Steve's Bookshelf 2013

[Athena]

I can trump that... just bought it

x

I hope you enjoy it !

[Timstar]

Did you go for the Kindle version?  Is it true that there is no map included?

 

Yeah I did, only £1.99. I haven't downloaded it yet, I assumed it would have, I'll check.

 

Would you say the map is essential?

[Karsa Orlong]

One of my favourite pieces of description from Prince of Thorns:

 

I tried to look at her.  No point in her held constant.  As if definition were a thing for mortals, a reduction that her essence would not allow.  She wore pale, in shades.  She had the eyes of everyone who ever cared.  And wings - she had those too, but not in white and feathers, rather in the surety of flight.  The potential of sky wrapped her.  Sometimes her skin seemed to be clouds, moving one across the other.  I looked away.

 

I crouched there, a knot of flesh and bone, with only dirt and old blood to define me beneath the scrutiny of her brilliance.

[Karsa Orlong]

Yeah I did, only £1.99. I haven't downloaded it yet, I assumed it would have, I'll check.

 

Would you say the map is essential?

 

No, not for this one.  Once you know more about the world though, you'll probably be curious 

[Athena]

One of my favourite pieces of description from Prince of Thorns:

 

I tried to look at her.  No point in her held constant.  As if definition were a thing for mortals, a reduction that her essence would not allow.  She wore pale, in shades.  She had the eyes of everyone who ever cared.  And wings - she had those too, but not in white and feathers, rather in the surety of flight.  The potential of sky wrapped her.  Sometimes her skin seemed to be clouds, moving one across the other.  I looked away.

 

I crouched there, a knot of flesh and bone, with only dirt and old blood to define me beneath the scrutiny of her brilliance.

x

This sounds good!

 

I normally read one or several books in between reading a series, but if you feel like reading the second book I'd say go for it .

[Timstar]

ETA: Of course, now I have my usual dilemma about whether to dive straight into the second book or read something else first

 

You wouldn't want to get 'author burn out' again...

 

 

No, not for this one.  Once you know more about the world though, you'll probably be curious 

 

Google image!

[Karsa Orlong]

You wouldn't want to get 'author burn out' again...

 

Exactly! 

 

 

Google image!

 

There's a world map on his website, if and when you want to look at it 

[Karsa Orlong]

Woo and, indeed, hoo!  The 30th Anniversary edition of The Sunne in Splendour has made it onto the Kindle - a day late, but it's still only £3.59

 

Bought 

[Little Pixie]

Woo and, indeed, hoo!  The 30th Anniversary edition of The Sunne in Splendour has made it onto the Kindle - a day late, but it's still only £3.59

 

Bought 

 

Hurray ! Is this the end of the saga ? And how much did it cost you in the end ?

[Karsa Orlong]

Hurray ! Is this the end of the saga ? And how much did it cost you in the end ?

 

That's still unconfirmed, cos I've contacted the seller to see if I can return the paperback for a refund 

[Little Pixie]

That's still unconfirmed, cos I've contacted the seller to see if I can return the paperback for a refund 

 

* Keeps fingers crossed *

[Karsa Orlong]

Book #55:  The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells

 

 

From Amazon:

 

Depicting one man's transformation and descent into brutality, H.G. Wells's The Invisible Man is a riveting exploration of science's power to corrupt. 

 

With his face swaddled in bandages, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses and his hands covered even indoors, Griffin - the new guest at The Coach and Horses - is at first assumed to be a shy accident-victim. But the true reason for his disguise is far more chilling.

 

 

Thoughts:

 

Something about this story didn't quite work for me.  The first half of the tale is, surprisingly, quite amusing, in an almost slapstick way, as the villagers of Iping wonder about the new guest at the inn, who refuses to remove his gloves and whose head is swaddled in bandages.  I say 'surprisingly' because I wasn't really expecting it to be a comedy.  Some of the dialogue is funny but, as time progresses and the villagers' attempts to discover the guest's secrets become more obvious, the tone begins to change.  There are some Keystone Cop-type chase sequences and then, finally, about halfway through, the story settles down into a more typical Wells tale as we gradually find out what has happened.

 

At this point I found the story became more interesting, but it still lacked that x-factor that made his first three novels so special.  Half the problem lies in the Unseen himself - he's a very unsympathetic character, and it's not just because of what has happened to him as one might expect.  But I don't want to spoil things so won't say anything further.

 

For me, this was a mildly enjoyable read but lacking in substance.  The characters are wanting, and the setting and situation didn't quite work.  It's almost like Wells had the central idea but didn't quite know what to do with it (something I can sympathise with!  ).

 

 

7/10

[poppyshake]

I have a feeling I'd like all the slapstick stuff .. I'm already more interested in it than I was. Thanks for the review Steve I am sorry it was only mildly enjoyable .. that's not the sort of enjoyable anyone wants .. hope your next book is considerably enjoyable

[pontalba]

I don't think the 30 year one of The Sunne in Splendour has made it over here yet, just checked my Amazon.  grrr

I did order, about a week ago, the paperback copy.  Has to be the original.  hmmm

[Karsa Orlong]

I have a feeling I'd like all the slapstick stuff .. I'm already more interested in it than I was. Thanks for the review Steve  

 

Have you read The Island of Doctor Moreau, The War of the Worlds or The Time Machine?  If not, you'd be far better off with one of those, I reckon     

 

 

I don't think the 30 year one of The Sunne in Splendour has made it over here yet, just checked my Amazon.  grrr

I did order, about a week ago, the paperback copy.  Has to be the original.  hmmm

 

You'll probably be okay with the paperback.  It won't have all the spelling mistakes the original Kindle version had.  Just so long as you don't end up with the Mills & Boon cover they sent me . . .

 

 

 

 

 

[Athena]

Nice review ! Though I think I'll buy War of the Worlds or The Island of Dr. Moreau before I'd buy this one (because you liked those more) (I already own The Time Machine).

[poppyshake]

Have you read The Island of Doctor Moreau, The War of the Worlds or The Time Machine?  If not, you'd be far better off with one of those, I reckon      

No but I very much want to .. I do know The War of the Worlds (and The Time Machine) from the films and also .. with TWOTW .. Jeff Wayne's musical which I love (the original that is with Richard Burton & Phil Lynott etc) but that's not the same thing I know.

Which one should I start with? .. which is best iyo?

I must say I'm being very amenable listening to YOUR suggestions when you have .. I wouldn't exactly say been rude but .. been very sniffy about MY suggestions. However, I do believe, I have a more forgiving and generous hearted nature than you      .. and I'm more open to new experiences  

For example .. I HATE marmite .. but have never had it on toast. If someone told me to try it I would .. even though putting anything I hate on toast would be a bit like .. err.. someone peeing on your Erikson's    

None of this can be counted as nagging though .. it is merely observational .. I still have at least five good nags in me (don't say a word!! ) as regards you and that Russian novel.

Edited September 15, 2013 by poppyshake

[Little Pixie]

 

 

 

You'll probably be okay with the paperback.  It won't have all the spelling mistakes the original Kindle version had.  Just so long as you don't end up with the Mills & Boon cover they sent me . . .

 

 

The Sunne in Splendour Mills & Boon.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ooh no, it`s fine really, not embarrassing at all...... I wouldn`t leave the house with it though.   

[Little Pixie]

Book #55:  The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells

 

 

From Amazon:

 

Depicting one man's transformation and descent into brutality, H.G. Wells's The Invisible Man is a riveting exploration of science's power to corrupt. 

 

With his face swaddled in bandages, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses and his hands covered even indoors, Griffin - the new guest at The Coach and Horses - is at first assumed to be a shy accident-victim. But the true reason for his disguise is far more chilling.

 

That`s just reminded me of The Son of the Invisible Man, a skit with Ed Begley Jr.

 - caution, some nuddyness.

[Karsa Orlong]

 

 

Ooh no, it`s fine really, not embarrassing at all...... I wouldn`t leave the house with it though.   

 

Yeah, there's no way I'm reading that on the tube

 

I have re-started the Kindle edition instead 

[Karsa Orlong]

No but I very much want to .. I do know The War of the Worlds (and The Time Machine) from the films and also .. with TWOTW .. Jeff Wayne's musical which I love (the original that is with Richard Burton & Phil Lynott etc) but that's not the same thing I know.

Which one should I start with? .. which is best iyo?

I must say I'm being very amenable listening to YOUR suggestions when you have .. I wouldn't exactly say been rude but .. been very sniffy about MY suggestions. However, I do believe, I have a more forgiving and generous hearted nature than you      .. and I'm more open to new experiences  

 

You call that 'amenable'???

[poppyshake]

You call that 'amenable'???

It's the closest I get anyway

[Karsa Orlong]

It's the closest I get anyway

 

In that case, I have to point out that you came in here saying you were interested in reading Wells - I never went in your thread and said I was interested in a Russian novel   

[Michelle]

Poppyshake, for me, the best way to experience War of the Worlds is the audio version. I preferred it to The Time Machine and The Island of Doctor Moreau, although they're all good.

 

Anyone who's read WofW and TM, have you tried The Space Machine by Christopher Priest? It's an interesting spin on the tales.

[Signor Finzione]

Poppyshake, for me, the best way to experience War of the Worlds is the audio version. I preferred it to The Time Machine and The Island of Doctor Moreau, although they're all good.

 

 

Is that the one with the music? I remember my dad used to play that one at top volume in the car when I was a child . . . scared the hell out of me and scarred me for life.

 

I would love to get into H G Wells, although I read 'A Modern Utopia' at uni and didn't really like it. This 'Invisible Man' sounds interesting, though - I might have to step out of my comfort zone and give it a go!