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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 · 31/07/2007 20:47

which onesw of hers have you tried - there's quite a range, imo...
Umm, can't think really - some Kate Atkinsons are sort of similar for me, although she has a tone you also either hate or love...Less political, but certainly whimsical - if you like short stories 'Not the End of the World' would be a good start & is more fantastical...

peggotty · 31/07/2007 20:49

Oh I LOVE angela carter, I did my dissertation in uni on her!! Agree wholeheartedly with funnypeevesculiar, Kate Atkinson reminds me strongly of AC, but more realist, iykwim. Have you read AG's 'Wise CHildren', it's prob one of the more 'accessible' of her novels. Will try to think of other novelists who are carteresque!

Original poster
FillydoraTonks · 31/07/2007 20:51

don't like kate atkinson either really

Its the characters in angela carter. I really can't identify with them. wise children case in point.

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lionheart · 31/07/2007 20:56

How about this, filly?

Do you like magical realism?

funnypeevesculiar · 31/07/2007 20:56

Hummm, I've not sure you're always meant to.

Although i agree that it's something I tend to want to do in books and find her refusal to let me frustrates my 'natural' reading style. Afriad I'm another fan - Nights at the Circus is a personal fave

Does it have to be feminist? if not, you could just go Salman Rushdie/Marquez 'classic' magic realism route. Salman Rushdie gets on my tits something chronic but am aware this is my problem

(Translates as "duh, can't think of any one else who fits brief)

lionheart · 31/07/2007 20:56

Or Jeanette Winterson?

lionheart · 31/07/2007 20:57

I have a problem with SR too. He needs a better, more ruthless editor, I think

peggotty · 31/07/2007 20:57

Yes, the characters are not exactly endearing, and difficult to relate to. I've found some of her stuff impossible to re-read now, several years after my dissertation. I re-read her short story collection 'Burning your Boats', I think it's called, most of all. HAve you thought of trying the short stories instead of the novels? If you do a search on 'Magic Realism' you should get a few authors/books in a similar vein

bookthief · 31/07/2007 20:59

How funny lionheart - I was just thinking of A Cure For Death By Lightning!

funnypeevesculiar · 31/07/2007 21:00

Absolutely lionheart - I find myself shouting 'stop arsing about and showing off how clever you are' at his books too much to enjoy the reading experience...

Cappuccino · 31/07/2007 21:00

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

NOW I tell you

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

lionheart · 31/07/2007 21:02

This is brilliant too.

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.

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.

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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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 21:14

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

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

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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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).

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.

Cappuccino · 01/08/2007 08:03

Sarah Hall there you go

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 10:22

oh no ignore reviews

I recommend it

this should be good enough

suzywong · 01/08/2007 10:35

what funnypeevesculiar said.

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