Susan Hated Literature

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The Separation

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Author: Christopher Priest
ISBN: 9780575081154 DDC: 823.914
See also: LibraryThing ; Grumpy Old Bookman ; Singling out the duplications ; Guardian Review ; Excessive Candour ; Sandstorm Reviews

The rain was falling steadily on Buxton that Thursday afternoon in March, the town veiled by drifting low clouds, grey and discouraging.

Jack and Joe are identical twins. Medal winners in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, their lives diverge down different paths. One joins the RAF and flies bombing runs during World War II, the other is a pacifist and a conscientious objector.

But it is hard to describe the plot of this novel with a brief paragraph; it is about the choices people make, about the different possibilities that are out there, and about how there is no such thing as being totally right or wrong in war. It is an alternate history, starting with the present-day investigations of historian Stuart Gratton, who lives in a world where Churchill and Hitler stepped down from power after a deal negotiated by Rudolph Hess, and saw the emergence of a far different world order.

No tag for this post.

In Bruges

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Writ & Dir: Martin McDonagh

Colin Farrell … Ray
Ralph Fiennes … Harry
Brendan Gleeson … Ken
Clémence Poésy … Chloë

In Bruges

Ray and Ken are two Irish hit-men hiding out after a job. Hiding out in Bruges on orders from their boss, Harry. Ken is all set to relax and enjoy the medieval scenery and architecture. Visit the castles and churches. Harry says it is like fairy tale, coming in on the canal. Ray isn’t so sure of that, but when he comes upon a film shot he is much more interested.

And that is enough of a plot recap. Any more would be to give away details that might spoil the enjoyment of the film. Suffice to say that this is a really good film.

No tag for this post.

There Will Be Blood

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Dir & Writ: Paul Thomas Anderson
Based on book by Upton Sinclair

Daniel Day-Lewis … Daniel Plainview
Ciarán Hinds … Fletcher Hamilton
Dillon Freasier … H.W. Plainview
Paul Dano … Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday
Sydney McCallister … Mary Sunday

There Will Be Blood

It is hard to know how to describe this film. It is more of a character study than a story. Of course there is some plot, an oilman and his desire to suceed, but the story isn’t too important. What is important is the character of Daniel Plainview, as played by Oscar winning Daniel Day-Lewis.

The opening scenes show just how driven Daniel is. We watch him, working on his own, in a mine. No dialogue at all for around 15 minutes, just this man in a hole, digging, dynamiting up the earth, falling down the hole, injured and yet still having the drive to pull himself out of that hole and struggle back into town to get his bit of dirt evaluated.

No tag for this post.

Daughter of Hounds

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Author: Caitlín R. Kiernan
ISBN: 9780451461254 DDC: 813.54
See also: LibraryThing ; Author’s blog ; Synchronicity swirls and other foolishness

The ghoul lady takes out her white linen handkerchief and uses one corner to dab at her watering left eye. It’s an old wound, a relic of her spent and reckless youth, but it still bothers her sometimes, especially when the weather Above is wet.

I bought this on impulse. I vaguely recalled seeing the author’s name mentioned on Neil Gaiman’s blog. And it has an interesting title. Then again I was put off byBeruhmte casino. the cover, and the fact that it seems to be the third in a ‘verse of books. Not a series though, so in the end I decided what the hell and shelled out the cash.

No tag for this post.

Cheerio

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

I’m giving up the blogging for a while. I’ll probably continue on with the reviews, but I’m just “not feeling it” as American Idol’s Randy might say.

No tag for this post.

Sure Flatley hes a yank

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

No tag for this post.

Jumper

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Dir: Doug Liman
Writ: David S. Goyer, Jim Uhls, & Simon Kinberg. Based on book by Steven Gould

Hayden Christensen … David Rice
Samuel L. Jackson … Roland
Diane Lane … Mary Rice
Jamie Bell … Griffin
Rachel Bilson … Millie

David Rice used to be your average chump. His word, not mine. But then he discovered that he could jump; transport himself instantly from one place to another. And suddenly his world is fabtastic. Money is easy, he simply jumps into a bank vault and jumps away with cash. Wants a holiday, or a change of scenery, then all he does is jumps somewhere new.

It actually sounds kinda ok. But to be honest this film sucks. Sucks sucks sucks. End of review. Short and sweet, but perfectly to the point

No tag for this post.

