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Post by accipiter on Sept 12, 2016 18:30:02 GMT
Well I have now finished David Nivens’ (the moons a balloon) do not bother dear reader, because at one point I was seriously considering shooting myself it was so boring!
And so ever since Alan has been looking for a replacement to no avail I might add, But then again I should have known better to believe all the marvellous reviews such as hilarious, a work of art, a work of art my left foot!
Anyway there I was relaxing in my favourite chair when the good lady wife came in, Alan I have something very nice for you now close your eyes and open your hands my dear.
Wait for it! (Total recall by Arnold Schwarzenegger) now I am confused, is the good lady wife trying to tell me something, well you know Alan I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt in the end.
Now son number three went through a phase of bodybuilding with involved eating six eggs and half a horse everyday if you take my meaning, but she does assure me it is not a hint but rather an encouragement to start writing again.
But how can one do that when Arnold’s book is six hundred and twenty four pages long! But then again the reviews do say it is (extremely engaging) hmm.
Verdict on this one, later dear reader
Alan
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Post by accipiter on Sept 14, 2016 21:45:52 GMT
And so we come to the verdict now let me see, I must say I was not all that surprised by his driven, determined, humorous attitude that shone out like a beacon.
In fact I found it a very easy read warming to his personality with every page I turned at least that was at first!
Verdict very much disappointed
Alan
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Post by ayjay on Sept 15, 2016 8:15:47 GMT
I started reading autobiographical books a couple of years ago - (I try to always keep one in the karzi nowadays as it saves moving books around - there's always one by the bed and one in the car).
I've gone through several of famous people that interested me such as Kenneth Williams, David Jason etc etc - it's getting harder to find books of that ilk in my local library now and so I'm opting to read those that on the surface appear more mundane.
The most recent was by a District Nurse who started work back in the 50s - she's not famous (or notorious), just an ordinary person who chose to write her memoirs but that didn't make the book any less enjoyable. It wasn't a literary masterpiece, just something to while away the time when waiting for something else to happen, but I don't continue to read books I'm not enjoying,(never did finish The Third Policeman, despite several attempts).
In summary, autobiographies don't have to be of the rich and famous to be interesting/a good read, Scwarzenegger's wouldn't have appealed to me, but I might pick up David Niven's if I see it in the Library.
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Post by accipiter on Sept 15, 2016 10:57:22 GMT
In summary, autobiographies don't have to be of the rich and famous to be interesting/a good read, Scwarzenegger's wouldn't have appealed to me, but I might pick up David Niven's if I see it in the Library. It would not have been my choice either ayjay but my wife thought it would make a change quite forgetting the unfaithful episodes which we both find unforgivable to say the least. But Barbara Outland published her memoir entitled (Arnold and Me: In the Shadow of the Austrian Oak) all about the affair, again not our choice of reading. Note My wife is currently reading (Diana Athill Alive alive oh) and (Dinah Jefferies Silk Merchants Daughter. Alan |
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danny
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Post by danny on Mar 7, 2017 22:02:14 GMT
I guess we maybe have a different take on life, but I thought David Niven's book was terrific . Each to his or her own .
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Post by accipiter on Mar 10, 2017 20:33:28 GMT
I guess we maybe have a different take on life, but I thought David Niven's book was terrific . Each to his or her own . Absolutely Danny each to their own, it would be a rather boring world if everyone was of the same opinion would it not. Alan |
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danny
New Member
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Post by danny on Mar 11, 2017 5:16:32 GMT
Couldn't agree more Alan. Cheers mate.
Danny.
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Post by NellyDee on Mar 11, 2017 11:41:58 GMT
I like his Bring on the Dead Horses (Memory here - think that was what it was called) so went on to read The Moon is a Balloon and was a bit disappointed, did not think it was so funny. I read when I take a holiday and if the book is too long I have to wait till the next holiday to finish it. A friend has given me Burt's Letters from the North of Scotland to read next time - He thinks I should know some of the life and customs of Highlands in the 18th century. Apparently is is very entertaining having been written by an Englishman sent to the Highlands to work as a contractor for the government. He was curious about everything from cooking, hygiene and the wildlife to his horror about the people and wrote regularly to a friend in London. 18th century way of reporting? I will let you know when I eventually start reading it.
As an aside daughter and I have been watching all of the tree episodes of Outlander (next episode currently being filmed) Don't think you get it 'down south'. Shows in graphic details how blood thirsty the clans were against each other, bit of a weird long story which starts in the 1940's by lady being transported back to the 17th century where she has to be accepted, goes through various wars, including going to France ultimately getting married and having a son, then after Culloden finding her way back through the portal where her story continues, she does then go back through the portal which is where the next episode will carry on. - I digress sorry
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