Thread 7 - TalkLair: “In fact it’s an oblate spheroid”

[Kucinghitam]

Continuation of previous threads (thread 6).
The new lair of JTT escapees is all cosy and homey; we have truly settled here. Outside, the garden is blooming with spring flowers. Inside, the hearth is glowing, pictures are up on the walls, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

Not very familiar with the north west, so wouldn't have known the shops, sadly. Hope the stress of it all is over now.

It was a long time ago. We survived, just. We were millionaires several times over - on paper. A year later we knew the price of toilet roll in all the local shops, something we hadn't considered for donkeys' years. Thanks Tri! Happens to us all in different ways.

Blimey, that sounds grim. I've been there, though not to the extent that you had. Think I'm paraphrasing, but 'Slowly, then all at once' is very true.

Hemingway, I think?

The Sun Also Rises.

I tried to like him when I was younger and it wasn't happening. When I was older I realised he was a misogynist wanker so it really didn't matter. Then again, his mate F. Scott was a trainwreck and I love his work. I guess if you don't get on with an author and then find out that they're a bit scummy it makes you feel better about not getting on with them.

Only read Hemingway once and didn't enjoy it that much. Some years ago I came across MiL struggling through some godawful novel by Conrad and she said she thought that as she'd started it, she ought to finish it. Not an idea I hold with, so I absolved her of finishing it and got her a copy of 'These is my Words' by Nancy Taylor, which she loved.

I'm right off "worthy" books again. I go through periods of reading old stuff (like Hemingway) that is supposed to be good, or contemp literary fiction that pals rave about, but I don't think I have ever enjoyed it much. That Turkish author who wrote that one about colour Red, illustrating in Islamic cultures etc. - I think that was my last go, about a year ago.

Since then, it's been old favourites and new (to me) noir. Give me a hardboiled PI with a heart of gold, a flawed client hiding stuff, a moll or two, some bourbon, horse and weed, a few corrupt cops - and I'm as happy as a down-and-out hustling citizens for enough change to get my first hit of the day.

I get that, angelico, it sounds like slipping into a warm bath. I'm on Graham Greene at the moment, but not sure how 'worthy' he is. It's 'Travels With My Aunt' and there are some very funny lines in there, like when Aunt Augusta says she isn't too upset about not having children because they might have been 'completely respectable'. I laughed out loud at that one.

Greene gets a pass from me, though I found Brighton Rock quite grey and depressing in the end.

Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder series is remarkable, not least since it's also about the ex-cop narrator's alcoholism and his steps on the programme. Dry, witty, heartbreaking at times - esp for those who have walked some of those streets.

Agree about Brighton Rock, grey and depressing sums it up well.

Never heard of Lawrence Block, but I don't generally read crime stories. I do enjoy historical fiction set in the far past by the likes of Rosemary Sutcliffe. Robert Harris is good too and writes some excellent page-turners.

Can't blame the OP for not coming back to the thread (even though I think SIB rather U)!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4806429-am-i-ruining-the-holiday?

I'm on a Stephen King-athon at the moment, having picked up three previously unread ones at a charity shop. One of my favourite authors for light reading is Jodi Taylor, whose Chronicles of St Mary's series I highly recommend. There is a story arc so it's worth starting with the first, "Just One Damn Thing After Another." I also like Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London" series. And Phil Rickman is another author I like.

I've enjoyed Rivers, too, Brit. No guilt neither - it's great.

The only Stephen Kings I haven’t re-read in the last 6 months are the few I can’t find or have “lent” to people. The Dead Zone and Firestarter and Nghtmares and Dreamscapes all come to mind. Just reaching the end of The Shining, which was the first one I ever read, and I love it. I can see why King didn’t like Kubrick’s adaptation.

It’s funny how much of the film I thought was in the book, like Danny trundling down corridors on a trike, and the elevator doors opening with a tsunami of blood. (Unless of course they’re in the last 60 pages.)

I don't think I've ever read The Shining, I loved The Stand. I have to recommend something else to anyone who likes that sort of thing - The Passage, by Justin Cronin. First part of a trilogy - I read the first two back to back and then had to wait for the third one to come out. I think it's the only time I've bought a hardback because I couldn't wait for the paperback. Such a great storyteller.

Maybe the sun's come out?

Oooh, thanks bnbn, think I’ve seen you or someone else recommend that trilogy before. Think I might have enough overdraft left to buy it!

…and lo, it came to pass.

@MavisMcMinty - I'm currently reading Dreamscapes, which I haven't read before. Just finished Desperation and have The Dark Half to read of my charity shop buys. I've also just bought the new second volume of The Talisman, which King wrote with Peter Straub, and now of course I have to re-read volume 1. Of course I am living in a state where Stephen King is regarded as our homeboy, though he doesn't live here all the time.

@bignosebignose - I loved the first two of The Passage but haven't read the third volume yet and would have to reread the first two first.

I had to repurchase The Talisman after reading Black House - it was one of the ones I knew I’d read before but had no memory of the story at all. I’d had Black House for 20 years and was unable to get past the first few pages, so assume Straub must have written the beginning! Anyway, once past the first chapter I absolutely loved it, in fact read it all over again after The Talisman.

I don't think Straub is anywhere near as good without King. King's book "On Writing" is excellent.

I’ve only read one of Straub’s other books, Ghost Story, which I remember liking but again have absolutely no memory of the story at all.

@bignosebignose I bloody LOVE The Passage trilogy. I read the first in paperback quite a while before the second came out and re-read it for a second time to be ready for the second. I bought the second and third in hardback because I simply couldn't wait. If I remember correctly, I wasn't as keen on the second but loved the third despite a lot of deep sadness. It is an absolutely cracking trio of books. I remember a friend and me talking about the first book when it was the only one and saying that despite it being so very, very long )it's about 1,000 pages give or take) we wanted more.