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Newbury Today Forum _ Random Rants _ Books

Posted by: Turin Machine Dec 17 2019, 10:15 PM

Just reading Cormack Macarthay's Blood Meridian. Excellent stuff, early but good, you can read a lot of his Border trilogy in it. Highly recommended.

Posted by: James_Trinder Dec 18 2019, 03:08 PM

I'm planning to start reading The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale sequel) during a long railway journey on Friday. I'll submit a review once I have finished it if anybody is remotely interested.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Dec 18 2019, 06:54 PM

QUOTE (James_Trinder @ Dec 18 2019, 03:08 PM) *
I'm planning to start reading The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale sequel) during a long railway journey on Friday. I'll submit a review once I have finished it if anybody is remotely interested.

Yes, thanks, that would be appreciated. Never read any Atwood so should be interesting.

Posted by: Turin Machine Dec 18 2019, 07:26 PM

QUOTE (James_Trinder @ Dec 18 2019, 03:08 PM) *
I'm planning to start reading The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale sequel) during a long railway journey on Friday. I'll submit a review once I have finished it if anybody is remotely interested.

Yes please.

Posted by: James_Trinder Dec 27 2019, 09:36 AM

I was unable to start reading this book on the train due to various issues but started reading it on Christmas Eve and then couldn't put it down until I had finished reading it because it was so addictive. For those of you who are unaware of the plot of the original, it concerns a dystopian future where a religious theocracy has taken over most of what was the USA due to a falling birth rate amongst other things. One of the key plot points is that certain fertile, unmarried women are now the property of the state and are forced to have children with men in positions of authority and then give up their children to the wives of those men. I would happily give this book 5/5 and say that it is a deserved joint winner of the Booker Prize in 2019.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Dec 27 2019, 05:45 PM

QUOTE (James_Trinder @ Dec 27 2019, 09:36 AM) *
I was unable to start reading this book on the train due to various issues but started reading it on Christmas Eve and then couldn't put it down until I had finished reading it because it was so addictive. For those of you who are unaware of the plot of the original, it concerns a dystopian future where a religious theocracy has taken over most of what was the USA due to a falling birth rate amongst other things. One of the key plot points is that certain fertile, unmarried women are now the property of the state and are forced to have children with men in positions of authority and then give up their children to the wives of those men. I would happily give this book 5/5 and say that it is a deserved joint winner of the Booker Prize in 2019.

I'm currently reading "Peope once respected me as a QC, but a fox and social media ruined my career" by Jolyon Maugham

Posted by: je suis Charlie Dec 27 2019, 07:48 PM

QUOTE (James_Trinder @ Dec 27 2019, 09:36 AM) *
I was unable to start reading this book on the train due to various issues but started reading it on Christmas Eve and then couldn't put it down until I had finished reading it because it was so addictive. For those of you who are unaware of the plot of the original, it concerns a dystopian future where a religious theocracy has taken over most of what was the USA due to a falling birth rate amongst other things. One of the key plot points is that certain fertile, unmarried women are now the property of the state and are forced to have children with men in positions of authority and then give up their children to the wives of those men. I would happily give this book 5/5 and say that it is a deserved joint winner of the Booker Prize in 2019.

Thanks, good to know. I may even give it a go myself.

Posted by: Turin Machine Dec 28 2019, 12:48 PM

QUOTE (James_Trinder @ Dec 27 2019, 09:36 AM) *
I was unable to start reading this book on the train due to various issues but started reading it on Christmas Eve and then couldn't put it down until I had finished reading it because it was so addictive. For those of you who are unaware of the plot of the original, it concerns a dystopian future where a religious theocracy has taken over most of what was the USA due to a falling birth rate amongst other things. One of the key plot points is that certain fertile, unmarried women are now the property of the state and are forced to have children with men in positions of authority and then give up their children to the wives of those men. I would happily give this book 5/5 and say that it is a deserved joint winner of the Booker Prize in 2019.

