malhat's recent activity

  1. Comment on Suggestions for fantasy that feels truly different in ~books

    malhat
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    Not sure if this is what you’re looking for at all; Guy Gavriel Kay has some excellent historical fantasy: under heaven takes place in a version of China, and The Lions of Al-Russan takes place in...

    Not sure if this is what you’re looking for at all; Guy Gavriel Kay has some excellent historical fantasy: under heaven takes place in a version of China, and The Lions of Al-Russan takes place in a version of moorish Spain. Even in sort of familiar settings (especially the lions of al-rassan), there’s a really complex web of racial/religious tensions, great characters, and very sparing use of magic.

    I didn’t like his Fionavar books, but the alternate history is really intriguing and the “familiar” settings feel unfamiliar and very alive.

    2 votes

  2. Comment on What's your favorite scene in Tolkien's Legendarium? (Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion, etc...) in ~books

    malhat
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    Luthien going up against Sauron and casually defeating him after he’s been shown to be nearly unstoppable is a high point. However, my personal favourite part of Tolkien’s writings is the...

    Luthien going up against Sauron and casually defeating him after he’s been shown to be nearly unstoppable is a high point.

    However, my personal favourite part of Tolkien’s writings is the Ainulindalë. It’s just such a tour de force of creative, thoughtful world building. The metaphor of the music and the discussion of free will is just a bonus!

    3 votes

  3. Comment on The misunderstood Roman empress who willed her way to the top in ~humanities.history

    malhat
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    If you’re not familiar with Mike Duncan’s History of Rome podcast (which is excellent)—he covers Galla Placida’s death in episode 173; I’m not sure how much detail he goes into, but I enjoyed the...

    If you’re not familiar with Mike Duncan’s History of Rome podcast (which is excellent)—he covers Galla Placida’s death in episode 173; I’m not sure how much detail he goes into, but I enjoyed the whole series, and have found it a useful tool to get an overview of specific periods before looking for more in depth research.

    3 votes

  4. Comment on What is your favorite “so bad it’s good” movie? in ~movies

    malhat
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    I’ll have to check them out. I’m not going to tell my wife they were recommended because I like storks though!

    I’ll have to check them out. I’m not going to tell my wife they were recommended because I like storks though!

    1 vote

  5. Comment on What is your favorite “so bad it’s good” movie? in ~movies

    malhat
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    Storks is a terrible movie. It’s really just not good. And I love it so much. I was stuck on a plane with very limited options so I was watching Storks, definitely not enjoying it, right up until...

    Storks is a terrible movie. It’s really just not good.

    And I love it so much.

    I was stuck on a plane with very limited options so I was watching Storks, definitely not enjoying it, right up until the wolves (played by Key and Peele). Then I realised the movie was supposed to be bad and ever since then I’ve enjoyed it a lot—much to the chagrin of my wife.

    1 vote

  6. Comment on What are your favorite webcomics? in ~comics

    malhat
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    Schlock Mercenary is just fantastic. I still go to the webpage every few months hoping the author has found a new project.

    Schlock Mercenary is just fantastic. I still go to the webpage every few months hoping the author has found a new project.

    3 votes