All at one Point

Ian Grier


All at one point starts out with a little back story about the beginning of time and space. When the universe was at a single point. This is much needed otherwise I feel I would have been very lost reading this short story. The characters are introduced as what I believe to be matter. The characters, even though they are tiny particles of matter, have lives, careers and personalities. I found this to be a very interesting way to represent matter. I think the author was trying to get us to think this was a weird concept, and then get us to realize that its not much different than our world, an our universe.

Blood Child questions + answers

I found this short story to be very thought provoking. Initially it was difficult for me to understand what was happening until I realized that the main character was living on an alien planet, then it all clicked for me. I liked the message of the story, I interpreted the author was trying to say to not just always go with the flow. Question your surroundings, authority, and your morals.

I was able to connect with the oppression of the Terren people in the story. In America and the world oppression has been very prevalent. What the Terrens go through can be compared to slavery or being poor in a society.

I think the story is great and could remain the same. It would be really interesting to see this story adapted into a graphic novel.

I definitely picked up on some afro-futurist tones when reading this. Like I said earlier, this story can be compared to the oppression that african americans and minorities endured in the early to mid 20th century.

The Blood Child

Ian Grier

Blood child took me on an interesting journey with the Terran people, who are basically just humans. The story follows Gan who is a Terren living on an alien planet dominated by an alien race, this race is the Tlic. Gan is a carrier who gives birth to Tlic babies, since the Tlic cannot do this on their own. Gan never questions his role as a carrier until the day he sees another Terran give birth. The tlic also use a drug to make the Terren more docile and be content with their lives. This short story was really interesting to me because it forces you to imagine yourself in the scenario. Octavia Butler is considered "The Dame of Science Fiction" I whole heartedly agree with this as this story was very engaging.

The Anubis Gates

Ian Grier
12 April, 2020


This weeks readings involve altered reality and the reader 's perception of what time really signifies.  Tim Powers novel, "The Anubis Gates" follows English Professor Brendan Doyle as he goes through gates towards different time periods.  The book involves magicians, millionaires, sorcerers, and a group of misfits from werewolves to deformed clowns.  Somehow all of these vast array of characters come together to fulfill a plot of intrigue, mystery, and adventure. 

Professor Doyle is fascinated with the poet William Ashbless.  When millionaire J. Cochran Darrow discovers the gates that allow time travel, he enlists Doyle to travel through time to attend a lecture and to learn from the past.  Doyle however wants to meet and befriend the poet.  Though a simple plan, Doyle becomes embroiled in drama when he is kidnapped by one of the magicians and becomes trapped in the early 19th Century.  All characters in the novel are not what they seem and this lends itself to a book that needs to be focused on and each character needs to be followed and understood. 

By using the altered reality of time travel, this novel is a must read because from the moment the novel begins until the last page, the reader is immersed in the life of Doyle and what effects each decision he makes alters time and place.  By using time travel as a tool to tell this story, the writer immerses the reader into an alternate plane of misconception.  Each story line must be followed and understood in order to appreciate the story.  Altered reality can be an entertaining genre in writing but it can be a slippery slope if the writer does not carefully piece each bit of alternate perceptions together.  Overall, this book was a good read and left this reader wanting to know the next time dimension Doyle would pursue.

The Left Hand of Darkness

Ian Grier

4 April, 2020


This week's selection, "Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula LeGuin is a science fiction adventure that takes the reader to a different universe through the eyes of Genly Ai.  Ai is from Earth and is on an envoy to try and bring another world "Winter" into a group of worlds that are like a community of political allys.  The planet he comes to is much different than Earth and while on his envoy, Ai must navigate through not only the political pitfalls but the cultural difference of the planets people.  On this planet, Gethen, not only are they able to communicate without words, but there is no gender identification.  Light is the right hand of darkness and dark is the left hand of light which means that all is balanced and equal.  So, gender equality is taken to a whole new level in this novel.  People are balanced equally as both man and woman; there is no bias and no need to sexual feelings to get in the way of progress.  For how much we as a culture fights for equality, we have the intrusion of male and female roles that can get in the way.  In this world, that does not exist.  If we had the ability of true balance without the problems of female/male hormones than we could feel the pure love that Ai was able to attain with his companion, Estraven.  Without having the prejudice of physical love, Ai was able to not only learn to communicate without words to Estraven, but he was able to discover what pure love for another being is.  By becoming fully immersed in this culture, Ai fell victim to not belonging anywhere.  He no longer was able to understand or feel at home on Earth and due the the death of Estraven, he felt lost and without a sense of belonging at either planet.

The Martian

Ian Grier
Literature of Horror
29 March, 2020


     This week's reading, "The Martian" by Andy Weir is a classic science fiction tale of a trip gone wrong to Mars.  Mark Watney is one of several astronauts on a mission called The Ares Program.  This is several missions designed to send astronauts to Mars in order to bring back to Earth information obtained through testing while there.  Early into their mission, a large storm hit the area they were in and Mark Watney was left after the rest aborted the mission.  Through no fault of theirs or his own, Watney was declared dead after an antenna ripped through his space suit and threw him into rocks and dirt.  Through some pure miracle, and many hard to believe scenarios, he survived.  Not only did he survive but through pure luck and intelligence, he was able to erect a living area with a potato farm and water producing facility.  The book centers around his survival skills and the team work necessary from NASA, Watney, and the rest of the crew to bring him home.
     Even though this is a new frontier science fiction genre, many other genres come into play for this book.  After reading just the first few chapters, it was apparent that this was also an adventure genre.  One reason was because Watney was living day to day on the edge with a chance for anything to go wrong; and, things did go wrong.  In chapter 16, NASA decides against a risky operation to save Watney before he starves to death.  They have decided that the death of one astronaut is better then the death of seven.  At one point the remainder of the Ares crew have to make a decision whether to listen to their orders of not going back for Watney, or doing what they know is right. 
     Another genre could be thriller because all though this book is not scary with monsters waiting to pop out, it does have that sensation of being on the edge of your seat with an exciting plot of what the outcome will be.  The book, overall, is a great read and one that has several genres.  Whether you like science fiction, drama, adventure, or thriller "The Martian" is a must read.

Anansi Boys

20 March, 2020


Anansi is a modern day twist to the Mythological creatures from long ago.  By using gods and mythical creatures, Neil Gaiman, brings to life the story of Fat Charlie and how quickly his daily routine can change.  His father, Anansi is a god and he learns after his father's death that he has a brother.  The story takes place in modern England and America and Anansi's one son, Spider, is not only cool and suave, but his name is not that of an ancient god.  Rather than use their powers to cause havoc on man kind and to explain the pleasures and pitfalls of humans daily lives, Anansi and Spider use their godly power to convince people to like them, love them, and to be hip or cool.  Gaiman weaves modern love stories, embezzlement, and every day life into the story of Anansi and his sons.  Fat Charlie is not aware that he is part god or that he even has a brother but once Spider is introduced there is no turning back.  Gaiman does a great job not making the god like characters too overbearing as to where the story is unbelievable.  Instead, the reader likes Charlie and wants him to do well.  The fact that Spider is a god with god like powers is simply a side step to the modern take on embezzlement, murder, and mayhem.  Chalie's boss is miserable and stealing from the company.  He murders his old partners wife, steals millions, and then attempts to place the blame on Charlie.  Having god like abilities, Spider is able to help clear the matter up and Charlie morphs into what he always was destined to be; a god like his dad and brother.  By the end of the story, Charlie has found his way in life and rather than be afraid to take on the world, he is a self assured and confident gentleman.

The Harry Potter Chapter zero short story is an interesting look into the past in the Harry Potter world. It focuses on Harrys Father, James potter, and Sirius Black. The two teens are being chased by the police and seem to be up to no good. Of course the two characters outsmart the police who chase them and escape, as young wizards do. I find it very interesting that there is a scan of the story scribbled out on paper, This shows the authors thinking process and creative vision for this prequel. The last line "From the prequel I am not working on — but that was fun!" is interesting because it gives a tone of fun and looseness to this short story.

