The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson. You may have seen the classic sci-fi movie " The incredible shrinking man" based on the book, memorable mainly for his escape from the pet cat and his titanic battle with a spider. I found the book in a charity shop and it has a much darker tone, whilst still a horror-adventure story, It's more a study of loss of masculinity. When he's down to 4ft he struggles to make love to his wife, he also attracts the attention of a paedophile.. . . . . It's an interesting read, worth picking up if you ever come across it.
Few people appear to be reading during lockdown, however, let me showcase my eclectic taste in literature I am currently reading "Destination Chungking" by Han Suyin. It's about a young woman surviving in a war zone. And we think we've got problems
Watchers is definitely one of his best. But I’d highly recommend Dark Rivers Of The Heart, The Jane Hawk books, but by far his best, written under the name Richard Paige, The Door To December is stunning.
I've read Tom Wolfe 'The Right Stuff' again. Superb account of the 'space race', Project Mercury astronauts, and documents the views of their wives, test pilots, NASA, and the astronauts, plus much more. Highly recommended. Today I finished 'Shikasta', by Doris Lessing, the first book in her 'Canopus in Argos: Archives.' Again, read all five novels before, but, they are so enjoyable. And her, 'Briefing for a Descent into Hell'. Outstanding. On Audible, John Douglas and Mark Olshaker, 'Journey into Darkness,' 'Inside the Mind of BTK' and 'The Killer's Shadow', all three books by the guys who pretty much set up the criminal profiling unit at the FBI Behavioural Science Unit in Quantico. All are read by different narrator's. I'll be listening to the end of 'The Killer's Shadow' as I fall asleep later. Once more, highly recommended. Including any read by Robert Ressler. When finished with the above, I have Barack Obama and 'A Promised Land', in my Audible library.
I've seen the movie/documentary but I've not read the book, i'll certainly pick it up when I get a chance.The bravery of those men, they are aptly named 'The Right Stuff'.
What did you delete? I'm almost intrigued. Not a single forum contributor is judgemental, I can vouch for that. so do tell
I've watched the movie too and enjoyed it. But, the book takes it to a whole different level. Tom Wolfe was an 'investigative' journalist of a different breed. The book, jaw dropping stuff. Way beyond what the film shows. You have to read it. Please let me know when you do. It will be good to have your thoughts/take on it.. Have you read his 'The Bonfire of the Vanities' or 'Radical Chic & Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers'? If not, I encourage you to read them and I endorse both.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. Set in the 1980s, Glasgow, the titular character grows up in poverty with his mother battling alcohol addiction, and an absent father. This book echoes Angela's Ashes and some Irvine Welsh. Profoundly devastating prose and with a semi-autobiographical feel (I'll need to see if it actually is...) the 2020 Booker Prize winner is a hard, yet worthy read. Filled with dark humour against the backdrop of Thatcherite Britain and decimated industries, Shuggie Bain is (so far) a well-written and relatable novel... 8 outta 10.
I get all my books from charity shops or from the book stalls at the local flea market. With it all being locked down I am running out of reading material. It's only if I really want a book I'll look online for it. I did look on ebay for that 'The Right Stuff' and got all excited when I saw the price was only £2.10 and that included delivery! but on closer inspection its was a Mills & Boon book obviously you cant trade mark a book title. The cheapest Tom Wolfe 'Right Stuff, in good condition, was £5.20. I could get 10 books in the charity shop for that, and not only that the cash would be going to a good cause. But thanks for the book recommendation, I'll let you know If I do come across it, because I will certainly pick it up.
This is an example of an out of print book I bought on the internet. There was no alternative, because i could spend years searching charity shops and never find it. It's an example of my favourite genre, 50/60s classic science fiction.
The problem with some old books is that they're prone to 'foxing' brown stains on the pages. It's just cosmetic problem. I recently bought a first edition of 'Love is a many-splendored thing' printed in 1952? It is heavily foxed but it didn't detract from the pleasure of reading it, and I only paid coppers for it. I take your point about 'information gatherers' Any photo taken with a smart camera is not just a picture, but a file and holds a wealth of information - when the photo was took, even the latitude and longitude of where the photo was took. If you took the picture at home, it's got your address! People should to be aware that putting a photo online can be risky. I put pics up knowing this, and that this is a trusted site, but that if anyone ever did come to my home after 'doxing' me - they'd get a punch up the bracket!
On Amazon at the moment, a Kindle edition of The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe, is at £1.99. If you don't have access to a Kindle you can get a Kindle app for free, again on Amazon. The app may be free - 1: because of Amazon Prime, 2: because of a 'free 3 months app offer' or for other or no reason. I haven't checked. No matter, with the 'free' app the book is £1.99. (reduced at the moment from £10.99). Not sure how long this offer will last. Hope this helps. The most expensive alternative on Amazon at the moment (could be an error) is £198 for a hardback edition, with free delivery. I suspect it is meant to be £19.80.
I've just started reading "And the rain my drink" by Han Suyin. I only recently discovered this author. If this book is up to the standard of her previous two novels, I'm in for a pleasant few days reading. p.s This not an attempted takeover of the new posts on the home page, let's be clear about that
