tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post6206751152507621713..comments2023-11-05T10:11:31.578+00:00Comments on Just William's Luck: 'an ordinary miracle'William Rycrofthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056188088340973039noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-78073072230959004812010-07-14T12:32:01.679+01:002010-07-14T12:32:01.679+01:00Ah yes, somebody else recommended that one to me, ...Ah yes, somebody else recommended that one to me, I shall have to search it out.<br /><br />There's a bit of a debate (again) about whether crime novels, and SF for that matter, should be included in the running for literary prizes like the Booker - on the Booker forum.William Rycrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15056188088340973039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-5426832977618988192010-07-13T14:59:21.039+01:002010-07-13T14:59:21.039+01:00It's The Visitors, and it's in A History o...It's The Visitors, and it's in A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters.<br /><br />He also wrote some actually rather good crime novels under the name Dan Kavanagh. I rather wish he'd go back to them actually, but perhaps he has nothing more to say on the subject in which case it's probably best he doesn't. Still, they're often unjustly overlooked.Max Cairnduffhttp://www.pechorinsjournal.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-61919770755921968912010-06-23T00:05:38.239+01:002010-06-23T00:05:38.239+01:00Thanks Max for the tip. Any idea what the name of ...Thanks Max for the tip. Any idea what the name of that short story is or what collection it can be found in?<br /><br />The SF element is the strangest thing about this book and the weakest part too I think. He's on much steadier ground with the comedy of sexual naiveté and the wonder of flight.William Rycrofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15056188088340973039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7534509012046591314.post-659344306289665502010-06-22T14:38:52.032+01:002010-06-22T14:38:52.032+01:00I've certainly enjoyed Julian Barnes' in t...I've certainly enjoyed Julian Barnes' in the past, he can be a very good writer.<br /><br />Not sure about this one. The SF element puts me off. I'm fine with SF, but I prefer it handled by those with an aptitude for it, I can't see it as something Barnes would have a strength for.<br /><br />He's a good short story writer by the way. There's a marvellous one about an academic on a ship captured by terrorists who is forced under threat to explain to the other hostages the need to make an example of some of them. It's powerful stuff and challenging too.Max Cairnduffhttp://www.pechorinsjournal.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com