Susan Hated Literature

Author: Mary Doria Russell
ISBN: 9781400064717 DDC: 813
See also: LibraryThing ; Excerpt ; Interview with author

I suppose I ought to warn you at the outset that my present circumstances are puzzling, even to me. Nevertheless, I am sure of this much: my little story has become your history. You won’t really understand your time until you understand mine.

I’ve read two other books by Russell; The Sparrow, which I loved, and Children of God which was very good, but just didn’t hit me in the same way, so when Heather and Andi of Estella’s Revenge emailed their list of review books and this was on it I jumped at the chance. Unlike the other two by Russell that I’ve read this isn’t sff, it is historical fiction, but I think that the two genres have a lot in common really. They deal with worlds and societies that are unfamiliar to the reader. In this case the world is that of the early 1900s in America and Egypt, and the Cairo Conference of 1921. I’m not going to post a full review here, you’ll have to wait for the next issue of Estella’s Revenge, but I really enjoyed this book. Russell just writes so well, and I loved her narrator, I think I’ll have to revise my dislike of first person narrators as I seem to reading and enjoying so many of them lately.

I know, I know, for some of you furrin types it isn’t yet winter. But here in Ireland November marks the start of winter. Proof. It is also the start of the Celtic year, and a Holy Day of Obligation. Cafflics, have you been to mass?

Today is also the publication date for November’s Estella’s Revenge and there are loads of great articles in it. One on Georgette Heyer, an interview with Audrey Niffenegger author of The Time Traveler’s Wife, a review of a book on Ophelia that sounds quite interesting, not to mention a brand new reading challenge for 2008.

Attn:This will be nothing more than a boring whats going on post. No complaining now:, you’ve been warned.

Work is loike, mad busy, roight. Full of scrambling^[1] about and nagging lecturers^[2] to send me their course outlines. And, apart from a few, mainly getting them instead when students come in looking for a book and me going “ooh, can I copy your outline to see what new books I need to order”. Sillies.

That is my excuse for not blogging earlier.

Also, I’m thinking of changing either the template or maybe just the header for the Rugby World Cup^[3] I do have a vague template in mind, but it might just be less hassle to get a new header image. Decisions decisions.

In other news this month’s Estella’s revenge is out, so you’ll have plenty to read there.

Was talking to de mudder on the phone. She confused me by telling me they^[4] were in Galway moving B#5 into his new home. He has to register tomorrow, first year at college.. I was confuddled cause he isn’t going to Galway but to Limerick. But of course what she meant to say was that they had been in Limerick and were now in Galway on their way home. Course he’ll be in Galway as well tmro^[5] as he has training. Fingers crossed he doesn’t get lost on the way up I rang de mudder cause she had texted me earlier, saying there was post for me. A rugby banner thing that B#4 had opened by mistake^[6] A soft package-y thing^[7] And a letter that looks like it is something official from Donegal. Donegal? I don’t think I applied for any jobs up in that foreign land, and if I had would I have used the Sligo address? Hmmmm. I suppose we’ll have to wait til she gets back and opens it.

I’ve told her if it is exciting to let me know otherwise I’ll get it whenever I get home. I hope it isn’t something like anthrax^[8]

Guess what? My voice is back, yay! Not totally, I’m still a little hoarse^[1] but I can talk. Celebrate good times etc.

Also the new Estella’s Revenge is out, off you pop to take a peak.

I’m about halfway through the second season of The Wire and it is sooo worth watching. Everyone says so, but more importantly, I say so. But if you don’t believe me^[2] then here are 9 reasons why you are wrong, and I am right. Just look at all those As. So, with a helpful nudge, I’m directing you to check out The Wire.

On the face of it, it’s a show about police and drug dealers in contemporary Baltimore - but that’s a woefully simplistic description. Stick with it, and by the time you get to season four you’ll realise that when co-creator David Simon describes it as a “treatise on the death of America”, it’s not empty hyperbole. By some margin, this is the most ambitious, complex drama serial ever created.

Course I haven’t gotten to season 4 yet. But I will. In one way I want to watch them all straight through^[3] but I’ve learned my lesson from Firefly, patience can bring rewards. Honestly. Not racing through them means that they’ll last longer and I’ll have new episodes to look forward to for longer. I’ve heard that season 5 will be the last. So I only have three seasons left to go.

First of all I’d like to join with Carl and say “I’m a bookaholic.”

It was only last week that I’d never been in the brand spanking new Chapters^[1] shop on Parnell st., but once I’d been I just kept returning. Picking more books that I know I never really intended to buy. I just kept picking them up going, “hmmm, why not?” Sure they’re only cheap.^[2]

And then today I wandered about Waterstones, you know, cause 3 for 2 offers just can’t be ignored. Picked up my three, and then spotted this:

Liked the cover, and so despite it being a hardback and the fact that I’ve never read anything by the author, and that I don’t usually buy short story collections, I decided “ah, sure I might as well.”

Onto the second item on today’s agenda:
Some of you may be aware that the ‘zine Estella’s Revenge has been a little quiet of late. But never fear, it hasn’t gone away. Instead it is being rethought and redeveloped, and will now be concentrating solely on books.

If you’re interested in contributing feature articles, reviews, fiction, or any other tasty, bookish niblet, let us know ASAP!

New writers are welcome, and the new edition should be out March 1st.

Táim, like officially, ró-te. Ró-fricking-te.

Also, I forgot to mention that Issue #4 of Estella’s Revenge is up. And focusing on Freedom. I’m supposin’ on account of that holiday all you American types had yesterday.

Did I mention I’m too hot?^[1]