|
Post by fretslider on May 1, 2010 11:45:39 GMT -5
Could not find anywhere appropriate for this. I heard the original broadcast on BBC radio in the 1950s and it still sends shivers up my spine. Richard Burton of course, who else could recite it like that.
|
|
|
Post by dewey on May 5, 2010 8:21:11 GMT -5
Generally speaking I love to read Patricia Cornwell, but her last couple of books have not lived up to my expectations. I am currently reading The Scarpetta Factor. I normally finish a book in a couple of days. I have been reading on this book for weeks. I read a page and quit, it's just not holding my interest. Is it me or do others of you find that she isn't as good as she once was? So good to see you, Dewey . I have to agree that Cornwell's books don't have the same spark they once did. I've watched them slowly go down hill for what seems like a long time, though right now, I'm thinking of reading All That Remains - about the "couple murders". Have you read that one? I like her Pete Marino and Benton Wesley characters, but Lucy gets on my nerves - not because she's a lesbian but because she's annoying. Glad to know to skip The Scarpetto Factor. MO - Cornwell is tired of meeting those deadlines and doesn't need the money. I finally finished The Scarpetta Factor........total waste of time. I have read All That Remains and while I don't recall the find details, I do rememeber that I enjoyed it.
|
|
|
Post by fretslider on Oct 6, 2010 7:38:40 GMT -5
One of these days I'm going to read a book that was bequeathed to me by my father.
It is...
The Secret Doctrine by Madame Blavatsky.
Has anyone read it?
|
|
|
Post by mouse on Oct 6, 2010 10:59:12 GMT -5
i have heard of it...but never read it....and i dont have a fav book...but one above all that i like and admire the sheer guts of the writer is infidel by hirsi....to come through her life and still be rational is no mean feat.....
|
|
aubrey
Journeyman
There will come a time when you can even take your clothes off when you dance
Posts: 385
|
Post by aubrey on Oct 6, 2010 12:14:37 GMT -5
Gene Wolfe: The Book of the New Sun. (The hero is a torturer and executioner - so an anti-hero - but who is nevertheless kind and compassionate; he is also the equivelent of the Second Coming.)
The series of books called "Strangers and Brothers" by CP Snow; The Masters is probably my favourite out of them, though.
MR James's Collected Ghost Stories.
Non fiction - "The Rationale of The Dirty Joke" by the great Gershon Legman.
There are lots more.
|
|
Erasmus
Moderatorz
Deep Thought Mod
"We do not take prisoners - we liberate them" - http://www.aeonbytegnosticradio.com
Posts: 2,489
|
Post by Erasmus on Oct 6, 2010 17:16:44 GMT -5
One of these days I'm going to read a book that was bequeathed to me by my father. It is... The Secret Doctrine by Madame Blavatsky. Has anyone read it? I've read more quotes and references to Blavatsky than direct from her, in part because I read Aleister Crowley first. She is better as a sort of New Age reference work, like reading Newton to get a grasp of science, something that has been built on and superceded but can still be interesting. I don't know if it is in that book that she talks about Vedic science but there, it is very useful to read up on more modern work because she knew nothing about various kinds of radiation and neither did scientists of her time, so I remember some of the Vedic and Tibetan stuff she claimed to be quoting made better sense in modern terms than her interpretation, but you could see how she had got to where she had. Then again. Sanskrit is like English in having a huge vocabulary that can be extended even more freely and a huge range of very different meanings for individual words.
|
|
|
Post by fretslider on Oct 6, 2010 17:18:42 GMT -5
One of these days I'm going to read a book that was bequeathed to me by my father. It is... The Secret Doctrine by Madame Blavatsky. Has anyone read it? I've read more quotes and references to Blavatsky than direct from her, in part because I read Aleister Crowley first. She is better as a sort of New Age reference work, like reading Newton to get a grasp of science, something that has been built on and superceded but can still be interesting. I don't know if it is in that book that she talks about Vedic science but there, it is very useful to read up on more modern work because she knew nothing about various kinds of radiation and neither did scientists of her time, so I remember some of the Vedic and Tibetan stuff she claimed to be quoting made better sense in modern terms than her interpretation, but you could see how she had got to where she had. Then again. Sanskrit is like English in having a huge vocabulary that can be extended even more freely and a huge range of very different meanings for individual words. I believe vedic is covered, but there is also an intriguing reference to the fact that the Sphinx will give up it's secret
|
|
|
Post by beth on Oct 6, 2010 18:39:21 GMT -5
One of these days I'm going to read a book that was bequeathed to me by my father. It is... The Secret Doctrine by Madame Blavatsky. Has anyone read it? Madame Blavatsky aka Helena Blavatsky aka Madame Bla (19th century) She was one of the founders of Theosophy ... mostly (I think) the practice of trying to communicate with the dearly departed via seances, table rappings and such. I gather people were either devoted to her or put off by her, as often happens with those dedicated to super-natural pursuits. A fellow who used to be involved in the pagan/new age areas of GEnie$ was reared by his aunt and uncle in L.A. in the 40s on the fringes of the movie/entertainment industry. He told us theosophy and especially Madame Bla's teachings had quite a following there. If it were me, I'd take a look at the book and see if it's readable, fret. You might have something really interesting as seen in retrospect. ps If you've read Stephen King's, The Sun Dog, the two elderly sisters were theosophists.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2010 12:04:27 GMT -5
A really great book I just finished was about the afterlife of cadavers......how they are used for research and science.......excellent book
|
|
|
Post by beth on Oct 22, 2010 21:38:31 GMT -5
A really great book I just finished was about the afterlife of cadavers......how they are used for research and science.......excellent book Chris, it sounds unusual and informative. I wish I could work up an interest but don't think I'd stick with it. Maybe others would like it, though. The next fiction we're going to read and discuss ... and try to get some of you to join it .. will be in November - Nelson DeMille's The Lion's Game. It should be readily available in paperback, audio version or via the local library.
