If you're a Kim Harrison fan, as I am, then you've probably read her books set in the Hollows. The last one I read was, "For A Few Demons More" which is moving her main characters along in fantastic fashion. The picture on the left is the cover of the first book in the series, "Dead Witch Walking".
One of the things about the Hollows series is how the Hollows came to be. In this version of Cincinnati there are fairies, elves, trolls, werewolves, and vampires all living out in the regular world. See, they had to come out of hiding when most of the human population was killed off. Now they live side by side, although in somewhat segregated neighborhoods (a.k.a. the Hollows), and they have their own police force competing with the human one for investigative rights on cases that involve both humans and magical beings.
What killed most of the humans you ask? Well, that's what's interesting...and sort of eerie recently. It was a virus.....in tomatoes. Now nobody in their right minds eats tomatoes in her books. Sounds familiar doesn't it? While I don't believe in parallels between real life and fiction being portents of the future, stranger things have probably happened. And I can't quite kick the similarities out of my head. So today, when I read or hear that 17 states have been taken off the "safe to eat" producers of tomatoes list, it gets kind of "They're here"-ish. What fun! I wonder if Harrison's sales will rise because of this odd similarity. I know Harrison is hoping it will. She's accepting photos of signs about the tomato ban for her website with promises to post them. Guess that means I need to put her latest, "The Outlaw Demon Wails", which is still in hard back on my books to purchase list. Wonder if I can use on of the new Borders coupons I acquired this week. (G)
Postscript to the books and tomato subject:
Paschal reminded me of the nightshades tag that tomatoes have. When I went researching the origin of the label I discovered a fascinating article published in New Life Journal in 2003 titled, "All About Nightshades". It's a fascinating read into the origin of the label, what else is in the nightshade family, and how these plants affect our bodies. Hope you can make time to read it.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Slightly Parallel
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8 comments:
"Now nobody in their right minds eats tomatoes in her books." I like the declarative sound of that statement. Guess they don't call tomatoes nightshades for nuthin'.
Funny thing, when we investigated the Blood Type diet, we found that tomatoes were considered toxic for all the blood types except Type AB. That lets out ketchup for most of the planet, not to mention BLTs and salad nicoise. Ms. Harrison's clearly onto something.
LOL Thanks Paschal. I'd forgotten that nightshades nickname. Think I'll go researching that one.
Blood Type diet? Interesting! I hadn't heard about those. And that's an interesting observation you made on the ketchup thing. That's one of the "keep things moving" mediums that Harrison uses. Rachel Morgan, main character, gives ketchup to a human friend on the sly after he's pressured into eating tomatoes in a vampire's very popular restaurant.
I don't know if you'd like Harrison's books, Paschal. Most of the titles I see you mention seem heavier than her stuff. Harrison's books are like a really good action movie. If you want lots of thrills and excitement then by all means, dive in.
Joy!
I like the sound of those books Lee. I've just finished Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and I really loved that. He also wrote Stardust which I have yet to read but I love the film. Have you found an excuse to visit Austin on the 30th yet?
Go for it Jo, I enjoy them and find them a lot better than some of the quick reads of other overly prolific writers. One of the nice things about this series is that, while each book can be enjoyed on its own, reading the entire series gives you the pleasure of a long term plot. Wish they'd make it into a TV series. You could do all kinds of things with this type of story.
I might have found an excuse. Not being familiar with Austin's terrain as much as I should be, I'd need to check out the route the cycle event is taking. IF it is at all near the Wildflower Research Center or the Bat Watch bridge I could definitely find a reason to go up there...assuming this thing is happening on a weekend. Which I also need to check on. :)
Good to see you back!
Joy!
Okay, now you've got me wanting yet another series of books! Mac's gonna have a fit, lol!!! Oh, and I have a little award for you over at my place, so come on down!
hugs
Sandi
LOL Thanks, Sandi! Yep, know the feeling of danger going into a book store generates. We finally stopped using them and started hitting the public library big time.
I'll be over shortly.
Hugs!
I'm not familiar with this writer Lee, but I agree that the synchronicity of the Killer Tomatoes in fiction and "the real world" is pretty cool.
Nightshades: I have a friend who's allergic to them. They make her joints ache.
Does that mean your friend can't eat tomatoes? Bummer!
If you get a chance and want some light fiction you might give her a try although from what I've heard of your reading preferences, she doesn't sound like she'd fit with your choice of writer.
I'm sort of hoping SciFi channel will make a movie or series about her books and then I can watch it when it comes out on DVD. ;)
Hugs!
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