On Thu, 18 Apr 1996, Damon Jason Casale wrote:

I must disagree.  I've read several "character" pieces:  pieces with all
characterization and little to no plot.  I absolutely hated them.  Maybe
that's just my personal taste, but I can't stand something that doesn't
tell a story.

    Yeah, I view plots as a cohesive way to string together 
characterizations.  It's way in the background of what I care about.  
Personal tastes.  

Joyce's _Dubliners_ is a *great* example of this.  

Haven't read it.

    Missing out on life ^_^.  That's one of those books that, IMHO, alters 
your views on what a good book is.  Although that's probably just me.

I've read almost zero Ranma, and very likely won't read any again.  (that
is Ranma, right?)

    Hmmm...I don't understand distaste for Ranma, but if you're primarily 
interested in plot, it's not too strong there. <shrug>...

A story that has little or no characterization falls flat to me.  Yes,

    I'm not too fond of them either, in general.  Just it's 
understandable for a story to not have them.

I've never read any of the Star Wars stuff.  I can't stand any of it,
written or on screen.

    I'm shocked, yes, shocked, to hear you say that.  The first two 
movies...not only were they strong in plot, with interesting 
characters, but I think they did the best job of any sci-fi movie (or 
book) of immersing you in a believable fictional world.  Having these 
awesome scenes delegated to the bacground, and offhand references to 
parts of the universe never to be mentioned again...gave me the feeling of 
enormous depth to the universe, not just a cardboard set aka "Dune" where 
eveything interesting seemed to be in the movie/book.  
Return of the Jedi was admittedly a self-conscious marketing-device remake 
of "Star Wars."  Pretty well done, though.

Did you know Humphrey Bogart's role in "Casablanca" was originally 
written to be played by Ronald Reagan?  <shiver>

Jeff

****jdrutsch@ucdavis.edu***********************Jeff Rutsch************* 
"Ranma's not a boy...he's a girl!"
"Akane is MY fiancee!  You TOUCH her, and I'll KILL you!"
"Ranma, change back into a boy while I buy you some time."
"But if I seem to act unkind/it's only me, it's not my mind."
"Ranma [sic],/give your heart to Akane [sic]. /Soon,/right away."
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