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Post by Shutter Girl on Oct 3, 2005 18:23:52 GMT -5
Politically Incorrect was one of my favorite shows, but you knew it could not last on network tv. Hey even Ian Anderson appeared on it. As I recall, Ian was one of the most boring guests that I ever saw on Politically Incorrect. He truly looked uncomfortable. I had high hopes for a notable quip or two from Ian, but no such luck. I think the best he could do was describe the state of dentition in the UK. MQ As sad as this is to have to say, I have to agree with you, Max! It was totally unlike him, I was pretty disappointed, too. Maybe he didn't feel well or had jet lag or something. It's too bad, maybe Bill Maher would have asked him back to be on Real Time had he been a little more animated.
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Post by Shutter Girl on Oct 20, 2005 22:20:58 GMT -5
Currently on my plate:
A Sudden Country by Karen Fisher
I read my first review of this book in Entertainment Weekly and basically they said that if you can get through the language you get a beautiful reward. Fisher spins the tale of a trapper who loses his whole family to smallpox and ends up showing a family the way to Oregon. Sounds like it's been done before? Well maybe it has, but not like this, Baby.
Every once in a blue moon you come across an author who's fiction isn't deserving of being called fiction .... it's so much more than that. Every sentence in this book is a work of art. The descriptions of the life, land and emotions of 19th century pioneers come to life in your mind and in your heart. It's only a tough read if you've never been aquainted with the poetic form... and if you haven't, you have my sympathy. The story and descriptions in this first novel are brilliantly rendered and put you in the flesh of those who lived through this fascinating and treacherous time. Put this one on your must read list, it's worth every word.
This could very well be the fiction work I never wrote but had always hoped to. I think I smell National Book Award...
As a side note, the haunting cover photo was done by one Viggo Mortensen.
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Post by MaxQuad on Jan 26, 2006 14:29:22 GMT -5
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
As I sit here listening to Nick Drake, some thoughts on Joan Didion's National Book Award winning account of a year marked at the outset by the death of her husband (John Gregory Dunne) and a life threatening illness of their adopted daughter (Quintana Roo Dunne).
The emotional journey is vivid, forcing one to reflect on loss from an intensely personal perspective rather than an academic one. The psychic chaos of the year is palpable in her writing, drawing the reader into the quiet and solitary moments that bring to life the magical thinking that dominated her grief.
Perhaps I am at a time in my life that the thought of sudden loss and its consequences resonates more deeply than in the past. Perhaps the topic is made more penetrating by the continued passage of time that distances me from my need to respond as a professional while others experience loss. Perhaps it is undergoing loss of another kind during my previous twelve months. Whatever the reason, the result is a powerful reminder to cherish the small moments that bind two people together in ways others cannot understand.
So make your way on down to the sea Something has taken you so far from me.
- Nick Drake
Sadly, Quintana died soon after the publication of the book. Another powerful reminder of the ephemeral nature of life and love.
MQ
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Post by Shutter Girl on Jan 26, 2006 17:36:49 GMT -5
Thanks for posting your thoughts on the book, Max.
I understand it's very touching but I don't think I'm at the right point at the moment to read it. Maybe something to keep on the back burner, though.
What have I been reading? A bunch of magazines and.... The Conjurer's Bird! Will let you all know when RJ and I are finished.
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Post by RepairmanJack on Feb 20, 2006 11:37:12 GMT -5
I just finished London Bridges by James Patterson. It is for my book discussion group today. This was my third Patterson book, but my first Alex Cross one. I have to say I was disappointed. The story never really grabbed me and just when it started to get somewhat interesting it had a luke warm ending. I like books with interesting characters and Patterson is not much for character development. I cannot recommend this for a book discussion group. Hopefully my group will have enjoyed it more than I have and have more to discuss.
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Post by RepairmanJack on Feb 20, 2006 16:00:59 GMT -5
Well, my group loved the book. There was only one person besides myself that did not enjoy it. A number of people in the group have read most of the series up to this point.
One thing that stood out for them was Patterson's writing style. They really like the short chapters and fast paced action. They commented that it was one of those books that they kept saying just one more chapter before I stop, just one more...
