Dialogue so realistic, you could be there! A classic novel that I had to read, as a new novelist (my latest: Deadly Intrigue). I read this book becauseDialogue so realistic, you could be there! A classic novel that I had to read, as a new novelist (my latest: Deadly Intrigue). I read this book because I’d seen it referred to so often by other writers, in terms of the skillful use of dialogue. Elmore Leonard considered it the best crime novel ever written. I wasn't disappointed. It's a short book (50,000 words) and the pace starts gradually, building realistic scenes and characters in the Boston underworld. At that early stage, you have no idea of the plot. Each chapter is really a conversation, each utterly believable. Eddie Coyle with other criminals; Eddie with the police; Criminals planning their crimes, talking about jail, and discussing Eddie; Police discussing crimes, and what Eddie could do for them. So the viewpoints are changing regularly, but it's all connected with the same crimes and Eddie’s involvement. By the half-way point, we are well into the plot, following all of the viewpoints, and sensing that they are now converging towards some final outcome. By then we are beginning to get anxious to know what will happen to Eddie. That’s when you can’t put the book down....more
I got this for Christmas, and I love it. It's a great reference book of course, but I love the dry humour when he advises against certain usage. For eI got this for Christmas, and I love it. It's a great reference book of course, but I love the dry humour when he advises against certain usage. For example where people pronounce Chorizo as 'choritso', as if it's an Italian word, he says: "If you wish to make an impression ... it is wise to make sure you choose the right language."...more
Absolutely brilliant! 1000 pages, and a page turner. Events in the 1660's around the English king and parliament (Restoration of Charles 2), war with Absolutely brilliant! 1000 pages, and a page turner. Events in the 1660's around the English king and parliament (Restoration of Charles 2), war with the Dutch, the great plague, the great fire of London 1666, and also LOTS of his personal life, esp the women he fancies and has affairs with. He recorded everything....more
Very funny novel about misadventures of a journalist sent to cover possible war in Africa. I’ve ordered the DVD as will be fun to watch that and see hVery funny novel about misadventures of a journalist sent to cover possible war in Africa. I’ve ordered the DVD as will be fun to watch that and see how the characters play out on screen. I'll have to read more of Evelyn Waugh's novels....more
This marvelous book gives the family background prior to the Pepys diary, and then follows the events of the diary, and finally goes in detail over thThis marvelous book gives the family background prior to the Pepys diary, and then follows the events of the diary, and finally goes in detail over the events in his life, following the diary years. Quite gripping in itself, with him one minute in prison, the next in conversation with the king!...more
Brilliant writing of this novella (in 1934). The protagonist is a school head, post-retirement, looking back over his life. Lot of happy moments and aBrilliant writing of this novella (in 1934). The protagonist is a school head, post-retirement, looking back over his life. Lot of happy moments and also sad moments. Had to keep reading, as always wanted to know what unfolded next in his life. Like when he mentions a wife, and we know she's not around now, so we're anxious to know what happened. And when war was coming (the first World War) there was clearly going to be bad news coming. Just sorry it wasn't a longer book!...more
Strong characterisation - you really get into how the protagonist (the maid in the Vermeer household) thinks and feels. The ending was perhaps a littlStrong characterisation - you really get into how the protagonist (the maid in the Vermeer household) thinks and feels. The ending was perhaps a little too neat!...more
The life and death of Robert Maxwell. A lot of detail about the final years, when his publishing empire was collapsing (New York Daily News, UK Daily The life and death of Robert Maxwell. A lot of detail about the final years, when his publishing empire was collapsing (New York Daily News, UK Daily Mirror, etc.). Had little idea about much of this going on in the background, even though I was working there for some of that time. Very good book. Humorous at times, and overall quite gripping, right up to the mystery of his death. ...more
His first novel. Bestseller in US. Financial thriller. Start is slow (only the promise of the blurb kept me going). Too many names, introduced one aftHis first novel. Bestseller in US. Financial thriller. Start is slow (only the promise of the blurb kept me going). Too many names, introduced one after the other. I forget which is which. Some padding in places (eg. 12 pages devoted to explaining fishing). But, half way through book it hots up and becomes a page turner, and there's a good ending....more
