Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I picked up this book on sale YEARS ago because it looked intriguing, and I just loved it. I've dug it out b/c I want to re-read it and then watch the movie and see what they do... O.O I'm a little burned out; maybe that would be something to do with weekend, wot eh?

This and The Broken Sword are the 2 best stand-alone books I've ever read.

I was mesmerized and deeply enthralled with the writing, the story, the characters, the setting, and the absolutely brilliant & original plot, sub-plots and seriously, genius ideas. And an ending that cannot be forgotten. Ever.

I liked the movie too though, of course, it never reaches the heights of the book, though, very entertaining.

And yes, that would be good weekend book-movie moments of bliss.

Michael wrote: "This and The Broken Sword are the 2 best stand-alone books I've ever read.

I was mesmerized and deeply enthralled with the writing, the story, the characters, the setting, and the absolutely bril..."

I noticed at Kaethe's review of this book, she mentioned M.J. Rose's The Book of Lost Fragrances and then I thought of Tom Robbin's Jitterbug Perfume. Trifecta of books about perfume. My brain does weird things when I'm half asleep... and speaking of, I REALLY need to get to sleep...

Katy wrote: "I noticed at Kaethe's review of this book, she mentioned M.J. Rose's The Book of Lost Fragrances and then I thought of Tom Robbin's Jitterbug Perfume. Trifecta of books about perfume. My brain does weird things when I'm half asleep... and speaking of, I REALLY need to get to sleep... "

me2

LOVE this book! All time favourite. My sister-in-law (ex editor at Allen and Unwin) met the author. She said he was the most humble, mild-mannered man.

I liked the movie too, but I agree, Michael, although it was entertaining, it did not, and could not, reach the heights of the book.

I want to read more of his stuff though I've researched it quite a bit and he didn't attempt anything as grandiose. Which is a good thing probably. Still, with his amazing poetical language skills (and you gotta give it up to the translator who translated it from German to English) I think anything he writes would have at least wisps of magic floating in & out of it.

How cool of your sister-in-law to meet him! I've met many authors and not one of them could ever be figured out beforehand. Expectedly, of course.

Yes, so poetic! And I envy her, she has kept me enthralled with stories of meetings with amazing authors, and fabulous book fairs.

Anyway, talk tomorrow, I know you both need to go to sleep now. Best to you. :):)

Lucky girl!

Yah. I'm all used up for the night.

talk soon.

Georgina wrote: "LOVE this book! All time favourite. My sister-in-law (ex editor at Allen and Unwin) met the author. She said he was the most humble, mild-mannered man.

I liked the movie too, but I agree, Michae..."

Hey, Georgina! Michael was just asking me over on The Taint: Sorrow's Child whether you think you'll put out a print copy 'cause he loves the cover and wants one... ??

Yes, I will. I've cut some of the slower passages (after feedback) and tweaked it a bit. Now I just have to get it back to Tricia for formatting. Should be out in the first half of next year! I've made the ebook free on amazon too, and will try to keep it that way. :):)

There y'go, Michael - just be patient and it can be YOURS ... MUAHAHAHAHA!!

Katy wrote: "There y'go, Michael - just be patient and it can be YOURS ... MUAHAHAHAHA!!"

thx y'all. gonna try to get that ebook rt now.

sweet! i just got it on amazon! still want to get one in wood when it's available :)

Michael wrote: "sweet! i just got it on amazon! still want to get one in wood when it's available :)"

:-)

Thank you, Michael. :) Hope you enjoy, but I won't be offended in any way if you'd don't! (I don't comment on reviews as I think it's a bit creepy for readers to have the writer popping in.) Best to you, both! I'm off to harvest vegetables for the markets this morning. :):)

Georgina wrote: "I don't comment on reviews as I think it's a bit creepy for readers to have the writer popping in."

LMFAO!

Yah. I've had that happen and my initial reaction's always a kind of "urrrk" sound that made me feel like I'd shrunk into a little froggie.

