Printed Matter#

I didn’t read too much last month, but I think what I read was decent enough, even though the majority was all of the same series.

Hello Summer, Goodbye#

I got this book from someone giving it away and thought it would be like Hornblower and about nautical nonsense or something, but rather it turned out to be an interesting coming-of-age story. While it is, for the most part, relatively slow, I found it interesting that it was mainly written in a wistful, contemplative tone, which goes against the seemingly normal, not-too-introspective, but above-average intellectually, boy the story follows. I assumed it was Drove recounting the days he met his wife or something, but the actual twist at the end completely changed the book for me. The book gave me a book hangover comparable to when I finished The Mars Trilogy, which was around 15 times the length of the book (keep in mind I am referring to the magnitude of the impact, not the duration; the hangover from The Mars Trilogy lasted months). I really liked this book, and this is the only one here I would truly recommend (of course, I would recommend the others, but not on a literary pedestal, more on a narrative pedestal). It just conveys this sort of ineffable sense of sublimity and tragicness. Quite possibly another reason is that the cold really impacts people in this story (and forms a major plot point), and I read it when it was freezing, and my heating was partially broken.

Hornblower Books 9-11#

Glad I finished the series, but I definitely miss being inside the mind of the great Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Hornblower, KB. When his Captain, Bush, died in Lord Hornblower, it really got to me emotionally. Hornblower is very relatable, and Forester did a great job immersing the reader into his mind. Upon Bush’s death, it feels as if someone you knew—your best friend, not his—died.

Also, the description of the climate in the West Indies, the hurricane and its consequences (I hadn’t realized how much they affected people before forecasting), and the cruelty and tragicness of Napoleon’s Hundred Days, with its meaningless death of Marie, goes hand in hand with one of my favorite books, Flight from Arras, with its discussion of war. And when he sacrifices his honor in memory of Marie, to prevent a second Hundred Days, it is truly a great moment in my opinion—the most heartrending thing he had ever done.

Movies#

The Star Wars Trilogy#

Some of my friends and I attempted to watch the three main trilogy movies back-to-back-to-back. I made it through all three, but the others all somehow managed to pass out at some point, much to my, and their, chagrin. I forgot how much I liked them, and they truly are classics for a reason. I knew a substantial portion of the lines—to an embarrassing amount. Not much is needed to be said on these; they simply are great.

We also, at a separate time, watched Rogue One, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith.

Rogue One#

Rogue One is by far Disney’s best Star Wars movie (though I did like Solo—regardless of what so many people say about it—I think it was pretty good, but the sequels are vapid hot trash). Scarif is a lovely planet, and the fighting is extremely interesting. I love the tropics (it was below zero with around 4-5 inches of snow outside). The space battle outside of Scarif was amazing and definitely showed the potential of modern CGI used properly. The Hammerhead attack and the fighters smashing the closed dome were amazing.

My only qualms with the movie were adding the Death Star 2 pre-Alderaan strikes, but as they weren’t planet killers, that’s mainly just a minor nitpick. Also, the use of Tarkin—I think they should have just found a new actor and not CGI’d the dead previous actor. But a lot of the fighting, the explosion on Jedha, and the attack on that base controlled by Jyn’s father were really good as well.

Attack of the Clones / Revenge of the Sith#

I still remember how into Natalie Portman I was when it first came out. As always, great movies, but a little long and drawn out. Not too much to say—I’ve watched them so much. Always gotta love the battle at the start of Revenge of the Sith, though, and the Order 66 scene. Really love all that cinematography.

Derek Zoolander#

Another rewatch—a great comedy. It was a first for the friend I watched it with, which was surprising. As always, I was a huge fan of the portion where he moves his shaboingy around after the journalist (Pam?) comes in on him in the “massage” parlor.

This post part of the Agora Road Travelogue!