I'm not sure really, I once tried 'Handmaids Tale' and didn't finish it, I must though give it another try. Mine turned out (as so many of his writings) a bit dark, consisting of the life of the main protagonist (The Kid) as he wanders through the great southwest and into Mexico and later in the book running with the Glanton gang in an orgy of destruction. Dank but beautifully written. Great read.

Posted by: newres Jan 2 2020, 08:33 PM

QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ Dec 27 2019, 05:45 PM) *
I'm currently reading "Peope once respected me as a QC, but a fox and social media ruined my career" by Jolyon Maugham

Try “Let it Go”.

Actually I was disgusted by that. What decent human being takes a baseball bat to a defenceless and trapped animal. But honestly, I think your online radicalisation should concern you.

Posted by: newres Jan 2 2020, 08:37 PM

To add, I read The Testament a while back and really enjoyed it. I haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale, but I’ve read quite a few of hers. Oryx £
& Crake was very good.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Jan 3 2020, 12:47 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 2 2020, 08:37 PM) *
To add, I read The Testament a while back and really enjoyed it. I haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale, but I’ve read quite a few of hers. Oryx £
& Crake was very good.

So, who are your three most favorite authors (and why?)

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Jan 3 2020, 11:09 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 2 2020, 08:33 PM) *
Try “Let it Go”.

Actually I was disgusted by that. What decent human being takes a baseball bat to a defenceless and trapped animal. But honestly, I think your online radicalisation should concern you.

Me? Let it go? You have been the one going on about stopping Brexit. For 3 years...And then you agree with me about Jo Maugham but say I am "radicalised". You are funny....

Anyway I can't offer much on the subject of books I am afraid. I used to read a lot but only focus on the far right Twitter accounts now. 😂😂😂😂

Posted by: James_Trinder Jan 3 2020, 12:22 PM

QUOTE (je suis Charlie @ Jan 3 2020, 12:47 AM) *
So, who are your three most favorite authors (and why?)


Philip K. **** - science fiction with a social commentary

Terry Pratchett - just hilarious and excellent characters

Stephen King - really good at building up the suspense

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 4 2020, 02:42 AM

I widely choose authors whose book or books I always return to and reread,so:
Cormack McCarthy, generally disregarded at first but in my opinion, No country for old men, the border trilogy and Child of God are masterpieces.

John Steinbeck, mainly for the Grapes of wrath and The old man and the sea.

H. G. Wells, but in this case for his masterful 'The history of Mr Polly' great book.

I would have added Pratchet except for his insistence of the destruction of all his unfinished material.

Honourable mention to Bernard Cornwall for his fantastically well researched historical novels.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Jan 4 2020, 08:34 PM

Difficult one,

For me,

Cormack McCarthy
John Connolly For his outstanding American noir.
Stuart McBride Pure Scottish gore / comedy police novels

Honorable mention to either
Bill Bryson
or
Bernard Cornwall for his Lord of the North series.

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 6 2020, 09:41 PM

Well, this is going well then? All the ambiance of a deserted slaughter house.

Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 07:18 AM

Choosing just three authors is tricky. One and two are easy but three could be one of dozens.

John Irving. The quirky stories, the common themes, the ease of reading. I find his books absorbing.

Ian Rankin. Great yarns and humour. Love the characters. I met Ian Rankin at the Marlborough festival. Very nice man.

C J Sansom. The Shardlake novels. It’s like being there! Great plots too.







Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 07:21 AM

QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ Jan 3 2020, 11:09 AM) *
Me? Let it go? You have been the one going on about stopping Brexit. For 3 years...And then you agree with me about Jo Maugham but say I am "radicalised". You are funny....

Anyway I can't offer much on the subject of books I am afraid. I used to read a lot but only focus on the far right Twitter accounts now. 😂😂😂😂

I agree on Maugham but I’ll bet you’d defend Johnson. For me, Maugham is forever the bloke that battered a defenceless creature and a c**t.

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 8 2020, 09:37 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 8 2020, 07:21 AM) *
I agree on Maugham but I’ll bet you’d defend Johnson. For me, Maugham is forever the bloke that battered a defenceless creature and a c**t.

laugh.gif

Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 10:23 AM

QUOTE (Turin Machine @ Jan 8 2020, 09:37 AM) *
laugh.gif

You laugh but it's here that I think the left differ from the populist/Brexiters/Trumpians. I'd never vote for or support a candidate that lied and cheated. There's nothing in politics that takes precedence over honesty and integrity.

