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bobblybear

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  1. Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel Unfortunately I couldn’t finish this one, though I had been looking forward to reading it for a long time. I'm just glad I borrowed it rather than bought it. Like some others, I really disliked Mantel’s writing style. The use of the word ‘he’ to describe who knows (apparently, it's to describe Cromwell) when there were several characters present really irritated me and detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I was aware of this particular point before I started and I do wonder if I would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn't been so fixated on it. I know nothing about Cromwell, but I found it the beginning very descriptive of him, as a person and family man. It was a great start and I thought I would really enjoy it, but it just seemed to go on for too long with not enough happening aside from dialogue and discussion. I generally like historical fiction, but I really didn’t like this. I can’t remember how far I got but I don’t think it was past a third, and most of that was an uphill struggle. I shall be very wary of touching anything else by Hilary Mantel in future! 1/6
  2. Nevermind. I'm sure a lot of us here are in the same boat.
  3. Hello Ally, and welcome.
  4. I'm really sorry to hear that, Eleonora.
  5. I'm really enjoying Pure by Julianna Baggott. It's hooked me right in!
  6. I think that was very intentional. Amongst the prostitutes, it was all very matter-of-fact and nothing could shock them. I suppose it was intended to be written so completely devoid of emotion, for the prostitutes it was something they did day-in-day-out and didn't give any thought to. I thought Caroline's story was very touching, and I was glad to see her reappear in the book as well. I think her story would make a good book on it's own. Regarding the ending, I wasn't bothered by the abruptness of it. I suppose like others have said, it's just a slice of their lives, which will continue with or without us to witness it. I like that we can make up our own minds about Sugar and William. I'd like to think Sugar and Sophie managed to set up somewhere and make decent lives for themselves. As for William, I imagine he eventually lost his wealth, and his business and was left with nothing.
  7. I just finished this this morning, and I will add my thoughts without reading through the posts: 1. The book is a pretty massive volume. Did you find it difficult or easy to read? Indeed, was the length inherently important to the impact of the book? I found it very easy to read regardless of the length; the only reason it took me so long was due to exams I had this month. Other than that, I'm sure I would have finished it a lot earlier. It was also a re-read for me, but I recall whizzing through it the first time I read it, due to my sheer enjoyment of it. Because the characters went through so many significant changes (Sugar's rise and William's downfall), I think the length was necessary. There wasn't too much filler, though in a way the book indulged itself in quite a few characters that weren't entirely necessary, but still added depth to the story. 2. The book is a classic example of a story told by an omniscient narrator, one who makes it perfectly clear that they are directing what the reader 'sees' and 'hears'. What, if any, impact did this deliberately intrusive style have on your reading? I liked it because it was so unusual. I thought it was very effective at introducing the story, first via Caroline, and then the narrator tapered off and only re-appeared in short pieces, until the end. It was a handy tactic in explaining Agnes' behaviour for example. I wonder how they would have explained it without the narrator, and all the characters remaining unaware. 3. The depth of historical research is worn very clearly on the author's sleeve, with extensive detail in places. Did you enjoy this, did it enhance your reading, or did you find it intrusive? To what extent did it affect the story? No, I thought it added a lot to the story, and was quite graphic in areas. Actually I found the characters' behaviour and speech more detailed than the 'historical research' part of it. 4. The theme for this month was 'The Great Wen' - books that included London as a character in its own right. Did Faber achieve this. If so, in what way(s), and if not, what prevented London fulfilling this role? How has your impression of Victorian London been influenced, if at all? I thought London was described brilliantly in the beginning chapters, and I was a bit relieved because when I nominated the book I knew it was set in London, but couldn't remember how much of London was described in detail. Because a lot of the book described the under-belly of Victorian London, with the prostitutes, etc, I think it was necessarily graphic in describing the harshness of the times and the poverty that they had to live in. It's pretty much how I imagine Victorian London to be, and there was no sugar-coating by the author. They had it tough, back then. 5. What did you think of the characters? I loved Sugar, and really grew to admire her throughout the story. Her mother, Mrs Castaway was vile piece of ****, who wanted to destroy her, and I was really hoping Sugar would overcome all that. I thought the way she was described was fascinating with her dry - almost white - flaky lips, and tiger striped skin. Yet, she was considered so appealing, despite being described as not very conventionally attractive. William Rackham was a weak-willed pathetic character, who I really disliked by the end of the story. Both for his treatment of Sophie and his treatment of Sugar. Agnes' behaviour was understood by the reader (due to the narrator), but understandably diagnosed as some kind of female hysteria. Was it definitely Agnes' body that was found in the river (?), because William wasn't sure it was her body. I suppose ultimately she was doomed, but I was bit uncertain how she met her fate. 6. What are your feelings/views on the (at least to me!) very surprising ending? The ending was unusual, but fitting and I felt a sense of relief for Sophie whom otherwise I'm sure would have little future. I think William ended up losing everything, while Sugar and Sophie could have a chance of building a future for themselves. It was very selfless of Sugar to take Sophie away; even though she only ever had to think about herself, she cared enough to give Sophie a chance at a better life. Question of my own: What do you think is the significant of the title? Who or what are 'the crimson' and 'the white'? There were numerous references to those two words in the same sentence - as a description of flesh, and a handkerchief soaked in blood, or flower petals. I guess they are a method of describing contrasts, but wasn't quite sure.
