h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, well, well. I've tried, and failed, more than once to read Waverley. Perhaps I should try Ivanhoe instead.

Mol

oh Ivanhoe! my 2nd love after Aragorn. I absolutely love that book, it's been a while since I read it, I might have to dig it out.

KB, totally agree about reading plays. Years ago I read The Crucible by Arthur Miller and A Man for all Seasons by Robert Bolt. (My sister was doing 'Speech and Drama' at the time - elocution, to most of us - so I read her copies.) I enjoyed both plays and they made me want to find out more about the people and events.

Mol, I seldom fail to finish a book. Some times it takes more than one attempt, but I get there in the end. Madame Bovary took two tries and I don't think I'll read it again. War and Peace also took two goes and I've read it several times now!

ah Mme Bovary made me want to stab out my own eyes. I had to read that in the holidays after I'd done my O-levels in preparation for starting the French A-level course in September.

When I got back to school they had changed my french into Maths

I was totally captivated by Mme Bovary. I can't remember if I read it while still at school. If not, it was not long afterwards. I also loved "Germinal".

I don't often look at this thread. Did anyone else read The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - sorry if it's been mentioned before?

Not heard of it, any good?

>> any good? <<

A period piece of infidelity and betrayal in French
love and politics. Makes a better film - with all
the ball gowns and wigs and stuff - which are hard
to hold in the mind's imagination while reading.

Period costume films are also fun to watch if one
enjoys spotting the inevitable anachronisms, especially
in the speech and manners which screen-writers commit
for the purpose of engaging modern audiences.

So if you love language read the books. If you just
wanna see how high class hookery works in an ancient
political/business model, see the film.


~jwf~

I think he meant the Harold Fry book, jwf. I thought everyone had heard of it, which is why I read it quickly, so as not to get left out, and to try out my Kindle.

It's all about stuff very familiar to people of my age. It is said to be allegorical. I think that's because it's about a journey. Comfort reading, happy end and all.

But does it have wigs and ball gowns?
No? Humph! Can't be any good then can it, eh.


~jwf~

Me too, CD, which is why Waverley stuck in my mind. Perhaps we should have a thread about books we haven't finished ...

I quite like reading Shakespeare. I always get nervous watching live drama (although I did manage to force myself to watch David Tennant and Patrick Stewart in Hamlet). If I read it I can hear it and see it in my head and act it how I want it.

Picked up 'How Girls Can Help Build the Empire' (1993 facsimile edition) this evening. Oops. May have to park the Black Death for a bit.

Mol

Thank you ~jwf~ for the required kick up the backside. I've been and gone and done it. Here is the link:


http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/mr-p-%28and-george%29/13582875


Please buy lots!

>> Please buy lots! <<

Lots? Well, I only got the one pair of eyes.
But I'm happy to say I have put my money
where my mouth is.

I expect delivery within 8 days.

And I'll come back with a review and
hopefully a hearty recommendation.


~jwf~

I am overwhelmed with gratitude. (Seriously) Thanks. P

Stay calm old friend. I haven't read it yet.
The real expenditure comes when the book does
and I have to devote time and energy to it.

Meanwhile, have a pint from your anticipated
earnings.



~jwf~

By a strange coincidence, I have been looking at pricing for when I finish my book, and by jove but it seems to be exactly the cost of a pint of beer!

Will write for pints

That's the spirit!

And so it began - the h2g2 lulu project!

~jwf~

The Mammoth Book of Merlin, edited by Mike Ashley. It's a book of short stories by various authors about everyone's favourite early Mediaeval wizard. The introduction and guide to Arthurian characters was interesting and will, I am sure, be useful in understanding the stories.

Indeed jwf, need to talk to you about that actually.

~jwf~

Ooh, now, who was talking about Tom Bombadil? Sho? Was it here?

Ten year old son announced this morning that he had now finished the 'really boring bit' in Lord of the Rings. He was referring to the whole Tom Bombadil episode. What irritated Osh most, apparently, was that 'he talked about himself *in the third person*.'

It's nice to know the next generation of nerds is alive and well

I'm taking Nation, by Terry Pratchett, with me when I travel to the West Country tomorrow. Just to get back on topic.

Mol