|
By: CHCH 179
|
2024-09-25 12:07:16 |
|
|
This book was generally enjoyed with the caveat that there was nothing remarkable about it, and it wasn't likely to win any awards. We found the protagonist believable and enjoyed his story on the whole, feeling quite moved by the sad aspects. |
|
|
By: AMBER 002
|
2024-06-10 10:29:56 |
|
|
|
Easy to read, a lot of complex storylines. |
|
|
By: ASHB 008
|
2024-03-11 10:03:55 |
|
|
We all LOVED the book! |
|
|
By: CHCH 449
|
2023-07-07 14:53:30 |
|
|
We all enjoyed this book plus it led to some interesting discussions. |
|
|
By: WELL 150
|
2023-05-24 13:18:26 |
|
|
|
We all loved this book! |
|
|
By: AUCK 412
|
2022-11-19 11:17:58 |
|
|
|
A wide range of opinions from "absolutely loving it" down to "just couldn't get into it". But those who really enjoyed it found it thought-provoking whilst entertaining, especially in the way it was written. The Irish aspect was lovely too. A unique read. |
|
|
By: UPHU 007
|
2022-10-31 10:30:15 |
|
|
|
Delightful book. Enjoyed by most and loved by some. A picture of rural Ireland and locked in emotions. |
|
|
By: NGON 001
|
2022-10-03 11:40:23 |
|
|
|
Excellent book for discussion. We enjoyed her colourful turns of phrase and loved the way she drew the main character Maurice. The '5' were interwoven but such important people in his life. Can recommend this one. |
|
|
By: NELS 022
|
2022-04-29 12:39:21 |
|
|
|
Brilliantly constructed. A story of regret. Differing opinions about the ending. Great psychological writing - piercing insights. |
|
|
By: CHCH 033
|
2022-03-02 11:46:36 |
|
|
All enjoyed the read, and a couple who couldn't finish the book kept it for a few days to finish it. Very healthy discussion on lots of aspects!! |
|
|
By: AUCK 058
|
2021-12-01 12:40:23 |
|
|
|
A gentle book even though the ending was sad. The device, splitting the story into 'letters' to his son, worked well and the descriptions of people and place were realistic and believable. |
|
|
By: AUCK 277
|
2021-10-29 11:23:53 |
|
|
|
Liked this book very much, such a true embodiment of an ageing man. Such a realistic voice. It resonated very much with some of us. |
|
|
By: PALMN 004
|
2021-10-22 09:56:32 |
|
|
|
There was excellent discussion about death and dying. |
|
|
By: WHITIAN 003
|
2021-09-24 12:37:57 |
|
|
|
Absolutely LOVED this book!! The style of writing painted a picture of the place, the people, the sadness, the joy, the loving and living. The lilt of the Irish conversations could be heard as if we were there. We do hope she writes another book, not necessarily a sequel to 'When All is Said'... |
|
|
By: NAP 023
|
2021-09-06 13:00:13 |
|
|
|
We all loved this story - I think the Irish vernacular gave it real poignancy, and the various characters were so believable! Recommended as an easy read. |
|
|
By: SUTHER 001
|
2021-08-27 14:34:44 |
|
|
|
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the book. |
|
|
By: HAMIL 062
|
2021-08-06 12:37:57 |
|
|
|
A wide range of love/hate responses to this book and to the main character. Those who loved it saw it as a moving brutally honest compassionate, warm poignant portrayal of characters as they grapple with many challenges. The variety of subjects touched on gave us plenty to discuss (dyslexia,poverty, wealth, grief, loneliness, ambition, family dysfunction,and suicide) plus an interesting back story of a special coin. Others thought it waffly, tedious sad, depressing and hard to get into or relate to. |
|
|
By: CHCH 257
|
2021-08-02 12:34:14 |
|
|
|
Most members really liked this book. |
|
|
By: CHCH 257
|
2021-07-13 10:05:35 |
|
|
|
The group generally liked this book. They thought the setting was interesting and the plot was well-constructed. |
|
|
By: WELL 086
|
2021-06-28 10:18:51 |
|
|
|
We all loved this book, and have sought out Anne's latest book. |
|
|
By: MAST 007
|
2021-06-23 11:38:46 |
|
|
|
Greatly enjoyed by us all. |
|
|
By: DUNED 004
|
2021-05-31 14:29:59 |
|
|
|
Beautifully. Evocative. We felt Maurice was a character we knew well by the end of the book. |
|
|
By: TIMAR 015
|
2021-05-10 11:50:04 |
|
|
|
Most of our members enjoyed the book. Some started to read, but didn't enjoy so 'gave up'. Discussion was interesting - "easy read", "liked Maurice" were some of the thoughts. Overall - enjoyable! |
|
|
By: AUCK 208
|
2021-03-15 14:37:32 |
|
|
|
"Generally well received; loved the way it was written; found myself thinking in an Irish lilt; could easily be set in NZ; found this book confronting on a number of levels". It did make us think how lonely so many elderly people are, very sad. |
|
|
By: CULV 001
|
2021-03-15 14:34:45 |
|
|
|
Well put together, and received well by all the group except one person who read only one or two pages and put it aside. |
|
|
By: CHCH 051
|
2021-03-10 12:32:42 |
|
|
|
Enjoyed by everyone, and a great discussion. |
|
|
By: CHCH 001
|
2021-01-29 10:30:05 |
|
|
|
Gentle and undemanding, a good holiday read. |
|
|
By: DUNED 019
|
2020-12-14 11:31:40 |
|
|
|
Most members of the group enjoyed this book. Very readable and a positive feel. It led to some discussion about secrecy within families. |
|
|
By: AUCK 353
|
2020-09-23 13:56:26 |
|
|
|
Mixed comments. Some found the book entertaining, others felt the main character was just harsh and grumpy. Some of our group didn't relate to the difference in culture, or to the age of the main character. |
|
| |
