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Mely

@coffeeandink.bsky.social

290 followers 350 following 1.2K posts

I uploaded a user icon so I guess I live here now. She/her. #bookLoot Me @ much greater length: https://coffeeandink.dreamwidth.org/

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Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 1d

PSA: Phyllis Gotlieb's Flesh and Gold is on sale for USD$2.99.

This is a deeply humane space opera with many and very splendid aliens. It's the first in a loose trilogy, but works fine as a standalone.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 10d

Finally caught the Superman movie. I liked it fine, but my main takeaway is that too many people are sleeping on My Adventures with Superman.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 14d

I'm so excited!!

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 16d

I keep groping at thimgs -- why Harry son of It? Is Eggs an Alice in Wonderland reference? -- but nothing makes sense and all is bewilderment.

Perhaps not surprising it was originally published in an anthology DWJ herself edited. Like, did she think it was all perfectly clear?!?

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 17d

oh man, I was really hoping you could explain"The Master" to me

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

It is so pretty and the design and costuming is so thoughtfully worked out.

I also appreciate that the series beliebes colors other than grey and brown will exist in the future, which is no longer a given in Western media.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

I haven't read it in literal decades & think the show may argue the opposite of the books about what historical processes are. But as its own thing it is very interesting, esp. in s2-3. I am worried about what the change in creative staff portends for S4, but still eager to see it.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

Elaboration - Gene Wolfe's influence on the Foundation TV series:

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

The emperor Cleon's "genetic dynasty" is a series of clones, 3 of different ages/life stages active at any time (Dawn, Day, and Dusk), aided by their right-hand robot Demerzel. Different clone incarnations have different relationships to their unified selfhood. 1/

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

Foundation showrunner David Goyer admires The Book of the New Sun & I think it & The 3 Heads of Cerberus are an influence on the clone emperors' naming & the series' various identity paradoxes, none of which come from Asimov. 3/3

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

The Cleons and also Demerzel cannot know how many of their actions are produced by will or conditioning (echoing the larger series questions about psychohistory & historical contingency). 2/

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

The emperor Cleon's "genetic dynasty" is a series of clones, 3 of different ages/life stages active at any time (Dawn, Day, and Dusk), aided by their right-hand robot Demerzel. Different clone incarnations have different relationships to their unified selfhood. 1/

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

Surprised I haven't seen more commentary on the Gene Wolfe influence on the Cleon & Demerzel storyline.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 21d

Having finished S3, I revise my Foundation verdict to: Very pretty and occasionally even smart. But mostly very pretty.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 24d

It is so pretty and so dumb.

Reposted by Mely

Eddie Clark @dreddieclark.bsky.social · 22d

SFF discourse starter for the morning:

The "stop reccing Golden Age SF to people, it doesn't hold up" discourse is never ending.

But I haven't seen the equivalent for the golden age of fat epic fantasy; the 80s and 90s.

So: what 80s & 90s epic fantasy holds up best to modern eyes and why?

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 23d

Also appreciate how Jared Jarris makes Hari both inexplicably charming and also, at all the times, the Absolute Worst.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 23d

Starting S3. Did not expect Demerzel to become so interesting!

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 24d

S02E03: Ben Daniels, always a pleasure

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 24d

It is so pretty and so dumb.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 24d

Not where I expected his career to go c. Wonderfalls/Pushing Daisies, but good for him.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 24d

so far = S02E02.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 24d

Curious how lit sf is all over the problems with empire and the show just doesn't care. Like, some hints at "power corrupts", but so far not really interested in system politics.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 24d

Binging Foundation. Is Lee Pace contractually obligated to strip at least once per season?

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 25d

Not watching the Emmys, but thrilled by the Tillman and LaNasa wins.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 28d

A lot of reviews complain about it lacking a dramatis personae, which my edition does have! So yay for responsiveness and/or not reading an ARC.

Mely @coffeeandink.bsky.social · 28d

Current book is dialed up to 11 at all times and might do better if it occasionally dipped down to 8 or 9.