Indispensable for the novelist

Terms are bandied around for different forms of novel writing, and you dismiss them as 'jargon', or perhaps 'gobbledegook', and move on. It's only when you've actually written a novel that doesn't fit the standard genre - historical, fantasy, adventure, thriller, etc - that you wish you'd paid more attention. If you've completed writing such a book without having recourse to the Art of Fiction, you'll need it at this point, otherwise you might be excused for thinking you've ploughed a completely new literary furrow. So, before you start preparing your witty acceptance speech on winning the Booker, do read David Lodge and you'll learn that someone famous has been there before you and that, in some cases, they have been lauded and slated by the critics in equal proportions.<br /><br />You'll learn about Magic Realism, Stream of Consciousness, The Reader in the Text, Teenage Skaz etc etc. There's much in the Art of Fiction for the more orthodox writer, too. His essays are beautifully written, very clear and he uses well-known illustrative texts. I can thoroughly recommend this one for the discerning writer and reader.

Kiras' copycat introduces themselves

Having introduced a second Kira in the last volume, this volume concentrates on her and how she effects the investigation. Misa herself is somewhat annoying but quite likable and her Shinigami Rem shows us not all Death Gods are as unfeeling as Ryuk. Although still highly enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining, I did not enjoy this volume of Death Note as much as I have the previous volumes; although it is still better than anything else I have read and is well worth five stars. I cannot put my finger on what is wrong but throughout much of the beginning and middle of the book, it seemed somewhat lacking but thankfully it does pick up toward the end and the cliff-hanger ending will almost definitely want to make you seek out the next book.

To be , or not to be...

"Hamlet" is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays , telling the tragic tale of the fall from grace of a young Danish prince who succumbs to madness after receiving a visitation from the Ghost of his late father. The Ghost reveals to Hamlet that he was in fact murdered by his brother,Hamlet's uncle, the new King of Denmark. Hamlet rapidly becomes deranged and murderous and the whole sorry tale concludes with a string of untimely deaths."Hamlet" is packed full of well known characters and quotes and is rightly regarded as a classic of English Literature. This edition of"Hamlet" is quite basic with regards to notes and explanations of some of the medieval language used by the Bard however and this made parts of the play difficult to follow at times.

L emerges and hits hard...

The story continues where it left off, Ryuk searching Light’s room for hidden camera’s and bugs put there in the first place by L. Majority of this volume is Light vs L head to head! Firstly, in a first tennis match following some hard talk in a cafe! Suprising killing spree at the end, but who was it?

As always, the story of Death Note keeps everything tight to the last moment. The art is asusual, very attractive and simply wonderful. Both the art the the story makes you to want more! Well, you can get more, as soon as March!

Sublime reading

It is only short but (for me) was quite a difficult book to read. The descriptions Huxley gives are enthralling, insightful and original. The subject matter of art and drugs are not to everyone's tastes but the way it is written allows you to experience these in your own personal way.

Funny and Honest as usual

Keyes at her very best - honest observations of life which kept me laughing - shame it wasn't six inches thick!

"D" Book of Life

Gibran's poetic account of the Prophet is the ultimate guide to a fulfilling life. It has the rare power of pulling anyone out of a deadlock, a situation so enthralling that no solution seems to be worthwile. It has the literary sweetness of the Middle East, lucid yet enlightening.<br /><br />The Prophet - a wise man we find in every religion - discerns knowledge on the most essential particles of life, Children and Marriage, Passion and Love, Life and Death. It succeeds to succumb a human soul to inner peace, aming to effortlessly make a reader feel better, be better and exert betterness. <br /><br />Perhaps, besides absolutely recommending everyone to get a copy of this masterpiece, I'd only add one thing. Do get a hard cover copy of this book as you'll most certainly come back to it over and over again.

Not totally inspired, but, something other than Shakespeare

For my English Lit A level I am currently studying this text. When reading this (if you decide to) the first thing to remember is that the poetic style were purely experimental and thus meant to be taken lightly. That is important to bare in mind because you might be reading it and thinking what is this. <br /><br /> The collection is written predominately by Wordsworth (only 4 Coleridge poems are in it) and definitely display's boldness and flare in execution and deliverance. You may find it interesting to read because Wordsworth draws upon the characteristics of many Seventeenth century vagrants, it is amazing to think that even than there were marginal members of society. However, his poetry does not only involve itself with solitary characters but also themes such as the supernatural, the sacred nature of children, loss, isolation and of course the sublime. <br /><br /> One of the collections greatest poems is Tintern Abbey which deals exclusively with the sublime, it is a great account of Wordsworth's relationship with nature as a young boy and man. It may challenge you to look at your own attitude towards nature. <br /><br /> Lyrical ballads is an oxymoron, which obviously suggests that the poetry will inhabit some kind of paradoxical elements. These aspects allow the reader to think and engage with the subjects and themes connected. Do not expect to read some fluently written masterpiece, he is not Shakespeare if anything he draws away from that. <br /><br /> I wont say it is the best poetry I ever read but it is influential and most importantly authentic and this really is depicted throughout the poetry.

