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< Main Forum ~ Welcome to the secret Raw Shark Forum |
| Steven Hall |
| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:11 pm |
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Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 27
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Hey GeeBee,
Cheers for such a great review!
Really pleased that you enjoyed my book so much - thanks for stopping by to post & to say hello.
So - how does a person go about getting Waterstones send them proofs???
Hey germ - Ian does have some strange friends. But, you know, you can't tell a cat anything.
S |
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| germ |
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:58 am |
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Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Manchester
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Hmmm.... Just finished reading 'Raw Shark' and egotistically thought i'd write my opinions with the taste of shark sashimi still fresh on my tongue......
Ignoring the woman while simply looking at the painting, i find a book heavily influenced by others ideas, to the point where i wish i could Ludvocise my previous reading experience to appreciate this book as the fresh, exciting experience it will be to many others (Not to mention the marketing techniques used= Ker-Ching!!).
It seems to rely heavily on many of the concepts present (although heavily mutated) in Murakamis 'Hard Boiled Wonderland.' While it is debatable as to whether any truly new ideas can emerge in art considering the sheer quantity the Human (<--yuk) race has created, i couldn't shake the feeling this book was simply an amalgomation of original ideas combined into a Frankensteins monster of a money-maker. The hollywood ending and the climactic scenes similarities with (sorry Mr Hall) Jaws again reinforced the idea i had seen it all before. Yet comparison must be put aside (the matrix? this slaps the matrix and refuses to duel).
Well.... with that off my chest.....
The book is excellently written and easily held my attention. The relationship with Scout/Clee being stand out dialogue. A realistic and encouraging portrayal that brought a touched smile to my face countless times.
The layout of the earlier chapters made for such an interesting and interactive read that despite all my cynicism i could not wait to pick it up again and dive deeper into the world created. Yet the pace slowed and as predictability set in i began to falter and aside from the prospect of a sudden change in direction it struggled to maintain my attention.
The ideas present in the book are interesting, quirky and amusing, an ideal introduction to philisophical or surrealistic literature for the younger reader or those who have never read their way down that route.
All in all a very good book, the woman is an absolute stunner but alas the painting reminds me of a childhood collage.
All apologies to Mr Hall if i seem overly critical, the book has not yet settled and my opinions are bound to develop given time, definately a book to reccomend if only for the polarised opinions it looks likely to create.
Heres hoping |
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| GeeBee2 |
| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:27 pm |
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Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Bristol, UK
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Hi Steven
Thanks for your comments and a big thanks for writing a great book.
Waterstones are piloting a loyalty card scheme in the south west and as an early member of the scheme they gave me and 49 others the opportunity to read the book and review it for their quarterly magazine on a first to mail them back basis.
Good luck on the book launch. Are you going to do a signing tour?
Cheers
Graham |
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| Mathew |
| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:15 am |
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Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 2
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Hi Steven,
I am a student at uni and picked up your book at the Falmouth Bookseller shop the other day. I'm only 80 pages into it, but its absolutely brilliant, I've told everyone I've talked to in the last day how fantastic it is. Its quite easily one of the most enjoyable and original pieces of fiction I've ever read! I was lucky enough to grab one of first edition prints with the green lettering and its also been signed! Really well done on writing such a fantastic book.
Cheers,
Mat |
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| Steven Hall |
| Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:33 pm |
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Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 27
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Hey Germ, cheers for your thoughts. The idea that, for the a reader, chunks of the action should feel strangely and increasingly familiar was something I did hope to achieve with the book. The idea is - indeed you have seen these things before, and so has Eric... As you say though, it's a move that seems to have polarised people!
Hey GeeBee - hopefully there will be some reading/signing dates on the site soon
Cheers Mathew, glad you enjoyed it so much!
S |
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| IanB |
| Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:59 am |
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Joined: 04 Mar 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Stoke on Trent
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| Just began reading RST and am off to see the new David Lynch movie soon !!! Where am I headed !!!!!!!! [No relation to the Cat by the way!] |
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| Mustard |
| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:49 am |
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Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 1
Location: i'm right behind you
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| I don't have the book. Do they sell it in Australia? |
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The vibe is big. The room is small. |
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| Steven Hall |
| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:35 pm |
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Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 27
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The book's coming out through Text in Australia, next month I think.
S |
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| Giant Robot |
| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:34 am |
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Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Milwaukee
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I am brand new to unspace and plan on acquiring the book very soon. I am deciding between a proof or a UK Hardcover. I might just end up with a US First Edition though and get the others later.
If you can not tell, I am a book nerd.
Thanks for the tip to the Lynch film, I had no idea.
Anyway, hello everyone, I hope to be a part of this community for a long time to come.
Sincerely,
Giant Robot |
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| heartbreak |
| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:17 pm |
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Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 1
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| Wow. I got my copy yesterday morning and just finished it now. With out a doubt going on my top shelf. |
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| Bonnie_King |
| Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:20 pm |
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Joined: 16 Mar 2007
Posts: 1
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I'm still thinking about this book carefully.
I managed to borrow a copy from my boyfriend. He wouldn't stop badgering me, and being the stubborn person i was i told him that i couldn't read his copy anymore. So, lovingly, i bought my own. After reading, i was astounded. I was awake all night thinking about what had happened and my thoughts about it. I still don't know what i think.
What can i say?
It is an amazing book, i know i am going to have to re-read it again. More than once, surely.
This is surely a book that is going to stay with me and so far not many have managed to do that.
Great work Steven. I look forward to both the film and your next brain tantalising book.
Amazing!
Bonnie x (likkle me in the UK) |
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| arichards63 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:46 pm |
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Joined: 06 Feb 2007
Posts: 6
Location: Georgetown, Guyana
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Hi everyone
Just a note to say that Amazon.com is now accepting reviews for The Raw Shark Texts.
Regards
A |
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