Journal Entry 1 by Drusillamac from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Blurb on the back:
Since its first publication The Magic Flute has become a classic, establishing Alan Spence as one of the finest writers of this generation. Set in Glasgow and following the lives of four boys, it is a wonderfully funny and sharply observant novel, combining gritty realism with great humour and considerable poetry.

The book opens in the 1960s with four 12 year old boys going to a flute lesson. Then it follows each of their separate lives up until the present day. I wasn't around in the 70s and in the 80s I was more interested in watching Postman Pat. But reading this book makes those periods come alive for me, espcially the description of the Edinburgh Fringe in the 70s.

However, I do find Spence's style to be stilted sometimes. I feel he's more comfortable writing prose than dialogue. Some of his dialogue feels forced and jerky. But this is still a rather good read.  

Journal Entry 2 by Drusillamac at Centre for Women's Health OBCZ in Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, January 17, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (1/17/2005 UTC) at Centre for Women's Health OBCZ in Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom

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Journal Entry 3 by sizzlesazzle from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, July 30, 2005

This book was my first experience of bookcrossing.com, as I got so into it while waiting for an appointment I had to take it with me. It was a great book, which for the most part I couldn't put down, although I thought it lost it's flair a bit in the middle, I'm glad I carried on reading because it regained it until the end. I would recommend it particularly to anyone who knows Glasgow well as Spence brings the place to life! Brilliant! 

Journal Entry 4 by sizzlesazzle at The Pightle, self catering flat in -- Somewhere in Scotland, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, July 30, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (7/30/2005 UTC) at The Pightle, self catering flat in -- Somewhere in Scotland, Scotland United Kingdom

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