Home Blog Page 603

Students encounter a zombie on campus

By
Peak Web
-
0
Illustrated by Siloam Yeung

Written by: Jennifer Low

SFU students were stunned on Wednesday after realizing that what seemed to be a new transfer student was actually a zombie, an SFU representative confirms.

The intrusion happened sometime during the early hours of the morning, police say, when the first fleet of 145 buses started coming up the mountain for 8:30 a.m. classes. However, it is uncertain how long the zombie was on campus due to its unique ability to blend in with SFU students.

“Well they all shuffle along like that, making grunting sounds about how much their brains hurt!” a bus driver stated to the press.  

With its poor posture, its milky-white eyes that are clouded over as if suffering from cataracts and its pale, greyish complexion that looks as if it hasn’t seen the sun in days, police are baffled by how many professors have come forward claiming they have seen the monster seated within their class.

“We’ve seen many reports,” the SFU representative stated, “but we can neither confirm nor deny that these claims are accurate, as it appears professors may be having difficulty identifying the zombie among the sleep-deprived and weary faces of their regular students.”

The unknown zombie was discovered near SFU’s reflecting pond seemingly admiring the koi fish. It was only when a student accidentally decapitated the zombie with her backpack that she realized anything was amiss.

“He just looked like some dude who was leaning over the edge, so I thought he was feeding the fish or something,” an SFU student witness states, “I didn’t realize he was feasting on the koi fish until she took his head off!”

The student responsible for the accidental decapitation is still receiving aid from SFU’s health and counselling services and has declined to comment.

The origins of the zombie are still unknown; however, there is much speculation. Leading theories include the belief that the creature may have been bred within the depths of SFU’s science labs, or perhaps may be the reanimated corpse of a student whose soul can’t rest until it raises its GPA.

“Makes sense it would stay here,” A fourth year student comments, “dying is expensive! Do you know how much funerals cost?”

As there have been no student attacks, students have advocated for authorities to do nothing to remove the zombie from campus, suggesting that it makes a cool new mascot.

“I think I’m speak for the whole student body when I say the zombie basically represents the epitome of the student existence!” a witness states, “It’s not hurting anyone so I say we just let it finish its degree! It’s probably just as useful as any other student when it comes to group projects anyway, so why not?”

Zombie sightings can be reported directly to SFU Security or an up and coming social media page titled “Zombies of SFU.” However, the page was taken down after many students reported feeling insulted when their peers snapped a photo of them for the social media site on a day they felt they looked less than their best.

King James starts his Los Angeles Lakers career

By
Peak Web
-
0
Many NBA fans are still getting used to seeing LeBron James in a Lakers jersey. (Photo courtesy of LeBron James Lakers Wallpapers)

By: Youeal Abera

This past summer, LeBron James announced that he was switching teams. In sharing that he would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA expressed a number of ardent responses, as did its passionate fans.

Some Lakers fans were thrilled that the greatest player in the league would be joining their beloved team, after a number of disappointing Lakers seasons in recent years. On the other hand, many Cleveland fans were left disappointed that their star player was once again leaving the Cavaliers.

Nevertheless, through focusing on LeBron and the idiosyncratic player that he has become, it’s imperative to answer the fundamental question with regards to his decision: what does this mean for Lebron’s career?

LeBron James, like the greats who have come before him (Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant), has reached a plateau in his athletic career that puts him in an extremely advantageous position. Like the G.O.A.T.S before him, LeBron’s success, attained through an impeccable work ethic and superior skill, allows him the rare agency to position himself however he pleases in the NBA.

LeBron’s decision to play on the West Coast appears to have been mostly unforeseen, and it may have allowed his greatest skeptics and haters to spill more Hatorade on his name. With the right amount of shade, it’s easy to perpetuate the notion that LeBron is ring-hungry, and that he abandoned his hometown just to add another championship to his title. In the same breath, it could be easy to claim that the power LeBron has in navigating the NBA, as though it’s his empire, is unfair, and that the NBA places him on a higher pedestal than the league’s other players.

However, have we seriously forgotten who LeBron is and what he’s done to reach this position of athletic and navigational freedom?

LeBron James is a four-time NBA MVP winner, and he also has three NBA Final MVP’s to his name. He has three championship titles. LeBron propelled the Cavaliers to their first-ever championship win in 2016. Not only did the Cavaliers win this championship series, but with the help of LeBron (and Kyrie Irving), the Cavaliers became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 deficit in the finals. LeBron has played in eight consecutive final series. He has 14 All-Star appearances. In 2017, LeBron made history through his performance with the Cavaliers.

Adam Pearce and Joe Ward, in their New York Times piece “LeBron James is Carrying the Cavaliers in a Historic Way,” spoke on LeBron’s undeniable ability to carry a team during the finals.

“[N]ever before in the playoffs has a player’s supporting cast depended so much on its star to carry them,” Pearce and Ward write. “During this season’s playoffs, James has accounted for nearly a third of his team’s box-score statistics: points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots [ . . . ] Over all, James has contributed 32 percent of the Cavaliers’ stats.”

Although Jordan will be widely referred to as the greatest player in NBA history, LeBron has even managed to surpass some of his stats. By 2017, LeBron James had beat Michael Jordan’s record of all-time playoff points (becoming the player in the NBA with the most).

Looking at his impressive statistics, it is impossible to refute that LeBron James is both an NBA icon and hero. That being said, through signing a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron’s career can go nowhere but up.

After losing the first three games in his first season with the legendary sports franchise, LeBron secured his first game win with the Lakers. Again, the early-season struggles have made it ridiculously convenient for LeBron haters to poke fun and belittle his decision to switch teams.

Moreover, with everything LeBron has accomplished in his immensely venerable career, this decision is nothing more than an exciting change for King James. Say what you want about LeBron, or his vehemently loyal fans. At this stage of his career, there’s nothing left for LeBron James to prove.

 

SFU survey suggests Vancouverites’ commitment to democracy is dropping

By
Peak Web
-
0
(Alice Zhang / The Peak)

Written by Nathaniel Tok, Peak Associate

While Metro Vancouverites value democracy, many of them have become disengaged with it, according to a recent public opinion survey.

This survey was done in August 2018 by SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, and it polled 1,506 participants. As part of its mandate of understanding and engaging in key Canadian issues, the dialogue centre has embarked on a two-year initiative titled Strengthening Canadian Democracy. The initiative tests public intervention strategies in the hopes of encouraging Canadians to be more engaged in the democratic process. As a first step, the dialogue centre used this survey study to gauge how Canadian citizens perceived democracy and to measure how deeply they participate.

The survey found that although most Vancouverites (73%) believe in the importance of democracy in Canada, 41% did not feel that voting in elections gave them a voice in government, and 65% do not believe that elected officials listen to the people.

Survey results show that 65% of respondents did not feel that their elected officials cared about their constituent’s opinions on local issues. (Photo courtesy of SFU University Communications)

In an email interview with The Peak, Dr. Daniel Savas, a visiting professor at SFU School of Public Policy and one of the figures behind the survey, noted that citizens with such perspectives are less likely to vote, follow the news, attend consultation events, contact elected officials, or get involved in their community. Trust is also falling in many types of institutions such as businesses, universities, and governmental bodies such as Parliament.

“This research hints at an underlying sense of unease and frustration with the way government works in Canada,” says Robin Prest, the dialogue centre’s acting executive director, in a SFU Communications and Marketing press release.

“Metro Vancouver residents believe strongly in democratic values, but feel their democratic institutions and processes are not living up to the core set of values and principles they feel are so important to a healthy and functioning civil society.” – Robin Prest, acting executive director of Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

The second phase of this initiative is a two-year-long democracy demonstration project. This project builds off of the survey by tackling some of the problems the survey brings to light, such as anti-democratic trends, loss of faith in the government, lack of civic education, and polarization of Canadian issues.