Yes, it's a bit of a turn off! (So too emails, saying 'I see you've added my book to your to-read list. You can buy it here and here'....I've received a few of those too. Sure fire way to make sure it goes to the end of my list :0 )

P.S Cute frog! :D

thx Georgina! I love frogs!

Hmmm... I must be in a significant minority, as I love when authors comment on my reviews, and if they notify me that a book I've added to my list is available on sale (especially if it's free!).

And yeah, that's an adorable frog!

Katy wrote: "Hmmm... I must be in a significant minority, as I love when authors comment on my reviews, and if they notify me that a book I've added to my list is available on sale (especially if it's free!)."

I love when authors comment on my OTHER reviews and can go either way RE: when an author comments on my review of his/her own book but, it still alarms me is more what I wuz trying to say.

But most importantly, by FAR, is that it IS an adorable froggie.

*sigh* Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ didn't send me notification of this comment... Sorry!

In the last couple of days I received many msgs but no updates on my profile msgs. I don't call it Goofreads for nuthin!

I'd prefer no comments from the authors on my reviews of their work. Especially if I'm currently reading it. Yes, it alarms me, and I feel as if I'm suddenly in the spotlight! What if I don't like it! Am I suppose to fake it! Please no.

I'm happy to discuss or comment elsewhere, if it's appropriate. But if I just gave the book a rating they didn't agree with, I'd say--well--sorry, it's my opinion, and it's a reading site, I didn't know I had to please the author too! That said, I'm never going to go out of my way to put a book down, or offend (except maybe a few that really irked! No GR authors involved).

I think we writers have to lighten up a bit, and not take it all so seriously. They are our books, not us, criticism and plain dislike of a story, is perfectly fine and valid.

Also frogs are exquisite creatures!

(Had to edit and remove a comma, always aware that you are an editor, Katy. :))

Georgina wrote: "I'd prefer no comments from the authors on my reviews of their work. Especially if I'm currently reading it. Yes, it alarms me, and I feel as if I'm suddenly in the spotlight! What if I don't like ..."

I guess it's a matter of personal feeling on the matter - I don't have a problem with an author commenting on my review; I'll tell them the truth about what I think anyway. But it is true that it seems to have the reverse effect on other people. *shrug* I developed my opinionated nature from a young age and am not easily put off by those providing an opposing opinion, but part of that is just the way I was brought up and part of it is probably a personality trait with which I was born. :-) And don't worry - I'm not going to point out errors in comments - heck, I make 'em all the time. Unless they're really funny, then I might point them out just for a laugh... :-)

Michael wrote: "In the last couple of days I received many msgs but no updates on my profile msgs. I don't call it Goofreads for nuthin!"

People don't receive notifications to replies you put on your own profile. If you want them to know you're responding to them, you have to go over and put the response on their profile page (I only recently figured this out).

I've made some whoopers in terms of mistakes in comments. Please feel free to point out. :) Sheesh, I could do with a laugh! Have to say, as a writer, I step extremely carefully on GR. I've considered leaving several times, as I sometimes feel I shouldn't be here in the first place, but all writers are readers too, and I love being able to talk to other people who live and breathe stories, and flights of the imagination. So, well, I'm still here, wanted or not. (How tragically worded, Gina--must rush off to get my violin)

Off to watch an episode of True Blood now, need the diversion. Best to you! :)

For instance, apparently a whooper is a large migratory swan...I think I meant whopper... :D:D

See, that makes me sad - Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ would not exist without writers. Not only are the writers needed to actually write the stories, but it's the ad revenue from authors buying ads that allow this site to even exist. Yet there are so many members on this site who treat authors like second-class citizens, like they, the readers and reviewers, are somehow more worthy of using this site than the writers. That's just wrong. Replace "authors" in their arguments with "people of color" and you've just put us back into the 1950s. How is that right? It is NOT.

