power of love
The Neverending Story
This week on Novel Ideas, we discuss The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, a fantasy/YA classic that many people remember fondly from their childhood. Of course, we never read it as children. Listen to the episode to hear us talk about classic v. modern YA, Mary Sue characters, fate and luck and how they effect problem solving, and world building. And possibly feminism. We also discuss generic hero boys, Fantastican revisionism, unannoying Tom Bombadil, and the power of love.
The music bump is Frank Mantooth’s version of “Imagination,” a tune that I used for a previous episode but didn’t remember until it was too late. If you never listen again, I won’t blame you.
The Neverending Story – Three Dub
Recommendations:
A story full of ideas and imagination that isn’t fully developed and ultimately goes nowhere.
Gabs: 6/10 for the first half, 3/10 for the second half.
Ben: 3/10 for going 200 pages past the point where I cared.
This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged 3 dub, classic v. modern YA, deus ex machina, Ende's Game, Fantastican revisionism, fate, friendship, gender balance, generic hero boy, high v. low fantasy, imagination, luck, Mary Sue, Michael Ended, motivations, Novel Ideas drinking game, overpowered characters, power of love, pride, reader requests, set up without resolution, SO MANY IDEAS, static characters, The Neverending Story, translations, unannoying Tom Bombadil, unintended consequences, unnecessary half a book, world building, year in review.
Ender’s Game
Novel Ideas returns from a work related pseudo vacation hiatus with Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. If you use any form of media that is connected to the outside world, you’ve probably seen some trailers for the recently released movie. This book has actually been our list for a long time, but we’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to discuss it. Join us this week as we discuss, with the help of Special Guest Star Kevin Smith, this old favorite. In the the episode we talk about the Orson Scott Card controversy, spoilerific plot twists, master manipulators, and whether the ends justify the means. We also touch on how six year olds act most of the time, Yakety Sax, Independence Day, and creative ways of using the word “fart.”
The music bump is “Head Games” by Foreigner. I almost went with “Yakety Sax,” but decided that “Head Games” is actually hilarious if you imagine that Ender is singing it to either Colonel Graff or the Hive Queen, depending on the verse.
Ender’s Game – A Gold Plated Fart
Recommendations:
One of the best science fiction novels ever written with special sentimental value to all three of us. Definitely read it before you see the movie, which will undoubtedly not live up to this book.
Gabs: 9/10 Not quite as pants-peeingly good as reading it as a kid, but still very, very good.
Ben/Kevin: 11/10 OMFG
This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged A Trip to Epcot Center, abridged fantasy series, acceptance, basketball connections, bugger biology, bullying, censorship, child revolution, controversy, diagramming space battles, diversity, DO NOT SHIP, dystopia, economical writing, empathy, Ender's Game, ends justify the means, fart reviews, feminism, forgiveness, Hollywood, ID4 references, layers, master manipulators, movies of books, oops lol, Orson Scott Card, penis farts, plot twists, power of love, pressure, psychopathy, questions, six year olds, social conditioning, special guest, symbolism, the internet, Valentine's strength, Yakety Sax.
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