All About Books discussion
Book Chat
>
Has Anyone Read This Book?
I read The Corrections and thought it quite good. While the writing was clean and enjoyable, I didn't find anything unique in the style. The novel was more character-driven; I found the characters intriquing. But while I have good memories of the novel, I have yet to go back for more.
Chuck wrote: "I've heard a lot about Jonathon Franzen, but I've yet to read anything by him. I see he just released a new one. Anyone read this? I think I'm going to get the audiobook.Chuck I've only read The Corrections
by him, and thought it was very very good. Extremely well crafted both in terms of language, characters, development, plot. would definitely like to read Purity as well.
Mod
by him, and thought it was very very good. Extremely well crafted both in terms of language, characters, development, plot. would definitely like to read Purity as well..."
I've liked it mouch more than Freedom. I'm curious to see this one that has come out now
Okay, I have the audiobook for Purity now. I'll definitely be checking it out soon and let you all know how it goes for me. I also stumbled across another book I think may be making a big splash this fall. It's due out in the middle of October, but I was able to get an ARC of it: City on Fire.
Here's a little bit about it: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/bus...
I'm also interested in Purity. I've read everything else Franzen has written including essays etc and really enjoy his style.
Anyone a fan of the Lisbeth Salander books? I recall really enjoying myself reading the first 3: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. As I'm sure everyone knows Stieg Larsson passed away before the first 3 were published, so now another author has written a fourth installment for the series that was just recently released: The Girl in the Spider's Web. I'm pretty curious about it. Not sure how well you can expect something like this to work?
I'm never sure about books like that. Can it be as good? I doubt it. might read it if somebody told me it was amazing!
Hi Chuck, I don't usually like thrillers but I loved the Lisbeth Salander trilogy. That's exactly why I won't be reading the fourth book, because I'm sure this is not going to work. I know the author did plan to continue the series, but I don't think anyone, as good a writer as he may be, might be able to continue such a great story. However, if you read it, do let us know your opinion on it.
Mod
They're great!
At least in Italy they started the love for Scandinavian thrillers and mysteries! I'm also curious to read the fourth, even if I'm a bit perplexed: totally different author .... There was a gossip that the books were written by Larsson together with his companion, bit since they were not married she has been totally excluded from the future revenus - think that there have been also very famous and succesfull films out of these books. I had hoped that it was her writing this one, but of course she had not the rights!
Chuck wrote: "Anyone a fan of the Lisbeth Salander books? I recall really enjoying myself reading the first 3: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,The Girl Who Played with Fire, and [bo..."I loved them and read them in one big greedy gulp ;) I've so far only read really bad reviews about the follow up, as in 'tear-apart' kind of reviews, but I have the feeling I will have to see for myself, granted my library has it.
@Chuck. Larsson had notes prepared for the fourth instalment; he had ten instalmnts planned. After his death, his girlfriend would not share the notes with David Lagercrantz who had been selected by an elite panel to continue the series. Using only the three previous books as reference, Lagercrantz apparently does a fairly close facsimile of Larsson's style. I'm looking forward to reading this one.
Lisbeth Salander scares me, you'd really want her on your side.
B the BookAddict wrote: "@Chuck. Larsson had notes prepared for the fourth instalment; he had ten instalmnts planned. After his death, his girlfriend would not share the notes with David Lagercrantz who h..."The back story behind this sounds very interesting; I'd like to find out more about it.
B the BookAddict wrote:
"Lisbeth Salander scares me, you'd really want her on your side."
I know that's right! I love how she gamed the sadist!
Chuck wrote: "Anyone a fan of the Lisbeth Salander books? I recall really enjoying myself reading the first 3: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,The Girl Who Played with Fire, and [bo..."I've been asking myself that very same question. I saw the new one in the bookshop, but I didn't want to pick up until I read more about it. I don't want it to ruin Lisbeth Salander for me.
The Girl in the Spider's Web: Here's a review by one of my GR friends, who happens to be extremely well-read. This review might encourage you to read the book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Albert wrote: "I read The Corrections and thought it quite good. While the writing was clean and enjoyable, I didn't find anything unique in the style. The novel was more character-driven; I found the..."I actually liked Freedom more than The Corrections. I lived a long time in Minnesota and I thought he really nailed the portrayal of the Minnesota liberal couple. I also think he was gentler to his characters than in the first book. I'm looking forward to the new one.
