From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
*
The Schedule for July through Dec. 2025
By Lynn · 1 post · 41 views
By Lynn · 1 post · 41 views
last updated Jun 20, 2025 08:37AM
showing 6 of 6 topics
view all »
Other topics mentioning this book
The Schedule for January 2014-June 2014
By Sherry , Doyenne · 20 posts · 139 views
By Sherry , Doyenne · 20 posts · 139 views
last updated Feb 22, 2014 10:36AM

By Sherry , Doyenne · 335 posts · 285 views
last updated Jan 05, 2015 04:50AM
"Filthy With Things" by T.C. Boyle
By Barbara · 9 posts · 97 views
By Barbara · 9 posts · 97 views
last updated May 01, 2014 08:59AM
What Members Thought

I didn't much like the aura of smartassedness in Boyle's earlier books. Now that aspect has been traded for flatfootedness. I doubt I'd have finished this if it wasn't a Constant Reader selection for discussion.
People have made much of the fact that the island itself is almost like the main character in the book. As someone who lives within sight of Catalina, I was surprised at how bleak and dreary San Miguel seemed to be. Boyle described the wind and weather well, but I began to tire of those d ...more
People have made much of the fact that the island itself is almost like the main character in the book. As someone who lives within sight of Catalina, I was surprised at how bleak and dreary San Miguel seemed to be. Boyle described the wind and weather well, but I began to tire of those d ...more

I loved this book and hated this book and was puzzled by this book. I loved it for its ability to draw me completely into the worlds of its two main characters, separated by nearly half a century but united by geography: the island of San Miguel. Marantha arrives full of hope on New Year's day, 1888, thinking it will renew her health and help her conquer TB. She quickly realizes it is the exact opposite of what the doctor ordered. Elise, equally hopeful, comes in 1930 as a new bride, a woman sur
...more

I liked this book as much for the conversation on Goodreads as for the novel itself, perhaps more for the conversation. I have notes from our discussion that I feel give the best sense of what I loved. Anyone who reads and understands how interesting these conversations on Goodreads are--go ahead and join in. I love being able to engage with such smart readers, and to revise my thinking long after I've read the book, and first begun to think and talk about it. Goodreads, and Constant Reader are
...more

Jul 27, 2012
Sandy
marked it as to-read

Sep 07, 2012
Robert
marked it as to-read

Sep 16, 2012
peg
marked it as to-read

Oct 18, 2012
Mark
marked it as to-read

Nov 02, 2012
Laura
marked it as to-read

Sep 12, 2013
Sara
marked it as to-read

Jan 18, 2014
Paula
marked it as to-read