Does anyone read? Part II

[Rudy2toot]

Carlson,
Welcome neighbor. kinda...it's a very long state.

[hal 9000]

Hello Rudy2toot,

Actually, we used to be neighbors, or at least more so than we are now. I lived in the small town of Clewiston for awhile, about an hour east of you. If I wanted to have any fun, I'd either go to Ft. Myers or West Palm Beach. There was absolutely nothing appealing about the town of Clewiston for me, so I made many a road trip to you city.

Anyway, glad to meet you!

[Marye]

Hey NM.... Da Vinci Code revisited......

I see Ron Howard is set to direct, Jame Horner set to compose and 2005 is set for the release....

[rwcrooks]

treebeau,

I thought that The Isle of Dogs was supposed to be a comedy, not serious. View it that way. There were some very funny parts in it.

On a side note, I'm just finishing Founding Brothers and the term loup garou (not sure of spelling) is in there with no explanation. Good thing I read Cornwell first.

[Rudy2toot]

Da Vinci again; I just got the book last night from a Catholic friend who says her mother went bersirk over it. Can hardly wait to delve in.
Also, I had a music professor in college by the name of James Horner and I always wondered if it was the same guy. Anyone have a picture or bio of the movie music composer?

[bignaf]

big Catholic revival going on in pop culture?

[rwcrooks]

I didn't realize that Jesus was Catholic.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Originally posted by RichC:
I didn't realize that Jesus was Catholic.

Is that why the pope wears a yarmulke?

[bignaf]

Originally posted by RichC:
I didn't realize that Jesus was Catholic.

the authors of the book/film are. (?)

[Rudy2toot]

Intersting books I'm fond of:
Fiction-
The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver), I have Prodigal Summer as well but have never started it;
Mark Twain's Letters From the Earth
Non-Fiction-
King Leopold's Ghost, (Adam Hochschild)-pretty gruesome account of the Belgians escapades in the Congo.
The Power of Myth (Joseph Campbell)

<small>[ 03-10-2004, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Rudy2toot ]</small>

[Marye]

I have Poisonwood Bible on my bedside table, Rudy, and plan to read it soonest. I am interested in reading biographies these days and would love to read a good one on Mark Twain...
Suggestions?

[eaphil]

Just finished King Leopold's Ghost. Incredible and little-known history of Western nations' use of slave labor even into the 20th century. The friend who loaned it to me said his friends in Belgium won't discuss with him that part of their country's history... though few Western countries can claim complete innocence... as the book makes clear.

[Rudy2toot]

I'm afraid I've never read a Twain biography.

'Really stunned to hear someone else who'd read King Leopolds Ghost. Not exactly a best seller.
Its funny that the museums in Belgium have no record of the brutality and hold King Leopold in the highest regard. Lots of information regarding the Congo but nothing negative. Of course, being the philanthropist he was King Leopole II paid for it all.
How many millions died?...makes your skin crawl.

[eaphil]

I think Hochschild's last chapter, The Great Forgetting, did a good job of explaining how all of us (nations and individuals) relegate our sins to the realm of not remembered.

[eaphil]

BTW, Rudy. Is it a coincidence you are reading both King Leopold's Ghost and The Poisonwood Bible? I've not read the latter, but I have read reviews of it. Just noticed the connections between the history and the novel.

[Rudy2toot]

eaphil,
I peeked at your profile to see what sort of person might also be reading King Leopolds Ghost and smiled to myself.
It is not entirely coincidence that I have read the books. Like you, I enjoy certain types of books - love learning history of the world which includes religion and philosophy.
Poisonwood Bible was recommended by my sister and I was thrilled with it.

[piqaboo]

Enjoyed "Bean Trees" by Kingsolver.

[treebeau]

Originally posted by RichC:
I thought that The Isle of Dogs was supposed to be a comedy, not serious. View it that way. There were some very funny parts in it.

Rich,

Yessir, I recall reading that Patty intended it to be humorous. But I missed the humor, is all.

Regards,
Tim B.

[eaphil]

I've not read any of Cornwell's books, but I was curious after this discussion. I checked the reader (not paid critic) reviews of Isle of Dogs at Amazon.

The lesson, I think, is if you are a very successful writer, don't mess with your fans.

660 readers offered their opinions and the book rated 1.5 stars out of a possible five. Here are just the subject lines from first 30 or so reviews:

Strangely amusing.
I wished I'd have read the reviews before buying this book.
What in the world was Patricia Cornwell thinking?!
Simply incredible (not in a good way).
Toss it.
Absolute rubbish.
2 stars, my charitable contribution to Ms. Cornwell.
Disappointed.
Unbelievable (not a compliment).
Silliness is not satire.
It's not Scarpetta -- but it's still excellent.
Absolutely the worst!
Who wrote this, and what have they done with Patricia Cornwell??
Not even worth the used book price!
This book was a dog!!!!
This book stinks!
How disappointing!
Very disappointed by this Hammer/Brazil book.
As painful to read as "Showgirls" was to watch.
What a dumb book.
I have to defend this book
I am so surprised (not pleasantly).
Patricia's worst.
Please say someone else wrote this.
I would have pitched this in the garbage, but I borrowed it.
What a HUGE disappointment!
To think I paid money for this book.
Whatever was she thinking?????

It's true you can't judge a book by its covers, but these reviews convince me I should invest my reading time elsewhere.

[piqaboo]

Is the title of "Isle of Dogs" a pun, perchance?
I havent read the book so cant tell.

The lesson could be stated: if you are hugely successful and want to try a different genre, use a pseudonym.