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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2004 : 13:03:51
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| I've just finished Paul Auster's The Book of Illusions recently. A good read. I'm looking for something great though. DBC Pierre's Vernon God Little maybe? Anyone read that? |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 13:52:59
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Last book I read was Crime & Punishment. Try that for a novel and a half, Wilhelm my boy.
 "Join The Cult Of Frank/In Ten Words Or Less" |
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NimrodsSon
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1938 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 14:03:47
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I haven't really read any novels recently, but I've been reading a bunch of non-fiction lately. Right now I'm reading The Teachings Of Don Juan by Carlos Castenada(sp?) and it's very interesting
¡Viva los Católicos! |
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mun chien andalusia
= Quote Accumulator =
Italy
2139 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 14:26:23
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Tom Robbins : "villa incognito"
P.K Dick : "the penultimate truth"
 join the cult of errol\and you can have a beer\without having to quit smoking
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Sir Rockabye
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1158 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 14:55:10
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I'm not sure if it would qualify as great, but I'm in the process of reading John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces". Its a very entertaining read if you ever get the chance.
"We got to think quick, says blind St. Nick hey"
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Angry Elvis
- FB Fan -
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 15:38:33
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i just read cryptonomicon by neal stephenson for the second time
i can't even describe the book, there are so many different story threads and every part of it is so interesting and extremely entertaining
i think he is absolutely brilliant, topical and on the top of his game right now
anybody who enjoys reading should check out his work
his novel snow crash is also brilliant in my opinion
(offerw- his work is DEFINITELY great)
*i'm just a hunka hunka burnin love* |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 16:28:06
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Yesterday, I read "The Stranger", by Albert Camus. A great novel. It inspired a song from the Cure, "Killing an Arab".
Camus was a part of the French "existentialists". I don't like these authors very much, but Camus was great.
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be |
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TarTar
* Dog in the Sand *
1968 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 19:47:39
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I am currently making my way through the Tom Robbins book "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," which is a thoroughly entertaining read, quite unique in the way it is written (I imagine Tom Robbins commonly writes in this quirky style). I hadn't read anything in a while before picking up Cowgirls. Last year, I read some great books. Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson and The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks. The Wasp Factory is quite disturbing but also darkly humorous, sort of. Hard to say, really. I recommend reading that book. It's one of the best books I've ever read.
"You're muckin' with a G here!" |
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2004 : 23:25:16
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[quote]Originally posted by Cheeseman1000
Last book I read was Crime & Punishment.
Yep, I've read that one a few years ago, it must be one of the greatest novels ever written.
I've read the Camus novel as well Adnan, it is called "The Outsider" in the translated version. Sartre's Nausea is also one of the great existensialist novels right? I liked The Outsider more.
TarTar, once your done with Cowgirls (which is a good read) try watching the movie version, done by Gus Van Sant. Man, it is so bad you'll actually think it is funny. I've given up on Robbins around Jitterbug Perfume.
I'll check out the Ian Banks and Neal Stephenson (never heard of him Angry E, thanks!) |
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mun chien andalusia
= Quote Accumulator =
Italy
2139 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2004 : 07:21:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Adnan_le_Terrible
Yesterday, I read "The Stranger", by Albert Camus. A great novel. It inspired a song from the Cure, "Killing an Arab".
Camus was a part of the French "existentialists". I don't like these authors very much, but Camus was great.
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be
it was the cure song that inspired camus to write the novel.
join the cult of errol\and you can have a beer\without having to quit smoking
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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2004 : 07:48:15
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Ditto on Cryptonomicon. That book really blew me away.
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Everything I say to you is gonna come out wrong anyway |
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two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *
Austria
1072 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2004 : 09:51:04
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if somebody asks me for a good novel i always recommend norman mailer's "the naked and the death". it's his first book, somehow inspired by his WWII experiences, but not really a war book. every other book i know by him i regard as shit, but this is a fantastic read.
oh, and also george orwell's pre-"animal farm" books, basically the novels he wrote in the thirties. a microcosm on their own.
Death to the Pixies / Here comes Frank Black |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2004 : 12:05:16
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quote:
Originally posted by mun chien andalusia
quote:
Originally posted by Adnan_le_Terrible
Yesterday, I read "The Stranger", by Albert Camus. A great novel. It inspired a song from the Cure, "Killing an Arab".
Camus was a part of the French "existentialists". I don't like these authors very much, but Camus was great.
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be
it was the cure song that inspired camus to write the novel.
join the cult of errol\and you can have a beer\without having to quit smoking
Yes, Robert Smith should be given the Nobel prize..there's no justice.
