Mrs President and Troubled Waters
Mar. 15th, 2025 09:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alobearOn Thursday, we went to the theatre to see Mrs President - and I really don't know what to say about it. The story, such as it was, seemed to be about Mary Lincoln and the various stages of her life. But it was very artsy and largely incomprehensible, with a talking camera and chair, a photographer who kept being possessed by different people he'd taken photos of, some very heavy-handed metaphors and moralising, and very odd presentation overall. I liked some of the lighting choices, combined with some very effective slow motion movement from the two actors. But most of it really passed me by - and I was very glad it only lasted 75 minutes, with no interval. No less than five other members of the audience didn't make it to the end, though, and the applause at its conclusion was half-hearted at best...
Today, I finished listening to Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn, which I first read back in 2011. I decided to revisit this series because I discovered a fifth book came out in 2023, which I haven't read - but I also haven't spent any time in this world since 2016, so I thought a refresher might be in order.
And I really enjoyed it! The series (up until this last one) is read by one of my favourite audiobook narrators - Jennifer van Dyck - and having her in my ears again is always a pleasure. I also love the world of the Elemental Blessings book (I have tattoos of some of the blessings!) - even though, this time around, the idea of there only being five personality types seemed very reductive.
This first volume is quite odd, in that almost nothing happens for the first two thirds and then it suddenly gets very exciting towards the end. But the initial slow pace didn't bother me at all, as I love all the characters and really enjoyed the leisurely reintroduction to the world.
I also like the romance in this book (definitely romantasy before that was officially a thing!) - though I did feel one of two aspects of it were a little problematical.
I'm really looking forward to listening to the other three books in the series before I eventually get to the one I haven't yet read.
Today, I finished listening to Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn, which I first read back in 2011. I decided to revisit this series because I discovered a fifth book came out in 2023, which I haven't read - but I also haven't spent any time in this world since 2016, so I thought a refresher might be in order.
And I really enjoyed it! The series (up until this last one) is read by one of my favourite audiobook narrators - Jennifer van Dyck - and having her in my ears again is always a pleasure. I also love the world of the Elemental Blessings book (I have tattoos of some of the blessings!) - even though, this time around, the idea of there only being five personality types seemed very reductive.
This first volume is quite odd, in that almost nothing happens for the first two thirds and then it suddenly gets very exciting towards the end. But the initial slow pace didn't bother me at all, as I love all the characters and really enjoyed the leisurely reintroduction to the world.
I also like the romance in this book (definitely romantasy before that was officially a thing!) - though I did feel one of two aspects of it were a little problematical.
I'm really looking forward to listening to the other three books in the series before I eventually get to the one I haven't yet read.