Posted by: James_Trinder Jan 8 2020, 11:01 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 8 2020, 10:23 AM) *
You laugh but it's here that I think the left differ from the populist/Brexiters/Trumpians. I'd never vote for or support a candidate that lied and cheated. There's nothing in politics that takes precedence over honesty and integrity.


If you define a lie as a deliberate attempt to mislead and/or not tell the truth up front then I am completely in agreement with you. However, if circumstances change then I think that promised actions or stances should also be allowed to change.

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 8 2020, 11:13 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 8 2020, 10:23 AM) *
You laugh but it's here that I think the left differ from the populist/Brexiters/Trumpians. I'd never vote for or support a candidate that lied and cheated. There's nothing in politics that takes precedence over honesty and integrity.

Need I remind you that labour vowed to respect the results of the referendum, then didn't. A lie, I think. All parties lied, cheated and connived, you can't try to take any moral high ground.

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 8 2020, 11:17 AM

QUOTE (James_Trinder @ Jan 8 2020, 11:01 AM) *
If you define a lie as a deliberate attempt to mislead and/or not tell the truth up front then I am completely in agreement with you. However, if circumstances change then I think that promised actions or stances should also be allowed to change.

A bit like the remainers telling us that if we left the EU we would all catch super gonorrhoea?

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 8 2020, 11:18 AM

B.O.O.K.S. !!!

Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 11:24 AM

QUOTE (Turin Machine @ Jan 8 2020, 11:13 AM) *
Need I remind you that labour vowed to respect the results of the referendum, then didn't. A lie, I think. All parties lied, cheated and connived, you can't try to take any moral high ground.

They stayed consistent in that they would only support a version that met their 6 tests. Don’t forget our current PM voted against the May deal. If you simplify things you’ll always get the answer you want, but the truth is more nuanced.

Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 11:25 AM

QUOTE (Turin Machine @ Jan 8 2020, 11:18 AM) *
B.O.O.K.S. !!!

I wasn’t the one who randomly brought politics into it.

Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 11:26 AM

QUOTE (James_Trinder @ Jan 8 2020, 11:01 AM) *
If you define a lie as a deliberate attempt to mislead and/or not tell the truth up front then I am completely in agreement with you. However, if circumstances change then I think that promised actions or stances should also be allowed to change.

Agreed.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Jan 8 2020, 11:36 AM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 8 2020, 11:24 AM) *
They stayed consistent in that they would only support a version that met their 6 tests. Don’t forget our current PM voted against the May deal. If you simplify things you’ll always get the answer you want, but the truth is more nuanced.

Page 24 of Labour's 2017 general election manifesto, which helped the party gain 21 seats and increase its vote share by 10%, again pledged to "accept the referendum result".

The 'six tests' came later and had nothing to do with the referendum, only with the 'deal', an issue which was not under consideration in the referendum and was an attempt by labour to defeat the government.

However, take your childish attempt to derail this thread somewhere else, please.

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 8 2020, 12:03 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 8 2020, 07:18 AM) *
Choosing just three authors is tricky. One and two are easy but three could be one of dozens.

John Irving. The quirky stories, the common themes, the ease of reading. I find his books absorbing.

Ian Rankin. Great yarns and humour. Love the characters. I met Ian Rankin at the Marlborough festival. Very nice man.

C J Sansom. The Shardlake novels. It’s like being there! Great plots too.

Just bought Dissolution on Kindle to try, fascinated by this historical period, currently ploughing through George Cavendish's biography of Wolsly.

Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 01:12 PM

QUOTE (Turin Machine @ Jan 8 2020, 12:03 PM) *
Just bought Dissolution on Kindle to try, fascinated by this historical period, currently ploughing through George Cavendish's biography of Wolsly.

You'll enjoy it. Coincidentally off to Tintern on Sunday for a walk along the Wye Valley. I'm guessing you've read the Wolfe Hall books. I saw that number 3 is due anytime soon.

