The OFFICIAL Stewart's book thread: SPOILER

[conroy]

I wanted to thank njperry for mentioning Ian's book. I didn't know! So as soon as I finished Stewart's book (tres good, but I am in mourning for more; can't wait for the audiobook!) I had Ian's book waiting and am reading that now. So if anyone hasn't read it I highly recommend it! Rest In Peace, brother Ian.

Oh hell yes. If anyone here HASN'T read "Wild Thing", you really need to, and immediately.

That was a book I just could not put down from the moment I first began reading it until I was finished. From growing up Copeland to Vietnam to the 80s music scene...you must. read. this. book.

(And know you have a rarity if you manage to find a copy that Ian himself DIDN'T sign, LOL!!!!)

I'm so bummed Ian never got the chance (as far as I know) to record an audio version of Wild Thing before he passed away . He talked about writing another book after he announced on AUI that he was suffering from melanoma, and I always wondered if he got very far with it.

[Shangeris]

Mine just arrived today!

[TOWOS]

And Mr. EQ: Your signed and personalized book is in da mail!!! ))))

[TheEqualizer]

And Mr. EQ: Your signed and personalized book is in da mail!!! ))))

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

[MariaH]

I just have to add:

Ian's book: LOVED IT! I thought it was great. Hey my copy that I got used from someone in NC wasnt signed...

I actually had an opportunity to use the Porko Dio! line and it illicited the exact response that Stewart wrote about! LOVE IT!
•enshallah•

[policefan]

Now I know what the Tourette's syndrome is.

[TOWOS]

[quote="policefan"]Now I know what the Tourette's syndrome is.[/quote]

I guess you are not a Nirvana fan

However, the parts about the Italian blasphemy that he loves to use at every opportunity (but spells with a K, as it befits Klark Kent) made me literally convulse with laughter. I think Stewart consorts a lot with Northern Italians, who use it much more than us Southerners (as Spanish-Arabian dominated chauvinists, the Virgin Mary and her extracurricular activities are much more frequent in the South - hence the Melpignano band's utterly shocked reaction, which pleased Stewart no end..)

[luddite lady]

I'm just giving this a bump for Rusty James, Shangeris and anyone else who is late to the party. What do you all think?

[Shangeris]

Well, I'm only at page 90-something, but I think it's written very good. Very understandable for me even if I'm not English. I only found that the polo chapter is a little bit boring (:oops:) and the opera chapters are long and complicate. For now.

[dufmanno]

After I tore through it the first time I actually felt the need to go back an re-read to see if I missed any important details. I really enjoyed the rapid fire pace and the random bouncing out of chronological order. Then a complete about face with Andy's book a mere two days later.

[Shangeris]

Ok, now I'm at page 240 or so. Due to a flu and fever, I had plenty of time to read STH. I think I will finish it within the week. The only problem is that I already have problems of making correct sentences without swithcing from Italian to German, but now I switch to English too... at least it's getting better. My English.

ETA: Once I'll finish STH I'll have to read The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway...

[Shangeris]

I almost finished it: I am at the Elvis Costello chapter. I only now understand the ' Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya ' gag y'all made in another thread (and obviously and opportunely missed it!)

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="Shangeris"]Ok, now I'm at page 240 or so. Due to a flu and fever, I had plenty of time to read STH. I think I will finish it within the week. The only problem is that I already have problems of making correct sentences without swithcing from Italian to German, but now I switch to English too... at least it's getting better. My English.

ETA: Once I'll finish STH I'll have to read The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway...[/quote]

Kudos, Shangeris. That's quite impressive.

[sockii]

Just chiming in again as I'm about half-way through listening to the audio-book version, after devouring the print version as soon as I got it.

I'm really glad I attacked them in this order, as listening to the audio book is forcing me to go at a slower pace through it all and I'm picking up on a few nuances I didn't the first time through. And I LOVE how the editor worked the musical clips together with the narrative, it's very effective at some points (especially the chapter on opera, Holy Blood & Crescent Moon...also loved the transition into the unadorned piano part of "Does Everyone Stare" at the end of the chapter on college composition...gosh, is there any chance we could some day get a separate soundtrack cd to complement the audio book? OK, I'm wishful thinking here, I know...)

However, I will say that the audio version DOES make a couple points in the writing seem especially choppy and abrupt in how they end and transition (or DON'T transition well), one chapter to the next. Endings to the chapters are sometimes not very strong and feel very abrupt, like, "wait, that's the end? What happened next?" There's a reason writers are often encouraged to read their work aloud to check the flow of the writing, and I could see it might've been handy here in a few places before going to print...

Also there are one or two spots where the audio editors didn't do the best job of dropping in some edits where Stewart clearly re-read a sentence or paragraph...the audio levels are off and a little jarring...but that's a very minor quibble. I've attempted to record podfic myself and it's no fucking easy task, not even with a much shorter piece.

But do get the audio book if you haven't yet. It's definitely a different and enjoyable way to experience the book.

[Copeland Assistant]

[quote="luddite lady"]
Lastly, DM was right months ago when she said that I'd go crazy if I came across any slip ups in proof reading and copy editing. I know it is a really small thing, but I hate to see the poor misunderstood comma abused in any way. Lots of times its use is optional, but if you do opt in, you need to be consistent about always opting in when faced with the same scenario. Then there were a few non-optional times when the poor comma was nowhere to be found. Enough of my quibbling.

Yes, quibble puh-leeze... this is the kinda stuff I am looking for!! I just finished reading all 89 posts on this thread. Great points, but unfortunately Stewart had already fwd them to me when they were posted & [fingers crossed] the errors listed are set to be corrected.

That said, I still need whatever ya got. Stewart & I debate about grammar, punctuation, wording, etc to the point that I have blurry vision & comma fatigue (Stewart is probably ready to lock me outta the studio. ) After a 3 month book break I am trying to read this time around with fresh eyes, but I would welcome any notes you felt compelled to scribble in the margins as you read (some of us can't help ourselves... LL, DM??) No suggestion would be too small for potential bragging rights that you helped edit Stewart's book. Am I right? (And my eternal gratitude of course ) I have until midday Thursday... 31st... last day o' the year to submit them to Harper Collins.

Thanks to you all for caring so much about Stewart & the book... Melisa