November 22nd, 2008 | by andrewdotcoza | old season
Nov
22
We all know that South African “Family Christian Bookstore”, CUM Books, should certainly win some sort of award for decorating shopping malls with giggleworthy words.* Sometimes, however, they take things too far. Beyond, as it were, the bounds of good taste.
*: I propose the Gigglesworth Award for Naughtily Named Spiritual Emporia.
May 6th, 2006 | by andrewdotcoza | old season
May
06
| Author: | John Connolly |
| Publisher: | Hodder & Stoughton |
| ISBN: | 0340834595 |
| Edition: | 2004 |
| Number of Pages: | 404 |
Completed 2006-05-05
A relaxing book, not of great genius, but of certain entertainment.
Its a collection of short horror stories of various lengths. Mr Connolly writes with a forced but amusing wit, while the horror aspect of many of his stories relies on the presence of a Dark And Brooding Evil ™, that makes things predictable rather than spine chilling, as good horror should be.
Nevertheless, he seems equally at home in settings that range from old-world England to contemporary America. His America tends to be very Thomas Magnum but I enjoyed it. The first and last stories in the book, The Cancer Cowboy and The Reflecting Eye were the best. The Cancer Cowboy is the most chilling of the yarns and might lead you to some intimate self-examination before its end. The Reflecting Eye, while enjoyable, is notable for its stunning pulp-fiction like dialogue which, if intended seriously by the author, should contribute less to his reputation than it would if satirical.
My copy of the book has a very nice paper-back binding, coloured to resemble a leather-bound tome of about 100 years ago.
I give this one 3 kitty licks out of a possible 5.