Book Club - see first post for who's choosing the book for which month

[hfwardhouse]

Historical non-fiction fiction?! :confused: :rolling:

[RoastLamb]

That's how it was described to us by the member who picked it. It's based on the composer Vivaldi and an orphanage of young girls he worked with. Apparently.

[hfwardhouse]

Oh well .... you must let us know what it's like!

[pabbers]

My book arrived today!

[patmoren]

My real book club went down last night. No one really liked The Virgin Cure except for me and one other. Oh well, can't win 'em all. The next book also has virgin in the title: Vivaldi's Virgins and it's historical non-fiction fiction. :rolling:
Sounds like fun!!!!

[patmoren]

To give you something to think about while you are reading Lindas choice, I wondered whether you would all be willing to try a Science Fiction and Fantasy Book for my choice. This is my favourite reading subject and I would try and find one not too dark and the first in a series then, if you wre hooked you could continue with the story. Let me know. No problem if you are not interseted I have 22,000 to choose from!

[RoastLamb]

Pat, I would LOVE to. I don't read this kind of thing but I'm up for the challenge. So count me in!

[hfwardhouse]

I would too - have read quite a lot of that genre myself in the past so definitely up for it :thumbup:

[Linda]

Yes, Pat, my son is hooked on fantasy (ever since I gave him The Hobbit when he was eight) and he often lends me fantasy books. It's not my favourite genre, but I do read them. So I'd be quite happy to read a fantasy recommendation.

[MurrayAOne]

I would love to read Science Fiction or Fantasy. I've never read any either so it would be really interesting. I've got a lot of catching up to do on this one though as been very preoccupied with the tennis! Will look forward to the next choice.

[Sallydaisy]

No problem with that PatM.
:thumbup:

[pabbers]

To give you something to think about while you are reading Lindas choice, I wondered whether you would all be willing to try a Science Fiction and Fantasy Book for my choice. This is my favourite reading subject and I would try and find one not too dark and the first in a series then, if you wre hooked you could continue with the story. Let me know. No problem if you are not interseted I have 22,000 to choose from!
No problem at all - one of my favourite genres.

[patmoren]

The one I have in mind is by Kate Elliot, the series is Crown of Stars and the first book is Kings Dragon. I found copies on ebay for £2, Amazon were £7 don't know why, first one published in 1997. They have some first editions on ebay for £30+ so don't be put off. In the ebay search put Kate Elliot Crown of Stars and you will get a long list of options. Any problems let me know.

[Hawkeye]

I've read that so I may well chip in if no-one objects!

[RoastLamb]

Sounds good, Patmoren. I will hopefully find all the book club books (3 of them) in Chapters or Amazon here in Canada.

[hfwardhouse]

I've just put a bid on a copy of King's Dragon on ebay so we'll see if I get it!

[RoastLamb]

I couldn't find either Vivaldi's Virgins or King's Dragon in Chapters this morning, I did get the Cecilia Aherne book though. But I can get the two books on amazon. The only Kate Elliott book they had in Chapters was Cold Magic.

[hfwardhouse]

Just finished The Book of Tomorrow this afternoon - really enjoyed it and can't wait to see what everyone thinks :)

U for Undertow next for me ... last one I've got on the kindle.

[RoastLamb]

Jane, have you read Denise Mina's crime thrillers? They are set in Scotland.

[hfwardhouse]

No I've not heard of her - will have to look out for them!

[Sallydaisy]

I suggested a couple of books but the one people seem to want is The Book of Tomorrow by Cecilia Ahern.
Just to say that I'm only just ordering this today; if it arrives before I leave on Thursday morning (for Braehead) I'll read it over DC weekend (instead of staying up half the night boozing!).

[MurrayAOne]

I'm only halfway through The Book of Tomorrow so hope we've got a bit more time yet! Been preoccupied with winning British tennis teams and the like!!! Hopefully there will be more at the weekend!

[jeannie13]

Just to say that I'm only just ordering this today; if it arrives before I leave on Thursday morning (for Braehead) I'll read it over DC weekend instead of staying up half the night boozing!).

If you believe the last bit you'll believe anything!!:rolling::laugh:

[RoastLamb]

I don't think we're starting to discuss it till the third week of February (20th) so plenty time as yet. (I haven't even started it tbh.)

[Linda]

Don't worry, it's not like War and Peace! Anyone should be able to read it in a weekend.

[RoastLamb]

Just finished it. Can't say it's my fave book of all time (gross understatement!). But we will start discussing next week when Linda is back I hope. I did manage to get Pat's choice on amazon as well.

[MurrayAOne]

Just finished it. Can't say it's my fave book of all time (gross understatement!). But we will start discussing next week when Linda is back I hope. I did manage to get Pat's choice on amazon as well.

Is the next one the King's Dragon?

[RoastLamb]

Yes it is.

[pabbers]

Just to say that I'm only just ordering this today; if it arrives before I leave on Thursday morning (for Braehead) I'll read it over DC weekend (instead of staying up half the night boozing!).


If you believe the last bit you'll believe anything!!:rolling::laugh:

Sally's nose has just grown by 2 feet!!! :laugh:


Is the next one the King's Dragon?

Oops - missed that somewhere along the line. Will get onto it.

Have finished the Book of Tomorrow. Sort of enjoyed it. I too will be interested to see what others think.

Advance notice of my suggestions for March is Dear Fatty by Dawn French or Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee by Meera Syal. I confess to being one of (if not THE one) the people who said they'd prefer not to read anything too heavy. My job involves me in looking at the minutiae of words and also the student law clinic that I run deals mainly with the elderly who have dementia/Alzheimer's Disease, so for me reading needs to be light relief. Sally suggested therefore, why not go for a funny book as that's something we haven't had yet. Hence my suggestions. Hope I'm not too far ahead of myself here.

Also to make it easier to check (I needed to), I've copied RL's suggestion of who chooses the books for which month into the first post on this thread.

[hfwardhouse]

:thanks: Pabbers but Patmoren chose the March book - King's Dragon - so your's will need to be the April choice - I vote for Dear Fatty!

Edit .... oh I see Pat was for May ... oh well - that'll give me plenty of time to read it! Anyway, I vote for Dear Fatty for March then!!!

[RoastLamb]

I've actually read Dear Fatty!!! When I was in Cornwall in 2009. It is an AWESOME book!!!

So I'd vote for something I haven't read - the Meera Syal. Altho' she's not an international name so I may not be able to get it here.

You know what book I just bought - Judi Dench's autobio. Can't wait to get stuck in to that. An autobio is an excellent idea, gotta say.

[MurrayAOne]

:thanks: Pabbers but Patmoren chose the March book - King's Dragon - so your's will need to be the April choice - I vote for Dear Fatty!

Edit .... oh I see Pat was for May ... oh well - that'll give me plenty of time to read it! Anyway, I vote for Dear Fatty for March then!!!

Sorry but I thought King's Dragon was March...! This is correct yes?

[RoastLamb]

Sorry but I thought King's Dragon was March...! This is correct yes?


I chose the first book in November
Jane picked January
Linda's doing February
then I thought Pabbers should choose March
MurrayOne - April
Patmoren - May.
Sally - June


Nope, Pabbers is choosing March. And then you're next. I think Pat was just thinking ahead.
WAY AHEAD! :lol:

[MurrayAOne]

Nope, Pabbers is choosing March. And then you're next. I think Pat was just thinking ahead.
WAY AHEAD! :lol:

Ok so King's Dragon is the next one though? Sorry for confusion but that's what I meant!!!

[RoastLamb]

King's Dragon is for May. I've already purchased it so only have to worry about March's selection now.

Have you had any thoughts about which book you'd like to select?

[MurrayAOne]

King's Dragon is for May. I've already purchased it so only have to worry about March's selection now.

Have you had any thoughts about which book you'd like to select?

Yes I've ordered King's Dragon as I thought it was the next one but no matter - at least I will already have it. I must say I also like the sound of choosing a book with humour as I like a good old chuckle! This is my first book club really so not sure if it's usual to choose a different genre from the one before? Otherwise I would probably go for thriller/mystery.

[pabbers]

Crumbs - I hadn't realised myself that it's March next - I was thinking King's Dragon was for Feb because we read The Book of Tomorrow in January to discuss in Feb. Ah I see now, so we'll read either Dear Fatty or the Meera Syal one (she's also an actress by the way) with a view to discussion (not reading) in March. I'll get there in the end.

Doesn't help that 2 of us are called Pat either..........:doh:

[MurrayAOne]

Crumbs - I hadn't realised myself that it's March next - I was thinking King's Dragon was for Feb because we read The Book of Tomorrow in January to discuss in Feb. Ah I see now, so we'll read either Dear Fatty or the Meera Syal one (she's also an actress by the way) with a view to discussion (not reading) in March. I'll get there in the end.

Doesn't help that 2 of us are called Pat either..........:doh:

I thought exactly the same thing about February and March!!!! I would love to read either of those books so I don't mind which.

[MurrayAOne]

Doesn't help that 2 of us are called Pat either..........:doh: Yes I had to go back and read a few times to figure out who's who!!!

[pabbers]

Yes I had to go back and read a few times to figure out who's who!!!

Me too and I'm one of them :laugh:

[MurrayAOne]

I've just remembered a book I would like to read for my choice. Dawn French has also written a novel I have always wanted to read. It is entitled 'A Tiny Bit Marvelous' and is a humourous novel about life as seen through the child psychiatrist mother of a family who is approaching fifty and struggling to communicate with her teenage children! It sounds really funny and well written. Would this be ok with everyone?

[pabbers]

I've just remembered a book I would like to read for my choice. Dawn French has also written a novel I have always wanted to read. It is entitled 'A Tiny Bit Marvelous' and is a humourous novel about life as seen through the child psychiatrist mother of a family who is approaching fifty and struggling to communicate with her teenage children! It sounds really funny and well written. Would this be ok with everyone?
OK with me but maybe we should go for the Meera Syal book in that case for my choice???

[MurrayAOne]

OK with me but maybe we should go for the Meera Syal book in that case for my choice???

I believe Meera Syal is an excellent writer so It's fine by me. Sorry if I've stolen your author! Thought it would be OK as one was autobiography and one was novel. Not sure of book club protocol!!!

[cazza99]

Its not often I have read the books in the book club, but I read the Kings Dragon last year and am on the 5th book in that series at the moment.

[hfwardhouse]

You're welcome to join in the chat Cazza - when we get round to that one in May!

[pabbers]

I believe Meera Syal is an excellent writer so It's fine by me. Sorry if I've stolen your author! Thought it would be OK as one was autobiography and one was novel. Not sure of book club protocol!!!
No problem. Just thought we might want to keep to variety of author and or genre initially at least.

[RoastLamb]

I just have to make sure I can get either of those books over here. Have a feeling I won't be. But I'll check and get back on it. Funnily enough I saw Meera Syal in a British tv show this afternoon called The Jury.

[patmoren]

I thought I was doing the next one too but am happy to wait until May! Will get on to ordering the Meera Syal. If it makes it easier you can all me Patricia instead of Pat!!!!!

[patmoren]

Bought the Meera Syal book on Amazon for £1.95, not available on Kindle.

