tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post2970363965747400804..comments2023-05-30T09:03:28.782-07:00Comments on Wielding Pen and Sword: "I'll kill every mother’s son of you...Cynthia Tara Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05722841897910529350noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-55209791266642667582012-01-20T23:51:23.009-08:002012-01-20T23:51:23.009-08:00Aww. (Blush...) Wait. "Almost always..?"...Aww. (Blush...) Wait. "Almost always..?" Was that a test? ;)Cynthia Tara Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05722841897910529350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-55225191147385043832012-01-20T22:07:15.467-08:002012-01-20T22:07:15.467-08:00This is why I am SO grateful you're my critiqu...This is why I am SO grateful you're my critique partner (and one of the many reasons I'll lose my mind when the semester's over)! You have an incredibly detailed mind when it comes to reading - an author's lapses in description, logic, situation, continuity - the fine minutiae that many others often miss - almost always get caught during your telescopic read. Loved this post!Livewyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17090566554262255353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-82897158345024106532012-01-19T17:36:08.128-08:002012-01-19T17:36:08.128-08:00While I like your entire post, one point early on ...While I like your entire post, one point early on really leapt out at me as something that would have read much better: if Matheson had named the brand of whiskey, rather than simply referring to it as 'whiskey.' Jack Daniels or Jameson or whatever would have given Neville a stronger identity, even from something as simple as what brand of whiskey he drank. Small details like that can really bring a character to life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-6281531071604076052012-01-18T21:17:42.711-08:002012-01-18T21:17:42.711-08:00You all have had some wonderful responses to my po...You all have had some wonderful responses to my post. Thank you so much for your comments! I do read for fun, but this program has forever changed 'how' I read for fun. My critical eye is always roaming and thinking as I go. I backtrack a lot to see if I missed something along the way when it comes to things I don't understand. Everyone's responses were much appreciated!<br /><br />~CinCynthia Tara Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05722841897910529350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-77143299307702663602012-01-18T16:15:42.756-08:002012-01-18T16:15:42.756-08:00I also missed the inconsistencies, especially the ...I also missed the inconsistencies, especially the make-up and the bath. I also missed the milk one. However, neither my husband nor I drink milk, so I am letting that one go. I agree with you that Matheson weaved an amazing story. Although, I thought it started out slow. Until the dog showed up, I had difficulty paying attention. (I also sobbed when he died). It's harder for me to catch errors like punctuation and inconsistencies if the story didn't hook me. I am easily distracted. So I applaud Matheson on his ability to catch my attention in Part Two and maintain it until the end. The twisted end rocked. I was actually sad that it was over. That doesn't happen too often.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-59169530443178010732012-01-18T12:54:51.457-08:002012-01-18T12:54:51.457-08:00Seconded on the inconsistencies (like the milk, an...Seconded on the inconsistencies (like the milk, and you're right! the bath!) missing my notice. Of course, I wasn't nearly as enchanted with the story as you seem to be. Which I admire in you. I hate it when something doesn't grab me when I know it held others in that lovely pleasure zone of reading. For me, I was bored. Bored with his shopping, bored with his experiments and the bacteria. The story really picked up for me when Ruth entered the picture. From there on out I think I felt the magic that some others have mentioned, and I could have done with a lot more of that.<br /><br />KateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-40983258136380289022012-01-18T08:25:10.064-08:002012-01-18T08:25:10.064-08:00Insightful post! I have difficultly catching inco...Insightful post! I have difficultly catching inconsistencies within a story - the tendency is more to just read through and enjoy the ride - but you make some very good points. The make-up...admittedly, Neville never sees her outside after that bath, and his house is rather devoid of natural lighting with the boarded-up windows. That might explain why he didn't notice, but really, I'm grasping at straws. The milk, though, is another matter. There should have been some mention of prepping canned or powdered milk, because there's no possible way he would have had it fresh. And the drinkable water - like the milk, Matheson could have used a throwaway line, about boiling perhaps, and made it all the more realistic. Good catches!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-82705640445268869062012-01-18T06:48:11.274-08:002012-01-18T06:48:11.274-08:00I kind of-sort of liked the most recent film versi...I kind of-sort of liked the most recent film version until I read this book. Now I hate it. The things about Matheson's writing that drove me insane in Hell House weren't nearly as pronounced when he wrote I Am Legend, and though I made mental notes about them as I read, I was too caught up in the story to give them much more thought--and somehow I didn't even catch that part about Ruth in the bath! The ending was brilliant (again, so unlike Hell House). One of the best endings I've ever read. It's obvious why this book has had such a huge influence on writers over the years.Jennifer Loringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12140138618841118386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871304655428280865.post-90676277120856101682012-01-17T20:01:13.793-08:002012-01-17T20:01:13.793-08:00I too had some issues with his writing, as well as...I too had some issues with his writing, as well as content. I found his explanation of the bacteria to be boring and ended up skimming through most of that section. However, the ending all but made up for it. I love the fact that Matheson turns the story around and paints Neville as the monster. Brilliant work really, and a fact that I think the movie missed almost entirely. Overall though, I think this story was excellent and that anyone who enjoys vampire stories, or post-apocalyptic stories would get a kick out of it.C. R. Langillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00871362471219209440noreply@blogger.com