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Coritanian
Homosapien
United Kingdom
2031 Posts |
 Posted - 21 October 2009 : 12:09:23 AM
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Currently reading Caesar's conquest of Gaul. I've read it before, but it's a good read IMHO. I shall be reading his civil war book after I'm done.
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:54 |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 21 October 2009 : 11:26:49 AM
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Just finished reading Carlos Ruiz Zafon's "The Angel's Game" (in english translation). Brilliant! I couldn't put it down. It's a prequel to a book he wrote 10 years ago, "The Shadow of the Wind", set in post-civil war Barcelona.
Here is Wikipedia's summary of "Shadow of the Wind".
"The novel, set in post- Spanish Civil War Barcelona, concerns a young boy, Daniel. Just after the war, Daniel's father takes him to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a huge library of old, forgotten titles lovingly preserved by a select few initiates. According to tradition, everyone initiated to this secret place is allowed to take one book from it, and must protect it for life. Daniel selects a book called The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. That night he takes the book home and reads it, completely engrossed. Daniel then attempts to look for other books by this unknown author, but can find none. All he comes across are stories of a strange man - calling himself Laín Coubert, after a character in the book who happens to be the Devil - who has been seeking out Carax's books for decades, buying them all and burning them. In time this mysterious figure confronts and threatens Daniel. Terrified, Daniel returns the book to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books but continues to seek out the story of the elusive author. In doing so Daniel becomes entangled in an age old conflict that began with the author himself. Many parallels are found to exist between the author's life and Daniel's and he takes it upon himself to make sure history does not repeat."
The plot for "The Angel's game" (also from Wikipedia) is:
"The Angel's Game is set in Barcelona in the 1920s and 1930s and follows a young writer who is approached by a mysterious figure to write a book. Carlos Ruiz Zafón has revealed that the novel returns to The Cemetery of Forgotten Books - the mythical building in the heart of Barcelona's Raval district, as well as the Sempere & Sons bookshop featured in The Shadow of the Wind. Set against the backdrop of a writer struggling with his demons is a page-turning mystery and a love story, which takes place in the dark, narrow alleyways and creaking mansions of the mysterious heart of Barcelona."
I really recommend both books!
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
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stuartr
Single Cell Organism
32 Posts |
Posted - 23 October 2009 : 3:05:32 PM
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Glad you enjoyed "The Angle's Game" its in my reading pile, and was hoping it would live up to Shadow which I thought was an excellent story, well crafted and brilliantly atmospheric.
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Simon Scarrow
Ape
Uruguay
1048 Posts |
Posted - 23 October 2009 : 5:43:54 PM
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| Finished White Tiger now and have to say that it was a disappointment. If this is what wins a Booker then it's a poor lookout for the literary scene. |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 26 October 2009 : 2:12:45 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by stuartr
Glad you enjoyed "The Angle's Game" its in my reading pile, and was hoping it would live up to Shadow which I thought was an excellent story, well crafted and brilliantly atmospheric.
I read "Shadow" so long ago that I am now reading it again and enjoying it even more second time around and with "Angel's Game" so fresh in my mind.
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
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ToxicJR
Single Cell Organism
United Kingdom
39 Posts |
Posted - 29 October 2009 : 11:53:21 PM
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Just finished The Eagles Conquest and starting on When The Eagle Hunts. Hopefully i may find a hardback edition of any of the series that hasnt been written too long ago... Looked on Ebay:
Signed hardback 1st edition of Under the Eagle Starting bid: £375....ending bid ..... £430
WOW
ÇáæÍÏÉ åí ÇáÞæÉ |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 03 November 2009 : 4:45:01 PM
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Currently just finishing up The 5 greatest Warriors by Matthew Reily (squirm away simon) as usual way over the top and no depth to it, but damn good fun and fast to read, in 2 days i have shot thtough 460 pages.
Slightly more research but a similar thriller type is Andy Mcdermott who has a new thriller out this Month Cult of Osiris, this guy has only been going since 2007 and this is his 5th Novel with Number 6 Vault of Shiva due in april...the guy is a machine.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Heid
Single Cell Organism
United Kingdom
48 Posts |
Posted - 05 November 2009 : 7:47:09 PM
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| had 3 books on the go Frankie Boyles book my sh!t life so far which was good, also empire by anthony riches which was very average. |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 09 November 2009 : 1:31:13 PM
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Just started on Ken Follett's "World Without End", his follow up to "Pillars of the Earth". So far so good, although there are so many characters that I am having trouble keeping track of who is who.