Phase two will comprise various approaches. Community building will be carried out through neighbourhood projects and the use of community civic engagement hubs such as libraries to reduce barriers to community discussions. Research projects will also be conducted by other SFU professors to look at ways to “promote tolerance and combat misinformation” to strengthen democracy. The National Communications, Network Building and Knowledge Exchange Project will replicate “proven” civic programs across Canada to create “broader, deeper and longer-term effects” on Canadian democracy.

Savas sees the project as a way to “reinforce Canadians’ commitment to democracy.” He hopes the project and initiative will bring “increased awareness and commitment to democratic values and principles” among not just Vancouverites, but Canadians in general, and help Morris J. Wosk researchers understand what types of interventions can strengthen citizen commitment to democracy to address issues related to disengagement in the democratic process.

A detailed breakdown of the survey’s results is available on the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue’s website.

Staying In: Dark Tourist

By
Peak Web
-
1
Image courtesy of travelandleisureindia.in

By: Winona Young, Arts Editor

 

Best for: Buzzfeed Unsolved addicts, horror seekers, conspiracy theorists

 

Dark Tourist is perfect for viewers who can be morbidly curious about all things horrific and macabre. The host, David Farrier, visits wildly taboo places, ranging from Mexican cities tied to organized crime all the way to Japan’s famous “suicide forest,” Aokigahara.

Farrier takes a wide look at a different region every episode, hitting up three destinations each episode, each with their own distinct attraction. With each episode roughly an hour long, viewers can easily skip a section if they’re not particularly interested. However, what’s more engaging than the attractions visited is Farrier’s unexpected hunger of adventure, no matter how dangerous.

Farrier may come across as a gangly, mild-mannered nerd, but he surprises the audience by daring to cross restricted territories and face danger and death in the face, all while documenting it with his film crew. This might be surprising to documentary nerds who know Farrier mostly from his equally bizarre documentary, Tickled, which dives into his investigation on “competitive tickling.” (Yes, it’s as weird as it sounds . . . even more so, actually.)

I should warn viewers that if you’re looking for a sensationalized news Vice-type video or an outrageous host, you may be disappointed. One of the show’s best qualities is that Dark Tourist takes a genuinely balanced, non-judgmental look at our world’s bizarre oddities, making for a fascinatingly creepy and engaging show.

Halloween costumes to get you laid

By
Peak Web
-
0
Illustrated by Reslus

Written by: Hannah Davis

What’s the sexiest holiday of the year? That’s right, Easter. But second to that is, you guessed it, Groundhog Day. A close third is, you know it, the spookiest and creepiest time of year, Halloween. So hang onto your witch hats, my little craftsters, because I’m about to blow you away with these sweet, salty, and spicy DIY costume ideas to help get you laid this Halloween season.

Disease

Diseases! You’ve heard of ‘em. Have you ever had one? Probably! If you dress up as a disease this October, I guarantee that you will be getting freaky by the end of your Halloween night.

What do you think about when you think of diseases? That’s right: STIs. And what do you inevitably think about when you think of sexually transmitted infections? Correct: full-on, regular, unprotected sex. In this costume, you will be so devastatingly, destructively irresistible that everyone at the party will be infected by your charm.

Salami

It’s well-known that everyone loves deli meat. Scientists recently discovered that deli meat is actually an aphrodisiac due to its sweaty texture, ham-like aroma, and phallic shape.

“Our research has shown that salami is the sexiest kind of meat, and I can easily understand why,” said an SFU Meat Studies scientist in a Peak-exclusive interview. “I mean, have you tasted it before? It’s getting me hot just thinking about it.

“But in retrospect, we probably did not need to spend millions of dollars on this project, especially since it seems to contribute nothing to society. Ten years ago, I wanted to be a cancer researcher, but look where I am now.”

So suit up in an off-pink morphsuit and hide some slices of deli meat in your armpits. You’ll be all set for a night of freaky passion.