[cazza99]

I just have to make sure I can get either of those books over here. Have a feeling I won't be. But I'll check and get back on it. Funnily enough I saw Meera Syal in a British tv show this afternoon called The Jury.

Have you tried the amazon.co.uk rather than .com. I suppose it would depend on the postage costs though. I sometimes buy stuff from amazon.com instead of the .co.uk and postage is not extortionate.

[Sallydaisy]

I've been getting well confused over dates for reading books so, erm, I've set up a table to try and make things more clear and I've added in some more snippets of information from various other posts.

Would it be possible for this to go into the first post of the thread so everyone can see it all together? I know Pabbers copied in RL's suggested order of choosers but it's the deadline dates that seem to be getting lost in the posts.

Maybe we need to stick to forum names/short cuts e.g. Pabbers, PatM, RL and HFW???
:shamed:



Chosen by

Read by

Discuss

Book

Author

Genre



RoastLamb

14 Nov

Nov/Dec

Teatime for the traditionally built

McCall Smith

Lady 'tecs



HFW

23 Jan

Jan/Feb

Think of a Number

Verdon

Crime/mystery



Linda

19 Feb

20 Feb >

The Book of Tomorrow

Ahern

?



Pabbers

Mar 18?

19 Mar >

Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee

Syel

Humour



MurrayA1

April



A Tiny Bit Marvellous

French





PatMoren

May



Kings Dragon



Sci-Fi



SallyD

June













July













Aug







.







I chose the first book in November
Jane picked January
Linda's doing February
then I thought Pabbers should choose March
MurrayOne - April
Patmoren - May.
Sally - June


We should give ourselves a month to read. Then we can discuss what we thought about it on here. Maybe prepare a few questions for each other. Some publishers prepare reading guides for some of their authors which include a Q&A with the author and questions regarding the work. So that's something to consider for future titles.

I'm only halfway through The Book of Tomorrow so hope we've got a bit more time yet!

I don't think we're starting to discuss it till the third week of February (20th) so plenty time as yet. (I haven't even started it tbh.)

I'm going to have a reading session over the next few days so will deffo have the Ahearne book read by the 19th February.

[hfwardhouse]

:thanks: Sally - that's really useful!

I've just ordered the Meera Syal from Amazon for £1.77 :thumbup:

[RoastLamb]

Thanks Sally! That is great.

I can get both the Meera Syal and Dawn French A Tiny Bit of Marvellous book over here (on amazon.ca). YAY!!! MurrayAOne, can you confirm you want to go ahead with that pick before I order? I may as well get both of them at the same time to get free shipping.

[-J-]

i read the Meera Syal one a while back,wont say much but good read

[RoastLamb]

Really excited to be reading some British books, for a change.

[MurrayAOne]

Thanks Sally! That is great.

I can get both the Meera Syal and Dawn French A Tiny Bit of Marvellous book over here (on amazon.ca). YAY!!! MurrayAOne, can you confirm you want to go ahead with that pick before I order? I may as well get both of them at the same time to get free shipping.

Yes. A Tiny Bit Marvelous by Dawn French is the book I would like for my choice. Looking forward to reading them both!

[patmoren]

Got a tiny bit marvellous for£1.36 on Amazon. Kindle price was £6.49, that doesn't seem right. When I got my Kindle I didn't expect to keep having to buy paper books, seeing that I have 22,000 stored on my computer!!

[RoastLamb]

Wow! That's really cheap. I don't get them that cheap over here. The Dawn French book is costing me $13 which is around 5 pounds.

[hfwardhouse]

Amazon do second hand as well Fiona - that's what I did for Meera Syal's book - will probably do the same for Tiny Bit Marvellous as well - like Pat I'd rather get them on the kindle but if I can't then paper will have to do!!!

[pabbers]

Great you can get the Meera Syal one, RL.

Sally can you put your table in the first post please - great idea - just delete what I copied to there.

Hi J - you can join in if you like. I read the Meera Syal book years ago but look forward to revisiting it.

Will do a job lot on Amazon for PatM and MurrayAOne's choices.

[RoastLamb]

Hey Linda, when you're ready can you do the introduction/summary for your book choice? No rush, though. I know you're just back from hols.

PS I ordered those two books so now I'm set for both my book clubs for a good few months. :yahoo:

[pabbers]

Hey Linda, when you're ready can you do the introduction/summary for your book choice? No rush, though. I know you're just back from hols.

PS I ordered those two books so now I'm set for both my book clubs for a good few months. :yahoo:

Yep - mine are on the way too from Amazon!

[Sallydaisy]

I'm ordering all 3 late tonight.

[pabbers]

I'm ordering all 3 late tonight.

Sounds a bit cloak and dagger :lol:

[Sallydaisy]

Sounds a bit cloak and dagger :lol:
It's 'cos I work on Wednesdays and won't be home to receive the parcel if Amazon ship today - which they would if I ordered before about 3pm! If I order later they'll ship tomorrow for Thursday delivery.

[pabbers]

It's 'cos I work on Wednesdays and won't be home to receive the parcel if Amazon ship today - which they would if I ordered before about 3pm! If I order later they'll ship tomorrow for Thursday delivery.

Right........good point. I hope they'll leave mine in the porch - not due till Thursday with free delivery.

[hfwardhouse]

Meera Syal arrived yesterday - will order the Dawn French after payday!

[MurrayAOne]

I received Meera Syal book yesterday too. Looks good!

[pabbers]

Just started re-reading it.

[RoastLamb]

Both books arrived today. Love Amazon.

[Linda]

I've read a book by Meera Syal but can't remember which one. I'll have to look it out.

Anyway, onto the discussion of The Book of Tomorrow. As I stated before, I chose this book because people said they wanted something light. It's not the sort of book I normally read so first of all I'd better tell you why I bought it in the first place!

My daughter, who is now 28, has always had real difficulty reading and had never managed to read a proper book until a couple of years ago when she discovered a book called 'Angus, Thongs and Snogging' which is the fictional diary of a teenage girl and very funny as well as being easy to read. It was the first book she had ever enjoyed, and she went on to read the rest of the books in the series. I was then looking for something else that she would enjoy reading. I made a few suggestions which she rejected. Then I saw a review of The Book of Tomorrow in The Telegraph, and it sounded a possibility. It was written from the point of a teenage girl, and also there was a hint of The Secret Garden in the story (she loved the film but refused to read the book). So I went to the bookshop and flicked through it. Sure enough, it seemed just right, in both style and in being easy to read. Caz loved it and went on to read everything else by Cecilia Ahern.
Anyway, what did I think of it myself? When I started to read the first page it struck a chord. "This story is one for which some people will have to suspend their disbelief . . . . Many won't struggle to believe it, though, because their minds have been opened; unlocked by whatever kind of key causes people to believe . . . . But then there are those whose minds are merely a bouquet of stalks, which bud as they learn new information – a new bud for a new fact – but yet they never open, never flourish. They are the people of capital letters and full stops, but never of question marks and ellipses . . . . My parents were those kinds of people. The know-it-all kind . . . . The ‘don’t be ridiculous’ kind.”

Because I used to be one of those people. When I was a child, whenever there was anything on TV that wasn’t believable my parents would say, ‘how ridiculous, that couldn’t happen!’ And so I thought like that too. I only enjoyed books where the story was possible (although maybe unlikely). I missed reading so many good books as a child because of that. Friends told me that The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was a good book, but when I got to the bit where they met a faun I took it straight back to the library! I only came to read the Narnia books when my own children were young.
So I started off the book already identifying with the narrator. And although the author employs a chatty tone of voice, suitable for the teenage narrator, she manages to include a lot of thoughtful insight as well, making it a pleasure to read. The character of Tamara is totally believable, but some of the other characters are not as well drawn – but then this is probably because we are only seeing them from Tamara’s point of view.

The author succeeds in keeping something of a mystery going – though I must say that in Tamara’s place I would have done a lot more snooping around if I thought that people were keeping something from me! It kept me turning the pages to see what Tamara would discover.

The end though was a little disappointing, with the way in which everything was explained (of course we didn’t have Hercule Poirot there to explain it all!) I didn’t think that someone would really hide themselves away for twenty years because they had been disfigured in a fire (compare with Simon Weston who did nothing of the sort!) and also I didn’t think it feasible that someone’s age could have been falsified for 17 years when they travelled abroad such a lot. Did she never see her passport? Although perhaps that just means that I haven’t learned to suspend my disbelief quite enough yet . . . .

Overall I thought the book was enjoyable and it certainly did the trick for my daughter, who is now willing to try other books as well. An author who turns a non-reader into a reader can’t be sniffed at!

[RoastLamb]

I don't think I'm the right demographic for this book and I kinda felt uncomfortable reading it tbh. The whole magic diary element just ticked me off. The book didn't need it for one thing. I found it a huge and unnecessary distraction. The story about the main character and her strange family was OK but I just didn't really buy any of it. I liked the nun character. Cecelia Aherne reminds me of a young and hipper Maeve Binchy but give me Binchy any day. I won't be reading any more of her books.

I'd give it a 3/10.

[patmoren]

Interesting book, when I first started reading it I thought it was very verbose"why use 1 word when 6 would do" and thought I was going to have a struggle to read it. I then learn't that the third person was a 16yr old girl so had to try and go back and think like a 16 yr old and it made more sense. Unfortunately all the way through the book I had an overwhelming feeling of dread and although I worked out the storyline quite quickly, was always waiting for something terrible to happen. The characters were quite well drawn, Sr Ignatious being a great character, shame T amara didn't make more use of her. Rosaleen was always the bad character and Archie rather ineffectual. Be interested to read others views. 5/10

[pabbers]

I quite enjoyed this at a "fluffy" level. I thought the way Tamara wrote was way beyond her years (probably didn't suspend my disbelief either!). But I like a good romance and something with a happy ending, which I suppose this sort of had. I too kept thinking something awful was going to happen. I think the diary was an interesting concept because it showed both what might have been and what actually happened and how we can influence events in our own lives. Of course we don't have the benefit of a diary like in the book but we do get presented with choices about what to say or how to behave in a particular situation. Tamara learned a lot about herself through the diaries might have beens. I'd give it 6/10.

[RoastLamb]

I had high hopes for Rosaleen. Shame they didn't pan out.

[hfwardhouse]

I found it quite an enjoyable read - I must say I did take a while to get into it but once I was into the story, I enjoyed it. I do enjoy Cecilia Aherne's books, but the "odd" theme runs through many of them and I do find them a different read. This was no exception, I thought Rosaleen was a very disagreeable character and if they'd just stopped with their secrets we could've gotten much more in depth with some of the other characters in there. I did enjoy it though and will probably give it to Esther to read at some point cos I think she'd probably like it too!

6/10

[MurrayAOne]

Before I state my thoughts I would just like to acknowledge Linda’s comments. Regardless of my opinion of this book, it has proven its worth given the positive impact it has had on her daughter’s reading experiences.

