MR AJ Moore

This life afirming story moved me like no other book before! Excellent.

Loved the story! Plot was particularly well thought out and offered a number of suprises. The mood too was well articulated, fog and unease. But most of the characters were a bit one dimensional. I loved them as they were all quirky and strange but I did not believe in them for a minute! They needed a back story to make them real. This is one of those books that should have been longer with more time invested in fleshing out the cast. Still, a good romp!

When I was a teenager this book was my introduction to Wyndham and the Science Fiction genre. For years now it has remained a favourite and so it was with with interest that I recently revisited the story as an audio book. After all these years the premise still remains bold, even profound. As a South African brought up during the Apartheid years I'm now aware that the subject matter which focuses on physical 'difference' is still especially relevant. The story too is well paced, firstly intriguing, then later on down right exciting.

If there is a criticism, however, the finale is all a little 'safe'. Perhaps the modern audience is jaded from watching too many 'cliffhangers' at the cinema but I also feel the somewhat anticipated ending is a consequence of the author giving up on the action in order to squeeze in one more moralistic exposition. A serious flaw when the message was already obvious.

Recommened? Definitly flaws and all!

I read on the Internet that Murakami suggests you revisit the novel a few times in order to 'get it'. I've finished my first 'reading' and am keen to have another go soon. Its like a dream twisiting and turning at times both profound and startling. My favourite part was when the prostitute expounds in mid intercourse the finer points of Hegel's philosophy in such a way that even I understood! Its a great journey with lots of 'take away' nuggets of insight and quotable moments. Enjoy

Deeply disturbing 'The Road' is no easy journey. It shows both the baseness that humanity is capable of but also our ability to show tenderness and careing. Eloquent storytelling in a suprisingly minimalist style, makes this book very accesible and once complete you marvel at the way this story has been crafted. A masterpiece.

This story ain't going to win any prizes but I have to confess it really made me chuckle and once or twice explode with laughter! I loved 'American Gods' but was put off Gaiman when I abandoned 'Neverwhere' halfway through. I felt is just too superficial and fantastical. My faith in the author was restored with this story where the fantasy is revealed with considered and clever pacing. Praise must also go to Lenny Henry, the narrator, who does an excellent job of making each character unique... and funny

I felt that the story which rests very heavily on what it calls the Metaverse, but what we would today consider to be an instance of 'Second Life', is now rather badly dated. Problems with rendering, spatial interactions etc in this realm now seem ludicrous. I also took exception to the author's heavily descriptive style which robbed the narrative of any tension or pace. It was as if a postmodern rush of strangely juxtapositioned descriptive terms were thought more important than what later emerged as a really good story.

Ever wondered why fans can't resist quoting lines from Monty Python skits? They cackle something absurd and then break into fits of laughter leaving the uninitiated clueless?

I had this recording on a cassette tape when I was a kid. I played it so often it became stretched and unplayable. Today I was reunited with a recording that is a Monty Python classic. The Flying Circus is a great place to plug into the absurd, mind bending British humour and be introduced to their whacky world perspective.

Before you know it you will be cackling absurd lines and laughing out loud before you finish leaving others wondering what's going on. They really do 'shine out like a shaft of gold while all around is dark'.