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Original poster

Who is like Angela Carter only not?

35 replies

FillydoraTonks · 31/07/2007 20:44

I can't quite get on with her. I quite like her themes but not how she writes, IYKWIM.

I like the kind of vaguely fantasy, circusy, slightly whimiscal, illusion stuff. Also the feministy stuff.

Who else can I try?

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funnypeevesculiar · 02/08/2007 21:07

oooh, yes Ursula LeGuin. Not magic realist, but good thought-provoking stuff, and reasonably out-there, iykwim

(Am intending to completely nick stuff off this thread for my next months book club recommendation - needs to be 'something feminst but a bit different'

lionheart · 02/08/2007 20:52

Ursula Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness should also get a mention if we've moved on to feminist science-fiction.

OrmIrian · 02/08/2007 20:42

Glad to meet you peachygirl

peachygirl · 02/08/2007 20:41

OMG I love 'Woman on the edge of time' I've not met anyone else who has read it.
I also like Margaret Atwood, although she's not magical realism some of her books are classed as SF/ fantasy

OrmIrian · 02/08/2007 20:36

"Character" ??? I don't think AC traded in character at all. I love her books but she had no truck with proper 4-dimensional characters.

Try Marge Peircey "Woman on the Edge of Time". Not magic realism at all but wonderful liberating, feminist SF. I want to live in that place sooo much.

filthymindedvixen · 02/08/2007 20:29

You migfht like Olivia Manning, The Doves of \Venus too...

filthymindedvixen · 02/08/2007 20:28

I'm off to look for electric michaelangelo tomorrow!

Anybody read any Barbara Conyms (our spoons came from Wooldworths, The Skin Chairs etc?)

Original poster
FillydoraTonks · 02/08/2007 20:25

I have magic toyshop and electric thingy now from library

samples of all rest (I think) on order

thanks all!

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witchandchips · 01/08/2007 10:39

imo angela carter is a bit like fay weldon in that i really really want to enjoy the books but simply can't get into them

margereat atwood v. good

Quattrocento · 01/08/2007 10:37

I don't think there is anyone like Angela Carter. The male magical realists are not like her. The chicklitters are SO not like her. The feminists are not like her. She is unique. A goddess.

suzywong · 01/08/2007 10:35

what funnypeevesculiar said.

Who wrote Like Water For Chocolate? That was a corker and all.

Cappuccino · 01/08/2007 10:22

oh no ignore reviews

I recommend it

this should be good enough

Original poster
FillydoraTonks · 01/08/2007 08:05

ok reading reviews now but

pmsl at

"I have to confess I am writing this review without having read the book"

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Cappuccino · 01/08/2007 08:03

Sarah Hall there you go

lionheart · 31/07/2007 21:35

This is how The Cure for Death by Lightning starts, filly:

"The cure for death by lightning was handwritten in thick, messy blue ink in my mother?s scrapbook, under the recipe for my father?s favourite oatcakes:

Dunk the dead by lightning in a cold water bath for two hours and if still dead, add vinegar and soak for an hour more."

Hard to resist.

bookthief · 31/07/2007 21:24

I would recommend Seventh Heaven, Turtle Moon and Practical Magic. She's written loads and does get a bit samey but these three are books I remember enjoying immensely at the time.

(Practical Magic was made into a film - the book is way better).

Original poster
FillydoraTonks · 31/07/2007 21:17

right like look of alice hoffmann, what is good by her?

she rings a bell but haven't read any of books, may have read short story in anthology pos.

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Original poster
FillydoraTonks · 31/07/2007 21:14

cappy can you link pls? not finding any matches ex to stained glass artist

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Original poster
FillydoraTonks · 31/07/2007 21:12

feck me how did that happen?

LOTS of suggestions and i have x posted.

ok am skimming

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Original poster
FillydoraTonks · 31/07/2007 21:12

will look at barbara thingy

big fan of jeanette winterson, up her own ar$e though she can be. thats what I like.

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margoandjerry · 31/07/2007 21:07

ooh yes I was going to say Jeanette Winterson too. It's been a long time since I've read any but The Passion was good. Also Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit. I remember the Passion as the more fantastical of the two but I read them prob 15 years ago so a bit vague.

MuminBrum · 31/07/2007 21:06

I am going to mention Barbara Trapido again - I keep talking about her on book threads - characters more endearing than AC's (although I love AC too) and books marginally more "realistic" but still with a strong magical-realist feel.

lionheart · 31/07/2007 21:02

This is brilliant too.

bookthief · 31/07/2007 21:01

By the same author - A Recipe For Bees.

Also American, can get a bit whimsical but I like her: Alice Hoffmann

Cappuccino · 31/07/2007 21:00

god filly go out NOW and buy Sarah Hall's The Electric Michaelangelo

NOW I tell you

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