White Night by Jim Butcher (2007)
May. 16th, 2007 01:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lightreadsNinth Dresden Files book (click author link for the first eight) in which Harry begins investigating the deaths of a number of local small-time magical practitioners and, say it ain’t so!, ends up in the middle of a massive vampire power struggle with wide-ranging implications for the continuing war.
I’m almost tempted to re-skim Storm Front, the first book in the series, just for the purpose of enjoying how much Butcher’s talent has grown. His writing is smoother (if not, you know, particularly beautiful), his dialogue downright sparkling in places, his plots much less contrived, his jokes funny-lame instead of stupid-lame. And he’s discovered subtlety in character work, which is worth a cheer all in and of itself.
All of which sounds a lot more disparaging than it’s intended. Seriously. This series started out as a mildly diverting bunch of adventures with average writing and the occasional irritating element. They’ve morphed into smooth, funny, creative stories which are indulging in the sort of very long-range plotting that really pushes my buttons. There’s a really excellent and diverse supporting cast, and Harry is developing in believable and impressive ways (the apprentice angle is awesome) as both a wizard and a person, and somewhere in the past three books I started being emotionally engaged by him on levels that the first few books didn’t permit (see above re: subtlety in character work).
Harry’s chauvinism is still irritating (nope, sorry, not cute, not funny, and, most damning of all, not illuminating of character in a meaningful way). I was also a bit disappointed by the ending to this book, which returned to the old pattern of lining up the good guys and the bad guys and having them whack at each other with swords and magic and rifles until things go badly for both and the good guys pull a rabbit out of their hats. Ho-hum. This sort of thing can only really be saved for me by the delightful creativity Butcher has demonstrated himself more than capable of (resurrected dinosaur! Plant monster in a garden store!) that simply wasn’t present here. Otherwise, it reads like a description of a tabletop RPG. Which, uh, it well might be.
Anyway. Strong series that I’m glad I stuck with, because the good stuff took a while to hit me. And I have a feeling there’s a lot more of it coming.
Which, by the way, can also be said of the new TV show – I was reasonably entertained by the first few episodes, then something shifted and went click and the last few installments have been nothing short of delightful.
I’m almost tempted to re-skim Storm Front, the first book in the series, just for the purpose of enjoying how much Butcher’s talent has grown. His writing is smoother (if not, you know, particularly beautiful), his dialogue downright sparkling in places, his plots much less contrived, his jokes funny-lame instead of stupid-lame. And he’s discovered subtlety in character work, which is worth a cheer all in and of itself.
All of which sounds a lot more disparaging than it’s intended. Seriously. This series started out as a mildly diverting bunch of adventures with average writing and the occasional irritating element. They’ve morphed into smooth, funny, creative stories which are indulging in the sort of very long-range plotting that really pushes my buttons. There’s a really excellent and diverse supporting cast, and Harry is developing in believable and impressive ways (the apprentice angle is awesome) as both a wizard and a person, and somewhere in the past three books I started being emotionally engaged by him on levels that the first few books didn’t permit (see above re: subtlety in character work).
Harry’s chauvinism is still irritating (nope, sorry, not cute, not funny, and, most damning of all, not illuminating of character in a meaningful way). I was also a bit disappointed by the ending to this book, which returned to the old pattern of lining up the good guys and the bad guys and having them whack at each other with swords and magic and rifles until things go badly for both and the good guys pull a rabbit out of their hats. Ho-hum. This sort of thing can only really be saved for me by the delightful creativity Butcher has demonstrated himself more than capable of (resurrected dinosaur! Plant monster in a garden store!) that simply wasn’t present here. Otherwise, it reads like a description of a tabletop RPG. Which, uh, it well might be.
Anyway. Strong series that I’m glad I stuck with, because the good stuff took a while to hit me. And I have a feeling there’s a lot more of it coming.
Which, by the way, can also be said of the new TV show – I was reasonably entertained by the first few episodes, then something shifted and went click and the last few installments have been nothing short of delightful.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-05-30 02:09 pm (UTC)Bob in the TV series is corporeal. Which only makes sense, I suppose, to make him a larger presence in the show. You should check it out -- the first book is one episode halfway through the current run, but everything else is entirely different, plotwise, and quite fun.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-05 05:43 pm (UTC)I ordered books 2 - 5 and they arrived just as the school ended with all its insanities. I gorged myself on Harry and Bob and the gang. They were done in four days. Ordered 6 - 8, which arrived this morning.
Harry grows on me. I understand what you mean by the chauvinism in the stories, but I'm also reading "What I Meant to Say: the private lives of men", edited by Ian Brown at the same time. Essays in which men try to explain themselves and their psyches. So, actually, it would seem that Harry's behaviour, thoughts are well within that male behaviour code.
I have to say that what I enjoy the most is the fact that Butcher keeps his seconadry characters around. It's delightful watching the Alphas mature, the relationship with Michael develope, the one with Susan end (that's okay. He belongs to Murphy anyway!)...you know what I mean. The dialogue is becoming more secure and Butcher is taking chances with 'in-jokes', chancing that his readers are about his age and watched the same social/cultural events. (Butters telling Harry and Murphy that he was leaving to let them "Mulder it out"!)
