Book Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've been hearing a lot about this book, and with the film due out next year I decided that I definitely wanted to read it. Luckily for me, I didn't have to buy it. My recent birthday yielded the best result possible: this book as a gift (incidentally, if ever you want to please me, buy me a good book!).

I was, at first, quite terrified that the current trend for terrible stuff in young adult fiction (point in case: Twilight) would continue. You know, the type of writing that insults the intelligence of youth and assumes they're all shallow, maladjusted half-people.

Well, can you blame me?

Turns out, thankfully, not.

Katniss, the heroine of the story and from whose perspective the tale is told, is a slightly embittered person (she rarely lets people outside of her family close) who nonetheless loves her family dearly. More to the point, she's tough. She's a hunter, a fighter, a survivor.

Go team!

I really don't want to give too much away with this book, but needless to say, it captures the angst of the divide between youth and adulthood exceptionally well. We've all been, or will be, there - that bizarre space when you're no longer a child, but not quite an adult; where nothing makes sense and you're so uncertain of anything, least of all who you are.

Katniss' character, her motives, her confusion and her vulnerabilities (yes, she has those), make her one of the most believable characters I've read in young adult fiction to date. I'm quite convinced that I would have behaved in the same way she did, given the extraordinary circumstances in which she finds herself.

A fan of adult fiction (largely adult fantasy... no, not that kind, you potty-minded people! I mean the genre fantasy), I found the language a little simple for my tastes, though I have to point out that its directness and immediacy are actually part of the charm.

And it's a young adult story, I must remind myself. If I was around the age of, say, 11, this would have shot up to the near top of my favourites list (the very top being Over Sea, Under Stone).

It's fast-paced, has plenty of action and, yes, made me gasp out loud. I highly recommend this book for lovers of young adult. I will definitely be getting stuck into the rest of the series as soon as I can!

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Book Review: The Third Magic

The Third Magic by Molly Cochran

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Alright, I admit that I wasn't expecting much from this book. I stand - well, sit - here corrected.

You see, I have a slight tic when it comes to anything to do with the Arthurian Cycle. The problem is that I'm a Celtic Studies student, and I know that the legend has much earlier roots than most people bother to acknowledge.

This was not the case with Ms. Cochran. I am suitably impressed with the amount of research that plainly went into this narrative. The fact that Author was plainly a British king - that is to say, King of Britain after the Roman retreat, made me smile. As a Celticist (is that even a word?), I get thoroughly annoyed when people ignore the Celtic roots of, well, anything, in much the same way that Classicists get annoyed if you don't believe Greece or Rome were the foundation of all civilisation everywhere.

I might be slightly bitter.

I digress.

I especially like how Ms. Cochran navigated the difficulty of acknowledging both the actual basis for the legend, and the later iterations of that legend. Making Lancelot a Gaulish swordsman, tipping her hat to the later invention of the Gueneviere/ Lancelot narrative by French bards, was a stroke of genius. I adore that the abduction of Gueneviere played a part in this story. That is to say, the abduction of the queen by Melwas - an earlier tale than the forbidden love previously mentioned.

There is a fine balance to be struck when tackling any fiction to do with Arthurian legend between pleasing those who have done any research whatsoever, and those who haven't at all and assume that Arthur is a late medieval invention.

There were a few factual errors that bothered me a fair amount. The worst possible error was the use of England and Britain to mean the same thing. It seems paradoxical to me that the King of England would be fighting against the Saxons since the English and Saxons (and Jutes for that matter) were allies.

The King of England, would be English, which is to say, Anglish, which is to say, an Angle, which is to say, part of the Germanic horde (Anglo-Saxon)that was invading Britain, against whom King Arthur fought.

Get my drift?

Britain and England are not synonymous, and most certainly NOT at the time the offending scenes were set. England did not yet exist. Certainly now anyone who was English, would be considered British, but that was not always the case. The Angles fought the Britons. Arthur fought for the Britons. Ergo, he cannot be the King of England.

Granted, the English did later take him on as their hero...

