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Subject: Read anything good lately?


Author:
JeffF
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Date Posted: 08:34:05 07/01/02 Mon

Anybody have any good book recommendations?

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Replies:
[> Subject: Re: Read anything good lately?


Author:
Dana
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Date Posted: 09:42:52 07/01/02 Mon

Here are some suggestions:

Stone Junction by Jim Dodge. A tale of an international organization of outlaws. The style reminds me of Thomas Pynchon.

The Devil's Hatband by Robert O. Greer. An engaging mystery about ecoterrorism and biochemisty.

If you haven't yet tried anything by Michael Chabon, I'd highly recommend any of his novels or collections of short stories. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Wonder Boys (the book is much better than the movie, and I really enjoyed the movie), and The Mysteries of Pittsburgh are all terrific. Werewolves in Their Youth and A Model World (his short story collections) are both good collections.

Ian Rankin. If you enjoy mysteries, this may be a series that you'll enjoy. The main character is a Scottish police detective named John Rebus. Rebus is written as a complex character which makes this series interesting to me. You will have to put up with a bit of Scottish slang, but most of it you'll understand from context. He's gained popularity in the U.S. in the past year.

High Fidelity, About a Boy, and How to be Good by Nick Hornby. High Fidelity is about a man examining past relationships and finding out why his relationships always fail. Funny, poignant, and insightful. About a Boy is about a man who joins a single parents club in order to meet women. Along the way he meets a boy, and their relationship changes them both. How to Be Good is the best social satire I've read in a long time. It's about the differences between what we believe is the right thing to do and how far we'll actually go to make this happen.

The History of Danish Dreams. I've read all of Peter Hoeg's books and loved them, but somehow missed this first book of his. It's a collection of short stories that all tie together. As with all of Peter Hoeg's work, this one is beautifully written.

~Dana
[> [> Subject: Thanks


Author:
JeffF
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Date Posted: 11:58:06 07/01/02 Mon

I'll try to get to "The History of Danish Dreams" soon, since I consider Borderliners to be the best novel I've read in the last few years. I liked some of Hoag's other books too, but this one I haven't read, so it's something to look forward to.


[> Subject: Re: Read anything good lately?


Author:
Kevin
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Date Posted: 23:36:24 07/01/02 Mon

I just finished "Farewell my Concubine" last night. I bought the book in 96 (still had the receipt tucked inside) and started it at least three times over the years. I prefer the movie, but the book is easier.

And I started "French Lessons" for some easy reading.

BTW, over in The Symposium, the refabbed IS, we're starting a book-reading group beginning with To Kill a Mockingbird. You're more than welcome to participate.
[> [> Subject: Re: Read anything good lately?


Author:
JeffF
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Date Posted: 07:22:57 07/02/02 Tue

I liked the movie of "Farewell My Concubine" very much, so I'll put the book on the list of things to get to.

Actually, the film of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is quite good too. It's very faithful to the book, without looking like just a screened novel.
[> [> [> Subject: Re: Read anything good lately?


Author:
Kevin
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Date Posted: 07:50:31 07/02/02 Tue

The book of "Farewell my Concubine" fills in a lot of gaps, as books tend to do for their movies, like how the two heros meet again before the final scene, and the ending is different too.

When Miramax distributed the movie in the US, they cut out quite a bit--in the neighborhood of 20 minutes I think. Fortunately, the international version has been released on DVD in the States.

I agree about TKAM. Peck was born for that role and the kids were well cast as well. What (relatively) few scenes that were cut were wisely chosen.
[> [> [> [> Subject: OK


Author:
JeffF
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Date Posted: 07:57:04 07/02/02 Tue

Now, you've convinced me to read it. The ending was the weakest part of the film.
[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: OK


Author:
Kevin
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Date Posted: 07:55:36 07/03/02 Wed

I don't want to say too much, of course, but the ending isn't *that* different.

Is what you object to in the movie that the ending was too sudden/tacked on? Or that it was too melodramtic?
[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: OK


Author:
JeffF
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Date Posted: 09:06:55 07/03/02 Wed

The suddeness is closer. The ending seemed too abrupt and to come out of nowhere. Even if it's close in the book, it may fill in a gap.


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