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Nicky Wire recommended Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole / Lloyd Cole and the Commotions in Music (curated)
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Dark Lady's Mask in Books
Oct 5, 2020
With all due respect for Sharratt's really nicely written prose, I was unable to finish reading this book. I have a great love of historical fiction, and am willing to accept no small amounts of literary license when it comes to adjusting some facts to fit the story - for example, it is possible that William Shakespeare could have been bi-sexual. However, I was unable to overcome the blatant rewriting of history to suspend belief when, in this novel, William Shakespeare is still an impoverished poet AFTER the death of Christopher Marlowe. This is really too bad, because I had such high hopes for this book. My sincere apologies, and I'm sure other readers will be more forgiving.
AJaneClark (3962 KP) rated Everything, Everything in Books
May 6, 2020
Read the book first
Made the very big mistake of watching the movie before I knew of the books existence, so the storyline was not unfamiliar to me... However I do stand my view that a film based on a novel, rarely lives up to its literary starting point. In this case it was definitely true, whilst the movie was well casted and well acted, Yoon’s novel was wonderfully fresh and gives real in head insight into Maddy and Olly and the development of their relationship!
Well worded and written it allows you to imagine and form your own images from the words on the pages. Loved it. Will be ordering more from Nicola Yoon.
Well worded and written it allows you to imagine and form your own images from the words on the pages. Loved it. Will be ordering more from Nicola Yoon.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Dec 9, 2021 (Updated Dec 9, 2021)
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Something Rotten (Thursday Next, #4) in Books
Nov 26, 2019
In his previous Thursday Next books Fforde has explored the world inside books and how Thursday - literary detective from an alternate reality from our own - interacts with its denizens. Now he turns that on its head.
Thursday, along with her young child Friday, decides it is time to leave the Bookworld behind and return to the real world, despite the danger this poses from the all powerful Goliath corporation. They have already erased her husband from existence and wanted to do the same to her. But Goliath are now benign and repentant. But that doesn't mean that Thursday can have a happy ending. Not only does she need to get her husband back, but unless Swindon can win the Superhoop croquet world cup there will be an unstoppable chain of events leading to the end of the world.
As usual with Fforde the plot is complex, convoluted and wildly improbable but that doesn't stop him pulling the reader into the slightly off-kilter world of the Nexts. As could be expected the humour is packed in tight. Literary jokes, in world jokes, real world jokes. Playing with language and words in every inventive way possible. All of these are his stock in trade and he uses them to great effect here.
This was for me a little weaker than the first three books, possibly because now back in Thursday's world is a little more mundane than seeing works of literature from the inside but there are still plenty of laughs to be had and the various plot strands will keep you guessing
Thursday, along with her young child Friday, decides it is time to leave the Bookworld behind and return to the real world, despite the danger this poses from the all powerful Goliath corporation. They have already erased her husband from existence and wanted to do the same to her. But Goliath are now benign and repentant. But that doesn't mean that Thursday can have a happy ending. Not only does she need to get her husband back, but unless Swindon can win the Superhoop croquet world cup there will be an unstoppable chain of events leading to the end of the world.
As usual with Fforde the plot is complex, convoluted and wildly improbable but that doesn't stop him pulling the reader into the slightly off-kilter world of the Nexts. As could be expected the humour is packed in tight. Literary jokes, in world jokes, real world jokes. Playing with language and words in every inventive way possible. All of these are his stock in trade and he uses them to great effect here.
This was for me a little weaker than the first three books, possibly because now back in Thursday's world is a little more mundane than seeing works of literature from the inside but there are still plenty of laughs to be had and the various plot strands will keep you guessing
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Poisonwood Bible in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Detailed look into colonialism in Congo
Barbara Kingsolver's epic novel about missionaries and colonialism in the Congo through the eyes of the women in a Christian American family is decadent and detailed. While many will complain about the hard hitting truths of complicity of western nations in destroying the country, it is extremely important and brings to light many historically overlooked issues.
Keeping in mind that this is fictional, the various narratives are well researched to the point where at times it seems plausible and factual. The four main voices are completely different from one another and sometimes the anti-communist voice seemed like a mockery of that type of rhetoric. Leah's voice seemed more realistic than the others. Overall, a well written piece of literary fiction.
Keeping in mind that this is fictional, the various narratives are well researched to the point where at times it seems plausible and factual. The four main voices are completely different from one another and sometimes the anti-communist voice seemed like a mockery of that type of rhetoric. Leah's voice seemed more realistic than the others. Overall, a well written piece of literary fiction.
Enyeh (71 KP) rated The War of the Worlds in Books
Aug 9, 2017
Through the first 2/3 of this book, I thought I was going to be disappointed - in fact, given how far I'd gotten without feeling particularly engaged, I think I can say I was in fact disappointed. But in the end, Wells makes up for it: not with any extreme plot twists or cheap literary tricks, but with a sense of profundity, with a moral. War of the Worlds isn't the Hollywood movie that came after it, or even the notorious radio show that caused the panic of a nation - instead, it's a novel about a man and his thoughts in the face of the worst disaster. It's a discussion of humanity, psychology, and morality, disguised as an alien adventure.
Kirsten Myra Edwards (303 KP) rated The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in Books
Feb 2, 2020
I love love love this book. The story follows a writer in the aftermath of war torn London. She needs inspiration for her latest article or novel when the answer lands on her doorstep in the shape of a letter from Guernsey. She follows the tale of their literary society and how it got them through the war. The only question is why hasn't Elizabeth come home.
What an amazing story and really highlights the horrible life people had to live through during the occupation. Rightfully this was made into a film which is still good but when you read the book your find out so much more about the characters and their lives.
A must read for anyone who likes history.
What an amazing story and really highlights the horrible life people had to live through during the occupation. Rightfully this was made into a film which is still good but when you read the book your find out so much more about the characters and their lives.
A must read for anyone who likes history.
Tom Turner (388 KP) rated The Spy Who Came in from the Cold in Books
Apr 30, 2021
I absolutely love this book. After reading the first two le carre novels, which were very much the author finding his feet, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is definitely the man established and in control of his literary voice.
I will admit I struggled mid way through, and without knowing why it's all happening it you could find your mind wandering due to lack of action, - there a lot of chapters that are just two people, and often the same two people, talking. However once you get to the final third all of that makes sense and it becomes a masterpiece. I'm going to take a brief break from Le Carre, but be assured - I'm going to return!!
I will admit I struggled mid way through, and without knowing why it's all happening it you could find your mind wandering due to lack of action, - there a lot of chapters that are just two people, and often the same two people, talking. However once you get to the final third all of that makes sense and it becomes a masterpiece. I'm going to take a brief break from Le Carre, but be assured - I'm going to return!!
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Closed Casket: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery in Books
Jul 28, 2017
A good adaptation of a classic but leave it be
I really quite enjoyed this version of Agatha Christie's classic Belgian detective despite being a huge fan of the original. Having read most of the collection I was a bit irked at having it rehashed under someone else's guise. Sophie Hannah has done a good job of bringing the old elements from the original but it should be said to leave it be. Hannah quite easily could have created a new character without taking literary licence from Christie.
It seems that in order for her book to be noticed in an already over saturated area, Hannah has reincarnated the character. She needs more confidence in her writing - so I hope that she chooses to be a bit more original next time.
It seems that in order for her book to be noticed in an already over saturated area, Hannah has reincarnated the character. She needs more confidence in her writing - so I hope that she chooses to be a bit more original next time.