Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín (Feb 16 Group Fiction Read)

[Shirley]

I've set this up early, so I don't forget! Here's where we can discuss our February group fiction read together.

[LauraT]

It seems I can'tfind the book ... I keep on trying

[Shirley]

LauraT wrote: "It seems I can'tfind the book ... I keep on trying"

I have it on my kindle to read - looking forward to trying out a new author for me...

[Portia]

I found two copies in a pile on a table. Seems I really want to read this book ;-)

[Greg]

Portia wrote: "I found two copies in a pile on a table. Seems I really want to read this book ;-)"

Ha ha, I've done that accidentally on occasion too. :)

[Greg]

I don't know much about Colm Tóibín; so I did a little research. I'm really drawn to The Master, his book about Henry James. I'm really curious about that one!

[Chrissie]

Greg, I think I should have chosen that one too.

[Greg]

Chrissie wrote: "Greg, I think I should have chosen that one too."

:)

I'll still read along with this one if I have time though.

[Chrissie]

I'll drop by to see what others think, since I read it recently.

[Greg]

Chrissie wrote: "I'll drop by to see what others think, since I read it recently."

Did you like it Chrissie?

[Chrissie]

Just OK for me, Greg. For this reason I thought I should try another one by the author.

[Alannah]

Hoping to get it in the next couple of days, after I get my recommendation swap book since Amazon do that free delivery for orders over ten pounds

[Gill]

I read this last year, and am looking forward to the discussion.

[[deleted user]]

The master is written beautifully. I think that one has to be familiar with Henry James and his books to appreciate it though.

I have seen the movie adaptation of Brooklyn and the story was really good. It made me want to pick the book at the library (it's funny because it's one of the first books I had planned to read for my 2015 personal challenge,but then changed my mind and went with the master instead)

[Chrissie]

Giorgia wrote: "The master is written beautifully. I think that one has to be familiar with Henry James and his books to appreciate it though.
."

That's good to know. I have only read one The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. Is that too little?Washington Square I have considered.

[Erica]

I've only read Brooklyn and The Blackwater Lightship. Liked them both. I have The Master on my bookshelf but am not familiar with Henry James at all! Should I read some of his stuff first?

[Portia]

Chrissie wrote: "Giorgia wrote: "The master is written beautifully. I think that one has to be familiar with Henry James and his books to appreciate it though.
."

That's good to know. I have only read one [book:T..."

[Portia]

Sorry about that last post. My iPad isn't as talented as my laptop.

Has anyone read The Testament of Mary? I've started it a couple of times but have put it down each time.

[Chrissie]

Porta, you can delete it. I figured it was a mistake. Don't worry.

[Alannah]

Ordered this book off amazon, should be here by the end of the week.

[Portia]

Chrissie wrote: "Porta, you can delete it. I figured it was a mistake. Don't worry."

I'm Portia, Brutus' wife and Shylock's nemesis, not a baggage handler !;-)

[Chrissie]

Portia wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Porta, you can delete it. I figured it was a mistake. Don't worry."

I'm Portia, Brutus' wife and Shylock's nemesis, not a baggage handler !;-)"

I am laughing now.

[Jenny]

Portia wrote: "Sorry about that last post. My iPad isn't as talented as my laptop.

Has anyone read The Testament of Mary? I've started it a couple of times but have put it down each time."

I have and I liked it very much, but it's a challenging read emotionally. Did you struggle with the writing or the story Portia?

[Portia]

Often a writer can keep me reading even if I don't like the subject. So, in this instance, I'm going to say Toibin wasn't able to convince me to stay.

[Alannah]

My copy came this morning. Can't wait to start it.

[Leslie]

Rats, I was at the library yesterday returning books and forget to pick this up.

[Katy]

Looking forward to this one.

[Shirley]

I started this over the weekend and am about a third of the way through. Good so far, I am enjoying the writing and am intrigued by Nora. She seems to be a brave, determined woman.

[Alannah]

Can't wait to start this. Might even start it now.

[Shirley]

I'm about half way through now. What I like about this book is that it is simply written, yet it's what's left unsaid that is powerful. (view spoiler)[The two boys are suffering, yet we are left to work this out for ourselves, as Nora herself doesn't grasp the extent of it. Trying to deal with her own grief, it's not that she doesn't care, it's more that she doesn't have the capacity to take on anyone else's grief, even that of her own children. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara]

I have started. It is a nice pace and a very relatable situation Nora is in.

[Angela M]

Shirley wrote: "I'm about half way through now. What I like about this book is that it is simply written, yet it's what's left unsaid that is powerful. [spoilers removed]"

Shirley , I read this last year and decided to pop in here. With regards to your spoiler here , I totally agree.

[Chrissie]

Shirley wrote: "I'm about half way through now. What I like about this book is that it is simply written, yet it's what's left unsaid that is powerful. [spoilers removed]"

Shirley, I have read this recently too. The behavior you mention in your spoiler troubled me through much of the book.

