Use of Weapons (Book Review)

As I said a short while ago, I had started reading the science fiction novel Use of Weapons by Scottish writer, Iain M. Banks. The book is the third set in his utopian sic-fi world 'the Culture'. The book was  very enjoyable and I would most certainly recommend it to anyone with interest in science and/or science fiction. Please bare in mind that the plot shall not be spoiled and specifics will be kept to a minimum. Now that we've cleared that up, let's begin.

The plot focuses on the events surrounding the life of a soldier named Cheradenine Zakalwe, employed to fight in wars for a price. The story takes place across two different narrative streams flowing in non-linear fashion. Don't let this put you off however, it's relatively easy to get into the structure and Zakalwe is a rather enthralling character to keep your interest. As I mentioned earlier, the Culture is utopian and Banks has woven a world so archetypal that it almost makes me want to live there. Technology surrounding droids with emotions, anti-gravity units and highly-advanced space travel provides a wealth of brilliantly-written scenes, with life-like dialogue and astounding imagery that manages to explain intricacies, without overwhelming the reader with too much description. The story flows expertly between the two narrative streams and flashbacks and -despite the age differences in Zakalwe himself at certain times- it makes no difference to him as a strong, likeable character.  

In terms of pacing, the novel has its slow moments and times where characters exchange lengthy dialogue, but again, the action scenes are never too far away and the journey towards those is interesting and ultimately leads us to the epic conclusion that I am not going to spoil. The one thing that I will say on this subject is that it was fantastic and one that I will remember for years to come. A highly recommendable read!

If you wish to buy the novel I have linked the Amazon UK result for it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_4?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=use+of+weapons&sprefix=use+%2Caps%2C234

 Last month I started reading Banks' first Culture novel Consider Phlebas; it's going well so far!

http://www.iain-banks.net (GO CHECK HIS OTHER BOOKS OUT!)

READ THIS

Hi guys, below I'm going to link a blog article posted on the blog of a fashion/music marketing agency that I have authored. The subject is on the upcoming Kerrang! Awards 2013 and I'm sure you'll like it.

http://www.fashionrider.com/blog/216-kerrang-awards-2013-nominees-announced

I've been writing some more on SKYSCARR recently. Let's give it a final push over the next month! I may also try out a review of Use of Weapons or another book that I've read recently to fill out some space; get more filler articles written so there's less of a gap between posts, you know? Anyhow, let's see how the future plays out and until then, good luck with whatever you're doing! (provided it's legal of course.) See/Write you soon!

Jake

Ballad of the PoemHunter

Hi guys, just wanted to share something with you. There's a website for poets to upload works onto, akin to a forum/social network. Features include creating e-books out of uploaded works and rating poems/ voting for favourites etc. Check it out if you have time. So far I've uploaded three: Arthur Ironclad, Once Upon a Tide and finally: Ballad of the Dreamweaver. The former two you've already read on this blog whereas the latter one is the first upload anywhere online, save for the Pinterest image of a single line. So please, check the site out here: http://poemhunter.com/jake-walker

And for the sake of ease, here is Ballad of the Dreamweaver

Salutations to you my friend;

I’ll ensure this night will never end.

Sleep beneath the sheet, inside your bed

and lye down still, while I reside in your head.

Thoughts and memories aplenty I find,

Enough to weave a dream inside.

I knit the fabrics of your sub-conscience,

They bind together to find a nexus; I’m the one of omnipotence inside of many a mind,

I am the one to whom they abide.

An archive of thoughts and memories, of which there are many to choose.

Within this catalogue, track of time I lose.

I wile away minutes to hours

For you to experience that which life has not granted;

Realigning the tower currently slanted.

A plethora of possibilities that be presented to me.

Is it not unusual to think that glee may not be found in all nocturnal reverie?

With care you must travel through that crafted land,

For all can seem real; that deathly-stone hand.

The narrative to which this night has been set.

You must embrace all to be shown through my lens, for me to enlighten you must let.

Yes, you must let me show you both pleasure and pain,

For in the end it is knowledge that we will both gain.

But the sun begins to rise over the hills once more

and roll out to rouse you, from your serendipitous abode.

You may think all had been designed,

But once inside I stumbled upon a fortunate surprise.

This is when I let you go from my grasp,

To return unto the land over which I passed.