I had mixed feelings about this book but unfortunately the negatives outweighed the positives. I thought it was fairly well written and enjoyed the psychological aspects of the book such as Tamara constant self analysis and guilt over her motives in life. Her relationship with her parents who she describes as talkers whose… ‘words drown out any possibility of hearing their subconscious asking. Why did you say that?…..’ and her continual efforts to fathom out their odd relationship and its impact on her life. I enjoyed the occasional humour, although sometimes that did fall on stony ground. The characters were also fairly well drawn but somehow fell short of having any real depth save from Tamara herself. However unfortunately, for me, the biggest negative of the story was its most pivotal – the diary! I realize this is meant to be a lighthearted story but I found the issue of the diary an annoying distraction that even outweighed the psychological interest of being given the gift of changing the future. I was disappointed with the fact that the mystery was the appearance and disappearance of words. I also thought the book was too long and drawn out and feel it should be read in as few sittings as possible as it does not have the pulling power to draw you back to it. I would give this book 4/10

[MurrayAOne]

I had high hopes for Rosaleen. Shame they didn't pan out.

I also had high hopes for Rosaleen! I had a lot of sympathy with her character when she first appeared and felt that she was doing her best in an extremely difficult position with little or no thanks. Unfortunately her character embarked on a negative spiral and she ended being the supposed 'villain of the piece' as it were!

[RoastLamb]

Yes, I was really hoping she wouldn't be the villain. Very disappointing indeed. Glad I'm not the only one who thought the magic diary was weird and didn't do the book any favours. To be honest, I think it would have been better if that whole element had been omitted.

[patmoren]

The dairy made so little impact on my psyche that I forgot to mention it in my summary!!

[Linda]

Found my Meera Syal novel, it's Anita and Me (which I thought was very good) so I'll have to buy the other one.

Edit - just ordered it from Amazon.

[RoastLamb]

I saw the tv show Anita and Me over here last year. It really did ring true for me - life as a kid in the 70s. She must be my age. She used to write storied for Jackie magazine - I did too.

[pabbers]

Just started re-reading Life isn't all Ha Ha Hee Hee and I wanted to say that it's not a rib tickling kind of humour read, so apologies if that's what anyone's expecting.

[RoastLamb]

I wasn't. I read Dawn French's autobiog and it was quite sad in parts. There's one chapter dedicated to her Dad who killed himself and she is quite angry. There's no paragraphs in that chapter either - just one long vent. So I've come to expect comic's autobiogs to be rather serious for the most part interspersed with with funny bits.

[MurrayAOne]

Just started re-reading Life isn't all Ha Ha Hee Hee and I wanted to say that it's not a rib tickling kind of humour read, so apologies if that's what anyone's expecting.

No need for apologies. I've started it and am really enjoying it. So glad you made it your choice - and my ribs have been tickled on more than one occasion!

[MurrayAOne]

I wasn't. I read Dawn French's autobiog and it was quite sad in parts. There's one chapter dedicated to her Dad who killed himself and she is quite angry. There's no paragraphs in that chapter either - just one long vent. So I've come to expect comic's autobiogs to be rather serious for the most part interspersed with with funny bits.

If you want a funny autobiography try Peter Kay. Hilarious I thought. It was a shame to finish! Looking forward to his next one. Also Russell Brand's autobiography is good. He is an excellent writer.

[MurrayAOne]

The dairy made so little impact on my psyche that I forgot to mention it in my summary!!

Must have missed the chapter on milking...! :)

[patmoren]

You wait until you are 70 typos are the least of your worries!!

[RoastLamb]

:lol:

[MurrayAOne]

You wait until you are 70 typos are the least of your worries!!

I introduced the milking aspect more than once I can tell you! Vowels! What would you do with them?!!!

[patmoren]

I have finished the Meera Syal book, what to read next is the question!

[hfwardhouse]

I'm not reading it till March has begun - I'm getting through so many at the moment that I'll have forgotten what happened when it comes to my review if I read it too soon!

[Sallydaisy]

My book doesn't arrive until tomorrow or Tuesday (along with the 2 after that) so I won't start it until back end of next week. After all there's the small matter of watching Andy to fit in around my working life too ...

Not forgotten I need to comment on the Ahern book; will do it tomorrow probably ...

[Linda]

The Meera Syal arrived today, looking forward to reading this! :big grin:

[MurrayAOne]

The Meera Syal arrived today, looking forward to reading this! :big grin:

It's good! Really enjoying it.

[RoastLamb]

Really struggling through Vivaldi's Virgins (my real life group pick). Have to finish it by next Monday.

[Linda]

I've finished the Meera Syal; when do we start discussing?

I guess I'd better order the next book.

[pabbers]

Well seeing as how I'm still reading it (Mrs Slow), it'll have to wait a bit yet. In fact just checked and if you look at the first post, we're due to discuss 19 March. I'll be ready by then.......phew!

[hfwardhouse]

Hope I'm ready by then - I only started reading it yesterday - oops!

[Sallydaisy]

I've not started it yet ... but it's on the agenda for this weekend.

The dates in the first post were based on the original premise of reading a book a month.

Umm, and I am re-reading the Ahern one so I can write my thoughts on that.
:shamed:

[RoastLamb]

Third week of March. I haven't started reading it yet but I'm taking it on holiday this week so hope to make some inroads.

[pabbers]

Just wondering - do we think a book a month is too much? Would it be better to do a book per 2 months for the slower readers among us :shamed:? It would also enable me, for example, to find time to read other books than the ones on the "reading list"?

I'm happy to wait for all to finish the Syal book........just let me know when you're ready. Gives me more time to sweat over doing the summary/intro bit! :help:

[patmoren]

I write down my thoughts when I finish reading it, doesn't matter then how long it is to the discussion! I will have finished The Kings Dragon today so can get stuck into the next 7 in the series so that I can go back to my Kindle.

[hfwardhouse]

I mean to do the same Pat .... just don't quite get round to it :rolleyes: :rolling: .... really must do better!

[pabbers]

Have started A Tiny bit Marvellous..........been tittering out loud.

Have prepared my "bit" for this month's book, so I'm ready as soon as.

[Linda]

So that's the one to read first, is it? My parcel of two books arrived from Amazon late this afternoon. Had Lent Group this evening and am about to watch Rafa v Dolly so I won't be starting on it today.

[pabbers]

So that's the one to read first, is it? My parcel of two books arrived from Amazon late this afternoon. Had Lent Group this evening and am about to watch Rafa v Dolly so I won't be starting on it today.

Yes - see the first post if you need to check the order, Linda - I keep looking to see deadlines! Can't keep up :shamed:

[RoastLamb]

I'm almost finished the MS book. Really looking forward to discussing it. Very dense and rich. I saw the tv series a few years ago so I knew what would happen but it's so interesting to compare that with the book on which it was based.

[MurrayAOne]

I'm almost finished the MS book. Really looking forward to discussing it. Very dense and rich. I saw the tv series a few years ago so I knew what would happen but it's so interesting to compare that with the book on which it was based.

I wish I'd seen the series. I couldn't find any clips on you tube either.

[pabbers]

Rats.......tv series? Didn't know there'd been one. Wish I'd known.

[Linda]

I didn't know either!

[hfwardhouse]

I'm halfway thru. Wonder if Sally has managed to finish the last book yet!

[Sallydaisy]

I've got 3 chapters left of the Meera Syal and am going to read them on Monday (mega lie-in planned!).

And I even drafted notes on the diary book so I'll, erm, belatedly post them tonight ...
She says.
:p

[RoastLamb]

IMdb listing of Life isn't all ha ha hee hee. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437019/) Meera Syal played the part of Sunita. You'll see there are four user reviews. Can't believe no-one saw it.

[MurrayAOne]

IMdb listing of Life isn't all ha ha hee hee. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437019/) Meera Syal played the part of Sunita. You'll see there are four user reviews. Can't believe no-one saw it.

Ah I guessed Meera Syal would have played Sunita. I know you can tell from the cover but I imagined her as Sunita as I read it anyway.

[pabbers]

Funnily enough I'd have had her as Chila.........don't know why though. Think that's how I imagined Chila would look. Don't think Meera is quite glam enough for Sunita personally - well not my image of Sunital anyway. However must stop or this'll end up being a spoiler or even early review! ;)

[RoastLamb]

Funny how we all see things differently. I see Sunita as bit of a frump - to begin with. Tania is the glam one. In the tv series both Tania and Chila are GORGEOUS!!!

[pabbers]

Funny how we all see things differently. I see Sunita as bit of a frump - to begin with. Tania is the glam one. In the tv series both Tania and Chila are GORGEOUS!!!
It is isn't it? Chila........gorgeous..........wow that's a suprise. Yes I had Tania down as the glam one. I suppose Sunita is a bit of a frump to start with but Chila seems to be the one who's been totally overlooked in the glam department. I suppose for tv they need to keep people watching and we're sooooo fickle :lol:

[hfwardhouse]

I'm not ready to start discussing yet - still got about half the book to read - :rolleyes:

[pabbers]

No problem - just pleased with myself that I did my "bit" whilst still fresh in my mind, although I'm not particularly happy with it - so much one could say!

If everyone could just give me a nudge when ready. Think this goes back to what I suggested about covering a book per 2 months rather than every month. Any more thoughts on that?

[Linda]

Well, the books we've read so far have all been quite quick reads so absolutely no problem with one a month - we could have done one a fortnight - but I'm thinking that next time it's my time to choose I'll select one of my favourite books, all of which are quite long, so a good month might be necessary.

[hfwardhouse]

Actually I agree with Pat - one every 2 months would suit me better - I'm not finding this one a quick read - and I have a pile of books to get through as well as my kindle so I'd quite like to read a couple of thrillers before I move onto the Dawn French.

Would be interested to hear what others think though.

[MurrayAOne]

No problem - just pleased with myself that I did my "bit" whilst still fresh in my mind, although I'm not particularly happy with it - so much one could say!

If everyone could just give me a nudge when ready. Think this goes back to what I suggested about covering a book per 2 months rather than every month. Any more thoughts on that?

I don't mind - it would be fine by me. Reading should be leisurely anyway. Would also just like to say I'm really enjoying being part of this book club so thanks everyone. Looking forward to discussing this book!

[RoastLamb]

Personally, I think if we move to one book every two months this book club will fizzle out. I have two monthly book clubs and I'm doing OK with reading all the books plus my others. But if the others on here think 2 months then that's fine with me.

[MurrayAOne]

Personally, I think if we move to one book every two months this book club will fizzle out. I have two monthly book clubs and I'm doing OK with reading all the books plus my others. But if the others on here think 2 months then that's fine with me.

Well fizzling out would not be good! As this is my first book club though I think I should leave such matters to those with more experience.

[RoastLamb]

Just from experience, my last book club fizzled out because we did just that. Very disappointing indeed. However I do understand that most of you work full-time and I don't so I have more time to read.

[Sallydaisy]

Been thinking about this business of a book a month.

I think, looking back through the thread, that the 'month' suggestion came from RL who has been in a number of book clubs and that's perhaps how they are run 'live'. From that I took note of other posts made which indicated we were allowing a month to read each book and then discuss.

However, this is something that is meant to be social and fit in with our lives(some busy, some not); rather than be something that ends up make us feel pressured. Dunno about anyone else but I read for relaxation!!!

On the other hand (the Libran in me in full flow here!) - if we start extending the 'time' to read we risk losing the discipline of reading the books and the 2months could easily slip back ad infinitum (if we are not careful).

Also, some of us are quicker readers than others and some like reading and want to get through other books as well as the ones nominated here.