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Post by MaxQuad on Feb 21, 2006 11:50:48 GMT -5
Well, my group loved the book. Well, there's no accounting for taste, eh RJ? Funny how that can happen - something so clearly unliked so well liked by others. Of course, you are right, they are wrong. As for me, I just finished The Historian - all 642 pages worth - and, though an enjoyable read, was underwhelmed. To me it truly read like a first novel - a bit forced, a bit self-conscious. I read a series of online reviews - most of which praised it highly. I also read a NY Times review that seemed to capture much of my frustration with the book. The dialogue often seemed cliche'd, the male-female attraction-tension storyline a bit wooden at times - lacking subtlety in description of a subtle and building attraction. SG, I know you read it. Your thoughts? RJ, did you read it. Again, not a bad book - a nice twist on an old legend (It is legend, right? , but not great literature - and not as great as touted by many. MQ
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Post by RepairmanJack on Feb 21, 2006 15:31:11 GMT -5
I have not read it yet MQ. I do plan on trying it at least. I am in the mood for some non-fiction so today started The War That Made America: a Short History of the French and Indian War by Fred Anderson. It is the companion book to the PBS documentary miniseries of the same name.
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Post by MaxQuad on Feb 22, 2006 8:41:10 GMT -5
I am in the mood for some non-fiction so today started The War That Made America: a Short History of the French and Indian War by Fred Anderson. I guess we are both in non-fiction mode (a rarity for me). I am embarking on Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. Hopefully another Pulitzer Prize Winner under my belt. MQ
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Post by MaxQuad on Feb 22, 2006 8:46:54 GMT -5
...or attempting to... Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. SG, did you ever finish this book? Any thoughts you'd care to share? MQ
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Post by Shutter Girl on Feb 22, 2006 10:42:59 GMT -5
...or attempting to... Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. SG, did you ever finish this book? Any thoughts you'd care to share? MQ Funny you asked that Max, I was just thinking of that book the other day. No, I didn't finish it, not because I wasn't enjoying it but I think I put it down because I was forced to read a crap book discussion book for work. Damn job! ;-) I should pick it up again. It's kind of a tome, I have to warn you... Regarding The Historian: Again, I haven't finished it yet (I need to stop doing that!) but from what I've read thus far I agree with your comments. It was tauted as the next Da Vinci Code (whatever that means, I thought the DVC was decent but not spectacular) but when I picked up The Historian I thought that most DVC readers wouldn't want to trudge through this wordy tome. It's too wordy and I think it tries to hard to 'set the mood'. It could literally be cut in half and still be a good story. I think they're trying to pass it off as 'literature' when really, it's a horror book. An interesting twist, as you've said, but still a horror novel. I'll have to finish it along with a bunch of other books and then comment further! I see a trend in myself I don't like, I have to knock that off and read things to their conclusion. Life interferes sometimes, you know?
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Post by RepairmanJack on Feb 22, 2006 11:51:30 GMT -5
I guess we are both in non-fiction mode (a rarity for me). I am embarking on Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. Hopefully another Pulitzer Prize Winner under my belt. MQ A good choice MQ! I really enjoyed that book. SG and I also liked the PBS miniseries based on this book
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Post by MaxQuad on Feb 22, 2006 13:52:09 GMT -5
Regarding The Historian: Again, I haven't finished it yet (I need to stop doing that!) but from what I've read thus far I agree with your comments. It was tauted as the next Da Vinci Code (whatever that means, I thought the DVC was decent but not spectacular) but when I picked up The Historian I thought that most DVC readers wouldn't want to trudge through this wordy tome. It's too wordy and I think it tries to hard to 'set the mood'. It could literally be cut in half and still be a good story. I think they're trying to pass it off as 'literature' when really, it's a horror book. An interesting twist, as you've said, but still a horror novel. SG, I agree. The Historian could have been less lengthy and still a good read. The pattern of "have a character tell part of the story and then have to stop telling it because they were overwhelmed" became tedious. The mood setting is forced and excessive at times. It is also not subtle. Rather than letting the dialogue or action help with setting the mood, the narrator too often has to explicitly pass along his comments on the mood. Anyway, on balance I still think it was positive, but not worthy of as much praise as it has received. MQ
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Post by Shutter Girl on Feb 23, 2006 10:10:05 GMT -5
Well said, MQ!
If you pick up a book that size you're probably the type of person who doesn't need to be 'lead down the path' by the hand.
Try Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, it's much more Dickensonian.
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Post by MaxQuad on Feb 23, 2006 18:47:04 GMT -5
Try Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, it's much more Dickensonian. Paperback edition priced at QR 119 (close to $33) in Jarir Bookstore. Surprised they had it (one copy only), but the price was kind of steep given I'm in the midst of Guns, Germs, and Steel and have only 7 weeks left in Doha. I think I will wait to pick it up upon my return Stateside. MQ
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