Originally posted by kbaumenI didn't particularly like "Son of the Circus".
I just read John Irving's "A Son of the Circus" - amazing book - and now I'm reading Kurt Vonnegut's "Hocus Pocus".
I much preferred, "A Prayer for Owen Meany", "Cider House Rules" and "A Widow for One Year".
Vonnegut is always a good choice.
Originally posted by rbmorris"A Son of the Circus" is the only book I've read from Irving, though my dad recommended "Hotel New Hampshire". And mum's now reading "Until I Find You" which she says is also a good one.
I didn't particularly like "Son of the Circus".
I much preferred, "A Prayer for Owen Meany", "Cider House Rules" and "A Widow for One Year".
Vonnegut is always a good choice.
However, before "A Son of the Circus" I read three of Umberto Eco's books - "Foucault's Pendulum", "Name of the Rose" and "Bodolino". I highly recommend to read them. Eco is and amazing writer.
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Originally posted by kbaumenI did enjoy "Foucault's Pendulum", but haven't read the others.
"A Son of the Circus" is the only book I've read from Irving, though my dad recommended "Hotel New Hampshire". And mum's now reading "Until I Find You" which she says is also a good one.
However, before "A Son of the Circus" I read three of Umberto Eco's books - "Foucault's Pendulum", "Name of the Rose" and "Bodolino". I highly recommend to read them. Eco is and amazing writer.
"Hotel New Hampshire" isn't bad, but still not my favorite (see above post). "The World According To Garp" would be a good introduction to John Irving, IMO. "A Prayer For Owen Meany" is pretty much regarded as his greatest work (I'd save that one for a bit). Regardless, you've got some good reading ahead of you. Enjoy!
BTW, I've heard Irving and Vonnegut were good friends.
edit - Avoid seeing the movie, "Hotel New Hampshire". It was terrible. The book was MUCH better.
Originally posted by rbmorrisI'll have to confess that I've already seen the movie. I also didn't like it very much.
I did enjoy "Foucault's Pendulum", but haven't read the others.
"Hotel New Hampshire" isn't bad, but still not my favorite (see above post). "The World According To Garp" would be a good introduction to John Irving, IMO. "A Prayer For Owen Meany" is pretty much regarded as his greatest work (I'd save that one for a bit). Regardless, you've got some go ...[text shortened]... g the movie, "Hotel New Hampshire". It was terrible. The book was MUCH better.
Thanks for the suggestions though.
Originally posted by kbaumenI think that Irving has been living off his laurals for teh past 15 yrs or so. He keeps falling back on the tried and true absurties method and it's ecome tiring.
I'll have to confess that I've already seen the movie. I also didn't like it very much.
Thanks for the suggestions though.
The Coldest Winter - David Halberstam. Halberstam's final book for he died. Excellent study of the first year of the Korean War.
Originally posted by NordlysI've read The Wind Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore both by Murakami.
Haruki Murakami, "Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World" (I am reading it in German). So far I think it's brilliant. It reminds me a bit of Kafka, but not quite as dark. It has given me some very strange dreams when reading it right before falling asleep!
The Wind up Bird Chronicle is exceptionally original. Kafka wasn't quite as striking but i have a feling that you'd take to it well.
"The Daily Telegraph Book of Obituaries," (Paperback) by Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd (Editor). Massingberd, the obituarist of the Telegraph during the '80s and '90s died a couple of weeks ago and there was a fascinating obit of his own in the New York Times. The obits Massingberd wrote for the Telegraph are interesting because he wrote them as little mini-biographies with warts and all and because of the subjects he chose (not just the famous, he included the infamous, entertainers and many British eccentrics on the Telegraph's obit page). This book makes excellent before bedtime reading.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterHmm, that sounds quite interesting. I've always found the obituaries quite fascinating, especially some of these old war hero's. Might look that up. 🙂
"The Daily Telegraph Book of Obituaries," (Paperback) by Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd (Editor). Massingberd, the obituarist of the Telegraph during the '80s and '90s died a couple of weeks ago and there was a fascinating obit of his own in the New York Times. The obits Massingberd wrote for the Telegraph are interesting because he wrote them as li ...[text shortened]... eccentrics on the Telegraph's obit page). This book makes excellent before bedtime reading.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterHis obituary was most interesting...
"The Daily Telegraph Book of Obituaries," (Paperback) by Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd (Editor). Massingberd, the obituarist of the Telegraph during the '80s and '90s died a couple of weeks ago and there was a fascinating obit of his own in the New York Times. The obits Massingberd wrote for the Telegraph are interesting because he wrote them as li ...[text shortened]... eccentrics on the Telegraph's obit page). This book makes excellent before bedtime reading.
I'd like to read that book.