I'd like to suggest a middle ground of 6 weeks to read. So that's 8 books a year which seems reasonable enough to keep the 'club' going but a bit less onerous for those who are manically busy.

In which case we make the deadline for the Meera Syal the end of March; discuss first week April.

With regards to discussions. I'm a bit perplexed because there's precious little debate. We seem to post our own opinion but I suppose I envisaged various other posts arguing the views given as would happen in a 'live' bookclub. Is that more difficult with an 'online' situation?

I just want to say that I'm enjoying participating!!!
I've read books I'd not otherwise have tackled and that's all good as far as I'm concerned.
:thumbup:

[RoastLamb]

6 weeks would be the compromise.

Yes, I thought there'd be more back and forth discussion as there would be when you're face to face. But this is a different dynamic so I understand it'll be different.

[hfwardhouse]

6 weeks is fine with me. I think we might discuss more if we had a specific date to discuss. We have been fairly flexible and that is necessary in a club like this but we do need to pin ourselves down so we do join in!

[MurrayAOne]

Yes that's a good compromise. With regard to discussion I would also look forward to more debate. Speaking personally - I just didn't have any particularly strong adverse comments to any that were put forward in the previous novels. I am also a little bit reticent and wary of 'going on a bit'!!! - again because I'm not sure of protocol. But it seems we are all new to this form of book club so I shall ditch that attitude! I do think though that there is much more room for discussion and debate with this novel. I have had to hesitate responding to the few comments that have been put on already! I also don't see why we can't have an active debate as in any 'live' (I like this definition!) book club. We just might have to back track a bit to keep the flow more than if it was just verbal.

So much for not 'going on'!!! That's me done!

[pabbers]

Yes I think I'd manage 6 weeks more easily. I'm a slow reader, work and would like to fit in other books too. I've never been in a book club so on the discussion front maybe the experienced could take the lead for the Meera Syal once I've posted my bit and then it would make it easier for the uninitiated to follow. Does that sound sensible? Am enjoying things so far though.

If we do agree 6 weeks we'd obviously need to revise the timetable in the first post. I think providing we have a timetable then things are less likely to slip. Maybe we should have an agreement to stick to the deadline regardless? So if someone hasn't quite finished we start anyway? Just a few thoughts.

[patmoren]

Would agree with that Pat, although I am a very fast reader and already on the third in the Crown of Stars series! May need reminding to post my comments though, when we get round to it!

[Sallydaisy]

It seems as though peeps are happy to change the reading time to 1 book per 6 weeks.
Perhaps then it's best to give until March 31st to complete the Meera Syal book?

Following on allow 6 weeks to read the Dawn French book i.e. during all of April and thru' to mid-May and then Kings Dragon from mid-May to end-June. I'm picking the book after that to be read thru' July and into mid-August.

If everyone is happy with that I'll plot in the revised reading dates - and I agree that we need to keep to them so that the Book Club continues to flourish!!!
:)

[pabbers]

Thanks Sally - I'm fine with that.

[hfwardhouse]

:thanks: Sally

[MurrayAOne]

Thanks Sally. That sounds like a plan!

[RoastLamb]

I wish I hadn't started it now coz I know I'll forget stuff by first week of April. I think the best thing to do is to make notes like Patmoren does which I will do from now on. I've already stickied some pages that I want to quote because I just love the way she writes.

[Linda]

I'm halfway through the Dawn French so I might have to re-read the Meera Syal in order to comment!

[pabbers]

I'm halfway through the Dawn French so I might have to re-read the Meera Syal in order to comment!

That's why Pat's idea of making notes strikes me as being a good one. I'm halfway through DF too but wouldn't be able to read quickly enough to revisit the Syal one as well. If it's too much of a pain for some of you to go at a slower pace, I could always withdraw............of to put myself in the special needs class. :lol:

[RoastLamb]

Luckily I didn't start DF yet. I've just started my "real" book club book Tiger for my book club on April 3rd. Really looking forward to DF though. Finished Meera's book last night. Really enjoyed it.

[Linda]

No, Pat, don't withdraw! What I need to do is check the deadlines and not start a book until no more than a week before. I've got lots of other books lined up to read, so I should read some of them instead!

[pabbers]

Glad you enjoyed the Meera book RL.

Crikey, Linda I wish I could read a book in a week. Used to be able to years ago but that was when I could cast all else aside. My mother used to hate me reading - "a waste of time" she called it :sad:

[Linda]

I caught my love of reading from my Mum! If I really like a book I read it in a day - staying up all night if necessary. I read A Suitable Boy (approx 850 pages) in a day by staying up all night. I've read it several times since; it's one of my favourite books. In fact all of my favourite books are very long.

[RoastLamb]

I remember my sister bought me Watership Down when I was around 9. It captivated me so much and I still love that feeling of reading a book and not wanting to put it down (cliche I know) but also not wanting to finish it either, to make it last as long as possible.

[Linda]

I woke up at 6am this morning and just had to carry on reading the Dawn French - I finished it before I had to get up for work.

My name is Linda and I am a book addict.

[-J-]

I woke up at 6am this morning and just had to carry on reading the Dawn French - I finished it before I had to get up for work.

My name is Linda and I am a book addict.:rolling::rolling:

[RoastLamb]

:lol:

[hfwardhouse]

:lol:

[pabbers]

I woke up at 6am this morning and just had to carry on reading the Dawn French - I finished it before I had to get up for work.

My name is Linda and I am a book addict.

Is there a cure??? :lol: Mind you it also comes of being able to do as you like without someone peering over your shoulder to see what you're up to!

[Linda]

Am I right in thinking we are meant to discuss the Meera Syal this week?

[Sallydaisy]

Am I right in thinking we are meant to discuss the Meera Syal this week?
Yep!
:thumbup:

[pabbers]

Sorry - have been away for the weekend and spent yesterday playing catch up. Am in work today and have saved my "bit" on my pc at home. Will post it this evening. Having moved the goal posts we do need to try to stick to our new deadlines so apologies again.

[pabbers]

OK - here we go. Will be depending on the experienced book clubbers to lead what I now understand should be a discussion :)

Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee by Meera Syal

First of all, apologies to those of you expecting an amusing/light-hearted read. Whilst there are moments in the book where I giggled out loud, it isn’t the funny book I recall it being (it’s a number of years since I last read it). So humour was a bit of a misnomer as its category.

At a superficial level, the book is about 3 childhood girlfriends, Tania, Sunita and Chila, who are now in their 30s, each of whom has a very different personality and outlook on life. It’s important here to note one of the most (to me) interesting aspects of the book and that is the cultural one.

The book starts with an Asian wedding and finishes with an Asian funeral and much of what happens in between follows the girls’ individual ways of dealing with that halfway house of being Asian (of fully Asian parentage) yet born British– a wonderful insight by Syal into her own culture but with an edge of humour to it. At one level she describes the problems presented by trying to transcend culture yet at another level she portrays 3 girls in situations that many of us could relate to either through our own experiences or through having watched the experiences of others.

So we have Tania, apparently the archetypal rebel (we’ve all seen them), yet whilst spurning her own culture and family, she also reveals a deep need to belong and a hankering after the very thing she’s rebelling against. In rebelling she hurts her 2 friends but finally comes to regret it.

Then there’s Sunita who seems to have it all but is eaten up by discontent (again, probably a familiar picture to us). She wants to rebel against her husband and culture but has liberal parents who, in a way, take the fun out of rebellion. She wants to be mother, wife, lover and career girl all in one (again, familiar?) and has to come to terms with the fact that she can’t have it all. She’s the only one who seems to end up happy at the end of the book.

Last but not least, there’s Chila, the plain mousey friend who ends up with the “Prince Charming” of her dreams who turns out to be the stuff of her nightmares. She has toed the (cultural) line all her life and sketched herself a vision of the perfect Asian marriage (the one with which the book begins) but the reality is wildly different and she ends up on her own with her new born baby.

I hope that’s not too long. I enjoyed the book more at a second reading, possibly because I had to pay more attention in order to write my “bit”. I think Syal portrays all 3 characters very well – they could easily have been caricatures but they have more depth than that. I feel I’m actually there as an observer of all that goes on. I want to shake all 3 girls for different reasons. The only thing I found unconvincing was the reunion at the end. A bit too simple and forgiving on Sunita and more especially Chila’s part.

[hfwardhouse]

Like Pat - I put my thoughts on the computer so I wouldn't forget ... am well through my 2nd book since finishing the Syal! Here goes with my thoughts ...

This wasn’t the type of book I’d normally read so was keen to see what it was like. I did enjoy it – the characters were lovely although I found them challenging at times and the insight into the Asian culture was fascinating as I don’t have any contact with Asian folk up here so have never had a chance to get to know any.

I enjoyed the storyline but did think there was too much going on at times. I found the disloyalty of Deepak and Tania quite upsetting at times. I was also concerned at Sunita’s behaviour – mid life crisis or what?! I’d hate to think that anyone I knew would behave like that – with total disregard for her husband and family. I do think the culture differences would be very challenging – can’t imagine ever being subservient to my husband …. Sorry, dear – NO CHANCE!!!

Tania’s ambition was the most disturbing bit – that she’d sell out her friends for her career was awful – so unbelievably selfish. However, she realised the error of her ways and came to her senses and it was nice to see them all friends again at the end of the book.

I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I thought I would – I found it quite hard to get into – it didn’t grip me like other books I’ve read recently and I found myself wishing I could get it finished so I could move on to something else I’d enjoy more.

I’d give it 6/10.

[Linda]

Thanks Pat - no apologies necessary!

I really liked Syal's Anita and Me so I was looking forward to reading this one. As I read the first chapter I was not disappointed, and felt that this is exactly the type of book I like. I've loved previous books about people from other cultures coping with life in Britain (such as Small Island and Brick Lane). I like the way Syal writes, with really original descriptions, and the way she treats serious subjects with wit. However when I got to chapter 2 I started to disengage from the book a little as I just couldn't take to Tania. I couldn't relate to her at all. It was a shame because that was the only thing that marred the book for me (and it's quite unusual that I really can't take to a character at all). I felt that Chila and Sunita were very believable characters. Akash too. At first I couldn't understand Deepak but then I saw that underneath his successful facade he was a weak person.

Overall I thought that this was the best of the books we've read so far (I'm not counting the ones we're not due to comment on yet). I enjoyed it on the whole, despite my dislike of Tania.

[Sallydaisy]

It's my work night/day tomorrow so I might not put my thoughts in here until tomorrow afternoon.

But I want to say that I enjoyed the book very much!

[hfwardhouse]

I agree Linda - Tania was a thoroughly disagreeable person and I felt it affected my whole enjoyment of the book. I couldn't get into it for a while and it wasn't one I was rushing to read or hankering after when I was doing other things.

[MurrayAOne]

Thanks Pat. As Linda says no apologies necessary. Far from it! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was extremely well written with excellent characters. The writing was cleverly crafted with both humorous laugh out loud one liners and sad moments of utter despair. It was fascinating to have an insight into another culture; the family loyalties and traditions and the struggle of these three women, Sunita, Tania and Chila to balance an Eastern cultural background with a Western cultural life.

