Mac
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Everything posted by Mac
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Eeee, I've added some more. Flick back to the first page and scroll down if you're interested. TTFN.
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That's an amazing picture! What a great thread this is! Thanks fella!
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This sounds really interesting, Chesilbeach. I hadn't heard of this series. This is another series of books that I'm going to have to fork out for. Damn you for your tantalising temptations, Book Club Forum!!!
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Look, Kelly. Now I have to go and buy Stop Me and Dear Fatty as well! Actually, Stop Me sounds like it's right up my street. Great reviews as ever, mate.
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I'm practically having conniptions waiting for Elizabeth Kostova's next book. I loved The Historian. :hyper:I also loved The Instance Of The Fingerpost by Ian Pears, but you already know this, 'cos we've chatted about it. I'll find out The Lost Book as I've always had an interest in the Witch Trials. I once played the role of John Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Have you read The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow? Happy days, Peacefield, happy days.
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In The Blood by J A Kerley TV evangelist Reverend Scaler made his fortune from firebrand attacks on the sins of modern America. But Scaler has preached his last sermon after being bound and beaten to death in an apparent S&M session. Detective Carson Ryder has his own problems. He's edgy and unpredictable, seemingly unmoved by the discovery of an abandoned infant in a boat - nearby, a burnt-out shack, a body and signs of a struggle. Scaler's tangled personal life reveals bizarre connections between the cases. And it seems the baby fighting for its life in hospital has powerful enemies. Ryder can't seem to save himself but can he save the life of an innocent child? Jack Kerley is very easy to read and quick to absorb one's attention. I began this novel almost immediately after finishing the Murakami, and started by thinking 'oh no, I'm not going to enjoy this one as much!' mainly because of the difference in style and prose - Kerley is more conversational, along the lines of Coben or Deaver. I've compared him before to Michael Marshall as well. He's a really good crime/thriller writer. I persevered, remembering that I've really enjoyed all of his past novels, and wasn't disappointed. I soon became very happy to be reading about Carson and his partner Harry again, almost as if I were reading about chums of mine. The subject matter deals with TV evangelism and white supremacists, a topic I particularly relish in reading the bad guys getting their just desserts. The story is well paced with snappy dialogue and further development of the recurring characters. I like to watch them grow! All in all, a good book which I finished over three evenings - and I still work 12 hours a day! 9/10
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I love the fact that he writes about dogs as well. He wrote a great book called One Door Away From Heaven which focuses on a dog as a main character. It suggests that dogs are closer to God because their souls are more pure and noble than humans' - I'm inclined to agree!
Good luck on Thursday, Paula. X
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Ayup Kimmy. I'm on the reading circle for the Grave Sight stuff by Charlaine Harris. You guys seem to really like this author - I was concerned that it might be for young'uns, and wouldn't appeal to me, but Paula seems to think I'll yum them right up. I trust her judgement, so am lookingforward to trying her books out. Hope this finds you super-well.
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It's certainly quite moving, isn't it? It made me feel amazement that our world still behaves in this fashion. I sometimes wish there was somewhere else to move away to. Glad my recommendation didn't let you down, my friend.
I hope this finds you very well.
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The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami Toru Okada’s cat has disappeared and this has unsettled his wife, who is herself growing more distant every day. Then there are the increasingly explicit telephone calls he has started receiving. As this compelling story unfolds, the tidy suburban realities of Okada’s vague and blameless life – spent cooking, reading, listening to jazz and opera and drinking beer at the kitchen table – are turned inside out, and he embarks on a bizarre journey, guided (however obscurely) by a succession of characters, each with a tale to tell. As a beach must feel when the tide retreats, finishing this book leaves me feeling as though something important has left me. Such is Murakami’s way. His soul seems to reach out from the pages and envelope one entirely. I’ve been completely absorbed for most of the afternoon, absolutely unable to put the book down. This novel has had scenes which have disturbed me more than his others, some of the sex has been more explicit and, of the four I have now read, it has been the most…how can I put this?…off-kilter. A friend of mine described Murakami as a magical-realist. I like this description. Regardless of the more graphic content, I think this is a masterpiece. It has made me think much more deeply about the line drawn between the real and the imaginary. I became infected by Murakami’s philosophies and ideas. Admittedly, this has happened with all of his novels. I learnt a lot from this novel, as well. I enjoy history (read: fascinated to the point of obsession), and am now keen to look into the period surrounding the Second World War around Japan, China and the Soviet Union. The descriptions within the novel read as well researched and terrifying. Obviously, I am equally impressed by Jay Rubin, the translator. He also translated Norwegian Wood, which I waxed rhapsodic about a few months ago. He seems to me to be highly skilled in the art of releasing Murakami’s poetic prose in all the glorious colour evident in his works. 10/10 Without a shadow of doubt.
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Hey Jewell. I really, really loved Douglas Adams' novels. The guy was a genius. You'll have to bump him up to the top part of your TBR pile. He's such a lovely guy. I hope you're very well.
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Ahoy there, Kate. Just a quickie to say hello and see how your summer's going. I hope all is well with you. I got the job and I'm starting in September, so I'm looking forward to the new challenge. What's new with you?
Hoping this finds you well and very happy, chum.
Matt Mac
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Bumhole! I missed your birthday! Poo and wee!
Well, here's a belated many happy returns, friend of mine. I hope you had a magic time and that you're experiencing joy and other good things. Like food. And other stuff.
How're you doing? Probably excellent and great. I hope so.
Pip pip.
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Good morning, me old mucker. How goes it, down in Cornwall? I am preparing to leave my place of work (it's alarming how many people this has upset) and begin a new job in an inclusion unit in a 'rough' secondary school. I can't wait.
What's new with you? How're the house shenanigans progressing?
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My uncle has this thing about how quickly he can read a novel, almost like a competitive race. I always feel as though, because I read a book a week (and only one at a time), I don't reach his standard. But I find that I can't skim read. I might be a slow reader, but I do like to fully absorb and ponder upon the work. I don't have a TV, so don't get distracted by all that, but still only manage a book a week! I must be a dullard!
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I read The Hobbit when I was eight and then LOTR when I was nine. I was a precocious child... I love it. I seem to pick up LOTR every 7 years or so and re-read it. You know the thing? I just get The Urge to disappear into Middle Earth every now and again.
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I really enjoy old Chuck's stuff, but find the nihilism difficult to take after a while, so find I cannot read two of his novels in a row. I very much enjoyed Survivor, Choke, Fight Club and Haunted. Has anyone tried the author Gken Duncan? He's marvellous as well.
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I'm almost obsessive about buying books - I can't pass a bookshop without nipping in and spending vast amounts of cash, damn it! I need a pill...
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Excellent review, Kate. I will have to go and buy this today (should I buy Tuesday's With Morrie also?) I hope this finds you very well.
