Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
I have just read Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan.
It was a quick, easy read.
Whilst it was interesting in places (1980s Manchester), I don't believe that the book matches the hype at all. It also reinforces the idea that the Scottish Central Belt is/was a relentlessly bleak and miserable place.
It is very much two separate, short, books that do not quite fit together.
The main issue I had is with the fact that the characters were not appealing or as interesting as the author seemed to think they were (semi-autobiographical). I struggled to remember who the various lads, other than Tully and Noodles, were.
Having said that, some of the final chapters are thought-provoking, despite the fact that Tully is not very likeable (no matter what the book says).
It was a quick, easy read.
Whilst it was interesting in places (1980s Manchester), I don't believe that the book matches the hype at all. It also reinforces the idea that the Scottish Central Belt is/was a relentlessly bleak and miserable place.
It is very much two separate, short, books that do not quite fit together.
The main issue I had is with the fact that the characters were not appealing or as interesting as the author seemed to think they were (semi-autobiographical). I struggled to remember who the various lads, other than Tully and Noodles, were.
Having said that, some of the final chapters are thought-provoking, despite the fact that Tully is not very likeable (no matter what the book says).
Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 4th April 11:24
I've just read "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" by David Nobbs. Originally called "The Death of Reginald Perrin". I'd heard he was a good writer and can now vouch for that.
After a few pages I was a bit disappointed after hearing the catch-phrases re-used in the TV show a couple of times each and also after reading what I thought was a rather contrived scene in a safari park. But I got past that and started to genuinely enjoy the humour. Some proper laugh out loud moments. Albeit with a small feeling of unease because the situation is actually one of a man's mental breakdown. Some things in the book are somewhat different and more adult than the TV show such as the strength of the relationship with his secretary (Joan) and also that it emerges late in the book that she is actually married to a man who she lives apart from - but for very good reason.
But the thing that really separates the book from the TV show and also left me with a degree of confusion was the nature of the relationship between his (grown up) daughter and her uncle Jimmy (played by Geoffrey Palmer on TV). It was one that left me wondering what the point of having something so thought provoking was as small part of a book that seemed to have more than enough in it as far as a storyline went. Perhaps to make the point that each of us has significant things going on in our lives that all run alongside each other. Either way, I'd love to hear what the reasoning was.
But all in all, I'm glad I read it.
After a few pages I was a bit disappointed after hearing the catch-phrases re-used in the TV show a couple of times each and also after reading what I thought was a rather contrived scene in a safari park. But I got past that and started to genuinely enjoy the humour. Some proper laugh out loud moments. Albeit with a small feeling of unease because the situation is actually one of a man's mental breakdown. Some things in the book are somewhat different and more adult than the TV show such as the strength of the relationship with his secretary (Joan) and also that it emerges late in the book that she is actually married to a man who she lives apart from - but for very good reason.
But the thing that really separates the book from the TV show and also left me with a degree of confusion was the nature of the relationship between his (grown up) daughter and her uncle Jimmy (played by Geoffrey Palmer on TV). It was one that left me wondering what the point of having something so thought provoking was as small part of a book that seemed to have more than enough in it as far as a storyline went. Perhaps to make the point that each of us has significant things going on in our lives that all run alongside each other. Either way, I'd love to hear what the reasoning was.
But all in all, I'm glad I read it.
Currently listening to the Audible version of Tombland by C.J. Sansom, set in Norwich in the mid 1500s. I've not read any of the previous novels, and others assured me you didn't need to have read previous works - so far I'd agree - but I'm enjoying it and will probably read the others, starting at the beginning.
I read Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. This is the first book in the Detective Wallander series.
It's 300 pages of mostly utter rubbish. It was ok but around half way you realised that absolutely nothing was developing. It was a contender for one of the worst books I have ever read. An easy 1 out of 5.
The last 30 pages I skimmed to try to find out what happened. Each of these pages was like this:
This was revealed in the final few pages - about 5 pages from the end. It was absolutely terrible.
I lose all faith in Amazon and GoodReads reviews. I just don't understand what planet people are on. I am not a unique reader, I'm mainstream, easy to please and not really that fussy. I just say that so you don't think I'm one of those who are just impossible to please.
It's 300 pages of mostly utter rubbish. It was ok but around half way you realised that absolutely nothing was developing. It was a contender for one of the worst books I have ever read. An easy 1 out of 5.
The last 30 pages I skimmed to try to find out what happened. Each of these pages was like this:
- On Thursday there was no progress, however Wallander did manage to see his Dad and spent the evening talking
- Two weeks later and he felt like he was getting nowhere
- It was another two months before he thought he had a breakthrough. He spoke with a guy named Dave however he had an alibi and he was again back to square one
This was revealed in the final few pages - about 5 pages from the end. It was absolutely terrible.
