Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776176 times)

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1040 on:** September 29, 2010, 07:30:51 PM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

Seems as if I heard that those Japanese in SoCal who were interned were housed at the Santa Anita Race Track until their camp was built.

Steph · « **Reply #1041 on:** September 30, 2010, 06:25:01 AM »

Sounds interesting. I will try my swap club first. I am bogged down in the Sound and the Fury..Sigh.. It is just like it was when I was younger. Simply not my cup of tea.. Book club or not, I will probably skim it.

Aberlaine · « **Reply #1042 on:** October 01, 2010, 09:53:19 AM »

Judy, I'm halfway finished listening to Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and am loving it!

Nancy

Judy Laird · « **Reply #1043 on:** October 01, 2010, 02:15:56 PM »

I finished it last night and cried I didn,t want it to end. I hope there is a seaquel )can't spell
Just loved it.

Steph · « **Reply #1044 on:** October 02, 2010, 05:58:36 AM »

I hav e put in a wish request in my swap club for it.. Sounds like something I would like. I finally just skimmed Sound and Fury.. Just cannot get into it..

bellemere · « **Reply #1045 on:** October 06, 2010, 11:36:50 AM »

I just finished a marvelous book, "Every Man Dies Alone" , translated from German about life in Berlin during the Third Reich and the war; how one middle-aged couple decides to fight back after the death of their son. It sheds some understanding on a question that has always bothered us: how could the German people go along with this Hitler government? It was fear, terrible - and warranted - fear, along with lies, that was the principle weapon against the people. It is deep on introspectve thoughts of the leading characters, but also a gripping page turner as the Gestapo narrows in on the couple. the author lived these years, but was never an overt resister. Very very good fictionaliztion of a real couple who die resist . Hans Fallada died before it was published.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1046 on:** October 07, 2010, 12:22:45 AM »

I am now reading a book that is so interesting that I do not want to put it down. Title: "Fall of Giants", by Ken Follet. He wrote "Pillars of the Earth", too. FoG is the first in an intended triolgy. It begins in 1911, goes into all of the important events in the 20th century. I am finding it fascinating. First book I have read in a long time, that I can't bear to leave.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #1047 on:** October 07, 2010, 06:14:31 AM »

Ilove Follet, but oh me, he is writing long long books nowadays.

Babi · « **Reply #1048 on:** October 07, 2010, 08:22:57 AM »

Is it my imagination, or do writers tend to do that as they grow older? It's as though they want
to share with us all they've learned and all the 'wisdom' they've gained over the years. Their
books begin to include extensive 'lectures' on some favored topic. LaMour did it; Weber does it; maybe Follett is, too.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1049 on:** October 07, 2010, 03:10:07 PM »

Babi: You are more charitable than I. Thought it was simply padding to justify a bigger advance.

jane · « **Reply #1050 on:** October 07, 2010, 04:47:37 PM »

Do any of you read Daniel Silva? He was recommended to my husband, who enjoys Joseph Finder, early Ludlum, Vince Flynn.

jane

maryz · « **Reply #1051 on:** October 07, 2010, 06:11:27 PM »

Amazon is selling Follett's new book for more on Kindle than hardcover. But not to me - at least not yet.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1052 on:** October 07, 2010, 10:27:31 PM »

Jane: Just finished Silva's latest, The Rembrandt Affair. I've been reading him for years, love his books. Gabriel Allon is a world famous art restorer and a trusted Mossad agent. From the first book there have been many coups and contre-temps, some very costly ones. Gabriel earns our empathy and trust by his strict adherence to his own code as he jets around the world reluctantly fighting for justice. Pretty banal, right? It is difficult to explain how riveting Gabriel's stories are. The books tell one long story with the several instances in his life when he must give up his paint brush and go out into the world. I can hardly wait for the next one.

marjifay · « **Reply #1053 on:** October 07, 2010, 10:51:29 PM »

Jane asked, "Do any of you read Daniel Silva? He was recommended to my husband, who enjoys Joseph Finder, early Ludlum, Vince Flynn."

The only book by Silva I tried was his The Messenger (2006), but I did not finish it. Too many difficut Arab names that were hard to keep track of, and it had something to do with a plot against the Vatican, similar to Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, but Brown's was much more interesting, IMO. Have often thought I should try another one of his since so many people like his books, but haven't gotten around to it. I do really like Joseph Finder's novels.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #1054 on:** October 08, 2010, 06:03:32 AM »

I keep promising myself i will try a Silva, but have not done it yet.. Sigh.. Too many books, etc.

jane · « **Reply #1055 on:** October 08, 2010, 09:52:32 AM »

Thanks! We're off to the "city" today and the Half Price Bookstore is always a stop. I love that place! Ray will see what they have in Silva works. It sounds as if perhaps his later ones are better than the early ones. We'll see what they have. Our local Library has 6 or so, we'll see what Half Price may have that the Lib. doesn't.

jane

Frybabe · « **Reply #1056 on:** October 08, 2010, 07:00:41 PM »

Quote

I keep promising myself i will try a Silva, but have not done it yet.. Sigh.. Too many books, etc.

