Booksquawk

Habibi is a work of a master artist letting go and...

2012-01-27T14:32:17.785-08:00

Habibi is a work of a master artist letting go and throwing himself entirely into his work. It is brilliant and ambitious and just a little too self-absorbed to be easy for anyone else who doesn't happen to be called 'Craig Thompson' to really get. It ranges too wide and too deep to be called properly focused, but the brilliance is undeniable. In other words: I agree entirely.his 'Blankets' is a MUCH better book.

Having known my own brand of "crazy," I ...

2012-01-26T08:00:58.198-08:00

Having known my own brand of "crazy," I just have to read this book.

I'm going to see him in February too... lookin...

2012-01-14T00:45:24.870-08:00

I'm going to see him in February too... looking forward to it, but I am a bit troubled by parts of his act, which boils down to: "I've slapped you in the face... I want you to think about why I've slapped you in the face." Suspect he's fun on stage but probably a ballache in real life.

Thoroughly enjoyed it Bill - distinctive voice, do...

2011-12-31T04:34:39.636-08:00

Thoroughly enjoyed it Bill - distinctive voice, doesn't shirk a tackle, as Sammy might say. Loved his short stories, too.

Glad this is still getting read and reviewed. Apar...

2011-12-30T03:06:10.892-08:00

Glad this is still getting read and reviewed. Apart from this year's Julian Barnes, it was the only Booker winner I enjoyed. Such a distinctive voice, such courageous writing, a terrific 'Up yours' to establishment clones. Thanks for reminding me of it, Pat.

Greetings Ron!

2011-12-29T13:38:24.349-08:00

Greetings Ron!

Greetings from Southern California. I am your New...

2011-12-26T15:21:41.192-08:00

Greetings from Southern California.

I am your Newest Follower.

Happy New Year! :-)

Thanks, Melissa. I'm glad it was enough to kee...

2011-12-01T08:44:00.702-08:00

Thanks, Melissa. I'm glad it was enough to keep you reading. And I particularly like the accolade of the ending being 'uncontrived'. I know exactly what you mean.

Reading the book was a genuine pleasure, Declan. G...

2011-11-22T08:45:05.656-08:00

Reading the book was a genuine pleasure, Declan. Glad I didn't misrepresent you.

Hi Bill - Many thanks for the very kind words, sir...

2011-11-21T22:14:04.429-08:00

Hi Bill - Many thanks for the very kind words, sir. Much obliged.

Cheers, Declan

That one line alone has me rushing off to Amazon t...

2011-11-20T04:27:31.411-08:00

That one line alone has me rushing off to Amazon to buy it!

What a joy it was when, around thirteen years old,...

2011-11-10T07:11:39.212-08:00

What a joy it was when, around thirteen years old, I discovered that my favourite writer had a seemingly endless series of adult stories to revel in.

Thanks Pat, but the darkness will no doubt return ...

2011-10-30T09:32:21.540-07:00

Thanks Pat, but the darkness will no doubt return along with the POV brigade.

Flawless victory!

2011-10-30T03:39:33.951-07:00

Flawless victory!

Fantastic review of an interesting author. I am a ...

2011-10-22T15:04:52.745-07:00

Fantastic review of an interesting author. I am a little surprised to find someone admitting to reading BattleTech novels in a public forum though...

I've enjoyed reading Andrew's short storie...

2011-10-21T13:43:57.478-07:00

I've enjoyed reading Andrew's short stories since I came across them a few months back. What struck me was his ability to get under my skin, to make me go "Ouch, that hurt" because I've identified with the experience of his characters.

What is odd about this is that I've never shared the bleak landscapes they often inhabit and in contrast I've led a much cosier life. I suppose that's what makes him a great story teller - their emotional impact is largely independent of my own experiences, but my lord, they get to me.

Thank you to Janet Colley for her review, and to a...

2011-10-10T18:50:05.098-07:00

Thank you to Janet Colley for her review, and to all of the lovely people of Booksquawk for their important work in supporting independent authors.

I so agree with Bill Kirton's review. The Curi...

2011-10-10T14:40:05.688-07:00

I so agree with Bill Kirton's review. The Curiosity Cabinet is a wonderful novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks so much for such a wonderful review - and f...

2011-10-10T07:53:22.762-07:00

Thanks so much for such a wonderful review - and for really understanding what I intended the novel to be about!

nice review am seeing this tomorrow thanks

2011-10-04T05:55:55.483-07:00

nice review am seeing this tomorrow thanks

The Rilloby Fair used to be one of my favourite Ba...

2011-09-20T02:26:28.463-07:00

The Rilloby Fair used to be one of my favourite Barney series books. I remember many kids asking whether we had read The Rilloby Fair Mystery.In fact I make a couple of comparisons between the The "R" (Barney) series and The Famous Five series in my book on and about Enid Blyton, titled, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage (www.thefamousfiveapersonalanecdotage.blogspot.com).
Stephen Isabirye

Excellent review. I've rarely seen a better, m...

2011-09-14T01:17:01.698-07:00

Excellent review. I've rarely seen a better, more detailed one anywhere, and not just for this book.

Great review - and a fascinating-sounding book.

2011-09-13T03:07:31.179-07:00

Great review - and a fascinating-sounding book.

Brilliant review, and a fantastic idea to take the...

2011-09-11T06:30:37.056-07:00

Brilliant review, and a fantastic idea to take the Bat out of Gotham. In the mists of time, I'm sure I remember reading a version which showed a Victorian Batman hunting Jack the Ripper...

Great Blog!!! Love it!!! Lola x http://lola-x.blogspot.com