Sunday, March 08, 2009

Sunday Salon: Villains, Super Heroes, Religion & Winners

I spent a good part of the morning walking the dark streets of New York, where costumed superheroes have been outlawed and the end of the world seems inevitable. I am about half way through Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen, a graphic novel which has garnered much acclaim since it's publication over two decades ago. It is considered a modern classic of the genre and paved the way for others like it. The novel is dark and heavy with moral ambiguities.

I finished reading The Woman in White earlier last week. Wilkie Collins was a talented storyteller, and it is no wonder his books are so well loved. I remember seeing Count Fosco listed as someone's favorite villain, and I can see why. He's smart and charming, cunning and calculating. Oh, how I would love to know more of his back story! His counterpart, Sir Percival is much more passionate and emotional as compared to the ever logical Count Fosco. They balance each other out well. I am in the process of adding the final touches to my review and will post that later this week. I could go on and on about the novel. It is one that lends itself to discussion.

Are their any villians you have come across in your reading that were especially memorable? I would love to know who your favorite villian is and why he or she earns that spot.

I plan to curl up on the couch this afternoon and finish reading Watchmen. And then I will turn my sights to another book. HarperCollins First Look Program was kind enough to send me a copy of Losing My Religion by William Lobdell, and the clock is ticking in regards to my sending them a little blurb for their website. This particular book caught my interest for personal reasons, and I am very much looking forward to reading it.

My immediate TBR stack is threatening to tumble over. There are quite a number of books I hope to get to in the next few months, each of them promising either exciting adventures, thoughtful revelations, or heartrending experiences.

Week in Review:
Review of The Weight of a Mustard Seed by Wendell Steavenson
Scatterbrained Saturday: New Books, Fill Ins, Another Challenge



Thank you to all who participated in the Book Giveaway Carnival, whether it was by hosting a drawing of your own or simply by entering. I have a few new book recommendations to check out, thanks to all of you! I will be e-mailing the winners shortly to request their mailing addresses. (Winners chosen through random.org)

Apples and Oranges: My Brother and Me, Lost and Found by Marie Brenner
goes to
Gwen Dawson from Literary License


Tarnished Beauty by Cecilia Samartin
goes to
Estela from Spared Change


The House on Tradd Street by Karen White
goes to
Megan from write meg!


Pursuit by Thomas Perry
goes to
Terra H.


Walking Through Walls by Philip Smith
goes to
Callista from SMS Book Reviews


Broad Street by Christine Weiser
goes to
Jo-Jo from Jo-Jo Loves to Read!!!

27 comments:

  1. I wouldn't say I have a favorite villain, but I was intrigued by Anton Chigurh of Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men because he seemingly had no conscience. I've heard that The Judge from McCarthy's Blood Meridian is even more evil, but I could only read a few chapters of that book before I had to stop.

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  2. A favourite villain...well, there's Lily Weatherwax from Witched Abroad by Terry Pratchett, but I can't explain why she's so interesting without spoiling the book for everyone :P

    I'm really looking forward to your review of Watchmen. I've probably told you this before :P

    Congratulations to the winners!

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  3. I know what you mean about your TBR pile. Mine is out of control and I still can't stop acquiring books. I've heard lots about The Watchmen lately so I'll have to check it out. Glad to hear that you enjoyed The Woman in White!

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  4. My mind is drawing a blank about villains. I'll have to give that some more thought.

    Congrats to the winners!

    Have a great week!

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  5. I had no idea The Watchmen was that old. Congratulations to all of your winners!

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  6. Charley - Anton Chigurh is an interesting villain. I haven't read the book, but I did see the movie--not that that counts though. :-)

    Nymeth - I really must read Terry Pratchett soon. I need to know more about this Lily Weatherwax!

    I am debating whether to post my review of the graphic novel before I see the movie or do a combination review after I've seen it.

    Samantha - I'm the same way. I acquire books faster than I read them--and I really do want to read them all. It just takes me awhile to get to them sometimes.

    Yvonne - I don't remember too many of the villains I read about, I admit. At least none that stand out so much I can name them off the top of my head. Voldermort from Harry Potter is hard to forget, but that could be because he's in so many of the books and also in the movies.

    Kathy - Watchmen was originally published in 1986-1987. I understand the movie is set in the mid-80's as well to keep it more or less consistent.

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  7. I have Woman in White in my TBR stack - good to see you liked it. It is such a chunkster that I always seem to have an excuse not to read it. Maybe in 2009 ... we'll see.

    Hey, I like your new look...but for some reason your header didn't appear in my browser (I use Firefox)...just wanted you to know!

    Have a great week, Wendycat!

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  8. I can't think of a favorite villain at this time but now you've got my wheels turning!! I can't wait to read your review of "Watchmen." My son and I almost saw that yesterday...we'll probably end up seeing it next weekend or over spring break.

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  9. I can't see any header either, firefox as well.

