Klarinet Archive - Posting 000060.txt from 2004/04

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] [OT] Potter
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 18:55:56 -0400

At 12:47 PM 4/4/2004 -0400, Dave Kumpf wrote:
>On Potter: well, my view is that Rowling does actually know how to write,
>and at something more than a pedestrian level. I've enjoyed every book,
>although I have to say the latest shows some evidence of being forced
>instead of flowing naturally and rhythmically. (Maybe she should take five
>years off before doing the next one?)

Good writing will advance a good story, but the story comes first. Just
like with Disney animated features, it is not the animation itself (which
can be stunning), but the STORY that sells the picture (and if you don't
believe that, I offer the Simpsons, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and several
others as evidence). Now I hear that the one that was just released will
be the LAST hand drawn animated feature they do. All will be digital from
now on!

I was about to launch into a speculation about orchestration and music as
compared to writing style and written works, but I am suddenly VERY afraid!

>On Clancy: I've stayed up all night to read his stuff. But he's made
>reference in at least one book to his writing ability - or more
>specifically, to being able to construct only serviceable sentences, not
>great prose. Clancy wins by doing exhaustive research and demonstrating
>insight into the way that governments and military organizations work.

And with all that knowledge, he can build a believable reality in your head.

> On Grisham: I've read only "The Firm." Have several others but haven't
>gotten to them yet.

I'm reading "The Partner" right now. Very good. Legal stuff can be fun.

>On Brown: I enjoyed "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons." Then I read
>"Digital Fortress" and thought "well, this is *obviously* a first novel by
>someone who has only a trivial understanding of computers and encryption."

I've seen that in drug stores, etc. Most likely in print again because of
the success of the other two books.

>If you want to read a novel that discusses encryption technology, read Neal
>Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon" instead. Not a trivial book - I think it's more
>than 1,000 pages - but it's fascinating. ("Snow Crash," by Stephenson, is
>also great. I'm currently reading his book "The Diamond Age," which is
>ostensibly about nanotechnology, but from what I've read so far, is really
>about society's need to deliver more effective and creative education.)

Hard to argue with THAT!

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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