Storytelling, Heroes, and The Goon.
I just deleted a long post I’d written about The Goon, which was brought on by reading the trades. It was Volume 8: Those That Is Damned.
It was about happiness, and heroism, and how happiness is for people who are too fucking weak to get out into the world and face down evil and misery. It was also about how fundamental this is to so many heroic story structures. It was also about my own need for order and how fucking weak I am that I pursue happiness when I could be doing more and risking more for justice.
But I couldn’t make my point, possibly because I was talking about a lesson I learned from a beautiful comic book about violent antihero criminals who fight zombies and ghosts, who pal around with werewolves and a giant spider in a bowler hat, and all the humor comes from poo-flinging and punches to the face. In other words, an oddball horror comic that’s full of raw, sophomoric humor and incredibly dark characters and storylines. It didn’t seem to fit, but there you go.
They’re terrific books, though; as the stories go past, they acquire a depth you would never really expect. They’re that well written. If you have a chance to check them out (of the library, maybe?) you should.
BTW, here’s a few sample pages of the comic. The art is representative (iow, beautiful), but it doesn’t capture the verve of the book.
Book giveaways
All the winners of the book giveaways have been notified. The last three should receive messages as of a couple minutes ago, including the winner of Game of Cages. I’ll mail my two books out the day after I get addresses for them, but the other books will be subject to the vagaries of wrapping and packing.
There are also two people who haven’t written back with their addresses to claim their books. I’ll be dropping them another line soon.
As for the unclaimed books… I’ll donate them to the library.
Thank you, everyone, I’ve had fun making room on my bookshelves sharing great books. Sorry for those of you who didn’t win.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 31
It’s the last day of the book giveaway, and that means it’s time for someone to win a copy of —
Speak up if you want it! This contest will close on September 1st at 6pm PST, when my son rolls the die and chooses the winner. Good luck!
Update: This book has been won.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 30
Game of Cages will be coming out on the last day of the month, so I’ve decided to hold a special month of book giveaways. Every day (unless I screw up, which I probably will) I’ll give away a book or themed set of books to someone who asks for it. To enter, you have to comment on this blog or on my LiveJournal–email, Facebook, and Twitter won’t count, and if more than one person speaks up, I’ll roll a die to determine the recipient. U.S. residents only, please.
You get a new book every day, and on the last day of the month I’ll give away my own.
Yeah, that’s right. Tomorrow I’m giving away Game of Cages, but today, the day before it hits the shelves, I’m giving away my first novel. Publishers Weekly put it on their list of 100 Best Books of 2009; maybe you’ll enjoy it, too. You can read a sample chapter here.
First things first: If you win this book, you can’t win Game of Cages, too.
Second things second: If you want a chance to read it, just drop a comment on the blog or LJ.
Update: This book has been won.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 29
Game of Cages will be coming out on the last day of the month, so I’ve decided to hold a special month of book giveaways. Every day (unless I screw up, which I probably will) I’ll give away a book or themed set of books to someone who asks for it. To enter, you have to comment on this blog or on my LiveJournal–email, Facebook, and Twitter won’t count, and if more than one person speaks up, I’ll roll a die to determine the recipient. U.S. residents only, please.
You get a new book every day, and on the last day of the month I’ll give away my own.
Books on writing! Anyone want them?
Update: These books have been won.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 28
Game of Cages will be coming out on the last day of the month, so I’ve decided to hold a special month of book giveaways. Every day (unless I screw up, which I probably will) I’ll give away a book or themed set of books to someone who asks for it. To enter, you have to comment on this blog or on my LiveJournal–email, Facebook, and Twitter won’t count, and if more than one person speaks up, I’ll roll a die to determine the recipient. U.S. residents only, please.
You get a new book every day, and on the last day of the month I’ll give away my own.
A mystery/thriller sample pack! Anyone want them?
Update: These books have been won.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 27
Game of Cages will be coming out on the last day of the month, so I’ve decided to hold a special month of book giveaways. Every day (unless I screw up, which I probably will) I’ll give away a book or themed set of books to someone who asks for it. To enter, you have to comment on this blog or on my LiveJournal–email, Facebook, and Twitter won’t count, and if more than one person speaks up, I’ll roll a die to determine the recipient. U.S. residents only, please.
You get a new book every day, and on the last day of the month I’ll give away my own.
A seven-pack of John LeCarre. If I had Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to offer, I’d have the whole “Karla” trilogy. As it is, you’ll have to settle for these. They’re pretty wonderful, and not at all like Bond-style action-thrillers.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 26
Game of Cages will be coming out on the last day of the month, so I’ve decided to hold a special month of book giveaways. Every day (unless I screw up, which I probably will) I’ll give away a book or themed set of books to someone who asks for it. To enter, you have to comment on this blog or on my LiveJournal–email, Facebook, and Twitter won’t count, and if more than one person speaks up, I’ll roll a die to determine the recipient. U.S. residents only, please.
You get a new book every day, and on the last day of the month I’ll give away my own.
Men’s adventure novels! Three “Killmaster” novels, two “Executioner” novels, and one “Dirty Harry” media tie-in novel. Does anyone want them?
Update: These books have been won.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 25
Game of Cages will be coming out on the last day of the month, so I’ve decided to hold a special month of book giveaways. Every day (unless I screw up, which I probably will) I’ll give away a book or themed set of books to someone who asks for it. To enter, you have to comment on this blog or on my LiveJournal–email, Facebook, and Twitter won’t count, and if more than one person speaks up, I’ll roll a die to determine the recipient. U.S. residents only, please.
You get a new book every day, and on the last day of the month I’ll give away my own.
Six Matt Helm novels. Anyone interested?
Update: These books have been won.
Announcing a month of book giveaways! Day 24
Game of Cages will be coming out on the last day of the month, so I’ve decided to hold a special month of book giveaways. Every day (unless I screw up, which I probably will) I’ll give away a book or themed set of books to someone who asks for it. To enter, you have to comment on this blog or on my LiveJournal–email, Facebook, and Twitter won’t count, and if more than one person speaks up, I’ll roll a die to determine the recipient. U.S. residents only, please.
You get a new book every day, and on the last day of the month I’ll give away my own.
There is no excuse for combining these two books in one giveaway, but there you are. Any takers?
Update: These items have been won.
