D. Merrimon Crawford - TJ MacGregor's KILL TIME depicts the corruption of society as a mother is abducted by government agents and society's values turn extreme. Protection from outside threats and and medical maladies turn rogue as extremism and corruption enter the scene. Time travel heightens the suspense andIt is thriller fun. There is a sequel available but I will read some things in between before taking it on.
characterization as the author reveals history and future influence. Nora's mother disappeared when she was a child. Now, as she prepares to tell her husband that she wants a divorce, her childhood fears come back to haunt her as her husband is taken away from her right in front of her in a restaurant by FREEZE (Freedom and Security). Labeled as a terrorist, there is no recourse and her attempts to find out the charge become much too similar to a Kafka novel. As she traces a trail of clues left by her husband, she uncovers medical research gone awry, disappearing dissidents, political corruption and power brokering, greed run rampant and an eerie connection to a television show from the past. The ending leaves some things unresolved but it works well here, giving a vision that makes the reader ponder. KILL TIME addresses issues of our current culture, indeed issues faced throughout history. By de-familiarizing them through time travel and a futuristic feel, TJ MacGregor gets down to timeless values, not specific political personalities or events, and in doing so, reaches beyond party politics into the heart of human values. I adore suspense that takes parts of culture perhaps good in the original intention and twists them, showing the underside when "good" things become too absolute, too fanatical. TJ MacGregor reveals the dark underside of aspects of today's society without preaching and without moralizing, leaving the reader to form their own ideas. As homeland security and medical research cross the boundaries into corruption and fanaticism, TJ MacGregor provides an eerie portrait.
I stopped by the library to pick up a couple holds. I also picked up the books of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books for JodyO who is having outpatient surgery tomorrow and will need some diverting reading for the next few days. She expressed interest in these when Sara and I talked about them at lunch on Monday. I dropped them off at the Museum for her. It is getting tiresome, however, to report how I'm doing in the job hunt to everyone and remain upbeat(sigh).
So I read a lot and started watching Pride and Prejudice, the newer version. I had avoided this one because I don't think ANYTHING can compare to Colin Firth as Darcy but I recently saw a a clip of the ending and I have to admit that the gentleman protraying Darcy kinda held his own in a younger way. So I'm giving it a chance and the actors are actually closer to the age I believe the characters are supposed to be. If I had to pick just one novel to love, to save in the event of potential extinction, etc., it would be Pride and Prejudice, followed by Austen's Persuasion. Anyway, I had also picked up another British period drama DVD called North and South so I'll give that a try too in a day or two.
Steve just got home. I'm making taco salad and we'll watch Survivor in a little while.
Happy reading,
PK the Bookeemonster
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