How are you getting on with The Throwback?

[Jud]

I just started last night 7% through at chapter 3. Shall be reading it at tea break and lunch so hopefully will get a good bit through it and then I can get on with this months other reads and try to catch up with myself a bit!

[Simon (Highwayman)]

The rhymes are very clever. They could easily be unintelligible but they aren't.

[Lorraine]

Simon (Highwayman) wrote: "The rhymes are very clever. They could easily be unintelligible but they aren't."

They were to me !

[Simon (Highwayman)]

I suppose they might have taken just a bit too much to translate to English then French Lorraine.:)

[Jud]

i haven't noticed any rhymes apart from when old mr flawse quote a poem...

[Lorraine]

Simon (Highwayman) wrote: "I suppose they might have taken just a bit too much to translate to English then French Lorraine.:)"

I'm just not really used to slang and local variations. I speak proper English only. And I don't translate in French, would take too long :)

[Andre Jute]

In French, I don't think most of Sharpe's puns would fly, and The Throwback is additionally at least partly and unpredictably in dialect. It would take a really brilliant translator. A reader, trying to translate while reading for sense and amusement, doesn't stand a chance. That said, Lorraine's English seems so vernacular, I was surprised to see the references to French.

[Lorraine]

[Lorraine]

Awww thank you Andre :)

I did find the Throwback an entertaining read, but I know I didn't get all the goodness of it. Nevermind, maybe when I've been here for another 10 years I'll be able to understand it a bit more. It did help hearing Geoff talk about it on Skype a couple of weeks back though :)

[Lorraine]

Was talking about vernacular with hubby, he reckons that's because I use a lot of slang... so much for my "proper" English lol

[Andre Jute]

Today's slang is tomorrow's dialect.

"Vernacular" is a grand compliment; it's when you really have the hang of the language, indistinguishable from a native speaker. When I was ripped off by a provincial French butcher in August, I knew I'd mastered the French metropolitan accent and vernacular perfectly, and instantly toned it down as an accent too expensive for my pocket.

[Lorraine]

Thanks Andre ♥

What happened with the butcher? want me to have a word with him?

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

Yes they dont like the Parisians in the provinces! I asked my local butcher for some of that pate, I pointed to it and he stared hard at me and said No he was saving it for the Parisians. I was a bit surprised but he brought out another dish and served me with that. A few minutes later, a couple came into his shop, ignoring everyone in the queue, went straight to his shelves of dry goods, he shouted Bonjour!! at their backs to remind them of their manners, winked at me, and when they turned, offered them some 'old' pate at a special price. Wicked he is.

[Lorraine]

Hahaha ! Awesome !

[Jud]

Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "Yes they dont like the Parisians in the provinces! I asked my local butcher for some of that pate, I pointed to it and he stared hard at me and said No he was saving it for the Parisians. I was ..."

I 2nd Lorraines opinion on that. LOVE IT

[Jud]

oh i originally came on here to say I'm 69% through and enjoying it thoroughly although i'm torn between wanting the characters to win and get their come uppance (dont want to say anymore fear i may have said too much already!) EEK!

[Lynne (Tigger's Mum)]

I know what you mean about the book Jud, you keep thinking it will all come unravelled for the couple, as neither of them seem very clever.

[Andre Jute]

You break me up, Lorraine, and you, Lynne. LOL.

About the couple coming unravelled, Jud, you ain't seen nothing yet! More than that I cannot say for fear of spoilers, except that, if you're a hi-fi fan, or know anyone who is, or have ever had any trouble with the Revenue, The Throwback is the one Tom Sharpe book you'll kick yourself for not reading to the end.

[Geoff (G. Robbins) (merda constat variat altitudo)]

Lynne (Tigger's Mum) wrote: "I know what you mean about the book Jud, you keep thinking it will all come unravelled for the couple, as neither of them seem very clever."

I think it's less intellect and more animal cunning with those two.

[Jud]

Andre I'm neither a hi-fi fan nor have i had trouble with the Revenue (at least not to my knowledge) but i am enjoying the book. Almost finished it, was gonna stay up last night to get it done but I decided that 11 o'clock was late enough.

Cant wait to finish it then i can visit the discussion topic, roll on tea break!