Literary titbits

This is the sort of thing I love, but that no doubt is not especially interesting to any one else. As no one reads this blog however, I can in good conscience "practice" writing by mentioning it anyway.

Twice now it has happened that two totally different books I am reading have odd links with each other.

The first was an English crime I recently read, called "Gone Away" by Hazel Holt. In that book, the sleuth, Mrs. Malory, a literary critic, refers to a book called "Salem Chapel" by Mrs. Olifant. A book I also happen to be reading at present, if somewhat slowly. A book I would never have known about had it not been what I affectionately call a greenback Virago paperback (which I collect). Enough of a coincidence to be interesting I thought.

Secondly, I finished A piece of justice by Jill Paton Walsh today. Another English crime (yes, I do read quite a few of those. At least as good as yoga). In that book, a comment was made about John Maynard Keynes as Bursar for his Cambridge college. I did not understand the reference (and was not curious enough to find out).  Nevertheless, I am also reading a Norwegian book called Ideologienes århundre (Ideologies century) by Bent Hagtvet, a Norwegian academic. Just today I started reading the chapter on Keynes, and voilá, the explanation of the significance of Keynes as bursar for his Cambridge colleage, Kings, was provided at no extra charge. Which is why simply reading broadly is educational perhaps!

Small things, but nevertheless does add to the enjoyment of reading.

FIVE THINGS - Death's End by Liu Cixin

Seems like the easiest blogs for me to write are my book reivews. So herewith another.

Death's End by the Chinese writer Liu Cixin is the final book in The Three Body Problem trilogy. A trilogy which seems also to be known as the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. In and of itself interest, as the latter name makes sense at the end of the third book, while the former name makes more sense at the start. Book one is The Three Body Problem, and book two is The Dark Forest. The impression one may get from the start, that it is about how the Earth fights against the Trisolaris aliens from outer space is only partially correct. In fact the "dark forest" hypothesis, as introduced in the second book turns out to be more indicative of the journey one takes over. This blog post is however not about the trilogy, but only about the final book. If for no other reason than because it is such a dense book in and of itself.

1.  I am making a concerted effort to read more among other things more non-Western authors. I suspect my expectations were a bit high for this book though, as I would have loved to gained some mystical insight into the differences between the Oriental and Occidental worlds in this book. Not particularly aware that I did. I had great hopes when a key point seems to be how not being taught Eastern style painting is key to defeating a villain. I am not aware of any particular insight in this respect. It was also somewhat disappointing that the existence of Africa was not mentioned. I could accept it not being a central part of the theme, but it was reminiscent of the erasure of an entire continent in what is otherwise a story with global implications. Not a good look.

2. The book(s) cover a lot oft time. Ultimately millions of years! The chief protagonist of the final book, Cheng Xin, is used to illustrate one key theme of this book: the fickleness and inconsistency of humans. Not sure it is however, as well implemented as it could have been.

3. One aspect I did enjoy was the consideration of deterrence as defense. [Warning: potential spoiler ahead]. While one person cannot bring themselves to "push the button" when the time comes, others do. Yes, a democratic decision as opposed to the responsibility of the globe placed on one person. My own reaction was food for thought. It is easy when it is just a book, but it made me realise that it is a very complex question.

4. Stereotypes. It was interesting that it felt as though the book did contain particular stereotypes. Between men and women. Also, I am fairly certain that virtually throughout the trilogy, all men from the US are archetypal and ruthless "hawks". The Chinese characters are much more varied and nuanced.

5. Enjoyed the first half of the book more than the latter. In the end it felt as though the writer was trying to do too much. I suppose that the anthropologist/ethnologist in me would have preferred some more depth rather than literally eons passing in the space of a few pages. So a bit disappointing in the end, but nevertheless all in all an enjoyable read. I would tend to recommend the trilogy.

Extra "thing": cosmo-engineering! Why worry about geo-engineering in that case?

Quotes from the book:

"Behind them, the blue flag of the UN took up most of the picture. The text on the poster read: Let us build a new Great Wall for the Solar System with our flesh!" (p. 296)


Death is the only lighthouse that is always lit. No matter where you sail, ultimately, you must turn toward it. Everything fades in the world, but Death endures.” (p.379)


A museum was built for visitors; a tombstone was built for the builders. (p.510)

Liu, Cixin. Death's End (The Three-Body Problem) Head of Zeus. Kindle Edition.