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Post by dearling on Jan 22, 2008 19:40:19 GMT -1
Yeah, I had to look a word up, lol. One of those that "i know that I know but can't quite put my finger on." Not too far in (fuck house hunting and wedding planning) but I do love it.
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Post by Karo on Jan 22, 2008 19:47:30 GMT -1
I'm not sure. In my experience the whole second-person narrative thing can easily get tedious. Plus I find her style a bit pretentious. We shall see.
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Post by mkk on Jan 23, 2008 0:19:49 GMT -1
just got it today, will start it tonight. i'm liking this bookclub idea
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Post by cvillecmd on Jan 23, 2008 0:28:04 GMT -1
Read it ladies! It takes a bit, but if you can hold out you'll be hooked before you know it. I agree with Karo? or someone who said it's a bit pretentious, but trust me, it gets better. Or maybe the story just becomes so engrossing that you find you don't care about her pretentiousness anymore. I can't wait to discuss it!
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Post by Karo on Jan 23, 2008 0:31:35 GMT -1
It is getting better already. I think it's not so much in her style but in her character - it's hard to like a book if you dislike the narrator. She seems the complete opposite of me, or maybe the topic is just difficult for me right now.
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Post by cvillecmd on Jan 23, 2008 0:33:22 GMT -1
No, I know what you mean Karo, but just keep going. She is hard to like, but as you go on, easy to sympathize with- if that makes any sence. I wanted to rip that little kids face off at times.
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Post by mkk on Jan 23, 2008 0:34:19 GMT -1
okay, here's what i've had to look up already:
inchoate - unformed, early stages
roisterous - to be lively and noisy
while i love the excuse to learn a new word -- two new words in the first 2 pages is alot. wonder if it will keep up??? why???
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Post by cvillecmd on Jan 23, 2008 0:37:36 GMT -1
It does keep up, and really, as much as I love the book, IS annoying. I could handle the big words thing, but what really started to wear on me was the endless slew of analogies.
But, I keep saying, the story becomes such a draw. I can't remember the last time that I simply could not put down a book. I would bring it with me in the car on the way to dinner- reading by the interior car light... Finally one day (like the 3rd day or reading) I just said "fuck the housework" and sat down and read it through... addictive.
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Post by Karo on Jan 23, 2008 1:00:16 GMT -1
I never look up words, they all make sense in the context. But you guys looking them up definitely confirms my "pretentious" suspicion Funny though, with some authors, using words like these seems so right and just adds to the literary style. With the first pages of this one all I felt was that they were unnecessary. Her style is not bad, though. The book is focussed on the story, and it does that very well, because you just stop caring about the style at some point.
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Post by cvillecmd on Jan 23, 2008 1:02:10 GMT -1
The book is focussed on the story, and it does that very well, because you just stop caring about the style at some point. Exactly!
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Post by katiemay on Jan 23, 2008 1:14:57 GMT -1
Ya, I'm glossing over most of the unknown words and just making my own interpretations! The story line is what has definately kept me interested.
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Post by henriette on Jan 23, 2008 12:38:52 GMT -1
okay, here's what i've had to look up already: inchoate - unformed, early stages roisterous - to be lively and noisy while i love the excuse to learn a new word -- two new words in the first 2 pages is alot. wonder if it will keep up??? why??? Fuck, if those are the type of words I have to deal with I'll never get through the damn thing. I'll be reading the dictionary more than the actual book But the book is on its way, will probably get it tomorrow...
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Post by Karo on Jan 24, 2008 22:23:10 GMT -1
I stayed up until 5 to finish the book, and got terribly depressed afterwards. Gaaaaahhh. *strokes pingu lovingly*
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Post by dearling on Jan 25, 2008 2:14:10 GMT -1
I'm slowly moving through it two pages at a time in between work.
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Post by henriette on Jan 25, 2008 5:33:13 GMT -1
I'm starting it today. I can't believe you've finished it already, Karo! That didn't take you very long, did it?
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Post by katiemay on Jan 25, 2008 12:24:50 GMT -1
I finished it last night. Wow.
