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Showing posts from January, 2024

Elements of a perfect Sci-Fi

What image comes to mind when you think about sci-fi. Well, the above is AI-generated and I agree, it's quite close to what I imagined. I've been reading a lot of sci-fi lately, so I wondered: What elements make for a perfect sci-fi? Do the books I read have those elements? Of course, these will vary based on personal preferences and the specific subgenre of science fiction. However, I believe below are some common elements that many readers and critics appreciate in a compelling sci-fi novel: Original Concept or Idea: A unique and innovative concept that explores new ideas or pushes the boundaries of existing ones. It could involve advanced technology, alternate realities, or speculative future scenarios. Well-Developed World-Building: Detailed and immersive world-building that creates a believable and intriguing setting. This includes the fictional universe's social, political, economic, and technological aspects. Complex Characters: Well-rounded and relatable characters ...

Which Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky books have you read?

Let's talk about some Russian Literature here. War and Peace:  This book by Leo Tolstoy changed me. I shall never forget it. Yeah, it's long and not an easy read, but it's worth it. Anna Karenina: A tragic tale depicting the doomed love affair of the titular character, Anna Karenina. After War and Peace, I had to read the other major work by Leo Tolstoy. I like this one too. Crime and Punishment: Having explored the major works of one of the greatest Russian authors, of course, I wanted more. So, I turned to none other than Fyodor Dostoyevsky. From what I found, most people who have read Dostoyevsky like Crime and Punishment, and it's my favorite Dostoyevsky book too. It's fascinating how you find yourself empathizing with a cold-blooded murderer. The Brothers Karamazov: Another book by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, blending elements of crime, morality, and spirituality. Though it didn't have a similar impact as Crime and Punishment, I still enjoyed reading it. The Idio...