I enjoyed the storyline revolving around the three friends. I liked Sunita and enjoyed her clever humour and comic observations. Unlike Jane I found her resurgence a very satisfying part of the book as she finally fulfilled her early potential. It is mostly through Sunita that the reader is made aware of the difficulties faced when living as modern Asian women. As a student she describes, ‘the double lives we were leading…..proud to be who they were, but not scared to push back the boundaries, to redefine what being Asian meant.’ I found it interesting the way Syal writes of the effect of marriage on young Asian women through the change in Sunita upon her marriage to Akash who, according to Tania, ‘was canny enough to clip her wings before she’d realized her potential.’

I must say I changed my opinion of Tania more than once! I found her interesting as a character though. She didn’t struggle with the balance of Eastern and Western culture exactly but made a conscious choice toward the latter. She surprised herself however when she realized how much she missed the Punjabi terms of affection that her two friends enjoyed from their partners. Considering her character as a general example of a woman in this situation I felt sympathy for her at this point and thought it a shame that she felt it had to be either one or the other. But maybe this just highlights the fact that the balance is so difficult to achieve.

Probably the most complex character was Chila as we accompanied her journey from a lovely, meek, naïvely funny and unambitious wife to a strong, resourceful woman through the experience of the breakup of her marriage and the birth of her son. The description of her baby being snatched by Deepak was heart rending.

I would have to say that one of the main things I enjoyed about this book was the skill of the author. The writing and imagery was an absolute joy. One of my favourite pieces was of Sunita and her meetings with Kashan in the ‘waiting room’ – this seemed to ne to be a sort of literal metaphor! – where ‘the hands stopped on watches…sand in hourglasses halted mid trickle…fountains froze….in a comotoze world’ I also loved her description of Chila’s scan describing how her baby grew into ‘an alien comma’, and how she watched her baby’s ‘vertebrae stack themselves as tidily as newly washed plates’ Perfect imagery!!! There were so many more examples of this skilful writing. I loved that ‘spring bustled in late to London, full of excuses and panting slightly…’!!!

I would agree with Pat that the reunion at the end was a bit too easy. It didn’t strike me as such at first. I was expecting some sort of coming together of characters as it would have wrapped things up nicely! However, given the circumstances I would imagine the friendships would have been a lot harder to mend.

This book was an absolute pleasure to read and I would certainly read more of Meera Syall’s books. It is my favourite book of the ones we have read so far and I would give a score of 8/10.

[MurrayAOne]

I agree Linda - Tania was a thoroughly disagreeable person and I felt it affected my whole enjoyment of the book. I couldn't get into it for a while and it wasn't one I was rushing to read or hankering after when I was doing other things.

I also found Tania's character extremely annoying at times but it did not spoil my enjoyment of the book. On the contrary really - I felt the depiction of her struggle to throw of the confines of her culture whilst at the same time desperately needing them a fascinating dilemma and one of the main issues of the book.

[patmoren]

I have read a book very similar to this before called Brick Lane by Monica Ali, which my daughter asked me to read as it was based in an area in which we had lived for sometime. It is not the sort of book I would normally buy. When I read a book I like to be taken out of my self into a different world; time or place. This was very every day reading, sad as most of these type books are, made me angry that people are still able to be treated in this way, especially in England, where you would think we could intervene to enable women to feel worthy and independent. Rant over, I didn't enjoy the book and was glad when it was finished. 5/10

[MurrayAOne]

I agree that this book had many sad parts to the story but for me it was brilliantly balanced with humour and extremely clever writing. I felt it had a bit of everything which made it all the more readable.

[RoastLamb]

I have lots to say because I'm married to an Indian man and most of his Indian family were all born in India so I understand (to a certain extent) all the challenges the second generation have with their Indian-born parents, living in a society that is so different to their parents'. (Altho' Sunita's Grandma seemed to have lived a sensual life with her husband but sadly I found that quite humorous but rather implausible, but then again the Kama Sutra is an Indian invention so you never know.) The only difference is the Indian people I know live in Canada not the UK but being a Brit I get the English frame of reference. Having said that, I don’t know any female characters in my husband’s family that resemble the three women in this book. Things run a lot smoother in his family.

First of all, I loved the rich and intense way Meera writes. I was quite surprised. I've only ever seen her on tv being funny so this was a delicious and unexpected treat. I just want to include a few quotes that really tickled my fancy:

When Sunita talks about the GREAT JOY of child birth during Chila's labour and how it's really the complete opposite. "I left nothing out, not even that moment when my Irish midwife told me to be a good girl and push, with Akash crouching next to her, tears forming at the thought of his first beloved child about to enter the world, and how their faces changed from birthday card beams to silent film screams when I strained for Britain and produced nothing but a fat warm tu*d." It's so true!!! Movies and tv shows make childbirth out like it's this warm and fuzzy experience but it's so not. It's messy and horrible and quite repulsive.
:lol:

When Tania talks about the inequalities of the biological clock men vs women. "Truth is especially subjective in relationships. The number of girlfriends who tell me they've finally found the one, the witty handsome, sensitive, yet manly man who will fill the gaping chasm in their otherwise accomplished lives, and I am introduced to ginger dwarves with halitosis, pot-bellied baldies with a nice line in toilet jokes, anorak-wearing Oedipal cases who blush when a bra advert comes on. And the majority of these averagely underwhelming men are stepping out with these incredible, ripe, blooming gals."

Sunita talking to two friends and feeling left out of the conversation, when before kids she'd have been completely absorbed. I liked this sentence mainly because it uses tennis to describe how she feels. "She had been too caught up in Beroze and Suki's conversation, a shy spectator at an intellectual tennis match, feeling balls whizz past her ears - balls which, until recently, she would have been able to lob back with wit and confidence."

During Tania's documentary screening Sunita sits on the upstairs terrace of the bar. I just love how her description of the outside reflects how Sunita feels in herself. "A jaundiced moon heaved on an inky raft of clouds. The stars looked tired blinking against the passing aeroplanes and the illuminated pyramid of the Canary Wharf tower."

I think this book is about the three women struggling to find their identity, they don’t want to be like their parents yet they don’t have a blueprint to follow so life is uncertain and so they make mistakes – Tania lives life in the fast lane, hardnosed and wanting to prove to everyone she’s successful yet embroiling herself in unsuitable sexual relationships which hurt other people; Chila thinking that just because she’s not academically blessed her purpose in life must be to work hard at getting the “normal” husband, family and home and finding her dream is a nightmare; Sunita giving up her career for her family and feeling completely unsatisfied and disappointed then feeling guilty for wanting to be young and free again. “ ‘The baby boomer generation are refusing to grow old gracefully. They’re redefining what being middle aged means’.” Sunita tries to justify why she wants her freedom. “…I do love my children and I always tried my best, but I wanted to make up for lost time, missed opportunities, to let my madness out in little controlled pockets while they sleep unaware in their beds, so I can come to them fresh, absolved, free from guilt, free from the smell I associate with so many of my mother’s friends, the sour, damp smell of unfulfilled potential.”

And then the three women try to transform themselves and reset the parameters for their lives so we get a happy ending. Contrived? Maybe.

Last but not least I loved this description of the Embankment. “…beneath the necklace of lights that adorned the sweeping nape of the river.”

I really enjoyed the book particularly as I'd already seen the tv series in 2005 when it was shown on Canadian public tv. So I knew what to expect re: the storyline. But I have to say that the Sunita's cutting was emphasized in the tv series a lot more than in the book. She really struggled with her emotional problems and frustration with her stagnant marriage. I can understand why she rebelled against her husband and children - she felt like she deserved a great career and was so disappointed it had fallen by the wayside not to mention her friend Tania having much success. Maybe I identified with her the most. I was shocked that Tania could betray Chila and yes, she realizes in the end what she’s done but even so. Chila I couldn’t identify with at all. I didn’t really get her altho’ I liked her. I could understand her drive and desire for perfection but I could never be as submissive. The men aren’t portrayed very well at all. Akash seems oblivious to his wife’s problems despite being a counsellor. Deepak is just a pig, totally undeserving of Chila. Martin is nice but gullible. The doctor Sunita befriends is seemingly perfect. Yeah, right. Yet they're all struggling to define their indentities in this world as well. You have to wonder that their parents had it much easier in the end. All these choices and look what happens.

I’d give it a 9/10. I really loved it.

[RoastLamb]

I also found Tania's character extremely annoying at times but it did not spoil my enjoyment of the book. On the contrary really - I felt the depiction of her struggle to throw of the confines of her culture whilst at the same time desperately needing them a fascinating dilemma and one of the main issues of the book.


I agree that this book had many sad parts to the story but for me it was brilliantly balanced with humour and extremely clever writing. I felt it had a bit of everything which made it all the more readable.


I would have to say that one of the main things I enjoyed about this book was the skill of the author. The writing and imagery was an absolute joy.

I have to say, I completely agree with you. Her writing made me bubble with joy on nearly every page.

[RoastLamb]

I can totally understand why some of you didn't like it. I love the fact we all see things differently. I find it fascinating how people dislike Tania. I quite liked her, thought she was misunderstood yet hated what she did to her best friend. Yet, doesn't this kind of betrayal happen in real life? Maybe because she reminds me of a friend I had in college.

I also saw Anita and Me on tv but didn't read the book. When I watched it I thought it must be Meera's autobiography. She starts her writing career by submitting short stories to Jackie magazine. I think I sent them a story once. ":rolling: But it's set in a suburb of Birmingham and Meera was brought up in London so now I'm not so sure.

[MurrayAOne]

I have to say, I completely agree with you. Her writing made me bubble with joy on nearly every page.

Yes an excellent phrase. I was 'bubbling' too! I also enjoyed the quotes you highlighted and indeed could have gone on with many more.

[pabbers]

Interesting to read everyone's thoughts so far and to see how our tastes differ. I too disliked Tania - but I think you're supposed to. She's not exactly portrayed as lovable - perhaps at best pitiable? But it didn't spoil the book for me. As for Chila I know someone exactly like that - she's capable and intelligent but totally unable to express her needs or step outside the traditional male/female role stereotype. So I think the idea that all women are or are capable of being independent even in our own culture these days is a bit of a myth. I went out with an Asian guy for 2 years at uni (much to my parents' horror) and had a bit of insight into the culture then. He was going to have an arranged marriage and if any of his family were coming around I and anything to do with me had to be spirited away. I can also relate to Sunita's dilemma. I gave up my job when I had my children but hated being at home and felt unfulfilled and frustrated (I'm not a natural earth mother) which is probably why I went on to do law once they'd gone to school. Anyway, that's rather more about me and how I relate to the book than about the book itself. I thought the characters were totally believable even if not all likeable or ones we approve of.

[patmoren]

I seem to be the odd one out in terms of enjoyment of the book. Interesting, I wonder whether it has anything to do with age!!!! Maybe I am too much into escapism, rather than reality.

[Linda]

I think for me, my main enjoyment of a book comes from how well written it is - and this is extremely well written, in my opinion. I also love to read books that teach me something about the lives of people from other cultures. So this scored highly on both points. As I said before, the only downside for me was that I just didn't 'get' Tania at all.

Pat, I don't think that different tastes in books has anything to do with age - you've said before that you like fantasy, and that is probably more popular with young people than with their elders! It's just that we all like different things.

