M.D. Eyre's Blog, page 6
April 20, 2012
Toads
Well that's nearly the end of my holiday-back to work tomorrow.
Done a lot of writing, my new novel Fighting Talk should be out next week and I'm busily editing the 2nd book in the trilogy.
Dunno why ( well I do!) but whenever a holiday is over the words from Philip Larkin's poem Toads always spring to mind:
'Ah, were I courageous enough
To shout Stuff your pension!
But I know, all too well, that's the stuff
That dreams are made on.'
Great poet Larkin- he was a right miserable sod by all accounts-which is probably why I like him!
If you've got a minute check out Whitsun Weddings and An Arundel Tomb as well.
Done a lot of writing, my new novel Fighting Talk should be out next week and I'm busily editing the 2nd book in the trilogy.
Dunno why ( well I do!) but whenever a holiday is over the words from Philip Larkin's poem Toads always spring to mind:
'Ah, were I courageous enough
To shout Stuff your pension!
But I know, all too well, that's the stuff
That dreams are made on.'
Great poet Larkin- he was a right miserable sod by all accounts-which is probably why I like him!
If you've got a minute check out Whitsun Weddings and An Arundel Tomb as well.
April 18, 2012
George Macdonald Fraser
My favourite author by a mile.
A great storyteller and an incomparable stylist, Fraser wrote the Flashman series as well as Mr. American and a score of other books that are well worth reading. (Oh, and Fraser also wrote screenplays including a few James Bond movies)
Flashman stands out not only because of the humour but also the historical research and the way that Fraser captures perfectly the 19th century voice.
It was also a great idea-take one of the characters from Tom Brown's Schooldays-Flashman the Rugby bully- and place him at key moments of history-the Light Brigade's charge at Balaclava, the Little Big Horn, John Brown's disastrous raid at Harper's Ferry...China's Opium Wars... the Indian Mutiny...and Britain's first disastrous foray into Afghanistan.
Flashman is an amoral, lecherous coward but you just can't help rooting for him.
If you haven't read these brilliantly ironic books do yourself a favour- you won't regret it.
PS A Flashman film is out in 2013 starring Michael Fassbender as our hero-can't wait!
A great storyteller and an incomparable stylist, Fraser wrote the Flashman series as well as Mr. American and a score of other books that are well worth reading. (Oh, and Fraser also wrote screenplays including a few James Bond movies)
Flashman stands out not only because of the humour but also the historical research and the way that Fraser captures perfectly the 19th century voice.
It was also a great idea-take one of the characters from Tom Brown's Schooldays-Flashman the Rugby bully- and place him at key moments of history-the Light Brigade's charge at Balaclava, the Little Big Horn, John Brown's disastrous raid at Harper's Ferry...China's Opium Wars... the Indian Mutiny...and Britain's first disastrous foray into Afghanistan.
Flashman is an amoral, lecherous coward but you just can't help rooting for him.
If you haven't read these brilliantly ironic books do yourself a favour- you won't regret it.
PS A Flashman film is out in 2013 starring Michael Fassbender as our hero-can't wait!
The Smiths: better than The Beatles?
Of course they were!
Here's why:
1, The Smiths were Mancunian, the Beatles were from Liverpool... oh,dear.
2. Lyrically, Morrissey's words drew on such diverse literary sources as Oscar Wilde, Shelagh Delaney and Keith Waterhouse; it has yet to be determined who or what inspired 'Yellow Submarine'.
3. The Smiths had Johnny Marr-the greatest guitarist of his generation;The Beatles couldn't even decide who should play base.
4. Morrissey sported a magnificent quiff-the Beatles looked as though somebody had stuck a pudding bowl on their head and snipped round the edges.
5. Covers- any band that uses Charles Hawtrey, the legendary comedian from the Carry On films, as a cover star, is by any definition, Great. Any band that has themselves using a zebra crossing on Abbey Road, isn't.
6. Post break-up music: Morrissey wrote the sublime Now My Heart is Full, a homage to Graeme Green's Brighton Rock. Paul McCartney wrote The Frog Chorus, a homage to,er, frogs.
I rest my case.
Here's why:
1, The Smiths were Mancunian, the Beatles were from Liverpool... oh,dear.
2. Lyrically, Morrissey's words drew on such diverse literary sources as Oscar Wilde, Shelagh Delaney and Keith Waterhouse; it has yet to be determined who or what inspired 'Yellow Submarine'.
3. The Smiths had Johnny Marr-the greatest guitarist of his generation;The Beatles couldn't even decide who should play base.
4. Morrissey sported a magnificent quiff-the Beatles looked as though somebody had stuck a pudding bowl on their head and snipped round the edges.
5. Covers- any band that uses Charles Hawtrey, the legendary comedian from the Carry On films, as a cover star, is by any definition, Great. Any band that has themselves using a zebra crossing on Abbey Road, isn't.