Anyway, the substitution of one for the other indiscriminately irked me enough to give a visible tic beneath my eye whenever it occurred.

However, that is forgivable... I suppose.

That's enough of the factual stuff. Now to the writing.

The narrative itself was clear and easily read. It didn't possess any of the mastery of language and description I so admire in Steven Erikson. All the same, it was a great read - enough suspense and adventure to keep me reading at any rate. The story was surprisingly moody - which I rather like, thank-you very much!

Some of the knights verged on being caricatures, rather than characters, falling into the mildly amusing Classical description of Celts (loud, lusty drunkards). It irked me some, but the need for such comic relief was necessary. I'm pretty sure it only bothered me because I am such a fan of Celtic culture. I'm sure it wouldn't bother normal people.

All in all, a very worthy read. I do recommend this book to any urban fantasy lovers, and yes, even to Arthurian legend nuts. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how true to form this book is.

Well played, Ms. Cochran. Well played.

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Book Review: The Power of Myth

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Actually 4.5 stars, but it seems half-stars are not available here. In any case:

Everyone should read this book.

Everyone.

I'm at a loss for words to adequately describe this book.

And I write. Can you tell?

Presented in the format of a transcribed conversation, this book is a must read for anyone who is struggling with the inadequacies of secularism, the failures of religion, the short-comings of modern life, the mystery of marriage. This book is for people who are stuck in a rut, lost, misguided, feeling apathetic and empty.

One of the most respected modern academics, Mr. Campbell explains myth in the scope of experience. Myths are more than just stories. They are alive, and powerful, and just as relevant now as when they were first uttered - should we chose to see it.

I highly recommend this book. It is not fiction, but it is fascinating nonetheless.

I should like to have taken tea with Joseph Campbell.

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Book Review: Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson

Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have just one word to describe this book:

Nerd-gasm.

Alright, I'm done.

In all seriousness, this is another case of my putting aside a book for lack of time, only to pick it up again months later and thenceforth being completely unable to put it down.

Mr. Erikson, I am envious of the way you weave words and worlds. I adore the language, the lucid flow of beautiful words that paint incredible visages before my mind's eye. I am enamoured by your characters - that they are so strong, and weak, and whole, and flawed, and beautiful, and hideous. That they engage in terrible acts for beautiful reasons.

You, sir, are a master of the genre.

Enough of my love-letter.

There is so much I loved about this book - the language, the characters, the humour, the heartbreak. I especially enjoyed the humorous play between Tehol and his man-servant, Bugg. I loved the way each character, no matter which side of the conflict they were on, were intrinsically human, caught in internal struggles between what is right, what is wrong, and the often impossible choices they faced. I found it easy to relate to.

I actually felt a twinge of regret when I shut it, having finished the narrative.

I feel like I'm gushing a bit, and I probably am. That's only because there is something about this book, and this series - something I'm yet to fathom fully - that pulls me in wholly and completely. This is what good writing should do.

I sit at my computer in awe, and cannot wait to start on the next book in the series... after I finish reading the books I have on loan from friends.

Mr. Erikson, you've done it again.

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Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It's rare that I'll pick up a classic simply because it is a classic. Generally, something must draw me in. I actually read this book in anticipation of the latest screen adaptation (starring Colin Firth and Ben Barnes), which had recently been released on DVD. Well, recently by my standards.

The problem with reprinted classics is, and this is only a problem if you are not so inclined, the foreword (and the end notes). If you are looking at the story from an academic perspective, they're nothing short of brilliant.

However, if you're trying to enjoy the story simply as as story, you'd do best to not read the foreword and stay well away from the end notes. With the information you read in the foreword - almost always about this book being Oscar Wilde's fall from grace, as it were - you read passages within the book in a whole new light.

As someone who is academically minded, I wasn't too concerned by this, though I did find that it detracted from enjoyment of the story as purely a story.

The story itself is brief. Oscar Wilde is a master of language and uses metaphors brilliantly to paint stunning imagery in the imagination. His use of descriptives is truly second to none. The story line is as pertinent today as it was in Mr. Wilde's time.

