Lucybird Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Ended up starting Q&A by Vikas Swarup. I loved the film so hopefully the book will be at least as good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 Q&A by Vikas Swarup This review contains minor spoilers for the film Slumdog Millionaire Synopsis (from Amazon) Former tiffinboy Ram Mohammad Thomas has just got twelve questions correct on a TV quiz-show to win a cool one billion rupees. But he is brutally slung in prison on suspicion of cheating. Because how can a kid from the slums know who Shakespeare was, unless he is pulling a fast one. In the order of the questions on the show, Ram tells us which amazing adventures in his street-kid life gave him the answers. From orphanages to brothels, gangsters to beggar-masters, and into the homes of Bollywood's rich and famous, Ram's story is brimming with the chaotic comedy, heart-stopping tragedy and tear-inducing joyousness of modern India. Review I'd seen the film of this before reading the book. I was a little concerned because I tend not to enjoy books when I've seen the film first (and vis versa), it didn't matter with this one though because they were quite a bit different, pretty much only the basis premise were the same. None of the stories were the same (although one was almost the same) but there were some similarities. There was a love story in both, although it was more major in the film- it was pretty much just one of the 'stories' in the book whereas the love story in the film linked everything together in a way I thought the film was better in this way as it meant all the little stories were linked together. In the book you could well have read each story as a seperate story. This made it a bit easier to put down than other books, which is both a good thing and a bad thing! It made it easier to stop if I needed to, but it also meant I was less compelled to pick the book up again when I had finished a chapeter. Also both the book and the film contained stories about the actor this I thought the book did better, in the film it was just a comedy story, in the book it was a little amusing but it had more substance too. I did find one of the stories in the book kind of boring, and found I read slower at this point. It was the story when the soilder is telling his story. I have read books about war, which I do generally like but this was all battle discription really and I found it dragged a bit. In fact I did find myself generally getting more bored towards the end, I think this may have been because everything was like a little story and I like to vary my reading a bit, it kind of felt like I was reading lots of the same stories all after the other. But by the end I had warmed up to it a bit more. This was a lovely book which, despite its imperfections, I wouold recommend. There is a bit of everything in this story, and it really paints a picture of life in quite a believeable way. I did find all the coincidences a bit unbelieveable though. I would probably say I prefered the film, just because it flowed a little better, but it's a close thing, and really it is difficult to compare them as they are very different. 8/10 I'm now reading A Partisan's Daughter by Louis de Bernieres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 Just realised I gave Q&A a score out of 10 when I've given the others out of 5! (For some reason I find higher scores easy to do out of 10, and low scores out of 5) so out of 5 I give Q&A 4/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Thanks for this review, Lucybird. On the strength of this, I think I'll get the book. I'm one of these guys that, once everybody is telling me to go and see something, I dig my heals in and scream 'Nooooooooooooooooooo!', but I'll make a concession and read the book...he heh he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 It is a good one, it's not all about hype (like Twilight...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 The Potter's House by Rosie ThomasReview The only thing I would have changed is that I wanted more closure on Kitty's story, but is wasn't actually needed I just would have liked it. This is a book which got me thinking which is always a good sign, and some descriptions made me feel almost as if I was in Greece, another good sign. Spot on Lucy, from what I can remember about the book, I think I felt a bit the same about Kitty that wasn't fully explained, but it did make you want to come to your own conclusions about her I guess. PS I am enjoying Set in Stone by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 Yes, I'm still not completely sure what my conclusions are! Glad you're enjoying it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 A Partisan's Daughter by Louis de Bernieres Synopsis (from Amazon) Chris is in his forties: bored, lonely, trapped in a loveless, sexless marriage. He's a stranger to the 1970s youth culture of London, a stranger to himself on the night he invites a prostitute into his car. Roza is Yugoslavian, recently moved to London. She's in her twenties, but has already lived a life filled with danger, misadventure, romance, and tragedy. And though she's not a prostitute, when she's propositioned by Chris, she gets into his car anyway. Over the next few months Roza tells Chris the stories of her past. She's a fast-talking Scheherazade, saving her own life by telling it to Chris. And he takes in her tales as if they were oxygen in an otherwise airless world. But is Roza telling the truth? Does it even matter? Review I literally just finished this book and wanted to get my thoughts down before I lost this feeling. All through the book I was thinking just this is ok. I wasn't particully compelled to read it until maybe the last 10 or so pages, but I didn't feel I wanted to give up on it either. However when I closed it I was sad it was finished. I think the story has effected me more than I realised, and I really did get attached to the characters. I feel sad for Roza, and for Chris. I feel I really know them and feel genuine sympathy. Towards the end I had a real sense of doom, I actually thought what did happen was not as bad as I was expecting, but in a way it was, and it's because what