Who's reading what,when & the experience

camelgirl

Love Narayan. Picked up these little gems very cheap in India from pavement book sellers, mostly.

Must disagree about reading McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency books out of order. While they are all totally separate stories, he builds some of the characters lives from book to book and you can get much more character development if you start at #1 and continue forward. But, I admit I always try to read author's books from the beginning (for that same reason, when characters keep returning).

Another series which might appeal to people interested in the American West and particularly Navajo Indians are a wonderful detective series by Tony Hillerman. His main detectives are two Navajo Tribal Policemen (Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn). I'm addicted to this series.

dzibead

I've just bought the DVD's of the first 13 episodes of the TV series based on these stories that was made in the 1980's. Wonderful!

I agree with you. Best to read them in order - and, like you, I also always try to read "series" in order!

Yes, yes, YES! (and read them in order ). Other favorites in the detective series line are the books set in Venice by Donna Leon, whose main character is a Venetian police inspector, Guido Brunetti. These are fun for Venice-lovers, even if they aren't detective fiction fans. I have some of the Byomkesh Bakshi stories (Bengali detective fiction) sitting in my "to be read" pile, also!

Nick-H

I sometimes try to read an author's books in the order in which they were written even if they are unrelated. Often doesn't work out that way, of course, as the first encountered may not be the first written, and the rest depends on bookshop stock.

Definately the No 1 Ladies' Detective series is better in sequence. Read one of his other books about some professors and wasn't that impressed, so I haven't tried more. yet.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

kidsan

while we are on a detective note, i am currently reading a book called dissolution by c j sansom. It is set in england in the 16th century during the time of the dissolution of the monasteries but is about a lawyer/investigator called shardlake.
He has written 3 of them so far and they came highly recommended...i am certainly enjoying it so far.

And like nick, i prefer to read things in the order they were written!

batistuta

I am yet to watch the movie , Aishah. I will watch it on the telly soon. That book by Ishiguro has recieved rave reviews. Agatha christie is one of my favourite writers. I intend to purchase her entire collection one of these days, Mainly Parker Pyne and Poirot .I am yet to read Miss Marple.

Nick, same here, Lost interest with Mcall smilth after the first book. It becomes a tad repetitive.

kristinm

They are both great aren't they? - Maitland I especially like. The Navajo detective sounds great too - the best crime fiction also has a real sense of place don't you think? Connelly's Los Angeles for example - why is LA such a great city to set crime books and movies in?

Aishah

I wish I could have read the LDA in order! As Nick pointed out, it is what is available here at the time. However... I have saved all copies and one day later will re-read in correct order. I think I still got the character development as generally my memory is good for my age!!! Also, as batistuta points out, the repetition of background in the first chapter sets the scene for an individual book on its own. I understand what you mean about repetitive, batistuta, once you get into the third chapter of each book it picks up tremendously!
Camelgirl - have added Tony Hillerman to my 'must look out for' list. One of the best places for book exchange is McLeod Ganj - about three places there with a wealth of titles. Unfortunately I am not going there this year - Mussoorie has a new books shop and only a small exchange place in Landour Bazaar. Donna Leon is terrific! I love her Venice setting and Venetian insight into the detective and his family - all the corruption going on here like India as well!!!

shilpaks

an online bookstore : http://www.nbcindia.com

iwanttogoback

kazuo ishiguro is brilliant. if you want an exquisitely good read that will tear your heart out try 'the remains of the day'. and, for once, the movie (starring emma thompson and anthony hopkins) is just as good as the book.

batistuta

Iwtgb, I did try to Buy 'Remains of the day' was not available, Bought 'Never Let me go'.I did get a good deal for Remains.. in second hand book shops in Khao san road. Did not Buy it. Will try again soon.

Aishah, As the topic had veered towards Rk Narayan, Have you watched any serials on the telly called Malgudi days. It is very nice. The re-run was being telecasted on sony. Originally from Doordarshan . They have captured the Mythic town quite nicely.

Aishah

Batistuta - I would dearly love to see Malgudi Days! It was on in Oz just after i came to live here so missed out on it. But I see dzibead bought a DVD of it - was this in India and is it in English? if i could buy one here I would be delighted. You say on Sony - does this mean a DVD? We have cable TV and get Doodarshan but don't know that it is on there. Shilpaks - is this online bookstore reliable? Have you used it? It looks good, but I wonder do your goods arrive after you spend your money??!
Iwanttogoback - yes, I read the book and saw the movie and couldn't agree more with you. Both wonderful. What an exquisite writer isn't he?

dzibead

On DVD, in English. I read that they originally filmed the series in both English and Hindi (! - filmed everything twice? quite a feat!) - so the English wasn't dubbed. I got it from amazon.com. It's just the first 13 episodes of the 37 that were in the original program. I hope they release the others also.

batistuta

Aisha, Sony Tv is one of the channels in India. I checked thier Prog Schedule and it is not on air Now. Dzibead has made a post on How one can Buy it. The place where they shot it was Shimoga, Karnataka. Malgudi is often thought as Mysore. Unfortunately, that comparision won't hold good anymore due to lots of High rises being constructed Now.

Aishah

Thanks folks, that's really helpful. I will try to get the DVD - what a great way to pass a hot afternoon with the a/c on inside our room!! We have never had Sony TV on our cable - the only 'in English' programmes are NDTV news, Star Movies & HBO. Saw a nice movie yesterday - made for pre-pubescent girls I thought- called Samantha: an American Girl Holiday - and I thought maybe there was a Samantha book series for children in America?? Reminded me of those Pollyanna books. Does anyone know?
You speak of high rises in Mysore? Batistuta? I can't believe it and what a pity.. I was there in 1995 and thought it a lovely city.

Nick-H

Portuguese Irregular Verbs That's the one I didn't like!

Takes all sorts...









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