tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post4319240519214707539..comments2023-11-05T10:11:31.578+00:00Comments on Just William's Luck: 2008: Review of my YearWilliam Rycrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056188088340973039noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-3033644679642087622009-01-08T19:54:00.000+00:002009-01-08T19:54:00.000+00:00William, John: As someone who takes a lot of reco...William, John: As someone who takes a lot of recommendations off blogs, I would say "get over your anxiety". A positive review is no more than a positive review -- those of us who choose to go on and buy and read the book are making our own choice. Having said that, pressing copies of books on friends definitely takes it a step farther and is not something that I recommend. By all means, supply a copy when asked -- but gifting implies an element of time investment that might not be welcome. KevinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-79975437230355394622009-01-08T15:04:00.000+00:002009-01-08T15:04:00.000+00:00Yes, it makes you think, "Did I choose my book bad...Yes, it makes you think, "Did I choose my book badly, or my friends badly??"<BR/><BR/>I haven't got <EM>Glister</EM> yet but have ordered a copy of his previous novel <EM>The Devil's Footprints</EM>, as I see <EM>Glister</EM> is out in paperback soon and will be given a matching cover. That's my concession to tightening my belt in the face of the recession.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-87748938478775242052009-01-06T12:13:00.000+00:002009-01-06T12:13:00.000+00:00(he heaves a huge sigh of relief)Glad you enjoyed ...(he heaves a huge sigh of relief)<BR/><BR/>Glad you enjoyed it Kevin. It's so difficult sometimes recommending books. I bought copies of Burnside's previous novel Living Nowhere for a few friends once and when they didn't come rushing back with fulsome praise I couldn't help but take it personally, which is obviously silly. <BR/><BR/>I'd love to know what you make of it on your second reading.William Rycrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15056188088340973039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-45087644649756787852009-01-06T00:00:00.000+00:002009-01-06T00:00:00.000+00:00I've finished Glister for the first time, William,...I've finished Glister for the first time, William, and will offer the highest praise that I can -- I will be opening it for a second read in a few days. I was particularly impressed with the way that Burnside opens his story from different points of view -- Morrison, Smith, Lionel, the Moth Men -- almost like placing chess pieces of a board and then lets the story develop. He does a very good job of communicating the bleakness of the surroundings and the sense of hopelessness that pervades all who live there. I do need a reread to truly appreciate the book -- but I certainly look forward to it. Thanks for providing the impetus to me to get this book off the shelf -- it was certainly worth my while.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-26605919735180191752008-12-30T22:17:00.000+00:002008-12-30T22:17:00.000+00:00Great to have you here Kevin. I have read some of ...Great to have you here Kevin. I have read some of your own comments on John's site so I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the year ahead. It's good to be held to account!<BR/><BR/>In the meantime I hope you enjoy Glister (although 'enjoy' probably isn't the right word). Burnside is a really interesting writer whose fiction can vary in quality but I think that with his last three novels he has been quietly getting better and better, distilling his style into something I for one love reading. I have my fingers crossed that you don't regret moving him to the top of the pile.<BR/><BR/>All the best for 2009 and see you around...William Rycrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15056188088340973039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-90511554709953437072008-12-30T19:36:00.000+00:002008-12-30T19:36:00.000+00:00William: I navigated to your blog from your comme...William: I navigated to your blog from your comments on John Self's -- delighted to find it and will be a regular visitor in 2009.<BR/><BR/>Two of your three book picks for 2008 I found most worthwhile reading -- Darkmans and The Impostor. Glister has been sitting on the shelf since August so, without putting too much pressure on you, I'm moving it to the top of the pile as my next read. I'll share my thoughts on it once I'm done.<BR/><BR/>Cheers, KevinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-60888311624241699292008-12-22T11:23:00.000+00:002008-12-22T11:23:00.000+00:00After my hyperbole I worry that Glister can only d...After my hyperbole I worry that Glister can only disappoint now John but I hope you like it.<BR/><BR/>A proper job? How very dare you!<BR/><BR/>I'm glad that I've inspired you to have another look at Cheever and can only thank you again for your own recommendations over the year.<BR/><BR/>I'm already really excited about next year. Bad Science, Bolano and Beware Of Pity. And that's just the B's!<BR/><BR/>'See' you in 2009!William Rycrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15056188088340973039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-19959130049346580062008-12-22T08:18:00.000+00:002008-12-22T08:18:00.000+00:00Great stuff, William! I really am definitely goin...Great stuff, William! I really am <EM>definitely</EM> going to get <EM>Glister</EM> now, after toying with it several times in the shops this year.<BR/><BR/>Also a relief to see that despite fatherhood, you've read enough books this year even to <EM>have</EM> a top three! Just as well you don't have a proper job, eh? ;)<BR/><BR/>My own books of the year list will go up on 28 December, and I can exclusively reveal that it shares one title with your list. Pretty exciting, I'm sure you'll agree.<BR/><BR/>Also agree on <EM>Dear Science</EM>, which is the gift that keeps giving - in three months, it hasn't become even slightly stale, despite endless rotation on my car CD player and iPod.<BR/><BR/>And speaking of your own critical faculties, let me put in special praise for your two-part review of Cheever's Collected Stories, which was brilliant and inspired me to pick up the old volume again and actually read some of the damn things this time.<BR/><BR/>Happy Christmas!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com