Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1094
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And so I've finished Ian Rankin's final Rebus novel, Exit Music, and I'm wondering what to make of it. I know Rankin struggled with what to do with his hero as he brought the series to a close and so I turned every page with trepidation. John Hannah, not Ken Stott, is Rebus for me but I couldn't tie up the character in my mind with the Rebus on the page of Exit Music. Perhaps that was my problem with this story ... it certainly lacked something and felt more like a call for Scottish Independence. And as for the ending...? Any comments?
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Barney
member
Reged: 01/04/2008
Posts: 1349
Loc: UK
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I read Exit Music, the first Rebus I've read, it was chosen by my local reading group. I found it extremely boring, really struggled to finish it, I kept dozing off. The characters and storyline felt flat and the plot contrived. I didn't like it.
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1094
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You wasted your time reading Exit Music if it was your first Rebus novel - you might have understood and enjoyed earlier books in the series better out of order but making the last your first was a mistake. Rankin was writing for the converted and didn't include the sort of information that would help first timers to understand the relationships - all important - in this series/book. It was, I think, assumed the reader knew. What a pity...
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DeepBlue
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Reged: 16/02/2008
Posts: 328
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Hi Ashbee. Haven't read this book but can't agree John Hannah is Rebus - he's too wet, doesn't look 'razzled' enough. Not sure about Ken Stott either mind you. Years ago there was a detective on The Bill (can't remember his name) who was attractive in a vunerable way, lived on the edge, looked as if he sometimes slept in a bar - now he's my Rebus.
I've met Ian Rankin a couple of times (once at a writers workshop), nice man but can't say I enjoy his books. As a fellow Edinburgh resident (I live 2 street away from the Oxford Bar). feel I should so I'll perserve.
Bit if trivia for you. Ken Stott's father taught at one of Edinburgh's most exclusive private schools where his nickname was predictably 'Bouncer'. (just realised that that might be a Scotticism - stott means bounce here)
Poppyc aka Pat
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1094
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I never knew that ... so stott is a bit of scottish slang for bouncer. What's a stoater? It was used in the book about a woman and I couldn't work out if it was good or bad - I thought bad...
Edinburgh is a lovely place. Only been once many many centuries ago but I liked it a lot.
Who was the actor from the Bill? I stuck with John Hannah simply because he was how I imagined Rebus to be at the very beginning but I agree he's not the right person now...but I'm curious who this other chappy might be...
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DeepBlue
member
Reged: 16/02/2008
Posts: 328
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Hi Ashbee. Stoating is bouncing - not a club bouncer. A stoater applied to a woman could mean she's a stunner. The rain stoating off the road means it's pouring down. He was stoating probably means he's had one too many. Ain't language wonderful.
The guy from The Bill had a little moustache, was a Londoner - not the actor who died but quite a handsome guy who went bad in the end. It was about 10 years ago at the very beginning of the Bill. I will investigate and return.
Poppyc
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DeepBlue
member
Reged: 16/02/2008
Posts: 328
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Hi Ashbee
Got it! It was DS Ted Roache in The Bill aka Tony Scannell. If you go on to www.thebillbios.co.uk you'll see a photograph of him. Give him an Edinburgh accent and he's my Rebus.
And yes Edinburgh is a beautiful place although it has it's dark side too - remember Trainspotting and Shallow Grave - and of course Dr Jeykll & Mr Hyde. I currently live a few doors along from where Robert Louis Stevenson lived as a child (lovely Georgian terrace and very prestigious address)but RLS used to frequent the dark and dangerous parts of Edinburgh too. It's just not done to let the tourists know about it.
Poppyc aka Pat
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1094
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Oh yes, I remember him. I can't shake John Hannah from the imagination but I agree Tony Scannell is a good substitute.
Are you a native of Edinburgh? What are Edinburgh natives called, by the way?
You are right about language being interesting - all those uses for the same word!
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DeepBlue
member
Reged: 16/02/2008
Posts: 328
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Glad you sort of agree Ashbee. No I'm not an Edinburger (honestly don't know the name for the natives). I'm a child of the world - bit of an army brat. Born in Inverness, brought up in Carlisle and Glasgow. Educated in Carlisle, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Have lived in those cities plus Perth, London and Saigon, South Vietnam. Totally confused about where I'm from but as long as I've got one or two very personal belongings think I can settle anywhere. Perhaps I was a gypsy in a past life.
Patx
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Ginnie
member
Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 481
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Hi Pat
What an exciting life. Feel quite mundane now.
Just wanted to say stott is used in the NE too as bounce. I remember a poor girl in primary school with the surname Ball being known by the boys as Stotter Ball.
I'm just having ten minutes peace before I get back into the family mayhem (love it really)
Ginnie
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When it rains look for rainbows
When it's dark look for stars
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wispa
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 2200
Loc: Suffolk,
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And stotious means you are so drunk you can't walk straight, and are bouncing off the walls and tables as you go.
There is no English equivalent - it's a great word
..wispa
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1094
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How do you pronounce that - stoshus? It will be my life's work now to fit that into a conversation...
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redpoppy
member
Reged: 21/01/2008
Posts: 401
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Believe Edinburger(or burgher?) is right.
Didn't like either of the TV Rebuses- think they should have picked someone a bit hunkier.
Have enjoyed the early books..liked the one about the dolls best, but yet to read the last book.
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