Reading with Style discussion
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FA 2017 Completed Tasks
Connie wrote: "Kate, thanks for post 402, pointing out my addition error. My records show 260 points now.I had used 20.3 as the task in post 359, so you can't give me an extra 5 points for 20.3 as a combo. You'..."
She just mis-typed it. That book qualifies for:
10.4
20.2
20.3
So 10 combo points.
RG (round 2) z-aRwanda
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust By Immaculée Ilibagiza
+15 pts - Task
Season Total - 950 pts
20.3 Ghost StoryHeart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
+20 Task
+10 Combo: 10.8 Double Letter / 20.10 Uncommon Letter
Task Total: 30
Season Total: 920
20.3 Ghost StoryA Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
+20 Task
+10 Combo: 20.6 Clergy (Father Wanderly) / 20.2 The House
Page 238 The Barrett House is an important character of The Possession and it tells us secrets as well, if we pay attention.
Task Total: 30
Season Total: 950
20.10 Uncommon LetterThe Book of Murder by Guillermo Martínez
I just finished this and don't know how I felt about it...
It started out meh--an author hires Luciana to take dictation as he has injured his wrist and can't type for himself. He sounds like a fairly mediocre author and has serious jealousy issues in regards to the successful author Luciana normally takes dictation for but who is away for a month, thus making her available to our narrator.
He finds Luciana attractive, but makes it clear that she is not ideal since she has little in the way of breasts and he sees the potential for her a few years down the road to end up chubby with a double chin, despite the fact that she is waifishly thin and young (in her freshman year at university).
Over their month together, he has felt their sexual tension grow (though it mostly seems to be in his own head) and he kisses her. She pulls away and makes it clear that she has a boyfriend and is not interested in pursuing anything with him. His fragile ego is bruised and he forgets about her.
Ten years later, she contacts him out of nowhere to discuss her theory that the other author, Kloster, whom she was formerly employed by, has been slowly picking off the members of her family as revenge for a sexual harassment suit she filed against him (that, in Kloster's mind, convolutedly and eventually caused the death of his young daughter).
The final explanation of what happened was extremely dissatisfying and I never particularly liked any of the characters (the men's devaluation of all women was particularly reprehensible), but the build-up in the middle was intriguing enough to keep me interested and I really wanted to know whodunit--though I never got a particularly clear answer on that even.
Yeah, this is only two stars for me.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+5 Combo (10.8)
Task total: 35
Season total: 865
set 100% in Argentina
20.3 Ghost StoryMiss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Lexile 890
+20 Task(shelved 14 times)
+5 Combo 10.8
Post Total: 25
Season Total: 490
20.2 The HouseFlowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
Four children live a happy life until their father dies in an accident and their mother takes them back to her very wealthy parents' home. The downside is that she has to hide them from their grandfather, who is very ill. When he dies, they'll all be rich and free. But for now the children have to stay hidden in the attic ...
This must have been a shocking book in its time! Full of incestuous family secrets and worse. I was surprised how good it was. Sensational, of course, but a real page-turner, and with no pretensions to be anything else.
+20 task (approved)
+10 review
+ 5 oldies (1979)
Task Total: 35
Season Total: 570
10.8 Double LettersThe One Man by Andrew Gross
"The One Man" is an intense historical thriller set during World War II as the Americans race to beat the Nazis in building the ultimate weapon. Professor Alfred Mendl, a Polish Jewish physicist behind barbed wire in Auschwitz, possesses the knowledge needed to separate the uranium isotopes used in an atomic bomb.
Nathan Blum is experiencing survivor's guilt since he was the only member of his family to escape from Poland. He's working in the United States as a Polish translator for the OSS, but he wants to do more to help the Jewish cause. He's asked to go on a dangerous mission to infiltrate Auschwitz, and bring Professor Mendl out with the help of Polish partisans.
The book has a riveting plot with an interesting--and tragic--historical background. The main characters were complex people faced with the challenges of staying alive at the concentration camp. Heroic people risked their lives to crush the Nazis. I found I could not read this suspenseful book close to bedtime since it seemed so real to me that I couldn't fall asleep. "The One Man" is recommended to readers who enjoy thrillers with good characterization.
