Customer Reviews:
Do yourself a favor and skip California Game Entirely.......2006-07-01
This book stopped my love of the Lovejoy series in its tracks. There is little of the Lovejoy we know and love in this awful novel. There are no interesting characters that we can get into at all.
This novel should have followed Jade Woman (been the next published after Jade Woman). For whatever reason, The Last Gambado followed it, which chronologically takes place after this atrocity.
The last Gambado is a good book. This will spoil Lovejoy for you. It seems to me Gash wrote a dull book about a different character with this one.
Lovejoy finally breezes into the US........2005-03-18
In this book we have Lovejoy orchestrating one of his because there was no Tinker Dill in it. But the great thing about a Lovejoy book is the characters that you do meet. Gash's imagination enables him to come up with some really wonderful ones. The best two in this book are Magda and her great fiddles in the US of A. There are a lot of characters in this book, but there aren't any of the older ones that we know and love from East Anglia. I felt the book lacked somethingson (?) Zole. Lovejoy always seems to be a "Champion of Lost Causes" and these two certainly fit that category, but it turns out that they become his greatest allies. That and a New York Underworld leader called Busman. We see more wonderful cons played out by Lovejoy and his motley crue of recruits. And we see and hear more antique information. This book has a very surprising ending though that is played out in Los Angeles. I absolutely love this series, and can't wait for the next one. Will Lovejoy still be on the run in America, or will he escape to somewhere else? Wherever it is, he'll be sure to come up against some real nasty people (as well as some real gems).
Okay, But No "Spend Game".......2004-01-19
Too many characters and too many unlikely events almost make this a caricature of Lovejoy, definitely not as good as Lovejoy's "Spend Game". The english physician who writes under the name of Jonathan Gash leaned on too many stereotypes, and yet, even a moderately good Lovejoy mystery is superior to most of the stuff out there. Those lucky enough to have watched the TV Lovejoy during its run on A&E during the mid 90s, will, as a reviewer below observed, discover a much more realistic and edgy Lovejoy in print. I have read five Lovejoys, this is the weakest so far (but still worth reading).
These could become addictive.......2002-10-10
David Dandy and Sonia Kreidenweis, my landlords from my last semester, turned me onto the Lovejoy series on A&E. Lovejoy, a rogue antiques dealer with a circle of friends who combine to help and hinder, is the type of character I'd like to create--witty and crass, full of interesting quirks, yet also a sense of morality. Now that I'm once again sans A&E, I turned to the novels of Jonathan Gash that provided the basis for the TV show.
While the dichotomy between TV and book isn't quite as drastic as one like Spenser: For Hire, there is a marked difference. For one, the book Lovejoy is much more a loner than his television counterpart. He's also much more chauvinistic, smart-alecky, and incredibly stupid, at least in things other than antiques. And, although the TV Lovejoy tries to match the first-person narrative of the books with his humorous asides to the camera, it just doesn't come close to the endless personal nature of the onrunning dialogue between character and reader in the book. Which is to say that both media have their pros and cons.
In this novel, Lovejoy finally visits America, and quickly gets involved in a very large scam--one that decides the crime takings for the whole country. I like to think of it as if Damon Runyon had been born British, with the first-person narrative flowing serenely over the dangerous mob happenings below.
Oh, I almost forgot my favorite line in the book. Lovejoy, trying to extradite himself from one of the situations is telling the reader his plan, with the ending, "Then exit, pursued by bear." Funny? Not alone, perhaps, but in context, this stage description from Shakespeare, incongruously applied, tickled me in the right places. I liked this book enough to pick up another, and I suspect that I'll probably end up reading them all if they can match the fun of this one.
Not worth the effort.......2002-07-03
I'm a huge Lovejoy fan, but Jonathan Gash should stay on his side of the pond! California Game is just not worth the effort and also not worthy to be called a Lovejoy mystery alongside all the other great Lovejoys.
Book Description
This one-of-a-kind collection reminds weary adults not to lose sight of the values and virtues they learned as kids. Here are over three hundred quotations from over two hundred well-loved children's books, such as Charlotte's Web, Peter Pan, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Eloise, Sounder, Number the Stars, and Goodnight Moon, organized by topic, among them Acceptance, Goodness, Family Woes, and Growing Old. On Silence: "I assure you that you can pick up more information when you are listening than when you are talking."--E. B.White, The Trumpet of the Swan. On Reverence: "Dying's part of the wheel, right there next to being born. . . . Being part of the whole thing, that's the blessing."--Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting.
With clever illustrations from Pierre Le-Tan, here is a book to share with a friend or keep by your own bedside. It's the perfect gift for your sister, your mother, your brother, your nephew, your kid's teacher, your daughter away at college, your son in the Navy, your mailman, your priest, for the old lady next door, or for the baby just born. Most importantly, give it to yourself. It will help you remember why you loved reading in the first place.
Customer Reviews:
Heart to soul...good snippets of thoughts........2005-08-29
Yes, you can go back home. Most of these quotes come from books that either I remember reading as a young girl or that I read to my sons when they were growing up. As an adult/grown-up they have an entirely new meaning and perception that is heartrendering at times and at others very up lifting. I liked it and have purchased another to pass along.
treasure this.......2005-05-26
this is a book to treasure. Ms. Gash has done a remarkable job compiling it. I've purchased this book for at least a dozen of my male friends, and they're not even gay. Don't let this one fall between the cracks. The lessons are inspirational on many levels; Gash's selections, geared to adults, from the greatest children's books are consistently entertaining and thought-provoking, no small feat in these crazy, meaning-challenged times. I can't say enough about this unique, compelling book, unless I already have.
Excellent!.......2004-10-04
This is a really awesome idea. There are truly so many gems out there. Most of them you will remember reading too. I would like to see an even more indepth version with more children's books. But, what an awesome start. This could start the next great "Chicken Soup..." or "...for Dummies" movement in books.
A Nice Little Book.......2003-07-13
A good concept & a nice little book. I'd like to see this idea expanded into a larger work, with more children's books used as sources, & with subject & title indices. It'd be even better then!
A Nice Little Book.......2003-07-13
A good concept & a nice little book. I'd like to see this idea expanded into a larger work, with more children's books used as sources, & with subject & title indices. It'd be even better then!
Customer Reviews:
Rascal.......2005-06-27
That consummate rascal, Lovejoy is up to his tricks again, producing fake bronzes, collecting writs against him and making love to half the female population of East Anglia. Moonspenders is the name given by the antiques trade to unscrupulous dealers who go on to other peoples properties by night, to locate buried metal antiquities with a metal detector, so when a friend of Lovejoy is found murdered in a field, supposedly gored by a bull, the picture just doesn't make sense to Lovejoy who starts to piece together his own scenario. Throw in a coven of witches, a very rich batty collector, a greedy land developer AND local thugs with murderous intent, and you have another typical Lovejoy adventure, light, amusing and with enough bits about the antique trade to make it more palatable. It's not the best in the series but a good, quick read.
Time for another romp with Lovejoy........2005-01-30
Lovejoy is so much fun and each book is a little gem in its own right. In this one we have weddings, writs, murder and of course antiques. You may think - "A typical Lovejoy romp.". Yes, it is that, but this book is such a lot of fun! It's Lovejoy himself who makes these stories so readable. He is totally irresistable with his thieve's code of honour and his incessent womanizing. He's a scalawag, but such an adorable one. The books are set to a very frenetic pace, and sometimes it's hard to keep up whilst deciphering the English slang "doorarling", but oh, it's worth it! In this book we learn about Moonspenders. These are the people that go out at night with their metal detectors looking for old antiques. And you can bet they don't tell the antiquities people what they find. This book is set in Lovejoy's own East Anglia, and it's not very far from his cottage where all the action occurs. If you haven't read this series, you are missing something, let me tell you.
Fakes, Scams and Goofy Characters.......2000-12-11
Lovejoy appears on a television show as an expert on antiques. As a result, he is offerred a job by Ben Cox, director of a Suffolk archaeology trust who is worried about the county being robbed of its treasures, especially ancient bronzes buried in the ground. After Cox and local collector George Prentiss are both murdered, Lovejoy sets out to find the killer and solve the mystery of the missing buried treasures. There are two big entertainments in a Lovejoy novel. The reader learns a lot about antiques, with an emphasis on the fakes and scams, and also meets some great characters. The downside of all this is that the plot tends to get buried beneath the goofy characters and their many antics.
