Geoff Ryman

Advantages: Great concept, interesting characters and brilliant sense of voyeurism.
Disadvantages: Ending perhaps doesn't fit as well as it might.

...Having read the 'blurb' at the back of the book, I just knew I had to get it, and am now sorry that it took me so long to discover, and that I did not read it in its 'internet novel' days. 253 is the story of a seven-and-a-half minute journey on the London Underground Bakerloo line, between Embankment and the Elephant and Castle. Ryman devotes one page of exactly 253 words to each of the 253 people on board the train, giving us a snapshot of their lives. As such, the book does not have a coherent storyline as such (save the hilariously catastrophic final chapter detailing a hugely catastrophic tube crash, described with sardonic aplomb by Ryman), but this is by no means a disadvantage - Ryman successfully appeals to the voyeur in us all! Some pages detail their relationships with or thoughts about the surrounding passengers, whilst... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: For the nosey-parker in all of us
Disadvantages: Oh no, the train is going to crash!

...253 is allegedly a “novel” by Geoff Ryman. Originally written for the internet, 253 is the “print remix” (that means, well, book) of a seven-and-a-half minute tube train journey that took place on January 11th 1995 from Embankment to Elephant and Castle on the Bakerloo line. So there we are, that's the ploy element successfully dealt with...except to say that our train is hurtling toward oblivion... 253 isn't really about plot. It's about people. It's about people; their interactions, their dreams, their goals, their ambitions...and their body odours. The “How to Use This Book” section explains that each person in a seat has been dedicated one full page of text sub-divided into the following handy sections: Outward Appearance Inside Information What they are thinking and doing We read from page 1 (The Driver – Mr Tahsin... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: great idea
Disadvantages: needs planning

...Geoff Hamilton was a brillant Television Gardener and Writer. In the series "Ornamental Kitchen Garden" he grows flowers and produce such as vegetables together. This is a great idea, especially if you have a small garden or allotment. As a Presenter, Geoff gets stuck in and does all the jobs himself, including the messy ones!! Geoff was known for giving great money saving ideas, such as his Plant carry cot.This was the empty frozen food hamper box.Sting was threaded through the lid to make a handle. The stuck in the mud B.B.C. should show all Geoff Hamilton's Programmes again, Especially at peak times such as 7p.m. on a Friday evening. Geoff's memory lives on in his programmes and books as well in our Hearts!! There will never be another TV gardener in the same league as Geoff Hamilton. Alan Titchmarsh forget it !... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful