caliber66 Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Just finished: Still working on The Satanic Verses. I am enjoying the story, but for whatever reason it's not grabbing me. I don't feel compelled to pick it up all the time... Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Still working on The Satanic Verses. I am enjoying the story, but for whatever reason it's not grabbing me. I don't feel compelled to pick it up all the time...Haven't read this one but I recently finished Fury by Rushdie. He's obviously a bright man but I didn't like how he overtly comes out and tells you what's happening in relation to plot and character development. Instead of keeping the text subtle he reveals all his tricks. At least in Fury he did. Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I think he writes very well, and the little interjections of Indian/Muslim culture and stream of consciousness asides are great. I really feel like I should be much more invested in the book than I am, but couldn't for the life of me tell you why I'm not. Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I think he writes very well, and the little interjections of Indian/Muslim culture and stream of consciousness asides are great. I really feel like I should be much more invested in the book than I am, but couldn't for the life of me tell you why I'm not. I felt the same way about Midnight's Children. And I can't explain it either. Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 indulged in a little fun reading on top of the other stuff - just finished this up loved it. Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 indulged in a little fun reading on top of the other stuff - just finished this up loved it. I kind of liked Kite Runner, but not in a way that would make me ever read his other stuff. Unless you say I should read his other stuff. And by other stuff I mean this, which, to the best of my knowledge, is his only other book. Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 I loved The Kite Runner - sure, it's not complex, hoity toity fiction - but I think he is a great storyteller. I think I liked this one even more - particularly because the story revolves around two women in Afghanistan and moves through the Soviet occupation, subsequent civil war and the Taliban. I have a lot of interest in women's lives in Afghanistan (I worked on a campaign in the mid 90's to bring to light the plight of women under the Taliban) and, while this is indeed fiction, he said he based his characters on women he met in Kabul when he returned a few years ago. And no, he doesn't have any other books - this is his second one.....and I think it may be a better book. Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Damn you. I will have to read it. Large parts of me wonder if I would have enjoyed Kite Runner more if I hadn't had to read it for a class. That is usually the case with me. Link to post Share on other sites
jahilia Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Not what I was expecting at all (the review I listened to made it sound like some hardboiled Japanese mystery), but not bad. The translation is awkward at times, but the way the story is told is interesting. On the surface, it's about the murder of two prostitutes, told by the older sister of one of them. Yuriko (the dead prostitute) always possessed a monstrous beauty, but the jealousy the older sister feels has turned her into a monster as well. Actually, everyone in the book is grostesque in their own way, and they all blame their horrible actions on other people. I'm about halfway through, but I expect to finish it tonight. Link to post Share on other sites
la* Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 I read both of these recently. The Chabon was really good, but didn't come close to Kavalier and Clay caliber for me. I liked the Powers book a lot. I'd not read him before. Next up I'm reading this: Link to post Share on other sites
austrya Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Just finished: Just started: Link to post Share on other sites
awatt Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 For an interesting Rushdie diversion, and pretty unusual interpretation of the Wizard of Oz phenomenon: Link to post Share on other sites
Somnambulist Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Looking forward to the new Chabon one when I can finally get to the bookstore. Link to post Share on other sites
redeyedndblue Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Last 5:No Country for Old Men -- Cormac McCarthyFalling Boy -- Alison McGheeNorwegian Wood -- Haruki MurakamiKafka on the Shore -- MurakamiThe Road -- McCarthy Reading Now:Was it Beautiful -- McGhee Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Just Read: Norwegian Wood - MurakamiFast Food Nation - Schlosser And now Reading: Mysteries of Pittsburgh - ChabonBlind Willow, Sleeping Woman - Murakami Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Finished Finn last night. I really enjoyed this book. Clinch does a nice job of not stepping on Twain's toes but still respecting the masterpiece of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by keeping time lines, previous character developments, etc. accurate. It really is independent from Huck Finn as it's the story of Huck's pap, Finn. Chock full of symbolism and written with a keen eye for detail and the dialect of the times. I'll read it again in a few years. Will read a chapter of each of these tonight and opt on one to focus on: The new Christopher Hitchens book. I think the guy is pretty damn intelligent but am not sure if this is what I want for vacation in the mountains starting this weekend. Seems pretty heady: Never read any Klosterman. Seems pretty light and fun, but not very challenging either: Never read any Fante, either, but have been told I'd really dig him. I picked this up at the library yesterday. He's got a series (the Bandini quartet, I think it's called) that's supposed to be quite good, but the library didn't have the first one so I opted for this: Link to post Share on other sites
wheelco Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 The Discoverers - Daniel Boorstin Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Harry Potter & the Order of the PhoenixAlso just got The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay from the library, and have been lazily reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential at bedtime.Just got an email that a copy of What is the What is waiting for me at the library. Damn. When it rains... Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 As I'm off on holiday tomorrow, I've packed the two Henry's... Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Just started yesterday... Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 I misplaced my Copy of Sartre's The Words, so now I'm messing around with Link to post Share on other sites
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