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Post by camthefool on Jul 14, 2010 6:16:54 GMT 10
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sottovoce
Scotch Thumb
Into the bin!
Posts: 57
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Post by sottovoce on Jul 20, 2010 22:26:20 GMT 10
Does anyone know where you can still get a copy of Smithereens? I have looked for it everywhere but it's apparently out of print  Also, I have read that Shaun is soon releasing a new book called 'Preincarnation' does anyone know any more about that? |
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Post by yorkshiremoorsviv on Jul 20, 2010 23:51:27 GMT 10
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Post by milokerrigan on Jul 28, 2010 20:58:04 GMT 10
and an interview i saw today;
haun Micallef’s novel Preincarnate is due from Hardie Grant Books in November. Dani Soloman, who reviewed the book for the August issue of Bookseller+Publisher magazine, spoke to the comedian about his first—and, he says, last—novel.
Preincarnation, the concept of a character being reborn backwards in time, is a relatively unusual topic to tackle, even in the world of sci-fi and fantasy. What was it about this topic that appealed to you?
I’m pleased to hear it’s not well trammeled territory. Because I’m not a real sci-fi buff, I was half expecting it to end up being a standard trope in the genre that I had unwittingly stumbled into, thinking it a fresh field; like my theory immediately following 9/11 that the terrorists had chosen the date because they wanted everyone who would ever ring 911 to be reminded of the attack. I thought I was the only one who’d thought of this and was most disappointed when I found out that it had already occurred to half the world’s population.
I think the thing that appealed to me most about the premise to Preincarnate was not so much being reborn in an earlier body, but being able to prevent your own death. It’s not so much a who-dunnit as a why-dunnit or how-dunnit.
You revealed some of your comedy influences in your show Good Evening: The Sketches of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. What are your literary influences?
I tell everyone I’m very influenced by S J Perelman and Robert Louis Stevenson, but this is just to sound posh. I’m really influenced by Spike Milligan (Puckoon), Norman Hunter (Professor Branstawm), John Kennedy Toole, A P Herbert, Tom Sharpe, Hunter S Thompson and Douglas Adams.
This is not your first book. Smithereens, a collection of poems, essays and sketches, is alas no longer available. Do you see yourself writing more in the future?
No, that’s it. I only had the one novel in me so you better enjoy Preincarnate because that’s all there is.
Preincarnate starts off with a very interesting, almost L Ron Hubbard-esque theory on the beginning of earth and what happens to the human soul before and after life. In fact, one could be forgiven for thinking you might be following in the footsteps of the Scientology founder. If you were to start your own religion, what would your first decree be and who would be your chosen one?
I’d bring back Latin for a start. When I was at school, I had to study it in Year 9. And then the next year they dropped it from the curriculum. No-one had to study it anymore. I figure this is a waste of a year and I’d like to think I could issue an encyclical forcing people to speak it. And not just at Mass either; I mean in every day speech.
My chosen one would be Isabella Rosselini.
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Post by camthefool on Jul 28, 2010 22:43:49 GMT 10
I just searched for a while, but couldn't find Smithereens available online anywhere, sorry. I did find the ISBN is 0143001213, so that may make it easier to search for in future, although right now it's just finding a lot of libraries. I think a physical secondhand bookshop may be the best chance of finding a copy. (Please don't steal one from a library!) Try www.biblioz.com/search.php?a=90&i=22360491 |
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Post by yorkshiremoorsviv on Sept 6, 2010 13:03:09 GMT 10
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Thrillho
Inspektor Herring
Honourable mention for surviving on leaves and compost inside the stomach of an accommodating bear
Posts: 136
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Post by Thrillho on Sept 7, 2010 22:24:25 GMT 10
WE HAVE A COVER! Thanks for the link!
I hope he does a signing in Melbourne before he heads to Brisbane in November.
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sottovoce
Scotch Thumb
Into the bin!
Posts: 57
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Post by sottovoce on Sept 23, 2010 16:22:08 GMT 10
I had a dream last night thaat I worked in a book shop and there was a delivery of Shaun's new book and I had to set up a display of them  haha Then I woke up and remembered that there's still two months to wait |
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sottovoce
Scotch Thumb
Into the bin!
Posts: 57
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Post by sottovoce on Nov 1, 2010 13:07:57 GMT 10
I bought Preincarnate today and I'm up to chapter 5. I have already encountered many words I have never even seen before, and I read a fair bit. This story is delightfully confusing and so Shaun in some parts you can almost see his facial expressions as you're reading it. I'd love it if he released 'Possum-Proofing the Poetry' next haha |
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Thrillho
Inspektor Herring
Honourable mention for surviving on leaves and compost inside the stomach of an accommodating bear
Posts: 136
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Post by Thrillho on Nov 1, 2010 16:12:49 GMT 10
I'm trying not to attack it all in one evening, so I've stopped off at Chapter 5 as well. I needed some time to recover after cackling like a loon at page 40.
My favourite bit in the book so far has to be the ribbon. It's just a really really lovely ribbon.
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Post by yorkshiremoorsviv on Nov 3, 2010 8:01:56 GMT 10
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Thrillho
Inspektor Herring
Honourable mention for surviving on leaves and compost inside the stomach of an accommodating bear
Posts: 136
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Post by Thrillho on Nov 3, 2010 10:25:37 GMT 10
Ah ha hah! I missed this one as the TVs at work were out. Thanks!
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haha