vivdunstan

Update today from the Good Omens graphic novel Kickstarter, as they finally address the huge elephant in the room, and the Neil Gaiman sexual assault allegations. They're reopening refund offers temporarily, and he won't be benefiting financially from the Kickstarter. It's still fraught, but that has calmed a lot of people's nerves. I plan (and did before today) to continue receiving my pledge. Because the original book was mostly written by Terry Pratchett. I feel very sorry for Rhianna Pratchett and Rob Wilkins having to deal with this, as well as the graphic novel artist Colleen Doran who is dealing with cancer throughout this. But yes, I'm still getting my book, and will be keeping it. Along with the Tadfield village mug I ordered as an add-on. Because of Pterry.

And covering it in quite some depth.

I haven't posted about this publicly before. Mainly because I don't know what to say, and I'm still trying to process it. And I haven't felt that I can contribute to the discussion. Google it if you need to know more. Be warned the details are potentially highly triggering and distressing.

However at best I think there is a serious question mark over any perception of consent. Assuming consent in the circumstances described - hugely skewed in terms of age, power, and employer/employee relations, is highly questionable, and I think untenable. At worst it's potentially criminal sexual assault.

For now I am looking at his books and comics from a very wary distance. Including my recently personally signed and dedicated book.

I will be very surprised if one of his TV series continues, and am doubtful for the other two.

Just currently really disappointed.

I've read at least five books by each of these ten authors:

Douglas Adams
Agatha Christie
Charles Dickens
Terry Pratchett
Neil Gaiman
Enid Blyton
Ellis Peters
JRR Tolkien
Ian Rankin
CS Lewis

(picking up on a meme I've seen especially on Bluesky)

What a fab chat at the British Library last night about Terry Pratchett between Rob Wilkins, Neil Gaiman and Kat Brown. So happy we got to watch that tonight on recording (paid ticket holder). And yes, Terry was absolutely a presence there on the stage throughout.

Just finished my 50th book of the year - completing my 2023 Goodreads reading challenge, though I will be carrying on reading more yet. And it's a reread, a much adored book that I reread every October in the run-up to Halloween.

It was the last book published by Roger Zelazny, and tells of a group of Gothic horror characters, some familiar, some new, gathered together in the countryside near Victorian London, to undertake a mysterious ritual at Halloween involving Elder Gods and much more. It's a Gothic delight, and also like reading a gigantic chess puzzle in literary form. Each of the human participants in the Game has an animal companion, and the book is narrated by Jack the Ripper's dog Snuff.

Strictly speaking I should read it a chapter a day throughout October. I rarely manage it, though I tried pacing again this year, and still ended up gobbling it up far quicker. It's just so much fun. I also realised this time just how many favourite parts I have, as I was so happy to encounter them again.

This year we have also set my husband's boss onto reading it. He's a big Roger Zelazny fan, and has been interested in this book since Martin told him about it. This year a brand new 30th anniversary paperback edition was released, with new introduction by Neil Gaiman, my favourite living author. I had to upgrade my paperback copy to that (I also have a first edition hardback copy, much cherished), and so we passed on my copy to Martin's boss. Who was delighted to get it in hand just in time for October and a first read ...

So yes, a magnificent book, that I would recommend to anyone who likes a spooky tale, Gothic horror, or just plain good storytelling. Rereading it each year is a joy for me. Even if I can rarely pace myself to read it slowly!

Inspired by posts elsewhere by some fellow book readers I thought it might be nice to look back on what I read this month. I probably won't manage this every month.

Here are the 10 books I finished in May:

• Lord of Chaos (The Wheel of Time, #6) by Robert Jordan
• Stardust by Neil Gaiman
• Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao
• Doctor Who The Return of Robin Hood by Paul Magrs
• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordain
• Donald Duck, Duck in the Iron Mask by Disney (short comic)
• I am Oliver the Otter by Pam Ayres (picture book)
• The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas
• Raw Spirit: In Search of the Perfect Dram by Iain Banks
• Bowie on Bowie: Interviews and Encounters edited by Sean Egan (interviews collection)

It was honestly a relief to finish the first book, another long Wheel of Time one. But it's the best in the series for me so far, and really shakes things up. So looking ahead hopefully.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman was this month's book club choice for me, a lovely fairy tale book, albeit somewhat different from the movie. I have reread this several times over the years.

