Carry Me Down

Average customer rating:

Where is the story?

A dull, rambling and pointless book

Hmmmm.....

Brilliant...

Liars

Carry Me Down
M. J. Hyland
Manufacturer: Canongate U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1841958786

Book Description

John Egan is a misfit — "a twelve year old in the body of a grown man with the voice of a giant" — who diligently keeps a "log of lies." John's been able to detect lies for as long as he can remember, it's a source of power but also great consternation for a boy so young. With an obsession for the Guinness Book of Records, a keenly inquisitive mind, and a kind of faith, John remains hopeful despite the unfavorable cards life deals him.
This is one year in a boy's life. On the cusp of adolescence, from his changing voice and body, through to his parents’ difficult travails and the near collapse of his sanity, John is like a tuning fork sensitive to the vibrations within himself and the trouble that this creates for he and his family.
Carry Me Down is a restrained, emotionally taut, and sometimes outrageously funny portrait whose drama drives toward, but narrowly averts, an unthinkable disaster.

Customer Reviews:

Where is the story?.......2007-07-09

The only reason why i was not able to put it down, is the fact that i was trying to find the story? It wasn't boring though, it just did not have a meaningful subject to talk about. The writer kept dragging things on and on and unfortunately the ending was just.....WHAT??? Never mind!

A dull, rambling and pointless book .......2007-06-24

Sadly, yet another dodgy title that cast doubts over the choices of last year's Booker Prize committee. Were there truly no other worthy contenders that we should have this rather dull, pointless and rambling affair by M J Hyland in the shortlist ?

What's the point of the book ? I nearly gave up half way through but decided to persevere. Having finished the book, I can't say I'm any wiser. The story is told through the eyes of eleven year John Egan who thinks he is a walking lie detector and hopes to get into the Guinness Book of Records for his special gift. He sees the adults in his family constantly having private talks among themselves and senses they are hiding something from him and so imagines he has this gift.

John simply describes what he sees. There's no omniscient narrator to clue us into what's really happening within his family and so we are, like John, left guessing. Is the mother ill and dying perhaps ? If not, why's she spending so much time lying down in her bed at odd times of the day ? Why are his parents not sleeping together ? Why does the father blow hot and cold relating to the boy ? As it turns out, there are no real answers to these questions. There is however one solitary family secret which proves to be a damp squib - certainly not big enough to warrant our trawling through 300 odd pages of prose describing nothing in particular except people leaving and entering their homes and having their tea, etc

Early on, John is invited by his parents to witness his father calmly drowning, then one by one smashing the heads of the family cat's litter against the sides of the bathtub until they died. Is a family capable of such wanton cruelty normal ? Unfortunately, the episode is a red herring and nothing more sinister develops.

When new teacher Mr Roche arrives in the local school and gives spiteful class bully Kathy a taste of her own medicine, the mood picks up but the effect is only fleeting and the story soon lapses into its soporific state.

"Carry Me Down" is perhaps the weakest Booker shortlisted title I have read in years. In my opinion, a thorough waste of time.

Hmmmm............2007-06-18

This is certainly a well-written book. It's probably just my own taste, though, but it was a bit too stark for me -- and I could have done with a bit more resolution at the end. A bit bleak, and some real humor along the way could have done a lot for it.

Also, am I the only person to be bothered by novels told totally in the present tense? This trend is starting to get on my nerves.

Brilliant..........2007-05-18

I purchased this book on a whim and couldn't be happier that I did. This is an absolutely wonderful book. The character of John Egen seemed very real to me and I felt for him.

I found the writing to be wonderful and the story flowed flawlessly. I read another review in which the reviewer wondered why more was not done with the gang threat that John receives. A typical book would have taken this "plot point" and made this the story. This is not a typical book. I highly recommend CARRY ME DOWN and will definitely check out the authors other books.

Liars.......2007-05-10

The narrator of this story, John Egan, an 11-year-old Irish schoolboy, wants to get into the Guinness Book of Records as a human lie-detector. An only child, clever but thank goodness not precociously so, he tries to make sense of the world around him, but sees only its inconsistencies. Things are changing too fast: his body undergoes an unexpected growth spurt, his voice begins to change, he encounters problems at school, and some trouble erupts between his out-of-work father and long-suffering mother. The one thing he does know is when he is being lied to, and before long he has begun lying himself in self-defence. Almost imperceptibly at first, his life begins to spiral downwards, reaching a climax towards the end which makes everybody around him stop and take stock. Paradoxically, the trigger for this near-disaster is not another lie, but John's insistence on the truth; one of the most interesting aspects of Hyland's writing is her ability to see the shadings in what others might regard as moral absolutes.