Antiques,intrigue,beautiful women,typical Lovejoy.Delightful.......1997-01-17
Lovejoy, minds not, creating a beautiful work of art. He has even been know to make an occasional fake or two. However the wholesaling, of rare, national treasures goes against his true love, antiques. Here one finds a gangster, antiques-poachers with electronic gadgets,
a TV maiden, a precious Victorian wedding,
a little witchcraft, and a few dead friends thrown in. Lovejoy is up to his old tricks of taking on the world , with his loyal barker Tinker, and bevy of beautiful women who cannot resist his charms. Havoc abounds with murderous intrigue, and it is up to Lovejoy to make order of chaos. Done in
true fashion,he succeeds.Typically delightful
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful Lovejoy!.......2005-01-15
I can't believe that I'm the first to review this book. It is absolutely wonderful! I've been reading the Lovejoy series, and so far, this is arguably my favourite of this great series. Lovejoy is very lovable in this book. When he sets out to help someone, he does it in a big way. While on the trail of killers again, he finds himself in northern Scotland at a manor house called Tachnadray. It's a mouldering mansion with not an antique in sight, but that doesn't stop the irrepressible Lovejoy from arranging a big auction sale. What he does is called "papering" in the antiques trade. It means you have an auction where you let it be known that you're auctioning off a family's antiques, and then you bring antiques in from everywhere and pretend they're from this family's store. That's what I mean about a Lovejoy book - you find out so much about the antiques trade (both legal and illegal). Lovejoy is at his best in this one. It's quite hilarious how hard he has to work to achieve his objectives. The part of the book where he earns his keep by being a carney is quite hilarious. This is a great addition to the Lovejoy series, and I can't wait for more.
Customer Reviews:
Lovejoy becomes involved with older women........2005-08-22
This book seems to be even more frenetic than some of the previous. I found it a bit confusing, and some issues never did get resolved. We still get lots of good antique information, and we learned the ins and outs of auctions for fakes, but a lot of plot strands were dropped on the way. It seems like Gash is trying to make Lovejoy even scruffier and even more scattered, and the book loses by this. I still like this series though, and will continue to read until the end. If nothing else there are usually enough surprises at the end to keep me going with the next installment.
Plot twists that go nowhere.......1998-07-31
After reading several of Gash's novels this was one I could definitely put down. It started strong but ran too convoluted until the last few chapters when everything came to a quick solution. Not one of his better works.
Customer Reviews:
Ireland like you've never seen it before!.......2004-11-19
Lovejoy goes to Ireland in order to avenge a friend's death, and to take part in the ultimate "sleeper" scheme. As Lovejoy said - "Times are hard in the antiques industry and it's not the dealers' fault if antiques have to be salted away and redisovered. It's also not his fault if such antiques are not really antiques at all." Welcome to the sleazy world of Lovejoy and his unique look on crime. Who'd have thought there could be so many grey areas? Anyway, this is another good one in the Lovejoy series, and Gash handles his double con job with a deft hand indeed. Can't wait to read more.
Lovejoy discovers Ireland.......2000-03-10
One of my favorites in the Lovejoy series. As one of the series' earlier books, it lacks the frantic pace the author employs in the last five or six--much more care is taken with the details. There's a bit of everything here--a few harrowing escapes; a qurky thin and tall Irishmen with an equally quirky vehicle; his beautiful cousin who makes all the right moves; the usual scam by money-hungry pursuers and producers of false antiquities; and in the middle-of-it-all, the wise, and contradictorally naive but worldly Lovejoy, the man who understands what's important and oblivious to what is not.
Customer Reviews:
Do yourself a favor and read this and skip California Game Entirely.......2006-07-01
This book was the next published after Jade woman. Chronologially California Game follows Jade woman as Lovejoy fled Hong Kong in Jade Woman to the USA where he encountered the California Game. The Very Last Gambado is a good book. Do youself a favor and skip California Game entirely. I had been enjoying the Lovejoy series until that awful book that should never have been published.
The caper to end all capers!.......2005-03-01
This is a big, brash Lovejoy caper, and as wonderful as it is, I wouldn't recommend this to be read before any other books in this wonderful series. This book's plot and the huge caper are very complex, and Lovejoy has really bitten off more than he can chew in this one. Lovejoy is recruited to act as a consultant for a film about a robbery from the British Museum. Lovejoy knows all along that he's a pawn in some crook's game, but he can't figure out why they need him. Lovejoy, you're too modest - not only are you a divy, but your reputation preceeds you! Anyway, Lovejoy ends up mixing up with some very bad people, and he even finds himself in between two mob bosses that are after each other's blood. I love all the books in this series, but I would have to say that this particular book is my favourite so far. It is the "very last gambado" (the big score), just as the title states.
