Authors, journalists and other writers
Discussion
Ok. We've got a thriving 'what are you reading' thread, but who are your favourite men and women of words? Who, when they release a new book or write a newspaper or magazine article, will you religiously head for, safe in the knowledge that you'll be on the same wavelength and will enjoy their material.
Explain why they have such a positive impact on you.
In time honoured fashion I'll start: one fiction writer and one journo from me.
Michel Houellebecq
French fiction writer who isn't nearly prolific enough for my liking as I devour his books. A racist, misogynist, anti-religion, free-marketeer, with an evil sense of humour - if I had his skills of creating a story I'd want to write books just like his. I can absolutely recommend every one of his works.
Chris Blackhurst - the London Evening Standard's City Editor.
Cutting, focussed commentary on City issues - gets to the heart of issues where others would dance round the periphery trying not to offend anyone. The thinking-man's view of the people and policies which drive the City - I'm sure he upsets plenty but I love the realism/reality checks he injects into the regurgitated press releases others call news.
Who are your favourite writers?
Explain why they have such a positive impact on you.
In time honoured fashion I'll start: one fiction writer and one journo from me.
Michel Houellebecq
French fiction writer who isn't nearly prolific enough for my liking as I devour his books. A racist, misogynist, anti-religion, free-marketeer, with an evil sense of humour - if I had his skills of creating a story I'd want to write books just like his. I can absolutely recommend every one of his works.
Chris Blackhurst - the London Evening Standard's City Editor.
Cutting, focussed commentary on City issues - gets to the heart of issues where others would dance round the periphery trying not to offend anyone. The thinking-man's view of the people and policies which drive the City - I'm sure he upsets plenty but I love the realism/reality checks he injects into the regurgitated press releases others call news.
Who are your favourite writers?
One of my favourite pieces of writing of all time is the first page and a half or so of Wind in the Willows. The sense of excitement and anticipation just gets me every time. I haven't read much else by Kenneth Graeme, but for this piece alone he's worth a mention.
Will look out for Michel Houellebecq next time I'm near a bookshop.
GK Chesterton is enjoyable to read, as even his essays and stories have a sort of poetic rhythm to them.
Will look out for Michel Houellebecq next time I'm near a bookshop.
GK Chesterton is enjoyable to read, as even his essays and stories have a sort of poetic rhythm to them.
Carl Hiaasen - he's a Floridian and all of his stories are set there. Usually crime thrillers with a healthy dose of insanity thrown in. There is a bit of ecomentalism in his writing, but it's all aimed at a local level rather than any of the "global environmental holocaust" kind of stuff.
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