A summary of the story might make it appear relentlessly grim, but not so. Despite the rural Irish setting circa 1969, this is no piece of Celtic Gothic, but something that might be written of families anywhere. John is a sympathetic character, often funny, and surprisingly resilient. For most of the book, the story seems like some kind of preadolescent adventure. The climax, when it comes, takes you by surprise, although you can recognize the earlier hints if you think back. Also, Hyland does not leave the reader with an entirely bleak ending; there is hope around the corner. But (partly from personal experience) I do feel that the ending is a little simplistic; the implied upward trajectory is likely to be neither short nor easy. Nor entirely one-sided; the emphasis on the troubled child hides the fact that his father may be an even more deeply disturbed character, and this is something that is neither fully explored nor satisfactorily resolved.

But for all its troubling elements, CARRY ME DOWN also contains great warmth which I think will last long after the book has been returned to its shelf.

Average customer rating:

Carry Me Down
M J Hyland
Manufacturer: Canongate Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 000200738X

Average customer rating:

Carry Me Down: Library Edition
M. J. Hyland
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: MP3 CD

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0786174129

DIATONIC HARMONICA - Blues Harp and Rock Style - The Beatles: Across the Universe; All My Loving; Baby You're a Rich Man; Because; Carry That Weight; Don't Let Me Down; Getting Better; Golden Slumbers; I'm Happy Just to Dance with You; Junk; Let It Be

Average customer rating:

DIATONIC HARMONICA - Blues Harp and Rock Style - The Beatles: Across the Universe; All My Loving; Baby You're a Rich Man; Because; Carry That Weight; Don't Let Me Down; Getting Better; Golden Slumbers; I'm Happy Just to Dance with You; Junk; Let It Be
John; McCartney, Paul (with Tommy Morgan) (re: The Beatles) Lennon
Manufacturer: Chappell Music Company - Maclen Music
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GVWYE8

Average customer rating:
Magister Negi Magi Vol. 1 (Mahousensei Negima!) (in Japanese)
Ken Akamatsu
Manufacturer: Kodansha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic
ASIN: 4063632687

Book Description

The history of the ultimate bloodline of warriors continues in this volume, featuring intense action and plot twists that are bizarre even for the Metabarons. The cyborg Metabaron, Steelhead, who may be the most ruthless of all the Metabarons, shakes the galaxy with a reign of violence and murder. But when he falls madly in love with Doa Vicenta, the daughter of one of his many victims, Steelhead decides to prove himself worthy of love. He searches out Zaran Krleza, the last poet in the universe. Joining Krlezas head with his cyborg body, Steelhead and the poet become one person, Melmoth, and in his new form Steelhead wins Doas heart. The two conceive twinsbut tragedy strikes: as Steelhead cradles his dying wife in his arms, the fate of the Metabarons clan hinges on his decision of which child to save.

Customer Reviews:

The Metabaron loses his head.......2006-02-13

Not to worry. He keeps plenty of extras around.

This third volume continues the family saga of the Metabarons, the most ruthless dynasty or warlords ever known. Steelhead, the Metabaron of this generation, finds himself infaturated with Dona Vicente. His courtship gets off to an uncomfortable start when he slays her father, ravages her planet, and drives its most beautiful life forms to extinction. He decides that the Dona would love him if he had the soul of a poet, which he promptly acquires by conquest. When his beloved is injured and fitted with prosthetics (like his own, only less so), it turns out that his love for her was mostly from the waist down. By then, he has already sired his own next generation on her. He (or she) keeps up his family tradition in a miraculous act of begetting, and in early loss of the mother.

The text is stilted and the characters are generally hard to care about. Still, the story moves well, and Gimenez's art carries it when Jodorowsky's script hiccups.

//wiredweird

Customer Reviews:

ANOTHER GREAT BOOK.......2005-02-19

The book gives an insight to some of the patakis on Orishas. It is well written and organized. It explains the creation of earth by Obatala and Yemaya to the chaining of Olokun. The paths of ellegua and the final battle.