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jbug
Renting a room
Posts: 105
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Post by jbug on Jan 25, 2008 13:49:00 GMT -1
Is it really depressing? I don't know if I can handle that right now. I've only gotten a couple of pages in. Maybe I'll save it for another time when I can emotionally handle it...
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Post by astralweeks on Jan 29, 2008 2:55:27 GMT -1
I'm still waiting on my copy to come from the UK eBayer I bought it off..........grrrrrr. Hope things are ok, Jbug
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Post by henriette on Jan 29, 2008 6:51:29 GMT -1
I've just started reading, about 20+ pages in. Don't find it *too* difficult (although some sentences I have to read more than once to fully understand ;D ), and so far it's a good read, very promising.
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Post by dearling on Jan 29, 2008 17:58:22 GMT -1
I'm not sure it's the best book for me to be reading in my emotional state lately, but I've started it and I HATE not finishing a book I've started. Plus, I'm interested. You'll all just have to remind me after that I actually *do* want to have kids.
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sonias
More of a ginger twonk
Posts: 15
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Post by sonias on Jan 29, 2008 21:49:37 GMT -1
Sorry If I have missed it, but what is this book about?
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Post by Karo on Jan 29, 2008 22:15:45 GMT -1
I'm not sure it's the best book for me to be reading in my emotional state lately, but I've started it and I HATE not finishing a book I've started. Plus, I'm interested. You'll all just have to remind me after that I actually *do* want to have kids. My thoughts were something along the lines of "I'm gonna do better" - "You're fooling yourself!" - "It can't be that bad, surely" - "Aaaarghhh!!!" Sonias, the "We need to talk..." thread must've moved to page 2 or 3 now. Go have a look, it's probably easier than trying to explain it on here...
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Post by Kez on Jan 30, 2008 18:50:48 GMT -1
Yeah I definitely disliked her at the start of the book, found her very cold and heartless and that linked up to how I felt about her after I had finished the book but yes as it goes on I think you do start to feel for her and her situation.
Did anyone look at the questions at the end? Do all copies have that? I thought it raised some interesting points.
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Post by cvillecmd on Jan 30, 2008 19:25:47 GMT -1
I did see the questions Kez. I left my copy in Italy, but will be back on a week and half. When everyone is done reading we could go through those questions to discuss.
How is everyone coming along?
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Post by henriette on Jan 30, 2008 19:58:40 GMT -1
I only have time to read on the way home on the bus and train, so not very far in yet. But I think it's very very good, I love the way it's written, I love that it challenges me.
Actually I don't dislike her, not really. (I'm 62 pages in). I find her 'human', and expressing thoughts and emotions that are frowned upon. But then again I've never wanted children so I guess I can understand and relate to some of the thoughts she shares early in the book.
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Post by henriette on Jan 30, 2008 20:02:40 GMT -1
Although I admit she does sound cold, maybe even heartless at times.
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Post by mkk on Jan 30, 2008 20:29:06 GMT -1
i'm about a fourth of the way through. as you can probably assume.....i don't like her and find her cold and selfish. but tell me again, WHY did she have children? for the hubby? baaaad reason to have kids.
it doesn't really bother me yet (the subject matter) because i can't identify with her. i feel like she's made up. do people really feel that empty when they hold their newborn babies??
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Post by henriette on Jan 31, 2008 5:23:31 GMT -1
*realises she has made herself sound like a cold-hearted, selfish bitch too* Think I better clear up that while I can realate to some of her pre-baby feelings I do find her reasons for having a child as well as her post-baby feelings disturbing and I'm put off by her in that aspect.
It is interesting, though, to read a book where it's obviouse you aren't meant to sympathise with the main character...
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Post by astralweeks on Jan 31, 2008 10:26:48 GMT -1
Still waiting on my copy to arrive. Will msg the seller and find out what colour the f*cking carrier pigeon is that he sent it by, so I know to look out for it!!
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Post by astralweeks on Jan 31, 2008 10:31:58 GMT -1
Oooooh, now, for crying out loud!!
Just checked the order details and found out the tosser didn't even POST the bloody thing until the 28th Jan!! A full 2 wks after I won and paid for it through paypal.
*grumble grumble fucking grumble*
Bastard.
*ahem*
Regains composure.
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