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franksbooks

franksting@bookwyrm.social

Joined 11 months ago

I read...a fair bit and want to move away from Goodreads

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Iain M. Banks: The Crow Road (Paperback, 1996, Abacus) 4 stars

From its bravura opening onwards, THE CROW ROAD is justly regarded as an outstanding contemporary …

Review of 'The Crow Road' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

There’s a moment where Uncle Rory decides to Just Use It. I sense that Banks had a similar moment about half way through where the pace and structure of the novel changes quite a bit. Thankfully, just like Prentice, it does settle down and allow us to better enjoy the prose, the characters and – dare I say – the whiskey.

Scarlett Rickard, Sophie Rickard, Robert Tressell: Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (2020, Metro Media Limited) 3 stars

Review of 'Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Finding out who Barrington really is leaves the rich saviour sour taste in my mouth as always.
Aside from that the study of human frailty and fear, especially when you’re living daily on the edge is a good one.
But of course now I need to read the actual book and hope it’s not quite such a sugar coated ending.

William Gibson: Burning Chrome (1993) 4 stars

"Burning Chrome" is a science fiction short story by Canadian-American writer William Gibson, first published …

Review of 'Burning Chrome' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

As a guide to where Bill was coming from and where he went to, this is a fantastic resource. New Rose Hotel is among the greatest short stories I've ever read. And most of the rest aren't too bad either.

Birmingham, John: Without warning (2009, Ballantine Books) 3 stars

In Kuwait, American forces are stacked up, locked and loaded for the invasion of Iraq. …

Review of 'Without warning' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

If you can accept the bigotry and racism in the text as “character driven” and required, the often predictable characters and the author’s addiction to military hardware and associated slaughter, this is a bit of a fun read. Though you’ve got to wonder why only 2 of the 6 story arcs ended up overlapping.

Iain M. Banks: Raw Spirit (Paperback, 2004, ARROW (RAND)) 4 stars

Review of 'Raw Spirit' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Some lovely insights about Scotland, driving, whiskey and more in this part memoir, part travel diary part riposte against right-wing governments ruining the world. But because of all that it was a bit of a random read. A series of essays on a website yes, but could’ve done with a bit more editing to make it a cohesive book.

Grant Morrison: The Invisibles (1996, DC Comics) 5 stars

Review of 'The Invisibles' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Big fan of Morrison’s work, but aside from the opening stanza I struggled with this. Not because of the seemingly drug addled narrative but because of things like the lack of character building and the barely believable idea that de Sade, Byron and Shelley are Invisibles

Anyway a sometimes fun read, and Yeowell’s art is always a joy. But other than that It’s Ok.