princessponti

I read the first chapter on the way home from work, I have to say that I really didn't like it. I think this is because of the subject matter more than the writing style or anything else (to be honest I didn't notice anything other than the subject matter) - does it get nicer? I don't want to read the reviews, but I also don't want to keep reading the book, I'm a delicate flower and the first chapter was way to heavy a topic for me.. any reassurances to help me continue?

I think we should get bookmarks on bits of string that we can wear in our sleeves like childrens gloves... second thoughts... I don't think that'll work! Where do they all go, that's what I want to know!!

I have loads of bookmarks but I don't know where any of them are! I guess I'm a bit disorganised!! I buy them, then lose them usually after one book!! ..I tend to use scraps of paper, or whatever is to hand. ...and.. (cover your ears) I turn down the corners or use the dustcover if need be!! - gasp -

It's definately a hard book to pick up (even if you can get hold of it) I had troubles too, it's not a particularly appealing subject matter; in fact, after hearing the synopsis I really didn't want to read it, I just pushed through that feeling as I wanted to play on the forum! ..and I have been surprised! As I'm sure I mentioned above, it is such an interesting and very different book to anything I have ever read. The whole way in which it is constructed, the writing style, the lack of real visual descriptives on the most part and the lack of grammer really do leave you feeling a bit sensory deprived yourself. Which is a really unusual thing to feel whilst reading, and I imagine it must have been very difficult to write (or else he is a very clever man!). I did find myself looking up from the book, testing my vision which is just bizarre! Even when I think about the book now, I don't have any real sense of visuals (I normally can picture scenes and characters after reading) but not with this one, it's all a bit fuzzy around the edges! Sorry if I'm repeating myself, I'm trying to get my head back into the book. --------spoilers ahoy from this point forth-------------------------- sorry if it's a bit disjointed, I have a lot of thoughts and they're all going down at once!! After the incident with the doctor and his wife that I found disturbing above, the story really became about the doctors wife for me. The doctor and the other characters really were very much secondary to the story. I really feel like I have missed something though. Dogmatix, why do you think she was spared? Is there a greater reason behind the blindness? I feel like everyone else went blind as they were thinking of themselves (i.e. looking in the mirror thinking 'am I next'), but I'm sure that the doctors wife really only thought of others, or certainly put them first...am I trying to think too much? Is it because she still had hope? I notice at the end the doctor said 'we are already half dead' but she replied with 'we are still half alive too'. She seemed to have this continuous optimism throughout which sets her apart from everybody else in the story. I really loved her character, she had such strength, the cracks only started to appear towards the end when the responsibilities of her position really started to sink in once 'normality' (to a degree) was restored and her exhaustion was setting in. But even then she was still trying to do her best for the others. I love the way that she 'absorbed' all of the horrors around her and painted a nicer picture for her comrades (such as when the dogs were feeding off a dead body, and she told them something else was happening). I really felt the pressure lift from her once the first man regained his sight and she let herself cry. She was no longer isolated and alone, no longer the sole carrier of the burden. I really felt the release in those tears. I wish that there was a little more build up to the relationship between the dark glasses and the eye patch; I enjoyed the subtle intimices that they shared but I didn't feel much when they got together is this just me? Although I do love the 'the man I am still loves the woman you are'. I love the fact that they could fall in love, or at least want to live together without ever seeing each other, such a romantic idea I still think I missed the over all message of the book ( I can be a bit of a dummy and I'm sure there's one in there somewhere!) 'We are blind, blind but seeing, blind people who can see but do not see'. That to me is probably where it's hiding, but I'm not quite getting it. Is he saying that people in general are blinkered to the things around them? People look and see things but chose not to react or act, chosing to ignore instead? Is it a comment on society today? And the blind statues in the church, is this saying that even God is blind? ..or was the epidemicc something that people had to experience without Gods aid for some reason? Is 'Seeing' set after they all regain their sight? I wonder how people have changed from the experience, I wonder if they now place more value on their life and things that they have and their relationships, I wonder if they are kinder to each other. I wonder how the government was put back together, how the people reacted (particularly those that were in quaranteen) and I wonder how society as a whole would have changed. - one question - why didn't the blind interns ever use the 'one telephone in each ward to request cleaning materials'? I would have been ringing out all of the time! It was mentioned on the recorded message but I don't remember it ever being mentioned by the interns. I loved the rain scene on the balcony. It felt so important for the women to wash away what they had been through, particularly with each other and not alone. Only they could truely understand (and not the men); it felt important to wash, repair and comfort each other. The feeling of the downpour to me was captured beautifully by the author. I could smell the rain, feel the crispness of the air, the purification and the collective unburdening of these women. That is a scene that is hard to forget. I like the way the 'baddies' seemed to get retribution, the car theif, the hoodlams, the soldiers too in a way. It made me feel that there was some justice, even if sacrifices had to be made. It was a true test of survival, strength and survival instinct. It showed how people can adapt and that everything that was once important (cars, homes, family, material possessions) were taken out of the equation and replaced with new values. Even the boy no longer cried for his mummy as life was so completely different. The blindness brought a completely new set of needs and values; staying with the group, finding food, finding shelter. After a time, it felt like people were gettin used to the new situation, senses of humour were returning and people had begun to organise and debate the future. It showed an amazing strength in the human spirit! Whilst reading, I would wander around London imagining the same situation, not seeing what the shops are, not knowing how the roads interconnect, not being aware of approaching danger; it really feels impossible to survive, but Saramago made it feel like although it may be hard, anything is possible! All in all, it was a very enjoyable read (sometimes hard going because of the harshness of the realities of life), but well worth it as it is such an interesting and unusual book. ...Dogmatix, I hadn't noticed the use of the word 'we' but I did feel very much close to the action, like I was peering in through windows or listening in to conversations. I guess that's the magic of his writing subtlely bringing me in without me even noticing. (excuse all the poor spellings, this (as you can tell) is one long ramble!)

