Drizzle Fo Shizzle (The Legend of Drizzt - Homeland)

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I enjoy table top gaming. Particularly, I have played Dungeons & Dragons, off and on, for the last few years with a small group of guys (and sometimes other gals) in a town about an hour away. Prior to that, my exposure was limited to the one time I tried to play a Star Wars version for an afternoon with my brother and his drooling friends... Actually I don't think they cared I was there at all, but young ego-ed high-school-er me did not notice... My bad. And my understanding is that their game took off pretty well and they continued to play for years.

So, I don't know what made me decide to suggest starting a D&D campaign. It's not really my comfort level, or that of anyone else in our group, but we all gave it a try and seemed to enjoy it. Some of us play very story-like, and detailed with characterization, backstory, and dialogue. Others like to do math quickly after rolling a handful of die onto the table. To each their own.

A fairly accurate representation.

My husband is often our DM (Dungeon Master) and had started reading The Legend of Drizzt books. And honestly there were like six months where that was all he did. He read those books like others drink water. I'd always be like "what ya doing?" and his replies would progress from...

"Reading Drizzt." 

...

"Drizzt."

...

"Drizzle."

...

*Rain emoji*

So after enough of this, I figured there has to be something to it. 

I admit I hesitated to pick this one up. It just seemed so cheesy. Like, I enjoy World of Warcraft, but I don't read the books. Same for Mass Effect. I tried a Doctor Who book and it was cheesy as all gets out. Like a big old block of cheddar. Did I really want to do the same for this fandom?

Well, fast forward a year or so, and I found myself in a library. I looked all over for stuff to read, but I absolutely judge books by their cover. So at a loss for what to check out, I browsed old favorites to see what was in store. I think I ended up in Salvatore's area because he had written a few Star Wars books. And what I found instead was Drizzt.

(Frankly, had I done my homework, I wouldn't have waited so long to pick up this series. I just looked it up and he wrote Attack of the Clones' novel. Now hear me out. If you hate young Anakin, and the prequels, then you have not read this book. It changes everything. So much more nuanced than allowed for on film, and it makes much more sense.)

What I enjoyed about Drizzt, is the same thing I enjoy the most about Dungeons & Dragons overall. It's got great characters and the world building is just about unparalleled. That really comes through in Salvatore's presentation. It's such a unique world, Menzoberranzan, with interesting perspectives on personal bonds and trials, and overall political power struggles.

In case you need a few more details to whet your appetite, the main character, Drizzt Do'Urden is a dark elf that lives in this underground civilization, where everything is pitch black and they can see everything from heat patterns. Drizzt's family is all caught-up in this political hierarchy that worships some spider god lady thing, and Drizzt is raised as a fighter who is crazy talented with his iconic scimitars. It's very mafia like in structure, but surprisingly everything holds a matriarchal structure. Matron Malice, for instance, is Drizzt's mother. Um, how cool of a name is that? If I joined a roller derby league, dibs on that for my alter-ego!

Wheeee!

Most of the story is about Drizzt's role in all the politics (familial and otherwise), and growing up in Menzoberranzan. It sounds like it should be boring, but Salvatore keeps it moving with well paced action, and interesting character and relational development. So it's got a little bit of something for everyone.

...But I won't say I loved it. It wasn't really cheesy, but it was still just off. I didn't realize it was written in the 80s, so it's pretty cool to have such powerful women in a fantasy story, even back then. But, I wasn't thrilled that they are pretty much all bitches. That kind of sucked. Like, really? Dudes are in charge all the time! Someone finally gives the ladies the power, and "naturally" it's an awful, conniving mess. Gee, thanks.

The story also wasn't entirely compelling. My understanding is that this and a few other books work as prequels, and weren't written first in the incredibly long series. So, it does kind of read like it's written to be backstory. Maybe it would help to read the others first? I'm not really sure, but I figure since I started here, I'll continue through in order, all the same. And I will say, the cover made me mad. It explained everything right there! I know fantasy can get a bad rep because of their covers, but this was a total graphic design fail. I don't want to explain exactly, but if you read half-way through this book you can kind of infer what is going to happen pretty easily. I don't have a problem with that, but if that's your main source of suspense or intrigue, then I'm not really to keen on having that taken away in such a careless manner. 

Overall, unlike my husband, it's not my kind of literary water, but I'm sure I'll be back for another sip. 3/5 stars.

Pride & Prejudice

I admit it. I am a Jane Austen fangirl. I'm not in any club, I don't know how to play whist, or the differences between all the types of carriages... but still. I consider myself a tried-and-true Austen fan. I started reading her work in high school, I think. And even if it was a bit dense for my attention-span at the time, I still loved the stories all the same.

It doesn't hurt that they are transformed into the most brilliant movies...

Toni Collette is just so sweet in Emma!

And let's not forget the new classic...

I'm sorry Colin Firth, but I just can't even give the BBC's Pride and Prejudice a try... there is just NO WAY it's as good as this one is... NO WAY. I mean, just look at it! It is gorgeous!

But anyway, the book...

The book is so insanely delightful. Jane Austen just writes with such wit. She's so talented I want to stop here mid-sentence and just give up this task of writing because there is no way it will be good enough. Austen makes me laugh out loud. There is such sarcasm too it, but it doesn't read like satire. There are so many characters, but it still feels so personal. Elizabeth Bennet could be your best friend, you just read it and end up knowing her so well, and cheering her on.

...

"I dare say you will find him very agreeable."

"Heaven forbid!--That would be the greatest misfortune of all!--To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate!--Do not wish me such an evil."

...

I feel like I don't really need to summarize the story for you. Frankly the quote above is a pretty good set-up for the entirety of it. Let me just say that if her prejudice had remained, the ending would be very evil, indeed... (By the way, if you've seen You've Got Mail, then you've pretty much seen Pride & Prejudice. I'm fairly certain it was adapted or inspired by the plot.)

If you are at all curious about giving Austen a try, this is definitely where to start. It's just so well done. I wish I had the words to sufficiently describe it, but I just don't know what to say. I love the characters, and the history of it, it's all so easy to imagine. There are moments of drama, and intrigue, and humor and satire (oh, I know, I just said it doesn't come across as satire...perhaps, literary caricatures, would be more accurate). It's just charming, all put together. It makes me want to time-travel, or visit some theme-park like in the movie Austenland.

How fun would that be?!

I just find Pride & Prejudice to be so inspiring too. It's so smartly done, and their discussions are fascinating. The idea of the "accomplished" woman, and what that looks like... it's hard to imagine in this day and age. But I have decided to take Darcy's qualifications as a bit of a challenge. Maybe I'll start a new (seperate) blog for the new year about it. I'll think about it, and get back to you...

Maybe that's it. It's all Elizabeth. She's just a fantastic character in literature, so well-rounded and strong, even if she isn't accomplished. Stubborn, outspoken, smart, sharp, and witty. She's a beloved daughter, and compassionate sister, and dear friend. Who wouldn't want to be more like her? Oh, Jane Austen, please teach me how!

Oh snap.

So, back to the movie! (Sorry, I can't resist!)...The movie itself is the perfect representation. I made my husband watch it with me when I finally finished the book (be warned, I love the story but it still took me months of intermittent reading). I must say, he laughed as much, if not harder than I did. A man liking Jane Austen?! I never would have guessed, but I'm so happy to be wrong!

And speaking of men, this time reading through Pride & Prejudice, I have to say Mr. Collins cracked my shit up. He is the most pompous ass in literature I may have ever read. Mr. Darcy, proud? Nay. He doesn't hold a candle to Mr. Collins. I think old-me glossed over his parts of the story originally, but this time he had me in stitches (that would be laughing AT him, not with him). If I haven't convinced you to read it yet, then do yourself a favor and at least read it for him.

Mr. Collins, obviously on the left...

Enjoy!