tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690077250072100801.post299198089794814787..comments2024-03-29T20:41:34.103+13:00Comments on Reid's Reader – A Blog of Book Reviews and Comment.: Something NewNicholas Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05497366104216216952noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690077250072100801.post-21317378194420794592011-09-28T15:51:51.722+13:002011-09-28T15:51:51.722+13:00Once again, thanks Breton, and I really meant what...Once again, thanks Breton, and I really meant what I said about appreciating an author's comments. Part of the purpose of leaving the blog open for comment is so that you can slap me on the wrist if I deserve it. My basic idea was I like your writing but I hate these characters. Of course that could be a tribute to how clearly you've presented them. Mind if I pass on a slightly depressing thought? My comments on the blog are (as I know from long experience in reviewing) about twice as long and twice as detailed as the average newspaper review would be. So I hope I'm not guilty of superficiality even if I am of slight inaccuracy. BTW, I think I typed "Other People's Houses" because the title of Lore Segal's famous memoir of that name was in my head.<br />Cheers<br />NicholasNicholasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690077250072100801.post-52077478987762751182011-09-28T14:56:48.286+13:002011-09-28T14:56:48.286+13:00Hi there,
I think there is probably a pretty big ...Hi there,<br /><br />I think there is probably a pretty big difference between those two men!<br /><br />But my point was that the stories are not about drug addicts, or cheap motels, or grotty student flats. I've tried hard to avoid those sort of cliches.<br /><br />Anyway, I appreciate the review. Hopefully a few more people will take a look. <br /><br />Cheers.Bretonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690077250072100801.post-80410393621349985882011-09-28T13:58:46.920+13:002011-09-28T13:58:46.920+13:00Thanks for these comments, Breton. Always good to ...Thanks for these comments, Breton. Always good to get an author's response. I apologise for misquoting the title of one of the many stories I cited. However, apart from this, your other objections are all quibbles that in no way invalidate the comments made e.g the difference between spearfishing and diving-fishing is technical and so are the other comments you make.(How different is a guy stressing about the stash of drug he's carrying from a guy who wants to score some drugs? Same sort of guy).<br />Cheers<br />NicholasNicholasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3690077250072100801.post-37929000059362468782011-09-28T13:19:19.953+13:002011-09-28T13:19:19.953+13:00There are 9 inaccuracies in this review:
1. The t...There are 9 inaccuracies in this review:<br /><br />1. The title of the story is not 'Other People's Houses'. It is People's homes.<br /><br />2. In the story Three bikes, there is no suggestion the protagonist is on his honeymoon - only the suggestion that following their wedding he and his wife have shifted to Oamaru.<br /><br />3.In Shark's Tooth rock the characters are spearfishing, not diving-fishing.<br /><br />4. In Thinking about stopping the protagonist never at any stage worries about getting his next drug fix - he has a bag of drugs stashed in the pot cupboard under the sink. His main concern is chasing the pig and in wondering whether he should stick it out with his girlfriend.<br /><br />5.None of the stories feature a character who picks up a girl whilst on holiday.<br /><br />6. None of the stories feature a 'cheap motel'. One story, Argentina, is set at a camping ground.<br /><br />7. Neither is there mention of a 'grotty student flat'.<br /><br />8. As mentioned, there is nothing about any character 'trying to score drugs.'<br /><br />9. In the story Pontoon, the main character does not work in a call centre, he is attending a two day training course to see if he would be capable of working in a call centre.Bretonnoreply@blogger.com