Well here we go, March already, and I can at last begin to read my new book by Elly Griffiths. February saw me ploughing through THREE Game of Thrones books, and I am part-way through the fourth. To say I am hooked would be an understatement. As I mentioned last time, I cane late to GOT and have never watched it on tv, though I do now have the DVDs to the first and second seasons. I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the writing of George R R Martin. He covers a very broad stage, peopled with a huge cast of characters, and he writes darned well. The story is fast paced and engaging, and I actually felt involved and interested in the characters - always a good start!
I have to say something about the language (and in the videos, the nudity). I am no prude. However, I think the stories are so good, and the screenplays are stupendous, it is a pity that the the language and nudity would preclude them being read or viewed by youngsters, who, I believe, would hugely enjoy the panoramic stretch of the writing. These are rattling good yarns about kings and castles, knights and ladies, dragons and galleons .....what youngster wouldn't enjoy reading about these things?
However, that is a side issue. I thoroughly enjoyed them and have another two waiting on my kindle for later on. Meanwhile, I shall be diving into The Outcast Dead, which brings our protagonist Ruth Galloway back to her own stamping ground, where she excavates a body from the grounds of Norwich Castle, who she believes may be that of a Victorian murderess, hung in 1867 for the murder of five children in her care. Meanwhile across the county in Kings Lynn DCI Harry Nelson is investigating the deaths of three children in contemporary time. Hmmm ......sounds a bit grim actually, doesn't it? But Elly Griffiths is more interested in plot and character than in gory details, so it isn't the kind of book that sensationalises the seamy side of life.
So, a short post, but to the point! Lots of good stuff has been happening which I will fill you in on in my next post....... I shall try and not leave it too long before I write it! Enjoy the emergence of spring - we have sunshine and blue skies today - hurrah!
DB has read all the GOT books on his kindle, he loved them. He was bought season 1 for Christmas but has yet to view them. I really must try one of Elly Griffiths books, do you recommend one to read first?
ReplyDeleteHi Dc. Yes, had another reader ask about them last month and she has begun reading the first one already! I really would recommend reading them in order; they do stand alone, of course, but the back story about Ruth's relationship with the other characters is a developing theme and should be enjoyed in sequence.
ReplyDeleteOn order they are: The Crossing Places. The Janus Stone. The House at Sea's End. A Room Full of Bones. Dying Fall. and finally, The Outcast Dead.
Enjoy! She is a very readable writer!
GOT, im a sad human being ive been reading them since the first book, my only problem is that neither GRRM or I are getting any younger and id quite like to finish them before i jump on the fire..lol
ReplyDeleteFrom turning my nose up first time round when my friend offered to loan me her copies, I have become a voracious reader of GOT. I actually have read 3 and a half of them last month and have 2 more on the kindle waiting - then I shall be befert like many others, waiting for hi to write more!!
Deletewell it sounds as though you've been having a good read - i think game of thrones was on the airplane list of stuff to watch when we went to NZ last year but it's not really for me ( i suspect it is dave's kind of thing though - so i shall remember next time) - give me a good old family saga with a bit of love interest thrown in and i cannot put the book down!!!! enjoy the next book and enjoy this lovely sunshine that we all seem to be having at the mo - it is fabbydosey!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne. I 'did' the family saga genre several times over in my life and seem to moved away from them - but then GOT is just that - a huge panorama of family sagas on a grand scale. I can still wolf down a few Maeve Binchy's now and then, but for the moment I am mostly into various kinds of detective novels and ....GOT! Lx
DeleteI'm not sure language or nudity stops youngsters reading or viewing anything these days!
ReplyDeleteSue xxx
Granted, Sue, but you wouldn't sit a 9 year old down in front of the tv to watch GOT with you I suspect! And that is my point, the stories are cracking, just what youngsters enjoy.
DeleteI've heard of a few people about to read The Outcast Dead Lynne and it sounds good. I do like a bit of history tied up with my books especially if its fairly local. I must own up that I've not heard of Elly Griffiths before but then that's what is so great about this Year of Books challenge, being able to find out about so many other authors and their books. I'm really into this reading lark now and enjoying it immensely.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
She is a very good read, Patricia, though I would suggest reading the Ruth Galloway books in order - see my reply to the first comment. I shall be checking out some of the other suggestions for next month - I blush to say I have almost finished The Outcast Dead, and it IS a great read! Lx
DeleteI am late to GOT too - in fact ... still not started, but I WILL!! The snippet on the front of the Outcast Dead sounds too much like my life at the moment : "anticipation, shock and surprise", but in a good way! Enjoy your reading! xCathy
ReplyDeleteYou will be spell-bound by GOT - I can't stop reading them!
DeleteAnd as for your life currently - I think I should be told!! Lxx
I just can't seem to get GOT, despite being a big reader of fantasy fiction in the past. But your Elly Griffiths book sounds interesting. I'm finding Laura's Year in Books is throwing up far more books I'd like to read than I'll ever have time to though :(
ReplyDeleteI've posted about my latest choice now - a diary but as good as fiction.
Hi Annie, yes, I understand about GOT - it took me several goes to become engrossed! But you would enjoy the Elly Griffiths I am sure.
DeleteWill be checking blogs soon, I have another post to write but my photo uploading is a bit problematic at the moment - just a blip I am sure, darned computers!! Lx
Oh Lynne I have seen omly one episode of GOT, but now it's on a pay
ReplyDeletestation, so .... But daughter knows all about it ;-)
But .... some French lady (who has a shop with gorgeous embrroidery thread)
sometimes points out some special textile artist .... check this out and be
amaaaaazed (at least !!!!)
http://www.michelecarragherembroidery.com/
Enjoy !
Hi Els, there are some beautiful photographs on pinterest of the fabulous embroidered costumes in GOT, I have put some onto my pinterest boards.I will check out this link too, thank you! Lx
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