I will not disclose that what I came to find Inside of thee and hope that you shan’t mind, Since I took a piece of you inside of me . . .

Once Upon a Tide

After struggling with the ending for about 20 minutes I finally finished the piece below. Please give feedback and reviews if you wish. Enjoy as always!

ONCE UPON A TIDE

No time can wither his resilience, as he trudges through the snow.

Even when the thaw arrives, spring illuminates his glow.

His glittered eyes are like the golden tide, the coastline he came to know.

Distant it lay as his mind’s arm reached, through the void it crawled.

Pulling askew the Amnesia curtain, the beckoning sun enthralled.

His mind a gaze upon a frozen ocean, time had forever stalled.

Stalled and frozen with sand like ice, he eventually saw the beach.

The waves crashed and spluttered upon the rocks, his memory was not impeached.

The winter had passed and departed the land as the end of the chill was reached.

He now trudged along the sand in glee, just like he had done before.

But the glittering sun was hidden from view, across the sky night poured.

And yet he could feel the sun’s gaze persistent, long after his eyes bore the tide.

A tapestry drawn across the scene, it was all contained inside. 

Reverie

I really don't know what was going through my mind when I wrote Reverie but I hope you like it. I personally liked some of the rhymes like "here" & "stratosphere" but more importantly, I hope it does something for you. Please feel free to feed back with whatever opinions you have.

REVERIE

I can stand here:

On the crest of the Stratosphere.

I can float there:

Where the void breaks from the air.

Away I can leave:

Like those who have something to retrieve.

And if you wish, you could believe.

Washed away in city streets,

Head down low to bereave.

Inertia bites, your drive depletes.

And yet you could stand on top of this world,

Light up the darkness with fire from the sun.

Shimmering brightly like diamond-white pearls,

Could you believe that it’s already begun?

Alas it’s arduous to find this place,

A greater depth than even the sea.

Atop the Stratosphere with awe and grace,

Living out this fantasy.

My Alacrity Deficiency- A Poem About Dyspraxia

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've uploaded a poem on this blog so here it is. This poem was also published on Yahoo answers and received some good constructive criticism and as a result there has been some minor changes made. I thought I should try and write about the condition which I have, (mildly compared to others,) as a quasi-biography of an issue. Although much of what is expressed in the poem is experienced by those with Dyspraxia, I myself am not as severe as depicted in this work, just so you know. In any case I hope you enjoy the work and just a quick explanation of the title: It refers to how disorders such as Dyspraxia affect one's ability to go through life unhindered or at the same speed as peers, especially when in school and the effects it can have on morale etc. Think clumsiness and chaos when reading the poem.

MY ALACRITY DEFICIENCY

Gliding along a sun-swept pave;

Grass at the heels in a glowing serenade.

The birds sing in view to the blue ceiling above.

Gliding through nothing until I strike a barricade.

Spontaneous in nature and invisible in practice;

My speed is hindered as my vision sways.

A crunch echoes inside of my head, my legs broken as I meander.

An island replaces the glade, leaving me stranded.

The waves crash against rocks, blunt and sharp.

They form the visual against the tuneless harp.

I’ve collapsed into the sand, assaulted by the light from the sunset.

It’s distant and far so you’ll never forget.

I’m most afraid of what you’d say: I’d write it down, but you wouldn’t understand.

No lexicon wider or deeper than the chasm,

Into which I fall,

Nor a spoken atonement for some would say it all.

The sunlight flashes violently as I think back.

“How are you? Tell me how you feel. Write it down for me.”

I struggle to read it back.

Yet imbalanced perfection can produce the best results.

A specialised syndrome when the hemispheres slip;

The ability is still there, in surreal coordinates.

Yes. Strange it is, but not inordinate.

But for some tidings seem rather unfortunate.

When I glide in and out of time onto which, I still retain my grip,

I find a smile form on my lips, awkward as it may look.

Back on my feet, I walk further down my carefree path.

I may sway from side to side still, my hands are a disaster, my voice still cold but I never despair.

I walk with a bounce and patience of Zen,

Knowing if I fall I can get back up again.

I hope you enjoyed the work and if you wish to analyse the poem or learn more about the condition, please visit the page linked below. See if you can match the metaphors with the symptoms.

http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/services/ad_symptoms.php