Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Recommended reading

Just finished a book by Timothy Findley, the Canadian novelist, called 'Not Wanted On The Voyage.' It was recommended to me by the marvellous Orla Melling when the two of us found ourselves contributing to an anthology of essays which will be published to promote the launch of Philip Pullman's 'Dark Materials' movie.

Orla plans an analysis of Pullman's literary influences. My essay, a History of Hell, was triggered by the extraordinary image of a senile God in the final volume of his trilogy. Orla (who is frighteningly well read) pointed out that essentially the same image was used by Findley in his novel, so I hunted down a copy for research...

...And found myself reading one of the remarkable books I've ever come across. It's the story of Noah's Ark as you've never heard it before, harrowing, funny, emotional, memorable and, above all, thought provoking. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

5 comments:

OR Melling said...

Knew you'd love it! Didn't you just weep over the darling cats? And worry about the demons? And adore Mrs Noah?

Herbie Brennan said...

Yes, yes and yes!

Anonymous said...

Herbie you have to write some more gamebooks! This is not negotiable!

Herbie Brennan said...

Find me a publisher who's interested and I'd do it like a shot.

Unknown said...

herbie looking forward to seeing you for dinner tonight...just reading your blog! looking forwqard to hearing all about the course etc...this book sounds cool i might order it,

tom