Gransnet forums

Books/book club

Have you heard about this book that is shooting into the best sellers list...

(40 Posts)
j08 Fri 05-Jul-13 08:44:18

...48 years after it was published.

Ian McEwan was just raving about it on the Today prog. Apparently, it was considered fairly nondescript at the time of publication, but someone (don't know who) has read it recently and it seems set to become huge!

It is only £2.99 on Kindle. (other versions are available) everyone's summer reading?

absent Fri 05-Jul-13 09:24:04

No.

Ariadne Fri 05-Jul-13 09:30:23

Just had a look, and I think I might like it, so bought it - just no holding my profligacy sometimes! Thanks jingl - will report back!

Ana Fri 05-Jul-13 09:32:20

It does sound interesting. Think I'll buy it too.

annodomini Fri 05-Jul-13 09:41:27

Same here, Ariadne. I'm building up a library for my French holiday next month. Trouble is, I keep reading the books as soon as I get them.

mollie Fri 05-Jul-13 09:59:14

I've added it to my wish list (thanks for the tip) but the trouble s Amazons 'other readers also bought' suggestions also look good so my wish list keeps getting bigger...it's a dilemma! So many books, so little time!

Grannyknot Fri 05-Jul-13 10:03:35

Thanks for that! I like the look of it (although when I first saw the title I thought, oh no not another drug bio) smile

Stansgran Fri 05-Jul-13 10:59:45

That's what I thought and didn't look any further. Might give it a try. Anyone else a Persephone fan? I'm working my way through. I'd not noticed Vintage Classics before.

annekiely Fri 05-Jul-13 11:03:40

If you use the store on your Kindle rather than on Amazon, you can download a free sample - that's what I've just done. If I enjoy it then I will download the book.

Elegran Fri 05-Jul-13 11:08:54

You can "Look inside" on the Amazon page, which gives you the flavour of a few pages (unless the bit they let you look at is just the title page and chapter headings - not very informative).

annodomini Fri 05-Jul-13 11:56:51

You can download a free sample from the Amazon page too. I frequently use that facility.

MrsJamJam Sat 06-Jul-13 08:27:44

Thanks for the tip, I've ordered it on my kindle ready for my next holiday.

SuperNana10 Sun 07-Jul-13 01:44:47

How much is it in Australia and what is the title?

Maniac Sun 07-Jul-13 09:44:13

Just put this book onto my Kindle.

gracesmum Sun 07-Jul-13 09:53:19

I'd be interested to read/hear opinions. It doesn't actually grab me, but I'd like to be proved wrong.

annodomini Sun 07-Jul-13 10:05:56

I will read it when I've finished The Cleaner and discuss it with you Gmum.

dorsetpennt Sun 07-Jul-13 10:12:36

I've read several 'old' books lately, love Virago Press for publishing so many. Just read 'Our Spoons Came from Woolworths' by Barbara Comyns a delightful quirky book, also Rumer Godden's Greengage Summer. Amazon has so many different links to bookstores that sell old copies of books so I often manage to track down an ols favourite.

Ariadne Sun 07-Jul-13 10:17:08

It's not grabbing me either, gracesmum! But if I were teaching it, I'd say that the style exactly reflects the content (that's a compliment to it, BTW). However, I stopped last night and moved to something lighter and easier - my brain is in somnolent mode, I think! sunshine

petallus Sun 07-Jul-13 12:26:22

I've just risked a few quid on it. Sounds promising.

annodomini Sun 14-Jul-13 18:37:34

I agree, Ariadne The style does reflect the content and the characters, none of whom attract me. I found the plot pedestrian, the characters dull and the style unobtrusive. I'd probably give myself a poor mark for that judgement! Oh and, by the way, I did the unforgivable and went to the end without reading the whole thing! blush Please don't let me put you off. Oh, sorry, I might already have done that...

Mishap Sun 14-Jul-13 20:03:14

JO8 you should work for amazon! - I too have just downloaded it, having intended to a few weeks ago when I first read about it. You jogged my memory.

j08 Sun 14-Jul-13 20:08:14

But I'm gonna feel really bad if no one likes it and I've made them waste their money! [wrings hands]

hummingbird Sun 14-Jul-13 20:45:31

I've read it (Stoner), and really enjoyed it. I'm a great Persephone books fan too - have you tried Dorothy Whipple, Stansgran? I love the grey covers, and the feel of the the pages.

squaredog Tue 16-Jul-13 18:12:54

Sorry for the 'lateness', but just returned to Gransnet after spending a MAMMOTH amount of time on Mumsnet........oohhh.....

But so little now in common darlings........

Anyway, back to the book......thanks SO much for the 'nod'. (Wouldn't have got THAT over there, now would I?)

The dilemma is always for me, Kindle or book. MUCH prefer books darlings, but the price in comparison to the Kindles' is so off-putting. I SO love the feel of a book in my hand. Got yer moneys worth, innit?

I'm a dreadfully slow reader, cos I'm faffing around at so much, but will report back.

Thanks once again x

j08 Tue 16-Jul-13 19:43:35

That's alright squaredog. You're very welcome. confused