|
By: AUCK 014
|
2023-12-20 11:08:16 |
|
|
Elegantly simple writing that some really appreciated but others wanted some more depth...the history of Lucy was complex and some readers felt more explanation was needed to understand the relationship between her earlier life and its impact on her as an adult. Some commented that the narrative made them reflect on their relationship with their own mother. |
|
|
By: DUNED 111
|
2023-10-02 11:30:10 |
|
|
|
A mixed reaction to this book. Some loved it, others found it depressing. All felt it well-written. We had an excellent discussion though. |
|
|
By: HOKITIK 001
|
2023-07-19 11:14:54 |
|
|
All agreed it was a good read. |
|
|
By: WHAKA 011
|
2022-11-17 10:00:40 |
|
|
|
Mixed reviews for this book - one member loved it - another did not read it as it was unappealing. The rest plodded through, read, and quite enjoyed it. |
|
|
By: NELS 044
|
2022-11-17 09:59:03 |
|
|
One member couldn't get into the book. The rest of us read it twice. We all had bits we related to. |
|
|
By: INVER 002
|
2022-11-17 09:56:03 |
|
|
Mixed reaction - some enjoyed it and found it an easy read. Others had a different take and would not read her books again. Good discussion. |
|
|
By: WELL 086
|
2022-11-17 09:54:50 |
|
|
Group members were surprised at review as they didn't really enjoy the book. Didn't enjoy the formal writing style. |
|
|
By: CHCH 099
|
2022-11-17 09:53:15 |
|
|
|
We were all gripped and moved by the writing which was beautiful, and the issues of life which it dealt with . Unforgettable. |
|
|
By: PALMN 006
|
2022-11-17 09:50:42 |
|
|
|
Not a great read for many, but some really enjoyed the style of writing despite some confusion with the plot. |
|
|
By: TAUR 060
|
2022-10-05 12:47:42 |
|
|
|
We all found this book to be an enjoyable read - not a page turner, more of a meander through Lucy Barton's past. We enjoyed discussion about how people break free from abusive/disadvantaged backgrounds, and the lingering effects that remain. |
|
|
By: WELL 213
|
2022-06-20 11:21:40 |
|
|
|
"Deceptively simple" was the phrase agreed by all who read this slim volume. Simple prose, not very long, but containing many thought-provoking observations and ideas. |
|
|
By: WHITBY 005
|
2021-11-19 20:58:50 |
|
|
|
Not enjoyed by most of the group, members scores ranging from 2 to 4. We discussed familial relationships, inefficiency in communicating with others. The book-notes were comprehensive. |
|
|
By: MOTUE 008
|
2021-06-22 17:36:29 |
|
|
|
The group was divided on this one. Most loved it and will look for more by this author; some said they want to own it to reread. The people who loved it enjoyed that their reading was slowed down as so much was understated. Two of the members struggled with it, one being annoyed by the characters, the other prefers lighter fiction. It prompted some great discussions about mother-daughter relationships. |
|
|
By: WELL 107
|
2019-10-22 14:40:09 |
|
|
|
This is a winner (!) on so many levels. We all enjoyed it immensely. |
|
|
By: ASHB 016
|
2018-08-23 17:09:59 |
|
|
|
Most of us liked this book but two ladies loved it. Quite a childish or easy writing style with a lot left to the reader to imagine what was 'between the lines' or left out. Easy to read because of the small chapters. Good discussion about families - one of the ladies is going to try and read her other books. We wondered if the story was actually about the author herself. I personally would say I enjoyed it but wouldn't particularly remember it in time to come. |
|
|
By: KATIK 008
|
2018-07-30 14:57:12 |
|
|
|
A mixed reaction to the book. Some really liked the writing style, and others found it annoying. Most related to the content. |
|
|
By: AUCK 166
|
2018-07-30 14:55:53 |
|
|
|
Everyone liked the book. Easy to read but also thought-provoking. A lot of the meaning was in what wasn't written. There was a feeling of having read a similar story. The book dealt with a lot of issues, and life growing up in poverty. The story was told simply but offered great depth. |
|
|
By: WANAK 019
|
2018-07-30 14:52:32 |
|
|
|
There was a very mixed reaction to the book in our group. Some members felt that too much was left open and up to the reader's imagination, whereas others felt this was the book's strength - not to reveal everything. We couldn't give it a rating because it ranged between 2 and 5. Despite the differences or perhaps because of them, we had a great discussion. |
|
|
By: AUCK 007
|
2018-07-30 14:48:22 |
|
|
This beautifully written book was fascinatingly enigmatic. It's also tailor-made for provoking and thoughtful discussion. |
|
|
By: NELS 014
|
2018-07-30 14:46:56 |
|
|
|
We all loved this book - the writing is so restrained and so clever!! |
|
|
By: WHAKA 009
|
2018-07-30 14:46:10 |
|
|
|
Amazing writing - a book on two levels. So much is said "without words"; so much detail on a deeper level. Great discussion. |
|
|
By: NAP 029
|
2018-07-30 14:44:33 |
|
|
|
We had a good discussion on this book with regard to family relationships, and how complex they can be. |
|
|
By: AUCK 306
|
2018-07-30 14:42:57 |
|
|
|
All group members liked the style of writing by this author. Many of us reflected on our own relationships with mothers(!), and with family in general. We were a bit divided as to whether it was a 'sad' book or not. |
|
|
By: HAMIL 029
|
2018-05-08 16:07:18 |
|
|
|
Some us thought this book a wonderful novel in its writing and the insights into Lucy's life and the effects of a deprived childhood. Others found the novel depressing, maybe too literary for their tastes. Even so, we had an excellent discussion about Lucy and her mother, and took issue with the comments in the notes that she was a horrible person. We saw the mother as more damaged by her childhood (so subtly conveyed by just one comment about not sleeping, but catnapping sitting up) than Lucy was by hers. |
|
| |