+10 task
+10 review
Task total: 20
Season total: 285
15.9 Reading GloballyBolivia, South America
American Visa by Juan De Recacoechea
+40 Task
Season Total = 235
20.2 The HouseTom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce
Lexile score: 860
+20 Task
+5 Combo (10.8)
+5 Oldies (1958)
Task Total: 30
Season Total: 215
15.3 - Reading GloballySetting: Guatemala
Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs
+15 Task
+15 first visitor
Post total: 30
Season total: 840
20.7 - Single WordBeauty by Sheri S. Tepper
+20 task
+5 combo (10.8 Double letter)
+10 review
+5 oldies (first published in 1991)
Review:
This is a standalone fantasy novel which has won the Locus award. And my first time reading a book by this author. Even though I've rated this book, I am still unsure exactly how I feel about this novel. It is a mishmash of fairy tale re-telling(faithful to the original stories, I.e. Dark) mixed with time travel , philosophy and treatise on religion. The story also speaks on beauty and motherhood in very realistic tones. There is the expected feminist perspective. I liked the adaptation of the fairytale more than the treatment of religion to some extent as they are linked. And this was also the major con for me as well. Ms. Tepper placed all religions on an equal footing which is antithesis to my worldview. There were some themes which became preachy especially that related to nature.
This is definitely the work of a more mature woman reflecting on themes that matter to her. And whilst I don't agree or fully understand all that is written, I can understand why it won an award. It resonates with themes that matter to women and men - nature vs. nurture, love, motherhood, religion, beauty, aging -which will stay with you long after you have read the novel. And for that reason I give a rating of 3. This is a book for more mature person, not for everyone.
Post total : 40
10.8- Double letter NamesMarch by Geraldine Brooks
+10 task
+10 Review
+10 Combo ( tasks 20.5/20.7)
Review:
I have been wanting to read this for a quite a time given that it is companion novel to Little Women by Louisa Alcott. I haven't read Little Women since childhood and vaguely remember the plot. Honestly I was more intrigued with the girls than the parents. I was hoping to re-read it before this one but as I have to return it to the library soon, I'll listen to Little Women later.
This is my first time reading this Pulitzer award author. Mrs. Brooks has a way with words, this 280 page novel is dense. Vivid language which allow you to envision certain scenes. Whilst I have mixed feelings about the protagonist, I can honestly relate to his thinking. This is mainly a book about loss of innocence, the grim reality of war as well as a honest look at the civil war. I doubt this would have been published at the same time as Little Women given the honest look at Northern sentiments on slavery. An illuminating read regardless of what you know or believe about the Civil War. And the view on marriage is timeless.
Post total: 30
10.1 - Square PegThe Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
+10 task
+10 review
Review:
The highly acclaimed novel, winner of Pulitzer award, National Book award and Arthur C. Clarke awards is a relentless and thought provoking read. It packs repeated punches on the reality of race relations in America from the days of slavery. It compels you to draw parallels to ongoing tensions in modern America. Despite feeling remote from Cora, the ongoing onslaught of evil actions, especially those wrapped in benevolence , is a harrowing experience. Even at the end of the novel, there seems to be an offer of grim hope.
However there are issues with considering this book as science fiction/fantasy because of the writing device used. And I'm not sure I understand why it won the Arthur C. Clarke award. It is thought provoking and will raise discussion. But a science fiction novel? -No, sir! And I had some issues with the dialogue. Given, the device of the actual railroad, the mash of historical events was not an issue for me.
I think this a book to be read at least once by all. But be prepared for a grim and dark story. And be prepared to do some research on points raised. The beauty in this novel isn't so much the plot but how the author attempt to weave a unifying thread on race relations. If you want a more personal narrative, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is the better option.
Post total: 20
15.2- Reading GloballySetting: Nigeria
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
+15 task
Post task: 15
10.2 SpyBlind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage by Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew (does w count for task 10.8? (Double-U, geddit?))
Review: Being both claustrophic and afraid of drowning, I was slightly hesitant to read this book on spying by submarine. Luckily, it wasn't as scary as I had feared, but I am not envious of any the submariners featured in this book.
Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage is a non-fiction book about the spying mission that were carried out by American submarines during the Cold War. It is built up of a string of anecdotes, which makes it very readable. And it deals both with the development of the submarines and the spying techniques they used, the politics of getting approval for a spying mission and the stories of the submariners who actually risk their lives to carry out these missions, while keeping them secret from friends and family, thus alienating themselves from the people closest to them.
