Have you read a really satisfying novel lately?

[quimcunx]

Sounds interesting. I read 'The Quincunx' and thought it was shit, though. Hopefully this won't be so up its own arse. The Independent review makes it look ok.

I have also read The Quincunx, you probably won't be surprised to learn. Thought it was okay, but wouldn't have suggested it on this thread as being ''really satisfying''. The internetz was a different world back then and my efforts to find out what a quincunx was bore little fruit past vague references to Roman coins.

remember when searches on the internet took you on surreal adventures that would pass a pleasant hour or two whilst never quite assuaging the curiosity that sent you protogoogling to start with?


Anyway someone has probably mentioned Shantaram, supposedly a true story of someone who had rather an adventurous life which took him to Bombay and fighting in Afghanistan. Not sure it's really satisfying but is is quite fat.

 

[quimcunx]

i have never heard anyone say that of that book. i'm shocked!

Is that the first one where some students killled someone? People raved about it but I found it deeply unsatisfying too. Wasn't impressed so that's now 2 people.

I'm struggling to think what the last ''really satisfying'' novel I read was. Perhaps The English Passengers by someone i forget, or Beloved by Tony Morrison.

Maybe Roots. The tv series was good.

 

[teuchter]

Have you read a really satisfying novel lately?

No.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I read Craig Murray's Murder in Samarkand a few months ago. Not a novel. And I'm not sure whether satisfying is an appropriate word to use, given his book desribes some of the more despotic activities of the Uzbek leadership. But it's actually quite well written, and surprisingly amusing, given the general subject matter, he tells some funny anecdotes.

Haven't read much recently, been too busy at work.

If you're looking for something a bit more frivolous and funny while waiting for something satisfying to turn up, and if you've ever worked for a commercial law firm or have friends who have, you might find Anonymous Lawyer by Jeremy Blachman an amusing diversion. Picked it up of our 'book crossing' shelf at work and it was was quite funny and kind of struck a chord as far as attitudes and practices and office politics goes.

 

[Santino]

if you fancy something a bit spooky but perfect to curl up with in front of the fire, you could try The Séance by John Harwood. Victorian setting, London, spiritualists, mesmerism, an inheritance, creepy rambling pile in Suffolk, all very Wilkie Collins, really enjoyed it.

Me too. In that case, you might like This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson. It's about Robert Fitzroy, the Captain of the Beagle and his voyages with Charles Darwin. That makes it sound quite dry but it is a belter.

These two are my top picks from the thread so far, will look out for them.

 

[kropotkin]

I have also read The Quincunx, you probably won't be surprised to learn. Thought it was okay, but wouldn't have suggested it on this thread as being ''really satisfying''. The internetz was a different world back then and my efforts to find out what a quincunx was bore little fruit past vague references to Roman coins.

remember when searches on the internet took you on surreal adventures that would pass a pleasant hour or two whilst never quite assuaging the curiosity that sent you protogoogling to start with?


Anyway someone has probably mentioned Shantaram, supposedly a true story of someone who had rather an adventurous life which took him to Bombay and fighting in Afghanistan. Not sure it's really satisfying but is is quite fat.

sorry- I tell a lie.

Shantaram is the only other novel I have discarded after starting. That was AWFUL

 

[Dillinger4]

I read Craig Murray's Murder in Samarkand a few months ago. Not a novel. And I'm not sure whether satisfying is an appropriate word to use, given his book desribes some of the more despotic activities of the Uzbek leadership. But it's actually quite well written, and surprisingly amusing, given the general subject matter, he tells some funny anecdotes.

Would you recommend it? That sounds quite interesting.

 

[DRINK?]

this is fantastic...despite the author...really shocked at how good I found it

 

[Relahni]

No.

Does Little Red Riding Hood count?

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Would you recommend it? That sounds quite interesting.

Yes. I would. It was quite well-written. He has a bit of a knack for storytelling, strikes me as a bit of a raconteur.

Although, of course, some of the details of what goes on in Uzbekistan is grisly. But then there's some comical stuff as well.

 

[jonnoboy]

david copperfield by charlie dickens