I thought it was time I reread Asimov's 'Foundation' trilogy (last read many years ago). It's old-fashioned language, eg. most of the men seem to smokI thought it was time I reread Asimov's 'Foundation' trilogy (last read many years ago). It's old-fashioned language, eg. most of the men seem to smoke cigars, and every office has an ashtray, and apart from a couple of lead characters, women are almost absent from the world of the far future. But it's still amazing what he could think up in 1948, long before the invention of laser printers, cellphones, DVDs etc. and when computers the size of rooms would have trouble storing something the size of a book. He wrote them originally as a series of short stories in SciFi magazines, and that makes the books a bit fragmented. But I did find I wanted to keep reading, all the way through the three books. The SciFi community would probably be outraged, but I could see a great opportunity for someone to rewrite with a more modern outlook, as the underlying stories are pretty good....more
It is set in Guernsey in about 1820, and paints a vivid picture of life then, for example the tension and feelings when the first steam-driven ferry rIt is set in Guernsey in about 1820, and paints a vivid picture of life then, for example the tension and feelings when the first steam-driven ferry replaced sail boats. It was incredibly slow to get going, setting the scene with long descriptions of places and characters, for the first 50 pages (out of 155). But I persevered. Eventually a plot emerged, and the action got going, along with suggestions of romance. Every now and then I skipped through some of the descriptions, just to keep motivation, but later in the book, there was enough action and tension to make it all worthwhile, and it came to an unexpected climax. Very witty at times, and probably reflecting Hugo’s views of life on Guernsey at the time he wrote it, while in exile from France. For example: (P.76) Doctor Herode belonged to the High Church; a party whose system is a sort of popery without a pope. ...more
Good novel, and a page turner. Some of the 1950's language is a bit old-fashioned now, and some is definitely not PC. The plot has similarities to theGood novel, and a page turner. Some of the 1950's language is a bit old-fashioned now, and some is definitely not PC. The plot has similarities to the movie, but many differences too. I think maybe I prefer the movie....more
Sets the scene well, with upper-class young people on Long Island. Lot on their character as well as physical description. It was fairly slow up to haSets the scene well, with upper-class young people on Long Island. Lot on their character as well as physical description. It was fairly slow up to half-way, then things happened faster....more
Espionage before World War 1. Written in 1903. Nice style, but of course language is old-fashioned. Lots of tension and mystery when it gets going. If Espionage before World War 1. Written in 1903. Nice style, but of course language is old-fashioned. Lots of tension and mystery when it gets going. If you've ever been sailing, it captures the atmosphere of lonely tidal anchorages perfectly. Prefer the book to the film,
The usual good quality read from Grisham. At the start, it isn't clear who the lead character is, as Patrick is seemingly the villain. Then reader graThe usual good quality read from Grisham. At the start, it isn't clear who the lead character is, as Patrick is seemingly the villain. Then reader gradually gets to identify with him, so we want him to succeed whatever, as he seems a lot better than the opposition. First half of book is a bit complicated/slow, but then pace picks up fast for rest of the book....more
Good opening line. "Saturday, the last day of August, I started work before dawn." Good plot, with lots of grisly details of the dead bodies. The invoGood opening line. "Saturday, the last day of August, I started work before dawn." Good plot, with lots of grisly details of the dead bodies. The involvement of a psychic seems a bit far fetched! A very good read overall, but the end of book was too abrupt for me. We are in a load of tension, and then only a few pages later it is the end of book....more
His jottings through life, from 1892 to 1949. Lots of amusing anecdotes. eg. · Unselfish parents have selfish children. · Fools don’t become less foolisHis jottings through life, from 1892 to 1949. Lots of amusing anecdotes. eg. · Unselfish parents have selfish children. · Fools don’t become less foolish when they grow old, and an old fool is infinitely more tiresome than a young one. ...more
Starts very slow and descriptive for maybe a quarter of the book, eg. Description of all members of the old man’s family, and even a chart; descriptioStarts very slow and descriptive for maybe a quarter of the book, eg. Description of all members of the old man’s family, and even a chart; description in detail of the food that was eaten. Many short dull sentences. But then at about chapter 10 it gets going, with sex, incest and violence, and becomes a page-turner. ...more
