Be Excellent To Each Other

And, you know, party on. Dude.

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Reply to topic  [ 1040 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... 21  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue May 29, 2012 13:41 
User avatar
Gogmagog

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 48642
Location: Cheshire
Craster wrote:
She should really tell people that she was looking for an S&M book and accidentally got Twighlight fan fiction. It's less embarrassing that way round.



So it seems.

Quote:
James's prose is unequivocally dreadful – it's repetitive and grammatically ick. Everything is "intoxicating", "beguiling" and "exquisite". We're told that Anastasia bites her bottom lip so often that it's impossible to visualise the heroine without calluses on her face. The characterisation is two-dimensional: Anastasia is supposed to be highly intelligent and quick-witted, but she never behaves like it. Consequently, Christian's proclamations that she's "the most fascinating woman he has ever met" give the impression that Mr Kinkballs doesn't get out much.

_________________
Mr Chris wrote:
MaliA isn't just the best thing on the internet - he's the best thing ever.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue May 29, 2012 15:20 
SupaMod
User avatar
Est. 1978

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 69507
Location: Your Mum
Mr Kinkballs?

:D

_________________
Grim... wrote:
I wish Craster had left some girls for the rest of us.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue May 29, 2012 17:59 
User avatar
Kinda Funny Lookin'

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 3270
Location: Sheffield or Baku
Read the whole of "Sh*t my dad says" on the train back from that London, was giggling like a simpleton all the way home...people were staring.

_________________
If work was so rewarding the rich would have bought it all.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue May 29, 2012 18:17 
User avatar
Sleepyhead

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27343
Location: Kidbrooke
Morte wrote:
Read the whole of "Sh*t my dad says" on the train back from that London, was giggling like a simpleton all the way home...people were staring.


Better than the awful sitcom then.

_________________
We are young despite the years
We are concern
We are hope, despite the times


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue May 29, 2012 19:41 
User avatar
Kinda Funny Lookin'

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 3270
Location: Sheffield or Baku
Curiosity wrote:
Morte wrote:
Read the whole of "Sh*t my dad says" on the train back from that London, was giggling like a simpleton all the way home...people were staring.


Better than the awful sitcom then.


Can't comment as I've never seen it but the book is a chuckle.

_________________
If work was so rewarding the rich would have bought it all.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2012 13:58 
User avatar
MR EXCELLENT FACE

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 2568
I know this is a week old, but I've only just read it (the thread not the books)
I know this is three months old, but I've only just read this thread and didn't realise that 'mar' said 'mar' and not 'may'

Bobbyaro wrote:
I am currently reading Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth' series. They are bollocks, don't read them. They are appallingly written, the characters are hateful and idiotic and the entire thing is riddled with plot devices and series extending bullshit. That said, I want to know what happens so am 5 books in (of 13 :( ). it is kind of like Lost, in that you can anly hope there is a solution that is good because otherwise you have wasted so much time.


I read book 2, though "this is ok", so read books 1 and 3. Overall they're ok. Book 1 is bsically Star Wars: Fantaasy edition. Don't go past book 4, they're shit. The first half of Book 5 and all subsequent books onwards is LITERALLY nothing but a recap of the previous books. I was skipping enitre chapters out near the end, just to get to "new" stuff. Those books are nothing but filler.

The books are full of dues ex machinas where Richard and his Righteous Raging Sword of Truth manage to always just-about save the day by smiting thousands of people, his girlfriend is continually getting captured/nearly raped, even through she had the world's most powerful magic or whatever. Richard, who is the most peaceful man on the planet and is some kind of embodyment of love, kills hundreds and hundreds of people just to protect his girlfriend per books.

The 'Empire' thingy that springs up around book 3 is the most ridiculous strawman for communism I've ever seen. Which ever book is the book about the statue is the worst in this regards as it's nothing but drivel telling the reader why communism is bad. The plot is pretty hilarious: Richard gets imprisioned by commies, breaks out, makes a statue named 'freedom' or some shit from marble which causes everyone who sees it to start shed tears of joy and immediately revolt against the communist overloads.

