Philip > Recent Status Updates

Hallelujah - after several attempts over the years, I'm finally completely engrossed by this book!

As do many novels that are over-written and over-long, this one sags in the middle.

As do novels that are over-written and over-long, this one sags in the middle.

Starts out slowly, but the pace - and readability - pick up.

While the book has become more engrossing, even at this point the story isn't really going anywhere yet - it's like I'm still waiting for it to really begin and take off.

This one starts out exceedingly slow (even for Caldwell) and is exceedingly gloomy (even for Caldwell).

One of the truly amazing things about this novel is how slow on the uptake the protagonist is: the reader has a far better idea of what's going on than he does.

Not quite as bad as I remember it as being, but then again, I don't remember much about it - obviously one of HR's more forgettable efforts.

Not quite as bad as I remember it as being, but then again, I don't remember much about it - obviously one of HR's more forgettable efforts.

At 48 pages in, I'm not exactly enthralled by this one.

O'Connor was a fine writer and storyteller - it's a pleasure to read such a well-written novel that slowly reveals its characters.

Much familiar biographical detail, and lots of "Did they or didn't they?" speculations

Although it's been some years since I watched the 1932 film all the way through, remembering what stars played which characters makes it easy to envision them!

Thoroughly engaging - although the narrative jumps around between decades and characters, it's a smooth read!

(actually of 341)

(The actual page-count of the edition I'm reading is 341, including a 5-page "Note to the Reader" at the end.

One of Christie's more 'static' efforts -has a somewhat 'obligatory' feel to it.

So far, so bad.