Re: The Book Thread

by **The Co=Ordinator** Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:42 am

Aspadistra wrote:Final?

Yup final, in terms of writing certainly. The full list, in case anyone's not interested, of scripts is as follows.

2004 Robin Hood (co-author, will not be part of book)
2005 Snow White
2006 Cinderella
2007 Treasure Island
2008 Puss In Boots
2009 Aladdin
2010 Rapunzel (that's the plan anyway!)

Given that I've directed 3 between 2005 and 2009 (Aladdin will be the last in that role), as well as treading the boards, sometimes small roles sometimes major, the time is coming to step back. Aladdin is the 10th year in a row that I have done a Holy Cross Players panto. The amount of time it takes up just appearing (Sept to Jan), let alone writing (Feb - whenever Laughing

) is enormous. Of course I'm not complaining, if I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it - simple as that!!!

by Kate Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:56 am

I'm so proud of you Tony!!

I should admit at this point that I've had two glasses of wine and subsequently am anyones.... I'm so very sad... drunken

by **The Co=Ordinator** Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:48 pm

Kate Seadevil wrote:I'm so proud of you Tony!!

I should admit at this point that I've had two glasses of wine and subsequently am anyones.... I'm so very sad...

Like the new avatar photo Kate. Where was that taken?

by Kate Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:54 pm

Spanish Steps in Roma... after I got us lost several times! (we were only going from the Trevi Fountain to the Steps) scratch

by **The Co=Ordinator** Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:56 pm

Well it looks great and you've been there before me. There are 2 cities in Europe that I want Mrs C=O & I to go - Roma & Geneva.............

Just going back to the pantos, thinking about it now, the initial synopsis for Aladdin was finished before Cinderella was performed. So that was some time in 2005. Surprised

Talk about gestation periods! Very Happy

by barnaby morbius Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:14 pm

Patrick wrote:Fellow Wrinklies, I come bearing some bad news. One of my personal favorite writers, Michael Crichton, has passed away today at 66.

patrick! you're here!

do you know i don't think i ever read a book by crichton- i saw some decent films based on his books- (jurassic park, westworld, coma) and some pretty crap ones(congo, sphere and runaway with tom selleck and gene simmons)

and ER- god i used to love that show.

rip mr crichton

by **Dave Webb** Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:37 pm

I am unable to have a favourite book. I have several dozen books I like to return to on a regular basis, though.

Off the top of my head (which is flat and makes an ideal book stand):

Snowcrash - cyberpunk, Babylonian shennanigens, language as a virus.

Monsterous Regiment by Terry Pratchett - every war movie ever, plus gender identity questions, and sexism, and bad religion.

The Secret History of the Sword - J Christoph Amberger. Before you even consider thinking that the Japanese had mad sword skills, read this book.

World War Z - Max Brooks. Related to Mel. This is not a funny book, it's more about how much trouble we would be in if society fell apart. Pretty much a must read, whether you like Zombies or not.

Grimm's Fairy Tales - the Brothers Grimm.

Perdido Street Station - China Mieville. Steam driven science-fantasy political satirical alternate world-y thing.

Legend - David Gemmel. A lot of people say things like "Lord of the Rings!" but I contend that you've not actually read how good fantasy can be until you've read this.

Red Storm Rising - Tom Clancy. The Third World War, as it might have played out in the 80s.

Chieftans - Robert Webb. A former general writes 20th century tank warfare, during the Third World War as it might have happened in the 80s. It's interesting to compare this with Red Storm Rising and see the differences.

Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein. Because you must.

The Forever War - Joe Haldeman. Because after Starship Troopers, you'll want the other side of the story.

Blott on the Landscape - Tom Sharpe. If you've tried to be a writer, you might also enjoy The Great Pursuit.

Anything to do with swords, or history, by William Ewart Oakeshott, who is brilliant.

by **Patrick** Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:21 pm

barnaby salton wrote:
Patrick wrote:Fellow Wrinklies, I come bearing some bad news. One of my personal favorite writers, Michael Crichton, has passed away today at 66.

patrick! you're here!

do you know i don't think i ever read a book by crichton- i saw some decent films based on his books- (jurassic park, westworld, coma) and some pretty crap ones(congo, sphere and runaway with tom selleck and gene simmons)

and ER- god i used to love that show.

rip mr crichton

I'm afraid it will take more than a 'super-secret double probation' forum to rid the Wrinklies of your truly.
Wink

by camino real Thu Nov 06, 2008 2:34 am

My favourite books?

