tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500794647428701667.post3751209586990525729..comments2024-03-18T16:41:34.785+00:00Comments on Vapour Trails: A Visit from the Goon SquadSéamus Dugganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00574186409184247059noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500794647428701667.post-74930968358286159662013-10-23T20:10:53.711+01:002013-10-23T20:10:53.711+01:00Can't find my reply to this Richard (and you u...Can't find my reply to this Richard (and you undoubtedly won't now after this long a gap!) It was probably something glib about covers, books and men in silly wigs. The previous copy i had was graced with a less ugly cover.Séamus Dugganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574186409184247059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500794647428701667.post-49225565577548376992013-09-30T03:29:28.068+01:002013-09-30T03:29:28.068+01:00I can't make up my mind whether I'd love t...I can't make up my mind whether I'd love this or more probably hate it (probably the latter, but other positive reviews and your affirmation that "when it's good, it's really good" leave room for hope), so I'll prob. give it a try for myself some day. However, the singular ugliness of that cover makes me wonder whether the text itself is more superficial/thrown together than many of the book's fans are willing to admit. The story sounds all over the place and not necessarily in a good way.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500794647428701667.post-76787508738692320082013-09-28T22:51:12.406+01:002013-09-28T22:51:12.406+01:00I've come across a few strong recommendations ...I've come across a few strong recommendations for the Donal Ryan book. Must hunt it down.<br />Séamus Dugganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574186409184247059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500794647428701667.post-56114752384357127082013-09-28T17:59:15.930+01:002013-09-28T17:59:15.930+01:00I enjoyed this book at the time but the only memor...I enjoyed this book at the time but the only memory I have of it now is that a Frames song is mentioned in Rock n Roll Pauses. I've just finished the Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan, a book with a a similar structure, but one I think that will live long in the memory. <br />BrendanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500794647428701667.post-80399257704234457082013-09-27T07:45:06.359+01:002013-09-27T07:45:06.359+01:00I didn't have an issue with this being present...I didn't have an issue with this being presented as a novel as the links between the stories/chapters are so strong. If anything I think it might have benefitted from acting a little more like a book of short stories. And though most of the chapters would stand alone quite happily there are a few that would struggle in a short story compilation.Séamus Dugganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574186409184247059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-500794647428701667.post-17601406841877730792013-09-27T07:04:59.945+01:002013-09-27T07:04:59.945+01:00Loved this book although part of a mini theme of t...Loved this book although part of a mini theme of the moment when a book of short stories is presented as a novel as it has linked recurring characters. I guess publishers realise books of short stories never really sell. You are right about the last chapter , it doesn't quite convince , and slightly detracts from what has gone beforeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com