|
By: CHCH 527
|
2025-06-25 22:39:14 |
|
|
A very peaceful quality to this book - a 1940s Homer - with a journey of discovery and coming of age . Yorkshire post WW2 with a mix of damaged men returning from the war and a new generation of young ones who are searching for a new meaning and a different direction in life . |
|
|
By: WELL 022
|
2025-04-07 09:54:00 |
|
|
Most of the group loved this story - the strong sense of time and place, the beautiful lyrical writing style. Those who didn't enjoy it got bogged down by adjectives. |
|
|
By: WELL 008
|
2025-02-20 09:43:07 |
|
|
We all enjoyed this book, though to varying degrees. A couple thought the pace too slow in places but others enjoyed that aspect. "Restful and positive" were common responses. Questions didn't elicit as much discussion as usual as the answers had already been suggested to several in the notes. Enjoyed new vocabulary. |
|
|
By: NELS 040
|
2025-01-31 12:01:40 |
|
|
|
Everyone loved this gentle coming-of-age story. Beautifully written. |
|
|
By: TAUR 053
|
2024-06-24 12:19:26 |
|
|
|
A charming book, easy to read, lyrical language, and so evocative of the English landscape. The two main characters were well drawn and appealing. A nice change in fact from a lot of the harsher modern novels. But still a powerful coming of age novel. |
|
|
By: AMBER 002
|
2024-03-07 14:44:46 |
|
|
|
Fabulous book, beautiful writing, lovely story. |
|
|
By: CHCH 389
|
2024-02-26 14:06:19 |
|
|
All enjoyed this book. Excellent holiday read. |
|
|
By: WHANG 015
|
2023-11-28 11:36:41 |
|
|
|
We all enjoyed reading this book. Decided it was right up there with 'Still Life'. |
|
|
By: WHAKA 008
|
2023-08-21 13:17:54 |
|
|
|
A real gem of a book. We loved it - the beautiful language, the characters and the relationship between them. A wonderful read. |
|
|
By: WELL 045
|
2023-08-16 11:52:23 |
|
|
|
Really enjoyed the light tone of this book, as well as the beautiful descriptive writing. |
|
|
By: FEILD 004
|
2023-06-28 11:12:26 |
|
|
|
We all loved it. It was a real tonic after some of the heavier reads we have had this year. The descriptive language was delightful. The title was apt. |
|
|
By: MOTUE 006
|
2023-05-31 13:29:15 |
|
|
|
We thoroughly enjoyed this read, and although the descriptions seemed a little over the top initially, they ended up quite poetic and one could almost smell and taste the words. The title was very apt. One member found the character Dulcie a bit implausible. Overall a feel good tale of a young man whose life could have gone in another direction and he also inadvertently helped to heal Dulcie. |
|
|
By: HUNTLY 001
|
2023-05-11 10:13:06 |
|
|
|
A nice easy read. Pleasant to read a book free of violence and hate for a change. Beautifully written. |
|
|
By: AUCK 107
|
2023-05-04 11:21:08 |
|
|
|
This book got the 'thumbs up' from everyone. We particularly liked the wonderful, and at times unique, use of language, with many looking up new words. We are looking forward to the movie of the book, hoping it does it justice. |
|
|
By: BLENH 025
|
2023-03-19 13:31:43 |
|
|
|
All of our group liked the book, and some loved the descriptions, others thought there were, at times, an overuse of description, but the book gave us plenty to discuss. The story that ran through it was beautiful and heartwarming. |
|
|
By: TWIZ 004
|
2023-03-12 19:01:28 |
|
|
We had high expectations after the rave reviews however only 3/8 members completed the book. All found the language to be overly descriptive and one described it "as dull as reading a shopping list". |
|
|
By: HAVE 005
|
2023-03-01 12:39:18 |
|
|
|
Universally enjoyed. Heartwarming. Beautifully written lyrical language and descriptions. |
|
|
By: MAST 004
|
2023-03-01 12:38:24 |
|
|
|
Every member scored this 10/10. A first for the group. A novel to read again and again. |
|
|
By: ROTO 015
|
2023-02-15 12:15:53 |
|
|
|
Surprisingly, a very highly rated book! Very poetic writing. Loved the prose and the story - inspiring, with beautiful insights into people and our world. |
|
|
By: WANAK 017
|
2022-11-25 13:46:54 |
|
|
|
Everyone enjoyed the book very much. |
|
|
By: TAIRU 001
|
2022-08-10 12:32:40 |
|
|
|
All thoroughly enjoyed this book - well written, refreshing and uplifting with positive outcomes. The developing relationship between Robert and Dulcie was well portrayed and several commented on the inclusion of nature throughout. Best book so far this year! |
|
|
By: LOWER 018
|