A Mummy who just went swimming

Amp up the traditional toilet paper mummy costume with this sexy new twist — water. Have you heard the news? Soggy is the new sexy. For this costume, you’ll need water, flour and a whole bunch of newspapers. If you have ever made papier maché anything, you’ve felt the cold, slimy texture of newspapers dipped in flour and water. Now imagine this feeling, but all over your body.

To get some ass this Halloween, dress up as a mummy who just went swimming and you’ll be fighting off all the people trying to get in your pants, driving them crazy when they start wondering what’s under that slippery, wet, newspapery mess. They’ll be thinking about what it would be like to peel away each sticky strip to reveal the equally sticky skin underneath.

Make-up remover

All you need for this costume is a bottle of make-up remover and some cotton pads. Walk around the party and remove everyone’s make-up, so you feel like the most beautiful person at the party. This costume won’t make anyone else around you less attractive, but will instead boost your self-esteem tenfold. Your confidence is what will attract potential lovers to your side.

At the end of the night, after some decently sexy sex, you’ll hopefully realize that you were beautiful all along, and that you didn’t need to aggressively scrub down other peoples’ faces in order to feel fly.

Most of all, folks, remember to have fun this Halloween, get some ass with my $ick Halloween Costume tips, and as always, check your candy for razor blades.

SFU talks safety protocols after student passes away on Burnaby campus

By
Peak Web
-
2
(Photo courtesy of Star 98.3)

Written by: Amneet Mann, News Editor

 

A student writing a midterm exam on Burnaby campus went into medical distress and passed away on the evening of Wednesday, October 17.

The student, who was in his late 50s, was writing an archaeology exam when he experienced the medical emergency.

“My understanding of the particular incident was that first there was the instructor noticing that there was some respiratory difficulty, and I think there was some intervening time before it was determined that off-campus services were needed,” said Tim Rahilly, vice-provost and associate vice-president, students and international to Global News.

Cathi-Lee Williams, a student who was sitting near the man who went into medical distress, told Global News that “the snoring got quite violent and he started shaking a bit.”

Campus Public Safety was called at 7:24 p.m. and at 7:26 p.m. Upon arrival, Campus Public Safety personnel began performing first aid on the student and called 911.

The other students were evacuated from the classroom and asked to finish writing their exam.

Rahilly confirmed in an interview with The Peak that, despite the first aid provided, the student passed away.

Rahilly has since sent out an email to SFU students on behalf of the university, outlining the steps students are asked to take in an emergency situation. In the email, students are advised to first contact Campus Public Safety and then call 911.

Students who interviewed with Global News or posted on the r/simonfraser subreddit expressed concern regarding SFU’s emergency protocol, which encourages students to contact Campus Security before external emergency services.

“It’s our recommendation that people call 4-5-0-0 at the Burnaby campus, because we are on top of a mountain and we believe we can get to most cases faster than off-campus services at the same time as alerting them to come on up, said Rahilly to The Peak.

However, Rahilly noted that the most important thing for students to take away, whether or not they are familiar with SFU’s emergency protocols, is that “when you need help, call for help. In the background, we’ll do our very best to try and employ the resources that we can, both at SFU and with external emergency services.”

In the case that a student witnesses a medical emergency, Rahilly mentioned that there are artificial external defibrillator (AED) devices that are stocked across campus with instructions on how to use them, as well as campus patrollers who are trained as first responders that would be able to help in the situation.

Rahilly noted that SFU did not have a policy which would address a medical emergency such as this occurring during an exam. “This is to my knowledge the first time that this has happened in an exam at SFU,” he said.

He noted that while students were evacuated from the classroom and asked to continue writing the exam in another room, academic accommodations would be made for students who were unable to continue the exam or who felt their performance had been impacted.

“I think that, in hindsight, if we had known everything we now know then, we perhaps would’ve acted a little bit differently,” said Rahilly. “My own personal take on this is that, in terms of providing medical services to the student, it’s probably better to have people doing something as opposed to having 60 people standing around, waiting, and trying to figure out what’s happening in the situation. So I think in terms of having the students depart the area, I think that’s actually a really good thing.”