    I was just thinking the other day about Long John Silver and how much I enjoyed him in his villianry of Treasure Island, but he was so much fun, I'm not sure he counts.
    And I think Snape counts as a villian, but I always believed in him since Dumbledore trusted him.

    The Reverend who lives across the street from Miss Julia (Ann M Ross series) is just terrible and hypocritical and misogynist, so I'll pick him.

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  10. Wendy - When I finished The Woman in White, I realized it's a rather small chunkster in comparison to some of the other chunksters I have on my shelf to read. I think it just seemed extra long because of the writing style and my copy is a hardback edition with thick pages. I look forward to reading what you think of it when you do get to it, Wendy.

    Thanks! I am not sure why the header isn't appearing. I use Firefox as does my husband we can see it on both of our computers. I'll check into though to see if it's something on my end. Especially since Elizabeth is having the same problem.

    I hope you have a great week too.

    Staci - I should be finishing up Watchmen soon. I'm really enjoying it and look forward to seeing the movie. I've heard mixed reviews about the movie, so it will be interesting to see what you, your son, and I think of it after we've seen it.

    Elizabeth - That's strange. I wonder what the problem is with Firefox and my blog. As I mentioned to Wendy, it hasn't been a problem on my husband's computer or mine.

    I think Long John Silver counts as a villain. I hadn't thought of Snape, but he's definitely got that villainous edge to him. I am not familiar with the Ann M. Ross series, but it sounds like the Reverend would fit right into the category!

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  11. I can't wait to watch Watchmen! My husband was talking about this the other day but since it is newly released, we decided to watch it later considering the crowd, haha.

    I can't wait to read your review on The Women in White! I've this book in my pile but just haven't got around to reading it.

    And congrats to all the winners!
    I hope you've a great weekend, Wendy! :)

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  12. My favorite villain is hands-down Count Olaf from A Series of Unfortunate Events. So deliciously eeeeeevil!

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  13. Are you planning to see Watchmen now that you've read the graphic novel?
    I'm pretty sure I'm passing up that one.

    Favorite villain: a lazy answer, but I'm going to say Lord Voldemort.

    Your header looks fine to me (in Firefox).

    Hope to see more of you this week, Wendy!

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  14. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Watchmen. I just saw the movie this weekend (I've read the novel before) and it is definitely thought-provoking.

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  15. Congratulations to all the winners! :D

    There's mixed reviews about the Watchmen movie but you go watch and see for yourself ya, Wendy.

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  16. I'm looking forward to your review of Watchmen, too. I want to know what all the hub bub is about.

    Congrats to the winners!

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  17. I'm really looking forward to see what you have to say about Losing My Religion...that looks like an interesting book.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  18. I'm glad you ended up enjoying The Woman in White. Count Fosco really is a great villain!

    My immediate TBR stack is ready to fall over too! So many books I'm looking forward to reading.

    BTW, I've never had a problem seeing your header either, and I use firefox on my macbook.

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  19. I keep hearing about Watchmen, but I don't think it would be my cup of tea...

    Congrats to all the winners!

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  20. congrats to all the winners.

    Hubby and I went to see Watchmen over the weekend. I have not read the book, but the movie was just OK

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  21. I need to read Watchmen soon! Congrats to the winners.

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  22. The very first villain who comes to mind is Iago in Shakespeare's Othello. He was so devious. And who can forget Hannibal Lecter.

    Interesting discussion.

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  23. I enjoyed both The Watchmen and The Woman in White!

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  24. Melody - I look forward to hearing what you think of Watchmen, Melody. Hubby and I saw it today. I just finished the first draft of my review and handed it over to my husband for review. I hope you have a great weekend!

    Lexi - Count Olaf is a great villain! Very mean and cruel. Good choice!

    Florinda - Yes, I actually read the graphic novel because I wanted to see the movie. I'm really glad I did it that way too, now having seen the movie.

    Lord Voldemort is a good choice--not lazy at all. :-)

    Thanks for letting me know you haven't been having a problem seeing my header. It doesn't seem to be a problem on my end, at least. Whew!

    Kim - Yes, Watchmen is definitely thought provoking. I will be posting my review of the book and movie on Monday. :-)

    Alice - I've heard the mixed reviews as well, and I didn't let that stop me. I definitely prefer to see for myself. :-)

    Nikki - That's why I wanted to read the graphic novel and see the movie. :-)

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  25. Debi - So far I am enjoying it.

    Nat - So many good books to choose from. We should get busy reading!

    Thank you for letting me know that you aren't having a problem seeing my header either, Nat.

    Melissa - It's definitely not for everyone.

    Serena - I am really glad I read the book before seeing the movie.

    Jen - Hurry up! I want to know what you think of Watchmen.

    Karen - You know, I don't think I've ever seen that play (nor read it). Hannibal Lector is definitely unforgettable.

    S. Krishna - I am glad to hear it. Me too!

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  26. I thought the villian in Joy of Spooking: Fiendish Deeds was very complex and well-written. I look forward to learning more about him in the next two books.

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  27. Lenore - I'm not familiar with that book or the series. I'll have to check it out.

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