tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post752637431258675722..comments2024-03-24T13:45:25.132-05:00Comments on Bookfoolery : Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank - RIP #1Bookfoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-66391120824502497512009-12-06T19:58:33.526-06:002009-12-06T19:58:33.526-06:00Anon,
It's been over 2 years since I read Ala...Anon,<br /><br />It's been over 2 years since I read Alas, Babylon, so I don't remember the beginning, anymore. But, I just read through my review and it looks like I felt much the same -- the first bit was all set-up and it didn't get exciting till the bombs began to fall. I'll have to reread this one, soon.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-34518307608022032632009-12-06T18:12:14.084-06:002009-12-06T18:12:14.084-06:00I've read this novel. It's great, but the ...I've read this novel. It's great, but the beginning is very boring. It's wonderful after chapter 6 though!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-40373531925592115862007-10-01T12:51:00.000-05:002007-10-01T12:51:00.000-05:00Rhinoa,Yep, I enjoyed Alas, Babylon. It went down...Rhinoa,<BR/><BR/>Yep, I enjoyed Alas, Babylon. It went down as one of the month's favorites. I like apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic books, for some reason. I don't think I've thoroughly disliked a single one, yet. But, they're definitely not for everyone. :)Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-84698198912218749482007-10-01T12:23:00.000-05:002007-10-01T12:23:00.000-05:00It sounds like you really enjoyed it and I loved t...It sounds like you really enjoyed it and I loved the quote you put up. but I am not sure it's for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-35609340014806132682007-09-26T22:11:00.000-05:002007-09-26T22:11:00.000-05:00Becky,I totally agree. It's one I plan to return ...Becky,<BR/><BR/>I totally agree. It's one I plan to return to.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-40008809103145043022007-09-26T21:26:00.000-05:002007-09-26T21:26:00.000-05:00I absolutely loved this book. I definitely think i...I absolutely loved this book. I definitely think it's a must-read. :)Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-65700902587102369412007-09-18T17:24:00.000-05:002007-09-18T17:24:00.000-05:00Les,I haven't read Earth Abides, so I can't compar...Les,<BR/><BR/>I haven't read Earth Abides, so I can't compare. Actually, I'm not sure I like comparing, anyway. LOL I really did like the book. There were times I thought the hero was a bit full of himself, but I liked the fact that he's basically a person with a big heart. He gradually lets more and more people move into his big house, in spite of limited supplies and the cooperative spirit is both believable and inspiring, IMHO. <BR/><BR/>The prejudice in the book drove me nuts, just because I so hate prejudice. <BR/><BR/>You must have been on Eastern time as a child, yes? I remember our Disney time was 6-8 or 6:30-8:30, so the timing was just about right. The Wonderful World of Disney was the capstone to our Sundays. I absolutely loved those weekly movies. If we were out and about, we rushed home in time to catch Tinkerbell trailing fairy dust around the castle. Ah, memories.<BR/><BR/>It's hot, again, darn it - back to the upper 80's and 90's. Oh, well. It'll cool off, again, eventually.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-21265853669085622982007-09-18T14:38:00.000-05:002007-09-18T14:38:00.000-05:00I so want to read this book. I have an old copy fr...I so want to read this book. I have an old copy from a library sale and may just have to add it to my ridiculously long list for Carl's challenge. Your review has inspired me to move it to the top of the stack. It sounds much better than Earth Abides (a post apocalyptic novel I read a year or two ago).<BR/><BR/>I remember those days (or nights) of The Wonderful World of Disney. My parents were pretty strict about bedtimes and the show came on at 7:30, as I recall. I rarely got to stay up that late to watch it! And I was in 2nd or 3rd grade at the time. :(<BR/><BR/>Enjoy your cooler weather. We're in the high 60s with thunderstorms today. Yay! I don't have to drag the hose around this week. :)Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-74962787464978209832007-09-18T12:13:00.000-05:002007-09-18T12:13:00.000-05:00Kookie,I'm glad you like the review because it too...Kookie,<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you like the review because it took me days of mulling before I finally felt comfortable sitting down to write about the book. It was one of those books you want to write about carefully in order to do it justice. <BR/><BR/>So true. I loved our Disney evenings - they used to make some wonderful movies about nature and independent children or survival. Now, it's all cartoons and garbage. My opinion. I had a particular favorite called "Three Without Fear" (I think!) about three children who have to find their way back to civilization after a plane crash in which their father is killed. I loved those survival stories.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-13794564514813699872007-09-18T11:57:00.000-05:002007-09-18T11:57:00.000-05:00I think you did everyone a great service. People ...I think you did everyone a great service. People who didn't know about this book, or who weren't inclined to read it before, surely will be after reading your review, and that makes me very happy. I love this book and I'm really glad you liked it too.