I loved the Northern Lights, but was quite worried because so many people told me how hard-going the first part of the book was, but to stick with it. I didn't have a problem sticking with it. Possibly because I'd just spent £25 on the hardback

colin

Yes to David Lodge. Maybe because he's a favourite of my sister's I always think I'm going to love his, and then am disappointed. I do find the mathematicalness of some comic novels hard to enjoy; I suspect you need a rather chilly view of humanity to write them.

On the other hand, Lodge's The Art of Fiction is the best book about writing I know: infinitely better than all the How-to books.

Emma

Cloud Atlas!

But I haven't just put it down, I've lost it which seems a little drastic especially as the library are going to want it back...

Narnia is brilliant - took the children to see the film yesterday afternoon and we all loved it. Alexander now has a new imaginary friend, "Islam"...

(Comes as something of a relief after Marvin for a week)

"No, Marvin doesn't like toast. Marvin doesn't like anything!"

Sarah

Does Islam like toast?

F

An equivalent conversation with my reluctant-to-get-dressed toddler established that while Postman Pat wears red underpants with blue piping and a crown, and the vicar wears grey ones, postmistress Mrs Goggins wears black leather pants with studs and a chain.

Emma

I loved loved loved the Narnia movie. I expected a travesty, and instead came out of the movie feeling twelve again.

This is such a refreshing discussion, and after recent endevours, just reinforces the fact that nothing we ever do as writers will please everyone. So let's just keep writing what we bloody well want too yeah?

JB

I don't know if Islam likes toast.

As of today the children are "out on loan" so no doubt Grandma will find out at breakfast time tomorrow?

Yes, Narnia was fabulous. I didn't think they got anything wrong - absolutely faithful to the spirit of the book. And the young actors were so good - is it the quality of the material?

Off to see King Kong tonight - making the most of baby sitter free nights!

Sarah

Nah, not the quality of the material - the quality of the actor. Just look at Keanu Reeve's awful turn as Jonathan Harker in Dracula. Talk about miscasting!

JB

If we're talking about films, the next book I'm going to pick up is whichever has got Annie Proulx's Broke Back Mountain. The film is the most wonderful, life-affirming, heartbreaking movie I've seen in years.

Emma

I second that. And Jake Gyllenhall - phwoar! Lol.

JB

Yes, it's an utterly fantastic book, Emma - you'll love it. The writing's out of this world. I hadn't realised, JB, that the film was around yet!! Where did you see it?

LoL

A
xxx

Emma - "Brokeback Mountain" is in Wyoming Stories. Haven't seen the film, but agree about the story... It's a great book. (I've also got her following collection, Bad Dirt - haven't read it yet, but I know I'll love it.)

<Added>

Actually it's called Close Range: Wyoming Stories.

And I agree that David Lodge's Art of Fiction is superb. I also have his Practice of Writing and Consciousness and the Novel, but haven't read those yet. (I have lots of reading lined up. Really there's no reason for me to buy another book for a few years, but I will anyway!)

Ani, thanks for that, I must hunt it down, though like you if I actually set too and read all the must-reads on my shelves, I wouldn't need to buy a book for years. 'Concsciousness and the Novel' is interesting, but not nearly as useful as to a writer.

Emma

I'm actually basing my opinion on the trailers and all the stuff I've been reading about the film. I'm just really chuffed that Ang Lee has made a non-steroetypical fim about homosexual love. We're not all camped up disco queens you know!

JB