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

Oh how I love to find someone to talk to about his work! My parents used to get them in the 70s (maybe even in the 60s, I'm not sure) and we have always had shelves full of his at home. In fact, where they are now, they are all in the attic, and when I visit I take back the ones I have borrowed and get new ones.

I particularly liked reading the Sackett novels when I was a girl, and only recently discovered the ones about Barnabas so I was really glad to be able to get them here with no problem. I've got the first 4, and am re-reading them in chronological Sackett order. They're not expensive, and they are great bedtime reading so I'll just keep going.

One of the ones I hope to give to the Gruesomes soon is Down The Long Hills about the two little children who are the only survivors of a wagon train massacre, and how they cross america to join their remaining family - persued by an Indian and some bad guys. Brilliant stuff.

But the Sacketts are definitely my favourites. Especially William Tell Sackett. He's rough and ready, and I love him

So... now I've bent your ear off... what do you like about them?

Oh and would you mind if I add you to my friends list? (I'm quite grey, so you could call me a silver-surfer if you like!)

Yes, you can add me to your Friends List. I was going to ask likewise. Oh, and I talk to all sorts and sizes, not just silver surfers

I read his books in the 50s and 60s I think, mostly from the library as we couldn't really afford books much then. I have never forgotten him, though your mention of him made me look up his biog. something I had never thought to do before. I rather like Maverick people, they seem to get so much more out of life than humdrum people like me

It is so long ago I can't put my finger on what attracted me exactly except as a teenager with a very restricted life (except for reading) I found them exciting, romantic (not in the boy/girl sense!) and a window on a world which was not much more than fantasy to us then.

You have set me wondering now whether I could find any in the charity shops now. My other half made me get rid of hundreds of my books some years back, which is still a source of great regret, though I admit we hadn't got room for them! I still have bookshelves in every room (except the bathroom!) and he still moans.

I am a bookworm, I just love the feel of books, and an unread one is like an unopened box of chocolates, a treat in store. I haven't read the kind of books one is supposed to read I guess, so I am not educated in that sense, and children and sick parents got in the way of reading for many years. Now I find it difficult to lose myself in a book the way I used to because there is always something else I must do. The same thing happens with the computer, not enough time!

You have set me off now, and I shall look in the charity shops. I have a feeling I saw one a while ago and I have several shops to choose from.

Thank you for reviving my interest.

Websailor

PS and you are reading Georgette Heyer too . You are really taking me back to my Mum's bookcase now. Oh, and I have a confession - I was an avid reader of Hank Janson. I wonder if you have come across him. My mother would not have approved. i found him interesting, especially his use of ....................... just when it got 'interesting' ....................


Websailor

Not currently reading Georgette Heyer, but I did when I was a wee slip of a lass...

Can't remember any of it now, except that one was called Venetia. At that time my mum made me and my brother rag dolls from a Family Circle pattern. She made them beautifully (because she is very talented) and the embroidered faces are absolutely gorgeous. There was Captain Braidy in a rather dashing Guards uniform (as the name suggests, full of braid) and my lady doll - who got called Venetia because of the book. she has brown wool hair, the gorgeous face, and she has lace trimmed bloomers and underskirt (no chemise, the tart!)

Mum made 3 dresses for her, one was pale pink, low cut, with puffy short sleeves and lace trimmed. I can't remember the other one now, I think it was a blue day dress. But the other was a beige day dress with little brown flowers (edging braid) scattered over the skirt and sewn around the mandarin collar. It has leg-of-mutton sleeves. Yep, I still have it, although when Gruesome #1 was dressing her recently her arm split and the material is so old it's given way. My sewing skills aren't enough to save her.

but... I may send her over with the gruesomes to see if my brilliant mum can save her. Failing that, she can put her arm in a sling and she'll look like Grandma!

Eep! this is long.

Er... what was I going to say. Can't remember.

Oh yes, Hank Janson. Never heard of him. But I think I'll check him out.


I don't know about you, I need some now!

Oh and it is highly likely that my reading of Ms Heyer lead, subconsciously, to my falling deeply and madly in love with Richard Sharpe when I met him at a second hand book sale. (when it came on TV and I found out he looks a lot like Sean Bean I fell madly in lust with him too )

Have you tried any of those? They're a lot more racy than Heyer (I think) but they also lead me to Hornblower, which I love too.

Sorry, I came here to leave a message but couldn't resist the thread title.

I've never heard of >Louis L'Amour, but I've read quite a few Georgette Heyers in my time, and have read the complete Hornblower several times.

And Sho - you a silver surfer

Oh, and you can tell me to bugger of if I am a nuisance, no problems with that.

I can't say I have. I don't seem to get time to read without interruption, and the TV is booked solidly for

a perfect time to read

B'el, don't push off ... how did you get into Georgette Heyer?

I really have to steal... er, borrow, some off my mum. I can't remember any of them at all.

I read them, for the same reason I read the Louis L'Amours - I had run out of my own books and had to raid my parents' bookshelves.

Uuups, sorry, I sort of lost this thread for a while.

Sho, I don't recall, I guess I must have found her in the 'Krimi' section of our library. I went to look for a bibliography and none of the titles ring a bell, but I definitely know that I have read books by her.

B'El, Georgette Heyer wrote women's romantic novels, the forerunner of Mills & Boon. Unfortunately she painted such a romantic picture of love and romance I think women were misled!!

Some of Louis L'Amour's books were made in to Western films.


Websailor

Webbie, I'm pretty sure I must have read some of her romantic novels, too. I just can't recall any titles, though, probably because I've read them in the German translation.

It's amazing how many of the Louis L'Amour books have been made into films. I think the most famous one was How The West Was Won.

I am still hoping to go and find one in a charity shop. I love reading books over and over again, sometimes with decades in between.

Thanks for reminding me of past pleasures. I meant to check out Hank Janson on Google but forgot. it was 'hot stuff' at the time but by today's standards it was very innocent

Websailor

PS Got it. It's amazing what you find out. I don't think I ever knew this. If I did I have forgotten.

http://www.cuttingsarchive.org.uk/telos/crime/janson.htm

Websailor

I think I'll have to check him out. I like "racy"

I discovered his books caused as much fuss as 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' including a court case which I didn't know anything about. It really is laughable now.

Websailor

*searches on Amazon*