vodkafan

That's what I like about this place. Only a person on this forum would be so excited about this!! Go for it Frankie

Oh that's great Charmer glad you got it at last. Yes she was pretty brave wasn't she.

Broadmoor Revealed by Mark Stevens Amazon UK Very interesting read, made up of case studies of notable inmates of the Asylum . Not very long, but the author states that it is only a first look at the subject and another longer book is in preparation. Doesn't say very much about the techniques or therapies for treating mental illness in vogue at the time, I would have liked to see a little of that in the book.

Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson. I enjoyed this book. Mrs Winterson was wonderfully bonkers, although this was of course no laughing matter for the author when she was growing up. I do like the way she writes, although I can see why Frankie did not like it: I quote this phrase in particular as one that seemed nonsensical : " Words are the part of silence that we can hear" . Eh? Excuse me? Run that by me again ? . It is an odd sort of memoir that leaves out 25 years , but if the author chooses to do that it is her story after all, she is asking us to look at something else she considers more important. I did understand her completely when she started talking about linear time being just a construct of the mind, and internal time being more real , present and past juxtaposed together. I feel that too so I liked that. Parts of the book did make me feel like she was whinging a bit too much about not learning how to love and be loved. Lots of people have rough starts in life but they do the best they can. It has not put me off this author and I look forward to reading some of her fiction now.

Thanks to everybody who has commented so far. Thought it was about time I added my own review to the mix . But before I answer the questions I wanted to take a light-hearted look at why the events in the book could never happen today. That is because our Politically Correct council Nazis would have John Howard stood up against the wall and shot long before the Germans. Imagine the scenario: John Howard is brought into a council interview room supported by two staff. He is weak and unsteady on his feet. He has not been tortured, he has just been sitting out in the foyer for 6 hours without a drink waiting for an appointment after taking one of the little tickets. Before him is a stern woman in a suit. She shuffles papers and tuts repeatedly before looking at him accusingly. “So, Mr Howard. I have been reviewing your case. Dear me. I understand that you took it upon yourself to save 7 children from the German onslaught. Is this correct?” Howard tries hard to focus. He manages to croak an affirmation. “ Oh dear. Are you aware that the Health and Safety rules stipulate quite clearly that the ratio of adults to children under 10 is 1:2. TWO children maximum Mr Howard. And I understand that you were not related to any of these children? You don’t seem to be a registered childminder and I have no record of you even filling out a CRB check. “ She lowered her eyes and peered at Howard fiercely over her spectacles. “This is a REQUIREMENT.” Howard’s mouth is dry. He is rather confused. “ The German airplanes…. They were bombing the road….” The woman continued as if she had not heard. “ And here by your own admission you state that one of the children was of indeterminate race, and another was Jewish. This is a serious breach of the rules Mr Howard. You simply do not have the proper Qualifications to understand the religious needs of ethnic minorities. You may have done untold harm to that child’s development, I hope you realise!” Howard’s mind is reeling. But before he can reply the woman is standing leaning across the desk, her face a mask of righteous fury, her voice raised in anger . “ And to cap it all you admit that you were involved in bathing the children and buying them socks and undergarments! Do you know how many red flags that raises ? You can’t fool us Mr Howard just what sort of a game are you playing? We are stopping your benefits!!” Who was your favourite character? John Howard was of course central to the story, but my favourite character was Nicole, who was very brave , and although had gone to pieces found a way to deal with her loss and carry on. 2- Was there a particular part you enjoyed more than the rest? I enjoyed the interactions between Howard and Nicole the best, which were very poignant. Of course the reader realises that she loved Howard’s son long before he does. 3- Was this the first book you've read in this genre/ by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? Yes, the first by this author .I will read more by him. I do like to read WWII books, but usually read actual true life accounts or history books. 4- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? No struggle at all but there is a mistake in the introduction to the book which annoyed me. Here it stated that the events of the book happened in 1942 but of course France was invaded in May 1940. (The book was written in 1942) The writer of the intro should have known this. Howard would not have been able to travel over to France on holiday in 1942. 5- How well do you think the book fitted the theme of Masculinity? I think it did fit but you have to be looking at it to see it in that context. Others have already made very pertinent comments. For me another example of masculinity in the book is of the captured British agent . He knows the game is up and he is resigned to his fate. The interaction between him and Howard , and the later dialogue between the old man and the Gestapo man , are both very masculine scenarios. Howard is important again, not irrelevant. He has a part to play that is important to both other men.. 6- The main character is elderly and the events stretched him to his limits. Why did he not refuse to help , or give up? . Others have already answered this better than I can, and I agree with all the reasons about him wanting to safeguard the children after losing his own son. Also he was the one on the spot, he felt it was his duty and it gave him a job to do. 7- Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? Yes the book was a very easy read and the characters were well drawn.

Glad that you enjoyed it Kidsmum!

