Sunday, June 6, 2010

Amy's Choice

Yes, I know it's Jane Austen month, but Doctor Who stops for no man... er woman, and also now I really wish there was a Jane Austen episode of Doctor Who, get on that Seven Moffat! This was a daring episode of Doctor Who, if just for the risk of having a very waddling and very pregnant companion, and another with a pony tail to rival any of the great 80s Metal bands. But the truth lies in that this episode is not as it seems, which would make sense with a villain capable of manipulating dreams, but it is the twist in the end that makes it sheer brilliance and makes you want to watch the whole episode all over again instantly. On the surface this appears to be just an elaborate excuse to make Amy choose between the two men in her life. Should she choose The Doctor, all flash and swagger and adventure, or Rory, the perfect lifemate. If the pregnancy reality were reality, you could see how Amy would be bored and how Rory would be happy. Then again, if the TARDIS is the reality then they're all about to die... so which to choose? The fact that Amy chooses the TARDIS in the end, not because of The Doctor, but because she can't live in a world without Rory is heartbreaking and perfect. The Doctor might show her the universe, but it's Rory who she wants by her side forever.


Ok, now into the major spoilery stuff, ie, if you haven't seen it, look away now. So, the Dream Lord is really the dark side of The Doctor... discuss... I think this is what makes the episode work. Before the episode seemed way too much, Amy, you must now choose between man "A" and man "B", whereas, now it was really about The Doctor and how he views himself and those he surrounds himself with. He has some major self hatred issues and surrounds himself with happy people who just want to explore in order to bury these self doubts. The hatred spewing that The Doctor unleashes at himself is both tragic and beyond funny. Tawdry Quirk shop (hehe). Also, kudos to the film crew, they really got the episode to flow well back and forth between the two versions of dream states.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Twilight

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
Published by: Little Brown
Publication Date: June 5th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 192 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion."

Even though I'm not technically a Twilight fan (read the books, they were ok, kindda digging the movies though in a cultural studies way, and I need something till the next Harry Potter ok?) I really could not not mention that which is getting such big press and pr. Yes it's a new Twlight book, yes I will read it, and yes, it will be a bestseller. What more is there to say? Oh, except I love the novella format.

Friday, June 4, 2010

In the Year 1996

I remember it clearly. It was the last semester of senior year and after school one day in February we decided to go over to Sonja's house. Everyone, at least all the girls, could not stop talking about the new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that was on A&E. I was surprisingly still Jane Austen ignorant, having read predominately American Classics and Shakespeare in High School. They weren't discussing the plot or anything to do with the author, they were discussing how Bingley, as played by Crispin Bonham-Carter, was equally, if not hotter than Mr. Darcy. To prove this point they kept playing the Netherfield Ball scene over and over again on the low quality VHS tape that one of the party had provided. After that day I was swept up in a whirlwind of finals and papers and one goose attack (don't ask) till I got the lovely diploma (after handing in my cap and gown, cause apparently I would want to keep that tatty old thing), but I never forgot Jane.

1996 was THE YEAR for embarking on a Jane Austen obsession. Besides the miniseries, there was the new version of Persuasion and Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility making their way to the budget cinema. Plus both the A&E and Gwyneth Paltrow versions of Emma. So in the tradition of British students everywhere (and yes, I know I'm not British, but I can dream) I took a gap year. The first few months of it was devoted to Jane. I took myself to the mall and bought one of those big omnibus editions containing Emma, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility from Walden Books, it was even on the end cap. I lugged this tome everywhere, with it's 8 point type. I probably knocked my vision down a few pegs as I devoured these precious books. In a habit that still remains, I'd read the book then watch the movie. Sense and Sensibility was first. I remember sitting in my bedroom window crying for Elinor and later crying with the entire audience at the theater. I then tackled Emma, and remember not liking the Gwyneth version too much, I have since reconciled with this (my friend and I were very tempted at shouting "Mr. E" at Alan Cumming at The Three Penny Opera), but I still remember the people behind me saying they felt the ending was "too Hollywood." WTF! It's all Austen! Then of course came Pride and Prejudice. I'd actually been holding off on this one because it held the biggest expectations. It didn't disappoint, and neither did the miniseries. It was all asked for for my birthday that year, the big, bulky VHS set, displayed with pride on top of my dresser.

