Matthew Cook's review of The Gunny: The Sage Begins by Kenneth Dickinson
I bought the book, read it, and liked it. It seems like it would suit this site, so I'm posting it here.
Centered around a world created after a nuclear exchange with China and the rest of the world, it shows the foundation of the post-war wasteland. 200 years after said nuclear exchange, Kevin DeShane, a Marine from before the world was destroyed, sets out on a quest to save the town of Twenty-Nine Palms, and possibly the wasteland itself, from everyone from slavers to gangs, along with their mysterious ringleader, Emil Mlodnicki.
Feelings between the characters are easily noticed, and the entire story progresses with a wonderful feel to it. One can almost feel a certain "realism" feel to it.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of post-apocalyptic wastelands and, in general, good stories that are fun to read.
Matthew Cook's review of The Gunny: The Sage Begins by Kenneth Dickinson
I bought the book, read it, and liked it. It seems like it would suit this site, so I'm posting it here.
Centered around a world created after a nuclear exchange with China and the rest of the world, it shows the foundation of the post-war wasteland. 200 years after said nuclear exchange, Kevin DeShane, a Marine from before the world was destroyed, sets out on a quest to save the town of Twenty-Nine Palms, and possibly the wasteland itself, from everyone from slavers to gangs, along with their mysterious ringleader, Emil Mlodnicki.
Feelings between the characters are easily noticed, and the entire story progresses with a wonderful feel to it. One can almost feel a certain "realism" feel to it.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of post-apocalyptic wastelands and, in general, good stories that are fun to read.
Matt, I am glad that you like the book, and thanks for the review.
In case you would prefer the e-book version, here are the links.
May the road gangs never meet you. May the wind be fallout-free. May the sun shine through the ashes, hot rain not fall on thee. And until we meet again, may no one hold your flesh in the palm of their hand.
Joined: Nov 2010 Gender: Male Posts: 490 Location: Arizona Karma: 25
Re: The Gunny: The Saga Begins « Reply #4 on May 21, 2011, 11:29pm »
I will be honest, as a writer I'm pretty underwhelmed with it so far. It feels thrown together to me. Writing is a learning experience, (at least for me) but I've been editing my current novel for over a year, and I'm wondering if the excitement of completing it overwhelmed the sense that it needed more editing. Of course, in my case I had to be told (repeatedly) by my agent, and I figure for every page of the original manuscript, (624 pgs) I figure I read through it at least once. It's now 498 and I need to re-edit it, but want to finish this work first. Pisser is, I consider myself lucky at writing, and haven't made a red cent yet. I do, however, have one of the best agents in the country, who not only believes in me, but has taught me some things about he entire business of publishing, and who made me edit it over and over and over....
My point is, writing is easy. Writing well is hard. It's work. The hardest part for me is 'killing my children' ie: editing out parts I love. It's a very difficult process.
I haven't finished reading this yet, but there are weak points that could be entirely edited out which would make it cleaner and more saleable. Just my .02 and worth exactly what you paid for it.
tistine is a troll. No matter what you say, he will find a way to ridicule it. I encourage everyone to simply boycott him. Witness the responses I got from him. He's not worth the effort.
I will be honest, as a writer I'm pretty underwhelmed with it so far. It feels thrown together to me. Writing is a learning experience, (at least for me) but I've been editing my current novel for over a year, and I'm wondering if the excitement of completing it overwhelmed the sense that it needed more editing. Of course, in my case I had to be told (repeatedly) by my agent, and I figure for every page of the original manuscript, (624 pgs) I figure I read through it at least once. It's now 498 and I need to re-edit it, but want to finish this work first. Pisser is, I consider myself lucky at writing, and haven't made a red cent yet. I do, however, have one of the best agents in the country, who not only believes in me, but has taught me some things about he entire business of publishing, and who made me edit it over and over and over....
My point is, writing is easy. Writing well is hard. It's work. The hardest part for me is 'killing my children' ie: editing out parts I love. It's a very difficult process.
I haven't finished reading this yet, but there are weak points that could be entirely edited out which would make it cleaner and more saleable. Just my .02 and worth exactly what you paid for it.
Morg, I appreciate your candor, any feedback is welcome, but I ask that you finish it and then give me your honest opinion.
Since you are the first person to be critical about it I value your opinion quite heavily.
The quick scene changes are meant to be jarring. The quick flashes are from around the country as the nukes fall. So must, by design, be a bit 'thrown together'.
What page are you on, and can you give me some examples of what, in your opinion, should have been removed? Anything you can provide will only help me improve the book.
Joined: Nov 2010 Gender: Male Posts: 490 Location: Arizona Karma: 25
Re: The Gunny: The Saga Begins « Reply #6 on May 21, 2011, 11:59pm »
Actually I like quick changes between scenes, but doing it well isn't easy. Doing it consistently well is even tougher. I plan on finishing it, and will let you know when I do, through private email if you send me yours (I'm not used to this site totally yet).
No one writes perfectly, but the key to writing better is accepting criticism - I ask my readers to be BRUTAL with me. Don't spare my feelings - I can't learn from that. I really need to know how to make my writing better - so readers, and their criticism is really a tool you use to make your writing better, and make it appeal to more people. The key to writing is write a lot, write often, and don't stop doing it no matter what. I'll let you know what my overall opinion is soon.
tistine is a troll. No matter what you say, he will find a way to ridicule it. I encourage everyone to simply boycott him. Witness the responses I got from him. He's not worth the effort.
Actually I like quick changes between scenes, but doing it well isn't easy. Doing it consistently well is even tougher. I plan on finishing it, and will let you know when I do, through private email if you send me yours (I'm not used to this site totally yet).
No one writes perfectly, but the key to writing better is accepting criticism - I ask my readers to be BRUTAL with me. Don't spare my feelings - I can't learn from that. I really need to know how to make my writing better - so readers, and their criticism is really a tool you use to make your writing better, and make it appeal to more people. The key to writing is write a lot, write often, and don't stop doing it no matter what. I'll let you know what my overall opinion is soon.
Morg, I absolutely agree with you about not learning anything if the readers are not honest. And that is what I ask of my readers, complete honesty in their criticism or praise. That's why I value your opinion so highly.
I will be honest, as a writer I'm pretty underwhelmed with it so far. It feels thrown together to me. Writing is a learning experience, (at least for me) but I've been editing my current novel for over a year, and I'm wondering if the excitement of completing it overwhelmed the sense that it needed more editing. Of course, in my case I had to be told (repeatedly) by my agent, and I figure for every page of the original manuscript, (624 pgs) I figure I read through it at least once. It's now 498 and I need to re-edit it, but want to finish this work first. Pisser is, I consider myself lucky at writing, and haven't made a red cent yet. I do, however, have one of the best agents in the country, who not only believes in me, but has taught me some things about he entire business of publishing, and who made me edit it over and over and over....
My point is, writing is easy. Writing well is hard. It's work. The hardest part for me is 'killing my children' ie: editing out parts I love. It's a very difficult process.
I haven't finished reading this yet, but there are weak points that could be entirely edited out which would make it cleaner and more saleable. Just my .02 and worth exactly what you paid for it.
I understand what you mean by "thrown together", but I can only see a few points where it was inconsistently put. For the most part, the story follows along with the lines, and it's written in a pretty easy-to-understand style. Sure, there are a few "abrupt" points, but yeah. I still like it, because it conveys a pretty good story that I can read easily.
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