It was an interesting and engaging book, but I tend to loose focus when reading non-fiction, so I was glad that I was listening to it, as it kept the momentum. Also, there was an author interview at the end of the audiobook that was quite nice.
+10 Task
+10 Review
+10 Not-A-Novel
Task total: 30 pts
Grand total: 200 pts
20.10 Uncommon LetterThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Review: Sometimes books, like people, try too hard. They seem to set out to be funny or quirky or romantic, instead of simply telling the story they have to tell. In some ways I feel that this was the case for The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, it desperately wanted me too think that it was quirky. Also, while I really like books about bookstores or books, here it seemed almost to be pandering to an audience that is almost guaranteed to like a nice, independent bookshop, whose owner isn't afraid to ban glittering vampires from it's premises. My last issue was that the novel seemed too rushed, interestingly whilst being quite pondering. An effect that came about due to the quite substantial fast forwards during the book, which espeacially at the beginning of the book, occurred right where I wanted it to dwell on a situation.
And yet for all that, I quite like the story of A.J. (grieving book store owner), Maya (the baby he finds in his store one evening) and Amelia (the new publishing rep) and the supporting cast of quirky Alice Islanders, who knows, maybe I am just happy to be discontent.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+10 Combo (10.4, 10.8)
Task total: 40 pts
Grand total: 240 pts
June wrote: "20.7 - Single WordBeauty by Sheri S. Tepper
+20 task
+5 combo (10.8 Double letter)
+10 review
+5 oldies (first published in 1991)
Review:
This is a standalone fantas..."
Welcome, June!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "June wrote: "20.7 - Single WordBeauty by Sheri S. Tepper
Thanks Elizabeth. Just saw about this group on SRC post and can't resist a challenge.
20.1 Gothic AuthorsConversations with Joyce Carol Oates by Joyce Carol Oates
+20 task
+ 5 combo (10.5)
+10 not a novel
+ 5 oldies
Task total=40
Grand total=195
Task 10.4 Read a book shelved in the 800s (800-809.9) at the BPL.
Luke Skywalker Can't Read: And Other Geeky Truths (2015) by Ryan Britt (Goodreads Author) (Paperback, 208 pages) [809.38762]
Review: This is a collection of 15 essays on science fiction TV shows and movies. Some of the content was previously published on tor.com. The author, Ryan Britt, tells us he was born in 1981. A lot of the content of these essays are about how he, personally, has reacted to various science fiction TV shows and movies. His favorite “franchise” is Star Wars; Star Trek is a close second. For “Lord of the Rings”, his big insight is that the movie was better. Ryan Britt includes one sparse chapter on “Doctor Who”. He has one chapter on the “Back to the Future” trilogy, which reads as though it was written as a class assignment (and who knows, maybe it was). “Game of Thrones” gets, literally, one mention in passing, and zero discussion. And, of course, the final chapter was about superheroes and comic books. I was underwhelmed. I expect more from a book on pop culture and/or science fiction. On a positive note, the cover is really cool (see above). And BPL has the book shelved as 809.38762, which is helpful for this season's challenge.
To be fair, if he had focused on MY personal favorite “franchises” (“Doctor Who”, “Game of Thrones”) maybe I would have appreciated his essays more. Then again – maybe not.
+10 Task
+05 Combo (#10.8 double letter)
+10 Not-a-Novel: non-fiction
+10 Review
Task Total: 10 + 05 + 10 + 10 = 35
Grand Total: 335 + 35 = 370
20.1 Gothic AuthorsHow Awful About Allan by Henry Farrell
+20 task
+ 5 combo (10.8)
+ 5 oldies
Task total=30
Grand total=225
20.1 Gothic AuthorsThe Complete Poems and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe, Volume I
My tastes have definitely changed over time. I remember reading Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, Murder on the Rue Morgue, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum and others in high school and being a big fan. But now…meh. I found myself consistently wishing that Poe would just get on with it. His style, it seems to me, is to constantly draw out the obvious and then draw it out some more. I think it also doesn’t help to read all these stories and poems so close together as I did because the themes of most of them are so similar…premature death and life beyond the grave. (I wonder if Freud ever analyzed Poe’s writings because there seems to be some type of mania in play here.) One of my favorites in this half of the collection came near the end (as did the worse). I had never read “The Spectacles” which is about a man who may have married his great grandmother by mistake! As for the worse, “The Balloon-Hoax”, Poe goes into completely unnecessary detail about the mechanics of a hot air balloon with a less than compelling story attached. Next year, I’ll tackle the second volume…hopefully with more luck. I have hopes for the novella Arthur Gordon Pym contained in that volume. But for now, just three stars.
