A Little About My Profile Book Choices
Because I am fickle, and easily reconsider, my listed choices are
only what came to mind at the time I had to think up an answer.
And, of course, I'm allowed to change the choice. But I like the
books I mentioned so I thought I would make some short
comments.
The Naive and Sentimental Lover --
This is by John le Carre. He apparently greatly regrets writing it and is embarassed by it. I don't know how I'd rate it now, but when I read it 30 years ago I thought it was brilliant. BTW, it's not a thriller/ spy novel.
The Siege of Krishnapur --
By an Irish writer, J.G.Farrell. Absolutely hilarious novel about the stupidity of people, set in British Imperial India. There is an underlying generosity of spirit to the whole thing which prevents it from being the bitter rant that someone else might have written.
A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil --
Christopher Brookmyre . . . what can I say? You might have to be Scottish to really get Brookmyre, and probably a weegie at that, but this book really nails the pain of schooldays. Any of you who wonder what pain I'm talking about should abandon writing straightaway . . . unless you're posh and have 'contacts' of course. Bastards.
Dog Years --
Read in translation, which can never be truly satisfactory. By Gunter Grass, originally famous in the UK for 'The Tin Drum', which I avoided for years since it was so fashionable. It was a style of writing which impressed me greatly as a young man.
The Trial --
Kafka, Franz of that Ilk, one of the 60s icons, again read in translation but what a translation. Edwin and Willa Muir responsible.
The Wasp Factory --
Iain Banks' first novel. I don't rate him as a great, but he's usually good value. Avoid 'Canal Dreams' and the other one where his main character is female (can't remember the title). Pretty much everyone who likes Banks disagrees with me that this is his best writing.
Anything by P.G.Wodehouse
One of the very few writers who has me laughing out loud. See Farrell above, though.
The Naive and Sentimental Lover --
This is by John le Carre. He apparently greatly regrets writing it and is embarassed by it. I don't know how I'd rate it now, but when I read it 30 years ago I thought it was brilliant. BTW, it's not a thriller/ spy novel.
The Siege of Krishnapur --
By an Irish writer, J.G.Farrell. Absolutely hilarious novel about the stupidity of people, set in British Imperial India. There is an underlying generosity of spirit to the whole thing which prevents it from being the bitter rant that someone else might have written.
A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil --
Christopher Brookmyre . . . what can I say? You might have to be Scottish to really get Brookmyre, and probably a weegie at that, but this book really nails the pain of schooldays. Any of you who wonder what pain I'm talking about should abandon writing straightaway . . . unless you're posh and have 'contacts' of course. Bastards.
Dog Years --
Read in translation, which can never be truly satisfactory. By Gunter Grass, originally famous in the UK for 'The Tin Drum', which I avoided for years since it was so fashionable. It was a style of writing which impressed me greatly as a young man.
The Trial --
Kafka, Franz of that Ilk, one of the 60s icons, again read in translation but what a translation. Edwin and Willa Muir responsible.
The Wasp Factory --
Iain Banks' first novel. I don't rate him as a great, but he's usually good value. Avoid 'Canal Dreams' and the other one where his main character is female (can't remember the title). Pretty much everyone who likes Banks disagrees with me that this is his best writing.
Anything by P.G.Wodehouse
One of the very few writers who has me laughing out loud. See Farrell above, though.
6 Comments
SecretSpi: Boating accident, I think. The 'Siege' is the only one I've read though I do have the 'Singapore' one on the shelf. For some reason I seem to read more non-fiction than fiction these days.
A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil - although I qualify for understanding this being a weegie and all, I have absolutely no wish to relive school in any shape, manner or means.
The Wasp Factory - Now, we're gonna have to agree to differ on this one. I've read most of his work and I bloody hated the wasp factory, I really struggled to finish it. He is an inconsistent writer, some of his books, like Excession are an fabulous romp through the imagination of someone who is right at the top of their game. And then you pick up Feersum Enjine, which is only good for lighting fires with, and wonder if this can possbly be the same writer.
Whoever talked about the 'Happiest Days of Your Life' must have had a real shit rest of their life.
As I said most people who like Banks aren't keen on The Wasp Factory. I've read the mainstream books up to "The Business" and a couple of the Sci-Fi ones borrowed off Mrs.Lennich. 'The Business' really finished my interest. Other than 'TWF' I did like 'The Bridge' a lot, though it is very derivative.
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