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2004 : 12:19:43
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Here are the lyrics :
Standing on the beach
With a gun in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring down the barrel
At the arab on the ground
I can see his open mouth
But I hear no sound
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an arab
I can turn
And walk away
Or I can fire the gun
Staring at the sky
Staring at the sun
Whichever I chose
It amounts to the same
Absolutely nothing
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an arab
I feel the steel butt jump
Smooth in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring at myself
Reflected in the eyes
Of the dead man on the beach
The dead man on the beach
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an arab
Oh Meursault
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2004 : 12:29:40
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I think that novel influenced some lyrics on Trompe le Monde.
The sentences "It was so long ago, could have happened to anyone", He was struck by a bullet and he melted into fluid" (Sad Punk), "staring into the sun"(Distance equals...), sound like Camus.
And here's a brilliant (if not true) interpretation from Alec Eiffel :
"Killing An Arab by The Cure is already a reference to this novel, and The Fall took their name from a Camus novel too. Could the "sad punk" be Robert Smith or Mark E. Smith?"
Wow, everything makes sense, now.
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be |
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 01:56:47
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Well following along this train of thought, Sartre published a trilogy called 'The Roads to Freedom' set around WWII which are fantastic and which I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone that likes a bit of phenomenological philosophy seamlessly woven into their storylines.
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benji
> Teenager of the Year <
New Zealand
3430 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 02:44:44
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well I have just begun reading "Alien" by someguy i can't remember.
it's a novelisation of the movie.
I bought the books for Alien 1, 2 + 3, as well as predator and terminator off ebay for £5.
they're pretty neat.
the only other novelisation of a movie i have ever read was for natural born killers, and it was much much better than the movie.
before i started reading these, i read a robbert goddard mystery, which was quite good, and before that i read the Douglas Adams biography, which was excellent.
 "I joined the Cult of Frank / I think that man deserves a DB!" |
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edwina
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
179 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 03:12:32
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quote:
Originally posted by offerw
I've just finished Paul Auster's The Book of Illusions recently. A good read. I'm looking for something great though. DBC Pierre's Vernon God Little maybe? Anyone read that?
Yes, I have... I wouldn't go as far as to call it "great", though. Sure, it is funny, entertaining and thought-provoking at times, but I didn't think it was extraordinary- personally.
The ending, besides, is pretty disappointing- at least in my opinion.
How about reading some other books by Auster, if you haven't yet? Maybe Moon Palace? |
Edited by - edwina on 03/15/2004 03:14:34 |
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 03:53:03
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Or some Bukowski maybe? 'Post Office'is very good as is 'Factotum'.
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Bartholomew
= Cult of Ray =
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 07:26:59
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| Of course “Great” is subjective. A few “great” books I’ve read recently: “Jesus’ Son”, “Mississippi Solo” (nonfiction memoir, but reads like a great work of fiction) and most recently Jonathan Lethem’s “Fortress of Solitude”. Though the book would be even more brilliant if he would have stopped writing halfway through. |
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 09:53:36
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I read Vernon God Little and really enjoyed the first twothirds, it´s got a terrific heightened voice just like in ´Confederaqcy of Dunces´, (mentioned above, one of my favourites) but I found the ending dreadful, obviously the writer wasn´t paying attention to the movie-within-a-movie in The Player.
If it grabs you, here are some of my favourites:
Haruki Murakami - The Windup Bird Chronicle
Sam Lipsyte - Subject Steve
Don deLillo - Running Dog
Flannery O´Connor - Wiseblood
Everything Thomas Pynchon wrote (my signature is from one of his)
George Saunders - Pastoralia
Martin Amis - Money
Beckett - Molloy, Mercier and Camier
--
"You one of those right-wing nut outfits?" inquired the diplomatic Metzger.
Fallopian twinkled. "They accuse us of being paranoids."
"They?" inquired Metzger, twinkling also.
"Us?" asked Oedipa.
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 12:28:28
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quote:
Originally posted by edwina
[quote]Originally posted by offerw
I've just finished Paul Auster's The Book of Illusions recently. A good read. I'm looking for something great though. DBC Pierre's Vernon God Little maybe? Anyone read that?
[i]Yes, I have... I wouldn't go as far as to call it "great", though.
Well I did say it was only a good novel. I agree about the ending being poor. I have only read one Auster novel before this, New York Trilogy, it was amazing. I'll try the other.
I've noticed De Lillo being mentioned. I've read Underworld a while ago and that was a huge novel. Too much at times but the sentences that guy can string together are genius.
