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Post by celia48 on Jan 8, 2017 16:16:42 GMT
Well, I liked it very much. It didn’t grab me at first and I almost stopped reading it after about 50 pages but I am so glad I continued as the family really grew on me. The storyline was something every parent could identify with and I kept asking myself how would I deal with that sort of situation. I think the chapters on Coventry Cathedral and even Eli’s story were necessary to add a wider perspective to what was potentially a very tragic family outcome. Miriam was certainly feisty and had all the arrogance that teenagers often have – not the easiest person to live with but then teenagers rarely are. However, I agree that her language wasn’t appropriate. I certainly didn’t think Adam was a wimp. However, he did come across as being a perfect parent and therefore not always believable – can anyone be that perfect? Amongst the anguish that Adam and Emma was experiencing, I did like the humour that crept in such as Rose’s vocal wish for a cat and Miriam’s risky geography homework. Overall, I liked the storyline and the characters and thought it was beautifully written. I even liked the cover. Thank you elliej84 for choosing this book.
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Post by rosemary3 on Jan 8, 2017 17:11:10 GMT
They told me at the library I should have it in about a month. So I will avoid looking at any of your tempting spoilers! Thank you all for hiding them
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Post by geminii on Jan 9, 2017 13:30:56 GMT
Well, I liked it very much. It didn’t grab me at first and I almost stopped reading it after about 50 pages but I am so glad I continued as the family really grew on me. The storyline was something every parent could identify with and I kept asking myself how would I deal with that sort of situation. I think the chapters on Coventry Cathedral and even Eli’s story were necessary to add a wider perspective to what was potentially a very tragic family outcome. Miriam was certainly feisty and had all the arrogance that teenagers often have – not the easiest person to live with but then teenagers rarely are. However, I agree that her language wasn’t appropriate. I certainly didn’t think Adam was a wimp. However, he did come across as being a perfect parent and therefore not always believable – can anyone be that perfect? Amongst the anguish that Adam and Emma was experiencing, I did like the humour that crept in such as Rose’s vocal wish for a cat and Miriam’s risky geography homework.Overall, I liked the storyline and the characters and thought it was beautifully written. I even liked the cover. Thank you elliej84 for choosing this book. I am pleased that you enjoyed it ..
' My comment about seeing Adam as a bit of a wimp, was because I actually felt quite sorry for him as the story progressed. I felt that he always seemed to 'think' about what he should have said or done .. which also gave me the impression that he felt worthless. He avoided putting his foot down, shouting STOP, or even demanding time from Emma to discuss their daughter. His lack of status as the Hunter Gatherer has worn down his self-esteem, and he feels that the power of his voice has been muted - he has allowed himself to be overpowered by the three women in his life '
geminii xx
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mattydog
Agatha Christie Whodunnit
Posts: 218
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Post by mattydog on Jan 15, 2017 13:37:38 GMT
I've now finished 'The Tidal Zone' and am willing to pass it on to anyone in this book group that would like it. Now for my problem. I'm willing to make some comments but as a complete computer dinosaur I'm not sure where to go to find the colour wheel that Ellie mentioned. Shameful I know but I don't want to spoil the book for anyone else.
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Post by windysisters on Jan 15, 2017 14:20:12 GMT
The tool bar is only visible if you use the "reply" button, ie not "quick reply" .
The colour button is the first on the top row.
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Post by rosemary3 on Jan 15, 2017 15:57:27 GMT
I've now finished 'The Tidal Zone' and am willing to pass it on to anyone in this book group that would like it. Now for my problem. I'm willing to make some comments but as a complete computer dinosaur I'm not sure where to go to find the colour wheel that Ellie mentioned. Shameful I know but I don't want to spoil the book for anyone else. Mattydog, I would love it if that's OK! I'd have to wait another 2-3 weeks or more for a library copy. I'll PM you
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mattydog
Agatha Christie Whodunnit
Posts: 218
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Post by mattydog on Jan 15, 2017 17:20:12 GMT
The tool bar is only visible if you use the "reply" button, ie not "quick reply" . The colour button is the first on the top row. Thank you Windysisters. I've been using quick reply up to now.
