This book is just oustanding with well defined characters and a magical mix of urban legend set against the backdrop of a modern bustling City. This should appeal to members in this group in particular as it is about artists, writers and musicians. The main character; Izzy (Isabel) can bring her paintings to life and has to face the concequences of such a talent when she is betrayed. I dont want to give too much away, but this book will have you spellbound, if for no other reason than the vivid descriptions that Charles De Lint uses to get across the power of the paintings. I have read most of his books, this is still my favourite, though it does not detract from the rest of his work which is consistently of the highest quality.... Enjoy.

Written during the 1950's the Naked Lunch uses drug addiction as a metaphor for political oppression. At first it may seem like a incoherent mess  and though it is a challenging read, its rewards pay off.

 

The book is very explicit in its tales of brutal sex and graphic violence and has a troubled publishing history due to its content. But to focus solely on this would be to miss the whole point of the novel. The book is also a very satirical take on society and much of it still rings true today.

 

Though not for the easliy offended is still a shot in the arm when compared to most modern fiction.

Published by Bloomsbury ISBN 0 7475 6967 3

Illustrated by Ralph Steadman 173 pp. H/B

 

At last a reissue of this classic work ! Ambrose Bierce was a fascinating character who published his devilish definitions in various American newspapers in and around the turn of the 19th Century.

For those unfamiliar with his style a few examples should suffice:

Bride : A woman with a great future behind her.

 

Corporation : An ingenious device for securing individual profit without individual responsibility.

 

Debauchee: One who has so earnestly pursued pleasure that he has the misfortune to overtake it .

 

Guillotine: A device that makes a frenchman shug his shoulders with good reason.

 

It's hard to believe these definitions are 100 years old. Every page is a joy and brings smiles or outright laughter. Ideal as a tool for all aspiring writers to get to the meat of a subject with just a few words. Interject a few of these in after dinner conversations and assume the mantle of a great wit.

Ralph Steadmans illustrations are excellent as is the excellent 11 page introduction by Angus Calder.

 

Puffin Books  ISBN 0-14-131481-8  Price £5.99  224 pages illustrated

 

More than just a must havefor H.P. fans, this book gives the stories behind the stories. J.K. Rowling fills her books with references to history, myths,  legends and literature, here the author gives the background to these references. Many of JKR's mythical creatures and places are in fact based on fact or classical mythology and whilst she cleverley disguises these in her books, this volume gives the background to these references.

The entries are all set as questions such as " Why would the Durmstrang students travel by ship? " The answer is that Durmstrang is a play on the German phrase Sturm & Drang ( storm & stress). This was a 19th Century style of German literature devoted to rebellion, grandeur and spectacle. Wagners operas were an embodiment of Sturm & Drang, and he wrote The Flying Dutchman ........

One thing this book did for me apart from increase my knowledge of mythology etc, was too make me realise that JKR far from just dreaming up her background to her novels is in fact a very well read classical scholar.

Like the HP books this can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and if it stimulates the younger reader to dig deeper into other works it can only be praised. There is an excellent bibliography including websites to assist in this.

My son (11) ploughed through this in 2 days and has been looking for more deeper mythological stories prompted by his reading. No bad thing indeed ! I too found this a good easy read and most useful insight to the mind of JKR.

 

Now best remembered for the book 'Manhatten Transfer' Dos Passos' 'USA' follows the lives of several Americans from differnt backgrounds as their lives touch & cross between the turn of the 20th century until the Wall Street Crash.It's the American 'War & Peace'

Does just what the title says. I used it for the quiz this week and it was a real winner. A dip into or cover to cover read it's just great. Priced @ £9.99 hardback, 467 pages. Well worth buying a copy.