6. Post break-up music: Morrissey wrote the sublime Now My Heart is Full, a homage to Graeme Green's Brighton Rock. Paul McCartney wrote The Frog Chorus, a homage to,er, frogs.
I rest my case.
April 17, 2012
The Hunger Games v. Battle Royale
There's a feeling in some quarters that The Hunger Games is very similar to the Japanese film Battle Royale, based on the novel written by Koushun Takami
Having now watched both films I have to say I disagree.
Battle Royale is a devastatingly effective commentary on adolescent behaviour and the moral decay of society.
The Hunger Games, on the other hand, is crap.
Having now watched both films I have to say I disagree.
Battle Royale is a devastatingly effective commentary on adolescent behaviour and the moral decay of society.
The Hunger Games, on the other hand, is crap.
April 15, 2012
Computer meltdown
Well, it was a false dawn...
My old Dell laptop, which suffered a malware attack a couple of weeks ago, finally gave up the ghost.
I went to turn it on a couple of days ago and all I got was a black screen.
So I went and splurged on a new one- I don't mind shelling out because basically my life is on a laptop these days- skyping, banking, emailing, oh, and writing, of course!
When I can't get on a computer I get mild panic attacks and start to pace the room- sad in a way but that's how it is!
Currently purring over my new acquistion-it's a thing of beauty!
And again, don't keep putting it off-back up, either on an external hard drive or email or preferably both!
My old Dell laptop, which suffered a malware attack a couple of weeks ago, finally gave up the ghost.
I went to turn it on a couple of days ago and all I got was a black screen.
So I went and splurged on a new one- I don't mind shelling out because basically my life is on a laptop these days- skyping, banking, emailing, oh, and writing, of course!
When I can't get on a computer I get mild panic attacks and start to pace the room- sad in a way but that's how it is!
Currently purring over my new acquistion-it's a thing of beauty!
And again, don't keep putting it off-back up, either on an external hard drive or email or preferably both!
April 14, 2012
Bernard Cornwell
There's some writers who, as soon as they publish a new novel, you buy it, no questions asked.
Forget about reviews or word of mouth or the cost- as soon as it hits the stores, digital or otherwise, you just know you have to have that book.
One of those authors for me is Bernard Cornwell. I've read everything he's written, from the Sharpe series to the Uhtred books and I've never been disappointed.
Some people might argue that his plots are formulaic, the characters a little stereotyped and they might have a point. But the fact is he tells a rattling good yarn and sometimes that's all you want- a good story. And all right Sharpie, on his travels, always seems to meet a gorgeous foreign lady, who always speaks impeccable English and who always thinks our hero is the 19th century equivalent to George Clooney but who cares? Sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and come the next Cornwell novel I'll be itching to hand over some of my hard earned cash.
Who are your 'must-buy' authors?
Forget about reviews or word of mouth or the cost- as soon as it hits the stores, digital or otherwise, you just know you have to have that book.
One of those authors for me is Bernard Cornwell. I've read everything he's written, from the Sharpe series to the Uhtred books and I've never been disappointed.
Some people might argue that his plots are formulaic, the characters a little stereotyped and they might have a point. But the fact is he tells a rattling good yarn and sometimes that's all you want- a good story. And all right Sharpie, on his travels, always seems to meet a gorgeous foreign lady, who always speaks impeccable English and who always thinks our hero is the 19th century equivalent to George Clooney but who cares? Sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and come the next Cornwell novel I'll be itching to hand over some of my hard earned cash.
Who are your 'must-buy' authors?
April 13, 2012
Adults reading Harry Potter-I just don't get it.
What's the target audience of the Harry Potter books- 13-year-olds... 14?
If that's the case why do so many adults read them with such misty-eyed fervour?
It's something that's perplexed me for a while now and I've had some good-natured arguments with grown-up Potter fans since the books were published. They all tried to convince me the books were great so I borrowed the first one in the series from a mate and decided to give it a go... and I couldn't get past the first chapter.
It didn't engage me, the writing was obviously not aimed at an adult audience and, not to put too fine a point on it, I was bored.
Now don't get me wrong-if I'd have been 14 when the first Potter book came out I'd have lapped it up, I know I would. But I'm not 14 and for some reason I don't want to be a wizard these days.
In the words of the great song:
'It says nothing to me about my life.'
If that's the case why do so many adults read them with such misty-eyed fervour?
It's something that's perplexed me for a while now and I've had some good-natured arguments with grown-up Potter fans since the books were published. They all tried to convince me the books were great so I borrowed the first one in the series from a mate and decided to give it a go... and I couldn't get past the first chapter.
It didn't engage me, the writing was obviously not aimed at an adult audience and, not to put too fine a point on it, I was bored.
Now don't get me wrong-if I'd have been 14 when the first Potter book came out I'd have lapped it up, I know I would. But I'm not 14 and for some reason I don't want to be a wizard these days.
In the words of the great song:
'It says nothing to me about my life.'
goodreads v. twitter
Having joined both these social media sites just after Christmas it's been interesting to compare the way they both work and, for me anyway, Twitter doesn't.
