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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
 Posted - 03/18/2004 : 04:30:38
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quote:
mereubu Posted - 03/17/2004 : 18:06:51
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quote:
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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"
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I think winning the Pulitzer officially sanctions it as a "great" novel. Lord, I love that book.
Love Confederacy of Dunces too Merubu but gotta say that as far as winning the Pulitzer qualifying anything as great or otherwise is concerned, I think the advisory board forfeited their claims to be taken seriously in 1974 when they overruled the judges unanimous selection of Gravity´s Rainbow, calling it "unreadable", "obscene" and "overwritten".
--
"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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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 04:44:21
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Read Norwegian Wood in the summer, Scarla O, and enjoyed it more than I thought I would after loadsof people told me it wasn´t like his others. I find it goes as a nice companion to Sputnik Sweetheart.
Offerw, nice to meet someone else who likes Chabon. I´ve read his Werewolf collection of short stories, I especially enjoyed the one about the doper who takes his neighbour´s kid to a ball game instead of keeping an important appointment. And I know it´s nothing new to complain about Hollywood mangling adaptations, but the happy ending of Wonder Boys really spoiled it I thought.
As for Life Of Pi, Speedy M, I read that last summer too, and while I enjoyed it a lot, it didn´t rock my cosmological world either. Seemed to me the kid just fell for three organised religions instead of one.
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"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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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 05:22:58
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I wonder if Mad Dawg read any interesting books recently...
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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benji
> Teenager of the Year <
New Zealand
3430 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 05:29:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Newo
As for Life Of Pi, Speedy M, I read that last summer too, and while I enjoyed it a lot, it didn´t rock my cosmological world either. Seemed to me the kid just fell for three organised religions instead of one.
i never finished the life of pi.
i just got bored with it about 3/4 of the way through it.
it was at a time when about 90% of people you saw reading on public transport were reading it...it was absurd.
i was really disappointed with it after hearing so many good things about it.
oh well.
has anyone read Jostein Gaarder's newish book - Maya? i've got it out of the library, but haven't read it yet.
Sophies World changed my world view when i read it when i was a teenager, but i was dissapointed in his other ones.
 "I joined the Cult of Frank / I think that man deserves a DB!" |
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Bartholomew
= Cult of Ray =
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 06:03:20
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quote:
Originally posted by mereubu
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"
I agree. Incredible book. I think humor gets overlooked sometimes. If you like funny read Richard Russo's Straight Man. IMO he's the best writer out there today. He's always funny in his novels, but this one focuses more on the laughs. |
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Scarla O
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
947 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 07:00:32
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I'd like to recommend Richard Brautigan - there's a superb compendium of his on Amazon for Ł9...
(it contains: A Confederate General from Big Sur / Dreaming of Babylon / The Hawkline Monster)
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mun chien andalusia
= Quote Accumulator =
Italy
2139 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 08:15:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Adnan_le_Terrible
I wonder if Mad Dawg read any interesting books recently...
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 wonder if he has ever read a book in his whole life.
 join the cult of errol\and you can have a beer\without having to quit smoking
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Angry Elvis
- FB Fan -
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 08:29:34
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quote:
I'd like to recommend Richard Brautigan
wow, that's a name i haven't heard in a long time
he has a very unique and enjoyable writing style
i've read the ones mentioned and also recommend "trout fishing in america" it was a lot of fun to read
*i'm just a hunka hunka burnin love* |
Edited by - Angry Elvis on 03/18/2004 08:30:15 |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 10:22:58
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I've almost finished 'Salem's Lot'. I watched 'Dreamcatcher' (based on the Stephen King book) last night, but it was a bit of a mess. The director [sLawrence Kasdan also did[/s] 'SW-The Empire Strikes Back', and funnily enough, there are loads of unnecessary Star Wars-ish 'screen-wipes' and Industrial Light And Magic do the effects(which are very good.) Opps, off topic!
