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Nicola Barker - Darkmans
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Books
- Hits: 1811
"Shortlisted for the 2007 Man BOOKER PRIZE" it said on the cover, a thick book, paperback, recycled newsprint pages.
I picked it up from a friends and began reading. I don't read enough current literature, prefer the guaranteed pleasure of a weathered classic, but it's important now and then to get a glimpse of what's current in the literary scene. Not that 2007 is current, but it's about 150 years more current than my average reading choice.
It's curious. Not great, but inspiring in a sort of "I could have written this but not this, something else like this but better" sort of way. I suspect I'm missing the point, that I'm lacking the requisite body of knowledge, after all, the reviews (on the jacket) are entirely favourable, and it was Shortlisted for the 2007 Man Booker Prize. And we all say that, that it's easy enough to do better, but until one tries it, does it, it's just an easy phrase....
I'm almost done, but the finishing of it won't change my opinion of it any. Long, but not really, lots of white space and half pages, a curious but unengaging cast of characters, a slight hint of the human condition, an irrelevant detour on the way to Chesterfield...
The Life of a Freelancer
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Link of the day
- Hits: 8066
The unwary write David Thorne. The author of the 27b/6 weblog, which you can view here: http://www.27bslash6.com/, search for the hidden link, or follow the links below.
What is tragic, really tragic, is that many of his victims have visited his website, or know him, and really, really oughta know better.
Really.
Still, that said, he frequently nails it on the head:
Like here, wherein an unwitting Mr. Simon Edhouse writes David with a hot opportunity to showcase his pie chart and logo skills...which David shows off to remarkable effect. Truly Mr. Simon Edhouse overestimates their friendship, but David manages to persuade him with pie charts and logo where it really stands.
He should have known better. I don't buy his story of David having made up the emails for a second, and as anyone who's freelanced can attest, getting payment can be like pulling teeth. And if that weren't enough, there's a long list of his other victims....
Like Mr Carganovsky (Not Skye Cargan). Or poor Lucius. (one wonders what his offense was, apart from perhaps being a little too short or vain...). Or the manly and very politically correct Les Copeland. The erudite Richard Matthews. The fit and friendly Jeff Peters. Or the wealthy socialite, Roz Knorr.
Somehow it's tough feeling sorry for them. Well, maybe a bit for Scott Mintred, because his only crime seems to be that he's trying too hard to be funny and just not succeeding, but the rest, well... make up your own mind.
**Note: Couldn't sleep last night and it dawned on me where Mr. Thorne got the title of his weblog. 27B/6 is the form required by Sam Lowry to have his apartment repaired in Terry Gilliam's masterpiece 'Brazil'. It's also the number of an apartment occupied by George Orwell. The Wiki here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_(film).
Choderlos de Laclos - Les Liasons Dangereuses
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Books
- Hits: 1581
Revisiting a delightful book after a 20-odd year absence can be a tricky thing, but in no ways does this disappoint. Well, perhaps in a couple small respects, I shall never write a letter again (and why would I if I couldn't at least maintain the standards set by the esteemed Valmont and Marquise de Merteuil?).
The reason for revisiting it is to place in context "The Letters of Casanova", the original, unedited manuscripts, with other writings on courtly manners and etiquette of the same period. Sort of a "get a feel for the life and times". And it succeeds admirably. To quote André Gide of the author: "There is no doubt as to his being hand in glove with Satan...". But on the off chance you haven't read it, I won't give away any more.
Now on to Lord Chesterfield's "Letters to his Son". As well of the same period, but of a completely different tenor....
**Note the translation I reread was by Richard Aldington - I can't guarantee the veracity of others, especially should they sport a glamorous cover with Glenn Close or John Malkovich. I've read clips of the Parmee translation and recommend heartily that you skip it, or wait for something a little more resonant...
Rick Rosner
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Audio & Podcasts
- Hits: 2128
A brilliant interview with the "World's highest IQ" - Rick Rosner, this is strangely compelling viewing. It demonstrates the total disconnect between measured intelligence and achievement, personality, vocabulary, or anything else for that matter. Were you not told or otherwise aware of Rick's prodigious mental capacities, you would never guess from the hour long interview. You can view the rest of the documentary/interview here. Note things like the directors use of disconnected puzzle pieces, the obviously transplanted hair, and heed the warnings that "Intelligence isn't everything". In it's own way, a curious bookend to his more successful cousin, Karl Pilkington.
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