Me too, Steph.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1057 on:** October 08, 2010, 11:13:19 PM »

I priced "Fall of Giants", at Amazon. They list the hardcover at $37.00, and the Kindle price is $19.00. So, I dhose the Kindle version.

If I remember correctly, "Pillars of the Earth", was around a thousand pages. I am liking FofG as well as I liked PofE. I can remember wondering if I would ever finish it.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #1058 on:** October 09, 2010, 06:13:21 AM »

I loved the early Follet.. Eye of the Needle. Then he totally changed direction..

Babi · « **Reply #1059 on:** October 09, 2010, 09:39:26 AM »

You may be right, JACKIE, but it did seem to me I got the distinct flavor of
old-timers preaching on their favorite subjects.
SHEILA, is "Fall of Giants" non-fiction or fictionalized history? It's hard to
tell just from the description.

Judy Laird · « **Reply #1060 on:** October 09, 2010, 04:29:49 PM »

If any of you might be interested Mary Ann recommended Lucy Maud Montgomery especially Rilla of Ingleside, I checked her out and the books look really good and on Kindle they are free.I am excited to see if I like them I think I got 3 free.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1061 on:** October 09, 2010, 07:48:26 PM »

Over 1,000 pages of fiction, Fall of Giants has historical accuracy and a detailed portrait of a past world. The story follows five families across the globe as their fates intertwine. Fall of Giants is the first in a planned trilogy set entirely in the 20th century.

Steph · « **Reply #1062 on:** October 10, 2010, 06:50:48 AM »

It s the 1000 pages that get me. That is a committment..Hmm.

Babi · « **Reply #1063 on:** October 10, 2010, 09:34:03 AM »

Yeah. At the age of 18, a thousand pages would not have daunted me. At the age of 75, I
think of how many other books I could read in the same amount of time. $:-\$

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1064 on:** October 10, 2010, 10:21:59 AM »

I would be reluctant to commit to reading a 1000 page book in one month. Short attention span.

Steph · « **Reply #1065 on:** October 11, 2010, 06:16:04 AM »

Oh me. Especially in December with all else happening..

Aberlaine · « **Reply #1066 on:** October 12, 2010, 07:47:14 PM »

Wow! I just checked out "Fall of Giants" on Amazon. Over 230 people only gave it one star - out of five. Many said the price was just too high; that the book was too big. Several mentioned that his knowledge of the 20th century was not as good as that of Medieval England. Readers couldn't believe he was the same author who had give us Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. And that the story was all about war, war, war, with gratuitous sex thrown in every 20-25 pages or so.

Eight-four people enjoyed it enough to give it five stars. Comments: story was intriguing and complex; large cast of characters; fast action, fantastic storytelling.

Guess I'll wait a while before I decide to read it or not.

Nancy

MaryPage · « **Reply #1067 on:** October 12, 2010, 09:37:24 PM »

I must confess to a great deal of skepticism about authors of historical fiction possessing great knowledge of the _____ th century (fill in the blanks) when they so often show so little scholarship re the 20th. It is much, much easier to romp around in and make up stuff about a time deep in our past, because actually none of said author's readers will likely know the difference. I thought Herman Wouk did a great job with the 20th, and even HE made mistakes!

One thing that drives me up the wall, and probably you, as well, though in all fairness, we cannot blame the younger generation of writers to whom it has not occurred as yet how fast our everyday language and manner of speaking changes, is to read a book set in, say, the forties (my high school years and the time of the music dearest to me), and find phrases coming out of the mouths of the characters in the story that had not even been invented or come into fashion or common usage as yet. I yell to myself: "We didn't SAY that back then! We did not speak that way! We would NEVER have spoken to or of our parents that way," etc.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1068 on:** October 12, 2010, 09:43:11 PM »

MaryPage - been there, done that................which no one wld have said in the 40/50s..........

.......Jean

Steph · « **Reply #1069 on:** October 13, 2010, 06:26:35 AM »

Yes, the 50's was my teen time and I know I laugh sometimes at how they depicted us.. I would guess that many authors simply make up history as well as characters.

