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Doomsday Book
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Doomsday Book - Completist Buddy Read - July 2020
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message 1:
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Matthew, Assistant List Master
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rated it 3 stars
Jul 01, 2020 09:43AM
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Yes I am, don't be scared by the page count (my edition has 579), it's very riviting one day in I'm already at page 230.
Let me copy paste my pitch for reading this book here too :Written in 1992 but set in 2052 it has a weird contemporary feel, with a society scarred by a massive pandemic and a new (?) influenza strain suddenly occurring in Oxford.
Of course, there is also an element of time travel, scientific and historical inaccuracies but the feelings of people in quarantine hit home right now particularly.
Just look at what happens on page 74, when a group of Americans travelling through England at the time object to the inconvenience of being forced into quarantine. True to form?
"I'm not used to having my civil liberties taken away like this. in America nobody would dream of telling you where you can or can't go."
And over 30 million Americans died during the Pandemic as a result of that sort of thinking, he thought. "I assure you that the quarantine is solely for your protection. "
As the quarantine starts in Oxford the first thing they worry about is ..... lavatory paper! Eerie how close to the truth fiction can come sometimes.
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Matthew wrote: "My library seems iffy with digital copies so I am looking at Amazon. In your opinion, do you think I will be happier with a physical copy over kindle? They are the exact same price and there are so..."I've also had the book on my audible wish list for some time now. But I just found it on one of my library accounts, so I am going to give listening to it a try!
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My only easy audio option would be to sign up for the free audio trial of Audible. My library only has Kindle with holds.
Well.... If the price is the same I always go for the printed option.
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Yeah, that is what I am thinking, too!
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No rush! I just sat down in the garden for a nice reading session
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Okay, why did no one ever tell me this was about a pandemic, lol! Oddly enough, I think I'm finding it more interesting because it feels so real. As I read (listened to) the conversation Jessica posted above, I was thinking, "OMG, when exactly was this book written?" Because it feels like everything happening right now! My DH told me he read this book 20 years ago and he absolutely detested the book (although he can't remember why now). The mixed reviews are partly why it's taken until now for me to start it. I'm glad you all decided to give it a try.
Okay, so I finished this tonight and overall I can say I enjoyed the story. It is definitely more historical fiction than it is science fiction and I'm not sure about the time travel technology and how they handle it here. But maybe it's because of what we're facing right now in the world that I can identify with this book more or because of something else, I ended up really enjoying the story despite it bogging down in parts and thinking that some additional editing could have made for a tighter story. But without revealing any spoilers I felt so sad for Kivrin by the end I just wanted to hug her! I'm looking forward to people finishing this book so we can discuss parts of it.
I know right!? I was also blown away by how relevant it feels to our current living situation! Wow Eileen, you blew through it! I'm at page 412 ready to continue.(at the point where finally Gilchrist understands the situation he created... Somewhat understands at least... It's Progress haha)
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"I'm not used to having my civil liberties taken away like this. in America nobody would dream of telling you where you can or can't go."
And over 30 million Americans died during the Pandemic as a result of that sort of thinking, he thought. "I assure you that the quarantine is solely for your protection. ""
Ugh, I just got to this part. Sounds like some people I know in Indiana. And many people I see on the news. Makes me cringe to be an American!
Matthew wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Just look at what happens on page 74, when a group of Americans travelling through England at the time object to the inconvenience of being forced into quarantine. True to form?""I'm not used to having my civil liberties taken away like this. in America nobody would dream of telling you where you can or can't go."
And over 30 million Americans died during the Pandemic as a result of that sort of thinking, he thought. "I assure you that the quarantine is solely for your protection. ""
Ugh, I just got to this part. Sounds like some people I know in Indiana. And many people I see on the news. Makes me cringe to be an American!"
Sadly, I am related to some people like that although most of the close relatives are not like this.
I finished this book now and am impressed by it. It was a very intense read and the ending had me in tears. Perhaps it was all intensified by our current quarantine experience, but I really liked it. The poor cow though! I really hoped someone would help her.
message 21:
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Matthew, Assistant List Master
(last edited Jul 27, 2020 07:20AM)
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rated it 3 stars
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She handed Dunworthy another pink sheet. She was running out of colors. This one was a log, headed 'Contacts,' and under it, 'Name, Address, Type of Contact, Time.'
It was unfortunate that Badri's virus had not had to deal with the CDC. the NHS, and the WIC. It would never have got in the door." p. 97
It's very surreal reading those passages about the virus in their present time, isn't it?
message 23:
by
Matthew, Assistant List Master
(last edited Jul 27, 2020 08:26AM)
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rated it 3 stars
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Indeed! I also just read the one about conserving toilet paper. Ha! (and, kind of not a funny HA!)
Matthew wrote: "It was unfortunate that Badri's virus had not had to deal with the CDC. the NHS, and the WIC. It would never have got in the door.."If only, eh....?
Trying to wrap up my 2020 Read Harder Challenge and this fits one of my remaining categories! Might have to sub it in for the book I borrowed from the ‘brary today. It is on my tbr list regardless.
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What does that challenge involve?
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p. 481
The read harder challenge is a list of 24 prompts directing reading outside your norm. Each year seems to be a little different. Eg read a memoir by someone from a religious tradition not your own; read a book about or by a refugee. It’s entirely self directed, and I have found it has led me to books, genres and authors I likely would not have found (until they gravitate to this group!) . There’s a gr group that helps if you’re stuck finding a title. My gem this year was the audiobook of Poet X, for/about teens but gut wrenching to me.
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Sounds interesting! I am always trying to mix in a few books from outside my norm. Might sound silly but I am reading a Minecraft book to my kids right now. Not a refugee book or a religion, but still different my usual.
Yes, the Read Harder Challenge is always well a challenge to finish. I don’t think I will this year but I still valued the books it made me discover and I don’t think I used Doomsday Book for one of tue categories yet... hmm Hope you’ll enjoy the book!
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Here it is for others to consume - sorry it took me a while to get through it!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
haha don't be silly! I think you need to be commended for giving it a fair shot. It's not the thinnest of books to be stuck with.... ;-)
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This is true - it is a pretty hefty book to slump with!
This is one of my favorite books. I loved it so much. It made want to read all the time travel books I could find. Most of them are cheesy and can’t touch this book. I really enjoyed it and it flew by for me.
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That is awesome! I seem to be in the minority with my experience. Probably my fault for biting off more than I could chew during a book slump!
