At the gym I’ve been listening to the audiobook versions of the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton. I had initially read these books in my early 20s, so almost 10 years ago already. It’s about a woman who raises zombies and kills vampires for a living. I remember loving the character and the series and how gritty it was. Now, re-reading the series, I can’t believe how insecure and contradictory Anita is. I thought she had everything figured out and was living by her morals and wasn’t conflicted at all. Now, reading through it, she’s just an emotionally lost 20-something, which is normal, but is not all my memory of the character. I don’t know if it’s my perspective changing, or the fact that I’m listening to it this run through and not reading it myself or what, but I’m not enjoying the series nearly as much as I had in the past.
I think, strangely enough, that I’ve based some of my own behaviors on Anita, at least upon re-reading the series. I am also self-effacing and much more fragile than I let on or let others see. I definitely also think I was much more judgmental than I am now, but didn’t want anyone else to judge others. Those characteristics may have already been a part of my psyche 10 years ago, it’s hard to tell, but I think at least they were reinforced by them. Who knows, it could be a part of growing up and realizing that what you thought when you were 20 isn’t quite true at 30.
The series is definitely enjoyable, however, and I will continue to listen to it while I’m at the gym. I just find it interesting how much of a different experience I am having reading through it now. I am seeing Jean-Claude in an entirely new light and whereas I was a fan of Richard in the early books and not Jean-Claude, I see what JC is doing more clearly now than I did before. Right now, I’m in Bloody Bones, so it’s still fairly heavy on zombie-raising and police investigations, which was what initially drew me and kept me interested. Once the ardeur is introduced I feel like the series loses its major appeal and where I feel like the character Anita had been set up to be is shown to be a hollow shell. These are all my opinions of course. That’s why I’m saying Jean-Claude for the win!
Side Notes
- I’m going through the Rachel Morgan series again as well, and that experience is very similar to the one I had upon initial read through. I’m trying to catch up so that I can read the second to last one which recently came out. I just finished Black Magic Sanction in that one.
- I’m catching up on Cosmos. This show is fascinating. I never watched the original but I’d be interested in going through a few of those as well. But anyway, an interesting watch for anyone who enjoys learning and is fascinated by our world, even someone who’s not terribly science-oriented.
- I have been so tired today. I’m blaming it on the wind and the overcast sky, but who knows the real culprit. My cat is enjoying it because he loves to lie down next to me and we relax together, watching the aforementioned Cosmos.
- I haven’t made my Ulta purchase yet. I certainly don’t need to make a purchase, but that’s never stopped me before.
- I had forgotten that the Pottermore site had placed me in Slytherin but was reminded by a FB post.
Lunacy and Letters 