A Way with Words – A Review of Lexicon by Max Barry

At first it may seem like the premise of Max Barry’s Lexicon is complicated or a strange kind of magic. In a way this is true. However, it is not magic in the fantasy novel sense but a well thought out and cleverly utilised power that revolves around linguistics and the art of persuasion. Less magic and more a science of words (it’s science fiction without the spaceships), Barry creates a frighteningly plausible artistry that shows just how powerful words are, especially those from ancient times, long lost in the evolving dialects of the world. Everything about the world building, from this science to the Poets who use it, natural manipulators who learn just what it means to persuade people, is precisely planned out. The idea of segmenting people based on their personalities, which then shows you how to break through their mental defenses and effectively control them, is simultaneously brilliant and terrifying as you realize the implications while still being caught up in the story.

The characters are believable, changing with the story and even breaking down when the occasion calls for it. While I didn’t like Emily I was okay with that, because I never wanted her out of the story, she was just so well written that I could dislike her but still accept her. Eliot, however, was a clear favourite of mine. Even early on when he was keeping all his emotions and thoughts in check there was something attractive about him, which only grew as his personality started to come out. No matter the character they were well rounded, essential, and completely believable, especially within the frame of the story.

As far as structure goes there is no doubt that Barry continues to keep you on your toes. Between the switching perspectives and clever manipulation of the story’s timeline he turns an already complex story into a masterful telling of life, love, and lessons (usually hard-learned). It’s a study of people, language, and how it all intertwines in a thrilling adventure that you won’t be able to put down.

Lexicon by Max Barry ★★★★★

**Review also posted on Observing the Scenery**

Shakespeare and Samurai (and Robot Ninjas?) – A Review of Manga Macbeth

I should start by saying that, while I don’t dislike the “Scottish play”, it is also not in my most beloved of Shakespeare’s works. So when I give the Manga Shakespeare version of Macbeth a middling rating it is not a direct response to either the illustrations done by Robert Deas or the adaptation of the text as done by Richard Appignanesi. However, that is not to say that I was one hundred percent swayed by this adaptation either.

Initially I found the feudal-esque Japanese samurai twist to be interesting (assuming you could ignore that it was intended to be a Scottish play, which I had no problem with). Jumping in head first, ready to see what delightful adaptations awaited me, I was met by a confusing but still interesting post-apocalyptic world that combined feudal Japan with modern and futuristic technology alike, all in a world that had clearly been blown up quite a bit. My problem lay in the sudden use of the technology, from telescoping binoculars and very basic motorbikes, to holographic messages and (admittedly my favourite part of the book) teleporting robot ninjas. However, as much as I loved some of these changes (mostly the ninjas), I became frustrated by how infrequently this technology was used, especially in a world that was both at war and had a murder to deal with. Obviously they couldn’t have changed much of that without altering the whole story of Macbeth, but for that reason I feel like the story could have done without this sporadic technology. Perhaps sticking to a post-apocalyptic feudal Japan feel alone, with a heavier reliance on samurai history, would have been enough. That is, in truth, what I had been expecting when I’d picked it up, and I found the technology, while occasionally intriguing, to be quite jolting.

However, I found the artistry to be impressive, with randomly delightful tidbits of hilarious facial expressions (though not perhaps fitting with everyone’s idea of the characters) and beautifully created weird sisters and spirit dragons. I also believe that this visual medium for Shakespeare would be a great way to get those less inclined toward literature to become interested in literature, and luckily the series offers a variety of the Bard’s plays in various tellings based on Japanese history and culture. And despite not being overly enraptured with the work itself, I was impressed enough to want to read these other works, especially those that I hold higher in my personal esteem. Definitely worth a try for anyone with an interest in graphic novels as a genre, especially if they already have a love of Shakespeare’s plays or would like to have but find the texts themselves daunting.

Manga Macbeth by Richard Appignanesi/Robert Deas/William Shakespeare ★★★☆☆

** This review also posted on Observing the Scenery**