lunababymoonchild

The Woodcutters, Thomas Bernhard

This is the third novel in the Jem Flockhart series (the other two being Dark Asylum and Beloved Poison). The Blood is a ship sitting in the harbour and Jem and associate Will Quartermain are summoned by an old friend of Jem's to investigate the strange goings on on board the blood. Flockhart is an apothecary and the Blood is now a hospital ship. The story takes place both on the Blood and on the dockside with evocative descriptions of Victorian London and dealing with the prejudices of the time. In this book we are treated to descriptions of opium dens as well as brothels and there are, of course, the murders. I very much enjoyed this book, it's easy to read and I did not guess the twist at the end.

I do love my Victorian Gothic novels and this was a good one. It's a ghost story and the silent companions of the title are wooden stands, with pictures of people painted on them, much like those one would use to put in front of an open fire-place when not in use. The story is well paced, the characters are well formed and the prose is good. I found myself getting more and more interested as the book progressed. It toggles in time between the 16th century and the 19th century with some chapters taking place in a Victorian asylum and is also the history of a family. I thought of Stephen King when I read this, at least once, but this is a lot less horrific and is more of a gentle ghost story that downright absolute horror. I'd recommend this.

Restless, William Boyd. No idea if this is my fault or his but after 31 pages I just could not be bothered.

The Silent Companions, Laura Purcell

Restless, William Boyd

Self-celebrating and self-mocking autobiographical writings from Ecce Homo - translated as 'behold the man' - the last work iconoclastic German philosopher Nietzsche wrote before his descent into madness (from the Amazon description because I could not put it better myself). This is a Penguin Little Black Classics and is around 57 pages long. I thought I'd start with a short one to get a feel for Nietzsche before I read anything else. Of course it depends on the translator so I have now bought a book translated by the definitive translator Walter Kaufmann. I enjoyed this for what it was, a collection of writings, and as such it was somewhat disjointed but does give a flavour of the philosopher. It didn't put me off. I'd recommend this to someone who is willing to work for understanding, even although it's very short.

Does anybody know anything about Hotmail now known as Outlook? I want to delete some email addresses that are in the photos section and I can't do it, can anyone help? ETA They are not in the Contacts section

It may be a hangover from the war, Momac. My father is the same age as you and moves around in the pitch black with no effort at all. Me, I'm hysterical if the house is not lit up like a belisha beacon (I know that you'll remember what that is!) I am so very glad that all the Thai children and their coach got out alive, too. Been holding my breath ever since they were found. Well done everybody that was involved.

That's awful iff, do you have to take time off work?

Why I Am So Clever, Friedrich Nietzsche

The Portable Nietzsche by Friedrich Nietzsche

I think that sometimes poems are considered songs because the words come across as lyrics, there is no music as such - somebody with more knowledge will be able to help me out on that, I hope. As for heat we are still hot but the temperature has gone down to the early to mid 20's so a lot more manageable for us here in Scotland. Still waiting for rain for my garden but it will come eventually. I'm glad that you managed in the dark Momac. I'd have been hysterical, still afraid of the dark after all these years.

Once again, I'm thoroughly enjoying the Poetry thread. On the strength of that I have purchase two e-books of John Donne's work and am looking at samples of other poets too. So thanks for posting everyone.

Thanks for this MrHG. My father and I have been looking at this for a while and just could not make up our minds, you have managed to clarify that.