The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins - How are you getting on?

[Judith]

I'm having great fun rereading the Moonstone after so many years (I read it last as a teenager). I had forgotten how cleverly Collins builds the different "narrators". I'm in the section with Miss Clack right now and Collin's ironic critique of her as she tells her portion of the tale is hilarious. I'm also fascinated by the laying out of the clues in this early mystery. Thanks to Karen for reminding me of this old friend!

[[deleted user]]

It's a long time since I had last read the book too - in the mean time I'd watched a tv version, which I also bought on dvd, so knew the outcome quite well. I had forgotten how well Collins had written it though - I'd forgotten about the humour in the book! I have some favourite lines which I will save until the spoiler thread goes up!

The Moonstone [DVD]

:0)

[DeeDee]

I am still on Betteridge's narrative and I am really enjoying it so far. He is so funny. I must admit I would never have chosen to read this if left to my own devices, so thank you for making it one of our reads.

[D.D. Chant]

Managed to read some more today!!! Yay!!!

It's getting more and more interesting!!!

[Aunty Janet]

It's taking me ages to read this. I kept falling asleep but last night I had a really bad night and didn't sleep much, so have cracked on with it better. I'm about 75% through it and have nearly given up on it so many times. I think I'm glad I persevered (!), but I have so many books I want to read on my TBR list that I would rather be reading. It won't beat me though.

[Freddiesmum]

Just cant seem to get into this one! I am pretty sure I have read it years and years ago though, but that shouldnt make any difference!
Janet, reading should be a joy, if its beating you its not a joy! I flatly refuse to be abused by a book!! I will try once more, but after I have finished the one I am reading to review for one of our members here.

[Sarah]

I've just started this one, been in my list for a while, but I keep gettting distracted by other books. Hoping to get going properly later today.

[Karen]

I'm wading through Miss Clack's narrative at the mo, and finding it a little slower going than Betteredge, which I loved. I think I must have skipped a lot of this bit when I read it years ago as I can't remember it!

[[deleted user]]

Miss Clack is certainly not my favourite character but I still found some humour in her (when she wasn't irritating me) - I did enjoy the last line of her narrative though. Won't say any more for spoilers!

:0)

[Cw]

Well, the potting shed is now tidy(ish) It is rather full of a 52cc petrol strimmer/trimmer/chainsaw which I am playing with like a small kid on a new bike. (Anyone got a hedge, wall, cat they need trimming?)

Having only started yesterday I'm cracking on (and cracking up) at for me a phenomenal rate. I live Betteridge or rather the total lack of modesty or political correctness. Sadly I think he sounds totally like me on one of my muttering/meandering days so it's gripping me tighter than Spandex.

I don't actually care too much about the "who done it" part - I'm just enjoying the tale.

[Patti (baconater)]

You've convinced me that I must read it, CW.

[[deleted user]]

I enjoyed Betteredge's narrative the most - Miss Clack is also amusing but in a different way, I found her extremely unlikeable whereas I'd love to meet Betteredge! There are still some funny part in Miss Clack's narrative though. The rest are more serious but you meet Betteredge again before the end of the book, although he doesn't write any more narratives, but he speaks my favourite line in the book when we meet him again later!

:0)

[Karen]

ooh, good. Will try and read a good chunk more tonight then.
Luckily nothing on tv most of this week!

[Aunty Janet]

Finally finished it last night. It's well written, but kept sending me to sleep! It took me ages to read. Not sure I would recommend it to others, but I know that some people loved it. I liked the different perspective narrative, but the story moved too slowly for my liking.

[[deleted user]]

Congratulations on finishing it against the odds, the Janet! Sorry you didn't enjoy it so much but we all have such different tastes. Hope you find something that you will enjoy much more to read next!!

:0)

[Jud]

I'm the same as you Janet, once I start I have to finish. I enjoyed the Moonstone though. I think Wilkie Collins is one of my favourite authors I have loads of his books on my kindle waiting to be read. Thankfully nearly all his books are free!

[Aunty Janet]

You are so right Karen. The great thing about a group read is the encouragement to read outside my normal comfort zones. I'm really enjoying the challenge!
Generally, Jud, I give up if I'm not enjoying a book now, but it is hard as I worry it will be awesome near the end!