CajoleJuice
Member
Considering you're a pretty religious guy (from what I can recall), you will definitely like it. Seriously, read it ASAP. I'm not religious myself, but I can respect plenty of things about it and I enjoyed the novel immensely.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
What are you reading? (February 2012)
- Thread starter Maklershed
- Start date
Considering you're a pretty religious guy (from what I can recall), you will definitely like it. Seriously, read it ASAP. I'm not religious myself, but I can respect plenty of things about it and I enjoyed the novel immensely.
rainking187
Member
I also felt it didn't really live up to all the acclaim it has, but personally I thought the third act was pretty much the only really interesting part of the book.
Bill Murray
Banned
Maybe I was just too frustrated with it at that point to really give it a chance. I mainly just wanted it to be over so I could cross it off my list.
CajoleJuice
Member
Some of the arguments in the book and also the whole idea of a monastery keeping knowledge intact I could see rubbing some atheists the wrong way (the militant ones)? I'm not surprised you enjoyed it, you're a cool guy.
Here's my Neuromancer review from a while back:
http://backlogbooksblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/flatlined-i-dont-belong-here.html
http://backlogbooksblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/flatlined-i-dont-belong-here.html
I'm not all that religious to be honest, but I was raised Catholic, so I would likely get a lot of out of the book.
CajoleJuice
Member
Sounds like me, then.
I also realize now I completely got you confused with another poster. Sorry, I'm drunk.
I tend to only remember the comical ones.
Martin Amis wrote a good one (writing about sex, rather than a direct sex scene as such) early on in The Rachel Papers - but it was intended to be cringe-inducing, so its merit is sort of qualified.
The sex in The Dice Man was pretty well written with a sort of low ironical contempt.
As ever, Goodkind is the master.
Fragamemnon
Member
Blitzed through the first two books in Peter F. Hamilton's Void trilogy, which I am finally getting around to reading a good year after Pandora's Star / Judas Unchained.
Great books.. I was turned off by the
but they got progressively more interesting as I got deeper into the story. The series so far is every bit as good as the first two books and anyone looking for "more Commonwealth" after reading those books should check out the Void trilogy. It's ace.
Great books.. I was turned off by the
dream sequences
I mostly remember back arching. I think that's key.
You're missing the "rape that segues troublingly but effortlessly into not-rape".
I am currently reading
I picked it up again when an acquaintance asked me - what a ghastly request - to find a poem to read at her grandmother's funeral.
You're missing the "rape that segues troublingly but effortlessly into not-rape".
I am currently reading
I picked it up again when an acquaintance asked me - what a ghastly request - to find a poem to read at her grandmother's funeral.
Unhandled Exception
Member
I have three great books sitting next to me but I can't find the motivation to read them. Instead I've decided to start watching through 24 LTTP style. BookGAF, how do I motivate myself to start reading again?
Don't Point that Thing at Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli
Good stuff.
Take Harry Flashman, drop him into The Thomas Crown Affair, and you might wind up with something like this. Mortdecai is somewhat less charming than Flashman (though he balances this by also being less, er, rapey), but he has his own style and amusingly mordant wit.
No idea how the author pulls his nuts off the fire for the sequel(s), but no doubt it'll be some ridiculous and fun contrivance.
Great minds think alike. I've just started reading the Mortdecai Trilogy myself, as 2666 really isn't grabbing me thus far. I'm definitely seeing where the comparisons to Wodehouse come from, it's fantastic.
I just finished the first book too.
Thought it was pretty great. Moving onto the next one soon as well.
This isn't quite what you're looking for, but I did think of A Fire Upon The Deep by Vernor Vinge. It has a space opera setting with some interesting aliens, with large chunks of the book being written from the viewpoint of dog-like aliens called Tines. The Tines are fascinating and, even if this isn't quite the dog viewpoint book you wanted, A Fire Upon The Deep is still one hell of a read.
Cyan and Mastadon, glad to see you guys are enjoying the Mortdecai novels!
FnordChan
Jack London's White Fang is entirely from White Fang's pov.
sparky2112
Member
There's a detective series, with the dog narrarating. First one is called Dog On It, I think.
I believe The Art of Racing in the Rain is also told by the family dog.
bengraven
Member
Started this and interesting so far
This was my first Kindle purchase. I was sitting alone in my new house at the counter late one night and reading the sample. Within three pages I had bought it and read until about 3am.
Currently listening to "The Magicians" about 1/3rd way thru..its well not really grabbing me in any meaningful way.
I find the book really lacks in enjoyable dialog ..its mostly descriptive 3rd person story telling, and when there is any dialog it seems to portray all teenagers are douchey..
Hope it gets better but seems to be firmly in the EH guess its ok category.
You're not the first person I've seen that says the dialogue is douchey. I got that feeling from the first few pages I read.