Sorry, I think he co-wrote the script of 'Empire'-Irvin Kershner directed! |
Edited by - Carl on 03/25/2004 10:29:27 |
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Bartholomew
= Cult of Ray =
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 14:25:43
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| What are you talking about, Carl? Lawrence Kasdan didn't do Star Wars. Don't insult the man. Grand Canyon and Mumford are two of my faves. |
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Sir Rockabye
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1158 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 14:50:10
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quote:
Originally posted by mereubu
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"
I guess you're right. I figure that I'll have to finish reading it before I pass any real judgements. Wouldn't be very fair to call a book great before I was done with it. Your praise however, has motivated me to get off the computer and go read.
"We got to think quick, says blind St. Nick hey"
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2004 : 22:35:59
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Speedy M and Newo, I'm excited to hear of some more Chabon readers. He is completely unknown here, I keep on lending his novels to friends bit nobody catches on. The short stories are impossible to get a hold of here, I'll try Amazon. Wonder Boys was such a great novel I should never have seen the film. Michael Douglas and Tobey McGuire(?sp) spoiled the picture of Grady and James I had in my head. I hope they never make a film of Kavalier and Clay, I loved the characters and would hate to see them "interpreted" by actors. Have you guys read Mysteries of Pittsburgh? That is where my Chabon frenzy started.
wilhelm |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5157 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2004 : 22:59:55
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i love mysteries of pittsburgh - and the fact that i've lived in pittsburgh for the last 4 years its always cool to read about locales you frequent/pass by all the time
chabon is great
-brian
 - "I joined the Cult of Frank / And they tried to cut off my nuts and make me put on a blue jumpsuit"
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2004 : 08:34:23
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I´ve only read Wonder Boys and the stories but I saw Kav and Clay in an English bookstore in Torrevieja a few months back and I doubt anyone´s bought it since. M of Pitt is on my list too.
--
"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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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2004 : 10:11:40
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By some unexplainable oversight I forgot to mention the book I'm reading: Joseph Heller's "Catch-22". Lives up to every bit of its reputation. Excellently written, and funny as war, which, of course, is hell.
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Everything I say to you is gonna come out wrong anyway |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 10:35:25
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I've finished 'Salem's Lot'...v.good-there's a new mini-series on the way.The original Tobe Hooper TV special was pretty creepy, but they turned the character of Barlow into a speechless Nosferatu rip-off! I've recently begun Stephen King('Writing as Richard Bachman'!)'s Thinner. Quite enjoyable. By the way, has anyone read his 'Dark Tower' series? I read the first two, the second is really great, very imaginative-I love the way King descibes feelings, sensations and perceptions!
CARL.
"ME TOO!"
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 10:55:01
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Salem's Lot and Pet Cemetery were my favorite Stephen King novels! After Cujo and Christine I stopped reading his books though. It has been ages, I should try some of his books again!
wilhelm |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:00:14
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I've also read 'Night Shift', 'Skeleton Crew' and 'The Shining'. So many weather-beaten Maine characters! (Okay, so 'The Shining' is really set in Colorado....)
CARL.
"ME TOO!"
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5157 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:45:57
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catch 22 is perhaps the best novel i've ever read. it satisfies on every level
-brian
- "I joined the Cult of Frank / And they tried to cut off my nuts and make me put on a blue jumpsuit"
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:49:39
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I think my favourite books are probably The Commitments by Roddy Doyle (possibly the best book of music fiction ever, worth the price alone for its Dublin accents and onomatopaeic descriptions of the music), and Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra. The film was good, but the book is excellent - very moving, evocative and, of course, true.
 "Join The Cult Of Wormy Cheese Man/In Ten Words Or Less" |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5157 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:51:35
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the commitments is an amazing book too
-brian
- "I joined the Cult of Frank / And they tried to cut off my nuts and make me put on a blue jumpsuit"
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:53:54
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Have you ever seen the film? I never have, and I don't know if it'll match up. i have all these ideas of how it should be, what Joey The Lips looks like, how the garage is laid out...
"Join The Cult Of Wormy Cheese Man/In Ten Words Or Less" |
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 11:55:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Cheeseman1000
I think my favourite books are probably The Commitments by Roddy Doyle (possibly the best book of music fiction ever, worth the price alone for its Dublin accents and onomatopaeic descriptions of the music), and Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra. The film was good, but the book is excellent - very moving, evocative and, of course, true.