In a culture obsessed with youth and beauty, one wonders what happens to the very souls of those who hold their reflections above all else. To be honest, though, no beautiful person I've met has ever been horrid. Some have been perfectly vacuous, but not horrid. I digress.

The execution of the story was, despite the beautiful language and brilliant idea, rather disappointing. My problem is, of course, that I'm far too used to moments of incredible excitement. That's what happens when one reads mostly action-packed genres such as fantasy. It very much felt like things were building to a massive climax in the final few chapters. The actual turn of events was far less ... epic.

This, of course, was nothing more than a matter of expectation and realisation. My expectations for the ending were too high, I fear. Again, I'm going to blame this on fantasy. It's a convenient excuse.

If you're looking for stunning language and imagery, I highly recommend this book. Just don't expect any explosions.

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Book Review: The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an incredibly adorable tale.

Directed for a very young audience, this had none of the epic, melancholic overtones of The Lord of the Rings, and makes for a lovely lighter read. As I read I could imagine myself reading this aloud to my children (whenever I have them).

Tolkien has a wonderful habit of injecting his own voice into the story with phrases like 'I never heard what happened to, but it is generally believed...' (I'm paraphrasing here) which, though it took me out of the story, made me smile nonetheless. It looks odd written on paper, but if the story is spoken, it adds an authenticity that is entirely enchanting and language is first and foremost spoken.

With adventures a-plenty and a humorous narrative, it's no small wonder that The Hobbit is one of the most beloved children's books of all time. I'm very sorry I waited this long to read it.

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Quixotism

Romantic or absurd notions or actions.

- William Grimshaw's Ladies' Lexicon and Parlour Companion, 1854

Quixotic principles, character, or practice; an instance of this - a quixotic action or idea. Quixotize, to act in a quixotic manner; to render quixotic. Quixotry, quixotism.

- Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1909

Does anyone else get the feeling that Sir James Murray didn't actually know the meaning of the word?

Book Review: The Princess Bride (Abridged) by William Goldman

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is just one of those adorable reads that kept me giggling girlishly. Though not really a page-turner, it is still well worth the read.

If you've watched the movie, you know basically what happens, though I do have to point out that there is, as is typical of films, a lot that the movie missed.

To be frank, there's a lot that the abridger (is that even a word) missed as well. I'm tempted now to go back and read a translated version of the original to see just exactly what I did miss.

That said, where each cut was made, there were a few paragraphs explaining why and what happened before the action picked up again. Such little intrusions were often humorous and lively, and actually provided a few giggles in their own right.

All in all, a great, quick read. I recommend it.

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And today's Forgotten English is:

Clapper-Dudgeon

A clapperdogeon is in English a beggar borne; Beggar's Bush.

- Rev. Alexander Dyce's Works of Beaumont and Fletcher, 1845

Probably derived from the [beggar's] custom of clapping a dish.

- Robert Nares' Glossary [of] the Works of English Authors, 1859

A Gentle Kick in the Pants

I was almost ready to quit yesterday. I was so down, and upset, and discouraged, I was ready to throw in the towel and admit defeat.

Another rejection. Another person who thought my story/my abilities simply weren't good enough. Surely if so many people thought that, then this must be true:

I mustn't be able to write. My stories mustn't be much good at all.

I was, admittedly, not in the best frame of mind for rational thought, but the logic is nevertheless quite sound.

Then along came Gerard de Marigny, a friend and fellow author I met online at LinkedIn.com. Apparently, I roused at him in a conversation. I have absolutely no recollection of that at all... but I don't doubt it. I have a tendency to voice my opinion rather definitely (not cruelly, just decidedly... definite).

He reviewed my anthology The Dying God & Other Stories for me... and I cried a little. It was such a lovely review. You can read it HERE.

It was also a just-in-the-nick-of-time rescue from my melancholic defeat.

Sometimes, I think the universe is trying to tell me something. Let's hope it's not just a cruel prank and I don't end up frustrated, disappointed and bitter...

Only time will tell, I suppose.

Here's today's Forgotten English (I must say, it looks awfully Welsh to me):

Bryn Mawryn

A woman who has been connected with Bryn Mawr College as an undergraduate.