The 140 character limit is very restrictive in terms of actually getting to know people and really it's just an advertising site. If you approach like that then you won't be disappointed... but I suppose I was expecting a bit more.
Here on goodreads you can actually converse at some length about all sorts of things- not just books- and the key is joining groups and getting to know a few people.
The 140 character limit is very restrictive in terms of actually getting to know people and really it's just an advertising site. If you approach like that then you won't be disappointed... but I suppose I was expecting a bit more.
Here on goodreads you can actually converse at some length about all sorts of things- not just books- and the key is joining groups and getting to know a few people.
April 12, 2012
Spartacus!
Just finished watching the 3rd series of Spartacus, which has turned out to be one of the best series since HBO's Rome.
Got to admit I'm a sucker for Ancient history shows and films- I, Claudius, Rome, the Kubrick Spartacus, I've watched them all several times and when the first episode of the Starz production came out that was me camped in front of the telly!
The first episode was a bit disappointing though but it got better-boy,did it get better! The finale was a gore-fest of epic proportions as Spartacus and his men rampaged through the House of Batiatus and the fountains ran red.
What made in so good? The acting? The gratuitous violence and sex scenes?
Nope, none of those things- for me it was the script (no,really!) The dialogue was this strange mixture of high-flown imagery and no-holds-barred swearing... and it worked. So often dialogue by characters from antiquity-in books and in films-can sound stilted and just not right somehow but the script writers got it spot on this time.
A special mention to John Hannah as Batiatus and Andy Whitfield as Spartacus (who sadly died after the first series) but I think the 'new' Spartacus,played by Liam Ballantyne, did a great job.
Here's hoping they do a fourth series- I'll be tuning in if they do.
Got to admit I'm a sucker for Ancient history shows and films- I, Claudius, Rome, the Kubrick Spartacus, I've watched them all several times and when the first episode of the Starz production came out that was me camped in front of the telly!
The first episode was a bit disappointing though but it got better-boy,did it get better! The finale was a gore-fest of epic proportions as Spartacus and his men rampaged through the House of Batiatus and the fountains ran red.
What made in so good? The acting? The gratuitous violence and sex scenes?
Nope, none of those things- for me it was the script (no,really!) The dialogue was this strange mixture of high-flown imagery and no-holds-barred swearing... and it worked. So often dialogue by characters from antiquity-in books and in films-can sound stilted and just not right somehow but the script writers got it spot on this time.
A special mention to John Hannah as Batiatus and Andy Whitfield as Spartacus (who sadly died after the first series) but I think the 'new' Spartacus,played by Liam Ballantyne, did a great job.
Here's hoping they do a fourth series- I'll be tuning in if they do.
April 11, 2012
What happened Stephen? 11.22.63
Finished this book a few weeks ago and let me say first off I'm a big King fan. I think I've read nearly every thing he's written (except for The Dark Tower books-I really couldn't get into them and that talking train was the last straw!)
Anyway, I was really looking forward to 11.22.63. Time travel and the Kennedy assassination, what a great idea for a book; I'd been disappointed with his recent offerings but I thought this would surely be a return to form.
So, bought it on the day of publication, read the first few chapters and couldn't put it down... but come the last few chapters, I could hardly pick it up.
It was a combination of things- the seemingly interminable amount of time the main character spends in the past, waiting for Nov 1963 to roll around, the on-off love affair and some of the frankly cheesy scenes (that school dance section had me cringing.)
My first thought was- what a missed opportunity. I was invisaging King exploring the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy hit, the mob connections, the whole gamut of early 60s American political corruption and sleaze, a combination of James Ellroy and King on speed in other words...but all I got was some Oprah Winfrey group hugs and a lot of crying.
King will always be a great writer for me- The Shining, The Stand, It and Pet Sematary (the perfect horror novel in my opinion) all have a prominent place on my bookshelves.
Dreamcatcher, Under the Dome and 11.22.63 won't.
Anyway, I was really looking forward to 11.22.63. Time travel and the Kennedy assassination, what a great idea for a book; I'd been disappointed with his recent offerings but I thought this would surely be a return to form.
So, bought it on the day of publication, read the first few chapters and couldn't put it down... but come the last few chapters, I could hardly pick it up.
It was a combination of things- the seemingly interminable amount of time the main character spends in the past, waiting for Nov 1963 to roll around, the on-off love affair and some of the frankly cheesy scenes (that school dance section had me cringing.)
My first thought was- what a missed opportunity. I was invisaging King exploring the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy hit, the mob connections, the whole gamut of early 60s American political corruption and sleaze, a combination of James Ellroy and King on speed in other words...but all I got was some Oprah Winfrey group hugs and a lot of crying.
King will always be a great writer for me- The Shining, The Stand, It and Pet Sematary (the perfect horror novel in my opinion) all have a prominent place on my bookshelves.
Dreamcatcher, Under the Dome and 11.22.63 won't.