[Sara]

You are so right, Shirley. (view spoiler)[When we are faced with the kind of grief Nora is handling AND the complete change in your life that the loss of a husband brings, you sometimes don't know what to do for yourself, let alone others. (hide spoiler)]

[Shirley]

Chrissie wrote: "Shirley wrote: "I'm about half way through now. What I like about this book is that it is simply written, yet it's what's left unsaid that is powerful. [spoilers removed]"

Shirley, I have read thi..."

Yes, it is troubling, Chrissie, but I would imagine it is true to life, in many cases.

[Chrissie]

Shirley, yes it can certainly be true to life. Yet the author decides what he wants to put in the book, if he wants to balance it , if he wants to clearly show the children's pov. Little is done with this. That is what I didn't like. For ME, it felt one sided.

[Sara]

I think this is intended to be Nora's story and the absence of other points of view is intentional. As for her relationship with the boys, (view spoiler)[I don't see her as cold or unfeeling with the children. I see her as a bit lost. She doesn't want to tell them what they must feel and must do, she is having that done to her by others and she knows it isn't helpful. She is quick to rise to Conor's defense in the class moving and she fights (and gets) what is needed for him. In that case, she is chided by Fiona for not doing what is right for her instead, but Nora takes care of the youngest and I think that is right. She handles Donal's problems as best she can. She is concerned about him, she just isn't sure how to communicate with him when he closes off from her. In truth, the kids are trying to protect her and it creates a gap between them instead of a bridge. She worries that Donal will be isolated, lonely and teased at the boarding school. She isn't wanting to deprive him of something, she is wanting to protect him from hurt. I think that is a natural response. But, she resists the urge to pick him up and take him home again, and that is a bit of bravery and again an attempt to do what is right for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Chrissie]

Sara wrote: "I think this is intended to be Nora's story and the absence of other points of view is intentional. As for her relationship with the boys, [spoilers removed]"

I don't criticize her, I criticize the author for not showing more how the children felt. Of course she loved her children, but she doesn't or simply can't do things that she should do. (view spoiler)[SHE should have removed his clothing! (hide spoiler)]. So what is the point of intentionally telling only her side of it? In any case I would have preferred a different approach.

[Sara]

Chrissie wrote: "Sara wrote: "I think this is intended to be Nora's story and the absence of other points of view is intentional. As for her relationship with the boys, [spoilers removed]"

I don't criticize her, I..."

Sorry, I didn't mean we should only see her side of it, just that the story is told from her point of view. It is easy to see that the point of view of the children might have been and no doubt was quite different. Losing a spouse is different than losing a father in any case.

[Chrissie]

Sara, I am glad you are satisfied and enjoyed the book.

[Shirley]

I've just finished this. I thought it was was very thoughtfully told and made me question myself, "what would I have done in her situation?" It was so poignant at the end when her sisters (view spoiler)[ came to take away her husband's clothes after three years. And that they said if they had known, they would have come sooner. So sad that her grief separated her from her family, each trying to do the right thing, yet somehow missing the mark, and none of them really getting to grips with the heart of the matter. (hide spoiler)]
Simply told, understated, yet powerful as a description of a woman trying to get her life back after her husband's death, I thought this was worth four stars, and would like to read Brooklyn by this author.

[Pink]

I just didn't get on with this at all. Didn't even finish it. I would like to try something else by the author though.

[Chrissie]

Pink, well at least I finished it. We both gave it two stars. I don't feel so alone now.

[Diane S ☔]

I read it a while ago but I liked it. I found her response to grief and her attempts to handle it, very true to life. In fact I personally know someone this book could have been about.

I liked this one better than Brooklyn, it had more depth IMO.

[Pink]

Chrissie wrote: "Pink, well at least I finished it. We both gave it two stars. I don't feel so alone now."

Haha, I should have known you'd have a similar reaction!

Have you read anything else by him?

[Chrissie]

Pink wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Pink, well at least I finished it. We both gave it two stars. I don't feel so alone now."

Haha, I should have known you'd have a similar reaction!

Have you read anything else by ..."

Yes, I have read The Blackwater Lightship, but vong ago, before GR even. 2 stars too.

[Pink]

Oh dear. I've wanted to try The Testament of Mary since it came out and got a lot of hype, but I'm wary of it. Still, it's short enough to give a try one day.

[Chrissie]

Pink, it is always good to give an author another try. Go for it. But not me.

[Sara]

He seems to be an author that people love or hate. I am thinking Brooklyn will be the next one for me.

[Jenny]

I am half way through this and I'd agree with Shirley that its quite a slow burner. There's something in there that really intrigues me, the fact that all the characters in the book stay somewhat mysterious to me for want of a better word. I can't quite grasp them. (view spoiler)[It feels like Nora's inability to really connect, even to her children rubs off on me. (hide spoiler)] I've initially instinctively sympathized with Nora, but the more the book goes on, the more I wonder whether I would like her. I am quite amazed about how much she's remained a stranger to me despite the fact that I read so much about her thoughts, emotions, experiences.