Saturday, August 30, 2008

CHALLENGE | Signing up for R.I.P. III

Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.

I've decided to ignore my earlier hesitation and sign up for R.I.P. III anyway. My initial concern was about access to the books, since most of them are already packed and sealed in boxes. And I've just packed most of my stuff for Dubai in the 75 litres backpack - space is definitely an issue. I still need to find space for 2 pairs of work-shoes and more work-clothes.

If need be, I will hand-carry the books onto the plane. What are they going to do about it?

The only concession to the situation is my selection. I have chosen 3 titles from my library that I will bring with me to Dubai. I do not intend to bring them home with me.

Here is my modest pool of titles for R.I.P. III:

  1. The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco.
    Some of you may be familiar with the film adaption of this title which starred Sean Connery and a very young Christian Slater. The year is 1327 and the English monk, Brother William of Baskerville travels to an abbey - one with a grand library - to unravel the mystery behind a series of murders that has been taking place there.
  2. Asylum, Patrick McGrath
    This has also been adapted into a film, starring Ian McKellen. The elegant and intelligent Stella Raphael is married to her dull, unimaginative husband, Max. The husband is a psychiatrist at a maximum-security mental hopsital, where Stella is rapidly seduced by the sculptor Edgar Stark - who is confined to the mental hospital for the brutal murder of his wife. A gothic tale of lust, betrayal, madness and obsession. Honestly, I have no idea why I have not read it yet.
  3. The Ghost Writer, John Harwood
    Carl's list reminded me that I have an old paperback copy of the book in the stash.
    A young boy, Gerard, growing up in Australia, begins a correspondence with a young girl, Alice Jessel. Her parents died in an accident and she was crippled. She now lives in an institution. They grow up, only communicating through the letters they sent each other, until they eventual fall in love. The story promises twists and turn, as Gerard discovers his grandmother wrote ghost stories, and these stories resemble his own life with uncanny accuracy.

I'm not certain if I can finish at least one of these titles, so I will start modestly with Peril the Third - to read one book. If circumstances permit, I will move on to Peril the Second.




R.I.P III runs from September 1st through October 31st, 2008

Visit http://ripingyarns.blogspot.com for more R.I.P. III book reviews.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you are able to join! Name of the Rose is a good book and Ghost Writer is quite enjoyable. I have not read Aslyum. It sound perfect though :)

Ana S. said...

"If need be, I will hand-carry the books onto the plane. What are they going to about it?"

I did that when I was coming back from the UK...hand-carried 4 books :P They have me a Look, but nothing was said.

The Name of the Rose, good choice. I've wanted to read that for some time.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a great list of books. I'm adding them to my list as well. I wasn't sure if I would be participating in this challenge but I HAVE to get back into reading and this seems like a good place to begin...

darkorpheus said...

Stefanie - Thanks. :)I may never get to finish the books, but one can try, right?

The Name of the Rose has been on my Must Read Pile for years. I keep starting on it - and getting distracted. I love the premise - and all those literary allusions in the story.

You liked Ghost Writer, yes? I hope it's going to be good too. Otherwise it's going to be a lot of effort bringing it into Dubai!

Nymeth - Oops. Just realised there's a typo in my post. Okay - amended. ;p

They gave you a look? Did you smile back at them? Best way to respond, I think.

Oh boy - I just tried packing all the books into my messager bag with my laptop - and the only one that I really might have to hand-carry is the gigantic vegetarian cookbook. Or maybe the hardcover copies of Herodotus and The Idiot I want to bring over.

If anyone stare, I'll just grin.

Want to read Name of the Rose with me? :)

Courtney - Thank you. It's a modest list. Under normal circumstances it will be a longer list. One good thing is they are all from the existing stash - so no buying of books for the challenge!

Doc Martian said...

room for clothes and shoes... a messenger bag... that way you have them with you in case your backpack gets laid-over somewhere.

ever read floating dragon by peter straub?

Anonymous said...

Yes, I liked Ghost Writer. I didn't think it was the best book ever, but it is creepy and an enjoyable and worthwhile read.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you signed up for this challenge. I look forward to your reviews as I haven't read any of your pool.

darkorpheus said...

Doc - If my luggage do get laidover, I'm going to work in my Nikes and jeans. If my boss complains, I will ask if he prefers me going barefooted and wearing newspapers.

Never read Straub. Don't think I will try at the moment.

Stefanie - Cool. I hope I can find the time to get to Harwood though.

Rhinoa - Thanks. Wish me luck that work and the heat of Dubai will not kill me.

Ana S. said...

I had a typo in my comment too :P *gave

I did smile, a bit sheepishly at that. But you know, I'm sure they've seen much weirder things.

About The Name of the Rose, that's tempting. When do you think you'll get to it?

darkorpheus said...

Nymeth - *Shhh* There was a job as a copy-writer I almost wrote in to apply. Thankfully, I didn't. Not with my proof-reading skills here!

I want to hand-carry my HUGE vegetarian cookbook. Let's see who's going to stop me at the customs. Heh! ;p

Name of the Rose - I think I might only get around to it on the plane. So, mid September?

Anonymous said...

Name of the Rose is a great book, love Umberto Eco.

I haven't read the others but they sound interesting!

I haven't stopped by here in an absolute age, so I have no idea what's going on with you - hope you're doing ok! When I'm done with RIP list commenting then I will try and stop by to catch up with your posts. :)

darkorpheus said...

Quixotic - Welcome back. If you're visiting all the RIP people then it's going to take a while, so no worries. :)

Laurie said...

Asylum is on my list too- it sounds so deep, dark, and psychological that I'm dying to dive into it.

Moo said...

I enjoyed Asylum and Name of the Rose is a classic! I just loved the library. I am looking forward to your reviews and hearing more about your adventures in Dubai.

darkorpheus said...

Laurie - Let's read "Asylum" together and compare notes.

If I get to finish it.

Moo - Can I say how much I like your handle? "Moo" - it's so suggestive.

Oh yes - the labyrinth library in the Name of the Rose is just so grand. A place of learning and secrets, and only the librarian and his apprentice know the secrets - it's like the library is run by Sith lords!

Moo said...

I don’t think I want to know what you believe it may be suggestive of.

And of course the fabulous library that Eco creates reminds me of my favorite labyrinth library from Jorge Luis Borges - the Library of Babel. I also love that Eco named his blind librarian after Borges.