November 05, 2005
The Autograph Man
A: Zadie Smith
ISBN: 037550186X
2002
The story of Alex Li Tandem and his struggle to survive friendships, family, life and love. Some say he has an obsession with Kitty Alexandra...other refer to him as an avid collector who never made it big.
I actuall liked him as a character because like everyone else he is boring and rude and selfish. There is nothng special about him, he just lives life as he sees fit. He has no desires or passion except for the pursuit of Kitty's autograph.
He reminds me of everyone else's mundane life. We get up do our thing and go to work and come home and if we re exceptionally social we drink, get drunk and go home to our tiny flats and go to bed. Next day we repeat the same thing.
If you don't have a plan for your life journey, don't relish marrying and having 3.5 children. You don't have a need to believe in anything or an omnitipent body. then there's nothing really disappointing with this portrail. In fact it's rather bloomin refreshing to not have superman or Americans save the day. It's great not reading about how she loves him and if she could get her man it would all be ok. NO life is boring and dull. We sometimes can't make up our minds and someimes we just can't be bothered to interact with others the way they feel you have to.
I did find it odd to read about his childhood in short and then suddenly be thrust into NOW - I sometimes wondered about the point... Was it the morality of life, the place of religion in modern life, family and friends conquer all?
I could go on, believe in yourself, don't mind everyone else they can take care of themselves. OR we must all conform and eventually we do!
It was incredibly difficult to get into the book. I didn't find myself reading from cover to cover. Indeed, it took a couple of months just trying to get into the character. Much was dedicated to his everyday thoughts and doings, not very inticing overall. I found some of the other characters much more interesting.
Fave character: Kitty Alexandra
Posted by connie at 02:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 12, 2005
The Jane Austin Book Club
A: Karen Joy Fowler
ISBN: 0-141-02027-X
2005
Apparently there are five novels. All of which have managed to evade me. I do enjoy reading but when classmates we're reading the complete Shakespeare. I was reading string theory.LOL, no really!
However because of my ignorance I was really looking forward to either a synopsis of the text in true pro style OR a really hot story full of drama, lies, homocide, at least fast relationships.
It gets off to a slow start and pitifully grinds to a halt. Nothing is really detailed apart from the obvious disappointment facing most of the characters as the tale unfolds.
Only one comment really: Go Bernadette!!!
Neither hot or concise,
Honestly.
Posted by connie at 05:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 18, 2005
The Emigrants
A: W.G.Sebald
ISBN: 1-86046-349-5
1997
Four, short, heart-felt stories verging on a book of mourning. Although this book is dedicated to the Jewish loss during WW2. I would like to think it could be applied to all those who have suffered personal loss.
For all those people who are not accounted for with the same reverance.
And lets not forget, all those who continue to suffer. It doesn't stop.
An account of the past lives of 4 individuals. Sometimes difficult to read, but then I just read those bits again.
Not overly impressed, but I got the feeling I shouldn't really comment because it was true accunt of peoples lives. For that you have to the book some browny points. Not many writers can do that.
Posted by connie at 02:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 20, 2004
lost boy lost girl
A: Peter Straub
ISBN: 0-345-47564-X
2003
A thin book cannot provide detail to all the answers. Hence I was somewhat disappointed.
It reads like any second now Carol-Ann is going to warn "they're coming". But there's the Hanibal element to the story.
All very promising and I certainly had the patience to read it all the way through.
The least he could have done is provide well thought-out, gritty, plausible, somewhat unexpected, CLOSure.
It's only a thin book, remember.
Posted by connie at 07:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 29, 2004
The Fourth Queen
A: Debbie Taylor
ISBN: 0-141-01242-0
2004
It's a novel, no less.
A story Ms Cartland would be proud of. A good old fashioned story of the captive becoming becoming sympathetic to her captor.
Actually as it goes, I would probably do as she does or lets face it your for the CHOP. It is incredibly romantic.
