I've been reading through this series, rather slowly unfortunately due to a restricted schedule (I can't even remember where I discovered this, it's been so long), but I knew I had to skip ahead for this one.
You had me at Feynman.
I'm always a bit wary when writers try to tackle actual historical figures, especially more recent ones, so it's a testament to your concise and effective writing that by the first line of dialogue I knew he was in good hands. This may sound a little weird, but the way you write America's dialogue actually reminds me of Feynman's writing sometimes. It's the similar "direct content/casual language" style.
Excellent pacing. The "hey, it's people standing around in a desert" bit is such an important contrast to the actual explosion, and I think you gave us just the right amount.
I've also noticed that (plural) your writing has a sort of synesthesia thing going on -- sounds with color, light with force, etc. -- and I really enjoy that. (Is there an actual literary term for that? Well, I'm more science than liberal arts, so I'm going to diagnose it instead of defining it.)
(I can turn carbon--)
I can turn anything I want--
(Anyone I want--)
I don't know if this is what you were going for, but this brief passage evoked images of the carbon shadows left behind after the bombing. Nice work there.
Overall this story paralleled Oppenheimer's speech (http://www.atomicarchive.com/Movies/Movie8.shtml) in my head, and that alone makes it a great read.
And because I like equal parts levity and gravitas...
no subject
You had me at Feynman.
I'm always a bit wary when writers try to tackle actual historical figures, especially more recent ones, so it's a testament to your concise and effective writing that by the first line of dialogue I knew he was in good hands. This may sound a little weird, but the way you write America's dialogue actually reminds me of Feynman's writing sometimes. It's the similar "direct content/casual language" style.
Excellent pacing. The "hey, it's people standing around in a desert" bit is such an important contrast to the actual explosion, and I think you gave us just the right amount.
I've also noticed that (plural) your writing has a sort of synesthesia thing going on -- sounds with color, light with force, etc. -- and I really enjoy that. (Is there an actual literary term for that? Well, I'm more science than liberal arts, so I'm going to diagnose it instead of defining it.)
(I can turn carbon--)
I can turn anything I want--
(Anyone I want--)
I don't know if this is what you were going for, but this brief passage evoked images of the carbon shadows left behind after the bombing. Nice work there.
Overall this story paralleled Oppenheimer's speech (http://www.atomicarchive.com/Movies/Movie8.shtml) in my head, and that alone makes it a great read.
And because I like equal parts levity and gravitas...
His legend lives on.