What are you currently reading?

[Ricky]

I feel like this is more of an excuse for Tolkein to squeeze in as much of his world-building as possible, instead of actual plot. I thought George R. R. Martin was bad about that, but this is really blowing my mind. I don't need every song to be typed out word for word.

Yes! Thank you. I've just read The Hobbit, but that was enough. I wanted more of a plot, and the songs definitely got on my nerves. In case you ever want to be a multi-million dollar author, here's the formula you should use:

Fantastical, woodsey setting + quest that doesn't pick up speed until the last 20 pages + 2 page song complete with lyrics inserted randomly + characters walking through forest + continuous talk about how the quest is so dangerous, yet few people actually die + another song (this time, 3 pages) + walking through forest (but wait! it's dark out, now!) + setback in quest that doesn't lead anywhere + singing while walking through the forest = happy ending with no emotional payoff whatsoever.

You're welcome.

[fearless-freak]

The Damnation Game by Clive Barker

[fernandito]

The Damnation Game by Clive Barker

Just read that a few weeks ago. It starts off really well but then turns flaccid about midway through ...

Let me know what you think of it.

[fearless-freak]

i've got a few Barker books already, all six books of blood, weaveworld, cabal and the hellbound heart, even got a signed copy of the anthology tales hellbound hearts

[fernandito]

I've only read Imajica (which I loved), and The Damnation Game (eh).

Really want to do The Great and Secret Show next.

[fearless-freak]

i'm waiting for The Scarlet Gospels still

[Mattrick]

Tolkien sucks.

[Girlystevedave]

I don't need every song to be typed out word for word.

I hate it when songs are typed out in books.

[Jean]

Finished Horns. Really enjoyed it.
Starting Heart Shaped Box tonight

bears would love to know which you loved better. To me, they seem like in entirely different leagues.

[Mattrick]

Halfway through The Brothers Karamazov. Its marvelous.

[Jean]

Halfway through The Brothers Karamazov. Its marvelous.

I knew that! I knew that!!!

[Ka-mai]

I feel like this is more of an excuse for Tolkein to squeeze in as much of his world-building as possible, instead of actual plot. I thought George R. R. Martin was bad about that, but this is really blowing my mind. I don't need every song to be typed out word for word.

Yes! Thank you. I've just read The Hobbit, but that was enough. I wanted more of a plot, and the songs definitely got on my nerves. In case you ever want to be a multi-million dollar author, here's the formula you should use:

Fantastical, woodsey setting + quest that doesn't pick up speed until the last 20 pages + 2 page song complete with lyrics inserted randomly + characters walking through forest + continuous talk about how the quest is so dangerous, yet few people actually die + another song (this time, 3 pages) + walking through forest (but wait! it's dark out, now!) + setback in quest that doesn't lead anywhere + singing while walking through the forest = happy ending with no emotional payoff whatsoever.

You're welcome.

Exactly! In the book, he's all "oh, another hobbit stayed at Frodo's house to make people think he hadn't left... they wouldn't realize how dangerous that was until later." Yeah, you know what happens? The riders knock on the front door and the hobbit runs out the back door. Oh yeah, super dangerous when he could get away in about three seconds.... They don't even go after him.

[fearless-freak]

The Hobbit was originally a kids book hence the songs, after the success of Hobbit his publishers wanted to know if he had anything else they could publish so he presented them the original Silmarillion and they didn't like it so they asked for a sequel to The Hobbit which was Lord of The Rings

[Mattrick]

Halfway through The Brothers Karamazov. Its marvelous.

I knew that! I knew that!!!

I haven't read his stuff pre Notes From Underground, I assume I should, should I?

[Jean]

Hard to tell. I love everything he wrote, so I am not the best advisor. I absolutely adore The Village of Stepanchikovo (1859), but I can't imagine it in English. Though, come to think of it, I can't imagine his other stuff in English, either

[Mattrick]

Im going to have to learn Russian to read it in its true text, Thats how good he is. Dostoevsky or Tolstoi, which do you think was the greater writer?

[Jean]

Dostoevsky!!!!!!!!! Not a shadow of doubt about it!

Do learn Russian, I will help you if needed!

[Mattrick]

I have five Tolstois...War and Peace, Life, My Religion, The Physiology of War and My Confession. Have you read them?

[Jean]

Never managed to make it through any of them.

[fearless-freak]

i've been hit round the face with a hardback copy of war and peace

[Jean]

did the plastic surgery ruin your family?

[fearless-freak]

no, just dislocated my jaw

[Ka-mai]

The Hobbit was originally a kids book hence the songs, after the success of Hobbit his publishers wanted to know if he had anything else they could publish so he presented them the original Silmarillion and they didn't like it so they asked for a sequel to The Hobbit which was Lord of The Rings

Good to know this so I can change my expectations. On the other hand, I love tons of "children's" books (Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Ender's Game) and LOTR is just not holding my attention.

[Stebbins]

[fearless-freak]

Ka-Mai, try reading The Simarillion, now that is a challenge