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Post by geminii on Jan 5, 2017 22:54:16 GMT
I joined in with this Reading Group to try new Authors, elliej84, also I am pleased to have joined the Library again & already have another book on Reserve
I will be interested to see what the others comments are ..
' I got the impression that the Author had a short story about the girl but her agent said it wasn't long enough to fill her word quota to get paid so she added in all the Coventry stuff as padding. Zzzzz !! I was happy with the narration being through Adam, but he was portrayed as a complete wimp .. I also think it could have run better as a diary or even a blog format .. then when thoughts are repeated, you can relate that it's him either trying to remember important things or planning ahead. Anyway, Sarah then realised that she'd written enough words, so fin !! .. What happens to the angst ridden teen ?? Does Coventry get its App rather than better cakes in the Café ?? Do Adam & Emma finally talk to each other ?? And finally, is Adam at peace with what happened to his Mum ?? '
Ho hum,
geminii xx
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Post by elliej84 on Jan 6, 2017 7:04:35 GMT
I assumed the cover was Miriam, 'but she was described as fair haired' 'parts of the book I really enjoyed but it did feel like it was 3 books put together.'
I listened to a review of someone raving about it on YouTube and 'she explained it quite well, saying that the way the Coventry parts was waiting for the bombs to drop at any second was the same as the family waiting for Miriam to have another episode. helped me to put some of it into perspective.'
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Post by geminii on Jan 6, 2017 8:55:41 GMT
I reserved this book at the Library for a fee. I collected it just before New Year. From the moment I looked at the cover and read the description - I knew instantly that the book and I wasn't compatible.
I tried - and I tried again -having had to reread it again - and again. I am afraid I got to Page 62 and had enough. I didn't like any of the characters and one of those sentences (I forgotten which page) was miles long you could hardly catch your breath to read on.
If I hadn't stopped when I did - I would have torn my hair out! It certainly isn't an author I would choose again.
I'll look forward to the next choice. I know exactly what you mean ...
" I did read the whole book though, as quickly as I could, trying to find some enjoyment. I remember trying to re read a few sentences which seemed way too long & I didn't really understand. I had hoped to pass the book onto Mum, but she declined after looking at the cover "
geminii xx
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Post by belletinker on Jan 6, 2017 10:22:35 GMT
I reserved this from the library and picked it up a few days ago...
"and I'm afraid I've given up on it already!I'm not able to "get into" the story at all and trying to read the long waffling sentences is I'm afraid begining to irritate me so its back to the library unread. I look forward to seeing what the next quarterly read is."
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Post by windysisters on Jan 6, 2017 10:26:26 GMT
I'm glad I waited to add my comments to the discussion:
I was also disappointed by this book. It got off to a cracking start and then became dull and repetitive. I didn't mind the Coventry bits to start with - they made me nostalgic about a school trip to the cathedral and going up the tower of the ruined one - but when the Coventry bits got more political I lost interest.
I also didn't get any benefit from the bit with Adam's dad, it just didn't seem to fit in.
Overall there was some beautiful writing and I guess it's a good study of modern family life but I didn't enjoy it very much.
Don't feel upset or guilty though, Ellie, we are criticising the writer not you and I look forward to the choice for Quarter 2!
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Post by janetandjohn on Jan 6, 2017 13:34:17 GMT
I have been a naughty girl and read everyone's whited out comments
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Post by elliej84 on Jan 6, 2017 17:56:13 GMT
tut tut MrsMac, does this mean after reading them you are not going to read the book?
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Post by janetandjohn on Jan 6, 2017 19:28:01 GMT
tut tut MrsMac, does this mean after reading them you are not going to read the book? Ummmm..... I have till the end of March, so plenty of time, eh? Save
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Post by elliej84 on Jan 6, 2017 19:31:01 GMT
I'd be surprised if our comments do not put you off completely!
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Post by littlereader on Jan 7, 2017 8:57:39 GMT
In a quandary now as to how keen I am to read this one, as it seems to not be very popular here but so many of my favourite book tube/blog reviewers seem to love this book and have it in their top reads of last year.
Btw apparently the cover design is actually a painting rather than a photograph.
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Post by elliej84 on Jan 7, 2017 9:21:14 GMT
I think you should read it littlereader as it may be your type of thing, I liked the writing style she has so I'm not put off entirely but the author. Everyone does rave about it which is another reason why I chose it.
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Post by celia48 on Jan 7, 2017 9:39:26 GMT
I am about three-quarters through the book and I really like it. I didn't think I would at first but it has certainly grown on me. So far I have resisted reading the whited-out comments but am looking forward to seeing what others think.
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mattydog
Agatha Christie Whodunnit
Posts: 218
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Post by mattydog on Jan 7, 2017 10:53:22 GMT
I couldn't resist starting it last night as I'd left my current read in the boot of the car. So far so good.
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Post by elliej84 on Jan 7, 2017 11:07:54 GMT
I'm glad that some are enjoying this book celia48 and mattydog - looking forward to hearing your thoughts
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Post by shanzi on Jan 7, 2017 13:28:00 GMT
In a quandary now as to how keen I am to read this one, as it seems to not be very popular here but so many of my favourite book tube/blog reviewers seem to love this book and have it in their top reads of last year. Btw apparently the cover design is actually a painting rather than a photograph. Give it a go....we need to have different peoples opinion of the book to make it an interesting topic on here. I can't wait to see what other people think.
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