I'm also curious about these novelisations of films which Benji mentioned. I'm nearly always disappointed when a favorite novel of mine is made into a film so it would be interresting to read what happens when a film is turned into a book......
Mailer and Bukowski are excellent too.
wilhelm |
Edited by - offerw on 03/15/2004 12:29:47 |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 12:55:44
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I just finished a piece called "Encyclopedia Brown Saves the Day". It is a wonderful tale of a boy who solves crimes after school. Check it out.
Also, "Harold and His Purple Crayon"...superb imagery.
I'm a fsh with no i's. |
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TarTar
* Dog in the Sand *
1968 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 16:44:48
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Bartholomew, have you read any other Denis Johnson besides Jesus' Son? I was shocked at the difference in writing style between Jesus' Son and Already Dead. Jesus' Son, while there are plenty of stories, runs a pretty straight line and doesn't go too far below the surface, whereas Already Dead just explores every possible angle and emotion or idea at one point, it's excuriciatingly detailed in the characters feelings and philosophies.
"(insert clever quote here)" |
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Gratefuljason3
- FB Fan -
60 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2004 : 19:36:09
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"Myths To Live By" by Joseph Campbell
It's an amazing insight into the foundations of myth and religion. Joseph Campbell was a genius, those of you who have read or seen him before know exactly what I'm talking about.
"The Power of Myth" is also an excellent six-hour long PBS series dedicated to Joseph Campbell and his teachings. The host is Bill Moyer, and the DVD is availible from Amazon.com |
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Bartholomew
= Cult of Ray =
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2004 : 14:23:08
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Tar Tar,
Yeah, I've read others and you're right about Jesus' Son being an anomaly. I've read Already Dead, and his last novel (can't remember the name but it's about a guy's life right after his wife dies) and his first novel (can't remember the name but it's brutal; it's main characters involved in kidnapping, rape and murder among other things. As far as raw talent Denis Johnson's maybe the best modern writer I've read, but...after reading everything aside from Jesus' Son I have little desire to read any more of his stuff. He takes you places I don't want to go. Dark places. He scares me, I guess. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2004 : 14:54:19
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I just finished Underworld, by Don Delillo about a week ago. I wasn't really happy with the way he wrapped that one up, but overall it was a really great novel. Reminded me a little of Foucault's Pendulum, by Umberto Eco, which I loved.
I'm currently reading The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory, by Brian Greene, (not sure if this is going to have much meaty info), The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must, by Robert Zubrin, (seems pretty bland so far, but I'm not very far into it, and I may be going into it a little biased) and I've been trying my best off and on for several weeks to wrap my head around Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, by Douglas R. Hofstadter. The last one is incredibly good, and funny. Kinda like reading Buckminster Fuller and Thomas Pynchon while on acid, listening to Bach, and trying to decipher the ultimate answer to the complex equations that are swirling around in the bumps on the wall on your way upstairs on a pogo stick to herd the teeming hungry lizards speaking in tongues in the basement.
666 Dunkin' Donuts, a 20-inch veggie pizza from Gumby's, extra jalapenos on the side. And a case of Asahi Dry - |
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benji
> Teenager of the Year <
New Zealand
3430 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 01:33:29
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can i ask how people manage to read multiple books simultaneously?
I have never been able to do it, well unless one is a really boring book, but then i just stop reading it altogether.
but i know many people do it constantly, so thats who i'm aiming this question at.....
"I joined the Cult of Frank / I think that man deserves a DB!" |
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 02:15:38
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I second Newo's suggestion of 'Money' by Martin Amis - this book is superb and one of the best books of the last 50 years IMO.
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 08:09:28
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I usually start about six or seven books at once and they all lie open facedown around my house and if and when one hooks me in I finish it by itself, though I go through about five a week so I'm not that untidy. Every so often a book comes along that I read start to finish without interruption. I'm a writer so I reread things a lot, if a year or 18 months work and thoughts goes into a novel one reading isn't going to be enough to digest it.
Scarla O, Money is the only one of his I've read. Any reccomendations for a second?
--
"You one of those right-wing nut outfits?" inquired the diplomatic Metzger.
Fallopian twinkled. "They accuse us of being paranoids."
"They?" inquired Metzger, twinkling also.
"Us?" asked Oedipa.
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 08:29:30
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Newo, i think 'Money' is his best work though i've not read his latest 'Yellow Dog'...though if you like Murakami have you read 'Norwegian Wood'?
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 09:09:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Adnan_le_Terrible
quote:
Originally posted by mun chien andalusia
quote:
Originally posted by Adnan_le_Terrible
Yesterday, I read "The Stranger", by Albert Camus. A great novel. It inspired a song from the Cure, "Killing an Arab".
