Off Topic Art & Literature

You don't know the difference??

 

Bought that for my dad for Christmas. Hope he likes it

 

Not heard of this writer but I have started to read some detective fiction which I had previously been really sniffy about. My opinion was changed by Reginald Hill's "Dalziel & Pascoe" books which are generally really well written. It is funny how most crime writer have traditionally been female. I am quite happy to read female writers but one of my favourite authors, Kate Atkinson, had dabbled with a fictional detective character and I felt the result was not as good as her other stuff. For my money, she is one of the writers I always look out for but the one crime book of hers I read was so-so and nowhere as original as her other novels. I did try some of the "Shetland" series by Anne Cleeves but they seemed much too far fetched and I always got the impression that she only decided who the culprit was in each book in the last couple of chapters. It is quite incredible to watch the BBC series and appreciate that they have effectively made a silk purse out of a sows ear. The books are pretty trashy.

If you like crime, Beddy, the books which I have been ploughing through over the last 12 months are Philip Kerr's "Bernie Gunther" series and I would thoroughly recommend them. I was initially sceptical because the fan base seems so uncritical but the first book of his I read called "Prussian Blue" was a real page turner. His books tend to be set in either the immediate pre or post war years and then focus on the legacy of Nazi Germany. I just finished "Prague Fatale" last week and found that a good one too although the first and "The Lady from Zagreb" are the best two I have read so far. Kerr has really done his homework with the research and the added bonus is the wise-cracking cynicism of the main character who is certainly one of the most memorable characters I have come across in popular fiction.

 

Thanks for that.......I may bear those in mind for later. I have just started a Pauline Rowson local detective series .
All the stories are based locally to us Pompey, Isle of widget and Southampton. About 20% through all good so far. I actually met her while on holiday a few years ago while on holiday in the Canaries. Apparently she was celebrating the publication of her first book. The one I have just started........

 

Here is a book that is quite a phenomenal read and is an amazing insight into another persons world. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's brilliantly insightful, hilarious in places and it shows why being different has some serious challenges, but also quite a few advantages. If you read one book in 2020, make it this one.

"The Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism" by Naoki Higashida - Translated by Keiko Yoshida and David Mitchell.

Available here if you want to avoid the book monster - https://www.waterstones.com

 

Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism" by Naoki Higashida - Translated by Keiko Yoshida and David Mitchell.


Talking of David Mitchell (the translator, not the smug comedian), "Cloud Atlas" is an amazing novel. For me, it was a genuine Couldn't put it Down book. If you've seen the attempt at a movie that came out a few years ago, don't be put off because the book is hugely rewarding.
Fascinating concept behind the story and a well crafted world in which his characters play their roles, I'd call it an absolute triumph of a book.

"Black Swan Green" by the same author is also rather good, although very different to "Cloud Atlas". It comes across as quite autobiographical, but not sure it actually is. It'll bring back memories for people who grew up in the 70s and 80s.

 

I’ve tried the movie a couple of times and couldn’t get on with it, so I’m interested in trying the book. Thanks!

 

Merry Christmas.
Once you get used to the book structure, it's great Dave. It tells 6 separate stories all set in different times, but gives you chapter one of each story, then chapter two of each story etc so you are effectively jumping in time within each set of chapters.
It's in my top 10.

 

Neil Innis, R.I.P. The term national treasure is overused, but not in this case. A gentleman, satirist, rockstar, songwriter, the 7th python and just so funny.
Bless.

 

R.I.P Neil Innes.............

 

At least spell his name right guys.

RIP Neil Innes

 

Finished the Pauline Rowson book her first......... have to say it was very good. Now well into her second.............a decent author by all accounts. Any one else reading anything decent.............??

 

Anyone read any Dean Kootz books>

 

Not posted on here before because I tend to pick books randomly (though favour mysteries and crime) and rarely get attached to an author (partly because I have a seriously poor memory for names ). However, have noted Pauline Rowson down and will look out for one of her books and get back to you. Thanks.

 

Thanks Fran
Am currently on her third in the Any Horton detective series. Suggest you start at the beginning book 1 as this plays a part all the way through. I got mine through amazon kindle I think it was £1.99. There is even a audio version Im told............

 

Yes - he used to be one of my favourite authors, but his recent books haven’t been that good. Try an earlier one, “Strangers” is good.

 

Cheers mate Ta muchly

 

I though Blood Meridian was fantastic. A beautiful dark cinematic overload - yet deemed 'unfilmable'. Certainly a book you experience

Also one of the only books I read to a specific band's soundtrack in the background (Explosions in the Sky) the other was Breakfast of Champions (Lambchop)

 

Anyone know What Steven Kings last book was called.......I actually met him back in the 90's I was quite impressed by him. I also met another famous writer at the same time whose name escapes me. They were in Brighton at the time........

 

The institute.