Red Clocks by Leni Zumas

[Elyse, Moderator]

Juli and I will be reading Red Clocks starting January 18. Anyone is welcome to join us!

[Juli, Moderator]

I am curious to see how it compares to The Handmaid's Tale!

[Elyse, Moderator]

Juli wrote: "I am curious to see how it compares to The Handmaid's Tale!"

Me too! I re-read Handmaid's Tale last year via Claire Danes' audio so it's still pretty "fresh" in my mind.

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "I am curious to see how it compares to The Handmaid's Tale!"

Me too! I re-read Handmaid's Tale last year via Claire Danes' audio so it's still pretty "fresh" in my mind."

I've read it two years ago, I think. Did you watch the series?

[Elyse, Moderator]

Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "I am curious to see how it compares to The Handmaid's Tale!"

Me too! I re-read Handmaid's Tale last year via Claire Danes' audio so it's still pretty "fresh" in my mind...."

I haven't yet. I still plan to, I do have Hulu. Is it done?

[Elyse, Moderator]

Kayla wrote: "I might join this, depending on if I get my other books finished in time. I bought this last year when it was a Kindle daily deal, but haven't had a chance to read it just yet."

Mine was an Audible daily deal last year. :)

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "I am curious to see how it compares to The Handmaid's Tale!"

Me too! I re-read Handmaid's Tale last year via Claire Danes' audio so it's still pretty "fresh..."

I don't know if the series is done. I thought I heard they're making a second season. I haven't watched it yet either. Not sure I will.

[Elyse, Moderator]

Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "I am curious to see how it compares to The Handmaid's Tale!"

Me too! I re-read Handmaid's Tale last year via Claire Danes' audio so it's still..."

I think they're done season 2. Oh, IMDb says season 3 will air this year. There we go! lol

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Juli wrote: "I am curious to see how it compares to The Handmaid's Tale!"

Me too! I re-read Handmaid's Tale last year via Claire Danes' audio ..."

Ah well. Thanks for investigating. :)

[Claire]

I read it last year and really enjoyed it. Hope you will do too!

[Elyse, Moderator]

Claire wrote: "I read it last year and really enjoyed it. Hope you will do too!"

Good to know! Thanks!

[Elyse, Moderator]

I'm hoping to finish my current audiobook and squeeze in one more before starting Red Clocks so I may not start it till Saturday.

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "I'm hoping to finish my current audiobook and squeeze in one more before starting Red Clocks so I may not start it till Saturday."

You do you:). I am hoping to start mine Friday evening but I am making slow progress on Steppenwolf and Magician: Master.

[Juli, Moderator]

It's Friday!!! I'm about to start reading the book. Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks.

[Juli, Moderator]

I just finished the book. Its writing style was a lot different than I had expected but it worked perfectly.

[Elyse, Moderator]

Whoa you sped through it! I just started the audiobook.

[Elyse, Moderator]

Well, this is awkward and personal. lol. Having gone through IVF 3 times, the beginning of this book is VERY familiar.

[Elyse, Moderator]

I'm not sure I like the third person view for every character. It's so impersonal and clinical. And the writing is very blunt! Not used to that. Kind of off-putting. And the POV changes are very abrupt. Definitely feeling like you're supposed to be uncomfortable reading this book.

[Juli, Moderator]

@Elyse, I felt the same .... I think you're supposed to feel icky for most of the time.

[Elyse, Moderator]

I finished it last night. Wasn't crazy about it. Maybe because it hit too close to home. But I also didn't like structure of it.

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "I finished it last night. Wasn't crazy about it. Maybe because it hit too close to home. But I also didn't like structure of it."

I can see how this is not for everyone. I can only realte to the women in that I am a woman who also demands to have control over her own body.

I personally really liked the writing style. I do think it would not be condusive as an eReader or audiobook though. I'd say it's best read in physical book format.

[Elyse, Moderator]

"Elyse L asked Leni Zumas:
You wrote the experiences of infertility and TTC so well I was wondering if it was from first-hand experience? Even down to the stupid little superstitions to "help" conceive. I know it's personal but as someone who has been and still is struggling, I could ridiculously relate to this book.

Leni Zumas: Thanks for your question, Elyse! Yes, I do have first-hand experience of infertility and TTC. I went through many rounds of both IUI and IVF. Some of the Biographer's scenes in Red Clocks are ripped straight from the headlines of my own life, including the fertility doctor doing a pelvic exam while dressed up as Slash from Guns 'n Roses.

All the uncertainty, hope, fear, anxiety, and superstition of the TTC process -- I know it well, and I totally empathize with what you're going through. Sending you lots of strong & joyful energy.

Leni"

She answeed my question! :) So cool!

[Juli, Moderator]

how very neat!!!!!!

[Andrea, Moderator]

Wow, love that she replied to you!