And that's the thing about Jane, she hasn't let me down yet. It's been 14 years since we've been together and she has not only entertained me with many hours of reading and viewing and discussing, but she's also opened me to other authors. From Elizabeth Gaskell to Georgette Heyer to Helen Fielding, the authors that have been influenced by her and have then influenced me are boundless. I can't picture my world without Jane Austen, and I wouldn't want to. Jane Austen has helped for me into the literate, deprecating and artistic person I am today and I quite literally don't know where I'd be without her. So how about you?

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Jane in June

My friend Misty over at Book Rat (yes, she has her own label below, see below, and is tickled by that) is having a month long celebration of one of my favorite writers, Jane Austen. I just could not not participate. I remember the first time and each successive time I've read all her books. I remember scouring bookstores for anything, from unfinished stories to childhood riddles that she'd written just to get a little more Jane. I've seen, probably, almost every adaptation there is from Bollywood to Bridget. I have developed an unhealthy obsession with Andrew Davies' adaptations and have finally come to realize the greatness of Northanger Abbey. So in the spirit of the month long event I will be having posts about my introduction to the word of Jane, both good and bad, reviews, recommendations and just plain Jane! Even if she could really never be further than plain.

To kick the month off right there will be a giveaway, Austen themed of course, but a little closer to my heart than some of the other giveaways I've run. This time I'm giving away something I've created! A few years back when an undergrad, we were assigned an art project centering on the concept of a series. It could be a series of anything really, the pictures just had to relate. I decided to do a Jane Austen series. For years I'd been enamoured by the illustrations done by the Brother's Brock and thought that they needed a little updating, and a little context, and perhaps, just that little bit of femininity and color. So to work I went. This piece, from Pride and Prejudice, is entitled "It is enough to know they are discovered." For this piece I did a watercolor and gesso painting on fibrous paper that had plant particles. You could win you very own Giclee (ie, high end printed reproduction signed and number by me! You know you want my signature!) So enter here! Also be sure to check out the others in the series, all trying to capture a little more of the feeling that I think the scene conveys that the Brocks lacked.

THIS GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED


The Prize:
Oh, pretty Giclee depicting a scene from Pride and Prejudice, signed and numbered!

The Rules:
1. Open to EVERYONE, just because you haven't been following me all along doesn't mean you don't matter, you just get more entries if you prove you love me by following.
2. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if your name is drawn, either your blogger profile or a link to your website/blog or you could even include your email address with your comment(s).
3. Contest ends Wednesday, June 30th at 11:59PM CST
4. How to enter:

Answer me this: Favorite Austen book and favorite Austen adaption... they definitely don't have to be the same!

5. And for those addicted to getting extra entries:

  • +1 for answering the question above
  • +2 for becoming a follower
  • +10 if you are already a follower
  • +10 for each time you advertise this contest - blog post, sidebar, twitter (please @MzLizard), etc. (but you only get credit for the first post, so tweet all you like, and I thank you for it, but you'll only get the +10 once). Also please leave a link!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Technical Difficulties

Please ignore the verification pop up and the lack of images. This has to do with issues with my domain server for my personal website, which happens to host my code embedded image files. Hence the total crappiness of the site currently. I'm working on fixing it as I type, love 24/7 chat... but really, truly wish, deep in my heart of hearts that I would never ever need this. Or that I could just fix things with the power of my mind! Oh look, they put me on hold... AGAIN!

And five minutes later, the lovely Sol Fuller has fixed everything. Yeah Sol! This has to be the best and quickest response yet. Let's hope it stays that way!