Not for the faint of heart.......1999-06-14
Nicholas Gash is always entertaining but he isn't always informative. Despite best efforts to keep characters straight, track possible motives and alibis and follow a labyrinthine plot, it was still difficult to figure out what the hell was going on. The plot fairly gallops and Lovejoy is truly delightful, but I got a little weary always trying to figure out how things matched up. I will no doubt tackle another Lovejoy soon, but I will need a break before I do so.
Customer Reviews:
Such a rogue.......2005-06-04
When the heavies in England force Lovejoy from his home and possessions and make his future seem less than pleasant, he takes advantage of an opportunity to leave England and to move to Hong Kong for the sake of his health and freedom. The extreme heat and humidity saps his strength so badly that he doesn't even make it out of the terminal of the airport, but collapses in a heap for a quick nap on the floor of the terminal. Big mistake...when he awakens to find his money and passport missing, he makes the long walk into the city and throws himself on the mercy of a man who had given him his card on the plane. The man rejects his plea for charity and walks away, only to be stabbed to death a few minutes later. After finding himself temporary shelter with a friendly expat, Lovejoy hawks his talents as an expert in antiques and antique reproductions, and is contacted by the Triads and forced into working for them. His room mate works as a gigolo, servicing travelling ladies with dinner, dancing and anything else they might require, and recruits Lovejoy into the profession. He is fascinated by Jade Woman, a beautiful and highly educated young woman, trained since childhood to be the face of the Triads. Lovejoy makes a deal with the gangs to forge pieces of art for them and soon finds himself in big trouble as usual. The lovable rogue struggles out of his predicaments with his usual flair and, by the end of the book, is heading for the US. I just hope that I can find this sequel.
Come Travel the world - Lovejoy Style!.......2005-02-16
Travelling with Lovejoy is so very different than what anyone is used to. In this book we see him in Hong Kong as he's trying to escape some nasty characters back in East Anglia. He starts out OK with a plane ride, passport and money in his pocket, but he's not in Hong Kong for five minutes before everything he has is stolen. As he wanders around hungry for two days, we see Hong Kong through his eyes, and he, even with all his troubles, is fascinated by it. It's easy to see the author's experiences of Hong Kong in the wonderful descriptions that he paints in this book. Anyway, poor old Lovejoy finally finds himself a way to make a living (and what a way that is!), but he gets mixed up with a nasty lot too. His experiences with the Hong Kong triads is unforgettable (and actually quite funny too). We of course see another master fiddle done by the old faker (Lovejoy himself), and we also get more interesting info on some pretty nice antiques (Asian style). This book is captivating, as are all the others in this wonderful series.
Author's Hong Kong Experiences Enhance It.......2003-11-26
The English physician who writes under the name of Jonathan Gash lived in Hong Kong for several years; his knowledge of the weather, society, and people combine to make this one of the better Lovejoys. This is also a great choice for someone unfamiliar with Lovejoy as he is quickly yanked out of England and left penniless in Hong Kong. As with many of Gash's Lovejoy efforts, the action is fast and furious for the last 20 pages or so. Recommended.
One of the best in the series.......2000-03-10
This is one of the best in the series. Gash successfully brings together plot, pacing, setting and character. Often his plots are convoluted, but this one moves surely, and without sacrificing entertainment. As in the Gondola Scam (in Venice), Gash limits the region to explore to great effect. We lovingly follow Lovejoy through Hong Kong, meet up with the requisite number of baddies, but also the quirky and unusual characters that assist Lovejoy in his quest. A tightly and carefully constructed book, and a great introduction to the entire series.
Humor, adventure, excitement, murder, gangsters, Hong Kong.......1998-05-23
Dashing Lovejoy is at it again--this time in Hong Kong! Running from the law and some small time hood, he's off to the orient, loses everything, becomes mixed up in a huge antiques swindle, and is locked into serfdom. Jade Woman is one of my favorite Jonathan Gash books. Even when his life is on the line, Lovejoy never runs out of witty things to say. Murder, intrigue, antiques, and the spell of Hong Kong mix together to bring you a real page-turner.
