Colleen McCullough

[Fran]

@Gannon
So glad you are enjoying 'Oscar & Lucinda', of what I've read of Peter Carey I think it's by far his best. 'Jack Maggs' & 'The Tax Inspector' I also quite enjoyed but his 'True History of the Kelly Gang' & 'Theft: A Love Story' I found very tedious. I too would be very interested in Maud's opinion on him, given he's a fellow Aussie I'm sure she'll be acquainted with his books.

[primrose777]

I have just started " Oscar and Lucinda" as well, early days as yet but have enjoyed reading about places I know quite well ( Bellingen and Glennifer) Beautiful parts of the country.
@ Gannon. I will definately read "Morgans Run", and will track down the first in Colleen McCullough Rome series. I have read other series in the past re Rome, so have an interest in the subject. Will let you know what I think, but it may take a while if the books are as thick as you say.

[Maud Fitch]

@Maud
Hey Maud, hope you had a wonderful Easter and everything went your way. Off topic again. What do you think of Peter Carey? I am reading "Oscar and Lucinda" at the moment and am loving it. However I read his latest novel first, "The Chemistry of Tears" and although I loved his writing, I got a bit lost in the plot, it's a strange book. It's very short, and I think I may have to read it again. I think Fran said that she liked some of his work.

Hullooooo to Gannon, Fran, Primrose, et al.
It's great to be back and I missed you all, although I didn't miss the old computer screen one bit! I swear my eyesight has improved. Yes, thanks, I had a great Easter break, beachside, plenty of choco eggs. Not sure if the rest of the world knows that we get four days off; Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. It plays merry heck with our workloads. Heaps to catch up on, at work and on the Forums.

I love, love, love Peter Carey. I think "Oscar and Lucinda" is possibly his best book (what is it with Ned Kelly stories?) and I thought director Gillian Armstrong did a fair job with the movie starring Cate Blanchett and Ralph Fiennes.
Also, I think Carey now lives in New York so he wrote "His Illegal Self" about a young boy who runs away from NYC and lives in a hippie commune in tropical Queensland to 'find' himself. Not too soppy, however, I did get a laugh out of romance "Theft" and its dialogue. So far, Gannon, I haven't been tempted with "The Chemistry Of Tears" because I've been told it's too clever for its own good. May succumb because the 'automaton' side of it sounds interesting.

To close, I must mention that when critics speak of Australian literary couples, the two names are Carey's Oscar and Lucinda and McCullough's Meggie and Ralph.

[Gannon]

@Fran

It's funny I was going to read Carey's Kelly book next, because it won the booker, however now I think I will read some other books on my TBR list. It better be tedious Fran, because if I am missing out on a good book because of your recommendation.

@Primrose

I really hope you will get a chance to read Colleen's Rome books. I have just about every Rome book out there,from about 30 different authors and Imho nothing even comes close to the "Masters of Rome" series. It's funny that you are reading "Oscar and Lucinda" as well. We will have to compare notes when we finish.

@Maud

I was not sure about getting the movie out, but after I read your post I am going to now. It would be really interesting to see what you think of "The Chemistry of Tears". The automaton is the best thing about the book. I am glad that it has been commented on being too smart for it's own good, because it lost me. I would love for one of you guys to read it and explain it to me. It's very short so come on. It will probably win all these awards and here am I thinking "Hang on a sec, I don't understand it, duh."

Ahh, it feels good to be back posting on this post with you guys.

[Maud Fitch]

.......see what you think of "The Chemistry of Tears". The automaton is the best thing about the book. I am glad that it has been commented on being too smart for it's own good, because it lost me. I would love for one of you guys to read it and explain it to me. It's very short so come on. It will probably win all these awards and here am I thinking "Hang on a sec, I don't understand it, duh."

Ahh, it feels good to be back posting on this post with you guys.

You've twisted my arm, Gannon. I've just placed a Hold on this book. It's good to be swapping notes again !!!

[Gannon]

.......see what you think of "The Chemistry of Tears". The automaton is the best thing about the book. I am glad that it has been commented on being too smart for it's own good, because it lost me. I would love for one of you guys to read it and explain it to me. It's very short so come on. It will probably win all these awards and here am I thinking "Hang on a sec, I don't understand it, duh."

Ahh, it feels good to be back posting on this post with you guys.

You've twisted my arm, Gannon. I've just placed a Hold on this book. It's good to be swapping notes again !!!

Swapping notes. I need you to explain it to me.

Ps Jasper should be arriving any tic of the clock, so we can fire up the Jasper Post as well. Yippeeee!

[Fran]

@Gannon
I had high expectations for 'True History of the Kelly Gang' but it let me down badly .... not over the shock yet! Given the title I was really excited but no I have to say it did not deliver, but you might feel different.

"...fire up the Jasper .." line - gets my much sought after laugh of the day award

[Gannon]

@Gannon
I had high expectations for 'True History of the Kelly Gang' but it let me down badly .... not over the shock yet! Given the title I was really excited but no I have to say it did not deliver, but you might feel different.

"...fire up the Jasper .." line - gets my much sought after laugh of the day award

I thought my Jasper had turned up today. The postee pulled up, I went out to greet him and get my book but he had a delivery for the house across the street. Ahhhhrrr, such a disappointment.

-- Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:12 am --

@Gannon
I had high expectations for 'True History of the Kelly Gang' but it let me down badly .... not over the shock yet! Given the title I was really excited but no I have to say it did not deliver, but you might feel different.

"...fire up the Jasper .." line - gets my much sought after laugh of the day award

I thought my Jasper had turned up today. The postee pulled up, I went out to greet him and get my book but he had a delivery for the house across the street. Ahhhhrrr, such a disappointment.

