*What book are you reading? (part 2)

[DotCommunist]

Hyperion omnibus by Dan Simmons

read it years ago and enjoyed so having a revisit. Immortality through cruciform parasites! Disgraced priests! Palestinian warrior-generals! Drunk poet older than 500 years and still a dick!

Dan Simmons turned out to be a great big stinking islamaphobe later in years but this is still a good story.

 

[maya]

After being completely knocked out by the genius writing in Fahrenheit 451, I decided to get more Ray Bradbury. Am now reading 'Dandelion Wine' with increasing awe. I think he's one of the very best writers, ever. Each line gives me massive amounts of pleasure.

He also wrote one of the best short stories I remember reading as a kid- We had to watch the dramatisation (short film) for english class at school, and remember all the girls crying- It's very evocative. It's about a future colony on Venus, and a school where all the kids are picking on one girl because she was the only one born back on Earth, and they're jealous because on Venus there's perpetual rain, and noone's ever seen the sun. But for two hours on one day every seventh year, the rainstorms stop and the sun comes out. This feels so impossible to the children that they dismiss her tales of the sun as lies. They're reluctant to believe that the sun will actually appear. On the day the sun is believed to come out, the bullies lock her in a cupboard so that she can't go out with them to see it.




Bradbury was also incredibly generous and friendly to fans and up-and-coming authors who wrote to him for advice- From what I've gathered he always took the time to reply, sometimes long letters answering every question and on personalised notepaper with his awesome "Ray Bradbury" science fiction art letterhead:

 

[Orang Utan]

He also wrote one of the best short stories I remember reading as a kid- We had to watch the dramatisation (short film) for english class at school, and remember all the girls crying- It's very evocative. It's about a future colony on Venus, and a school where all the kids are picking on one girl because she was the only one born back on Earth, and they're jealous because on Venus there's perpetual rain, and noone's ever seen the sun. But for two hours on one day every seventh year, the rainstorms stop and the sun comes out. This feels so impossible to the children that they dismiss her tales of the sun as lies. They're reluctant to believe that the sun will actually appear. On the day the sun is believed to come out, the bullies lock her in a cupboard so that she can't go out with them to see it.




Bradbury was also incredibly generous and friendly to fans and up-and-coming authors who wrote to him for advice- From what I've gathered he always took the time to reply, sometimes long letters answering every question and on personalised notepaper with his awesome "Ray Bradbury" science fiction art letterhead:

View attachment 38662

Thanks so much for posting that. What a beautiful story and it just goes to show how you don't need special effects and a big budget to film sci-fi, just a good story and some imagination.
I need to start rereading Bradbury - I also read quite a bit of him as a youth but I don't remember that one.
The one that stays with me most is The Crowd

 

[sojourner]

Thanks maya! I will what that when I can get a quiet moment.

OU - you really should. I read a fair few as a kid but I honestly think I was just not ready to fully appreciate his writing. It's gobsmackingly good.

I've just ordered another so it's ready for when I finish this one! The Illustrated Man. I remember the film, but the book is going to be fucking glorious, I just know it.

 

[N_igma]

I'm reading The Idiot now. Definitely my last Dostoyevsky book for a while as my head feels like it's about to explode. Actually quite a funny book in parts and not as philosophical as his other works so reads more like a novel which is a bonus. He obviously puts a lot of thought into his character and plot development as many insignificant things early on become apparent and significant later on.

 

[DotCommunist]

any good writer does that

 

[ringo]

Haven't finished my holiday read, a pretty crappy trashy 'expose' of the hashish industry:
Hash: The Chilling Inside Story of the Secret Underworld Behind the World's Most Lucrative Drug - Wensley Clarkson

Also got some short stories on the go: Magentism - F Scott Fitzgerald

 

[starfish]

After about 20-25 years since i got my first copy , im finally reading The Wasp Factory by Ian Banks.