A must have for those who wish to know more patakis on orishas or just have an overall knowledge on them. omi-illari.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Set Up for these ideas

Gifts in a Bag: Hot Drinks
Cq Products
Manufacturer: Cq Products
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1563831406

Book Description

Similar to the popular Gifts in a Jar recipe books, except these recipes for homemade gifts are meant to be bagged. Gift tags are included with each recipe - simply cut out, fold over the top of the bag and attach with staples, ribbon, raffia or twine.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Set Up for these ideas.......2002-11-04

This is a great way to make special beverages to give as gifts. In the past I have gotten recipes and then had to make up cards etc.. If this one it gives you the recipe and then also gives you 2 sets of cards to put with the mixes. This gives you everything you need and then you also still have the recipes if you want to make more than what it available.
There are some interesting tea and coffee recipes as well as hot cocoa with flavor.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Resource for Ty Bears!

A must for the Ty plush collector!

This is an excellent guide to Ty Plush and Attic Treasures!

Collector's Value Guide Ty Plush Animals: Secondary Market Price Guide and Collector Handbook (Collector's Value Guide Ty Plush Animals)
CheckerBee Publishing , and Inc Sta Collectors' Publishing Co
Manufacturer: Collectors' Publishing Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1888914351

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Resource for Ty Bears!.......2000-01-28

This book is an excellent source of information on Ty plush animals! It is a valuable addition to any collector! I got this for my mother, she collects Ty Bears, and she didn' realize how many were actually out there. Excellent book, very well put together!

A must for the Ty plush collector!.......1999-03-24

We Ty plush collectors have been waiting for this book. This guide contains pictures and information on Ty plush that I had never ever heard of! The pictures are very well done, very clear. It also has information on Attics and Beanies, but it's the plush section that really makes it unique.

This is an excellent guide to Ty Plush and Attic Treasures!.......1999-01-13

This guide gives you an in depth look at pictures and prices for the collectibles you have! Helps you to identify those pieces who may not have tags and assess their value. A MUST have for the Ty Plush collector!

Book Description

New techniques and patterns enable crafters to make an even greater variety of beautiful handmade leis for giving or wearing themselves. The authors, who design leis and teach classes in lei-making, provide step-by-step instructions and photos.

Book Description

A complete guide to planning and designing a new bathroom, or renovating an existing one, The Bathroom Makeover Book features everything readers need to know to create the perfect look for their bathrooms.

With 10 stylish decorating schemes and 19 easy-to-follow projects, this instructive guide helps potential remodelers assess existing space, choose a style, and create a contemporary and fresh look. Readers will find a step-by-step guide to planning a bathroom layout, including a section on dealing with problem layouts. All projects are divided by skill level and the time needed to complete them, making it easy for anyone to get the look he or she desires.

Book Description

This book combines the basics of print production technology with design to give designers the knowledge they need to prepare designs for print. This book covers the fundamentals of printing including file set up, pre-press, the production process, and print production technology. For designers and print production artists who want a basic understanding of the printing process and the technology involved.

Customer Reviews:

Information good - quality of book poor.......2005-08-19

This was a text book for a college class. The content of the book is a good introduction to the subject. As a design student, I feel I benefited from reading it. But, the book itself is cheaply produced. 100 pages, only a few black and white images of poor quality. (Actually, they look like poor photocopies.) The cost of the book is more expensive than many of my other text books, which were printed on quality paper and included lots of full color, photographic images.

There have to be other books with similar content that are better value for the money.

Production For Graphic Designers 4th edition

Average customer rating:

An excellent resource for Graphics students.
Only four stars as this was written in '97.

Production For Graphic Designers 4th edition
Alan Pipes
Manufacturer: Overlook Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1585676691

Book Description

Computer technology has completely revolutionized the work of graphic designers, printers, and print-production professionals. This completely revised fourth edition of Production for Graphic Designers embraces all the new and emerging technologies in graphics and print production, comprehensibly explaining the pre-press and printing processes. It also covers new workflows and spells the dizzying array of acronyms encountered by today's designers. As well as covering print, it provides an authoritative guide to working in digital media, particularly the Internet.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent resource for Graphics students........2000-05-31

