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CAhobbit
Rohan
May 21 2009, 5:44am
Post #26 of 39
(605 views)
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This book has been a VERY slow read for me. It's been about a month since I started and I'm not even halfway done yet. I'm liking the story but it just hasn't been a page turner for me. I'll get through it though....eventually.
Do not meddle in the affairs of hobbits for we can bite your kneecaps off!
CAhobbit's flickr page
CAhobbit's myspace
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Penthe
Gondor
May 21 2009, 10:20am
Post #27 of 39
(589 views)
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Slightly dispirited public servants eating freddo frogs?//
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Now?
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Penthe
Gondor
May 21 2009, 10:28am
Post #28 of 39
(589 views)
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The Children's Book by AS Byatt
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I like it immensely. Which is lucky since it is quite an immense book - 600 pages, but chunky with it.
The story is about a group of children and their parents at the end of the Victorian age as it passes into the Edwardian era and beyond. The parents are mostly Fabian socialists, artists, writers and diverse bohemians, some more comfortable with their lifestyle than others. Their family lives are complicated and touched with bathos as well as real tragedy. The children have every appearance of living a free and pleasant life.
The narrative is much more straight forward than in most of Byatt's books. I don't think that is a particular strength or weakness, but I do wonder why. As a new fan of Byatt's work (and not so much a fan of Possession for some reason) I'm finding it a little hard to evaluate her work at all. It certainly makes me stop and think. You can't rush through her books, I find, you have to stop and chew the words thoroughly or they are undigestible.
And a.s. , Semmelweiss is a huge hero of mine too. Partly because of the millions or billions of lives he has probably saved, but mostly because he reminds me that genius can be the simplest thing in the world. If only you think of it.
I've also read The Samurai Kids series by Sandy Fussell. Heartily recommended for those with middle-primary aged kids, or who like books for that age group. And it kind of answers my question, too, of what if Frodo had not been able to jump that chasm in Moria because (for example) he only had one leg, or something like that.
Now?
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Lily Fairbairn
Half-elven
May 21 2009, 2:00pm
Post #29 of 39
(611 views)
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It's hard to find a supportive writers' group. But then, you went into it eager to learn and share, which makes a big difference. Yes, I've noticed there are a lot of good unpublished books -- just as I've noticed there are a lot of really poor published ones. Part of this is a matter of taste, of course, and part of it is, well, no one ever said the publishing business makes sense.
Write on!
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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Finding Frodo
Tol Eressea
May 21 2009, 2:58pm
Post #30 of 39
(600 views)
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Compleat. Howbeit. And yes, the infinite euphemisms for sex. I skimmed and skipped large sections of this book, though I enjoyed a little wallowing in Elizabeth and Darcy's devotion to one another.
Still reading Reading the OED and started Silent Spring.
Where's Frodo?
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Ettelewen
Rohan
May 21 2009, 3:46pm
Post #31 of 39
(602 views)
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I have the same issue with that book.
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Actually, I read it for the first time years ago and hated it. I tried it again last year and appreciated it much more. But I still find the story somewhat depressing, and it took me quite a while to get through it the second time.
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Elberbeth
Tol Eressea
May 21 2009, 4:15pm
Post #32 of 39
(607 views)
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Last week I read a "heroic fantasy"
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which seemed to me to be not much more than genocide glorified; this week I read "Heart of Danger" which is a novel set in Bosnia under much the same circumstances. It is horrifyingly alike. The depths of depravity and brutality to which human beings will go towards other humans is astounding, especially in this case where often they had been friends and neighbours beforehand. The basis of the story is a young English woman who was killed trying to protect wounded soldiers, and a private investigator hired to find out where, why and by whom. It deals with the politics of war crimes and how the current politics affect the outcome. Very disturbing.
As a complete change of pace, I also read "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons", which I really enjoyed. It's about five housewives on the same street in Minneapolis who meet during a snowball fight and end up forming a book club. It's one of those well written, easy going books I really enjoyed.
"There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark."
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Elberbeth
Tol Eressea
May 21 2009, 4:26pm
Post #33 of 39
(579 views)
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I just read that too (see below) and enjoyed it very much.
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I'll be looking for some of her other books as I like her style.
"There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark."
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GaladrielTX
Tol Eressea
May 21 2009, 5:01pm
Post #34 of 39
(585 views)
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~~~~~~~~
The TORNsib formerly known as Galadriel.
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GaladrielTX
Tol Eressea
May 21 2009, 5:02pm
Post #35 of 39
(587 views)
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So that’s where you’ve been! ;o)
Congrats on finding what sounds like just the thing for you.
~~~~~~~~
The TORNsib formerly known as Galadriel.
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GaladrielTX
Tol Eressea
May 21 2009, 5:12pm
Post #36 of 39
(623 views)
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wherein a young woman named Julie tries to cook all the recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year. I did enjoy the book and read it through with curiosity (even though I knew the outcome from her blog) until the end. The story of lobster murder does not get old. I was tempted to ditch it after reading six insults to Republicans by page 150. (Although I am not one myself, I do love several of the species ;o) ). Also, I agree with the reviewers who felt she included too much TMI and stuff about female relationships. Still, she excels at recounting what she went through during this project. I tried to keep in mind that she started out as a blogger and so her voice, though sometimes filled a bit too much with hate for my personal tastes, is strong because of that, and in some ways it does keep the energy flowing enough throughout to make it a page turner.
~~~~~~~~
The TORNsib formerly known as Galadriel.
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
May 21 2009, 7:30pm
Post #37 of 39
(578 views)
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Now there's a club I would join. /
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Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Ataahua's stories
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a.s.
Valinor
May 21 2009, 10:32pm
Post #38 of 39
(574 views)
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I had to Google "Freddo Frogs", but now I agree to join, too! //
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"an seileachan"
"If any one had begun to rehearse a History, say not I know it well; and if he relate it not right and fully, shake not thine head, twinkle not thine eyes, and snigger not thereat; much less maist thou say, 'It is not so; you deceive yourself.'"
From: Youth's Behaviour, or, Decency in Conversation amongst Men, composed in French by Grave Persons, for the use and benefit of their Youth. The tenth impression. London, 1672
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RosieLass
Valinor
May 21 2009, 11:03pm
Post #39 of 39
(654 views)
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Sorry to hear about Uncle Baggins' job.
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Not great timing to be out of a job. 
I think Luke is my favorite gospel, too. I get choked up when Linus quotes the Christmas story in the Peanuts Christmas cartoon.
"Rabbit's clever," said Pooh thoughtfully.
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit's clever."
"And he has Brains."
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit has Brains."
There was a long silence.
"I suppose," said Pooh, "that that's why he never understands anything."
- A. A. Milne
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