4.5 stars. I didn't like the first chapter, but after that I was 100% hooked!! And after that I also liked the first chapter. This was an enthralling 4.5 stars. I didn't like the first chapter, but after that I was 100% hooked!! And after that I also liked the first chapter. This was an enthralling tale, my favourite by Wilson to date. The audiobook is really well done too....more
DNF. This book reminded me of Luther's quote to Erasmus: "your book... struck me as so worthless and poor that my heart went out to you for having defDNF. This book reminded me of Luther's quote to Erasmus: "your book... struck me as so worthless and poor that my heart went out to you for having defiled your lovely, brilliant flow of language with such vile stuff. I thought it outrageous to convey material of such low quality in the trappings of such rare eloquence; it is like using gold or silver dishes to carry garden rubbish or dung."
I appreciate the respect that the book deserves as it is clearly part of Halligan's own journey of grief in personal loss. The character, however, who is similarly facing loss, seemingly looks for meaning in comfort in sexual experiences. To me at least, the book strikes as wildly self-indulgent & introspective - not to mention vulgar. There is no hope or vision (at least there wasn't up until the point that I put it down, just couldn't stomach any more), although Halligan is simply a product of the dominant worldview and culture of Western Society at that point. Sexuality is reduced to a search for self-fulfillment.
A friend once said to me that you can go through the dumpster and piece together an edible meal, but you're still going to come out with filth all over you (and you still might get food poisoning...). Why not take a shower and sit down to a nice meal without the hassle in the first place? This is a fitting analogy for this book. ...more
What Grisham does well: knows how to keep a plot moving; seems to bring a note of authenticity to his subject due to his professional backg1.5 stars.
What Grisham does well: knows how to keep a plot moving; seems to bring a note of authenticity to his subject due to his professional background.
What Grisham doesn't do well: writing is plain & unremarkable (not that I could do better...); characters are fairly 2-D; lacking thematic substance; didn't really do any "good" for me (note: I do not consider largely mindless entertainment/amusement to be "good" for me).
The only thing good that this book did for me was impress upon me how horrible it is when a husband cheats on his wife. That event was probably the only point of significance in the plot in terms of significance. The moving plot and characters were getting me in enough to feel that when he cheated on his wife I felt pretty gutted. I almost stopped reading.
No more Mr Grisham for me thank you very much. ...more
DNF. I really want to like Terry Pratchett, I do, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't like this book. It's a good example of the fact that fiction can DNF. I really want to like Terry Pratchett, I do, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't like this book. It's a good example of the fact that fiction can be used to send a message that is relevant for life, but nonetheless I did not like the message that this book sent. Like most feminist leaning dialogue in the modern world, it showed no appreciation for alternate viewpoints - merely presenting them as irrational ideas lodged only in thoughtless tradition. This was one big reason why I didn't like it.
The other significant one was that I just didn't enjoy his writing. Clearly Pratchett tries to rely quite heavily on comedy, but he only succeeded in being infrequently and mildly amusing. It didn't help that more than once he used that crutch of the poor comedian: crass humour. I didn't really like his writing style for this reason too - when he tries to get a laugh and fails to succeed the writing style comes off as a bit of a flop.
I like the concept of Discworld. A fantastic world full of humour and all the usual features of fantasy which are so enjoyable. Colourful characters and - above all - a cutting social commentary. But when it's not funny, the social commentary is not terribly thoughtful (just a rehash of popular opinion), then all that you are left with is fantasy that is difficult to enjoy because of all the other failures.
I will probably give another Pratchett book a try at some point, but if it proves to be as disappointing as this one, it will be bye bye Pratchett for me.
I hope the rest of my holiday reading this Christmas is more enjoyable than this one....more
Although I did not finish this book, it was great in the proper sense of the word. Profoundly contemplative, and in many ways a gripping insight into Although I did not finish this book, it was great in the proper sense of the word. Profoundly contemplative, and in many ways a gripping insight into the people and world of Dostoyevsky's Russia. Why didn't I finish it? For me, the problem was that the story seemed often to be something of a shell for Dostoyevsky's philosophical, political and theological musings. His many diversions, while fascinating, also slowed the narrative quite severely. In all, he traded off too many of the basic elements of what it takes to make a good story. I am all for stories that engage themes, life and thought on a deep level, but for me "the brothers" often did this in such a clunky way that it lost what it takes to tell a good story. This was not a page turner. I may try it again one day, but for me it's a case of too many good things to read, not enough time. One reviewer described it as a great gothic cathedral, with something to be appreciated at every point and detail in the architecture. This is probably true, but it's not everyone's cup of tea to closely examine and appreciate gothic architecture....more
Read this for the second time after a long break. Trying to work out what makes Harry Potter such a compelling story... Character? Story Arc? Plot? SiRead this for the second time after a long break. Trying to work out what makes Harry Potter such a compelling story... Character? Story Arc? Plot? Simple, colourful language? Comedy? Probably lots of them. The jury is still out on debates among Christians as to whether or not Potter is good or bad for Christians to read. ...more
Why five stars? It's not "complete" as LOTR is, but this is definitely 5-star worthy. The reason for it is that this book reveals the magnitude of TolWhy five stars? It's not "complete" as LOTR is, but this is definitely 5-star worthy. The reason for it is that this book reveals the magnitude of Tolkien's genius and achievement. His world stands unparalleled in the realm of fantasy, and remains a foundation stone in the development of the genre. The Silmarillion reveals the epic sweep of Tolkien's vision, the history, language and culture of the world that he created. Middle-Earth remains a breath-taking achievement. Sadly, such a short life allowed only a glimpse into the scope of what could have been, but that glimpse is enough to inspire others to higher achievements - though none have reached it yet. ...more
This was a great book, a genuine page-turner. Adventure, action, engaging characters and an addictive plot. Wilson writes well, really engages you witThis was a great book, a genuine page-turner. Adventure, action, engaging characters and an addictive plot. Wilson writes well, really engages you with his world. Kinda weird how Sam gets snake arms, but also kinda cool. It's not explicit, but it would seem that Wilson has some pretty heavy allegorical overtones rolling along, but it's not as overt as e.g. Lewis. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out of Wilson's pen in the years to come....more
I feel like Sam Gamgee before the elves as I attempt to stutter words of praise for this work. Others and better have reviewed it before me, so sufficI feel like Sam Gamgee before the elves as I attempt to stutter words of praise for this work. Others and better have reviewed it before me, so suffice to say that this is the greatest achievement in the genre of fantasy that there has been to date. We will not see it's like again for some time I think. ...more
