What are you reading tonight?

[William the White]

The first 50 pages of Jeet Thayil's Narcopolis completed, and I'm utterly gripped. A Booker shortlist that looks like it might have earned it.

Set in Bombay, mostly, so far, in an opium den in the filthiest part of the city, and in the dreams and recollections of an opium smoker who is our narrator, with characters that so far include a prostitute eunuch and opium servant called Dimple (his/her job is to prepare the pipes for the customers and 'entertain' them however they wish, and, when asked if he/she is a man or a woman always answers 'yes') and a renowned alcoholic Indian artist and poet famous for painting almost-blasphemous portraits of Christ.

The tale is told in fragments by an unreliable narrator who may be in an opium dream or telling the truth. It's good...

[TANGODANCER]

Finished The Miracle Man last night. Old Irish village drunk supposedly sees the Virgin Mary in a vison and finds his lifetime gammy leg cured. Story's nothing special, but the characters, situations and dialogue are hilarious.

" That referee will be lucky if he leaves the field with his arse facing backwards".

[bwfcdan94]

am reading "the world of Karl Pilkington". that man has me in hysterics every single time i see a picture of him let allong watch an idiot abroad or even read his books

[William the White]

I lost Narcopolis about 60 pages in somewhere on the Brighton trip. Not in luggage on getting home, not in car, not, allegedly, at hotel...

So, this afternoon, I replaced it at Bolton Waterstones. It was on 'buy one get another half price' offer. and I'm a sucker for that. So I bought Christopher Hitchens collection of essays and articles, Arguably, which weighs in at 788 pages and 107 articles, thus getting a lot of book for £6.50. To my delight I found it contained an essay on Victor Serge, one of my very favourite writers. Read it. And I now know this book will provide a constant challenge to finishing Narcopolis this side of Christmas...

[Prufrock]

I haven't posted in here for too long.

Amongst others, I recently finished Lord Jim by Conrad. Amazing. Better than Heart of Darkness for me. Crayons should read. Ambition and honour, mixed with Conrad's fantastic prose.

Currently about a quarter of the way through Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer. Um, I'm really enjoying it, but it is very, 'different'.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I haven't posted in here for too long.

Amongst others, I recently finished Lord Jim by Conrad. Amazing. Better than Heart of Darkness for me. Crayons should read. Ambition and honour, mixed with Conrad's fantastic prose.

Currently about a quarter of the way through Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer. Um, I'm really enjoying it, but it is very, 'different'.

Tropic of Cancer was 'dated' back in the 70s - it must be positively antique by now.

[Gary the Enfield]

Just finished 'The Long Earth' by Terry Pratchett and have launched into 'Skagboys' by Irvine Welch

[lovethesmellofnapalm]

"Ivan's War" by Catherine Merridale.
Utterly compelling account of the Eastern Front from the perspective of the ordinary Russian soldier. further proof that much of what was written/understood about the Soviet Union pre-1987 wasnt just one-sided but wrong.

[clapton is god]

^ Thanks for that. Its now on 'the list'.

[General Mannerheim]

Anyone read Perks of being a Wallflower?

[boltonboris]

No, sorry.

[General Mannerheim]

No, sorry.

its no problem. thanks anyway. have a wonderful Christmas.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Anyone read Perks of being a Wallflower?

It is somewhat depressing.

[TANGODANCER]

Anyone read Perks of being a Wallflower?

Just read the synopsis. A lifetime away from "Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid" (Bryson), one of the best growing up books ever.

[boltonboris]

No, sorry.

its no problem. thanks anyway. have a wonderful Christmas.

Ha.. Cheers

[plymouth wanderer]

I'm currently reading Chopper fantastic book read it 3 times already

Anyone else read it ?

[Montreal Wanderer]

I'm currently reading Chopper fantastic book read it 3 times already

Anyone else read it ?

Are you referring to books by 'Chopper' Read who has written at least ten books with the main title Chopper? I think there was a movie about him too.

[plymouth wanderer]

That's the one

Movie was good as well

Eric Banner = Awesome

[General Mannerheim]

as if i needed an excuse.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mA3voZUZrk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[thebish]

for those with a kindle - you can pick up the complete conan doyle sherlock holmes for free...

number 2 in the right hand list:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/ ... =341689031