Babi · « **Reply #1070 on:** October 13, 2010, 08:37:54 AM »

You think that's bad, MARYPAGE, think of all the movies set in medieval times where
the characters are using modern slang and phrases. It tends to spoil the whole
atmosphere, while I groan and call out "Ah, come on! Give me a break!"

Phyll · « **Reply #1071 on:** October 13, 2010, 11:09:47 AM »

I'm so happy to know that I am not the only one that nit picks through out these movies and novels. I can overlook an occasional anachronism but when they come by me in great numbers I find that is all I am looking for and I forget the story. Too distracting.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1072 on:** October 13, 2010, 04:56:08 PM »

Unless it't a Carl Reiner comedy. Then anything goes!.......Jean

Steph · « **Reply #1073 on:** October 14, 2010, 06:16:57 AM »

But Reiner is doing it on purpose. These other guys simply do not see what they do silly or wrong. Its like some historical novels. The author simply doesnt research.. They are too busy telling you a romance or a war.. Hmm. I do sound grouchy..

JoanK · « **Reply #1074 on:** October 14, 2010, 03:07:45 PM »

STEPH: I agree with you!!! I've had this argument several times in Seniorlearn. Many of us get our knowledge of History from fiction, not history books, and I feel the author has some responsebility to be accurate. If he/she doesn't care enough about the period to do some research on it, then don't write about it.

Of course in a 300 page book some errors might creep in, but reasonable care, please.

Steph · « **Reply #1075 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:18:51 AM »

I do laugh though.. When Phantom of the Opera first came out.. the naysayers were upset.. Seems that " Point of No Return" would not have been a saying in that period. Since I love the songs, I simply never cared. I also never thought of it as history of any type. Just a lovely musical

Judy Laird · « **Reply #1076 on:** October 15, 2010, 03:42:11 PM »

I just finished Iris Johansen Reap The Wind. I am sure I read it years ago but thanks to a faulty memory its was very good once again. A faast moving book full of lovely and wonderful character that you can't help but remember.

Steph · « **Reply #1077 on:** October 16, 2010, 06:04:59 AM »

Sometimes the old books are the best to reread. My bed book just now is one of the Bloodhound series. I just felt like a dog book and think these are outstanding.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1078 on:** October 18, 2010, 04:53:47 PM »

I have just finished a lovely book called The Children Who Lived In A Barn by Eleanor Graham. It has been reprinted by Persephone Books, a publisher specialising in "rediscovering" writers, mostly female, from the 20th century (they have a website).

Eleanor Graham's book was probably originally written for children, but I think adults of my generation would enjoy it more than my own progeny. It's set in the 1930s, and is about 5 children whose parents rush off to look after a sick Granny leaving them to fend for themselves. This in itself seems quite amazing to us now, but the plot thickens when the parents don't come back. The children, led by the indomitable oldest sister, manage to survive, and even to go to school, whilst living in a barn lent to them by a local farmer. The story is very much of its time, with wonderful period detail - I suppose in some ways it's a bit "Famous Five-ish" but much more realistic, as the children struggle with day to day living whilst resisting the unwonted attentions of the local busybodies.

Persephone have republished some really good books - "Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day" (which was unfortunately made into a less than inspiring film), and "No Eggs and Few Oranges", a journal of life in London during the war, being another two that I liked. My absolute favourite is probably "The Fortnight In September" by RC Sherriff - it's about an ordinary 1930's family's annual trip to Bognor Regis, but it's written in such a beautiful, simple style, and the characters are so sympathtically drawn, that I was really sorry to finish it - although I must admit that my enthusiasm may stem partly from the fact that I spent many childhood holidays at Bognor.

I have been reading quite a few old children's books lately, and have also very much enjoyed re-reading The Otterbury Incident, and Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes. Streatfeild's book about her own early years "A Vicarage Childhood" is also a great read - she was brought up in a 1920s vicarage, banned from doing just about anything on Sundays and not allowed to go to parties in Lent - but the book isn't miserable, and it's a good record of what life was like for a middle-class child of that time.

Apologies if any of these books have been mentioned before,

Rosemary

PatH · « **Reply #1079 on:** October 18, 2010, 09:35:04 PM »

rosemarykaye, "Ballet Shoes" was an important book for me when I was a child, along with some of the other "shoes" books.

I'm sorry to hear that "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" isn't a good job. I have it on my rental queue with Netflix (American DVD rental service) mostly because I am a fan of Ciaran Hinds. I thought he did an amazing job in "The Mayor of Casterbridge" of making sense of that harsh, tortured, half-likeable character.

News:

Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776176 times)