  8. Finally finished The Crimson Petal and the White. Loved it!! My updated reading plan: The Big Necessity: Adventures in the World of Human Waste - Rose George Wolf Hall – Hilary Mantel - Gave up on it Human Remains – Elizabeth Haynes Pure - Julianna Baggott The Rats - James Herbert The Devil Wears Prada - Laura Weisberger 1950's Childhood: From Tin Baths to Bread and Dripping - Paul Feeney (partway through but struggling). Bridget Jones's Diary: A Novel - Helen Fielding - Now then Lad: Tales of a Country Bobby - Mike Pannett Worm: The Story of the First Digital War - Mark Bowden Not sure if I'll continue with 1950's Childhood as it's not as interesting as I'd thought. It's almost like a listing of physical objects that existing in the 1950's with a bit of description around it. Not sure what I was expecting, but something a bit meatier I think. My next fiction will be Pure - Julianna Baggott. I need to write up a review on Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes. Not sure why, but I'm struggling a bit with it and the longer I leave it the harder it gets!
  9. Hi Dave, and welcome to the forum.
  10. Miracle of miracles, I may actually finish The Crimson Petal and the White this weekend. I'm 90% through it.
  11. In that case, I shall put it at the top of my wishlist. I'd buy it now, but I've spent an extraordinary amount of money this month on a 3DS and games. I saw it advertised on TV last night, but I shall refrain from watching in case it spoils the book. I've watched Boys Don't Cry and I don't think I could watch it again. It was such a disturbing and sad story. I shall give this book a miss, as it doesn't sound as though it was written in the best way. BTW, it looks like the 'swear filter' has changed Hilary's last name to Sfiddle in your review.
  12. I re-read The Witches recently as well and loved it. The illustrations do add a lot to the story; they are quite a unique style.
  13. My next lot isn't until November, so I have a fair bit of time. I plan on doing loads of reading; I have so much to catch up on.
  14. I haven't read it or heard of it, but I've just looked on Amazon and it's the book that Slumdog Millionaire is based on. I've only seen the second half of that film but really enjoyed it, so that another one added onto my wishlist. I've added this one to my wishlist as well, as it sounds like my kind of book. I haven't read the synopsis in detail, because I'm worried it might give something away. I've also added Yes Man to my wishlist as well. I saw the film, but I don't recall that much about it, except that I'm not the biggest fan of Jim Carrey. I like the idea behind the book; it's one of those simple concepts that can really help change someone's attitude for the good.
  15. I think it went ok, but I'll still be nervous when the results are out. I ran out of time as well so had to rush through the last part. I have one more to sit, tomorrow, then I can relax (for a little while, before I have to start studying for the next lot). Maybe finally I can catch up on some reading!!
  16. Today's UK Kindle Daily Deal is The Beach by Alex Garland for £0.99. I've read it twice already, but don't know where my paperback copy is, so I've bought this one. It's a very good read!
  17. Have you turned it off fully, by holding the On/Off button for about 10 seconds? That may help, hopefully!
  18. Just watching this now. Haven't seen any babies - there are 5 of them, and 44 eggs.
  19. I have my exams on Tuesday and Thursday, so I've become downright obsessed with them. I'll be so glad when they are over, so I can starting thinking about other things for a change. But today, I've developed a bit of an icky tummy. I hope it's gone by Tuesday, otherwise I'll be in trouble. I don't know if it's nerves, or a bit of food poisoning from a new Chinese takeaway we went to yesterday. I have my 3DS coming from Amazon tomorrow as well, but I've promised myself I won't open it until my exams are finished on Thursday. Then I can play to my hearts content!
  20. Our previous dog Max, wasn't very good with people. He was fine with family and those he knew, but I had several embarrassing moments when I was walking him and he would bark and lunge at someone on the other side of the street. I think it may have come from when he hurt his back quite badly, and couldn't be walked for a while. He also developed a phobia of going outside (even into the garden!) for a while, bless him. Reuben on the other hand, loves people. Whenever he sees someone, his whole body starts wiggling, he gets so excited. It's so much easier having a people-friendly dog; I never have to worry about him doing something dangerous, and because he's so cute he does get quite a few people coming up to him on walks, wanting to stroke him.
  21. That was my husband; that's what we call it coz that's exactly what it's like.
  22. Yeah, his tail goes mad when he's looking for his ball. It goes in circles really fast. It's very funny to see. He does love a good swim, and his coat is soooo soft the day after (even if it does smell a bit ).
  23. Frankie, that's a gorgeous dog. Sounds like you had fun with her!! Athena, I hope Pamuk will be better without needing surgery. Here is another video we took of Reuben yesterday, back at the woodland. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuBDQL_fQVg
  24. Such a perfect day today. We took Reuben out to the woods again and he played around in the streams. I'm aching though - not used to walking for so long. We really have to take advantage of weather like this when we can, as true to form they are forecasting rain for tomorrow.
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