Wash this blood clean from my hand

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Author: Fred Vargas trans. Sian Reynolds
ISBN: 9780099488965 DDC: 843.914
See also: LibraryThing ; Strangley Connected ; Thorasbook ; Dave’s Fiction Blog ; Lizzy’s Literary Life

Leaning his shoulder against the dark basement wall, Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg stood contemplating the enormous central heating boiler which had suddenly stopped working, two days before.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know that I’m a huge fan of Fred Vargas’ work. And this book is no exception. The star, once more, is Commissaire Adamsberg. The plot revolves around a series of murders, the first in 1943, the latest takes place in the present of the book. Adamsberg has a special interest in this case, and the judge he believes to have committed these crimes. In each case the murder victim is killed by three stab wounds. And in each case an assailant has been found, always suffering from amnesia but also having a murder weapon in his possession. In each case the police decide that this individual is responsible and, there you go, case closed. Adamsberg is not so sure.

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Week 263

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

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<p style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 3px;"><b>Originally published at <a href="http://www.susanhatedliterature.net/2008/02/17/week-263/">Susan Hated Literature</a>. You can comment here or <a href="http://www.susanhatedliterature.net/2008/02/17/week-263/#comments">there</a>.</b></p><ol><a href="<a href="http://subliminal.lunanina.com">Luna Nina says</a> <li>Passport :: </li> <li>Small world :: </li> <li>Radio :: </li> <li>Marine :: </li> <li>Wall :: </li> <li>Wanna be :: </li> <li>Pigtails :: </li> <li>Hyphen :: </li> <li>9.99 :: </li> <li>Unrated :: </li> </ol> <p>Also, via <a href="http://rusvw.net/archives/230">rus vw</a><br /> <a href='http://www.bored.com/createpaintings/' target='_blank'><img src='http://www.bored.com/createpaintings/show.php?id=12032447922448&width=250&height=250' border=0 ><br />Click here to create your own painting.</a></p> No tag for this post.  <h4>Related posts</h4> <ul class='st-related-posts'> <li>No related posts.</li> </ul> <lj-cut text="Read the rest of this entry &raquo;"><ol> <li>Passport :: Express </li> <li>Small world :: after all </li> <li>Radio :: city </li> <li>Marine :: life </li> <li>Wall ::to wall </li> <li>Wanna be :: everything </li> <li>Pigtails :: Pippi longstocking </li> <li>Hyphen :: ated </li> <li>9.99 ::certain </li> <li>Unrated :: yet </li> </ol> No tag for this post.  <h4>Related posts</h4> <ul class='st-related-posts'> <li>No related posts.</li> </ul> </lj-cut>

Tags: weekly memes

Old skool man

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Yesterday a quiz, today a meme, it’s almost like going back in time.

Stolen from xaosseed:
1. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. Go to http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. Go to http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Create your album cover and post it.

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Been a while

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Since I’ve done one of these quizzy things, and seeing as I’ve been fairly quiet recently what better way to blog without really blogging than to post a quiz-thing?

From the Beeb’s what am I like quiz:
Your answers suggest you are an Idealist

The four aspects that make up this personality type are:
Spontaneous, Ideas, Hearts and Introvert

Summary of Idealists

* Make sense of the world using inner values
* Focus on personal growth and the growth of others
* Think of themselves as bright, forgiving and curious
* May sometimes appear stubborn^[1]

More about Idealists

Idealists put time and energy into developing personal values^[2] that they use as a guide through life. They may seek fulfilment by helping others improve themselves and often want to make the world a better place. Idealists only^[3] share their inner values with people they respect.

Idealists are the most likely group to say they are vegetarian^[4] according to a UK survey.

Idealists enjoy discussions about a wide range of topics, particularly those that deal with the future. They are typically easy-going^[5] and flexible, but if their values are challenged they may refuse to compromise^[6]

In situations where they can’t use their talents or are unappreciated, Idealists may have trouble expressing themselves and withdraw. Under extreme stress^[7] Idealists may become very critical of others, or lose confidence in their own ability to cope.

Recognition for their work is important to Idealists; however, they are also good at spotting false praise.
Idealist Careers
Idealists are often drawn to jobs where they can help people reach their potential. They are also attracted to careers that allow artistic creativity.

