tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post6743444970590207768..comments2023-10-06T08:10:05.853-04:00Comments on Necromancy Never Pays: Crossed WiresJeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-89058300435772298772011-01-18T09:13:53.154-05:002011-01-18T09:13:53.154-05:00Trapunto, it is a great expression. I'm partic...Trapunto, it is a great expression. I'm particularly good at baroque worry but have never again reached the peak of it that graduate school inspired.<br /><br />I'm always very glad to see your forays into comment land. I think sometimes we worry about comments we make because it's the only way that person knows us--it's hard to get tone of voice, history of reaction, even subsequent sorrow into a comment. That's one reason I tend to be concise--I feel like I do less damage that way. <br /><br />But I really can't imagine you doing too much damage; you're too thoughtful, as a rule.Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-66998464809257887712011-01-17T19:28:58.606-05:002011-01-17T19:28:58.606-05:00I just had a session of baroque worry about a stup...I just had a session of baroque worry about a stupid mistake on a *blog comment* (not on your blog, though I'm sure I've made a fool of myself without knowing it here and everywhere). Great expression!Trapuntohttp://villanegativa.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-87164733652404555012011-01-17T16:54:04.858-05:002011-01-17T16:54:04.858-05:00Jodie, oh I get it--Sheffield is kind of like Detr...Jodie, oh I get it--Sheffield is kind of like Detroit or Flint, Michigan.<br /><br />Glad to hear you liked the newer one!Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-46348960598629497842011-01-17T10:49:35.637-05:002011-01-17T10:49:35.637-05:00Not quite the same I don't think (but don'...Not quite the same I don't think (but don't quote me as I'm not sure I could point to the place on an unlabelled map). The run down and economically poor aspects of the north of England are often emphasised, but I think the stereotype of Sheffield is that it's full of the hard working, frustrated poor, being messed about by the poor economy. It's where the Full Monty was filmed if that helps and that give a typical flavour for how people outside see the area I think (a once proud steel town brought low). I think that bit about the shoes is more reflective of the stereotype of other people working in a call centre anywhere in the UK.<br /><br />I liked the newest one because it managed to do the foreigner abroad narrative without making it all about the hardships of being a foreigner abroad if you know what I mean. That 'Oh the locals, they do not care to know me and nothing works like it does in England' vibe missing and when the main character does feel isolated it's handled in a much more sensible way (at least I think so). She does seem like a very nice person - looking forward to my third book by her which is all set in a female run university.Jodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462660276240016464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-76103599195452890132011-01-17T08:47:36.379-05:002011-01-17T08:47:36.379-05:00Jodie, is Sheffield like SW Washington DC for peop...Jodie, is Sheffield like SW Washington DC for people who live in the suburbs, or like West Virginia for people who live in Ohio, or Mississippi for people who live in Arkansas--that is, a place where folks are perceived to be poor and stupid?<br /><br />I didn't react to Peter like I did to the parents group. He'd have been more interesting if I had; he seems too good to be true.<br /><br />I'll be reading a second novel by this author--she's so gracious that when she saw this lukewarm review, she offered to send me her newer one. Can you believe that?Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-22357524728690367322011-01-17T08:16:27.296-05:002011-01-17T08:16:27.296-05:00I think if I remember rightly the author grew up i...I think if I remember rightly the author grew up in Sheffield, but works at a prestigious uni now (at least I know a blogger who works at Cambridge uni who knows her and I assumed they'd first met professionally).<br /><br />Sounds like the 1970s? I dunno thinking about it Peter reminds me of a more genuinely well meaning version of the parents group in Lorrie Moore's 'Gate at the Stairs'.Jodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462660276240016464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-62015357373118576142011-01-11T12:16:32.994-05:002011-01-11T12:16:32.994-05:00FreshHell, the emphasis in this novel is on Mina&#...FreshHell, the emphasis in this novel is on Mina's problems; I get the impression that being from Sheffield is kind of like being from southwest D.C.Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-19657471956965237902011-01-10T11:31:07.915-05:002011-01-10T11:31:07.915-05:00I tend to have problems with novels that take plac...I tend to have problems with novels that take place in university settings and revolve around the "problems" faculty members have because I start to snort and think, "You think you've got it bad..." and start to reflect on the rest of humanity and it's much more pressing problems. Sigh. But, that's just my personal prejudice. <br /><br />Or, in a similar way, books about authors suffering writers block or being haunted by their characters a la Stephen Kings most recent decade of books (with a few exceptions). Oh, you poor wealthy author you! I weep.FreshHellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051170717740487431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-74818197381673589922011-01-10T08:29:26.808-05:002011-01-10T08:29:26.808-05:00Amanda, I do feel churlish, as I said. Your reply ...Amanda, I do feel churlish, as I said. Your reply to my comment about Mrs. Craddock makes me believe that at least part of it is the age difference, which is an interesting insight for anyone who has spent most of her career teaching 18-year-olds!Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000858382516594426.post-85101948199426674302011-01-10T08:21:16.933-05:002011-01-10T08:21:16.933-05:00Just more proof that you and I don't get along...Just more proof that you and I don't get along with the same books!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026099426503180472noreply@blogger.com