Hello hansel714. My ratings are just to jog my unreliable memory and it hadn't really occurred to me that anyone might be looking at them, so I'm sorry to have disappointed you with Ivy Compton-Burnett. Don't get me wrong - I didn't think Mother and Son was a bad book and certainly better than most modern novels. OIn my defence, I think my star system may be a little harsh: my 2.5 * means something along the lines of "enjoyed it - might recommend it, but wouldn't re-read"; I don't usually bother to finish books that seemed awful, so they just don't appear catalogued. To make amends, I should say I was glad to have read Mother and Son and to have got to know this quirky author a little, but reading another of her books might not be my highest priority (unless you have a strong recommendation...?). To be honest I found her style made it a bit difficult to follow what was going on and I felt that she didn't captivate me in the way that a real master would. But she writes much better than I could, so who am I to say? Perhaps it's an acquired taste?

posted by chrisharpe at 4:20 pm (EST) on Nov 27, 2007

Thanks for the compliment! I enjoyed browsing through your collection as well.

posted by dustinfr at 4:04 pm (EST) on Nov 21, 2007

Hi- we certainly do have similar taste in books. Impeccable taste, I suppose.
I noticed that you have Alan Hollinghurst's "The Swimming Pool Library"- I read "The Line of Beauty" recently and I loved it. Is his earlier novel similar in Jamesian tone and style?

Cheers,
Rachel

posted by rachelmarlene at 11:44 am (EST) on Oct 26, 2007

hey thanks for the compliment! i enjoyed looking at your impressive list as well, and have added some of your books to my ever-growing "to read" list!

posted by lasomnambule at 9:28 am (EST) on Oct 24, 2007

Hi

Thanks for your comments. I've had a look at your library and am pleased to see that you have rated your books, I always find that very helpful.

posted by Bembo at 4:10 am (EST) on Oct 23, 2007

i really enjoyed browsing through your list. you've given me some great new poets. thanks so much for sharing!

posted by NativeRoses at 11:51 am (EST) on Jan 4, 2007