"Join The Cult Of Wormy Cheese Man/In Ten Words Or Less"
Ah yes! I've the Commitments, The Snapper and The Van together in one book (named the Barrytown trilogy I think). BRILLIANT.
Paddy Clarke is great too!
wilhelm |
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remig
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1734 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 12:02:34
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I second Scarla on Brautigan.
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 12:02:35
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I've not read Wonder Boys, but I saw the movie, and it really didn't do much for me, despite all the praise it received. I'm assuming from what's you've said that the novel is much better. I will definitely pursue more of Mr. Chabon's work.
On another aurthor note, I recently picked up the new novel by William Gibson, who wrote "Neuromancer", way back when, which is an excellent novel. Anyone elese enjoy Mr. Gibson's work? |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 17:09:37
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I am reading The Great Esacpe by Paul Brickhill at the moment..... cracking read, I'd recommend it to anyone.
Who's the man that won't cop out when there's danger all about? |
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 04:54:35
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Read Johnny Mnemonic in a bookshop a few yrs ago cause I had a feeling it couldn´t possibly suck more than the film and read half of Neuromancer then lost it. Liked what I read though. If you like him, Thomas Pynchon´s Vineland has a great cyberpunk subplot featuring lots of gentle ribbing at Gibson (who borrows heavily from Pynchon).
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"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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shineoftheever
> Teenager of the Year <
Canada
4307 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 12:55:29
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Ishmael, My Ishmael, and The story of B by Daniel Quinn will all change the way you look at the world.
Other good reads:
The Trade Mission by Andrew Pyper
Porno by Irvine Welsh (sequel to Trainspotting)
Survivor and Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk
Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks (this reminded me of a modern day Catcher in the Rye)
The Business by Iain Banks
Generation X and Microserfs were cool 10 years ago but the real gems from Douglas Coupland are Girlfriend in a Coma, All Families are Psychotic, and his newest Hey Nostradamus!.
Happy reading everyone!
"Do Re Mi, So Far So Good" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 13:22:19
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Speaking of Ishmael, Moby Dick, which I read for the second time 2 years ago, is awe-inspiring.
The first time I read it, it was an assignment for school, when I was 14, and I just didn't get it. The second time around it was a completely different animal. It would be on my top 5 list of books to have with me on a deserted island. I'm looking forward to Laurie Anderson's treatment of it (aptly named "Moby Dick") if that performance ever gets released on dvd. I'm sure I will read that book several more times before I die, God-willin' and the creek don't rise.
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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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2004 : 07:11:20
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Finished Michael Cunningham's The Hours last night. I was very sad because it ended so soon, such a great book but way too short. It was better than the film (the movie was pretty good). Unfortunately I've seen the movie first so I had these pictures of Meryl Streep, Ed Harris and Julianne Moore (I love this woman!) in my mind all the time. Funnily Nicole Kidman's version of Virginia Woolf did not interfere with the character the book created in my head. If you haven't read this book you must make a point of getting it.
I've now started Vernon God Little.
wilhelm |
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WolfManMikeLonely
= Cult of Ray =
USA
936 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2004 : 18:35:04
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I haven't read them recently but I highly recommend Fool on the Hill and Sewer, Gas and Electric the Public Works trilogy both novels are by Matt Ruff and both are amazing.
"Hey fuck you if you don't like it."
-Johnny Thunders
www.transposed.net |
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2004 : 07:56:06
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Lots of mention of Underworld here. Usually my favourite of deLillo´s is whatever I read last, though White Noise I love in particular for its homeliness.
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"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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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2004 : 08:06:55
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Im currently readin more Will Self (i love that guy), and re reading Generation x by Douglas coupland, - he rocks too ( even if he is canadian! ;P)
Boys go to Jupiter, Get more stupider,
Girls go to Mars, Become rock stars
Wanna fuck and fight in the basement? |
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2004 : 08:20:28
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Read Girlfriend in a Coma was my first one, which i really enjoyed. He´s a pretty good visual artist too. www.coupland.com
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"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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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2004 : 08:22:28
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....Inspired by the title of the Smith's song?
CARL.
"-JOIN ME!!"
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Edited by - Carl on 04/01/2004 08:23:31 |
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Topic |
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Anyone read any great novels recently.