<BR/><BR/>I remember The Wonderful World of Disney! Kids today don't know what they are missing.kookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00994570192941993135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-33351626912532908322007-09-18T11:32:00.000-05:002007-09-18T11:32:00.000-05:00Hi Jenny!I hope you enjoy the book!Cupcake,Thanks ...Hi Jenny!<BR/><BR/>I hope you enjoy the book!<BR/><BR/>Cupcake,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for answering that question. Alas, Babylon is gripping, all right. It's undoubtedly a completely different book when read in a different time period, now that there is no U.S.S.R. - kind of funny to realize that we thought of them as "the enemy" and potentially dangerous when their infrastructure was quietly crumbling. <BR/><BR/>I was definitely impressed by the clarity of Frank's writing. When you get around to reading, please let me know. It will be interesting to see if the book holds up to your memories.<BR/><BR/>And, pardon me for accidentally deleting my first message, so your answer shows up above it. I'm having quite an interesting morning. It might be best to just go back to bed and sleep off the last half hour. <BR/><BR/>Joy,<BR/><BR/>I haven't read The Road, yet. From what I've read, the two books are quite different. Alas, Babylon ends on a hopeful note and I was under the impression that The Road is bleak. Since I'm way low on the wish list for The Road, hopefully I won't end up comparing the two, as you did.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-7319354727033326942007-09-18T11:19:00.000-05:002007-09-18T11:19:00.000-05:00Cupcake,Well, shucks, I feel all glowy just knowin...Cupcake,<BR/><BR/>Well, shucks, I feel all glowy just knowing I made you want to reread the book. And, boy, can I relate to that statement about paying the bookstore's rent. I think I've helped a few too many booksellers stay solvent. :)<BR/><BR/>I'm curious what you thought of the book when you read it in the 7th grade.<BR/><BR/>Chris,<BR/><BR/>You haven't read Alas, Babylon? I'm stunned. It seems like your kind of book.<BR/><BR/>Oh, yes, I agree with you completely about how frightening it is to realize you're dependent on things like power and gasoline, radios and phones. I thought the book captured both the feeling of that desperation I'm sure we all felt at being cut off and the time and setting.<BR/><BR/>Ha! And, I thought you were too young for the Disney thing! :)<BR/><BR/>Same here on the weather. If I can get out and move limbs and do some trimming in the morning, then I might be able to do some blog-hopping and reviewing in here. But, you know that jungle feeling you get at the end of the summer? I've got to hurry and get going or the house is going to disappear. LOLBookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-27118606068775081842007-09-18T11:18:00.000-05:002007-09-18T11:18:00.000-05:00Andi said:I haven't read one of these post apocaly...<B>Andi said:</B><BR/><BR/><I>I haven't read one of these post apocalyptic sort of disaster books in a very long time even though I typically lurv 'em. Thanks for the review! Definitely adding this one to the mooch list.</I><BR/><BR/>Andi,<BR/><BR/>I think it's funny that so many upbeat people love reading apocalyptic novels. I wonder what that says about us!! BTW, I definitely think it's worth mooching. :)Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-39955530021567584832007-09-18T06:53:00.000-05:002007-09-18T06:53:00.000-05:00My rating (3.25/5) was affected by THE ROAD which ...My rating (3.25/5) was affected by THE ROAD which I found to be extremely powerful. ALAS, BABYLON didn't have near the same impact. I'm glad you really enjoyed it, though. :)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00832231139076878401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-60729163221062198902007-09-18T05:30:00.000-05:002007-09-18T05:30:00.000-05:00I remember liking it a great deal. In fact, it's ...I remember liking it a great deal. In fact, it's one of those books that I have intended to re-read but just haven't. It didn't so much frighten me as grip my nascent teenaged mind. I enjoyed the way Pat Frank wrote it.cupcakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116838567343233668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-85969290698535605962007-09-17T20:52:00.000-05:002007-09-17T20:52:00.000-05:00Alas, Babylon sounds great! I'll have to add that ...Alas, Babylon sounds great! I'll have to add that one to the wishlist. That isolation from power that you talk about is indeed a scary thing. The scariest thing is how much we rely on it and how little we realize we rely on it until it's taken away. Katrina was the shocker of a lifetime when it came to that and it sounds like Alas, Babylon does a good job of capturing that feeling even back in the 50's when things didn't rely on power half as much as they do now!<BR/><BR/>I do indeed remember the Wonderful World of Disney from when I was a kid. I used to look forward to it every Sunday. The first movie I remember seeing on there was Bedknobs and Broomsticks and I fell in love with it. <BR/><BR/>The weather's been much nicer...particularly in the mornings and afternoons. The middle of the day is still a bit of a scortcher, but we're sloooowly getting there!chrisa511https://www.blogger.com/profile/05793512698366676453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29370872.post-83648963163659133972007-09-17T20:33:00.000-05:002007-09-17T20:33:00.000-05:00I haven't read that book since I was in the 7th gr...I haven't read that book since I was in the 7th grade, which was a <I>looooooong</I> time ago. As happens when I read your blog, you're making me want to head to the bookstore and pay their rent!cupcakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116838567343233668noreply@blogger.com