General Chat

Please review any of the book choices for October Ann Glos

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold I absolutely love this book. The writing is beautiful, the story captures you, the characters are drawn so well. I have laughed and cried – sometimes on the same page. There are things about Susie’s heaven that I feel are very comforting – that you have a guide, that it is what you want it to be, that you can watch those left behind and feel with them and even show yourself to them. I would like to think that there is a bit more interaction between loved ones once you get there though. I can identify with the mother – she does what I think we all would like to do sometimes, run away from the problems of life and start afresh. But in the end she is drawn back to her family, healed and ready to start again. It seems to me to be a book as much about life as about death - although it has a terribly distressing theme, I think it gives us hope for both life and death and leaves us feeling that you can get through tragedy and come out the other side a stronger and better person. The Conjuror’s Bird by Martin Davies I absolutely LOVED this book!!! I just thought the story, the style, the format – everything – was fab! I’m not normally one to gush so sorry! I loved the way that we alternated between the 2 stories, it just kept you on the edge of your seat wanting to get back to the other half all the time. We were learning about Joseph and Mary at the same time as Fitz is, but we know so much more than him. There is of course a 3rd story too – that of Fitz’s grandfather which reflects his own. Like Empress Orchid, one the best things about this book is that everything is based in truth – it was great to read the historical notes at the end and realise this. Best part of the book ?? Right at the end when they get to see the bird, what is on the far wall??? “a rather drab study of dead oak leaves” – oh if only they knew!!! I don’t normally like non-conclusive endings, but in this case I have decided that Fitz and Katya WILL get it together, just for me! I think this would just make an excellent film, I don’t think anything would need to be cut, it could just be filmed exactly as it has been written. I'm nearly halfway through Lark Rise to Candleford - had some trouble finding it. I thought I would struggle and not enjoy it, but I have to say that I am finding it absolutely fascinating. About 1/3 of my ancestors were Ag Labs so this gives a great insight into their lives. Also I have a Brewer's Traveller and a Parish Clerk - both of which get an interesting mention. I might even try and buy this at some point! Maz. XX

I am afraid I didn't get The Lovely Bones. i spent most of the time since our return from holiday making 100 Christmas cards before going on holiday again on Thursday. I have started Larkrise, couldn't find the full book but I an enjoying Larkrise, it is so intresting putting my own Ag Lab ancestors into the 'story' as told by Flora Thompson. Review The Conjurors Bird by Martin Davies It took a while to get into this one, at first I got quite confused between the two parallel stories, I had to keep checking back to see who was who in which century. Once I got the characters straight in my mind by reading for a long stretch at a time (I found this was not a pick up and put down book), I found it gripping and intriguing. In fact the parallel stories written in short bursts and going backward and forward merged the story together, gave a sense of timelessness and yet a sense of history. The two different prints (in my book anyway) helped to differentiate between centuries. Reading about the journey by boat made me realise how dangerous it must have been. And also how lucky we are these days to travel to these places without thinking about it. But also that we take so much for granted now and the ‘wonder’ of foreign places isn’t there any more. I felt the story seemed more believable by the mixing of historical fact with fiction and surmise. I enjoyed the parts where he used the archives to research for the family he was looking for, I felt the author had done his research on this aspect and seemed to know what he was talking about. I loved his quotes about researching the family tree “putting bits together in the right order and finding what you need to fill the gaps” I enjoyed it, thought it was a good read, a romance without a happy ending, an adventure story and a detective story all rolled into one, with a touch of Family History thrown in. Another quote I liked was “the cage reared bird will always partly fear the sky” Ann Glos