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Book of the new Son by Gene Wolfe
Bones of the Moon by Jonathan Carroll
[/i]Floating Dragon[i] by Peter Straub

I also love reading books about film and historical biographies. I am reading the dairies of Prokofiev at the moment, they are very interesting. He has an eye for the ladies and is VERY sure about his composing abilities!

by **Johnstone McGuckian** Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:53 am

I did To Kill a Mockingbird as part of my GCSE exam. I thought it was a very good book, the only one I've done an essay on that I've actually enjoyed.

by Sid Seadevil Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:02 am

Johnstone wrote:I did To Kill a Mockingbird as part of my GCSE exam. I thought it was a very good book, the only one I've done an essay on that I've actually enjoyed.

The film's excellent as well.

by **Johnstone McGuckian** Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:19 am

Sid Seadevil wrote:
Johnstone wrote:I did To Kill a Mockingbird as part of my GCSE exam. I thought it was a very good book, the only one I've done an essay on that I've actually enjoyed.
The film's excellent as well.

I've got it on DVD, fantastic. Although it sadly misses out a good chunk of the book.

by The Browncoat Cat Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:01 am

Johnstone wrote:I did To Kill a Mockingbird as part of my GCSE exam. I thought it was a very good book, the only one I've done an essay on that I've actually enjoyed.

You can't enjoy the book you study for GCSE, it is against the law. affraid

by Sid Seadevil Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:11 am

Johnstone wrote:I've got it on DVD, fantastic. Although it sadly misses out a good chunk of the book.

True - but what it retains is pure magic. One of my favourite films and quite probably Gregory Peck's finest performance.

by camino real Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:08 am

I did 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for my 'O' levels in 1979! Times don't change...

by Sid Seadevil Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:12 am

camino real wrote:I did 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for my 'O' levels in 1979! Times don't change...

They're still doing "The Catcher in the Rye", too. Times really don't change.

by **Johnstone McGuckian** Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:27 pm

A thread for discussing all things literary...

by Sid Seadevil Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:36 pm

Johnstone wrote:A thread for discussing all things literary...

Well I'd like to suggest a rather neat little horror thriller named Shad -....

*tragically struck by lightning just before he can finish what he was saying*

by **Dave Webb** Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:18 pm

Sid Seadevil wrote:They're still doing "The Catcher in the Rye", too. Times really don't change.

Books, once written, also don't change. Even if they should. Yes, I'm bloody looking at you, Thomas Hardy.

I shall take matters into my own hands. The Wessex novels will never be the same again. Is the world ready for The DCI of Casterbridge ?

And the sequels Far from The Murdering Crowd and Jude the On Remand?

by Sid Seadevil Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:04 pm

Dave Webb wrote:Books, once written, also don't change. Even if they should. Yes, I'm bloody looking at you, Thomas Hardy.

I shall take matters into my own hands. The Wessex novels will never be the same again. Is the world ready for The DCI of Casterbridge ?

And the sequels Far from The Murdering Crowd and Jude the On Remand?

Go for it. I'd certainly read them.

by andrea Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:01 am

camino real wrote:I did 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for my 'O' levels in 1979! Times don't change...

Indeed they do not. I did 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for my O levels in 1972. It's a good choice for a set book.

by Graymalkin Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:12 am

Johnstone wrote:The book Bond is so much better to the film one.

The films are non-canon remakes*. And will remain so until they cast Paul McGann as Bond.

As for books, my favourite book is The Plague by Albert Camus, and my favourite short story is Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville.

My holiday reading was The Drought by JG Ballard, The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian by Lawrence Block, and something called Shadowchaser...

*Although From Russia With Love**, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Casino Royale have a bash at representing the true ethos of James Bond...

**Even if it is missing the all-important comma...

by Sid Seadevil Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:26 am

[quote="Graymalkin"]

Johnstone wrote:and something called Shadowchaser...

Oh, I have that too. It's currently propping up the leg on my wobbly kitchen table. And a wonderful job it's doing too.

by **Dave Webb** Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:33 pm

Sid Seadevil wrote:Go for it. I'd certainly read them.

Yes, but you'd do anything than actual work. I'll make a start, though. That's three novels and The Bride of Cthulhu to be written. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my drafty garret.

by **Nick Barlow** Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:20 am

I'm currently reading David Peace's The Damned Utd, which is good, and definitely one to read if you liked Brian Clough.

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