|
|
|
Post by mouse on Oct 23, 2010 12:03:28 GMT -5
A really great book I just finished was about the afterlife of cadavers......how they are used for research and science.......excellent book Chris, it sounds unusual and informative. I wish I could work up an interest but don't think I'd stick with it. Maybe others would like it, though. The next fiction we're going to read and discuss ... and try to get some of you to join it .. will be in November - Nelson DeMille's The Lion's Game. It should be readily available in paperback, audio version or via the local library. cannever make my mind up if i like him as an author...i enjoyed the one in the newyork cathederal[names escape me] but couldnt get into an other i tried
|
|
|
Post by beth on Oct 24, 2010 13:14:12 GMT -5
I've read the older books, too (Cathedral, Charm School, etc.). There are a few I don't care much for - The General's Daughter for one, though, oddly enough, I did like its sequel, Up Country. The Lion's Game is one of the books that features his very popular protagonist, John Corey. The sequel to that one, The Lion, was just released in late summer and will be the next book I read after I finish The Master and Margarita. If you can get a copy of The Lion's Game, it would be great to have you in the discussion group. It was written in the late '90s, but the plot seems very relevant in light of 9/11/01 and many things since. I think it's classified as a "thriller", so it does have some violence, but deMille's books are considered "intelligent thrillers" ... and it fits. Takes place in the U.S., with a chapter or two in the mid-east. I recommend it highly.
|
|
Jessiealan
xr
Member of the Month, October 2013
Posts: 8,726
|
Post by Jessiealan on Oct 29, 2010 14:04:43 GMT -5
This could be fun. When, exactly, do you plan to start the next discussion?
|
|
|
Post by beth on Oct 30, 2010 16:02:32 GMT -5
Jessie, I expect it will be mid-November, assuming everyone who wants to join in has their book by that time. Please do consider trying this one. If you love it, you can say so, if you don't, you can quit at any time.
|
|
|
Post by beth on Oct 30, 2010 20:00:28 GMT -5
Review: The Lion's Game by Nelson Demille Brash, sassy John Corey is on the Anti-Terrorist Task Force team, waiting to meet Asad Khalil - a terrorist suspect who had defected. He waits with four others in the Conquistador Club, for the flight to land at the NY airport. Asad however has other plans, which do not include surrender. Although he was handcuffed and escorted by two armed officers, he manages to escape after committing a puzzling, almost impossible crime. Worse, no one knows what he is up to.
I have deliberately left out some things from the summary, because there is so much to this book than the plain escape of a terrorist. I have to admit, reading about terrorism is so not my cup of tea. So I was definitely pensive about what I will find, going into this book. I worried needlessly. The suspense in this book was simply awesome! Crimes that seem so impossible being pulled off with panache, making you wonder 'How did that happen?' I'm not big into thrillers, and usually pace them out but The Lion's Game reminded me of all the good books in this genre. It's not a 'whodunit' at all. We know the good guys and the bad guys right from page one. Instead, we have an old grudge simmering in a man bent on getting his revenge. And the methods he use! Much as I despised Asad for many reasons, I found myself understanding (not sympathizing) him better too.
The narration switches between John and Asad. Initially I waited for John's chapters for the laughs he provides, but I soon found Asad a compelling person as well. Compelling and psychologically interesting. It's not easy writing from the point of a person hell-bent on terrorism or murder. It's not easy reading either. You don't want to like the guy or feel sympathetic or understanding or even plain interested. So many things Asad did made my skin crawl. At times, I wondered what would have happened to me had I met him in the streets and recognized him, since he believes in erasing his tracks. His character became that alive for me - not in a creepy way but in a more in-this-world feel. And authors who create characters like that ought to be commended.
John Corey, on the other hand, is one heck of a guy. Hilarious sarcasm oozes off him. I was first introduced to him in Plum Island, and he is just as sassy as I remember him.
The Lion's Game is however 670+ pages long. It took me quite a long time to get through. While I didn't exactly mind it, I thought it was longer than needed by at least a 100-200 pages. Some of the dialogue could have been reduced even though they contributed to the story as a whole. But since John Corey contributed to quite a bit of those pages, I enjoyed them. Besides, it is fast-paced so I was barely aware of turning the page. If you haven't read a DeMille book, I strongly recommend him. This is my third book by him, and I can't seem to be getting enough of his books. The next book in the John Corey series and sequel to The Lion's Game - The Lion - has been released, and I sure can't wait to pick it up.
|
|