ozzyoh wrote: » Think I'll be starting The Memory Keeper's Daughter next...has anybody read it?
slinky wrote: » His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
stovelid wrote: » Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami.
buck65 wrote: » New York Trilogy by Paul Auster. Really enjoyed the first 2 stories, onto the Locked Room now.
theCzar wrote: » My name is red. Good, and getting better but slow to start initially. I expected a bit more from a nobel prize winner I think!
monkey9 wrote: » Strumpet City - One of the best books i've ever read. Had never heard of it before, though i know there was a tv series. A really nice surprise
DublinWriter wrote: I don't know why, but James Plunkett seems to be almost criminally overlooked as one of the great Irish writers. Check out his collection of short stories - The Gems She Wore. I think it's still in print.
slinky wrote: » At the moment I'm reading Strumpet City by James Plunkett and I'm really enjoying it. One of the most interesting books I've read in years. It's long (over 500 pages) but the characters are so fascinating I can't put it down.
slinky wrote: » I was very disappointed with this book after hearing so much about it. If Bruno opened his mouth in to another O oh I swear:mad:
slinky wrote: » I was very disappointed with this book after hearing so much about it. If Bruno opened his mouth in to another O oh I swear:mad: This book was reviewed on The View last night and was totally slated, one of the worst reviews of a book I've seen on it. At the moment I'm reading Strumpet City by James Plunkett and I'm really enjoying it. One of the most interesting books I've read in years. It's long (over 500 pages) but the characters are so fascinating I can't put it down.
Procasinator wrote: » No doubt. Throughout the book it kinda of irritated me how ignorant Bruno was. He mispronounced words (Fury, Outwith), he didn't recognise suffering, he wasn't aware of what his Father was doing even before the concetration camp. He doesn't recognise his sisters flirting, or what appears to be the Mother's affair. He doesn't realise the state of affairs the country is in beyond that it is dangerous at night. Protective parents is to far-fetched, when the schooling system is so behind the movement too that he wouldn't be able escape the facts. At one point, he even salutes and says "Heir Adolf!" which he assumes to be a phrase to say goodbye. The thing is, Bruno child-like mentality is in the backbone of the story. It makes what unfolds more tragic. It makes the situation more shocking by using implicit criticism. Because of his mentality you think of the children (represent by Shmuel) on the other side of fence who are just like him. I agree that a five year old would be better than 9-10. However, the book was originally intended for children so I would assume that John Boyne wanted a character children could maybe relate to. He needed certain facets of a 10 years old intelligence and personality. So while it's flawed, I think it's purpose is noble and the story constructed well enough to forgive him. At the end of the day, it's fiction and doesn't try to be to authoritative.
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold. I really don't like it (it's gotten quite ridiculous) but I'll give it a chance and finish it!
DublinWriter wrote: » Is it just me or does that book have one huge gaping historical flaw? The two kids in the story are supposed to be ten years old. They would have both been very aware of who exactly Hitler was because of the Hitler Youth (14+) and the Deutches Jungvolk (10+) movements. Although joining either organisation was not compulsory, kids faced enormous peer pressure to join up. Certainly either boy would have known who 'the Fury' was. I think it would have worked if the boys were aged 5 or 6.
Procasinator wrote: » Started (and finished) The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. Really enjoyed the book, quite simple and easy to read (aimed at both a child and adult audience), yet a powerful story.
