Here is a small selection of the books that I have recently read. There are lots of sites wherein they review books or rabbit on about some author that's moved them. So why not me?
These are the books that I have recently read and, although it's all a bit amateurish, I'll add what I thought about it.
ALSO I would like to take this moment to remind you to support your local library!
It promised adventure in a dangerous land, a biography of an extraordinary Scottish Victorian as well as a dash of football. Sadly I was to be disappointed.
Although it is competently written and it shows that the author has done his research. But, the book tries to be too many things and fails on all counts.
ISBN 0-670-89237-8
My main gripe is his political comments. They follow the predictable anti-militarist perspective and, like so many, glosses over the complex political situation in Myanmar.
Yet this book is not a complete loss. At times, one feels that there is a superiour book trying to emerge from the pages, unfortunately for Marshal it's Scotts The Burman.
The chapters and pints seemed to complement each other and I really started to get into the story. I also wondered if Nancy would go out with me on a date. Together we could tackle sheep thieves (thats what the story was about) and I could consult the Necronomicon while she drove the car.
Actually I do, in a way, have a copy of the Necronomicon. It's one of those 1970's occult books that were popular at the time.
RANDOM QUOTE: "Nancy laughed but in a moment became sober again as she told of her near accident on the road"
The tales are intelligent and, if your in the mood, quite chilling. The selection is divided between Frenetic Tales, Contes cruels and Contes fantastiques. Given the quality, it is a surprise that these stories are not better known and some have only recently been translated.
RANDOM QUOTE: from "Solange" by Dumas.
"Not a breath was heard. The doctor alone opened his mouth; I pressed my hand to prevent his speaking; and so, indeed, he kept silent."
The book is written as a diary with a preface that seems to indicate that it is real. If I may paraphrase the great Mr T "I pity the fool who thinks this is true!" There are references in the diaries to historic events and characters, but written in such an unrealistic way it is glaring.
There is no horror or suspense in this book despite all the gothic waypoints; the strange sounds, the sexual repression, the locked rooms etc Yet it all misses the mark and you just don't care what happens to the Diarist or why the house is behaving in such a manner.
RANDOM QUOTE
"There are four area rugs, all from Persia, a great velvet recliner, two Louis XIV armchairs and a dresser from the Loire. I am fit to be a queen!"
It's the adventures of a balding overweight philosopher, the oddly named Eddie Coffin, aad Hubert, a one-armed criminal, as they think up esoteric and bizare ways of robbing banks to the consternation of the local police. The whole thing is a huge laugh.
Some might say that it's a young mans book. The adventures are surreal and liberally sprinkled with "Z" inspired bits of information and what not. But there is nothing offensive in these pages, the violence is minimal and cartoonish and it doesn't take itself too seriously.
RANDOM QUOTE : There is no quote, it's far too good to mutilate here!
The film followed the book fairly well, so there were no surprises but the situation with the Vampires is more complicated and the end really tied up well for me. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting, it was THAT good.
I would like to recomend his other books. His son also writes horror and he too is quite good, but don't get the two confused, so tell your librarian "Make mine RICHARD Matheson".
