Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers) -

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joo Reading Punchline by P.A. Fenton

14 May 2012, 06:06 PM | Post: #11

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

Tony, I think the point is that the re-offenders aren't criminal masterminds, just general scummy people who just don't care about anyone else. And I fear in these times, the same scummy people would happily watch an on-line execution - I mean have you not seen the Friday live eviction on Big Brother Big Grin

And Barry, I must have missed those as I was swept along with the story Big Grin

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B J Burton Reading Complete Works of H P Lovecraft

14 May 2012, 06:11 PM | Post: #12

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

You're not having a good run with the Book Club choices, Tony.

Whatever you suggest for June I'll vote for it!

Barry

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B J Burton Reading Complete Works of H P Lovecraft

14 May 2012, 06:14 PM | Post: #13

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

(14 May 2012 06:06 PM)joo Wrote: Tony, I think the point is that the re-offenders aren't criminal masterminds, just general scummy people who just don't care about anyone else. And I fear in these times, the same scummy people would happily watch an on-line execution - I mean have you not seen the Friday live eviction on Big Brother

And Barry, I must have missed those as I was swept along with the story

I'm sure that's the case, joo. Proofreaders always say that the better the book the harder it is to concentrate on spotting the minor errors!

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jambalian

14 May 2012, 06:16 PM | Post: #14

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone you who voted for my book, and more importantly all of you for taking the time to read it.

With this being a book reading club I expected a mixed bag of reaction and I'm certainly getting one. I understand that not everyone will enjoy Gray Justice, just as not everyone likes Marmite, and I welcome all comments.

Ok, back to you guys Smile

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jambalian

14 May 2012, 06:19 PM | Post: #15

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

(14 May 2012 04:33 PM)B J Burton Wrote: I read it yesterday in a single session. Given the list of jobs awaiting my attention, none of which got done, Alan has a lot to answer for. At the very least, I'm expecting him to pop in tomorrow, cut the grass and plant out my runner beans.
A fast-paced, easy read that swept me along. I suspect there are plot aspects that wouldn't stand up to close scrutiny, but I was content to keep the blinkers on and gallop through to the end.
One very minor point: I'd have to disagree with joo - I spotted half-a-dozen typos, none of which spoiled my enjoyment in the slightest.
Well done, Alan. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Barry

I'm not sure I can make it tomorrow, Barry, but I will send my proofreader Wink

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Susanne Reading I Woke Up This Morning by Stuart Ayris

14 May 2012, 06:42 PM | Post: #16

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

(14 May 2012 06:06 PM)joo Wrote: And I fear in these times, the same scummy people would happily watch an on-line execution - I mean have you not seen the Friday live eviction on Big Brother

Interesting point, Joo. If people can be anonymous, would they vote for something that they would not necessarily own up to if they were asked face to face? A bit like the way people behave in cars or on some forums (KUF excepted!) where no-one can get at them.

PS I love Marmite!

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~Chinese Proverb

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Leeton100 Reading The Survival of Thomas Ford by John A.A. Logan

14 May 2012, 07:32 PM | Post: #17

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

I was hooked from the first few pages and read the entire book over the weekend and finished it tonight after dinner.

I did like a lot of the ideas put forth for the public vote by Tom Gray and the first half of the book had a strong message. I have had the same thoughts about criminals getting away with it and laughing at authority, etc. I did think that the way he went about it wasn't the right thing, but then, I still liked what he stood for.

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I will read Alan's next book as soon as possible

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B J Burton Reading Complete Works of H P Lovecraft

14 May 2012, 08:34 PM | Post: #18

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

(14 May 2012 06:19 PM)jambalian Wrote:
(14 May 2012 04:33 PM)B J Burton Wrote: I read it yesterday in a single session. Given the list of jobs awaiting my attention, none of which got done, Alan has a lot to answer for. At the very least, I'm expecting him to pop in tomorrow, cut the grass and plant out my runner beans.
A fast-paced, easy read that swept me along. I suspect there are plot aspects that wouldn't stand up to close scrutiny, but I was content to keep the blinkers on and gallop through to the end.
One very minor point: I'd have to disagree with joo - I spotted half-a-dozen typos, none of which spoiled my enjoyment in the slightest.
Well done, Alan. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Barry

I'm not sure I can make it tomorrow, Barry, but I will send my proofreader

Excellent! I'll PM you with the address.

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Notoriety Reading The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi

14 May 2012, 10:53 PM | Post: #19

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

(14 May 2012 06:11 PM)B J Burton Wrote: You're not having a good run with the Book Club choices, Tony.

Whatever you suggest for June I'll vote for it!

Barry

Cheers m8 - you're a pal! And it was all going so well! Seriously though, with a book club with a democratic vote there will always be a wide range of tastes and opinions. Mental note: must read the book blurbs more carefully. At least I get full marks for clicking the Buy button so enthusiastically!

Actually Barry I was going to recommend Steel Production in the USSR 1917-1939. That'll get em going! LOL

Tony

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Chitma Reading

15 May 2012, 07:23 AM | Post: #20

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RE: Bookclub: The discussion of Gray Justice (contains spoilers)

I found this yesterday and found it quite interesting.

http://rachelabbottwriter.wordpress.com...

There is a bit in there I liked - I will quote it...

"rape and murder get all the newspaper headlines, but you try telling a burglary victim that they are not really affected because they’ve only lost their possessions and had their privacy invaded. I wanted all victims of crime to be able to relate to this story, not just victims of high profile killings."

This is the key thing that gripped me into the book. When I was living in HK I had my flat broken into and my passport and laptop stolen and also found a knife (from my own kitchen) on my sofa, obviously as an opportune weapon to use had they been disturbed.
Yes, I could claim on insurance and get a new laptop, and yes I could pop down the passport agency and get a new passport and then on to immigration and sort my visa out... but nothing could shake that feeling of violation...

I would agree that more people have suffered these so called "lesser" crimes rather than the headline grabbing "biggies" that Alan listed above and so that, to me, was a great hook to get people thinking more about the people who commit these types of crimes and the vast quantities of ordinary people their crimes affect. Especially considering that a fair few of these criminals are repeat offenders.

Like other people, I was also consumed by the book. I spent my time reading it being alternately enamoured and appalled by Tom's actions. I was constantly torn between opposing and applauding his methods. There was certainly a lot of thinking about what Tom was trying to achieve and the ways he was going about doing it.
The twists were fantastic and literally came out of nowhere, although re-reading the book (which I did for the book club as I read it a fair while ago) the evidence is all there to set them up. I though it was very cleverly plotted and researched. It was also a very visual book for me. I usually struggle to "see" the characters and action being played out but, on this occasion, I found this to be easy for me to do.

And basically that's why I nominated this book... I thoroughly enjoyed it on many levels, and I am so glad that on the whole, others have enjoyed it too.

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