what a great book
didn't want it to end.
what did you think?

I loved it. I found the central character quite strange, right from the beginning...won't say more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but it was very good.

Some people have said it was disturbing, even unpleasant, but I found myself aware of the possibilities of the outcome quite early and still found the story fascinating. The way it unfolded gradually and raised so many questions. The ending was superb.

Maybe I'm just a bit macabre?

I'm off to check out a few more of his, once I've finished my latest light relief book...Christopher Brookmyre, Not the End of the World (my latest fave writer...so clever, so funny).

yes the ending was very satisfying

nme too
it was fabbo
cnat remember any more

I am shite at remembering books..often start reading a book then realise I've already read it

I loved it - was fascinated by the character from the very beginning and the ending was perfect.

I am about 30 pages in and struggling a bit. Having read your posts, I'd better persevere! How does it compare to his other books? And have any of you read Time Traveller's Wife (which I have just finished but found pretty hard going).

absolutely brill

must re-read some bits before next week's book group, memory shot

I liked time travellers wife

this is better though

enjoyed both TTW and engleby

engleby more "writerly"

haven't read it.

But can anyone tell me whether Human Traces (by him) is any good ? It has been lent to me and haven't got round to reading it yet.

(Loved time Traveller's wife btw)

yes, I liked it a lot. Compelling.

Yes - I read it avidly whilst fending off childrens' entreaties to play on my day off . Haven't read Human Traces - something about the book jacket blurb put me off, but can't remember what it was.

Scarletibis, I haven't read Human Traces, but I have heard that it can be quite hard going.... will try to remember where I have read that and post a link.

(although - am wondering now if it wasn't in an interview Faulkes gave to some magazine in which he admitted that he had been told it was hard going...)

I'm almost at the end but darling wakeful DS has scuppered my plan to finish it the for last 3 nights!

I've thoroughly enjoyed it - a bit neither-nowt-nor-summat at the start but it's a fantastic portrait of the central character. Not so much disturbing as intriguing.

OOh- I've got it on my list to read - it's on the shelf, I'll read it next...

I loved On Green Dolphin Street- anyone else read that?

Human Traces is harder going than Engleby. Totally different, much more literary and definitely a lot of showing off from the writer. But good. I enjoyed it - it's worth persisting with, I think, if you're interested in the core subject matter.

I loved it. Marvellous

ok, thanks - will give it a go.

oh yes, I read it in the summer on holiday, loved it, very disturbing but a great read

Thought it was brilliant. Couldn't put it down and then couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards. Enjoyed all the pscychoanalysis at the end, v interesting. Human Traces, I haven't read it but know people who have, is a lot more 'technical' apparently.

Have just finished this within the last 10 minutes. Has taken me weeks so my train of events is a little broken as to what did or did not happen.

**********Spoiler alert******************





The ending.

Is this just his idealised imagined ending? I assumed reading it that he had killed her. Then I changed my mind. Then changed it back. And now I don't know. Will have to re-read bits to refresh

I thought Engleby was a fabulous read

HATED TTW, there was a big idea there but the writer hadn't the skill to pull it off.

Loved Engleby

Thought it was brilliant. Couldn't put it down. Unfortunately feel I know a few very slightly 'Engleby' type people. Bit worrying really.....Thought the ending was V.G too.