Tuesday Tomorrow

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters
Published by: Hyperion
Publication Date: June 1st, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Karen DeSonne always passed as a normal teenager; with her friends, with her family, and at school. Passing cost her the love of her life. And now that Karen’s dead, she’s still passing—this time, as alive . Meanwhile, Karen’s dead friends have been fingered in a high-profile murder, causing a new round of antizombie regulations that have forced them into hiding. Karen soon learns that the “murder” was a hoax, staged by Pete Martinsburg and his bioist zealots. Obtaining enough evidence to expose the fraud and prove her friends’ innocence means doing the unthinkable: becoming Pete’s girlfriend. Karen’s only hope is that the enemy never realizes who she really is—because the consequences would be worse than death."

New Generation Dead book, can't wait, just dug out books one and two yesterday.

In actuality, I have a feeling people are more looking forward to Saturday's Stephenie Meyer's release than any other book coming out this week... Well, maybe Laurell K. Hamilton, but I just don't go there....

To Buy

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Time Has Come

To do some mega fist pumping! 200 followers folks! I said 200! That means, time to add a little something something to my giveaway... I think I'll throw Kelley Armstrong's newest book in her Darkest Powers Series, The Reckoning, on the horde. But remember, the more people, the more chances to win, so get those entries in, sign up to be a member. Recruit family and friends in your fervant desire to win some book swag! And as always, I couldn't have done this without all of you, my loyal readers, hence the prezzies.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Gail Carriger's Changeless Redux

Changeless, The Parasol Protectorate Book 2 by Gail Carriger
Published by: Orbit
Publication Date: March 30th, 2010
Format: Paperback, 336 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy
Marital bliss can't last long when a surly regiment of werewolves shows up on your doorstep, your husband disappears to the wilds of Scotland and a bizarre plague of humanization strikes London, making werewolves and vampires alike mortal, and shuffling off the ghosties. But Alexia would not be Alexia if she didn't set right to figuring out what's up. After stopping off at a milliner's, always a trying experience with Ivy in tow, Alexia makes the acquaintance of Madame Lefoux, a dashing haberdasher prone to wearing male attire who happens to be a great inventor on the side. In fact, she's invented the parasol to beat all other parasols, making this umbrella indispensable to Alexia. After an explosive attack while leaving Madame Lefoux's establishment, and rumors that the humanization proceeded her husband to Scotland, Alexia decides that the safety of the supernaturals as well as her husband are at stake and to Scotland she must go. Of course, if she must go by dirigible, her long held wish, well then she must. She didn't count on the entourage of a love sick claviger, an engaged Ivy, one of her sisters and Madame Lefoux.

Attempted poisonings and dangerous dirigible daring do lead to a welcome return to Terra Firma. But if Alexia thought the troubles before where anything to the troubles to come she was mistaken. Her husbands old pack are not all that welcoming, and they seem to have collected a lot of Egyptian antiquities on their way home for being stationed in India. But if it's the last thing she does Alexia will get to the bottom of everything, little knowing of the shock in store.

Gail Carriger has outdone herself in creating a rollicking good read, with a tighter more thrilling mystery and even more memorable characters than in her first book, Soulless. From creating a proto telegraph telephone to dirigibles riding on aether, she has not bogged down her book with too much unintelligible speculative steampunk gadgetry. She has made an accessible world that you never want to leave and makes the wait for Blameless excruciating. Plus, delving deeper into the mysteries of what exactly a preternatural is, and unearthing Egyptian myths, sheer perfection. There's nothing I love more than Egypt, and while, throwing Egypt in delights me, I find it truly satisfying when it works so well with the plot and advances the narrative. Egypt for Egypt is all well and good, Egypt for a purpose, all the better. If there was one complaint I could make, aside from the cliffhanger, it is not enough Lord Akeldama. But I can't in good conscious make this complaint with the arrival of Madame Lefoux. She is so mysterious and kind of glamorous, and her openly defining the stereotypes of the day is just wonderful. I hope she continues to play in important part in the story. Also, am I the only one who instantly saw Emma Fielding as Miss Galindo from Cranford as Madame Lefoux? Maybe it's the hat thing, maybe it's the cravat thing, but I think she would be perfect. When this was first posted Gail agreed with Emma Fielding, only with a slight character shift to that of Sidheag, which I can totally see as well. I love casting things in my head.

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