- Howard Savage's Slang from Bryn Mawr College, 1922

Bryn Mawr looks like a Welsh name. I should know - in my story The Taming of Man I (from The Dying God & Other Stories), I have a character Cysgod Mawr. It is a Welsh name, meaning Great Shadow (as in large). Mawr means large/great. Do you think the founder of the college was a Welshman?

Book Review: A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

Sorry this post is so very late. Blogger was having issues and I couldn't log in until now. To make it up to you, there is a book review and today's Forgotten English.

A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I put down this book for many, many months when I was about halfway through. I'm ashamed to say that I picked it up again only after starting to watch HBO's A Game of Thrones, the TV series based on the first book. In my defence, I was knee deep in several projects at the time I laid aside this book, and had very little spare time.

I remedied this oversight a fortnight ago, and I'm very glad that I did.

This is by far the best of the three books I've read thus far. There are some things that happen that really, really upset me (Spoiler Alert: Robb Stark). There are other things that really, really pleased me (Spoiler Alert: Jon Snow, Arya and (major spoiler) Cat Stark).

The fact that I so quickly became so deeply emotionally involved in this story after such a long time away from it is a tribute to George R.R. Martin - the finest tribute I think I can possibly offer.

His world lacks the complexity or cultural/anthropological genius that I so much admire in Steven Erikson, however the world is rich and vibrant and still very much alive. The characters are thoroughly believable and, so very importantly, many-faceted.

Characters I despised throughout the first two books have grown on me. A good sign. Characters I thought were brave and noble turned out to be rather foolish, really, and prideful. Another great sign.

Sufficed to say, a very solid four stars. If Goodreads would allow it, I'd have given 4.5 stars.

Oh, and one more piece of advice for those considering or currently reading this book: read the Epilogue. You won't be sorry.

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Ratt-Rime

Originally, a rhyme or piece of poetry used in charming and killing rates. The term... came to mean halting metres, doggerel, a tirade of nonsense.

- David Donaldson's Supplement to Jamieson's Scottish Dictionary, 1887

The fanciful idea that rats were commonly rhymed to death, in Ireland, arose probably from some metrical charm or incantation used there for that purpose.

- Rober Nares' Glossary [of] the Works of English Authors, 1859

Rhime them to death, as they do Irish rats/ In drumming tunes.

- Ben Jonson's Poetaster, 1601.

Edit to add: If anyone from blogger is reading this, Thursday's post is missing. Kindly put it back.

My First Review

Good morning all!

I've had my first ever review (for The Dying God & Other Stories), and it was brilliant! It was so lovely, I posted up on the website for said book. You can read it here. Just in case you don't believe that I didn't write it myself, here is the link to the original review. See - exactly the same!

Not bad for a first ever review! It put me on cloud nine for about three seconds before the doubts started in: What if they were just being nice, and it's really utter crap? I'm really going to have to learn to manage the doubts that continually plague me.

In any case, it's still a great review and I'm happy about it. I was so happy on Friday that I spent most of the time dancing around in my seat and got absolutely no writing done whatever. Quite normally I take Friday's off, so I'm not terribly upset about it.

I will be writing today as soon as I'm finished with everything else I have to catch up this morning. With some luck, I'll make my 3 000 words. Here's hoping anyway.

Today's Forgotten English is:

Broozle:

To perspire violently for toil. [From] Belgian broeijen, to grow warm of hot, or Teutonic bruysen, to foam, as we speak of a brothe of sweat.

- John Longmuir's edition of Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language, 1867

I'm never going to use this word. It sounds far too comical.

You should buy the Forgotten English calendar. Just under today's word is the headline Man Studies Himself to Death. No joke. It's a pretty sad story, actually. Yet for some reason, I find it funny. Perhaps I'm mildly sociopathic. That is now a word.

Right, must stop blathering and get on with my day. Have a lovely Monday everyone.

Book Review: Almost French

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A light, easy read that I found I could relate to.

I don't normally read memoirs. This one was given to me by my flatmate. The tale is an Australian woman's struggle to adapt to the life and attitudes of Paris.

Though I didn't move to Paris, there were many passages in the book that I could relate to. Most notably, the open, frank manner of Australians, versus, well, other cultures.

More than once, my blunt manner has gotten me into some trouble over here in Canada.

I suspect I enjoyed it purely because I can relate to it in a fairly major fashion. All the same, it's a great read of 'when cultural expectations collide.'

If you have a spare afternoon, pick it up. It's a short, cutesy read that goes well with a light, fruity white.

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And today's Forgotten English is:

Englottogaster:

(I kid you not)

One who speaks from his belly; a ventriloquist.

- William Turton's Medical Glossary, 1802

Engastrimyth, one who appears to speak in the belly; a ventriloquist.

- Sir Jame Murray's New English Dictionary, 1901.

Well, no wonder this word isn't used anymore! Just for fun, I'm going to slide it into a conversation and see what reaction I get.

Also, for those of you so inclined, there is now a link on the top of this blog for you to donate the the Japanese Red Cross to aid their disaster relief efforts (through Google). It doesn't have to be a huge amount. Every little bit helps.

Righto, that's it from me, have a lovely Monday everyone.

Book Review: Remember Me?

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Don't expect great things from this book. It isn't ground-breaking. It's horribly formulaic, predictable and, all in all, pretty silly. That is to say, this book is perfect for those once in a while reads where you just need something light and dopey to boost your mood.

To be perfectly honest, I don't really read these sorts of books very often. Those who know me will be unsurprised by this. Sometimes, however, you need to break away from the heavy emotional stuff and indulge in girly fluff.

And that is precisely what this book is. Fluff.

A nice, light entertaining read for a snowy, grey day.

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And the Forgotten English word of the day is:

Bittock:

If you ask a Scotchman [sic] the distance to any place he will reply, after asking you in return where you came from, that it is so many miles and a bittock.

- James Maitland's American Slang Dictionary, 1891.

Well, that was decidedly unhelpful. In other news, it's back to writing for me. I'm making a start on Overlord, Book 4 of The Great Man series. Wish me luck!

Book Review: Deception

Deception by Jaimey Grant

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again in the interest of transparency, I will note that I know the author. I will also say that Romance is something I tend to avoid because it all runs more or less the same. Man sees woman. Woman sees man. For some reason (be it mutual loathing, social systems, or some other equally dull reason) they cannot be together. Love eventually wins out and they marry. The end.

This book was, very happily, nothing like that. Despite being labelled a Historical Romance, I found it more of an Adventure story. Certainly, there is the usual guy meets girl element, which forms a large part of the book, the larger part is the heroine's past and the result of that. Marriage does not happily end the book as it tends to with Romance novels (the majority that I've read, in any case).

For this reason, and others, I really loved this book.

It might have something to do with the historical setting of the book, which, of course, I adore. I have to confess my greatest delight in the language of the book (yes, I'm a language geek), most specifically the first correct spelling and use of the word 'arse' I've seen in a long, long time.

I have a pet peeve. The use of the word 'ass' to mean bottom. It doesn't mean bottom at all. It's a short form of the word 'jackass' which is, of course, a donkey. Every time someone say 'asshole,' what they're really saying is 'donkey hole.' 'Arse,' on the other hand, does mean bottom.

It's silly thing, and I know I'm being oddly pedantic, since I realise language changes, but the whole 'ass' vs. 'arse' thing really does bother me. I don't quite know why. Seeing 'arse' in proper form made me smile.

I also read a number of time-specific words which, thanks to my very handy Christmas present of a Forgotten English calendar I actually knew. I didn't struggle with the language at all. It would probably be helpful for the average reader to Google the words they don't understand, or else put them in context as demeaning descriptives no longer used today.

As I said before, what I genuinely adore about this book is that marriage and 'happily ever after' (I think I'm going to be ill) is not the end of the story. There's a whole of exciting stuff that happens after the wedding, which I'm not going to give away here. You'll have to buy the book.

