Can we believe in magic and spells? Can we put our faith in science?
A young mother married to a scientist fears for her children’s safety as th...
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reviews
Oct 25, 2009
BookScout
rated it: 
Elizabeth Baines has crafted a haunting novel that explores the colliding relationship we have with impassive scientific explanation and the irrational world of magic (or the belief in indomitable predestination and superstition). How does the modern world allow us to reconcile our paranoia and fear with some sense of control over our destiny?
This premise has informed English writing since the Romantic Movement, and The Rational versus The Imagination is now a timely theme for us to More...
This premise has informed English writing since the Romantic Movement, and The Rational versus The Imagination is now a timely theme for us to More...
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Jul 28, 2011
Ashley
rated it: 
An incredibly well written novel. Definitely not for those who are seeking a "light" read. Baines has crafted an intelligent and beautiful story.
However, my star rating is based on my enjoyment of the novel. This is not the type of story that I regularily enjoy. I found it difficult to read in some places, though not at all because of the writing. It was difficult because it was so honest at parts. My lack of enjoyement is purely a personal preference, not an indicatio More...
However, my star rating is based on my enjoyment of the novel. This is not the type of story that I regularily enjoy. I found it difficult to read in some places, though not at all because of the writing. It was difficult because it was so honest at parts. My lack of enjoyement is purely a personal preference, not an indicatio More...
Oct 26, 2009
Evie
rated it: 
Very moving, intelligent story as the author explores motherhood, temptation and??? magic. Baines can keep the readers attentionwhile looking at age-old themes from a different perspective.
Jul 04, 2011
The Master
rated it:
Slow start, but gets eerier as is goes along. Not what I expected, but I couldn't put it down once the weirdness began.
Feb 18, 2011
Mew
rated it:
I really did think this book was brilliant, I thought the prose was chilling and excellent. I liked the style and I liked the images that were conjoured up. But... it made me quite anxious.
Feb 07, 2011
sisterimapoet
rated it:
I loved the poetic prose. The repetition of phrases, reinforcing confusion, and the repetition of her reality. I like the other-worldliness of the tone. We were somewhere familiar and also not. It was believable yet also like a fairy-tale where nothing was quite as it seemed. It felt mad and drugged, despite sharp details of external reality, colours and sounds. It felt doomed and dangerous but thrilling too. A constant sense of the imminent end of the world or just the end of her world -
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Nov 28, 2010
Jim
rated it: 
Looking back on the book as a whole you can see the shadow of black and white magpies everywhere. Our nameless narrator is constantly faced with choices, between accepted behaviour and being herself, between doing what’s best for her family and what’s right for her, between staying and leaving, between magic and science. But is there a third option, a grey one? She believes there is.
You can read my full review on my blog here.
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You can read my full review on my blog here.
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Oct 21, 2009
I wrote it, so I've decided not to rate it! What did I learn from writing it? That I could leave my family to fend for themselves while I stayed in my study all day and into the evening, and that I could write a novel very fast!
Jan 04, 2010
Monika
rated it:
-I won this book as a Good Reads First Reads. It was a beautifully written book. Definitely requires an educated reader. The concept of the book was amazing and Elizabeth Baines pulled off a wonderful book!
-the book came in! yay! finally get to read it!
-still have not received and won about a month ago
-just won as a firstreads! can't wait to receive!
-the book came in! yay! finally get to read it!
-still have not received and won about a month ago
-just won as a firstreads! can't wait to receive!
Nov 30, 2009
Nicole
rated it:
A clever, well-crafted novel. This was my first "first-reads" win, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the novel. It requires an intelligent reader, and it will haunt you for days afterwards as you think about its meaning. Highly recommended.
Jan 12, 2010
Joana
rated it:
Beautifully written novel in which the author explores the rational and irrational fears of a young mother and the way she deals with them. Should she trust science or put her faith in magic and positive thinking? Recommended to people who like magical realism.
Dec 30, 2009
Lissa
rated it:
6/10
I won this novel through goodreads. It's my first read by Elizabeth Baines.
It had a good style of writing. The novel was interesting, but I was not captivated by it.
I won this novel through goodreads. It's my first read by Elizabeth Baines.
It had a good style of writing. The novel was interesting, but I was not captivated by it.
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