The Green Mile

Stephen King is not only one of the most successful writers in the profession, but one of the most prolific too, with more than 50 books under his belt. He is also known for embracing nonstandard approaches to publishing, like in 2000, when The Plant was released as e-book installments, long before Amazon dreamt of making Kindles. The Green Mile is another such book, which was written and published in serial form.

Originally published in 1996 as six monthly installments, The Green Mile is a throwback to the days of Charles Dickens (whose books were mostly published as serials). In it, an old man in a nursing home recounts his days as a death row supervisor. His name is Paul Edgecombe, and his story takes place in 1932, at a prison known as Cold Mountain. It centers around his experiences with an inmate named John Coffey, a hulking black man who'd been convicted of the rape and murder of two white girls.

In the days leading up to his appointment with an electric chair, John shows considerable remorse for his actions. But things take an unexpected turn when he is revealed to possess certain powers, healing Paul of a severe urinary infection just by laying hands on him. This leaves Paul conflicted with the court's decision to have John electrocuted, and the role he'd have to play in it, a confliction that would eventually bring Paul to the realization that maybe John wasn't guilty of the crime he'd been accused of after all.

The Green Mile works as both a series of individual chapbooks and a complete whole. Each installment was written with subtle reminders of the story so far, and ended in such a way that the reader is left wanting more. Most importantly, there were no breaks in continuity, nor did the quality of the overall story suffer as a result of the speed with which it was written. Then again, this is Stephen King we're talking about here, the much lauded and undisputed king of horror.

Foundation

Foundation is one of my favorite science fiction series, and the original trilogy is often considered a landmark achievement for the genre. It won the Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series, beating out Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings. It was originally published serially in Astounding Magazine (1942-1950), but what started off as a number of interconnected short stories would eventually grow into a series spanning seven novels.

The story begins in the distant future, at a time when humanity is ruled by a Galactic Empire that stretches from one end of the galaxy to the other. At the very center of that empire lies the planet, Trantor, its capital. It is there that a scientist named Hari Seldon develops a branch of mathematics called psychohistory. It is described as a "science of mobs," and its sole application is in the prediction of future trends.

Upon applying his newfound science to the Galactic Empire, Hari Seldon discovers that the Empire is on the verge of collapse, and that it would take at least 30,000 years before it is returned to its former glory. But further calculations reveal that this period of "barbarism" could be shortened to as little as 1,000 years, if certain actions were immediately put into effect.

And so, the Foundation is established on the remote planet, Terminus. Its members are composed primarily of scientists, working under the guise of creating the Encyclopedia Galactica, a vast repository of human knowledge. Except their placement on the very edge of the galaxy has been carefully planned by Seldon, so that through the interaction of certain political and economical forces, they would effectively be able to reestablish themselves as the center of the new Galactic Empire at the end of the thousand years.

The concept of having our lives predestined is nothing new, except here we get to see it happen on a much larger scale, spanning centuries. Very few books have left me as blown away as I was after reading the Foundation Trilogy. It was rife with so many twists and turns. The later additions to the series were just as riveting of course, but not quite like experiencing these distant worlds and concepts for the very first time.

Eragon

Eragon is the first book in the epic fantasy series, Inheritance Cycle. It was originally self-published via print on demand in 2002, a time before the current boom in self-published ebooks. But perhaps most noteworthy was the fact that its writer, Christopher Paolini, was only 15 when he wrote the first draft, and 18 by the time it was ready for publication.

It was re-published by Knopf in 2003, after being discovered and acquired by one of its editors. Since then, the book has not only resulted in a 2006 movie adaptation, but gone on to sell, along with sequels Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance, more than 33.5 million copies worldwide, making the Inheritance Cycle one of the best-selling fantasy series.

The story itself is often considered unoriginal by critics. It takes place in a world called Alagaësia, and tells of a farm boy named Eragon, who, during a hunting trip, finds a magical stone that turns out to be an egg. It hatches into a brilliant, blue dragon he names Saphira, and the two of them form a bond with one another.

