14 May 16
1 edit
Originally posted by NoEarthlyReasonLol from what I can gather old Byron did not like Mary Shelly very much and to my consternation I have found that she probably did not in fact write Frankenstein at all, but that it was Shelly himself. I must admit that I like neither of them to such an extent that I now feel reticent about reading the book. The following is a link to Shelly's first wife Harriet who allegedly committed suicide while pregnant at the slender age of 21.
http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=56
http://paganpressbooks.com/jpl/HS-WIFE.HTM
15 May 16
Originally posted by Great Big SteesI checked out the first chapter and really quite enjoyed it. If there's a copy of the first in the series in my local library I might borrow it.
Good. I enjoy his writing and his many characters. It's light and I especially like his short chapters, making it easy to drop in and out of.
15 May 16
Originally posted by NoEarthlyReasonJust finished part one, and it's remarkably enthralling. Criticisms of the characterisations are probably correct, but miss the point somewhat as this is an adventuresome espionage thriller with episodes of violence, not a Booker Prize candidate. I have always liked reading writers who describe their characters' physical appearances, and O'Brien delivers really quite well in this area. There is a lot of dialogue, maybe not always credible, but certainly far from turgid, and the vocabulary in general in the book is varied and stimulating, as are the locations. The passages describing Palatine's hacking exploits are realistic-sounding enough for suspension of disbelief (even for me), and the violence, while strong, isn't as nauseatingly graphic as that found in Scandi-noir novels and your average crime bestsellers. Overall this is so far a highly competent thriller, which I recommend.
Little Sister by Giles O'Brien
