Gargoyle

Life is busy all of a sudden! I am at university doing cool things and meeting cool people, which means I don’t have as much time for doing unimpressive, solitary things. Which is… good? Yeah, it’s good.

Nevertheless, I’ve finally signed up to my local library, and on my first visit found this gem:

The Gargoyle is Andrew Davidson’s first novel, and it is truly a corker. Initially the blurb’s emphasis on “romance” put me off (I’m not one for sappy books), but a quick flick through showed that the writing style is fast-paced, emotive, sometimes harrowing, often intriguing, and overall supremely enjoyable! And also, not a romance novel. It is far too interesting for that.
The book spans topics ranging from burn victims and the perception of self; drugs and dependency;  schizophrenia, and Christianity – to name but a few themes. The writing is (almost) all in first person, told from the point of view of the two main characters, which works surprisingly well (and reminds me of Glen Duncan’s novel “I, Lucifer”… but less rant-filled).

All in all, it’s a hard book to pigeon-hole, but definitely worth checking out. Dark without being horrible, emotional without being sappy, and fantastical without being fantasy fiction.

So read it; it’s good! :p

Books!

THIS BOOK:

…is SO GOOD, you guys.

David Cordingly is a very skilled writer, and this book – despite being entirely factual – reads as easily as a novel, and with as much action. I remember reading a quote somewhere that said Cordingly is the leading expert on 17th/18th century pirates, too, which is why I really want to read…

On laziness, and contentment.

This summer holiday is awesome. I’m not doing much, but it’s awesome anyhow.

And now I can honestly say I’ve bought someone crap for their birthday (*bah-dum-pish!*):
http://www.elliepoopaper.co.uk/poo-planters

Neat, huh? Now my buddy can grow a christmas tree in elephant poop! What could be a better gift for a (July) birthday?

Hmm… other recommendations… Nope, I’m out of ideas.
Except that you should buy a ukulele, if you haven’t already. Them things are fun.

More like… BITCH-hiker’s guide! (wah-wahhh)

So, I finished reading Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy yesterday.

And you know what?
I think it’s over-rated.

…it is kinda funny on occasion, and definately imaginative, but not very gripping. Don’t know if I’ll bother with the other novels in the series.

That being said, I love the idea of a hoovooloo!

/no, I won’t apologise for this post’s title.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover

…is the classic novel I have been reading! And have just finished.

In case you don’t want to read through a post of me raving about D. H. Lawrence’s masterpiece*, I’ll summarise: it’s a good book, for the most part, and I definately enjoyed reading it!

And now for my wholly unwanted opinions on it. ‘Cause y’know, it’s my blog.

I bought this book for a mere £2, mostly on a whim. I’d heard about it a long time ago, and it sounded pretty intriguing – it was not allowed to be published in the UK for thirty years after it’s initial publication, because it is filthy.

(Except, it’s not really.)
I must admit, it’s the reputation of the book that drew me to it initially. It helped issue in a sexual revolution! It used language that had never been used in a reputable book before! Oh, the controversy!

Of course, what was controversial and explicit in 1930 is pretty tame in 2010, so if you’re reading it in the hopes of being shocked, then it won’t do the trick.
That aside, however…

It is a really good read! The book delves heavily into class divide, the nature of modern men and women,  and the culture’s obsession with money. A lot of it still resonates now. But the way it’s written is so passionate. The way D. Lawrence describes happiness, and love, and sex, and contentment is really rather moving. Or it was for me. It seemed so heartfelt; poetic without being too flowery.

At times, the characters irritated me – Lady Chatterley in particular. Her husband, too, but that was very probably deliberate, considering. All the characters were slightly two-dimensional, but worked well in the story…though I wish Connie wasn’t quite so… what’s the word? She seemed very needy, and somewhat low on intelligence. Maybe again though, that’s deliberate. It’d make more sense if you read the book. Go read it!

The other main character, Oliver Mellors, is awesome. A stony-faced, lewd commoner, and all the better for that. Some of his lines made ma laugh out loud. And Lawrence’s rendering of a thick Derby accent is incredible – I’m not familiar with the accent, but it is hella fun to read.

Well, I think that’s all I’m gonna say; I’d better stop before I’m throwing spoilers left and right.

A great book, and I highly recommend it! Great story, good fun, and of course, it’s one of the classics. Go buy it for cheaps somewhere.

_{*Masterpiece may be an exaggeration. It’s very good, though.}

Awight!

I am back with a vengeance.

My exams are finally over, which means I have more time to enjoy the finer things in life! And that means rants, reviews and randomness.

I don’t have much to recommend today – I’m currently reading a ‘classic’ novel, but can’t say much about it until I’ve finished it… and I’m hoping to buy a Stagg ukulele in the week after next.

One thing I will recommend though, if you haven’t heard them already, is the Savage LoveCast, which is a weekly podcast created by Dan Savage – a gay male american sex-advice columnist. His podcasts continue the column’s theme of offering sex and relationship advice and answering people’s (often hilarious, sometimes disturbing) sex-related questions, whether said people are single, married, straight, gay or other.

It is…eye opening, to be sure. Some people have craaaazy problems. And each podcast is only half an hour long, so it’s a nice break from whatever it is you’re doing! Not for the closed-minded, though…
Or actually, maybe it is. I’m pretty sure it would force that mind right open.

The podcasts are available on iTunes, and from The Stranger’s website. Did I mention they’re free?

Go check it out!

*_{if you’re still unsure, try reading his column. That may give you an idea of the kind of questions he gets asked. It’s pretty interesting!}

Nine Inch Nails v2 (…but not really?)

So Trent Reznor has a new band, hmm? As a former NIN obsessive, this is pretty relevant to my interests.

But, I am skeptical.

http://pitchfork.com/news/38686-how-to-destroy-angels-a-drowning/

It’s essentially Trent Reznor and his lady-wife. So the Reznors, I guess? The issue I have is that from the one song out so far, it sounds… just like Nine Inch Nails towards the end of it’s lifespan. The only difference is that the vocals are by Mariqueen Maandig, Trent’s wife. Admittedly, she has a very pretty voice. But the song is the same mopey lyrics, electronic drums and slow computer-y sounds from Trent’s last two or so albums; it’s a bit copy-and-paste.

There doesn’t seem to be any heartfelt sadness behind it, yet it’s still talking about drowning and salvation and whatnot – so the whole thing had a slighty dull, apathetic vibe to it. If Mr and Mrs Reznor are happy, maybe they should write a cheerful song. (HA!) Or if they’re angry, it should come through. Or if they’re actually miserable and drowning and whatever, then show it!

I miss the honest-to-god anger that Nine Inch Nails used to have. The filth, the desperation, the angry bursts of white noise, the screeching guitars. The passion, of a kind. Is it just me that thinks that after Year Zero, the spark seems to have gone?

But hey, I guess there’s always a point where a fan goes “Wah, I miss the oooold music, waaahh!” Personally I’ll keep my eye on this new creation of Reznor’s, in case it gets more interesting… but first impressions?

Meh.