Thursday, March 01, 2007
Well read
Well the big read top ten list is out http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6405737.stm and, what a shock to see Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice battling it out at the top.
Can’t really complain too much as I do actually like both books. Some of the other novels there seem to be high up because they ought to be there rather than everyone really likes them.
OK, I have a thing about Dickens actually being a crap author. Part of me was definitely turned off him by my inept sixth form English teacher but there is something awful about his writing. I think his modern day equivalent would be an Eastenders scritpwriter.
Have to be careful about what I say about the Bible because a) not read all of it, obviously and b) don’t won’t to upset anyone with the mistaken belief that it’s literal truth.
Basically, it’s inconsistent, badly written in parts, tautologic and could do with another severe editing. But it is about the greatest story ever told and John’s Gospel, the Psalms and Song of Solomon make up for everything.
Harry Potter books. What? Yes. They are a good read and it does sound a bit snobbish to point out they’re for children. BUT THEY’RE FOR CHILDREN. They aren’t even the best children’s books – Goodnight Mister Tom and The Silver Sword are miles better. And the films have been crap.
I’m still torn about Lord of the Rings. Yes, it’s a brilliant read, a thrilling, breathless epic. But I can also understand why critics deride them for their lack of analysis and poorly developed characterisation. Tolkien kind of wrote it as a back story for English folklore, seeing that other civilisations had them. Personally, I think he should have just promoted the fantastic stories from Old and Middle English.
1984 – should be higher up, not least because it’s now the New Labour handbook on how to really destory the UK. Everytime I read it, I realise how much closer we are becoming to it, cctv on every corner, Britain regarded as USA’s lackey, paucity of language in Newspeak, problems over health and crime dressed up as good news...
Why To Kill a Mockingbird isn’t higher up than number five I don’t know because it’s the best book I read throughout school and college – and one I’ve gone back to since. Required reading about growing up, tolerance, understanding and ignorance.
Still can't believe I've read eight out of the ten books
My list would be (in any order)
Complete Works of Shakespeare
Bible
Les Miserables
To Kill a Mockingbird
1984
Goodnight Mister Tom
Complete works of the Gawain Poet - Pearl, Patience, Cleanness and Gawain and the Green Knight
The York Mystery Plays
Lord of the Rings (for when I just want to read)
Anthology of my favourite poets - including Larkin, Cope, Christine Rossetti, Robert Frost, James Herrick, Carol Ann Duffy. OK, that's a bit of a cheat but my gaff, my rules
Can’t really complain too much as I do actually like both books. Some of the other novels there seem to be high up because they ought to be there rather than everyone really likes them.
OK, I have a thing about Dickens actually being a crap author. Part of me was definitely turned off him by my inept sixth form English teacher but there is something awful about his writing. I think his modern day equivalent would be an Eastenders scritpwriter.
Have to be careful about what I say about the Bible because a) not read all of it, obviously and b) don’t won’t to upset anyone with the mistaken belief that it’s literal truth.
Basically, it’s inconsistent, badly written in parts, tautologic and could do with another severe editing. But it is about the greatest story ever told and John’s Gospel, the Psalms and Song of Solomon make up for everything.
Harry Potter books. What? Yes. They are a good read and it does sound a bit snobbish to point out they’re for children. BUT THEY’RE FOR CHILDREN. They aren’t even the best children’s books – Goodnight Mister Tom and The Silver Sword are miles better. And the films have been crap.
I’m still torn about Lord of the Rings. Yes, it’s a brilliant read, a thrilling, breathless epic. But I can also understand why critics deride them for their lack of analysis and poorly developed characterisation. Tolkien kind of wrote it as a back story for English folklore, seeing that other civilisations had them. Personally, I think he should have just promoted the fantastic stories from Old and Middle English.
1984 – should be higher up, not least because it’s now the New Labour handbook on how to really destory the UK. Everytime I read it, I realise how much closer we are becoming to it, cctv on every corner, Britain regarded as USA’s lackey, paucity of language in Newspeak, problems over health and crime dressed up as good news...
Why To Kill a Mockingbird isn’t higher up than number five I don’t know because it’s the best book I read throughout school and college – and one I’ve gone back to since. Required reading about growing up, tolerance, understanding and ignorance.
Still can't believe I've read eight out of the ten books
My list would be (in any order)
Complete Works of Shakespeare
Bible
Les Miserables
To Kill a Mockingbird
1984
Goodnight Mister Tom
Complete works of the Gawain Poet - Pearl, Patience, Cleanness and Gawain and the Green Knight
The York Mystery Plays
Lord of the Rings (for when I just want to read)
Anthology of my favourite poets - including Larkin, Cope, Christine Rossetti, Robert Frost, James Herrick, Carol Ann Duffy. OK, that's a bit of a cheat but my gaff, my rules
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Dunno. Jane Austen is bloody good, I would say. But I'd plump for Emma rather than P&P. A brilliant piece of character led writing.
LOTR is also a childrens book, don't kid on that it is not.
LOTR is also a childrens book, don't kid on that it is not.
LOTR is some hefty reading for children. I will admit the Hobit is a childrens book though.
I would have put the Silver Sword above Goodnight Mr Tom.
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I would have put the Silver Sword above Goodnight Mr Tom.
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