I have not read this book, but the comments caught my attention. I think there are several ways to see the issue of authors weighing in on reviews of their books. My position (as an author who has tried different approaches) is to not comment on the reviews or indicate you are monitoring them. Though I don't agree that it is 'creepy' it can make for an awkward situation, and the last thing I want to do is make someone uncomfortable who has used their valuable time to read something I created. I think if you find a review that's especially complimentary, it is appropriate to add a brief thank you or send a private message doing the same. If that generates an extended discussion about your work, great. I know how hungry authors can be for feedback (especially when it's praise). The key is to let it come to you in as natural a way as possible. And furthermore, most people will be overly kind if they know they are speaking to you as the author of a work and you oftentimes won't get truly honest feedback unless you step back and watch from afar.

Perhaps we should continue this discussion somewhere else, or else side track Michael's review? However relating it to Perfume, my concern is that some readers seem to judge the moral stance of a writer by their characters. If we all wrote about lovely, upstanding, self-aware, enlightened souls, literature would be pretty boring.

I read some shocking comments on a thread on GR (can't find it now unfortunately), where readers were being called disgusting and morally corrupt for loving this book. To me, that's pretty sad and disappointing behaviour from book folk, whom I usually hold up as being of above average intelligence.

Yes, sometimes as a writer I feel like a leaper on GR, and as an indie writer doubly so. However, I think so many readers have been spammed near to death, and had angry writers bemoaning their less than stellar reviews, that relations are now strained. I have seen some real and unpleasant instances of authors behaving badly--hey, I've been at the receiving end. Seriously unpleasant!! (Note the two exclamation marks). I have left groups within, and without GR, to avoid future contact.

I'm thinking this is part of the teething pains for the new online era of books. Writers need to realise that just because we can be present and watching, doesn't mean we should comment, or react. Personally I don't think reacting is classy at all. I've had my '1 star, hated it', reviews. I have 'liked' them, then gone offline, drunk too much, wept (but not wailed, I really do mean it when I say each to their own--all opinions are valid), then when I'm feeling stronger, I return, hopefully a little tougher too.

Mind you, I had an extremely tough literary agent, and have been through years, and years, of knock backs, and almost but not quite, from the publishing industry--I think that helps you to cope. You learn to distance yourself from your work to a certain degree.

It's hard. As I said, I do know what you mean, Katy, being a writer now-a-days is fraught. I step extremely carefully. I don't regret being on GR, most of the time it's great fun. I have met some genuine friends here, but for those writers who would find it too painful, maybe it's not the place for them. I for one don't want to see GR turning into an authors only, selling site, where we sit around and pitch our work to one another. We are readers first and foremost, interaction is wonderful, and you know, I think reading all reviews and comments, and listening to the criticisms of those books, can help a writer grow. Personally I'd never heard of a Mary Sue, or Garry Stu, before coming on GR, and a hundred more things to watch out for when writing.

Wow, Gina, what a rant. Sorry Michael, and on your review too! Still it is related to Perfume in some ways....

And good points, Shawn. :)

Georgina wrote: "For instance, apparently a whooper is a large migratory swan...I think I meant whopper... :D:D"

Georgina, you are too funny! Definitely glad we is friends now!:)

:D:D Me too!

Shawn wrote: "I think if you find a review that's especially complimentary, it is appropriate to add a brief thank you or send a private message doing the same. If that generates an extended discussion about your work, great. I know how hungry authors can be for feedback (especially when it's praise). The key is to let it come to you in as natural a way as possible. And furthermore, most people will be overly kind if they know they are speaking to you as the author of a work and you oftentimes won't get truly honest feedback unless you step back and watch from afar. "

Shawn, I really like what you said.

Georgina, I'm actually glad these comments are on my review. Good points have been made. And if anything, will bring more attention to it, not less.

Katy, I can't agree more that we want all authors and readers to stay connected to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and as I've mentioned before, and to you, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ creates a unique situation by having interaction between them. I think a certain amount of maturity level is required to go about it without stepping on any toes or starting any fires but, the payoff is rewarding in the long run for all parties involved.

As long as people don't yell in their reviews like their opinion is really THAT important, I'm good.