At first I was a little confused by the plethora of names and titles to which the reader is hurriedly introduced (established readers of Jaimey Grant may already be familiar with the characters), but it didn't take long to sort this all out and it certainly didn't detract from the story.

The couple in question are Levi and Aurora, but I find myself much more enchanted by the dark, belligerent, outwardly hostile character of Derringer. I fear that says a little too much about myself, but there you go. As a character, Derringer was by far the most intriguing.

In short, a very plump four stars. Jaimey Grant did a fabulous job with this story, and I'll definitely be looking into getting more of her books in the near future ... especially the ones that have Derringer in them ...

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And today's Forgotten English:

Medicinal Days:

The sixth, eighth, twelfth, sixteenth, eighteenth, etc. days of a disease, so called because, according to Hippocrates, no crisis occurs on these days and medicine may be safely administered.

- Ebenezer Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 1898

Book Review: Web Secrets

Web Secrets by Ronnie Dauber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Again, in the interest of honesty, I know the author. Like others I've read, this book is typically out of my reading field, it not being Fantasy, and all.

That out of the way, I really, really liked this book.

I generally don't read these type of books because I find them terribly predictable. Indeed, in this one, I spotted the villain the moment I met him. I also guessed at his connection to the heroine and was spot on the money. However, a nice little twist at the end made me groan - I should have caught it, but didn't. That put a smile on my face. Nicely done, Ms. Dauber!

Do yourselves a favour, read the Prologue. I have a habit of reading them because, at least in Fantasy, they contain wonderful details and back-story that enrich the world the characters inhabit. In this case, the Prologue set a really, really interesting scene which was the main driving force behind me wanting to read the rest of the book. It really ought to have been the first chapter, rather than just a prologue. So read it.

The text is dense with descriptives, which put me in a state of constant emotional alert, and it was rather draining. However, the story moved nicely, and by the last four chapters, it moved very quickly indeed. I just had to keep reading to find out what happened.

If you like murder mystery, I'm sure you'll really like this book as well.

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And today's Forgotten English is:

Chitterie-Chatterie:

A piece of bread eaten immediately after bathing.

- Alexander Warrack's Scots Dialect Dictionary, 1911

[From] chitter, to shiver; to tremble. Hence, boys are wont to call that bit of bread which they preserve for eating after bathing a chittering-piece.

- John Jamieson's Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, 1808.

Book Review: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book came to me at the right time. I have only this to say, this book was brilliant. It was so good it had me doing something I hadn't done since High school - I walked home with my nose pressed between the pages. In fact, I finished the book last evening as I walked.
It was that good.
Infidel was the first ever book by Ayaan Hirsi Ali I have ever read, and it won't be the last. I found it open, honest and often inspiring. It tackles that sticky question no one really wants to deal with for fear of how they will be perceived - Islam and the clash with rights and freedoms, especially against women.
It begins with the shocking death of Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh, a friend of Ms. Ali's. The man's throat was slit, he was shot, and then a note to Ms. Ali was pinned to his chest with a dagger. The note says, basically, "You're next."
What follows is a journey through Ms. Ali's life beginning with her home country, Somalia, her Muslim upbringing, and her inability to reconcile her faith with her questions as she grew up in various countries in Africa, some Muslim, some not.
It ends with her very strong views on Islam and the damage it does to women, and thus to societies as a whole, and her quest to bring her views to light, to shed light on the plight of many thousands of Muslim women and children and with the hope that, in some way, her work will help shape a better tomorrow for all.
I'm not going to go into too much detail about Ms. Ali's life. That's what the book is for. I will say, however, that I am filled with a deep respect and admiration for the strength, passion and compassion of Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Knowing what she has faced, and how she has turned her own life around, not least of all coming to grips with a faith she could not believe in and all the guilt and grief it caused, has created for me something I never thought I'd need as an adult - a role model.
Read this book. It's an eye-opener; often depressing, but always fascinating.

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And today's Forgotten English:

Postlude:

A concluding piece or movement played at the end of an oratorio or the like; formed on post, and ludus, play, on analogy of prelude, interlude.