Hey Fran watched a news report last night on all the Irish people coming over to Australia because of the economy. You and SKM should come over for a holiday and Maud and I can show you the sights.

[primrose777]

Hi everyone
Book fair tomorrow and I am hoping to pick up Morgans
run and the first of the Rome series. By the way who is Jasper? Do I need to look out for him as well
@ Gannon, I am only up to Chapter 11 of Oscar and Lucinda , Which sounds impressive but they are short Chapter arent they?
Not what I was expecting, not sure if I love it yet but early days. I was suprised that Oscar and Lucinda are in differnt time
Periods, Maybe not a romance??? I would love to compare notes.

[Fran]

@Gannon
Wouldn't I just love a holiday in Oz but it's a long & expensive journey so has to be a longterm plan ... but if the Lotto numbers check out I'll be there in a flash & I'll bring SMK (first class all the way, of course!)

@primrose777
Who is Jasper? The one and only Jasper Fforde .... a weird, funny & totally off the wall author and creator of Thursday Next. Get you mits on 'The Eyre Affair' to start with & then join us on the Jasper Fforde thread for indepth discussion and some great insider info from Maud (she has the inside track ... we think she might be his agent )
Seriously though he's great if you like totally off the wall fantasy & loads of subtle sideswipes at all sorts of holy cows.

[Gannon]

Hi everyone
Book fair tomorrow and I am hoping to pick up Morgans
run and the first of the Rome series. By the way who is Jasper? Do I need to look out for him as well
@ Gannon, I am only up to Chapter 11 of Oscar and Lucinda , Which sounds impressive but they are short Chapter arent they?
Not what I was expecting, not sure if I love it yet but early days. I was suprised that Oscar and Lucinda are in differnt time
Periods, Maybe not a romance??? I would love to compare notes.

Howdy Primrose. O&L gets better and better as you get deeper into it. I felt the same at first. Yes the chapters are very short, some of them only a page in length. I am glad that they do not interrupt the flow of the narrative. Imho, it has an almost Charles Dickens "feel" about it.

Maud intorduced me to Jasper Fforde and I fell in love with his writing almost immediately. If you like Douglas Adams, then you will like Jasper. They are great books to talk about and discuss. As Fran says, check out the first Thursday Next novel, "The Eyre Affair". If you like it then you can join us on the Jasper post.
Hope you have a great time at the book fair ( I am jealous, I could spend the whole day there) and hope you find some good books.

@Fran

Get organised, get some time off and come on over. (I will cover the costs. But you guys will have to fly economy)

[Maud Fitch]

Hi everyone. Book fair tomorrow and I am hoping to pick up Morgans
Run and the first of the Rome series. By the way who is Jasper? Do I need to look out for him as well.

Who is Jasper? The one and only Jasper Fforde .... a weird, funny & totally off the wall author and creator of Thursday Next. Get you mits on 'The Eyre Affair' to start with & then join us on the Jasper Fforde thread for indepth discussion and some great insider info from Maud (she has the inside track ... we think she might be his agent. Seriously though he's great if you like totally off the wall fantasy & loads of subtle sideswipes at all sorts of holy cows.

@Fran
Get organised, get some time off and come on over. (I will cover the costs. But you guys will have to fly economy)

@ Primrose. Give Jasper a go. He's definitely different but not hard to get your head around.

@ Fran. Thank you for that great promo of Jasper and his literary talents (yet another cheque will be in the mail ) and I'm delighted to think that you think I may be his agent. I wish! However, I have, at various times, exchanged correspondence and emails on a purely independent basis...(psst, he's probably reading this...)

@ Gannon. And thank you for your discerning taste, too. Can't wait until your Jasper book arrives!
I've highlighted that 'cover the costs' comment because I think it's very generous of you. Does that include my petrol costs for driving our Irish guests around the countryside while you're boiling the billy and kneeding the damper?

Hope everyone's weekend is rockin' along.

[Fran]

@Gannon
You are too generous but I think I'll hold out for the Lotto & first class.
But it would be some fun being driven around Oz by Maud, with SKM & Primrose .... our very own version of Thelam & Lousie.

[primrose777]

@ Fran, I will definately get my mitts on Jasper Ffordes " he Eyre Affair" . I love discovering new authors and Gannon said if I like Douglas Adams then I will love him. Well I really enjoy Douglas Adams so look out.

@ Gannon I am perservering with O@L up to chp 14 now, I have been told that it does get better as you go. I shall not give up!!! The book fair was awesome and I spent 4 1/2 hours there which is at least half a day. Going back on Thursday though. They bring out more books mid week. I picked up some treasures and met some great people. I dont mind a chat.

@ everyone... I'm up for a road trip if you are???

[Gannon]

@ Fran, I will definately get my mitts on Jasper Ffordes " he Eyre Affair" . I love discovering new authors and Gannon said if I like Douglas Adams then I will love him. Well I really enjoy Douglas Adams so look out.

@ Gannon I am perservering with O@L up to chp 14 now, I have been told that it does get better as you go. I shall not give up!!! The book fair was awesome and I spent 4 1/2 hours there which is at least half a day. Going back on Thursday though. They bring out more books mid week. I picked up some treasures and met some great people. I dont mind a chat.

@ everyone... I'm up for a road trip if you are???

@Primrose

Hahaha, a road trip sounds good. Keep going with Oscar and Lucinda it has a great ending, that I did not see coming. I wonder if Maud and Fran were as thrown as I was with the ending? Don't want to say any more just in case it spoils it for you, but it is worth reading. Don't know if it was worth the booker though. I will have to look at the other books it was up against that year.

@Maud

Have you started on "The Chemistry of Tears" yet, and if not then why not(only gagging ). I know you are very busy. I am reading "Hawk Quest" by Robert Lyndon and it is very very good indeed. Hope everyone is well.