Task=20
Review=10
Comb0=5 (10.8)
Not-a-Novel=10
Oldie=15 (1849)
Jumbo=5 (542p.)
Task Total= 65
Grand Total=1290
Post 394Rosemary wrote: "20.4 NighttimeThe New House by Lettice Cooper
Widowed Natalie Powell and her 32-year-old unmarried daughter Rhoda are having to leave the big old house where the f..."
This was first pub'd in 1936, not 1946, so another 5 oldies points and a combo for 10.3.
Post 426 Louise Bro wrote: "10.2 SpyBlind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage by Sherry Sontag and Christopher Drew (does w count for task 10.8? (Double-U..."
Haha! Yes, you can claim the 10.8 combo for this because Sherry Sontag is the primary author!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Post 394Rosemary wrote: "20.4 NighttimeThe New House by Lettice Cooper
This was first pub'd in 1936, not 1946, so another 5 oldies points and a combo for 10.3. "
Thank you!
20.3 Ghost StoriesSilence for the Dead by Simone St. James
In 1919, a young woman on the run discovers what she believes is a perfect opportunity to guarantee herself some safety: take up a nursing job at an isolated residential hospital for shell-shocked WWI veterans. No one will find her here, and the work itself can't be more than she can handle, can it?
The nursing matron, no fool, immediately calls her bluff, but she keeps Kitty on anyway because Portis House can't keep itself staffed. Because Portis House is more than just an ordinary hospital, and only the desperate are ever willing to work and live in a house more creepy than healing, and among patients whose nightmares are both living and dead. Kitty definitely qualifies as "desperate," but as she finds out, while the work she does may not be more than she can handle, the situation they're in is almost more complicated and frightening than she can imagine.
I enjoyed this for its interesting situations and for Kitty herself, who was a practical and easy-to-root-for protagonist. Her interactions with the other characters, most of whom were interestingly fleshed out, were the highlight of the book for me. I was less interested in the actual haunting plot (I just don't understand the laws governing ghosts, I guess, which makes them more difficult for me to invest in) and the mystery angle, but there was enough interestingness here when it came to the depiction of the historical medical treatment, to the quick-on-her-feet Kitty trying to build a life for herself, and to the attentiveness paid to gender--to the way gender affected Kitty and her reasons for being on the run and the work she and her fellow nurses do, to the interactions with the veterans dealing with their mental illnesses and the emasculation they're experiencing. I don't think all the thematic stuff came together as eloquently as it could, but I don't regret reading this.
+20 Task (shelved 13 times at "ghost stories")
+5 Combo (20.2 The House -- approved in post)
+10 Review
Task Total: 35
Season Total: 280
10.1 Square PegThe Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin
Review
The Happiness Project is about a woman who wanted to be happier with her life so she came up with some resolutions and decided to keep them for a year. She used to be a lawyer and then turned writer full time. The author says each person's happiness project will be unique. I think she succeeded. She was able to change her life and more importantly, she felt the changes even though it wasn't something you can physically see. Even though she wasn't able to meet every one of her goals, it is a journey. She discovered new things and made new friends. I really liked two ideas she touched one. One was able strengthening friendships. She said a big part of have strong friendships is to show up. You need to be there for each other for the friendship to work and I agree. What good is the friendship if you or the other person can't put in the time? The other idea I liked is "Don't gossip". I have been the target of gossip because the people had nothing better to do with their time.
