pontalba

Holy Orders by Benjamin Black (aka John Banville) 5/5 Holy Orders, subtitled "A Quirke Novel" is truly that. A Quirke novel. The mystery is very much secondary to the character development of our Quirke, the Dublin, 1950's based coroner of Black's novels. Alcoholic, his childhood staining his adulthood almost beyond his bearing, he stumbles his way through life attempting to find his way to a safe harbor. His background is far too convoluted to go into here as it's evolved over this and the previous five Quirke novels. Suffice it to say he has his demons and Quirke is not necessarily the winner. The mystery is of a personal nature to him, a close friend of his daughters is murdered. Much of his daughter's inner life is brought out in this novel, she is developed carefully and beautifully. . Black presents an evocative view of Dublin creating an atmospheric ambiance that I suspect only a native is capable of presenting. His prose is, as always, gorgeous. Highly Recommended.

I now have a memory of Robin Williams. Unfortunately it is not as favorable as my memory (and knowledge) of Michael J. Fox. The stated topic includes "memories" of Williams.

Yup, what she said. Hope you feel better very soon!!

LOL It took me a long time. I was much of your mind when it came to marriage, but when the right one comes along it's irresistible. I've always said that better no one at all, than the wrong one.

I think it's pretty clear that I referred to the article I linked in my above post. The media glamorizes and softens the blow of suicide. IMO, they make it seem as though it is a desirable "out". It is not, in any circumstances a reasonable thing to do. I really hope you are not referring to my post, sod. As, if you'd read the post closely and the linked article, one would see exactly what I was referring to. No disease plays favorites. Not a one. Nor does a person ask for a disease to strike. It's how we handle the disease that is our own choice,. If any of you had a close, loved one commit suicide you would know the pain, absolute agony it causes the ones left behind. Have you heard of survivor guilt? Close ones to a suicide can and do suffer from that, however illogical it may seem to outsiders. Children of suicides are far more likely to commit suicide as well, and not only because of any genetic proclivity toward the disease of depression. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100421160013.htm I've heard of that documentary, Anna, but haven't seen it. Frankly, I don't want to. But I do thank you for the link, it was interesting. P.S., Anna, we have a television but only for DVDs. We live in out in the country and the regular signal is very weak, practically nonexistent. We had cable for about 4 years. Gave it up 5 years ago. Every time I think I miss it a little, I go in a place, and there are a plethora of them!, that have TVs running the entire time. By the time we've finished a meal, I am so sick of it I could puke. Fast and cheap cure.

There is good, great and bad about any decade, make yours your own! But, please God, not the "big hair" of the 80's, not again!

Sometimes I get right up from reading the book, to the computer to write down my impressions. Or I'll wake up the next morning with the first line/impression so vividly in my mind that I have to come downstairs and write the review immediately. And, thanks Anna. But, no, not writing to a specific person, just the generic reader of the review. Many times my husband and I read the same books, but if not, we still discuss and dissect the plots/stories we read individually or together.

I can imagine the TV stations are having a ball with it. Thankfully we don't have TV in the house.. If you read the article I linked, you'll see how the media is actually glamorizing his death and how that sort of attention causes some vulnerable young people to think that suicide is an attractive alternative to consider. Just awful.

Beautiful pictures, Anna and Geordie, beautiful children. Anna, your pic reminds me of scenes of a film The Sandpiper. Made eons ago with Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. Beautiful country.

Right, thanks, I thought so. They took this mans suffering and made money from it, all in the guise of "telling his story". hah and grrrrr.

I rarely make any notes, perhaps mark a passage or two if the impact of it is high. When I write a review, I try to catch the ambiance of the book, not necessarily the facts of who did what, when, and how. How the book made me feel, what was the moral question the book asks and/or answers would be included as well. I think if a person is interested in a book, reading my review should whet their appetite to learn more details about it from, perhaps, a synopsis from a bookseller or the inside flap of the book itself.

Isn't that the book/film that was made from a diary or journal that the real person wrote back at the time? If so, it seemed to me when I read the article about it that the man was being exploited, all over again.

Awww, Sarah would never allow books to fall out of the window in such a higgledy-piggledy manner! But it is a great picture! Gaia.....yup, bellbottoms were all the rage back in the last century aka the Sixties!

Put a few towels in with the shower curtain, works a treat. Happy moving!

Yup, your mom is quite right! Glad to hear the classes look as good as you've said above.

It's a terrible thing when someone is in such pain they feel suicide is the only option left to them. It's perhaps a worse thing to walk into a room and find that loved one hanging by their belt. It is all fine and good to memorialize a person and remember the good things about them, but I think we must remember the end as well. I saw and read an excellent article in the Washington Post newspaper yesterday on the problem of "suicide contagion and social media". I'm linking the article here. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2014/08/12/suicide-contagion-and-social-media-the-dangers-of-sharing-genie-youre-free/ I sincerely hope he does rest in peace, and I wish the same for his family. They'll have a harder time of it, I believe.

Last night we watched a little film called Page Eight. Bill Nighy and Rachel Weisz were fantastic in their roles. Apparently this installment is part of the Worricker Trilogy. Now to hunt down the rest of the trilogy.

Ratz! That is a shame, sorry about that! Glad to hear that! Both it and it's sequel Claudius the God are very re-readable books. I have reread a couple of times, but it's been quite a while since my last reading. I can't wait to reread yet again.

Oh, lovely! Thanks. I loved George Sanders. /sigh/

But, especially, if it were chocolate, I'd have to force myself...... Gorgeous cake, thanks for posting, Inver!

Ohhhhh, bellbottoms! I cringe now, but had some great ones Back in the Day... Teenagers! (I was one, once, I think....)

For those that are interested in the September RC choice of I, Claudius by Robert Graves.....it is on sale in the form of a kindle copy on Amazon today for only 1.99 USD.

Wish we did! LOL, with your new knees, you can now go bike riding! /evil grin/

Great review, you've caught the trilogy beautifully.