From the Bookshelf of 2015 Reading Challenge [Closed]…

The Luminaries

Eleanor Catton

Discussion: . Week 1: More Than 500 Pages

Why we're reading this: It could be read in categories "a book with more than 500 pages", "a book by a female author", "a book wr…more
[close] It could be read in categories "a book with more than 500 pages", "a book by a female author", "a book written by someone under 30".

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. Week 1: More Than 500 Pages

* Week 1: Introduction
By Jessica · 102 posts · 1093 views

last updated Aug 11, 2015 02:06PM

* Week 1: Progress Post
By Jessica · 100 posts · 421 views

last updated Nov 06, 2015 06:29AM

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What Members Thought

Jun 09, 2016 Jenny rated it it was ok

Don't read this book. Just don't.

I committed to read it for a reading challenge this year and felt I couldn't just desert it. I wish I hadn't committed to 892 pages of this novel. It was a struggle to read and I felt it sucked all the joy out of reading.

The storyline is good which saves it from the ignominy of a 1 star review. However, the method of recounting the tale was convoluted and confusing. I will not be re-reading this book. ...more

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Sep 27, 2014 Susan Doyle rated it liked it

I really wanted to love The Luminaries but, despite the technical brilliance of the novel, it just didn't grab me as a reader. Catton's voice is believable and the dialogue and atmosphere succeed at being Victorian. However, the novel's technical structure is also its limitation. The last part of the book was largely superfluous. Also, because of the large ensemble cast some of the characters weren't as fully developed as I would have liked. ...more

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Feb 01, 2014 Virginia rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. While at first intimidating, the twists in plot and the depth of character in this book got me hooked. I loved the setting, I mean, how many books take place in the gold fields of 1800s New Zealand ? Also the author is able to pull off a Victorian style prose, while not making it sound contrived or silly. Highly recommend this book.

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