Roza had gone through and now she had been hurt by her best friend, by someone who she trusted and who didn't seem to really want anything from her, or at least not demand anything from her. There are some things still which have me thinking, which weren't completly closed off in the plot I'm still not sure if any of Roza's stories are true, especially when we find at least one has two different versions. I would like to think they are true, but sometimes I think she made uo things because she liked the attentions of Chris . I really do not know how to rate this book, do I rate based on how I feel now, or how I felt while reading. If on now I would probably go for 4.5/5, but during, maybe 3.5? I have always been looking for a book by Louis de Berenieres which matches up to Captain Correli's Mandolin, which is one of my favourite books. The last I read by him (Birds without Wings) I gave up on, but based on how I feel now this one may be a strong contender. I at least prefered the ending for this one, I always thought Captain Correli's should have ended earlier in the story, and been more open ended. I really do not know what to score this one...if I went for an average it would be 4, but that seems too high when I think of how I felt during it and too low when I think about how I feel after reading it. I would love to see what other people think of this. I may offer it up as a book ring if there's enough interest 3.5-4.5/5 (depending on which bit!) Next is Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers Synopsis (from Amazon) Beautifully told through notes left on their kitchen fridge, this is an intimate portrait of the relationship between a hard-working mother and her teenage daughter. Stunningly sad but ultimately uplifting, it is about being a 'good mother' or a 'good daughter', and is a reminder of how much can be said in so few words, if only we made the time to say them. Review This is quite a nice little book, quite simple and a quick easy read, it only took me about an hour. As someone whose Mum has gone through breast cancer I could connect quite well with Claire's character, not sure whether to worry or just try to act as if everything was normal and would be ok. In a way I found the idea of notes a bit unrealistic, I didn't think such important things would be discussed on notes, or at least not to that extent, even though sometimes it is easier to write things down. I also think the book could have been better if the mother had lived. I don't know why really, I guess I would have liked to see how they coped with the aftermath. However the letters from Claire after her mother had died were very touching . In all if you don't have much time, or just want something easy to read this is a quite good choice as it still has some of the touching elements which are usually only in more challenging books, but if you want a story about cancer there are probably some better ones out there 3/5 Next up is Steig Larsoon's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Bought Kim Edwards- The Memory Keeper's Daughter (for only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 25, 2009 Author Share Posted April 25, 2009 It's been about a week since I finished this but have only just had the chance to post a review, so may be a little sketchy! The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson Synopsis (from Amazon) "I want you to find out who in the family murdered Harriet, and who since then has spent almost forty years trying to drive me insane" The Industrialist: Henrik Vanger, head of the dynastic Vanger Corporation, is tormented by the loss of a child decades earlier and convinced that a member of his family has committed murder. The Journalist: Mikael Blomkvist delves deep into the Vangers' past to uncover the truth behind the unsolved mystery. But someone else wants the past to remain a secret and will go to any lengths to keep it that way. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Lisbeth Salander, the enigmatic, delinquent and dangerous security specialist, assists in the investigation. A genius computer hacker, she tolerates no restrictions placed upon her by individuals, society or the law. (it's actually the same as the back of the book, Amazon's own synopsis had a bit of a spoiler) Review Took a while for this to really get going, while I was quite enjoying the build up and all the background information I was also eager for things to start happening and this wasn't until about halfway through. Plot wise this book was pretty great, once it got going it was a real page turner with plenty of twists which made it hard to predict. For a couple of things I never expected Martin to be a murder, and I didn't even begin to entertain the idea that Harriet might be alive! I never did suspect Celia was guilty though, even if it had been her in the window . There were a few things I disliked about it though. I found the number of characters quite confusing, especially at the beginning, and especially where some of the names were similar. I also didn't think the style of writing was that great, I've read worse writing, but I've certainly read better too. I'm ready to forgive the writing quality though as the book is a translation. All in all, if you like mysteries for their twists and turns this is a great book, if you're more in it for excitement there are more exciting mysteries and you may find that you are waiting for things to happen a lot but there are exciting moments- if you can be patient they are worth it! Oh and another thing there are a few gory descriptions which might put some people off, but I think they were needed and while I don't really like gore it wasn't so much that it was unbearable. 