Terry Pratchetts "Troll Bridge" is a more comical take on traditional fantasy. Traditionally The hero and the troll are sworn enemies and most times battle until death, usually our hero wins of course.  In Pratchetts short story, this is far from the case. This short story follows a hero named Cohen the barbarian, and his magical talking horse who always seems to be criticizing cohen. The hero seems to be in his old age now and recalls the old days often, he also speaks of his mortality a lot which is interesting to me. Cohen and his trusty steed come across a bridge and naturally there is a troll underneath it. I find this funny because Pratchett seems to be poking fun at the notion that in fantasy, if there is a bridge, then surly an evil troll must be occupying it. Cohen plans to overthrow the troll and take his treasure, but we soon find out that the troll is a huge fan of cohen and looks up to him. Also the troll has a wife and kids and deals with family drama just like the rest of us. Cohen and the troll talk for some time and seem to hit it off. The story comes to an end with the hero and his horse once again talking of mortality which seems to be an underlying theme throughout the story.

13 February 2020


The story of the Baba Yaga was very interesting. Personally I have never heard of this folklore. I find it interesting reading and learning about other cultures folklores and supernatural entities. This story reminds me of Coraline, the Baba Yaga has similar qualities to that of the other mother. In the Baba Yaga, a girl is sent to see her aunt, the Baba yaga, by her jealous step mother. After asking another trusted family member first, they discover the girl is in danger and what she needs to do to escape the situation. She escapes by tricking the Baba Yaga with the help of a cat. Again this part reminds me of Coraline because of similar events.

19 January 2020

Stephanie Meyer's best selling book "Twilight" became an instant success with millions of teenagers.  This is mostly due to the fact that Meyers portrayal of the vampire family showed a sensitive, yet misunderstood clan.  Throughout history the vampire has been cast as the monster; the one to fear when night falls.  Even with this fear factor, something about the vampire always attracted the girl.  Somewhere between fear and desire, the vampire managed to draw in the damsel in distress.  What started out as the vampire Nosferatu has morphed into the dashing Edward Cullens.  Hollywood has taken its toll on our monstrous creature and has allowed him to become more human.  In "Twilight" the reader is brought into the vampires daily activities.  Other than not eating meals or sleeping, they are very much like any other American family.  By allowing this intimate look into the vampire, the reader begins to forma relationship with him.  Edward Cullens is like any other high school student, having to get through biology and what to wear the next day.  What makes Edward stand out from others is his immediate charisma and ability to draw people into him.  He is alluring and handsome, something that makes any other human want to be near him.  Edward explains to his love interest that this is not a coincidence, and this is to lure his next prey.  Lucky for this love interest, Bella, Edward is a self described "vegetarian" amongst vampires. 

"Twilight" is a star crossed love story that stretches through several decades.  Bella is a shy and awkward girl who is used to being lost in the shadows until she meets Edward.  For some reason neither can stay away from the other.  As if there is an invisible twine pulling each to the other.  The characters are built up throughout the story line in a manner that gives the reader a sense of belonging.  By the end of this first vampire book from Meyers, the reader feels as they are part of the friend group and they have a connection with these characters.  Meyers ability to make these characters so real to the reader, allows the reader to be drawn into this love story. 

Rather than write the typical vampire story that ends with death in a broken love story; Meyers explores the possibility that the vampire can have a soul with a conscience.  Perhaps it is possible for the vampire to achieve happiness and live happily ever after.  With this book, rather than the reader afraid of the antagonist, we find ourselves cheering him on and hoping for the love a lifetime.

10 January 2020

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a perfect example of gothic genre.  From the mysterious locations, the dungeons, the lack of detail with the creation of the monster, and the story focusing on death, this piece of literature is a classic example of gothic genre.  I think that death and decay is prominent in the story and stands out as a prime example of gothic nature.  Frankenstein is told through letters and story telling.  A ship's captain, Robert Walton, recounts the story of Victor Frankenstein to his sister.  Death is surrounded by mystery and this book uses death to keep the reader in suspense.  While at university, Victor becomes consumed with the secret of life, and therefore beating death.  From using decaying body parts to create the monster, to the death of Victor's brother William, the story is dark and gothic.  The monster somehow convinces Victor to create a partner for him, but upon creation Victor realizes the horror he is creating and immediately destroys the new creation.  Once again death is the center of the story as the monster swears revenge on Victor's wedding night since he can not have the female creation. When Victor is married he tries to protect his bride but the monster kills her. Revenge and death become the pinnacle for the ending where Victor hunts the monster but is unsuccessful only to die on Robert Walton's ship.  The ending too revolves around death as the monster is found weeping over Victor's body and he disappears with the reader assuming that he has walked into a cold abyss towards his own death.