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Posted: |
Sep 17, 2005 - 7:52 PM
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By: |
MarkB
(Member)
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I hate to say it, but I have 'given up' on John Irving's latest book, 'Until I Find You'. I love the guy's works, but this one.... just didn't click for me. When I don't have a book to 'fall back on' I get a tiny bit 'antsy'. I always want to have a book I can go to when I want to 'escape'. So I went in search of a new title yesterday. Having no idea what book I'd eventually land upon, picking up the aforementioned 'Adventures of Merion C.Cooper and The Making of King Kong' which looks very interesting. I picked a new book by an unknown author - Susanna Clarke. The book is 'JONATHAN STRANGE & MR NORRELL'. This is the second 800 page book in a row! But the cover art-work caught my attention initially and then reading the many, many reviews and awards the book has received, I decided to get it. Anyone read it yet or aquainted with it's author? A one-line review on the front says: "Ravishing...superb...combines the dark mythology of fantasy with the delicious social comedy of Jane Austen into a masterpiece of the genre that rivals Tolkien." - Time David, I think you're in for a real treat with JONATHAN STRANGE.... We discussed this a bit earlier in the thread. It is lengthy and leisurely paced, but if you take your time and allow yourself to be immersed in its environment, I think you'll find it very rewarding. One of the best books I've read in the past few years. I'm sorry to hear about Irving's latest. I had already decided I could wait until it comes out in paperback; thanks for validating my decision. Finally, I did get around to reading A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD. I've been hesitant to bring it up, because I wasn't nearly as impressed with it as you were. Unfortunately, if asked, I'd have to give it thumbs down. Before I go into detail, could you please give me an idea of why you liked it so much? I almost feel like there's something I'm missing. Mark
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Posted: |
Sep 18, 2005 - 1:47 PM
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By: |
David in NY
(Member)
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For MARK B. Hey if everyone on this Board liked the same thing there would be no need for the Board would there? I am glad to hear what you thought of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell though. At 800 pages and leisurely paced, I may not check back into this particular thread again untill Spring. But I like the references to Tolkien, Jane Austen and in particular, Charles Dickens! Regarding 'A Home At The End of the World', I don't think I can successfuly articulate WHY I loved the book so. I suppose the main thing that springs to mind is the fact that the main character of Bobby looses his original Family (mostly) and then meets others there, and when he eventually moves to New York, to make a new and stronger Family. And this 'new' untypical Family has it's own problems,crises,acceptance and love as a regular Family. Somehow, I just related to Bobby. I loved Bobby, and Jonathan, and Clare and their desire to make a new kind of Family.......
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THE WAR OF THE WORLDS MURDER by Max Allan Collins. Like all of his work, fast-moving and very entertaining. It'll only take you two or three hours to read, but I can pretty much guarantee you will be entertained...if only for the pop culture references. I first heard about this book over on the Bernard Herrmann messageboard. I will be in the Village later today and will pick this up at the mystery book store on Greenwich. http://www.crimepays.com/index.htm
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