The Da Vinci Code

I came to this book wanting to hate it. I find Dan Brown really smug and pretentious and I don't much care for the fellow at all. However, I did enjoy his book and may therefore consider reading Angels and Demons, or Digital Fortress.

Brown is very good with his suspence, utilising short chapters and cutting short the action or puzzles to flick to a different part of his tale, so this will definately keep you reading. I personally stayed up until 1 o'clock in the morning when I knew I had to be up early the next day reading the thing because I wanted to finish it. For some reason my logic dictated that since the bathroom in our house is closer to my bed than the living room is, it somehow made it ok if I finished reading it in there. Still, sitting on the toilet for no other reason than to read a book does not quite constitute sleep, so what the hell I was thinking, I don't know.

One criticism I did have about the novel, however, is the lack of depth in the characters. When I read the book, I felt tangled in their adventure and driven along by the plot, but not really that I knew the characters that well. This really came to the fore in the rather contrived manner in which one of them died. I believe I let out a long groan at that one.

Overall though, it's a generally good book. If it gets your reading, then it's well worth picking up. Now I'm moving on to Catcher in the Rye, so that's what I'll be talking about next.

Oh yeah, and in other news: I passed my first year exams, I don't have a student loan for next year, due to a tremendous cockup and Azzuri in Alsager sucks.

Dorian Grey

Well, this book wasn't what I expected. I was expecting a tale of strange occurances, religious contemplation and deep dives into the occult. I'll admit, the plot was an unusual and intruiging idea, and had tonnes of potential, but was used in a completely different way than I had expected.

I think it is fair to say about the novel, that it is not only driven by the plot, but mainly by Wilde's views on his own society. He presents a decadent London, in which the upper classes find amusement and pleasure in watching their society decay around them. Where a scandal makes a man interesting and to be boring is almost as big a sin as murder. Through this tainted world of Wildes we see the decay of Grey's soul, literally, as the painting in which it has been instilled becomes tarnished and grows old and ugly. Meanwhile, Grey himself remains a perfect picture of youth.

We can see through this that the value of the times was not in morals and virtue, but in reputation and beauty, for although Grey from time to time hears rumours about himself, (most of which we are to believe are true) and several people who are associated with him come into disgrace and end up with a great dislike of the man, many will not believe a word against him, due to the beauty of his face.

That is only a small review of the novel, as there is so much in it to discuss. So, I'll leave you with that as a taster.

I recommend this novel, but only to those who wish to learn more about the society it was written in, and possibly about themselves, rather than those who enjoy a strong, fast paced plot.

Bobbikk

I'm Bobbikk, Who the Hell Are You?

Please take a look at the 'Free Music' post. Actually, not even the post, just the second comment.

See that? That's an opinion on my music. Nice to find one of those on my site, eventually. For those who can't be bothered to read it, it says 'Your music sucks, it's sound poison' or something to that effect. Nice of the person to say that.

So, after the ten minutes I spent crying over that, (ok... it was actually twenty minutes) I got angry, and was ready to delete it. My mouse was hovering over the delete button, with my finger twitching to click. However, I have decided not, for two reasons:

1. This person actually took the time to express an opinion about any of my stuff, which very few people actually choose to do.
2. I didn't get his name. So, if you did write it, then please, inform me who you are, so I can track you down an beat you to death with my guitar. Or at least pretend that's what I'm doing.

Strangely, in the last few days I have considered just stopping all musical activity that isn't purely for myself. I think this confirms my belief.

Bobbikk

EDIT: Ah, what the hell, I'm feeling totalitarian today, so I'm deleting it.

SECOND EDIT: Mr. Anonymous Hater, you recently asked me why I deleted your post. Well, here's the deal. You leave me your name and a way I can get in contact with you, and I'll stop deleting your posts. I'm quite aware that you think that my music has the ability to kill people, due to it being 'to humans, what weed killer is to weeds'. For this single reason, I am going to keep making music, as what I create, if what Mr. A. Hater has said is true, may be an alternative to nuclear deterants. Sorry, sir, if this is contrary to your wishes, but I won't make you listen to any more of my 'sound poison'. You can go back to listening to Busted now, or maybe go to see the new McFly movie with your mum.