Monthly Group Reads: JUNE 2014 (Group Read 2): Corrag by Susan Fletcher

[Gretchen]

I started this book last night. I was hoping to have it read by the end of the week when my husband gets back from his business trip. Seriously, it's so much easier to read when your spouse isn't around expecting you to converse with them or spend time with them. I got about 40 pages in and decided to start watching TrueBlood (ridicule me all you want, I love that show!). I might have to watch the video that's posted. Part of my problem might be I'm just not familiar with what's going on at this particular point in time right now so it feels like the character telling the story is just babbling on about nothing.

[Darcy]

The video should give you enough info to start understanding what inspired Charles, but it's not going to help you much with Corrag's rambling a at the beginning, since she's really just expressing what it means to have prejudiced hurled at her.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Gretchen wrote: "I started this book last night. I was hoping to have it read by the end of the week when my husband gets back from his business trip. Seriously, it's so much easier to read when your spouse isn't a..."


I concur. I do my best reading when hubby is not around. Not that he expects me to entertain him or anything, it is just that I would hate it if he spent his weekends or nights preoccupied with something and I had nobody to talk to. So I don't do it to him if possible.

[Tim]

Haydn wrote: "I'm afraid I jumped the gun on this one and started a couple of days ago, out of necessity I have to say, away from home and had it in my bag. My excuse anyway.
50 pages in and I'm enjoying the sty..."

The Glencoe thing still seems to resonate with the Scots today. We had a visit from my wife's Scottish God-mother last week (a McDonald) and she was talking about how she was brought up to "never trust a Campbell".

[Darcy]

The first time I went to Scotland, the hostel owner - a MacDonald - was having a picnic for those of us who'd been around for a while and had helped out at his fledgeling business. The only problem was that one of the women was a Campbell (from Australia). He told her he liked her, she was a really nice person, but that there was no way he'd ever share a meal or drink with a Campbell, because they have a tendency of disrespecting hospitality. We had to explain the Massacre to her. She was cool about it though, but it was a bit of a shocker, that this was still the sentiment some 300+ years later.

[Bobby]

I had read this a short time ago but picked it up from the library for me wee wife. Am wondering if I can post her thoughts as she progresses through the tale.

[Dawn]

Fire away, all thoughts are welcome!

[Jesse]

I read this back in January and so decided not to re-read it. I remember liking it enough and it made a rather quick read. It helped break up my 600 page tomes I was sloughing through at the time.

[Dawn]

I started it yesterday at lunch and quickly sped through 50 pages, so I'm expecting a quick read as well.

[Gretchen]

I need to do a little more background research on Scotland. Contrary to popular belief, my red hair does not have Scottish roots. I'm part Viking! Lack of background aside, I am really starting to get into this book. I'm a little more than 100 pages in. While I don't find myself overly drawn into the plot itself, I am blown away by the author's style of writing. I think it is absolutely beautiful. It's so poetical. "But a running life has its lonely times-such lonely, long ones- so that I think the soul's wounds are the worst of all."

[Dawn]

Interesting, as I am finding the stream of consciousness narrative style puts me off. Though I agree, the author has a beautiful way with words.

Not sure if this style and descriptiveness will end up ruining the story for me in the end. Neither are really my favorite in a book.

[Jane]

Dawn wrote: "Interesting, as I am finding the stream of consciousness narrative style puts me off. Though I agree, the author has a beautiful way with words.

Not sure if this style and descriptiveness will en..."

Ditto, for the same reason, with another I'm reading right now: The Fountain of St. James Court; or, Portrait of the Artist as an Old Woman: A Novel

[Dawn]

I see your comments were almost identical. :)

[Bobby]

From me wee wife: "So far its beautifully written.....very descriptive.... and utterly painful!"

[Gretchen]

I just cried (view spoiler)[ over a horse! (hide spoiler)]

[Darcy]

Gretchen wrote: "I just cried [spoilers removed]"

I did the same.

[Daniel]

OK, got a hold of a copy and after a slow start, I must say I am being drawn into this story.

