Renniemist Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber I have had this book on my shelf for quite a while now, but there have been so many people on here that said they liked it, so I thought that now was the time to try it. I thought it was very descriptive of Victorian London. The pages are crammed with the dirt and grime of London as well as scenes of sex and oppression. Even the main characters were less than likeable but this did not spoil the enjoyment of the book. Quite the reverse. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and despite the books length it is a good easy read. When the ending came it was a bit unexpected and like other BCF members I now want to know what happens to Sugar and the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Wow, I have never seen a bad review of this book! I have it on my TBR pile and think I should bump it up the list. Thanks for the review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Hopefully you won't be disappointed Kylie, I know we weren't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 I have finished The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (audio) This Much I Know is True by Wally Lamb Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates A Very Scotch Affair by Robin Jenkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (audio) I have that on my amazon wish list, and came close to ordering it today. Would be interested in your thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 It was very good Andrea. Some laugh out loud moments and I thought it had a very satisfactory ending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 I have finished several books since last I posted here - I am getting very lazy. Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier This is a vivid description of life in Delft in the 17th century. The book is about one of Vermeer's most famous paintings, The Girl With a Pearl Earring. The story is told from the point-of-view of Griet, the model for the painting who is a maid in the painter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 Red Dust by Gillian Slovo Sarah has left South Africa and has become a successful lawyer in New York, but her mentor Ben Hoffman calls her back to help with a last case. It is a complex story involving crimes committed during the apartheid era and involves torture and human reactions. This is a really good read. Gillian Slovo was born in South Africa and describes the landscape and the people wonderfully well. No Other Life by Brian Moore This seemed to be a familiar story. It is set in a Caribbean island called Ganae, which is ruled by a dictator. A young intelligent black boy called Jeannot is taken in and educated by Father Paul Michel. The boy becomes a priest and is seen as a saviour. An interesting tale of politics and religion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier This is a vivid description of life in Delft in the 17th century. The book is about one of Vermeer's most famous paintings, The Girl With a Pearl Earring. The story is told from the point-of-view of Griet, the model for the painting who is a maid in the painter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 I hope you enjoy it Kate. I would certainly read her other books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver A novel, where Taylor Greer who has adopted a little girl named Turtle, finds she may have to fight a custody battle with the Cherokee Nation. Questions on adoption, ethnic identity, and poverty are raised but in the end it comes down to what is best for the child. I have read two other Barbara Kingsolver books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 I am getting very behind with my postings, but here are some books that I have finished. The Blue Afternoon by William Boyd. I enjoyed this very much. I am going to read more of William Boyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross This is a story about the life of a girl who becomes Pope in the 9th Century. I don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 I have just finished The Talented Mr Ripley and really enjoyed it. Ripely is such a complex character. He dislikes most people but wants to have a bit of their lifestyle. He is devious and unprincipled but sees himself as charming and indeed he does seem to be able to pull the wool over most peoples eyes. I am now starting on Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I have just finished The Talented Mr Ripley and really enjoyed it. Ripely is such a complex character. He dislikes most people but wants to have a bit of their lifestyle. He is devious and unprincipled but sees himself as charming and indeed he does seem to be able to pull the wool over most peoples eyes. I'd like to read this. I read a Highsmith many years ago - A Suspension of mercy and loved it. I have This Sweet Sickness on my shelf which I intend to read soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 The Talented Mr Ripley is the first Patricia Highsmith I have read, but I would like to read some more. I will keep those titles in mind Andrea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted September 2, 2008 Author Share Posted September 2, 2008 Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith This is a thriller set in The Soviet Union in 1953. It is a bit harrowing in bits, but quite a page-turner all the same. I enjoyed it. I have now started on The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham and I am enjoying it immensely so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Hope you enjoy it as much as I did Rennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndam I don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergran71 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I have The Cast Iron Shore by Linda Grant. Have you read any of hers before? If so, is she any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 I have not read any of her books before this one. I am enjoying The Clothes on Their Backs. It is mainly set in the 1970s and in London. I will certainly try some more of her books. I hope you enjoy The Cast Iron Shore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 The Clothes on Their Backs by Linda Grant I enjoyed this book very much. Vivian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 I am having trouble keeping up to date nowadays. I have read since last posting- The Valley of the Dolls by Jaqueline Susann The Gathering by Anne Enright The Closed circle by Jonathan Coe I have now started on Due Preparations for the Plague by Janette Turner Hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 The Closed circle by Jonathan Coe What did you think of this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 This is difficult Janet. It took me ages to read it when on holiday. (I kept getting distracted.) It ties up all the loose ends from The Rotters Club and to tell the truth I was a bit disappointed. I usually like Jonathan Coe so I won't stop reading his books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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