Though, I must admit to not having read this one yet myself, it has been recommended to be by two people independently of one another. And at least one of them I trust when it comes to good stories. This one is a horror story, possibly quite gory.
Did I ever recommend the Otherworld books by Kelley Armstrong? It's highly possible. All of the ones in the series that I've read so far (I've still to read one or two) have been simply excellently written. They are told from a female perspective, and the narrator sometimes changes. First one is called Bitten, and is told by the werewolf Elena who's struggling with her identity.
Wong is a Canadian journalist, Canadian-born Chinese who was one of the first two students permitted to study in Beijing during the Revolution. The other one was an American girl. Anyway, so back in the 70s, they moved to Beijing to study and bought into the Communist manifesto hook, line and sinker. One day, they were approached by a Chinese student who asked them how she could get to America, and in their zeal, they reported her. She was subsequently expelled and then disappeared.
This is the story of Wong returning to Beijing some 30+ years later to try to find the girl and apologize to her. I really loved the book, because it was a great commentary on the changes in China, and it was also a compelling story of redemption.
What genres do you usually read? I know you probably try to read in multiple ones, but which ones do you prefer?
Have I recommended Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series to you yet? If not you might want to check it out. Start with Kushiel's Dart and do not let the description on the back of the book scare you off. Despite what it seems, it doesn't read like a cheesy romance novel (oh god I hate those). It's a sort of period piece with a believable heroine who has to suffer through all sorts of extreme challenges (her ability to survive through it all might seem a little unbelievable if not for the convincing way she handles it all) to try to prevent a plot of treason against the crown. Oh yeah, and she's kind of a holy concubine who's the only one of her kind, an anquisette who finds ultimate pleasure in pain. I figured as a fellow sub you might find that interesting.
I also recently read some of Christopher Moore's books, namely A Dirty Job, Bloodsucking Fiends, and You Suck...he definitely has a voice that makes a lot of his
( ... )
I know, right? The movie was a pale comparison. I know movie adaptations rarely get it right, but I thought there was a lot of potential there. Ah well. The book was great. I don't even own it, though, which makes re-reading a little difficult. I should go pick myself up a copy.
Movie adaptions are usually not up to par with the books, but this movie is more disastrous than most imo. Mostly, like you said, because it had potential. The movie sorely lacks the feeling of the book.
I'd already clocked your interests - and liked what I read. (Hey, if we don't "click", we move on right? I like the attitude you expressed in your profile page - no strings - no drama! A very healthy way to look at LJ!)
I've never seen The Pillow Book... but I just googled it and it looks wonderful. I was half way down the Wikipedia synopsis when I realised I should stop reading right then, or I'd completely spoil the film! It sounds absolutely enchanting.
And Deutsche Grammophon is a bit of a family tradition, in a way. My father, who's German, only ever bought his classical recordings on Deutshe Grammophon. I remember the records so well, with their grandiose yellow labels... Now I've grown up I've found that I feel a traitor if I even consider buying another company's recording. Even when I know the other orchestra's rendition might be a little better... it defies logic - but I just can't turn my back on those lovely yellow labels, and my father's staunch loyalty to the BPO! Silly... I know. :D
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I never formally welcomed you but glad to have you here (and congratulations, again! *beams*).
As for The Pillow Book...I don't want to give any spoilers but "enchanting" isn't a term I would use for it (don't know how familiar you are with Peter Greenaway films - I don't normally like them but I'm passionate about this one). It's deeply engrossing and intriguing, but Greenaway's films have an edge to them, and this one is sharp. But the writing - oh! Can't wait to read your feedback.
My mother's of Dutch/German descent and has a spectacular classical music record collection. When my twin brother and I were little we could always tell what mood she was in by what she played; rainy weekend nights were the best because it was generally something Baroque, that was amplified by the sound of the rain on the tin roof (Hawaii). She swore by Deutsche Grammophon recordings and so do I, to this day. :)
Thanks for the Wild Swans recommendation - I'll absolutely check it out.
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Though, I must admit to not having read this one yet myself, it has been recommended to be by two people independently of one another. And at least one of them I trust when it comes to good stories. This one is a horror story, possibly quite gory.
Did I ever recommend the Otherworld books by Kelley Armstrong? It's highly possible. All of the ones in the series that I've read so far (I've still to read one or two) have been simply excellently written. They are told from a female perspective, and the narrator sometimes changes. First one is called Bitten, and is told by the werewolf Elena who's struggling with her identity.
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Wong is a Canadian journalist, Canadian-born Chinese who was one of the first two students permitted to study in Beijing during the Revolution. The other one was an American girl. Anyway, so back in the 70s, they moved to Beijing to study and bought into the Communist manifesto hook, line and sinker. One day, they were approached by a Chinese student who asked them how she could get to America, and in their zeal, they reported her. She was subsequently expelled and then disappeared.
This is the story of Wong returning to Beijing some 30+ years later to try to find the girl and apologize to her. I really loved the book, because it was a great commentary on the changes in China, and it was also a compelling story of redemption.
Reply
Reply
Have I recommended Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series to you yet? If not you might want to check it out. Start with Kushiel's Dart and do not let the description on the back of the book scare you off. Despite what it seems, it doesn't read like a cheesy romance novel (oh god I hate those). It's a sort of period piece with a believable heroine who has to suffer through all sorts of extreme challenges (her ability to survive through it all might seem a little unbelievable if not for the convincing way she handles it all) to try to prevent a plot of treason against the crown. Oh yeah, and she's kind of a holy concubine who's the only one of her kind, an anquisette who finds ultimate pleasure in pain. I figured as a fellow sub you might find that interesting.
I also recently read some of Christopher Moore's books, namely A Dirty Job, Bloodsucking Fiends, and You Suck...he definitely has a voice that makes a lot of his ( ... )
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I'd already clocked your interests - and liked what I read. (Hey, if we don't "click", we move on right? I like the attitude you expressed in your profile page - no strings - no drama! A very healthy way to look at LJ!)
I've never seen The Pillow Book... but I just googled it and it looks wonderful. I was half way down the Wikipedia synopsis when I realised I should stop reading right then, or I'd completely spoil the film! It sounds absolutely enchanting.
And Deutsche Grammophon is a bit of a family tradition, in a way. My father, who's German, only ever bought his classical recordings on Deutshe Grammophon. I remember the records so well, with their grandiose yellow labels...
Now I've grown up I've found that I feel a traitor if I even consider buying another company's recording. Even when I know the other orchestra's rendition might be a little better... it defies logic - but I just can't turn my back on those lovely yellow labels, and my father's staunch loyalty to the BPO! Silly... I know. :D ( ... )
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As for The Pillow Book...I don't want to give any spoilers but "enchanting" isn't a term I would use for it (don't know how familiar you are with Peter Greenaway films - I don't normally like them but I'm passionate about this one). It's deeply engrossing and intriguing, but Greenaway's films have an edge to them, and this one is sharp. But the writing - oh! Can't wait to read your feedback.
My mother's of Dutch/German descent and has a spectacular classical music record collection. When my twin brother and I were little we could always tell what mood she was in by what she played; rainy weekend nights were the best because it was generally something Baroque, that was amplified by the sound of the rain on the tin roof (Hawaii). She swore by Deutsche Grammophon recordings and so do I, to this day. :)
Thanks for the Wild Swans recommendation - I'll absolutely check it out.
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