herself. She shows that she knows, and can argue, the relevant law better than even a first-rate lawyer. Later in the book, she shaves her head to prevent the authorities from getting her DNA from a strand of her hair.
While in prison, and as an experienced hacker, she looks for dirt on the pair of FBI agents who arrested her. With access to seemingly unlimited amounts of money, she starts leaking high-level information to crusading journalist Steven Larsen, the only man who ever meant anything to her. Very strong precautions have to be taken, because this is the sort of information that could get any journalist on the assassination list of many governments. The connection between a present-day suspense story and a famous piece of 19th century literature comes near the end of the book.
Here is a first-rate piece of writing. I may be among the few people who have never read any of Mr. Larsson's books (I will have to do something about that). This book is very contemporary, and I look forward to reading the sequel.
Friday, August 24, 2012
The Sultan of Monte Cristo
The Sultan of Monte Cristo: The First Sequel to The Count of Monte Cristo, Holy Ghost Writer, 2012, Kindle e-book, B008HV55YA
This is a continuation of "The Count of Monte Cristo," by Alexandre Dumas, one of the greatest of 19th Century novels.
Many of the same characters from the earlier book are here. Having escaped from prison, and having faked his own death, Edmond Dantes is sailing the seven seas with Mercedes, his lover. He contemplates living the life of a soldier and pirate, instead of settling down as the Sultan of Albania. Later, Edmond receives a letter from his father, and learns some really interesting things about his ancestry. His family tree can be traced all the way back to Mary Magdalene. After the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, Mary supposedly moved to southern France, and established a new branch of the family tree, the Merovingians. There is a daring mid-sea battle between Edmond and the captain of another pirate ship (the winner gets the other's ship and crew).
I have never read the original book, but, if it is anything like this, maybe I will. This is a really interesting and well-written story. It is short, and well worth reading.
This is a continuation of "The Count of Monte Cristo," by Alexandre Dumas, one of the greatest of 19th Century novels.
Many of the same characters from the earlier book are here. Having escaped from prison, and having faked his own death, Edmond Dantes is sailing the seven seas with Mercedes, his lover. He contemplates living the life of a soldier and pirate, instead of settling down as the Sultan of Albania. Later, Edmond receives a letter from his father, and learns some really interesting things about his ancestry. His family tree can be traced all the way back to Mary Magdalene. After the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, Mary supposedly moved to southern France, and established a new branch of the family tree, the Merovingians. There is a daring mid-sea battle between Edmond and the captain of another pirate ship (the winner gets the other's ship and crew).
I have never read the original book, but, if it is anything like this, maybe I will. This is a really interesting and well-written story. It is short, and well worth reading.
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