Just scanned these posts as not to spoil the book for me, but it seems like there are mixed reviews. I have this on my bedside table and am to commence reading it tonight or tomorrow, having finished my current read this morning! I can't wait to read it! My mum has been pestering me for years to pick it up, so I can finally see what all the fuss is about!! Yay!

Well, I've just finished reading Peter Pan in Scarlet! I knew I just couldn't wait! I really enjoyed being back in Neverland with Pan, Wendy and the others, but the book itself I was a little disappointed with L It had such potential too! The author really has a wonderful way of capturing the quirkiness and magicalness of Neverland (such as with her descriptions: "a compass in Neverland has as many points as a frightened hedgehog"), but I think she focussed too much on trying too hard to get it right maybe. Her use of unusual and imaginative descriptions really did add to the wonder of Neverland, and she seemed to capture the essence of the characters by remaining true to their nuances, individual mannerisms and phrases; but somehow the novel just didn't whip me up. It felt quite rigid in structure to me, every chapter felt like it had a purpose to unfold something new and move the story on. This is all very well, but I would have preferred it if she had spent a couple of chapters without any drama or anything new so that I could get to know the characters thoughts and feelings and get more swept up into their experiences and personal journey. It would have been nice if she had explored them a little more so that I had more of an attachment in what was actually happening to them in the story. I also found that I had predicted what was going to happen from very early on, this is something I really enjoy doing, but it is nice to be surprised sometimes. JK Rowling really manages to make the unexpected happen; whereas Peter Pan in Scarlet just unfolded as I imagined it would. Credit it to her, there was a surprise in there for me that I hadn't worked out, but by then it was too late I still think it's very much worth reading, it's great to be back in the world, and as I mentioned, the quirkiness of some of her descriptions are wonderful. Her ideas on 'what happened next' after the end of the last book are very interesting. For me though, it is just an average childrens book. I think I may re-read the original to see what it's like! (want to buy it in hardcover so that it matches this one on my book shelf ). I would love to know what others thought if you read it!!

I too loved Interview with a vampire, read the book first, adored it and also adored the movie! I got so swept up in the romance of it all, the beautiful clothes, the beautiful people, the romantic language and the city. For subject that has the potential to bring real horror, Interview, for me, managed to make even the horrible scenes somehow seem romantic and enticing! I also read the next four or five in the Chronicles, but like you Kell, I just got bored in the end and couldn't finish the last one. I realy enjoyed Interview, Lestat I struggled through (it just felt far fetched), Queen of the Damned I enjoyed but I felt it was too gory and too much of a blood bath for me. Tale of the Body Theif I really enjoyed I again was swept up in the characters in this one, and I just gave up in Armand (I'm sure I've missed some!). These books have a real potential to be so much more. Even now I still love the characters and the whole feeling of the world that Rice has created, I just wish that I could have enjoyed all of the Chronicles as much as the first one *sigh*

Standard breakfast fodder for me is a nice glass of juice, cereal, cup of tea and two choccie biccies ...the cereal aspect changes from time to time, currently I'm on a Cheerios kick! I can't live without the morning cuppa though, if it hits midday and I haven't had my tea I'll get the obligatory caffiene headache and will have to go on a desperate mission for tea, whatever I'm doing! Favourite breakfast has to be freshly cooked Pain au chocolate (scuse spelling if it's wrong!!) mmmmm!!!

Noooo!!! ~There's so much pressure when it's a reading group of one!!! *sob* ... I actually finished this book a week ago but have been waiting to see if anyone else posts about it!!! Outcome does not look favourable!! Having an incredibly busy week this week, and so will post my closing comments for you Dogmatix when I am free-er (how do you spell that?!) - I've spent the week trying not to read anything else so that I can ponder the book, ready to pick your brains!!

oooo...after a quick trip to Waterstones, I couldn't help but purchase a copy ...now trying to be strong not to read it before I've finished my current book... can't wait to swash and buckle with the pirates! Yay!!!

