The Architecture of Desire
2 journalers for this copy...
Okay, I've got to admit I haven't read this one yet, but I have read and loved other books by Mary Gentle. I'm only releasing this one because I've got another copy of it in a compendium (_White Crow_).
Controlled release to another BCer during Christchurch BC convention for 3rd anniversary.
You minx, you didn't tell me it was our third anniversary! And we having just met, too!
I got the book. I have others. One of them is by Mary Gentle, which is why I grabbed this one. That and the leather-clad figure on the front cover, which beckoned to me from across a crowded room - and from under a John Grisham novel, too!
I enjoyed "Rats and Gargoyles", and this is apparently the second in the same series. A bit like G.W., except with a leather-clad figure on the front. Anyway, I'm sure the cover's just to get grubby little boys to buy the book, or to spy it across a crowded room under John Grisham. How the room got there...
Have read first chapter already. Disagreed with the blurb on the back. The beginning seemed a little overwritten, to me - but they're always a bugger, aren't they, mes? Perhaps that is what the staccato feel of R and G is - the interruption of little details. But the story was starting to grab me.
Will do something when I've read the book. Maybe a jig. It's such a rare event, ask GoryDetails.
I got the book. I have others. One of them is by Mary Gentle, which is why I grabbed this one. That and the leather-clad figure on the front cover, which beckoned to me from across a crowded room - and from under a John Grisham novel, too!
I enjoyed "Rats and Gargoyles", and this is apparently the second in the same series. A bit like G.W., except with a leather-clad figure on the front. Anyway, I'm sure the cover's just to get grubby little boys to buy the book, or to spy it across a crowded room under John Grisham. How the room got there...
Have read first chapter already. Disagreed with the blurb on the back. The beginning seemed a little overwritten, to me - but they're always a bugger, aren't they, mes? Perhaps that is what the staccato feel of R and G is - the interruption of little details. But the story was starting to grab me.
Will do something when I've read the book. Maybe a jig. It's such a rare event, ask GoryDetails.
No jig. Just sat around a bit and then went to bed. And it was Saturday! Ah, the exciting life of ORNOT. Or not.
Been thinking about what to say. As you can see I liked the book - gave it a 3 - but certain things bugged me. Every two seconds someone was leaning on something to tap snow off their boots. And Causabon's filthy habits - the descriptions of ink, grease, jam and snot continuosly being wiped on his front or sleeve, for example - but this was actually, and paradoxically, also a reason I liked the book: the very individual and annoying character touches.
Occassionally description did seem to detract. I did not need to know that the jam sandwiches sat upright like so many artichokes in a battlefield of blood red tablecloth. I do not quote.
The story did grab me - in the end I had to hit it over the head with a skillet and throw the cat at it when I was chased - but I must admit, despite that, my mind constantly wondered back to the front cover. The scene it alluded to was somewhat disappointing. Not what I'd expected at all. Sigh.
Be warned: I am a sucker for these dress'em up, ladies and gents, political intrigue, secret college things. Especially the raspberry ones.
Love Aunt Millie.
Been thinking about what to say. As you can see I liked the book - gave it a 3 - but certain things bugged me. Every two seconds someone was leaning on something to tap snow off their boots. And Causabon's filthy habits - the descriptions of ink, grease, jam and snot continuosly being wiped on his front or sleeve, for example - but this was actually, and paradoxically, also a reason I liked the book: the very individual and annoying character touches.
Occassionally description did seem to detract. I did not need to know that the jam sandwiches sat upright like so many artichokes in a battlefield of blood red tablecloth. I do not quote.
The story did grab me - in the end I had to hit it over the head with a skillet and throw the cat at it when I was chased - but I must admit, despite that, my mind constantly wondered back to the front cover. The scene it alluded to was somewhat disappointing. Not what I'd expected at all. Sigh.
Be warned: I am a sucker for these dress'em up, ladies and gents, political intrigue, secret college things. Especially the raspberry ones.
Love Aunt Millie.
