I finally got round to reading this - I don't know if you'll ever see this comment but I just thought I'd put it here anyawy. I think by the time I got to it, it had been over-hyped so it wasn't *quite* as amazing as everyone seems to be claiming. But it was still a thought-provoking, haunting read. It does build up to an almost unbearable sense of apathy and futility and under-the-surface inhumanity. It's amazing that he manages to portray something as idyllic as Hailsham so creepily. It reminded me - oddly - of Faber's Under the Skin. Have you read that? It's a very different book but I think they were thematically resonant. Interesting, these dystopias of the 21st century...

To disagree with my assessment, even mildly, sends me into APOPLECTIC RAGE!!! NEVER CAN I FORGIVE THIS INSULT!!!!
-
Ahem, uh, actually... something. I haven't read Faber's Under the Skin, but I will do so at my next good opportunity. At the moment I'm wading through Against the Day and then when I'm done with that there's another monster by Sigrid Undset (sp?) that I've said I'll read, so it may be a while... but indulding my long-forsaken appetite for books is something I'm very much looking forward to getting back into. Actually, speaking of getting back into things, I'd like to start reviewing things again... give me a few weeks and I'll probably be ready to do that, too. :)

Oh, it would be wonderful if you had time to review again. *dances* Especially since my next review is likely to be Guitiar Hero III, thus taking my culture points to an all time low....