3.5/5 I'm now hopping back and forth between The Hunchback of Notredame and Random Acts of Heroic Love. Am struggling with the Hunchback aand finding it rather waffley, I could probably summerise the last few chapters in a few sentances without actually loosing anything important. I am considering giving up but want to at least reach 100 pages first, otherwise I won't feel like I've given it a proper chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexiepiper Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Ahh I thought pretty much the same though about Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, gave it the same 3.5/5 too Do you think you'll read the second book in the series at some point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted April 25, 2009 Author Share Posted April 25, 2009 Probably but I don't know if I want to enough to pay for it, maybe I'll get it from the library or bookmooch. I tend to want to finish series, I thought Twilight was bad (but kinda hooked me) but I want to finish the series I just can't bring myself to spend money on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexiepiper Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Yeah that's how I feel, I'm going to try and get it at the library too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted May 1, 2009 Author Share Posted May 1, 2009 Yesterday borrowed: The Jane Austen book club- Karen Joy Fowler The Chocolate Run- Dorothy Koomson The Goddess Guide- Gisile Scalon Collin's How to do Everything from a friend. The second two are more flicking books that books to read all the way though so won't review those, but from flicking through The Goddess Guide it looks pretty awesome, although all the places she recommends are in London or New York and most of the stuff she recommends in out of my price range. Still there are good tips. Today Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs came from Bookmooch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethany725 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 You got some great books !.. The Jane Austen Book Club, The Chocolate Run, and The Goddess Guide -- all books I was on waiting lists for at the Manhattan Library just before we had to move to India... They didn't come in in time, but that's okay -- I can always get them later. Let me know how you like these, if you think about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted May 2, 2009 Author Share Posted May 2, 2009 I will. I'm probably going to read The Jane Austen Bookclub next, I liked the film and it doesn't seem like it will be a hard read so will be good after Hunchback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 The Hunchback of Notredame by Victor Hugo Synopsis (from Amazon) Set in 1482, "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" is a compelling story of love and betrayal, brutal deeds and one of the most famous acts of revenge in world literature. Quasimodo, the hunchback of the title, is one of fiction's most extreme characters - beneath his monstrous disfigurement, his love for the beautiful Esmerelda reveals a heart full of intense emotion. The novel is set in the great cathedral of Notre-Dame and had a profound influence on the Romantic Movement. Review I'll say from the onset I gave up on this book before finishing it. I really wasn't getting into it. I found that there was very little real story line and a lot of waffle. Right from the start I had this impression but wasn't letting myself give up until I had at least reach 100 pages. By page 100 there was actually some story- enough that I decided to keep going but the next chapter put me off again. The story stopped for a rant about how Notredame had changed since being built, I had finally begun to be able to read this story without being frustrated by the lack of story when it as cut short by this rant which really frustrated me. If the actual story had gone on a bit longer before this I may have persevered but I had only just decided it might be worth carrying on. I may pick up the book again, and to that end have kept my place marked but, for now at least, I'm too frustrated to carry on. 1/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipread Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Well done, you gave it a good try. I`m just begining to find it less of a chore, (still only on page 50 though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 lol well maybe you'll do better with it than me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Bought Jodi Picoult's latest book Handle with Care today. Am kinda tempted to start it straight away but will wait until I finish Random Acts of Heroic Love at least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I'll say from the onset I gave up on this book before finishing it. I really wasn't getting into it. I found that there was very little real story line and a lot of waffle. Right from the start I had this impression but wasn't letting myself give up until I had at least reach 100 pages. By page 100 there was actually some story- enough that I decided to keep going but the next chapter put me off again. The story stopped for a rant about how Notredame had changed since being built, I had finally begun to be able to read this story without being frustrated by the lack of story when it as cut short by this rant which really frustrated me. If the actual story had gone on a bit longer before this I may have persevered but I had only just decided it might be worth carrying on. I may pick up the book again, and to that end have kept my place marked but, for now at least, I'm too frustrated to carry on. 1/5 That's a shame. I would thoroughly recommend skipping those tedious bits (I didi) The section entitled Notre Dame near the beginning was the worst bit, as I said in my comments on the reading circle thread. Very tedious and I'm not surprised you gave up. It would be great if you did pick it up again, or even just stop by the reading circle with your comments so far. It's lonely in there! I`m just begining to find it less of a chore, (still only on page 50 though) Good luck with it Pipread. I think it's worth the effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 hmm well I wasn't going to go into the reading circle incase I do pick it up again, I don't want to be spoiled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Ah good point. Although there are no spoilers in there - yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucybird Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 maybe I'll poke my head in while it's safer then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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