Kylie Posted January 6, 2011 Posted January 6, 2011 No, it is a Mid 19th century western. Most of the novel is spent following a group of "scalphunters". *shudders* I hate scalpings. But I'll be brave and give it a try one day (I mean reading the book, not scalping! ) Quote
Himself Posted January 7, 2011 Author Posted January 7, 2011 *shudders* I hate scalpings. But I'll be brave and give it a try one day (I mean reading the book, not scalping! ) Better than dandruff, though. Quote
Himself Posted January 8, 2011 Author Posted January 8, 2011 Point Omega, by Don Delillo Synopsis: In the middle of a desert ‘somewhere south of nowhere’, to a forlorn house made of metal and clapboard, a secret war adviser has gone in search of space and time. Richard Elster, seventy-three, was a scholar – an outsider – when he was called to a meeting with government war planners. For two years he tried to make intellectual sense of the troop deployments, counterinsurgency, orders for rendition. He was to map the reality these men were trying to create. At the end of his service, Elster retreats to the desert, where he is joined by a young filmmaker intent on documenting his experience. Jim Finley wants to make a one-take film, Elster its single character – ‘Just a man against a wall.’ The two men sit on the deck, drinking and talking. Finley makes the case for his film. Weeks go by. And then Elster’s daughter Jessie visits – an ‘otherworldly’ woman from New York – who dramatically alters the dynamic of the story. When a devastating event follows, all the men’s talk, the accumulated meaning of conversation and isolation, is thrown into question. What is left is loss, fierce and incomprehensible. Review: Another first experience with an author. Based on this book alone I like Delillo's style. The conversations between Elster and Finley are exceptionally crafted. Elster's probing thoughts on war and life are, at the very least, interest, and, at their best, mind boggling. Delillo manages to expertly twist seemingly banal situations into insights into the feelings and thoughts of his characters, and, by extension, forces the reader to ponder those same issues. This quotation from near the beginning of the book is highly applicable: "The less there was to see, the harder he looked, the more he saw." 4/5 Quote
Himself Posted January 8, 2011 Author Posted January 8, 2011 Hmmm. I don't know what to read next! Top of my list are: Portnoy's Complaint, Philip Roth; Prelude to Foundation, Isaac Asimov; and Catch-22, Joseph Heller. Any preferences? Quote
Kylie Posted January 9, 2011 Posted January 9, 2011 I've only read Catch-22 out of those, but it's one of my favourite books so I'd highly recommend it! Quote
Himself Posted January 9, 2011 Author Posted January 9, 2011 I've only read Catch-22 out of those, but it's one of my favourite books so I'd highly recommend it! On recommendation of my Dad I began Portnoy's Complaint. I will probably read Catch-22 third of those three. I am definitely looking forward to it now. Quote
Himself Posted January 15, 2011 Author Posted January 15, 2011 Sat down a finished up a few books I'd been working on recently (Death of Ivan Ilyich, Portnoy's Complaint, and King Lear). Will get some reviews up soon. Started Contact, by Carl Sagan. I also took to making my priority list for my coming reads, in no particular order: Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess Catch-22, Joseph Heller Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, James Joyce The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner Notes from Underground, Fyodor Dostoevsky Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro Zeitoun, Dave Eggers The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Michael Chabon Hopefully I'll be able to work through these pretty quickly. So much great stuff to read, can't wait to dig in. Any recommendations on where to go first would are very welcome. Quote
Ben Posted January 15, 2011 Posted January 15, 2011 (edited) I'd recommend A Clockwork Orange as your next read from that list. I mean, there's some brilliant novels in there - as Kylie mentioned, Catch 22 is nothing short of fantastic - but having finished A Clockwork Orange not too long ago, I feel you should give it a shot. It's one of those books I reckon everyone should read at one point or another. Good luck with your reading, you've got some great stuff to get stuck into. Edited January 15, 2011 by Ben Quote
Himself Posted February 2, 2011 Author Posted February 2, 2011 Got caught up with school so haven't had much time to review, but I have still been reading as an escape... Was away for a week in the Hague for a MUN conference, didn't take laptop. Read a lot there. I swear, I will get to Catch-22 eventually! Quote
poppyshake Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 You must read Catch 22 Interesting to read your thoughts on Treasure Island, The Time Machine and Around the World in 80 Days, they're on my list and I feel like I should read them but something puts me off ... what you've written has confirmed my worst fears (especially about Treasure Island) I guess I will attempt them at some point but they're sinking like stones at the moment. I love your list, I read Notes from Underground and Never Let me Go recentlyish and enjoyed both. Look forward to reading your thoughts on Death of Ivan Ilyich. Did I say you must read Catch 22? Quote
Himself Posted February 4, 2011 Author Posted February 4, 2011 (edited) Some of you may be excited to see my updated "currently reading" section. @Poppyshake They are still worth a read, and are very short. Edited February 4, 2011 by Himself Quote
Kylie Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Yay! I'm definitely excited for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have. Quote
Himself Posted February 5, 2011 Author Posted February 5, 2011 I am loving Catch-22 so far. I have broken into laughter a few times in the first 60 odd pages. Why was no one telling me to read it? Quote
poppyshake Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 I am loving Catch-22 so far. I have broken into laughter a few times in the first 60 odd pages. Why was no one telling me to read it? yeah sorry about that, very remiss of us Glad you're enjoying it. Quote
~Andrea~ Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 Hi himself. Welcome to the forum. You have some really interesting books in your TBR. I imagine Kierkegaard would be very interesting although perhaps a little heavy going. I'll be interested in your thoughts. Glad you're enjoying Catch-22. It's a great read. Quote
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