 

[Cheesypoof]

'Fr John Fahy, radical republican and agrarian activist' - my granduncle. i dont expect anyone to be interested but i am, and the pictures, his letters, his 'cause' - the protection of skint women who had vile English landlords demanding debt- (whom he relentlessly fought for and went to jail for and won!!!) makes him a great man in my mind.

 

[Frances Lengel]

'Fr John Fahy, radical republican and agrarian activist' - my granduncle. i dont expect anyone to be interested but i am, and the pictures, his letters, his 'cause' - the protection of skint women who had vile English landlords demanding debt- (whom he relentlessly fought for and went to jail for and won!!!) makes him a great man in my mind.

This is a book by a priest as well

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Moston-Story-Brian-Seale/dp/095525650X

Of limited interest like your one probably, but it's a great source of info about a working class north manchester suburb. And john vianney's was my parish church when I was a kid. I've heard Mass from Father Seale

 

[Cheesypoof]

This is a book by a priest as well

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Moston-Story-Brian-Seale/dp/095525650X

Of limited interest like your one probably, but it's a great source of info about a working class north manchester suburb. And john vianny's was my parish church when I was a kid. I've heard Mass from Father Seale

thanks!! there is a book called 'Radical priests of Ireland 1660 - 1950' and Fr John is also mentioned there as someone that fought hard for the rights of women who were left with nothing when gentrified landlords attempted to take their land away in the 30's. i am so proud that my granduncle felt so strongly about this. The biographer of the 'Fr John' book called to the house recently and had tea with my Dad (who is also an activist) and he was pleased that a direct descendent feels strongly about their causes, whatever they may be.

 

[Frances Lengel]

thanks!! there is a book called 'Radical priests of Ireland 1660 - 1950' and Fr John is also mentioned there as someone that fought hard for the rights of women who were left with nothing when gentrified landlords attempted to take their land away in the 30's. i am so proud that my granduncle felt so strongly about this. The biographer of the 'Fr John' book called to the house recently and had tea with my Dad (who is also an activist) and he was pleased that a direct descendent feels strongly about their causes, whatever they may be.

Nice one. It gets on me nerves how people slag off the catholic church. Yes, the church may be corrupt at the top, but individual priests (like your grand uncle) and nuns did a lot for working class people & that needs to be remembered IMO. Especially what you're saying about Father John doing what he did for women - That sort of thing needs to be chronicled. Nice one that you come from a family who seem like have always been on the good side.

 

[Cheesypoof]

Nice one. It gets on me nerves how people slag off the catholic church. Yes, the church may be corrupt at the top, but individual priests (like your grand uncle) and nuns did a lot for working class people & that needs to be remembered IMO. Especially what you're saying about Father John doing what he did for women - That sort of thing needs to be chronicled. Nice one that you come from a family who seem like have always been on the good side.

totally!! and you know something, there is only ONE pic of Fr John at his ordination is 1919, BUT when the author visited us my Dad had pics of Fr John with his Mum, also in Aberdeen as a young man in 1920 (he served in Scotland for 18 months and the community had a big shiding when he left, with the Lord Mayor who presented him with a motor car, etc) He got stuck into Irish life when he left Aberdeen and went on to shake a LOT of shakles with the Irish Free State, i think it just goes to show, there were some strong and wonderful people out there - Fr John set up his own newspaper Lia Fail - and fought hard for the rights of MANY poor people.

 

[Frances Lengel]

totally!! and you know something, there is only ONE pic of Fr John at his ordination is 1919, BUT when the author visited us my Dad had pics of Fr John with his Mum, also in Aberdeen as a young man in 1920 (he served in Scotland for 18 months and the community had a big shiding when he left, with the Lord Mayor who presented him with a motor car, etc) He got stuck into Irish life when he left Aberdeen and went on to shake a LOT of shakles with the Irish Free State, i think it just goes to show, there were some strong and wonderful people out there - Fr John set up his own newspaper Lia Fail - and fought hard for the rights of MANY poor people.

