Bailey's/Orange Women's Fiction Group discussion
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The Idea of Perfection
2019 Book of the Month
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August 2019 The Idea of Perfection
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I haven't been ab;le to get to this one yet this month but I put a hold on it at the library today. I may be late to getting to it but I'm going to really try. :)
It seems nobody else has got to it either Tash, so no problem!
I picked up my library copy. But it's women in translation month and I'm starting the last volume of Ferrante's Neopolitan series so I will be late getting to this! Likely early next week. Hopefully others will be reading by then.
Although I’m trying to complete my reading of the current Booker Longlist, I had a break and started reading ‘The Idea of Perfection’. I realise now that I had read it a while back, that’s why it was sitting on the shelves. I really enjoyed it then and am happy to be returning to it.
I'm trying to complete my reading of the current Booker list too, but all the ones I haven't read are library reservations and some are yet to be published, so I will read them as they become available.
Like Val I am also trying to get through the Man Booker list but I requested this through my library. Unfortunately I will not be able to start it before Labor Day but look forward to discussing it with you all then.
I'm reading it for the second time at the moment. Like Paula, I enjoyed it the first time and am enjoying it again now. I feel I shouldn't laugh at these socially awkward, overly self-conscious people, as all their stories are quite sad ones, but the way Kate Grenville describes them does bring out the humour in the situation.
I am so damned annoyed with the Booker prize the last two years because the choices included many such badly written books. I was not only shocked but mad that I spent a fair amount of money on them, not wanting to wait. I also have trouble with the inclusion of books which are not even published yet because I tend to read more based on multiple reviews and not just those of judges. It didn’t used to matter as MOST Booker nominees were fine writers and I rarely got burned. It you think not, Try hot milk from last year: sigh
I get damned annoyed with the Booker list most years, but I still keep reading it. This year's is pretty good, last year's was unusual, but included some excellent books, and the year before's was incomprehensible in the move from long list to short list.
The Women's Prize list is usually more varied than the Booker's, so even when I might choose a different shortlist sometimes, it has never had me swearing and fulminating in the way the Booker list does.
I haven't made much progress on the Man Booker yet. I went so far as to order through BD to get some titles before US publication date but haven't been able to get my hands on some of the more exciting titles.
Mod
I started this today. Too early yet to tell what I think but I'll let you know as I move further into the story.
Tasha wrote: "I started this today. Too early yet to tell what I think but I'll let you know as I move further into the story."Same here, just a couple of chapters in. It doing a fine job of painting the scene and introducing the characters. Early days, I'll check back in.
It feels so Australian which is really fun. What I mean is that as the author is Australian, I love that we are reading Australian lingo and slang,
Mod
I finished this - it took me a really long time to read, but I don't think it was the books' fault, more life getting in the way!Having said that it was not a page turner. It's a slow burn with really lovely writing and observations. I think she's a great writer and I'm definitely going to check out more of her work.
On the negative side, I never felt invested in the story, the characters, etc. It's charming in the end, but I found it all a bit dull.
So, great writing, somewhat dull story, I gave it 3* as a fair compromise.
The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville
I thought I had already created a folder for the discussion, but it seems to have gone missing or did not save.
I will add some reviews when I can copy the links.
Reviews:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/200...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/re...
From what I remember of the book, the Guardian review sums it up perfectly without giving too much away.