|
By: DUNED 001
|
2024-01-15 11:48:36 |
|
|
Mixed feelings - half of those present loved the book for its expressive writing and slow pace. It was the slow pace that made the other half read it only in short bursts. It was, to some of us, a lovely reminder of the disappearing art of letter writing. |
|
|
By: MAPUA 001
|
2023-11-06 14:00:05 |
|
|
This book was universally loved. Overall, people enjoyed its epistolary style and watching the gentle growth of their friendship in this way. Members came away wanting more and wishing for a sequel. |
|
|
By: CHCH 479
|
2023-10-18 11:51:06 |
|
|
Most of us loved it ( one of the best we'd read) but not all. We could relate to the characters. Enjoyed the revelation of the letters. High quality writing. Original, interesting and credible. |
|
|
By: MAST 005
|
2023-09-20 09:19:55 |
|
|
|
A delightful read, enjoyed by all. Interesting subject to link the characters. Gentle and rewarding. |
|
|
By: PALMN 004
|
2023-09-20 09:10:26 |
|
|
|
Lots of discussion about the style of this book, the writing and receiving of letters etc. |
|
|
By: CHCH 517
|
2023-08-16 14:47:15 |
|
|
|
This book gave us a great discussion about relationships. Everyone seemed to enjoy the story, but some would have liked a little more to the ending. Did they meet, and did they meet each other's expectations? |
|
|
By: ROTO 002
|
2023-07-19 12:36:56 |
|
|
|
All group members thoroughly enjoyed the book. Great discussion around relationships was generated, loosely linked to the guiding questions. That our group is 60+ meant there were common experiences with Tina, and shared attitudes towards marriage and family. |
|
|
By: DUNED 006
|
2023-07-17 14:59:27 |
|
|
|
This book was enjoyed by everyone who read it. It also produced a healthy discussion. |
|
|
By: WHITBY 002
|
2023-06-17 22:36:26 |
|
|
|
We loved this book, the style, characters, how the early casual enquiry developed into a deep friendship. It all seemed so honest and authentic that we felt we had a vested interest in the outcome and were disappointed that they never got to meet! Highly recommended. |
|
|
By: TAUR 043
|
2023-05-22 13:01:10 |
|
|
Enjoyed by most of the group. A well-written book. The questions generated some worthwhile discussion in the group. |
|
|
By: HANMER 002
|
2023-01-12 14:53:51 |
|
|
|
Extremely interesting story and way of writing it. Held us captivated until the end. |
|
|
By: AUCK 037
|
2022-12-15 14:44:43 |
|
|
|
All enjoyed the book - indeed "well-crafted and thoughtful". A very light touch to explore an initially unlikely friendship between two people, who have reasons to question the direction of their lives. The letter-writing format gave it a pace - a considered and unrushed pace. Very well done. |
|
|
By: DUNED 043
|
2022-11-16 14:38:27 |
|
|
|
Loved this book!!! |
|
|
By: WHAKA 021
|
2022-10-14 13:15:37 |
|
|
Mixed reaction to this one, most couldn't connect with the story. Two out of seven enjoyed it as found the conversational writing interesting. |
|
|
By: DUNED 029
|
2022-09-23 10:17:46 |
|
|
|
A beautiful, tender and poignant book. Highly recommended. |
|
|
By: TEPUK 006
|
2022-05-16 12:16:26 |
|
|
For a simple story, this proved to be a polarising book. We either liked or disliked it. Many liked the subtle humour, simple human story, and the increasingly personal nature of the writing. Others thought it dull and lacking substance. |
|
|
By: TAUR 016
|
2022-05-02 13:04:14 |
|
|
|
Our group found this an enjoyable, easy read. Some described it as a 'slow burner', delightful in the way it gradually revealed the growing affection between the two characters through their letters to each other. Generally agreed that it sagged a little in the middle, and that there were moments of improbability. Discussion was lively, centering on issues of trust and fidelity. |
|
|
By: AUCK 162
|
2022-05-02 12:48:37 |
|
|
|
Our group loved this book. We liked the letter writing style to tell a story, and the way the relationship developed through the letter writing. We look forward to reading more by this new author. |
|
|
By: WAIKA 014
|
2022-04-29 12:19:40 |
|
|
|
We all loved it! This book stimulated animated and copious discussion. Several people said it did not grab them initially, but everyone persevered and quickly became fully absorbed. We all agreed that it is quite brilliant. We could have discussed it for hours! |
|
|
By: HAMIL 062
|
2022-03-02 19:48:33 |
|
|
|
Though many of us were ambivalent to begin with, with the letter format, we were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it a lot. It reminded some of us of 84 Charing Cross Rd. We thought their relationship and intimacy unfolded authentically. We liked how the background to their family situation was slowly revealed, as they bared their souls with raw honesty. We liked the mixture of daily life details, and philosophical ponderings. We liked that the ending was left open ended, and we would never know if they met. Some of us enjoyed knowing more about the Tollund man history. |
