Software engineer, occasionally emerges from the murky depths to be sociable, do photography, and maybe read a book.
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@jamesjbrownjr I've only read the first of Cixin Liu's books (in English), and a small smattering of Jeff Vandermeer, yet I agree it does feel like the cross fertilisation of the two's main styles. As ever, being lauded as a potential literary prize winner doesn't make it palatable to everyone's taste.
Leigh's upbringing in Rotterdam revolved around her fascination with the waterfront, which served as a …
A slowly told near future story of exploration, in the deep ocean, in space, inside ourselves. I particularly appreciated the themes of cooperation for survival. Individual strength may not be enough where a group can endure and thrive.
The scifi elements are handled lightly, told from the point of view of someone who doesn't know the details.
At the top of the mountain the view is spectacular, and then one must descend again.
When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own …
This collection of Neil Gaiman short stories is sort-of aimed at children, teenagers, and young adults. Not all the stories involve mortal danger, and some are just mood pieces riffing on the themes of fantasy. Listen to the ghosts! Do go through the door! Do not go through the door!
As Gaiman quotes GK Chesterton, fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.
These tales have all appeared else where before, some in other Gaiman collections like Fragile Things. Locations from Gaiman's own childhood repeat - big houses, the Sussex countryside, etc.
The particular edition I read came from the Wrenbury Heath book swap depository in an old red telephone box, and I shall return it to circulation in other.
Seriously, this book needs a content warning - it's all cutesy sapphic cottage homemade soaps and cupcakes at the farmers market until the racoon gets its head stoved in.
In 1974, the homeless Miss Shepherd moved her broken down van into Alan Bennett's garden. …
I had already seen the film of The Lady in the Van staring Maggie Smith, so was intrigued to read the source. These are extracts from Alan Bennett's diaries, and cover the 20+ years he knew the eccentric "Miss Shephard". The bonus material is revealed after her death, how Bennett found out about her pre-van life.
There is much reflection on life, on politeness, and on guilt. During the Catholic funeral service it is clear Bennett is not a fan of their brand of Christianity.
The lady in the van is also a study in how to hold political views counter to one's own way of life. She admitted the hard right National Front party was probably closest to her views, yet politicians with those views would rejoice in having the streets jet-washed clear of homeless people.
In 1974, the homeless Miss Shepherd moved her broken down van into Alan Bennett's garden. Deeply eccentric and stubborn to …
Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go …
By chance I spotted this in a book-swap telephone box in Gnosall, thinking it was Five Go to Smuggler's Top which I remember reading about 40 years ago. It didn't take me long to realise this was Famous Five #1 as the three siblings Julian, Dick, and Anne are introduced as visiting their cousin Georgina/George for the first time. This edition of the book from 1997 (55 years after original publication) doesn't mention the other stories in the series, nor any kind of bibliography for Blyton - a missed marketing opportunity!
As expected the style of writing is quite simplistic and now terribly dated. The style reminds me of a radio play - just enough description for one's imagination to conjure up filler for the gaps. For a story written in 1942 there is a curious lack of mention of the then on-going war. Geography is kept vague too - …
By chance I spotted this in a book-swap telephone box in Gnosall, thinking it was Five Go to Smuggler's Top which I remember reading about 40 years ago. It didn't take me long to realise this was Famous Five #1 as the three siblings Julian, Dick, and Anne are introduced as visiting their cousin Georgina/George for the first time. This edition of the book from 1997 (55 years after original publication) doesn't mention the other stories in the series, nor any kind of bibliography for Blyton - a missed marketing opportunity!
As expected the style of writing is quite simplistic and now terribly dated. The style reminds me of a radio play - just enough description for one's imagination to conjure up filler for the gaps. For a story written in 1942 there is a curious lack of mention of the then on-going war. Geography is kept vague too - the main detail is that Quentin, Fanny, and George live in a house overlooking a bay with a rocky island featuring a ruined castle. The other children live closer to London and it takes an all day motor car journey to arrive.
All the children have their parts to play, but the real star of this book is George. More than just a tomboy, she reads as transgender. Boy clothes, boy hair, boy strength, boy independence, and a rejection of everything perceived as girly.