Messy Roots graphic novel was a recommendation from the paid TBR service I treated myself to a subscription of. It's really interesting, showing how a family adapted moving from China to the US. And then there's the spectre of Covid as well - they had come from Wuhan many years earlier. Recommended, though I think it was maybe a bit more light in places than it might be.

Paul Magrs' latest Doctor Who book is lovely, a melancholy tale of an older Robin Hood and outlaws, with a clever timey wimey plot. A little too many different character points of view in places for me, but overall it was a strong read.

Percy Jackson book 1 was a quick fun read. I'm not sure I'll read any more in the series, but this was breezy stuff. It reminded me in many ways of Neil Gaiman's American Gods, but aimed at a younger audience.

The Donald Duck comic book was a quick read in the Comixology app on my iPad. Very funny retelling of the Man in the Iron Mask.

We love watching Pam Ayres on the telly so when we chanced on a signed copy of her latest rhyming poem picture book in our local bookshop we snapped it up, even if we are way over the target age range! It's really sweet though, and educational. And gorgeous otter pictures!

The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas was a surprise. Given its very short length by his standards I didn't expect the depth and twists in store. A gripping historical novel set in late 17th century Holland at the time of Tulipmania. An absolute gem.

I'm Scottish but haven't tried too many whiskies over the years. I have my favourites, especially Balvenie Caribbean Cask. Iain Banks's book Raw Spirit is a sprawling travelogue around Scotland, going to lots of whisky distilleries with stories of history, the places and tasting notes about the drinks. I now have a very long list of whiskies I want to try! It was a bit too rambling in places, very political as well which even though I share his politics got somewhat exasperating. Probably also a bit long. But still a good read.

Alongside the Dumas book my other standout highlight of the month was the book of David Bowie interview transcripts edited by Sean Egan. I read this on my Kindle and it's very long, but a fascinating insight into his life and career. The interviews span the 1960s to the early 2000s, and seeing how things evolved for him was intriguing. I did not expect to be so gripped by this. And I now want to explore more of his back catalogue of music.

Craving a short and fun read after the epic 1000+ page plus Wheel of Time book, and given I'm flaring neurologically, I've picked Stardust by Neil Gaiman for my next read. This is a reread for me. It's not my absolute favourite of his, but I really enjoy it. Made into a great film of course, but it was an illustrated storybook first. This also is the month's read for a book club run by a YouTuber I back on Patreon.

As well as that I’m nearly finished the graphic novel Messy Roots, am most way through Iain Banks’ whisky trip around Scotland, and am slowly reading the rather long Bowie on Bowie interview book.

Current reading October 2022 edition. For fiction Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book and Agatha Christie’s Hallowe’en Party. Non fiction Rob Wilkins’ bio of Terry Pratchett, David Long’s Lost Britain, Loren Wiseman’s Traveller RPG columns, and Brian Kernighan’s Hello World columns.

Last night I finished Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees. This book was published in 1926 and I’d been meaning to read it ever since I heard Neil Gaiman praise it effusively in person. I finally got round to it after a book YouTuber I follow, Christy Anne Jones in Australia, read and enjoyed it, and reminded me of it in the process. I was delighted to be able to get a new edition of it for my Kindle.

It’s set in a fantasy world that feels almost Victorian or earlier. Christy likened the feel of the book to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which I think is very apt. In this world a country and its people live next to the land of fairies. Which they regard with suspicion and fear. And the book recounts how the two end up interacting, viewed primarily through the eyes of the local mayor in the country’s largest town.

It is very readable but I found I needed a little while initially to adapt to the old style storytelling. However once I did and it “clicked” I found it utterly charming and was thoroughly enchanted by it. The story itself is delightful, feeling very like a folk tale or ballad from the past. The cast of characters encountered are lively and entertaining, often provoking amusement. And there is a strong feel of magic running throughout.

It’s easy to see how influential this novel was on Neil Gaiman. Most obviously in his novel Stardust, which also sees a country abutting the fairy world. But also in some of his other works, such as Neverwhere.

I am already missing the world of this novel! I am sure that I will reread it again.

A thoroughly recommended 5/5 rating.