Mac
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Everything posted by Mac
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It is, indeed, as you say, my face on display, but I put it up merely for amusement as I look so very, very grumpy in it. I took it on my phone whilst I was walking something called The Pennine Way - a 270ish mile walk over the hills and moors up the 'backbone' on England and into Scotland. I did it entirely on my own and saw very few people. I think the isolation was getting to me by this point!
I love the way you write. Please, continue to write in your own inimitable style. You say such nice things.
Where have you been, anyway?
I hope you're very, very well and not too tired from whatever excursions you have been involved in.
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Can you imagine watching a James Bond film without seeing the first 5 minutes? You'd miss some of the best action in the film! This guy sounds a bit strange, not reading the prologue simply because it's called the 'prologue'. I completely agree, it doesn't matter at all what it's called, it's still part of the authors story and will be important to the plot. In some books, I've often found that it makes more sense of the ending if one's read the prologue. Can't stand it when they're in italics, though, Maggie. I'm with you on that one, too!
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The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason On a misty London afternoon in 1886, piano tuner Edgar Drake receives a strange request from the War Office: he must leave his wife, and his quiet life in London, to travel to the jungles of Burma to tune a rare Erard grand piano. The piano belongs to Surgeon-Major Anthony Carroll, an enigmatic British officer, whose success at making peace in the war-torn Shan States is legendary, but whose unorthodox methods have begun to attract suspicion. There is more to the blurb on the back, but I feel it is unnecessary to write out here. I did not read the blurb beforehand and don't feel it's loss. This has been a wonderful book. Mason's prose has been, rather fittingly, melodic to me. Idiosyncratic at times, his descriptions are dexterous, nimble, soothing, fashioning beautiful images in one's mind both full of colour and yet, simultaneously bleaching the same image with the drought-bringing sun. The protagonist, Edgar Drake, is a quiet, thoughtful man, very likeable in his neat, precise ways. I found it interesting that the first half of the novel is about the journey from London to the village of Mae Lwin, where the piano is situated. It is also at this point we first meet Surgeon-Major Anthony Carroll - although we hear of him and his exploits in tales told to Edgar and via letters Carroll has sent for Edgar to read. I found my feelings towards Carroll moving and changing throughout the novel, making him a very realistic character. This novel has made me thoughtful over this last week, wondering about my own pre-conceptions of different cultures, considering visiting countries I read about and experiencing them first-hand. Sure, I've been to a number of countries, but always with a heavy dollop of Western comfort. Having just finished it, I feel moved, somewhat emotional even, and saddened that my - now this may sound weird - friend Edgar has gone. I wonder about this. The character remains safe within the pages of the novel, which very shortly will be returned to its place on the shelf. There he will be if I revisit the novel in time to come, and yet this time is lost. The growth one experiences with a character can only be felt once. I remember feeling like this with other books, such as The Lord Of The Rings when I was younger, or The Last Witchfinder. Curious, isn't it? I hope I'm not going bonkers and that all who read this thinks I'm a nut-job. So, yes, I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, particularly if you enjoy well researched historical fiction. In fact, even if you don't as a rule, try it anyway. It's beautiful. 9/10
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Hello Polly. Welcome to the forum. It's ace here. I noticed you're a 2nd Dan Black Belt. I, too, attend Karate lessons, but am rubbish as I've only just started (2nd Orange only, I'm afraid), but I'm loving it. Hope you like it here. Everyone's really nice and normal, and those that aren't are swiftly booted off. Good, eh? It is addictive, though, so be warned!
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I've bought another two of his today. A Wild Sheep Chase and The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. I'm addicted to the guy. Happy days!
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I wish I had read this before I went and spent a Gazillion pounds in Waterstone's, Roxi. *Sighs* It looks great, dammit. Thanks for the cracking spiel, mate.
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This is good news, indeed, ii. Questions would be raised concerning your mental health.
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I want to marry Belle. She is the best cartoon lovely ever! My friends and I discuss the pro's and con's of having a relationship with cartoon characters even now, to this day! There's something about that yellow, off-the-shoulder number she flounces round in...
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The Crow Road isn't one of his sf/fantasy novels. He writes those under Iain M Banks. However, your purchase of this book will not be a poor one, for it is a truly wonderful book. The father of the protagonist is a character I identify with - he holds similar points of view to me. I loved the novel. I'm sure you will, too. Ask your fella about it. He'll confirm my judgement.
I hope this finds you very well, my friend. Cheers!
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They both write amusing rom-coms from a male perspective. It's a topic I would usually avoid with skill, but my mother made me read 'em, because she knew I'd like 'em. And, to be fair, I did. They're very funny. Check 'em out! I hope you're having an ace day. I've been to Waterstones and bought a barrow load of books. Can't help myself when I'm in there, dammit.
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Hello there, Bethany. Have you ever heard of a writer called Mil Millington? Or David Nicholls? These are two chaps whom you may well enjoy. i hope you are well and having fun!
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I'm really pleased you liked it! I've got it out to read next, so I'll talk with you about it when I'm through. He really is wonderful. You really rattle through them, don't you?!? Gosh, how many times do I write the word really? Very many, it would seem.
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Hi guys. I used to have an amazing collection of vinyl. I went on a week-long course during the summer of '97 and returned on the Sunday to find that my then-girlfriend had decided to completely and deeply clean everywhere, stacking the records along the patio doors for a few days. A few long, very hot days. In the hottest week of the year. In a south facing room. *sobs* Non were salvageable. My CD collection still hasn't matched my vinyl collection.
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That read much worse than it was supposed to.
I meant that my laptop wouldn't allow me back on the web. I really need to vet what I type prior to stabbing the 'go' key...
Hope you're excellent, my friend.
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I am, as you say, your human TBR pile. Ask for suggestions and I shall supply. I wonder what would happen if one of the books I recommend turns out to be s**te? Maybe my hard-drive would shut down and wouldn't be able to boot back up...
