Timewaster's Guide Archive

Having written the book in 1968, I think she has every right to want to focus on race. Maybe a lot of the population has left that conflict behind us, but I'm sure it's still relevant to many people.

I have to say I'm siding with Ookla here. Race was much more of an issue in 1968, and she was trying to make a point, and I think that to capture the true "spirit" of the novels this should be taken into consideration in an adaptation.

However, I see E's and 42's point. Multiculturalism is more than just changing skin color. And perhaps the books failed in that respect. However, I think her point was that the skin color shouldn't be so defining--and that she carried this out by varying the races in her Earthsea novels without making them "other". As she pointed out (in the quote Ookla provided), at the time the prevailing archetype in fantasy was black=evil and white-good. Which is a prevailing Western archetype, anyway, and still very much so. And she was trying to subvert it. I don't think it's much to ask that this be carried over into adaptations of her novels.

That's my opinion.

So much so that it will no longer be taught in the lineup of planets in elementary school.

My nephew is going to be disappointed. He recently learned all the planets--and now his super-cool mobile is incorrect. We'll have to take Pluto off.  

But, you're right E. Pluto and Xena are dwarf planets. But it is still a stab at Pluto's status.  

Your army has gorillas?!

Hmm--gun-toting gorillas vs. ninja monkeys. That would make an interesting battle...

So...has anyone seen this anime series? It's a fairly new one, released in Japan in 2003 and released in the US on DVD beginning in 2005 and ending in 2006. I just recently finished watching all 6 DVDs from Netflix, and I *really really* enjoyed it--more than I thought I would. Its themes really got me thinking, and I'd love to discuss it with someone, if anyone on here has seen it.

And, if you haven't and you're looking for an interesting anime, I recommend it.

[Edit: I put more accurate release information, since this wasn't made in the mid 90s, as I thought, but just a few years ago actually. Info can be found here and here, if you so desire. The first link also mentions Tokyopop's impending release of the YA novels.]

Also, that creepy kid who sits beside me in Honors Biology stole my stuffed penguin.

That stinks! I weep with you.  

Maybe E will lend you his ninja monkeys to get the penguin back. Though, I don't know what he'll require in return. A lifetime of subservience, a hefty fee, or maybe just a jello pudding pack...you never know.

I'm *extremely* disappointed that nobody submitted articles while I was gone. Just so you know.

I was waiting for a response. I didn't know you were out of town, though.

I'll try to write a book review by the end of this week.

"I hate to admit it, but I tittered. I hate people who titter. I even hate the word titter. But there was no other appropriate response."

--From the book The Truth-Teller's Tale by Sharon Shinn

Maybe instead of terrorism it was related  to shoplifting. Perhaps the store had been having more problems with shoplifting and had told the guards to check backpacks. But he didn't enforce it, so it could've just been a power trip.

I don't know what you look like in real life. Do you think you have more of a suspicious terrorist look or a teenage delinquent look or an easily pushed around by a security cop look?