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I just finished reading...
- Thread starter Squire Jons
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MonkeyCatcher
New Member
I finished reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden this afternoon. I really enjoyed this book - I found it both informative and interesting. I was always curious to know what a geisha /actually/ did, and obviously this book explains that very well. The pace slowed down a bit at the end, but all things considered it was a very good read. Highly recommended 
~MonkeyCatcher~
~MonkeyCatcher~
Rigana
New Member
On the weekend I had time to finish a few books:
Faulkner - As I lay dying: Now, this was a struggle! But eventually I got used to his style and enjoyed the book a lot. I liked how the story is told from different perspectives, some of them more reliable than others. I couldn't get used to the language though. Phrases like 'I says' or 'he like' don't work for me. I can't go on reading without thinking how utterly "wrong" that is. One of the first things you learn in English lessons is the 3rd-person -s, and after 6years of lessons some still have serious problems with that, even my teacher forgets it sometimes.. I'm really picky about this.
But I guess, that is just how people spoke at that time, it certainly adds a lot to the novel. I couldn't imagine it written in an perfect Oxford English.
Louis Sachar - Holes: Finally again some light read. It was often predictable, but fun nontheless.
Philip Pullmann - The amber spyglass: I put it away when I was halfway through because of some library books, so it was a bit hard to get into it again. I didn't like it a well as the first volumes, but that was maybe just because I paused so long (a few months) right in the middle of the book. Maybe I will re-read it some time.
Faulkner - As I lay dying: Now, this was a struggle! But eventually I got used to his style and enjoyed the book a lot. I liked how the story is told from different perspectives, some of them more reliable than others. I couldn't get used to the language though. Phrases like 'I says' or 'he like' don't work for me. I can't go on reading without thinking how utterly "wrong" that is. One of the first things you learn in English lessons is the 3rd-person -s, and after 6years of lessons some still have serious problems with that, even my teacher forgets it sometimes.. I'm really picky about this.
But I guess, that is just how people spoke at that time, it certainly adds a lot to the novel. I couldn't imagine it written in an perfect Oxford English.Louis Sachar - Holes: Finally again some light read. It was often predictable, but fun nontheless.
Philip Pullmann - The amber spyglass: I put it away when I was halfway through because of some library books, so it was a bit hard to get into it again. I didn't like it a well as the first volumes, but that was maybe just because I paused so long (a few months) right in the middle of the book. Maybe I will re-read it some time.
[As I Lay Dying]
Believe it or not, some of them thar people still speaks like that.
Well, that’s pretty damn close…but Oxford Mississippi…
-I see you’re onto Max Frisch now; something of a Swiss kick you’re on, eh? Good pick. (for those that actually listen to recommendations (is that a hollow echo I hear?) the English translation title, for some reason, is the fuller _I’m not Stiller_).
_Mein Name sei Gantenbein_ and _Homo Faber_ are always worth reading (translated titles are the same for the later and simply _Gantenbein_ for the former).
j
Rigana said:
Believe it or not, some of them thar people still speaks like that.
Well, that’s pretty damn close…but Oxford Mississippi…
-I see you’re onto Max Frisch now; something of a Swiss kick you’re on, eh? Good pick. (for those that actually listen to recommendations (is that a hollow echo I hear?) the English translation title, for some reason, is the fuller _I’m not Stiller_).
_Mein Name sei Gantenbein_ and _Homo Faber_ are always worth reading (translated titles are the same for the later and simply _Gantenbein_ for the former).
j
Rigana
New Member
jay said:
I feared that.
I don't particularly care for german dialects (right choice of word?) either, like Bavarian or Swabian. jay said:
Swiss kick? Well, it's more of a coincidence. The books were recommendations from friends which I ordered from the library. Stiller took a few weeks to arrive so I expected to read it earlier. I already know "Homo Faber" and just recently I read "Andorra" by Frisch, so he's not completely new to me.
"Mein Name sei Gantenbein" sounds very interesting, an unusual concept. I will have a look at it as soon as my pile of books from the library is gone - which might take forever, or so it feels sometimes.
stormspirit
New Member
just finished my sisters keeper by judi picoult (..or something like that) I must say I dont usually go for this type of novels but it was really good. Made you think about everything is not always black and white.
Very very good novel!!!
Very very good novel!!!
SFG75
Well-Known Member
Just finished Tom Clancy & Steve Pieczenik's book Op-Center; Mirror Image. It has been fifteen years since I last read one, and this one reminded me of the reason why I liked him back then. Clancy gives you a great run-down of military equipment and paints a good picture where you could see how things work. Pieczenik adds a great psychological view of the chracters and how they react to given situations. The plot involves a rogue op-center being set up by three high level Russian leaders to expand Russia's sphere of influence in eastern europe, as well as to overthrow a new reformist leader. On top of that, the Russians bomb an underground tunnel and promise more "sleeper" attacks if the U.S. doesn't stay out of the situation. In light of this problem, the two competing Op-centers watch one another and try to track each other's actions through Russia and a highly valued cargo that is on a train in Siberia.
I really enjoyed this book, definitely a winner if you like military hardware and fiction.
I really enjoyed this book, definitely a winner if you like military hardware and fiction.
Rigana said:I feared that.
Yes, but just think; if those kinds of people didn’t still exist such a suave, charismatic, astute and brilliant [“world”] leader like Georgie Bush wouldn’t have gotten re-selected…
Yes, right word. And for your sanity’s sake, hopefully you’ve never heard Swiss-German, which isn’t so much a language as it is a mistake.
Sorry. Slang.
