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The Worm Ouroboros by Eric Rücker Eddison. The grandaddy of the heroic fantasy novel. I found it a bit of a slog, but appreciated the genre the novel gave birth to.
 
eldog said:
On Beauty - Zadie Smith :star3:

Struggled through this one but the last 50 pages made up for the first 400 dragging so much.
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Agreed. I loved White Teeth, but On Beauty was one of those books that's so overwrought and aimless that I found myself questioning just why I liked the writer in the first place - there's some brilliance in there, but you have to dig it out yourself.
 
momac said:
Hi Brk 3 - Is that Dean Koontz book a horror one? That's what he usually writes isn't it? Haven't read any of his books for some time but am always open to suggestions if they aren't too horrifying. momac :)
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I didn't think it was horrifying. It had some moments that could be contrued as shocking but it was pretty tame in relation to some of his other novels.
 
Hi Brk 3: Thought I had posted by reply but guess I didn't - it disappeared into cyberspace. I have avoided his books but maybe this one isn't too much of a shocker for me - will have a look at the library. momac :)
 
beer good said:
Agreed. I loved White Teeth, but On Beauty was one of those books that's so overwrought and aimless that I found myself questioning just why I liked the writer in the first place - there's some brilliance in there, but you have to dig it out yourself.
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Wow, thanks for mentioning that Beer Good because I have White Teeth and was going to give it a miss after On Beauty. Guess it can stay in the TBR pile after all!
 
Twisted by Andrea Kane - romantic suspense - not a bad plot, not a guy read, some hot and steamy sex (read here 'improbable") which doesn't add to the plot and is kind of tiresome but is probably necessary for the book to be classed as romantic. Lots of FBI, BAU, NYPD involvement. Unfortunately you can guess who the madman is before the end of the book so the writer wasn't successful in hiding him but the psychological "reasons" for his madness were kind of interesting. :rolleyes:
 
Extension du domaine de la lutte (go figure it's english title..) - Michel Houellebecq

The book has confirmed my interest in this controversial author. It's thesis is that the competition that caracterizes social relations in the capitalistic system has extended it's boundaries to affective relationships. Henceforth, some inviduals - the winners - will have an exciting and varied sexual life, while some others - the losers - are condemned to solitude and masturbation. The tone is sometimes afflicting, sometimes hilarious ; I have yet to see an author who can conciliate these two extremes with such an ease.

I personnally cried in the most idiotic manner for about an hour after I had finished it ; never have I felt such an emotion after a lecture.

Le livre a confirmé mon intérêt envers cet auteur. Sa thèse : la lutte qui caractérise les relations sociales dans la société capitaliste s'est étendue jusqu'au domaine affectif, qui jusqu'à plus ou moins récemment semblait exempt de cet envahissement. Son style s'inscrit dans la tradition réaliste ; les descriptions sont souvent mises à contribution pour provoquer des effets tantôt comiques, tantôt désespérants, et parfois même les deux à la fois. La réaction émotionnelle dominante qui accompagne cette lecture est un rire de désolation.
 
The Alehouse Murders, by Maureen Ash
A good cozy mystery revolving around a Templar detective during the 13th century. It was the first in a series and I plan on reading the rest of them.
 
Just finished: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Her first novel is a instant classic in the portentous historical fantasy genre. A Dickens-like novel about two practical magicians in early 19th century England versus the gentleman with thistle-down hair in a bright green jacket. A 2005 Hugo Award winner! Great book- 5 stars.
Book Reviews And Comments By Rick O
 
Vladimir Sorokin, A Day In The Life Of An Oprichnik. :star4:

Basically a pastiche of Solzhenitsyn's Ivan Denisovich, except set in the year 2027 and detailing the life of a state agent as he does what he can to uphold the fascist state that Holy Mother Russia has evolved into/returned to/always been. Or something. Entertaining, and balls-to-the-wall offensive when it needs to be, but probably more fun if you're well-versed in Russian history and current affairs.
 
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