Linknotes:

this one I would defo agree with ↩
not so much with the effort implied here ↩
thats just cause we are mean ↩
Im not ↩
yup ↩
like the value I hole dear to my heart that I am right and you are wrong. I aint compromising there ↩
I guess we will have to wait and see ↩

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Juno

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

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<p style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 3px;"><b>Originally published at <a href="http://www.susanhatedliterature.net/2008/02/14/juno/">Susan Hated Literature</a>. You can comment here or <a href="http://www.susanhatedliterature.net/2008/02/14/juno/#comments">there</a>.</b></p><p><imgalign="right" src='http://www.susanhatedliterature.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/juno.jpg' alt='Juno' />Dir: Jason Reitman<br /> Writ: Diablo Cody</p> <ul> <li>Ellen Page … Juno MacGuff</li> <li>Michael Cera … Paulie Bleeker</li> <li>Jennifer Garner … Vanessa Loring</li> <li>Jason Bateman … Mark Loring</li> <li>Allison Janney … Bren MacGuff</li> <li>J.K. Simmons … Mac MacGuff</li> <li>Olivia Thirlby … Leah</li> </ul> <p>Juno is 16. And pregnant. At first she thinks she’ll have an abortion, but changes her mind, she’ll continue to be pregnant but she isn’t interested in being a Mommy. She’ll give the baby up for adoption. So she takes a look in the PennySaver, which I’m guessing is similar to our Buy & Sell, and finds a couple she thinks will make good parents.</p> <p>Don’t you just hate plot summaries? Rarely do they make a film/book sound good. But don’t let that put you off, go see this film.</p> No tag for this post.  <h4>Related posts</h4> <ul class='st-related-posts'> <li>No related posts.</li> </ul> <lj-cut text="Read the rest of this entry &raquo;"><p>The problem with <cite>Juno</cite> is the hype. I haven’t even been reading any film mags, I don’t read reviews of films I haven’t seen, and yet I knew that it was supposed to be the best film ever. It isn’t a bad film. But hype raises expectations, no matter how hard you try to ignore them.</p> <p>If however you do manage to ignore the hype you’ll find that this is a good film. It does have that horrible tag of being an “offbeat comedy”, but I can get over that. What it is is sweet and funny, but never saccharine and drippy.</p> <p>I think what makes Juno work is that the characters come across as being believable. Most are likeable enough, but have moments when they mess up. Such is life, neh? And of course the dialogue is great. Maybe Juno herself is a little too nonchalant and funny to be real, but this is a film, so I’m not going to moan over that. I really did enjoy this film. It is funny, and yes, even heart-warming.</p> <p>Go watch and enjoy. Also, the <a href="http://altmusic.about.com/od/reviews/gr/junosoundtrack.htm">soundtrack is great</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/">IMDb</a> ; <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/juno?">MetaCritic</a> ; <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=849">Stainless Steel Droppings</a> ;</p> No tag for this post.  <h4>Related posts</h4> <ul class='st-related-posts'> <li>No related posts.</li> </ul> </lj-cut>

Tags: moving pictures

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You’re going to need a bigger boat

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Roy Scheider is dead. Its strangely wierd. Not as surreal as poor Heath Ledger. He was 75. But still.

RIP

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The Lies of Locke Lamora

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Author: Scott Lynch
ISBN: 9780575079755 DDC: 813.6
Book 1 of The Gentleman Bastards Sequence
LibraryThing ; Scott Lynch’s site ; Shards of Delirium ; Ficsation ; The Core Dump ; Speculative Horizons ;

At the height of the long wet summer of the Seventy-Seventh Year of Sendovani, the Thiefmaker of Camorr paid a sudden and unannounced visit to the Eyeless Priest at the Temple of Perelandro, desperately hoping to sell him the Lamora boy.

Locke Lamora doesn’t meet the usual standards of fantasy hero. He is slightly built, doesn’t have much skill with a sword, and then of course there is the fact that he is a thief and a conman. A conman even to the other thieves of Camorr. To them he is a small time gang leader, competent but insignificant. And if they were to learn that he was the real person behind the legendary Thorn of Camorr he’d be in quiet a bit of strife. He, and the other Gentleman Bastards spend their lives hiding who they really are, and the fortune they have amassed through their cons. But trouble is heading their way. Capa Barsavi, leader of the thieves of Camorr, is facing an outside threat. A figure known only as the Grey King is killing off various gang leaders. And pretty soon Locke finds himself trapped in the middle of the conflict.

