Poppyshake's Reading Year 2013

[poppyshake]

Naturally, couldn't use puppies or kittens........  

 

Just non cake or toast eating hu-mans.  

Phew  (they deserve it )

lauraloves = sevolarual

 

sounds like a nasty infection or something!

.. or the cream you'd put on it

[poppyshake]

The Years by Virginia Woolf

Waterstone's Synopsis: The Years follows the lives of the Pargiters, a large middle-class London family, from an uncertain spring in 1880 to a party on a summer evening in the 1930s. We see them each endure and remember heart-break, loss, radical change and stifling conformity, marriage and regret. Written in 1937, this was the most popular of Virginia Woolf's novels during her lifetime, and is a powerful indictment of 'Victorianism' and its values.

Review: Having read that this was Virginia's most popular book in her lifetime (.. was it ) I approached it with a certain amount of confidence (will I ever learn? ) and certainly it started gently enough. There I was happily paddling about in the shallows when, without knowing how I got there, I was suddenly thrashing about in the deeps!! How does she do it? I'm not sure even when the change began .. her prose didn't appear to noticeably alter but all of a sudden the story was leaving me behind and I was having to constantly jog to keep up. As is usual with Virginia's books, it's not about plot, there's very little plot in fact, it's all about what's going on in the heads of her characters .. not necessarily the important stuff .. more the minutiae. As the title suggests we are jumping around somewhat in time .. though all forwards thankfully because leaping to and fro would just about put the tin hat on it

I was quite enjoying it to begin with, she sets the story up well and I was instantly interested in the Pargiters waiting around for their mother/wife to die, as she had been promising them (with her illness) to do, but then Virginia starts to expand the story and bring in numerous other relations and I started losing a grip on who was who (because she's not really interested in giving you much in the way of backstory.) Also at times it had an almost nightmarish quality .. the words are all words I know but somehow .. the way she's strung them together .. they're not always making sense. When I did suddenly grasp the meaning I hung on for grim death which is not the most relaxing way to read a book Then the story jumps forward a few more years and the rug is pulled from under you again. The one thing I did enjoy was the weather reports which always began each new section, that gave a sense of continuity at least.

Virginia liked to experiment and as such, her books are not always going to suit each individual reader .. this particular one didn't suit me much. She felt there was more 'blood and bones' in this story but I didn't feel I was rewarded for the struggle. When it did make sense to me I found it dreary and unexciting. She constantly (intentionally) repeats phrases which drove me up the wall and I didn't find the characters particularly convincing .. I still felt I only sketchily knew them (which is sad when you've invested for over 400 pages). To me it has the same feel to it as her last novel (posthumously published) Between the Acts .. the overriding impression is one of tedium. I've read other reviews which suggest that the novel doesn't really kick in for a hundred pages or so .. those hundred or so pages were almost the only ones I enjoyed  It pains me but ... 2/5  

[pontalba]

Oh, sigh.  I haven't read The Years yet, I think husband has....he's read more of VW than I have. 

 

They're on the list.  heh  Sorry it didn't pan out Kay.

[poppyshake]

Oh, sigh.  I haven't read The Years yet, I think husband has....he's read more of VW than I have. 

 

They're on the list.  heh  Sorry it didn't pan out Kay.

Thanks Kate  not to worry. You may like it .. lots of people do  I am viewing The Waves with great trepidation but I may get on with it like a house on fire (deluded fool ) 

[willoyd]

Thanks Kate  not to worry. You may like it .. lots of people do  I am viewing The Waves with great trepidation but I may get on with it like a house on fire (deluded fool ) 

 

I did: The Years is, along with To The Lighthouse, probably my favourite of her books, with Between the Acts and Mrs Dalloway next, all four on 6/6.  Hate to say it, but The Waves is a whole different ball game - one of the most challenging reads I've ever had.  Brilliant, yes, but tough!  (But then, if you didn't like The Years and Between the Acts.....!)

Edited October 27, 2013 by willoyd

[poppyshake]

The Years is, along with To The Lighthouse, probably my favourite of her books, with Between the Acts and Mrs Dalloway next.  Hate to say it, but The Waves is a whole different ball game - one of the most challenging reads I've ever had.  Brilliant, yes, but tough!

Now you see I much preferred To the Lighthouse and Mrs Dalloway to The Years or Between the Acts  I also loved The Voyage Out and Orlando but they are somewhat easier to read (the former especially.) I'm expecting to have trouble with The Waves .. there is a great temptation to leave it until last and if I can find Jacob's Room soon then that will be next. I do have it on Kindle actually but I still haven't settled to reading on that yet.

[willoyd]

Yes, Voyage Out was good.  I enjoyed Orlando, but have to say that for me it just didn't have the cutting edge of the others - they are all so distinctlvely VW, whilst Orlando could have been written by anyone of a whole fistful of writers.  Indeed, I think I actually prefer the film, in which Tilda Swanton was superb.
 
BTW, this was my review of The Years: http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11611-london-fiction/?p=344265

[Kylie]

Oh dear! Poppyshake, you and Willoyd are not helping my fear/intimidation of reading Virginia Woolf! Sorry you didn't particularly enjoy The Years.  

[Athena]

Sorry you didn't enjoy The Years Kay . I have books by VW on my TBR but not this one. I hope your next read will be more enjoyable.

[poppyshake]

Yes, Voyage Out was good.  I enjoyed Orlando, but have to say that for me it just didn't have the cutting edge of the others - they are all so distinctlvely VW, whilst Orlando could have been written by anyone of a whole fistful of writers.  Indeed, I think I actually prefer the film, in which Tilda Swanton was superb.

