tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post5240234841374856074..comments2023-12-12T16:30:15.159+00:00Comments on Floor to Ceiling Books: Apartment 16 by Adam NevillUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post-24282400797876365132010-04-04T08:00:07.885+01:002010-04-04T08:00:07.885+01:00Avoid this one, then, Magemanda.
http://www.guard...Avoid this one, then, Magemanda.<br /><br />http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2010/apr/02/kick-ass-bad-language<br /><br />Love Adam Nevill's work. Swearing nor the frequency of it really bothers me. I couldn't write male characters in particular who spend time together who don't swear, and frequently. Across all classes, too. It is my experience in life in almost every work or social situation I have been in. And I think an American character called Apryl spelled with a 'y' has a strong air of verisimilitude about it! Horses for courses, I suppose.Nick Cirkovichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16032740830320521883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post-40204140799442827222010-04-02T15:41:57.087+01:002010-04-02T15:41:57.087+01:00Cheers for visiting James, and for your comment. R...Cheers for visiting James, and for your comment. Re: the swearing. I am not usually uncomfortable with swearing at all, and I certainly don't think that swearing will dumb down a book! But in this case it was the particular word used - which I still feel is quite taboo. The frequency shocked me. And also I stand by my comment that Nevill seemed to be using it in order to shock - every time it cropped up in the prose it stood out, whereas good use of swearing by an author will fit neatly into the rest of the writing.<br /><br />Ha - and it is rather a pet hate of mine to use odd spelling for names. Nowt wrong with using April. She is already unusual as a character for being American, she does not need further exotic labels to add to that sense. Again, it jarred me out of my reading every time I encountered it.<br /><br />When I use the word 'clean' with regards to prose I generally mean easy to read, smooth and without unnecessary frills. A step above no-nonsense. This was maybe why the swearing and the name stood out for me, because the prose was strong other than that.Magemandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08986754628836562869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post-66236922874147157882010-04-02T15:31:15.230+01:002010-04-02T15:31:15.230+01:00Interesting, because I had no problem with the swe...Interesting, because I had no problem with the swearing at all (completely fail to see why some people think swearing 'dumbs down' a book) and no problem with the spelling of the name - it's just a name! Does it really matter how it's spelt? But whatever, each to their own. <br /><br />I'm interested in the use of the word 'clean' to describe the prose - not quite sure what you mean? I thought the prose was terrific, really a strong part of the novel. I get the impression that you liked the prose as well, but I'm not sure quite exactly how much...Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07763695390241432518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post-9026554777049924552010-04-02T10:05:47.373+01:002010-04-02T10:05:47.373+01:00Like I said in the review, Bryce, I don't mind...Like I said in the review, Bryce, I don't mind a little bit of swearing - but there is a point (and a certain word) where it goes over a line for me. And that's what Apartment 16 did. Didn't like the word used. And didn't like how much it was used.Magemandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08986754628836562869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post-49165175897470822432010-04-02T03:21:49.111+01:002010-04-02T03:21:49.111+01:00I appreciate the mention of the gratuitous cussing...I appreciate the mention of the gratuitous cussing cause that just turns me off. I don't mind it if it's mild, but overuse just dumbs down a novel for me.<br /><br />Thanks Amanda.Bryce L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13951278240008332023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post-19860542456967603812010-04-01T13:05:50.258+01:002010-04-01T13:05:50.258+01:00Haha, glad it isn't just me who had problems w...Haha, glad it isn't just me who had problems with the name! <br /><br />I'll be interested to read your review when it goes up on the Spec Scot :-)Magemandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08986754628836562869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463395374040679379.post-38376382608809635692010-04-01T12:51:19.134+01:002010-04-01T12:51:19.134+01:00Agreed - on two counts: the disappointing last act...Agreed - on two counts: the disappointing last act (particularly the shift in perspective) and the names. I mean, Apryl. Come on. Clearly Neville needed someone edgy...<br /><br />Still, I had a better time with Apartment 16 than you, Amanda.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08713791516631476930noreply@blogger.com