Animate Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 QUOTE (billybobjoe1881 @ Sep 17 2012, 10:26 PM) I'd love to buy a second copy and mark down where all the RUSH lyrics are. I started doing this. Quickly figured out to not mark any quotes from CA songs- there are just too many. But it is fun for the rest of the catalogue... easy cals sometimes, harder others. For example, if the word Bravado is used in a sentence, without any other reference to the song, is it actually a reference to the song? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Farrah Fowler Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 If there weren't any CA lyrics in the book, I'd be concerned. The album IS the framework of the story. Now, lyrics from the rest of their catalog...yeah, a bit on the cheesy side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losingit2k Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Done, Good book, easy read! I agree there alot of "I wish I was back at the Shire" in there! I felt alot like forrest Gump at times as well. Like all the Rush references. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alph Seeker Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Basic question: I keep reading here that it seems like it was written for a 12 year old. So, I'm wondering if it would be a good read for my son (11). Is it appropriate for that age- content wise, language, etc? If it were a movie, what rating would it get -- G, PG, PG-13? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Farrah Fowler Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I'm halfway through...finally. I don't get a lot of "me" time to sit and read for an hour or two. I think it would be suitable for that age, Alph Seeker. I've seen one offensive word so far and that was "shit." And I believe it was actually in reference to animal waste. Owen and Francesca do spend a night together, but what they did was rather ambiguous at best. I'd let my kids read it (based on what I've read so far) and they are 10 and 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losingit2k Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 QUOTE (Alph Seeker @ Sep 21 2012, 08:00 AM) Basic question: I keep reading here that it seems like it was written for a 12 year old. So, I'm wondering if it would be a good read for my son (11). Is it appropriate for that age- content wise, language, etc? If it were a movie, what rating would it get -- G, PG, PG-13? Thanks. PG-13, definately. There are no bad languages or really visual images. Its actually pretty undetailed actually. It would be ok for your 11 year old I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueowl Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I picked up the book last night at the Columbus concert, which was excellent by the way, and have read some of Anderson's stuff, it's not great, but usually readable, so I have moderate expectations for the book. If it entertains I'll be happy, if it brings out more of the album I'll be ecstatic. I no longer think there is a typical Rush fan. There are children to old geezers who can barely walk. Meth-heads like the guy sitting next to me at the concert who could barely string a sentence together, to philosophical and well-read people. My guess is the book is aimed at "general audiences" which is about as close as you can now get to current Rush fans. I'll post my specific thoughts after I read the book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I finished the book and found I quite enjoyed it, actually. An easy and enjoyable read, I think. Yes, there are many, many (many) Rush references. Lyric references appear both in direct quotes and inference. Sometimes while reading, I'd hear a song that wasn't written on the page directly but the imagery would paint itself in my mind's eye and I'd hear Cinderella Man, Grand Designs, Prime Mover or the final sliding note in MalNar, for example. The novel provided a different, and previously unconsidered, point of view of some songs. Headlong Flight, for example, as being The Watchmaker's story. I liked that aspect of the novelization. Rather than detracting from own interpretation of CA album, it just provided an alternate interpretation. A companion unobtrusive. My favorite reference was that Owen had "experienced two extremes". I recommend it and think most Rush fans will enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate1647 Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I just finished it myself. I thought it was a pretty decent read, cheesy in some parts, but darn near amazing in others. It really does enhance the music though, and there are some pretty neat characters. The final "battle" scene was really well done, an awesome setting, and the imagery was really nice there. It would play out well in a movie I think. All in all, a fun little book with some pretty strong moments, that does nothing but bolster my opinion of the Clockwork Angels "project." Kudos to Neil and Kevin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueowl Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I made a start on it last night, and I'm liking it better as it goes along. I keep feeling a strong echo from "Hemispheres" and wonder if Anderson and/or Peart might have had that theme in mind as well as CA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losingit2k Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 QUOTE (Nate1647 @ Sep 22 2012, 12:42 PM) I just finished it myself. I thought it was a pretty decent read, cheesy in some parts, but darn near amazing in others. It really does enhance the music though, and there are some pretty neat characters. The final "battle" scene was really well done, an awesome setting, and the imagery was really nice there. It would play out well in a movie I think. All in all, a fun little book with some pretty strong moments, that does nothing but bolster my opinion of the Clockwork Angels "project." Kudos to Neil and Kevin. Agreed, This has been a great project by all involved and the book just adds the icing to the cake. I thought the battle scene could have been a bit longer and with a bit more tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc4gd Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Few more chapters.............this just get's better and better................. ..................so would it be be classified as Sci-Fi Fiction? I know it's also called Steampunk............ It really adds to the album lyrics and content.............a really must read to really understand the album........ "I have stoked the fire on the big steel wheels" http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images...-vinyl-back.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchemingDemon Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I'm going to get a copy of this book soon. I can't remember the last time I read a book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losingit2k Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 QUOTE (jc4gd @ Sep 25 2012, 10:42 PM) Few more chapters.............this just get's better and better................. ..................so would it be be classified as Sci-Fi Fiction? I know it's also called Steampunk............ It really adds to the album lyrics and content.............a really must read to really understand the album........ "I have stoked the fire on the big steel wheels" http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/images...-vinyl-back.jpg I agree, the book has realy added to my appreciation of the lyrics in the album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Farrah Fowler Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I finished it over the weekend...I really enjoyed it. My 10-1/2 year old daughter is now reading it and likes it. I've started it over again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc4gd Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 .............my wife (who doesn't listen to my music or Rush) starting reading it and has passed me up now close to the end....... .........I didn't finish it yet.................don't want it to end........... ......................Owen Hardy Rules!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric2112 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Just finished the book (Kindle addition on the iPad) last night. If you have not read it, you will be shocked at how many Rush lyrics are included...if you pick this book up and were not a Rush fan, you'd likely just dismiss it as wistful writing, but for those of us who know...wow. Excellent read overall.... E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tas7 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Reading it at the moment. There are some eek moments when lyrics from other Rush songs appear,like the page I just read had an obvious line from Time Stand Still.But non Rush fans wouldn't know that so.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc4gd Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Brilliant...........ending well done...........a movie should be made......... I listened to the album (and loved it) continually for over a month when it first came out, now after reading the book when I listen to songs, there is a much deeper connection. Owen Hardy Rules! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torgo Satyr Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I'm only 1/4 through the book... and it seems ok so far...but honestly, each time I read old lyrics "cleverly" forced in (this includes song titles as well as random lyrics)... I know I'm supposed to smile...but instead I just find myself groaning... it's like Dr. Evil having to explain his homonym... "I like to see girls of that...caliber. By caliber, of course, I mean both the size of their gun barrels and the high quality of their character. It's 2 meanings. Caliber--it's a homonym. Forget it." I know it's supposed to be cool...but it's sadly ...not. I almost feel like it's "slug-bug"...like every time I read a Rush lyric, I should punch someone in the arm... (or get punched)...gah I just have a bad feeling this is gonna keep on going through the entire book... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost In Xanadu Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 QUOTE (The Mighty Dudad @ Sep 7 2012, 05:53 AM) I've only read the first three chapters that were previously downloadable. Kind of "meh", but I'm sure I'll eventually read the whole thing. I agree about the forced Rush references, but also think that we (hard-core Rush fans who frequent these forums) are a bit hyper-sensitive to those kids of things. It would be interesting to see how non-Rush fans react to this. My real question for this group is this: has reading CA The Novel changed your thoughts and/or appreciation of CA The Album? If you don't like the book, do you find that dislike creeping in when listening to the CD? Glad I'm not the only one. Too much effort was spent on trying to be overly descriptive, choosing "the right words" and not enough on the character development. It's great to read before bed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Farrah Fowler Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 I do agree that the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. I wonder if there are any plans to expand upon this story with other books... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I'm 1/2 way through...thoroughly enjoying it so far!!! Just a mention of the 3 names of the clowns brought a big smile to my face: Deke, Leke and Peke. Can you say Dirk, Lerxst and Pratt??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangster of Goats Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 QUOTE (Torgo Satyr @ Oct 3 2012, 04:13 PM) I almost feel like it's "slug-bug"...like every time I read a Rush lyric, I should punch someone in the arm... (or get punched)...gah I just have a bad feeling this is gonna keep on going through the entire book... Oh, it does, it does... prepare for sore arms all around. One or two - maybe three, tops - lyrics references would have been nice Easter eggs (the one referencing lyrics to Peaceable Kingdom for example... that one was one of the lesser-groaner ones for me) but instead it's like a 20 foot long pinata exploded over our heads and we're being bombarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeddysMullet Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I just finished the book. I thought it was okay, but only okay and not worthy of the stellar album. It was a fun read but didn't really absorb me or create pictures in my head. I agree that the use of Rush lyrics was often forced and awkward, and only occasionally clever. I was very disappointed that they didn't do more with the "one of many possible worlds" concept, because the scene in the bookstore where Owen discovers that concept was the thing in the book that evoked my strongest positive reaction. I thought the rest of the story would revolve around that, but it didn't, which I think is a tremendous lost opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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