Drood by Dan Simmons

Drood is told in the4 voice of Wilkie Collins, it's about Charles Dickens, and the aftermath of the Staplehurst Rail Accident.
There are so many other books mentioned, authors, and references to prominent people of that age.
The Victorian age was one of great literary, and scientific discoveries.  There was so much going on during Victoria's reign that Drood only skimmed the surface.
There is a statue of Victoria seated in the centre of Dalton Square in Lancaster, and I was astounded how many famous people there are depicted around it.  All were around during Victoria's reign, many made changes or discoveries that changed the way of the country.
If you are ever in Lancaster, take time to hunt it out and look who is there.

What's in a title?

Shades of Grey is a great book...and no I haven't got that wrong.  I mean Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde.  A book that makes you think, and laugh.
Between Shades of Grey is a very moving book.  It's by Ruta Sepetys and made me cry in places.
I'm only a quarter of the way through 50 Shades of Grey by E L James, and yes, I might be reading it, but can't say it is as griping as the other two that share part of the name.

So many links in this one

I am currently reading Passion by Jude Morgan (?).
It is about the lives of four women, but more importantly the men in their lives.
The men are up to now Lord Byron and Shelly. Keats is also to be included, although around 250 pages in, he has not yet made an appearance. Wordsworth has also been mentioned several times.
Other famous people who get a mention, "Mad" King George and his wife, Queen Caroline, Napoleon and Wellington.
It's not the easiest book to read, but it is a good read.

What is so special about Tristam Shandy?

Two books I have just read have both mentioned Tristam Shandy, and something about there being two totally black pages in it. I have looked at various websites, but can find no reference to the black pages. Can anyone shed any light as to whether this is true, or not?

One of our Thursday's is missing, by Jasper Fforde is one the books that mentions Tristam Shandy, but then again, the Thursday Next series is full of literary links, and one of the reasons I love Jasper Fforde's novels so much

Culpepper's herbal

The current book I am reading has references to "The Mandrake's Herbal"...after reading the notes the author says that they have been written in the style of the Culpepper's herbal..which included some references that were to objects other than herbs as well.
As the book is a pre-publication copy I will not name it, as yet.
All I will say is the novel is enthralling and I keep finding I am picking it up when I should be doing other things.

Sorry

I have neglected this blog! I will try to remedy this during this year.
If I find "links" I will mention and follow if necessary!
After all, after reading a Craig Russell book, I found, listened to excerpts, and subsequently bought Rautavaara...Cantus Articus. This then lead to me explore what else Rautavaara had composed, and I have bought another CD, and am interested in other's.
Most people follow recommendations that friends make...if a book you are thoroughly enjoying mentions something, it is worth exploring the link.

Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey

Oscar and Lucinda mentions several authors of the time period it is set in.
Namely;
Wilkie Collins,
Charles Dickens, Barchester Towers is named
George Elliot
and Charles Darwin.
There might have been others mentioned, but I missed them.
Carey's use of mentioning mid-Victorian popular helps to give the novel a genuine feel.