Originally posted by french frank
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Good evening
I am not familiar with either of these writers but your post made me think about Harriet Gilbert's comments this week in "A good read." This is a programme that I enjoy listening to as I love hearing people recommending books they have enjoyed. This week she made a comment about a novella written by a woman which featured a male principle character thatposed the queation as to whether a male reader would be more sympathetic to him than a female reader. I have to say that this is something I have often thought about and is why I have, from time to time, picked up novels to readby female writers. (Not "chick lit" , though!!) I enjoy this and find it interesting. As I said above, I feel Kate Atkinson is very good as putting words into the mouths of her male characters and that there is a sense of humour in her writing that is a bit "blokish." I have always thought that she would be really quick witted and fun in real life. The few interviews i have heard her give leave the same impression. She is an excellent observer of both human behavior and language..
FWIW , I would have to say that I have rarely been tempted by any of the books discussed albeit one guest chose a William Boyd book I have read before. ("Restless.") I am a massive fan of Boyd too but I would have chosen either "Love is blind" ( with a physco John Field character ) or "The Blue afternoon." I don't think I would ever want to read anything recommended by the host !
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