Task + 10
Style + 10 Review
Book Total: 20
Grand Total: 205
20.6 ClergyCrimes of the Father by Thomas Keneally
Review
Truth to tell, I wasn't that keen on reading this. I was shying away from the thought of child abuse and/or pedophilia. Thankfully, it wasn't as graphic as I feared so I managed to enjoy it a little... only a little because I found it hard not to argue and/or concur with the different thought presented in this book. In light of the current trial of George Pell (who, by the by, has plead not guilty), I thought this was a good reminder that there were many horrific things committed by the Church and/or within the Church BUT that all priests (or churchmen) are human and they are NOT infallible. They can be tempted and they can fall into temptations but there are some good people within the Church. I like that the main character is a priest who was exiled due to his political views on the Vietnam war, who is essentially a good man who has had his own temptations (not in relation to any child, btw), and who has a radical sort of viewpoint from the Church's point of view. The main thread of the story is set in the mid-90s but we do have some flashbacks into the past to fill in readers on what's transpired then that affected present relationships. Author, Tom Keneally, did finish his seminary education but did not choose to be ordained so it seems to me (a non-Catholic) that he knows what he's talking about when he's talking about the church though not clear where he stands in terms of faith. It's clear, however, that misbehaving priests need to be held accountable; God may forgive them if they repent but it does not mean that they need not be held accountable now in this world as they are citizens of the world.
+20 Task
+10 Combo (10.5 - approval; 10.8 - keneaLLy)
+10 Review
Post Total: 40
Season Total: 535
15.10 Reading GloballyAustralia, Oceania
Harry Heathcote of Gangoil by Anthony Trollope
+40 Task
+100 Alpha finish (reverse alpha)
+100 Six Continents
Task Total = 240
Woohoo! 240 points for reading Anthony Trollope! And it isn't even my birthday!
Season Total = 475
From post 424June wrote: "10.1 - Square Peg
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
+10 task
+10 review
Review:
The highly acclaimed novel, winner of Pulitzer award, National Book awar..."
Hi June. This book qualifies for 20.5 (Old), so it will not work for 10.1. I have scored it for 20.5 and show you still have your square peg available.
From Post 431Denise wrote: "20.1 Gothic Authors
Conversations with Joyce Carol Oates by Joyce Carol Oates
+20 task
+ 5 combo (10.5)
+10 not a novel
+ 5 oldies
Task total=40
Grand total=195"
+5 Combo 10.7
Task 15.2 Reading GloballySetting: Bulgaria (Europe)
The Shadow Land (2017) by Elizabeth Kostova
+15 Task
Task Total: 15
Grand Total: 370 + 15 = 385
Task 20.8 - Mother-DaughterOranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
pub 1985
I had read this before, in the dim past, and recall vaguely enjoying it. I returned to it lo these many years later on audio, narrated by Winterson herself. And it was an utter joy!
Listening to the author, with her familiar Manchester accent, like my own mother, the characters came to life, and I could recognise some of the attitudes from amongst my family (older generations). Not the fundamentalist religious parts, but the no-nonsense, what I consider typically Northern approach to life. I fear I may have snorted aloud in amusement at various points, in public no less!
The book explores the fictional Jeanette’s relationship with her mother and her religion as she grows up, and realises that she is lesbian. Whilst it’s difficult at time - there is a horrific scene where the Church exorcises Jeanette of her immoral behaviour (spoiler: not successfully) - I enjoyed this very much. The mother-daughter bond is explored with a lightness of touch which doesn’t diminish from the trueness of the depiction, and whilst the ending is exactly uplifting, it’s certainly believable.
Totally recommended, especially on audio.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+5 Combo 10.8
+5 Oldies
Post total = 40
Season total = 880
20.4 NighttimeArsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring
I very much enjoyed reading this play which of course has also been made into a movie starring Cary Grant. The movie stayed very close to the play’s outline. Hilarity ensues as Mortimer (the Cary Grant part) visits his elderly aunts… only to learn that they have been poisoning lonely old men as an act of charity. Mortimer’s brother, who lives with the aunts, believes he is Teddy Roosevelt…and is digging the locks of the Panama Canal in the basement. He constantly upsets the neighborhood by blowing his bugle and charging upstairs. A fugitive insane criminal brother who looks like Boris Karloff shows up uninvited with his creepy “Doctor” companion. Add in some keystone cops, a confused girlfriend, her earnest father and Mr. Spenalzo…and it is hard not to laugh out loud. One of my favorite lines is from Mortimer speaking to his girlfriend: "Look I probably should have told you this before but you see... well... insanity runs in my family... It practically gallops.” Five stars.
