Comments on: Afterthoughts: Soothing Music for Stray Cats by Jayne Joso

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:40:01 +0000

The pleasure’s all mine Bella. Thank you for trusting my word.

Mark is an absolute triumph isn’t he? Definitely the highlight of the novel for me. And although I liked Jules, I didn’t really connect with her too readily. There’s a reason for that – nothing to do with the storyline – but if I told you then I’d kind of be giving away a spoiler. Confused? Me too!
Warmest
Rob

By: Bella

Bella — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:54:28 +0000

I have just started reading Soothing Music for Stray Cats and I am really enjoying it. I like the main character Mark Kerr, and I adore the girl in it… Jules… I’m halfway through. Thank you for the review on this, it’s easier to pick something when it’s recommended.

By: Jayne Joso

Jayne Joso — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:50:30 +0000

No worries, kind Sir, am happy to be borrowed. Best wishes to you and all your readers… nay, followers… oh, book guru! :- ) Jayne Joso

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:09:05 +0000

Personally I’d have liked to have been around during Victorian times Mark. I love the inventiveness of the Age; how the Victorians tried to create so many weird and wonderful contraptions, but without the advancements of technology on their side. Course it was also the age of Chekhov, Tolstoy, Maupassant, Proust, Poe. So another good reason for me loving the period so much .
Warmest
Rob

By: Mark Jones

Mark Jones — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:59:22 +0000

Yes, we live in beautiful times I guess, I like that mix of great art and popular culture – the lack of divide – it’s very anti-snobbery, which I think is jolly healthy. Cheers, MJ

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:29:53 +0000

I get you with that ‘working class thread’ Mark, and I love, in one small example at least, how Jayne juxtaposes it somewhat with Mark’s love for the more high-brow of reading choices. Then she brings him right back down again with his show of abhorrence towards an Oscar Wilde bookmark. Superb!
Warmest
Rob

By: Mark Jones

Mark Jones — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:29:50 +0000

Firstly, Rob, yeah, am with you on the CA storyline, though Kazu is till my fav… and I remembered now one of the other Joso terms I like, ‘easylife’ which seems to be a kind of shorthand for those born with a silver spoon in their mouths… there’s quite a working class thread in there which personally I find quite refreshing.. sobering. And, yes, I love having the same first name as a charcter in a novel, -well..since I like the geezer!

And Stu, the author’s from your neck of the woods, how cool is that.
OK, the sobriety is getting to me now… and it is Sat night.. MJ

By: Stujallen

Stujallen — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:45:11 +0000

wow can t believe shes from macc grew up in poyton and congleton rob near her look like a great read thanks for bring it to my attention rob

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:32:28 +0000

Oops apologies for that one Jayne. I could have sworn I read you were Welsh. Must be the fact you’re published a Welsh publisher that threw me.
Warmest
Rob

By: Jayne Joso

Jayne Joso — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:20:29 +0000

“Welsh-born” no, that’ll be Dylan Thomas… Tom Jones and Duffy. I was schooled in Wales, but am actually from Macclesfield… like Ian Curtis, bless his soul, of Joy Division… oh, and the wonderful Malcolm Bradbury. I am perhaps more Welsh-borrowed… which is rather nice.