From what I remember of that books, the reasons communism is bad is because in a capitalist society the bread makers can make x loaves of bread a day and charge y amounts of money, but under the communist regime they're suddenly only capable of making x/10000 loaves of bread a day and can't charge anything for it, and so everyone starves.

If you're wondering WHY I kept on reading, I have literally no idea. I think it's because I bought 6 onwards all at once in some mega sale and felt justified in reading them all.

dimrill wrote:
the nuns were all evil and he had to kill them. Was it Temple of the Windy Bottoms? Can't remember. I gave up on Goodkind at around book 5 or 6. Hell's Bells has read them all though.


That's the second one.

_________________
This man is bound by law to clear the snow away


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2012 14:05 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
Polished off Catcher in the Rye last night. I thought it was pretty good overall. Glad I've got it under my belt. I suppose I can sort of see why some folk saw it as some kid whinging all of the time, but I definitely thought a lot better of it than that.

Not sure what to start next - got my final exams coming up starting next week, so might have a break from reading "for fun".


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 15:36 
SupaMod
User avatar
Est. 1978

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 69507
Location: Your Mum
I'm reading the first book in the Jack Reacher series (The Killing Floor by Lee Child). It's quite good so far.

_________________
Grim... wrote:
I wish Craster had left some girls for the rest of us.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 15:40 
User avatar
Gogmagog

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 48642
Location: Cheshire
Grim... wrote:
I'm reading the first book in the Jack Reacher series (The Killing Floor by Lee Child). It's quite good so far.


I've read that. I quite enjoyed it, if I recall.

_________________
Mr Chris wrote:
MaliA isn't just the best thing on the internet - he's the best thing ever.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 15:55 
User avatar
Sleepyhead

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27343
Location: Kidbrooke
Grim... wrote:
I'm reading the first book in the Jack Reacher series (The Killing Floor by Lee Child). It's quite good so far.


My brother and Dad love those books.

Of course, in the movie adaptation, the enormous, bulky, muscular, physically imposing hulk of a man will be played by...



... Tom Cruise.

_________________
We are young despite the years
We are concern
We are hope, despite the times


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 16:14 
SupaMod
User avatar
Est. 1978

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 69507
Location: Your Mum
:facepalm:

_________________
Grim... wrote:
I wish Craster had left some girls for the rest of us.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 16:15 
User avatar
UltraMod

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 55716
Location: California
Grim... wrote:
:facepalm:

Another book ruined.

_________________
I am currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.


Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 16:22 
User avatar
Ready for action

Joined: 9th Mar, 2009
Posts: 8548
Location: Top Secret Bunker
Just trying to get a few books lined up on my kindle for some holiday reading. So far I've got a couple of James Patterson ones because I've seen the two big films but never read any of his novels, and a trilogy by Robin Hobb as I've never read anything by her. Anyone got any good recommendations?
Before Curiosity pops up and says The Knife Of Never Letting Go or The Gone Away World, I read them last time at his recommendation and very good they were too. In fact, I'm not sure I ever read the final Patrick Ness one...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 16:26 
User avatar
Sleepyhead

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27343
Location: Kidbrooke
"Shipbreaker" and "The Drowned Cities" by Paolo Bacigalupi.

:D

_________________
We are young despite the years
We are concern
We are hope, despite the times


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 16:28 
User avatar
Sleepyhead

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27343
Location: Kidbrooke
And "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness, though it is liable to make you cry.

On the subject of Mr Ness, the trilogy that starts with "The Knife Of Never Letting Go" is being turned into a Hollywood movie by the folks who did "The Hunger Games".

_________________
We are young despite the years
We are concern
We are hope, despite the times


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 16:31 
User avatar
Ready for action

Joined: 9th Mar, 2009
Posts: 8548
Location: Top Secret Bunker
Curiosity wrote:
"Shipbreaker" and "The Drowned Cities" by Paolo Bacigalupi.