Task=20
Review=10
combo= 15 (10.3;10.5;10.8)
Oldie=10 (1939)
Not a novel (play)=10
task total=65
grand total=1355
20.5 - OldArrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey
set in a medieval era world
pub 1987
+20 Task
+5 Oldies
Post = 25
Season total = 905
20.5 - OldArrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey
set in a medieval era world
pub 1988
+20 Task
+5 Oldies
Post = 25
Season total = 930
20.5 - Old Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell
set in medieval era world
+20 Task
+5 Combo 10.8
Post total = 25
Season total = 1005
20.5 - OldThe Mislaid Magician: or Ten Years After by Patricia C. Wrede
set early 19th C
+20 Task
Season total = 1025
10.1 Square PegBefore We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
The Tennessee Children's Home Society owned actual orphanages run by Georgia Tann who kidnapped or removed children from poor families. Sometimes poor mothers were asked to sign papers while they were still coming out of sedation following a birth, or they were told that their live baby was a stillborn. These children were sold to wealthy families, with children with especially prized features like blond hair bringing in large amounts of money to Tann. She often arranged adoptions to people in law enforcement positions so her orphanages were not investigated.
The book tells two alternating stories that eventually intersect. In 1939 Memphis twelve-year-old Rill is trying to keep her brother and sisters together after they were kidnapped from their shantyboat on the river. Their parents were at the hospital for the birth of their next child. The children were brought to abusive caretakers at the orphanage. The second story, set in the present, involves a woman from a wealthy political family looking into her heritage while she also thinks about the direction her life is headed. She found that her grandmother has mysterious secrets from her past. I enjoyed both of the stories, but found the 1939 tale about Rill and her siblings especially compelling.
The author created characters that were a composite of some actual children who were kidnapped and sold by Georgia Tann. I felt both heartbroken for the children and their families, and upset that the political system had overlooked the abuse. This is a book that lovers of historical fiction will not want to miss.
+10 task
+10 review
Task total: 20
Season total: 305
15.7 Reading GloballySetting: Gibraltar
A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear
+25 Task
+15 first to visit
Post Total: 40
Season Total: 530
20.5 OldBeauty in Thorns by Kate Forsyth
Set in 19th century (Pre-Raphaelites era)
Review
This must be the lowest ever I've given a Kate Forsyth's book and I still think I'm being very generous with it. Let me start with a disclaimer: usually if there is a the smallest whiff of infidelities (especially in marriage), I'd not even touch the book much less read it (I do believe this to be a childhood trauma that I just have not been able to live down). BUT it's a Kate Forsyth's (one of faves ever) and it's a 'retelling' of Sleeping Beauty so I just had to give it a go.
I note that there have been a 1 or 2 star/s reviews and I agree with all their points which were mainly my grievances with this book:
1. Hard-to-like characters -I don't hate them but I don't like them; I find their choices frustrating and would like to shake them up
2. Too many POV's -I do believe this is not usual of Kate Forsyth and I flicking back and forth between 3 main characters with interlinking lives and then have a fourth one added for the last part of the book was just too much
3. Sad main plot - I can't really blame the author for the plot this time because it's mostly based on historical well-known scandals! I suggest you look these characters up on Google / Wikipedia.
I have had to rant a few times to friends and after giving the book a break for 2 weeks, I managed to pick it back up to finish. I definitely found the plot really hard to bear but I cannot fault Kate Forsyth's writing as she still managed to captivate me (30 mins on the train flew by without me noticing). I believe in Kate's inspiration & researches and I am looking forward to her next work though I do hope it will be something a little bit less despairing.
+20 Task
+10 Review
Post Total: 30
Season Total: 565
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Reading with Style
Books mentioned in this topic
Borne (other topics)The Woman in White (other topics)
A Few Days in the Country and Other Stories (other topics)
Slave: My True Story (other topics)
Dead Woman Walking (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jeff VanderMeer (other topics)Wilkie Collins (other topics)
Elizabeth Harrower (other topics)
Mende Nazer (other topics)
Sharon J. Bolton (other topics)
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setting: Denmark
Guilt by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Season total = 810