I thought the Paton Walsh books were perfectly good reads. But that she was better when she wasn't trying to mimic Sayers' style (esp of the latter books) too tightly. (Although the same might be said of Sayers herself...)
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
CCE Book group
(121 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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Yes, I've read some Josephine Tey. A bit more convoluted than Dorothy L Sayers (in a good way).
The Paton Walsh books definitely look to be worth investigating further.Posted 10 years ago # -
it's like watching a movie of your favourite book - you can't go in expecting it to be 'just like' or 'as good as'. inevitably it will be different. A question of managing expectations.
(i nearly always enjoy academic conferences because i go with low expectations and always find unexpected things that i love, while the big name events are dire)
Posted 10 years ago # -
"There's a challenge to CCE. Great literary cludgie moments?"
Slightly related (there is a script)
http://www.studentnewspaper.org/peek-a-jobby-scottish-national-modern
Posted 10 years ago # -
There was an Italian post modernist who used to can his excreta as art.
Can of the artist's sh...
Was the name of the work.
My favourite Italian artists though are the Luther Blissett project
Posted 10 years ago # -
I love Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman for surreal cycling advice (I actually do the left turn one though).
“Always ask any questions that are to be asked and never answer any. Turn everything you hear to your own advantage. Always carry a repair outfit. Take left turns as much as possible. Never apply your front brake first.‘If you follow them’, said the Sergeant, ‘you will save your soul and never get a fall on a slippery road.”
― Flann O'Brien, The Third PolicemanPosted 10 years ago # -
Currently reading '23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism' by Ha-Joon Chang though. The referendum made me realise I don't know as much as I'd like about economics. It's all frustratingly just not science though.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Posted 10 years ago #
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@daisy daisy. I met Brian O'Nolan's niece once. Third policeman is great. At swim to birds on Joyce's bedside table when he died.
O'Brien makes more sense than Economics
Posted 10 years ago # -
Daisydaisy:
Also worth reading "23 things we are telling you about capitalism" by Tim Worstall, a riposte to Ha-Joon Chan.
Worstall and Chan are at opposite ends of the spectrum, so the real position is probably somewhere in between.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Thanks, I'll read that too. Mentioned Stickman to the stoker, so thats's tonight's bedtime story decided.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Was this part of anyone's (childhood?) reading?
Posted 10 years ago # -
"
Reviews"While City Cycling probably won't convince the most hard-core bike haters, it has the potential to help change the debate about how biking fits into the transportation system in countries such as the U.S., where it has traditionally been perceived as marginal. This thoroughly academic approach could be just what we need to move the conversation forward." Sarah Goodyear, The Atlantic Cities"
"
http://www.mitpress.mit.edu/books/city-cycling-0
(Book mentioned on first page)
Which politician(s) should get it as a Christmas present?
Posted 10 years ago # -
Was this part of anyone's (childhood?) reading?
Yes! I read it at home then we did it at school as well.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Another one for "The Silver Sword" at school. Was there a particular reason for asking?
Robert
Posted 10 years ago # -
"Was there a particular reason for asking?"
Not as such.
Definitely an influence from childhood.
Perhaps (because of today) I was thinking people should read it instead of (or maybe as well as) staring at a 'field' of ceramic poppies.
I have three main memories - interesting hiding places, 'law'breaking for survival, the effect of war on children.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Literary cludgie moments - the Crakers perform a welcoming urination ceremony in M. Atwood's MaddAddam. I am told that there is a scene in one of the Harry Potter books where the heroes travel using a magic flushing toilet.
The Silver Sword - we studied it at school. It was on the curriculum, I think.Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm probably missing the point of this thread - guess it's about a good read, rather than about cycling per-se. But anyway: I remember a few years ago reading Car Sick and thinking it made the points I had in my brain, with some evidence and rational logic. Basically: Why being car-obsessed is a problem for society, and what we can do about it.
Since moving to Uganda, I've switched from reading gritty non-fiction stuff about 'important things' to fluffy rubbish that takes my mind off reality! :)
Posted 10 years ago # -
The name "The Silver Sword" rings a bell; but reading the Wikipedia article, I have no recollection of having actually read it! I may have read other books by Ian Serraillier (though none of the other book titles listed in his Wikipedia article ring any bells...)
Posted 10 years ago # -
Well, I finished the Olga Grushin last month, eventually. It certainly was harder work towards the end. An interesting read for those interested in Russian art history, the architecture of Moscow, and magical realism.
Also finished Raymond Queneau's 'Exercises In Style' which is a wonderful book. Witty, inventive, and easy to pick up and dip into from the last stopping point, due to its structure. I found some of his 99 versions so funny I laughed out loud in public on occasion. Considering this is the quintessence of what might be termed 'writing by formula', it is a remarkable tome. Highly recommended to all, though I suppose it may not be to everyone's taste. Mrs crowriver now has a loan of it before it goes back to the library.
I have a few interesting bits of text lined up for imminent perusal, including works by Frederic Tuten, Jay Cantor and James Rourke. Also continuing the Oulipo theme, on its way to me soon is a copy of 'Winter Journeys' by Georges Perec and Oulipo, the recent Atlas Press edition. Should make for good festive reading!
Posted 9 years ago # -
I've been (re-)reading some of Ursula le Guin's science fiction short stories.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Can anyone recommend a good (factual) book about the Titanic? I am just back from Belfast where we spent a day and a half just looking at Titanic stuff and am mad keen to read more but there seem to be hundreds of books on the subject.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Glad you've revived this.
People (esp with young children) might like this -
Posted 9 years ago # -
Min, there's one called "A Night to Remember" I think which is supposed to well researched and written.
Posted 9 years ago # -
And is also available in the library. I will give it a go, thanks. :-)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Min, you might also look for Robert Ballard's "The Discovery of the Titanic". Ballard is a very engaging writer, and I suppose he had the best seat in the house.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@Min when you're done reading up on Titanic, the short but eventful lives of her sister ships Britannic (nee Gigantic) and Olympic are equally fascinating.
Oh and then there are the conspiracy theories that it wasn't Titanic at all that sunk, but her Olympic, as the former was not quite ready in time and all that was required was a quick change of the nameplates, re-stencil the lifeboats and lifebelts and swap over some crockery...
Posted 9 years ago # -
There is a book about the Titanic/Olympic conspiracy that I already have my eye on!
Thanks for those suggestions folks, that should keep me busy for a while. :-)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Just started The Gate of Angels by Penelope Fitzgerald. Opening chapter set on a very windy night in Cambridge 1912, the tree branches have landed on the cows horns and obscured their vision and they have blown over. Three junior fellows are out and about cycling in the wind. One of them is an atomic physicist. The book is about physics and I think metaphysics. I can only exhort you to read it. Or any of her other books but this one has bicycles in it. Third policeman on way into town so it is all bikes with me just now apart from the fantastic book to own by Laura cumming called the vanishing man. It is about Diego Velasquez and has many of his best paintings as colour plates. Available for £12.50 on Amazon. If you like Velasquez I would buy it now.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Hmmm. This review is a bit car-centric though:
‘Reading a Penelope Fitzgerald novel is like being taken for a ride in a peculiar kind of car. Everything is of top quality – the engine, the coachwork and the interior all fill you with confidence. Then, after a mile or so, someone throws the steering-wheel out of the window.’ Sebastian Faulks
Posted 8 years ago #
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