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chrysalis_stage

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    Chrysalis' reading habits 2010

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by chrysalis_stage

    PUT ON HOLD

     

     

    Slights - Kaaron Warren

     

    41y3W4977oL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

     

    Synopsis:

    Stevie is a serial killer.

    When she kills people she asks them:

    "WHAT DO YOU SEE?"

    She's about to find out

     

    After an accident in which her mother dies, Stevie has a near-death experience, and finds herself in a room full of people -- everyone she's ever p*ssed off. They clutch at her, scratch and tear at her. But she finds herself drawn back to this place, again and again, determined to unlock its secrets. Which means she has to die, again and again. And she starts to wonder whether other people see the same room! when they die. The most disturbing novel of 2009. Read it if you dare.

     

    Angry Robot book

    File under:Horror, real-life terror, damaged lives, family secrets, beyond death.

    Recommends if you like this to try: Let The Right One in/Ajvide Lindqvist, The Wasp Factory - Ian Banks and One - Conrad Williams; so if you have read any of those books you may enjoy this. :lurker:

     

    My random thoughts:

    Originally I was introduced to Warrens other book (Walking tree) recommended by Trudi Canavan but then I stumbled upon Slights and it grabbed me, already 30+ pages in I like the protagonist and it has already covered disturbing scenes. They have not disturbed me yet but I know they would others. So far I'm enjoying it, seems like it'll be an interesting read. :D

     

    Edit: I like the wit of Stevie but she can be a real b*tch at times too lol

    Chrysalis' reading habits 2010

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by chrysalis_stage

    Michel Faber - The Crimson Petal and the White - 835 pages

     

    Synopsis:

    Step into Victorian London and meet a host of unforgettable characters - including our heroine, Sugar, a young woman trying to drag herself up from the gutter any way she can.

    Waterstones synopsis:

    Gripping from the first page, this immense novel is an intoxicating and deeply satisfying read. Faber's most ambitious fictional creation yet, it is sure to affirm his position as one of the most talented and brilliant writers working in the UK. Sugar, an alluring, nineteen-year-old 'lady of the night' in the brothel of the terrifying Mrs Castaway, yearns for a better life. Her ascent through the strata of 1870's London society offers us intimacy with a host of loveable, maddening and superbly realised characters. At the heart of this panoramic, multi-layered narrative is the compelling struggle of a young woman to lift her body and soul out of the gutter. The Crimson Petal and the White is a big, juicy, must-read of a novel that will delight, enthral, provoke and entertain young and old, male and female.

     

    My random thoughts:

    It apparently took Faber 20 years to research and write and I could see alot of effort went into this to make it a delightfully accurate (as far as I’m aware) read which does transport you to 1870's London. It was the little touches which I liked such as the note of fashion change among corsets from a certain style to another (forget the names atm) around 1875. Faber's prose was very impressive, I loved to read the book aloud as the text flows so well, even the London accents/slang, which made it very easy to read (to Lumin - pet gerbil)

     

    I sympathized with all the main female characters, Sugar, Emmeline Fox, Agnes and even the little girl Sophie. I was saddened when

    Henry died, I really wanted to see more happen between him and Emmeline

    I liked William Rackham to begin with (morally I probably shouldn't have) but rightly so disliked him as the book came to a close. My dislike started quite late really, it should have probably started alot sooner when he was being arsey, but the

    photograph incident where William made Sugar sit for a photo which was used to imitate Agnes later

    made me boil with annoyance then and everything negative that happened to William seemed like Karma (if you believe in that)

     

    A very beautiful book even though the topic isn't thought to be that beautiful really, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So many characters made for a very interesting read and the depth of the main characters made me feel some were my best friends.

     

    The ending was abrupt but I think Faber explained it brilliantly so I wasn't left feeling that jilted. I really enjoyed reading this book and have ordered 'The Apple' so that should come very soon.

     

    An amazing multi-character account of Victorian London, if you enjoy this period and do not mind somewhat detailed accounts of sex, I would highly recommend this.

    Chrysalis' reading habits 2010

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by chrysalis_stage

    The Road - Cormac McCarthy

     

    Synopsis:

    A father and son walk alone through burned America, heading slowly for the coast. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. They have nothing but a pistol to defend themselves against the men who stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food - and each other.

     

    My random thoughts:

    This is my first McCarthy book so his style of writing was new to me, such as his lack of speech marks and grammer (similar to Bukowski, some say it is the modern style of books, I do see it as lazy though), lack of chapters and poetic prose throughout which actually gave the post apocalyptic setting a very melancholic feel. The lack of chapters, just continuous writing (in short paragraphs) worked brilliantly in allowing the reader to feel and sympathize somewhat with the long continuum of the journey on the road made by the characters day in day out with not much change.

    Admittingly it did take me about 100 pages to get into the story and start to care for the man and boy/ father and son (characters not given names) I think if I read this book as a parent I would have been more disturbed by the fathers desperate need to keep his son safe, I plan on reading this book again in the future that’s for sure.

    I did read this book quite quickly and along side other books so maybe I would have found it more striking if it had been my only read and I read it slowly enough to ponder properly. Although there were also aspects in the story which were puzzling, like how long they had been on the road and there is not much detail explaining what had really happened to cause such destruction; it is mostly left to the imagination of the reader to fill in the gaps.

    The lack of depth in dialogue between the man and boy (father and son) was put in such a way it definitely made me feel the deep feeling of lethargic strength, enough to make them go on another day against all the odds but clearly distraught at what another day may bring.

    I felt the boy was made to come across like a Jesus type figure, a Good Samaritan and I’m not religious but his innocence in trying to stay good and keep the fire was inspiring in such an environment. One thing I was unsure of was the age of the boy, at times I thought he was quite young but other times I thought him in his early teenage years.

    The ending did move too swiftly for me, I could have read much more but it was moving. I enjoy reading stories of strong emotion and struggle so I enjoyed reading this book although it was portraying a distressing time which my descendants may have to encounter some day. I was unsure of this book at first and how much I’d like it in the end (even though it has been given a lot of praise and won awards) but it grabbed me in the second half and I ended up enjoying it, it ended as I was just getting into it to be honest. The action and gruesome scenes included were great but I would have liked to read more about those.

     

    I would now like to see the film of this book but can imagine I’ll be moved to tears seeing the visual emotion in front of me – especially if I watch the film alone.

    Weird Crush Corner

    in General Chat

    Posted

    I can see why you do, but no. :lol:

     

    :lol: So they are acceptable weird ones then? The funny guy tis always appealing but probably annoying in real life after a while. The deep, quietish, eccentric is much better :D...Dylan Moran is a crush of mine but not sure if he is a weird one...

    Weird Crush Corner

    in General Chat

    Posted

    That's kind of the point, they arent reallly the norm, page 3 big boobs, blond hair type most blokes seem to like.

     

    Give me a rough and ready girl that could kick your ass anyday :lol:

     

    Yeah in alternative circles they are the norm tho, most blokes have no taste!

     

    Does no one else like Steve Magnan or Wossy?

    Weird Crush Corner

    in General Chat

    Posted

    I think I may well be your male equivalent Coffin, i've often been told that my taste in female celebrities is somewhat questionable

    Lita formerly of WWE anyone? :lol:

    How about some Hayley Wiilliams from Paramore

    or perhaps some Amy Lee of Evanesence?

    The usual pinup's and bottle blondes are like wallpaper to me

    Both babes in an alternative way, can't seen anything weird about them imo *thumbs up from me*

     

    Helena Bonham Carter pls.
    Maybe not 'weird' as such, but Helena is absolutely perfect but not 'stunning' or the apparent definition of beauty to this world, she is adorable though and has a certain air about her, she's very cool :lol:

    I adore her too, girl crush - one of many, I think I fancy more famous women than famous men even though i'm straight...hmmm :D

     

    I can't think of any people I fancy that people may think is weird, hmmm..maybe a bit of Jonathon Ross?

    Haruki Murakami

    in General Fiction

    Posted

    As far as i'm aware, I always thought sex was a more accepted and talked about topic in Japanese culture compared to our western culture. Whether more accepted means they have become robotic about it is something I don't know but doubt, it is probably just something Murakami does in his work for some not completely understandable reason at this moment in time.

    What's for dinner?

    in Food, Cooking & Recipes

    Posted · Edited by chrysalis_stage

    Bacon and mushroom pasta with soft cheese and creme fraiche.

     

    Yum!

     

    Crispy chicken, black pepper wedges and salad with garlic bread - yay for easy and comforting food - with peri peri and sour cream :D

    Your Book Activity Today - Thread 10

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted · Edited by chrysalis_stage

    Shame you didn't enjoy the surgeon as much as others Frankie, it's been at least 4 years since I read it and it was one of my first crime/medical thrillers at the the time and I loved it. I've not tried any of Jeffery Deaver's books, which one would you recommend?

     

    I read more of TC&TW - Faber last night, really enjoying this book I must say and I read more of The Road - McCarthy at work this morning during my break, I plan on continuing with both today, which ever takes my fancy at the time. :D

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