All Consuming : Izzie2006

A story about "Haunted: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 08:34:09 GMT

by Chuck Palahniuk

I really like Chuck Paluhniuk. Lullaby and Fight Club are great – but this didn’t really work for me – I found the gross out factor became a bit boring.

Shame. Because when I did read the Guts story in the Guardian, I really did feel as if I was going to be sick.

A story about "Blakes 7 - Series 1"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:07:15 GMT

Blakes 7 - Series 1

by Desmond McCarthy

It’s a big nostalgia thing for me. I remember being allowed to stay up and watch it when I was a kid, but seeing it now reminds me about how much I loved it.

OK – the sets and costumes are rubbish. And it really does show its age. And practically everyone speaks in RP, except for Vila, but then, he’s a bit of a comedy object. But otherwise, it’s scripted well and well acted. definitely worth watching. Just don’t expect amazing special effects! It looks like they had a budget of about £50 for the whole series!

A story about "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:22:16 GMT

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

by Susanna Clarke

On paper, this looked like something I should like. A book about magic, a book set in the Regency period, a book that seemed erudite and intelligently written. And I liked the fact that the author took her time over it – ten years.

But, unfortunately, it didn’t do it for me. It was ok. The best bit for me by far are the footnotes, otherwise I thought the main story rather dry. I put the book done halfway through and it took me a while to pick it up again. It didn’t carry me away, nor did I find the world it created completely believable, and for a fantasy novel, those two things mean that I wouldn’t recommend it.

not as on the edge of your seat scary movie I was hoping for... (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 09:32:12 GMT

The Skeleton Key (Full Screen Edition)

by Iain Softley

...but it was what I felt like watching at the time and did make me jump a couple of times. Kate Hudson was ok, but the supporrting cast was really good, especially Peter Sargaard. Thought the ending was a bit predictable, but didn’t really mind that.

A review of "The Dead Hour: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:46:57 GMT

The Dead Hour: A Novel

by Denise Mina

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this. Denise Mina has done it again with another searing crime novel. She writes stories that everyone should be reading, even those people who consider crime fiction ‘genre’ and not quite good enough as ‘proper’ literature.

Stunning (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:44:30 GMT

Field of Blood: A Novel

by Denise Mina

I was blown away by this and now want to read everything that Denise Mina has written. FIELD OF BLOOD is fantastic – giving the reader a glimpse of Glasweigian society in the early eighties, a conflicted and appealing heroine in the shape of 18-year-old lapsed catholic and ambitious wannabe hack Paddy Meeham and an insight into how the power balance between men and women have changed in the last twenty years. This is a crime novel, but it’s a larger story society, the ways it’s changed, and the ways it’s stayed the same. Just brilliant and flawlessly written.

great...

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:39:21 GMT

Tripwire (A Jack Reacher Novel)

by Lee Child

...another excellent thriller from Lee Child. My favourite is DIE TRYING, but this is almost as good. Jack Reacher is hugely attractive, and his ‘love interest’ is a strong, intelligent and resourceful woman.

A review of "The Visitor (A Jack Reacher Novel)" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:36:38 GMT

The Visitor (A Jack Reacher Novel)

by Lee Child

Lee Child writes brilliant thrillers that appeal to women simply because his main character, Jack Reacher, is very appealing and his women characters strong and three-dimensional. This isn’t his best, although it is good, not as great as DIE TRYING, but the ending felt as if Child didn’t really know how to finish it.

not great (rated 1 star)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:33:01 GMT

Lessons in Duck Shooting

by Jayne Buxton

was recommended I read this by a friend. It’s awful, awful awful awful, not even a fun, light read.

more a novella than a novel... (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:26:25 GMT

Strangers

by Taichi Yamada

...and something that is probably best read in one sitting. I didn’t find it as scary as I hoped – nor as unsettling – but it’s pretty good.

A story about "The Traveller"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Izzie2006) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 12:03:15 GMT

The Traveller

by John Twelve Hawks

really enjoyed this though not usually my sort of thing. I think the spiritual aspect of it is really interesting