- Sir James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1909

I've never heard it used, but it's pretty easy to guess at its meaning, no?

Book Review: Rich Dad Poor Dad

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It's a good thing one of the authors admitted in this book that they weren't a good writer, because I'm about to tear into this book.

I get that it's a self-help kind of book, but still, there is something to be said for avoiding things like egregious repetition. Each paragraph (almost) repeats exactly what the previous paragraph has said, sometimes using the exact same damned words. This had me so annoyed, I was ready to take a match to the book.

And I abhor the idea of burning books.

Moreover, many of the anecdotes were tiresome and unrealistic (which is weird, because they all, likely, actually happened). I half expected Yoda to jump off the page and say, "Learn this and rich you will become, young investor." I might be a bit harsh here, but it really, really annoyed me.

Also, I'm not much of a capitalist. I mean, I have no issue with capitalism, provided that it is handled in a sensible, mutually beneficial manner.

In short, I think I'm too much of a socialist for this book. I tend to avoid investing in corporations, not only because I don't have the funds spare to do it with, but because there are very, very few corporations I can, in good conscience, invest in.

I refuse on principle to invest in a company that is involved in serious environmental "indiscretions" or corporations that take advantage of workers in developing countries (yes, I do shop at fair trade stores), or even developed countries. I'd rather give my money to Greenpeace, thank-you.

Why is this the case? Because I don't see a point in making a tonne of money for either myself or my children if my children will not have a healthy, safe planet on which to live.

That rules out almost every company currently on the stock market.... though, thankfully, that is changing.

Furthermore, my problem is that I don't want to be filthy rich. I want to be financially independent, but having porches and boats and a house that is far too large to clean is not on my priorities list. Perhaps that is strange, but I don't find so. I'm not that into being rich. I'm not particularly fussed as to whether I have a 5000 inch flat-screen television, or a yacht or other material signals of wealth.

I also don't mind paying taxes. I see taxes as an investment in my community's infrastructure. I like the idea that my children will have access to free health care. I like the idea that tuition fees will be manageable (though they are slowly creeping in the obscene - and already are obscene in the U.S.A.). I like rubbish disposal and smooth roads and parks and a fire brigade that is not a privately owned one (they used to be owned by insurance companies. I'll let you figure out why that's a terrible idea). I don't mind investing in my community. After all, my community is, more or less, my tribe.

For these reasons, I suppose, this book really wasn't for me.

That's not to say that it won't be for you.

As far as the content of the book, there were some things that made sense, and other things that made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. No doubt the authors of this book would classify me as "arrogant" or a "Chicken Little" or "ignorant." Granted, when it comes to money matters, I am a safe player.

However, advice like 'pay yourself first and let the government scream' is, to my mind, not sound advice. Ever.

Also, the authors state that there is a phenomenal debt problem amongst the middle class. I'm not disagreeing with this at all. Then they go on to say that the majority of workers are living within their means (p. 136).

What?!

No they're not! If they were, there wouldn't be a debt crisis.

I might have missed the point the authors' were trying to make, but it seemed really odd to me.

There were other details that I found irritating, but I won't go into them here.

Thank goodness the authors' didn't claim formal education was useless, or I'd really be having a conniption!

Despite my objections, the book did have some very informative and interesting things which would help anyone. Their ideas on real estate, for example, and their definition of an asset vs. a liability were extremely instructive. Moreover, they provide some practical starting off points for people who might not be willing to risk bankruptcy in order to get rich.

Now, if you're looking to get rich and have no social conscience or any other goal, this is probably the book for you. Even for people like me, there are some good points to take in and put into action. Like, for example, don't spend more money than you have. Wait until you have the funds to afford the luxuries, don't buy the luxuries to make it look like you have the funds. You know, things that ought to be common sense, but apparently aren't.

All in all, the book was "alright."

It's not really my thing, but it might be yours. That said, it did get me thinking, and it does have some very valid points. Worth a read.

View all my reviews

And here's today's Forgotten English word/phrase:

Googer:

The devil.

- Walter Skeat's Specimens of English Dialects, Westmoreland, 1879