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Path: ...!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written Subject: Re: "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi Date: Tue, 6 May 2025 23:09:07 -0700 Organization: nil Lines: 74 Message-ID: <vvete3$of6b$1@dont-email.me> References: <vvbh3k$1iak0$1@dont-email.me> <vvekq5$i36m$1@dont-email.me> <vves4d$n9t0$1@dont-email.me> Reply-To: blissInSanFrancisco@mouse-potato.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Injection-Date: Wed, 07 May 2025 08:09:11 +0200 (CEST) Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="8c59e0e2d22ce64b00fdc9801b461d2f"; logging-data="801995"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org"; posting-account="U2FsdGVkX1/IrPjV/QYB5qUeVGUdPBmM" User-Agent: Mozilla Thunderbird Cancel-Lock: sha1:J6Ll6AyXwM3XiQd9kubQm+mQxI0= Content-Language: en-US In-Reply-To: <vves4d$n9t0$1@dont-email.me> Bytes: 4558 On 5/6/25 22:46, Titus G wrote: > On 7/05/25 15:41, BCFD 36 wrote: >> On 5/5/25 16:20, Lynn McGuire wrote: >>> "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi >>> https://www.amazon.com/Starter-Villain-John-Scalzi/dp/1250879396/ >>> >>> A standalone science fiction book, no prequel or sequel. I read the >>> well printed and well bound trade paperback published by Tor Books in >>> 2023. A sequel would be cool. There is a very nice short story at >>> the end of the book. >>> >>> Charlie is down and out on his luck. He lives by himself with his >>> cat, Hera, in his Dad's old house. His three older half siblings are >>> constantly after him to sell the house so they can get their shares of >>> the proceeds. Charlie used to work as a reporter for the Chicago >>> Tribune but he was laid off and then his Dad got sick. After his Dad >>> passed away, he now works as a substitute teacher. Paying for the >>> utilities and taxes on the house are difficult at best with his >>> limited funds. Especially since he and Hera like to eat occasionally. >>> >>> But, Charlie sees on CNBC Morning Squawk Box that his billionaire >>> reclusive uncle Jake, a major owner of parking garages across of the >>> USA, has passed away. His uncle was his mother's older brother, his >>> mother who passed away in a strange car wreck when Charlie was five >>> years old. And then Charlie's life goes wild as a beautiful woman >>> contacts Charlie about him hosting the viewing and burial of his uncle >>> in their hometown. The viewing of his uncles body is very contentious >>> with several obvious henchmen showing up to view the body. One guy >>> even tries to stab his uncles body to make sure that he is "dead this >>> time". >>> >>> I love the cover of the book. It conveys a mysteriousness about the >>> book immediately. I showed the book cover to my 83 year old mother >>> who promptly said that she wanted to read the book next so she has it >>> now. >>> >>> The author has a fairly active website / blog at: >>> https://whatever.scalzi.com/ >>> >>> My rating: 5 out of 5 stars >>> Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (13.025 reviews) >>> >>> Lynn >>> >> >> I listened to it while doing my organlegger job, driving from Boulder >> Creek to Stanford and back, or BC to San Francisco and back, or BC to >> Sacramento and back. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of interesting >> twists. I can recommend it. >> >> I can't comment on the printing, binding, or covers since those don't >> really come across well in audio format. But the narration was top notch! > > How would the potential listener judge whether a book was worth reading > if it did not have a cover? > I understand that in the US (where Scalzi is), a blue tie represents a > Democrat political party supporter. To begin with, what cat would wear a > Windsor knot? Perhaps Krost, the Emperor of Cats from "Girl Genius". Mostly though he wears, if anything, open jackets. A talking cat in Japanese manga/anime who dresses like a dandy. There is more than one I believe in that category. Ties in the UK can indicate Public(private really) School connections that may be useful in the worlds of Government and Business in a very old fashioned way. bliss - who is out of the Orthopedic Boot and has to learn to walk with normal shoes again. With a cane outside... What fun ambulation is. >