Held

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

This thread is to discuss Held by Anne Michaels.

Pages: 240 pages

Length: 1 month (October)

Participants: Lorraine, Valerie, TerryJane

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

[Valerie]

Hi Lorraine, let me know when your copy comes through later in the month and I’ll start with you.
Good to have you join us, TerryJane.

[Lorraine]

My librairy have received my copy. Should pick it up this week. I will start next Friday or Saturday.

[Valerie]

Ok that works for me.

[TerryJane, Challenges]

Same here.

[Valerie]

Started today and read the first 2 chapters. So far a very rewarding if demanding read. The structure of the narrative means you really have to concentrate, and it is densely filled with thoughts and ideas that make frequent pauses for thought necessary. The writing is beautiful and it is very obvious that the author has strong roots in poetry.
I was surprised (view spoiler)[ by the supernatural elements- I initially thought the images were a product of his trauma- but given the level of loss during this period, I guess there’d be plenty of potential ghosts. His sudden, unexplained death was a shock but I assume he will remain as a ghost presence. I dread to think what Mr Stanley will do with the things he stole - nothing good, I think. (hide spoiler)]

[Valerie]

At the end of chapter 6. Very moving and thought provoking, this is definitely a book to linger over. I could have finished today but I want to save the last part.
I like the idea that (view spoiler)[ ghosts are the left over love of people who have died. Not sure I believe it, but it’s a beautiful idea. I’m wondering if the short enigmatic chapter where Anna returns to an empty house is because she is a ghost maybe? I was really relieved (and surprised) when Mara came back - I think it would be too much if they lost her too. (hide spoiler)]
I see that the next chapter goes back in time again. Who knows if this will clarify things or add to the mystery.

[Lorraine]

I originally planned to read just Chapters 1 and 2, but I got so caught up in the story that I ended up reading through Chapter 5. I agree with you—this book is beautifully written. (view spoiler)[I was really moved by the idea of people wanting their picture taken after the war, so their loved ones would at least have a keepsake in case anything happened to them. I can imagine how emotional it must have been to see someone you love return from the war—I would have felt the same way. (hide spoiler)] Like you, I had to stop myself from reading the whole thing in one go! I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist next time I pick it up.

[Valerie]

Finished. I’ll be interested to hear what you two think of the last part of the book. (view spoiler)[ I found it quite disconcerting because I had been flowing along with the stories of a group of linked characters and then suddenly it all seemed rather random. True there are tantalising hints in the names that these side characters do have some tenuous link to the main ones but I didn’t really quite get what the point was - although whatever it was, it was beautifully written! I thought the book was quite perfect to the part where Mara returns but the rest felt like an afterthought. Maybe I’m missing something. (hide spoiler)]

[TerryJane, Challenges]

I just started this one today.

[TerryJane, Challenges]

I may need to read this again in the future to try and get a better grasp on it. The blurb had me expecting a more linear narrative, like a family saga crossing the generations, but what I read seemed more like a beautifully worded, though quite fragmented, puzzle.

The author narrated the audio version herself, and has a lovely reading voice.

[Lorraine]

Valerie wrote: "Finished. I’ll be interested to hear what you two think of the last part of the book. [spoilers removed]"

I was comforted by your review because, for a while, I thought my English wasn’t good enough and that I had lost some understanding along the way. Even though I reread some chapters, I noticed that suddenly she started talking about characters who seemed unrelated to the previous ones. It’s still a beautiful book, but the shift in focus made me appreciate it less.

[Valerie]

I didn’t mind the shifting around in the story of the family- I actually enjoyed the puzzle element. But I feel it lost all focus at the end. I was particularly perplexed when Marie Currie appeared. Wonderful woman with a great story of course but ??

[Lorraine]

Valerie wrote: "I didn’t mind the shifting around in the story of the family- I actually enjoyed the puzzle element. But I feel it lost all focus at the end. I was particularly perplexed when Marie Currie appeared..."

Exactly... why did she appear? I did not understand