The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy
By Gregory Maguire
This book is two stories in one. The first is a (possibly) post-apocalyptic 'real' world tale of a man and his young cousins. It's serious and dire, and serves as a stark contrast to the main story, a fantasy tale about an orphaned tooth fairy named What-the-Dickens. As this second story is being told to the children in the first tale, it's much lighter and clearly has a much younger target audience.
Although it deals with some pretty serious stuff (death, loneliness) it manages to do so without dragging the reader down, keeping it light-hearted and amusing.
Both tales are left with no definite conclusion, leaving you to wonder, or, better yet, imagine your own endings. Utterly different to Maguire's Wicked, this book is loosely structured, enchanting and sweet. It's easy to imagine this one as an animated movie.
My rating: 4 / 5
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
Something Wicked This Way Comes
By Ray Bradbury
I've never read any of Bradbury's book before, but this one popped up as a book club read. It took me the first half dozen chapters to slow down enough to savour the way it had been written, and once I settled into the poetic, hazy imagery, I really enjoyed it.
I know that a lot of other, more talented authors have said a lot about Ray Bradbury and his writings, so I'm not going to try and describe the story itself - except to mention that it was different to in-your-face gory horror that abounds today. Poetic, imaginative and beautiful, I thought it was superb.
I've never read any of Bradbury's book before, but this one popped up as a book club read. It took me the first half dozen chapters to slow down enough to savour the way it had been written, and once I settled into the poetic, hazy imagery, I really enjoyed it.
I know that a lot of other, more talented authors have said a lot about Ray Bradbury and his writings, so I'm not going to try and describe the story itself - except to mention that it was different to in-your-face gory horror that abounds today. Poetic, imaginative and beautiful, I thought it was superb.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Oh look!
A blog that I forgot I had! Let's see - if I ever get to the end of the book I'm reading, I'll have to remember to start posting again.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Time Travellers Wife
By Audrey Niffenegger
One of those books that absolutely everyone raves about, I stayed well clear of it until last year, when I picked it up at a boot sale for a buck (what's not to lose?). I'm glad that I came to it eventually, and discovered that the adoration professed by everyone who reads it is pretty much spot on. The characters are flawed and human, each wrapped up in their own problems, but still likable, and the love story that is weaved around is exquisitely played out.
I have read this before, so had an idea of what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story, even if it was powerful enough to bring me to tears. I hope the movie can measure up to the sky-high expectations this book gave me.
Date finished: 13/11/09
Year total: no idea!
One of those books that absolutely everyone raves about, I stayed well clear of it until last year, when I picked it up at a boot sale for a buck (what's not to lose?). I'm glad that I came to it eventually, and discovered that the adoration professed by everyone who reads it is pretty much spot on. The characters are flawed and human, each wrapped up in their own problems, but still likable, and the love story that is weaved around is exquisitely played out.
I have read this before, so had an idea of what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story, even if it was powerful enough to bring me to tears. I hope the movie can measure up to the sky-high expectations this book gave me.
Date finished: 13/11/09
Year total: no idea!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Last House in the Galaxy
Andy Secombe
The blurb suggested a funny book, which was enough for me to give it a try. I'm glad I did; this is a relatively light read, taking place all over the galaxy as the rebels try to steal a device out from under the Evil Dictator that would give them the advantage. With not-very-subtle comparisons to Star Wars and a thoroughly British sense of storytelling, this wasn't so much laugh-a-minute as it was a case of reading for an hour and not realising that time was passing.
Although I didn't get the sense that it was part of a series, I'd be keen to see what else I can find by Secombe. If it's much like this book, it'll be totally worth the effort.
Date finished: 21/03/09
Year total: 12
The blurb suggested a funny book, which was enough for me to give it a try. I'm glad I did; this is a relatively light read, taking place all over the galaxy as the rebels try to steal a device out from under the Evil Dictator that would give them the advantage. With not-very-subtle comparisons to Star Wars and a thoroughly British sense of storytelling, this wasn't so much laugh-a-minute as it was a case of reading for an hour and not realising that time was passing.
Although I didn't get the sense that it was part of a series, I'd be keen to see what else I can find by Secombe. If it's much like this book, it'll be totally worth the effort.
Date finished: 21/03/09
Year total: 12
The X Files: Goblins & Whirlwinds
Charles L Grant
Two separate stories, these are set near the first season of the show, before too much of the Conspiracy is looked into. Goblins deals with a military experiment gone astray, and comes to a climax at night in torrential rain. Whirlwinds takes place in the Southwest desert and involves Indian magic.
Both were good reads, and it's possible to pick up the conversations as they flow on the show; I'm not sure a non-fan would get much out of these stories, but they were a good way to spend an afternoon, almost nostalgic.
Date finished: 18/03/09
Year Total: 11
Two separate stories, these are set near the first season of the show, before too much of the Conspiracy is looked into. Goblins deals with a military experiment gone astray, and comes to a climax at night in torrential rain. Whirlwinds takes place in the Southwest desert and involves Indian magic.
Both were good reads, and it's possible to pick up the conversations as they flow on the show; I'm not sure a non-fan would get much out of these stories, but they were a good way to spend an afternoon, almost nostalgic.
Date finished: 18/03/09
Year Total: 11
Doctor Who and The Bodysnatchers
Mark Morris
The Doctor and Sam find themselves in Victorian England, while bodies are being stolen from graveyards and living people completely change their personalities.
I love the thread of humour that flows thru these books; it's possible to replace any doctor with your favourite and still have a recognisable Doctor.
Date finished: 11/03/09
Year total: 10
The Doctor and Sam find themselves in Victorian England, while bodies are being stolen from graveyards and living people completely change their personalities.
I love the thread of humour that flows thru these books; it's possible to replace any doctor with your favourite and still have a recognisable Doctor.
Date finished: 11/03/09
Year total: 10
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