Rabbit, Run by John Updike
About half way through this 1960 novel and I'm enjoying it to a certain extent, of course it's pretty dated and the shock value much heralded on it's release has almost completely disappeared. I remember reading the title of this series, (Rabbit Redux, Rabbit is Rich, Rabbit at Rest) and thinking they must be kind of like Watership Down or something but how wrong I was. So far it's all just about people, not sure whether to my chagrin or relief.
I keep reading about Updike and Roth as the great American novelists of the 20th Century (along with Pynchon, Hemingway and others) and I thought I'd read one of each to see how they grab me, I'm not sure this is the best one to start but I like to start at the beginning of a series and this is Rabbit numero uno. I'm thinking maybe American Pastoral for Roth, what d'you reckon?
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo finished.Took ages to get going but the last half of the book is brilliant.I'm going to read the rest of the series before watching the film.
Now due to all of the hype being banded about at the mo, I'm reading Hunger Games.Just started it this morning on my Kindle.
Started Mark Kermode's The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex on the train home. Witty and intelligent so far.
Just finished Rabbit, Run and I undersold it somewhat. At the end I'd say it's a masterful depiction of the human condition, I found it moving, hilarious and chastening in almost equal measure. This portrait of the eponymous Rabbit Angstrom is one I won't forget quickly and I'm sure I'll be picking up the next installment pretty soon. I can't say I share many of his failings or sensibilities but I certainly sympathize with his odyssey.
Non-fiction I think next, I have an idea of something closer to home. Roth will come later methinks.
Currently reading Phoenix Rising Marvel GN about the return of Jean Grey, Excellent data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I finished 'A Clash of Kings' yesterday and immediately started 'A Storm of Swords'. I'm really enjoying them so far and find them hard to put down. Not "cheesy" fantasy books, in my opinion - but the GF doesn't believe me!
Before I Go to sleep.
Good read.
Patrick Rothfuss - The Name Of The Wind - 5 Stars
Superb book and a lot of fun to read. There's some comparisons to Game Of Thrones due to the fantasy setting but it's not too similar really. A lot of humour, action and adventure and I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Flat Earth News by Nick Davies
Expose of modern churnalism, looking at everything from Alastair Campbell and the machinations of political press manipulation to the CIA's planting of misinformation during the oil wars. I really wish I'd read this when I first wanted to (when it came out back in 2008) since it has lost some of it's impact, but it's still an interesting if slightly exhausting read. It seems to repeat it's central idea over and over again albeit at the end of new stories. I'm about 2/3rds the way through this and it's certainly worth reading for left-leaning conspiracy theorists. Just because you're paranoid....
Finished Swan Song yesterday and have now started Skagboys which is the Trainspotting prequel. Good catching up with Rents, Franco, Spud and Sick Boy again, hopefully there will be some characters from Glue appear later in the book.