Showing 31 - 40 of 53
One-off
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 16/02/2015
» Authors and publishers are still experimenting with their craft. Centuries and modern print-face, bigger and smaller print, over and under 100 chapters, chapters numbered and not, spaces instead of chapters, single and double quote marks, beginning the story on page one or three or higher. Not to mention the variety in covers.
The future is now
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 17/11/2014
» At the end of the 19th century the intelligentsia agreed that everything had been discovered and all mankind had to do was enjoy it. Needless to say they were wrong. More was to be discovered in the 20th century than in all the previous centuries. New discoveries continue to be made non-stop this century.
No end in sight
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 01/09/2014
» While new authors keep appearing, older ones keep at it until they run out (Hemingway) or pass away (Clancy). Those who retire return (Rankin). Those staying on may no longer be in top form (le Carre). But several are (Rendell). Not that this reviewer rates Ruth Randell on a par with Agatha Christie.
Sleuths & demons
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 25/08/2014
» A cinema buff since puberty, I would often visit neighbourhood theatres in the Big Apple that showed double features. One had A-level stars, the other B-level. Often as not, the B-level offerings were more entertaining, British as well as Hollywood. US Republic and UK Hammer studios were on about the same level.
Now what?
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 23/06/2014
» Whether created in seven days, according to the Good Book, or in seven billion years, according to astronomers, it is generally agreed that the time will come when Earth is no more. “The end is nigh!” has long been a standing joke, but no longer elicits universal laughter.
An axe to grind
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 02/06/2014
» In days of yore — before magazines and books, television and radio, films and even plays, storytellers roamed from town to town to tell in verse or prose of conflicts from the past that resulted in bloodshed and revenge. The better storytellers were invited back to repeat the tales, or to tell of others.
A high flyer
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 21/04/2014
» A US naval air combat veteran, Stephen Coonts turned his training and experience into successful literary thrillers. Unlike Tom Clancy, who never went to war, his detailed descriptions of weapons and armaments are based on first-hand use. His knowledge of planes, from the earliest flying machine, is unsurpassed.
An honest lawyer
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 17/02/2014
» Truth be told — I’m a sucker for courtroom dramas. Inherit The Wind, Witness For The Prosecution and Judgement At Nuremberg are my all-time favourites. Some courtroom novels or plays are adapted to the screen, others made into movies or television shows. Many remain in book form.
A plausible 'what if?'
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 09/12/2013
» A game played by children as well as adult boffins is "what if?" The possibilities are as wide as the imagination. It's fun thinking about things being different than they are. What if I found a million dollars? What if I found the cure to cancer? What if I could read your mind? What if, tragically, Hitler had won World War II.
A mixed bag
Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 18/11/2013
» If I didn't love books _ I read more than 100 a year _ I wouldn't be a professional reviewer. Over 40 years, 4,000 plus perused. Compared to the 4 million books in the public library perhaps not a drop in the bucket, but a small puddle.