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By: WELL 041
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2024-10-21 12:49:21 |
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Several of our group were away, but among those who read the book, the consensus was unenthusiastic. We found the book quite formulaic. Easy enough to read, just not engaging. |
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By: PIOPIO 001
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2024-09-27 08:57:45 |
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Everybody loved this cleverly written book. The characters were diverse and believable, and developed as the back story progressed. Great discussion as various members related the characters to people they had encountered in their own lives. |
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By: WHANG 023
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2024-09-18 21:11:40 |
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Really good read, draws you in from the get go and holds you there by authentic characters, and emotional hooks. You can get the summary from the blurb, but basically a situation drama with all the characters sharing back stories without any cliches. It really is well-written. Everyone in our group liked it, an unusual occurrence in itself. |
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By: PALMN 042
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2024-08-08 10:03:21 |
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A very well-received book, finished by everyone who attended this month. An easy read: thought-provoking too. Discussion was about how first impressions can change with more information. Also sad, with some interesting Rwandan history. Everyone enjoys Charity Norman. |
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By: LOWER 024
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2024-06-26 11:44:42 |
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All found it a good read. Some differing views on the authenticity of various characters but that may relate to different life experiences. Mixed feelings about Sam. |
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By: AUCK 335
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2024-03-19 15:40:29 |
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Everyone enjoyed this gripping story by a skilled writer. We particularly liked the well-drawn characters and the way in which the reasons for the tragedy were slowly revealed. |
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By: WHITBY 002
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2024-03-10 15:28:18 |
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We all loved this book and enjoyed all the diverse back stories which the author wove into a cohesive narrative. Our sympathies for Sam increased as his story was revealed but Neil's character impressed and lead to a lively discussion on homelessness and begging. |
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By: WINT 001
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2024-02-28 21:22:24 |
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Everyone loved reading this book. The story unfolded in an interesting way and there was some pleasure finding out about the backstory of each person, even though some stories were quite harrowing. The author has created a thought provoking read with a clever combination of characters. |
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By: INVER 026
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2024-01-11 14:54:56 |
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This book was rated our group's favourite book of the year. The way the book was written made you want to keep reading, sometimes until the early hours to find out more. Each of the main characters was wonderfully described and it felt like you knew them. |
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By: DIAM 033
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2023-11-13 13:05:38 |
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This book was much enjoyed by most of our members. The plot and characters were well described without too much melodrama. some parts were understated which compensated for the horror and chaps in the lives of the hostages. Sam, the protagonist, was handled with empathy, as was his mother. The subject matter of the book provided a very lively meeting - all agreed the author provided some very interesting characters. |
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By: AUCK 307
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2023-10-11 09:47:37 |
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Everyone loved this book. It was carefully crafted, each of the characters well drawn out as the story unfolded. Charity Norman has become a favourite of our group. |
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By: CHCH 512
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2023-08-16 13:22:40 |
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Wow, what a book. Page turner from the get go. Everyone loved the book and couldn't put it down. Not everything is what it seems! |
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By: ASHB 016
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2023-05-19 14:25:03 |
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Every one of us enjoyed this book. It affected us all but in different ways - we all ended up feeling sorry for Sam, although not initially. Some of us felt the story had a 'happy ending' feel to it but others thought that might have happened and liked that it ended that way. Great story with great stories within the story...loved it. We would all like to read more of her books. |
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By: AMBER 006
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2023-05-09 16:02:56 |
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All except one thoroughly enjoyed this book, we are Charity Norman fans, some happy to read it for the second time. We thought the characterisation was excellent, so clever of the author to gain our sympathy with the villain. Our only criticism was the ending was a little too ‘tidy’. |
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By: NAP 034
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2023-02-07 10:35:52 |
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Our group scored this book 7.6/10. Most members found it an easy, compelling read with good themes. It was nice to have a range of stories captured in the main story. However some of us wanted more depth in some parts of the books, specifically with some of the other story lines. |
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By: CHCH 125
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2022-10-31 11:29:22 |
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We really found this compelling reading. Charity Norman does not disappoint. Captures facets of human nature well. |
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By: NAP 032
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2022-10-25 10:37:09 |
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We gave this book 4.61/5. We all loved this book. Well developed, realistic and relatable characters with interesting back stories. A fabulous read from a wonderful author. |
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By: CAMB 007
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2022-10-20 10:20:05 |
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We all enjoyed this book, and it generated lots of discussion. We were glad Robert died at the beginning so that we didn't have to listen to his story, and possibly gain sympathy for him! Our discussion became very wide ranging. |
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By: NEWP 018
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2022-08-08 13:18:53 |
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Another great read by Charity Norman. The entire group enjoyed this book, well worth a read. |
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By: CHCH 238
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2022-08-08 11:36:19 |
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Suspenseful, great characters, a worthwhile read. |
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By: RAWENE 001
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2022-08-03 12:37:11 |
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Good read - we all enjoyed it. Good writing. Hard to put down when you start to read it. Created a good discussion on the characters. Would definitely read another of her books. |
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By: ASHB 022
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2022-07-20 11:49:10 |
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Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the book and thought it was an easy read and well-written. We have read two other books by Charity Norman, and she never fails to deliver a good story. |
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By: HUNTER 003
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2022-05-16 15:05:18 |
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All but one loved it. |
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By: ALEXA 007
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2022-05-09 18:44:51 |
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We all really enjoyed this book - it makes you realise that everyone has a story. |
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By: AUCK 285
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2022-05-06 11:59:56 |
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A great page turner. We liked the way the characters' back stories were slowly unveiled. Not a deep and memorable read, as some of our more disturbing books have been - an easy read with no real feeling of danger or fear. |
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By: LOWER 006
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2022-05-05 14:40:41 |
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Good story, excellent characters, quite believable. All except for the resolution chapter - a bit "airy fairy" compared to the rest. |
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By: WELL 130
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2022-03-07 11:13:45 |
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We all really enjoyed this book. Insightful, great characters and attention to detail. Interesting style - written from the viewpoint of each main character in this hostage setting. |
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By: WHAKA 021
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2022-02-03 11:36:48 |
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An attention grabber! |
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By: PALMN 031
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2021-11-01 11:10:27 |
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We all enjoyed this book - an easy read. |
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By: ALEXA 006
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2021-10-18 14:17:16 |
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Gripping - a group favourite! |
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By: TAUR 051
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2021-09-22 11:34:40 |
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One of the best books we've read this year! An enjoyable yet harrowing book that was a quick easy read. |
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By: NEWP 013
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2021-08-27 14:44:39 |
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We all enjoyed this book. Very readable. We enjoyed the way the author cleverly revealed the personal stories of the diverse characters, and how, under stress, they learnt to understand and support each other. She had a real understanding of human nature. |
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By: WHAKA 010
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2021-08-27 14:25:30 |
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Absolute group favourite! The style of writing adds to the depth of the character development. Each character unfolds on their own and yet is in perfect harmony with the story as a whole. |
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By: DUNED 061
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2021-03-26 13:06:11 |
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Unusually we ALL enjoyed this book immensely. We warmed to the characters and loved her writing. |
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