The Bookworm's Thread 2016

savingpennies

So far so good with The Bone Clocks. I agree with someone ( I can't remember who, forgive me) about the fantasy scenes, they do seem a bit contrived. The horologists/anchorites? So far I haven't got the point of them - what are they for/doing? But I am enjoying how all the different characters and their stories connect and intertwine.

missbiggles1

carbootcrazy wrote: »

I've seen Margaret Atwood recommended by several of you and have to confess that I've never read any of her books:o. I somehow got the impression that they wouldn't be 'my thing'. Could anyone recommend a good 'entry level' title to try please?

I'm just about to start on Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist which a friend passed on after she read it at her book group. Apparently it received very mixed reviews from the other members so I'm not holding my breath that I'll enjoy it. I expect a lot of you have read it so comments would be welcome please.

"The Handmaid's Tale" - definitely.

missbiggles1

pollypenny wrote: »

https://populuslive.online-host.solutions/Media/Images/P007031/B3/_16_19_5.jpg

I'd start with Cat's Eyes, explores girls' bullying.

Atwood's more recent stuff has been set in a dystopian future, but there are lots more . Just dip in.

Now Cat's Eye (singular;)) is the one I'd recommend least - funny, isn't it?:)

whiteslice

I would recommend The Blind Assassin. It shows very much what Atwood is about and is, imho, her strongest book (I've read most of her writings).

Atwood holds that equilibrium where the writing is unmistakeably feminine, but not stereotypically feminine - i.e. it reaches out to that common part in the make up of all (ok, almost all) women, be they feminist or not, clever or stupid, good or bad, etc etc. I think that's where the universal appeal lies with her. Then other aspects of her writing are less versatile and can be more take-it-or-leave-it (personally, I think sometimes she writes too much and is not critical enough of what makes it to the final draft), but The Blind Assassin is one book I would recommend to my friends - male and female -, my family members, work colleagues, etc with equal confidence.

missbiggles1

whiteslice wrote: »

I would recommend The Blind Assassin. It shows very much what Atwood is about and is, imho, her strongest book (I've read most of her writings).

Atwood holds that equilibrium where the writing is unmistakeably feminine, but not stereotypically feminine - i.e. it reaches out to that common part in the make up of all (ok, almost all) women, be they feminist or not, clever or stupid, good or bad, etc etc. I think that's where the universal appeal lies with her. Then other aspects of her writing are less versatile and can be more take-it-or-leave-it (personally, I think sometimes she writes too much and is not critical enough of what makes it to the final draft), but The Blind Assassin is one book I would recommend to my friends - male and female -, my family members, work colleagues, etc with equal confidence.

Feminine! Now there's an insult I haven't heard aimed at a major author before!

whiteslice

Yes, feminine. Realistically conveying the shared experience particular to women, for want of a better definition.

To some people 'feminist' is also a dirty word.

[Deleted User]

Callie22 wrote: »

If you like dystopian/sci-fi type novels then I'd also recommend 'Oryx and Crake' (and the rest of the series - 'The Year of the Flood' and 'MaddAddam'). It's really hard to give a brief description of an Atwood novel as they tend to be so complex and cover so many themes, but I'd really recommend almost everything she's ever written.

Thanks, Callie, much appreciated:T

It's anything dystopian that puts me off even giving her a go:o

I've been part of a few challenges this past year where I've had to force myself to read genres I've avoided before including science fiction. I can't say I'll read any more from them but at least I had a go;).

I'm going to bite the bullet and read something by her now:j. I know she is very highly-rated by a great many people.

[Deleted User]

Thanks to everyone for their input on Margaret Atwood:T. It's obvious that she divides opinion even among the small group who've posted on here.

What a good thread this is:j

[Deleted User]

pollypenny wrote: »

Yes, it's the Colm Toibin one. Very good, closely written, but without excessive description, which is what I look for.

The best writers 'create, not state', whether impressions of characters or scenes.

Have you finished it, pollypenny?

I borrowed it from the mobile library but didn't have the time to start it until I saw on my online account that someone else has put a reserve on it and I won't be able to renew it. I started it last night and couldn't put it down. I was past tired before I had to give in and turn off the light:rotfl:. I'll get it finished tonight, I'm up to where Eilis is back home in Ireland taking a wreath to Rose's grave.

I shall be so sorry when it's finished, I just love Toibin's writing:j

Goldiegirl

Book 4


The Prayer of the Night Shepherd by Phil Rickman





This book is the 6th in the Merilly Watkins series. Merilly is a female vicar and she is also 'Deliverance Consultant' for the Hereford Diocese.


I really enjoy these books. It's a combination of mystery/crime, character driven stories and a hint of the supernatural - although you are left to make your own mind up about the supernatural aspects.


This was a particularly good book in the series - there has been a heavy snowfall on the English/Welsh border, and it gives the story a very edgy claustrophobic feel


9/10


PS, the first of the books was recently made into a short TV series. If you saw it, don't let this put you off. On screen Merilly was a limp lettuce of a character - nothing like how she is in my mind