:D

For goodness sake, could his name be anymore awkward for searching!

Curiosity wrote:
And "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness, though it is liable to make you cry.

On the subject of Mr Ness, the trilogy that starts with "The Knife Of Never Letting Go" is being turned into a Hollywood movie by the folks who did "The Hunger Games".

Oh, that's quite interesting. I'll keep an eye out for that. I've checked, and I haven't read the final one. Might wait 'til I get back though.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 16:49 
User avatar
Heavy Metal Tough Guy

Joined: 31st Mar, 2008
Posts: 6510
I just read "Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter". It wasn't much cop. I was expecting something a lot more fun and fighty and Lincoln-punching-a-robot-Jefferson-Davies-on-the-roof-of-a-burning-fireworks-factory, but it was a fairly luke-warm, dry book written in sort of documentary style, which I don't think really worked.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 16:52 
SupaMod
User avatar
Est. 1978

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 69507
Location: Your Mum
Ignoring all the other hacks that everyone else is suggesting, I'd like to recommend two very high-brow autobiographies.

The Hardest (Working) Man In Showbusiness and How To Make Love Like A Porn Star by Ron Jeremy and Jenna Jameson respectively. Ron Jeremy's is better (probably because it has a lot less about his life and upbringing and a lot more about how porn works), but they both make for interesting reading.

_________________
Grim... wrote:
I wish Craster had left some girls for the rest of us.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 19:46 
User avatar
Skillmeister

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27023
Location: Felelagedge Wedgebarge, The River Tib
Reading "Porn & Pong" at the moment. Lots of errors in timelines for game release dates, but the most GALLING mistake is in describing Akira as "a film where three teenage gang members battle a monster made of pure energy". *grinds teeth*

_________________
Washing Machine: Fine. Kettle: Needs De-scaling. Shower: Brand new. Boiler: Fine.
Archimedes Hotdog Rhubarb Niner Zero Niner.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:06 
User avatar
Master of dodgy spelling....

Joined: 25th Sep, 2008
Posts: 22543
Location: shropshire, uk
Grim... wrote:
I'm reading the first book in the Jack Reacher series (The Killing Floor by Lee Child). It's quite good so far.


I have read about 8 now.

_________________
MetalAngel wrote:
Kovacs: From 'unresponsive' to 'kebab' in 3.5 seconds


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:45 
Awesome
User avatar
Yes

Joined: 6th Apr, 2008
Posts: 12243
Started Simon Pegg's book 'Nerd Do Well'.

It's not very good so far. He keeps interspersing it with a fiction story about him and his robot butler.

_________________
Always proof read carefully in case you any words out


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 11:47 
User avatar
Gogmagog

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 48642
Location: Cheshire
I finished Iain M banks's "Surface Detail". It was OK. Usual Banks flaws. Some good ideas but not too well explored, quite a shallow book,a couple of semi pointless characters. Best AI ever, though, in the form of Falling Outside the Normal moral Constraints.

_________________
Mr Chris wrote:
MaliA isn't just the best thing on the internet - he's the best thing ever.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 11:48 
User avatar
UltraMod

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 55716
Location: California
I have fallen into the trap of reading Doctor Who novels. This can't end well.

_________________
I am currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.


Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:00 
User avatar

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 32619
MaliA wrote:
I finished Iain M banks's "Surface Detail". It was OK. Usual Banks flaws. Some good ideas but not too well explored, quite a shallow book,a couple of semi pointless characters. Best AI ever, though, in the form of Falling Outside the Normal moral Constraints.
Hmm. I think I disagree. I enjoyed it a lot. It rather depends on whether you think the last word in the book changes everything you read before (which I do)...

ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
I think that SC planted Zakalwe in the War in Heaven, on the "wrong" side, manipulating him into switching sides and eventually the outcome of the book, which suits SC down to the ground: it's in charge of the replicator fabs again, the two uppity alien races have been given a firm slap without the Culture getting its hands dirty.

By "semi-pointless" characters, do you mean Yime? I think the entire bit with the Bulbitan is all about SC using her to disrupt the plans of the one alien race that was planning to Sublime but remain in-play, thus leapfrogging the Culture's power. Banks hints at this in a few places, without ever coming out and saying it.

The book's title is a clue. You need to look beyond the surface details.


I'm now re-reading Excession, and I may do Use of Weapons and Player of Games after that.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:05 
User avatar
UltraMod

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 55716
Location: California
I've gone off Iain (M) Banks a lot over the last few years. Recommend me something that will bring me back into the fold.

_________________
I am currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.


Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:07 
User avatar
Skillmeister

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27023
Location: Felelagedge Wedgebarge, The River Tib
I've only ever read The Wasp Factory. It was good. I remember "greasy cock and balls" being quite a good phrase.

_________________
Washing Machine: Fine. Kettle: Needs De-scaling. Shower: Brand new. Boiler: Fine.
Archimedes Hotdog Rhubarb Niner Zero Niner.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:09 
User avatar

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 32619
Surface Detail. I enjoyed Look to Windward too. I can't remember much about Matter, worryingly, though I'm sure I read it (I often find Banks' intricate plots difficult to remember after the fact though).

Or Transitions, which is an Iain Banks but is sci-fi anyway (confusingly).


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:16 
User avatar
UltraMod

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 55716
Location: California
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
Or Transitions, which is an Iain Banks but is sci-fi anyway (confusingly).

:facepalm: Did he forget which way round it's meant to be?

_________________
I am currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.


Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:25 
User avatar
Kinda Funny Lookin'

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 3270
Location: Sheffield or Baku
I am just about to finish 'The Outfit' which is a history of the Chicago mob and it's role in the development of the modern US. It's a really interesting read especially the stuff about the origins of organised crime in the 19th Century, how when Chicago was developing a lot of the city was built on stilts as they reclaimed land from the marshes and all the criminal elements met in the 'underworld' beneath the city, hence the term. It's gets less interesting once it starts going on about Marilyn Monroe and the Kennedy Presidency but it's a cracking read and well researched.

Who knew for instance that the heir to Capone was a Welsh man? Murray Humphries, the nice gangster and legal mastermind.

_________________
If work was so rewarding the rich would have bought it all.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:29 
User avatar
Gogmagog

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 48642
Location: Cheshire
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
MaliA wrote:
I finished Iain M banks's "Surface Detail". It was OK. Usual Banks flaws. Some good ideas but not too well explored, quite a shallow book,a couple of semi pointless characters. Best AI ever, though, in the form of Falling Outside the Normal moral Constraints.
Hmm. I think I disagree. I enjoyed it a lot. It rather depends on whether you think the last word in the book changes everything you read before (which I do)...

ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
I think that SC planted Zakalwe in the War in Heaven, on the "wrong" side, manipulating him into switching sides and eventually the outcome of the book, which suits SC down to the ground: it's in charge of the replicator fabs again, the two uppity alien races have been given a firm slap without the Culture getting its hands dirty.

By "semi-pointless" characters, do you mean Yime? I think the entire bit with the Bulbitan is all about SC using her to disrupt the plans of the one alien race that was planning to Sublime but remain in-play, thus leapfrogging the Culture's power. Banks hints at this in a few places, without ever coming out and saying it.

The book's title is a clue. You need to look beyond the surface details.


Quote:
I'm now re-reading Excession, and I may do Use of Weapons and Player of Games after that.


I enjoyed the beginning of the book very much, but thought it sagged in the middle. Some of the bits with Prin were too long, and a bit repetitive. That could have been tighter.

