The Wasp Factory

I’m going to try and blog more about the books I am reading at the time, my thoughts and stuff as I am going through them. This will be especially true when I embark upon Ulysees, which will need plenty of notes taking just so I know what the hell is going on, I reckon. In fact, I’ll create a a sub-category under reading of Book Blogging, so all these notes can be pulled together.

The Wasp Factory is weird. Now, I like weird, and I am not squeamish in the least. But this book is so strange. The atmosphere, which I have seen described as ‘gothic’, which I guess it must be, is just so unsettling. The world that Frank, a sixteen year old, lives in is so different to anyone elses, yet similar enough to be very disconcerting. I’m about to start Chapter 4. This is peculiar but gripping.

Panic Over

I found A Prayer for Owen Meany this morning, thank God. Wedged between two bookcases. Good job I didn’t buy another copy yesterday! Instead, I did get three books:

  • Middlesex – Jeffrey Eugenides
  • Any Human Heart – William Boyd
  • The Cider House Rules – John Irving

Which should keep me going for a while…

Snuffing out the Forest fire

Interesting, well written and very depressing article about Forest on Soccernet.

Tottenham Hotspur versus Nottingham Forest is a fixture of historic significance. In 1991, it was the FA Cup final, a match remembered for Paul Gascoigne’s self-destructive tackling.

But for an official of questionable probity, it could have also been the 1984 UEFA Cup final. For almost 15 years, it was a meeting of two footballing sides in the upper half of English football’s top tier.

This Sunday, Forest travel to Tottenham in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Two of the most talented players seen at the City Ground for several seasons should be there, but the cup-tied duo of Andy Reid and Michael Dawson are in the employment of Tottenham now, the product of an £8 million double deal.

They have swapped a League Championship relegation battle for the quest for mid-table respectability in the Premiership.

After a reminder of past glories at White Hart Lane, Forest’s focus must switch to their league position. They are perched precariously between Gillingham and Rotherham, 23rd in the Championship and six points from safety with 15 games remaining.