This is the SECOND year I will be ordering this title for my Graphic Art Production students. I hope Mr. Pipes plans to keep this publication up to date with another edition. What I like about this book is manifold: the author's clear, intelligent and succinct language tops my list. My students and I both found his prose not just informative, but interesting. The information covers all the basic concerns of a designer involved in production for print and the internet (it gives a well fleshed-out overview of all our areas of study at least). The section on Typography is also quite thorough and far less ponderous than other commonly used Type texts. All the chapters lay down a perfect bridge to a full lecture. Students come to class comprehending the basics, thus adding to their ability to build on that knowledge. The bios throughout the book are of great interest and focus on contemorary designers of note. The attractive layout supports the notion of Grahic Design, not too common these days. I have viewed many texts in the related areas of Graphic Design and find this book to be a perfect example of what a text should be. Bravo Mr Pipes, and thank-you! I will be watching to see what you publish next.

Only four stars as this was written in '97........1999-07-03

I have used this as a text for a graphic art production class and have found it to be excellent in terms of its explanations. The diagrams are clear, the text concise, the content easily comprehended by my students. I really like the 'Design Trailblazers'...it maintains the heart of good design throughout the often clinical aspects of production. A nice representative selection as well...the students could relate. I await the next edition.

But Will It Print?: Prepress File Requirements Every Graphic Designer Must Know But Won't Learn in School

Average customer rating:

only semi-informative

But Will It Print?: Prepress File Requirements Every Graphic Designer Must Know But Won't Learn in School
Karen Peduzzi
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 141962167X
Release Date: 2006-02-02

Book Description

Everything about pre-press requirements you must know to take your design files to the printer, and not have to pay one dime in art, layout, setup, file preparation, or any other pre-press fees.

Customer Reviews:

only semi-informative.......2007-05-14

I was skeptical about by this book based on the cover, but as a graphic designer who is a little shaky on their pre-press skills I thought it would be helpful. Come to find out I should have gone with my gut. I did find a few paragraphs to be informative and helpful, but would not recommend this book to someone- especially not at it's suggested price. The book itself had alot of random information that did not seem to flow together and unless you knew some about pre-press you would have a hard time following and as someone with some pre-press knowledge you would not get your money's worth.

Average customer rating:

Graphic Designer's Production Handbook
Norman Sanders , and William Bevington
Manufacturer: Hastings House Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0803858965

Book Description

100 updated technigues of mechanical and art preparation concisely explained and illustrated

Average customer rating:

Everything you need to know in one place!

Production for the Graphic Designer
James Craig
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0823044165

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Everything you need to know in one place!.......2000-06-13

Production for the Graphic Designer promises to provide the reader with everything he/she needs to know in order to produce books and other graphic works. And this book fulfills its promise! In a thorough and lucid manner, this books describes, step-by-step all aspects of graphic production. My illustration instructor told me that this book is "selling like hot-cakes", and now I know why. I see this book as the final step in acquiring all the knowledge I need to produce my own books.

47 Printing Headaches: How to Prevent Costly Printing Mistakes--A Solution Book for Designers, Production Artists, and Desktop Publishers (And How to Avoid Them)

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47 Printing Headaches: How to Prevent Costly Printing Mistakes--A Solution Book for Designers, Production Artists, and Desktop Publishers (And How to Avoid Them)
Linda S. Sanders
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0891343660

Average customer rating:

Designer's Guide to Print Production

Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0823013146

Graphic Designer's Guide to Faster, Better, Easier Design & Production

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Graphic Designer's Guide to Faster, Better, Easier Design & Production
Poppy Evans
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0891345094

Average customer rating:

Graphic Designer's Production Handbook
Norman; Bevington, William Sanders
Manufacturer: Hastings House Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8BBJC

Average customer rating:

Graphic Designer's Production Handbook
Norman Sanders
Manufacturer: New York Hastings House 1983.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MVH3K2

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Thomson Gale on April 10, 2005. The length of the article is 1069 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Adiós mediático al Papa mediático: se le llora por lo que dijo, no por lo que hizo.(Juan Pablo II)
Author: Frida Modak
Publication: Siempre! (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 10, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 51 Issue: 2704 Page: 34(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Cristobal Colon: Llora Por Ti La Tierra (Coleccion Alba)

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Cristobal Colon: Llora Por Ti La Tierra (Coleccion Alba)
Ramon Hernandez Garcia
Manufacturer: Ediciones Nobel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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