“eine Schweitzer Phase”
Yes, great premise. Fits well with _Stiller_.
Enjoy,
j
raffaellabella
New Member
I finished Catherine de Medici last night and it was great. I feel the author did a fair job of presenting Catherine without being partial like others are.
So now, after 464 pages of battles, royalty, love, death and European history I bought something light to read: "Where the Heart Is".
So now, after 464 pages of battles, royalty, love, death and European history I bought something light to read: "Where the Heart Is".
Writer in Residence
For those of you that seemingly can’t get enough Kingy, Koontzy, Ricey, Strauby and other not-terribly interesting, often time repetitive “horror” typists, if I could kindly draw your attention to this thread fer just a moment:
http://forums.thebookforum.com/showthread.php?t=7285
While I am suspect about talking-up a book I have yet to read, I _do_ believe in helping out people taking chances. And, as always, continue to fruitlessly battle against mediocrity. So, take a look, pa-leese.
And I forgot to mention in my initial post, my favourite lil’ Monkey Catcher, PM me your address and I’ll send you a copy of this (and something else) as one of my life’s ambitions is to wean some of you kids of the King.
I’m thinking you’ll love it in the ‘anarchy’ world…
j
For those of you that seemingly can’t get enough Kingy, Koontzy, Ricey, Strauby and other not-terribly interesting, often time repetitive “horror” typists, if I could kindly draw your attention to this thread fer just a moment:
http://forums.thebookforum.com/showthread.php?t=7285
While I am suspect about talking-up a book I have yet to read, I _do_ believe in helping out people taking chances. And, as always, continue to fruitlessly battle against mediocrity. So, take a look, pa-leese.
And I forgot to mention in my initial post, my favourite lil’ Monkey Catcher, PM me your address and I’ll send you a copy of this (and something else) as one of my life’s ambitions is to wean some of you kids of the King.
I’m thinking you’ll love it in the ‘anarchy’ world…
j
francesca
New Member
A Personal Matter by Kenzaburo Oe
''Oe examines the devastation, fear and shame of fathering a brain damaged child. The central character is Bird, a frustrated intellectual in a failing marriage, who dreams of an escape to Africa. The magnitude of Bird's disappointment at the birth of his baby reveals itself through his alcoholism, sexual exploits and attempts to destroy his own innocent and powerless son, until he finally realizes that he must take responsibility not only for the child, but also for himself'' Picador Ed. 1995.
I finally finished this and I'm really glad I stuck with it. Its a challenging story because the treatment of and attitude toward the baby is so difficult to overcome - so different to anything we might expect these days. Whether this is because the book was written in the 1960's about the post-war period, or cultural/social differences, I'm not sure, but it's important to get past the initial revulsion as this isn't a sentimental story about a sick child, but the road to salvation for a desperate man.
The writing is wonderful; just as Oe plunges us into despair, so he lifts us with deft touches of black comedy. Not everyone's cup of tea I'm sure, but I would still recommend it to any one who enjoys being challenged.
''Oe examines the devastation, fear and shame of fathering a brain damaged child. The central character is Bird, a frustrated intellectual in a failing marriage, who dreams of an escape to Africa. The magnitude of Bird's disappointment at the birth of his baby reveals itself through his alcoholism, sexual exploits and attempts to destroy his own innocent and powerless son, until he finally realizes that he must take responsibility not only for the child, but also for himself'' Picador Ed. 1995.
I finally finished this and I'm really glad I stuck with it. Its a challenging story because the treatment of and attitude toward the baby is so difficult to overcome - so different to anything we might expect these days. Whether this is because the book was written in the 1960's about the post-war period, or cultural/social differences, I'm not sure, but it's important to get past the initial revulsion as this isn't a sentimental story about a sick child, but the road to salvation for a desperate man.
The writing is wonderful; just as Oe plunges us into despair, so he lifts us with deft touches of black comedy. Not everyone's cup of tea I'm sure, but I would still recommend it to any one who enjoys being challenged.
JKennedy82
New Member
Dead Air, Ian Banks.
First review so be gentle!
Firstly i must say that i enjoyed this book and it well worth a read as it is thought provoking and funny. set around the main character Ken, we follow his life and the various sitiuations he finds himself in. Although he aint the most lovable guy in the world, it is hard not to like him and be intigued by the direction in which the plot is takin him.
However, after readin this book and gettin half way through it, i realised i had read it before! what the hell i though my memory aint this bad! nevertheless, the second time round was much more enjoyable and memorable than the first time. Would reccommend this book and would give it a rating out of ten of........ 6/10.
above average and worth a read, but some may not like the main character and find him a bit hard to take.
First review so be gentle!
Firstly i must say that i enjoyed this book and it well worth a read as it is thought provoking and funny. set around the main character Ken, we follow his life and the various sitiuations he finds himself in. Although he aint the most lovable guy in the world, it is hard not to like him and be intigued by the direction in which the plot is takin him.
However, after readin this book and gettin half way through it, i realised i had read it before! what the hell i though my memory aint this bad! nevertheless, the second time round was much more enjoyable and memorable than the first time. Would reccommend this book and would give it a rating out of ten of........ 6/10.
above average and worth a read, but some may not like the main character and find him a bit hard to take.
JKennedy82 said:
Yes, I agree - a dreadful person, I thought. But then I guess it takes some skill on the part of the writer to make you hate someone. I actually thought the book as a whole wasn't too hot. I think it was the bit at the beginning where they're throwing things out of a block of flats. That made me feel a bit...well, dunno - weird and icky.
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