2022-06-27 14:55:47 |
|
|
|
Most of us loved this book, relishing the lyrical writing, and enjoying the relationship that developed. It was interesting to read that the author was motivated by a desire to write a positive and hopeful book for the times we live in, and he surely achieved that. |
|
|
By: TAUM 003
|
2022-06-27 11:49:51 |
|
|
|
A very enjoyable read - a gentle pastoral book with some wonderful descriptive writing. A hit with all members. |
|
|
By: WELL 107
|
2022-05-16 14:28:59 |
|
|
|
We all loved this book! On many levels, very satisfying. The language, the narrative and the poetry. |
|
|
By: COROM 002
|
2022-05-11 12:48:54 |
|
|
|
All enjoyed this book. A heart-warming story, a touch of history, and of mystery...Eccentric personages, beautiful countryside with nature observed, lots of interesting words to look up - what more would you want We discovered that Romy Landau was a real person, which the note-writer didn't mention. Plenty of good discussion. |
|
|
By: AUCK 339
|
2022-04-22 15:08:58 |
|
|
|
Poetry was beautiful. A bit predictable. |
|
|
By: AUCK 010
|
2022-03-30 15:03:06 |
|
|
|
Everyone simply loved this book. It was full of wisdom and surprise. |
|
|
By: KATIK 002
|
2022-03-07 11:38:05 |
|
|
|
We all agreed the language was just beautiful with the most wonderful vocabulary - like poetry. The relationship was so well depicted - showed a time when life was simpler - looking after the 'soul'. It reminded us to seek and cherish relationships with those special in our lives. We all agreed that it was just so well-written, beautiful yet sad - really captured the Midlands, growing old, and the state of the world. Very moving in parts and subtle in many ways... This would be one of our 'gem' reads, and we would recommend to all book clubs. |
|
|
By: MAST 013
|
2021-12-01 12:37:00 |
|
|
|
Beautiful descriptions and writing. Most enjoyed the book although 2 did not. Easy to read with some great poetry. |
|
|
By: CHCH 376
|
2021-11-07 22:18:10 |
|
|
|
Many of us were initially a little underwhelmed at the start of this book, but all of us quickly fell in love with the characters and the way the story was built. Dulcie's suppressed love story and the poetry resulted in many tears - as well as many laughs at the ways Dulcie found to cope with her loss. A truly involving book, with a beautiful story told in an engaging way. A definite favourite. |
|
|
By: MAST 013
|
2021-11-05 12:53:46 |
|
|
|
We all loved the book. Not our normal read, but perhaps should read more like it. Great writing, very descriptive. Could "feel" the heat and "knew" the characters. None guessed the surprise ending! |
|
|
By: AMBER 001
|
2021-10-15 09:52:55 |
|
|
|
So glad we read this, language a delight. |
|
|
By: CHCH 078
|
2021-10-01 10:15:01 |
|
|
|
Most members enjoyed 'The Offing'. Our discussion was sustained by following the discussion questions which led us on to the characteristics of Dulcie and Robert and how they developed their relationship and each other's personal growth. |
|
|
By: NELS 007
|
2021-08-06 14:27:27 |
|
|
|
We all loved the descriptions in this book. The story was subtle and thought provoking. A great read. |
|
|
By: GERAL 002
|
2021-08-02 11:43:12 |
|
|
|
We all loved this book. Beautiful images of nature, and the encounter of a worldly-wise, non conformist lady with a youth just setting out in the world, create a colourful and very appealing story. A book re-affirming the values of life. |
|
|
By: MARLB 001
|
2021-08-02 11:40:29 |
|
|
|
Absolutely beautiful book - to be held close and enjoyed. |
|
|
By: GISB 005
|
2021-07-21 12:56:28 |
|
|
|
Those that read the book all LOVED it. A positively enjoyable read. |
|
|
By: ROTO 006
|
2021-04-14 14:56:01 |
|
|
|
Everyone enjoyed the book, both for the story and the way it was written. People especially liked the author's descriptions of the natural world. A first for the group - in that everyone liked and enjoyed the book! |
|
|
By: CHCH 099
|
2021-03-17 11:49:35 |
|
|
|
We all loved this novel. Beautifully written, poetic and uplifting. Would highly recommend. Probably the best book we have read for some time. |
|
|
By: AUCK 143
|
2020-08-31 14:17:19 |
|
|
|
We all loved this book. The only criticism was that the protagonist at 16 was more skilled at renovation than would be expected in one so young, but those were different times. It was very much in the style of "Darling Buds of May", and Laurie Lee's books written post war. |
|
| |
