books and dvd

[ramtops]

damn - it grew, and got pictures and stuff,

American Gods ‡ Neil Gaiman

perlmonger read it first, and he said I'd like it, and he was almost right ...loved loved *loved* it. It's the first Neil Gaiman I've read, apart from Good Omens, which I also loved - because I don't like comic-type books (I like the pictures in my head).

a sweeping idea, beautifully executed - a wonderful and extraordinary book. Funny, touching, powerful, thought-provoking. Finely drawn characters, beautifully observed - I really do commend it to everyone. If you haven't read it, get a copy and read it now!

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Closer ‡ Mike Nichols (director)

and last night, having finished with West Wing, we addressed the huge pile of unwatched DVDs, starting with Closer. Avery strong film, with some utterly unlikeable characters - but stonking performances from the four leading players. Not an easy watch, by any means, but well worth it.

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the Blacksmith Trilogy ‡ Jenny Maxwell

actually, I don't think these are sold as a trilogy, but they do go together. They tell the story of two sisters: Anne, who is 6'5", and a blacksmith, and Gloriana - petite, beautiful, a stage designer who is emotionally very damaged due to her past. I can't find a way to describe the books without making them sound rubbish, which they aren't. I've had them for years, and then when we were cataloguing, I found that one was missing. Finally bought it, and read them through last week, and was glad to do so again - they're a cracking good read.

what is? What I thought of:

• Neil Gailman ‡ American Gods
• Closer (DVD)
• the Blacksmith Trilogy ‡ Jennie Maxwell

Comments

[etriganuk.livejournal.com]

If you've just finished American Gods, Anansi Boys - linked peripherally - should be high up the "read soon" list.

I've not read it yet - need to find some time to re-read American Gods first.

[spride.livejournal.com]

I think it needs filming, by somebody like Wenders, with Viggo Mortensen as the lead.