[RoastLamb]

That's true. Patmoren likes fantasy whereas I don't - usually (altho' I did enjoy Logan's Run when I was young). So I don't know how I will take to Pat's choice but I will read it to the end and I hope I can go into it with an open mind and maybe even enjoy it. Fingers crossed.

When I first started my relationship with my husband his family were dead against it. They were trying to arrange a marriage for him to a woman who was an engineer and therefore had good career prospects. I, on the other hand, had just emigrated to Canada and was jobless for almost three years. I do see their point. But I'll never forget that my husband showed me the bio sheet of his arranged wife to be and tore it up in front of me. He was quite adamant. His brother-in-law went as far as to storm into my father's office and demand that we stop seeing each other. It was quite shocking. But hubby stood up to them and told his parents I was the one whether they liked it or not and they backed down aand decided to support us and every since then they've all been wonderful. Weird, huh? I think hubby being the oldest male of his siblings had some influence. I guess we have had a lot of compromises to make because our cultures are so different but it helps I like Indian food and that the Brits had such an impact on Indian history. And he's quite western in his attitude so that's been good. Having respect for his family is very important too. So when I read the bits about Tania's relationship with Martin I actually found it her behaviour towards him quite condescending. He tried really hard to "get" her and I don't think she did the same. I'm sure there are many mixed Anglo-Indian marriages in the UK now that are quite settled and happy. I think Meera did a slight disservice by messing up Tania and Martin's relationship; it would have been more interesting if she'd made it work, but then I think she wanted to prove that mixed relationships don't mesh.

[Linda]

I had the same experience as Pabbers - I went out with an Asian guy for a couple of years when I was a student. My parents weren't very happy, but his didn't even know! He didn't dare to tell them although I did meet an aunt and uncle of his, and went to their house for lunch. I guess they were more open minded than his parents. Or another uncle - one day we were out shopping and he suddenly ran off. It turned out that he'd seen an uncle and he didn't want him to see us together as he knew that he'd report back to his parents. I was very upset about it!

[Hawkeye]

Tch! Typical touchy woman! :big grin:

[RoastLamb]

Wow Linda. It's much harder for them than us I think. My family didn't seem to care one hoot, tbh.

[-J-]

my familly where not overly impressed when i went down the road of a mixed marriage, they where concerned about the difference in culture, pointing out how backwards and insular her homeland was, i has to stand up to my family and tell them the English arnt all bad ;)

[Linda]

:lol:

[hfwardhouse]

:lol:

[RoastLamb]

Funny J! i would have loved to have married a Scotsman. I met this great guy from Ayr and thought he was the one. Alas he broke my heart. Sob.

[pabbers]

:lol: J

Well my mother was awful. My Asian bf came to stay and she was charm itself to his face. The minute he left it started........what will the neighbours think? Nobody will ever go out with you after this. If you marry and have children it will be a disaster to have mixed race kids. The words red rag and bull spring to mind. She didn't do herself any favours later on either when I married someone she disliked but couldn't keep quiet. She was right of course and I divorced him 5 years later. I was really worried when she met and liked the present Mr P - I did a double take and wondered what was wrong with him. Happy to say that after nearly 32 years I haven't managed to find anything too awful ;)

[RoastLamb]

Well I have mixed race kids and they have a lovely skin tone of which I am very jealous. They've not had any problems at all. Except for: ironically when they went to India to visit hubby's relatives they were not allowed in the native's queue at the Taj Mahal.

[Sallydaisy]

I’m a bit late getting in my review - partly ‘cos I left my notes up at my Mum’s a few weekends ago!
Anyway - here’s my two penn’orth.

Meera Syal is a very talented lady who starred in a phenomenally successful TV serial. She writes screenplays for plays and film; she acts and sings and she's picked up assorted awards including an MBE. Her first book was a nicely observed coming-of-age novel about a Punjabi girl in Britain (Anita and Me - which I really liked).

I wondered how this 2nd novel would follow on from that earlier work and in the main I wasn’t disappointed. I didn’t ever see the TV mini-series, based on the book, but it occurred to me several times whilst reading it that it might have been written with the intent of being used for a film at some stage.

The novel treads the familiar territory of longstanding female friendship, tested by circumstance. Parts of it read extremely well, with Syal predictably strong on issues surrounding arranged marriage and the stereotyping of British Asians in the Arts. The book offers an accurate insight into what being a Young Asian in Britain is like but it doesn't fall into the obvious trap of becoming an angry political book. Instead, it celebrates the contribution and impact that Asians have had on all aspects of society.

I particularly related to her descriptions of the area passed by the wedding cars in the opening chapter. I lived in East London during the early 80’s and her portrayal of how many main streets changed their mix of shops was a fascinating reminder of that time. I liked the humour she injected as the ‘narrator’ and some of the unexpected observations made by the 3 characters in their turn. And there was one particular passage that had me roaring out loud (from early on in the book) when Chila was showing the others her wedding photos.

….. “but the whole album resembled a collision between an Indian film from the early Seventies and Salvador Dali on his day off” …..

In spite of some enjoyable writing, there was a dullish period in the middle of the novel, during which my enthusiasm waned considerably. I ploughed on but admit to skipping a bit and then going back to re-read it once I’d finished the book and got the context of the ’dull’ bit.

Told from alternating points of view, the novel describes, with clarity and resonance, the cultural collision that occurs when Tania makes a brash documentary on relationships, using her friends as subjects and presenting them in an unflattering light. As if that wasn't going to test the bonds of friendship ...

I found it rather implausible that the 3 women could be expected to sustain their friendship in the face of Tania’s disloyalty and betrayal. But they didn't bat an eyelid really and I thought that made the ending rather weak.

Despite that I mostly enjoyed the book. It was well-written, laced with tons of wit, and intelligent sentimentality and I loved her characterisations. There was a so much detail that I'll probably read it again some time!!!

[cazza99]

my familly where not overly impressed when i went down the road of a mixed marriage, they where concerned about the difference in culture, pointing out how backwards and insular her homeland was, i has to stand up to my family and tell them the English arnt all bad ;)

:lol:

[pabbers]

Just about to start King's Dragon.

Thanks for your thoughts on the Meera book, Sally. I definitely needed to re-read it - I'd read it years ago and my recollection was very different from the reality. I hadn't properly appreciated the writing. This time, because I was starting off the review, I had to pay more attention. That's made me realise how impatient I am with descriptive/evocative stuff - I tend to just want to distil the story from what I'm reading (maybe to do with being a slow reader?). So this has made me determined to try to pay attention to all aspects of a book from now on.

[Sallydaisy]

I was just checking through the list in the first post to see the deadline for our next review.
The next book to read is "A Tiny Bit Marvellous", as chosen by MurrayAOne, by May 16th.


Just about to start King's Dragon.
So, have you read Dawn French's book already 'cos KD is for May/June?

[pabbers]

I was just checking through the list in the first post to see the deadline for our next review.
The next book to read is "A Tiny Bit Marvellous", as chosen by MurrayAOne, by May 16th.


So, have you read Dawn French's book already 'cos KD is for May/June?

Thanks, Sally - yes I have because being a slow reader I think I started it before we'd agreed to extend things to 6 weeks. I've made notes so I don't forget. Have surprisingly also managed to read a Patricia Cornwell in between too, which is why I wanted the extra time, so I could read outside our list as well. It'll take me a while to read Kings Dragon I should think, even on hols 'cos we've got friends who'll be out in Portugal (19 April - 9 May) at the same time as us, so we'll be quite active.

[RoastLamb]

Just started to read Dawn French's book. Have to say the publisher has really skimped on her book. The cover is plain with red and black text, no pictures or designs. And the paper quality is not great. Tsk!!! (Maybe this is just the international cover because she's not well known abroad?)

[RoastLamb]

Next book club deadline is May 15th for Dawn French's A Tiny Bit Marvellous. Start to discuss on May 16th.

Sally, you need to start thinking about which book you'd like to pick for your selection coming up in July/mid August. And then I think it's my turn again after yours.

[RoastLamb]

Just finished Dawn French. Have so much to say on it too. :eek:

[hfwardhouse]

Yikes I'd better get cracking - in case it takes me a while to read it - am part way through another book though - want to get it finished first as it's a goodun!

[MurrayAOne]

Just finished Dawn French. Have so much to say on it too. :eek:

What does that little smiley mean?!!!

[RoastLamb]

What does that little smiley mean?!!!

eek

[Linda]

So does "eek" sum up what you thought of the book? :rolling:

[MurrayAOne]

So does "eek" sum up what you thought of the book? :rolling:

This is what I don't understand!!!

[MurrayAOne]

Actually I think I may do. You have strong opinions on some issues and can't wait to state them?!!...Eek is a 'I shall just have to wait' type eek?!!!

[RoastLamb]

I suppose in this case it means I have a lot to say on the book so Pam is right.

[Sallydaisy]

How's everyone doing with the Dawn French book?
I'm planning to read it this coming weekend so it's all fresh in my brain!
We're due to start discussing it from the 15th May onwards I believe.
:p

[hfwardhouse]

Finished it last night - just written my review so I don't forget ....

[RoastLamb]

Next book club deadline is May 15th for Dawn French's A Tiny Bit Marvellous. Start to discuss on May 16th.

Sally, you need to start thinking about which book you'd like to pick for your selection coming up in July/mid August. And then I think it's my turn again after yours.

I finished weeks ago. Can't wait to discuss.

[MurrayAOne]

I'm ready too. Looking forward to the discussion.

[pabbers]

Finished it a while back and thought I'd written myself a review but can't find it :grrr:

[Linda]

Gosh, I read it ages ago - and gave it to Caz - I'll have to try and find it in her bedroom (I might be gone for some time :rolleyes:)

[hfwardhouse]

:lol:

[pabbers]

Are we ready to discuss A tiny bit marvellous????

[Sallydaisy]

I'm ready too. Looking forward to the discussion.


Are we ready to discuss A tiny bit marvellous????

Doesn't MA1 have to do the initial intro before we all wade in.

[RoastLamb]

Yes she does.

[pabbers]

OK - I admit it.......twas an unsubtle hint to MA1..........:getcoat:

[MurrayAOne]

‘A Tiny Bit Marvelous’ by Dawn French

I will begin with my reasons for choosing this book. This is my first book club and having never chosen a book for others to read before I initially found this difficult. It was only when ‘Dear Fatty’ was mentioned that I remembered how much I like Dawn French as an actor and comedienne. From seeing her perform live with Jennifer Saunders and obviously on television on numerous occasions, she always seemed a lovely, talented, thoughtful and intelligent person and I felt confident that I would enjoy her writing. I was not wrong.

