Saturday, August 25, 2007

Ha-Ha

Wow. I just finished reading the most amazing book. It's The Ha-Ha by Dave King. It's the first book I've ever read where I had absolutely no idea what it was about. I got it from the library strictly on the recommendation of PaperTigerKnits. She didn't even really say what it was about, just how much the book moved her.

I'm kind of in the same position with the book. To try to describe what it's about.... I don't think I can. And, oddly, whenever I wasn't reading it and thought about it sitting on my nightstand, I'd think, "eh, no big deal". So I'd go days without picking it up. And yet. And yet...

And yet, when I read it, I can't put it down. It's over now and I don't want it to be over.

This is Dave King's first novel from what I understand and I so envy and admire people for coming up with these rich storylines and depth of character developments that they seem to have no experience with or connection to (not that I know anything about Dave King's life other then the blurb at the back of the book).

Stories like Life of Pi or Memoirs of a Geisha (which I still have a hard time reconciling the fact that it's written by a man) struck me like that, too. Imagination is a beautiful thing.

Longing for more Ha-Ha, Ruth!

6 comments:

Tammy said...

You're right about Memoirs of a Geisha. I had totally forgotten it was written by a man because it just doesn't register in my brain. It was such an amazing story. Have you seen the movie? I felt like you really needed the background of the book to fully appreciate the movie. It was like pictures in a book... it gave me visuals, but didn't get close to expressing the depth of the story.

Chris said...

Ok, I just reserved The Ha-Ha from the library.

sophanne said...

Yes yes yes- and add "bel canto" to the list if you're looking to thing about what love might be and might not be.

Life of Pi is one of the few in my life that's gotten the official "second read" one of my favorite parts being at the beginning when he is all religions.

knitnzu said...

Hmmm...maybe I'll look for the haha book... Liked the geisha book and had the same reaction as you, but just didn't get into the pi book, it's still in the pile.

Gingersnaps with Tea... said...

"Life of Pi" is an amazing book and I enjoyed "Memoirs of a Geisha" as well. My book group has read several wonderful books over the years and if you are looking for a couple of other books that will stay with you, I highly recommend "Broken for You" by Stephanie Kallos and "Buddha Da" by Anne Donovan and I agree with Sophanne "Bel Canto" by Ann Patchet is fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I just requested it from the library. Life of Pi and Bel Canto are also a couple of books that blew me away. Both times I read them.