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By: WHAKA 019
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2025-03-26 13:15:50 |
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Perhaps a step too far for some readers to enjoy. |
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By: GOVER 005
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2024-10-25 22:58:10 |
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Agree with previous reviews. Not all of us could be bothered to finish it. Those that did felt it did improve. The first chapter put a lot of us off with none of the characters being likeable or believable. However some interesting discussion about aging and choices and reconciliation of both. |
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By: CROMW 003
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2024-10-16 11:43:41 |
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Mixed reactions. Good discussions. We all thought it would make a good T.V. series. Not too serious? |
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By: AUCK 107
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2024-10-03 12:01:06 |
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All the group found this book hard to get into in the beginning. Once we reached the 3rd or 4th chapters, it was a fun read, although found the later chapters a bit far fetched, even though it was funny. Raised some very interesting issues regarding end-of-life decisions. |
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By: BLENH 010
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2024-09-11 17:35:47 |
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A lively discussion. 4 of our group are over 80 which created an interesting scenario! All enjoyed the book and Lionel Shriver's imagination. |
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By: HAMIL 029
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2024-08-05 11:40:23 |
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Quite a mixed reaction to this book. Some found it interesting and liked Shriver's ironic, witty style and satire. Others found it too dark, especially a recently bereaved member of the group. Some did not enjoy the structure of the book, though others loved the very entertaining variations on a theme. Not exactly an enticing view of old age! |
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By: BLENH 010
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2024-07-18 11:43:21 |
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A lively discussion. 4 of our group are over 80 which created an interesting scenario! All enjoyed the book and Lionel Shriver's imagination. |
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By: RIVER 001
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2024-05-01 13:53:15 |
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Some members found it confronting, others felt some of the scenarios not realistic, but it did give rise to a lot of discussion. |
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By: OAMAR 002
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2024-02-26 10:01:51 |
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Thought provoking book that initiated great discussion. |
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By: WELL 017
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2024-01-17 11:26:28 |
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People enjoyed this book even though some of the scenarios were quite grim. Resulted in a very good discussion. I would not describe this book as 'hilarious' though. The front cover is misleading. |
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By: MARTIN 001
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2024-01-11 10:37:15 |
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Everyone got a lot out of this book. Clever concept about ageing. Some great descriptions of care for the elderly. Some thought the author was using the book to push her own politics. |
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By: DUNED 015
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2023-11-08 14:57:08 |
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Mixed responses; most could not warm to the characters - felt they were not drawn well enough to care about. |
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By: NEWP 001
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2023-11-01 13:33:54 |
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Stimulated lots of discussion. Didn't need the printed questions. |
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By: QUEEN 015
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2023-10-18 12:42:05 |
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A bit of a mixed response from our group. Some found it a bit triggering or just didn't enjoy - others loved it, finding it thoughtful and humorous. If you enjoy other Lionel Shriver books, then this is a definite must read. |
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By: OHOPE 001
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2023-10-02 12:47:10 |
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Well written - but became unrealistic and tedious. |
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By: PALMN 013
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2023-09-13 12:29:17 |
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A robust discussion of this book! |
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By: CHCH 544
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2023-08-09 20:42:34 |
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Lionel Shriver is a polarizer! Most people didn't finish reading the book. Even the finishers found it depressing. A couple of people acknowledged that it made them think though, and that it was a different kind of book from those they would normally choose. |
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By: AUCK 443
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2023-07-24 14:49:34 |
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A very different book for our group, two didn't complete it - but we did have a thoughtful discussion on the topic of how to regard living in older age. Three of our members are mid-80s and 94 - all very sharp minded and physically fine. |
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By: GOVER 003
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2023-07-19 10:05:35 |
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None of our group rated this book highly, although it did generate good discussion, and made us realise we should have documented arrangements ( as in Question 8),if we haven't already done it. We thought the author was out to shock us, but a lot of it was repetitive and far-fetched, and we didn't think much of Cyril and his opinions on life, and the NHS. |
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By: DUNED 100
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2023-07-12 11:18:05 |
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Most members of our group found this book challenging and annoying. But it did spark a lively discussion. |
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By: HAMIL 018
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2023-03-22 10:21:11 |
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Wow - what a diversity of thoughts and opinions. Some found the whole thing depressing, far fetched and uncomfortable - disliked it a lot. 2 of us thought it interesting, thought provoking, sometimes funny and quite insightful. The rest refused to read it after about 80 pages. Definitely a lot of discussion! |
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By: KATIK 005
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2022-09-15 14:06:03 |
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An original story exploring possible outcomes and solutions to ageing. Not everyone in the group felt comfortable with some of the solutions or possibly the whole ageing conversation. Comments included: the black box seemed sinister and overbearing; the idea of a TV series appealed but with a N.Z. focus that explored the loss of personal agency, financial choices, health etc. The book notes were comprehensive, focusing our attention on the themes in Shriver's novel. |
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By: AUCK 385
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2022-06-30 11:21:26 |
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Mixed reviews - but it certainly sparked a lot of discussion around age and euthanasia, so led to a very good meeting. |
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