Customer Reviews:
Great book for V:DA.......2002-12-31
This book is just packed full of information. It is one of those books that drew me to Vampire to begin with. Great detail about the period, how vampires fit into it. How to play a vampire knight. Religion and how both vampiric knight and also mortal ones view it.
The book itself is a fun read, not just filled with rules but flavour to make the game better. Some of the concepts could be used in any game that uses knights.
Well worth the money. My only complaint is the art needed to be a bit better.
Powerful Vampires.......2002-02-02
This is one great book, but you need the good players too. Think of a vampire walking under the sun and not getting aggravated damage, just lethal. A vampire with increased power and disciplines as well as being only lethally damaged by fire, not aggravated. However, it is compensated by the vampire duties and by those above them in the knighthood order. And yet, it is not only about the order of the bitter ashes, but about everything on chivalry. If you like the via equitus... this book is for you.
Refreshing change of pace for the Kindred.......2000-04-06
I am quite impressed with this book. In the tradition of Wolves of the Sea, White Wolf has really done their homework on this one. Not only does it contain much relevant information about historically existing knightly orders (such as the Knights Templar), it also contains information about how kindred manipulate and even become them. Most importantly, the Order of the Bitter Ashes is detailed. The Order has a duty to destroy infidels, protect the holy, redeem the wicked, and capture the holy relics of old for...posterity. The memebers, due to a unique embrace involving the Holy Grail, also have several new powers, among them being a limited ability to regenerate blood without feeding, and some resistance to fire and sunlight. Though they might be the most noble of the Kindred, there are still many moral dilemmas to play out with them. I get a real Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade feeling from this book. If you enjoy this sort of mood mixed with the gothic horror of Vampire: Dark Ages, this is a must have for you. My only complaint is that there is not a single mention of the one clan that most fits the knightly stereotype: the Salubri. Maybe I am just partial to the Salubri, but I think that they should not have been overlooked here. Still, the book is marvelous.
Good book for the line.......2000-04-05
The first impresion i had upon this book was: "why bother with something so simple". But upon reading the five chapters and the appendix i was hooked on the idea. I also played for six years Truncheons and Flagons so the fantasy setting is no strange to me, whoever when you review the possilities to play a vampire knight the ideas arise (bad pun sorry). They explain in chapter one the whole concept of chivalry in medieval Europe, but the best chapter is the second where they explain how to do it and the fifth where players get their chances at playing one. New merits and flaws (i really liked the "woman in disguise" flaw, a lot of opportunities there). They also give you a brief history of a fictional vampiric knight order for those who like ready to play NPC. Overall a good read, on the gaming side a good sourcebook with good information for both storytellers and players.
Kindred of the Round Table.......2000-04-05
This Dark Age Supplement for Vampire is one great read. What I liked about this book is that it gave historical view of the codes and conducts of chivalry, and the sociteies of the canite knighthoods. Whitewolf's eyecatching artwork in its shades of black white, catch the feel of the Dark Ages and creates a good atmosphere for the book. For those who play Vampire: TDA, this books holds are real treat as it details the "Grail Knights" briefly mentioned in previous books. They are something more than you typical Cainite Knight. Also featured in this book are some New Traits and Merits & Flaws for your character. This is one book I feel I will have plenty of use for in my library.
Average customer rating:
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Blood Dancing
Jonathan Gash
Manufacturer: Ulverscroft Large Print
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0750526289 |
Books:
- The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Book Big Profits)
- The Mad Scientists' Club (Mad Scientist Club)
- The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Mill on the Floss (Penguin Classics)
- The Mosquito Coast
- The New Rules of College Admissions: Ten Former Admissions Officers Reveal What it Takes to Get Into College Today (Fireside Books (Fireside))
- The Perfect Wedding Details: More Than 100 Ideas for Personalizing Your Wedding
- The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life)
- The Ring of the Nibelung
- The Scarlet Letter (Penguin Classics)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- Offside: Soccer and American Exceptionalism.
- Perspectives on Integrated Coastal Zone Management
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- Luxury and Public Happiness in the Italian Enlightenment
- Alabama Investment and Business Guide
The Lies of Fair Ladies: A Lovejoy Mystery
The Rich and the Profane (Lovejoy Mystery)
The Sin within Her Smile: A Lovejoy Mystery
Moonspender (Lovejoy Mystery)
The Possessions of a Lady: A Lovejoy Mystery