B the BookAddict wrote: "@Chuck Use link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stieg_L... Go to section titled Works."B the BookAddict wrote: "The Girl in the Spider's Web: Here's a review by one of my GR friends, who happens to be extremely well-read. This review might encourage you to read the book: https://www.goodread..."
Thanks, B!
@Robin Looking back, I enjoyed both Freedom and The Corrections but for entirely different reasons. I found The Corrections to be so frenetic that sometimes I needed to put the book down and take a breath. Freedom didn't have that effect on me, in fact one night I read thru to 3am, very unlike me.
Giorgia wrote: I've seen the film Possession and the story was very endearing. I think I might like the book. Ragnarok seems interesting too.
I read Ragnarok in June, it is one of my favorites! I liked Possession, and especially her short story collection The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye. There are five stories; the most interesting is probably the title story, about a woman who is granted three wishes by a djinn (a genie).
Charbel wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Anyone a fan of the Lisbeth Salander books? I recall really enjoying myself reading the first 3: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,[book:The Girl Who Played with Fire|506..."I know what you mean, Charbel - Lisbeth Salander is one of my all time favorite literary characters and I wouldn't want her personality to lose it's edge or get homogenized into something else. However, I miss her so much that I am willing to take a chance on this new book by a different author.
Robin wrote: "Albert wrote: "I read The Corrections and thought it quite good. While the writing was clean and enjoyable, I didn't find anything unique in the style. The novel was more character-driv..."I read Corrections years ago and the fact that I can remember it means that it was quite good &/or thought provoking. Glad to find out Franzen wrote another one too! Looking forward to reading "Freedom" - they sound like some of my family members.
Anyone read any good JFK assassination books? I find the subject endlessly fascinating.
Chuck wrote: "Anyone a fan of the Lisbeth Salander books? I recall really enjoying myself reading the first 3: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,The Girl Who Played with Fire, and [bo..."
I was thoroughly entertained by his books, too, Chuck. I can't wait to hear about this addition, whether she can survive as a franchise.
EDIT: There was a spate over his will, you know, so I'm not at all surprised that there is a franchise. It was really quite intriguing, second wife, maybe? Common-law wife? I don't recall the details, or what the courts said.
I was thoroughly entertained by his books, too, Chuck. I can't wait to hear about this addition, whether she can survive as a franchise.
EDIT: There was a spate over his will, you know, so I'm not at all surprised that there is a franchise. It was really quite intriguing, second wife, maybe? Common-law wife? I don't recall the details, or what the courts said.
B the BookAddict wrote: "The Girl in the Spider's Web: Here's a review by one of my GR friends, who happens to be extremely well-read. This review might encourage you to read the book: https://www.goodreads..."
Thanks, B, just what I wanted to hear!
Thanks, B, just what I wanted to hear!
Mod
It is a bit "a cotè", but I find 11/22/63 by Stephen King really "involving"
LauraT wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Anyone read any good JFK assassination books? I find the subject endlessly fascinating."It is a bit "a cotè", but I find 11/22/63 by Stephen King reall..."
Oh yeah, undoubtedly my favorite King book! And you know filming is going on right now in Dallas to make it into a miniseries.
11/22/63 was my first King book and I loved it . I was so impressed with his writing. I have since read Joyland which I really liked too . I'll probably never read any of his horror books but will read some of the others . Glad to hear about the miniseries.
Chuck wrote: "Anyone read any good JFK assassination books? I find the subject endlessly fascinating."I enjoyed Libra by Don DeLillo, but then I have enjoyed DeLillo and I know many don't.
Albert wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Anyone read any good JFK assassination books? I find the subject endlessly fascinating."I enjoyed Libra by Don DeLillo, but then I have enjoyed DeLillo and I know many do..."
That's one I haven't read, but I've been meaning to get to. It turns up on a lot of these JFK book lists.
Albert wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Anyone read any good JFK assassination books? I find the subject endlessly fascinating."I enjoyed Libra by Don DeLillo, but then I have enjoyed DeLillo and I know many don't..."
I'm with you, Albert, I really enjoy DeLillo's writing.
