Norman Lebrecht

Advantages: Sparkling, lively, nasty, engrossing; thoroughly researched; paints vivid picture of classical music world; refreshingly un-PC.
Disadvantages: Also made me feel a bit queasy; way too many typos!

...A book-length National Enquirer/Sun/Mirror-type exposé for classical music? Not exactly, but this gossipy, engagingly written, and thoroughly researched work comes close, and did get me into an unusually ravenous reading mood. With sparkling, lively wit and occasional nastiness, Evening Standard columnist and author Norman Lebrecht has penned an engrossing book in The Maestro Myth: Great Conductors in Pursuit of Power. He lays bare the unpretty, fully human side of conducting and conductors, in and away from the orchestral pit. You want the scoop? Norman Lebrecht delivers it, in spades. The best thing about it is that you need to know almost nil about conductors to enjoy the wicked tales he tells. Lebrecht first published this tome back in 1990, and closed the book then with a pessimistic view of the future of conducting. He has updated... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Interesting, non-obvious storyline
Disadvantages: No proper appearance by the pirates

...This one is a bit of a sleeper as far as the Asterix series goes. It doesn't have the instant crash-bang-wallop appeal of some of the other adventures, but give it time and it will grow on you, to become one of the most interesting and involving of all the books. The plot is a rather convoluted one by Asterix standards: Chief Vitalstatistix's nephew, the wild, partying Justforkix, has been sent to the Gaulish village by his father in Lutetia to have a few corners rubbed off him, and to be toughened up a bit. Once in the village, his love of popular culture (the Rolling Menhirs) leads him to strike up an unlikely friendship with the (awful) bard Cacofonix, recommending he visit the palace of Varietix and try to make it big as a bard. However, the discovery of a Norman landing party on the beach terrifies him and he leaves in a great... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: gripping read
Disadvantages: disturbing violence

...Steven Kings delivers us his own version of crazy as he laces this tale with half correct mythology. He takes the legend of the Minotaur and the labyrinth of the underworld and gives it the name Erinyes,thereby mixing yet another fable. This garbled version of the ancient myth weaves its way through this increasingly disturbing narrative. There is no sense to this ploy by the author, unless it is to add to the madness which themes the book. The symbolism of the Bull is used throughout, from the reference to Norman’s job as a “bull” or American law enforcement officer to the choice of mask that Norman uses to make his escape from his failed attempt at tracking his wife. Norman Daniels is a darkly disturbed, psychopath whose hatred for his fellow man knows no bounds. Married to Rose a repressed, suppressed woman, feeble by years... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful