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Maximum Velocity
I thought the story was well done and exciting. General descriptions caused mental pictures to be formed while reading. The main thing I had trouble with was the author not understanding the differnce between a shotgun and a rifle, this may not affect the novice but it drives firearms enthusiasts nuts.
Maximum Velocity
I think Bruce Jones is a terrific writer. I just recently ran across a hardcover version of this book, and I loved it. I'd already read his movels GAME RUNNING, IN DEEP, and SPRINTER, plus I found out he also publishes under the name of Bruce Elliot and so I read his two Touch Benson books under that name as well. This book doesn't have a sequel, but it should. Chris and Matty are great characters, and the book never stops! Jones is just a better writer than he needs to be. I'd love to see this as a movie!
Maximum Velocity
Jones' breakneck-paced "Maximum Velocity," takes place in the Colorado mountains near a remote hamlet. Chris Neilson and his wife Matty and their toddler son have just moved there from a California suburb when a relative of Matty's turns up in his red Lamborghini and, after a few deft maneuvers, leaves Chris for dead and takes over his life.From the beginning, Jones manages an off-kilter tension, an unpredictability generated by the Springer character, which grows helter skelter as the novel progresses.Essentially a chase, with a number of outlandish aspects, the novel only flags when Jones pauses to develop character. A former screenwriter, Jones' forte is action and his best character is the larger-than-life villain. Springer is a sadist who enjoys himself, a highly trained CIA killing machine who increases in invincibility as Chris' efforts become more desperate. Suspend your disbelief and you're in for a high-speed roller-coaster of a ride.
The Madwoman of the Sacred Heart
Alan Manguel is a middle-aged professor of philosophy in Sorbonne, who makes a real impression on his students almost so much that a cult starts around his teachings. Everything changes in one day when they discover (and he discovers) that he is a failure in his personal life. From then on a journey starts with many increcible twists and Alan finds himself deeply involved in a group of people who believe they will give birth to the new Messiah. He can't get out because his young girlfriend and mother-to-be of his child is in the center of all this, claiming to be Elisabeth mother of John the baptist. To make things worse a series of miracles (or coincidences) keep happening, challenging Alan's logical view of the world.The book is a masterpiece because it is so engaging. Every page brings an unexpectable twist, but the story keeps very tight with inner logic. Like in many true masterpieces of literature and cinema (eg. Bonnie and Clyde) the reader cannot tell whether the book is serious, or joking. It is definitely hillarious, but also it engages the reader in deep thought. And at the same time you can't stop reading for a second because you need to find out what happens next. It is a very intense book.One warning: the book is seriously sacrilegious, if you believe in the Bible (especially if Christian). Suffice to say that the claiming-to-be "Holy Virgin Mary", the daughter of a Colombian druglord, poses nude as the sexiest babe Moebius has ever drawn, and we even witness the moment of her deflowering by "God".Beautifully drawn by Moebius. The faces are hauntingly expressive. The action is 100% engaging. Too bad this edition is not as good as the French one. Smaller page size, no colors, and the cover is different (the bottom 20% of the original cover is missing, probably to make it more acceptable for the American bookshelves.) Another problem is the title's translation. "Sacred Heart" in French is the "Sacre Coeur", the famous church in Paris. So in French the title has an ambiguous meaning.This book covers 2 out of the 3 episodes. Still these are the best ones. The third episode is still good but a bit of a let-down compared to the powerful first two.
The Madwoman of the Sacred Heart
This book is amazing. Jodo, you've creeped me out, turned me on, and filled me with astonishment all at the same time. I must be in love!I'm not usually a graphic novel fan, but this one is phenomenal. It's got an epic story line filled with all the raunchy, mind blowing eccentricities that Alejandro so brilliantly provides.
The Madwoman of the Sacred Heart
This is a graphic novel for adults, one of both ideas and great art. it has sex but not in a gratuitous way, simply the story highlights the struggle between man's desire for idealism v. hedonism. It is well crafted, thoughtful and meant to be read and thought about, savored as a fine piece of literature. Highest Recommendation.