‘A Tiny Bit Marvelous’ is the story of the Battle Family; Mother, Mo: Father, Denys: Daughter, Dora: Son, Peter (Oscar); their trials and tribulations revealed to the reader in diary form as each member of the family relates their actions, experiences and thoughts of each day. We enter the household at a time of emotional turmoil; that wonderful trick of nature that ensures the emotional life changes for mother, approaching fifty, and daughter, total teenage angst, catastrophically collide. Ultimately of course this impacts negatively on the rest of the family, but although we are made aware of the dilemmas in Peter’s life regarding the exploration of his sexuality, he is by and large emotionally stable. As is father Den, who, in an interesting authorial ploy, remains a background figure referred to as ‘Husband’ until the resolution at the end of the book. As a child psychologist Mo is doubly frustrated with the breakdown of her relationship with her daughter and her inability to resolve the situation. We see Mo herself go through a torrent of emotion as she copes with her own emotional instability as she approaches fifty and finds herself totally dissatisfied with her ‘lot’. This culminates in a brief ‘dalliance’ with her co worker, revealed at the end of the book as the on line perpetrator in contact with daughter Dora, that only just stops short of destroying her marriage and family life. Having saved herself from teetering on the edge of disaster, Mo realizes the true worth of her ‘lot’ and the family are brought together and united.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the humour extremely entertaining and the characters likeable. It was an interesting way to learn about each of the main characters through diary form. The reader is sort of plunged in from the start and takes on the role of confidant as it were. I liked this aspect of the novel as I think it draws the reader into the story more and allows us to make an immediate connection with the characters. I did not like Mo’s constant reference to Den as ‘Husband’ and although I realized this was an authorial ploy and was meant, I think, to symbolize their distance, I still found it dismissive and difficult to read. Thank goodness for the end when he was named. Poor man!
The author did not hold back in portraying the struggling relationship between Mo and Dora. The diary form enabled each character to give full vent to their feelings and Dora certainly did that! Her rantings toward Mo may seem over the top but the reader must remind her/himself that these are diary thoughts and so for her eyes only. However, I did think that her dialogue was more appropriate for a fourteen/fifteen year old than eighteen! It was easy to empathies with Dora through all her insecurities and see her vulnerability through the tough facade.

I enjoyed Mo’s character and sympathized with her struggle to connect with her daughter. Again, the diary form created interest in allowing the reader to see things from both perspectives. I did not believe that she would have spent the night with Noel despite her comments to the contrary. I think it was unrealistic to consider the intoxication of Noel’s romantic interest strong enough to throw away an entire life for.

My favourite character by far was Peter, or Oscar, as he would prefer! The reader learns of Peter’s dilemma regarding his sexuality through a joyful Oscar Wilde narrative. He is a representation of a character full of intelligence self awareness, confidence and sensitivity.

I do have other thoughts on the book regarding Dawn French’s wonderful use of humour and the ending but feel I have written quite a bit – sorry if it was too long! - so maybe I should open it up to others for discussion before I write more. I would offer another apology for the repetition of genre but I mistakenly thought we were going to read ‘King’s Dragon’ in between!

[MurrayAOne]

OK - I admit it.......twas an unsubtle hint to MA1..........:getcoat:

Sorry ladies! - Just got in!!! Looking forward to the discussion

[RoastLamb]

That was an awesome summary! I have to pop upstairs to get the book before I make my own comments. But I will say i agree with you when you talk about the way the husband is portrayed in the book. I realized why he didn't get his own POV until the end but it bugged me.

[hfwardhouse]

Erm - sorry MA1 but I didn't like it .....

I was looking forward to reading this book cos I love Dawn French but it annoyed me right from the word go – I found the jumping about from character to character really irritating. The Dora character wound me up and as for Oscar/Peter …. I just found him infuriating. I did begin to enjoy it by the end, but I just felt it was too OTT to be real and as for the laughing out loud bit, the only thing that did make me laugh was the reference to the sloe gin in the recipes at the back – I did chuckle at that.

I was really disappointed in this book and it was a real chore to read it. 3/10

[MurrayAOne]

Oh dear! Well I suppose that's what book clubs are all about! Different opinions. I just found that underneath all the discontent was a real loving family who cared about one another and that shone through for me. I must re iterate my support for my favourite character though. I thought he was a marvelous young man. I found it very touching the way he spoke of his sister and thought their sibling relationship was excellently portrayed. Yes it did take a bit of getting used to; the jump between each charcter but I soon settled into it. I think that if Dawn French had written about the same family in normal narrative we would have seen a more watered down version of each character.

[RoastLamb]

Whilst I was reading the book I enjoyed it a lot but after I'd finished I started to see problems.

Firstly, I love the way it's written - with three point of views, all vastly different. But I wanted to hear from the hubby too and that was my first disappointment. If anyone here has read The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society it's written similarly but with letters instead of diary entries so I'm used to that format.

For her first work of fiction I think she's done a great job. I didn't like Dora at the beginning. Typical selfish and RUDE teenager and not terribly bright to boot. But as the book went on I began to understand her more and feel for her situation/insecurities. In the end her character was the one I liked best. I could also identify a little with Mo - I particularly liked the part where she looks in the shop window and sees someone she doesn't recognize and is shocked by the realization. I feel like that sometimes. Midlife crisis from the female perspective. Oscar was a tad annoying and grating but I did smile at the way his character was written and his flowery OOT language.

Other characters were quite interesting: the mother/grandmother, Pamela. Who would listen to her family and not judge, and ply them with their favourite comfort food (loved the recipes at the end - the banoffee tart one I'm actually going to use myself). But, really, is anyone that perfect??? Then the pet dog who was having puppies. Sweet! The only thing that Oscar and Dora had in common it would appear. Lisa the survivalist combat explorer receptionist. I guess she was comic relief but I didn't actually find her character that plausible or interesting.

The whole social interaction minefield that kids are faced with now is something I think will be written about a lot in the near future. I think Dawn got it just right.

I liked how Mo loved her daughter despite the fact the daughter gave her no love back. That was touching. Her fight with Dora's school to help her child. And I am just getting to the stage with my own kids with the talking back teenage stage so I could understand Mo's frustration and not only that but her feeling hurt at being left out of her daughter's innermost thoughts.

What I didn't really like was the whole plot with the 30-ish Australian therapist dude, Noel. Oscar's infatuation with him firstly. Then his inexplicable infatuation with Mo (???) and then the final plotline of him being Dora's Facebook "friend". I could see that coming a mile off and it was not satisfying at all. When Mo was waiting for him in the tawdry hotel after deciding to leave her family for him I just knew he was at the park waiting to meet Dora. The relationship with Noel reminded me of the movie Unfaithful where a married mother with a nice, decent husband seeks excitement outside because she's bored. But it didn't really impress me in the book and I didn't really believe any of it.

I liked it so I'll give it a 7/10.

[patmoren]

All the reviews said it was very funny. I found it extremely sad, all that angst. Didn't like the casual use of swearing, always puts me off a book, sorry, probably my age showing. Good storyline with a happy ending but not my sort of book, not enough meat on the bones. 5/10

[RoastLamb]

I agree Pat, I hated the swearing as well. Dora was so rude. I do wonder how much of this novel was based on Dawn's own personal life. I know she's had a rough ride with her adopted daughter.

[Linda]

This wasn't my sort of book, because none of it rang true. Not the characters, and not the plot. OK it was meant to be funny but it was like a cartoon, with very stereotyped characters - not really my sort of humour. Bits of Mo's character seemed quite realistic - I suppose as a middle aged woman French found her the easiest voice to write in - but I couldn't believe how dim she was. Dora was totally unbelievable, she was so over the top. I quite liked Oscar - I've known a few young men similar to him, but usually they're a couple of years or so older. And Noel, the villain of the piece, wasn't believable either. It was, as Fiona said, so obvious that he had gone to meet Dora whilst he'd got Mo waiting in the hotel for him - and yet I found it hard to believe that he'd be after both mother and daughter! I've known one or two really awful men but he was just too dastardly to be true. And the ending was too perfect.

Although, having voiced my objections, I didn't totally dislike the book. I didn't mind the diary form at all. But it's not one I would have chosen and it's not one that I'd keep to re-read. It was more like something you'd read in a magazine, find mildly amusing at the time, then throw away and forget it.

[MurrayAOne]

I agree that the swearing and rudeness jarred quite a bit but reminding myself that it was not a first person narrative but thoughts in a diary then it was ok. Obviously if this was one on one dialogue it would be a different matter. I think it was a brave thing for Dawn French to portray the harshness of Dora's feelings toward her mother knowing that the reader may find it unpalatable but, for me, she did an excellent job of eventually showing the real love they had for each other. Obviously for others here it was just unpalatable!

Negatives for me were the unlikelihood of some events. To throw away a marriage on a fanciful whim based on a chat up line is not likely although again I think the author's description of Mo's desire for this man was brilliant. I also read with amazed disbelief her blindfolded trip in the car. I kept reading it back thinking I'd got it wrong! Surely not something a well balanced woman would do even in the throws of menopause! My word!!!

These things however were very few and far between and I found each character well drawn and likeable. Even Dora! I would definitely read another of her books and look forward to doing so. I would give this novel 7/10.

[RoastLamb]

I didn't get how she only started to find Noel fanciable when he started flirting with her. I mean, it's usually the other way round. Dora's character grew on me in the end.

[MurrayAOne]

I think it was probably because it would never have thought he would have feelings for her and when she saw that he did it went straight to her head. I think she was more attracted to the idea of someone actually needing her. I had a lot of sympathy for Dora regarding her feeling a misfit in school. I liked the way the author showed Dora's lack of self esteem in her diary and then Mo's view of Dora as a beautiful young woman in hers.

[MurrayAOne]

Another aspect I enjoyed was Mo's comments on the generational difference in bringing up children. How when she was a child she didn't have to be 'negotiated with' and how she wouldn't have ever retaliated to criticism. There is definitely more 'negotiation' these days but I would rather have it that way.

I also really enjoyed the author's humourous observations. The way they bought food 'each week to make us healthier, but which we rarely eat. We know we just like seeing it in the fridge'. Also describing the distance between her and Dora as 'no woman's land'. The lists of things Dora disliked about herself I found funny and Mo's observation of Den that 'the years have stolen his features, and somehow returned them to him after too many boil washes'. Harsh but humourous. It was at her low point!

[pabbers]

I found this book quite difficult to read. The way Dora wrote in her diary I feel sure is not how a teenager would write. They may speak like that but I don't think they'd think in the same words because the words are vocalised for effect, rather than written down. As for Peter, his vocabulary was way beyond any normal teenager - I know he wasn't meant to be mainstream but even so. Yet when I dug down I could see the characters and their feelings for what they were - which I thought was very well portrayed. I've certainly had the experience of a teenage son lying and trying to go off to meet someone without my knowledge - he got caught out though because I wasn't as naive as Mo......for a psychologist she was awful daft. I thought the plot was very contrived - actually I have to admit to not guessing till the last minute that Noel was also Dora's secret admirer, maybe because it was just so unbelievable. I was glad it ended happily ever after though and that Mo came to her senses. I think for so much to happen in such a short time in terms of events and emotional turmoil, the book was not credible but I think things could well have turned out as they did over time.

I'd give this 6/10

[RoastLamb]

I think it was probably because it would never have thought he would have feelings for her and when she saw that he did it went straight to her head. I think she was more attracted to the idea of someone actually needing her. I had a lot of sympathy for Dora regarding her feeling a misfit in school. I liked the way the author showed Dora's lack of self esteem in her diary and then Mo's view of Dora as a beautiful young woman in hers.

I ended up having sympathy for her too but at first I just wanted to smack her for being so self-centred. I also liked the way Mo saw her daughter as beautiful.