Learning about the bond, the king, Galbatorix, sends his servants to capture the boy and his dragon. But Eragon and Saphira escape to the safety of the wilderness. By the time they return, it is to find their home destroyed. And so begins their quest for vengeance, as they journey the land in search of the people responsible.

The book clearly follows a well-worn formula we have seen many times before, in movies like Star Wars and other books like Harry Potter. But the fact that the book has managed to find such success means it is a formula that still resonates with its intended audience. After all, as the saying goes, you shouldn't try to fix what isn't broken.

Dune

It is common knowledge that most of the Earth's surface is covered by water; around two thirds of it, if memory serves me correctly. Granted, most of that is oceans and salt water, and therefore not fit to drink. But we still have enough fresh water to sustain the nearly ten billion people that inhabit our planet.

Now, imagine a planet where the opposite proves to be true. A desert planet named Arrakis, where the most precious resource in the known galaxy is produced. Frank Herbert's Dune is the first book in the eponymous series that paints a picture of life on such a planet, and a book considered by many to be one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time.

The story opens with the arrival of the members of House Atreides - Duke Leto Atreides; his wife, Lady Jessica; and their son, Paul Atreides - who have left the comfort of their own planet for Arrakis. They've come to take over and oversee the production of the aforementioned resource, a mind-enhancing spice known as melange. But unknown to them, their appointment has been orchestrated to foster some underhand politics.

It doesn't take long before an attack by a rival House disrupts their fledgling administration. Duke Leto is captured, while Paul Atreides and Lady Jessica are forced to seek shelter with the Fremen, a group of desert dwellers. And it is there that Paul must continue to develop his mental abilities, while preparing for a day when he would be able to exact his revenge on the evil Baron Harkonnen.

The above summary doesn't even begin to do the depth of this book any real justice. Its pages are practically teeming with details great and small. Like the giant sandworms that hunt their prey based on how much noise their footsteps make. Or the special suits the Fremen wear to retain as much bodily fluids as possible. The world is so rich that a glossary of terms is needed (and included at the back) just to keep track of everything.

And therein lies my only problem with this science-fiction classic. The constant need to look up terms like Bene Gesserit and Lisan al-Gaib. Add that to the book's doorstopper length and a minor annoyance suddenly becomes a major concern. But I guess it is all required to create a world every bit as vivid as J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth.

The Chronicles of Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia mean different things to different people. It is considered an allegorical retelling of the Christian story on one hand. It is also considered a vehicle for "soft-sell paganism and occultism," mainly due to its magical themes. But regardless of which side of the fence you've chosen to fall, there is little doubt that The Chronicles are seven of the most beloved children/fantasy books.

Published between 1950 and 1956, each book follows the adventures of several children in a magical world called Narnia. Over the course of the entire series, we get to learn more about that world and its inhabitants. It is a world that exists parallel to ours, where men and talking beasts coexist. And from the very first book, the reader is transported there, and made to care about its fate as their actions shape its future.

There is much debate concerning the order in which the books should be read i.e. in publication order or chronological order. I am one of those who prefer to read them in publication order, simply because The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is such a good place to start. It did a decent job of introducing Narnia and characters like the White Witch and the Christ-like lion, Aslan.

That said, my favorite book in the series is actually The Magician's Nephew (#1 in chronological order), primarily because my experience with it was influenced by the buildup from the five books before it. I can't even imagine how my favorite character, the White Witch (or Jadis as she is known here), would have come across, had her villainous ways not already been introduced in the first book.

But there is little doubt I would still consider her "a dem fine woman." I wonder what that says about me as a person.

Battle Royale

Before The Hunger Games, there was this other book called... okay, okay. I'm sure most of you must have heard this fact restated at least a thousand times by now. So I'll try my best not to let it overshadow the rest of today's post.

In Koushun Takami's Battle Royale, a group of junior high school students are kidnapped during an excursion. They awaken following a gas-induced sleep to find themselves on a remote island, where they learn they must battle one another in true gladiator style, until there is only one boy or girl left standing. It is all part of a government-funded program called (you guessed it) the Program, which was designed to instill fear into the minds of the general public, and by so doing prevent all thoughts of rebellion.

