Recent content by Gabrielle Ray

Hasn't Charles Pellegrino written a great deal about the Titanic? Clearly, he has an interest in disasters. I hope this book isn't being broadcast out into the cosmo . . . Of course, Pellegrino is correct while Sagan was wrong: a civilisation that advanced means intelligence and...

The Great Gatsby I've finished 'The Great Gatsby', by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was good, and short. I must abmit that I didn't see why it's considered such a classic, though. As I've said (or rather, typed), it's good, but not that good.:confused:

Shiver my timbers??? That sounds like fun.:D

I thought 'Smiley's People' was excellent, better than 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy', in fact. Interesting point I wish to make (beware of spoiler): the title of the latter. In the story, 'Sailor' isn't used because to rhymes too well with 'Tailor' - in the book's title, 'Sailor' is...

Drug store books . . . now there's a genre category.

Umberto Eco was interviewed on 'Front Row' (BBC Radio 4) this week. He had interesting things to say about Dan Brown. His latest book features the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

True, but I find working out the puzzle a satisfying thing. And I love a maze. I try to read them not so much as psychological pieces, but rather as intellectual works.

If the cap fits . . . ;)

I can't read him, he's too depressing.

'Foucault's Pendulum' annoyed me - I felt the need to scream at the book 'Get on with it!!' And speak (or rather, type) as a fan of 'The Name of the Rose' (you have to love a book which uses the phrase 'Vessel of dung' as an insult:D). Having said that, it is a very full book. And I agree...

Plus, there is the problem of the tattooed girl of the title. She isn't amazing. Smila Jaspersen is better. But that's just my opinion.

'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' was entertaining, but I haven't read the others. Books about newspapers don't interest me: they're often written by journalists who always find their own occupation incredibly fascinating and feel the need for self-glorifying masturbation on the subject. As...

I thought 'Labyrinths' was excellent.

I have also read his 'The Scar' - it was slightly better, but I am still waiting to be wowwed.

Perdido Street Station - picking it up, I thought it might be a good read (the map near the start suggested a fictional world worth exploring - a good sign). I was disappointed. It is not a brilliant book, not even a good book. Don't get me wrong: it wasn't crap, but it just wasn't a...