“But I completely understand the response people are having,” Rahilly stated.

According to Rahilly, SFU has also contacted the students who witnessed the event directly to offer counselling support.

Following this incident, SFU is now moving towards an internal debrief of the situation in terms of the university’s practices and responses. Rahilly explained that this is the university’s response whenever a major incident occurs on campus.

In addition, SFU is putting together a larger review regarding campus safety and security which will involve the incident of campus violence which occured on October 3 on Burnaby campus, and may include practices during other incidents such as this one. This larger review will involve consultation with the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), as well as students who were involved in both of these incidents.

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the student who passed away,” said Rahilly. Rahilly had arrived at the scene on the evening of the incident: “[I] had a chance to speak to the faculty, and the TA security, and the police, and on and on, and I just think everyone did their very best in responding,” he added.

 

With files from Global News and CBC News.

Clutch comeback win for SFU Hockey over rival Selkirk Saints

By
Peak Web
-
0
The Clan are now second place in the BCIHL. (Photo courtesy of SFU Hockey)

By: Dylan Webb

On Saturday night, SFU Hockey defeated one of their main rivals, the Selkirk Saints, in dramatic fashion. Playing at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre, the Clan overcame a season-high fourteen minor penalties against (of which Selkirk capitalized on only two) and a one-goal deficit late in the third period, securing their most exciting win of the season. The Clan is now 3–2 on the year and moving into second place in the BCIHL standings, behind only the surging Vancouver Island University Mariners.

In the first period, the Saints opened the scoring halfway through the frame with a power-play goal from Parker Wakaruk. Soon after, with three minutes left in the period, the Saints doubled their lead on another power-play tally, this time from Dylan Heppler. This was a tough first period for the Clan, once again featuring the penalty-box parade that’s been SFU’s biggest struggle this season, and it looked to be setting the team up for a rough night.

Fortunately, while the Clan would take an unprecedented number of minor penalties throughout the game, their even-strength performance and team grit would shine through and keep the game competitive for the remaining 40 minutes.

The Clan’s turnaround started late in the second, with overtime hero Mitch Newsome continuing his early-season hot streak  with an even-strength goal assisted by Graham Smerek and Matthew Berry-Lamontagna. The goal brought the Clan within one heading into the third, and it wound up being an important factor in what would end up being a thrilling overtime victory over a key rival.

Jaret Babych and Berry-Lamontagna both scored in the third period to build on Newsome’s late-second-period tally as the Clan temporarily tied the game halfway through the third. After an unfortunate bounce resulted in an ugly unassisted goal by Selkirk forward Nolan Percival, however, the Saints restored their lead. Late-period heroics by Mac Colasimone, scoring on a short-handed breakaway with just under four minutes remaining, tied the game and forced what would prove to be a dramatic overtime period.

In overtime, the Clan were forced to kill off the remainder of a major penalty that Babych received late in third period. This was quite a challenge, requiring multiple key saves from Ryan Sandrin in net and some gritty performances by key Clan penalty killers. After successfully killing off the major and drawing the Saints into taking a high-sticking penalty in the overtime period, Newsome would strike again, sniping top corner off a scramble in front of the Saints net. The goal sent the Clan into a frenzy and the crowd home happy after a satisfying and entertaining win for the home team.

Between the pipes, Sandrin earned his second win of the BCIHL regular season in as many nights, stopping 20 of 24 shots. After just two starts and three appearances overall, Sandrin is already establishing himself as a goaltender who gives the team a fighting chance on any given night.

Coach Mark Coletta, taking on a more celebratory tone than he usually does post-game, emphasized the pride he felt watching his team sweep a key two-game weekend — a weekend that was made much more challenging by heavy travel and a quick turnaround following the Friday night game in Victoria.

 

“Right now, I’m honestly just proud of our boys for sticking with it in the face of adversity and securing a key two points,” Coletta said, following the win.

Assistant coach Matt Grassi echoed these sentiments, calling the Clan’s play this game one of the most outstanding performances that he has witnessed in his junior and pro hockey career.