The Conjuror’s Bird – Martin Davies One of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. I am not usually that taken with books that constantly go from past to present, and often find them confusing. This one was certainly an exception to the rule Well researched, it gave a flavour of the times of Captain Cook’s voyages and I especially liked the bit where the young Miss Burnett travels to Madeira disguised as a man. The tracing of the mistress of Banks was well documented, and the author had certainly a good knowledge of how best to go about tracing someone’s family history. Her unfortunate start in life certainly made her a very resourceful lady and it was good to see that she eventually went on to better things. What a brilliant twist at the end, when the bird is eventually found, it was certainly a cliff hanger All in all a brilliant book, I found it hard to put down and it is one that I shall certainly recommend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lark Rise to Candleford – Flora Thompson The copy I have is beautifully illustrated, showing an idyllic picture of country life. Sadly it is also abridged, something I only realised now that I have sat down to re read it. A lovely book, it is written about the period after the Enclosure Act and at a time when farms were gradually changing over to mechanisation. The railways have left Lark Rise isolated, and it is only in nearby Candleford that the houses are starting to get gas and water supplies It is a book that is evocative of the way in which our ‘ag lab’ ancestors would have lived, although some would say it paints a rather rosy picture. I will pick out one small incident, which I think shows how communities were ‘there for each other’ in the 1890’s. ‘The BOX appeared, almost simultaneously with every new baby……… it was a popular institution.’ The box contained a layette for a new baby, and could be kept for a month, sometimes longer if no new babies were born. It was supplied by the clergyman’s daughter, and must have been a great help to those Mum’s on a low wage. To my mind it was an easy book to read, and I would vertainly recommend it I only got round to reading the two books this month, and I really enjoyed both of them, lets hope next months are as good

Well I'm very naughty because, although I read The Lovely Bones a couple of years ago, I haven't even started the other two choices yet as it's been a very busy month and I also decided to read a few books which had been sitting on my bedside table for quite a while. The reviews are good though so I'll get round to reading them soon. Bad Little Daisy

Just in case there are any more reviews, I know Jeanette didn't read any of the books but not sure about Kaz. Sometimes i secretly wonder if it is worth continuing Greaders as so few read the books. Ann Glos

Definitely worth continuing Ann as last month's will join this month's on my reading list. Daisy

sorry to be late with this. I caught up with last months Jodi Piccoult book which i enjoyed once i got started. The Lovely Bones What a thought provoking book. Both my husband and I read this one and its interesting to look at it from a males point of view. He felt that it was a bit simplistic in the view of heaven whereas i loved the idea that heaven was what ever view you wanted and desired at the time. I thought that the ending was brilliant as it proved that although death is a horrible thing - people can and do move on, but of course my husband thought that it was too nice lol The Conjourors Bird Well I ll have to admit that i cant get past the first couple of chapters. But the oh did read this one all the way and totally loved it - infact he keeps pestering me to get on and read it lol. He said that the link between the present and the past was brilliant done but that is the part that is blocking me from reading it - seems a bit fragmented at the begining for me. Sorry but havent touched the classic - and probably wont have time before its due back at the library - maybe another time.

thank you for that Daisy. OK then. Lorraine, if you read my review you will see that I felt the same way at first, but once you get over the 'block', you will enjoy it I'm sure, so persevere. It is good to get your OH's views as well. You are lucky, my OH never ever reads a book!! ann Glos

The Conjuror's Bird - Martin Davies Sorry this is late folks. I had actually bought the book, but couldn't settle into reading it until now. And boy, am I glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. Before I joined Greaders, the type of book I used to read resembled the modern part of The Conjuror's Bird. Since joining Greaders I have realised that I quite enjoy books set in the past. So, this had the best of both worlds for me. I especially enjoyed learning a bit of history but in a light and entertaining way.

Sorry - I know I shouldn't butt in. I hope you all don't mind. However can I just echo Maz's comments about Lovely Bones. It's been a while since I have read the read the book but it made a great impression on me. I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy it given the subject material. However, I couldn't put it down. as I absolutely adored it! As maz said, it was beautifully written and although it could be sad at times, it was not a depressing book which i thought it might have been. If you haven't had a chance to read it, please please take the opportunity to do so. Sorry about the interruption. Normal services now resume.