One of my fave books ever. I'm almost the polar opposite to you though, I avoided Pratchett for years, because Wizards and alternative universes, just reminded me of Dungeon & Dragons sadness in school.
Yet, I read this because it was set on Earth (well mainly), and I was brought up alternately on schlocky horror Films, and before that Just William books. So it was a perfect pastiche of these things for me. An ineffable book.
Since then I've read all the Discworld novels, and love them "Guards Guards" the best IMHO.
So doubly thankful for the book.
I too love both. There are some corking line about the M25 and Milton Keynes as well as tips on hiow to grown plants in Good Omens!
Just finished the Booker-tipped The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes.
Some very good insight into the nature of memories and their attendant feelings (either lost or maybe still aflame), and of course it's all finely written, especially to begin with. Sadly the narrative, and a fair bit of the characterisation, never quite seems plausible enough to do the themes justice. The final revelation is almost soap opera. Oh dear. Lovely sleeve, mind.
Just finished the Booker-tipped The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes.
Some very good insight into the nature of memories and their attendant feelings (either lost or maybe still aflame), and of course it's all finely written, especially to begin with. Sadly the narrative, and a fair bit of the characterisation, never quite seems plausible enough to do the themes justice. The final revelation is almost soap opera. Oh dear. Lovely sleeve, mind.
It's the Bookies favourite for the Booker this year I think. Never read any of his stuff, always looks a bit twee for me.
If he wins the Booker it'll be a bit of a carriage clock job. Thanks for all the years...
You could be right, but I loved it.
Just started another from the shortlist - Snowdrops, by A D Miller, which is rather different than The Sense of an Ending. Have another one on order - The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick deWitt. Might end up having my own award ceremony.
Not quite what I was expecting - more feminist call to arms than confession of a less-than yummy-mummy. However, really enjoying it so far, especially since we are clearly of a similar maturity - I see so much of myself in her reminisences (sp?) of her childhood.
I had to hide my face on the train to stop other commuters seeing me snort with laughter at her description of when she and her sister were trying to think of cool names for "down below" - Rolfs after Rolf Harris nearly made me wet myself!
I've just started Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey. So far it's OK but it's not really grabbed me like the Thursday Next series or the Nursery Crimes books. However, patience is indeed a virtue, so I'm hoping that wtih a bit of perseverance I'll get hooked!
I've just started Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey. So far it's OK but it's not really grabbed me like the Thursday Next series or the Nursery Crimes books. However, patience is indeed a virtue, so I'm hoping that wtih a bit of perseverance I'll get hooked!
It's certainly worth sticking with. I thought Shades of Grey felt very much like an introduction to the whole series (book 2's scheduled to be published in 2013) but it's still not a bad book by any stretch of the imagination
It's certainly worth sticking with. I thought Shades of Grey felt very much like an introduction to the whole series (book 2's scheduled to be published in 2013) but it's still not a bad book by any stretch of the imagination
Even from the amount I've read, I can well believe that you are right in saying that it's very much an introduction as the whole concept does seem to require a fair bit of explanation to set the scene. I'll stick with it, his writing style is a joy to read anyway in my opinion so it's no great hardship, just hope the story grabs me soon! Meanwhile the cover on the version I have keeps me happy, I do like brightly coloured things
'The Duchess' by Amanda Foreman which tells the (rather racey) story of the Duchess of Devonshire, an ancestor of Diana, and 'Just After Sunset' short stories by Stephen King which I've read before but, as with all Stephen King's stuff I can read over and over again.
Currently reading Rivals by Jilly Cooper. I know it's a little trashy but good escape reading.
Started off with the new one Jump then decided to go back to the beginning. First Riders now Rivals then the rest .
Comments
Book 2 of 3.
I too love both. There are some corking line about the M25 and Milton Keynes as well as tips on hiow to grown plants in Good Omens!
Me too - haven't read any SK for a long while. If it is as good as his best then I'm looking forward to it.
Is it any good?,I am waiting for the paperback:(
Some very good insight into the nature of memories and their attendant feelings (either lost or maybe still aflame), and of course it's all finely written, especially to begin with. Sadly the narrative, and a fair bit of the characterisation, never quite seems plausible enough to do the themes justice. The final revelation is almost soap opera. Oh dear. Lovely sleeve, mind.
It's the Bookies favourite for the Booker this year I think. Never read any of his stuff, always looks a bit twee for me.
If he wins the Booker it'll be a bit of a carriage clock job. Thanks for all the years...
Didn't we have that last year with Jacobson.
Just started another from the shortlist - Snowdrops, by A D Miller, which is rather different than The Sense of an Ending. Have another one on order - The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick deWitt. Might end up having my own award ceremony.
Not quite what I was expecting - more feminist call to arms than confession of a less-than yummy-mummy. However, really enjoying it so far, especially since we are clearly of a similar maturity - I see so much of myself in her reminisences (sp?) of her childhood.
I had to hide my face on the train to stop other commuters seeing me snort with laughter at her description of when she and her sister were trying to think of cool names for "down below" - Rolfs after Rolf Harris nearly made me wet myself!
It's certainly worth sticking with. I thought Shades of Grey felt very much like an introduction to the whole series (book 2's scheduled to be published in 2013) but it's still not a bad book by any stretch of the imagination
Even from the amount I've read, I can well believe that you are right in saying that it's very much an introduction as the whole concept does seem to require a fair bit of explanation to set the scene. I'll stick with it, his writing style is a joy to read anyway in my opinion so it's no great hardship, just hope the story grabs me soon! Meanwhile the cover on the version I have keeps me happy, I do like brightly coloured things
'The Duchess' by Amanda Foreman which tells the (rather racey) story of the Duchess of Devonshire, an ancestor of Diana, and 'Just After Sunset' short stories by Stephen King which I've read before but, as with all Stephen King's stuff I can read over and over again.
Started off with the new one Jump then decided to go back to the beginning. First Riders now Rivals then the rest .
I really enjoyed The Bitch-Proof Suit, so I looked for more by this author.
Picked it up when a freebie on Kindle - not bad for nothing :cool: