I recently read Hawthorn and Child by Keith Ridgway. There was a lot about it I liked, particularly the dialogue. Some of the stream of consciousness passages were also very well done. But it left me with the feeling that I had just read a very well written book, rather than the feeling I'd just read a fantastic story. Does that make sense? It was just a tad too self-conscious, and consequently I didn't get lost in the story. I enjoyed the writing, because it was very good, but I never once forgot I was reading. For me, for a story to really move me, I have to almost forget I am actually reading. I love getting caught up in a story, I need to care very much about the characters, and I need to almost not notice The Writing at all. Hope that makes sense! What makes for good writing/good stories as far as you're concerned?
Last week I had the very good fortune to spend half an hour in this lovely establishment:
Persephone Books, in Bloomsbury
I loved it! An old-fashioned, very simple but beautiful shop that I could have just as easily spent hours in. I bought two books for myself, and one as a present, and I can't wait to read them.