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Week 262

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Unconscious Mutterings time:

Score ::
Luxurious ::
Party ::
Limited edition ::
Security ::
Betty ::
Under construction ::
Pest ::
director ::
Express ::

No tag for this post.

wtf?

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

I’m speechless. I have no idea what to say after that match. The first half was so horrible. Unless you were French^[1] of course. What is with Ireland and first halves in France? Remember 2 years ago? Although this was worst, because right up to the final whistle the hope was there.

And let me tell you hope is a killer.

French fuckers.

Still, lets look at the positives; the scrum. Yes, I said the scrum, imagine that, an Ireland scrum that was going forward. That dominated the French pack! That led to a penalty try. The forward pack had a great second half. ROG too had a great game, kept us in touch, barely, in the first half. But on the wings^[2] we’re a bit “who’s supposed to be playing there”. I also think that the lineout, at first, wasn’t great, but it did improve as the match went on. BOD was his usual hard-working self, but Trimble was very quiet. I don’t think he is good enough for the likes of France. Interesting to see who O’Sullivan will select for the next match against Scotland.

Sport really is a roller-coaster isn’t it?

Final score, btw, was France 26 - Ireland 21 and I officially hate Vincent Clerc.

Linknotes:

mumbled, ungracious congratulations ↩
will Bowe be called in I wonder ↩

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Of the way we were

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Sheila pointed out that today is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birthday. She was born on 7th Feb 1867. And reading Sheila’s post I remembered how much i loved those books as a child.

Unlike Sheila I have no idea how old I was when I read them; I know that B#1 read them before me. The memory that stands out the most is being away on holidays in Sligo, camping at the beach, waiting for him to finish one in the series so I could start it. He’d read one then hand it over to me and I’d devour it.

And seeing as how I’m pretty sure we were camping we mustn’t have been living in Sligo. lets see, we moved when I was going in to 3rd class, that means I was what, 8 or 9? And this was either the year before or maybe more, so I was either 6 or 7. Something like that. That’s not really important though.

I don’t think I’ve ever reread them, but I can still remember certain scenes from those books as though I’d read them last week. Their dog Jake. The first trip they took on the train and Laura counting the telegraph poles so Mary would know how fast they were going, that must have been one of the later ones, as Mary was blind at then. Speaking of which, Laura’s not wanting to have to be the teacher of the family.

I must have a root around next time I’m home and see it I can find those books.

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Gravity was invented by Isaac Walton. It is chiefly noticeable in the Autumn, when the apples are fa

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Students! Aren’t they annoying. And stupid.

Perhaps I over generalise. Actually no perhaps about it, I do, I know. And I get on really well with some of our students. But in general, as a population, aren’t they stupid? And annoying?

I say this because the stupid questions just keep coming. And the lack of ability to read the sign right in front of your face? Are you blind? It says don’t do that so don’t get all “who me, I didn’t know” when I call you on it.

Ah, but sure they’re grand really.

Title from Stupid students

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The Kite Runner

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

The Kite Runner Dir: Marc Forster
Writ: David Benioff based on book by Khaled Hosseini

Khalid Abdalla … Amir
Atossa Leoni … Soraya
Shaun Toub … Rahim Kahn
Sayed Jafar Masihullah Gharibzada … Omar
Zekeria Ebrahimi … Young Amir
Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada … Young Hassan
Homayoun Ershadi … Baba

I haven’t read the book this film is based on so I can’t comment on how well the story makes the translation from one medium to the other. The film tells the story of a young boy growing up in Afghanistan before the Soviet invasion, and so before the Taliban came to power. He is best friends with a younger boy who is the family’s servant’s son, Hassan. We first meet Amir and Hassan when they are flying kites above Kabul. Hassan is the best kite runner in the city; he chases, or runs, down the kites that have had their strings cut. But Hassan is of a different tribe to Amir and so both have to put up with a lot of bullying. As Amir’s Baba laments, Amir rarely stands up for himself, it is always the younger Hassan who fights back.

Variationen von poker.

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Week 261

Originally published at Susan Hated Literature. You can comment here or there.

Unconscious Mutterings time:

What women want ::
Epidemic ::
Taxes ::
Hello ::
Confidential ::
Lights ::
Summation ::
Hard feelings ::
Electric ::
Fresh start ::

No tag for this post.

Susan Hated Literature

and then some.

March 2008

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