Hess: Winds of Power

Hermann Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund

Advantages: great adventure; characters and writing
Disadvantages: the detail on the plague could distress

NOTE--Dr. Freudine is my psychiatrist character/alter ego who sometimes reviews with me. *************** Gradually I become aware of the smell of cat fur and the unmistakable purring of Bengal the cat, no doubt checking to affirm that I still breathe, and shoo him away from my face. Lot of good that did, I inwardly groan when he just purrs louder, and open an eye. Past ten?and it must be morning. Irish has gone to work and I?m alone with the little darlings. Half an hour later I escape to the library, not up to facing the office and rather in need for some direction or inspiration after that heavy grilling yesterday. The Herman Hesse novel on the display case stuns me for a few moments with its tempting title, Narcissus and Goldmund. Why haven?t I read that one before? I was enchanted with Hesse?s Siddhartha and Steppenwolf ...

jankperegrine 18.07.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Narcissus and Goldmund - Hermann Hesse

Wind freeze

Advantages: Suspenseful, gels together surprisingly well
Disadvantages: Weird special effects, largely unnecessary supernatural element

geeky and obviously has a hidden agenda, but I was immediately on his side because of the girl's attitude to him. Like the girl, his character really does develop during the course of the film and so Holmes also has the opportunity to prove that he really can act. Although there isn't as much character change as with the girl, and therefore he perhaps doesn't make so much of an impact, I really liked the way that we are kept guessing as to his motivations - this little element of mystery really made the film for me and I think that Ashton Holmes did a great job of playing on it. Although he has very little on-screen time, Martin Donovan, who plays an 'interesting' policeman, is worth a mention. I've seen the actor recently in The Haunting in Connecticut, in which he was largely a waste of space. In Wind Chill, however, he is actually very ...

sunmeilan 10.05.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Wind Chill (DVD)

The Name of the Wind - Do You Know It?

Advantages: Well-written; humorous; enjoyable; escapist.
Disadvantages: Cliched; not entirely mind-blowing.

?I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by the moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.? The above passage is reproduced on the sleeve of this delightful fantasy novel, and with good reason: it gives an overview of a story that is instantly familiar to readers of fantasy literature. A powerful, daring, magical hero is a staple of the genre, and barrow kings, Gods, dangerous paths and strangely named towns form the backbone of hundreds of fantasy novels. This offering ticks ...

MikeOCarroll 14.06.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss