this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
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The Iron Heel, by Jack London
Basically one of the first major political dystopias written in the modern sense. It's super cool too, basically the book is an old manuscript about an attempted socialist revolution, before the world was taken over by oligarchic tyrannical capitalists. There's basically two stories being told, one in the socialist narrative itself occurring in the past, and one in the footnotes, showing glimmers of some of the capitalist horrors in the "present time". Super neat way to tell a story, and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's super heavy handed, and I would maybe call it similar to a socialist version of an Ayn Rand dystopia, like Anthem, but you know... Actually good. And thematically opposite to any coherent thought Ayn Rand tried to impart onto her readers.
I'm about halfway through and enjoying it quite a bit. It a LOT different than anything else by Jack London I've read (just his Yukon/Alaska stuff)
Paved Paradise, How Parking Explains the World, by Henry Grabar
A book about parking. The history of parking, parking policy, and how it has basically ruined American cities over the past 80 years. Sounds boring but I have really been getting into city planning books recently so I'm enjoying it.
The King of Elfland's Daughter, by Lord Dunsany
As a huge Tolkien fan, it has taken me far too long to read this one. Considering Lord Dunsany was a huge influence and inspiration for JRR Tolkien, I don't think it's that controversial to say this is one of the most influential works on the fantasy genre of all time. It's beautifully written, with very poetic prose. Story is fine so far, not much to write home about but plot doesn't really matter when the writing is this pretty.
Ah, I think you mentioned these books before, right? Though I think the Lord Dunsany book is a new addition.
How is Paved Paradise going? Is it interesting read for someone who doesn't specifically care about city planning?
I have. Been stuck on them for about a month with not a ton of progress on books.
Paved Paradise would be fairly interesting to someone that knows nothing about city planning and such. It will definitely make you notice just how much useless space is around you for parking, and probably make you mad about it. It also goes into some be interesting history about how the mobs controlled parking in cities like New York and Chicago.
It definitely makes you look at things differently, which is always a good thing.
No worries, there have been months where I have been stuck on one book, without getting much time (or sometimes motivation) to read.
That's interesting about Paved Paradise, I would add it to my list. Thanks!