Following the most important win of their season, Simon Fraser will have a week of practice to continue strengthening their team systems before setting up for a home-and-home double header against the visiting first-place VIU Mariners, held on November 2 and 3.

Come out to the Bill Copeland arena to take in some BCIHL action this weekend and support the Clan in their quest for top spot in the league.

Board Shorts

By
Peak Web
-
0
Irene Lo / The Peak

Written by: Amneet Mann, News Editor

 

Board discusses approach to SFU’s proposed tuition fee increases

Vice-president student services Samer Rihani briefed the SFSS (Simon Fraser Student Society) board of directors on a meeting held with SFU administration about the university’s proposed tuition fee increases.

Addressing the board, Rihani explained SFU’s breakdown of the potential raises in fees: 2% for domestic students, and anywhere from 4% to 20% for international students depending on their faculty and whether they are current or incoming students.

Rihani reported that SFU’s reasoning for the higher fees included the fact that the school was offering more services and bursaries. He noted that the board members who attended the meeting were unsatisfied with SFU’s reasoning for the increases.

Vice-president university relations Jackson Freedman noted that the SFSS’s first step would be to attend SFU’s proposed tuition fee consultation. The consultation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on October 30, in room 114 of Halpern Centre at the Burnaby campus.

Freedman also suggested that the student society hold their own consultations to gather student opinions on the proposed increases. The gathered feedback would be presented to the university before February, which is when the increases are currently expected to take effect.

Vice-president external relations Jasdeep Gill stated that tuition fees was one of the SFSS’s highest priorities with regards to their provincial lobbying agenda.

“The reason that international fees always go up is that category doesn’t have a cap on it, the 2% [that domestic fees have],” Gill explained. “So what we’re pushing for essentially is for that cap to be reflected for international fees as well.”

Rihani echoed Gill’s sentiments, adding that, to ensure the society’s views on the fee increase are seriously considered by the university, the SFSS should band together with other schools and address the issue on a provincial level.

 

Board to participate in internal review of campus safety and security protocols

Freedman noted that the internal review process will be conducted in response to student concerns regarding campus safety and security protocols following an incident of violence on campus.

“It’s definitely been challenging to hear about a lot of the difficult things some of our membership have gone through. It’s also been challenging to learn a little bit more about SFU’s response to some of these concerns,” said Freedman.

He noted that the society would have a “monitoring role” in the review, which will be public and will include the students who were involved in the incident as well.

 

Board expresses concern regarding communications with SFU

Freedman noted that the SFSS had not been informed prior to the public announcement of the new pub being opened on campus by SFU. He mentioned that this incident contributed to a pattern of a lack of communication between the SFSS and SFU Ancillary Services, in particular.

“So I wanted to put that out in kind of a public setting. We were really displeased to hear that that announcement was made without informing any of us,” said Freedman. “I think it just speaks to an ongoing, systemic problem with respect to communication between the student society and with that specific area, and with SFU more broadly.”

Freedman emphasized that the board would continue to follow up on their concerns with the university as maintaining good communication with SFU was a priority for the society.

 

Board takes steps towards transparency

Freedman mentioned that the society was looking into developing a board secretary position. The board secretary would work with a staff member to review board meeting minutes, agendas, and put together a report on the contents of the board meeting to be made public in an effort to be more transparent as a society.

“It’s one step in trying to communicate the decisions we make at board a little bit better to our student body,” said Freedman.

Album Reviews

By
Peak Web
-
0

By: Youeal Abera and Zach Butler

 

 

Tha Carter V by Lil Wayne

With the new release of Tha Carter V, Lil Wayne reminds the often-forgetful hip-hop culture of just how skilled, explosive, and intelligent his lyricism is. The record tells the story of the personal and professional vexations Lil Wayne faced in recent years.