Ahem. I know I said I wasn't going to make any more references to The Hunger Games. But jeez louise, could the basic concept behind both books be any more alike if it tried? I mean, just reading the above synopsis over again and I find myself trying to remember which of the two books I am talking about here. But while both books share the same general idea, it is in the execution of that idea that each finds its respective audience.

The general word on the street is that The Hunger Games is a watered down version of Battle Royale, much the same way that Twilight is regarded when compared to Anne Rice's vampire books. Also, unlike Hunger Games, which was clearly set in a post-apocalyptic version of America known as Panam, Battle Royale takes place in an alternative reality, wherein Japan is part of "an authoritarian state known as the Republic of Greater East Asia."

Following its publication in 1999, it didn't take long before Battle Royale was adapted into a movie of the same name (2000). Since then, both the book and movie have managed to find a somewhat cult following, despite being heavily criticized for its subject matter and depiction of violence.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Today marks the beginning of the 2013 Blogging from A-Z Challenge. Throughout the month of April, participants would be blogging their way through the letters of the alphabet. My theme for this year's challenge is speculative fiction books, so I'll be highlighting some of my favorite science fiction, fantasy and horror books, all month long. And what better way to start than with one of the most influential fantasy books ever written: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Originally published in 1865, the book tells the story of a little girl named Alice, who follows a strange white rabbit (on an otherwise ordinary day) to Wonderland, a fantasy world inhabited by talking animals. It is a dreamlike tale that is really just (as the title suggests) a collection of loosely-connected adventures. Most of it involves Alice trying to figure out a way to solve one problem or the other, and their resolutions tend to be just as ludicrous as the problems themselves, if not more so.

One of the things that has endeared this book to readers for nearly 150 years is its cast of quirky and unforgettable characters. From Alice's childlike curiosity, to the Cheshire Cat's fading grin, and the Queen of Heart's tendency to pronounce on-the-spot decapitations; it is these characters that truly make this otherwise nonsensical story a worthwhile read for children and adults alike.

Alice in Wonderland has been repeatedly adapted into film, the two most popular adaptations being the 1951 Disney animated classic and the more recent Tim Burton version (2010). It has also influenced a string of other books (not to mention films like The Matrix and Sucker Punch), a few of which I would be highlighting in the days to come.

P.S: A special shout out goes to Arlee Bird, who started the Blogging from A-Z challenge in 2010. Thanks, Mr. Bird, for helping so many people in the blogging communities find one another.

"Blog Not Found"

I doubt if anybody noticed, but my entire blog went missing for the better part of last week. One moment I was checking my email on my mobile phone, the next I was locked out of my Google account, due to what they termed suspicious activity. I immediately tried to view my blog, only to be greeted by a heart-warming "Blog not found" message.

I've only been blogging for about a year and a half now, but needless to say, I wasn't exactly keen on watching all that time circle down the drain.

The first thing I did after getting the message (aside from panic of course) was to google around for a solution. At least I wasn't locked out of their search engine. And it didn't take very long before I realized my problem wasn't unique. The general concessus was that it would eventually sort itself out.

So I basically had to log in from a PC and do an account verification (the same kind you do over the phone when creating a new account) in order to regain access to my Google account. Then I had to play the waiting game. Each time I tried to view my blog and I received that dreaded message (about a hundred times in all) was like a slap in the face.

But just like magic, I tried viewing it sometime on Friday, and there it was, as though it never went missing in the first place. It has been back ever since.

The whole experience has got me thinking about putting something as important as my author platform in the hands of a third party. I mean, what would happen if they decided to close up shop one day?

Have any of you ever experienced anything like this before? If so, what can you do to prevent it from happening again?

Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest

It's been a while since I participated in a blogfest, and there's no better way to prepare for next month's A-Z challenge. So today, I am doing the Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest, hosted by the ninja captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Participants are expected to list/count down their Top 10 movies. Mine are as follows:

10. Drive (2011)

I must admit, I was a wee bit skeptical going into Drive. This was due in part to my experience with director Nicolas Winding Refn's previous movie, Valhalla Rising. But the same deliberate pacing that made Valhalla Rising a barely-watchable snorefest works beautifully in Drive, largely because of its 80s-inspired soundtrack and atmosphere.

