My Favourite Book is an E Book!

BookCat · 09-14-2016, 02:06 PM

I was idly wandering around Amazon this afternoon and decided to find out if my all-time number one favourite book is finally an e book. Imagine my delight when I discovered that it is.

The book? A Fine and Private Place by Peter Beagle.
This is a beautifully written novel set in a graveyard. There is a recluse who for some strange reason never leaves the place and is fed by a talking raven who brings him sandwiches etc. The raven is a bit of a smart Alec. There are also two ghosts, newly dead who gradually fall in love. An old Jewish woman often visits the grave of her husband. These weird and disparate characters are brought together in a touching and well-written book which will never leave your mind.

I have the paperback, but I'm considering buying the kindle version.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Privat...+private+place

There are some very interesting reviews which give an even better idea of the book's content.

Dr. Drib · 09-14-2016, 04:29 PM

I read this in the mid-70s.

A great classic of Fantasy.

Here's the U.S.A. link:

https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Private-...dle#nav-subnav

Here's the cover from the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series.

HarryT · 09-15-2016, 04:46 AM

Thanks for posting about this, BookCat. It sounds interesting, and it's not a book I'd previously come across.

darryl · 09-15-2016, 05:34 AM

Was the title inspired by Andrew Marvell's poem "To my Coy Mistress"? Truly a classic piece of poetry.

"The Graves a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace".

http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/marvell/coy.htm

JSWolf · 09-15-2016, 05:55 AM

Sounds interesting. Might have to get it via Overdrive or buy a copy

As a quick note, e book is one word as in eBook.

BookCat · 09-15-2016, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

As a quick note, e book is one word as in eBook.

Thanks, I often get confused about that. Is it ereader or e reader?

BookCat · 09-15-2016, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darryl

Was the title inspired by Andrew Marvell's poem "To my Coy Mistress"? Truly a classic piece of poetry.

"The Graves a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace".

http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/marvell/coy.htm

Yes, I believe that was the inspiration for the title; it's also very relevant to the novel.

issybird · 09-15-2016, 01:15 PM

This is not my usual cuppa; however, not only is it set in my native borough, but also the cemetery was across the street from the house I lived in until I was six, when my family decamped to the 'burbs. So I'm in. Thanks.

Catlady · 09-15-2016, 01:21 PM

I read this years ago, after reading The Last Unicorn, but I can't say I remember it too well. I still have the hardcover in which it was included with several other works by Peter S. Beagle. Maybe I'll revisit it.

Wearever · 09-15-2016, 02:44 PM

Thanks for this BookCat ! I just read a book with ghosts. I really like the premise of this one too.

JSWolf · 09-15-2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

Thanks, I often get confused about that. Is it ereader or e reader?

Neither as the term eReader is already used to mean the eReader eBook format. The file extension is .pdb.

FizzyWater · 09-15-2016, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sounds interesting. Might have to get it via Overdrive or buy a copy

As a quick note, e book is one word as in eBook.

I checked Overdrive using the "is it available to recommend" option in the Advanced Search, and it didn't come up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Neither as the term eReader is already used to mean the eReader eBook format. The file extension is .pdb.

Words came be used for more than one meaning.

Joseph J Bailey · 09-15-2016, 08:30 PM

Sounds interesting. This reminds me a bit of Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.

I may have to check it out.

Thanks.

HarryT · 09-16-2016, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Neither as the term eReader is already used to mean the eReader eBook format. The file extension is .pdb.

The meaning of words can change with time, Jon, and this is an example of one that has. The "eReader" ebook format is dead and buried; the word is now used to describe a device on which one reads ebooks. It's time to join the 21st century.

DrNefario · 09-16-2016, 06:50 AM

They will also migrate to less ridiculous capitalisation, so I say get ahead of the curve and go straight to ebook and ereader. (Although will ereader as a dedicated device become redundant?)

09-14-2016, 02:06 PM	#1
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	My Favourite Book is an E Book! I was idly wandering around Amazon this afternoon and decided to find out if my all-time number one favourite book is finally an e book. Imagine my delight when I discovered that it is. The book? A Fine and Private Place by Peter Beagle. This is a beautifully written novel set in a graveyard. There is a recluse who for some strange reason never leaves the place and is fed by a talking raven who brings him sandwiches etc. The raven is a bit of a smart Alec. There are also two ghosts, newly dead who gradually fall in love. An old Jewish woman often visits the grave of her husband. These weird and disparate characters are brought together in a touching and well-written book which will never leave your mind. I have the paperback, but I'm considering buying the kindle version. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Privat...+private+place There are some very interesting reviews which give an even better idea of the book's content. Last edited by BookCat; 09-15-2016 at 12:36 PM. Reason: typo

09-14-2016, 04:29 PM	#2
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	I read this in the mid-70s. A great classic of Fantasy. Here's the U.S.A. link: https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Private-...dle#nav-subnav Here's the cover from the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Dr. Drib; 09-14-2016 at 04:34 PM.

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09-15-2016, 04:46 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks for posting about this, BookCat. It sounds interesting, and it's not a book I'd previously come across.

09-15-2016, 05:34 AM	#4
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	Was the title inspired by Andrew Marvell's poem "To my Coy Mistress"? Truly a classic piece of poetry. "The Graves a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace". http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/marvell/coy.htm

09-15-2016, 05:55 AM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Sounds interesting. Might have to get it via Overdrive or buy a copy As a quick note, e book is one word as in eBook.

09-15-2016, 01:15 PM	#8
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,226 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	This is not my usual cuppa; however, not only is it set in my native borough, but also the cemetery was across the street from the house I lived in until I was six, when my family decamped to the 'burbs. So I'm in. Thanks.

09-15-2016, 01:21 PM	#9
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,345 Karma: 52398889 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	I read this years ago, after reading The Last Unicorn, but I can't say I remember it too well. I still have the hardcover in which it was included with several other works by Peter S. Beagle. Maybe I'll revisit it.

09-15-2016, 02:44 PM	#10
Wearever Wizard Posts: 1,063 Karma: 10944084 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New England Device: Oasis 2,Voyage, Kindlle hdx 8.9, Ipad mini 4. Air 2	Thanks for this BookCat ! I just read a book with ghosts. I really like the premise of this one too.

09-15-2016, 08:30 PM	#13
Joseph J Bailey Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 2030752 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Here and there Device: iPhone & iPad	Sounds interesting. This reminds me a bit of Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. I may have to check it out. Thanks.

09-16-2016, 06:50 AM	#15
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,099 Karma: 11315768 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	They will also migrate to less ridiculous capitalisation, so I say get ahead of the curve and go straight to ebook and ereader. (Although will ereader as a dedicated device become redundant?)