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The Lace Reader (Salem, #1)

Brunonia Barry

Discussion: November/December 2008

Discussion leader: LynnB

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November/December 2008

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
By Jenn · 44 posts · 74 views

last updated Jun 20, 2010 10:53AM

The Lace Reader, by Brunonia Barry
By LynnB · 7 posts · 25 views

last updated Jun 12, 2010 10:32PM

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What Members Thought

Sep 02, 2008 Julie rated it it was ok

Shelves: audiobooks

The concept gets an A, the execution gets a C. The book is just a mess! In serious need of editing and rearrangement. I was often confused because it was hard to tell reality from dreams from hallucinations from delusions from memories. There were a lot of good ideas, but so many of them were totally unnecessary and others weren't fully fleshed-out. The author should have saved some of those ideas for other stories and developed them further (and maybe she will). As the book went on, the author ...more

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Feb 05, 2009 Bookmarks Magazine added it · review of another edition

Given the considerable hype surrounding The Lace Reader, reviewers' expectations may have been unreasonably high. However, most of them seemed quite satisfied by the book; they praised not only its page-turner plot but also the Whitney family's compendium of quirkiness and the vivid descriptions of the town they inhabit. A few critics were annoyed at the thickness of Barry's plot, as it jumps between past and present, real and unreal. Others were less than impressed by the much-vaunted surprise

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Aug 03, 2008 Linda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: chcpl

A mystery which takes place in Salem, Massachusetts which pays homage to the city's history. The opening paragraph should put the reader on guard for what comes after. Most likely, the reader will be lulled into Towner's story which like the lace being read, has holes with the fabric. In my mind, the ending does not tie up all the loose ends. Still a good yarn. ...more

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Feb 26, 2009 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: busy-as-a-bee-books-group

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really struggled between 3 and 4 stars for this one but went with 4 b/c I ultimately enjoyed it although it wasn't one of my all time favorites.

WARNING: Potential spoilers ahead ...

I've heard this book described as similar to a lot of different novels - The Thirteenth Tale, Life with Pi, and Fight Club. And I see the comparisons to all 3, looking back on it.

It was really difficult to get into this book at first. I almost put it down a number of times but wanted to stick it out because I'd hear I really struggled between 3 and 4 stars for this one but went with 4 b/c I ultimately enjoyed it although it wasn't one of my all time favorites.

WARNING: Potential spoilers ahead ...

I've heard this book described as similar to a lot of different novels - The Thirteenth Tale, Life with Pi, and Fight Club. And I see the comparisons to all 3, looking back on it.

It was really difficult to get into this book at first. I almost put it down a number of times but wanted to stick it out because I'd heard that it gets better as you read and that the big 'twist' at the end would blow my mind.

I enjoyed the way that the author gave life to the town of Salem and incorporated its history into the narrative. That was interesting. Overall, the novel was well written. Looking back, I think the author did a great job of giving clues to the big twist without ever giving you the twist, per se. And the character development was good - I think the characters were memorable and engaging despite the weaving in and out of time and experience that is central to the novel's structure.

I found the structure of the book a bit difficult to follow at times but I'm assuming that is the point of a narrative essentially driven by an unreliable (yet likable) liar who tells you upfront that she's not to be trusted. Looking back, the structure really set the tone and helped make the ending that much more impactful. However, I can see how it can be off putting to some readers.

There were a lot of unanswered questions in the end ... Which is good and bad. I like the fact that the book left me with questions. However, I suspected a great deal of the 'twist' long before it was revealed. That was disappointing because I was hoping to be WOW'd. And I wasn't. I found it interesting but not WOW!

Lastly, I kept expecting the lace reading to become central to the story but it ultimately was not. I was looking forward to hearing more about it. But, in the end, it was alluded to a lot and it was present but not a critical part of the story, weaved in for effect. That was disappointing.

Ultimately, I'm glad that I read it but I'm not sure it was what I'd call a great read. Maybe I was impacted by the great reviews I'd read that really talked the book up and built it into a masterpiece in my mind. In the end, it didn't quite live up to the hype. ...more

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Jan 12, 2010 Das rated it liked it

The story takes place in Salem, Mass. Long after the witch trials of the 1600's, though you'd never know it based on the behavior of religious groups in the town. The Whitney family has been reading lace for decades, much like Tarot readers and cards--quotes from the family's Lace Reader Guide are interspersed throughout the book and are suppose to drive the plot--I think? It is a weak plot, at times and with the shift in POV, could be confusing to some readers. My favorite parts of the book inv ...more

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Dec 05, 2009 Lisa Hickman rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery-thrillers, bookmarks-2008, busy-as-a-bee-books

This story really grabbed me at the start and teased me with the unreliable character of Towner. I thought the mystery surrounding her past was well-done, but I had a problem with some of the present day situations, mainly the description and actions of the Calvinists. I thought some of it was too far-fetched, otherwise I liked it very much.

Bookmarks Issue: 37-Nov-Dec-2008

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