I lose all faith in Amazon and GoodReads reviews. I just don't understand what planet people are on. I am not a unique reader, I'm mainstream, easy to please and not really that fussy. I just say that so you don't think I'm one of those who are just impossible to please.
redrabbit29 said:
I read Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. This is the first book in the Detective Wallander series.
It's 300 pages of mostly utter rubbish. It was ok but around half way you realised that absolutely nothing was developing. It was a contender for one of the worst books I have ever read. An easy 1 out of 5.
I lose all faith in Amazon and GoodReads reviews. I just don't understand what planet people are on. I am not a unique reader, I'm mainstream, easy to please and not really that fussy. I just say that so you don't think I'm one of those who are just impossible to please.
I have read a fair number of his books, watched the TV series, both original and Kenneth Branagh versions.It's 300 pages of mostly utter rubbish. It was ok but around half way you realised that absolutely nothing was developing. It was a contender for one of the worst books I have ever read. An easy 1 out of 5.
I lose all faith in Amazon and GoodReads reviews. I just don't understand what planet people are on. I am not a unique reader, I'm mainstream, easy to please and not really that fussy. I just say that so you don't think I'm one of those who are just impossible to please.
I like the slow pace and the depressive nature of them, you have to read them in line with the character’s life.
What do you usually read that makes this so disappointing? If Dan Brown, Lee Child and David Baldacci then I understand. If more substantive fare, then I am a bit surprised.
All good and we each have our own tastes, it is what makes reading such and enjoyable and personal pastime.
Stuart70 said:
redrabbit29 said:
I read Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. This is the first book in the Detective Wallander series.
It's 300 pages of mostly utter rubbish. It was ok but around half way you realised that absolutely nothing was developing. It was a contender for one of the worst books I have ever read. An easy 1 out of 5.
I lose all faith in Amazon and GoodReads reviews. I just don't understand what planet people are on. I am not a unique reader, I'm mainstream, easy to please and not really that fussy. I just say that so you don't think I'm one of those who are just impossible to please.
I have read a fair number of his books, watched the TV series, both original and Kenneth Branagh versions.It's 300 pages of mostly utter rubbish. It was ok but around half way you realised that absolutely nothing was developing. It was a contender for one of the worst books I have ever read. An easy 1 out of 5.
I lose all faith in Amazon and GoodReads reviews. I just don't understand what planet people are on. I am not a unique reader, I'm mainstream, easy to please and not really that fussy. I just say that so you don't think I'm one of those who are just impossible to please.
I like the slow pace and the depressive nature of them, you have to read them in line with the character’s life.
What do you usually read that makes this so disappointing? If Dan Brown, Lee Child and David Baldacci then I understand. If more substantive fare, then I am a bit surprised.
All good and we each have our own tastes, it is what makes reading such and enjoyable and personal pastime.
I personally can't stand books where the entire mystery isn't revealed until the last chapter. I don't mind slow either, but it was just endless nonsense, pages of "and then on Tuesday, Wallander went to see his ex-wife. On Wednesday, he couldn't sleep"... etc.
I read a few Rebus books which were ok. I can't remember the other books of the same nature, this was just disappointing. Some say it doesn't translate well.
You're right about it just being different opinions. Happy and content knowing it's just my own perspective.
Randy Winkman said:
But the thing that really separates the book from the TV show and also left me with a degree of confusion was the nature of the relationship between his (grown up) daughter and her uncle Jimmy (played by Geoffrey Palmer on TV). It was one that left me wondering what the point of having something so thought provoking was as small part of a book that seemed to have more than enough in it as far as a storyline went. Either way, I'd love to hear what the reasoning was.
A thinly veiled warning about another 1970's Uncle Jimmy with that character name choice, although easier to make that connection now than at the time...
I've just read "Before he finds her" by Michael Kardos. Some time ago, a man murders his wife, and disappears presumably taking his young daughter with him, never to be seen again. Not a spoiler to say that the daughter is actually in witness protection, about to turn eighteen and sets out to find her father and get his side of exactly what happened. A decent story.
unrepentant said:
I like the way Steinbeck sources some of his titles taking an existing quote and adding another dimension to the story. It's fun trying to identify the sources. This one, from Shakespeare's "Richard the Third"
Off Mice and Men , from Burns' "To a Mouse"
The Grapes of Wrath, from the Bible
To a God Unknown, from a Hindu hymn
Burning Bright, from Blake's "Tiger, Tiger
Any others?
