The Literature Thread

[Curls]

Ghostwritten - David Mitchell

I read this years ago, and if anything enjoyed it even more than I remembered. I love Mitchell's writing when he doesn't get himself too bogged down in fantasy. To be able to write a first novel like this in your 20s is an astonishing feat. You can clearly see the blueprint for Cloud Atlas in it. Brilliant.

I may give this a go next, it sounds good. How many pages is it would you estimate?

I can tell you exactly: 448.

So I've read the first chapter. Minor spoilers coming...Okinawa, whilst I see hints of promise I'm really unsure if to take the plunge and buy the whole book(kindle sample). I am unsure about the main character and I'm already sick of reading the words 'his serendipity.....'
Does the style of character change, multiple people etc? Cause I'm gonna get tired of this brainwashed moo very quickly. I've got another chapter 'tokyo' which I'll give a go before making the decision, but any words of promise or a warning of it's more of the same would be good to know!

[Oblomov Boblomov]

Ghostwritten - David Mitchell

I read this years ago, and if anything enjoyed it even more than I remembered. I love Mitchell's writing when he doesn't get himself too bogged down in fantasy. To be able to write a first novel like this in your 20s is an astonishing feat. You can clearly see the blueprint for Cloud Atlas in it. Brilliant.

I may give this a go next, it sounds good. How many pages is it would you estimate?

I can tell you exactly: 448.

So I've read the first chapter. Minor spoilers coming...Okinawa, whilst I see hints of promise I'm really unsure if to take the plunge and buy the whole book(kindle sample). I am unsure about the main character and I'm already sick of reading the words 'his serendipity.....'
Does the style of character change, multiple people etc? Cause I'm gonna get tired of this brainwashed moo very quickly. I've got another chapter 'tokyo' which I'll give a go before making the decision, but any words of promise or a warning of it's more of the same would be good to know!

Each chapter is focused on a different main character, written in a style that is overall similar but from the perspective of diverse personalities. The first chapter is quite misleading in how it sets your expectations for the rest of the book.

[Preezy]

Currently about 60% of the way through The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and it's absolutely brilliant. I didn't think reading about the construction of a 12-century cathedral could be so engrossing, but here I am going to bed earlier than normal so I can read a few chapters each evening

Looking forward to finishing it so I can watch the TV series and play the game that came out a few years ago to see how they portray the characters and places that I've built up in my mind (Aliena, holy macaroni ).

[Cuttooth]

Finished the Skeleton Crew compilation. I thought The Mist, Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut, Word Processor of the Gods, and Gramma were especially good stories, with Gramma being the scariest of the lot although if I knew for a fact my senile mother was in fact a dangerous and vindictive witch I would simply not make my 11 year old son look after her.

[Curls]

Currently about 60% of the way through The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and it's absolutely brilliant. I didn't think reading about the construction of a 12-century cathedral could be so engrossing, but here I am going to bed earlier than normal so I can read a few chapters each evening

Looking forward to finishing it so I can watch the TV series and play the game that came out a few years ago to see how they portray the characters and places that I've built up in my mind (Aliena, holy macaroni ).

This is weird. I am also currently reading (listening) to this. Happened the other day in this thread with the tomorrow book too. No idea how far through i am though.
I am up to the bit where they've just kicked out Golden Eyes pretend-wife for fornification from the Kingsbridge Priest cult. She pissed on the bible or something

Summary of the book so far - Arthur is a banana split.

[jiggles]

I sort of accidentally stumbled into Mistborn having not heard of the series or the author before and on nobody’s recommendation. I’m only two thirds of the way in to the first book but god, it’s really got its hook into me.

I’ve since gone looking at the author’s most recent recommended reading order of his stuff so I’m pretty excited at the prospect of what’s ahead of me, if the plots can stay as fun as this.

Finished the first book there. Excellent. I don’t think the writing is amazing or anything but the pace is immaculate and the plot very exciting. Says something that I immediately went and started the next book without so much as a pause.

[Edd]

I sort of accidentally stumbled into Mistborn having not heard of the series or the author before and on nobody’s recommendation. I’m only two thirds of the way in to the first book but god, it’s really got its hook into me.

I’ve since gone looking at the author’s most recent recommended reading order of his stuff so I’m pretty excited at the prospect of what’s ahead of me, if the plots can stay as fun as this.

Finished the first book there. Excellent. I don’t think the writing is amazing or anything but the pace is immaculate and the plot very exciting. Says something that I immediately went and started the next book without so much as a pause.

Yeah the first Mistborn trilogy is definitely the best place to start with Sanderson. Stormlight is probably his best series overall but it's a big commitment - 4 main books, I think all over 1000 pages, with a 5th coming in December.

[Oblomov Boblomov]

Finished Wuthering Heights yesterday. Really enjoyed it — not as much as Jane Eyre, but that's an impossible standard to set anything else against.

Had the Kate Bush song in my head the whole way through, so altogether it was a top tier experience.

Will be heading back to David Mitchell now.

[Curls]

Currently about 60% of the way through The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and it's absolutely brilliant. I didn't think reading about the construction of a 12-century cathedral could be so engrossing, but here I am going to bed earlier than normal so I can read a few chapters each evening

Looking forward to finishing it so I can watch the TV series and play the game that came out a few years ago to see how they portray the characters and places that I've built up in my mind (Aliena, holy macaroni ).

This is weird. I am also currently reading (listening) to this. Happened the other day in this thread with the tomorrow book too. No idea how far through i am though.
I am up to the bit where they've just kicked out Golden Eyes pretend-wife for fornification from the Kingsbridge Priest cult. She pissed on the bible or something

Summary of the book so far - Arthur is a banana split.

I am now about 50 or 60% of the way through. William Hamley is vile, but i guess that's the way he's meant to be portrayed. A bit how you perceive Jaime Lannister in 1st book of aSoIaF. I also see him in my minds eye as the Shrek 2 version of prince charming.

Where I'm at

Followed mr knobhead raping and pillaging, he's just gone back to Wallerun to repent his sins after being made a fool of in Kingsbridge by Phillip, now he's off to the quarry to cause some havoc, I stopped there

[Squinty]

I sort of accidentally stumbled into Mistborn having not heard of the series or the author before and on nobody’s recommendation. I’m only two thirds of the way in to the first book but god, it’s really got its hook into me.

I’ve since gone looking at the author’s most recent recommended reading order of his stuff so I’m pretty excited at the prospect of what’s ahead of me, if the plots can stay as fun as this.

Finished the first book there. Excellent. I don’t think the writing is amazing or anything but the pace is immaculate and the plot very exciting. Says something that I immediately went and started the next book without so much as a pause.

Completely agree about his writing. It's functional. His stories and world building are top notch though. I hope you enjoy the other two books as much as I did.

Finished The Riftwar Trilogy. It was very good! I am now reading Thirsty Animals, nearly finished it. Parts of it are unsettling as hell.