Camus was a part of the French "existentialists". I don't like these authors very much, but Camus was great.
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be
it was the cure song that inspired camus to write the novel.
join the cult of errol\and you can have a beer\without having to quit smoking
Yes, Robert Smith should be given the Nobel prize..there's no justice.
I’m not sure what this could mean / I don’t think you’re what you seem / I do admit to myself / That if I hurt someone else / Then we’d never see just what we’re meant to be
I always thought it was called The Outsider, as oppose to The Stranger. Robert Smith is the best thing to come out of the UK since Horatio Nelson defeated the French at the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805!
Who's the man that won't cop out when there's danger all about? |
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 10:13:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Scarla O
I second Newo's suggestion of 'Money' by Martin Amis - this book is superb and one of the best books of the last 50 years IMO.
I've read Money about 13/14 years ago, I had just read Times Arrow and then was told Money is better. So I did read Money but cannot remember any of it  I dug out my copy from the bookshelf and will read it again, I suspect I missed something. Have you guys read anything by Kingsley Amis? I've read somewhere he was a better writer than his son Martin.
Anyone likes Michael Chabon's novels? I think they're awesome...
wilhelm |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 11:53:33
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I've enjoyed the last few books I've read. I've continued my Mordechai Richler fascination by reading "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz", which was good, and written in a slightly different style than his later novels, which was good to see. I like his novels as character studies; utterly human, flawed people who make mistakes, and those mistakes are never glossed over simply because the character happens to be the the protagonist.
"Alias Grace" by Margaret Atwood I can't decide if I really liked or not. While in the midst of the novel, I enjoyed it. I like the feeling of being in the late 1800s without the author resorting to pointing out obvious tidbits that make you say "oh, this is a period novel". It's a difficult job to do, but she does it well. The story itself is engaging (Atwood is an excellent writer), I just found the ending a bit of a let down. I could see how if this novel were actually written when it was set, the ending would come as quite a shock. In this day and age, it was rather... anti-climatic and uninspiring. Still, I enjoyed it.
"The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay" by Michael Chabon was a real breath of fresh air. His writing style is very breezy, and the words just flow off the pages into your brain. Truly "effortless" reading, if such a thing can be described in such a way. I enjoyed the book very much, the details and research that must have went into them lent themselves very nicely to the story, and the use of footnotes (much like Mordecai Richler's 'Barney's Version') really draw you into the story further. I was sad when it was over, I wanted to know what happened to these characters, as I became VERY attached to them. At one point, I sensed that a character may die, and my heart actually started beating faster, as a surge of adrenaline hit and I was genuinely worried.
I just finished reading "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. It was an enjoyable read, though it didn't "make me beleive in God", as the back cover claimed. It was interesting in "Cast Away" sort of way. Except instead of Tom Hanks it was a 16 year old boy on a life boat in the middle of the Pacific with a 500lbs Bengal tiger.
And lastly, I have just begun Dostoyevski's "Crime and Punishment". It's a classic, and I hope the translation does it justice. I compared the two versions they had at the book store, this one seemed the better of the two translations.
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Edited by - speedy_m on 03/17/2004 11:55:33 |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 12:09:17
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I forgot to mention House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski. I have never had so many eerie coincidences occur during the course of a novel, as I did with this one. I have never been so physically, personally scared by a novel - I felt like the book was either pulling me in, or it was becoming reality. Very very strange. Other than that, it was also an incredibly riveting story - unique, horrific, erudite, cryptic, and full of phenomena. Lots of twists, fun word puzzles, and mind games. The footnotes go on for pages, and go through rips in the space/time of the book. Acrostics abound!
Spoiler!!!! But, if you have already read this book:
Strange coincidences include: all things Benjamin Franklin, whistling the tune of "Bicycle Built for Two", labyrinths, Echo, Escher, and the Minotaur...
Did anyone else have similar coincidences or any weird connections with this book?
666 Dunkin' Donuts, a 20-inch veggie pizza from Gumby's, extra jalapenos on the side. And a case of Asahi Dry - |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2004 : 18:06:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Sir Rockabye
I'm not sure if it would qualify as great, but I'm in the process of reading John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces". Its a very entertaining read if you ever get the chance.
"We got to think quick, says blind St. Nick hey"
I think winning the Pulitzer officially sanctions it as a "great" novel. Lord, I love that book.
 "Join the Cult of Derek/Lest you incur his Tubbycizing wrath" |
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Anyone read any great novels recently.
