The Dark Fields #2

Eddie's encounter with the drug MTD-48 makes him a human informaiton power house. He constantly takes in information from multiple sources; tv, internet, and books, retaining them all.

I hate to think, but do wonder, what effects this would have on a human mind. What would it feel like to memorize everything, to take in everything you see or hear? It almost makes him seem inhuman, like some kind of supercomputer, always analyzing. That's just what he does too; analyze. He gains the ability to predict certain events, such as stock market fluctuations, by taking in vast amounts of information and analyzing them. How would life feel then; would it feel amazing, because you are constantly learning and getting better, or would it be boring and easy now that you really dont need to try? I think that Eddie will begin to feel negative effects of the drug, because like most good things, they're too good to be true. If you had the chance to try out this revolutionary new pill, would you?

The Dark Fields #1

Eddie Spinola is in a slump, tired and broken as his girlfriend decides to leave him. He cant finish his book, until he discovers this wonderous new "pharmacy-tested" drug. It causes Eddie to access all 100% of his brain at one time, other than the meager 20 or so percent us normal humans use.

One of the things I love most about Glynn's writing is his use of color, you can tell what state Eddie is in practically by looking at the color and tone Glynn uses, and he utilizes it well. When Eddie is under the influence of the drug, his world his vibrant and colorful, with bright reds, blues, and greens. But when Eddie isn't getting his fix, his world is brown, gray and drab just like his normal life.

Glynn does a very good job building a man who is pretty much beaten down as far as he can go. This lets Eddie's falabilites show, and it really helps the book out a lot. You can see the changes going on the more Eddie takes the pill, when he's on it he's happy and free, but when he's not, he gets more and more frantic and desperate by the moment.

I know that movies also usually stray a good ways from their source material, so I'm keen to see how this book differs or is similar compared to the movie.

The Dark Fields is great so far, and I cant wait to read further!

The Dark Fields (A.K.A Limitless) by Alan Glynn

I just got my book a couple days ago, and I'm not very far yet. The main chracter's name is Eddie Spinola and he is an aspiring writer who has close to no cash and is also behind on his rent. I've seen the movie though, and if its anything like the book, then Eddie gets a fix of a new drug that taps all of the human brain at one time. Soon Eddie is up to his ears and knowledge, but also trouble. I can't wait to read further into this book.

Memories

Memories tend to be different for many people. This blog is about how I end up remembering things better, such as if i remember pictures or words. The Sound and the Fury's first two chapters are entirely memories, and if you step back and take a look at your own you will see just how reliable (or unreliable) memories can be.

For me, memories are different; I remember some things better one way than I do others. For example, when I drive I remember landmarks and places I've been as opposed to street names. I also remember peoples faces more than their names. On the otherhand I remember words to songs all of the time, or lines from movies or tv shows. I dont particularly remember what the characters or what I was doing at the time though. It's also obvious that memories can be overexagerated and misconstrued from what actually happened.

Since people can exagerate memories, and it usually happens, then I think that the memories from The Sound and the Fury aren't particularly reliable. For instance, things can also be ommited, but things also can be added to add impact to a certain situation. Memories have a strange way of working, but it is hard to imagine life without them.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Final Analysis

Regardless of whether you think this is just some guy's book thats wrongfully riding on the coattails of a national disaster (its not), or if you believe that Froer did no wrong using 9/11 as a subject, it is impossible to truly say that this book isnt amazing. I loved every bit of it; sure, at first Oskar's ADD thoughts made it somewhat hard to get used to, but if you get past that, this book really opens up into an enjoyable and almost philosophical adventure.

Now I dont want to spoil anything, but the ending isnt as climactic as you might think; I expected some profound discovery when I started this journey, but, thankfully, there was none. I think the book did very well ending the way it did; with a whisper, not a roar. The ending pictures were also very unique, and definitely not something you would see in many other books.

Now this book may not apeal to all, and sure, with many people the wounds of 9/11 havent healed fully. I dont want to say that these people should stray from this book, but maybe just take a bit more caution as the begin reading; somethings can get extremely emotional in this book. I do really enjoy this book, and it was nice to see a story where not everyone wins, and not everyone gets what they want. Dont take this book to be nihilistic though, its not, its filled with hope and perserverance that is experienced after a tragedy. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is easily one of the best books I have ever read, and probably in my top 5 of all time.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Analysis

Oskar is still out and about looking for understanding. It seems that his journey isnt really looking for something physical, like the contents of whatever the key unlocks, but more over that he is looking for some kind of closure, and hopes to find it with the help of the key and the mysterious "Black". It's like he us hoping that whatever is unlocked with the key explains everything to him; why this happened to his family, what he's supposed to do without his dad, among other tihngs. It seems as if he just thinks that unlocking whatever the object is will make all of his troubles go away. It may be whimsical, and fairytale-ish, but I mean come on; who hasnt wished that they could just do one thing and make hurting or troubles stop?