I still haven't seen the film .. I must do it because I love Tilda's performances.

BTW, this was my review of The Years: http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11611-london-fiction/?p=344265

'miss one thing and you can lose your way in seconds'

Yep .. that'd be it then  I must admit I'm not good with concentration at the moment and you can't read Virginia when distracted .. her books are for savouring really so will attempt again .. one day   

Oh dear! Poppyshake, you and Willoyd are not helping my fear/intimidation of reading Virginia Woolf! Sorry you didn't particularly enjoy The Years.

Sorry Kylie  ... it's not my intention at all There is nothing .. or not much  to be scared of with Virginia .. certainly she's challenging but worth the challenge imo.

Sorry you didn't enjoy The Years Kay . I have books by VW on my TBR but not this one. I hope your next read will be more enjoyable.

Thanks Gaia xx it wasn't really but I am reading something good now

[poppyshake]

I have only just realised .. after four years  ... that my actual name is in my username  .. oh the things you contemplate on a Friday night when you should be out on the razzle but are stuck in with no Halloween sweets and a visit from your MIL looming on the horizon  

 

I have finished The Newlyweds now which I'm glad of because it just wasn't catching fire .. I liked it but that's as far as our relationship went  The new books in my life (The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton and Newes From the Dead by Mary Hooper) are going very well .. we are already on very friendly terms.

 

I saw a book in the charity shop the other day called The Household Tips of the Great Writers which intrigued me a bit .. I did flick it but was pushed for time but have since looked it up and apparently Edgar Allen Poe tells me how I can board my loft and Sylvia Plath advises me on autumn bulb planting  .. there are recipes too .. one from Jane Austen. Hmm it was only £1.50 .. I wonder if it's still there? Someone has just compiled a load of info from various sources I guess and stuck it together (just like I want to do with my toast book ) but .. because it's about writers I'm immediately interested. I might need to board a loft as well (  I haven't even got one ) 

[poppyshake]

.. and it's Thursday night ... tragic!

[chesilbeach]

Oh Kay, it's Thursday night not Friday.  I wish it was Friday, as work would be over for the week!

 

Glad you're enjoying Newes from the Dead, it's such an unusual and interesting story.

 

EDIT: Oh, you corrected yourself just as I posted!

Edited October 31, 2013 by chesilbeach

[poppyshake]

That's how sad it is Claire ...  I have lost track of the days  I can only imagine that tomorrow night will be doubly depressing as I have lived it before  I will be very happy about your working week being over and all that though .. I might even eat a bun in celebration  

[chesilbeach]

Sounds like a great idea - I might have to treat myself too!

[pontalba]

That's how sad it is Claire ...  I have lost track of the days  I can only imagine that tomorrow night will be doubly depressing as I have lived it before  I will be very happy about your working week being over and all that though .. I might even eat a bun in celebration  

 

Well, at least you'll be able to get some sweets on sale for the re-do of Friday night..............  

[poppyshake]

Woohoo!! cheap cakes at the shop today .. a box of Fiendish Fancies for 50p .. hehe don't mind if I do .. I'll have two please

Yes Kate .. I'll be rocking and rolling tonight .. well rolling anyway (if we throw wine into the mix I might be rocking )

 

It's officially Friday folks  let's eat cake  

[julie]

Pops

Is that the real name of the pastries you got ?

Fiendish Fancies ?

What all is in them ? I'm assuming you have already eaten the evidence so we can't see a photo ?

[poppyshake]

I did post a pic a few weeks ago Julie .. but I'll attach it again here as trawling back through this blog is bad for the nerves  

 

They are little sponge cakes with a bit of buttercream and some fondant icing drizzled with chocolate .. they have a slightly orangey flavour Very yummy ... eight in the box so sixteen (woohoo .. go me  ... I may not know what day it is but I can count ) I haven't eaten even one yet  but I know they're there and that helps

 

[Karsa Orlong]

It's officially Friday folks  let's eat cake  

 

Is there no bread?

 

[poppyshake]

Is there no bread?

 

Of course there's bread

 

Let's eat toast  

[julie]

Oh ,sorry I missed the pic previously .  They sound a little bit like Hostess Twinkies ,although not the exact shape. The Twinkies are a bit longer. They are sponge cake with whipped cream inside. They don't have the chocolate drizzled on the top .

 

Anything with whipped cream inside is HIGHLY enjoyable .

[Devi]

Oh ,sorry I missed the pic previously .  They sound a little bit like Hostess Twinkies ,although not the exact shape. The Twinkies are a bit longer. They are sponge cake with whipped cream inside. They don't have the chocolate drizzled on the top .

 

Anything with whipped cream inside is HIGHLY enjoyable .

Love twinkies!

[ian]

I've always wanted to try Twinkies - I think every Stephen King book I've ever read makes mention of them. I've never seen them on sale over here though. I haven't had a fancy for ages (either fiendish or fondant). May have to get some tonight. Either that or a Tunnocks Tea cake!

[poppyshake]

I've always wanted to try Twinkies - I think every Stephen King book I've ever read makes mention of them. I've never seen them on sale over here though. I haven't had a fancy for ages (either fiendish or fondant). May have to get some tonight. Either that or a Tunnocks Tea cake!

If you like orange (it's not overly orange) get a fiendish Ian .. they're going cheap and they're scrummy  I've not had a Twinkie .. but I have partaken of the odd Tunnock or two