I love the way Butcher has developed this universe of his, Nevernever, the godmother, the different kinds of vampires, the Knights of the Cross. I have to admit that I find the 'inner' Harry (with his trimmed beard!) very seductive. Moreso than plain Harry. Mind, that leather duster coat...oh, my! The non-Muggle world of Butcher's univers is fascinating, growing more so with each story. And I have to admit that I love the fact that poor old Chicago is the centre of this universe, not New York! Makes a great change. Though I would love to read a story when it's snowing. Butcher so far has (1 - 5) has avoided the winter season in Chicago.
After Book 5, I hit my once a semi-decade cleaning fit...(You would be surprised to see how much dust accumulates on the upper shelves of books after 5 years!!!) I write slash and found myself wondering whom to slash Harry with -- should the urge to write something other than a report card come to me. Thomas Raith was the first who immediately came to mind. I was rummaging around the old brain with a plot when Book 6 arrived this morning. Sigh. I have a feeling that I may not be able to write my story after all. LOL!
Mind, I could wait to read 6 AFTER I write the story. It wouldn't be all that long, or take that much time. But...Book 6 is calling to me and I really love Thomas so I want to find out what the hell he has to do with Harry. (Don't tell me!)
Thank you so much for directing me to this series. I really am enjoying the books.
P.S. On your rec, I have put the DVD of the TV program on my purchase list for August.
P.S. 2: I have to admit that thing that always takes me aback (not your vampires ) is the way Harry notices even the colour of lipstick and nailpolish. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean. The details of clothing, the hair are very interesting. I expect that of female-written novels, but male-written? (Unless Harry/Butcher is subconsciously gay/bi?)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-06 05:13 pm (UTC)BTW: Have you noticed, we have a 'Tom' and a 'Harry'. When is 'Dick' going to show up?
Started Book 7 this morning. Hmmm, the vampires are back. (You're right: they are getting to be a bit much. Sorta like the Mafia in Thrillers of the 70s.) But the Necromancers are a nice addition.
Mind, I miss Butter's green rabbit slippers.
And we learn more about Bob. Ooooooooooooo!
And the Dark is quietly infiltrating. You're right: the long-term plotting makes up for the vampires.
Thanks again. I'm having a lot of fun with these...and the dusting is still waiting. :-)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-06 07:14 pm (UTC)Yes! I was going to say something yesterday, and then I thought no, you're reading fast enough, you'll get there.
Mouse: oh look, something ended up substantially bigger than Harry anticipated. That's never happened before.
I think most of my vampire irritation was centered around Susan -- that plotline always bored me to tears. They do continually pop up, but I also agree with you that the recurrent cast is one of the best things about this series.
Just wait until you hit the eighth. I liked that one.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-06 07:18 pm (UTC)are well within that male behaviour code.
Which by no means suggests I have to accept it.
I love the developing relationships with Michael and his family. Me, I'm an ensemble reader. I mean, I usually attach to one particular character, but I enjoy them most in context of friends and family and the accompanying conflicts. I was unsure about these books for the first two, because Harry didn't have that, but boy does he now, and it makes me very happy.
(Unless Harry/Butcher is subconsciously gay/bi?)
Ha, Butcher is not that subtle.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-07 10:02 pm (UTC)Book 7: I loved Mouse the dogosaurus :-)
I loved Sue the Zombie T-Rex.
Butters finding his courage...
The zombies made a nice change from the Vampires.
BTW: at the end of this paperback, there was a message from Butcher about this other series of his: Codex Alera. Have you read any of those? If so, worth investigating?
Book 8:
I agree with Murphy...sadly. They can't pair off. I liked that Molly ends up with Harry. As I teacher, I can only feel for the pain, the frustration and the satisfaction awaiting him in that role. :-)
I had wondered about Charity. She struck me as really strong for a terciary character.
Mouse getting hurt. JB had better NOT kill Mouse off. Besides, Chinese mythological protector dogs live long lives. (Don't they?)
Michael coming to the rescue, with Ebenezer. :-)
The Gatekeeper is getting more interesting and frustrating. Who the hell is he really!
OMG! With JB's long-plotting...is Harry to be the next Merlin? What has Lea promised Margaret LeFay (sister to Morgana, is she?) in relation to Harry? Will the Fallen demon Lasciel have her wicked ways with our Harry? And who the hell is pulling all the strings in the background?
I liked this on. As you said. better than 7. BUT I want more with Thomas. I think JB is underusing Thomas.
Well, that's it for this series. Yes, I know there's a ninth, but I'll wait until it's out in pb.
Many thanks again. I really have had fun with this series.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-15 03:25 pm (UTC)Lasciel: *is not spoiling you*. I found the temporary? resolution of this plotline pretty disappointing in the ninth book. And you're right to wait for the PB, btw. It's a good book, as my review says, but it returns to the vampires yet again, and a few other things that just aren't worth $25.