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mattydog
Agatha Christie Whodunnit
Posts: 218
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Post by mattydog on Jan 16, 2017 12:29:02 GMT
I've now finished 'The Tidal Zone' and am willing to pass it on to anyone in this book group that would like it. Now for my problem. I'm willing to make some comments but as a complete computer dinosaur I'm not sure where to go to find the colour wheel that Ellie mentioned. Shameful I know but I don't want to spoil the book for anyone else. Mattydog, I would love it if that's OK! I'd have to wait another 2-3 weeks or more for a library copy. I'll PM you It's on its way Rosemary
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Post by janetandjohn on Jan 16, 2017 14:07:43 GMT
I've now finished 'The Tidal Zone' and am willing to pass it on to anyone in this book group that would like it. Now for my problem. I'm willing to make some comments but as a complete computer dinosaur I'm not sure where to go to find the colour wheel that Ellie mentioned. Shameful I know but I don't want to spoil the book for anyone else. Helo Jeannine - you asked about finding the tool bar and Wendy told you. But when I looked later for your comments on the book you had not made any, so just asking, do you know how to white out yur comments? SaveSave
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mattydog
Agatha Christie Whodunnit
Posts: 218
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Post by mattydog on Jan 16, 2017 18:53:14 GMT
Hello Mrs Mac, I haven't actually tried yet as I was just about to go out when I read Wendy's message. I'll give a go a bit later on when I've gathered my thoughts.
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mattydog
Agatha Christie Whodunnit
Posts: 218
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Post by mattydog on Jan 16, 2017 20:13:37 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was beautifully written 'I'm so glad I didn't allow myself to be influenced by other views before reading it. The theme throughout is the transience of life. I felt that the inclusion of the destruction of Coventry Cathedral, running in parallel to the main story, enhanced rather than detracted from it. The characters for me were all very believable. I did find myself wondering why Sarah Moss chose to write this from a male perspective. I really warmed to this family and wanted things to work out for them.'
All in all a good read. Thank you for the opportunity Ellie
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Post by elliej84 on Jan 16, 2017 20:35:13 GMT
I'm glad that some people are enjoying this book, it seems to me it is a bit of a marmite book
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Post by geminii on Jan 16, 2017 23:10:42 GMT
I'm glad that some people are enjoying this book, it seems to me it is a bit of a marmite book Marmite ... Sorry ..
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Post by rosemary3 on Jan 19, 2017 10:17:39 GMT
Mattydog has kindly sent me her copy, so I'm ready to start She doesn't want it back, so if anyone else seeing this thread would like to join in, I'd be happy to send it on when I've finished. I'll probably read it over the weekend.
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Post by rosemary3 on Jan 23, 2017 15:48:17 GMT
Finished!
I give it 4/5 stars. I really liked it, but it was certainly slow in places. I didn't mind that too much. I read it quite quickly and was never tempted to give up. I was sometimes tempted to skip, but didn't!
I agree with the theme being the transience of life, and so the Coventry part fits that. But I loved those parts anyway, because I lived there for a while, and used to sit eating my lunches in the ruins of the old cathedral. I didn't like the new cathedral and ignored it, so it was interesting to finally learn something about it.
Then there are the non-traditional families, Adam being the stay-at-home carer, and his own upbringing in a commune. I liked this take on family life. I don't know any family like them, but I can believe they exist. I think it's realistic that Miriam's language would be tolerated in that family, if not in any of ours. So I read it as a window into a different kind of life from mine.
Rose was my favourite character. Miriam really got on my nerves by the end. She's the kind of person I would run a mile from in real life. I liked Adam mostly, but I got impatient with all the things he didn't say to Emma. It paid off in the end, though. I suppose he knew what worked with her and what just caused rows. I didn't think he was dominated by the women in his life. It seemed to me more that he was a strong, silent tree in the middle of a storm. But he certainly prefers to avoid conflict!
If anybody would like the copy I have (originally Mattydog's), do let me know.
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