Pers’s Comments (group member since Feb 25, 2016)

Pers’s comments from the éclectique group.

Haven't read it, but from the bits I've seen quoted, and the detailed breakdown of it that I've read, I don't want to. It sounds like the worst possible fanfiction. And I vigorously resent what they do to Cedric Diggory's character in one of the alternate timelines.

Alysa wrote: "Michele: So sorry to hear your mum is unwell. Where does she live? Sending best wishes that you can be nearer to her soon."

About 65 miles away from me, which I realise is nothing to Americans, but I don't have transport of my own, and I'm on a limited income (thanks to the crippled knee can't work full time), plus I have a boss who resents me taking time off 'cos it means he has to do the work. So visits currently only happen at Xmas.

I know the Pevensie girls, Hermione and Ginny, and Matilda. But then I'm not from North America.

(Besides which, most of the books I read as child had male protagonists or were ensembles, like The Secret Seven.)

Rory wrote: ""On a happier note, is anyone else watching The Night Manager?"
Yup, though I have yet to see last night's episode...."

I must confess I've never read any of the books. My brother LOVES them and h..."

Personally I recommend the Smiley series - but they're not to everyone's taste.

Rory wrote: "QNPB, I loved Jonathan Crombie as well. His death really hit me. :(

On a happier note, is anyone else watching The Night Manager?"

Yup, though I have yet to see last night's episode. It's one Le Carre novel that I have actually not read yet. Am a bit of a fan after watching the fabulous Alec Guinness as George Smiley in the BBC miniseries Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and Smiley's People.

For me, The Spy Who Came In From the Cold is the best of Le Carre's novels that I have read so far.

Haven't seen the movie yet, but galloped through the book of The Martian.

*snorts* If things go my way I won't be in Oxford in a year's time! (Looking to move nearer to my mum who has major health issues.)

I'm in England too. Oxford, if anyone's interested in knowing that...

*shrugs* I saw all the movies at the cinema as they came out (absolutely LOVE Howard Shore's music, BTW!) - then I watched them back to back on DVD. And then said, "Okay, no - I'll stick to the pictures in my head" - 'cos they'd been there a long, long time. I first read The Hobbit 41 years ago, and LoTR 32 years ago... That's a lot of competition for the imagery of Jackson et al!

(I've read LoTR 30+ times since the first time I read it.)

Nope, 'cos those are the two Willis books I'd already read. I LOVE LOVE LOVE 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' (have read it 3 or 4 times), which is why I was disappointed by my failure to read 'Blackout' - I couldn't get my head around who all the characters were - they were just a confusing mass of people.

I have read some Connie Willis but got totally lost when I tried Blackout. :(

Not seen the Hobbit movies because the LoTR movies disappointed me too much (I'm a lifelong Tolkien fan).

Don't get me wrong, the LoTR movies are beautifully filmed and acted, but...

Not for me.

Rory wrote: "Michele, I haven't read Code Name Verity but I have it marked as to-read.

I'll look up that adaptation of Oliver Twist. I've been watching Dickensian on BBC iTunes and really enjoying it.

I lear..."

Dickensian was an interesting experiment, I thought, but a bit long-winded - too much time wasted on the bumbling Bumbles, Silas Wegg, and Mrs Gamp - none of which advanced the plot, and all of which was excessively repetitive.

Heh, stick with me and you'll learn plenty more new words!

Rory wrote: "Alysa wrote: "None of my friends have the same taste in books. Not one! I love goodreads but I find I am a little withdrawn from interacting with goodread friends. I've always wanted to do a bookcl..."

There's also a pretty good TV adaptation of 'Oliver Twist' which stars Michael Kitchen as Mr Brownlow (and I'll freely admit is the sole reason I watched it, but not the only reason I enjoyed it!)

History (esp relating to the two world wars and the interbellum period), historical (including alternate history), mysteries and fantasy are absolute fave genres of mine. Have you read 'Code Name Verity' or 'Rose Under Fire' by Elizabeth Wein? Both set during WW2 and absolutely brilliant - totally compelling reading.

Alysa wrote: "None of my friends have the same taste in books. Not one! I love goodreads but I find I am a little withdrawn from interacting with goodread friends. I've always wanted to do a bookclub and now I c..."

I'm currently finishing up my re-read of "Great Expectations" - probably my least favourite of Dickens' novels with child protagonists. (I prefer Oliver Twist.) I'm basically re-reading all the novels by Dickens that inspired the recent BBC TV series 'Dickensian' which finished last weekend. Luckily, the next book on that re-read list is 'Bleak House', which I absolutely love. (Though I plan on alternating Dickens with other authors or I'll fall into a depressive Victorian slump!)

Alysa wrote: "Just a chat about anything, it can be non-book related things over tea to get to know each other better. I'm doing a half marathon (my first) in Paris this fall. Only thing is, I hate running! ;)"

Which rather begs the question, WHY?! :D

I have a crippled left knee (torn cartilage that's inoperable) so even walking a half-marathon would be impossible for me.

TBH, I'm not a big fan of movie versions of books - I tend to either love the book and hate the movie (usually) or (occasionally) love the movie and hate the book. For example, I prefer the movie "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" to the book it's based on, ditto for "Chocolat". (Interestingly, both movies feature Dame Judi Dench!). Also, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen". The only movie based on a book which I love as much as the book is Roald Dahl's "Matilda".