[Dawn]

I've had to put this away for a week as I have other books I'm committed to reading.
Not too sorry about it really, I don't think it's a bad book but just not my style.

[Bobby]

Wee wife is upset *looks longingly for help.....sees none* The story is keeping her up late and somehow that too is my fault!

[Darcy]

Whoopsie! The good news is that it's not a particularly long book :D

[Kimber]

Bobby wrote: "Wee wife is upset *looks longingly for help.....sees none* The story is keeping her up late and somehow that too is my fault!"

I think you've been married long enough now to know that 'even when it's not your fault, it's your fault' :D

[Gretchen]

I finished this month's group read. My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It's a fairly romanticized book. Not because there is some kind of huge romance between two people (there is but there isn't, if that makes sense) but because this author just has such a way with her words. Does that make any sense to anyone other than me? I can see where this book may not be everyone's cup of tea in this group. It's definitely not on par with the books this group has read in the past or those most of the members have read. Personally I found the poetical style writing to be absolutely stunning. I am glad it was put forward as a group read. It's definitely one of those books I would have passed over otherwise.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Bobby wrote: "From me wee wife: "So far its beautifully written.....very descriptive.... and utterly painful!""

So she is enjoying it, Bobby? Or is she not sure yet how she feels about it?

[Bobby]

Terri wrote: "Bobby wrote: "From me wee wife: "So far its beautifully written.....very descriptive.... and utterly painful!""

So she is enjoying it, Bobby? Or is she not sure yet how she feels about it?"

Loving it! We have similar reading tastes (most of the time) and after I had given this a 5 star I was fairly sure she would find it enjoyable. Her pain is felt for the characters.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Brilliant. Sounds like if the Mrs was a GR member she'd be giving it 5 stars too!

[Darcy]

Finished and I really enjoy the lyrical prose. In some places it's a bit repetitive, but I reckon that should be expected from someone held captive and has nothing else to do but think.
The history in the main is not bad, but there are bits that aren't exactly correct or that don't really go in depth enough, but I expect that it's not the point of the story.
As for the romance - I would say to think of 'romance' in its original sense and not in the lovey-dovey-kissy-face stuff. But rather as the sentiments of the heart. So romance as in 'romantic', not as in 'sex'.

[Chantel]

Finished! I really liked this book. The words were so powerful and moving I could have "listened" to Corrag talk about nothing in particular for a very long time. The "romance" element seemed like an afterthought to me. It didn't really feel like the authors heart was in it (or maybe mine wasn't) and honestly, it wasn't even necessary to have romance or intrigue thrown in as the descriptions of places and people could have stood alone. Maybe I liked it so much because I can relate to Corrag. I'm for places too.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I'm still undecided on whether to read this one or not. I have it here and may read a few pages, but it has taken me so long to read the other group read that I would like to read a non-group read for the rest of the month.

[Kathy]

My copy did not arrive until after June 30 but it being a relative short book, thought it would be a quick engrossing read. So far into the first 30 pages and I am still not engaged. I'm going to put it down and start on July's picks.

[Dawn]

It's too bad it didn't work for you Kathy, I hope your next pick is better. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I still have Corrag out from the library. It is sitting beside my bed, in case I feel inspired, but so far I have felt more inspired to read other books. It may be time to send it back to the library. The window has closed to read it, I think.

[Anne]

I read this long before the group read. I thought it was terrific and gave it 5 Stars.

[Alice]

I recently finished reading Corrag and loved that I learned a bit of Scottish history. I agree with most reviewers here that the poetic prose is beautiful, but I find at some places the description a bit repetitive.

Here's my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Gosh, I'm having trouble remembering the book. I'll have to read my posts in this thread to jog my memory.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Huh. Didn't have to go back too far. I see only a couple posts down from this one I was saying I was sending it back to the library.
Guess that is why I don't remember story. Didn't finish the book.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

Looks like you didn't even start it, Terri. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Pretty much. I thought I read a little bit as I do remember the start now. Might be imagining things.