! Spanky (BOOKRING)
17 journalers for this copy...
"...The shortened version of my name is Spancialosaphus Lacrimosae. Still a bit of a mouthful, I'm afraid. You can call me Spanky."
The blurb:
"Martyn Ross had a miserable life until he met Spanky, a tuxedoed charmer who's diabolically handsome, successful and ruthless. He's willing to share his wild world of wine, women and wealth - but at a price. And it has nothing to do with Martyn surrendering his soul. Quite the reverse..."
Review from Time Out:
'Compulsive... Gruesome, gory and great fun.'
1) Everybody should leave a journal entry when receiving the book and after the read! Please let us all know what you think about it...
2) Also PM the next person on the list for a mailing address and when that person doesn't answer within 7 days MAX! please PM the one after...
3) Everybody should also try to read the book soon (max - one month?)- but in a joyful speed. It's not about how many books someone can read within a certain amount of time - it's about enjoying it...
4) You can send the book via surface mail or airmail - that is completely up to you.
5) If you find you don't have the time to read it when it's your turn please PM and I'll move you to a later slot.
6) Enjoy :-)
Participants
Netstation (UK)
Dodau (UK)
Flajol (UK)
aubriel (UK)
Nyassa (UK)
Yiremyahu (UK)
catrionamoore (UK)
lagegu (UK)
YowlYY (UK)
Caligula03 (US)
Stellertony(US)
catsalive (Australia)
Semming (Finland)
rillaith (UK)
UrbanSpaceman (UK)
molekilby (UK)
...
back to me (UK)
Released 19 yrs ago (2/3/2005 UTC) at book ring in a RABCK, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
On way to start its journey. :)
This is a much more casual romp through the philosophical issues and instead focusses on horror and violence.
I enjoyed the story, and found the main character engaging but the horror left me curiously unmoved - maybe I'm just immune to it? In which case why did the Weirdstone of Brisingamen literally have me with me fingers stuffed in my mouth?
I could "see" this book as a film ... somewhat in the "American Psycho" mould - which may or may not be a recommendation!
Thanks daemonwolf, will be off to Netstation as soon as I have an address.
Released 18 yrs ago (5/7/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Hope you enjoy it!
I can't help comparing this with Disturbia by the same author. A generally well-meaning but somewhat woolly-minded hero faces an implacable enemy. Lots of dark, rain-washed streets; London geography; and gruesome or gory exits: but the similarities don't detract from the story at all.
Spanky is of course the type of daemon everyone wants to meet. He can provide success, money, sex-appeal to those not possesed of film star looks or footballer's bank balances. The only thing is, can the *lucky* recipient of his largesse afford the fee?
This book will be off to frighten Dodau tomorrow, Friday.
Released 18 yrs ago (6/15/2005 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Interesting cover. :o)
Good scary fun, although I have to agree with Dodau - right up until Sparky drops the bombshell, I kept asking "what's the catch? There's got to be a catch." The better Martyn's luck gets, you know that the bigger the price is going to be.
I won't say any more as I don't want to give too much away. Reading 'Spanky' has prompted me to dig out my copy of 'Roofworld', and I'll be looking out for more by Christopher Fowler.
Released 18 yrs ago (7/1/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to aubriel.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but not the best thing I have ever read.
I have just started reading Feet of Clay but I shall read this one next.
To be sent on as soon as I have a spare 5 minutes to nip to the PO.
Thanks.
Not really my sort of book. Will PM YowlYY.
Released 18 yrs ago (9/21/2005 UTC) at posted to a fellow bookcrosser in Royal Mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Posted 14/10/05
I will update this JE once finished reading. Thanks for your patience!
Update 02.12.2005:
Apologies for holding the book for so long - I finished it two days ago, and somehow I should have been able to read it much faster, but there was something that did not quite convince me about the story. The Mephistopheles-Faust relationship is here brought to the 20th(21st?) century, and where originally a soul changes owner, here is the body that does. I expected it to be really gruesome, considered the excerpts of critics on the back of the book, and some of the journals, and just like Beebarf I wasn't neither horrified nor moved by the violence. I must have read too many horror books/seen to many horror movies, that's possible!
However, I couldn't help signing up for another ring launched by our ringmaster for another title of the same author...maybe that one will be really scary ;)
All in all, it's an ok book that will help time go faster during a boring train/bus/plane journey.
The book is leaving the UK today to visit sunny California...enjoy!
Is it just me or does Spanky look like Brad Pitt?
Anyway, the book reminded me a lot of the film Shawn of the Dead in its blending of comedy (with the array of loser characters stuck in dead end jobs and dreary lives) and horror (daemons in this case). The pacing was good, though the last show down took longer than I thought it warranted but it was compelling enough a read that as soon as I got home from work each day, I carried the book around to sneak a few pages between making dinner or doing the dishes, etc.
Released 18 yrs ago (1/16/2006 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
To stellertony.
I agree that this book was very creepy... gives me shudders just to think about stabbing things into my neck.
Thanks, daemonwolf. I'll post this off to Semming when I have the address.
EDIT (11.9.): Forgot to make a journal entry, sorry. The book has been mailed to the next participant!
I thought it started quite funny and I had a few giggles. And yeah, there were a couple of gruesome scenes but I wasn't too shocked by them. All in all an enjoyable read for my daily commute. Thanks for sharing!
I already PM'd rillaith for her address, but haven't heard back yet.
Released 17 yrs ago (12/11/2006 UTC) at BookRing in ☑ 'Controlled Release' > Country > Province > City, .---controlled release---. Switzerland
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Finally travelling on by surface mail to rillaith.
Enjoy! :-)
Released 12 yrs ago (9/25/2011 UTC) at -- Somewhere In Nottingham 🤷🏿 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Feel free to read and keep this book, pass it on to a friend, leave it back on the shelf or somewhere else for the next reader. If you journal this book as a member, then you will hear from the book as it travels around. Happy reading!
Liebe Finderin, lieber Finder,
Gratulation, dass Du dieses Buch gefunden hast! Ich hoffe, es gefällt Dir. Du hast nicht nur ein Buch, sondern eine ganze Gemeinschaft von Leserinnen und Lesern gefunden, die Bücher lieben. Schau Dir die Seite mal an! Ich würde mich sehr freuen, wenn Du Dir die Zeit nimmst, einen Journal-Eintrag zu machen und mich so wissen zu lassen, wo das Buch gerade ist und was Du damit vor hast. Vielleicht willst Du Bookcrossing ja beitreten? Das ist anonym, kostenlos und macht Spaß!