Last Call

Rating:
Summary: Lighter than it sounds
Review: Last Call is enjoyable, and may forever change the way you play card games. It is not, however, a deep book. Sure, the characters can all quote Eliot as if each were a devoted English major; certainly, there are all sorts of Tarot references from the obvious to the obscure. (I'm still undecided as to whether the book actually follows the pattern of the Major Arcana in its plot; it seems to be the only reason for including some otherwise extraneous scenes.) But in the end, the book takes a somewhat superficial approach to the Tarot cards: many allusions, but few interpretations.

Which is not to say that the book can't be very clever. One clever connection which works very well in the book -- arguably, it is the thematic premise behind the book -- is that between modern casinos and the Tarot. After reading this book, casinos seem as symbolic as the Tarot, and the Tarot seems as tacky as the casinos. Despite the fact that I knew modern playing cards came from the Tarot originally, Powers cleverly plays with this idea by infusing each poker hand with mystical significance, turning modern casinos into oracles and places of power. The mysticism that revolves around Poker in this book remains strangely compelling; it almost makes me want to play so that I can bid on a ten of hearts, thus (according to the book) ensuring my prosperity.

Other mysticism in the book falls flat, however. In particular, the mystical approach to the Mandelbrot fractal left me rolling my eyes, as did a wacky interpretation of mosquito sleep cycles. One of the main characters begins carrying a goldfish in his pocket because he's heard they never die of natural causes, and he wants some longevity to rub off on him; when the bag breaks, I feel no compassion for him. Arguably, the pseudoscience all stems from one character, but I felt it didn't quite belong in the book anyway. The book careens toward the "Throw In Everything Fringe" approach of Robert Anton Wilson at times; focus on the cards would have been fine.

In fact, there are several characters and plot threads in the book which don't really seem to belong. Perhaps their story arcs were cut short because the book was originally too long; at any rate, I felt that the Amino Acids, Bernardette Dinh, and Snayheever did little besides increase the book's length slightly. It feels as though these characters just sat on the bench, waiting for a major character to need something to do. Arky's not doing much in the conclusion? All right, send over Snayheever. Crane needs saving, and Arky's done it too many times? Okay, let's bring in Dinh. These plot threads should have either been expanded or cut out altogether, and I would lean toward the latter.

All that said, Last Call was enjoyable, though not as deep as you might expect. If you don't know much about Tarot, you may find yourself puzzling over hidden meaning in something Powers writes at times. Relax -- if he writes something obscure, it's probably because it's from a picture on a Tarot card; if you find it a compelling symbol, you can look it up in a book on Tarot when you're done (despite all his references to obscure decks, the classic Rider-Waite deck will do just fine). Last Call is not a great book, but it's a good one, and it goes faster than you might expect, considering its length. And at the end, you too will be able to give fun interpretations to ordinary playing cards. You might even be able to quote Eliot.

Rating:
Summary: Lighter than it sounds
Review: Last Call is enjoyable, and may forever change the way you play card games. It is not, however, a deep book. Sure, the characters can all quote Eliot as if each were a devoted English major; certainly, there are all sorts of Tarot references from the obvious to the obscure. (I'm still undecided as to whether the book actually follows the pattern of the Major Arcana in its plot; it seems to be the only reason for including some otherwise extraneous scenes.) But in the end, the book takes a somewhat superficial approach to the Tarot cards: many allusions, but few interpretations.

Which is not to say that the book can't be very clever. One clever connection which works very well in the book -- arguably, it is the thematic premise behind the book -- is that between modern casinos and the Tarot. After reading this book, casinos seem as symbolic as the Tarot, and the Tarot seems as tacky as the casinos. Despite the fact that I knew modern playing cards came from the Tarot originally, Powers cleverly plays with this idea by infusing each poker hand with mystical significance, turning modern casinos into oracles and places of power. The mysticism that revolves around Poker in this book remains strangely compelling; it almost makes me want to play so that I can bid on a ten of hearts, thus (according to the book) ensuring my prosperity.

Other mysticism in the book falls flat, however. In particular, the mystical approach to the Mandelbrot fractal left me rolling my eyes, as did a wacky interpretation of mosquito sleep cycles. One of the main characters begins carrying a goldfish in his pocket because he's heard they never die of natural causes, and he wants some longevity to rub off on him; when the bag breaks, I feel no compassion for him. Arguably, the pseudoscience all stems from one character, but I felt it didn't quite belong in the book anyway. The book careens toward the "Throw In Everything Fringe" approach of Robert Anton Wilson at times; focus on the cards would have been fine.

In fact, there are several characters and plot threads in the book which don't really seem to belong. Perhaps their story arcs were cut short because the book was originally too long; at any rate, I felt that the Amino Acids, Bernardette Dinh, and Snayheever did little besides increase the book's length slightly. It feels as though these characters just sat on the bench, waiting for a major character to need something to do. Arky's not doing much in the conclusion? All right, send over Snayheever. Crane needs saving, and Arky's done it too many times? Okay, let's bring in Dinh. These plot threads should have either been expanded or cut out altogether, and I would lean toward the latter.

All that said, Last Call was enjoyable, though not as deep as you might expect. If you don't know much about Tarot, you may find yourself puzzling over hidden meaning in something Powers writes at times. Relax -- if he writes something obscure, it's probably because it's from a picture on a Tarot card; if you find it a compelling symbol, you can look it up in a book on Tarot when you're done (despite all his references to obscure decks, the classic Rider-Waite deck will do just fine). Last Call is not a great book, but it's a good one, and it goes faster than you might expect, considering its length. And at the end, you too will be able to give fun interpretations to ordinary playing cards. You might even be able to quote Eliot.

