Of Mice and Maltesers - Maria2007's book
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(13 Posts)
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A really good read. Pretty unputdownable. For some strange reason it reminded me of American Psycho - have you read that? Obviously totally different but also about narcissism and the corporate world etc. but that protagonist is the flip side to this one!
I'd be interested to know what you thought about a couple of things:
I spent a lot of time thinking 'Why is he like this? It can't just be guilt over his daughter? Is there something in his background?' So, I just felt that when they
did reveal it, it was a bit cliched - the trip to the psychiatrist etc. and very sudden, especially the stuff about his sister. There was no drip-drip of information really - in storytelling terms it was all show and no tell! Well, that's how I felt. It was a bit rushed.
The ending. I think I would have preferred it without those last couple of pages. Not because I'm a heartless cow, honestly
. It just felt, again, a bit cliched, a bit of a cop out. I guess it was supposed to be about redemption/second chances etc. but I think the book could have been better without it, although shocking.
But I'd be interested to know what you think!
Hi Whinegums, sorry to hear to had no strong feelings about this book. But it's to be expected, first, that some of us are busy some of the months & so not all books will get read...and second that we won't all like/love each other's books. That's what makes the whole book swap interesting
I've given up on the book for this month - not because I hate it Maria, I just feel I've run out of time (again) and won't be able to catch up - loads going on for me at the moment. I'm not the sort of person who has to finish a book once I've started, and I have no strong feelings either way on this one. The character of Matthew doesn't resonate with me at all, and I don't care what happens to him.
I would finish it off at a later date if I got the opportunity and time.
I quite like the structure of the book, with the mini sketches of other people and their lives.
Whinegums, hope you like the book
I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, & I was unsure when I chose it, but I think in the end it makes for an interesting read (and not too tiring)...so hope you do enjoy it in the end! Don't worry if you don't, please feel free to say so, it's great to get different opinions on the books all of us have chosen.
I'm getting this on my threads - I've skimmed through the earlier posts in case there are spoilers. I haven't got very far with the book yet - I've just gone back to a new job, full time after mat leave - so I'm falling into bed by 10 every night. It hasn't hooked me in yet, but I'll persevere!
Sorry it has taken me so long to post my thoughts here.
I am still not sure exactly how I felt about this book to be honest. I don't know if I ever really 'clicked' with Matthew athough I think maybe he did grow on me. A lot of the time I just wanted to tel him to 'get on with it'!
There was also a stage when I was finding the sketches written about the other people who lived in his building more interesting than the main story.
I have to admit that I cannot actually recall the ending of the book!
How did you find it in the end Dysgu? Would be curious to know
I have just come onto this thread to check out what other people thought of this book as I have been woring my way through it for the past couple of weeks and am not really making very much progress.
It is not tht I don't like it - I just haven't got hooked onto Matthew's character yet. I think it may be that I have been trying to read it whilst I was on holiday with extended family so didn't really get much extended reading time!
Glad to see that other people really enjoyed the book so I will persevere. Really, after a fortnight I am only on page 98 (there are 346) so I do have a way to go.)
I don't mind having read here that he doesn't die -although I was wondering in a curious sort of way how the author was going to write the SPLAT!
Will persevere...
Hi Aristocat, thanks for your comments
I've skimmed through the book again (to remind myself) & yes, I do think the author took the 'easy' way out. But somehow it felt ok for this particular book, don't know, I think it would have been disappointing if it had ended any other way.
D. L. has written one further novel- it's also excellent (maybe even better than this one). I think he's a very talented author... and he's quite young too (well, if you consider myself quite young
, I think he's 36 or so!)
well, here goes
i thought that this was a very original and brilliant story about his descent into depression and attempted suicide.
matthews need to give is obsessive and it made me smile how he is always trying to do 'the right thing'.
i loved matthews character [despite his problems] he is complex and fascinating.
arti was right earlier that the reasoning for him being like this was rushed and you half expected most of it anyway!
also liked all the other characters too - a good supporting cast for our man.
regarding the ending, i was waiting for the THUD however i liked him so much i didnt want him to die either.
felt that the author definitely took the easy option.
however a great choice
maria - no need to worry am sure the others will love it too.
BTW cant believe this is his debut novel
thanks
maria got your book via arti and have started it already.
hoping to have a good read today whilst kids at school.
enjoying it so far and will report back when finished
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