*And, before anybody calls me out on it, an exclamation point is not the same thing as yelling ;)

I'm really interested in this book! It sounds fantastic!

Sue wrote: "I'm really interested in this book! It sounds fantastic!"

It is, Sue. Seriously! Other than the LOTR trilogy, not only the best thing I've ever read but, maybe the best book ever written in a literate sense, as bold as that may sound. It's conception, prose, ideas, and it's perfect original execution are unmatched by any other fiction I've read, even by the masters we were taught in school. But, so you don't go in with too high of expectations if you do read it, it's probably just me being dramatically enthusiastic. And further, it's not a book for everyone. It's themes are too dark, and anyone looking for romance, fireworks, sun rises, sunsets, starry skies, and butterflies are not going to find it here. But it is, like all the books you find in the vaults of the best literature, a book that was meant to be written, IMO. And I'm a guy that just wants something fun to read from beginning to end, and not usually concerned with how masterful or original an author's writing, dialogue, or epicness of scope is when measured against the classics. However, some books, I feel, just have to be read in our lifetimes whether they're your cup of tea or not. Though this was right up my alley from the get-go as you can see! :)

Wow! Must check this out sooner than later. Sounds like one to own as opposed to borrow. I love it when books just take you away. That's reading at it's best.

Sue wrote: "Wow! Must check this out sooner than later. Sounds like one to own as opposed to borrow. I love it when books just take you away. That's reading at it's best."

Yes, you will definitely want this as a keeper!

Sue wrote: "Sounds like one to own as opposed to borrow. I love it when books just take you away."

Katy wrote: "Yes, you will definitely want this as a keeper! "

Sue, Katy's right, this one really is a keeper I would think you'd want to own. And it will carry you away with the unknown scents on the wind ;)

doh!

Serial killer lovers?

Kelly - Maybedog wrote: "Serial killer lovers?"

Yeah, Michael, what's up with that shelf, dude? Unless you mean "people who love reading about serial killers" in which case, sign me up!

Kelly - Maybedog wrote: "Serial killer lovers?"

Katy wrote: "Yeah, Michael, what's up with that shelf, dude? Unless you mean "people who love reading about serial killers" in which case, sign me up!"


Hmph. I like my for those who like shelf.

So there!

Yeah.

For those who love reading about serial killers, of course.

HANNIBAL!! My favorite cannibalistic serial killer! Dude has class...

Katy wrote: "HANNIBAL!! My favorite cannibalistic serial killer! Dude has class..."

HANNIBAL WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU FOR DINNER FOR A THANKSGIVING MEAL



AND IF YOU'RE LUCKY? HE MIGHT SERVE, NOT JUST ONE GLASS OF CHIANTI BUT, TWO

Nah, Hannibal would do for me like he did for Clarice - find my enemy and serve me his brain, lightly braised with a nice sauce and lovely wine...

Katy wrote: "Nah, Hannibal would do for me like he did for Clarice - find my enemy and serve me his brain, lightly braised with a nice sauce and lovely wine..."

Maybe. But, wouldja' wanna take that chance?

Michael wrote: "Katy wrote: "Nah, Hannibal would do for me like he did for Clarice - find my enemy and serve me his brain, lightly braised with a nice sauce and lovely wine..."

Maybe. But, wouldja' wanna take tha..."

Ummmm ... *thinks about it* Yeah. I think I would. He was a charming and erudite man and usually only killed and ate people that really needed killin'... who couldn't relate to that?

Katy wrote: "Michael wrote: "Ummmm ... *thinks about it* Yeah. I think I would. He was a charming and erudite man and usually only killed and ate people that really needed killin'... who couldn't relate to that?
"

Fair enough. Just lemme' know how it went afterwards, k?

I will also want to know if there were any mystery meat ingredients in the main entrée.

Dude! He'll be cooking the brain of my enemy for me! Why would there be any mystery meat?

Katy wrote: "Dude! He'll be cooking the brain of my enemy for me! Why would there be any mystery meat?"

LMAO!

Ohhkay. Point made.