Great stuff - Is the book widely available? Coz if it is I might have to give it a squizz.

 

[Cheesypoof]

Great stuff - Is the book widely available? Coz if it is I might have to give it a squizz.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fr-John-Fahy-1893-1969-Republican/dp/1856077632

XXX

 

[Frances Lengel]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fr-John-Fahy-1893-1969-Republican/dp/1856077632

XXX

Oof - Eleven bucks? I'll have to check the bank before I order it. No, in fact, fuck it, I can waste eighty odd bucks on a crack and gear sesh, I can afford eleven quid for a book and at least I'll have something to show for it more than empty pockets and a sense of self loathing regret. Ordered. I'll let you know what I think

 

[Cheesypoof]

Oof - Eleven bucks? I'll have to check the bank before I order it. No, in fact, fuck it, I can waste eighty odd bucks on a crack and gear sesh, I can afford eleven quid for a book and at least I'll have something to show for it more than empty pockets and a sense of self loathing regret. Ordered. I'll let you know what I think

Thrilled to hear it!!! I'm on page 38 so far, its great

 

[bmd]

Just started reading The Liberation Trilogy by Rick Atkinson. I quite like the way he brings it to life with his focus on the personalities and intense attention to the details.

 

[Chick Webb]

I'm reading God's War by Kameron Hurley at the moment. I like it so far for a number of reasons, disreputable, sleazy, FEMALE bounty hunter being the main one, but I'm beginning to wonder if "Sharia planet" is becoming a bit of a theme in scifi, and if that should worry me.

 

[seventh bullet]

Towards Naxalbari (1953-1967): An Account of Inner-Party Ideological Struggle - Pradip Basu

Very good for the anorak info. Could've done with translations of all the names of the various groups' papers/journals that are mentioned, though. Still, one for a Maoist pub quiz, if ever there is one near me.

 

[tufty79]

riddley walker (1982 edition)

still not finished it
found a new lissener, and either need to lend them my copy or buy them their own.

 

[DotCommunist]

The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams

american dark fairy tale/fantasy

good so far. Think Shadowland/Secret History

 

[May Kasahara]

sojourner so glad you are feeling the Bradbury awesomeness. I wrote my A level English project about some of his stuff. He was an extraordinary writer. Some of my favourite short stories of his: The Night, Homecoming, The Scythe, Powerhouse, The Next In Line. I must read them again, actually.

Just started Jonathan Coe - The Rain Before It Falls. DotCommunist I finished By Light Alone last week and didn't find it particularly depressing...is there something wrong with me?

 

[DotCommunist]

the abolition of world hunger turned into that wasn't depressing? lol. horses/courses

 

[TruXta]

the abolition of world hunger turned into that wasn't depressing? lol. horses/courses

The second omnibus (The Books of the South) of the Black Company books by Glen Cook. Loving it.

 

[sojourner]

sojourner so glad you are feeling the Bradbury awesomeness. I wrote my A level English project about some of his stuff. He was an extraordinary writer. Some of my favourite short stories of his: The Night, Homecoming, The Scythe, Powerhouse, The Next In Line. I must read them again, actually.

I looked up his bibliography. Fuck me. Prolific ain't the word!! Would love to read some short stories, and his poetry too. I've a feeling I'm gonna be spending a fair few quid in the next few years!!

 

[DotCommunist]

I looked up his bibliography. Fuck me. Prolific ain't the word!! Would love to read some short stories, and his poetry too. I've a feeling I'm gonna be spending a fair few quid in the next few years!!

Golden apples of the Sun

 

[sojourner]

Golden apples of the Sun

Cheers chuck Just added to my wishlist

 

[May Kasahara]

the abolition of world hunger turned into that wasn't depressing? lol. horses/courses

I think the massive plot holes undermined his vision somewhat. Very enjoyable though; I liked his prose.

 

[izz]

The Way of All Flesh, Samuel Butler