For the ladies out there, this has chocolates, candles and a tub of bubbles written all over it (VLarge glass of wine at your discretion).
Posted by connie at 08:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 12, 2004
The Talbot Odyssey
A:Nelson Demille
ISBN: 0-446-35858-4
1991
It's not difficult to read and if your into the espionage thing then it'll be rib tickling!
I knew what I was taking on when I decided to give it whirl... Espionage, war hero thing is not my type of reading. But I read it cover to cover and it was like a bad 80's movie script.
The desperate battle to save the west is as always the US. A fourty year plan gone to pot cos o' those darn kidz.
It would make a great B movie.
On the other hand if you don't want to think too much, and you like a good laugh in your reading then this could be your answer to quiet time. It's also fun picking apart all the faults in the plot. Answers on a postcard to the publisher...
Posted by connie at 12:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 15, 2004
GoOD OMeNs
A: T.Pratchett & N.Gaiman
ISBN: 0-552-13703-0
1991
AKA: The nice and accurate prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.
The funniest and most plausible book I have ever read.
Forget all those theories and 600 page index'. Terry and Neil manage to get the whole thing across in just 383.
If there is a God out there, then they surely must have a sence of humour and so must everyone else involved. There is an exact and opposite equal to everything. Why wouldn't they work together for the common cause?
Fave character, had me roaring all the way through: Anthony Crowley
You'll notice I made no mention of the Filim.... good eh!
Posted by connie at 02:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 10, 2004
Abarat
A: Clive Barker
ISBN: 0-060-28092-1
2002
Candy Quackenbush, John Mischief, Christopher Carrion, and Mischief are to mention a few of the colourful characters cunjured up for this other dimension.
This is supposed to be Clive Barkers attempt at a childrens book. Me thinks he might be seeing a bigger picture. HP and Rowling spring to mind..
He has some handy brush work in hardback and it doesn't leave anything to the imagination, a bit of a shame. The beauty of childrens books sometimes is your own imagination.
He's already published the 2nd book to this trilogy. It could be worthwhile. Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War.
Still I enjoyed this book for the originality.
Posted by connie at 04:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 20, 2004
Life of Pi
A: Yann Martel
ISBN: 1-84195-425-X
2003
It's Kipling all over again. Or am I confused!
This one is good for any age.
I thought this was the most amazing book at the time I read it. It made me laugh, this is good. It made me cry, and yes I am often accused of being a little emotional. But none the less I was still impressed by the array of mini stories and characters.
A take it as you want it, book. If your looking for an original story book for children then you couldn't find a better book. Yes it's gonna be a challenge cos it's bob the B...you must be joking, I'm not writting it!
I think the Irish Times review says it all.
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December 30, 2003
The Da Vinci Code
A: Dan Brown
ISBN: 0-552-14951-9
2003
Suckered everytime with these things. They're always the same, a great mythological mystery, spanning time ergo history. Any clues what so ever to prove the supremecy of one over ALLLLLLL!!! A bit like Star Wars really.
There is an adavanced course to teach the workings of writting a successful, nay lucrative conspiracry theory.
I think if this is your cuppa T, and I have already admitted it got me, so I can't beat it with a stick... Then this is the better of his books. But that's just my opinion.
Posted by connie at 10:31 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 25, 2003
The Templar Revelation
A: L.Picknett & C.Prince
ISBN: 0-552-14330-8
1997
I warned you I have a penchant for the conspiracy theory.
Some would see this as a wonderful story with many funny pitfalls. For all you anthropologist/theologists out there.
Others are gonna feel this is an unnecessary and unfounded attack on Christ, the gospels and his ever faithful followers.
Personally I think it's harmless enough and as long and no-one out there is basing major life decisions on the so called findings in this thrilling story. Then it's all OK.
Found a great site for all possible combination of conspiracy theories.
http://hiddenmysteries.com
Posted by connie at 06:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack