tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post5393759285428429219..comments2023-10-03T11:41:21.191+01:00Comments on The Truth About Lies: Major BenjyJim Murdochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-79406188418744162642008-10-01T20:41:00.000+01:002008-10-01T20:41:00.000+01:00:):)SUSAN SONNENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17348324221180443517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-81818887153194501952008-10-01T08:23:00.000+01:002008-10-01T08:23:00.000+01:00Susan, I'm only one lesson ahead of the rest of th...<B>Susan</B>, I'm only one lesson ahead of the rest of the class so don't pressure me, eh?Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-24158107523025704732008-10-01T04:37:00.000+01:002008-10-01T04:37:00.000+01:00Teach me, Jim, teach me! Another great review. :)Teach me, Jim, teach me! <BR/><BR/>Another great review. :)SUSAN SONNENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17348324221180443517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-86310194115411241312008-09-30T08:42:00.000+01:002008-09-30T08:42:00.000+01:00I really think with this book, Dave and Conda, tha...I really think with this book, <B>Dave</B> and <B>Conda</B>, that you'd get so caught up with the story that any weaknesses elsewhere in the book might well slip by. I make no bones about it, I wouldn't have chosen this book to read <I>ever</I> and that really would've been my loss. I wouldn't have spent as much time on the review otherwise.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-44679489891720432982008-09-29T20:22:00.000+01:002008-09-29T20:22:00.000+01:00Excellent review, Jim. I've always had an addictio...Excellent review, Jim. I've always had an addiction for what I've always called "buzz" books--turn off the brain and buzz through 'em and have always loved Wodehouse. Relaxing. There's a place for all novels in my reading...HOWEVER, I find myself agreeing with Netta and Dave, more and more I starting editing and I'm out of the story--gone.<BR/><BR/>And Dave's solution is hard for me as I become depressed when I read a fabulous piece of writing--the desire to write that well can be overwhelming--and no I don't expect to ever be able to write as well as Tolstoy! But still.Conda Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12972790965426924941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-81587558108421232002008-09-29T12:04:00.000+01:002008-09-29T12:04:00.000+01:00I, too, have Netta's problem: I want to edit as I ...I, too, have Netta's problem: I want to edit as I go, a desire that inflicts itself upon me when reading poetry as well as prose. There is a cure: read something of unarguably outstanding quality, something beyond your own ability to get even close to - I guess I'm lucky there; I have no difficulty finding such works. I found it so salutary recently, reading <I>War and Peace</I> - didn't once even think of editting it!<BR/><BR/>Enjoyed the post, Jim, though I do not know the <I>Mapp and Lucia</I> books and didn't see the T.V. series.Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-55351922308677903762008-09-29T07:52:00.000+01:002008-09-29T07:52:00.000+01:00Netta, I have the selfsame problem. This may very ...<B>Netta</B>, I have the selfsame problem. This may very well be the book for you then. I got so caught up in the story that nitpicking over editing went by the way (almost) - okay, I found a typo and a missing punctuation mark - but that was it.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-33567426683330593532008-09-29T02:29:00.000+01:002008-09-29T02:29:00.000+01:00I have found, sadly, that reading has not been as ...I have found, sadly, that reading has not been as much fun for me in the last several years as it was when I was many years younger. I have a bad habit of editing as I read, and inconsistencies I may not have paid attention to in earlier days will now snap me right out of a story. Which is to say, I haven't read for "fun" in a very long time.<BR/><BR/>A former English teacher used to tell me, "Give a book a chance. Read to page 50. If you still don't like it, move on." It's been a good rule of thumb.<BR/><BR/>Great review, BTW.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-18817457504101475112008-09-28T17:28:00.000+01:002008-09-28T17:28:00.000+01:00Yes, the book was quite a revelation to me I have ...Yes, the book was quite a revelation to me I have to say. I really didn't know what I'd let myself in for but I was seriously surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I think I'd forgotten that books can actually be fun. <BR/><BR/>As for the diving headlong thing, I'm trying to work on a review for a book of poetry just now that I said I'd have a look at knowing nothing about the author whatsoever and it's no <I>Major Benjy</I> let me tell you. Still, it's a challenge and I like a challenge.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-81030017818544599312008-09-28T13:06:00.000+01:002008-09-28T13:06:00.000+01:00Learning all the time, me.I never knew 'Mapp and L...Learning all the time, me.<BR/><BR/>I never knew 'Mapp and Lucia' were a series of novels - I'm aware to the TV show but have never really sat down to it.<BR/><BR/>You've done a good review here and also reflected one of my own worst traits - judging the book by the cover - well, not my 'worst' traits, the serial-killing will be harsher-judged by history, one feels. Still it is brave and good to dive headfirst into a book even though the flighty little head is screaming 'No!'<BR/><BR/>Sounds like you were rewarded this time, Jim, I will surely keep an eye out for the book and I wish the author well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com