Infectious

[altariel]

I finished the post-9/11 spy thriller Due Preparations for the Plague by Janette Turner Hospital last night, and it depressed me and gave me slight nightmares. I was really very impressed with it - particularly the pace of it and its ambitions - although I was left uncertain about the fate of two characters (intentionally ambivalent, I think), and also I thought the end was a bit artificial. But very effective despite this; I have had to read some Alexander McCall Smith No 1. Ladies' Detective Agency books to get me back out of the rather bleak mental place it put me into.

Comments

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I read it partly because of your recommendation of her a while back; partly because a friend said it was just my kind of book (spies, terrorism, nihilism, etc). I have Oyster and The Last Magician (*love* that title!) on request from the library as a result. Have you read Due Preparations yet? I would be interested in reading your thoughts on it.

[cruisedirector]

I am somewhat ashamed to admit that it has been sitting here on my table for a year, since the last winter holidays, because the ONLY fiction I have read in 2004 has been Patrick O'Brian. Am finishing Blue at the Mizzen now, will read 21, and then will be lost at sea with no more sailors.

Last Magician starts with a line from Dante and never lets up. It's one of my all-time greats. And if you need a break from Hospital: Marina Warner's The Leto Bundle is utter genius.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

the ONLY fiction I have read in 2004 has been Patrick O'Brian

Heh, just like me and Tolkien in 2003! Enjoy the last O'Brians. When you pick up Due Preparations you won't be able to put it down. It took me three sittings, and that was only because I had to stop and sleep.

And if you need a break from Hospital: Marina Warner's The Leto Bundle is utter genius.

I haven't read any of her fiction, although I loved Alone of All Her Sex. Thank you for the rec!