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hawkwing_lbBooks 2012: 195-196
195. Samit Basu, Turbulence. Titan Books, 2012.
Samit Basu is apparently already established in India as a writer of talent and promise. And judging by the quality of Turbulence, his first UK publication, his reputation is well-deserved.
I'm not much of a fan of superhero stories. Mostly I find them shallow, cartoonish - a slick film of banter and cool shit covering a fundamentally unimaginative take on this too-often fascistic subgenre. But Basu is neither unimaginative nor shallow: his accidental superheroes, victims of something mysterious on their flight from Britain to India, are cleverly-drawn, sharp and believeable. Also, they're all Indian - apart from Uzma, who is British-Pakistani. Finally, a superhero story without Americans.
Fast, pacey, with a sly wit and things to say, Turbulence has all of a superhero story's good points with very few of the flaws. (So I find the fighty parts the least interesting ones. Sue me.) Well-characterised, too. I look forward to seeing what Basu does next - I believe we may expect a sequel.
196. Dorothy Gilman, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. Fawcett, 1998. First published 1966.
A remarkably entertaining adventure. Mrs Pollifax decides, at the age of sixty-three, that she's going to start a new career. Turning up at the offices of the CIA, she volunteers to serve her country as a spy - and through a misunderstanding, is given a mission as a tourist in Mexico City. This is the start of an adventure involving Chinese communists, abduction to Albania, and perilous escapes.
Light-hearted, funny, and somehow ineffably cosy, despite being very dated in its attitudes, I found it very comforting reading last night when I couldn't sleep.
195. Samit Basu, Turbulence. Titan Books, 2012.
Samit Basu is apparently already established in India as a writer of talent and promise. And judging by the quality of Turbulence, his first UK publication, his reputation is well-deserved.
I'm not much of a fan of superhero stories. Mostly I find them shallow, cartoonish - a slick film of banter and cool shit covering a fundamentally unimaginative take on this too-often fascistic subgenre. But Basu is neither unimaginative nor shallow: his accidental superheroes, victims of something mysterious on their flight from Britain to India, are cleverly-drawn, sharp and believeable. Also, they're all Indian - apart from Uzma, who is British-Pakistani. Finally, a superhero story without Americans.
Fast, pacey, with a sly wit and things to say, Turbulence has all of a superhero story's good points with very few of the flaws. (So I find the fighty parts the least interesting ones. Sue me.) Well-characterised, too. I look forward to seeing what Basu does next - I believe we may expect a sequel.
196. Dorothy Gilman, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. Fawcett, 1998. First published 1966.
A remarkably entertaining adventure. Mrs Pollifax decides, at the age of sixty-three, that she's going to start a new career. Turning up at the offices of the CIA, she volunteers to serve her country as a spy - and through a misunderstanding, is given a mission as a tourist in Mexico City. This is the start of an adventure involving Chinese communists, abduction to Albania, and perilous escapes.
Light-hearted, funny, and somehow ineffably cosy, despite being very dated in its attitudes, I found it very comforting reading last night when I couldn't sleep.
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Date: 2012-10-16 06:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-16 06:26 pm (UTC)(Thanks.)