Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitchawl
I agree. When they started out, they were trying to make a serious book about these characters. They laid it out well, but if sort of fell flat. Then they got the idea to really push the envelop about the abilities of the martial arts of Sinaju. I mean REALLLLLY push the envelop. Book 2 is a bit better, but I'd skip it and go right to book 3 after book 1. Although these are books about assassins, it's the character interaction between Remo and Chiun that make the book work, and Chiun's bizarre out-of-character behavior all the time that are so much fun. Because of the skills possessed and taught by Chiun's mastery of 'Sinaju,' these guys can doge bullets, climb up plate glass windows, swim through sand, fight off 20 heavily armed assailants in a closed room (while eating an ice cream cone and not spilling any,) etc., etc., But Chiun will get furious with anyone who interrupts his daytime TV soap operas, and enjoys sitting and chatting with little old ladies as they compare notes about their uncaring children who never write or call...
It's absolutely ludicrous. And absolutely delightful! But you have to get to book 3 to really start seeing that. They are very quick reads and lots of fun!
Stitchawl
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Ah, I remember those from way, way back. They were funny, and I quite enjoyed them. Not sure how I'd feel about them now.
Meanwhile, finished Kerry Greenwood's
Murder in Montparnesse, number 12 in the Phryne Fisher series. And I'm still enjoying them immensely. Also, finished listening to
Imager's Battalion, the third book in this prequel cycle of the Imager series from L. E. Modesitt. These are books I find quite successful as audio books, but I doubt I'd like them as much if I were reading them.