Posts Tagged ‘Literature’
Illustrating The Unseen
I imagine numerous essays and books have been written on the subject of art attempting to depict incredible things described in literature. From indescribable beauty to unimaginable horror, countless authors have included such elements in their stories with little or no effort. “A face more beautiful than any that of any man or woman who ever walked on the earth” is an easy enough phrase to write, but would probably not be done justice by any visual representation other than a photo of that very face (if it actually existed).
A Deepness in the Sky
I just finished reading Vernor Vinge’s A Deepness in the Sky (read a short plot introduction from Wikipedia here). What an epic, enthralling, and most SATISFYING read. I’ve read novels worthy of those adjectives before, but never worthy to such an extent as this. It was long (separated in to three parts that easily could have been shorter, individual books of a trilogy), and a bit unfocused at times (some exciting sub-plots seemed unnecessary in the grand scheme of things), but I enjoyed every chapter (at least as best as I can remember).
I checked A Deepness in the Sky out from the library at the same time as another of Vinge’s books, Rainbows End. I chose to read the latter first, as its dust jacket teaser seemed more interesting to me than the other’s. I’m very glad that I chose the order I did. Rainbows End was a good book, and an entertaining read, but it didn’t stand a chance against A Deepness in the Sky. I give Deepness a ten (and to those who’ve read the book, I’m referring to points, not spidery appendages).