Desiderata said:
unrepentant said:
I like the way Steinbeck sources some of his titles taking an existing quote and adding another dimension to the story. It's fun trying to identify the sources. This one, from Shakespeare's "Richard the Third"
Off Mice and Men , from Burns' "To a Mouse"
The Grapes of Wrath, from the Bible
To a God Unknown, from a Hindu hymn
Burning Bright, from Blake's "Tiger, Tiger
Any others?
"East of Eden" - taken from the Book of Genesis in the Bible.
"In Dubious Battle" - from John Milton's "Paradise Lost."
"Travels with Charley: In Search of America" - reflects a nod to "Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes" by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Super Sonic said:
Am rereading William Gibson's 'Count Zero'
Probably my favourite trilogy of books the Sprawl Trilogy. I did that then the Bridge trilogy, and have just wrapped up the Blue Ant trilogy, which surprised me really, it's set in a more current, grounded reality, which I was a bit dubious about but ended up really enjoying it 
smithyithy said:
Probably my favourite trilogy of books the Sprawl Trilogy. I did that then the Bridge trilogy, and have just wrapped up the Blue Ant trilogy, which surprised me really, it's set in a more current, grounded reality, which I was a bit dubious about but ended up really enjoying it
The bridge trilogy was excellent, and is the source of one of my favourite phrases 'exposing the integrity of its passage through time'. The blue ant trilogy is probably my favourite.Having mentioned Chickenhawk a few pages back, I just finished the sequel, Chickenhawk: Back in the World
For those that don't know it, Chickenhawk is a very good autobiographical account of a Huey pilot in Vietnam.
Back in the World is good but a tough read, chronicling 20+ years of PTSD, depression, alcoholism, failed business ventures, poverty, a couple of years in prison for smuggling marijuana, and an incredibly supportive wife (who later published "Recovering from the War: A Woman's Guide to Helping Your Vietnam Vet, Your Family, and Yourself", and "Why Is Daddy Like He Is? A Book For Kids About PTSD"). It seems like he mostly got his life back together when he got Chickenhawk published but still had to pull out of a trip to Vietnam in the late 80's due panic/anxiety attacks about it.
For those that don't know it, Chickenhawk is a very good autobiographical account of a Huey pilot in Vietnam.
Back in the World is good but a tough read, chronicling 20+ years of PTSD, depression, alcoholism, failed business ventures, poverty, a couple of years in prison for smuggling marijuana, and an incredibly supportive wife (who later published "Recovering from the War: A Woman's Guide to Helping Your Vietnam Vet, Your Family, and Yourself", and "Why Is Daddy Like He Is? A Book For Kids About PTSD"). It seems like he mostly got his life back together when he got Chickenhawk published but still had to pull out of a trip to Vietnam in the late 80's due panic/anxiety attacks about it.
I am currently doing the RED RISING books by Pierce Brown, not my usual thing at all but the first 3 are pretty good. I am 300 pages in to the 4th and its not as good as the first 3 but will continue.
I usually read historical fiction stuff, Conn Iggulden, Bernard Cornwall ... you get the idea. Any recommends? Got a week off coming up.
I usually read historical fiction stuff, Conn Iggulden, Bernard Cornwall ... you get the idea. Any recommends? Got a week off coming up.
RizzoTheRat said:
Having mentioned Chickenhawk a few pages back, I just finished the sequel, Chickenhawk: Back in the World
For those that don't know it, Chickenhawk is a very good autobiographical account of a Huey pilot in Vietnam.
Back in the World is good but a tough read, chronicling 20+ years of PTSD, depression, alcoholism, failed business ventures, poverty, a couple of years in prison for smuggling marijuana, and an incredibly supportive wife (who later published "Recovering from the War: A Woman's Guide to Helping Your Vietnam Vet, Your Family, and Yourself", and "Why Is Daddy Like He Is? A Book For Kids About PTSD"). It seems like he mostly got his life back together when he got Chickenhawk published but still had to pull out of a trip to Vietnam in the late 80's due panic/anxiety attacks about it.
I've read Chickenhawk several times. How I missed the sequal I have no idea. Ordered for Kindle as the real thing is a bit pricey.For those that don't know it, Chickenhawk is a very good autobiographical account of a Huey pilot in Vietnam.
Back in the World is good but a tough read, chronicling 20+ years of PTSD, depression, alcoholism, failed business ventures, poverty, a couple of years in prison for smuggling marijuana, and an incredibly supportive wife (who later published "Recovering from the War: A Woman's Guide to Helping Your Vietnam Vet, Your Family, and Yourself", and "Why Is Daddy Like He Is? A Book For Kids About PTSD"). It seems like he mostly got his life back together when he got Chickenhawk published but still had to pull out of a trip to Vietnam in the late 80's due panic/anxiety attacks about it.
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