|
|
By: PALMN 001
|
2022-01-10 11:17:26 |
|
|
|
Everyone enjoyed this book once they got into it. |
|
|
By: CHCH 432
|
2021-11-01 10:13:20 |
|
|
Not very well liked, most of our group didn't manage to finish it. Didn't hold our attention, not invested in the characters. |
|
|
By: WHITIAN 002
|
2021-09-15 12:47:46 |
|
|
|
Delightful, thoughtful book. Well-written with characters developing well through letters. Intelligent conversations via letters between 2 main characters. Promoted great discussion in meeting regarding the demise of letter writing. All of group looking forward to reading more by this author. |
|
|
By: AUCK 276
|
2021-09-08 13:50:43 |
|
|
|
Lovely story that we all enjoyed. |
|
|
By: CAMB 003
|
2021-07-22 12:45:56 |
|
|
|
Wonderful book. |
|
|
By: AUCK 166
|
2021-07-22 12:45:26 |
|
|
|
We were touched. History was interesting. We were divided as to whether they met up or not. Unrealistic but enchanting fantasy. |
|
|
By: AUCK 417
|
2021-07-12 09:35:51 |
|
|
|
We all enjoyed this book and thought the sole use of letters back and forth was effective in their communicating to each other. We learnt a lot about each other's thoughts and feelings than would have happened in a first-person narrative or third-person narrative. Although they had a good written relationship, there could be some doubt as to whether this would transition over to a physical relationship. Although most of us thought a physical meeting would eventuate. |
|
|
By: NEWP 012
|
2021-07-05 12:12:13 |
|
|
|
Mixed reviews - some loved it, others struggled. |
|
|
By: DUNED 085
|
2021-06-28 13:55:56 |
|
|
|
The book was an easy read and we all finished it! Our discussion was natural, free-ranging and on topic because there was a lot to to relate to. We'd be keen to read a sequel:-) |
|
|
By: WHANG 004
|
2021-05-31 13:55:59 |
|
|
|
We generally all enjoyed the book, and found the research with the Tollund Man very interesting. All in all, a very successful read! |
|
|
By: TIMAR 007
|
2021-03-08 11:47:46 |
|
|
|
Our group all enjoyed this book. It started rather slowly but built to an intriguing end. The language and introspection of the two writers was excellent. While not all of our group originally enjoyed 'letters' as a style, we all loved this book by the end. |
|
|
By: AUCK 360
|
2021-02-12 11:53:28 |
|
|
|
Most people found the book "just ok", although some liked it, especially the gradual unfolding of their vulnerability as they felt safe and heard. In this regard, some found that the letters worked really well as a literary device. It is worth a mention that the book inspired a discussion on fidelity and whether being faithful implies just the physical aspects of love, or the emotional relationship with someone, especially when they haven't met in person... |
|
|
By: COROM 002
|
2020-09-02 13:55:27 |
|
|
|
All enjoyed - a pleasant interlude from our mostly non-fiction reads. Plenty to discuss nevertheless. We were interested that it was a 70 year old's first novel. |
|
|
By: HAVE 012
|
2020-09-02 13:43:26 |
|
|
|
Most liked the book a great deal. It was described as an ordinary exchange of letters leading to gentle and extraordinary tellings of life, experienced by 2 very different but sincere people. |
|
|
By: NAP 024
|
2020-08-26 13:30:16 |
|
|
|
Hard to get into. Slow to get started. All liked the book, but after much discussion with the questions, some members started to have misgivings! Interesting. |
|
|
By: NELS 009
|
2020-08-26 13:27:49 |
|
|
|
8 people were at the meeting and everyone loved the gentle/humanity aspect of this book. We don't usually agree on a book as we did on this one. Even so, it still created a lot of discussion. A couple of members remembered writing letters like that in the past, and discussed how that made you review your life. We felt the author was insightful and kind. |
|
|
By: MTMA 002
|
2020-08-19 13:00:15 |
|
|
|
Great, moving and heart warming. |
|
|
By: WELL 020
|
2020-08-17 14:55:59 |
|
|
|
The reaction to the book was most interesting. We discussed the story for much longer than has happened for ages. One person absolutely ADORED the story, and others were not so keen. Most agreed that there were flaws in the storyline and gaps in believability. I think that the phrase we will remember for longer than the rest was page 200 - re the old tea cosy = knit yourself another! |
|
|
By: AUCK 210
|
2020-06-24 12:51:22 |
|
|
|
A beautifully crafted story through correspondence between two strangers. A wonderful read. |
|
|
By: TAUR 053
|
2020-06-15 14:49:15 |
|
|
|
Majority enjoyed it. Wonderfully contemplative in these 'Covid' times, and easy to relate to...our "peers" in age! |
|
| |
