Fly Me to the Moon

Or the stars, rather (but thanks for that sentiment, Blue Eyes).

I mentioned in an earlier post about Nicholas Christopher’s book, The Bestiary, and I stand by my review that it is an excellent book.

It’s just not Christopher’s best.

The novel he wrote before The Bestiary was A Trip to the Stars, and I was blown away.

It’s not the best book I ever read, because it is a bit disjointed. Part of that has to do with Christopher’s use of “natural fantasy,” if that’s such a genre. What I mean is that his writing not only admits to, but embraces that there is such a thing beyond what can be explained. Is it magic? Perhaps. It seems though, that it’s a belief that certain people can find connections with nature that provide insights and abilities that go beyond what we consider “normal.” A practical magic, if you will.

The story is about a boy who gets abducted from his adopted family by his true family (a wealthy uncle -- a never-before-used literary device), and decides to stay after being allowed to write a letter to his “aunt.” His new family is extremely wealthy, and he grows up in a world essentially of the Enlightenment. Surrounded by eccentric but learned men and women, the boy, Enzo, enters a world of Zuni spiritualism, memory cathedrals, art and architecture, highly experimental botany, and, as the title implies, astronomy (and astrology).

In the meantime, the book also follows his “aunt,” Mala, who goes through her own very extreme experiences: from being bit by a mind-altering spider to nursing during Vietnam to becoming a mind-reader, it all is a bit of a mind-trip (yes, I just wrote “mind” three times – what are you going to do about it?).

I think why I liked it so much is because although it may not be the greatest story, it is expertly woven – and I do mean woven. This story has so many connections, reconnections, convoluted blood-lines, and zero-degrees-of-separation between almost every major character (and maybe one-degree for the minor ones). There is very little that Christopher writes that he doesn’t use. There are no shotguns on the mantle in this book.

What’s makes his books so impressive is that he clearly takes the time to do the research necessary to know all the folklore, mythology, and science that he incorporates into his stories. Or, at least he does an excellent job of making us believe he did all that research. I personally think he did the research.

I recommend both of these books.

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On a very different wave-length, I just finished watching the season of “Flava of Love: Charm School,” and I feel like I have completely nullified any brain-building I’ve done with my viewing of this program.

If ever there was a guilty pleasure, it’s watching stupid, poor people be taught how to be ridiculous, stupid people by a comedian who is somehow trying to teach these girls about pride.

And the whole time you’re wondering why any of these girls listen to anything this woman is saying. I’d say for the prize, but it’s only $50,000 – and yes, only $50,000. Say what you will about how much money that is for some people, it’s still not really life-changing money. And to be degraded and humiliated for the chance to win 50 grand? It just doesn’t seem worth it. But then again, who am I to say if these people can afford to not try for the prize? On paper, though, it doesn’t seem worth it, because even the exposure is not good exposure: it’s infamy. I’ve heard the saying “any publicity is good publicity” (which does not make me special; I'm sure you've heard it too). I just don’t necessarily agree that this show is considered “publicity.”

But hey: any show where the winner is named Saaphyri has to be pretty damn good.

I can’t see myself not watching next year.

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I told you that “The Closer” was starting, and it might simply be the best show on television. It’s funny, it’s dramatic, and if you can get past watching Kyra Sedgwick for an hour (I’m sorry, but she’s a little weird looking – not ugly, just very, very different), it’s complete quality.

Watch it! TNT on Mondays at 9:00. Do yourself that favor.

Sorry, not a lot of links today; It's too damn hot (a Fourth of July tradition with my family, unfortunately missed this year due to my being in a car on my way to Texas. There's a drive to kick yourself in the nuts with). And yes, that is Mr. Feeney from "Boy Meets World" (aka, the voice of K.I.T.T. from "Knight Rider") as John Adams. He's obnoxious and disliked, did you know that?