My daughter (the reading one) has just read Pride and Prejudice, her first Austen. She liked it so much she started reading it all over again straight away!! Then when she was at my flat last week we watched the first 3 episodes of the BBC version....she was in raptures of pure pleasure.

I will wait till everybody has caught up and commented on chapter 1

Hi Frankie, this chapter was sort of an introduction wasn't it, yes she is gay because in the second chapter she talks about her "trailer trash girlfriend". But like you I don't think it matters in the slightest,and didn't have any bearing on why she did it. She said that she got no thrill out of the dress up, and the penis novelty wore off after a couple of days at most. You admirably answered the question I asked you in my PM, but I am going to copy and paste it here for Ruth and Charmer to answer if they want. Please anybody jump in.! I have read the first chapter of SMM. The biggest thing in that chapter to me was the revelation of how Norah felt not to have men look at her, and how until then she had not been completely aware that men did constantly look at women and that it was a disrespect thing. This may be an uncomfortable book. I have to admit that this is true. As a man I have looked at women , every day all my life I guess. I would say that is not always a conscious sexual thing but unconciously, maybe, it is. But don't women look at men too the same way? And don't gay women by inference do exactly the same? I would be interested to know if a butch dyke looked you up and down wouldn't that be the same sexual disrespect? or is casual sexual interest not really disrespect at all, just the way the world goes around? Over to you for your opinion. I have now read the second chapter, about male friendship. I will have a lot more to say about this one!!

Wow Steve I will read Cowl for sure thanks

Some great looking books there Poppy....hey I didn't realise you were friends with Natasha McElhone...does she know?

Now we are Four!! I'll get the T-shirts printed.....

Was that the Crash with Tandie Newton in it Ruth, or that pervy one with people getting turned on by crashing cars ?

All good reviews so far I notice. And everybody has said they will read the book again! Chesilbeach you bring up a very good point about the book being of it's time. I read a "modern" war book set in WW2 recently- The Odin Mission - and although I enjoyed it it didn't have this same feel, so I agree with you totally. One book that did have an authentic period feel for me was The Night Watch by Sarah Waters.

That must be why you look so pink and clean in your avatar Kell!

I 've had a few.

Hi Charmer yes I think it will be a good one

Oh my gosh I can't believe I spelt Barquan Blasdel's name wrong thanks for pointing that out. I am sure Meril founded her university and they lived happily ever after...I imagined that Sklar Hast built big steel and copper diving bells and tried to explore the sea bed to find the Ship Of Space..I don't think he would have been happy unless he had a big task to do. I believe I could be quite happy living there as captain of a kragen -hunting boat or exploring for new floats . Are you going to read Slaves Of The Klau Poppy? That is totally different. Happy Quincunx to you have a good day

That's great you are joining us Ruth! We are reading it one chapter at a time, and waiting till the others catch up, so we could discuss things as we went along. I have read the first chapter, I think Frankie may have read it by now?

Hi Poppy I am so glad you enjoyed it. I know what you mean about the kragens, that cover picture is totally misleading, the artist should be shot. I have worked out over many readings that the kragen is a thick black blubbery rectangle with swimmy things (the vanes) all around the edge, rising in the middle of its body to a raised lump near the front (the turret) with its eyes in . At the front it has a large mouth (maw) with feeding arms like a spider or a crab (mandibles). I liked Sklar Hast the hero and his unconventional ways, and Roger Kelso the "scientist" . Barquin Blasdal was a totally nasty baddie. I loved it when they made the epic journey to the New Home Floats and the discoveries they made. This is my favourite SciFi/fantasy world.!!

Hi All Welcome to the March Reading Circle! It is assumed that you have read the book before reading posts in this thread, as the discussion might give away crucial points, and the continuous use of spoiler tags might hinder fluent reading of posts. I know that lots of you have already read the book. Anybody who hasn't who wants to join in please feel free to read it and join the discussion when you are ready. synopsis from Amazon: Pied Piper by Neville Shute John Howard is determined to brighten up his old age by taking a fishing trip to France. However, during his stay the Nazis invade and he is forced to try to escape back to England with the two small children of some friends who are forced to stay behind in order to help the Allied war effort. As the conflict grows closer the roads become impassable and Howard also comes across five more children who need his help. He ends up leading this motley group of youngsters through the French countryside, constantly beset by danger yet heroically protecting his charges. Here are some basic questions to consider: 1- Who was your favourite character? 2- Was there a particular part you enjoyed more than the rest? 3- Was this the first book you've read in this genre/ by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? 4- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? 5- How well do you think the book fitted the theme of Masculinity? 6- The main character is elderly and the events stretched him to his limits. Why did he not refuse to help , or give up? . 7- Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience?

Yes thanks Janet. Not my best ever favourite book but lots of good questions!!

This one sounds like a must have. I will read this and soon!

Can't wait to read your thoughts on The Blue World Poppy.....good or bad.

Some people actually pay to be whacked with a bat Oh god yes circuit training is the hardest thing but it gets quick results for your fitness. I sympathise with your hurts!