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Post by graytart on Feb 23, 2008 10:59:13 GMT
Has anyone ever read any William Kotzwinkle? That's what I'm doing now... catching up (he wrote the novel on which the film E.T. is based). His earlier work The Fan Man is not to be missed; I just finished reading The Exile, a very unusual thriller in two colliding times. Speaking of early Christian history I did actually make it through Ki Longfellow Stanshall's book on Mary Magdalene; completely made up out of whole cloth of course but actually I enjoyed it for what it was. I was not really expecting to, and almost didn't read it because I was, er, how to put it, rather disappointed with China Blues. I read a LOT...
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Post by gwood on Apr 3, 2008 0:39:47 GMT
Oh, sorry I'm late, but yes, I love Kotzwinkle! My old grandma put me on to him. Think I've read all his, unless he snuck out a new one lately. Did you read "The Bear Went Over The Mountain?" Talk about silly! I've seen him described as a literary quick-change artist, and that's perfect, exactly what he is.
But now, did he write ET before the movie, or was he awarded the contract to write a book adaptation of the movie? Think the latter, could be wrong.
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Post by gwood on Apr 3, 2008 22:44:25 GMT
I read that. I thought it was pretty good. Also read her other, Chasing Women, and er, don't quite remember it too well. Haven't read Mag yet. I've kind of had my fill of the religious genre, although one book I really liked along those lines was The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. My favorite authors: Vonnegut Tom Robbins ( Cowgirls, etc.) Rikki Ducornet ( Phosphor In Dreamland is magnificent) er... yours? Me too, maybe 3 books in a good week. I just go to the library and grab stuff.
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Post by graytart on Apr 4, 2008 10:35:46 GMT
I am currently slobbering through David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas. G, if you haven't yet, read his Black Swan Green.
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Post by gwood on Apr 13, 2008 21:33:38 GMT
Thanks so much for recommending this excellent book, I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to his others.
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Post by graytart on Apr 13, 2008 23:58:16 GMT
Thanks so much for recommending this excellent book, I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to his others. Have you read much Peter Carey?
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Post by gwood on Apr 20, 2008 2:55:57 GMT
Have you read much Peter Carey? None! On the library list he goes.
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Post by graytart on Apr 20, 2008 22:40:43 GMT
Have you read much Peter Carey? None! On the library list he goes. you trust me now! Bwah-ha-ha! If you like westerns, start with True History of the Kelly Gang (2000). There was a movie made of his Oscar and Lucinda (1988. and also a movie called Dead End Drive-In made of one of his short-stories in Bliss (I saw this quite by accident, long long before I read it; the story is MUCH better). The Unusual Life of Tristan Smith (1994) is VERY odd but still a good read. I haven't read Illywhacker (1985) or The Tax Inspector (1991). I loved My Life as a Fake (2003) but it's an art book. I really can't compare him to any other writer. I hope you like him!
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Post by gwood on Apr 23, 2008 10:57:18 GMT
I've always trusted you. It was trust at first sight. Fake is on my latest stack from the library, but first I read Iggy Pop: Open Up And Bleed, a very well researched and well written bio of one of my teenage heroes. Now I'm reading Patty Boyd's autobiography, because it has to go back Saturday, but Carey is next. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Post by gwood on Apr 30, 2008 11:11:23 GMT
Just finished Fake, enjoyed it very much, especially how the (male) author was so convincing in using a female narritave voice. The end seemed a bit rushed or blunt, though, I guess I wanted more tying up of loose ends, or something.
Cloud Atlas started.
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Post by gwood on May 6, 2008 10:45:17 GMT
I really can't compare him to any other writer. Maybe TC Boyle with a dash of Margret Atwood? Cloud Atlas is great, I'm about half through.
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Post by graytart on May 6, 2008 19:33:14 GMT
I really can't compare him to any other writer. Maybe TC Boyle with a dash of Margret Atwood? Cloud Atlas is great, I'm about half through. Funny you should mention Atwood. You're thinking of her more futuristic stuff, like Oryx and Crake or the Handmaid's Tale? There are aspects of that but generally I think of her as a lot, er, wetter. I've not read any Boyle. I should, clearly! He's the guy that wrote Road to Wellville, right? Currently on A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian.
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Post by gwood on May 7, 2008 10:59:58 GMT
Right, and Wellville is a good one to read first. He's one of the best of the contemporary writers, I think. "Water Music" is a standout too, but maybe too long and involved for an intro to Boyle.
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