So I haven't written about a book I read for a while, but since I haven't written about much for a while this seemed like a good opportunity to break out ye olde typing skills.
Last night I finished a very intriguing book called
Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman. The novel follows the story of a super villain, Dr. Impossible, as he attempts to implement his Doomsday plan. The chapters alternate from his point of view and that of Fatale, a cyborg woman who is the latest recruit to Earth's elite team of superheroes, The (New) Champions.
The thing about the book that is interesting to me is that Grossman attempts - to some degree - to play it straight. He's telling the story of these super enhanced people and while they are odd in their tights and helmets, he seems more interested in their humanity. He attempts to get inside their heads to reveal their foibles and insecurities while neatly dealing with problems like why a villain keeps up his villainy in the face of overwhelming failure.
I thought the book was very enjoyable - it's funny and thoughtful while becoming a brisk page turner near the end. I did have a few quibbles about plot getting a little repetitive - we're given the same piece of information, from the same character a couple of times.
My other issue was with Fatale; of all the characters in the book she is the least developed. I would argue many of the heroes are underdeveloped and there is an attempt near the end to lend a bit of pathos and gravitas to their stories. I didn't think it worked, but Dr. Impossible is such a richly conceived character that I'm willing to overlook the book's other shortcomings. And frankly, for all his failed plans, Dr. Impossible is clearly the most fascinating character in the book.
I would recommend the book - it is out in paperback and features a g
orgeous cover by Chip Kidd. I think you can say something about how distinctly American this story is - it is about overcoming adversity, failure, and never giving up. It's just that, you know, the bad guy is doing it.
Labels: 2008, books
By: Alyssa | Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Thursday, July 31, 2008 | | 
Derek is still away on assignment so Deeps gets called out, somebody leaves us a voicemail about Life on Mars and sequels, we discuss frameworks for understanding things,
Channel 101,
Yacht Rock, Doctor Who, The Middleman and
Streets of Fire. Really!
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
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Labels: 2008, Doctor Who, podcast, Streets of Fire, The Middleman
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at Sunday, July 27, 2008 | |
My friend and colleague called me recently to tell me she wouldn't be coming to work due to a little accident at home.
Friend: I'm totally fine. Everything is fine. But I had a little accident.
Me: What happened?
Friend: I fell out of the attic.
This is where I laughed. A lot. For several seconds.
Friend: You know, when I told the boss she was very concerned and gasped and said I was lucky and it could be worse.
Me: You told me you were okay.
Friend: So far nobody has laughed.
Me: Those people aren't your real friends.
My friend proceeded to tell me she fell out of the attic while vacuuming the dust up before she loaded it full of her stuff. She went to the hospital and aside from a few bruises and some wounded pride, she's fine.
Friend: I'm going to have to sit on a cushion or something because I have a big bruise on my butt.
Me: That's just going to make me laugh again.
Labels: 2008, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Monday, July 21, 2008 at Monday, July 21, 2008 | |
This week Derek is on assignment so Deeps and I talk about In Plain Sight, Burn Notice, The Closer, Saving Grace, The Middleman, Fear Itself, Doctor Who, the new series The Cleaner, and Doctor Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog.
And we field a call about Get Smart and Life On Mars.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 20, 2008 at Sunday, July 20, 2008 | |
While programming the DVR earlier in the evening the following exchange occurred.
Deeps: Oh no!
Me: Are we out of room?
Deeps: No. I just remembered that
The Cleaner is on tonight.
Me: The show with Benjamin Bratt?
Deeps: Yes! I thought I could ignore it forever. But there it is.
Me: We said we'd watch the first episode.
Deeps: We did.
Me: I think it will be terrible.
Deeps: I just wanted to pretend it didn't exist.
Me: That didn't work with the sub-prime mortgage crisis.
Deeps: Or global warming.
So I guess I'll watch it tomorrow, because thanks to global warming and the mortgage crisis I have to go to bed early. Or something like that....
Labels: 2008, television, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Tuesday, July 15, 2008 | |
This week Derek, Deeps and I take on the second season of Burn Notice and the second entry in the Hellboy series. Then we review The Middleman, In Plain Sight, The Venture Brothers and Doctor Who.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Sunday, July 13, 2008 | |
I hike through Beacon hill most days of the week - it is usually pleasant and uneventful. Yesterday it smelled like warm garbage. It wasn't hot enough for the hot garbage smell, but I was getting a pretty regular waft of something unpleasant.
We're having a little heat wave and high humidity which makes everyone a little uneasy. On the T last night I was blasted with BO by a few of my fellow passengers. I'm not especially squeamish but after the garbage shuffle, the jerky T ride and some stenches that are best left at home, I felt a bit out of sorts when I got to the end of the line.
Deeps asked me how I was doing.
Me: The T smelled a lot like moldy burritos.
Deeps: So I guess we should do pizza for dinner?
Me: Sounds fair to me.
Labels: 2008, Boston
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, July 09, 2008 at Wednesday, July 09, 2008 | |
It's the showdown that nobody ever asked for or wanted:
Troll 2 vs.
Manos: The Hands of Fate! But first, we talk up the glory of this week's episode of The Middleman. Then we get a chance to rip on Heroes thanks to a call from Bill from
Outside The Cinema and we hear from our friends at
ShowShow as they share their love of Troll 2.
Listen to this week's episode.If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley
Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at
PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.
Subscribe to the podcast with
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Labels: 2008, podcast
By: Alyssa | Sunday, July 06, 2008 at Sunday, July 06, 2008 | |
I'm not a biker - I'm a pedestrian. I understand the appeal of the bike, but I don't have the dedication or the constitution to bike to work. I take my life into my own hands just walking, I figure I'll leave biking to the better equipped.
Except....
As gas prices rise I see more and more of the "accidental biker." I've determined that they're accidental because they didn't intend to bike, but due to circumstances beyond their control they're biking. And they bike in the most bizarre get-ups: suit pants and a muscle shirt and no helmet. A dress that is hiked up, sandals and no helmet.
Mostly they don't wear helmets. And while the old adage about something being as easy as riding a bike, apparently bike riding isn't as easy as one might think. As a casual observer I see a lot of wobbling on bikes too big for people on bikes too small for peple, a lot of fast pedaling without getting anywhere and the dreaded drift.
Just this week I've seen people nearly die, but I don't think they were aware how close they came to certain death. And they did it in a sundress and cute sandals. If you're riding a bike, you might take a second look at it to make sure it is going to work best for you. Learn about how the gears work and for the love of all things good, wear a helmet.
I don't care if you dress like a bumble bee and wear clicky shoes. Mostly I care if you laid out by a Prius.
Labels: 2008, Boston, weird stuff
By: Alyssa | Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at Wednesday, July 02, 2008 | |