How exciting!!! I LOVE Peter Pan!! ...and any interpretation of the works (aside from maybe, Michael Jackson).. I didn't realise that they were writing a sequel, can't wait to read it! It sounds like that not only the characters have gotten older but the Neverland has too; interested to see this darker take on things ¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ excited! ! !

Dogmatix! I'm so pleased you replied!! It really got to me this morning and has been on my mind all day! (I'm so sucked in!) Your explanation makes perfect sense and I feel so much better carrying on now! It's weird isn't how one paragraph can completely trip you out! - I can finally relax again! I'm also pleased that you felt the same way, thought maybe it was just me! (not sure how to do the quote thing)... So tired! Probably rambling! I will keep posting! x

I had never read Laura Ingalls Wilder, or watched the tv show - I think that a lot of stuff escaped me when I was younger! It's funny isnt it the things that attract us when we are little! ..it so traumatic the day she nearly returns to the orphanage (

I feel the need to post even though it seems I'm the only one reading at the moment! Today I reached I difficult place with this book.. I don't want to spoil anything so I'll let you know that I'm up to page 185 of the 'Vintage Classics' paperback edition that I have (no chapter numbers!)... I shall attempt my first use of spoiler tags as not to ruin the plot for everybody... It seems I have waffled on! - come on everybody - catch up!!

I can see why she isn't everybodies cup of tea, she is very flighty and fanciful! I think that's why I like her though, she gets so swept up into the romance of everything and lives in a complete dream world most of the time. I find her quite an inspiring character as she has such determination and drive to succeed (albeit for the wrong reasons sometimes), but her ambition doesn't get in the way of her consideration for others. She can be completely selfless and yet always manages to maintain romance in her soul. I wish I could be more like her in lots of ways! *sigh*

O I didn't ever read Katy! Somebody bought a collection for me one year when I was young but I didn't ever read it (I was put off by the big leather bound volume that looked dull! - children!)... maybe I should try reading it now! (if I can find it!) I know what you mean about having an affinity for her, I have freckles so have always felt that pain! Her neurosis have always felt familiar to me! ....Anne had a best friend called Katy, her reflection! Do you remember? How odd! When was Katy written? Maybe it was intended if they are similar characters!

You'll have to let me know what you think Icecream! I think it's probably an acquired taste as it is so old fashioned, I know that I'm biased as I grew up with it! - what did you think of the tv series Madcow?

It's a bit of an old fashioned one, but has anyone read/enjoyed Anne of Green Gables? I used to watch the tv series at Christmas every year as a kid, and now I have all of the books; I'm really attached to her! It's odd, the books themselves are not massively exciting and the stories are not even especially well told, but they just feel like a lovely warm blanket to me Whenever the world gets to stressful, it's nice just to retreat into the simple universe of Anne where nothing much happens, except tea and buns and the occassional mishap! Does anyone else feel the same or am I alone on this one? (..not alone, apparently she's very popular in Japan!)

I really want to pick this up again! My partner and I started reading it together a year ago and were really enjoying it, then we moved house and the book went missing for a bit. Since we've found it again, we both have mentioned that we really want to get into it again but can't seem to summon up the willpower as it's such a daunting task! We've even downloaded the first part of the audio book to try and get back up to speed without re-reading!! From the way you describe it Dogmatix it now seems even more appealing! ...must try harder...

Thanks for the welcomes!!! I think I'm steaming ahead of everybody else a little bit - oop! I'm actually really enjoying it - for a book that I was quite scared of reading! The same as you Dogmatix, the writing style is quite difficult to get on board with, but I only find it awkward for the first page or so after I pick it up, once I switch my brain into the right gear I'm ok and it flows quite nicely. Although, saying that, it is a book that you need to immerse yourself in, I was trying to read it on the a noisy train yesterday and was getting nowhere fast! I'm also very pleased that it's not traditionally scary (not yet anyway), the writer's style seems to me to be quite matter of fact, purely just explaining what's going on, so I am spared of the tense build up leading to horrible events (poor delicate flower that I am!). I think that the subject matter is scary enough itself!!! *must slow down so that others can catch up*

I'm new to the book club forum (first post - yay!), but I thought I'd dip my toe in the water by joining in the October reading circle. I picked up my copy of Blindness from Amazon and I have it now in my hand (not literally, or else it would be awkward to type!). I have to admit that I am not good with scary stories - I think it'll take all of my will power to read it!! (..and even then I will probably only read it in the mornings away from bed time!!). It seems like such an interesting story though that I am (timidly) looking forward to it! I've had a little read already of the first chapter and the writing style is so unusual that it is interesting for that alone. It takes some getting used to follow the conversations without the traditional grammatical structure - I look forward to reading it, and discussing it with those of you who have also managed to score a copy! - I'm off to bed now, with a nice Calvin and Hobbes book!