The Curse of Lono is a nonfiction book written by Hunter S. Thompson, an American journalist and author. The book was initially published in 1983 and it recounts Thompson's experiences covering the 1980 running of the Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii. Thompson, who is known for his unconventional writing style and Gonzo journalism, approaches the marathon as a journalist and participant, immersing himself in the event and its accompanying festivities. Throughout the book, he intertwines his personal experiences with Hawaiian history and mythology, exploring themes of luck, fate, and the darker side of paradise. The title of the book, "The Curse of Lono," refers to the ancient Hawaiian god of peace, fertility, and music.
The title of the book, "The Curse of Lono," refers to the ancient Hawaiian god of peace, fertility, and music. Lono was believed to bring abundance and good fortune to the islands, but Thompson adopts a more cynical perspective, suggesting that Lono's presence also carried a curse. Thompson's narrative not only captures the chaos and excess of the marathon but also delves into the complexities of Hawaiian culture, tourism, and the impact of Western influence.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau
From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a dreamy reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico.
‘The deeply atmospheric novel blends horror, science fiction, and historical events’ Time, 100 ‘Must Read Books of 2022’
Carlota Moreau: growing up in a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatan peninsula, she is the only daughter of an eccentric, and dangerous, genius. His experiments, a motley group of hybrid monstrosities, are blindly loyal to their creator.
Into Carlota’s strange but perfectly balanced world comes Eduardo Lizalde, the charming, careless son of Doctor Moreau’s patrons. In the sweltering heat of the jungle, amidst her father’s secrets and her own awakening feelings, Carlota will begin asking questions that could ignite a conflagration.
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‘Genius . . . combine[s] contemporary political awareness with the appeal of a creepy gothic romance’ – Guardian
‘An evocative slow-burn SF drama about colonialism, heredity and scientific hubris, couched in lush prose’ – Financial Times
‘The imagination of Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a thing of wonder, restless and romantic, fearless in the face of genre, embracing the polarities of storytelling’ – New York Times
‘Paints a vivid picture that is as alluring as it is unsettling, filled with action, romance, and monsters’ Booklist
Publisher Review
A chameleon writer with incredible writing skills * KIRKUS * A genre-jumping wizard, one of the most exciting and necessary authors writing today * CHARLIE JANE ANDERS, award-winning author of THE CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT * Moreno-Garcia is a magician able to switch genres with ease * THE OBSERVER on VELVET WAS THE NIGHT * Cements Silvia Moreno-Garcia's incredible versatility as an amazing writer who moves between genres effortlessly * S.A. COSBY, bestselling author of BLACKTOP WASTELAND on VELVET WAS THE NIGHT * Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing is unforgettable * CHRISTINA HENRY, author of ALICE, on CERTAIN DARK THINGS * With intelligence, energy, and unexpected tenderness, Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes on Wells' classic tale of scientific hubris. Carlota, the mad Doctor Moreau's only child, is a creation more original than anything her father's cruel experiments could ever conjure. At once playful and deadly serious, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is an irresistible and thoroughly satisfying novel * VALERIE MARTIN, author of I GIVE IT TO YOU, on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * The brilliant and unstoppable Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues to weave her magic in The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, a smart, sinister fable about social inequality and exploitation, isolation and abuse of power. In her usual fashion, Moreno-Garcia has given us an extraordinary heroine to root for in Carlota, a young woman who can't know until she's tested how much power is hers to claim. Both lacerating and deeply empathetic, this story satisfies the reader on every page * PAULA McLAIN, New York Times-bestselling author of The Paris Wife, on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Silvia Moreno-Garcia goes from strength to strength. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is my favourite of her novels so far - a gothic tour-de-force with characters who will keep you glued to the page, and a series of satisfying, surprising riffs on Wells' original story * KELLY LINK, award-winning author of Get in Trouble, on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Lush, eerie, and compulsively readable. This story got under my skin and stayed there * ALEXIS HENDERSON, author of THE YEAR OF THE WITCHING and HOUSE OF HUNGER, on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Beautiful, feral, and as sharp as a jaguar's claws . . . I felt the anger and hope in this story down to my very bones. Truly, Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a virtuoso of the anti-imperialist gothic novel * ANNALEE NEWITZ, award-winning author of Autonomous, on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Paints a vivid picture that is as alluring as it is unsettling, filled with action, romance, and monsters. However, it is Moreno-Garcia's ability to mesh the unease of the scientifically created beasts with the real-life terrors of a life on the margins and the horror of colonialism that elevates this story. Readers will fall into this tale immediately, enchanted * BOOKLIST (starred review) on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * If you love psychological horror and historical fiction, this is the book for you * SHEKNOWS on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * She deftly combines fantasy, adventure, and even romance; the result is hard to classify but definitely a lot of fun. This isn't the first book to riff on H.G. Wells' The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), but it's definitely one of the better ones. A fun literary remix * KIRKUS REVIEWS on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Moreno-Garcia's world-building chops are on display as she creates a distinct, vibrant backdrop to her audacious retelling. Fans of cerebral, atmospheric historical horror won't want to miss this * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * I was swept along from beginning to end, enchanted by this wonderful novel that breathes new life into a classic concept * PARSEC MAGAZINE on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * The imagination of Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a thing of wonder, restless and romantic, fearless in the face of genre, embracing the polarities of storytelling - the sleek and the bizarre, wild passions and deep hatreds - with cool equanimity * NEW YORK TIMES on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * If there are two things I love in this world, it's contemporary reimaginings of Victorian era horror and sci-fi, and joyful genre mashups in literature. Thank the Lord, then, for Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the author of the 1970s Mexico City noir Velvet Was the Night and the postcolonial gothic romance Mexican Gothic, who brings her chameleonic powers to bear on H. G. Wells's 1896 'exercise in youthful blasphemy' * LIT HUB ON THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Once again the author of Mexican Gothic demonstrates her genius for genre mashups, combining contemporary political awareness with the appeal of a creepy gothic romance * LISA TUTTLE in THE GUARDIAN on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * An evocative slow-burn SF drama about colonialism, heredity and scientific hubris, couched in lush prose * THE FINANCIAL TIMES on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * This is another excellent story by an author who is always worth reading and highly recommended * BIRMINGHAM SCIENCE FICTION GROUP on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * What Moreno-Garcia really does, though, is explore who the real monsters are in the world * WASHINGTON POST on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * A riff on H. G. Well's 1896 SF horror classic The Island of Doctor Moreau, given a feminist slant, but it is much more than that and is often unexpectedly beautiful * CONCATENATION on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Atmospheric and evocative * CULTUREFLY on THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU * Romance, intrigue and body horror swirl together fantastically . . . an eerie book, in which strange creatures lurk and simmering passions ignite * PRESS ASSOCIATION * Hailed as one of the most anticipated books of 2022 * ESSENTIAL MARBELLA MAGAZINE * Seamlessly blends a sense of the old with the new, creating a new story that respects Wells but will always be in Moreno-Garcia's distinct style and voice * SFBOOK REVIEWS * The Daughter of Doctor Moreau sweeps along in the style of Isabel Allende's fantastical City of Beasts * GEEK CHOCOLATE *
Carlota Moreau: growing up in a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatan peninsula, she is the only daughter of an eccentric, and dangerous, genius. His experiments, a motley group of hybrid monstrosities, are blindly loyal to their creator.
He explores the tensions between the local Hawaiian population and the influx of tourists and developers, highlighting the loss of traditional culture and the commodification of Hawaiian identity. With his signature wit and satirical tone, Thompson provides a unique and often humorous perspective on the marathon and its participants. He spares no criticism, mocking the self-importance and absurd behavior of the runners and those involved in the event. "The Curse of Lono" is not just a mere recounting of a marathon; it goes beyond the surface to explore deeper themes of life, death, and the clash between native traditions and modern Western culture. Thompson's vivid descriptions, humorous anecdotes, and insightful commentary make this book a captivating and thought-provoking read..
Reviews for "From Ancient Prophecy to Modern-Day Curse: The Legacy of Lono"
1. Jane Doe - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Curse of Lono" as it was recommended to me by a friend. However, I found the book to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and meaning, and the characters were poorly developed. The pacing was slow, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I was expecting much more from this book and was left feeling unsatisfied.
2. John Smith - 1 star - "Curse of Lono" was one of the worst books I have ever read. The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, with unnecessary tangents that added nothing to the story. The plot meandered and felt disjointed, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters or care about what was happening. I found myself skimming through paragraphs and skipping ahead just to get through this tedious read. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I struggled to get through "Curse of Lono" as it failed to capture my interest. The humor felt forced and overdone, which made it difficult for me to connect with the story. Additionally, the excessive use of profanity was unnecessary and distracting. Overall, I felt like this book was trying too hard to be edgy and funny, but it fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to others unless they have a specific taste for this type of humor.