maya
timewasting fool (in every universe)
just imagine- if his parents had had twins instead, they could've called'em Hong and Kong...China who? What? Not like I care, or anything...
*What book are you reading ?
- Thread starter ck
- Start date
- Status
maya
timewasting fool (in every universe)
Quite intriguing, so far!Structaural said:
I think it was Cloo who recommended him, actually- and keep hearing his name in certain circles, so found out it was time to check him out...Orang Utan said:
What's your thoughts on him thus far?
The first thing I noticed was that my vocabulary couldn't keep up with the words used, I mean I understand the meaning from the context, but some of these words I've never heard before (but I suppose for a native english speaker he probably isn't super complex or anything- I got out the dictionary, though)
First thing I noticed was that he was more science fantasy than science fiction- i always had him pinned down as a science fiction author (shows my ignorance, really), but his stuff is more fantasy which acknowledges technology (which doesn't make it 100% fantasy? or what are people's thoughts on this? i always think of fantasy as a very narrow and backwards-looking, escapist genre: the middle ages romanticism, romantic 1800s hero stuff... sword'n'sandals... if there's technology, it already borders on science fiction, and so becomes science fantasy automatically? hm.)
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I find him very easy to read - quite pulpy in fact, though not in a bad way.
I was introduced to him as a pure fantasy writer, but I'm so unfamiliar with the genre I don't know what he's regarded as by fans.
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
Currently reading "Fat Cats and Running Dogs: The Enron Stage of Capitalism" by Vijay Prashad.
May Kasahara
take me to the feeling
A Clergyman's Daughter, by George Orwell. This month's book club choice. It's well dreary so far.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Hannah Cullwick's diaries.
James Kelman, You Have To Be Careful In The Land Of The Free.
May Kasahara
take me to the feeling
It's perked up a bit now, thank fuck. Actually quite enjoying it.
Dirty Martini
gets what he cant want
I finished You Don't Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem.
Lethem writes brilliant prose without showing off. He might be my current favourite contemporary prose stylist (I am a ponce), but he brings that mighty skill to bear on what is a very slight story, making it top-heavy or bottom-heavy or something. It's missing about 100 pages and a decent subplot (the kangaroo tale doesn't cut it). He monses the ending, as he kind of does with Motherless Brooklyn, and Lucinda isn't Lionel, so she's left looking rinsed out and unfinished. More than one eye on the film, I think. Cameron Crowe will probably make it.
A good laugh though.
Lethem writes brilliant prose without showing off. He might be my current favourite contemporary prose stylist (I am a ponce), but he brings that mighty skill to bear on what is a very slight story, making it top-heavy or bottom-heavy or something. It's missing about 100 pages and a decent subplot (the kangaroo tale doesn't cut it). He monses the ending, as he kind of does with Motherless Brooklyn, and Lucinda isn't Lionel, so she's left looking rinsed out and unfinished. More than one eye on the film, I think. Cameron Crowe will probably make it.
A good laugh though.
quimcunx
imprimeo, lamino, distribuo
No! No! Serbian book, serbian book! surely? I've ordered 2 copies by mistake, 1 spare is enough, not 2 copies of the wrong book. 
I found that one really odd Martini - in fact, it's kind of seeped out of my memory entirely. He seems to write a very different book every time (if that is not a moronic observation to make 
).
Which segues nicely into my recent completion - The Rising Tide by Molly Keane. I studied one of hers for A level ages ago and having read this and the blurbs for her others, she seems to write the same sort of novel over and over again. I like it but won't be hammering through the rest of them in a hurry. They're set in early 20th Century Anglo Irish families, feature jealous parents and evil traditions and houses steeped in sadness etc etc. But she writes characters brilliantly - actually, the whole book is hung on the inner life of these complex people and fuck all seems to happen outside of that. It's impressive but kind of exhausting.
I also kept seeing Kristin Scott Thomas in the lead role.
).Which segues nicely into my recent completion - The Rising Tide by Molly Keane. I studied one of hers for A level ages ago and having read this and the blurbs for her others, she seems to write the same sort of novel over and over again. I like it but won't be hammering through the rest of them in a hurry. They're set in early 20th Century Anglo Irish families, feature jealous parents and evil traditions and houses steeped in sadness etc etc. But she writes characters brilliantly - actually, the whole book is hung on the inner life of these complex people and fuck all seems to happen outside of that. It's impressive but kind of exhausting.
I also kept seeing Kristin Scott Thomas in the lead role.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
There is more than one book group in the world, pappy
QueenOfGoths
Fuck you Dave!
Gosh that takes me back
When I was at college we workshopped and then had a play written for us based on Hannah Cullwick, her relationship with Arthur Munby and his relatioship with the Wigan pit-girls.
I read her diaries when we were workshopping it - fascinating
Dirty Martini
gets what he cant want
I found that one really odd Martini - in fact, it's kind of seeped out of my memory entirely. He seems to write a very different book every time (if that is not a moronic observation to make
It's fair comment, I think, to say that he's experimenting with genre perhaps, to see what he can do. And when, in 30 years' time, when he's hailed as great American author, as I think he could be, there'll be people who'll refer to YDLMY as a "neglected classic".
I am basing this on MB and this one, the only ones I've read, so I'm feeling fraudulent but correct.
Dirty Martini
gets what he cant want
God, yes. She should be on a UNESCO list or something.
quimcunx
imprimeo, lamino, distribuo
(quote amended for preferred spelling
) That's all right then. I shall desist from panicking.
"Fraudulent but correct"
I'd be inclined to agree with you going on what I have experienced of the Fortress of Solitude as well, which is nothing like MB and a bit bonkers. Although I'm being entirely fraudulent here - I haven't read it - just watched Dub wrestle with it and dipped in and out myself to see what he was whinging about.
I'd be inclined to agree with you going on what I have experienced of the Fortress of Solitude as well, which is nothing like MB and a bit bonkers. Although I'm being entirely fraudulent here - I haven't read it - just watched Dub wrestle with it and dipped in and out myself to see what he was whinging about.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
(quote amended for preferred spelling
That's all right then. I shall desist from panicking.
pappy is better
Maurice Picarda
Actually, might as well flounce.
The Glamour - Christopher Priest. He's good, Priest. Someone made a film of his one about duelling magicians and Tesla, which should raise his profile a bit.
quimcunx
imprimeo, lamino, distribuo
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
no it's unflattering, which is why, I suspect, you think it's better.
Sorry papster
quimcunx
imprimeo, lamino, distribuo
*PMs Ed to request change of name*
*to Muffin, no one will be able to do anything unflattering to that*
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I bet I could
catinthehat
Failed VK = Replicant
The steep approach to Garbadale, the new Iain Banks and All that is Solid. Zygmaunt Bauman. Really enjoying the Ian Banks. Bauman is for work purposes more than pleasure. But it is still somewhat pleasnat.
- Status
Similar threads
- Poll