I rarely read sci-fi terribly deeply, if I'm missing things, I think it's the author's fault. Mind you (Ho, ho. Well done - Ed), it did raise some interesting points regarding afterlives. Sometimes the descriptions were overegged, and I feel it was written in such a sadistic fashion to appeal to a demographic.
My main complaint of his writings is the sexual aspect of lots of things. It seems crowbarred in most of the time, and generally add nothing. It seems to occour more in his later books,from memory (Matter had this especially). I didn't mind too much with Falling Outside the Normal Moral Constraints, as that was done well to set his character, but there were a couple of times I was annoyed with "Yeah, I get it, he's rich and has whores. You've made this point several times over!" or "I get it, she's neutered herself, you mentioned this about a chapter ago".

Overall, the main character was well written, the main AI superb and the two in hell were OK. Yime sort of jsut trundled along a bit, and the woman in the little spaceship was a bit dull.

_________________
Mr Chris wrote:
MaliA isn't just the best thing on the internet - he's the best thing ever.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:08 
User avatar
Gogmagog

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 48642
Location: Cheshire
Kern recommended me a book like so:

Kern wrote:


It's an account of a US marine's first hand expereinces at Peleliu and Okinawa. it's very, very good, although somewhat harrowing at times.

_________________
Mr Chris wrote:
MaliA isn't just the best thing on the internet - he's the best thing ever.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:29 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
I read the first two parts of The Dark Knight Returns last night. Considering it's frequently found in top 10s and stuff for greatest graphic novels ever, it isn't exactly inspiring me to buy more graphic novels, if I'm totally honest. I mean, it's alright... I think I'll just stick to books. Comics ain't my thing.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:30 
SupaMod
User avatar
Est. 1978

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 69507
Location: Your Mum
Have you read Watchmen?

_________________
Grim... wrote:
I wish Craster had left some girls for the rest of us.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:33 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
Yeah, that's genuinely great. The exception that pro- never mind.

But yeah I enjoyed that. I've also read one of the Sin City books which was alright. And some 2000AD that belonged to my dad. I guess I'm just not a comic book guy.

I mean, I've always loved British humour comics - both adult and the kiddy stuff when I was younger - but the superhero malarky doesn't do it for me.

(I'm talking mainly Viz and Whizzer and Chips. Both staples of my childhood.)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:56 
User avatar
Skillmeister

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27023
Location: Felelagedge Wedgebarge, The River Tib
From Hell. Read it. Love it.

_________________
Washing Machine: Fine. Kettle: Needs De-scaling. Shower: Brand new. Boiler: Fine.
Archimedes Hotdog Rhubarb Niner Zero Niner.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:56 
User avatar
Skillmeister

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 27023
Location: Felelagedge Wedgebarge, The River Tib
Preacher is also good.

_________________
Washing Machine: Fine. Kettle: Needs De-scaling. Shower: Brand new. Boiler: Fine.
Archimedes Hotdog Rhubarb Niner Zero Niner.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:04 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
I'll have a look. My problem with DKR is it tries to use sort of film storytelling techniques and it makes it a little confusing as to what the chuff is going on! I can see what he was trying to do, but if I have to re-read half a page of panels to "get" it either I'm retarded or it's not working properly.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:04 
User avatar

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 32619
WTB wrote:
if I have to re-read half a page of panels to "get" it either I'm retarded or it's not working properly.
::types:: ::deletes::


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:07 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
Quiet, you!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:10 
User avatar
Gogmagog

Joined: 30th Mar, 2008
Posts: 48642
Location: Cheshire
The problem I have with comics is that it isn't ever clear which order to read the panels in, and in one panel, which order to read the speech bubbles in.

_________________
Mr Chris wrote:
MaliA isn't just the best thing on the internet - he's the best thing ever.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:12 
User avatar
UltraMod

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 55716
Location: California
MaliA wrote:
The problem I have with comics is that it isn't ever clear which order to read the panels in, and in one panel, which order to read the speech bubbles in.

Left to right, top to bottom - like books.