Rating:
Summary: An exciting romp through a world of cards and magic!
Review: Last Call is one of the few books that never fails to astound you. Tim Powers can always be counted on to provide a detailed setting of the real world that slowly twists and transforms into something utterly unnatural. But rather than horrifying a reader, his work evokes wonder. In Last Call, the reader finds himself delving into a world of high-stakes poker where the bets are not simply chips or money but metaphysical allegories. Such diverse concepts as the Fisher King legend, old mobsters, and the Tarot are well-blended to provide hours of thrills (and some chills!) At times the whirlwind of mythological references and legends can be dizzying, but if fantasy and drama are what you crave then I cannot more heartily recommend this novel.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, engaging, and mysterious!
Review: Not sure where I first picked this up; I have the hardcover edition; the illustration of tarot cards on the dust jacket probably caught my eye. I've read it and re-read it, and pick up new things every time. I've always had an interest in Tarot lore, and incorporating the mythos of tarot, Las Vegas, and the Fisher King made for a fascinating tale.

Rich, lush descriptions of settings during the course of the text really made this story come alive for me; it's easy to see how plausible some of the settings are. Magical and mystical elements blend with real life, and follow the story of Scott Crane through his highly-unusual life as the reluctant heir to the throne of the King. Great references to T.S. Eliot, and other literary works.

Be forewarned, like many of Powers' books, this one will suck you in-- I stayed up late nights, and didn't want to put it down 'till I was finished.

Rating:
Summary: Fantasy noir?
Review: OK, I'll admit that I'm biased. I went to school with Tim: truly! Hey, every celebrity was a kid, once, and went to school and had friends :-) That being said, I've read most of Tim's books, but haven't enjoyed them all. This is one that I *did* like, a lot. It grabbed me almost from the beginning, in much the same way that "On Stranger Tides" did; that's my favorite of Tim's books, BTW. While it definitely helps to know something of the legends of King Arthur and the Fisher King, of Percival/Parsifal and Taliesin, of the Tarot and the Holy Grail, it isn't necessary. This story holds together very well as a modern fantasy-thriller, of something we might call "fantasy noir", perhaps, although not of the same sort that Glen Cook (another favorite author of mine) writes. Still, there is something of a 40s detective story in here: who really *is* the hero, and who the villian? What are their motivations? As with all of Tim's books, though, the layers are much thicker than that, and if you can take the time to re-read some passages, you'll come away with a greater appreciation for how much care he has put into weaving all the threads together. This is *not* a casual "summer read"! If you are not willing or able to take the time to read this book word for word, do yourself a favor and don't buy it! But if you savor well-written stories, whether you like fantasy or not, you should give this, and all of Tim Powers' books, a read; you are not likely to be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Fantasy noir?
Review: OK, I'll admit that I'm biased. I went to school with Tim: truly! Hey, every celebrity was a kid, once, and went to school and had friends :-) That being said, I've read most of Tim's books, but haven't enjoyed them all. This is one that I *did* like, a lot. It grabbed me almost from the beginning, in much the same way that "On Stranger Tides" did; that's my favorite of Tim's books, BTW. While it definitely helps to know something of the legends of King Arthur and the Fisher King, of Percival/Parsifal and Taliesin, of the Tarot and the Holy Grail, it isn't necessary. This story holds together very well as a modern fantasy-thriller, of something we might call "fantasy noir", perhaps, although not of the same sort that Glen Cook (another favorite author of mine) writes. Still, there is something of a 40s detective story in here: who really *is* the hero, and who the villian? What are their motivations? As with all of Tim's books, though, the layers are much thicker than that, and if you can take the time to re-read some passages, you'll come away with a greater appreciation for how much care he has put into weaving all the threads together. This is *not* a casual "summer read"! If you are not willing or able to take the time to read this book word for word, do yourself a favor and don't buy it! But if you savor well-written stories, whether you like fantasy or not, you should give this, and all of Tim Powers' books, a read; you are not likely to be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A masterful work
Review: Others have summarized the plot of this masterful plot, so all I will add is that this is the sort of novel that other professionals read and wish they could write nearly as well. No one is better at this genre than Tim Powers.

Rating:
Summary: Another world, confidently and wondrously created
Review: Powers does it again (after On Stranger Tides and Anubis Gates, two other brilliant fantasies). This stands as the first of three books that are connected-- loosely in the case of Last Call and Expiration Date-- which are then cemented together in the culminating volume, Earthquake Weather. Powers is our best contemporary fantasist, casually and yet somehow methodically stitching together our "real" world with another reality based in myth and slightly skewed natural laws. Some may not "get it" (as the reviewer below), but for those who do it's like vacationing in a kind of fictional Eden. This kind of fantasy is refreshingly difficult to label-- it rewards imagination and erudition (especially study of mythology and Elizabethan poetry-- as well a close study of all types of popular culture) and never fails to entertain. Powers is sometimes compared to PK Dick, but he's in a class by himself-- that's the highest praise I can offer.

Rating:
Summary: Most Brilliant So Far!
Review: Powers' usual mixture of historical fact and mythology are tightly plotted around the descent of playing cards from the Tarot. I can't recommend this book more highly!

Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction vs. Vegas
Review: Science Fiction vs. Vegas. The story follows a ruined gambler on his belated quest to save himself and his family. The writing is solid and the plot exciting. The characters were a little stilted, but it's sci-fi. The story turns on the arcane power of a mythic set of Tarot cards, used to play Poker in a life-and-death game on Lake Mead. Fun stuff for Tarot enthusiasts. Not the most gripping read, but worth the journey.