It is no insult to young Paolini to say that his books are effectively co-written with Tolkien, any more than it is an insult to Chatterton-Rowley to say that his had a co-author in Macpherson-Ossian or, for that matter, that virtually all medieval-minded historical novels in the nineteenth century, including some very good ones, were produced jointly with Sir Walter Scott.

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It is still replete with his books, art and, yes, that couch.

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Moreover, it is believed that a person who comes to appreciate books during his or her time in prison has better chances of successful integration into the life after release from custody.

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But his recurring preoccupation with writing and reading and books strikes home, and it is here that he contrasts most sharply with Ms Fadiman.

ECONOMIST: Small but perfectly formed | The

His information, he said, came from his ally Fidel Castro: it is the Cuban medical mission, not the Venezuelan government, that keeps the books on Barrio Adentro.

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