Books

Magician: Apprentice & Magician: Master; Silverthorn, A Darkness at Sethanon

Raymond E. Fiest's Riftwar saga is an absolutely captivating fantasy series! You will grow to love the characters and feel like they are your friends. The saga follows the growth of a mighty Magician and a powerful warrior through the chaotic times of the Riftwar. 110502

Totto-chan The Little Girl at the Window - Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

A lively story about a curious and chatty little girl, Totto-chan, in an unconventional school that teaches children more about learning, sensitivity and living than the curriculum. Unfortunately, it was during the time of WWII which saw the students and teachers through very difficult times. A must-read for all educators and parents, and those who dislike rote-learning prevalent in Singapore schools. What makes this story all the more surprising is that it is a true story. Sometimes, we forget too easily that going to school and getting an education is much less important than the lessons we learn that are not in the curriculum, like how to interact with peers, how to pursue a subject that interests you (despite its "commercially worthless" value) and human sensitivity, integerity and ideals. (December 2001)

Dune - Frank Herbert

One of the most influential works of science fiction ever. I was actually reading this book when doing my review for the Westwod game, Emperor: Battle for Dune. I even borrowed the David Lynch film (which sucked quite a bit) to do an in-depth study of Dune. It's really a well-thought out universe where the spice, Melange, was a treasured commodity and water, a scarce resource on the desert planet of Arrakis. Frank Herbert describes the entire world in such detail that you could actually paint vivid images in your mind of Dune. It's a brilliant piece of imaginative writing which is truly inspiring for science fiction fans.

The Chrysalids - John Wyndham

A short novel for easy reading, but the ideas communicated were by no means simplistic. What kind of people are considered freaks? What if society refuses to accept even the least deviation from its people, without even assessing if the deviation was really detrimental? With the same foreboding feel as George Orwell's 1984, The Chrysalids is a thought-provoking tale of tolerance and the pursuit of perfection. It also raises the question of the perception of perfection, and the intolerance for anything deviant.

The Trial - Franz Kafka 

Still midway through this book. Progress is slow, due to some portions written especially lengthily to ridicule the entire bureaucratic situation. Joseph K, the hero of the book, however, fails to endear to the reader so far. I feel little attachment to this being but I do sympathize and empathize with his helplessness and inability to educate people who cannot accept "going against authority" even in the smallest way. Will give a better review when I'm done with this book...

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