But, as Pabbers points out, for a child pyschologist she did seem a bit daft. I guess it was meant to be ironic that she was unable to communicate with her daughter as she wanted.

[hfwardhouse]

I ended up having sympathy for her too but at first I just wanted to smack her for being so self-centred. I also liked the way Mo saw her daughter as beautiful.

But, as Pabbers points out, for a child pyschologist she did seem a bit daft. I guess it was meant to be ironic that she was unable to communicate with her daughter as she wanted.

I also wanted to smack Dora for her self centredness ... it maybe wasn't a good book for the mother of a teenager to be reading - I wanted to run away and hide even though I knew it was OTT :lol:

I did begin to feel empathy for the characters by the end of the book, but still thought that Mo was unbelievably naive and Dora was a stroppy mare who really needed to grow up .... as for Oscar .... totally over the top and I can't see any teenage boy of my acquaintance being anything like him at all!

[MurrayAOne]

as Pabbers points out, for a child pyschologist she did seem a bit daft. I guess it was meant to be ironic that she was unable to communicate with her daughter as she wanted.

Yes I think that was it. How unrealistic would it have been if her training HAD helped her? I too have a teenage daughter - who is lovely!!! - and just saw Dora as a teenager unable to communicate her problems. There are probably far worse than her I imagine! It's interesting the way we see things differently though. Just as well. Makes for good chats!

[RoastLamb]

I have two tweens at the mo. One is non-communicative and secretive and the other tells me everything in detail. :lol: But if either one of them spoke to me like Dora did she'd be out the door on her behind.

[MurrayAOne]

I have two tweens at the mo. One is non-communicative and secretive and the other tells me everything in detail. :lol: But if either one of them spoke to me like Dora did she'd be out the door on her behind.

Ah but she didn't say it TO her! If she had I'm sure she would have been out the door on her behind and quite right too!

[Linda]

Yes, I can't imagine someone speaking to their mother like that! But Caz tells me that some of her friends do indeed speak to their mothers in the most awful way.

[RoastLamb]

I hope the secretive one doesn't talk about me like that to her friends. :eek:

My Godmother's daughter speaks terribly to her mum, always has and still does. So awful.

[RoastLamb]

Sally, where's your book report? :lol: Long overdue.

Have read 110 pages of King's Dragon and I'm really, really struggling. Determined to finish though. Only another 600 pages to go.

[Sallydaisy]

Sally, where's your book report? :lol: Long overdue.

Have read 110 pages of King's Dragon and I'm really, really struggling. Determined to finish though. Only another 600 pages to go.

Oh dear.
:shamed:

Sorry, meant to do it right after the deadline but I picked up some work and ended up doing 10days moreorless non-stop so that last 2 days I've been on brain dump. Promise I'll do it tomorrow - and I've pretty much decided on a book for everyone to read after Kings Dragon.

[Linda]

Have read 110 pages of King's Dragon and I'm really, really struggling. Determined to finish though. Only another 600 pages to go.

I nearly gave up at that point (and I've only ever given up on two books in my entire life). It does get better, though (marginally).

[RoastLamb]

I nearly gave up at that point (and I've only ever given up on two books in my entire life). It does get better, though (marginally).

Phew! Not just me then. I'm just not into fantasy. I can't watch fantasy/sci-fi movies either.

[pabbers]

At the risk of being premature........I loved it and am well into the second one.

[RoastLamb]

Wow! That's seriously impressive, Pabbers. I hope I get to feel that way.

[Sallydaisy]

A Tiny Bit Marvellous .....

I've been a fan of Dawn French, as a comedy actress, for ages and thought her performances in the Vicar of Dibley were great - even if the series had become a bit worn on plot lines towards the end. And a couple of years ago I read Dawn French's first book, Dear Fatty, which is autobiographical and which I quite enjoyed. So I was looking forward to reading this next book of hers.

Seems to me that she has again drawn on her own experiences; this book was published after French was divorced from her husband of 25 years. So whilst is isn't a 2nd volume of 'memoirs' it's a sort of imagined sequel with cartoon characters. I think she intended it to be reasonably amusing but it seemed to me to be sad more than anything else and what humour there was seemed 'forced'.

It took a while to get into as I didn't enjoy the jumping from person to person style of the story. And it probably didn't help that I have not had children - or teenagers!!! So, I was probably much less sympathetic than the rest of you to their parts of the book - and actually felt rather relieved that I don't have any of the little blighters.
:big grin:

I got so fed up with reading Dora's bits that I stopped reading them about half way through. I found 'Oscar' more entertaining just from a pure 'easy to read' aspect and laughed at some of the drier humour French had squeezed out of his 'personas' as Peter/Oscar. He was a bit Adrian Mole'ish in places. I became impatient with Mo and thought her plot line was somewhat predictable; mid-life crisis, young man hoving into view, fed up with family/kids, psychologist unable to analyse her own messy life etc. I suppose making it all come right in the end, with Dad Denys (French's real fathers name) emerging at the end as the sloppy/soppy heart of the dysfunctional family, was inevitable but not very satisfying.

It feels all wrong to want to grab Dawn French by the short and curlies and ask her what on earth she was about when she wrote this book but I found myself wanting to do just that. The storyline was in such disarray and the lead up to the 'ending' only started halfway through the book. The characterisation was over the top, partly I sense to make them 'funnier' and to perhaps try and make them 'different' to the real life people/instances on which French had based them.

I thought it might have all worked better if it had been a stageplay; a sort of Brian Rix farce with the characters appearing and disappearing stage left and right telling bits of their story. Perhaps that's a reflection of the fact that French is a good scriptwriter; not just for her own productions but for other actors/comedians too. But I could picture it working better that way.

As you may have gathered by now I didn't particularly enjoy this book. Sure there were flashes of humour and home truths but it just didn't hang together very well at all. I rarely get rid of books but this one might be put in the charity shop box.

[Sallydaisy]

Phew, now I can get on and have a crack at the science-fiction. Don't mind them 'cos I've read a few in my time (mostly borrowed from sci-fi loving ex-husband!) so this will make a change if nothing else.

We've got 4 weeks to read it so I think I'll fit it in around the tennis watching.
:shades:

[RoastLamb]

Great summary! Worth waiting for. I agree with a lot of what you said too.

[Linda]

Yes, I pretty much agree with your summary of French's book, Sally! Now, a word of warning - I would not classify the book you are about to read as standard 'sci-fi'.

[pabbers]

Very well expressed and interesting review, Sally. As for Linda's comments about the next book, with all due respect, I'd say read it with an open mind and if you agree afterwards fine. Each to their own.

[MurrayAOne]

Well it seems I'm the only one of us to fully enjoy this book but as I've said earlier it makes for good chat! I completely disagree with the Brian Rix comment. Not that keen on farce although have seen a few in the theatre. Farce is fluffy and this book, for me, was not. There were many parts of the book I found wonderfully observant and insightful. I am looking forward to reading her next one but don't worry - it won't be one of my choices!

With regards to the next book I am halfway through it. I have quite strong feelings about the story and the author and am looking forward to the discussion, where, judging by some comments posted on here, I will certainly be at odds with others!

[hfwardhouse]

Excellent review Sally - you do have a great way with words! Agreed with all your comments pretty much. I've not started the next book yet and am waiting with bated breath to see what your choice will be .... cos I'd like to know to get it bought ready for taking on my holibobs .... :)

[Sallydaisy]

Well it seems I'm the only one of us to fully enjoy this book but as I've said earlier it makes for good chat! I completely disagree with the Brian Rix comment. Not that keen on farce although have seen a few in the theatre. Farce is fluffy and this book, for me, was not. There were many parts of the book I found wonderfully observant and insightful. I am looking forward to reading her next one but don't worry - it won't be one of my choices!

With regards to the next book I am halfway through it. I have quite strong feelings about the story and the author and am looking forward to the discussion, where, judging by some comments posted on here, I will certainly be at odds with others!
Perhaps the Brian Rix reference was a bit OTT because I didn't mean the kind of slapstick style of farce but I could see the story working well on stage with the right troupe of actors who could carry off the parts and perhaps enhance the comedy in the book.

You're right, it does make for good chat - and all the better for it I think. We can hardly all be expected to like exactly the same book/film/TV shows so it's interesting to see how everyone has a different perspective on the same subject.

Hope you don't feel in any way put off MurrayAOne?? I can tell you now that choosing the next book is giving me the eebyjeebies!!!

I think it might have to be a Shakespeare play or something similarly left field.
:p

[RoastLamb]

"holibobs" :lol:

It's funny I didn't see any farcical elements in the book. It is fascinating that we all interpret things differently.

I can't tell by what you said if you like King's Dragon or not, MurrayAOne. I'm guessing you really love it. I'm up to 130 pages now. Slowly but surely.

[MurrayAOne]

"holibobs" :lol:

It's funny I didn't see any farcical elements in the book. It is fascinating that we all interpret things differently.

I can't tell by what you said if you like King's Dragon or not, MurrayAOne. I'm guessing you really love it. I'm up to 130 pages now. Slowly but surely.

Guess again! I always think any book I read is a worthwhile experience though but my strong feelings lean toward the negative shall we say!

[MurrayAOne]

Perhaps the Brian Rix reference was a bit OTT because I didn't mean the kind of slapstick style of farce but I could see the story working well on stage with the right troupe of actors who could carry off the parts and perhaps enhance the comedy in the book.

You're right, it does make for good chat - and all the better for it I think. We can hardly all be expected to like exactly the same book/film/TV shows so it's interesting to see how everyone has a different perspective on the same subject.

Hope you don't feel in any way put off MurrayAOne?? I can tell you now that choosing the next book is giving me the eebyjeebies!!!

I think it might have to be a Shakespeare play or something similarly left field.
:p

Oh no not put off at all! It's really good that we all like different things and have different opinions and it's good that we all say what we feel. I just felt the need to show some more support for Dawn French as an author though as I think her book was marvelous - more than a tiny bit! As Roastlamb says our different interpretations are fascinating and believe me by the few comments I have seen on here about the current book I am indeed fascinated by our different interpretations!

Oh and by the way - a Shakespeare play? Wow! If you choose that - marvelous. Again - more than a tiny bit!

[RoastLamb]

Sally: If you choose Shakespeare then I hope it's one I haven't read. But then I've only read three: Merchant of Venice, Hamlet and Henry V.

MurrayAOne: I think Dawn did a great job with her first book even if there were flaws, and I really look forward to her second.

[hfwardhouse]

Yikes Shakespeare :eek:

[pabbers]

Can I vote for the Taming of the Shrew please? Going to see it at the Globe in London end of June :)

[patmoren]

I have a Complete Works of Shakespeare which at the moment are packed. Hope I move before it comes up!!!! I think it takes a strange mind set to enjoy Sci and Fantasy but try and transfer into that world and see if it makes any difference.

[Sallydaisy]

erm, this isn't open season for book to read nominations ... and I said I was considering the possibility of something 'left field' so PatM don't worry about needing to unpack your Shakespeare!!!

Honestly, bandwaggoners!!!
:p

[RoastLamb]

:lol: Sally.

I already have my next choice made. :laugh:

[Linda]

So do I :)

[RoastLamb]

So I'm now on page 408. Two thirds the way done. Can't wait to be finished. I have a lot to say about this book.