What are you reading at the moment?

[Connie Ciampanelli]

I've only read by McCarthy The Road, which was recommended by one of the Brothers who teaches English here at the academy where I work. I thought it was good, if disturbing. I researched McCathy a bit, and while he intrigues me, I'm not sure if I could stomach the extreme violence I read his work contains. I was interested particularly in Blood Meridian, which is on the favorite list of one of my sons, and All the Pretty Horses, as well as In the Country of Old Men. I've not heard much of Child of God, a lovely title, if not a lovely book.

Thanks for the input, sidesrussianlegsweep. More food for thought.

Connie Ciampanelli
RI

[vdrive_60]

I am nearly through with "Bitterroot" and plan to read "In The Moon of the Red Ponies" next. Bitterroot is my first Burke novel. I think I picked a good one from the local library. Any objections or advice about the next one? Burke tastes like a shot of McCarthy and a Thomas Berger back. His description of the Battle of Little Bighorn reminds me of "Little Big Man", my personal favorite novel ever.

[CaribooRose]

HI Guys
I'm Burke-less in my own home ... the little library that I manage is out of James' books due to the large poster I put on the library door last month, "September 27 release date for JLB's Feast Day of Fools" ... so naturally, folks are reading or re-reading all of his works ... ergo empty shelf ... ergo I brought my collection .. ya, a loan to a library, who'da thunk?

I'm lovin' it ... lots of conversations and memories of books read a long time ago ... very cool indeed

Regards!!
Rose

[siderussianlegsweep]

The Moving Target by Ross MacDonald.

Ross Macdonald's The Moving Target was written in 1949 and commenced what might well be the best detective fiction of all time (certainly in the top two or three with Chandler and Hammett).

We get to meet Lew Archer, a man in his mid 30's who has seen a lot and done a lot, and seems world-weary. MacDonald gave more of Archer's background story in this novel than he would in future books and the story itself is a bit more violent than later books would be.

MacDonald had the knack of building family dramas that always tended to end badly for the family. The sins of the past would be revealed and the family secrets exposed. This theme is prevalent throughout the Archer series.

In this (quite short) novel, we see Archer being employed by a millionaire's wife to find her missing husband. We get to meet the wife, the spoilt daughter, her disinterested young male friend and Archer's friend who is also the older man yearning for the rich man's daughters love.

Is this MacDonald's best book? No, not by any stretch but it has the makings of a great series of detective fiction that lasted from 1949 to 1976 and established the author as a top flight novelist.

[Connie Ciampanelli]

Dear siderussianlegsweep,

If this forum had a "like" button as facebook does, I'd "like" your post. I know of MacDonald by reputation only. Your writing makes me want to pick this book up. It will most certainly jotted in my "to be read" journal, a gift from my husband so I can keep track of all the books I want to read!

I am in the first third of JLB's Feast Day of Fools. I'm reading it in small burst so, like a fine meal, I can enjoy its nuances at a leisurely pace. Like all of JLB's books, I don't want it to end.

Connie Ciampanelli
Rhode Island

[siderussianlegsweep]

Hi Connie,

Thank you for your kind words. MacDonald is a very good writer, he brings me back to the old days of the 1940's and 50's when I read him.

Received Feast Day of Fools in the mail today, just about to have a look over it.....

Peter

[tonyd]

John D. MacDonald's first novel "The Brass Cupcake". Then I'll dig into "Feast"

[CaribooRose]

HI Guys
As a pre-teen I was introduced to Agatha Christie, John D and Ross (both MacDonalds ), Naomi Marsh and so many others, I cannot remember. Ohhhhhh but how I wanted to get onto the Busted Flush with Travis McGee and rid the world of bad dudes ... yessir, that was a goal

I'm nearly finished Kathy Reich's repetoire ... took me far longer than I'd planned but life often has other items which need tending to ... like, having a 3-point buck roll over the hood of my Ford Taurus 4-door sedan ... yechhhh what a mess No injuries to myself or my 3-yr-old foster son ... but both car and deer were written off

Thank God there are writers that can alleviate life's annoying moments ... take me away from reality for a wee while and I'm a happy gal.

Regards!!
Rose

[siderussianlegsweep]

South by Java Head by Alistair Maclean.

This was Macleans third novel and it is one of the weaker books that he wrote.

It starts in 1942 with the fall of Singapore and we get to see a bedraggled group trying to get out of the country before the Japanese catch them. One of the characters has some important military papers on him and he must get to the safety of the allies so that he can pass the papers on to them.

As always with his books, we get a ragtag collection of individuals and throughout the course of the books, their character is tested where some fail and some shine. The plot is quite unlikely and the adventures that they go through are farfetched even for Maclean.

This is not one of his best books but it is an entertaining adventure story that moves along well, there is limited violence (nothing graphic) and the romance is kept to a minimum (this is a trademark of Macleans).

One surprising aspect is the authors strong depiction of the Japanese soldiers as being totally without redeeming qualities. He was quite vicious in their portrayal while in this book and other novels, he was careful with his depiction of German soldiers. Found this to be a little surprising but as someone who fought in the Second World War, maybe the author had had some experiences with the Japanese.

[CaribooRose]

HI Guys
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child are a formidable pair ... I've been re-reading them while searching for a copy of James' Feast Day of Fools ... my favourite is Relic ... something dreadful has found its way into the Museum of Natural History in New York just in time to possibly destroy a huge celebration for a new exhibit ... will it be found/killed in time? Next favourite is Codex ... three brothers must work together to discover how/why their uber-wealthy father cleared the family mansion of all its treasures and left a note instructing the brothers to find their inheritance by (for once!) co-operating.

Regards!!
Rose