book discussion
topic: Jane Eyre meets Bette Davis
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This book stood me on my head.
Margaret is a beautiful character-- cautious, bookish, fact loving. Vida is harsh, enigmatic, and a great storyteller. The merger of these two characters produces a wonderful, perhaps horrible is a better word, story.
It is an intriguing tale. You will want more.
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Lee bought me this wonderful book in April and I devoured it, let my daughter Kash read it and she declared it one of the best books ever, and then I sent it on to my sister-in-law Janice and she wrote me yesterday that she could not put it down and will not return it until my brother Richard reads it. Way Good! And I love the "Jane Eyre meets Bette Davis" topic.
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I just finished it last night. It was recommended by two friends, but I didn't think I would really like it. Not the kind of book I usually read - Nora Roberts, Jeffrey Deaver, Dan Brown, etc. I usually don't read English authors, as I've found them a little too slow and descriptive. But, I really liked this book. It took a few chapters to get with the style and cadence of the speech, but I was hooked. It was descriptive without being flowery and boring.
The one thing that bothered me, though, was the complete lack of dates and time period references. I never new if it was set in present-day time, the '50's, or what. I never knew how to imagine their dress, hair styles, furniture, car, etc. as I read. (Does anyone else have a movie going in their head while reading?) From the writing style, my brain automatically pictured a 1950's setting, until 3/4 of the way through, I read one mention of the word computer, then had to wonder why on earth anyone would write all that out by hand and not use a recorder and computer when their goal was to take notes and write a book! The omission of all birth and death dates was so obvious, but I really wanted to know them and resented it that none were given, hence the lack of time references. Would have also liked a little more romance than the just the last page.
I admit that I didn't have the whole thing figured out correctly until Margaret (or Diane)told us. Congratulations. Not going to spoil it for everybody else. I did have to make a little genealogy chart to keep the names straight, then used it as my bookmark. Probably just my age showing. Didn't think my husband would like it, but I will recommend this book to my female friends.
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I can't wait to read this after reading this discussion!!!
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Probably one of the best books I've ever read. The storytelling was beautiful, and the characters all so unique.
I loved all the idea of reading books as a cure. Sherlock Holmes as the medicine for being overly romantic? Hehe. Love it.
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Go for it Leslie. You are right on Jordan. I felt the characters strongly and the story takes us from probably the 1930s to the computer age. Part of the fun in reading this was the Jane Eyre mood and references. It is, and I believe will remain a favorite book.
Everyone must also read Ivan Doig's The Whistling Season. I read it two years ago, have given it to ??? many people, my daughter is reviewing it tonight for her book club, and I am waiting for a friend to return my copy so I can read it again.
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Just bought THIRTEENTH TALE last night :)
Can't wait to finish it! I've been hooked from the very beginning!
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going on vacation this weekend, the beach and this book, any other suggestions for a 'can't put it down' read?
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Jane Eyre meets Betty Davis-- very apt!
I was immediately drawn in to this book, and kept visualizing it very much as a 1930's-1940's movie style; I thought it evoked the same aura of mystery as "Laura" or "Rebecca".
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Julie, can't go wrong with Nora Roberts, unless you've read all 200 of them like I have. Janet Evanovich is pure fun (start at the beginning), and Dan Brown for exciting adventure thriller, especially Angels and Demons. Enjoy the beach. It's suppose to sleet and snow tonight in St. Louis.
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I read it for a book club and was surprised by how much i enjoyed it.
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Julie Dear:
For great vacation reading after Thirteenth Tale (which for Mary smacked a bit of Rebecca--another favorite of mine which also smacks of Jane Eyre) pick up The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig---I have talked with three more people this past week who feel as I do---it is great. If you haven't read Rebecca that is a good vacation read also. And then do the movie.
Our daughter did her book review of Whistling Season Thurday evening and the large group of very literate women are going to read it again. Sooo good.
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We're reading this for Book Club in May, and based on your discussion it looks to be interesting.
Here's my question: Do I need to have read Jane Eyre to really "get" it? Jane's been on my list of must-reads for a while but I've not done it yet....what do you think?
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Not at all. I haven't read Jane Eyre and I did just fine. It's just a good book. Enjoy it.
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I have declared this book my favorite. And that is because as soon as I closed the back cover I wanted to start it again immediately. Hey Barb, I noticed the lack of time references also, but you know? I liked it. I also have a movie running in my head, and that particular aspect actually kept me from casting the book with whatever movie stars there are. I had to create them and imagine them as they were presented to me. Perhaps that was easier since I assumed from the beginning it was present time. I didn't guess ahead or figure out the mystery until Vida was laying it out. It came rushing to me almost as fast as she was describing it, which really made for a climactic, emotional ending for me. I wonder if Diane Setterfield will give us some more Margaret.
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Reading a summary of Jane Eyre might make Thirteenth Tale a bit more interesting but is certainly not necessaary. A one time reading of Jane Eyre just sticks in your literary lobe but this book stands well on its own---enjoy. But do read Jane Eyre . . . if for no other reason than to say you have. Now, is that shallow or what?
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