Re: More top (...) lists ad nauseum

Malcolm Lawrence (malcolm@wolfenet.com)
Fri, 14 Aug 1998 09:35:52 -0700

Daniel Mahanty wrote:

> Burgess's list of the best 99 novels published in English from 1939
> to 1984
>
> Aldiss, Brian - Life in the West (1980)

Speaking of which, I've heard that the new Kubrick film (No, not "Eyes Wide Shut"
with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman...his other new one that he's been working on
for years that apparently is "Waterworld" but done right) is based on a short
science fiction story by Brian Aldiss called "Supertoys Last All Summer Long,"
which I've been trying to find for a while but to no avail. Has anybody got a
copy of it or know where I can find it?

> Chandler, Raymond - The Long Goodbye (1953)

I just saw Robert Altman's 1974 film version with Elliott Gould on the big screen
a few weeks ago.  I couldn't understand why it wasn't popular with the critics or
the populace when it was released. Sure, he doesn't exactly look like or sound
like a hero, but by the end of the film you realize that his integrity is
impeccable.

> Gray, Alasdair - Lanark (1981)

YES! Has anyone else read this, what some refer to as the Scottish Ulysses? What
a rollicking fun ride. A friend of mine here in Seattle started reading it while
I was living in Glasgow. God knows how he found a copy of it because it's very
hard to find in the States. Highly recommended to all you Pynchon fans. ;)

> Greene, Graham - The Power and the Glory (1940)
> Greene, Graham - The Heart of the Matter (1948)

But not "Our Man In Havana"?

What a great list. Of course you could expect as much from Burgess.

Malcs (who doesn't give any reverence to top lists, but, what the hell, they're
conversation pieces at best)