Disappointing. I'll still go back and read it someday, but there's one thing I really hate in novels, like my #1 most hated trend, and that's bad teenage dialogue.
Idjit Galoot has a problem. He escaped from his master's house for a brief romp around town, seeking out easy targets such as bitches in heat, fresh roadkill and unguarded garbage cans. When he returns to his house, the aged basset hound discovers that his master has packed up their belongings and moved to Florida without him. "Smashed, Squashed, Splattered, Chewed, Chunked and Spewed" is the story of Idjit Galoot's ne'er do well owner and his efforts to work his way back to the dog that he loves. Along the way, Idjit's owner encounters Christian terrorists, swamp-dwelling taxidermists, carnies, a b-list poopie-groupie, bluesmen on the run from a trickster deity, and the Florida Skunk Ape.
Haven't read it, but it's in my to-read list. Sounds fun. I gather it's at least partially narrated by the dog.
Maklershed
Member
It's one of my all time favorite books and one of the top two of my favorite PA genre books.
Yes actually .. The Art of Racing in the Rain. Very quick, light read but it was interesting.
Don't Point that Thing at Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli
Good stuff.
Take Harry Flashman, drop him into The Thomas Crown Affair, and you might wind up with something like this. Mortdecai is somewhat less charming than Flashman (though he balances this by also being less, er, rapey), but he has his own style and amusingly mordant wit.
No idea how the author pulls his nuts off the fire for the sequel(s), but no doubt it'll be some ridiculous and fun contrivance.
Have had this in my Amazon cart for a few months now and have just been itching to pull the trigger but haven't yet. Flashman in modern times sounds good though.
One of the chapters in Orhan Pamuk's "My Name is Red" is narrated by a dog.
Neffarias_Bredd
Member
How is this book? What is the premise? And is the series maintaining a certain standard of quality? I know there is a sequel that's been out a while now too.
It's one of my favorites, actually. The book takes place in a Venice-like city and follows a crew of robbers as they attempt a big heist. Really good stuff...the sequel wasn't as good as the first but it was still an excellent read. I highly recommend them both. If you have any other questions feel free to ask
bengraven
Member
Basically this.
Imagine Oliver Twist meets Flashman meets Ocean's Eleven in a fantasy version of Venice.
Wow, sold! This thread does terrible things to my bank balance.
It sounds great, and I know many on here have read it and loved it. I will definitely add it to my ever-growing list. I've got about 20 books on my shelf that I need to get through first, though.
Also, what's Flashman? I've seen it posted numerous times as well. Is it fantasy? Science fiction? Historical adventure?
Also, what's Flashman? I've seen it posted numerous times as well. Is it fantasy? Science fiction? Historical adventure?
I read several of the Sword of Truth books, but kind of quit because I didn't have enough time and it was getting too philosophical, though. However, the part with Denna in the first book was quite an incredible read, despite being rather ridiculous, I suppose.
The Flashman novels by George MacDonald Fraser are historical fiction about a scoundrel named Harry Flashman who joins a British cavalry regiment just in time to enjoy the First Afghan War. Flash gets through this ordeal by lying, cheating, whoring, fleeing, drinking, and generally being a cad of epic proportions. The series follows his adventures through major historical moments of the second half of the 19th century, with highlights including Flashy's take on The Prisoner of Zenda, Flash experiencing the American slave trade from all sides, fun and excitement during the Crimean War, the Charge of the Light Brigade, the Indian Mutiny, and much more.
Flashman proves that the best way to appreciate historical fiction is to have it being told from the point of view of a complete ass, which makes for highly amusing reading. There's a nice omnibus edition of three Flashman novels available for a reasonable price on Amazon.
FnordChan
The Flashman novels by George MacDonald Fraser are historical fiction about a scoundrel named Harry Flashman who joins a British cavalry regiment just in time to enjoy the First Afghan War. Flash gets through this ordeal by lying, cheating, whoring, fleeing, drinking, and generally being a cad of epic proportions. The series follows his adventures through major historical moments of the second half of the 19th century, with highlights including Flashy's take on The Prisoner of Zenda, Flash experiencing the American slave trade from all sides, fun and excitement during the Crimean War, the Charge of the Light Brigade, the Indian Mutiny, and much more.
Flashman proves that the best way to appreciate historical fiction is to have it being told from the point of view of a complete ass, which makes for highly amusing reading. There's a nice omnibus edition of three Flashman novels available for a reasonable price on Amazon.
FnordChan
Thank you for the detailed description. It sounds like enjoyable entertainment with a dose of history. I'm not gripped by the idea right now, but I may be at a later date. It's good to know that it's out there.
White Fang was already mentioned but from the same author comes The Call of the Wild. It's an classic.
ThankeeSai
Member
Currently re-reading this -
Brief description from Wiki for those who might not have heard of it -
An example of how some of the pages look -
Not all pages are laid out quite like this one, but most pages are set out in a different way than you would see in most normal books.
