Kiss Me Like A Stranger
Second autobiography this year. Like Alda’s it’s tremendously revealing about some things and goes into far too little detail about some of the most interesting things in his life.
Witty and very readable, it’s a fun read.
A-, Autobiography, Books, Films, Non-Fiction, Rated
A-, Autobiography, Books, Films, Non-Fiction, Rated
13:15, April 16th 2010
Jelleyman’s Thrown A Wobbly
Lightweight memoir mainly focusing on stories from the Soccer Saturday studio.
So insubstantial as to not be worth full price.
Nevertheless it’s still pretty entertaining.
Autobiography, B, Books, Non-Fiction, Rated, TV
Autobiography, B, Books, Non-Fiction, Rated, TV
16:46, April 3rd 2010
Last Argument of Kings
Final book of the First Law Trilogy sees everything work out for the best in a most unsatisfactory way. People receive undeserved awards and undeserved punishments and the puppet masters are revealed.
Uncategorized
20:59, March 31st 2010
Before They Are Hanged
Second of the First Law trilogy takes a group of heroes on a typical fantasy quest through the West in an atypyical way. Meanwhile in the North and South battles and sieges take place and we learn a wee bit more about the strings being pulled behind the scenes.
The Eyre Affair
The first of the Thursday Next books introduces us to Fforde’s fantasy world of an alternate version of England, still mired in the Crimea, where classic literature is the popular entertainment of the masses.
Next is a civil servant working in the field of literary crime who becomes entangled in the machinations of a crazed criminal genius.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable romp, if never quite as clever or as funny as it thinks it is.
Sadly this series succumbed to the law of diminishing returns after a sequel or two.
Recommended from fans of comic fantasy or those looking for something plays with the conventions and history of literature in a humorous fashion.
A-, Books, Fiction, Humour, Rated, fantasy
A-, Books, Fiction, Humour, Rated, fantasy
08:18, March 23rd 2010
My Boring-Ass Life
Simultaneously mundane and explicit, this book is for the most part quite entertaining.
Smith seems an affable enough bloke, who is quite aware of just how much of a role luck plays in his career.
The fact remains that the two (seemingly) most interesting stories are tantalizingly referred to and are not discussed any further.
I’d recommend it if you like Smith, his movies, or can find a copy as cheap as mine was!
Autobiography, B, Essays, Films, Humour, Non-Fiction, Rated
Autobiography, B, Essays, Films, Humour, Non-Fiction, Rated
12:51, March 16th 2010
The Blade Itself
Solidly entertaining debut fantasy novel, first in what promises to be a rather good trilogy
Giraffe
The story of a group of giraffes that end up in Prague zoo in the mid 70’s as told through the eyes of various individuals who interact with the animals during the journey to Prague and when they are settled at the zoo.
Beautifully written, it’s episodic, rambling nature robs the book of narrative momentum.
The novel feels like it’s going nowhere until the last 90 pages when the story comes together to a point in magnificent fashion.
Points are taken off for making me fall asleep reading it…
B+, Books, Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Rated
B+, Books, Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Rated
15:47, February 10th 2010