Terrific novel with accelerating pace, leading to loads of tension and action. As an aspiring author (of Deadly Contract), the way he kept me involvedTerrific novel with accelerating pace, leading to loads of tension and action. As an aspiring author (of Deadly Contract), the way he kept me involved with the plot and turning pages was a great lesson. I liked the fact that it's split into many chapters (80), as that helped with the pace, often with a good hook at the end of the chapter to get you to read on. The settings all seem very realistic. For example, the lead's company is making the 'SkyCruiser'. This was just how I recall the Boeing factory at Seattle, and the DreamLiner setup. On the downside, a lot of character names to remember, esp of the company execs. Maybe could have had a couple less without losing anything of the plot. I’m not keen on flashbacks, as for me they can interrupt the action, and there are too many of them here. But by the later part of the book, you can more or less guess what the flashbacks are going to tell you (about his past life), so it becomes easy to skip through them and stay with the plot. All in all, a very enjoyable read. It would make a great movie thriller too (without the flashbacks!)....more
Sold a million in US and worldwide. Very short book. Life of a seagull, that aspires to better things, and its move to ‘heaven’. I liked it. It was a Sold a million in US and worldwide. Very short book. Life of a seagull, that aspires to better things, and its move to ‘heaven’. I liked it. It was a nice story. ...more
Biographical, published in 1936. The Paris experiences were mainly working as a labourer in the kitchens of grand hotels and restaurants, where everywBiographical, published in 1936. The Paris experiences were mainly working as a labourer in the kitchens of grand hotels and restaurants, where everywhere was filth and cockroaches, when not unemployed. He reckoned that the more expensive the hotel, the more spit went into the food! The English experiences were mostly as a tramp, moving from one soulless refuge to the next, and getting no nourishment but bread and tea, with everyone there without hope.
Very good at giving you a feeling for Paris in the 1930's and the artistic/literary community.Very good at giving you a feeling for Paris in the 1930's and the artistic/literary community....more
This was Ian Fleming’s first novel, and was a bestseller. So I read this to get a better understanding of what sells (before the writer has establisheThis was Ian Fleming’s first novel, and was a bestseller. So I read this to get a better understanding of what sells (before the writer has established a reputation). I confess that it is the first Bond book I've read (having seen all the movies of course!). I really enjoyed it, but was surprised to find it had little in common with the movie versions. In the book, there's a lot less action and killing, and more building of characters and tension in the casino and other locations. A bit tedious at times (like 4 pages to describe the game of baccarat), but that was forgivable. And what made it a bestseller? Lots of hooks for the reader, encouraging you to go to the next chapter. And that clever approach where the reader can see that the hero (Bond) is in desperate trouble, but he doesn't know it yet. And Bond trusting people, where the reader is given enough clues to know that it's a mistake. It certainly kept me turning the pages....more
The start is weird enough, and it then gets more and more sinister, and reader assumes the worst. Lots of action and tension. The novel switches regulaThe start is weird enough, and it then gets more and more sinister, and reader assumes the worst. Lots of action and tension. The novel switches regularly between scenes and leaves something hanging that reader wants to know. A page turner! ...more
It's one of a famous detective series from the 1940's, and I did enjoy it. Style is slowish to start with, like those old Perry Mason crime TV programIt's one of a famous detective series from the 1940's, and I did enjoy it. Style is slowish to start with, like those old Perry Mason crime TV programs. But a good page turner once it got going. No real action in it, more of a Poirot-style puzzle-solving by the protagonist, PI Nero Wolfe....more
Spends too much time at the start describing the SMERSH killer and his background. Overall plot is more or less the same as the film. Most of action isSpends too much time at the start describing the SMERSH killer and his background. Overall plot is more or less the same as the film. Most of action is in Turkey and then the Orient Express. At end, Bond is stabbed with Rosa Klebb’s poison shoe knife, and we don’t know if it is fatal!!! (Except of course that the reader at that time (1957) knows darned well that there's another book on the way!) ...more
Loading...