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 09 November 2009 : 3:54:20 PM
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i've gone old school with King solomons mines.
Centurion Parmenion
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Petingo
Single Cell Organism
12 Posts |
Posted - 09 November 2009 : 11:01:34 PM
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I thought Shadow Of The Wind was a tremendous novel.
I am disappointed to her the new book is a "prequel" as I am not much into them.
At the moment I am reading Vikram Seth's excellent marathon book, A Suitable Boy, and IO am thorouhly captivated by it. |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 10 November 2009 : 09:28:13 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Petingo
I thought Shadow Of The Wind was a tremendous novel. I am disappointed to her the new book is a "prequel" as I am not much into them.
Hi Petingo, I read "Shadow" without knowing it was a prequesl...just time and time again I wondered if the characters might be connected. But you can read "Angel's Game" without having read "Shadow" and it won't make a difference. On the contrary, I would recommend to people who have never read either books to read "Angel's Game " first and move on to "Shadow".
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
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Petingo
Single Cell Organism
12 Posts |
Posted - 10 November 2009 : 10:19:22 AM
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No, I am alluding to tha fact you said Angels was a "prequel". Shadows wasn't the prequel.
BTW.....I intend reading Pillars Of The Earth....would you recommend it? |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 10 November 2009 : 1:16:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Petingo
No, I am alluding to tha fact you said Angels was a "prequel". Shadows wasn't the prequel.
BTW.....I intend reading Pillars Of The Earth....would you recommend it?
My mistake, I meant "I read Angel's Game without knowing it was a prequel."
IMHO, Pillars of the Earth is Ken Follet's best book. I first read it out of curiosity some 10 years ago, thinking this was a departure from his usual novels. Absolutely brillinat! I read it again earlier this year to refresh my memory, and I enjoyed it even more.
Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. |
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Petingo
Single Cell Organism
12 Posts |
Posted - 10 November 2009 : 1:26:02 PM
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No worries, Ankhsy.
Thanks for the Follet comments. |
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LeeGregz
Invertebrate
United Kingdom
139 Posts |
Posted - 13 November 2009 : 11:32:29 PM
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Just finished Charlotte Gray by Faulks. I dont know what it was about the book, but it really was epic. Was a worthy follow up to Birdsong in my opinion. It was heavy tho, so im following it up with a bit of Mr Pratchett, brilliant =D
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother" |
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Coritanian
Homosapien
United Kingdom
2031 Posts |
Posted - 14 November 2009 : 12:30:07 AM
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I've read Birdsong (twice) and thought it was a fantastic book. There's supposed to be a film coming out next year based on it, with Michael Fassbender in the lead role. I do so hope they do it justice. Do you recommend Charlotte Grey, Lee? How is it a follow-up exactly?
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:54 |
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LeeGregz
Invertebrate
United Kingdom
139 Posts |
Posted - 14 November 2009 : 9:48:14 PM
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I did Birdsong in my A levels a few years back so i read it inside out, i really do love it. And yep id really recommend Charlotte Gray. Btw have u read The Girl at the Lion d'Or Corinthian? Charlotte Grey is linked to both Birdsong and Lion d'Or. Id call it a sequal because it links many places and characters (for instance Charlotte Gray is the daughter of Gray, Stephens commander, in Birdsong). It also follows up on Faulks' study of the human mind and its limits during a time of hell. Its set in Occupied France in 1942. A VERY powerful book, it left me quite haunted afterwards, just like Birdsong.
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother" |
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Anna
Single Cell Organism
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 20 November 2009 : 4:56:32 PM
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I am on the 4th book in Stephen King's Gunslinger/Dark Tower series. I am starting to find it hard going, the first three books were a whizz, but as Mr King spent a considerable number of years writing the series I will spend a few weeks reading it!!
It is very different to anything I have read of his, but love the fact that he brings characters and stories of his other books into the plot.
I may have to have a break from this one though and come back to it.
I have only ever left one book unfinished, so this one will get read eventually. |
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Book Club what are you reading Part 2