        Tha Carter V opens with “I Love You Dwayne,” an endearing voicemail Lil Wayne’s mother left the rapper for encouragement. Subsequently, the album offers a versatile tracklist few rappers manage to incorporate in their albums. “Dedicate” and “Uproar” serve as rude reminders of how lethal Lil Wayne’s skill is, as he delivers clever wordplay and multiple flows in both tracks. With “Dark Side of the Moon” (featuring labelmate Nicki Minaj) and “Mess,” Lil Wayne is vulnerable as he offers a glimpse of the hardships in his life offstage. The album ends with the sentimental, Sampha-assisted “Let It All Work Out.” Through this track, Lil Wayne tells his fans that in spite of his recent turbulent experiences, he’s made it out the other side stronger than ever.

 

Even when going through the album with a fine-toothed comb, it’s difficult to find any flaws in Tha Carter V. Lil Wayne has clearly dropped yet another classic. – YA

 

Rally Cry by Arkells

Arkells has never shied from making political statements with their music, and with Rally Cry, the Canadian band isn’t holding back. Over the course of 10 tracks, Rally Cry creates a sound that is ambitious as it is diverse.

      Continuing a trend set by their previous work, the band flirts with multiple genres and styles to evolve their traditional guitar-driven rock sound. Songs range from evoking U2 to combining elements of soul with the attitude of hip-hop. Lesser bands may struggle with genre-hopping, but Arkells perfectly balances diversity and coherence. There are no throwaway songs here; each of the album’s 10 tracks gives the impression there’s a story behind every lyric. From taking shots at the White House in “People’s Champ” to providing an uplifting anthem for the less privileged in “Hand Me Downs,” the album more than lives up to its name. Shining a light through confusing political times, Rally Cry stands tall among Arkells’ best work.

 

Book of the Week: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is an electrifying adventure novel on fame and humanity

By
Peak Web
-
0
Image courtesy of Amazon

By: Winona Young, Arts Editor

 

Given Hank Green’s background in YouTube as co-creator of Vlogbrothers, VidCon, SciShow, and many more, I was genuinely hesitant to add “good author” to Green’s many titles. With that said, I can say with absolute confidence that An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a gripping story full of compelling characters set in a rich universe.

        The novel centres on April May, a young woman in New York who stumbles into fame after a YouTube video of her investigating a strange statue goes viral. What April discovers, however, is that this same statue had sprouted simultaneously in 64 other countries. Now, she finds herself at the epicentre of the disorienting world of fame — and of something much bigger than herself.

       In a novel that pairs sci-fi with the very contemporary backdrop of Internet stardom, Green masterfully maintains a painfully realistic world. So few stories deal with how fame affects someone as ordinary as us, as millennials, and what sets Green apart from his contemporaries is that his story investigates the unique perspective of fame via YouTube.

       He also extends this realism to his characters. His main characters are mainly millennials, plus a few ill-tempered antagonists — all of whom accurately speak the slang of their age, who are still growing and learning, who talk about contentious topics as well as frivolous ones . . . What I mean here is that Green has crafted very real, very flawed characters which help bring his novel to life.

      I didn’t initially care for April May, and even though I never did end up changing my opinion of her, I did start to find her the most fascinating and compelling character. Green greatly details April’s dizzying descent into fame, and how such fame has affected not only her relationships but also how she sees herself.

      Green’s strong suit is his set-up and the adventure aspect of his novel. Green has created a premise that is novel and unique in how it unfolds and progresses. I often found myself on the edge of my seat as I turned one page after the next, entangled in the mess of fame and mystery. The novel does not slow down its momentum, and is an exciting, fast-paced read. Thankfully, the novel does also manage to balance its action with emotional and intellectual depth.

       But Green’s novel is not without flaws. It definitely has a slow beginning, especially with the introduction of April May, who is a compelling character, but will give the reader a hard time trying to engage with her. In addition, one of the book’s main plotlines is a tad confusing, and for the most part, is left unexplained.

      With that said, Green has created a universe so enthralling that such flaws fall to the wayside. With Green apparently working away on the book’s sequel, I, along with many others, will eagerly await the continuation of this exciting and brilliant story.

1...602603604...1,443Page 603 of 1,443

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society