As one Kira leaves another appears on the scene

The fifth volume of the brilliant Death Note manga opens with Light in jail under suspicion of being Kira. In order to get out of this predicament he gives up the Death Note and all memories associated with it and when the murders continue while Light is in prison L decides that Light can be released but must remain under his constant surveillance. As the murders continue it becomes apparent that Kira seems to have changed tact as rather than make the world a better place they seem to be targeted at the world of big business.<br /><br />Death Note continues to fascinate and entertain and the addition of a more self motivated Kira is a nice if not terribly original addition to the story. Also another good thing about this volume is that rather than reveal the identity of the new Kira right away as they did with Misa the story keeps you guessing as to their identity throughout. If there is a problem with this volume of the story it is that, despite the addition of the new Kira, it has the feel that it is mainly setting things up for the future rather than telling the story itself. In spite of this small matter I can definitely see why so many people are raving about this excellent manga.

BRILLIANT

A brilliant book by the greatest tabloid journalist of the past twenty years.<br />This is so hot that they should give ice cubes with every copy. Piers was brilliant on the Bizarre pop column, the best Editor since kelvin McKenzie and is fantastic as a TV pundit / celebrity.<br />This is the second best book I have read in a decade, only topped by Bushell Off The Box by Garry Johnson.<br />The warts and all look at Garry Bushell who worked for Piers at The Sun - and Bushell who HATES everyone and everything even praises Piers on the pages of that book.<br />So doesnt that prove that PIERS really is a op bloke. Hated by Cherie Blair and loved by Garry Bushell.<br />And that is why Piers is a massive hit with the general public - a genuis with the common touch.<br />

A fantastic collection

This book makes a refreshing change from the 'usual' poetry anthology, with its focus on a small number of poets. The brief interview with each author at the start of their section puts the poems in a context, and gives a great insight into their background and inspirations, which I found fascinating. My 8 year old daughter absolutely loves this book for its selection of hilarious poems, and wonderful, bright illustrations, and adults will also take plenty from both the poetry and author interviews.

Good & beautifully written but in some ways Maya's not a role model

Loved reading this book - very poetic & completely devoid of self-pity despite Maya's obviously deprived background & her having been the victim of extensive racial prejudice. <br /><br />My only issue with it is how Maya who seems to be an extremely intelligent woman, doesn't ask herself whether it is a good thing that she had a baby resulting from an apparent one-night stand @ 16 - it seems that casual sex was almost expected & her Mum almost wanted her to be sleeping with strangers. She does seem to have come from the type of background placing her at risk of teenage pregnancy but maybe should have put a 'health warning' on young readers warning them not to indulge in risky sexual behaviours as getting pregnant at 16 is (despite what Maya seems to think) hardly something to be proud of.

Entertainingly Educational!

This book provides readers with a very accessible introduction to the works of Tennessee Williams. Not only does it include the very well know plays"A Streetcar Named Desire" and"The Glass Menagerie" but also"Sweet Bird of Youth" and"A play of four parts".
The fact that there are four plays means that the reader can gain not only a knowledge of the individual plays, but also a feel for Williams' style of writing. This makes it an indispensible tool for anybody studying Tennessee Williams' work as part of their studies or indeed recreationally.

A good feature of the book is the way it introduces each play to the reader. By including detailed forewards and background information (including details of the authors personal life at the time of writing) the first reading of the play becomes much more rewarding.

The plays themselves are entertaining and insightful. In Each play Williams' tells a story of seemingly ordinary folk, and then introduces the reader/audience to whats going on in their minds. By the clever use of different stage techniques and sharp observations Tennessee Williams presents us with a collection of wonderfully enjoyable and atmostpheric plays. Very highly recommended.

MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 - They're Back and Hungrier than ever...

Having Read all the Marvel Zombies Books ("Marvel Zombies Vs. Army of Darkness","Marvel Zombies: Dead Days","Marvel Zombies" &"Marvel Zombies 2") This is certainly the best and has a great storyline for a Zombie Tale.<br /><br />The Story works out like Land of the Dead and tells the taleof what the Zombies were doing 40 Years after the end of Marvel Zombies ("The Black Panther" Issues 28-30 had the Fantastic 4, Currently under the command of the Black Panther, Setting foot in a parrallel Universe in which the Undead Heroes Roam).<br /><br />The Story Never stops for breath and features favourites like Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man and Spider-Man, And"The End?" is unexpected and leads to a fantastically announced"Marvel Zombies 3" out later this year.<br /><br />Brilliantly Written, Expertly Drawn and the so wonderfuly Morbid Cover Art(Good Job Arthur Suydam), Marvel Zombies 2 is a worthwhile read for any Marvel Fan or Zombie Movie Fan.<br /><br />Bring on Marvel Zombies 3.

Waiting for Godot

Samuel Beckets Waiting for Godot is very strange, it is based on two charaters Estragon and Valdimir, the whole way throught the book two charaters talk about killing themsevels, passing the time and waiting for their savior, Godot.<br /><br />

Essential reading for children's writers

The Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2008 has plenty of sensible articles written by those 'in the know'. It's enough to bolster you along and keep you in the swing, though some of the submission details are no longer relevant as these things are apt to changes. On the whole, it's essential reading for anyone interested in writing for the children's market.

Shakespeare's Greatest

After learning that I would study this text at A-Level, I was initially concerned but soon changed my mind. The play in itself has everything that you could ask for; an exciting plot and believable characters, and is easy to understand with this particular edition of the book. I would recommend this to anyone, young or old, as it is one of the most enjoyable books that I have ever read.