White Noise is my favourite Don DeLillo novel and the easiest to read, imo.I haven't seen anyone who's read Purity yet:(
Raevyn wrote: "I'm currently reading I Hunt Killers. Have any of you read it?"Not I. Is it good so far?
B the BookAddict wrote: "I haven't seen anyone who's read Purity yet:( "This is the month I get my reading back on track; I will definitely get to it.
Chuck wrote: "Anyone read any good JFK assassination books? I find the subject endlessly fascinating."
Harlot's Ghost. Smoking, like all of Mailer, and controversial, and the bibliography at the end of the book is worth a good look, also.
Harlot's Ghost. Smoking, like all of Mailer, and controversial, and the bibliography at the end of the book is worth a good look, also.
B the BookAddict wrote: "Lisbeth Salander scares me, you'd really want her on your side."
I have a sister whom I truly believe to be Lisbeth Salander. In a good sense. But she's scary!!
I have a sister whom I truly believe to be Lisbeth Salander. In a good sense. But she's scary!!
B the BookAddict wrote: "White Noise is my favourite Don DeLillo novel and the easiest to read, imo.
I haven't seen anyone who's read Purity yet:("
Moi. I'm not going to say much about it, but by the time I realized one of the tools he was using, form following function, or structure following theme, I'd been finished with it for about a week. I love him. My favorite current author, after Lethem. Anyway, Purity -- I went back and edited my review, I had to hit myself on the side of the head and say "You dolt," when I realized what he was doing.
I haven't seen anyone who's read Purity yet:("
Moi. I'm not going to say much about it, but by the time I realized one of the tools he was using, form following function, or structure following theme, I'd been finished with it for about a week. I love him. My favorite current author, after Lethem. Anyway, Purity -- I went back and edited my review, I had to hit myself on the side of the head and say "You dolt," when I realized what he was doing.
Thanks, Ellen. Franzen is one of my favourite authors, I liked his work just a bit but he really won me over with his honest and raw essay on the life and death of David Foster Wallace which is found in Farther Away. After that, I conceded he didn't just like the sound of his own voice.I haven't read any of Lethem's books but have one on my tbr somewhere. I've forgotten his Christian name! Can you let me know?
B the BookAddict wrote: "Thanks, Ellen. Franzen is one of my favourite authors, I liked his work just a bit but he really won me over with his honest and raw essay on the life and death of [author:David Foster Wallace|4339..."
Jonathan. Everyone's Jonathan these days. Women are naming their daughters Jonathan. :) It's a Jonathan-thon.
Chronic City is my favorite Lethem, but I just got 4 more in the mail today. Small town library. I had to give way.
Jonathan. Everyone's Jonathan these days. Women are naming their daughters Jonathan. :) It's a Jonathan-thon.
Chronic City is my favorite Lethem, but I just got 4 more in the mail today. Small town library. I had to give way.
Has anyone read any Diana Athill, fiction or memoir? She sounds very intriguing but wonder where I'd start.
I haven't, Erica, but her books sound interesting...
I have never even heard of her! Sorry I can't help Erica, but my curiosity has been piqued so I hope you report back once you have read some.
I've read Somewhere Towards the End, which was quite good, Erica. To be honest, I liked the idea of her writing more than the book itself. I think she's quite a remarkable woman though.
Has anyone read "Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walter? It was listed as one of the best books of the century by Audible, but I have never heard of it.
Really?! The century?!For me, it started with promise and quickly went downhill. Once Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor were mentioned, I tossed it. I seldom give up on books; that says something.
....but don't take my opinion. It's highly rated.
Petra wrote: "Really?! The century?!For me, it started with promise and quickly went downhill. Once Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor were mentioned, I tossed it. I seldom give up on books; that says something...."
Thanks Petra, I know, we are only 15 years into the century too! The book sounds like one I would pick up if I was bored and somebody gave it to me, but not one I would seek out and buy at any cost. I may look thru it at the library, if they have it...
All About Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book Thief (other topics)Arthur & George (other topics)
A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (other topics)
The Sense of an Ending (other topics)
Flaubert's Parrot (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Julian Barnes (other topics)Julian Barnes (other topics)
David Foster Wallace (other topics)
Don DeLillo (other topics)
Don DeLillo (other topics)
More...
[bookcover:Purity|23754479..."
I have been seeing this book pushed EVERYWHERE but I have no idea about it or Franzen. Let us know how it goes.