Posted by: je suis Charlie Jan 8 2020, 01:52 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 8 2020, 01:12 PM) *
You'll enjoy it. Coincidentally off to Tintern on Sunday for a walk along the Wye Valley. I'm guessing you've read the Wolfe Hall books. I saw that number 3 is due anytime soon.

I'm sure most people are aware but just in case Wolf / Wolfe / Wulfe hall (or rather the site of) is just down the road adjacent to Burbage? On a similar historical note that Hamstead Park was the childhood home of William Marshall, Marshall of all England and the Great House that stood there was visited by Henry VIII.

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 8 2020, 04:46 PM

QUOTE (je suis Charlie @ Jan 8 2020, 01:52 PM) *
I'm sure most people are aware but just in case Wolf / Wolfe / Wulfe hall (or rather the site of) is just down the road adjacent to Burbage? On a similar historical note that Hamstead Park was the childhood home of William Marshall, Marshall of all England and the Great House that stood there was visited by Henry VIII.

Indeed, I'm excited about the third in the Mantel trilogy I must say, first two were astounding.

Posted by: newres Jan 8 2020, 06:40 PM

Just wondering what people are reading currently and your thoughts? I always have an audiobook on the go that I listen to running, driving and in bed. Currently I’m listening to Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie and I’m reading on a recommendation Kolmsky Heights as recommended by a friend. I’m struggling with it to be honest. I’m about 1/3 through. I have a feeling that my head might just be a bit too busy with things and that’s why as I’ve struggled a little with the last couple of books.

Incidentally, one of the authors I missed out was John Updike. The Rabbit books were absolute classics ofcourse. I used to collect first editions and rare modern books and at one time had a signed Franklin Library edition of Witches if Eastwick.

Posted by: Turin Machine Jan 8 2020, 06:56 PM

QUOTE (newres @ Jan 8 2020, 06:40 PM) *
Just wondering what people are reading currently and your thoughts? I always have an audiobook on the go that I listen to running, driving and in bed. Currently I’m listening to Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie and I’m reading on a recommendation Kolmsky Heights as recommended by a friend. I’m struggling with it to be honest. I’m about 1/3 through. I have a feeling that my head might just be a bit too busy with things and that’s why as I’ve struggled a little with the last couple of books.

Incidentally, one of the authors I missed out was John Updike. The Rabbit books were absolute classics ofcourse. I used to collect first editions and rare modern books and at one time had a signed Franklin Library edition of Witches if Eastwick.

I'm juggling Dissolution with George Cavendish's work. Someone who's work I adore is Marcel Pagnol, he writes about life in Provence before it was discovered, works of charming rural life riven through with drama and tragi comedy.
From a review of Jean de Florette,
"Playwright, filmmaker and novelist Pagnol (1895-1974) affectionately celebrated his native Provence along with the shrewdness and comic foibles of the folk. Jean Cadoret is a hunchback of charm and intelligence who comes from town to settle on his inherited estate where he plans to farm scientifically. His wife Aimee, a former small-time opera singer, and adoring little daughter Manon work by his side. But the jealous Soubeyransthe local patriarch Cesar and his nephew, the clownish Ugolincraftily plug up a spring on Jean's farm and wait for him to fail. When a cruel summer drought drives Jean to despair and eventually death, the Soubeyrans buy his land cheaply and divert the water for their own lucrative carnation farm. In the sequel, Manon appears as a picturesque goat-girl/dryad, scampering over the rocks in cast-off opera gear and playing her pipes. She avenges her parents and falls in love. The end brings astonishing revelations. Pagnol depicts his villagers as post-Roman pagans whose ""natural brutality'' shows through their Christian veneer. As in the author's earlier naturalist novels, the landscape and the willful spring are forces molding human fates. Those who offend nature, here lushly described, pay a penalty."

I have most of his published work, much of it in French although it's almost impossible to read as being Provencal himself he writes in that dialect. But the translated stuff is fascinating. We actually went on a semi pilgrimage to the village where much of his work is set and where he himself is buried.

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