Shirley’s Comments (group member since Apr 13, 2020)

Shirley’s comments from the Our Little Group SSSH group.

Thanks Paul, so glad you stuck it out after your uncertainty at the beginning. It is a very touching book in the end showing how small acts of kindness can go a long way. Is there going to be a sequel then?

Hurrah!

I've just finished The Hidden Life of Trees. Have to admit I've been reading in fits and starts, but that was fine for nonfiction. Some chapters I found a little bit heavy going, as I really only have a laymen's knowledge of forestry and trees, but what kept me reading was the many little enlightening snippets of information. Also the explanation of the WoodWideWeb wasn't too technical and left me with a stronger sense of appreciation and respect for trees and fungi. Wohlleben's overriding message about conserving forests was interesting too; claiming and demonstrating that even professionals in conservation have been getting it wrong for so long and that human meddling of any kind damages our forests.
In general the understanding that a tree is not a single object will stay with me, that all trees have an integral role in their surroundings, 'feeding' it and us during its slow life.
I have always loved the trees in my garden, but now I love them a little bit more.

I didn't know we had Tom, but very happy you have joined (Sarah has a moderator complex 😏). Hope you're ok, would be good to hear from you x

No rush, I’m retreading The Unbearable Lightness of Being anyway, so I’ll wait to start All the Light xx

Great, I’ve already got All The Light We Cannot See x

Should we put Munich up for discussion?

I agree with everything you both say, such an endearing character, made me chuckle many times. I loved her very funny private criticisms of the world and people around her, and often thought about how many of us think in the same way but manage not to blurt it out.
She reminded me of Miss Jean Brodie, curt and cutting at times, then she morphed into Norman Bates when I realised she was ‘hearing’ her mother. Thankfully she didn’t end up like either of these two in this plot but blossomed. It was lovely to watch her transition from slightly robotic and restricted Eleanor to the gentle and appreciative person she became. The many small acts of kindness gradually changed her, mostly from Raymond, who I can picture so clearly. I thought the opening up scenes with the counsellor were heartbreaking, that there had been none available when she was a child was a disturbing thought.
A very touching commentary on loneliness (for all ages) and reflection of our times.

Sarah wrote: "I have not read Rebecca, so should be added to possible books to read x"


Deffo.

Oh and didn't you think, Marin - Mrs Danvers at the beginning. Definite nod to DuMaurier. Actually now I think about it, there's an awful lot the two books have in common!

Yes I agree, a very modern book in many ways, only one being the strong female characters - especially appropriate for our times.

I’ve just accidentally deleted the next bit I wrote!!
I won’t go on too much, but would like to know what everyone else thought of the Miniaturist herself?
I think once I'd realised that we weren’t going to meet her I tried to figure out what her role in the story was. I think perhaps she was a godlike figure, guiding and intervening in her clients lives and perhaps giving them what they needed or deserved, she could be said to have ultimately helped Nella to find herself. She certainly represented some kind of supernatural force which people either accepted or dismissed. So was this book about faith as well?

In general I loved reading this book, there were some very harrowing scenes but also some incredibly touching ones too; Cornelia running to the dog after Jack’s attack, Otto picking up Thea at the end.
I like the fact that there is a lot unsaid, that Burton has left the Miniaturist herself open to interpretation, as readers we can take what they want from her.

Really I’d give it 4.5 stars.

Just a warning, I’m writing this now as I’ve moved onto the next book and if I don’t get something down I’ll forget what I wanted to say. Please don’t read if you haven’t finished the book, there may be spoilers or at least hints!

I absolutely loved reading this, I was hooked to the descriptions, the characters and the events, and not the often lull in enthusiasm I often get around 100 pages into a book.
I loved Burton’s turn of phrase and figurative language, I thought she set the scene beautifully; sights, sounds, smells. I also enjoyed the more earthy elements of the plot and Cornelia I think was my favourite in her choice of words and wit, though I liked most of them as all had elements to sympathise with.
I thought the three main ‘issues’ of the story were interwoven carefully and seemed to have been backed up with a good amount of historical research.

Agree none of them were humane! I'm sure they were probably sociopaths in the camps, I think I was talking more generally of the wider population.
Really haven't read that much Sarah, but do remember how powerful the Primo Levi books were.

Second question
I agree with Sarah about Mengele, evil from the outset, handpicked for that reason. There were probably lots chosen because of their pre-existing personality disorders.
As for the majority of guards you can imagine that they could have been just average people perhaps to begin with, but it was a reign of terror within the populations of these countries too, there must have been some who did horrendous things out of fear of the consequences if they didn't. It's not an excuse, but they had been brainwashed for years into believing Jews and gypsies were subhuman, and I think unfortunately there are always people as Sarah said who have that herd mentality and can't think for themselves. (Or too frightened to).

The event in the cattle truck, do you mean when the man was killed by another prisoner? I don't think I was shocked by that, I suppose I was falling back on other things I've read about those journeys and how the conditions made people erratic. In that situation I don't know how I'd behave, I suppose the fear would just push some people over the edge. The shock and realisation of their treatment must have been overwhelming as well, after all Lale at least was there 'voluntarily' and dressed in a suit to create a good impression, he was never expecting this sort of treatment.
What did you think?

Oh is that right, Sarah has ordered the hardback, but I think it might have been a preorder.

No problem, I’m reading it on and off as it’s fairly technical and I’m definitely no botanist!
We have started The Miniaturist too as an inbetweenie, shall I just send my copy to you when I’ve finished?

Ah Helen, definitely nothing wrong with too much emotion, you’re absolutely right, that is really all we should feel when reading this. The style or ability of the author is secondary to the events that are described. To think that we are only getting a tiny glimpse of what all of those people felt and the experiences that they had to live through, any recount of this will never do justice.

Perfect, shame it’s not the video though. Now stop the idle chitchat and stick to The Miniaturist.