tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post8878273697178866099..comments2024-03-16T02:47:26.441+13:00Comments on This Fluid Thrill: Things Left Unsaid - A post about The Forrests by Emily PerkinsCraig Cliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-80413848414850135952012-06-25T18:58:31.946+12:002012-06-25T18:58:31.946+12:00Thanks Craig, nice job.
One point - some might th...Thanks Craig, nice job.<br /><br />One point - some might think they are converging in style and content, but (the first two reviews you cite in) the Herald and Herald on Sunday are different papers with different points of view.<br /><br />Mark BroatchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-77632248693635406192012-05-29T17:13:24.844+12:002012-05-29T17:13:24.844+12:00What, so you and the gang can hunt me down and kil...What, so you and the gang can hunt me down and kill me?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-39755254203209482152012-05-28T17:07:27.256+12:002012-05-28T17:07:27.256+12:00"With every new post I have come to realise I..."With every new post I have come to realise I was wrong about Cliff."<br /><br />I'm not sure what you mean, but thanks, I think.<br /><br />Two things:<br /><br />It's a bit unfair to compare a 4,000 word blogpost to most of the other coverage of the book, where reviewers are severely constrained by word limits (and the requirement to outline the plot and avoid spoilers). I trust you know about Nicholas Reid's blog (http://reidsreader.blogspot.co.nz/) which is about the only place in the NZ blogosphere that regularly throws a lot of words at books and while being consistently insightful and/or provocative.<br /><br />And secondly: I find it weird you like the fact I flagged the "backslapping" (presumably because I risked some kind of backlash from the IML Official Writers League, possibly a one match suspension), but chose to remain anonymous yourself.<br /><br />CraigCraig Cliffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-35798552825208601422012-05-28T16:37:02.874+12:002012-05-28T16:37:02.874+12:00Also, good on you for flagging the backslapping th...Also, good on you for flagging the backslapping that goes on - you are right to suggest that there's no criticising a star as big as Perkins... to do so would undermine the reputation of the IML Official Writers League...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-36435533008837174562012-05-28T16:34:44.598+12:002012-05-28T16:34:44.598+12:00With every new post I have come to realise I was w...With every new post I have come to realise I was wrong about Cliff. <br /><br />I think you're broadly right about Perkin's here, and in fact think this is the best thing I've read about Forrests, which I put down about 2 mins after picking up in Unity Books. You hone in on something here: the tendency to describe in detail with flowery language scenes of utter banality. <br /><br />Somebody give Dorothy a razor blade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-67060131767410391612012-05-27T11:05:30.070+12:002012-05-27T11:05:30.070+12:00I have to agree about the vagueness. I didn't ...I have to agree about the vagueness. I didn't pick up that the last chapters were set in the future. The clues that help set the time period were not that specific and I assumed the nuclear ships thing and roller doors over the shops were contemporary. On page 289 she is nearly 65 but then the later the Rest Home scenes with her sister reading current news items (duct tape, topless women on bikes etc) disorientated me. And Daniel must be close to 70 with a 14 year old son? Unlikely.<br />It gave a rushed feeling to the end of the book, and my reaction was please don't do that to Dorothy just yet.<br />I like your paper dolls analogy. I enjoyed the book, it a was fresh and challenging read.<br /><br />CathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-37662010357797194262012-05-25T10:21:24.614+12:002012-05-25T10:21:24.614+12:00Looking forward to your review of 'The Marriag...Looking forward to your review of 'The Marriage Plot'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-38568331358544938812012-05-24T11:19:11.769+12:002012-05-24T11:19:11.769+12:00Hi Joanne
Thanks for stopping by. Nice to know I ...Hi Joanne<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by. Nice to know I didn't hallucinate BB's comment about the bleakness. *Refrains discussing conspiracy theories about its disappearance*<br /><br />CraigCraig Cliffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04683220586520558481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706588639740998982.post-86458343202384924092012-05-23T21:58:03.229+12:002012-05-23T21:58:03.229+12:00Great critique! I thoroughly enjoyed Emily’s book ...Great critique! I thoroughly enjoyed Emily’s book despite the criticisms. I liked working things out for myself, filling in the gaps, being surprised, even fearful of starting the next chapter. I especially enjoyed Emily’s writing style. <br /><br />I wonder how she’s feeling with so much attention and the book club responses. I guess, in the end, it all comes down to taste. Some will like or love it, some will hurl it across the room. <br /><br />I didn't find The Forrests a bleak story; and yes, I recall reading BB’s post that you mention. :)Joannehttp://www.acertainbook.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com