The amount of work that’s gone into this is pretty staggering tbh.
Enjoyed it the first time around, but skimmed some of it due to the amount of footnotes etc. Re-reading and trying to cover as much as possible this time.
Brief description from Wiki for those who might not have heard of it -
An example of how some of the pages look -
Not all pages are laid out quite like this one, but most pages are set out in a different way than you would see in most normal books.
The amount of work that’s gone into this is pretty staggering tbh.
Enjoyed it the first time around, but skimmed some of it due to the amount of footnotes etc. Re-reading and trying to cover as much as possible this time.
bloodydrake
Cool Smoke Luke
This is suppose to be a really good book.
Publisher's Summary
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.
Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition. He sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.
Currently re-reading this -
I like House of Leaves for everything it does with the text, how it argues for having a physical book as a relevant medium, and for the actual Navidson Record sections.
The Truant frame story is a waste.
ThankeeSai
Member
Agreed. I skimmed a lot of the Truant sections to get back to the Navidson Record parts.
The Truant sections started out intruiging enough, but they definitely started to grate as the book went on.
That said, I still enjoyed it a lot.
Bill Murray
Banned
This makes me think I am just not getting it or missing something. Eh, I dunno.
Haha.. nicely done.
Clever Pun
Member
Thanks - now that you mention it that sounds familiar. It's great to hear a different perspective on the ending.
I just finished Sanshiro and I really liked it. It felt like a combination between the humor and absurdity of I Am a Cat, the youthfulness of Botchan and the melancholy of Kokoro. Its not as beautiful or tender as Kokoro and it doesnt delve quite as deeply into relationships, but it has some moving moments. If youve read other Soseki and enjoyed it, definitely pick this one up, but if you havent, I still think I Am a Cat is the best place to start.
It also has a really cool introduction by Murakami where talks about his history with the book (I read it after finishing the novel, though, as I didn't want his opinion to influence my own).
Now on to the 3rd of the Tales of the Otori
I really enjoyed the first book (Across the Nightingale Floor) but felt like the second was a step in the wrong direction. Hopefully this one is better.
Neuromancer
Member
Aww. =\
I will say the book becomes easier on subsequent re-readings.
As for me I'm re-reading the Death Gate Cycle novels having read them a long time ago and never finished them. I'm on Fire Sea right now. They're about as good as I remember them.
Lasthope106
Member
Currently re-reading this -
Brief description from Wiki for those who might not have heard of it -
An example of how some of the pages look -
Not all pages are laid out quite like this one, but most pages are set out in a different way than you would see in most normal books.
The amount of work that’s gone into this is pretty staggering tbh.
Enjoyed it the first time around, but skimmed some of it due to the amount of footnotes etc. Re-reading and trying to cover as much as possible this time.
As I mentioned before I've come to the point of quitting this book about 3 times and I'm barely in chapter VII. The last time, I had to decipher a message from a letter in the one of the appendices by taking the first letter of every word. After 20 minutes of work, it all amounted to an incomprehensible babble. I'm just going to take the book for what it is, an exercise in style with little substance (so far). Unless it dramatically picks up, this is destined to be the book I dreaded the most reading in the past 10 years.
Keylime
ÏÎ¯Î»Ï á¼Î¾ÎµÏÎγλοÏÏον καί ÏεÏδολÏγον οá½Îº εἰÏÏν
I just finished the first book too.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Mistborn-_The_Well_of_Ascension_by_Brandon_Sanderson.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]
I'm about 10% through WoA already and I'm finally getting past the "re-establish the world" parts. A bit frustrating to immediately pick up the next book in the series and have them spend a considerable amount of time fleshing out the world again for a new reader. I get why it's done, but it makes the start of the book drag a bit.
Things are getting awesome again, though so I'm right back into it!
Finished Orb Sceptre Throne, and I feel...disappointed tbh. I think it might be Esslemont's weakest book so far. It was good sure, but I kinda expected more given the synopsis. Some good scenes, but overall it fizzled out instead of the going out with the usual bang.
Plus some weird decisions:
Now back to the Dresden Files
Plus some weird decisions:
K'rul being a woman, for no apparent reason whatsoever. Malazan marines suddenly becoming squeamish about the use of Moranth munitions. To mention a few
Now back to the Dresden Files
nakedsushi
Member
I thought the book was okay, but I wouldn't read too deeply into it. I talked to the author about this and he seemed just interested in experimenting with the idea of a "book" and not that interested in the actual coherence of the story.
It was pretty funny in Choke.
I've never been more engaged with a book before, the stories just blew me away and gave me chills.
This book seems awesome.... I think I will make it next after Locke Lamora
FUCK YEAH. Charlie is the business. Jock, too.
Bonfiglioli was a genius.
That's too bad, you're missing out on some of the best fiction edited by the Catholic Church.