9. Superbad (2007)

Following in the footsteps of American Pie, Superbad tells the story of a group of teenage boys hoping to get laid before getting shipped off to college. Highly original, I know. But what sets it apart is a number of geniune, laugh-out-loud moments that stick with you long after the credits roll.

8. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

This movie excels as not only a horror film, but as a decent action film too (unlike the recent string of Resident Evil movies, which fails at both). I especially love the way the zombie apocalypse is introduced in the beginning, and how the tension surrounding the survivors continues to build until the very end.

7. Scarface (1983)

Scarface caused quite the stir following its original release. It easily pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in terms of violence and profanity (even though most of it would be considered tame by today's standards). So in a way, Brian De Palmer effectively paved the way for directors like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.

6. Inception (2010)

Inception fell just shy of becoming my favorite science-fiction movie of all time. But Christopher Nolan's tale of a near future where ideas can be extracted through shared dreams very much deserves a place on any Top 10 list. Rarely is a sci-fi movie executed with as much precision. The result (as a friend of mine would put it) is a 2 hours 30 minutes movie that feels more like 1 hour 30 minutes.

5. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

In this dark fantasy movie, Guillermo Del Toro paints a portrait of the world as seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl. I've always loved the director's visual style since movies like Hellboy and Mimic, but never has that vision been as fully realized as it was here. A visually striking work of art that belongs alongside the Mona Lisas of the world.

4. The Godfather (1972)

If ever there was a movie that lived up to its reputation, then surely that movie must be The Godfather. It is one of those rare gems that manages to do its source material justice, a book I recently had the pleasure of reading. It is every bit a movie about family values as it is about organized crime, and we get to watch a reluctant (and quite young) Al Pacino step into his career-defining role.

3. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

I love a good revenge story as much as the next man. So from the moment I heard about Quentin Tarantino's take on the fall of the Third Reich, I was immediately sold. Only someone like Tarantino could set what is essentially a sphagetti western in Nazi-occupied France, and make it work.

2. The Matrix (1999)

Once upon a time, a pair of little known filmmakers envisioned a movie that would not only raise the bar for special effects, but tell an awesome story too. It's anybody's guess why the Wachowskis have been unable to replicate the success of The Matrix ever since, but there is no denying that what they left us with is a landmark science-fiction movie.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The final part of Peter Jackson's the Lord of the Rings is also my favorite movie of all time (till date). There's a reason why it won all 11 academy awards back in 2004. Put simply, The Return of the King (and the trilogy as a whole) is not just a movie, it is an experience.

I can't help but wonder whether the current trilogy of Hobbit movies has any hope of finishing anywhere near as strong. Only time would tell I guess.

IWSG: The 2013 A-Z Challenge

It's the first Wednesday of a new month, which means it's time for another round of IWSG postings. The IWSG was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh, where members can share their writerly insecurities with one another, and also offer some much needed encouragement.

I received my very first form rejection this past weekend. It wasn't from an agent or a traditional publisher as you might expect, but from Amazon Publishing. I'd submitted a short story to their Kindle Singles program, an exclusive listing reserved for shorter works i.e. short story, novellas etc. It was a spur of the moment decision, and in retrospect, I guess it was a long shot, since the program favors non-fiction. And of the seventy-something fiction titles currently listed, most (if not all) of them appear to be works of literary fiction.

Still, it was an avenue worth exploring, and I can at least say that I gave it a shot. Now I can get back to my current project, and also start scheduling my posts for the Blogging from A-Z Challenge next month.

That's right, I finally signed up for the challenge, even though I wasn't going to until I'd written a good number of my posts beforehand. Right now, I only have a vague idea of some of the 26 books I'd be highlighting for the challenge. I would ideally love to stick with books under the speculative fiction umbrella, since that is what I love to read and write. Hopefully, the challenge wouldn't take away too much time from my current project, another reason why I need to start scheduling those posts. I'd better get to it then.

What about you? Are you doing the 2013 A-Z Challenge? And if so, are you going with a theme?