Supergran71's read list

[supergran71]

Still on The Historian - Chapter 13. I actually am enjoying it, its a big change to the most recent books I have read. Very unusual in the way it switches between father and daughter as narrators, but I dont find it irritating. I also like the style of the author's writing.

[Gelfling]

I really liked the Historian. It's very atmospheric because of the slow, tense build up. Hope you enjoy

[supergran71]

Yes Gelfling I am enjoying it. As you say it is very atmospheric and I too like the slow building of the story, through the professor, then the father and now the daughter. I am on Chapter 26 and am really getting into it now. It is very well written and very descriptive. It is not a book you can read fast I find, you have to digest every word, otherwise you would miss the suppressed excitement of the tale.

[Kate]

This turned into one of my favourite books. I found it slow at first and the different fonts were hard to read, but by the end I couldn't put it down. It comes highly recommended from me and my Mum!

 

I really liked the Historian. It's very atmospheric because of the slow, tense build up. Hope you enjoy

[supergran71]

After my trip to Wales, I have now picked up The Historian again and am really enjoying it. As you say Gelfing it does pick up the pace and I am into that now. I find it hard to put down now.

[supergran71]

The Historian is an unbelievable book, I cant put it down. It is actually disturbing my sleep because even when I have switched off the light I sort of dream about it. What a book and what an author. If this is her first novel she is a genius and I look forward to her next book. I dont know if I will be able to write a review because it is such a long and complex story. Who else has read it out there and did it affect you??

[Michelle]

http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1114

[supergran71]

Thanks for that Michelle. Obviously a lot of BCF members feel the same way as I do about The Historian. I too feel I have learnt such a lot about that area of Europe that I never knew before. I am more than half way through now.

[Kate]

Yeah it is really insightful isn't it. She certainly did her research

[supergran71]

I finished The Historian this morning after breakfast. I dont quite know what to make of the way it ended. Its the epilogue that has me puzzled. Why was it necessary? and what was the purpose of the 2nd chapter about

Drakula before he died, visiting the monastery in Spain where he was finally destroyed?

. I can only think that Elizabeth Kostova is planning some kind of sequel. The 1st paragraph of the epilogue was a bit pointless to I think. She should have left it where it was when she ended the story.

 

Dont know what to read next

[carm]

I agree Supergran- overall I thought The Historian was a really good book but the epilogue seemed a little unnecessary

[supergran71]

I have started Mansfield Park by Jane Austen and am enjoying it.

[supergran71]

I dont think I have read this Jane Austen book before. I have to say that I am finding it a little slow and much more convoluted than her others. Anyone else find this?

[Kate]

I think it is Mansfield Park that I didn't finish, I found it so dull

[Kylie]

I think it is a little slower as well, but it picks up a bit later on!

[supergran71]

I finished Mansfield Park yesterday, my review is elsewhere. In the end I loved it. I really admired Fanny Price and the way she was able to see through people, but was able to keep her mouth shut. This ability came in useful when dealing with Mrs Norris, odious creature, who got her come uppance in the end. I was pleased that Sir Thomas saw through her. Other characters I liked were Susan, Fanny's sister, who although only coming into the story at the end, showed that she was developing in the same way as Fanny. I also like Lady Bertram, who was rather sweet, although lazy, but I suspected she knew more than she let on. I particularly liked her for her partiality to Fanny even though she "used" her a lot. I liked Sir Thomas for his strength of character and his recognition of Fanny's beauty and intelligence. I think it is a pity that Edmund was not more like his father, even though he saw through Mary Crawford in the end. I think Fanny could have done better.

 

I have now moved on to a Bookring book sent to me by Inver

 

After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell. A very different read, but I am getting into it and I think I am going to enjoy it.

[Kylie]

I never really warmed to Edmund - I thought Fanny could have done better too. I also liked Susan, and her brother, William, was one of my favourite characters. I liked Henry for the most part, and was sorry it turned out the way it did.

 

I'll be interested in your thoughts on After You'd Gone. I have this on my TBR pile, along with The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.

[supergran71]

I have finished After You'd Gone and here is my review -

 

After You

[Kylie]

Nice review, Supergran! I have this and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox on my TBR pile. I just might start with After You'd Gone after reading your review

[madcow]

Great review supergran. I'll keep a look out for this one.

[Inver]

Thanks for the good review on 'After you'd Gone'...so glad you enjoyed it.

[Renniemist]

I am glad you enjoyed After You

[supergran71]

I am glad you enjoyed After You

[supergran71]

I have now started A Small Part of History by Peggy Elliott, the free book from Headline Publishers for pre publication review.

 

I have found it easy to read so far. It has caught my interest too because I am awaiting the start of the big adventure into the West!!

[happyanddandy]

Excellent review - I have this waiting to be read. Think I might save it for my holiday