Books

[Eoin McLove]

I read Metamorphosis and thought it was shite. Just really made zero impact on me.  Perhaps I read it too late in life.

[astfgyl]

First time reading it I didn't know what to make of it, but I've enjoyed it a lot more this time round. I don't even know if it is meant to have much impact beyond having several possible levels of bleakness to it.

The ending of The Trial is seriously grim, too.

[Pedrito]

Just wasn't enough titties and ridin in it for my liking

[StoutAndAle]

Finished Mark Lanegan's "Sing Backwards & Weep". It was good and Lurch has certainly lived a life but towards the end I was feeling a bit burned out by his constant descriptions of scoring heroin/dope sickness.

Started Woody Allen's "Apropos Of Nothing" last night. Very enjoyable so far, it clicks along like his best films. He has employed a Tristram Shandy-type device for the narrative. At least for the opening part anyway. 

[Emphyrio]

Read two J.G. Ballard ones: Empire of the Sun - set in a POW camp, partially autobiographical. Not great in all honesty, apart from the last page alluding to China quietly developing themselves into a superpower. Fairly prophetic.

The Drought - Fairly unexciting and bland too, as far as dystopian novels go.

I'd read one or two by him years ago and thought they were ok. I don't consider him much more than an also-ran in the scheme of things.

Jack Vance - Lyonesse up next.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Good film though, Empire of the Sun. Christian Bale's first ever starring role.
(I say "good" based on my assessment of it aged perhaps 12...haven't seen it since.)

[Emphyrio]

Ya, I hadn't realised about the movie til I was nearly finished the book. Gonna throw it on in the next day or two.

[Carnage]

There's a sequel too, it was on last night. I've forgotten the name already (The Kindness Of Women is the follow up book, but I think the film was an adaptation of both?).

[astfgyl]

Just wasn't enough titties and ridin in it for my liking

He sort of alluded to a bit of riding here and there depending on how one interprets it

[Caomhaoin]

I'm reading 'l'etranger' by Albert whatshisname in French from which I'm deriving very little pleasure. Means to an end, that's it.

Any of ye thespians enjoy reading in other languages? Can't say I've ever done, although an honourable mention to 'la sombra del viento'.

It's not as bad on kindle as it'll just translate words you don't understand but it's not always as simple as that, sadly.

[Pedrito]

I'm reading 'l'etranger' by Albert whatshisname in French from which I'm deriving very little pleasure. Means to an end, that's it.

Any of ye thespians enjoy reading in other languages? Can't say I've ever done, although an honourable mention to 'la sombra del viento'.

It's not as bad on kindle as it'll just translate words you don't understand but it's not always as simple as that, sadly.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez..100 años de soledad and Amor en tiempos del.colera amongst others are beautiful in the ould Spangñol.

La.sombra a great read too. On the follow up and it's a slog tbh

[Scáthach]

I'm always late to the discussion, but regarding Kafka, The Trial and The Castle are two of my favourite novels. The nightmare like logic and feel is what I really enjoy. Metamorphosis I like too for its surrealism but I can't remember a single other short story in the collection.

For those interested, there's an excellent movie adaptation of The Trial by Orson Welles. It stars Anthony Perkins as Josef K and Welles as his advocate. Well worth a watch.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

One I've been meaning to check out for about 20 years! Thanks for the reminder, going to root out a torrent right now

[astfgyl]

I'm always late to the discussion, but regarding Kafka, The Trial and The Castle are two of my favourite novels. The nightmare like logic and feel is what I really enjoy. Metamorphosis I like too for its surrealism but I can't remember a single other short story in the collection.

For those interested, there's an excellent movie adaptation of The Trial by Orson Welles. It stars Anthony Perkins as Josef K and Welles as his advocate. Well worth a watch.

I wouldn't mind getting a look at that either. It'd be fascinating to see how it is brought to the screen. Surprised David Lynch hasn't had a go at a Kafka story yet actually. It might make more sense than his usual fare

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Eraserhead is pretty close to being a Kafka story. Not a specific one, but it certainly has the feel of Kafka, with some additional odd humour.