_________________
I am currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.


Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:13 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
Yeah there's a bit of that as well. DKR is set out like a storyboard for a movie though. The problem is you don't have a script to go with it and explain the random jumps to different scenes - often before the scene you were reading was finished. This works in film, not so much in a comic where the art is pretty, erm, "stylised".


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:15 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
It also doesn't help that he keeps referring to a "Jason", who upon Googling I discovered used to be Robin but he died. Guess it'd help if I knew some of the background story. Also also! Gordon and Bruce look identical with their taches at the beginning of the comic, which is also confusing. I dunno, I think maybe the art is just shit. But then what do I know? Everything I've read about it praises the "amazing" artwork.

In its defence, the story is pretty good.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:19 
User avatar
UltraMod

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 55716
Location: California
Batman: Year One is probably a better place to start. -edit- although it was written after!

_________________
I am currently under construction.
Thank you for your patience.


Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:44 
User avatar
Excellent Member

Joined: 25th Jul, 2010
Posts: 11128
The Dark Knight Returns isn't brilliant (and neither is Sin City for that matter); I really wouldn't write off an entire medium based on it. It'd be like swearing off books because of Dan Brown.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:49 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Mar, 2008
Posts: 14497
Fair dos, I won't write them off then!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 13:55 
User avatar
Excellent Member

Joined: 25th Jul, 2010
Posts: 11128
WTB wrote:
It also doesn't help that he keeps referring to a "Jason", who upon Googling I discovered used to be Robin but he died.


Further thoughts: it's a general issue with superhero comics that they end up referring to other character or situations you might not know about. When I got back into comics years ago it was Vertigo stuff I read and was utterly baffled by the popularity of the 'capes & tights' books. Even acclaimed stuff like Morrison's JLA run did nothing for me at all as I barely knew the characters or back-story. They're sort of like the longest running soap opera in the world which makes it really difficult to break into them. Once you do it all becomes more rewarding but it's a big ask for a new reader to get it all no doubt.

There's loads of other comics that don't use existing properties like Batman etc and if you're dipping your toe in the medium then I'd go with that kind of thing instead. I, and I'm sure other people here, could recommend stuff if you're bothered.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 20:20 
User avatar

Joined: 12th Apr, 2008
Posts: 17768
Location: Oxford
MaliA wrote:
Kern recommended me a book like so:

Kern wrote:


It's an account of a US marine's first hand expereinces at Peleliu and Okinawa. it's very, very good, although somewhat harrowing at times.


Aye. I've got to the Okinawa chapters. Not pleasant reading at all, but very, very well-written. Recommended


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 0:33 
User avatar

Joined: 27th Jun, 2008
Posts: 6183
WTB wrote:
I guess I'm just not a comic book guy.
From Hell, that Dimrill mentioned is a belter & Maus is well worth a read too.

Best to read Maus wearing a long sleeved jersey or something though, as Mr Spiegelman has hidden onions among the pages!

_________________
"Wullie's [accent] is so thick he sounds like he's chewing on haggis stuffed with shortbread and heroin" - Dimrill
"TOO MANY FUCKING SWEARS!" - Mary Shitehouse


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: New generic book thread
PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 12:25 
User avatar
Excellent Member

Joined: 10th Mar, 2009
Posts: 343
I am currently rattling through "Skagboys", which is Irvine Welsh's prequel to Trainspotting. It is simultaneously harrowing and hilarious. Personally, I think it's better than Trainspotting.

I note with interest that WTB is claiming to be reading Dracula. The first four chapters of Dracula are good. The rest of it is terrible, melodramatic bollocks.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic  [ 1040 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... 21  Next

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search within this thread:
You are using the 'Ted' forum. Bill doesn't really exist any more. Bogus!
Want to help out with the hosting / advertising costs? That's very nice of you.
Are you on a mobile phone? Try http://beex.co.uk/m/
RIP, Owen. RIP, MrC.

Powered by a very Grim... version of phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group.