Nancy's comments (member since May 23, 2009)

Nancy's comments from the Bookmarks Subscribers group.

I finally finished The Calligrapher's Daughter. I say finally because it was a slow read but ultimately worth reading. The heroine, Najin,is so spirited and resilient and has to endure so much suffering, often blaming herself. Eventhough I understand how she might do that in the context of the culture and history of the times, but I still found it sad.

One of the precepts throughout the bookthat really stuck in my mind also was that women were expected to put others first. In our culture, women often put others first (especially mothers)but we also are able to to reach for what satisfies us and makes us happy.
I also found the history of Korea and the rest of the far east to be enlightening. I also realized that there were only a few short years between the end of the Japanese occupation and the Korean conflict. What a lot of turmoil for one people.

I though the exact same thing. I had read a review that said it was more than just a simple story about an Irish immigrant but after reading the book, I have to wonder in what way is it more. Eilis is apparently supposed to be a nice person but I didn't really like her. I never did figure out if she loved Tony but I can't say that I really cared. I really liked Blackwater Lightship so I was really looking forward to this book. I have his other book, The Master, which got good reviews. Maybe I'll like that better.

Wow, you really have a gift for literary analysis. I find myself nodding in agreement the whole time I'm reading your post. I'm envious.

I definitely disliked Dr. Faraday as the book went on. If he really loved Caroline, wouldn't he have wanted to get her and her mother away from the toxic atmosphere of Hundreds? Of course, not that either Caroline or her mother would have even considered leaving but but the doctor could have at least tried. I'm still pondering the ending. Throughtout the book I thought the house itself was the evil. Caroline saying "you" kind of put a shape to the evil that I didn't think was warranted. Keeping in mind that this book was meant to keep you off balance though, I'd have to say it did a great job. You definitely know you are in the company of a very good writer when you read Sarah Waters. I just started A Night Watch and can't wait to get further into it.

I loved the eerie feeling and the suspense of this book but since I finished it a couple of weeks ago I can't stop thinking about the ending. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I won't say too much until others are finished but I'm interested to hear what others thought.

I have a feeling that waiting list will shorten considerably pretty quickly - I don't think most people will finish this book. I wouldn't recommend buying either!

I'm not liking these characters much so it's slow going. I picked up The Book of Night Women which is sitting in to tbr pile and it sucked me right in.

I just finished The Little Stranger. I don't want to say too much until the discussion. I will say, however, that boy, can this woman tell a story! I couldn't put it down.

I got this book for Christmas (from my mother) several years ago. I tried reading it but couldn't get into it at the time. I even took it to our library book sale but when it didn't sell, I reclaimed it (mostly out of guilt for trying to get rid of a gift my mother had given me). It's been sitting on my shelf for several years now and I keep looking at it, thinking I've got to read this "one of these days". Betsy, let me know when you start it and I'll start it too. Knowing someone else is reading it just might inspire me to stick with it.

I finished this book about 2 weeks ago and I wanted to think about what I wanted to say before actually writing a post. I liked it but I can't say it evoked a lot of emotion in me. Do I think it's a good book? I guess it goes back to what someone said earlier about what makes a good book. Is it good because you like it or if you didn't exactly like it, are you at least glad you read it. I am glad I read this book. I could have done without the detailed medical descriptions but I did like the way the characters were developed, espcially Ghosh. Ok, I think I'm talking myself into liking this book afterall. Anyway, that's my thoughts on Cutting for Stone. I'm ready to choose the next book. Oh, I did want to say that one of the things I enjoy about being in a book group, is reading (and finishing) books that I might not otherwise have tried. So my thanks for that!

I'm up to page 268 and I'm starting to like it. I wasn't crazy about the early part of the book which explains the twins' parentage and how they came to bee born in Ethiopia. The author is quite descriptive when writing about medical procedures and that takes some getting used to as well. Eventually the narration is taken over by one of the twins (Marion) and the story really starts to move forward. I realize that I definitely prefer dialog to explanation

ok, I've gotten to page 100 - the twins' birth. I can't say I really like this book yet - it hasn't really grabbed me but I'm curious enough to want to keep reading. How does everyone else feel about this book so far?

I started this book last night. I got to page 75 but I'm thinking of going back to the beginning. I was reading while my family watched TV. This is the kind of book that needs real concentration. I like the idea of the discussion being on the same cycle as the magazine. There's a certain symmetry there that I think will work well. So I definitely in!!