scottishbookworm Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Chose to read 'Notes on a Scandal' by Zoe Heller - very readable and I enjoyed it. I haven't see the film but I would like to now. As I was reading I could visualise Judi Dench as Barbara and she was perfect for that role in my head I've seen it! the movie's great! billy nighty stars in it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted August 4, 2007 Author Share Posted August 4, 2007 I missed it a t the cinema - I will endeavour at some point to get the DVD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted August 5, 2007 Author Share Posted August 5, 2007 Finished Black Swan Green - really good read. Hard to select something to follow but settled on Barbara Trapido - I have read several of her books in the past. 'Frankie and Stankie' was the last one which I loved. Noah's Ark is an earlier book. The Blurb - Noah's Ark is a wry and sparkling account of a marriage; an apparently incompatible union between Noah Glazer, a solid man of science perenially abreast of his in-tray material and Alison Bobrow, a palely captivating eccentric. For both parties the marriage - after a memorably sexy and precipitous courtship - implies a serious departure from type. Noah walks undaunted into the overpopulated labyrinth of Alison's previous life, coolly issuing forth the unspeakable maxim that 'Charity begins at home'. Gradually he builds fences for her and her life takes on a degree of serenity and order which she never thought to enjoy. Until one day, when Noah is away at a medical conference, she is drawn towards exploring certain avenues in her past. The consequences are as hectic as they are illuminating and near-disasterous... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 Finished Barbara Trapido - 'Noah's Ark'. Very enjoyable - Again Trapido visits and uses characters from S Africa although this book is set in Cambridgeshire. There are strong characters and family relationships and these are explored in depth. The main character Ali is annoyingly dippy and indecisive. Now picked up a challenge! Started and read 50 pages already of 'The Clan of the Cave Bear' by Jean Auel. A departure from my usual genre and suggested by Nici. So far so good. Here is the blurb - The heroine Ayla, is a courageous and indomitable young woman whose story begins when she is a 5 years old orphan adopted by the Clan, a group of Neanderthals. Ayla inspires first surprise, then wariness and finally acceptance by the clan. She is cared for by its medicine woman Iza and its wise holy man Creb. But she makes an implaccable enemy of the group's future leader. Broud does all he can to destroy her, but Ayla is a survivor. It's almost 600 pages!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Now picked up a challenge! Started and read 50 pages already of 'The Clan of the Cave Bear' by Jean Auel. A departure from my usual genre and suggested by Nici. So far so good. I'm so pleased you are enjoying it so far! I wish I still had them to read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 At 660 pages it's going to be a while.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share Posted September 16, 2007 Finished 'Clan of the Cave Bear' this morning and was very sorry. I thoroughly enjoyed it - a real change from my usual genre. The book was full of detail and description with a poignant story of a true heroine. Why is it not a film I wonder? - could be a proper blockbuster don't you think? Moved on to the dreaded Penguin - 'The Spy Who Loved Me' by Ian Fleming - I don't even like the Bond films much - I did see this one though at the cinema with my mum eons ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angerball Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 The book was full of detail and description with a poignant story of a true heroine. Why is it not a film I wonder? - could be a proper blockbuster don't you think? It was made into a film - a superbly atrocious piece, starring Daryl Hannah as Ayla. I think given the right director and budget, it could be turned into something pretty decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Finished 'Clan of the Cave Bear' this morning and was very sorry. I thoroughly enjoyed it - a real change from my usual genre. Im so glad you enjoyed it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 It was made into a film - a superbly atrocious piece, starring Daryl Hannah as Ayla. I think given the right director and budget, it could be turned into something pretty decent. Recently? Do you know what it was called Angerball? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 It was called The Clan of the Cave Bear - next time I see it on I will let you know, but like Angerball said - it is pretty bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 ok Nici - I'm curious so let me know thanks - PS I don't have Sky or Virgin etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I've only ever seen it on Sky. But if you would like to watch it, try your library, mine has it on video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angerball Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Not recently - it was made in 1986. IMDB gives it a whopping 4.7 out of 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 Finished 'The Spy Who Loved Me' last night - Hooray!! Just review to do now. Will have to wait until tomorrow. Looking forward to my next selection off mount TBR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Great list there. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted September 23, 2007 Author Share Posted September 23, 2007 Thanks Paula. I have chosen to read Amanda Brookfield next. Fairly light chick lit. It's called 'A Cast of Smiles' and here is the blurb. 'Veronica's group of friends are well-to-do professionals, intent on keeping up a charade of wellbeing and success. On the surface everything is fine: Julian and Veronica get married; Teddy tells good jokes; Gloria chases men. Trouble brews, however, when the sinister Katherine Vermont becomes obsessed with the deceitful activities of her ex-lover Julian. The tragedy that finally erupts shows the high price that can be paid for emotional dishonesty - to oneself as well as to others.' Ok I can hear some of you groaning but Brookfield does have a first class Cambridge English degree and puts together a good read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Just enjoy reading something of your choosing HandD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Thanks Paula. I have chosen to read Amanda Brookfield next. Fairly light chick lit. It's called 'A Cast of Smiles' and here is the blurb. 'Veronica's group of friends are well-to-do professionals, intent on keeping up a charade of wellbeing and success. On the surface everything is fine: Julian and Veronica get married; Teddy tells good jokes; Gloria chases men. Trouble brews, however, when the sinister Katherine Vermont becomes obsessed with the deceitful activities of her ex-lover Julian. The tragedy that finally erupts shows the high price that can be paid for emotional dishonesty - to oneself as well as to others.' Ok I can hear some of you groaning but Brookfield does have a first class Cambridge English degree and puts together a good read. No!!!! Sounds fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted September 29, 2007 Author Share Posted September 29, 2007 Finished Amanda Brookfield - 'A Cast of Smiles' - did enjoy this book. Still wanting something light to read picked up 'Getting Rid of Matthew' by Jane Fallon at the library Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted October 6, 2007 Author Share Posted October 6, 2007 Finished 'Getting Rid of Matthew' - a great flowing read - not too taxing chick lit. The subject of the book is not a particularly likeable character and neither is Matthew. Still wanting a light read so chose 'Walls of Glass' by Amanda Brookfield as I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A Cast of Smiles' recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 'Walls of Glass' enjoyable - now moved on to 'Small Island' by Andrea Levy - over half way through - an interesting story so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 Finished Andrea Levy's - 'Small Island' today. What a great read that covering aspects of the 2nd World War and it's aftermath in terms of racial prejudice and immigration to the UK. Several strong characters whose lives intertwine with surprise, comedy and tragedy. Selected a light read to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 I am glad you enjoyed Small Island HanD. It was among my favourite reads last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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